Bonita Springs voters head to the polls on August 18 to decide whether the city can issue up to $35 million in bonds to help fund the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, a proposed 11.4-mile path that would run from Collier County through downtown Bonita Springs and into Estero. As your local Realtor team, we're watching this vote closely because a "yes" would add a signature recreation amenity connecting both towns, while a "no" would likely end the project for now.

What's on the ballot

The referendum, held alongside the August 18 primary election, asks Bonita Springs residents to authorize a general obligation bond of up to $35 million. The money would go toward the city's roughly $28.6 million share of a $60 million deal to purchase an 11.4-mile stretch of the former Seminole Gulf Railway corridor running from the Collier County line north through Bonita Springs and Estero. Estero and Collier County have already approved their own portions of the purchase; if Bonita voters reject the bond, supporters say the project likely collapses.

What the trail would connect

Known as BERT, the Bonita Estero Rail Trail would give cyclists and pedestrians a dedicated route linking downtown Bonita Springs to Estero, tying into the larger Florida Gulf Coast Trail network that aims to eventually connect Pinellas County to Collier County. Supporters, including the nonprofit Friends of BERT and the Trust for Public Land, point to pedestrian and cyclist safety along with recreation and property value benefits; some residents have pushed back, arguing the corridor would be better used for road capacity.

What it would cost homeowners

City officials estimate a Bonita Springs homeowner with an average-value home (about $441,000) would see property taxes rise somewhere between $45 and $88 a year, depending on the bond's repayment term. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

What this means for buyers and sellers

A completed rail trail would be a rare amenity touching both Bonita Springs and Estero at once, and could become a selling point for homes near the corridor much like Riverside Park already is for downtown Bonita. Until the August 18 vote, though, the project - and any effect on nearby property values or taxes - remains undecided. As your local team on the ground in both cities, we can help you weigh how a property's proximity to the proposed corridor might factor into a purchase or listing. Call us at (239) 745-8903 or visit our Bonita Springs Realtor page to get started.

Details on the referendum are drawn from reporting by WGCU News and Gulfshore Business. We'll update this post once results are certified.

Bonita Springs is seeing some of its biggest development activity in years, from a major mixed-use project along Bonita Beach Road to new residential communities and a luxury condo tower. As your local Bonita Springs Realtor team, we track these projects because they shape everything from traffic patterns to which neighborhoods gain new shopping, dining, and amenities. Here's what's happening right now.

Midtown at Bonita: 68-acre mixed-use hub breaking ground

Developer Andy Zuckerman broke ground on Midtown at Bonita on November 6, 2025, located along Bonita Beach Road just east of I-75. The 68-acre project sets aside more than 30 acres for green space alongside its retail, dining, and residential components. The first businesses are expected to open by the end of 2026.

Revana Lakes: 299 new homes

This 204-acre community spans both Bonita Springs and unincorporated Lee County and is planned for 299 homes. The project drew a contentious city council vote before approval, reflecting the level of local interest in how this stretch of Bonita Springs continues to develop.

Infinity at the Colony: luxury condo tower

Infinity at the Colony is a 21-story luxury glass condo tower planned for the Bonita Springs area, adding to the growing wave of high-end vertical construction along the coast.

What this means for buyers and sellers

Bonita Springs is adding new mixed-use, residential, and luxury inventory all at once, which means more options for buyers but also more competition for sellers in established communities nearby. Flood zones, HOA and condo fees, and boating or beach access still vary widely by neighborhood here, so it pays to have someone who knows the area well. As your local Bonita Springs Realtor, we can walk you through how these projects might affect your specific buying or selling plans. Call us at (239) 745-8903 or visit our Bonita Springs Realtor page to get started.

Project details in this roundup are sourced from public reporting, including WINK News coverage of the Midtown at Bonita groundbreaking, along with public company and city announcements. We'll update this post as these projects progress.

Estero is in the middle of one of its busiest construction stretches in years. As your local Estero Realtor team, we keep a close eye on what's being approved, broken ground, and delivered across the village, because it directly affects home values, traffic patterns, and which neighborhoods will have new shopping, dining, and amenities nearby. Here's a roundup of the biggest projects underway right now.

Kingston: 10,000 homes east of Verdana Village

Cameratta Companies broke ground on Kingston in November 2025, with builders Lennar, Neal Communities, Pulte, Taylor Morrison, and Kolter Homes all on board. The approved plan calls for 10,000 homes, a 240-unit hotel, 700,000 square feet of commercial space, and a planned K-8 school, with over 3,200 acres set aside for conservation and restoration. Model homes are expected to open for viewing in late 2026, with first closings targeted for fall 2026.

