Life In Bonita Springs

January 2018 Bonita Springs Real Estate Stats

We’ve shook off the fizzled fourth quarter of 2017 and 2018is off to a roaring start. Tourist season is in full swing and memory of Irma is fading away. We’re watching the properties beginning to pend sale.  As anticipated with the rising prices is the rush to purchase the affordably priced properties.  Put this into perspective: Seventy-five percent of home and condo sales in Bonita Springs and Estero Florida were priced under $400,000.  The margins in much higher price points are single digit percentages.

Only twenty-two percent of the sales were under $200,000 and that figure would be larger if there was more inventory. The truth is that the bottom is always selling off and the price is always slowly growing upwards.  Properties priced well or priced appropriately don’t last.  They sell right away. I’ve watched several buyers miss out on the best property because they either took their time or went in with a lower offer than necessary and someone else swooped in and stole the property.  Remember, there are other buyers out there so if most of the properties are tired or need work and there is a gem in the mix, you’re not the only person who is seeing the gem in the mix.

If you’re looking for a foreclosure or a short sale just know that the bulk of those smokin’ deals happened in 2009-2010. The distressed real estate market accounts for less than 1% of our closed sales.  When a foreclosure does hit the market it goes at market price or slightly under so that it generates multiple offers and often sells over list price.

Don’t forget that there are still deals to be had.  Buyers must be vigilant and ready to move on a great buy when it comes along.  Be prepared to do a little work and make a great deal into a home. I have renovated two homes in the last year and often have people say to me “if you see a little gem like this, let me know”. Well, it wasn’t a little gem. It was stinky and white tile floors when I bought it, sea foam green walls and fake fishnets with starfishes on it for decoration. Don’t forget the basics:

• Buy a home or condo with a good view (think resale)
• Buy a home or condo and don’t over pay (pick an inventory heavy neighborhood if you can)
• Be prepared to do a little work (don’t be afraid of tearing out tile)
• Be prepared to buy sight unseen (if you know the neighborhood, floor plan)

We are officially half way through tourist season so it will be interesting to see how the market keeps up with the demand.

If you have questions about current market statistics or you’d like a recommendation of where there may be some great deals in your price range call or text Chris Griffith at 239-273-7430.

Dealing With The Ever-Growing Bonita Springs Community

Most local people know that I run a fairly large Facebook group for Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida residents.  More than one time a week there is someone complaining or simply declaring that we need a moratorium on building.  The “I got mine, let’s close the doors” mentality is not legal nor is it fair and I marvel every time I have read it.

Do I miss the old Bonita Springs that made me move here thirty-five years ago?  Yes and no.  I think there were the population was about 2,800 when I moved here.  We’re bubbling (and growing) at 50,000 plus now.  Back then we had to go to Naples or Fort Myers to buy just about anything we need. The stores were few and the restaurants actually boarded the windows and doors shut for the summer. 

Year over year I  have watched the town grow.  Bonita Springs eventually grew large enough to become incorporated a city.  Roads and infrastructure struggle to keep up but this growth is not a secret. It was projected. Your city, county and state officials have tried to plan for it sometimes with both corporate and resident opposition.  It’s very easy to catch a case of the NIMBY’s when “you got yours”. 

The simple fact of the matter is that 8,000 to 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day.  These people worked hard every day of their life so that they could retire to warmth and the good life.  They deserve it just as much as you deserve it.  The 239 offers the good life.  We knew they were coming. The Lee County MPO has reports that anyone can read and learn from both before they buy real estate in Bonita Springs or if they are a current home owner.  The City of Bonita Springs has council meetings that the public can attend and they even post them on YouTube after they’ve been broadcast live on TV.  It’s absolutely no secret that we are growing and that we are going to continue growing.  Also, just so everyone clearly understands the big picture, when we run out of land they are going to start tearing down perfectly good homes to rebuild a new home with all the widgets and rhinestones that can be installed.

