Are Sanibel Real Estate Values Holding Their Own?

With a highly volatile stock market, a rock and rolling job market and an overall economy that has seen better days, the question frequently arises about the Sanibel Real Estate Market.

There is no doubt that Sanibel prices have come down from what they were 3 years ago, but no where near the drop of other locations in Florida or across the country.

In addition, Sanibel Island is frequently named in top tourist attractions within the continental USA because of the beaches, shelling and wild life combined with all the civilized amenities of restaurants, shops and accommodations.

In fact, just recently, Barron's listed the 10 best places in America to buy second homes, and no surprise that Sanibel Island made the prestigious list.

According to the editors at Barron's, the locations chosen were based on the following: "gorgeous houses, spectacular views, world-class golf, fishing and skiing, fine dining and great shopping."

And though they offered three caveats:
1) Our selections are every bit as subjective as tastes in homes themselves.
2) The prices cited are based mainly on conversations with locals, because hard data isn't available.
3) Your plush new retreat may take some time to rise in value.

Their bottom line says it all: Serious appreciation will require a better economy and, quite possibly, another big rally in stocks. But hey, you could do worse than marking time in paradise.

And certainly the description of Sanibel and Captiva was compelling:

Sitting off the coast of Fort Myers, a nerve center of America's foreclosure crisis, the barrier islands of Captiva and Sanibel are the very picture of laid-back living. Linked by a bridge at Sanibel's northern point, the islands are renowned for their pristine beaches and abundant seashells. Then there are the hiking trails; half the island is a nature preserve. The late Robert Rauschenberg is, even in death, one of the largest landowners. His 35-acre spread, complete with studio, is intact on Captiva's northern end.



But what does all this mean to the Sanibel traveler? Well, for beginners it means that Sanibel has enough to offer investors and home buyers to keep it a viable destination. Translated, that means that your vacation rental experience will continue to be sublime. Neither oil nor blight has visited Sanibel and that means a pristine environment for those living and visiting the Islands.



It also means that Sanibel will not offer the cheapest entrance to a beach vacation and discounts, where they exist, will not be as deep as other locations.



But there are beaches and there are beaches and there are islands and there are islands.



Is it worth spending a little more to get the best?



We think so and hope you will come on down and test our boast!



Looking forward to seeing you soon.