Life In Bonita Springs

Hit The Road, Jack!

He's as cute as can be but he and his gang of merry thieves must go.  Does anyone know what armadillos eat?  I need to toss something tasty in that Havahart Trap.

Anyone 'Member a Gal Named Katrina?

I'm not sure what this really means. I've passed these signs on Old 41 in Bonita Springs for a while. "Bus Stop Temporarily Closed" it reads on most of them. Well, they've been closed for months. they closed while the road was widened, which is done, and they've never reopened. Today, while going to check a listing in Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club I passed this bus stop sign. It was covered with a cloth bag that reads "Bus Stop Closed". Directly under the bag announcement is the sign "Storm Shelter Pick Up Point".

While turning around to take the photo I filled with dread about the sign and what it means to the people who need to depend on the bus to get to where they need to be to keep themselves and their family safe. Trying to fight of thoughts of Katrina and people that were trapped because they didn't have transportation or enough money to buy fuel to use in their own cars I became curious and decided to figure out where to go if that bus stop was closed. Since main stream media won't cover it until it's a tragedy, I'll be the real Bonita Springs media.

I'm not a bus rider. I'm a runner and a walker and I do own a car so I have never counted on the bus for transportation or to save my life.

First, there is a phone number on the sign. If you're a local and lucky enough to have a phone I guess you can call. I sure hope you know the area code, because it isn't posted on the sign. If you're a tourist you'll have to figure it out.

Second, this particular bus stop is in Old Bonita Springs in an area of town with many people from all over the world. For many of these people, English is their second language, if they know English at all. I wonder if they realize the bus stop is closed. I mean, when push comes to shove, are they going to understand that the bus isn't coming?

We're just a few days after Fay and I don't know if those bags would come down if the storm threat were great enough. Would they be reactivated in an emergency?

I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person. I have access to the internet. I thought I would go figure out, if I was a bus rider, where to go next if I needed to evacuate from the point of the closed bus stop, in the event I had to evacuate. Keep in mind, I am fairly certain that computer and internet access is a luxury in a few of the communities off of Old 41 so citizens would likely not have access to the web.

To begin with, I learned from the Lee Tran website that it is easier to apply to advertise on a bus than it is to find a bus to get to a shelter. That "advertise here" button is front and center on their site. I never did find storm evacuation information or an evacuation plan for bus riders.

I then tried to find the bus stops in Bonita Springs, Florida. I first had to go to a county wide system map to determine the "route number" I needed. It turns out I need to be on route 150 in Old Bonita Springs. The next closest bus stop is about a mile away at the corner of West Terry Street and Old US 41. The map doesn't say if it can take you to a shelter on the map. I'd have to drive by just to see if it is a shelter pick up point or if it even matters what stop you're at to be taken to a shelter.

Seriously, I can't be the only person that thought of this, can I? While East Bonita Springs is flooding and the Imperial River is cresting from Tropical Storm Fay I'm left wondering what happens if the water comes this way? Will the families and businesses on Old 41, the Plan of Riverside and Rosemary Park be left to fend for themselves?

It took a great deal of Googling on my part to find the Lee County Emergency Operations Center and a map of the route that "shelter pick up" will occur on. If you're curious, it's here: Shelter Route Pick Up Shouldn't this information be on the Lee Tran Site and posted at bus stops for the residents of Bonita Springs and Lee County who are unable to drive?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Shouldn't there be systems in place to help evacuees that depend on bus transportation to save themselves? Or am I the only one that paid attention to what happened in New Orleans?

There's been flooding post Fay in Bonita Springs. Manna Christian in East Bonita Springs has gotten the worst of it. Over 300 families have been displaces and left their homes with little more than what was on their backs and what they could carry in an arm load. Bonita Springs Rotary is collecting clothing and shoes in all sizes for all ages to help those in need. If you would like to help contact me and I'll put you in touch with the appropriate parties.

Here is an image above is of the Imperial River where Bamboo Village after the storm. This bridge is downstream from where Manna Christian is located. This is what the river usually looks like:

This is the water swelling over the banks at Riverside Park:

Keep in mind that Gustov, the next storm, is threatening to come this way. It is just crossing over Haiti. You can follow the path of Gustov here: http://www.stormpulse.com

***Updated***

Flooding has spread in Bonita Springs.  Bonita Beach Road to Imperial River has flooded in the Livingston Road to I-75 Extension area including Chapman, Pauly, Saunders, Downs, Edith, McKenna in Old Bonita.  Lakes of San Souci (Rue De Paix) is under voluntary evacuation.   Water was just touching Bonita Beach Road at 7:00 p.m.  Many homes are water damaged.

Football Schedule for Estero High School

If you're looking things to do on Friday night or for the Estero High School Football schedule, you've found it.  As of August 25th, 2008 this is how the 2008-2009 program is planned for Estero High School.  Enjoy the game and take a few bucks to spend at the concession stand.  There are parents in there suffering for your enjoyment.

