DAN WALSH HAS a dear friend to thank for his decision to buy a home in Bonita Bay . The Illinois native , with a home in Lake Forest and several rental properties in and around the Chicago metro area , had no intention of buying in Florida . But that all changed when he took a trip down south to visit his close friend , Patrick White . “ Pat had invited me to visit him at his home in Naples ,” he recalls . “ Pat wanted to buy something at Bonita Bay and asked me to come along to check out the properties . Now , I am not a huge fan of real estate shopping , so I really didn ’ t want to go , but Pat convinced me .”
Dan and Pat met up with Realtors Angela Lutzi Dellatorè and Scott Dellatorè . “ I wouldn ’ t have even considered looking there , but Pat had done all the research on Bonita Bay and it sounded amazing . We looked at two homes ,” Dan recalls . “ The first one was too small for Pat and his wife , but they put a bid on the second one .” Dan went back to look at the first home — a 3-bedroom , 2-bath Key West-style home — and made a bid on the spot . “ I ’ ve never done anything like this before , but I thought , ‘ Why not ?!’” he exclaims . A single man with three adult kids , Dan felt the home was perfect for him .
In February of this year , Dan settled into his new vacation home in the Cracker Cove neighborhood of Bonita Bay , a charming enclave of Olde Floridastyle homes nestled in the center of the community . Cracker Cove homes are designed on stilts with wood or wood-style siding , ornate moldings , and tin roofs with gables and copulas . Square footages range from 1,500 – 2,800 square feet . The homes have access to a community pool centrally located amongst the 38 homes in the neighborhood . The homes were built from 1988 to 1996 . of 55 , he has no plans to retire there full time . He does love the idea of having a go-to place to relax and from which to work . “ When I ’ m there , my day is pretty free flow ,” he says . “ It usually begins with a brisk workout . Then I will work from home for several hours . After that , I might sit by the pool or go to the beach . If I ’ m with Patrick , my day will have an agenda . But I love that about being in Bonita Bay . I ’ m flexible and love the lifestyle .” In addition , Dan really enjoys dining at the local restaurants . “ My favorites include DeRomos Gourmet Market & Restaurant , the Fish House , and Coconut Jacks ,” he says .
One of the aspects that appealed to Dan was the area ’ s turn-key operation . “ It ’ s a community that takes care of itself ,” he notes . “ They have a great management team . It ’ s clean and beautifully maintained .”
A Certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary and recipient of numerous and prestigious awards , Bonita Bay has a maintenance department that is dedicated to the upkeep of the Master Association , common areas , and preserving over 45 acres of natural habitats and lakes throughout the community .
Dan admits that buying in Bonita Bay was one of the best decisions he ’ s ever made . “ The amenities are incredible , people are warm and friendly , and you can ’ t beat the weather !” he exclaims .
“ What first captured my attention was the curbside appeal ,” Dan explains . “ The lush vegetation and the unique architecture just spoke to my sensibilities . It was a strong reaction .
“ Plus Angela and Scott were complete professionals . I never felt pressured into buying . They were there to answer my questions and gave me the confidence that I was making the best decision for me .”
Dan has visited his Bonita Bay property five or six times since the purchase , but at the age
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