There isn’t a single trip I make getting off of Bonita Beach Road waiting five to ten  light turns to head north on US 41 that I don’t grumble about the opposition that the residents and a few already washed out politicians did by scuttling the study for a flyover at that intersection.  Lee County is projected to grow seventy percent by the year 2040 and they shot down a mere study for traffic safety.  It’s all fun and games until an ambulance or fire-rescue doesn’t get to you or your loved one because they’re in the parking lot of a street.

You can’t just close the doors to Lee County now that you own your home in Bonita Springs.  You can’t just take someone else’s land rights any more than they could take yours. Do yourself a favor and Google the “Bert Harris Act” which protects private property rights and values and zoning and land-use disputes. It has cost Lee County tens of millions of dollars.  Try Googling the phrase “Estero Place Lawsuit”.  You’ll learn that Lee County settled the multi-million dollar suit for $1.7M. 

The building is going to continue and the residents are going to continue moving here so the only other way to control your changing environment is to become involved with planning groups or task force committees, attend city council meetings and plan your drive and dining times around peak use hours.

Wrapping Up 2017 Bonita Springs Real Estate Stats

Well, 2017 went out with a whimper.  Numbers are slightly off due to the ripple effects of Hurricane Irma.  The bump in the real estate market is caused by delayed closings, delayed sales, delayed travel plans causing fewer contracts to be written.

Long story short, you can look at the “units sold” graph to see the closed sales are slightly off. It isn’t necessarily a tale of things to come.  We’re officially in the heart of tourist season and sales are in full swing.   Ninety-nine percent of our properties selling are equity sale.  There are only occasional short sales or foreclosures in the real estate market.

The majority of real estate sales in the Bonita Springs area were in the $200,000 to $400,000 price range.  Nearly fifty-four percent of the properties were paid for with cash, thirty-four percent of the closed home sales were paid for with conventional mortgages. 

Here’s to a peppier January home sales report.  There are plenty of sales in the pipeline, already.

If you’d like more information about home sales statistics in your neighborhood call or text Chris at 239-273-7430.

 Things To Do With Kids in SWFL (Off the Beach) Part I

Did you know in Florida that the pools and beach water actually do get too cold to take the kids to sometimes? Also did you know that it rains almost everyday in the afternoon in Bonita Springs during the summer time? I have two small children that NEED to get out of the house sometimes. I have compiled a list of places to see and go when it’s just too cool for the beach or raining outside.

Just south of Bonita Springs off of Livingston Road there is C'MON Children’s Museum which is probably my kid’s favorite place to go rain or shine. The hours for the museum are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Sunday 11:00 am-4:00 pm Wednesday CLOSED. It is $10 for adults & seniors and $12.00 for kids 1 and older. If you are like us and want to go all the time they are really affordable membership packages starting at $135 for the whole family for a year! The great thing about the museum is there is something for children of all ages and the adults can kind of stand back and watch the kids explore and learn through different exhibits.

Everglades Wonder Gardens is located right in the heart of downtown Bonita Springs. It is a tourist attraction with wildlife, an 80 year old botanical jungle and butterfly gardens. The Wonder Gardens was hit hard during Hurricane Irma and the community came together with lots of volunteers to get it reopened for everyone to enjoy again. The Wonder Gardens is open everyday from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. Admission is Adults 13-64 =$12 Seniors (65+) = $10 Children 3-12 = $7 Under 3 is free. The also offer a yearly admission which prices vary.

Next one my list is quite a bit of a drive from Bonita Springs but I think it is worth it. The Shell Factory is located 2787 N Tamiami Trail (US 41) North Fort Myers, FL 33903 and has been around for 80 years! The Shell Factory is a unique place for visitors and locals locals to shop, eat, or just gather with friends. There is both indoor and outdoor attractions for the whole family. There is free entry and parking except to get into the Nature park.

