Life In Bonita Springs

If you're facing foreclosure or thinking of a short sale in Bonita Springs and run across a way to salvage your home "that may be good to be true", it just may be too good to be true.

Unfortunately, desperate times bring out the worst in scam artists who will try to prey on the desperate home owners in the Bonita Springs area. They are coming up with new and illegal ways to dupe homeowners out of their deed. If you are investigating foreclosures scams, if you're behind on your mortgage, if you're looking for credit salvation or responding to an offer to reorganize your finances to save yourBonita Springs home, pay attention.Freddie Mac has prepared this short video to help home owners avoid having their home stolen from them through deception and fraud.

If you are experiencing financial hardship you're slipping behind in your house payments and you're looking for a place to start click here:Freddie Mac - Avoiding Foreclosure Mortgage fraud is against the law! Report mortgage fraud to the authorities.

Bonita Springs Real Estate Rental Tips

The Bonita Springs rental market is alive and thriving in Southwest Florida. A large inventory of both condominiums and single family homesin Bonita Springs and Estero Florida are available in a variety of neighborhoods. There are a few things to consider, if you are a tenant, when renting a home in the Bonita Rental Home areas.

1. There can be up to a 30 day waiting period BEFORE you can move in to a Bonita Springs rental or Bonita Springs Vacation Rental. If the property you've set your heart on is in a community with a condominium or homeowners association there may be tenant applications, credit checks, and possibly a background check.

2. Some condominium/homeowner associations have vehicle limits (the quantity of automobiles a rental unit can have) and restrictions to vehicle styles. Some rental restrictions include: No pick up trucks, no RV's, no commercial trucks, no boat trailers or no motorcycles.

3. Most rentals in Bonita Springs have pet restrictions beyond what the owner chooses as a rental restriction. Home owner associations often have policies in place restriction the home from allowing pets for tenants. If pets are permitted, most typically, no aggressive breed dogs are not permitted by anyone; whether an owner or a tenant. Other limitations may include the number of dogs per unit is limited and sometimes the weight of the dog is limited. Remember, just because you see a dog in the complex doesn't mean a tenant is permitted to have one on site. Also, the rules can be different for renters than owners.

Don't rush off to rent a Bonita Springs vacation rental at the last minute without knowing some of the facts and restrictions that can apply to tenants and lessees. A qualified real estate professional can help you navigate through the application process and help you find the home that suits you and your lifestyle.

If you have questions about renting a home or condominium in Bonita Springs or Estero Florida ask a real estate professional. If you are a FGCU student looking for housing, keep in mind that there is a rental book on site at FGCU where local home and condominium owners have placed their homes for your review. The homes are offered by motivated landlords with homes close to the campus.

If you will be a tenant in a Bonita Springs rental you may also want to consider renter's insurance to protect your personal property.

Read also: Bonita Springs Homeowner Insurance

The Year in Review - And a Christmas Story 

The year 2007 brought me more of the unexpected than I could have imagined.  If you were to have told me last year at this time how many new people I would know from all over North America I wouldn't have believed it.  Because of my blogging and internet exposure life changes quickly and dramatically.

I am still in awe, especially during this holiday season.  So many people have been so kind to this bumpkin from Bonita Springs.  It has caught me off guard.  The amount of cards and emails that came to me for the holidays, and even Christmas gifts has floored me.  I won't "out" my gift givers on the net, but I do thank you and appreciate you thinking of little old me.  I had planned on going thru the quietest Christmas of my life and was surprised and honored by the thoughtfulness of others. 

Usually, I try to be somewhere over the holiday period and didn't go anywhere this year to spend Christmas with my parents fearing it would be my Mother's last Christmas, as she has been seriously ill.  I stayed put and at the last minute my parents flew back to Cleveland, Ohio to be closer to the Cleveland Clinic.  So here I sit in Bonita Springs.  I figured it would be just me, the dog and the movie cube at the grocery store.

