Country Club Communities 2.0

Country club communities that are in the green or in the process of recovering from the brink of near disaster are now trying to make their way through this difficult economy. They have a huge job on their hands.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a couple of complementary full page “Chris Griffith kicks puppies and breaks rainbows” ads so here’s the five hundred words of wisdom I have to bestow upon country club communities struggling to get their good news to consumers.

We’re in the information age. News travels at the speed of light and can be created and even spun by choice at the click of a mouse. Every business, including police departments have adapted to the technology of social networking and blogging. The real blogging that is … not harpooning in nasty comments on forums.

Get the public up to speed, get your residents up to speed by providing information in the most transparent fashion in which they’re able and to promote their business like any other business promotes; 2.0 on the web. You’ve not budgeted for it or hired professionals to do it, but you should probably start.

Instead of creating an uber secretive society of closed doors and secrets why not just expose how great your community is and how structurally sound it really is?

If you’ve not Googled your country club or your community’s name, you need to. For every blogger or newspaper that has published a story that isn’t positive why not invite the author for a fresh look at the community to write a new story?

Appoint a representative or a committee that monitors the sales of properties in your neighborhoods and create a .pdf file of what your community has to offer, maps, statistic, membership information or whatever else you want potential buyers to know and get it to the real estate agents to attach to the multiple listing of every single home in the community.

Your community websites should now be comprehensive and include just about anything an owner or potential buyer needs to know about your community. Why are your HOA and condo documents not on your websites? They’re a matter of public record, anyway. Why are the membership applications not up there, too? Meeting minutes?  Budget? *gasp*

If you’re a member of a board in a community or condo, do yourselves a favor and anonymously call your management company and try to get one emailed or faxed. You’d think it was a national secret just to try to make application in some of these communities.

A blogging platform added to your website is a minor change that can bring a world of enlightenment. Publish your own news; let the owners publish their own news or photos of the latest events by submitting it to your web marketing expert. Your marketing expert could simply just be an intern at a local high school or college or maybe just a web savvy resident.

It’s not rocket surgery. The internet age has made it necessary for just about everything to be transparent. To succeed in this trying economy club house communities need to get on the 2.0 band wagon and manage their reputations, run their businesses like a business or they’ll continue to shrivel on the vine.

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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.

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Bundled Golf Means Golf Membership Included

In Southwest Florida we primarily have two types of golf memberships in the area; Bundled Golf and Golf Equity.  In the Bonita Springs and Estero Florida area some of the gated communities are built to showcase the amenity of golf.  Homes and condos are built with golf course views and offer a variety of ways to become a member or play the golf course. 

Golf equity means that there is golf available with the purchase of a membership.  The membership purchase is usually optional and each community charges a different rate for their equity, plus annual fees as well as greens, cart or trail fees.

Bundled golf means that every home owner in the community automatically becomes a member of the golf club.  If you aren’t a serious golfer a bundled golf community may not be the first choice.  Membership has its privileges but it also comes with mandatory fees on an annual basis.  Depending upon the community fees, at this time, begin around $5,000 per year and up, plus trail or greens fees.

If you’re looking for bundled golf communities in Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida here is a list of neighborhoods that offer golf with the purchase of real estate.  All of the bundled golf communities below offer single family homes as well as condominiums.  Highland Woods, Worthington and Spring Run also have attached villa homes, as well as, condominiums and single family villa homes.

Bonita Springs-Estero Bundled Golf Communities

Breckenridge Golf and Country Club– Estero, Florida

Copperleaf at The Brooks – Bonita Springs, Florida

Highland Woods Golf & Country Club – Bonita Springs, Florida

Pelican Sound – Estero, Florida

Spring Run at The Brooks – Bonita Springs, Florida

Vasari Golf and Country Club – Bonita Springs, Florida

Villages at Country Creek – Estero, Florida

Worthington Golf & Country Club – Bonita Springs, Florida

Mid Rise Condo Homes at Castella The Colony

Castella at The Colony – Luxury midrise condominium homes surrounded by nature, mangrove and designated preserve areas. Castella is an intimate enclave of only 72 residences. Designed with superior quality and spacious airy floor plans.

Castella at The Colony offers homeowners the turnkey convenient condo lifestyle with the spacious open feeling of a single family home.

Castella floor plans start at 2,911 square feet of living space and grow to over 3,000 square feet. The three structures of Castella are The Casa, The Mansion and The Villa. Homeowners of Castella enjoy the use of their own tropical, resort style pool lined with coconut palm trees and natural foliage.

Interior features of Castella Condominium homes include: Granite counter tops, solid core interior doors, fully tiled terraces and the latest construction codes. The Castella tower amenities include: Closed circuit TV monitoring security, bike storage, social lobby – reception area, two parking spaces per residence, air conditioned storage lockers, mail room, controlled access, and a sports membership to The Colony Club with access to tennis, fitness spa, pool, dining and social activities, as well as, golf privileges.