• August 29, 2008 at 7:00 PM at East Lee County High School
• September 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM South Fort Myers High School
• September 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM North Fort Myers High School
• September 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Ida S. Baker High School
• September 26, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Mariner High School
• October 3, 2008 at 7:00 PM Cypress Lake High School
• October 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Naples High School
• October 17, 2008 at Cape Coral High School
• October 24, 2008 Lely High School
• October 31, 2008 Immokalee High School
• November 7, 2008 at Golden Gate High School

To survive in this business of real estate you have to know a few things. It’s probably about 100 times harder than anyone ever can tell you. Sure, they’ll tell you real estate is hard, but they won’t tell you how hard because they can’t. There is no way for another person to tell you what its like because you can’t be told, you have to experience it. It is kind of like pregnancy. Sure they’ll tell you labor hurts but it isn’t until the baby arrives that you really realize what a pickle you’re in.

They can’t tell you that to be a success in this business and have any amount of longevity you have to have a will of steel and be more persistent than a fruit fly. All eyes are on you so if or when something “hits the fan” it will likely be all your fault and when a transaction goes right no one will realize how much work you did to save it or that you were up at 6:00 meeting your “special favor” carpet guy to fix what wasn’t done right so the home would be ready for the walk through.

They won’t tell you the strange hours you’ll keep. They (me) will tell you it is pretty darn easy to rearrange your hours to be at every school function and not miss a beat. Oh, and your kids won’t thank you for that, either. They’re ungrateful little buggers. They won’t know until they have their own “ungrateful little buggers”.

Recently, a commenter on my column in the Naples Daily News accused real estate agents (I think they really meant me) of only wanting to pick “low hanging fruit”. I’d like to say my feelings should be hurt, but they’re not. First, anyone worth their salt usually calls or emails me. I have some great readers and loyal pen-pals as a result of my articles. Second, I’m still in business in one of the worst real estate cycles. It wasn’t by accident either. My parents aren’t wealthy and totally "set me up", I didn't marry well, I am not lucky and sales aren’t a fluke.

The sales I make are almost never low hanging fruit. I’m the go-to person in my office that will take a dinky lot listing, manufactured home listing or a million dollar listing that seems to be cursed to not sell. I do it because nobody else does it. Yeah, they all still have to be priced right. When the others complain of not having listings or making sales I wonder if they had been called to list a $40,000 lot with no beauty involved to make it appealing, if they would take it. Ok, so sometimes I privately mumble a little about it. It’s not glamorous. It’s not fish-in-a-barrel sales but its work.

So this is what I have to say to anyone that is thinking about working in real estate:

1. Listen to all the people in the business that are smart and do what they say.
2. Prepare for battle.
3. Shoes may be required.
4. Don't be afraid of going barefoot and getting splinters.

Take a trip with me to Barefoot Beach Preserve south of Bonita Beach, Florida.

I decided to try ultra violet light today. One hour limit. Naturally I snapped a few photos of a tragedy that unfolded at the beach. This town is so tough I can feel the grit in my teeth.....not only do we arrest people that steal $.42 cents from a fountain we have natural disasters, too. Take a look at this hurricane you've been hearing about and the wind damage related to it. Here's where the trouble began... Oh, and before you get worried. I don't think anyone spilled their pina coladas or mojitos. *whew*

He tried to rescue her...

Noodles fix *everything*...

She says, "You're doing it ALL wrong"!

If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself, dang it....

Honey, I went to M.I.T, I can do this. Gimme a minute!

Told you I could do it...

Apparently, inverted umbrellas are contagious...

These folks might need a support group after this whole fiasco...

Nothing to see here, folks, move along...

Dead Fish Mailbox | Old Bonita Springs

You were all holding your breath for the mailbox du jour, I just know it. Special thanx to a humongous issue with Quick Books and my extension looming in the not so distant future for getting me slightly derailed from the important things; blogging about mailboxes. I think it’s all under control or at least it will be when I drop this whole sordid mess off at Weibel, Hennels and Carufe, CPA on Monday afternoon.

Now, on to the mailbox. I know that there are people bored to tears that work near the dog track that have been dying to see how I top my last week cheater mailboxes from Lowes. I actually took the Lowes employee up on his lead on the “ugliest mailbox in Bonita Springs”. It’s hiding on Carl Circle. Carl Circle is just off of Dean Street & Matheson in Old Bonita Springs. Homes have huge lots there and there are still remnants of orange groves. Most of our historic homes are in this area, as well as a few new homes.

When I turned onto Matheson I realized that it had been almost 20 years since I’d been back there. My husband (who is someone else’s problem now) and I almost bought a home there. It was a builder model and it was just so new and beautiful. Sadly, it was a time in our lives when it wasn’t affordable. My twins were toddlers and we so needed the room. We were living in a home that had less than 600 square feet of living space and no heat.

Fortunately, things have changed over the past few decades. I’ve managed to get a little more room and Lumberjack, the boy twin is closing on his first home, today. He purchased a lovely starter home in the “State Streets” area of Bonita Springs, Florida.

