Northwest Florida Realtor Blog
Blackwater Heritage State Trail in Northwest Florida - 07/21/2008
Blackwater Heritage State TrailBlackwater Heritage State Trail is officially designated as part of Florida's Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. This is the westernmost rail trail in the state, extending from the small community of Milton in the south to Whiting Field Naval Air Station (NAS) in the north. Managed by the Florida Park Service, it also connects to the Military Trail (also identified on map) which is managed by the US Navy. It's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. It's mostly a rural trail with only a few dwellings at some of the cross roads once you leave Milton and before you get on the military base. There are some nice creek crossings on wooden bridges with few hills or grades. This is a pleasant trip for the whole family with lots of access and safe riding.
Click here for the trail brochure (PDF 405 kb).
Major Activities
Notes: The Milton Trailhead contains a covered picnic shelter, restrooms, a water fountain, and a bicycle rack. There is a visitor center approximately one mile from the trailhead that offers two picnic tables and parking. The Blackwater Heritage State Trail Citizen Support Organization operates a concession at the visitor center where snacks and souvenirs can be purchased. Benches have been located at various points along the trail for visitor convenience.
Access/Directions:
Blackwater River Canoe Trail - 07/21/2008
Click here to download printer-friendly map and description (388 kb PDF).
Notes and Precautions
Access
Kennedy Bridge - Take Hwy 90 from Crestview to SR 4. Take SR 4 north to State Forest Road (SFR) 47, the first paved road past Cotton Bridge. Turn right on SFR 47 and head north to the next paved road, SFR 31. Follow SFR 31 about 2 miles north to SFR 24, the dirt road at Hurricane Lake sign. Follow SFR 24 to the bridge.
Peadon Bridge - Same as above to SFR 47. About 2.5 miles north of SFR 47, turn east on first dirt road on right (SFR 50) and continue to bridge. (6 miles)
Cotton Bridge, SR 4 - Four miles northwest of Baker. (5 miles)
Bryant Bridge, SFR 21 - From US 90 at Harold, take SFR 23 north five miles through the Blackwater River State Park to four way stop at SFR 86. Turn right (east) and continue to SFR 21, which leads southeast to bridge. (12 miles)
Blackwater River State Park - From US 90 at Harold, take SFR 23 north three miles to Deaton Bridge within the Park. (8 miles)
There may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching and /or parking.
Blackwater River State Forest-Jackson Red Ground Trail - 07/21/2008
Click here for printer-friendly version. (PDF 420K)
Trail Length/Surface:Jackson Red Ground is 21.5 miles from end to end, unpaved
Fee: Fees apply in some areas. Please contact the Division of Forestry for details.
Notes:Jackson Red Ground Trail is blazed orange, and is a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit FTA's website at http://www.florida-trail.org/index.htm or call 1-877-HIKEFLA.Three connecting trails are also shown on the map (Sweetwater, Bear Lake and the Wiregrass trail south of Hurricane Lake) are part of the Florida Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. This program offers recognition awards for hiking designated trails in state forests throughout Florida. For more information, contact the office below or visit the program's website (www.fl-dof.com/Recreation/Trailwalker/index.html).
Access/Directions:Red Rock Road Area (main access for Jackson Red Ground Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School onto Hwy 191. Follow Hwy 191 north to Red Rock Road at Spring Hill. Take a right on Red Rock Road and proceed to the Red Rock Primitive Area/Canoe Launch. Trail crosses Red Rock Road .3 miles to the east. The south end of Jackson Red Ground Trail begins at the road crossing -- proceed north to enter this portion of the trail. The trail segment south of this crossing is the Juniper Creek Trail.
Krul Recreation Area (main access for Sweetwater Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to the Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Take a right on SR 4 and continue for .7 miles to the Krul Recreation Area sign. Go to kiosk at day use parking lot.
Bear Lake Recreation Area (main access for Bear Lake Loop Trail)From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Take a right on SR 4 and continue for 2.5 miles to the Bear Lake Recreation Area sign. Go to kiosk in campground for information
Shoal River Canoe Trip - 07/21/2008
Click here for printer-friendly map and description (PDF 393 kb).
