Mixed Messages Got You Down?

You’ve read the articles in the local and national newspapers and the multitudes of national, “respectable” money/investment type magazines proclaiming that the Emerald Coast (especially Panama City Beach) has the greatest opportunities for real estate “appreciation” in the country. Rumor has it that things are selling and the market is coming back. Why, then, are sellers bringing checks to closing? If you read my article last month “2007 a Basis for Optimism”, there were a number of things that needed to happen - the least of which was the need for everyone, buyers and sellers alike, to get real with their expectations.The facts: 1st quarter of 2007 is already over and the facts have spoken for themselves.· Gross sales comparisons of the 1st quarter 2006 vs. 1st quarter 2007, 2007 sales are down 11.19%.· Foreclosures are up and expected to increase in numbers.· Auctions are still kicking around even with their lack luster results.· Taxes and insurance remain at the top of the buyers’ concerns.· Too much inventory (and still more coming), buyers writing low ball offers and sellers not proactively negotiating.· Properties that sold during the 1st quarter of this year did so at 94.02% of asking prices. How, then, will 2007 meet the expectations we had all anticipated? What is going to be the fix? Why did those properties that sold do so at 94.02% of the asking price?· Those properties that sold had reduced their prices to a point where the buyers saw the value.· Buyers wrote reasonable offers because asking prices had been reduced to reasonable levels. The majority of serious buyers do not like to write low ball offers. There are serious and qualified buyers with pent up buyer frustration shopping in this real estate market looking to buy right now. Why they aren’t buying is not because of interest rates or the lack of consumer confidence - it’s because they cannot find value in the properties that they are viewing. Here’s the test we use with our sellers when pricing our listings. If you Mr. or Mrs. Seller are in the market today as Mr. or Mrs. Buyer, knowing your property better then any potential buyer would know your property; what would you be willing to pay for your property? Wow…that really adjusts the asking price and it does make a difference when it hits the market. Properties are perceived as a value or unrealistic based on their asking prices. With all of these serious and qualified buyers on the market there is no justification for properties to languish on the market for more than 60 days. The buyers are out there and interest rates are still at 40 year lows. If they are priced at today’s values, they will sell and they will sell at 94.02% of your asking price. I said it six months ago and we are seeing it today, the pricing of 2003 is at hand. Just about every property sold in the 1st quarter had 2003 values written all over it. The segment of the market most representative of 2003 prices are those priced between $700,000 and $1,500,000. This is the segment of the market that is truly flooded with inventory and is the range that needs the greatest amount of adjustment. The fix is simple, we have returned to the traditional method of real estate investing; buy, hold (3-7 years), then sell. Everyone needs to be more realistic with expectations, because there are no emotional buyers and the properties that are selling are doing so at 94.02% of asking price.

Coral Reef Condos will be rebuilt or sold

Well, the City Council got this one right. Coral Reef needs to be rebuilt...one way or another. Preferably, it will be a tear down and new construction as opposed to a refurbishment. My thoughts on the remaining damage from our recent hurricanes is that we need to finish the rebuilding process sooner as opposed to later. For example, the perception as viewed by the visiting tourists when they encounter the public beach access at Pompano Joes, cannot be one of progress when they see the remains of the damaged parking lot and no boardwalk system for beach access. Once again the repair and rebuilding is caught up in the bureaucratic process of our local and state governments. Time is of the essence as we approach another tourist season where visitors will report back to their friends and relatives as to the status of our beaches and infrastructure. The same applies to the Coral Reef Condo complex which currently stands along the western end of Scenic 98 wrapped in yellow "do not cross" tape. Not quite the first impression we'd like for our visitors to have when they make the turn from Matthew onto Scenic 98. We are approaching 2 years removed from hurricane Dennis and some damage remains almost untouched caught up in the political red tape. The councils action is at least a step in the right direction. And the end result for Coral Reef owners will be a just reward for their patience. Here's the story...

DESTIN - Is allowing Coral Reef Condominiums to rebuild its storm-smashed building on Scenic Highway 98 an act of charity or a giveaway to developers' The Destin City Council debated that question for more than two hours Tuesday before approving an agreement that will allow the owners to rebuild or sell the property. Coral Reef's board still has to approve the agreement. Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis have left the 50-unit building uninhabitable. The condominium association hasn't been able to rebuild because it is in a lawsuit over whether its parking area extends into the city's right of way. The agreement settles the lawsuit and allows Coral Reef to rebuild with larger condos, in return for positioning the new building to allow a view of the Gulf of Mexico from Matthew Boulevard.

Councilman Jim Bagby objected that the agreement waived some of the city's rules for a project of that size, such as how far it must be set back from the edge of the property. If a developer bought the property from the association, waiving the rules would give the developer "the keys to the kingdom." Councilman Cyron Marler said that if 50 Beach Drive homes had been destroyed, the council wouldn't hesitate to help them rebuild, so they shouldn't hesitate with Coral Reef 's owners. Councilman Dewey Destin proposed amending the agreement so the condos couldn't be more than 30 percent larger than before.

