Caution: Shameless beach promotion.  In an effort to quit taking our beautiful beach for granted I made the trek, a whopping 3 miles to the beach to catch the sunset last night.  It's the height of tourist season, so it wasn't as easy as it sounds.  There's only one road to Bonita Beach and I wasn't the only one with this brilliant idea.  My beach of choice is at the south end of Barefoot Beach, the state park with the toroise preserve.  It's a great park with restroom and shower facitilites, a snack bar, kayak and canoe rentals and of course the gopher tortoises are everywhere.  It's a gopher tortoise preserve.  This park is handicap accessible, also, so it's easy to also drag a wagon, stroller and various beach equipment to water's edge.More information about  Bonita Springs beach par... 03/11/2007

    Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Southwest Florida in Bonita Springs, FLorida.Great News!  I just found out about the inaugural Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Southwest Florida.  This is exciting for a few reasons.     •·          The Susan G. Komen foundation is a great organization and well deserving of the support SW Florida is giving.•·          The Coconut Mall has recently opened and this is a great way to see the fine contribution the facility has made to the Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida areas.•·          It's a race for the CURE!  WE've all been touched by the effects that breast cancer has had on someone we know or love.  What better way to help support the cause?Yes, for those of you who may be wondering...  The "Bonita Springs - Keller Williams Running and Limp... 03/07/2007

 Enjoy the peace of mind and security of a gated community in the heart of Bonita Springs.  This nicely appointed ground floor condominium home is located in Spring Run at the Brooks. Walk right in!  This home is offered turnkey furnished and the golf membership is included. Every home owner is a golf member. Upgraded features include extensive tile throughout the main living area and lanai. The lanai has private views of preserve and golf course. The Brooks is located just minutes to gulf beaches, SW Florida International Airport, FGCU Florida Gulfcoast State University and within biking distance Coconut Point Mall. Homes in Spring Run are priced from $285 to over $700,000.This two bedroom, two bath condo is currently offered at $249,900.  Be sure to look at the additional photos and t... 03/07/2007

Bonita Springs Florida Single Family Manufactured Home - 55+ Active Adult - Imperial Bonita Estates SOLD   If you've been searching for an established, deed restricted, 55+ active adult community, this is it! Enjoy low fees, optional membership to the amenities and a bustling community, all just minutes to the gulf beaches of Bonita Springs. This home is nearly new, clean as a whistle and ready for immediate occupancy. Three bedroom, two bath and nearly new.  It is offered turnkey furnished, too! Nearly 1500 square foot of living space, plus a roomy glassed in "Florida Room" and workshop for extra storage, tool shed or hobbiest. Mature fruit trees on site and well water supplied lawn/landscape irrigation is available. Southwest Florida International Airport is only 20-25 minutes away an... 03/04/2007

 This morning I stopped by to take a few photos at the Relay For Life®.  It was held at the Bonita Springs YMCA on East Terry Street.  For the record, I actually had customers to work with this morning so I did not participate with the Bonita Springs Association of Realtors.  My daughter, Jennafer, was participating with her fellow members of the National Honor Society of Estero High School.  Her camera malfunction and she begged me to stop by and take pictures.  (I think she knows I always have my camera for blogging.)  So I swung by and snapped a few photos - two birds, one stone - and posted a blog to share the Bonita Springs Relay with everyone. The turn out looked great.  There were a lot of volunteers and a lot of SURVIVORS in attendance!  Unfortunately, there are still too many m... 03/03/2007

 Bonita Beach is located in SW Florida in the city of Bonita Springs, Florida.  Bonita Springs is accessible via Bonita Beach Road and is only a few miles from I-75 and Alligator Alley.  Flying in is easy due to the expansion of Southwest Florida International Airport.  The airport is located only minutes to Bonita Springs, Estero and the gulf beaches.  Activities at Bonita Beach include: Jet-Ski rentals Paddle boat/bike rentals. Volleyball Dining Kayak rentals    Beachfront real estate is located along Hickory Boulevard and Barefoot Beach Boulevard.  Barefoot Beach is a semi-private gated community with both gulf and bayfront homes.  The gulf side homes on Hickory Blvd all have gulf views.  The homes are intermixed with condominiums and private beach clubs.The Southwest Florida area, e... 03/02/2007

