Thanks to a grant from the Florida Humanities Council, the Bonita Springs Historical Society will present evening lectures, titled, "The Front Porch & Stories of Florida's Unique People and Landscape" The even begins Jan. 18 and runs through April.Nexst Friday at 7 p.m. at the Bonita Springs Community Hall on Old 41 Road,  the first lectue will feature author and cinematographer Bill Belleville.Belleville is the author of "Losing It All To Sprawl: How Progress Ate My Cracker Landscape." He shares his personal story of the battle for rural landscape and places his experience in the context of Florida development. He accounts for the impacts of sustainable growth, but also offers hope that can be found in the rediscovery and appreciation of the natural landscape.Other upcoming speakers i... 01/09/2007

For years I have received "Tee Shots" from The 1031 Exchange Experts.  They've developed the site over the years to a very informative library of detailed information.  They offer useful items such as: Informative articles. The Book:  "Exchanging Up!" Brochures about 1031 and the process. PDF Downloads. Online question and answer or phone conference.  Questions from agents and customers called "Tee Shots". If you or a customer is new to the process of 1031 exchanges or you would like to learn more about them, it is a great resource.  The website is very easy to use.  Brochures can be printed and given to buyers and sellers, emailed in .pdf form or you can direct them to the site. I've successfully used this organization for several exchanges, including my own personal exchanges.  They a... 01/07/2007

'For Sale' glut slowed home building in '06 Lee County's (Florida) pace of construction slowed last year as a huge inventory of unsold houses piled up - but it still was the strongest on record except for 2005.  Right there....on the front page of the Fort Myers News Press.  THE STONGEST YEAR ON RECORD EXCEPT FOR 2005.  The whole story HERE.I continued to be confused by the twisted stories with a double entendre or the just plain bad press the real estate industry receives in SW Florida.  Most especially when there are front page stories like this story.  Just days before, there was a story:  Prices in Lee County down 44%.  WHOA, 44%?!  The sky is falling.  But did they bother to qualify the statement?  List Price?  Sale Price?  Median Price?  Who's to guess which figure (list) they wer... 01/06/2007

Bonita Springs: A former quaint little fishing town, turned bustling city.  Through the years we've watched it change and mold itself into a destination of choice for families, businesses and retirees.One of the original landmarks that people use to come to Bonita Springs for was the spring.  Sounds glamorous, but it's a sulfer spring and smells like eggs.  It was rumored to have medicinal purposes.  It's actually how Bonita Springs got it's name, for the springs.  It's original name was Survey.  Why?  The survey crew that originally graphed the state slept at a camp by the river.  Uh, and this was before anyone invented "Off" mosquito repellant.  The state bird of Florida is, in fact, the mosquito.Through the years residents have watched as a few landmarks and attactions were consumed ... 01/04/2007

Here's some information for anyone that may have read Take The Tech Plunge - 10 Cutting Edge Ideas For The Real Estate Industry and made a vow to get on the tech band-wagon.  It's a baby step, but for those who haven't jumped all the way in the water, it's a start.Express PDF on the web will convert a web page, word document or excell into .pdf format.  They email you when it's ready and you can retrieve it from their site by click the link in the email.  If you haven't yet started emailing documents, floor plans or addendums, you can try it here.  Go ahead, it won't hurt. I thought this tool would be useful for anyone that may be stranded at a PC that may not have the Adobe program installed.  It would be possible to convert and email something that needed to "get there" right away. 01/04/2007

 Fitness enthusiats at the Bonita Springs Recreation Center were smiling ear to ear Wednesday at the grand opening dedication of its new weight room.  The new facility is nearly triple the size of the last, at nearly 2,000 square feet.Membership fees are $45 for Bonita Springs property owners under the age of 55, and $40 for property owners over the age of 55. All non-property owners, regardless of age, can purchase a one-year membership for $60. The facility is also available for a daily fee of just $3 per person.Membership includes use of the gym, weight room, showers, locker room,  game room, non-registered classes, and the community pool.The Bonita Springs Recreation Center is located at 26740 Pine Avenue, off West Terry Street, behind the Bonita Springs Public Library. The recreati... 01/04/2007