A few days ago things changed.  I mean really changed.  I have an outside blog called Life in Bonita Springs.  I wouldn't likely have built it without having spent the last year or so on Active Rain.  I was posting so much local information about Bonita Springs on Active Rain I decided to start putting it in my own blog.  No I didn't, Bob Carney actually shamed me into it.  (Thanks Bob and thanks to Linda Davis and Sarah Cooper for backing him up.)

This week one of my local posts grabbed the attention of an out-of-towner who contacted me for further information.  It turns out that my reader is a college student, but not an average college student.  She is from Japan studying in Alabama.  She wasn't able to get her ticket home to Japan for the holiday so she decided to come to Bonita Springs by herself, just for something to do, without a car.  How's that for brass?  I found out that her hotel is two blocks from my house and after several emails back and forth I invited her for dinner and she took me up on the offer.  We also had lunch today also (after my distance record run), tried to find a post office without horrific lines and learned what the Bass Pro Shop is.  By the way, it's for guys that fish and women that want to wear camouflage Santa hats.  Yes, they sell camo Santa hats at Bass Pro Shops and yes, we saw a woman wearing one.

At any rate, the student's name is Ayumi and she's just a doll, a real sweet heart.  I just wanted to share with you all at Christmas what a great thing my local posts have now brought to me.  This was more fun than business!  

I'll do my best to show Ayumi around Bonita Springs, Estero and the finer points of Southwest Florida.

We've already hit Riverside Park, Gulfcoast Towne Center and Sushi Thai of Naples.  Although she was probably hoping for more local cuisine I told her she went half way around the world to find someone that prefers sushi and Asian food.  Next week I promise to take her to the best pizza in Bonita Springs, AA Two Brothers Pizza to meet Sal and Bob.  Pizza is her favorite!

Now who would have guessed that a local post about Bonita Springs Florida would help me meet someone from Osaka Japan?

*If you're a local reading this post, where else should I take Ayumi to experience Bonita Springs.  I'm open for suggestions.*

   Veterinary Animal Hospital For Bonita's Best Residents

Today I drove the shopping center called the Centre at Bonita Springs.  It's where the Publix grocery and Kmart is at Bonita Beach Road and US 41.  I passed White Sands Animal Clinic.  There was a truck backed up to the door, Dr. Mason's truck.  Sunday morning was spent caring for sick pups instead of lounging in bed on a holiday weekend watching a classic movie, what a guy. 

I quickly remembered all of the great things that have come of taking a few of our mutts to White Sands.  First, Dr. Mason saved Jack many moons ago. We had visited several vets with no answers and Dr. Mason, in minutes, dropped a perfect diagnosis that cured him.  We've had a few episodes since then and every time White Sands is the first place we go to save our "kid" Jack.  He's pushing 12 now, with thanks to Dr. Mason.  Eh, you know the holidays are here and you have to be grateful for what you have and I love my little dog, a whole glob.

The whole crew at White Sands also has done their best in other circumstances, also.  Both Dr. Mason and Dr. Rashidi (I hope I spelled that right) have been saviors for one of my son's dogs that contracted the Parvo Virus and was cured.  Lilly is doing just fine, by the way.  I think Jon will be bringing her in to get spayed soon. 

Thank you and Merry Christmas to everyone at White Sands Animal Clinic.  I'm sure one of you will have your car backed up to the clinic on Christmas Day taking care of someone else's pooch, again.

Every Vote Counts Bonita Springs!

For crying out loud, people fought and died for you to be able to vote, the least you can do is register and drop your ballot in the box.  There is a push both city wide in Bonita Springs and county wide, Lee County, to get record numbers of voters to register.  There are many issues that need the attention of Bonita Springs residents.

Time is running out to be registered for the next election and the coming Bonita Springs Mayoral Election.  The elections offices will remain open December 31, even though it's New Year's Eve, but there are many other ways to register to vote.  It really is as easy as 1-2-3.  If you're reading this it means you have access to a computer - print out the registration and mail it by the end of the week and you're registered to vote in Bonita Springs.

