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Bonita Springs, FL Real Estate News

By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Triumph for some, tragedy for me.  I hate shopping and I especially hate shopping in the electronics sort of stores.  Best Buy is a bottomless pit for me.  It may as well be an auto parts store.  I know that every time I step foot through that door, I'm kissing a minimum of one hour of my life good bye.  If  Al Gorithm is with me, I immediately walk through the door, hang a right and end up on the sofa pit group in the entertainment center room.  It's not necessary for me to stand on my feet and suffer through this entire event is it?Well, horror of all horrors, last night I got dragged kicking and screaming into Best Buy and the sofa is GONE!  There are only two chairs in front of a kick butt plasma tv.  I patiently waited for the occupants to vacate and I snagged my spot.  Friday nigh...
Comments 18
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Do you have a DQ Lounge?  We do!Just two blocks west of where I live (Brendan Cove) is our Dairy Queen.  We've lived at this address for about 12 years so my kids and the neighborhood kids grew up hanging out and wrecking their appetite at this Dairy Queen.  They were there so often we started referrinng to it as the DQ Lounge.  Jamison, the former owner was so good to all of our kids - and promised to rat them out to us if they were doing something we needed to know about.I'm not a huge sweets eater, but I stopped in just days ago becasue there is a new "Waffle Crisp Blizzard" that is just so good, it's criminal.  This visit, I ended up getting my blizzard and a kid fix.   A handful of local kids, fellow graduates of Estero High Shool, a running back for the local football team and eve...
Comments 24
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The entire Pelican Landing series is accessible by clicking:  Pelican Landing.  Pelican Landing is locate in Bonita Springs, Florida west of US 41 - Tamiami Trail.  The MLS Geographic code for Pelican Landing is BN05.  Ascot Bay Cedar Bay Creek Baycrest Capri Costa Del Sol Coventry Creekside Crossing Cypress Island Goldcrest Heron Cove Heron Glen Heron Point Lakemont Lakemont CoveLong Lake Long Lake Village Mystic Ridge Palm Colony Pinewater Place Pennyroyal Sandpiper Greens Sandpiper Isle Sawgrass Point Southbridge The Cottages The Pointe The Reserve The Ridge The Sanctuary WatersideIf you are interested in acquiring a home or condominium in Pelican Landing or The Colony in Bonita Springs, Florida call Chris Griffifth - Keller Williams Elite Realty at 239-273-7430. 
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Real Estate Auctions - Buyer Beware, AgainToday, a real estate investor I know attended an auction.  This investor was entertaining the idea of auctioning off one of their investment properties - a Capri III in Village Walk of Bonita Springs.  Apparently the auction company was asking $3,500 from the property owners up front for "advertising".  The auction was structured to be some sort of a simulcast between two locations - SW Florida and a northern city.  Cross marketing to Snowbirds and Baby Boomers.  The investor DID NOT enter a home into the pool of properties that was available at auction.  The investor did attend the auction to see how it went and and as a means of doing homework for the next auction.  If it went well the investor would consider auctioning the home.There were ove...
Comments 24
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The YMCA is a movement about people - all ages, races, religions and incomes. The Bonita Springs YMCA is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders. This charitable mission allows YMCA programs and services to be available to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. The Bonita Springs YMCA provides hundreds of programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body. Everything from aquatics, arts and performing arts, child care, fitness and wellness, sports and specialty programs is designed to help you, your family and your community grow.  Additional programs include:» Active Older Adults» Aquatics» Child Care» Summer Camp» Family» Fitness & Wellness» Special Programs & Events» Sports» Youth & Teens» TennisJoin your friends and neighbors at the YMCA.Address...
Comments 3
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Hurry!  Rush!  Oh my stars, you just might miss out!  Heaven only knows you might just miss out on the shortage of builders surplus condos.  Take your pick of fantastic product that you might miss in these cities: Naples!  Bonita Springs!  Fort Myers!  Port Charlotte!  I almost don't know which way to run first.  Once these homes are sold the offer is OVER!  YIKES!  O-V-E-R!  Should we buy more than one?!Below Market Pricing!Can you believe it?  Below market pricing, too.  Geeze, I thought market pricing was what a buyer is willing to buy at and what a seller is willing to take.  How would one know that they are BELOW what a buyer is willing to pay?  This was an enormous mass mailing that just stunk up my email box.  I even had an investor call me, that had received the email.  I told h...
Comments 14
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Another listing consultation behind me - I start with a phone interview in certain communities at this point.  What is a "certain community"?  It's a community with ample inventory and comparable sales that are under the original purchase prices.  Typically, neighborhoods of production build in the last 2-3 years.  I give a brush over of the market, inventory, and market movement before I even step foot in a home.  The last thing I want to do is stand in someone's living room, tell them the truth and get beheaded.  I find the phone is more neutral territory, as opposed to the actual home and all of it's emotional attachments.  Seller's will sometime need to defend the value of their home as if I'm personally degrading it and attacking it's worth.You can't reinvent the wheel.  Again, I r...