Major Activities
Notes and Precautions Between Access 1 and 2, there are two wooden bridges that collect debris which can be dangerous, especially at high water. The end of the trail is on the northern boundary of the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation. Obtain a base recreation permit if you plan to enter the reservation. Information about permits can be obtained by calling (850) 882-4164 or writing Eglin National Resources, 107 Highway 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578. You can continue seven miles past the takeout at SR 85 to the junction with the Yellow River, another state canoe trail.
Access
SR 285 Bridge - 3.5 miles north of US 90 / SR 285 junction
SR 393 Bridge - About 3 miles north of SR 393 / US 90 intersection. (10 miles)
US 90 Bridge - 4 miles east of Crestview. (8 miles)
SR 85 Bridge - At wayside park, 5 miles south of Crestview. (9 miles)
There may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching and/or parking.
Blackwater River State Forest Wiregrass Trail - 07/21/2008
Click here for a printer-friendly version (PDF 364k)
Major Activities
Trail Length/Surface:
12.7 miles from end to end, unpaved
Fee: None
Counties: Okaloosa, Santa Rosa
Nearby Cities: Munson, Crestview
Notes:
The hiking trail is blazed orange. Heading northwest from the North Hurricane Lake Recreation Area, the trail is 6.4 miles to the terminus at the Alabama border. Heading southeast, it is 6.3 miles to the Jackson Red Ground Trail, which is a continuation of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The Florida Trail Association (FTA) produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps which are very useful for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit FTA's website at http://www.florida-trail.org/ or call 1-877-HIKEFLA.
The 6.3 mile segment from Hurricane Lake to Jackson Red Ground Trail is part of the Division of Forestry's Trailwalker Program. This program offers recognition awards for hiking designated trails in state forests throughout Florida. For more information, contact the office below or visit the program's website (www.fl-dof.com/Recreation/Trailwalker/index.html) .
Directions/Access:
North Hurricane Lake Recreation Area
From Munson, head east on SR 4 2.8 miles to Hurricane Lake Road. Turn left onto Hurricane Lake Road (which eventually becomes Beaver Creek Road) and continue north 8.6 miles to Bullard Church Road. Turn right and continue 1.1 miles to Nichols Road. Take a right and continue to the recreation area. Go to the kiosk in the campground.
From Crestview, head west on US 90 to the intersection with SR 4. Take a right on SR 4 and follow to Hurricane Lake Road. Turn right onto Hurricane Lake Road (which eventually becomes Beaver Creek Road) and continue north 8.6 miles to Bullard Church Road. Turn right and continue 1.1 miles to Nichols Road. Take a right and continue to the recreation area. Go to the kiosk in the campground.
If coming from I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School on Hwy 191. Follow for approximately 20 miles to Munson crossroads (Hwy 191 and SR 4). Follow directions from Munson above.
More pictures added to the MLS for the airport home at 502 Tailspin - 07/21/2008
Coldwell Banker wins the Innovator of the year award - 07/21/2008
Crestview Florida Main Street office building for sale more pictures of the landmark building - 07/21/2008
Landmark office Building for sale over 5700 sq ft on Historic Main Street - 07/21/2008
Commercial Sales - Office
MLS #: 488332m OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $1,190,000
Status: Active Last Change: Property Type:
PropName: CHIROPRACTIC & ATTORNEY BUILDING Price/Sq Ft:
Location: 102 & 104 MAIN STREET Price/Unit:
CRESTVIEW, FL Price/Acre:
ZipCode: 32536 Building Sq Ft: 5715
County: OKALOOSA Frontage:
MainArea: 25 Crestview Area WF Feet:
SubArea: 03 CRESTVIEW NORTHWEST YearBuilt: 1925
ParcelID: 17-3N-23-2490-0008-048F Const Status: Existing
Directions: Downtown Crestview corner of N. Main Street and Industrial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Truly priced to sell, this is a one-of-a-kind building great for investing in the rapidly growing Crestview area. With a perfect location in downtown Crestview's revitalized "Florida Main Street" state-designated historic district, this two-story circa 1925 landmark was built as a hotel with eleven rooms on the second floor which were converted into office space. It is situated thirty miles from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, near Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Pensacola & Navarre on the I-10 corridor in the fastest growing city of its size in the entire state; also near aerospace hub of Eglin Air Force Base with rapid growth due to BRAC realignment. The first floor has two separate storefronts, one of which is currently a doctor's office and will relocate or continue with a lease. This storefront features terrazo flooring. The entire second floor has clear-coated tongue-and-groove heart of pine walls and ten-foot ceilings with exposed "Chicago Brick" on the outer facing walls. The second floor also includes a full kitchen, tiled floors, a gas range, crown molding and trim on all 17 second-story windows and solid wood custom cabinets as well as hand-built custom carpentry with cypress, cedar, and pine throughout. Each room has a ceiling fan. The second-floor bath features a custom-built tiled shower. There is a 420 square foot deck off the second floor as well. The exterior is all brick with new hurricane-insulated windows and 2 new insulated and tinted storefront windows. These are the all new 2000-2005 mechanicals: new A/C and heat pumps, electrical wiring, plubming, CAT5 data/telephone lines and amplified digital cable to current code in every room. This property need to be seen to be truly appreciated. It is ideal for office space or a restaurant/bar. A unique piece of property you don't want to miss. Owner may finance for qualified buyer.