At the Shell Factory there is a huge retail store which includes a Christmas store. The amount of activities is endless there is petting/feeding zoo, bumper and paddle boats, Zip-line, Dinosaur Land, Mini Golf, and the Nature Park. The Nature Park admission is Seniors 55+ $10 Adult $13 Children (4 to 12) $8 Children 3 & under Free, the park features animals from iguanas, alligators, raccoons birds and zebras. According the the Shell Factory there is over 400 animals living there. There is a picnic site or you can enjoy the restaurant on Cap'n Fish n Bones. I will say the Shell Factory is original and could use some updating but it is such a different experience from anything else around town and the kids just love it.

There are some really great parks with playgrounds in the City of Bonita Springs one located off west terry Bonita Community Park; 26740 Pine Ave , one located off Pennsylvania Ave Depot Park; 10375 Pennsylvania Ave., one located off east terry at the dog park Bonita Dog Park East Terry St. at the light of E. Terry & Matheson Ave. There are also some boardwalks and nature trails in Bonita Springs located at Bonita Nature Place 27601 Kent Rd. and River Park Turn East off of US 41 on Rd. between Chase Bank and Bonita Boat Center.

This is Part 1 of my list stay tuned for part 2!

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About the Author - Jenna Hatfield is a life-long resident of Bonita Springs, Florida and mother of two boys.

Bonita Springs Real Estate Market Update October 2017

We’re back in the swing of things!  This is our first Post Hurricane Irma real estate market report fresh off the heals of everyone having electricity and getting back to work. Our tourist season did begin a bit early this year because many home owners came back early to get to work on their properties or cleaning up their yards.  The city has completed the first “sweep” of storm debris so the whole village is looking tidier without tree debris lined streets.  If you’ve not been in the Bonita Springs area, you’ve been spared the sight.

The home sales are starting to pick up. We’ll have a blip in our closed sales due to nearly a full month of slowed sales simply because it was difficult to show or sell homes due to electric issues or storm related damage.

What we are seeing in the real estate market is slightly less cash. It’s has been shrinking as the price have slowly been rising.  Cash is about 52% of the sales and we have seen a few loan assumptions, owner financing and even VA mortgages which are a great benefit to use on newer homes.  If you’re a veteran I can help you find more information about buying a homes with 100% financing with a VA mortgage.

The distressed real estate sale are only 1 to 1.5% of the real estate market, at this time.  There are few foreclosures and barely any short sales.

The price ranges selling at this time are the 400K and under price point.  Luxury homes are moving at a slightly slower pace, depending upon the neighborhood, of course. A waterfront home in Imperial Shores sell faster than a home in Quail West because there are more homes for sale in the neighborhood.  Scarcity in real estate creates urgency and the values to rise.

If you would like to know more about listing your Bonita Springs home or purchasing in the Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida area call or text Chris at 239-273-7430.

Feeding Birds in Bonita Springs Homeowner Associations

Recently, I had a potential home buyer ask a question regarding the ability to have a bird feeder at a home located withn a home owner association.  They did not mention the HOA by name so my ability to assist is limited. The Bonita Springs area is about 75% gated and deed restricted and there is one guarantee … every community has different sets of rules. Whether it’s a modest enclave of villas such as Forest Creek Villas or a larger community like Bonita Bay, the rules will be incredibly different.

Bird feeders, of course,  would be an item that falls under specific HOA rules/guidelines.  If having a back yard bird feeder is important to you, you will want to carefully read the HOA rules/guidelines and also call the property management company to double check specifically for that item or issue.  Frequently there are items such as pet weight, parked cars, rental restrictions that not only bear checking but double checking with the person who manages the community or building.

There are a few ways to locate the management company. If you’re working with a real estate agent, your own buyer’s agent, they can access the listing in the MLS and the management company contact phone number is in the “agent facing” side of the MLS.  If you doing homework on your own with regard to finding the answer to pointed HOA information you can visit the community and look at a posting near a common area, clubhouse or swimming pool. For example, Paloma and Hawthorne each have a clubhouse and pool area with a bulletin board near the door.  Often times there is also a plaque reading, for example, Mirasol at Coconut Point is managed by xyz management at 555-555-1212.