Pelican Landing is a masterfully planned on 2,365 acres of land in Bonita Springs, Florida.  It is bordered on the south by Spring Creek, which the State of Florida designated an "Outstanding Florida Water," and on the west by Estero Bay, an aquatic preserve leading to the Gulf of Mexico.  The northern boundary is Coconut Road.  The Pelican Landing is located west of US 41 in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Bonita Springs is south of the city of Fort Myers and north of the city of Naples.  From Interstate 75, exit 116 is the closest exit.  Southwest Florida International Airport is approximately 20-30 minutes away.  The new Coconut Point Mall is within biking distance.Preserving the pristine natural beauty of this community has been achieved through careful planning.  Towering, mature live oa... 02/26/2007

Now, you just have to know this isn't a tutorial, it's a rant, right?  Currently, I have a handful of listings in Spring Run at The Brooks in Bonita Springs, Fl.  The owner of one of my fine listings has tenants for the month of February.  There have been a few small items that popped up that needed repaired.  I took care them as they popped up.  The tenants took care of one small detail.  It looks like someone broke the glass to the fire extinguisher near the condo front door.  I guess the home owner association property management company sent someone out and the glass was replaced.A few days ago I received a call regarding the garage door at the condo.  It wasn't working and would only go part way up or down.  The tenants left for the weekend to a seminar in central Florida.  I took ... 02/24/2007

Today was return day at the Home Expo in Naples, Florida.  The house I'm remodeling is getting closer to the end and the "left over" parts are starting to go back.  Every time I tour the Expo plaza there is a truck there that just cracks me up.  The first truck that cracked me up was a rolling FSBO advertisement:  Real Estate Fer Sale In Florida.I was running late because I picked up hitchhikers.  I was taking photos in Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs and stumble onto a couple ladies and a young girl whose car was pulled over with the hood up.  They were hardly a danger so I dropped them off safe at home, but it put a chink in my time frame.  Well, I pulled in the plaza and had to get to the Expo before 3:30 p.m. so I had to pass the truck.  It was there!  On a day when I had my camer... 02/23/2007

  The fantastic beaches of Bonita Springs, Florida have attracted visitors from around the world.  Lucky home and condo owners get to live right on the Bonita Beach or Barefoot Beach and see those fantastic sunsets almost every day of the year.A local resident couple decided to capture the beauty every single day of the year for one year.  The result is:  "Skyblue Pink: 365 Days of Sunsets From Florida's Gulf Coast".  It has been compiled into book form and is now available at their website:  www.skybluepink365.comI first heard the story of this book a few months ago.  I had actually taken the time to go see the sunset and afterwords I stopped at my favorite local restaurant,  Toucan Grille on Bonita Beach Road.  When I walked in with that "wind blown" look the owner of the restaurant a... 02/22/2007

  A couple of years ago I flew from Bonita Springs Florida to Sun City, Arizona and took the SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Course by SAREC.  It was very informative and I learned a lot about marketing to Seniors and products  and services that benefit our aging population of Baby Boomers. Shall we say say I've celebrated my 18th birthday a couple times... I'm not a eligible for AARP, but I've noticed an increasing issue with getting jars and bottles open.  I have actually even called my son to come by to pop a lid on his way to work.  I've dragged my feet a bit, but I think it's time for professional help.   I'm an excellent candidate for an electric jar opener.  In my research I found this little beauty.  It looks very fashionable, but I think it's missing an important feature.... 02/22/2007

Bonita Fairways is a 3400-yard, par 61, 18 hole executive golf course designed by Gordon Lewis. It is a Bonita Springs Golf course that  and is located on West Terry Street in Bonita Springs, Florida.This course challenges your short game as well as your long game. There are seven par 4's; the remainder are par 3's. The front nine feature hills and valleys, sand traps, and several small waterholes. The back nine keep you on your toes with larger waterholes, sand traps, and doglegs--all surrounded by a pristine nature preserve. After play wind down at The Gator Hole Pub & Grill for a great lunch, cold drinks, or just a little friendly conversation and bragging.   Bonita Fairways hosts a 19,000-square-foot clubhouse.  This two-story structure features a fitness room, library, commercial k... 02/20/2007

 This morning I was watching Robin and Company on Cnn.  They have been inviting viewers to send their sweethearts photos in for the Valentines Day show.  They have so many they are running a split screen with the hosts and the viewer submissions.  I thought I would invite everyone to post a photo of someone they love.  Pets, kids and friends are welcome!   02/14/2007