- 07/21/2008
http://northwestfloridarealtor.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-coldwell-banker-ads.html
Click the button to call me - 07/21/2008
Study Military's impact strong and growing - 07/21/2008
Press release came across my mailbox today.
Who do you turn to for economic security along the Emerald Coast when the bottom drops from the real estate market?
The military.
A study released by Enterprise Florida concluded that military spending remains one of the state's leading growth industries.
DOCUMENTS:
Read the entire Florida Defense Factbook
Read the economic impact analysis: Volume 1 , Volume 2 and Volume 3
It's particularly valuable to Northwest Florida, where defense-related spending accounts for 35 percent of gross regional product.
According to the "Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis" completed by the University of West Florida's Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, between Oct. 1, 2004, and Sept. 30, 2005, in Okaloosa County:
l Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field generated $2.2 billion in defense spending.
l Countywide, the economic impact of the military was $6.6 billion.
l The average annual earnings per military job is approximately $81,300, or 199 percent more than the area's other jobs in industries such as farming, retail and construction.
The air bases are "incredibly important for all the obvious reasons," said Jim Breitenfeld of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council. "The high wages. The total spending."
Though the report attributes 73 percent of economic activity in Okaloosa to defense-related spending, Breitenfeld said he wasn't alarmed because the bases are stable employers.
"I don't know if we're dependent (on the military), but it would be a heck of a withdrawal if it disappears tomorrow," he said.
Breitenfeld would like to see Northwest Florida diversify economically in areas where it has competitive advantage such as aviation and high-technology information processing.
In Santa Rosa County, Naval Air Station Whiting Field contributed some $857 million to the economy. Its average annual military wage in fiscal year 2005 was $99,800.
Overall, the military presence in Florida promises only to grow, the Haas report continued. By 2010, military spending statewide might have an impact of $59.5 billion, which would be $7.5 billion more than in 2005.
"While Florida's economy has faced challenges during the past few quarters, particularly in areas hardest hit by the real estate slowdown, high-wage, defense-related jobs are somewhat immune to downturns in the business cycle," said Enterprise Florida president John Adams in a news release.
"They provide strength in Florida's economy even in difficult times."
Daily News Staff Writer Mladen Rudman
Kohls Fort Walton Beach coming soon - 07/21/2008
FORT WALTON BEACH - Although its corporate office still will not confirm it, Kohl's is coming.
The Okaloosa County Commission unanimously approved site plans for a new Kohl's department store to be located near the intersection of Beal Parkway and Hurlburt Road in Fort Walton Beach.
With Tuesday's approval, construction is expected to start early next month, said John Kramp, site development manager for Kohl's. He said they hope to have the store open by the end of the year.
"It's going to be a fairly long road (before the store opens)," Kramp said. "The timetable is up in the air."
The first phase will be the demolition of the Bay Furniture building.
The new 103,990-square-foot department store will replace the old Bay Furniture next to Winn-Dixie.
The only question commissioners had about the project before its approval was about its storm-water retention. Storm-water guidelines are stricter now than when the furniture store was built, and Kohl's will have to upgrade the retention ponds.