Often times, the guard at the house may be able to answer the question with regard to management company contact information.  If the community has a golf and country club you may be able to contact the club to ask who manages the master home owner association.

Finally, most HOA and condo associations are posted on www.Sunbiz.org as well as their board of director members. 

Bonita Springs Hurricane Comfort Items

With first-hand experience, the Griffith family and the great members of the Bonita Springs Estero Community Forum were nice enough to help contribute to a list of newly discovered hurricane essential items and conveniences that they wished they had during Hurricane Irma. Most of us replenished our hurricane supplies immediately after the storm.  As soon as UPS trucks were running my Amazon boxes were being dropped off.  The easy to find items were picked up at Home Depot on Bonita Beach Road and Sunshine Ace Hardware store which is also on Bonita Beach Road.

Most items listed below are basic tips for things you may have never considered or items that can be purchased at big box stores and, of course, on Amazon.

• Trim your trees, tell your neighbors to trim their trees. Overgrown trees take down power lines, fences and damage homes and cars. We had gone over a decade without a major hurricane so there were some big trees that should have been manicured.
• Battery operated radio/Eton radio.
• Fan … most especially a quiet fan; battery operated if you don’t have a generator.
• Battery back up packs for phones, kindle and tablets. Power banks.  Solar battery backup.  We had several Jackery brand and they were reliable and we didn’t run out of juice.
• Sweat bands for wrist and head.  Tools, saws, hammers slip when you’re sweaty and trying to get work done.
• Propane Coleman camping stove with lots of propane. We actually ordered electric coil hot plates from Amazon and used them with the generator.
• More gas for generators.  What you think is enough isn’t enough. Post storm stations without electric can’t pump.  Stations with gas, didn’t have electric.  People fist fight for gas.  It’s true.
• Chain/lock up your generator or it will be stolen.
• Small ice machine to plug into generator.
• Rope and clothes pins.
• Buckets to catch water, to catch leaking ceilings, to scoop lake/pool water to flush toilets, to clean up flood water.
• Cleaning supplies, especially bleach.
• There were several recommendations for wine, gin, beer, basically any alcohol. ;-) 
• If you live on a lake hurricane force winds will blow the lake water through your home.  Saw it with my own eyes!
• Address book and/or Hand written telephone numbers and addresses.  If your phone is dead you can’t retrieve phone numbers or addresses and many of us don’t remember them.
• Battery lamp – Brooklyn Lantern brand was recommended.
• Lots of tiny flash lights so everyone can have one. We had the 2 for $9.99 from Amazon. 1 AA battery needed.
• Work gloves for moving debris. Rubber gloves for moving gross stuff.
• Water purification straw, tablets, more water.
• A window a/c AKA wall shaker that could be plugged into a generator.
• More small bills; $1, $5, $10. It’s cash only when the power is out, but stores are open.
• Better brand of cooler such as Yeti.
• A silicone pot cover to put over bath tub drain to keep it from leaking.
• A kiddie pool with sod in it so the dog can go potty.
• Wellies/boots.
• Do every scrap of laundry before the storm.  Sewers back up without electricity.
• Face mask for dust/mold; surgical mask or dust mask.
• First aid kit.
• Glow sticks for safety and to keep little kids occupied.
• More liquid hand sanitizer, wipe/toilets for the bathrooms and kitchen areas.
• Hire a home watch service if you are outside of the area.
• Have at least one 4WD or vehicle with higher clearance per family.
• Trash bags, yard waste bags and twine to bundle branches.

