Realtor picked as resort's exclusive broker

Carla Bonten can easily be recognized as the face of international realty in Southwest Florida.

She has sold homes around the world and her latest venture has won her the title of exclusive broker for a luxury resort development in Guatemala.

"I'm very proud that I was chosen to be exclusive Realtor and it's great to do it. It proves that after 30 years (of selling), it's like a bonus," said Bonten, who is the broker and owner of Carla Bonten Realty Inc., based out of Bonita Springs. "It's a very good honor and it's the top of the top."

Being at the top of her game is what has moved Bonten to the top of the real estate industry and given her the ability to now sell condominiums and single-family homes in the Mayan Jungle Resort Marina and Golf Communities.

"We are a boutique company ... small ... and I like that they had trust in me to give me that opportunity," said Bonten, who has had three offices in Bonita Springs since 1998 and was honored with the title by a real estate company in Miami.

Bonten fell in love with the real estate business because of her father who was in the construction business in Europe.

"He actually loved to renovate and add new value to property," said Bonten, who was born in the Netherlands. "I grew into renovations and eventually into developments."

She was an only child and spent enough time with her dad to learn the construction business from the ground up. She started her first company in 1981 and became a top seller because of her vast knowledge of languages.

"I speak fluent Dutch, German, English and have a working knowledge of Spanish and French," said Bonten, who matter of factly lists her languages to include two African dialects and Flemish, the language of Belgium. "I pick up languages very easily and it is my niche in the market."

Together with the 32 agents in her company, Bonten can sell a condo in more than 16 languages from around the globe.

"It's very rewarding to work on the Guatemala project. They are really good, nice people," said rental agent Melody Ostrom, who has worked with Bonten for two years. She works on some aspects of the projects and has had the opportunity to work with Bonten's counterparts there.

Although the focus is now mainly on the project in Guatemala, Bonten has an affinity for Bonita Springs.

"We have paradise here, it's a beautiful area and Southwest Florida is top notch destination based on what I hear and what market watch told us," said Bonten, who has lived in the area more than a decade. "It's hot here but that's why you come to vacation and we have the best beaches and restaurants."

Being able to track the market is Bonten's specialty both locally and a broad. There is a European counterpart to her company in Bonita Springs but being able to work with customers is what thrills her.

"I love selling real estate, I always try to do my best and it makes me happy to see people make the right choice (when buying)," Bonten said. "Buying a home is a big step and it's not just an investment, it's your home."

Her current focus on Guatemala is to sell property in an area she feels is going to the next hottest travel destination.

"It's awesome, she's worked very hard for this and it's about time that they gave her the exclusive right to the project," Ostrom said. "She has spent many nights away from home to do whatever needs to be done and I don't think they could have chosen a better person for this."

As the exclusive broker, anyone interested in buying property in the community made up of two towns within walking distance of each other, has to go through Bonten.

"Guatemala has more Mayan people than anybody else and it's in a very attractive place, safe and gated community that sits in the middle of the rain forest," Bonten said.

The pedestrian oriented community is a 2 hour and 30 minute flight from Miami and is built on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The idea was to built a Venice in the Caribbean with one of the cities having homes built around canals and the other with an 18-hole golf course and equestrian center, among other amenities.

"It's my hobby connecting with the customer and they trust me and they know I don't push them to buy it," said Bonten, who has kept in contact with customers over the years. Even ones that never purchased a home.

"The number one thing is customer is satisfied and money is our profession but I do it for the longtime relationship."