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Bonita Springs, FL Real Estate News

By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
A few blocks from my house is a shopping area called the Promenade.  It's a great "outdoor" sort of mall.  I stopped in to have lunch today at the Silver Spoon.  I eat there enough ... the staff looks familiar, even if I don't know all of the names of everyone on the floor.  Today, was different when I walked in.  It was ...uh, empty!  Not stark, kind of empty, but empty as in, there are usually a lot more people there.Turns out, there are a few other "Silver Spoon" restaurants in both Lee and Collier Counties, a few of which closed.  I guess the press got wind of the closings and there have been reports and broad casts about the closings.  There were some locations that closed but the Silver Spoon at The Promenade in Bonita Springs is still open.  Unfortunately, this was more or less a...
Comments 11
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Lovers Key made the short list of Florida's most popular state parks.With near perfect beaches, trails and boat ramp, the Bonita Springs park ranked as the fourth most popular destination among the 160 parks and historic sites in the entire state park system.  Lovers Key State Park saw more than 850,000 visitors between July of last year and the end of June.Those figures weren't enough to top the visitor counts at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, though.With 975,000 visitors, Honeymoon Island broke the attendance record Lovers Key set in the 2005-06 season and has yet to top: 970,000 visitors.St. Andrews State Park in Panama City and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo also had attendance figures that edged out Lovers Key this year.This was a record-setting year for...
Comments 16
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The BIG "L" Word.  Yikes.  I first became familiar with Lymphoma last year.  My mother was diagnosed with Lymphomia, which spread to her bones.  The Lymphoma Society of Lorain County, Ohio was Johnny on the spot organizing and sharing information about treatments and services that they offer patients.  They really do perform a great service.  Today I opened my mail and had "junk mail" (so I thought) from the Lymphoma Society.  Shock of all shocks, they're giving something away - to me,  to you!  To anybody that wants it!The Lymphoma society wants to train you to be an athlete!  Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete they want you to join their fundraising team. By helping to raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services, you'll receive: Personaliz...
Comments 13
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The Lee County transportation department offers a great service to the Bonita Beach, Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island areas.  My family stumbled onto the Trollee a few years ago while vacationing on Fort Myers Beach.  I cut the kids loose with a roll of quarters and they were set for the week.  The Trollee Travels the distance from the Kmart Plaza called The Centre of Bonita Springs to the north end of Fort Myers Beach.  There are a variety of stops in many locations, plus you can actually flag the Trollee if you need to.  The Trollee is equipped with a bicycle rack, also. So, if you've bitten off more than you can chew with your bike ride, you can hitch a ride back on the Lee Tran System.To learn more about the Lee County Trollee System also read:  http://www.rideleetran.com/ You'll ...
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Everglades Wonder Gardens - Zoo & Community Landmark Bonita Springs, FlEverglades Wonder Gardens - Zoo in Bonita Springs, FloridaBenson's Grocery Store - Olde Bonita Springs, Florida   Bonita Springs Literacy CouncilBamboo Village Bonita SpringsBonita Springs Laundry   Riverside Park Bonita Springs FlaBonita Springs ShoppesBonita Springs Band Shell at Riverside Park   For Sellers:Renovations That Pay Off5 Tips For Seller's In A Buyers MarketHelpful Hints to Sell Your Home The Dangers of Overpricing Your Home5 Tips For A Successful Open HouseSeller's: Ever Wonder WHY Your Home Is On The Market So Long?   For Buyers:Bonita Springs Florida - Buying A Home Long DistanceWinning The Bidding WarSave Our HomesLee County Florida Real Estate & Tax InformationWhat is a CDD? Community Development D...
Comments 14
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
One of my "kids" is sick.  It has been a long couple of weeks around here.  He's been under the weather for a while and it was with great apprehension that I took him to the doctor.  Jack's and old man in both dog and people years.  I love him so!The team at White Sands Clinic in Bonita Springs is just awesome.  They've always been awesome.  They've litterally saved Jack a half dozen times so far.  I am counting on them to do it again.  He'$ the Prada pur$e I've alway$ wanted. I think he's pushed on to belt, $hoes and he'$ working through acce$$orie$, now.The battery of tests revealed he is, for the most part, healthy.  I was dreading liver or kidney disease since he's been pukey and he's a geezer.  His blood and heart are normal.  When they did the X-ray it was discovered that there is...
