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5 of Our Favorite Bonita Springs Restaurants From Fine Dining to Funky Fun, Bonita Springs Offers Something for Everyone Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant You may feel like you’re in Napa when you sip your cabernet at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant in North Naples, from the extensive wine list to the sumptuous menu. Recipient of more than 200 wine awards, this upscale restaurant pairs a suggested bin number with each food item to guide you to the ideal wine selection to complement the experience. Just a few miles south of Bonita Springs, Cooper’s Hawk features contemporary American fare with delectable flavors from around the world, serving diners a memorable lunch or dinner at reasonable prices. Start with the popular Crispy Brussels Sprouts appetizer accented with sesame-sriracha aioli, followed by a mouth-watering, huge Bourbon Lacquered Barbecue Pork Chop. Cap off your evening with the decadent Cooper’s Hawk Chocolate Cake [...]

When it comes to hot real estate activity, Lee County is right at the top the list. 2021 was definitely a seller’s market, and although that may be slowing a bit, most real estate professionals see that trend continuing into this year. Here is a Lee County Florida 2022 real estate market update. There are many stories about homes selling last year for more than the asking price, and those are true. That indicates the demand for good residential properties, not only in Lee County but across the country, has put sellers in the driver’s seat.  But those days may be over, at least to some extent. The median sales price for Lee County homes at the time this was written was $304,000, an increase of 22.5% over December 2020. Statistics also show that when compared to surrounding counties, Lee County’s numbers are higher by comparison. But the number [...]

Nestled within the Bonita Fairways community, Botanika at Bonita Fairways is now selling spacious condominiums in 12 different floorplan configurations. The community will have 75 units in 3 buildings when completed, with each building having 3 floors above the parking level. This is an ideal opportunity to take advantage of pre-construction pricing in this extremely popular Bonita Springs market. Botanika at Bonita Fairways is being created by JAXI CMD, LLC, a Miami-based residential developer and their home building division, Cedar Green Homes, LLC, with a successful track record in Southwest Florida. JAXI has also developed and built the Bella Casa and Majestic Palms condominiums in the Fort Myers area, along with many others throughout South Florida. Floorplan designs include the 1-bedroom plus den, 2-bath Aspen model with 833 square feet of living area. This unit is perfect for the buyer who plans on spending a portion of their time [...]

We’ve all seen the television commercials offering free information on a reverse mortgage, and most people are not familiar with exactly what they are, how they really work, and the pros and cons of getting one. In order to make informed decisions regarding your home – likely your largest financial investment – you need to know exactly what a reverse mortgage is, and what it is not, before you sign on the bottom line. If you’re 62 years old, you may be eligible for a reverse mortgage. This is a loan that uses your home as collateral. You’re essentially borrowing money against your home’s equity, which will be tax-free income for your future. A reverse mortgage requires no monthly payments from the homeowner. In fact, the reverse mortgage lender pays the homeowner each month, or in a lump sum, providing tax-free income for retirement, debt reduction and more. How [...]

Market Insights Naples Florida Real Estate Market Update December 2021: No surprise that the market is still HOT. Less inventory every month. More sales. Same old story. We know that we are in one of the best and most desirable places in the county. The BIG question is going to be, what are things looking like for 2022? The Federal Reserve said they'll be raising interest rates and we should expect 3 increases before 2023. What does that do to the housing market? Well, if rates go up for borrowers, then most likely we will see fewer borrowers. If we have fewer borrowers, then we should have more inventory (more homes on the market). If we have more homes on the market, then values will drop because homes won't be selling as fast and as often. That's the prediction for the county as a whole. BUT, WHAT'S GOING TO [...]

There’s no question that Fort Myers and all of Southwest Florida is a boater’s paradise, and whether you need deep-water dockage for your yacht or simply want to launch from your backyard canal for a day on the water, Lee County offers some of the most desirable waterfront residential communities centered around the boating lifestyle. With its easy access to the Caloosahatchee River, Gulf of Mexico and countless bays, inlets and lakes, Fort Myers is one of the most popular boating destinations for those relocating to Florida. The appeal of being able to cast off your lines and take to the sparkling waterways on your own boat is a top reason people find this such a desirable place to call home. Let’s look at some of the Fort Myers area’s most impressive waterfront boating communities: Town & River Estates – South Fort Myers Located in a prime south Fort [...]

You’ve worked hard all your life, saved and invested your money, and now is the time to start enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle and reap the rewards of your efforts. This begs the question, How to choose the right 55+ community? If that describes you, you may be thinking about moving from a home you’ve lived in for decades and relocating to a retirement community with the amenities and lifestyle that meet your needs. There are a few factors to keep in mind to make sure you don’t end up unhappy or dissatisfied with your choice. Making an actual list of what you expect in your new home is a good idea, defining everything you would like to help you feel content in your retirement. Often called “55+” communities, planned residential neighborhoods that offer amenities like a golf course and clubhouse, on-site restaurant, tennis and other activities for the [...]

Homeowners who are thinking of buying or selling their home often wonder how to find a real estate agent that's right for them. In today’s active real estate market, you may see more houses with for sale signs in their yards than without. People are taking advantage of the low inventory and buyer demand to reap the financial benefit of their home investment, and some are seeing big returns. You may have considered putting your home on the market but are unsure whether you need the help of a licensed real estate agent to facilitate the sale. There are some misconceptions out there about exactly what a professional, successful REALTOR® can and cannot do, and you need as much information as possible to make the right decision for you. In a hot seller’s market, it may appear easy to start advertising your home on one of several For Sale [...]

You may be asking, "Do I need a title company?" When someone is buying or selling a home, vacant land or a commercial property, it will likely be one of the most significant financial transactions of their lifetime. It stands to reason that having a neutral party involved to ensure that everything goes smoothly and there are no unforeseen problems that come into play that could delay or kill the deal altogether is a good investment. That’s why SW Florida real estate professionals recommend the use of a competent title company. What Does a Title Company Do? A title company’s primary function is to thoroughly examine a property’s history to determine the actual owner and make sure there are no legal issues in the past that may negate a successful closing. But title companies do quite a bit more than that. When real property changes hands, there can be [...]

Whether you’ve purchased several homes throughout your lifetime or are getting ready to buy your first property, this major life’s decision deserves careful consideration and a complete understanding of all the details involved before you sign on the dotted line. Stay tuned for the top home buying tips for purchasing your next home. As with nearly everything else in life, information is power. The more research you do and the more answers to your questions you receive, the better your position when it comes time to begin some serious house hunting here in SW Florida. Are You Financially Prepared to Buy? The first thing you should do is take a hard look at your overall financial situation to determine if a home purchase makes sense in your case. A mortgage lender is going to look at specific things to determine if you meet the requirements necessary to pay back [...]