The Daily News contacted Kohl's corporate office Tuesday afternoon for additional information on the new store. Despite its impending approval, Kohl's would not confirm the store.
"At this time, we've not announced any plans to open a new store in the Fort Walton Beach community," Kohl's spokeswoman Courtney K. Rogaczewski responded in an e-mail. "Kohl's has an ongoing real estate assessment process. At any given time, Kohl's is reviewing sites in communities nationwide. We do not comment on real estate speculation. When we have firm details, we are happy to share it at that time."
That is the same response Rogaczewski sent to the Daily News last month.
Article by
Dusty Ricketts
I was really happy to see this I would always find myself going to the Kohls in Ohio for this and that and its about time we got one of these.
Mossy head blackstone development - 07/21/2008
Mossy Head is a peaceful, sleepy community
Also in the future of Mossy Head is the
Blackstone Development, a 1,300 acre major
project that will provide a balanced mix of residences,
shops, services, civic building and recreational
facilities. There will be approximately
3,300 dwellings (2,200 single-family and 1,100
multi-family units), 140,00 square feet of retail
and service, 37,500 square feet of office space,
day care and an 18 hole golf course. Phase I may
begin as early as 2006 with an anticipated buildout
date of 2015-2020.
The size of these developments will call for
infrastructure needs, most importantly water and
sewer. Tom Terrell, President of Mossy Head
Waterworks, is working closely with the Walton
County Board of Commissioners to explore
options to provide the necessary services. District
3 Commissioner Larry Jones, who represents the
area, agrees that there is going to be a pressing
need in the not-so distant future. Details, costs
and a timeframe are still being looked at, but
Jones wants the county to move quickly so that
sewer service is available at the industrial park by
the time the new school opens.
The Mossy Head Elementary School, to be
located on a 20 acre site was donated from the
Board of County Commissioners to the School
Board, is anticipated to be open for the 2008
school year. The School Board is actively looking
for locations to build a Junior and High School.
Commissioner Larry Jones has worked hard
to obtain a grant for a community park and the
efforts paid off when Walton County was awarded
a grant in the amount of $200,000 from DEP
through the Florida Recreation Development
Assistance Program (FRDAP). The park site is
located at 13170 US Highway 90, just behind the
Mossy Head EMS Station. Walton received a
waiver of any matching requirements through the
REDI (Rural Economic Development Initiative).
The park will have a pavilion, playground with
splash pad, swing sets, an exercise trail, picnic
facilities, benches, restrooms, fencing, and parking
area.
Welcome to the future Mossy Head!
Mossy Head economic development - 07/21/2008
Mossy Head is a peaceful, sleepy community nestled on high ground in Northwest Walton County. What makes this area so attractive for economic development? Several factors are involved, including but not limited to:
easy Interstate 10 access, railroad facilities, proximity to Eglin Air Force Base, reasonable housing costs, Walton County Industrial Park, Blackstone Development of Regional Impact (DRI), newschool and $200,000 grant for a community park .The area knows it is about to experience a tremendous growth spurt and long-time pillars ofthe community want to make sure that proper planning procedures are in place to ensure 'smartgrowth' so they can maintain the rural county atmosphere while at the same time becoming an economic force in the county.
The Walton County Industrial Park, which encompasses approximately 333 acres, has been in the planning stages for many years. A master plan for the project was submitted on behalf of the Walton County Board of Commissioners to the Planning and Development Services Department in July 2006. The plan calls for 40%manufacturing, 40% warehouse and 20% of office space. Creating a master plan will encourage businesses to move into the park because it will facilitate obtaining a development order, which in turn means being able to start-up more quickly and begin the process of hiring new employees. The park is also part of an enterprise zone which provides incentives for businesses to locate there.
Green Building grants - 07/21/2008
Grant Funds up to $50,000 per Project
Now Available for Developers Committed to Providing Green* Affordable Housing
Applications must be received online by April 11
Awards are expected to be made by the last week of June
Grant guidelines and application available at www.greencommunitiesonline.org
*Please note that Enterprise and its partners have updated the Green Communities Criteria. Before starting the application please make sure to request the new Criteria at: http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/criteria/request.asp
My mobile text address - 07/21/2008
My mobile text address 8507581236@txt.att.net
St. Joe Results to previous blog entry - 07/21/2008
I ran across an article I posted on my previous blog that I wanted to check out how things went now almost a year later here are the results.