Comments 44
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Bonita Springs Charter School is enrolling students for the coming fall '07 classes for grades K-8.First, are you wondering what is a Charter School?Charter schools are part of a sweeping educational reform that offers alternatives for parents and students and places the highest priority on providing a better education. Charter schools are funded much like a public school, but each charter school is governed privately. Unlike traditional public schools, every charter school must demonstrate success, or it will lose its charter. Charter schools can be managed by municipalities, private companies or individuals.The Bonita Springs Charter Schoolis located at 25380 Bernwood Drive, Bonita Springs, Florida - on Old US 41 Road between Cockleshell Drive and Signal Road.OPEN HOUSE  for the 2007-...
Comments 4
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
A Bonita Springs couple has sold Florida Gulf Coast University their waterside property in Estero Bay. The university will use to build a small field station for marine and environmental programs.The property and new FGCU marine lab will be located at 5164 Bonita Beach Road.  The property was sold to FGCU for $2.75 million, about $1 million below its estimated market value. The Bonita Beach Plantation Resort property is located on Little Hickory Island.Norm and Nancy Vester, seasonal residents from Massachusetts who live a bulk of the year in Bonita Springs, have been in negotiations with the FGCU Foundation for the past several months working out the details of the sale.The Vester's purchased the resort property about a year and a half ago. They live in a condo on the site, which inclu...
Comments 5
By Glenn Ginsburg, Naples Florida Real Estate
(A Delta Realty of Naples Florida)
In Lee County for the month June, there were several hundred foreclosure filings. You can read about the number of Bonita Springs real estate foreclosures on Naples Florida real estate. Is this the result of the sub-prime mortgage activity of the past few years or investors that can not afford the payments or have sufficient rents to cover monthly payments?
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By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Alright, I wasn't going to go to the Bonita Springs Fourth of July Parade .... It's hot here!  It was even raining at 8:15 a.m. just before the parade started.Bonita Springs isn't exactly a huge city.  Since I only live about two miles from the parade route I threw on the Nike's and ran down there to see the commotion and hoopla.  Surprise of all surprises my  kids actually showed up!  We watched the parade and later joined the rest of the village at Riverside Park for the float judging and activities.I don't think I've ever seen so many people at Riverside Park.   I don't think I've ever seen so many dogs at the event, either.  The dogs were everywhere.The weather cleared up, but there was still cloud cover so it wasn't blistering hot.  Of course, there were tons of squirt guns ...
Comments 8
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
The list of fireworks locations is below.  When you've found the information you need, take a look at:Bonita Springs Fourth of July Parade to Riverside Park today's photos are uploaded and ready to be seen. Estero, Florida FireworksMiromar Outlets fireworks begin at dusk: Tuesday, July 3, 2007 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Bonita Springs, FloridaFourth of July parade on Old 41 Road to Riverside Park.  Riverside Party in the Park at Pennsylvania and Old US 41 begins after the 9 am parade.Fireworks at the Village Center, Palmira Golf and Country Club on Bonita Beach Road, two miles east of I-75. Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m., fireworks begin at dusk.Click Here for the Printable Flyer or contact Bonita Springs City Hall at 949-6262 for information. Fort Myers, Florida Riverfest in Centennial Park...
Comments 7
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
 Recenty, I was driving down Metro Parkway in Fort Myers and passed the Chico's headquarters.  They have the funnest monument sign.  You can't help but look at it and smile.  Southwest Florida is home to several business that are publicly traded on a major exchange.  Some businesses, such as Source Interlink, have actually relocated and transferred their workforce to Bonita Springs, Florida.  Source Interlink is just a few miles away from WCI Communities headquarters.  WCI - Watermark Communities Incorporated has played a major part in the development of Bonita Springs, Estero and other fine communties throughout Florida.  They are now expanding to other states.Beasley Broadcasting is also stationed in Southwest Florida.If you're going to work, why not work in Paradise, right?  If you'r...
