MARKET BUZZ - The real estate market on Sanibel and Captiva is lookin' good. The unit sales of houses and condos are up 25% over last year (YTD 9/30) with a very positive progression. First quarter was down 5%, second quarter up 18%, third quarter up 97%. (Consider that last years 3rd qtr. figures were impacted by the WTC tragedy.) If our prognosis is right, the fourth quarter should be up about 50%. That could make this year close to or equal to the record year of 2000.
 
CONDOS ARE BUBBLING - The condominium market is exploding. Unit sales are up 28% over last year (YTD 9/30) with the third quarter up an astounding 127%. Even considering the September downturn of last year, that is pretty impressive. Three bedroom units lead the way with one and two bedroom units up at a moderate pace.
 
HOUSES ARE UP - The single family home market is strong. Unit sales are up 23% over last year (YTD 9/30). The homes directly on the gulf or bay are up 100%. Other water front homes (canal, Bayou or Roosevelt Channel) are up 8% while the more moderately priced homes away from water (inland and near beach homes) are up 21%.
 
PRICES ARE MIXED - Average sale price for condos are up 13% over last year (YTD 9/30). This is due to the surge in the sale of three bedroom units. Their average sale price increased 26%. The sale price held steady at about 95% of list price. Single family homes increased just 3%. This is due to the 22% increase in average sale price for bay front homes. All other water front homes were down by 10% The more moderately priced homes off water were about even with last year. The spread is wider between the list price and sale price for homes.
 

LOTS ARE SCRAMBLING - Building lots are becoming a smaller part of the market on our island paradise. Unit sales continue to be down and we don't expect to see any major shift in this status. Inventory on Captiva is almost nil and it's small and shrinking on Sanibel. For those of you buying to hold for future building or investment, you can expect that as the supply dwindles, the values will more than likely go up
 
SMALL TOWN GOIN'S ON - Season is upon us and the islands are brimming with things to do . . . In November, SCCF will have a 35th anniversary party and Big Arts will have their annual arts and craft fair . . . December will have the luminary trails on both islands . . . Big Arts will have a series of concerts throughout the season. The schedule and performers are noted at www.bigarts.org . . . The Sanibel Music Festival will have its 17th season in the spring. You can get the full schedule at www.sanibelmusicfestival.org. . . . The Shell Fair and the Lion's Club arts and craft fair are favorites . . . The theaters and restaurants are spiffed up and ready for you . . . The Refuge (http://dingdarling.fws.gov) and SCCF (www.sccf.org) have ongoing events and tours for you . . . If you want to check out what's scheduled for the next five or six months, go to the Chamber's site at www.sanibel-captiva.org and check out their calendar of events. Enjoy yourself in paradise!
 
NEW - WWW.SANIBEL-CAPTIVANATUREPHOTOS.COM - We have created a series of photographs that capture the essence of Sanibel and Captiva. They picture your island paradise in a way that will enhance your memories and bring the unique beauty of your islands to life. They are posted for you to review at www.sanibel-captivanaturephotos.com. They are available in limited edition signed prints. You can order any or all of these beautiful photographs directly from the web site. They are matted and ready for framing in two sizes - 12 x 18 and 20 x 30. These beautiful, vibrant pictures will bring the islands to life for you. You can also order t-shirts with many of the photos printed on them. Give a gift of Sanibel-Captiva memories this year, to yourself or someone you love. And hurry . . . holiday orders will be brisk! See "Otter Curiosity" (below) plus more on the website!
HURRICANE HELP! We're in the hurricane season until the end of November. But we could see severe weather almost any time of the year. The best way to stay informed is to call 800.933.6093 or go to www.mysanibel.com.
SCHOOL WEBSITE - This year the Sanibel School has redesigned its website to improve parent, student and teacher communication. It shows parents how to help their children improve grades and be successful, and provides links to teachers. It sounds like they're ahead of the curve. If you're interested, go to www.lee.k12.fl.us/sbl.
CLAM BAYOU OPENS UP - Talking about water, the city has opened up the bayou to the gulf. When the bayou was closed to the gulf, it became stagnant & a bit stinky. People living there didn't open their windows a lot. Now, with the bayou again connected to the gulf, the water can flow, the fish can return and the birds will come back to the bayou. This is good for the city, good for the homeowners and good for the wildlife.
 