Haven Custom Homes Press Release
Feburary 13, 2008
EMBARGOED: FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 13, 2008
For further information contact:
John Ragland
Executive Vice President,
Land Acquisitions and Marketing
Haven Custom Homes
Phone: (410) 694-0094
http://www.havenhome.com/ /
TUCKER BAYOU, SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE, WINS HOME OF THE YEAR AWARD AT BEST IN AMERICAN LIVING AWARDS CEREMONY
ORLANDO, Florida -Tucker Bayou, a 2007 Southern Living Idea House, was awarded the prestigious Home of the Year during the Best In American Living Awards (BALA) ceremony in Orlando. The innovative home was a result of strategic partnerships among Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), Haven Custom Homes and Southern Living magazine. Founding Principal J. Carson Looney, FAIA, of Memphis, Tenn.-based Looney Ricks Kiss Architects accepted the award.
"Tucker Bayou is an example of how strong partnerships can work together to create innovative concepts in new home design and produce a home that is widely acclaimed by the marketplace," Looney said. "A collaboration such as the one we have created with Haven Custom Homes, The St. Joe Company and Southern Living will change the way people look at design and modular construction and will ultimately improve the future of neighborhood developments."
Tucker Bayou was chosen as Home of the Year based on its architectural design by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, site and landscaping by JOE, quality craftsmanship and architectural detail by Haven Custom Homes and interior design by Looney Ricks Kiss Interiors Group.
Located in The St. Joe Company's WaterSound community in South Walton County in Northwest Florida, the home is a 3,544 square-foot, shingle-sided, tin-roofed Southern cottage that combines the comfort of an empty nester vacation home with features that suit the versatile lifestyles - both social and private - of today's families. Haven Custom Homes utilized modular construction for Tucker Bayou, resulting in a home that was substantially complete upon arrival to the site and assembled in a matter of days. Site and landscaping details were then completed by St. Joe and the home's interior design was created by Ann Parker with Looney Ricks Kiss Interiors group, working with the Southern Living design team.
"Every partner contributed their expertise, from the initial design to the interior details, to create Tucker Bayou," said John Ragland, executive vice president, Land Acquisitions and Marketing for Haven Custom Homes. "We were privileged to work with such esteemed partners on this project and look forward to creating more innovative, award-winning homes in the future."
"With this project, we have advanced the art and science of homebuilding in Northwest Florida," said Jerry M. Ray, The St. Joe Company's Senior Vice President for Strategic Alliances. "Ultimately, this award demonstrates that a group of best-in-class strategic partners can effectively deliver an extraordinary product for homeowners. We look forward to this award-winning approach to homebuilding in all of JOE's Florida markets."
The St. Joe Company, one of Florida's largest real estate development companies, and Haven Custom Homes, one of the nation's leaders in the construction of modular homes, formed a strategic alliance in 2007 to bring state-of-the-art building techniques to JOE's communities in Northwest Florida and JOE's RiverTown near Jacksonville, Fla. Haven Custom Homes also has a strategic partnership with Looney Ricks Kiss Architects to create modular homes rich in architectural detail and design.
For more than 30 years, Haven Custom Homes has provided a unique approach to off-site construction. Partnering with local builders, Haven Custom Homes has delivered more than 350 quality homes each year to discerning buyers with homes prices ranging from $300,000 to $2.5 million. Haven Custom Homes was acquired by Wind River Holdings in late 2005, a private holding company out of King of Prussia, PA, and is poised to make significant expansion in the homebuilding business. Haven Custom Homes currently operates environmentally protected home building centers in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, with future expansion into other regions to meet the growing demand of its quality homes. For more information about Haven Custom Homes, visit www.HavenHomes.com or call (410) 694-0098.
