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Bonita Springs, FL Real Estate News

By Joe Kendall Broker, It's Always best to talk to "Broker Joe"
(Keller Williams Elite Realty )
: Bonita Springs & Estero Real Estate Market Update: Is It Time to Sell? The Bonita Springs and Estero real estate market is on fire this month, with the latest data revealing 73 new listings, 61 new contracts, and 59 closings in the past seven days. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, now might be the perfect time. 🏡 Why Consider Selling Now? ✔️ High Demand: With 61 new contracts signed in one week, buyer interest is hot! ✔️ Quick Moves: Homes are moving fast, and properties that are priced right and well-presented are getting top offers. ✔️ Local Expert Guidance: As your trusted local real estate broker, I’m here to help you maximize your home’s value and make the process as smooth as possible. 🎁 Special Offer for Homeowners:I’m offering a FREE, no-obligation home valuati...
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By Joe Kendall Broker, It's Always best to talk to "Broker Joe"
(Keller Williams Elite Realty )
  Curious What Your Home is Worth in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, or Naples?Let’s chat over a cup of coffee and talk about your goals. ☕️FREE HOME VALUATION & MARKET REPORTWhether you’re selling in a golfing or tennis community, or in a boating and yachting paradise, I’m here to help you make a plan that works for you!✅ Pelican Landing – A premier gated community offering championship golf, tennis, a private beach park, and a boating community.✅ Bonita Bay – Known for its luxurious lifestyle with 5 championship golf courses, tennis, a full-service marina, and private beach access.✅ Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club – A vibrant golf and tennis community with beautiful homes, and a strong social and sporting calendar.📞 Text or call me at 239-560-0726Let’s talk real estate and unlock the li...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
A Community Development District (CDD) is a local, special purpose government authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes as amended and is an alternative method for managing and financing infrastructure required to support community development. Real Estate in Lee County, which includes the cities of Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers may be subject to a CDD.Continue Reading: What is a CDD 
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
A variety of websites that offer basic, free information regarding real estate in Lee County, Florida can now be accessed on the Internet. Lee County Property Appraiser  http://www.leepa.org/ Lee County Tax Collector http://www.leetc.com/ Lee County Clerks Office  http://www.leeclerk.org/ Lee and Collier County CDD information can be accessed through http://www.cddswf.com/ Additional governmental websites can be accessed through http://www.myflorida.com/ and  http://www.myfloridacounty.com/   
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
What Is "Save Our Homes"?"Save Our Homes" (SOH) spearheaded by Mr. Wilkinson, approved by Florida voters in 1992, effective January 1, 1995.  SOH places a limitation of 3% on annual assessment increases on homestead exempt property. For all property first granted homestead exemption in the prior year, that year's assessed value will be the base value for the implementation of "Save Our Homes". Thereafter, the assessed value will not increase more than 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The property's market value may differ from SOH assessed value. SOH assessed value will never be greater than market value.Bonita Springs, Florida and Lee County residents can access the homestead exemtion form at the Lee County Property Appraiser website.
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The 21st Annual Bonita Springs Boat Parage is scheduled for December 16,2007.  There is still time to register.  The registration fee is $30 per boat and the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, who coordinates the event, has extended the deadline through Monday, Dec. 4. Entry forms and more information is available by calling Dort Bear, the chamber liaison for the event, at 992-2943.The parade route begins at Fish Trap Bay, turning around at Holly Lane and Esther Drive, and ending at The Fish House Restaurant where awards will be presented.  Prizes will be awarded as follows:  Best Illumination - $100 Best Not-for-Profit - $100 Most Original & Creative - $100 Capt. Jack Sheehan Award (Best Decorated) - $250 Capt. Ed Fischl Award (Most Spirited) - $250 Capt. Carl Johnson Founders Aw...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
 Hmmm, I just received another email from a well meaning sales associate at a new home sales center.  Geeze, I wish I knew where his sales center was actually located.  There sure wasn't anything in the email that indicated the location, but the good news is that there is drywall in building #1.  The fact of the matter is, if someone was so excited about drywall in building #1 and wanted to speak with the sales agent immediately, they couldn't.  Maybe they just wouldn't want to dig to find the contact information.  Why not just make sure the information is on every email?Here is a great guide to anyone that is interested in perfecting their email signature in their email program.Althought many follow a "four line rule" for an email signature.  My opinion is that the real estate industry...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
San Mirage - Centrally located in Bonita Springs Florida.  Former Model - Turnkey Furnished - Upgraded Designer Package & Furniture Upgraded features include: Travertine marble floors Granite Counter Tops Custom Paint Custom Drapery and Bedspread Professional Interior Design Professionally Accessorized Stainless Steel Appliances Warm Wooden Cabinetry Napoli Floor Plan Take a visual tour of this home by clicking the image below. To learn more about San Mirage and the amenities and local conveniences click:  Here. Take the visual tour, click here.   