Bonita Springs Life Post Hurricane Irma

Homes “on the same grid” as shelters get electric first. Communities with underground utilities get electric faster and sometimes don’t lose it. There were Bonita Springs residents who went weeks without power and air conditioning.  That was actually a fast electric restoration in the grande scheme of massive hurricane damage.  It's the rest of recovery that is slow. The trades will run out of materials; screening, roofing materials, glass.  There will be mountains of debris; contents of homes that were flooded and piles of downed trees for months and months after a major hurricane. 

The Griffith family both personally and professionally realized that we should have asked family, friends and clients to not hammer us with phone calls and to not expect us to run errands or check on their homes because having fuel is like having gold.  The phones blew up when we finally got signal. 

Many folks not “living the dream” will quickly but  inadvertently squander your resources … such as depleting battery life and fuel which runs precious generators and cars. Even if the home they wanted us to check had a roof leak or any other issue there is nothing that could have done about it.  The city and the trade workers are rendered unable to function and they are in the same boat the rest of us are in. We also couldn’t download files, photos, screenshots or v-cards so those were useless to receive and just caused our phones to work extra hard draining batteries faster.

To see the full list of regular hurricane items on a hurricane checklist read also:

Ready Your Bonita Springs Home for Hurricane Season and also read this manifesto about storm shutters: Storm Shutters Tips For Your Bonita Springs Florida Home

If you have any items you'd like to add to this list please leave a comment with your tips!

Post Hurricane Irma Real Estate Market Report

Simply put, Hurricane Irma interfered with pending sale and closed sales. We still had a healthy amount of closed sales but there would have been many more had Irma not occurred. Pre-storm there is a freeze on insurance so some closings do not occur. After a storm the lenders and buyers often require a new appraisal photo and/or a re-inspection in order to close.  These tasks require a lot of time so many September closings were pushed to October. So be prepared for a lot of real estate closings in next month’s report.

In all, the September real estate sales echoed the previous month with the $200,000-$400,000 price range leading the way in sales. Our closed sales were paid for with about 55% cash.

Since Hurricane Irma sales have taken off again. First, it’s fall and buyers generally return in September so they were just delayed a little.  Second, those with homes or condos in the area returned early to check their homes and condos.  We’re having an early season. The restaurants are full and, US 41 northbound at Bonita Beach road is backed up every evening two to three traffic light turns to get through. Yes, already.

Going forward, we’ll have a healthy season.  The builders put up a lot of new product over the last few years that “filled the gap” of entry level priced homes which were in short supply.    In all, consider entry level single family homes starting at $200,000 (and needing work and/or updating) and condos around $200,000 (still needing work or updating). There is a little new construction here or there in both condos and homes but they sell quickly.

If you’d like to learn more about the community you already own real estate in or a community you’re thinking of buying in, give me a call to get the latest stats.  239-273-7430  - Chris

Buying a Car in Estero or Bonita Springs Florida

One of the most important tools a real estate agent can have is a dependable vehicle. My last vehicle of choice was the Mini Countryman, All4, four door.  Well, it unexpectedly died. It’s terminal.  Rather, it would cost so much more to fix than I am willing to spend.

The part I hated most about what happened next was the hostage situation of purchasing a car without the benefit of “day dreaming about cars” or doing thorough research about the vehicle I would end up in the next several days. Without naming brands I was able to squeeze in a few test drives in between home inspections, buyer showings of homes and a listing presentation. I quickly discovered that cars are expensive. Some of the payments are more than a mortgage payment for a starter home in the Bonita Springs area.

I am always showing homes or running errands to service my listing so I wanted an attractive car.  New would be nice and white would be great.  One of the cars I test drove was a Toyota Rav4. The payment still bothered me and I pouted the entire evening after that test drive.  The next morning I woke up and, for whatever reason, I thought to go to the Hertz website.

The Hertz World Headquarters is in Estero, Florida, just up the road. I recalled that they had a car lot where they liquidated their inventory of rental cars.  To my surprise there was a white Rav4 listed for sale on their website.  We just got through Hurricane Irma and cars were selling quickly due to the flooding so I gave a quick call to verify that it was there.  Minutes later I was in the showroom with Ricky working up paperwork to take it home.  Hertz has no-haggle pricing and on-site financing specialists.

