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Sanibel & Captiva Island
Home Facts

There are approximately 80 residential subdivisions on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Maintenance and upkeep are the responsibility of the owners. In some cases the owners have formed a Homeowners Association and share the cost of their community pool and/or tennis court and yard maintenance via a monthly or yearly assessment (similar to that of a condominium), but assume individual responsibility for their home exteriors. Maintenance and management services are available to the second or absentee owner for a fee if desired. Fees vary depending on the service desired: yard maintenance, pool maintenance, etc.

Gulf-Front Homes & Estates: (Examples - West Gulf Drive, Water's Edge Lane, Rue Belle Mer, Sea Spray, Chateau Sur Mer, Gulf Shores, Gulf Pines, Gulf Ridge, Tarpon Bay Estates, Captiva & South Seas Plantation).

Residences of this nature are usually situated on parcels of land of one-half to one acre or more. Naturally, the price range differs greatly from property to property because of the size, amenities, guest/servant housing and other variables. Prices normally start about $1,500,000 and go up  to $7,000,000+.

Gulf Beach Access Homes: (Examples - Little Lake Murex, East and West Rocks, Sea Oats, The Ridge, Sanibel Bayous, Sea Gate, Sunset Captiva, Sea Gull Estates, South Winds, Gulf Pines, Gulf Ridge, Gulf Shores, Sea Spray, and Chateau Sur Mer).

There are several lovely residential areas on Sanibel and Captiva which afford the owner private beach access. In some cases these mini-communities have common owner amenities such as swimming pools and tennis court -- in addition to beach access. Home costs in these areas start as low as $400,000 upward to $1,000,000+.

Bay Front Homes: (Examples - Sanibel Estates, Sanibel Isles, Sanibel Harbors, Water Shadows, and Ferry Landings).

From time to time an existing bay front home will become available to purchase. Again, these homes vary greatly in price due to size and amenities. Prices usually start at $1,500,000 and go as high as $5,000,000+. It is difficult to build this type of home on the Islands because of the low land elevation and the mangrove vegetation on the bay side.

Golf Course Homes: (Examples - Sanctuary, Dunes, Beachview C.C. & South Seas Plantation).

A haven for golf, Sanibel & Captiva contains four exceptional golf courses, private and public. Prices start at $300,000 and go as high as $6,000,000.

Water-Front/Canal Homes: (Examples - Shell Harbor, Sanibel Estates, Sanibel Isles, Sanibel Harbors, Water Shadows, Dinkins Bayou, Del Sega, White Heron & Roosevelt Channel).

The obvious attraction in living in this type of home us the fact that you have private boat mooring facilities in your back yard. In addition, many of the water views are lovely and additional privacy is afforded. Prices again vary from location to location, but start at approximately $500,000 and go to $4,500,000.

Central Island Homes: (Examples - Dunes, Gumbo Limbo, Sanibel Highlands, Sanibel Gardens and Periwinkle Pines).

Many homes located in the interior of the Islands are built around lakes, golf courses, or limited-access canals. Lot sizes are usually 1/4 to 1/2 acre and prices for existing homes in these areas range from $250,000 to $700,000.

Sanibel & Captiva Island
Condominium Facts

Presently there are approximately 120 condominium complexes completed or under construction. The prices range from $200,000 for a one bedroom apartment to $3,000,000 for a three bedroom ultra luxurious Gulf-front apartment. Naturally, the prices are predicated on several variables: location, number of apartments within the complex, size of the apartment, recreational facilities and other amenities offered. Most apartments are furnished except for the new product coming on the market for the first time.

Ultra Luxurious Gulf Front Complexes: (Examples - Anglers Key, Chelsea Place, LaPlaya, Royal Tern, Tamarina, Somerset at the Reef, Lands End Village, Wedgewood, Seascape, and Captiva Beach Villas).

Some of these apartments are the newest product on the market. They are generally low density complexes with large square footages and priced from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. They normally have two or three bedrooms and baths with a den and/or dining room. Many include ground floor beach cabanas with wet bars, pool, garage parking and storage.

Luxury Gulf Front Complexes: (Examples - The Atrium, By-The-Sea, Dosinia, Gulfside Place, High Tide, Pine Cove, Shorewood, Surfside, Tanglewood, Tantara, White Pelican).

Apartments in this category are in the $900,000 to $2,000,000 price range. They have similar features and amenities as the above, but smaller living area.

Moderately Luxurious Gulf Front Complexes: (Examples - Beach cottages, Junonia, King's Crown, Pointe Santo, St. Croix, Snug Harbor, White Sands, Compass Point, Sanddollar, Cyprina Beach, Sanibel Surfside).

These complexes are also Gulf-front locations but offer fewer convenient items and contain less square footage. The price range is from $700,000 to $1,500,000(+). A swimming pool and tennis court are normally available on the premises.

Vacation Gulf Front Complexes: (Examples - Sanibel Arms, Sanibel Arms West, Sanibel Moorings, Sanibel Siesta, Sundial, Sandalfoot, Island Beach Club, Oceans Reach, Signal Inn, Loggerhead Cay, Coquina Beach, and Beach Villas).

Most of the apartments in this type of complex have one or two bedrooms. Normally these are direct Gulf-front units and/or units within the complex that are not on the beach but within a few hundred feet of shore. Prices range from $325,000 to $1,000,000 with the gulf front apartments commanding the highest prices. Pools, tennis and other amenities are usually a part of the complex.

Bay-Front Complexes: (Examples - Mariner Pointe, Bayside Villas, Lighthouse Point, Captiva Shores, Captiva Cove, Sunset Captiva Bayside, Captiva Hide-A-Way, Ventura Captiva and Marina Villas).

These complexes consist of one to three bedroom apartments. Prices range from $300,000 to $2,000,000 depending on the view and floor plan. Amenities include private boat mooring facilities, pools and some have tennis courts, private fishing pier, and Gulf beach access.

Canal/Direct Access Condominiums: (Examples - Harbour Cottages, Mariner Pointe, Tennisplace, Sanibel Arms, Sea Winds and Sea Wind II, Captiva Bay Villas).

The first three condominiums named above have direct access to the Bay making it possible to have a sailboat; the rest have mooring facilities, but require passage under a bridge(s) thereby limiting the height of a boat. Prices range from $250,000 to $2,000,000 depending upon the area and floor plan.

Interior Vacation Condominiums: (Examples - Sandpebble, Sea Shells of Sanibel, Spanish Cay, Donax Village, Captain's Walk, Blind Pass, Sanibel Shores, and Tennis Village).

Most interior condominium complexes are within a short walk of the Gulf beach. They normally are one to two bedroom apartments. These complexes also usually offer amenities such as a swimming pool and tennis court. The prices range from $225,000 to $600,000.

Gulf front Resort Complexes: (Examples - Sundial Beach & Tennis Resort, Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel Inn, and South Seas Plantation).

These apartments are part of what is known as a resort complex offering full amenities on the premises such as restaurant(s), lounge, nightly entertainment, pool(s), tennis court(s), windsurfing rentals, planned activities for the whole family and group meeting facilities. Daily (or nightly) rentals and maid service are the norm. They are attractive to investors because of the high rental potential and/or the guaranteed leasebacks offered to the owners who place their apartments in the on-site or available rental and management programs on the Islands. Apartment units range from a small one room efficiency to three bedrooms and cabanas. They are priced from $250,000 - $2,000,000 depending on the unit location and view within the complex.