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Starting just under the $200,000 price point."San Mirage" an oasis of tropical delight conveniently located in the heart of Bonita Springs.  Stylishly appointed interiors and an array of amenities combined with the ease of condominium living makes San Mirage the ideal Florida residence.Community Amenities  Gated Access Community Cardio and Fitness Salon Tropical Simming Pool and Spa Poolside Party Pavilion Poolside Cabanas Car Care Center Barbeque/Picnic Area Designer Decorated Club Room Lighted Tennis Court Minutes to Beautiful Bonita Beach Minutes To Coconut Point Mall Minutes to SW Florida International Airport Minutes to FGSU Florida Gulfcoast State University
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
  New to the market coach home at Spring Run in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Enjoy two bedroom, bath with tile through out the home and lanai.  The lanai has a lake and cypress preserve view.  To take the visual tour click: Here.This home is offered furnished and is available for sale, as well as, for seasonal rental.  The golf membership is transferrable to tenants. In addition to bundled golf, residents and guests have access to tennis, various community pools and the clubhouse which host the pro-shop and dining room.       Spring Run residents are also eligible to purchase a membership at the Commons Club of the Brooks.  The Commons Club offers a private fitness center, enrichment center, private dining at Rosie Spoonbills and a private beach club membership.  The beach club offers a sh...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Santa is a Realtor and is "vacationing" in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Santa's sleigh had the rails removed and those big smooshy tires put on so it doesn't get stuck in the sand.Today I had lunch with a first time homebuyer.  I heard the story of how his young son had written a letter to Santa and left it for his dad to mail.  When his father came home the letter was gone.  It seems his son couldn't wait for dear old dad, so he put it in the mail, himself.  The postman picked it up, with no postage....bless their hearts, they do that for Santa letters.Anyhow, I ended up being Santa this season.  I've got a list, and it's growing, of customers and friends that want one mailed to their little darlings.  I searched images and found the North Pole, AK postmark that I print on envelopes and e...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The next time you're in the post office pick up the FREE "Flat Rate Envelope" and buy the stamps to go on them.  The cost to mail flate rate is $4.05, with no weight limits.  This is great for anyone that mails relocation packages or bundled material.There are a few rules.  1.  There isn't a weight limit, but the envelope must close securely.  It can be taped shut for security.2.  Any tape can not cover the stamp, even if it's clear tape.3.  The envelope has to be delivered to a postal employee in the post office.  It cannot be put in your home mailbox.   It cannot be put in the drop box at the post office.  (Post 911 security)4.  You can often just hand the envelope to a postal agent and avoid the line.  They simply need physically delivered inside to an agent.The great news is that yo...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
5 Tips to Retain Life Long Clients1.  Be Available and AccessibleMake sure your customers know how to find you.  When the time to call you presents itself make sure they have current contact information.  2.  Maintain ContactConnect with your customers, past and present.  Reach out to them through phone calls, email, snail mail and newsletters.  Include past customers when you mail "just listed" and "just sold" postcards.3.  Be Seen and Be HeardGet involved in community affairs.  Become a member of a board of directors, an association, club, high school boosters club or civic group.  You will be working and networking with members of the community and meeting new people.  4.  Be Generous With Hidden PerksWhether its a free art exhibit or little known "Taste of the Town" festival, share ...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The VisualTour Marketing System is a easy to use system that includes everything that you need to create, host and display your own web or CD based virtual tours complete with your own branding using nothing more than your own digital camera. The main purpose in creating your own virtual tours is to generate more business. VisualTour supplies you with a starter kit of marketing materials to help you in your listing presentations, and offers additional materials at very inexpensive prices.Panoramic images are created from  your own digital camera and "stitched together" to make a panorama.  "Hot Spots" can be added to  zoom in on a feature or to zoom through a door to show what is in the next room.  Additional uses for the hot spot is on a floor plan of the featured home.  Simply add "ho...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Florida's Housing Market for 3Q 2006: Sales Down, Median Price LevelORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 20, 2006 -- In third quarter 2006, Florida's housing sector continued to mirror the national trend, showing higher inventory levels of homes available for sale in many markets and a slowdown in sales. Statewide, sales of single-family existing homes totaled 43,395 during the three-month period, a decrease of 34 percent compared to 65,364 homes sold during the same time a year ago, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).The statewide existing-home median sales price remained stable at $247,900 in the third quarter; a year ago, it was $247,800. In 2001, the third-quarter statewide median sales price was $132,000, which is an increase of 87.8 percent over the five-year period. The media...