Life In Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs Real Estate Record Sales!

Some buyers of real estate come to Bonita Springs and they just don’t get the urgency for placing strong offers on properties they really, really want. Unfortunately, some folk just don’t believe their real estate agent.  Well, they don’t believe them until they’ve lost a few properties to other buyers who knew what the real estate market was doing.

So, here’s the skinny … take a look at that pretty graph up there and take a look a the pending real estate sales and the sold real estate sale.  They are the two biggest sectors moving on that graph.   Want to see something even more telling? Look at the new real estate listings.  It’s fraction of what is going off of the real estate market.

Truth, real estate is selling like hot cakes … especially entry level.

Truth, few listings are available than ever before.  We’ve actually sold “more units” each of the last few months that the same month in 2004 or 2005, the so-called “boom” years. 

So there you have it in black and white, folks. If you think Bonita Springs and Estero Florida real estate is distressed real estate you are wrong.  We are recovered and then some.

Home on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs Florida

Bright and early on a Tuesday morning I decided to take a break from real estate for a few hours.  I grabbed Slum Dawg Dillionaire took a paddle trip up the Imperial River in Bonita Springs. We took off out of Riverside Park and headed east, up the river. 

Usually I get to see the riverfront homes from the interior but today was just viewing them from the water.  I’ve been in a lot of homes over the 15 years I’ve sold real estate so I’ve been in a lot of the homes on the Imperial River and canals.  Gulf access real estate is popular in Bonita Springs.  It is, after all, the reason so many people move to this area; fishing, water sports, sun bathing, everything Florida.

Today, the river was quiet.  It was early and not many people were stirring.  The trip was to the Imperial Parkway Bridge and back.  The current was ripping. We’ve had a lot of rain and they are releasing water from Lake Okachobee Oh-pa-CHOPE-ee.  (That’s how little kids say it here) That makes for some turbulent bends in the river.  It was hard work getting there and an easy glide back to Riverside Park.  I managed to take a few pictures on the way back and this is one of my favorites, of course starring my dog with a view of the Bamboo Village bridge and Everglades Wonder Gardens in the distance.

If you’d like to learn more about living on the river or buying riverfront real estate, gulf access real estate or waterfront real estate contact Chris at 239-273-7430

You can also read these great articles about waterfront and gulf access Bonita Springs real estate:

• Gulf Access Real Estate in Bonita Springs, Florida

• Technically Gulf Access Real Estate in Bonita Springs-Estero, Florida

• Waterfront Real Estate in Bonita Springs, Florida

• Riverfront Real Estate in Bonita Springs & Estero Florida

• Bonita Springs Real Estate For Kayak & Standup Paddleboarders

Things to Do in SWFL – SUP Paddle to Mound Key

Since the gulf and river water returned to reasonable temperatures this summer, I’d been dreaming of a paddle across the bay to Mound Key. For those of you who don’t know there is a roughly 100 acre tuft of land in the middle of Estero Bay and it’s called Mound Key. It’s also a state archaeological park. It’s so far off the proverbial beaten path you actually need a boat to get to it or in my case, a standup paddleboard.

As luck would have it I stumbled onto a local group of standup paddleboard enthusiasts, the SWFL SUP Club, who had a Facebook group event planned to cross the bay from the Fort Myers Beach draw bridge to Mound Key. They were nice enough to allow me and a few of my friends to tag along. Unbeknownst to us, they arranged to bring along a guide who shared tips about the area and the history of the Calusa Indians who had inhabited Mound Key some two thousand years ago.

We set off from the shore and with the tide and, with the wind cooperating, our group of twenty paddlers landed at Mound Key quickly. It only took about thirty minutes to get to there. The weather this time of the year is beautiful so the trip seem much faster.

Once we arrived at Mound Key we entered at the cove on the northwest side and immediately hit the designated trail to hike across the island. The trail is established and fairly easy to walk but know that it is rough and downright muddy in some spots. There is some uphill climbing but a great view at the top so it’s worth it. Shoes would be a really good idea because the primitive trail is dirt and shells.

There is no ranger on site at Mound Key. This is a do-it-yourself tour so you’d be wise to do a little internet research so that you’ll understand what you’re looking at along the trail and on the Key. For example, wild cotton grows on Mound Key. Who knew there was wild cotton in southwest Florida to begin with? There are interesting critters like the spiny orb weaver spider, tons of native plants and even butterflies. You might be surprised when to see goats out there. A small part of the island remains privately owned and currently stocked with resident goats.

If you’re interested in visiting Mound Key, there are a variety of paddle craft outfitters in the area who will gladly give you more information about planning a group outing. You could always rent a boat and do it the easy way, too.

