Olde Bonita Springs Home to Arbel

Bonita Springs, back in the day, parceled out the real estate in the BN08 geographic code and gave smaller sections legal description names like “Arbel”. I’m not sure what or who Arbel was but the name is in the clerk of court records for eternity. 

At a home on the corner of Baretta Drive and Carolina Street there is a shrub with the prettiest pink flowers.  It looks like a variety of frangipani. 

If you are a Bonitian and you know the story behind Arbel, do share in the remarks. There has to be more than real estate behind the Arbel name.

There are two types of golf course communities in the Bonita Springs and Estero Florida areas; Equity Golf and Bundled Golf.  If you’re looking for real estate in an equity golf course community and wondering which neighborhoods offer equity golf, the list is below.

The links below offer community profiles for the “golf and country club” community, not the golf course.

• Bonita Bay Golf and Country Club

• The Colony at Pelican Landing

• Grandezza Golf and Country Club

• Hunter’s Ridge

• Marbella at Spanish Wells

• Mediterra Golf and Country Club

• Pelican Landing Golf and Country Club

• Quail West Golf and Country Club

• Shadow Wood at The Brooks

• Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club

• West Bay Club Golf and Country Club

• Wildcat Run Golf and Country Club

If you found this page looking for bundled golf communities, read also:

Bundled Golf in Bonita Springs and Estero Florida.

Villa Homes at The Greens of Bonita Springs

The Greens of Bonita Springs is tucked away off of Paradise Road in the area of Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club.  While many of the neighborhood names and streets reference golf, the Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club is currently closed and for sale [subject to change].  The fate of the golf course is unknown at this time.  Other nearby public courses include:

• Bonita Fairways | Bermuda Links | Rosewood Point | Carousel Cove
• Stoneybrook of Estero Florida

There are many real estate housing styles in the area of Bonita Golf and Country Club.  The Greens of Bonita Springs offers single family detached villa homes.  The Greens of Bonita Springs is a modest community which consists of sixty five single family villa homes.  The street of Golf Lake Circle is a loop.  Real estate on the inside of the loop enjoy lake views from their lanais.  The homes on the outside loop have views of grassy areas or former golf course fairways.

Home at The Greens of Bonita Springs offer square footages from approximately 1,350 to 2,000 square foot.  Homes offer two car garages, screened lanai and optional screened front porch.

Home owners at The Greens of Bonita Springs enjoy use of a community swimming pool and cabana area.  Lawn service and lawn irrigation is included with home ownership at The Greens of Bonita Springs, also, making it a great second home or vacation get away.

The Greens of Bonita Springs is located in a quiet, deed restricted area but is only minutes away from many conveniences such as Bonita Beach, Coconut Point Mall, Southwest Florida International Airport and Florida Gulf Coast University.  The Greens of Bonita Springs, like many other communities in Bonita Golf & Country Club, is not gated.

Other communities near The Greens of Bonita Springs include:

Bonita Golf Villas, Chadwick Square, Cockleshell Village, Cypress Plantations, Eagle Point, Fairway Dunes, Fairway Estates, Lakeside Hideaway, Paradise Woods, San Carlos Estates, Southlands, The Greens at Bonita Springs, The Pines at Bonita Springs, Fairway Pines.

This page contains information about The Greens of Bonita Springs:  The Greens, Homes in The Greens of Bonita Springs, Real Estate in The Greens, The Greens Homes, The Greens Real Estate, The Greens Homes for Sale, Homes in The Greens, Condos in The Greens, The Greens of Bonita Springs Condos, Villas at The Greens

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

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 in Bellagio 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 Bellagio at The Colony Golf and Country Club, Pelican Landing or Bonita Springs Real Estate call Chris Griffith 239-273-7430

Equity Golf at Shadow Wood Country Club

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 Shadow Wood 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.

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.