The weather has been beautiful here on Sanibel and Captiva. Although it is warm we have been blessed with gentle breezes and moonlit nights. Bougainvilla and Oleander and other flowering plants are in bloom. The beaches are perfect, uncrowded and full of wildlife.
The peace is broken by a legitimate concern and a source of conversation on the islands. Oil pollution. The oil leaking near New Orleans made Florida Residents nervous when they reported “tar balls’ in Key West. Additionally it was reported that the oil would be in the Gulf Stream on the east coast of Florida in no time- damage by the media had begun. All of Florida was put on notice. Plans were made by municipalities, posts were put up on websites explaining the state of the beaches and reservationists at local rental agencies were telling nervous vacationers that the beaches are open and beautiful.
The question that Realtors are asking is what will be the effects on our local activity? Our office has seen a 139% increase in unit sales the first quarter of the year vs. last year. The last thing Realtors and Sellers want to see is a slowdown caused by oil pollution. Interested buyers are approaching the problem two different ways. First, they are postponing decisions until after the affects are over. This is similar to post Hurricane Charlie when customers waited until after the island was put back in shape and bought in record numbers a few months after the storm. The second group is more opportunistic. They are recognizing that media fear may be spreading to the sellers and are making offers on some well priced inventory. Some are validating the pollution problem to the sellers by putting a clause in the agreement giving them the right to cancel if the city closes the beach. Just yesterday our office sold a home from an offer they said no to before the oil pollution began. An example of a buyer being rewarded.
What would Warren Buffett do? He boasts doing the opposite of what others are doing. Risk vs. Reward. Those who take the risk get rewards. What is the risk of the oil pollution hitting our shores? Well a recent oceanographer study, reported on tampabay.com, said that with the findings of an eddy current called the Tortuga Eddy, will push the pollution off our shores. Officials from SW Florida cities are now reporting that the percentage chance of the pollution hitting our shores is less than 5%. Still possible but not probable.
So what should you do?
First, push for reforms to make offshore drilling environmentally safe. Second, make your plans to visit us this summer. Sanibel and Captiva are the best kept secrets this time of year. Take a few minutes when you are here and call our office. We’ll give you the grand tour of Florida’s Best Paradise that boasts Premier Real Estate.