There is a great story in the News Press about it.

SIGN UP TO VOTE

• Elections main office, 2480 Thompson St., downtown Fort Myers
• Bonita Springs branch, 24951 Old 41 Road #10
• Cape Coral branch, 1031 S.E. 9th Place #3
• East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres
• Lee County Elections Center, 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., south Fort Myers
• Any public library*
• Department of Motor Vehicles offices*
• Any public assistance*
• About 300 banks and businesses*

You can also simply print up a registration from the elections Web site, http://election.dos.state.fl.us/RegToVote/regform.shtml . It must be postmarked by Dec. 31 and sent to the elections main office. The elections offices will remain open Dec. 31, even though it's the New Year's Eve holiday.

* Call 533-8683 to find these locations.

Bonita Springs Seafood Restaurant | Seafood Market

A few days ago I had an opportunity to take Ayu out for dinner again.  We ended up at Rodes in Bonita Springs, Florida on Bonita Beach Road.  It was the perfect opportunity to visit a seafood restaurant and let "A" experience some of our local catches.  If you're not sure who "A" is also read:  A Reinvented Bonita Springs Christmas

Rodes is a local restaurant that has been in Bonita Springs for years. Rodes offers a seafood market, also.  The two establishments share the same building.

Dinner was great, as expected.  We started with stone crab claws as an appetizer, which are in season right now.  We followed up with grouper dinner and a fried shrimp platter.  I was stuffed.   All dinners come with choice of salad or slaw and choice of potato.  "A" was brought sweet potato on accident and loved it.  It was the first time she'd had sweet potato.

Rodes always has the freshest fish whether you're dining in or picking up from the market.  The market also has seasonings, wine, marinades, fresh produce and tons of other neat things you don't even know that you need!

The next time you're on your way back from Bonita beach after the sunset consider a stop into Rodes.  It's just East of the Fish House on the North side of Bonita Beach Road & across the street from the Safari Golf miniature golf course.  You'll be sure to meet a lot of people, Rodes is always bustling with people from all over the world.

You can call Rodes  at 239-992-4040 for directions or find a map to Rodes Restaurant located at 3756 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 below:

Copperleaf at the Brooks

Finally, the newly renovated Copperleaf Clubhouse is complete, open for business and absolutely beautiful. There were actually over 170 people served last night for the very first dinner.  The entire club was buzzing with excitement, as each Copperleaf member toured all the beautiful new rooms.  If you haven't had an opportunity to see the new club at Copperleaf and all the striking new furnishings, we hope you will take the opportunity to do so very soon.  Everyone is welcome back to the club with open arms.  You won't be disappointed.

A special thanks has been given would to the Copperleaf renovation committee for all their hard work and exhausting hours they have contributed to the entire process.  Their efforts are truly reflective in the finished project! 

If you'd like to stop by the new Copperleaf clubhouse to take a look keep in mind the following holiday hours of operation for the clubhouse and golf:

• Monday, December 24 Club & Course closes at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 25 Club Course closed all day
• Monday, December 31 Administration and course close at 2 p.m. Kitchen closes at 2 p.m. for New Years Eve Dinner set-up.
• Tuesday, January 1 Administration closed. Limited lunch menu and lounge open until 4 p.m.

Just a reminder:  If you stop by Copperleaf clubhouse to take a look be sure to update your contact information with administration, if there have been recent changes. 

For more information Copperleaf at the Brooks, located in Bonita Springs, Florida read also:  Copperleaf at the Brooks - Bonita Springs, Florida

  Computer Repair in Bonita Springs, Florida 

Ok, I'm back in action.  Thanks to Platinum Coast Technology of Bonita Springs, again. (again and again) 

My laptop ended up getting gunky after Comcast installed some junk on it - booo!  It wasn't cooperating, freezing up, programs wouldn't open.  All sorts of bad stuff was just slowly getting worse.

