Sanibel Island Real Estate Everything You Should Know (2022)

Sanibel Island Real Estate – What Exactly to Ask Before you Move to Sanibel or Anywhere in Florida 

Our friend Eric Pfeifer is a 20+ year realtor on the islands. He has handled countless moves to the islands and SWFL. He knows exactly what you should be finding out about Sanibel Island real estate.

Hurricanes, flood zones, and weather are all things that you need to consider before purchasing Sanibel Island real estate as well as Captiva real estate.

We talked about all that and more in this episode of The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast.

Visit Eric Pfeifer’s real estate website to find out more www.SunnySanibel.com

Here are some frequently asked questions about Sanibel Island real estate.

1. Is Sanibel a good place to live?

Short answer- Yes (unequivocally!)

Beautiful beaches, low crime rate, great schools, nature… need I go on!

2. Is living on Sanibel expensive?

Short answer- Yes (sort of)

A home on Sanibel is more expensive than an equivalent home mainland, that is true. Is it expensive compared with what though? If you are comparing Sanibel with other islands in Florida. Then no, it’s comparable or cheaper, depending on where you look.

Do you pay more taxes on Sanibel or Captiva? No, but the average home price is higher so therefore you will pay more in taxes. The Lee county tax rates are the same though.

Shopping for everyday things on Sanibel can be a few percentage points higher than on the mainland but that is true for most islands.

3. Is Sanibel a good place to retire?

Short answer – yes (100%)

If you check out the average age of Sanibel residents, it should answer the question “is Sanibel a good place to retire?”

Probably the main reasons are as follows:

-Lots of outdoor activities

-Great organizations, clubs

-Lots of volunteering opportunities

-Great for wildlife

-Great weather

-Great water activities

-Great hospitals close by

The list could go on and on.

Check out our podcast, where we talk to a retired couple on the islands.

4. Should I worry about flooding?

Short answer- Yes and No

Florida is a low-lying state. So by pure definition, it can be more susceptible to flooding. However, the state of Florida is a natural marvel that has ecologically equipped itself to handle vast amounts of water.

Think “Everglades”. The natural phenomenon that is known as “the everglades” is a vast sheet flow of water that stretches from just south of Orlando, all the way to the 10,000 islands at the very southern tip of Florida.

This does not guarantee the mitigation of flooding but it can certainly help with drainage from tropical rainfall and occasional flooding

Man has inhabited Florida for at least 14,000 years (the Palio-Indians). Over that time, people have become more and more adept at living in potential flood zones.

Look at the artificial mounds of Horr’s Island near Marco Island dating back thousands of years or more recently (500AD) the shell mounds constructed by the Calusa Indians.

Man has continually raised himself above water levels.

Today, building codes help mediate the potential risk of flooding. Most modern structures especially coastal ones are elevated.

Depending on where you are, this may be as simple as raising the building a few feet with fill dirt or it could mean that your first floor is raised into the air on top of pilings, etc.

Older ground-level homes are still really popular today because of their accessibility but be warned, you may pay a premium for flood insurance.

Please consult a professional when looking at an individual property

5. Does a pool increase property value?

Short answer – yes

Although pool values are hard to quantify, it is a common belief that a swimming pool will aid in the sale of ANY home.

Will you get back dollar for dollar what you put into it? That is harder to say.

From personal experience, I would recommend a pool. I have owned homes with and without pools and I can categorically say that I prefer living in a house with a pool. This is Florida after all.

I loved to see our kids enjoy it when they were younger. Even though they do not use it as much now (college), I would still have one.

I love the aesthetics, I love the sound of water. It complements the Florida outdoor life!

6. Are stilt homes safe in hurricanes?

Short answer- Yes (well and no:))

I would say on a whole, yes. It really should be a different question though, rather than asking “are stilt homes safe in a hurricane?” a better question would be “Would this particular stilt home be safe in a hurricane?”

There is a vast difference between old Florida piling homes and those of today. The new ones can be made of concrete, they may have sacrificial flood walls on the ground floor, lots of rebar in the concrete, etc.

That is not to say all old ones are bad. Quite the contrary, there are old piling homes sitting IN the Gulf of Mexico. Yes! actually constructed in the water. With wooden pilings and they have been through countless hurricanes and are still standing to this very day.

This really is a case-by-case question, I would seek professional advice if you are looking at an older building

7. Why is Sanibel real estate so popular?

Short answer- because it is quite simply one of the best places on planet Earth to live (but we are a little biased:))

If you have read this far and you have to ask the question why is Sanibel so popular? I would like to refer you to the rest of The Sanibel Captiva Guide.

You will find approximately 5432+ reasons why Sanibel (and Captiva) are such incredible places:)