Bonita Springs, FL Handyman special - 26781 Palm St, Bonita Springs, FL 341353bedroom 2bath combination CBS and Woodframe stucco. Currently needs paint and clean up to satisfy the code enforcement violation.  Zillow has this property at $194k and comps are around $200k.  This is great rental area and a great investment at this price!  This will NOT last. Your price only $137,000 - Pics and more at http://www.buyahousefromray.com/26781PalmSt Ray HigdonRLH Holdingshttp://www.buyahousefromray.com 02/13/2007

 The Internet is oh, so powerful and as "Internet Real Estate Agents" we have great responsibility.  Responsibility for: Our customers and their homes we market on the internet. Our potential buyers who want information - yesterday. Our families and ourselves, this is our livelihood and we need to seriously address our leads post haste.  A conclusion that I have come to, after a few years of study, is that it's a hunt to find an agent that will respond in a timely manner.  Part of my study is as a real estate agent in Bonita Springs, Florida - a vacation and second home destination location and the other part is as a real estate investor.Every call or email should almost be treated as an actual emergency here is why: Someone took the time to call or email - they are a whole bunch closer... 02/12/2007

 Value Priced Condominium - $249,900  Bermuda Links is located in Bonita Fairways, Bonita Springs, Florida.  Just minutes to gulf beaches, Florida Gulfcoast State University, SW Florida International Airport, Coconut Point Mall and many conveniences.  Light and bright end unit condominium home. This is a second floor residence with cathedral ceilings and lake views from the lanai and master bedroom. Offered furnished, this condo is roomy and neutral tone.  It features a crisp, white on white kitchen. The bedrooms are offered in a split design. The third bedroom is currently being used as an office. Bermuda Links is located just 10 to 15 minutes to the gulf beaches of Bonita Beach, 20 to 25 minutes to SW Florida Regional Airport & FGSU.  Turnkey furnished, just bring your groceries.    B... 02/12/2007

Donald Trump's story on wealth creation will be told to attendees by his close advisor George Ross.  At the wealth conference you will learn:1. Buy real estate for 31%-57% below value.2. Find income producing companies.3. Slash capital gains to "0" when you sell real estate.4. Lower your tax bill 31%.5. Learn how to cash in on the new billion dollar forclosure opportunity.6. Protect your assets from lawsuits, leins, levies, bankruptcy or even divorce.The even is February 22, 2007 in Estero Florida at the Three Oaks Conference Center.Lunch and the book Trump Style Negotiation are complimentary.  I have a couple tickets available to give away.For anyone in the Bonita Springs and Estero area that is interested in a program like this, I am willing to be your real estate agent, take you to l... 02/10/2007

 As real estate agents and REALTORS® there are a variety of designations and accreditations that can be earned to further advance both knowledge and professional expertise.  Many question if there are actually any benefits to investing the time and money in the extra education.Plain and simple:  Yes, it is worth it!  There isn't a whole bunch of fanfare involved in attending and graduating from the classes.  It is more or less a cumulative effect of exposure to vast amounts of information, great ideas that are shared and helpful hints from other veterans of the industry.  Sometimes it is simply a jump-start, a kick in the pants to re-energize and motivate.  Sometimes is just one thing; that "one thing" that the student decides to implement in their business practices and it "works" to b... 02/09/2007

 Back to civilization (Bonita Springs, Florida)and the Internet.So I'm in Colorado skiing and decide to go to the top of the mountain.  There's often a sissy way out, so you don't have to take the double blacks down.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I didn't even take the sissy way down.  The lift drops you off at 12,850 feet, which isn't quite the summit.  The summit is another 150 foot up.  All those youngsters making the pilgrimage to the top to get the last few feet of the mountain and the straight drop in.  Look at them.  Nuts right?So I hear this voice (no jokes Average Joes) and I get this brilliant Idea.  I'm not getting any younger and my bone density isn't going to improve from this point forward.  Heck, I'm half gray hair already.  Maybe I should try this before i... 02/09/2007

Think it's impossible?  Not so. Every day buyers start the search for a Bonita Springs home in another, distant locale.  The fact of the matter is, if you are planning a home search from great distance you can seriously focus and filter most of your search criteria and qualify your new home "candidates" by using the right tools.  You can be included in the 75% of home buyers that begin their home search on the Internet, educate yourself and prepare yourself to more effectively shop for a home when you arrive to buy.This article is a compilation of services my own buyers have enjoyed using to find their home and my own experiences from buying a home that was almost 2,000 miles from my state.It seems almost everyone is doing their homework on the web before they buy a home.  In all likeli... 02/04/2007