Comments 3
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The market movement comes in waves.  For the second time in the last week a few buyers have gotten their dream home caught up by another buyer and missed the boat.  Two condominiums in my inventory, priced properly, have pended sale.  While in the inspection or other contingency period additional buyers have shown interest and placed back up offers or waited patiently to make sure the contingencies were satisfied. Where did these buyers come from?  How did they find these properties?It may surprise everyone to know that out of six seriously interested parties between the two available condominiums, one half of the buyers had looked at the condominiums several weeks ago.  They've been weighing their options, comparison shopping, doing their research, maybe working up their courage and th...
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Well, look at this nifty gadget!Southwest Florida has a website that helps travelers and drivers trouble shoot traveling, storm evacuation and the daily commute, too!Before you get on the road you take a look at the map  on the website and it will show up to date information about:The areaRoad constructionWeatherCrashes ... or they call them "incidents".The 511 System covers most of Florida.  Here's the skinny on Florida 511:The main website is Florida 511 which will help you find the 511 information near your Florida home.  The SW Florida 511 site, which covers Bonita Springs and Estero Florida is:  www.SouthwestFlorida511.comYou can dial 511 and voice promt to your local 511 information.You can watch iFlorida traffic cameras, too.Florida Snow ReportsNext time you're ready to hit the r...
Comments 4
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Village Walk is located just 20-25 minutes to Southwest Florida International Airport, only 10 minutes to Coconut Point Mall and near many find dining and shopping establishments.Village Walk of Bonita Springs is located on East Bonita Beach Road.  A community by Divosta homes, Village Walk offers the security of a gated community with the quality of a Divosta home.  Storm resistant, solid built concrete walls, storm/securityshutter panels, central vac and attention to details has advanced Divosta Homes to a leader in Customer satisfaction.Village Walk of Bonita Springs Town Center is nearing completion!  Just the final touches and it's ready.  The Town Center will feature the following amenities for homeowners Village Walk:Fitness Center Resort and Lap Pool Tennis Courts Basketball and...
Comments 7
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
There is a style of home to fit anyones needs in Stoneybrook in Estero, Florida.  Your choices:  Condominiums, attached villas and single estate homes.  Perfectly located 3 miles East of I-75 in the heart of sunny Estero, Florida. Stoneybrook is close to shopping, dining, schools, parks, library and entertainment. The community is built out - no construction traffic.A relaxed community with many amenities. Beautiful lush landscaping, water and nature views.Public golf course on site with optional membership to the Stoneybrook Golf Club.Stoneybrook is minutes from many of SW Florida's favorite conveniences which include SW Florida International Airport, Gulfcoast Towne Center Mall, Miromar Outlet Malls, the new International Design Center, Germain Arena and only 20 minutes to the white s...
Comments 3
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Highland Woods Golf and Country Club - St. Andrews Verandas - The popular and coveted Abbey Floor plan with a picture perfect view of the fairway & nearby lake.This a a large Abbey end unit, bright and open with vaulted ceilings and plant shelves. The decor is neutral with tile in the halls baths, laundry and rear lanai. The back lanai also has roll down, electric security storm shutters. This condominium home is offered turnkey furnished and comes with a bundled golf membership to the Highland Woods club and course. St. Andrews Verandas condominiums each both front and back screened lanais, 1 car detached garage and access to community pools. Highland Woodsis located just minutes to the white sugar sand beaches of Bonita Beach and the new Coconut Pointe Mall in Estero. The airport is o...
Comments 36
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The next best thing to eating at home or eating at your Mom's house is at a local place.  You know one of those joints that all the local yokels hang out at.  It's a meeting place of sorts for all sorts of people.Today, I stopped in for lunch with "goofy Brad - the landscaper" and Algorithm.  I got my regular "salad sandwich" (hold the onions & side of onion rings.  It's my own private Idaho) and listened to the toils and troubles of Brad, the would-be farmer.  He just bought some acreage he's working on.  He's not really had to deal with the perils of wooded land before and has gone through a variety of rashes, bites, stings, cuts, tick, tick removal, some sort of chicken parasite and he's had to deal with a white cat with ½ a head - the likes of which belonged in a Steven King novel. ...