My car buying bar was set pretty low with vehicles. I was shooting for affordable with round wheels that moved from A to B but instead I scored an affordable 2017 model Toyota Rav4 with low miles. I was even able to purchase a six year, 60,000 mile warranty. Oh, and it was white!

I just thought I’d let you all know that there are alternatives to new car buying and you’ll get a great deal by considering Hertz for a car purchase along with new car dealerships. This is especially a good tip for those who are looking for a “condo car” or an inexpensive vehicle for their second home in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Finally, I’m comfortably back on the road and selling real estate in my own car.  All I have to do is think of a name for him, now. 

The Hertz car lot is located in Coconut Point area just North of the entrance to Rapallo and across US41 from Fountain Lakes.

Storm Shutter Installation Tips For Bonita Springs Homes & Condos

After Hurricane Irma passed through Bonita Springs in September of 2017, I promised myself that I would write a manifest on storm protection for you, the Bonita Springs home owners and future real estate buyers doing research.  I stayed through Irma and learned a lot before, during and after. I'm certain that I earned a doctorate in Hurricanes from Irma.  It was a monster storm and the Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers area had basically been untouched by storms for over a decade so some people were a caught a little off of the game.

Most heeded the early warning to prepare for the storm but there were still unforeseen complications that home owners and even condo owners ran into during the process of storm prep.  This is a great opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others so that you or your family can avoid being taken out by something as small as a wing nut.  Here are a few hurricane shutter pitfalls that you, as a Bonita Springs home owner, may have never thought about or would think about until you’re in the thick of it.

Tips For Impact Windows in Your Home or Condo

Why would you need tips for impact windows? Aren’t they the best protection?  Well, many homes and condos in the Bonita Springs area have them simply for the ease of dealing with storms and the insurance benefits but there are a few things you may have not considered. First, if you lock yourself out of your home you will need a locksmith to get in because you can’t jimmy a window or even break a window to get in.  Remember, if your power goes out and you left via your overhead garage door … you won’t be getting in. I know locksmiths made a fortune picking front door locks for home owners who left through the garage and didn’t have a house or condo key to get in because their garage door opener is electric and power was out for weeks in some areas.  Second, consider leaving a note taped inside the window that reads that it is impact glass and your cell number.  The authorities will have a way to contact you to verify your safety and looters won’t even start banging on your windows trying to break in.  They could potentially crack or scratch them and it would be expensive to fix.

Manual Storm Shutter Panel Tips For Your Bonita Springs Home

This style of home shutter has a lot of challenges. Make sure you set a calendar alert either on your real “paper” calendar or your Google calendar to check your shutters in May. Checking your shutters should include counting the panels and finding the bag or box with your “wing nuts” and bolts.  You can’t put the shutters on the house without bolts and wing nuts or sometimes it’s a wing nut/washer combination on a bolt.  Simply put, it is impossible to purchase bolts and wing nuts in the middle of a storm crisis.  Do yourself a favor and purchase a small fishing tackle box and clearly label it “wing nuts and bolds for storm shutters”.  Consider tying it or chaining it to something stationary.  If you store it in a bag they will be thrown away or misplaced because they look like a bag of old hardware. 

Consider trading up one or two of your metal panels for clear panels because you are going to want to look outside and your home will be dark as a cave. 

If the exterior your home has been repainted anytime between the last storm and the next storm it will be incredibly hard to get your storm panel bolt heads into the slot.  They are engineered to not have a lot of wiggle room and one coat of paint is going to make your life tough, two coats require WD40 and a hammer and swear words. Ask me how I know. Buy a couple sets of fabric gloves with the fingers dipped in latex or neoprene so you can grip the small parts and to protect your fingers. You’re going to be scraped and cut to ribbons.  Put the gloves in the tackle box with the storm panel wing nuts and bolts. Tape it shut with blue painters take to keep the curious out of your gear.

