Life In Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs Real Estate Market Update April 2019

We have a family member who uses the term, no great shakes all the time and that sort of sums up our April real estate market in Bonita Springs and Estero.  That doesn’t mean anything bad.  In fact, we have had historically great sales every month of April for the last several years.  We just simply have more of the same going on.  The months of April and May are typically for closing up sales that were made during spring before everyone who is seasonal returns to the north.

The long story short is that about 66% of our sales are priced under $400,000 and most of those sales are paid for in cash.  If you’re worried about securing a home or condo to winter over in the fall of 2019/spring of 2020 know that we are actually in our slow time right now.  We ramp back up in June and many of the home buyers in July, August, September are here specifically because they’re through renting or they simply can’t find a rental due to the fact that home owners are moving into their second homes.

Our summer buyers often have been here before and they fly back to make a purchase. They may have narrowed their search to a neighborhood or two and they dive in and look at what is in their budget and they buy.  If they aren’t able to peel away to tour homes they buy without coming to town.  That’s a scary prospect for some folks but they know the area, know the community, know the floor plan and get to see the home plus have a full inspection they move forward.  It’s rather common due to the advances in technology. Just today, Jerry and I drove to Village Walk after church today so I could make a video walkthrough tour of a Cayman floor plan townhome and give it the “sniff test” to make sure it was just as pretty and clean as the buyers imagined.

If you’d like to learn more about securing a home for next winter give us a call.  Both Angela and I work every day, including evenings and weekends so call/text when it convenient for you. 239-728-7599

Movies on The Lawn at The Mercato | 138/365 Things to Do

The Mercato is a shopping mall in north Naples located across the street from Naples Park. In the summer The Mercato hosts “movies on the lawn”.  The events are popular and the movies are generally classic films that appeal to a wide range of audience members and appropriate for most ages. The next movie on the lawn is ‘Grease’. 

It's 1958, summer is over and Rydell students return to school, ready to reunite with their friends and exchange stories of their summer conquests. Danny Zuko, leader of a local gang, tells his love affair on the beach with a mysterious girl. While sweet Sandy Olsson, the new girl in town, tells the story of her summer love with an unknown boyfriend. When it is discovered that the stories of Danny and Sandy are about each other but do not coincide, Sandy feels humiliated and Danny will have to fight to win her over again. To do so, he will have to resort to all kinds of romantic ideas and recover it.

If you go there is an outdoor bar--including adult beverages, popcorn and food--provided by Naples Flatbread. Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Well-behaved pets are welcome!

Movies on the lawn are hosted by the Mercato and great sponsors such as Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar. Please visit the Mercato Facebook page to find future events and other fun things to do that are on schedule.

Art in Public at Artis Naples| 137/365 Things to Do

Both the city of Naples and the city of Bonita Springs have made great strides in making sure that there is art in public places.  An easy place to tour art in public places is at Artis Naples (formerly called The Phil).  Surrounding the auditorium are a variety of works of art in a variety of mediums.

Located in Pelican Bay, not Pelican Landing, is where Artis is located.  You can park in any number of parking lots and simply walk around the building.  On  display through June 2019  is The Four Seasons by the American artist Philip Haas.  They’re magical and mystical. 

If you are looking for fun things to do with kids it would be an opportunity to get them interested in art without them knowing that you’re learning about art.

In addition, there are a variety of sculptures surrounding Artis Naples that are thought provoking and creative.

To learn more about current exhibits both inside and outside of the building read also: Artis Naples Museum Exhibitions

Tour Historic Arcadia Florida | 136/365 Things to Do

Some of the south central cities in Florida have great history and are so interesting to visit.  A great stop or a day trip can be to Arcadia Florida.  Arcadia has the history plus fun, unusual things to do such as antiquing, fishing, the rodeo and picking or buying produce.

A great day trip to Arcadia should include a self guided walking tour of the historic areas.  You’ll take a step back in time when you see the old brick buildings and mom & pop diners tucked away in store fronts.  Arcadia also has a historic opera house that is a must see.

The Peace River runs through the area so there are canoe rentals and even fossil expeditions that you can take.

To learn more things to do in Arcadia, here:

Go Antiquing in Arcadia | 129/365 Things to Do

Pick Florida Peaches in Arcadia 115/365 Things to Do

U-Pick Blueberries in Arcadia Florida 118/365 Things To Do

Grab Lunch at Big Hickory Grille | 135/365 Things to Do

The Big Hickory Marina and Grille is located on the stretch of Hickory Blvd across the street  from Bonita Beach where the road turns to go to Fort Myers Beach.  Big Hickory is a great dining experience that offers both inside air conditioned dining as well as outside, bay side dining on the intracoastal waterway. 

