Life In Bonita Springs

Crossings at Bonita Bay Flowers

Where to See Dolphins in Bonita Springs

The dolphins are usually in the pass so it’s not unusual to see them there like I did the day I tried standup paddle boarding. I was a little early for the outing so I went to take pictures off of the New Pass Bridge.  A dolphin showed up and started fishing up against the sea wall.  The dolphin patrolled back and forth and herded schools of fish up against the wall to catch them.

He swam on his side every now and then and looked right up at me and my camera. He eventually got a small school of jacks running and forced them down the sea wall. In the last picture you can see the dolphin doubling back for a second meal and if you look closely you’ll see a fish swimming so hard for his life he’s bounced right out of the water.  A few inches off of the concrete sea wall and barely in frame of the photograph.  It was quite a commotion. I am not sure if the fish got away.  It all happened in a split second. It is surprising the little fish was captured on film.

This dolphin was seen on the south bank of New Pass at the New Pass Bridge, right across from Dog Beach near Lover’s Key.

Tropical Storms in Bonita Springs, Florida

If you do not see the video above click: http://youtu.be/ET5Dyt8ETc4

Things to Do: Stand Up Paddleboarding in SWFL

Ever dream of standing up on a paddleboard through the back bays of Bonita Springs and Gulf of Mexico?  Well, neither did I and then I got an invite from a friend to give it a try.  Stand up paddle boarding seems like a near impossibility until you physically get on the paddleboard for the first time.  The paddleboard is surprisingly wide and surprisingly buoyant and stable. 

A total of three of us went standup paddleboarding, plus one instructor, Chad. After a tutorial and instructions we were on our way in New Pass by Lover’s Key and Dog Beach.  

It should be stated that no one in our party even fell off of our paddleboards, even in the Gulf, even in the pass, even with boats in the area.  It should also be stated that I am a total boss on a standup paddleboard and I can’t wait to go again. 

If you’d like to contact the outfitters who took us standup paddleboarding in Bonita Springs, visit their website www.SWFLstandup.com  or email them at chad@swflstandup.com or leave a  message here 239-218-5549.   Why leave a message? Because the phone is probably in a water tight container on Chad’s paddleboard. SWFL Standup also has a Facebook Page.

SWFL Standup offers a variety of standup paddle boarding excursions and eco-tours in addition to paddleboard yoga classes, paddleboard meditation classes. You can even book a private lesson or family outing.  SWFL Standup is pretty flexible with the programs and requests.

Here are some secret tips I can share about standup paddle boarding.

• Wear mega-sunscreen. Florida sunshine don’t play!
• Consider a weekday reservation.  The waterways are less crowded and the paddleboard groups are smaller with more individual guidance.
• Go barefoot for better traction and balance.
• Listen to the instructions up front.
• Don’t be afraid to sit down or kneel if it’s windy or you’re tired.
• You can stow a few SMALL items on the front of your paddleboard with the built in bungee, bottle of water, watertight bag/box, flip flops for portaging if necessary.
• When you make a standup paddleboard reservation let them know if you’re very tall, very small or heavy so they can bring the appropriate equipment.
• Smile and have fun because it’s going to be a good time and way easier than you imagined.

If you go standup paddle boarding come back and leave a comment about your adventure! I’d love to know how it went for you. 

Here’s SWFL Standup’s contact info again:

www.SWFLstandup.com

chad@swflstandup.com

239-218-5549

Facebook Page.

The Bonitian Back Ten Feet Saga

So I started tending my back ten feet, gardening for butterflies specifically. The short version of the story is that there is so much nature,  birds, bees, critters, you name it, coming to visit these days. In the last week we have had an enormous pair of Pileated Woodpeckers chowing on bugs, our squirrels never looked so fat and healthy and today, two iguanas took the stage, right above the bird feeder.

Iguanas are exotic species to Southwest Florida but they were fun to watch for a spell. There are two in the photo, by the way.

Bonita Springs Real Estate Inventory Absorption Rate

Most consumers should demand to see and understand the inventory and absorption rates for the location that they are going to be buying or selling real estate in.  It helps gauge the real estate market to determine whether it is a buyers market or a sellers market. It is very possible to have a mixture of both markets depending upon location, price and demand. 

The absorption rate for Bonita Springs real estate (including Estero Florida) is as follows:

• Single Family Homes and Villas – 10.93 Months
• Low Rise Condominiums – 9.07 Months
• Mid Rise Condominiums – 11.74 Months
• High Rise Condominiums – 18 Months
• Attached Villas – 9.54 Months
• Manufactured Homes – 11.78 Months

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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.

Historical Bonita Bay Real Estate Sales

Bonita Bay real estate sales included a variety of housing styles and prices. There were no short sale or foreclosures that closed sales in Bonita Bay this month. 

The prices of homes and condos in Bonita Bay that closed sale in Bonita Bay range from $187,500 to $2,400,000.  For a full list of available homes for sale in Bonita Bay contact us today.  The Bonita Bay communities with closed sales in May 2012 include Azure, Bay Pointe, Baywoods, Coconut Isle, Eagles Nest, Esperia, Estancia, Hammock Isle, Harbor Landing, Lost Lake, Mira Lago, Riverwalk, Riviera, Sanctuary at Bonita Bay, Tavira, The Hamptons at Bonita Bay, Waterford, Wedgewood, Whiskey Pointe.

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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.

What Price Range of Bonita Springs Homes is Selling?

Once again the entry level priced Bonita Springs real estate is king.  Homes and condos in Bonita Springs priced under $400,000 are driving about seventy-six percent of the closed for the month of May 2012.

If you’re a consumer with an interest in either purchasing or selling real estate in Bonita Springs this graph will give you an idea of how competitive the market is in your price range.  It’s a great time to list your Bonita Spring home or condo, especially in the $400,000 and under price point.  Sale are up, prices are stabilizing and foreclosures ad short sales are at the lowest rates in years.  There are market reports with that data, below. Read also:

Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate | Condition of the Sale May 2012

Historical Bonita Springs–Estero Sales | May 2003-2012

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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 Report May 2012

Most consumers wonder if the Bonita Springs real estate market is getting better?  How do consumers sort through the information they heard about on the news and know they’re getting the truth?  The truth is always in the numbers.  

May 2012 real estate sales numbers indicate the continuing upward trend in sales.  The inventory is very low at this time. It’s a seller’s market in many communities and neighborhoods.  You read that correctly, a seller’s market, especially in the entry level priced neighborhoods.

The stabilization of the real estate market is evident.  Prices have even inched up in in a few communities as a result.  May 2012 also saw the lowest rate of foreclosed properties and short sale real estate in years. To read that report as well as other May 2012 real estate market reports for the Bonita Springs and Estero Florida area, read also:

Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate | Condition of the Sale May 2012

Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate | What Price Range is Selling May 2012

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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.