If your home is two story and you have manual shutters consider putting on a safer, user-friendly shutter system, at least on the second floor. Finding someone to put them up or take them down for you is a challenge under the gun.  Find someone in May or June and don’t be afraid to put them up days before a storm.  September is usually our dicey month so just know you need the details ironed out before season and you need to double check your resources just before September.

If you've never put the shutters up on your home you might want to try without the threat of a storm to make sure they are all there and some of the panels didn't "walk off". When you take them down number and label them and create a paper directory to go in your hardware box.  Sadly I did hear tales of people who couldn't find their panels or there were panels missing or the home was a foreclosure that didn't come with shutters and they forgot to replace the panels and wing nuts. 

Accordion Shutters Tips for Your Bonita Springs Condo or Home

Many condos and multi-story homes have accordion shutters to reduce the risk of falls from a ladder because they can be closed from inside the home.  Periodically open and close your accordion shutters but beware of wasps. They like to build nests in them.  Most accordion shutters come with a lock.  Those on the second floor of a home or condo will have he lock on the inside for ease of use.  Those on the ground may have a lock on the outside.  Find a way to not lose the keys for the shutters.  I don’t know what the solution is for that but you need to have dozens of keys and keep a few in a safe or jewelry box so they do not get lost.

Service the Electric & Manual Roll-Down Shutters Regularly

Many home owners “set it and forget it” with roll down shutters. They need to be periodically opened and closed to make sure they work.  Finding service when a storm is barreling toward you is nearly impossible. 

Locate your manual hand crank. Even electric shutters have a manual hand crank because  … well, the power will likely go out during a storm so the only way to open your windows will be with a hand crank.  You may be able to get an attachment for a battery operated drill that would also wind up the shutter.  You won’t have A/C so you will need the shutters up to be able to ventilate the residence during the recovery process. Take a piece of paper and label your hand crank “this is a hand crank for the storm shutters, do not throw away”.  Yes, people lose them all the time.

Remember, if you roll down your electric shutter to your front door and you leave through your garage you won't have a way to get in if the power is out for weeks. You may want to reconfigure ingress and egress strategies to your home.

Shuttering Your Home With Plywood or T1-11

There are many homes in Bonita Springs with standard, builder grade windows and no storm protection whatsoever. Some folks just never put shutters on and they’re just rolling the dice with Mother Nature.  These are the home owners who, by default, opt for plywood panels on the windows in the event of an eminent threat. 

Trust me when I tell you that it doesn’t take long for plywood and other plywood-shaped resources to run dry even a few weeks before a storm hits. Not only does plywood become scarce but so does any other type of lumber, paneling, boards, or even fencing. 

The tools and hardware quickly disappears, too.  Saws, drills, drill bits, screw drivers and most importantly Tapcon screws.  If you don’t know what those are, well, you’re going to need them to screw plywood to your home or condo and I can tell you that they probably had a street value higher than some of the most illicit drugs, during Hurricane Irma.  The Home Depot on Bonita Beach Road looked like it was turned inside out.  The shelves were bare and merchandise was just offloaded into carts, never hitting the shelf, for weeks.

Along with planning by collecting supplies and tools you’re going to want to resource actual humans who can put the panels up if you aren’t resourceful or strong enough to do it and to also take them down (and label them) so they can be stored for the next storm.  Do not pay in advance for take-down as a lot of people have hardship or too much work to do after the storm and may not be able to return to finish the job.

Above all things remember that covering windows isn’t going to make you 100% safe. There can be floods and storm surge.  Always remember this:  Hide from the wind but run from the water.  You can download an elevation app for your phone if you don’t know how high you are above sea level.  You never know when you’ll have to head to higher ground so you should probably know your elevation.

If you are a Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida resident and have commentary or ideas to add please leave a comment sharing your ideas or the challenges you ran into getting storm ready.  - Chris