DON'T WAIT TOO LONG TO MAKE YOUR VACATION PLANS!

P.O.Box 186
Sanibel, Florida 33957
800-794-3107

Rental space fills up pretty quickly, particularly with season approaching. If you don't have the time to hunt around to find just the right vacation spot on Sanibel or Captiva, let us do it for you. GOPHER ENTERPRISES of Sanibel and Captiva is dedicated to finding your dream vacation rental. Go to our website and it will tell you all about us and how we can help you. Go to www.gopherrental.com or, if you prefer, call us at 800.794.3107. We will save you a lot of time.
 
ATTENTION SELLERS!! IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SELLING --YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE HERE! REMEMBER TIMING IS EVERYTHING!!! COME TO WHERE THE ACTION IS - CALL DAVID NOW! SOLD SINCE JANUARY 1, 2002:
$ 16670 Captiva Drive - $3,700,000 $ Pointe Santo A-21 - $775,000 $ Pointe Santo C-42 - $850,000 $ $ Pointe Santo E-34 - $1,100,000 $ Point Santo A-34 - $1,525,000 $ 580 Sea Oats Drive - $780,000 $ $ 1759 Venus Drive - $1,200,000 $ 1801 Farm Trail - $190,000 $ 1282 Par View - $615,000 $
 

DAVID'S SHOWCASE!

1. 1571 San Carlos Bay Drive - Spectacular Bay Front Views - Best of both worlds! Bay front views - canal front taxes! Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath plus den. Deep water direct access boat dock and many extras. Fully furnished for only $1,990,000!

2. Pointe Santo B-1 - Popular ground floor walk-out. 2 bedroom, 2 bath Gulf and courtyard views. Kitchen and bathrooms completely remodeled. New furnishings. Super rental history. Booked for season and ready to go! Priced $759,000 furnished.

3. Pointe Santo B-22 - Second floor Gulf view. 2 bedroom, 2 bath with superior rental history. Comes complete with its very own Internet site! Priced for immediate sale at $729,000 furnished!

4. Pointe Santo E-36 - 3rd floor Gulf front. 2 bedroom, 2 bath completely renovated. Excellent rental history! Yours for $1,200,000

5. Loggerhead Cay 262 - 2nd floor courtyard view. 2 bedroom, 2 bath tastefully decorated. Very popular rental complex. Priced at $599,900.

6. 1120 Skiff Place - Lowest priced canal front lot on Sanibel. Desirable East end location. Priced at $450,000.

TWO SERVICES FOR YOU!

MY NEWSLETTER, THE SCHULDENFREI REPORT, is available on my web site. If you would like to join the 1,000+ readers who have their own link to the Internet newsletter, just fill in the enclosed card and mail it back to me. You'll get the newsletter faster!

MY BUYER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM has been very successful. If you'd like help monitoring the local inventory, join the program. Fill in the enclosed card and mail it back to us. We will e-mail you a listing sheet on any properties that meet your criteria on the same day it enters the Sanibel/Captiva MLS. This gives you a valuable edge in reviewing properties before other buyers see it. Join the program and be informed.
 
For all your real estate needs, call me DAVID L. SCHULDENFREI! Whether you are buying, selling, or renting property, my 26 years of experience is ready to serve your every need with confidentiality, knowledge and experience.
Office: 239.472.5187 x 227 * 800.553.7338 x 227
Home: 239.466.0514 * Fax: 239.472.0996
e-mail: davids@schuldenfrei.com * Internet: www.schuldenfrei.com
or write: VIP Realty Group, 1560 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
YOUR BEST INTEREST IS MY ONLY BUSINESS

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