Be sure to check the online maps to find the cove entrance to site and visit www.FloridaStateParks.org for a downloadable brochure about Mound Key. Have fun when you go but remember not to remove anything from the island. Even most average looking shell or stone could be considered a historically valuable artifact and it’s against the law to remove any artifacts.

A photo video of the paddle trip is located at www.tinyurl.com/moundkey. Feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions.

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This article special to Southwest Spotlight Newspaper

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Real Life in Bonita Springs is a project by Chris Griffith dedicated to writing useful blog posts for consumers about the Bonita Springs, Florida area.  Find out what it is really like to live in Bonita Springs, Florida by reading about our fair city. You’ll get the latest in local real estate information, Bonita Springs real estate market reports and a little bit of humor.  If you have topic ideas, feel free to request a story about the idea, after all, this site is just for you.

Entry Level Real Estate in Bonita Springs Dwindles

That 200K and under segment of Bonita Springs real estate sales is getting smaller only because the values are rising.  Those properties disappear quickly when they hit the market, multiple offers, prices over list price, you name it.  We’ve been on fire here lately.  We’ve outsold units closed in the boom years of 2004 and 2005, as a matter of fact. 

Read also: Bonita Springs Real Estate Historical Sales June 2013

Mostly Cash Buyers in Bonita Springs Real Estate

In case you were wondering how Bonita Springs real estate was paid for or in case you were a buyer who is having a hard time getting a contract executed … you’re competing with cash buyers who don’t have to depend upon an appraisal and financing so they have the advantage of scooping up homes and condos especially in entry level prices where real estate is in short supply and moving quickly.

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All information is deem accurate, not guaranteed and subject to change.  Check the date on this report for freshness.  If you have questions regarding your particular neighborhood, your street or your home specifically you’re welcome to contact us for a current market report. Real estate consumers that read this website are urged to seek independent, professional legal, real estate and financial advice before engaging in any transaction. All information is deemed, accurate, subject to change and not guaranteed.

Mostly Equity Sales, Few Foreclosure or Short Sale

Real Estate buyers who come to Bonita Springs and Estero looking to buy a foreclosure are usually surprised to find out that they’re a few years too late.  Our foreclosure real estate market was bubbling a few years back, we’re watching it fizz out right now.  This graph represents the condition of real estate that closed sale in June 2013; nearly 89% were plain old transactions where Bonita Springs real estate sold to a willing buyer with no bank or third party involvement.  Great news, huh?

Basically, Bonita Spring real estate is on the mend. We’re watching prices go up and the entry level prices of Bonita Springs real estate go up.  There are three homes under $100K in Bonita Springs or Estero.  There are currently only twenty single family homes under $200,000.

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All information is deem accurate, not guaranteed and subject to change.  Check the date on this report for freshness.  If you have questions regarding your particular neighborhood, your street or your home specifically you’re welcome to contact us for a current market report. Real estate consumers that read this website are urged to seek independent, professional legal, real estate and financial advice before engaging in any transaction. All information is deemed, accurate, subject to change and not guaranteed.

Bonita Springs Real Estate Market Recovery

The numbers never lie.  Everything a consumer needs to know about whether or not the real estate market is recovering, recovered or getting worse is always in the closed sales proof. 

The other day I was in a meeting of real state agents who were all wondering where to get the numbers and how to get data to tell their buyers and sellers about the current real estate market conditions.  Well, the truth is that it is in our MLS.  Every real estate agent has access to it but they either don’t know how to report the facts or they’re not motivated enough to do it.

The truth is that I don’t wait around for someone to give real estate market statistics to show you.  I collect the info myself.  It takes me about an hour to find this info for you and put it into a pretty graph so that you, the consumer, can see it, understand it easily and know whether you’re making the best choice about moving forward with your real estate decision.

It was an ironic meeting that day.  While the other real estate agents were wondering how they were going to get the data I excused myself from the meeting for about 10 minutes to give NBC2 an interview in the parking lot … about current real estate market conditions.  I guess no matter what industry anyone is in, there are followers and there are leaders who know exactly what’s going on in their own back yard.

Enjoy the graph, there’s more of them here: Bonita Springs Real Estate Market Reports 

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All information is deem accurate, not guaranteed and subject to change.  Check the date on this report for freshness.  If you have questions regarding your particular neighborhood, your street or your home specifically you’re welcome to contact us for a current market report. Real estate consumers that read this website are urged to seek independent, professional legal, real estate and financial advice before engaging in any transaction. All information is deemed, accurate, subject to change and not guaranteed.

Real Estate in Bonita Springs is on Fire

BONITA SPRINGS, FL – From digital transcript pardon typos. Video opens in new window.

Move over California, Texas and New York! Florida is now tied with New York as the third most populous state in the U.S. People are moving back to the sunshine state at record rates and it's affecting the workplace, real estate and the economy.

The numbers don't lie.