Founded in 1983, Looney Ricks Kiss is an architecture, planning and interiors firm with offices in Memphis, Celebration, Rosemary Beach, Jacksonville, Nashville, Dallas, Baton Rouge, La., Boulder, CO and Princeton, N.J. The firm has been commended by developers across the nation for its success in the planning and implementation of mixed-use developments, urban infill projects, downtown revitalization and traditional neighborhood developments. To date, the firm has received more than 450 awards of recognition for design at local, state, regional and national levels. For more information about Looney Ricks Kiss, visit the company website at http://www.lrk.com/.
The St. Joe Company, a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida's largest real estate developing companies. The company is primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. Its mission is to create places that inspire people and make JOE's Florida a better play to live, work and play.
Sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders, the BALA program showcases homes that illustrate design quality, succeed in the marketplace and exemplify the "Best in American Living." To qualify, homes must have been completed or communities opened between May 1, 2005, and July 12, 2006. A total of 106 award winners in 41 categories were chosen from more than 559 entries. The 2006 BALA competition's panel of 12 judges was composed of builders, marketing experts, architects, land planners, developers, design professionals, interior designers and Professional Builder editor.
Photography:
1.) Tucker Bayou - © 2007 Photography courtesy of Southern Living, Inc Magazine
St Joe Innovation - 07/21/2008
ST. JOE Innovations
Natural Springs Private Lake Estate - 07/21/2008
MLS #:
482878
$2,600,000
Active
BAKER, FL
County:
OKALOOSA
1
25 Crestview Area
1988
10 BAKER & MILLIGAN
70.00
17-3N-24-0000-0004-0000
Land/Acreage
From 85 & 90 in Crestview head 90 west to Hwy 4 Take Hwy 4 north for two miles to just before the ball park, left takes you to Hilton this acreage is located at the end of the private drive.
NW1/4 EX PART NE OF ST RD & EX PART SE OF CO RD & SW1/4 LYING NW OF CO RD
Some of the area that I cover - 07/21/2008
Beaches of South Walton South Walton Real Estate North Walton Real Estate 30-A Real Estate Freeport Florida Real Estate Inlet Beach Real Estate Dune Allen Real Estate Miramar Beach Real Estate Santa Rosa Beach Real Estate Seacrest Real Estate Watersound Real Estate Watercolor Real Estate Blue Mountain Beach Real Estate Rosemary Beach Real Estate Grayton Beach Real Estate SanDestin Real Estate Seagrove Real Estate Seaside Real Estate Sandestin Resort Real Estate Destin Condos Resources Destin Condos Destin Beaches Destin Homes For Sale Okaloosa Island Real Estate Fort Walton Beach Real Estate Mary Esther Real Estate Shalimar Real Estate Niceville Valparaiso Real Estate Bluewater Bay Real Estate Navarre Beach Real Estate Navarre Real Estate Holly By The Sea Real Estate Gulf Breeze Real Estate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors - 07/21/2008
Airport Home - 07/21/2008
Airport Home in Northwest Florida
American home remodeling projections - 07/21/2008
Americans will spend nearly $232 billion on home remodeling this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 2007 industry forecast. This represents a 1.9 percent increase from the record $228 billion spent in 2006, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. NAHB announced this forecast this week at a teleconference celebrating National Home Remodeling Month.
"Remodeling continues to show strength despite the housing slowdown," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Mike Nagel, a home remodeler from Chicago. "With more than 120 million homes in the United States plus $11 trillion in owner equity, the demand for remodeling will be there now and in the future." Remodeling currently accounts for more than 40 percent of the home construction industry by dollar volume.
RIS Media reports - 07/21/2008
RISMEDIA- According to the latest Swanepoel Trends Report the industry has never before experienced as many new business models and competition as it has during the last couple of years as well as growing government interest in the industry.
It seems that the Federal Government doesn't feel that the industry is doing enough and that real estate brokers and state regulators and legislators have impeded competition. Hence, in a new report by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ, it has decided to participate in the transformation of the industry by deciding that certain existing laws, rules and regulations need to be repealed.
Although the FTC acknowledges that real estate industry has undergone a number of substantial changes in recent years it also states that competition has been hindered as a result of actions taken by some real estate brokers acting through MLSs and the National Association of Realtors and state legislatures and real estate commissions. The report points to various areas in which the diversity and power of these new models are already reshaping the way real estate is conducted.
According to the report it's all about the consumer, of course, and making sure that their choices are not limited. The Feds especially want regulators to pursue a detailed study of commission rate and fee practices to better measure price competition in the industry. Their feeling is that as commission fees "do not vary in proportion to changing home prices," they are considered to be "relatively inflexible" and therefore have in real terms become too high.
FTC chairwoman Deborah Platt Majoras said, "The FTC is committed to working with the industry and policymakers to ensure that competition is not inhibited and that consumers are well-informed about this important marketplace. Home ownership is the American dream, and real estate brokers have helped to achieve that dream for many. But when anticompetitive practices stand in the way, consumers lose."
Real estate brokers and agents don't want consumers to loose, so that isn't the issue. The real debate is how to "ensure" that the consumer does not loose.
The FTC is recommending that state "legislators and industry regulators" should consider repealing existing laws, rules and regulations like minimum-service and anti-rebate provisions that limit choice and reduce the ability of new brokerage models to compete. To date 12 states have enacted so-called "minimum-service" or "limited-service" laws; Florida, Illinois, Alabama, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Indiana, New Mexico, Virginia and Tennessee.
At this point the minimum-service laws appear to accomplish little more than to add another level of disclosure to the growing stack of paper in a transaction that is already too complex. Many home sellers and buyers already struggle to grasp even the basic aspects of agency and this new addition seems to add no real value to the consumer. In some states, Tennessee for example, agents must spell out services they are not providing to the home buyer or seller - now that makes no sense at all.
There is a broad consensus that the industry has too many licensed real estate agents today for the number of transactions. A former chief economist for NAR, John Tuccillo said in reference to the recent hot market, "There are large numbers of Realtors out there who have not participated in a transaction in months, or even years - and this during the best real estate market in history. The level of competence in the industry has fallen to its lowest point ever," he adds.
So is the solution the implementation of impractical "minimum-service" levels or to follow the latest recommendation to repeal them? Wouldn't a logical argument be that the time has come to rather increase the quality and quantity of the education required to obtain a real estate license in the first place?
The barrier to enter the industry in real estate is very low and when compared to other industries the licensing requirements are far too easy. The average real estate agent only needs to complete some 48 hours of pre-licensing training and pass a simple multiple choice exam to obtain a real estate license. According to research by Anthony Marguleas of A. M. Realty, a California esthetician requires 600 hours, a hair stylist 1,500 hours and a plumber 2,080 hours before they are licensed. The hours required to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer or CPA are obviously off the chart.
So, back to the debate of not wanting the consumer to loose and it is surprising that the FTC Report in its Conclusion and Recommendations does not say one word about ensuring that the participants in the industry are better qualified.
Isn't the logical step to improve the quality and level of service given to the consumer by first improving the quality and level of education and training of the brokers and agents tasked to serve the consumer? Surely this can't be anti-competitive.
The current real estate pre-license education most individuals receive is primarily focused on gaining a better understanding of many of the terms and principles found in the industry so they can pass the exam. The course does little, if anything, to prepare them to become a successful real estate professional.
Therefore, today's average new real estate agent has not been equipped with the necessary skills to properly serve today's consumer. Jim Sherry puts it very bluntly when he states that "Consumers have no guarantee that anyone calling themselves a Realtor actually knows what they are doing."
If the FTC wishes to make recommendations, perhaps it should be recommending higher and better quality pre-licensing as well as ongoing education. This would help ensure that those people licensed to work with the most valuable asset the average family has will be competent in doing so - be he or she a "traditional," "new paradigm" or "online" agent.
Either way, both the FTC/DOJ 2007 Report and the Swanepoel Trends Report 2007 point to the significant change continuing to take place in the real estate industry. For some agents that have been in the industry a long time the "gravy train" has come to an end.
The real estate broker and agent of tomorrow will have to accept the fact that more of them will be fighting for fewer transactions - transactions that are likely to be carrying lower commissions. At the same time technology and new business models will continue to erode away certain functions or duties traditionally exclusively undertaken by real estate agents - again pointing to a decline in earnings per agent.
Real estate has always been a fiercely competitive industry and it is only going to become more so.