There’s no better entertainment than watching boats go by and marinas are always particularly entertaining.  If you dine outdoors you can also see a view of the bay and the high rises of Bonita Bay in the distance. 

From salads to sandwiches and even gourmet meals, Big Hickory Grille has something for everyone.  Be sure to plan your visit around sunset so you can walk to the beach to see the sun go down either before or after your meal.

Read also: Big Hickory Fishing Nook, Marina & Seafood Grille

Rent Jet Skis on Bonita Beach | 134/365 Things to Do

Whether you are visiting the area or live here full time, did you know that you can rent jet skis on Bonita Beach?  The jet ski rental company is located right at the public beach access and located behind Doc’s Beach House. Not only can you rent a jet ski but you can also parasail.

If you’re thinking of making a day of it there are tons of fun things to do at Bonita Beach. You can lay out at the Beach, have breakfast or lunch at Doc’s and rent a jet ski.  Jet ski rentals are open until about 6:00 p.m. depending upon the time of the year.

Bonita Beach parking is not free so be sure to purchase a parking pass at the kiosk.

Here’s the contact information if you’d like to rent a jet ski:

27908 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 Phone: (239) 825-7559

Clyde Butcher Swamp Walk | 133/365 Things to Do

A very talented photographer lives in Southwest Florida in Big Cypress.  Clyde Butcher has made the Everglades his home and found a way to photograph it splendidly.  For those who are brave enough to venture into the swamp you can book a swamp walk in Big Cypress.  Mr. Butcher is so passionate about the Everglades so much he wants to make sure anyone with a will has a way.

When you go be prepared to have a great time. The walk is safe and fun. You are with the pros and most of what you have imagined about the swamp or the Everglades is your imagination gone wild.  It’s the most beautiful place on the planet, teeming with the most beautiful plants and animals.  Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that you can get wet and include a hat and sunscreen.  Most of all bring an open mind because you are really going to be doing something special.

The swamp walks can be booked through their official website https://clydebutcher.com. Weather and time of year permitting, of course.  While you’re east of Naples visiting Big Cypress be sure to stop by the tiny post office in Ochopee, too.    Read also, The Tiniest Post Office in America

Dine at The Cottage Fort Myers Beach | 132/365 Things to Do

You can dine right on Fort Myers Beach at The Cottage. The Cottage is a local hangout that is especially fun to visit during the summer. Everything in the summer moves at a little slower pace so if you’re looking for a great place to catch a bite to eat or even a few adult beverages don’t forget about at The Cottage.  From breakfast to lunch or even late night there is something for everyone. 

The Cottage is located not to far from ‘Times Square’ and the Fort Myers Beach pier. You can make an afternoon of hanging out both on and off the beach.  To learn more about the menu at The Cottage you can read their menu here: http://shuckersfmb.com

The address is 1250 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.

Visit Collier Seminole State Park | 131/365 Things to Do

Southeast of Naples, Florida on the way to Marco Island is a park that features a little bit of history of southwest Florida and the effort to complete the Tamiami Trail. 

Tamiami is a combination of the words Tampa and Miami. The Tamiami Trail was constructed to connect the two cities through the Everglades in south Florida. Barron Collier pledged the funds to complete the trail when the State of Florida ran out of Money.  It was in the early 1920’s when the treacherous job of building the ‘trail’ through the Everglades began. 

If you were to visit the Collier Seminole State Park you can even see one of the original Bay City Walking Dredge machines that was used to build the road.  Collier Seminole State Park also offers access to 10,000 Islands, walking/hiking paths and other park activities. 

Read also: Collier Seminole State Park Naples Florida

Breakfast at Dolly’s in Bonita Springs | 130/365 Things to Do

Dolly’s is one of the restaurants in Bonita Springs that wildly popular with both locals and tourists.  Imagine an Olde Florida motel converted into a restaurant.  It’s kitschy.  Not many of the tables, chairs, dishes or silverware match. It’s folksy and charming inside.

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch only and it’s not a breakfast all day sort of place.  What you can have are the standard favorites. Just about any egg dish, French toast and even pancakes but be careful ordering a stack. They’re pretty large cakes so you might literally bite off more than you can hew.

Most importantly, Dolly’s makes pies. Glorious pies. You have to stop in for a pie.  They even make special request pies, like a pumpkin pie in May.  We have a family member who  likes pumpkin pie and their birthday is in May.

Dolly’s is at the corner of Bonita Beach Road and Michigan Street in Heitmans. Be sure to stop back and tell us how much you loved it!

Read also: Scrambled Eggs and Local Yokels at Dollys Bonita Springs