"We knew it would come back, and it came back like gang busters," says Realtor Chris Griffith.

The Demographic Estimating Committee just released new number, Florida came in higher than last year, now at 19.26 million people. That's up one percent after a rough eight years for everyone including Bonita Springs Mayor and business owner Ben Nelson.

"Everyone was growing, growing, growing, you couldn't grow your company fast enough. You got the money you needed to run your company, when you bid for something you got it, then after 2006 it became a matter of survival," Nelson said.

Those who didn't survive are now coming back, looking for places to work and live.

"We're seeing it come back, and come back really quickly now," Griffith said.

That's evident by the number of units sold this June in Bonita. It's up to 252 units compared to a low of 118 units in 2007.

"It's telling us that things are great people are back here bargain shopping trying to get their real estate before interest rates go up," Griffith said.

There's been so much interest from people wanting to move to Bonita that there simply isn't enough room. So the city hired a consultant to look at vacant property east of I75 and north of East Terry Street to see what it could be in the future.

"People are going to do what's the highest and best use of the property," Nelson said.

What that is- still unknown, but space that will likely be filled. The committee estimating Florida will surpass a population of 20 million by 2016.

"People want to be in Florida, people want to be in Southwest Florida. We knew they'd come back and they really are with vengeance," Nelson said.

Southwest Florida Butterfly Conservatory Exhibit

Would you believe that one of the best local places to see Florida butterflies is in Greater Downtown Fort Myers? The Butterfly Estates, home to The Florida Native Butterfly Society, is located just a few blocks from the Caloosahatchee River in the redeveloped river district area. The glazed glass butterfly conservatory is built amongst beautifully refurbished historic homes and is situated in a park like setting. The landscaping on the grounds is full of tropical nectar plants which draws butterflies to the exterior of the attraction. You’ll be greeted by butterflies as soon as you park your car.

The Butterfly Estates VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL $2>$2>

On the first visit I wasn’t sure what to expect but I did know that I wanted to go early to beat the summer heat.

The entrance of the conservatory has an air conditioned lobby where visitors pay for admission and get their first introduction to caterpillars and chrysalis which are being nurtured in a protected environment.

It’s a great demonstration of the cycle of life that all ages can appreciate. It’s very likely that you’d be able to watch a recently hatched or even an emerging butterfly when you visit.

On the day I visited a family with children was touring the Estates and the children had the opportunity to help release a few butterflies into the conservatory. The butterflies weren’t particularly anxious to leave the finger roosts so the youngsters were able to study them for a few minutes before they finally took flight.

I was surprised to learn that there are local butterfly gardeners who donate caterpillars and chrysalis to The Butterfly Estates because their own gardens are running low on vegetation and there won’t be enough food to go around. While I was touring the facility someone donated a long strand of twine with dozens of chrysalis attached. It looked almost like Christmas twinkle lights. One of the butterfly specialists stretched it between two trees in the conservatory so they could hatch in the safe environment.

There are many varieties of Florida butterflies to be seen at the Butterfly Estates. There are so many butterflies that it’s a challenge to stay focused on just one because there are so many flying around. They will sometimes even land on you. Joanne, the butterfly specialist who gave me a tour, even had one park on her name tag while we were talking about the varieties of flowers on site. I should mention that in addition to seeing the beautiful flowering plants and outstanding butterfly collection you will have access to quite an education as the staff freely shares their wealth of knowledge.

Some tips if you go: The entire butterfly habitat is enclosed but only the entry area is air conditioned. The walk ways are flat, sturdy and accessible for those with mobility challenges.This is also an educational facility and they want you to know more and do more to help butterflies and pollinators in southwest Florida.

The Butterfly Estates is currently open Tuesday through Saturday 9am-3pm. You can learn more about the facility and their onsite gift shop and restaurant on their website www.TheButterflyEstates.com and their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ButterflyEstates.

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This article special to Southwest Spotlight Newspaper

New Construction Upgrades and New Home Features

You had to know that the Bonita Springs real estate developers wouldn’t start building again without kicking it up a notch and adding a few new features to make homes more modern and more beautiful. While touring new homes I’ve found two builders, Toll Brothers and Kolter Homes who are implementing a new feature. 

Take a look at the picture of the screened pool enclosure above. Notice that there is no “chair rail” on the screen pool enclosure.  The entire screen enclosure nearly disappears when you’re looking at the view in person. This is a “why didn’t they think of it  sooner” feature.  Other real estate features that are new to the new home construction market include:

• New Construction Bonita Springs Transom Window Feature

• Bonita Bay High Rise Safety Feature | Water Cop

• New Construction Home Features | Switches

If you’re looking for Bonita Springs real estate, specifically a new home or new construction buyer representation, contact Chris Griffith. 239-273-7430.  Chris is an accredited buyer representative and a certified new home specialist.