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the2 cups of coffee.A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items infront of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a verylarge and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golfballs. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreedthat it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into thejar.He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areasbetween the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jarwas full.  They agreed it was.The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.Of course, the sand filled up ev...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Increase the chance of selling your house faster following a few good guidelines.5 Tips For Seller's In A Buyers Market1.  Plan your work and work your plan.Be prepared to sell your home and price it accordingly.  Not the price the neighbor got for theirs last year, not the price you wish you get, but the price that you should get now.  2.  Check Out The Competition.Get out there and see what your competition looks like, how the competition is priced and the amenities that are offered with the competing homes.  Approach the home search from a buyer's perspective.  3.  Make It Picture Perfect.Make the home 100% perfect.  Clean every square inch, repair anything that is broken, replace anything that is worn or showing age.4.  Sweeten The Deal.Offer incentives to buyers. Besides a low pric...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The next Amber Alert  in your city can be text messaged to your cell phone in minutes.  From Bonita Springs to Boise, any city can send notifications.Thanks to a new system, anyone can register their cell phone at http://www.wirelessamberalert.org/ and receive instant notifications if there is an actual emergency involving a child that is missing or abducted.  Simply visit the website, register your phone number and choose the city or zip code of the area in which you are interested in receiving notifications.  A text message will be sent to your phone if there is an actual emergency.  The text will describe the child, suspect, vehicle and other important clues.  Should you see the child, perpetrator or vehicle involved, dial 911 to report it to the police.  There is no charge for the t...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
How Badly Does Your Buyer Want It?Your Buyer Might Have To Ante Up To Win The HomeBuyers in the fast paced markets sometimes need to get serious to win the bidding wars. An escalation clause is a tool buyers can use to make sure another buyer won't out-bid them. Use caution , however, if you're considering this strategy. Win The Bidding WarIn a nut shell, an escalation clause says you will increase any other offer by a certain amount, for example, $500 or $5,000, up to a set ceiling, such as $25,000 over the asking price. The clause should also include a termination date. Of course, if your first offer is accepted by the seller, then the escalation clause is doesn't come into play. If your buyer simply must have the house in their sights, and they can afford to pay that extra $25,000 if...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
  RENOVATIONS THAT BOOST APPEAL TO BROAD AUDIENCE Smart kitchen and bath renovations might boost a home's appeal to Boomers and Seniors. If you're recommending renovations to homeowners or scouting out homes for Boomer and Senior clients, consider the findings of a study Home Depot. It gathered data from more than 30,000 consumers from the baby boom generation and older to uncover housing preferences and their home improvement needs. The majority of respondents, 73%, said the kitchen is the most important room for them. Some design tweaks that benefit Seniors are unobtrusive and likely to appeal to a broad audience. In the kitchen, they include: - Under-cabinet task lighting that brightens countertops, lessening eyestrain.- Pull-down shelving removes effort from pantry access.- Slide-o...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Clean Up Your Online ReputationHow interesting is it that almost 10% of employers actually search the internet, Blogs, MySpace, FaceBook and other social sites prior to hiring a potential candidate or a position?  I had heard about it before and was reminded again yesterday as a segment mentioned on NPR how start-up companies help clean up online reputations.   NPR is National Public Radio for those of you who do not know.We always knew that buyers and sellers of real estate searched for real estate on the internet.  Maybe we just never knew what would happen if they found information about "Us" that was less than flattering.  There are now services that can be hired for nominal fees to have images, articles and web pages removed from the internet.  It is sort of like a PR firm for the ...
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
In the era of the MTV generation, P. Diddy wore a shirt that ready "Vote or Die".  It inspired many young people to vote, or at least register.I have taken my kids to vote every chance I got.  They started out on my hip and now they're teenagers filling out the sample ballot and debating and researching the issues.  Like many other people, my kids didn't think their vote made a difference.  That was until the "hanging chad" issue in Florida.  (We are in Bonita Springs, Florida ) It was one of the best examples anyone could have used to prove how every voted counts....and gets counted again, and counted again.  We had a similar issue/vote in our city a few years ago which was also only decided by a couple of dozen votes.  My plea to parents is to take your children to the poles and let t...
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