A town in picturesque Florida has a surprisingly uncompetitive real estate market, which could be put to good use if handled correctly.
Bonita Springs is located on the state’s Gulf Coast in the southwest and currently has several three-bedroom apartments that could be purchased for around $500,000.
It boasts plenty of beautiful beaches, golf courses and roadside attractions, not to mention the annual boat parade and plenty of small, family-owned shops.
The median home price for sale is currently around $685,000, down two percent from a year ago.
However, the median home sale price is even more attractive at $566,300, indicating that the market is open to buyers who want to buy at the right time. That said, homes in the coastal city appear to be getting cheaper, despite their appeal.
Bonita Springs is located on the state’s Gulf Coast in the southwest and, right now, has a surprisingly uncompetitive real estate market.
Currently in the midst of a buyer’s market, the city has several three-bedroom apartments that could be had for less than half a million, like this one priced at $489,000.
“I love the uncrowded beaches, the beautiful golf courses designed by some of the legends of golf,” said Chuck Saunders, regional sales director for wine wholesaler and importer Biagio Cru. Travel + Leisure from his experience with the city earlier this year.
‘My wife and I got married at Lovers Key on Thanksgiving Day 2018, so it holds a special place for us.’
Trish Leonard, owner of Bonita Springs-based public relations agency TLC Marketing & Creative Services, added: “We have a small-town charm with a big, bright future.”
‘There are beautiful parks, over 20 golf courses, fantastic music venues, one of Florida’s last roadside attractions, great events like our annual boat parade, small shops and restaurants, some of which have been here for decades.
“And we’re growing,” he said of the town’s population, which has quadrupled to nearly 60,000 since it was renamed Bonita Springs to attract settlers in the early 20th century.
A resident since 1983, he has seen the local population soar from 43,000 in 2010 to 32,000 in the previous decade.
As Leonard mentioned, the city not far from Fort Myers still manages to retain a small-town feel.
Secluded spots like Little Hickory Island Beach Park and Bonita Beach Park help achieve this, along with the bungalows that line its sun-drenched streets.
It boasts an abundance of beautiful beaches, golf courses and roadside attractions, as well as an idyllic climate.
The median home price for sale is currently around $685,000, down 2% from a year ago. Properties like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom one on Wood Abis Avenue are selling for $549,000.
Serene canals, secluded beaches and a close-knit town also add to its attractive reputation, with residents also known to be remarkably friendly.
Serene canals, secluded beaches and a close-knit town also add to its attractive reputation, with residents also known for being extraordinarily friendly.
Furthermore, the city is located just 24 kilometers from Naples, which in itself is an attraction and an impressive city with plenty to do.
In town, visitors and locals alike will have access to unique pastimes such as outdoor shopping and dining along Bonita Bay, which is also home to the Bonita Springs Farmers Market every Saturday from October through May.
Another seaside restaurant in Tarpon Bay, located at the Hyatt Regency resort and spa, offers a year-round menu of fresh seafood.
There are also boutique hotels such as Shangri-La Springs, located in the city centre.
To the north, as Saunders mentioned, is Lovers Key State Park, a popular spot for swimming and kayaking.
It consists of four barrier islands surrounded by waters teeming with manatees and dolphins, while the Everglades Wonder Gardens are home to orchids, parrots and reptiles.
Other parks offer attractions such as sand dunes and places to fish and search for shells, while the city’s white sand beaches and crystal-clear water remain the main draws.
With “a small-town charm with a big, bright future,” the town holds events like its annual boat parade every year.
It also boasts almost 300 days of sunshine a year – all the ingredients for a perfect beach getaway.
If seafood isn’t your thing, the city’s oldest restaurant, Buffalo Chips, is known for its wings made with a secret family recipe that has won fans among figures as diverse as Bob Denver and members of Guns N’ Roses.
Plus, it boasts nearly 300 days of sunshine a year – all the ingredients for a perfect beach getaway.
For those looking for something permanent, Bonita Springs homes sold 5.88 percent below the average asking price last month.
This is because the supply of housing currently exceeds demand, creating a buyer’s market.
Property prices appear to be trending downwards right now, so consider Bonita Springs a temporary bargain.