Why I've Spent Nearly 30 Years Rooted in Bonita Springs Real Estate (and Where We Go From Here)

When I first moved to Bonita Springs in 1985 it was a small and quiet town with only a couple thousand people. Life moved a little slower and the roads were quieter. The vibrant city we know today was still finding its shape.

Chris Griffith at a Glance

• Name: Chris Elizabeth Griffith (Chris Griffith)
• Brokerage: The Griffith Group at Downing Frye Realty
• Florida real estate license: SL676419
• Experience: Nearly three decades selling real estate in Southwest Florida
• Track record: Regularly closes 50 homes a year and averages 37 days on market
• Typical range: $700,000 and up in the city of Bonita Springs including gated golf and country club communities
• Designations: ABR, CRS, SRES, CNHS and GRI
• Office: 27399 Riverview Center Blvd. Suite 101, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
• Call or text: 239-273-7430

Who Is the Best Real Estate Agent in Bonita Springs?

The best agent for you is the one whose record and method fit your home. Here is mine. Most agents leave the business within a few years. I have been selling here for nearly three decades and I am consistently in the Platinum category at my office. I regularly close 50 homes a year and my listings average 37 days on market. Most of my business comes from referrals and past clients who send their friends and family. That trust is the result I care about most.

A Bonita Springs Resident Since 1985

I have watched this town grow through every phase of development and expansion. I remember the early 2000s when our city council and mayor made a conscious choice to invest in downtown infrastructure. They turned a quiet corridor into the walkable and thriving entertainment darling of Southwest Florida. I have spent nearly three decades doing my part to shape and sell and preserve the town I love.

My commitment to this community is deeply personal. My twins were born and raised right here in Bonita Springs. After growing up and pursuing higher education and starting careers they chose to stay and raise their own families here. The entire Griffith family believes in Southwest Florida so much that we made it our forever home.

Neighborhoods I Have Called Home

I do not just sell in this part of Southwest Florida. I have lived in it. I started from humble beginnings in Rosemary Park and built my first home in San Carlos Estates. From there I moved to Boca Palms in Naples and then to Little Hickory Shores on the bay where I still miss the sunset boat runs through Wiggins Pass.

I spent a year at Captain's Bay on Fort Myers Beach while I built another home in Brendan Cove. We stayed in Brendan Cove for about 15 years while my twins attended school and graduated from Estero High School.

Later I moved to Bonita Farms on Homewood Drive. It is not farms anymore but waterfront property and it is where my grandson caught his first fish, a snook. He had no idea he had won the fishing lottery. After that came Nuttinglikit Grove and then Rio Vista Estates within walking distance of downtown Bonita Springs and all its events and concerts. I have also owned property and homes in Port Charlotte.

Living in so many different parts of Southwest Florida taught me what each one offers a homeowner.

Real Estate Powered by Precision and Innovation

Being a top listing agent is not about sticking a sign in the yard. It is about understanding value at a foundational level. Having built several homes myself I look at real estate from the ground up.

My process starts with facts. I strategically analyze every property using figures and absorption rates and a physical inspection. I value homes at a superb level and I predict time on market so my sellers can make informed and stress-free decisions.

Then I get the home ready. I like to say my listings are certified pre-owned. That is what I call it and not a formal certification. The home is inspected and readied for sale and then staged and styled before the photos. Professional photography is always part of the plan.

Finally I market with purpose. I collaborate with a national board of real estate thought leaders to bring AI and modern technology into real estate marketing. I use AI to match each home to the buyers most likely to want it based on their search activity and interests. That means your home is put in front of interested buyers instead of broadcast everywhere. It is nearly 30 years of seasoned local instinct paired with hyper-modern technology.

Real Estate Designations and What They Mean

• ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative): advanced training in representing buyers. It matters to sellers because I understand how buyers think.
• CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): a designation for agents with advanced training and a proven record of residential sales.
• SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist): training in guiding clients through downsizing and estate and other life-stage moves.
• CNHS (Certified New Home Specialist): training in new construction and the builder purchase process.
• GRI (Graduate, REALTOR Institute): advanced education in real estate law and ethics and contracts.

Credentials only matter if they deliver results for my clients.

What My Clients Say

"Listed and sold very quickly. Was helpful and professional. Anyone looking to sell or buy in the Bonita/Estero area I would highly recommend."

Carol, five-star review, sold in a bundled golf community

"Chris has been working with us to sell our mom's house and she has made the process easier for the family. She is understanding and kind. She explains everything in detail to us so that we understand it. She is patient and caring and has a good heart. I would recommend her to anyone."