Take the Tech Plunge in 2007 Start an online blog or podcast.  Congratulations Active Rain members, you're already in the game and out in front.  Imagine the poor souls that are scratching their heads right now .... what's a blog? Forunately, most of the people that are blogging or podcasting have accomplished the lions share of the top ten. Have you gone paperless yet?  Get a tablet PC for contracts or try storing your documents by scanning or faxing thru online fax services.   No extra equipment required besides your PC. Are you taking advantage of wireless technology in your office or home?  Not a cell phone ... wireless cards and routers to get online and wireless printers so that your laptop isn't chained to your desk. Getting a virtual assistant cuts the workload.  It isn't necess... 01/03/2007

Are REALTORS® obsolete?  With the wave of the internet the rumors start floating everywhere.  Will the REALTOR® go the way of the T-Rex?  Is extinction just around the corner?                                                                    Buyers and sellers of real estate have access to nearly limitless information about homes, prices, sales prices, tax roll data bases and online comparative market analysis sites. (Z - I don't mention the whole name out of principal.)  Why do they need a real estate professional?   Is the day dawning when they, the buyers and sellers of real estate, write their own contracts?  Schedule their own home inspections and coordinate showings?                                                                        My opinion would be no.  Listen, anyone can... 12/30/2006

Mark TwainAfter just reading IF YOU'RE A BUYER AND OUT OF THIS MARKET, YOU'LL HATE YOURSELF LATER I came across this article about SW Florida real estate.  Our area is somewhat seasonal.  Blue skys and sunshine in February...you can't beat it with a stick.  Most residents have watch the real estate bonanza and prices of homes and land sky rocket.  Well, it's never been a better time to buy.  Enjoy this story from the Fort Myers News Press.____________________________________________________ Locals buy homes while they canLower prices make home ownership possibleSchoolteacher Jennifer Watenpool, 25, bought a house recently. She's overjoyed to have a chance at home ownership."I came from Michigan to teach down here and was actually in the process of thinking about moving back because I co... 12/29/2006

 MOVIES IN THE PARK! The B.E.A.R. (Bonita Springs Estero Association of Realtors) Community Relations Committee will help in combination with the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Bonita Springs to hold the first ever "Movies in the Park" at Riverside Park on Old 41 Rd.!  This is a project that has been a year in the making and it's finally arrived.  This wonderful monthly event will not only promote the relationship between B.E.A.R., Chamber, and the City but it will also, promote our good will to the local community.  The movies will be free to everyone and Russell's Clam Bakes will provide food and beverages for people to purchase (half of the proceeds will benefit Bonita Assistance).  The movies will run once a month in January, February, & March, the show times and... 12/28/2006

 Happy New Year!     New Year's Eve Events Around Southwest Florida.Unsure of what to do or where to go to ring in 2007? Check out New Year's Eve events throughout Southwest Florida and their wide offering to fit every budget.  Get the whole schedule HERE.  Ring in the new year in style!  For the homebodies, this is a schedule of Dick Clarks New Years Rockin' Eve.  Yes, he's still the New Years staple, joined now by Ryan Seacrest.Have a safe one! 12/28/2006

                                         An interesting challenge to any realtor reading this blog is to go to http://www.realtor.com/ and search for their "dream home" in their "dream city" and within their "price point" and try to be a buyer.  The second part of the exercise is to read, see and feel the advertising of other agents.  It will make you a better listing agent and help find buyers for the homes of your clients(s) if you implement better tactics to sell your own listings.It should go without saying that you should take a look at your own listings, both in the MLS and in Realtor.com.  Is the information you are trying to convey getting across to the buyer?  So many times a listing agent is involved in getting the job done and going through the motions that they may not be ad... 12/28/2006

Oh, the suffering...                                Every real estate agent has tried to figure it out, upon occasion.  If you are an agent you wait for the buyer to tell you what they want, or what they THINK they want.  Probing questions, matter of fact inquires or anything that could be a lever to a morsel of information.  It is up to you, the agent, to unearth the REAL want and need of your buyer.  Perhaps the confusion is a result of  the Buyer not being able to open up or perhaps it is because the buyer does not know how to properly articulate what they are looking for.We have all been out with the buyer that buys on impulse, intellect or the "unknown".  Reading a buyer is a skill that takes experience to master or for a lucky few, just a gift.  Every buyer is different and comple... 12/28/2006