Comments 5
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
When you have the opportunity, take a drive down Pennsylvania Avenue in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Where Oak Creek meets Pennsylvania, an architect by the name of Christian Busk has salvaged and preserved historic home.  The homes, originally from various locations in Southwest Florida, have been relocated, rehabilitated and restored to their original grandeur.  The homes [from left to right] The Packard Home, The Haldeman Home and the Nutting Home.  To learn more about these historic homes:  Read Here To learn about how these Bonita Springs homes were preserved:  Read HereTo learn more about Christian Busk, Architect: Read Here
Comments 3
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Property owners of Lee County, which includes Bonita Springs and Estero Florida, the following chart is a proposed schedule of the new property tax adjustment and fees.Collier County (Naples)Lee County (Bonita/Estero)  House Value2007 Taxes2008 TaxesSavingsSavings %2007 Taxes2008 TaxesSavingsSavings %$200,000$1,925$501$1,42574%$2,450$651$1,79973%$250,000$2,475$926$1,54963%$3,150$1,204$1,94662%$300,000$3,025$1,351$1,67455%$3,850$1,758$2,09254%$350,000$3,575$1,777$1,79850%$4,550$2,311$2,23949%$400,000$4,125$2,202$1,92347%$5,250$2,864$2,38645%$450,000$4,675$2,628$2,04744%$5,950$3,418$2,53243%$500,000$5,225$3,053$2,17242%$6,650$3,971$2,67940%$550,000$5,775$3,554$2,22138%$7,350$4,622$2,72837%$600,000$6,325$4,054$2,27136%$8,050$5,273$2,77734%$650,000$6,875$4,555$2,32034%$8,750$5,924$2,82632%$...
Comments 9
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
This weekend I received a phone call.  The gentleman on the other end of the phone had read an article on CNN Money, regarding real estate auctions in Southwest Florida.  He was particularly interested in an auction that involved a developer liquidating some standing, surplus inventory.  After I explained that the auction was last week I questioned him as to what he was looking for.  Of course, killer deal, great investment, a steal were all terms that he used.  I went on to explain that the Bonita Springs real estate market and the inventory on hand provides for a "killer deal" in almost any neighborhood.  It all depends upon equity the seller has or the amount a seller is willing to sell short, plus the buyer holding the property 3-7 years.  Silence...I can almost hear the voice in th...
Comments 19
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
You may have read a blog or two about my Running and Limping Club at the Keller Williams Elite Realty office in Bonita Springs, Fl.  (We do have one Bonita Springs Wells Fargo lender that we let in the club)  There are a handful of us at my office that get out there every so often and run a 5K, do a triathalon or something.  We all ran the Susan G. Komen race at Coconut Point Mall.  It's all in fun.  We may actually enjoy the breakfast after the race the most.This September we're looking forward to running a 5K over the Sanibel Island Causeway and Drawbridge for it's grand opening.  We're lucky enough to have these "bridge" events a few times per year.  In addition to this event, we are considering a 20K event that will be in Naples, Florida at the end of September.These events are usua...
Comments 1
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
If you're like many of the local residents and vacationers, you get one good look at the turquoise waters and you start thinking boat.  The ultimate dream in Bonita Springs, Florida is to own a home on a canal so that you own boat is floating in your own back yard.  Realizing the dream for some, is out of range due to the fact that waterfront, gulf access, canal homes are a premium piece of real estate.  Bonita Springs offers alternatives for boaters with many well places public boat ramps and county/state parks.  Within a five mile radius there are a handful open to the public, listed below:Imperial River Boat Ramp:  27551 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida.  Info HereKoreshan State Historic Site: US 41 Estero at Corkscrew Road, Estero Florida.Carl Johnson State Park:  8700 H...
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
 gates of The Colony Golf & Bay Club is Ponza at The Colony. To learn more read also, Ponza at The Colony 
Comments 2
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Barefoot Beach and Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park are two parks located in Northern Collier County.  The parks are separated by Wiggins Pass, a water channel fed by the Cocohatchee River.  Barefoot Beach is located south of Bonita Beach on Barefoot Beach Blvd. in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Park admission is $5.00.  Restroom, shower and snack service facilities are on site.  Barefoot Beach Park is a Gopher Tortoise preserve.  This is an excellent location to catch a glimps of these dinosaurs in action.Wiggins Pass is on the south side of the channel and accessible by car via 111th Avenue in Naples Park.  The fee for entry is $5.00 per car.  Wiggins Pass is a popular destination for fishermen and boaters.  A boat ramp is located at the Cocohatchee River Park near the intersection of Vander...
Comments 23
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
This condominium home is located in San Mirage at Bonita Springs in Bonita Springs, Florida.Enjoy a second floor, end unit residence which is just steps to the resort style pool. One bedroom - One bath, secure gated community with on site fitness, tennis, pool, barbeque area and vehicle wash area.San Mirage is walking distance to many great amenities which include the movie theater, restaurants and shopping. It is just minutes to the new Coconut Point Mall and sandy gulf beaches of Bonita Springs and Bonita Beach.This condominium home is a great candidate for part-time or full-time occupancy, or even FGCU student or faculty.  Florid Gulfcoast State University is only 20 minutes away!ML #207024481  $149,900!More information can be found about this San Mirage listing at my website http://...
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