Cindy, five-star review

"Chris Griffith is a superb Realtor! Her professionalism and years of experience assisted us in selling our property. Her level of communication, efficiency and help exceeded expectations. It was not an easy transaction due to all three owners being out of state. Yet, Chris knocked it out of the park with her expertise. She handled our transaction with skills and business sense that we greatly appreciated. Chris truly deserves a TEN STAR review."

Elizabeth, five-star review

Sharing What I Know

I have been a thought leader in this industry for nearly three decades. I have spoken at the state and national level including for the National Association of REALTORS and Florida Realtors. I have also spoken at smaller conferences such as CyberPros and Real Estate Growth Systems and at the real estate BarCamps that were wildly popular from 2008 on. I helped Florida Realtors create the first Florida BarCamp with the help of other leading real estate agents in the state. My writing has been published in Florida Realtors Magazine a number of times.

I also lead a group of agents who work and train with me. I enjoy helping new agents get up to speed quickly and learn from the best.

Hands in the Soil: My Heart for the Community

For me real estate and community work are woven together. I have served on Board of Realtors committees and I volunteer with food pantries and support local heroes through Honor Flight and Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends. I am a board member of the Freedom Memorial Foundation of Naples. I help coordinate events tied to the September 11th attacks and Wreaths Across America and veteran events at Freedom Park.

I am also the author of the Amazon bestseller It Started with a Helmet. I wrote the book and my late partner Jerry is its co-author. It tells the riveting story of his life as an FDNY firefighter and his service related to 9/11.

One of my most cherished roles has been Vice President of the McSwain Home, Museum and Garden. During a pivotal moment I served as spokesperson to help arrange relocating this historic gem from between two music venues to the corner of West Terry Street and Pine Avenue. The move will revitalize the north side of town and bring history to life for a whole new audience. I also spearheaded the campaign with the Florida DEP for Bonita Springs to be designated a Trail Town. The plan is for the McSwain Home to serve as a welcome center for trail visitors.

The McSwain Home and its gardens hold a deeply personal place in my heart. A living donor stepped forward and gave me a kidney and saved my life. I spent the months that followed in those gardens with my hands in the dirt growing plants from seeds and hosting light gardening and birding classes. As I helped cultivate that soil I grew my health back. It reminds me every day why preserving our city's heritage matters.

Selling Southwest Florida Luxury with Heart and a Sense of Humor

Navigating the high-end market takes precision and absolute professionalism and discretion. I also believe the process should be enjoyable. Life is too short not to share a good laugh along the way.

My goal for every seller is simple. Maximize your return and secure the best possible terms and eliminate the stress so you can comfortably move on to your next adventure. I work primarily with sellers and I also represent buyers. Whether you are selling a luxury waterfront estate or a gated golf community home or a historic cottage you deserve an agent who knows every street and every market cycle and every nuance of this town. I have been here since Bonita Springs was a best-kept secret and I would be honored to help you with your next move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best real estate agent in Bonita Springs?

The best agent is the one whose record and method fit your home. Chris Elizabeth Griffith of The Griffith Group at Downing Frye Realty has nearly three decades of experience selling real estate in Bonita Springs. She regularly closes 50 homes a year and averages 37 days on market. She is consistently in the Platinum category at her office and most of her business comes from referrals and past clients.

How long does it take Chris Griffith to sell a home in Bonita Springs?

Chris averages 37 days on market. She calculates each home's value and predicts its time on market before listing so sellers can plan with confidence.

How does Chris Griffith price a home?

She analyzes each property with facts and figures and absorption rates. She also inspects the home in person and has it readied for sale. Having built several homes herself she evaluates a property from the ground up.

Does Chris Griffith sell luxury and golf and country club homes in Bonita Springs?

Yes. Chris sells at every price point. Her typical range is $700,000 and up in the city of Bonita Springs and many of her listings are in gated golf and country club communities.

What real estate designations does Chris Griffith hold?

Chris holds the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations. She is also a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and a Certified New Home Specialist (CNHS) and a Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI). Her Florida real estate license number is 676419.

How do I find out what my Bonita Springs home is worth?

Request a free home valuation online or call or text Chris at 239-273-7430.

Ready to Find Out What Your Home Is Worth?

Whether you are curious about your current home value or planning your next move or just want to chat about the Southwest Florida market I would love to connect. You can find me on my social channels or come say hello in person. You can often find me on Sunday mornings at the outdoor church services at Riverside Park while our permanent church is being built off East Terry Street.

• Call or text: 239-273-7430
• Email: LifeInBonitaSprings@gmail.com
• Get a free home valuation: Find out what your home is worth
• Office: 27399 Riverview Center Blvd. Suite 101, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Chris Elizabeth Griffith, The Griffith Group at Downing Frye Realty. Florida real estate license SL676419.