 A few have asked where I have been the last several days.  My attempt to journey from Bonita Springs, Florida to Telluride, Colorado for a quiet vaction was not without event.I'm finally back to civilization and able to blog a bit. For those interested these are the links a few blogs.  If you care to read:   Stooges go skiing or Cry Babies or Telluride or Bust.  Of course, off topic, except for the Telluride open house thingy.  The lady in white is Jen, the female stooge.  I would be the blue stooge. :)Peace, Love and Happy New Year!~ Chris    12/25/2006

I just couldn't resist this sign.  Just when you should be enjoying a vacation, you get pulled back into work.  I swished in and snapped a few photos of this open house.My kids and I were skiing in Telluride, CO and I saw this slopeside.  There is a little sign that says it's a Ski-In, Ski-Out home, as well as, a Ski-in, Ski-out open house.  From South Florida, I thought it was amusing.  We have our Bonita Springs, canal front, homes and we hold open house by boats.  This was so fun to see for a change.  No, I didn't tour the house.  There was just too much powder to do that! Merry Christmas!  12/25/2006

Just a few miles North of Bonita Springs, Florida is Estero Florida.  Estero is one of the fasted growing communities in Southwest Florida.  Enjoy a few suggestions for activities in Estero. 1.   Catch a Florida Everblades hockey game at Germain Arena.  Germain Arena also hosts recreational ice skating and various concerts, acts and events.  Check the schedule of events.2.  Tour Koreshan State Historic Site.  One of the earliest settlements in SW Florida.3.  Canoe or Kayak the Estero River.  Equipment  can be rented at Estero River Outfitters.4.  Visit Miromar Outlets.  Over 140 stores and outlets shops at your fingertips. 5.  Tour one of the great bundled golf communities of Estero Florida.  Pelican Sound offers use of formal and casual Golf Club and River Club dining, a beautiful and ... 12/19/2006

 •10.    Visit Barefoot Beach.  Barefoot Beach Preserve is 342 acres of natural land, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast.•9.      Shop the new Coconut Pointe Mall.  Check out the brand new stores, restaurants and movie theater.•8.      Visit Everglades Wonder Gardens.  Everglades Wonder Gardens has over 2000 species of native wildlife & plants including: lush botanical gardens, wild Florida Panthers, Black Bears, Native & Exotic Birds, live Otter show, Flamingos, Rattlesnakes & Reptiles. •7.      Rent a boat or kayak and tour the back bays and rivers or head out to the gulf.•6.      Visit the Bonita Springs Art League or plan your trip around one of their art festivals.  •5.      Catch a round of golf at Raptor Bay.•4.      Pamper yourself at the St... 12/16/2006

The Southwest Florida Real Estate market has seen several years of above average home appreciation. Sellers have enjoyed profits from selling their homes and using the revenue to upsize, pay off debt, pay for college or add to their retirement plan. If you have been undecided and waiting for the right time to buy a home, now is the time! Here are 5 great reasons to buy Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate. Inventory - Supply and demand.  When supplies go up, prices come down. The supply of homes competing for buyers has been on the rise all year. Home sellers have offered more incentives to attract buyers from other homes.  Developers are offering great incentives which include mortgage payments for a period of time, homeowner association fees paid for a period of time or designer upgrade... 12/16/2006

  1. Clean and repair your home.  It should go without saying, but clean your house as if you were going to eat off the floors.   Make cosmetic repairs such as touching up paint, especially on cornerbead, and planting fresh flowers. Make sure the home smells fresh and clean, too.  2.  Remove clutter. Put away the figurine collection, toys and everything that is lining the bathroom and kitchen counters.  A crowded house makes it look smaller and makes it harder for buyers to imagine it as their own.  3.  De-personalize. Take down family photos, trophies and other personal touches. A buyer needs to imagine the house as a blank slate, ready to be occupied and personalized by them.  4. Consider holding a special preview. If you are having an open house from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., invite y... 12/15/2006

There would be nothing worse than watching your home go up in flames just before the holidays.To keep your holiday safe the Bonita Springs Fire Rescue suggests following these safety tips to help protect your family: Test all lights and cords for broken sockets or bare wires before decorating the tree or house. Place lights on a fireproof surface, leave them switched on for at least 15 minutes, and watch for any danger signs, such as smoke or melted wires. Use only lights that have an Underwriter's Laboratories or similar approval tag. Place your Christmas tree close to an electrical outlet to reduce the need to use extension cords. If you do use extension cords, use only heavy-duty cords. Never overload electrical sockets. If you choose a fresh tree, check the water level daily. If you... 12/15/2006