Castella condominium homes are priced from the mid $700’s. There are new product and resale properties currently available.

Located in charming Bonita Springs, Florida, The Colony is located within an 800-acre community perfectly situated between Naples and Fort Myers. Residents of The Colony are approximately 20-25 minutes away from the new Southwest Florida International Airport and just across the street from the new Coconut Point Mall. Residents of The Colony also have convenient access to Interstate 75, Florida Gulf Coast University, Germain Arena, The International Design Center, and Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach.

The Colony is a sister community of Pelican Landing of Bonita Springs Florida. Click to learn more about the amenities package of Pelican Landing.

Bellagio at The Colony Luxury Estate Homes

Take a drive down the cobblestone paver boulevard of Napoli Way. Experience hints of the past with the comforts of today.

There is almost nothing as beautiful as Bellagio in The Colony. One of a kind architecture, exquisite style and attention to detail that cannot be surpassed – Bellagio at The Colony.

Bellagio at The Colony is a secluded, intimate enclave of only 26 single family home residences. Each home has its own distinct character inspired by Mediterranean homes of the past. Each Bellagio home has been construction by select, preferred builders with outstanding history, proven craftsmanship and highly regarded with outstanding reputations.

Home sites in Bellagio at The Colony enjoy views of golf, lake and/or waterfalls.

Homes are currently available both as new construction and resale product, starting at just over $1,000,000.

Located in charming Bonita Springs, Florida, The Colony is part of an 800-acre community perfectly situated between Naples and Fort Myers.  Residents of The Colony are approximately 20-25 minutes away from the new Southwest Florida International Airport and just across the street from the new Coconut Point Mall. Residents of The Colony also have convenient access to Interstate 75, Florida Gulf Coast University, Germain Arena, The International Design Center, and Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach.

The Colony is a sister community of Pelican Landing of Bonita Springs, Florida. To learn more about the amenities package of Pelican Landing CLICK HERE.

Sub Communities, Enclaves, Condominiums and Tower Residences in The Colony include:

* Addison Place at The Colony

* Bellagio at The Colony

* Castella at The Colony

* Florencia at The Colony

* La Scala at The Colony

* Las Palmas at The Colony

* Merano at The Colony

* Messina at The Colony

* Navona at The Colony

* Palermo at The Colony

* Ponza – The Colony – Bonita Springs – Pelican Landing

* Sorrento at The Colony

* Treviso at The Colony

* Tuscany Isle at The Colony

* Villa Trevi at The Colony

To learn more about The Colony Golf and Country Club, Pelican Landing or Bonita Springs Real Estate call Chris Griffith 239-273-7430

Shadow Wood at The Brooks is part of the master planned 2,492 acre community of The Brooks of Bonita Springs, Florida.  There are a total of four neighborhoods in The Brooks; Shadow Wood, Spring Run, Copperleaf and Lighthouse Bay. Shadow Wood at the Brooks is the only Brooks community to offer equity golf.

Shadow Wood is a master planned community by The Bonita Bay Group. Unsurpassed attention to detail and preservation of cypress estuaries, mature trees and natural beauty set the landscape of this community apart from the rest. Get up close with nature on some of the many winding paths and peaceful walking trails throughout the neighborhood.

Real Estate at Shadow Wood at The Brooks

Shadow Wood at the Brooks homes housing styles include high end custom homes, estate homes, detached villa homes and coach home condominium homes. Price points for Shadow Wood real estate begin in the $300,000’s.  Subdivisions within Shadow Wood include:

Membership & Golf at Shadow Wood at The Brooks.

• 54 holes of Championship Golf
• Two Golf Courses Designed by Robert Cupp, ten-time winner of the Golf Digest Magazine Best Course Designer Award
• One Golf Course Designed by the Legendary and Award-winning Arthur Hills
• Home of the Shadow Wood Golf Academy
• World Class Tennis Complex with Nine Har-Tru Courts
• Access to a Private Beach Club
• Three Audubon International certified golf courses

All Shadow Wood Country Club Resident Golf Members automatically become Gold Members of The Commons Club.

Beach Access at Shadow Wood at The Brooks

World class amenities are what make The Brooks a unique place to live. All residents of the Brooks , including Shadow Wood residents, are offered membership in The Commons Club.  Amenities at the Commons Club include fitness center, enrichment center and The Commons Beach Club – a private beach club on Hickory Boulevard accessing the Gulf of Mexico.  The Beach Club is full service offering a snack bar, picnic tables, grills, showers, restrooms, shaded recreational seating and private parking by permit.

Shadow Wood is minutes to the white sugar sand beaches of Bonita Beach. Southwest Florida regional airport is approximately 20 minutes away. Coconut Point Mall is within walking or biking distance. The new Sweet Bay Grocery store is less than a mile away on the corner of Coconut Road and Three Oaks Parkway.  The map below shows Shadow Wood in Blue, The Commons Club in light green.  The other communities of The Brooks are also highlighted in various colors.