Verdana Village: about 80% sold out

Lennar and Pulte continue building out this 2,400-home Cameratta community on East Corkscrew, with homes generally priced from the $500Ks to $1M. The West Village section is nearly sold out and its amenity center is open, while the East Village broke ground on construction in 2025. The Shoppes at Verdana Village, a Publix-anchored center with about 78,000 square feet of retail, opened just outside the gates in 2024 and now includes dining, banking, and medical services.

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay

London Bay Development Group's two 22-story towers on Estero Bay have sold over 90% of the south tower's 224 total residences, which prompted the release of 112 additional waterfront units in the north tower. Construction secured $198.6 million in financing in October 2025, and the first tower is on track for early-2026 move-ins.

RiverCreek: down to its final 17 homesites

GL Homes' RiverCreek community is nearing sellout, with 459 of its 544 total homesites sold and just 17 remaining. Remaining infrastructure work is on track for completion in fall 2026, which will open up the last available homesites for building.

The Island at West Bay Club

Kolter Urban's 24-story, 86-unit luxury condo tower has moved past its fifth floor of construction as of January 2026, with completion targeted for the end of 2026.

Woodfield Estero at US 41 and Coconut Road

This 45.6-acre mixed-use project calls for roughly 600 residential units alongside 82,000 square feet of retail space and a 260-room hotel. Phase 1 infrastructure work is already underway.

What this means for buyers and sellers

With this much new inventory in the pipeline, buyers have more choices than they've had in years, but pricing, HOA structures, and delivery timelines vary widely between these communities. Sellers in established neighborhoods should also expect more competition from new construction, which can affect pricing strategy and days on market. As your local Estero Realtor, we track these projects closely and can walk you through how each one might affect your specific buying or selling plans. Call us at (239) 745-8903 or visit our Estero Realtor page to get started.

Project details in this roundup are sourced from EsteroToday.com's development summary, published by the nonprofit Engage Estero, along with public company announcements. We'll update this post as these projects progress.

Bonita Springs draws buyers who want to be close to the water, whether that means a boat in your backyard or a short drive to the sand. That proximity to the Gulf is exactly what makes the buying process a little different than inland markets. Here's what to look into before you make an offer.

Boating and beach access vary block by block

Communities like Bonita Bay have private marinas with direct Gulf access via the Imperial River, while other neighborhoods put you minutes from Bonita Beach or Barefoot Beach without any direct water access at all. Neither is better across the board — it depends on whether you want a boat lift in your backyard or just want to be close to the beach.

Flood zones and insurance costs

Because much of Bonita Springs sits close to the coast and along the Imperial River, flood zone designation can change meaningfully from one property to the next, and it directly affects what you'll pay for insurance. Pull the FEMA flood map and get an insurance quote before you're locked into a contract, not after.

Fees beyond the purchase price

Beyond the sale price, budget for HOA or condo association fees, which typically cover landscaping, security, and shared amenities, plus separate dues in communities with a private marina, golf course, or beach club.

Typical timeline

Most Bonita Springs transactions move from accepted offer to closing within 30-60 days, though waterfront and marina-access properties can take a bit longer to insure and close.

Work with a local team

As a Bonita Springs Realtor team, we help buyers match the right access type and community to their lifestyle before they make an offer. Call (239) 745-8903 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

If you're considering buying a home in Estero, FL, you'll quickly notice how many neighborhoods are built around golf. That's part of what makes Estero unique in Southwest Florida, but it also means the buying process comes with a few questions you won't run into in most other markets. Here's what to know before you start touring homes.

Bundled vs. non-bundled golf communities

Some Estero communities are "bundled," meaning a golf membership comes with the home whether you golf or not. Others are "non-bundled," where membership is optional and priced separately. Before you fall in love with a floor plan, ask your agent which structure the community uses and what the monthly or annual dues actually cover — landscaping, cart paths, clubhouse access, or a full social membership. It changes the real cost of ownership more than the sale price alone will tell you.

What HOA fees actually cover

Nearly every community in Estero has some form of HOA or condo association fee. Beyond golf, these fees typically cover common-area landscaping, gate security, amenity center upkeep, and often building insurance if you're buying a condo or villa. It's worth reviewing the HOA's budget and reserve study before making an offer, especially in older communities.

Flood zones and insurance

Estero sits inland from the coast compared to Bonita Springs or Naples, but flood zone designation still varies a lot from street to street, particularly near the Estero River and the preserve areas that run through the middle of town. Ask for the current flood zone designation and a recent insurance quote early in your search, not after you're already under contract.

How long does it take to buy in Estero?

Timelines shift with inventory and interest rates, but most purchases move from accepted offer to closing in 30-60 days. Communities with membership or estoppel requirements can add a few extra days to the timeline, so it helps to know upfront which communities require them.

Get local guidance before you tour homes

As an Estero Realtor team, we walk every buyer through these details community by community before you write an offer. Call (239) 745-8903 or reach out to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team.