Comments 14
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
This is it, we're smack dab in the middle of our Bonita Springs blizzard season. It's just that we can't shovel it.  We have a couple of glorious months of percipitation that comes by the bucket full but only lasts an instant.  There's almost always a rumble of thunder from a great distance in one direction or another.Yesterday, I ran an errand with Mini-Me at Coconut Point.  The sky turns black and it's decided to get home before we're stuck in it.  We drove across town to our neighborhood and the streets are wet there.  As you're escaping one isolated storm you drive to where one just left.  It can only happen in South Florida.  The sun is out again. We do get the most fantastic clouds here.  Please take a moment to render your opinion of what you think this cloud formation looks like...
Comments 28
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Three days a week I run by Spring Creek Elementary School.  I saw the sign change, finally a new one instead of that raggedy old one.  Recently the new announcement went up for the start of the new school year.  Open House August 16 - Come meet your teachers.School starts August 20Many moons ago my own kids walked through the doors of Spring Creek Elementary School.  The city of Bonita Springs was much smaller then.  There was only one other elementary school at that time, before the Charter Shool was even built - it was just a cow pasture.  When the twins started Spring Creek it was a mid year transfer and they were ticked!  They grew to love the shcool and love a few of the teachers.  We were lucky enough to have two fabulous teachers that were also living in our neighborhood.  Mrs. C...
Comments 7
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
A few blocks from my house is a shopping area called the Promenade.  It's a great "outdoor" sort of mall.  I stopped in to have lunch today at the Silver Spoon.  I eat there enough ... the staff looks familiar, even if I don't know all of the names of everyone on the floor.  Today, was different when I walked in.  It was ...uh, empty!  Not stark, kind of empty, but empty as in, there are usually a lot more people there.Turns out, there are a few other "Silver Spoon" restaurants in both Lee and Collier Counties, a few of which closed.  I guess the press got wind of the closings and there have been reports and broad casts about the closings.  There were some locations that closed but the Silver Spoon at The Promenade in Bonita Springs is still open.  Unfortunately, this was more or less a...
Comments 11
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Lovers Key made the short list of Florida's most popular state parks.With near perfect beaches, trails and boat ramp, the Bonita Springs park ranked as the fourth most popular destination among the 160 parks and historic sites in the entire state park system.  Lovers Key State Park saw more than 850,000 visitors between July of last year and the end of June.Those figures weren't enough to top the visitor counts at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, though.With 975,000 visitors, Honeymoon Island broke the attendance record Lovers Key set in the 2005-06 season and has yet to top: 970,000 visitors.St. Andrews State Park in Panama City and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo also had attendance figures that edged out Lovers Key this year.This was a record-setting year for...
Comments 16
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The BIG "L" Word.  Yikes.  I first became familiar with Lymphoma last year.  My mother was diagnosed with Lymphomia, which spread to her bones.  The Lymphoma Society of Lorain County, Ohio was Johnny on the spot organizing and sharing information about treatments and services that they offer patients.  They really do perform a great service.  Today I opened my mail and had "junk mail" (so I thought) from the Lymphoma Society.  Shock of all shocks, they're giving something away - to me,  to you!  To anybody that wants it!The Lymphoma society wants to train you to be an athlete!  Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete they want you to join their fundraising team. By helping to raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services, you'll receive: Personaliz...
Comments 13
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The Lee County transportation department offers a great service to the Bonita Beach, Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island areas.  My family stumbled onto the Trollee a few years ago while vacationing on Fort Myers Beach.  I cut the kids loose with a roll of quarters and they were set for the week.  The Trollee Travels the distance from the Kmart Plaza called The Centre of Bonita Springs to the north end of Fort Myers Beach.  There are a variety of stops in many locations, plus you can actually flag the Trollee if you need to.  The Trollee is equipped with a bicycle rack, also. So, if you've bitten off more than you can chew with your bike ride, you can hitch a ride back on the Lee Tran System.To learn more about the Lee County Trollee System also read:  http://www.rideleetran.com/ You'll ...
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Everglades Wonder Gardens - Zoo & Community Landmark Bonita Springs, FlEverglades Wonder Gardens - Zoo in Bonita Springs, FloridaBenson's Grocery Store - Olde Bonita Springs, Florida   Bonita Springs Literacy CouncilBamboo Village Bonita SpringsBonita Springs Laundry   Riverside Park Bonita Springs FlaBonita Springs ShoppesBonita Springs Band Shell at Riverside Park   For Sellers:Renovations That Pay Off5 Tips For Seller's In A Buyers MarketHelpful Hints to Sell Your Home The Dangers of Overpricing Your Home5 Tips For A Successful Open HouseSeller's: Ever Wonder WHY Your Home Is On The Market So Long?   For Buyers:Bonita Springs Florida - Buying A Home Long DistanceWinning The Bidding WarSave Our HomesLee County Florida Real Estate & Tax InformationWhat is a CDD? Community Development D...
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