To learn more about Shadow Wood at the Brooks real estate email Chris@BonitaSpringsAgent.com or Search For Homes.

Take a visual tour of the Shadow Wood community. If you do not see the video below: Click Here

Things to Do at Riverside Park | Bonita Springs, Fl

This Friday, April 10, enjoy Evenings in the Park
Six Artists – Six Cottages – 5:00pm – 8:00pm
A delightful evening with friends, meeting the artists while enjoying music, wine and refreshments.

Sunday, April 12, 2009, 2:00pm (Happy Easter!)
Free Concert – Bonita Springs Concert Band
Bring chairs and refreshments!

Every Wednesday – 8:00am – 1:00 pm NOW THRU MAY!
Farmer’s Market

Here’s a handy, dandy map to the Bandshell at Riverside Park.  It’s on Old 41, you can’t accidentally drive by it. I swear.

Fun Under $10 at Bonita Beach

These kids were having so much fun.  Their parents were having fun too. If I were to tell you how badly those kite strings were tangled and still flying, you wouldn’t believe it.  These are just those little cheapie kites you buy at the check out at a Target or Kmart.  It couldn’t have cost more than ten dollars and the exercise was free.

When’s the last time you flew a kite or spent time with little people at the beach?  This was at beach access number two, parking eases up around 5:30 and of course, it’s free.

Found Old Bonita Springs, By Surprise

A few weeks ago I stopped by a yard sale in the name streets of Bonita Springs.  The name streets are in Old Bonita Springs, as in where the older charming homes are with character.  The streets were all named after founding fathers and developers of our city.  Goodwin, Ragsdale, Horne, Heitman.  If we all knew back then how great it would be to live here we would have bought two homes, right?  Real estate was cheap and waterfront, river front or gulf access prices were a dream compared to now.

While rummaging through a table of stuff I found an old antique camera.  It was cute. I have a few old cameras and binocculars around the house. I have lots of old stuff around my house.  Well, would you be surprised to know that this old camera had film still inside?  What if I told you that I took it to a photo lab and had it extracted in a dark room and had it developed?  What if I told you there were antique images of Old Bonita Springs.  You know those old “back in the day” photos.

Imagine photos of bridges over Imperial River, old pick up trucks loaded with citrus on a one lane US 41 and women in one piece swimming suits that covered everything from their knees to their necks.  There might have even been a picture of an old Bonita Springs school.  Maybe it wasn’t so old back in the day.  Maybe it was the newest most modern thing and all the kids wanted to be there because it was the next best thing to sliced bread.

I bet the teachers wore dresses, Moms packed the lunches, naughty boys wore dunce hats and all the girls wore Mary Jane shoes.  Just imagine, there was no MTV, no iPods, no cell phones, people ate at home together around a big table and Mom was waiting at home for you after school.

This was back when old man Ragsdale bought Bonita Springs and decided to kick it up a notch by changing its name from Survey to Bonita Springs so the real estate would sell better.  Image, I could be sharing these stories with you from LifeInSurvey.com instead.  Bonita Springs Real Estate has a sweeter ring to it than Survey Real Estate, Ragsdale was right.  You should have bought some extra land while he was selling it because it was going to be in the best little town on the gulf coast and everyone would want to live here someday.

I wonder if he ever owned the land under Bonita Springs Elementary School…

Ah, the good old days.  I hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane.  You can thank the trickery of the Picnic photo editor powered through www.Flickr.com.

Sorry for the tall tale, but it’s been a long week and I needed break from reality, too.

The Bonita Springs Elementary School is located on Dean Street in Old Bonita Springs, Florida.  Stop by and say hello to the old gal.  It is an old school just rehabbed a little.  Every grande dame feels better with a little make up on, right?

Who Said The Flu Couldn’t Be Funny?

The Love Story…

I will Seek and find you… I shall take you to bed and have my way with you.

I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.

I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop.

I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I’m finished with you.

And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.

All my love,

The Flu

Now, get your mind out of the gutter and go get your flu shot!

Here’s a place to do it The Sweetbay Supermarket at The Brooks on Coconut Road.  If you’re in Bonita Springs or Estero this is a handy location.  You can get more info about other locations at www.SweetbaySupermarket.com or www.MaxYourHealth.com

This is a list of all vaccination locations in Florida.  Find your own Flu Shot Location HERE

The remaining flu shot clinics at The Sweetbay at The Brooks are:

Wednesday – 22 10am-1:30pm

Thursday – October23 4pm-7:30pm

Friday - October24 10am-1:30pm

Saturday – October25 10am-1:30pm

Wednesday – November 5 10am-1:30pm

Thursday - November6 4pm-7:30pm

Friday – November 7 10am-1:30pm

Saturday – November8 10am-1:30pm