Although I live in Bonita Springs only a few blocks from Platinum Coast Technology I always call and the technicians usually make a deal with me to call when things aren't so busy.  Yes, real people located in the USA answer the phone.  If they have a little less on their shelves to work on and they are slower, I'll have my computer in and out faster instead of it waiting in a cue. 

This time Dellilah (yes, she's a dell and I name everything) was there for a sleep over.  She's running like a champ thanks to Randy saving all my data and reinstalling my software and getting rid of whatever was fouling things up.  Randy also set me up with a great new back up system that is one click.   It can be programmed to back up daily, weekly or whatever.  I am mobile most of the time so it isn't plugged in for me to use that feature so we'll opt for the manual plug in on a weekly basis, programmed into Outlook for a reminder.

I'm thinking my next trip to Platinum Coast is for the external keyboard.  Because of my large load of blogging and code writing I go through keyboards.  Dell doesn't exactly make them durable or affordable either.  Currently my letter "N" is taped on and on the last key board the "P" was taped on.  I apparently have the strength of Midas in my fingers.  I joked with Randy that my right index finger and pinky are registered with the government as deadly weapons.  Don't make me use them!

Lucky for me the fella's at Platinum Coast don't laugh right at me about the band-aided keyboard.  I'm sure they wait for me to get in my car before they start.  I'm sure they need a laugh anyway.  They deal a lot of very frustrated people that come in at their whit's end, no doubt, that aren't laughing one bit.

Thanks for the fix up again Randy and Ray!

If you're looking for a place in Bonita Springs, Estero or North Naples to have your computer fixed, buy a new computer custom built for your specific needs or a great group of people to set up a network, call Platinum Coast Technology of Bonita Springs, Florida.  (at the very least, get that back up you've been putting off before you lose all your data) They're great people that take great care of their customers.  Locally owned, too!  Support the local Bonita Springs businesses and they'll support you.

Platinum Coast Technology is locate on US 41 - Tamiami Trail just a couple hundred feet north of the Imperial River Bridge (west side of the highway).  Phone: 239.949.1033  Tell them Chris sentcha!

It's named Lansdowne Street but located on the Trail

Bonita Springs has a new restaurateur that has thrown their hat in the ring.  Just last week Lansdowne Street opened its doors for business.  The owner, Michael Maurer, is a die hard Boston fan and the pub shows it.

Yesterday, I finally had a chance to stop into Lansdowne Street with a few friends from work.  Our Bonita Springs Keller Williams office actually anchors the other end of the build so we just walked down.  First, I have to say that the place is fantastic on the inside.  They've really outdone themselves designing the place.  There is not another pub or restaurant in Bonita Springs or Estero that looks anything like it.  It's very welcoming and comfortable.  Second, if you've been hanging at restaurants or pubs at Coconut Point, you owe yourself just to see a little character and not pay for Coconut Point real estate.  Besides, if you support your local businesses and they're support your community and the families that live here.

Being a picky eater that also doesn't eat meat, I can tell you there are plenty of options on the menu for me.  There's a great list of Panini sandwiches and a "build a sandwich" option - pick your meat, cheese, toppings, etc.  They also serve chowda.  I had the Beacon Street Panini with potato salad, in case you're curious.

If you're not familiar with the area Lansdowne Street is located on US 41 - Tamiami Trail just a couple hundred feet south of the Old 41 traffic light, right across the street from Pelican Landing.  Lansdowne Street also shares the building with KW and the Paradise Shrimp Company.  Ample parking is in the back and Lansdowne Street is accessible from Old 41 and Strike Lane, also.

Brilliant. The very secret you need to know to sell yourBonita Springs HomeorBonita Springs Real Estatehas been put into a video by TheReal Estate Zebra. In case anyone really is in denial about how appraisals work in Bonita Springs or Boise, this is it. Zebra has boiled it down using basic terms and illustrations so you, the Bonita Springs home seller, can easily understand how to sell your home, fast or at least this season. You do realize that Easter is at the end of March this year, don't you? Enjoy this "Secrets to sell your Bonita Springs real estate" video: