Living with the Imperial River
The Imperial River winds through the middle of Bonita Springs, and the neighborhoods along it have flooded repeatedly in recent years. In 2017, heavy August rains followed by Hurricane Irma pushed the river into homes along its banks. In 2022, Ian drove water up the river, and neighborhoods near it flooded again.
Repeat flooding gets expensive in ways that aren't obvious at first. Flood insurance on a home with past claims can cost a lot, Florida now requires sellers to disclose those claims and any FEMA assistance, and in a flood zone, repairs that reach 50 percent of the structure's value generally trigger elevation or other floodplain requirements. Some owners decide they don't want to rebuild a third time. We buy those houses without asking for repairs first.
Older Bonita, around Old 41
The original part of town, around Old 41 Road and the river, has smaller older houses, cottages, and manufactured homes, some owned by the same family for decades. These homes often need roof, electrical, and plumbing work, and some have additions, carports, or sheds that were never permitted. We look at what's actually there and make an offer on the property as it is.
Clubs, gates, and approvals
Much of Bonita's newer housing sits in gated golf and country club communities, such as Bonita Bay, with homeowners associations, master associations, and in some cases a required club membership. Sellers can run into buyer approval rules, transfer fees, and membership conditions that shrink the pool of buyers. We read the association and club documents early and set the closing date around any approval the community requires.
Condos near the beach and in older mid-rise buildings add another layer: Florida's milestone inspection and reserve rules. We review a building's inspection status and any pending assessment along with the unit itself.
Selling from up north
Many Bonita Springs homes belong to seasonal residents or to heirs who live in another state. If you're away for the summer when a storm hits, or you inherited a condo you've visited twice, you don't have to fly down and manage repairs. A family member, property manager, or neighbor you trust can let us in, anything you don't want can stay behind, and closing papers can often be signed with a mobile notary or remotely.
Frequently asked questions
My Bonita Springs house has flooded more than once. Will you still buy it?
Yes. Share the dates, what was repaired, and any insurance or FEMA claims. We make offers on homes with a repeat flood history.
Do you buy in Bonita Bay and other gated communities?
Yes. We review the association and any club requirements and plan the closing around the approval process.
The city says my home was substantially damaged. Can I still sell it?
Yes. The determination affects what must be done before the home can be repaired and lived in, and we factor that into our offer. You don't have to do the work first.
Do I need to come to Florida to sell?
Usually not. Many sellers sign with a mobile notary or remotely where the title company allows it.