You see, Bonita Springs real estate is selling and lenders are still lending money. Mortgages are still being given. The boy has decent credit for someone slightly shy of 21 years of age and he is a saver. He’s saved his rear end off and the banks like that. They also like that he pays his bills on time. I think he is on to something.

• Pay your bills
• Save money for back up
• Keep your credit clean
• Banks will lend you money

Now, I just have to find a really ugly, tacky, embarrassing mailbox to give him as a house warming gift. I mean, on top of all the other pranks that we’re planning. Not to worry, each and every prank will be photo documented and blogged about for your reading pleasure. It is hell being one of my children…

Seafood So Fresh it Slept in the Gulf Last Night

Just a little south of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs, Florida you'll find Pincher's Crab Shack restaurant. It's right on US 41 (Tamiami Trail) just about across the street from Mel's Diner. If you're wondering why it's called Pincher's it's for uh, the pinchers on crabs. It is, in fact, a crab shack.

Pinchers is a great place to stop in for a quick bite or a long dinner. There is something for everyone on the menu. Besides the local seafood and crab offerings there are pasta dishes, burgers, fall from the bone ribs, salads and tons of sides to go with any meal. I'm voting pinchers "best French fries in Bonita Springs". They're diced and cooked fresh and hot and they're super crispy outside and tender inside. Plus, there is malt vinegar on every table.

The restaurant is busy and colorful. Kids just love it. There are also signs and historical pieces from restaurants, marinas and establishments gone by. The ceiling fans have a t-shirt hanging from each blade, run through the sleeves. Best of all, the tables have a freezer paper table cloth and everyone can draw, including the waitresses. They sign the table so you know what their name is.

Just take a look at this fantastic fish counter that greets you when you enter Pincher's.

If you're in Bonita Springs and looking for a great place to eat stop in Pinchers!

Yes, if you want you can take fresh fish home with you for tomorrow's dinner or just pick something up on your way home from work. You can't beat that!

Bonita Springs
Bonita Crossing Plaza
28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd.
Bonita Springs, FL 33935

Tel: 239-948-1313

Visit their website at: www.PinchersCrabShack.com

Pinchers also has locations in Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sarasota, South Fort Myers and North Fort Myers.

Come Any Closer & I'll Jump!

This is a thankless job.  There are times when it is fun to sell real estate and there are times when it would be more fun to have my fingers crushed in a door.  There are things that real estate agents do that is such hard work.  Well, some of us. No one really knows about it or is ever told about.  We clean up messes, fix disputes, preview properties, show properties, you name it.

It would be so much easier to do some of this stuff if the other agents just did their job.  In the last few days I have written a contract on home that has been on the market for over a year.  The agent and the buyer are going to be grumpy when they get the low offer.  Geeze, I wish I could call the owner and let them know that their home has the wrong legal description in the MLS, the street name is spelled wrong, an a few other little tid bits that have kept most agents from even finding it.  Other properties that I showed along side of this one had issues two.  I wish I could let them know but I am precluded by the rules of being a REALTOR.  Even if I could, why do I have to be the real estate police?

While doing a CMA for a listing in Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club I found five listings that were in the wrong Geo Code.  Anyone searching for homes in Bonita Springs Golf & CC would search in BN06.  There are five homes from across Bonita Springs that are not searchable by their Geo code because theirs reads BN06.  I actually emailed the listing agents (this was back in June) and not one of them has been changed.  I wish I could tell the owners.

I tried to preview a property today, after having set the appointment last Saturday to show it on Sunday, to be denied showing it on Sunday, to have the appointment moved to Wednesday. I drove 12 miles, one way, out of my way to get to the property only to have it have no keybox on it.  Even though the agent told me it had one and the MLS indicates it does, it doesn't.  I called the agent to have them not answer their phone.  They still haven't called back.  I am just trying to sell his listing.  You know, do his job.  Now I get to sell it with about 3 gallons less fuel in my car.  Wonder if he'll send me twelve bucks.  Make that 6 gallons of gas I got screwed out of.  If he ever calls me back I get to drive back there, again.  Lucky me.  Another listing down the way had issues quite similar and when I tried to take photos of it today the tenant wouldn't let me in, even though I had a confirmed appointment.

Another agent has given me the gift of an attorney managed closing.  There's an oxymoron.  We're already a week late on closing and still no end is in sight.  That agent represents the sellers who have an attorney that wasn't smart enough to prepare a deed correctly.  The attorney also doesn't know that THE SELLERS NUMBERS NEVER CHANGE.  Their paperwork could have been completed a month ago.  My buyer has his third lender package getting sent to close this transaction up.  Yes, third.

This is starting to exhaust me.  I'm thinking of becoming an ice cream cone maker at Dairy Queen or a Walmart greeter.  I've been driven to the brink by people that don't give two craps about their job.

Every time I read comments from The Jackals about how much real estate agents are over paid and do nothing for their pay I wish they could just see what happens behind the scenes.  This isn't fun sometimes and personally, there isn't enough pay in my humble opinion.

Now, if you'll excuse me I am going to show a lawyer how to properly prepare a deed so my buyer can close on his home.  Thank gawd he didn't choose medical school.