Coral Reef 's Marcia Hubert said the new units had to be larger to be valuable enough to justify the cost of rebuilding. The council voted 4-2 for Dewey Destin's amendment, with Marler and Sam Seevers voting no. The council then voted unanimously for the settlement agreement. Councilor Kelly Windes abstained from both votes.

Alabamians sue Florida over homestead exemption

Does this suit have legs? Can it gather any momentum? I certainly hope so. But realistically, I'm very doubtful. At least it brings the issue to the forefront and may lead to future legislation that attempts to level the playing field. Note the statement from City Manager Greg Kisela noting 75% of ad valorem taxes are generated from non-homesteaded properties...yes that's 75 PERCENT!! I know I've paid my share. Something should be done to address the issue for non-resident owners bearing the brunt of the tax windfall that resulted, particularly over the last handful of years. Here's the story...

Four Alabama residents are suing Destin, Walton County and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, charging that Florida's homestead property-tax exemption discriminates against out-of-staters. The four plaintiffs in the suit say the homestead exemption -that property assessments can't rise more than 3 percent a year for owners living in their own homes - unfairly discriminates against them. Their solution:

Calculate their past four years of property taxes as if they too had the homestead exemption, then refund any excess they've paid.

Set their future tax bills based on the same principle.

The lawsuit specifically cites Destin, Walton and Okaloosa counties and their school boards along with Crist, but the written filing says it's meant to apply to all other property-tax authorities. It's also intended as a class-action lawsuit, so other owners could sign on. "It could very well have a six or seven-figure impact" if the plaintiffs won, City Manager Greg Kisela said in an interview. "It's really hard to tell when you're generating 75 percent of your ad valorem taxes from non-homestead properties."

Okaloosa County Property Appraiser Pete Smith said that he's been told at least one similar case has been filed in state courts before without success. "I don't think it'll go anywhere," Smith said. Although the suit could affect the entire state, Smith said, Florida's attorney general has chosen not to fight it in court, leaving it up to local governments. Destin's City Council voted last week to hire an attorney. The attorney general, Smith said, "is just going to try to get the governor out of it and just let us defend it."

HOW WELL DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR HOME?

How well do you know your home? Have you ever really thought about it? I'm talking about the details behind the walls, tucked away in the crawl spaces and beneath the floors. I'm going to follow with a few pointers that may help you somewhere down the road. Information you should gather before the closing documents are signed and everyone goes merrily along their way. Read on...

Ahhh yes...the excitement and thrill of buying a new beach home. Whether constructing a new home or buying a resale, it's easy to get caught up in the moment. To become oblivious to some important information that you, as the new owner, will want to have and to hold in safekeeping, for future reference down the road. I'm talking about the "boring, ho-hum" stuff that goes on behind the walls, floors, ceilings...stuff that we, as laymen, know very little about. Let's start from the ground up...

The Slab and what lies beneath

The home starts with the slab and the soil type beneath. Find out from your builder or a home inspector, what type of slab you home resides on. Is it slab on grade, post tension, raised platform, pilings, etc. Oh yes, and don't forget to inquire about soil treament for termites. When was it done and by whom. Get the document that validates the termite treatment in your hands and file it.

Walls, Ceilings & Floors

Ask your builder or inspector to determine what's behind the sheetrock. 2x4's, 2x6's, 2x10's, sheer walls, plyboard on both exterior and interior walls, tie rods that begin in the slab and extend to the roof serving as an anchoring system that secures the entire home to the foundation. This all occurs behind the walls. Take notes and add them to your file.

The Roof

Get to know your roof. Hopefully it will serve you well as it is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the house from the elements. Determine the roof type...Hip, Gable, Salt Box, Flat, etc. Some roof types are better suited for the weather encountered in our coastal environment. And some roof types could save you money with your insurance company. Find out what the roofing material is....metal, asphalt shingles, tile. Is the roofing material attached to the roof deck using screws, nails or rivets? What is the builders warranty on the roof? Get this information in writing and add it to your files.

Fixtures & Appliances

Most homes will come with a fully equipped kitchen. Be sure to secure the manuals for each appliance and locate the warranties from the builder. If the oven is a slide in version, is the tilt mechanism installed? Consider a homeowner warranty policy which will cover a multitude of problems that may arise in your home. This coverage is generally very inexpensive and will give you peace of mind when a component of your home fails.

Heating, A/C & Insulation

When the summer Gulf Power bill comes rolling in, you'll don't want total "sticker shock". Know what the builder has provided in the way of SEER for your HVAC and what insulation R-value exists behind your walls and in your attic. Check all crawl spaces to ensure insulation has been properly installed. You'd be surprised at the areas missed by builders. Be sure a leak check has been performed to be certain no duct leaks exist. Again, get it in writing and add this information to your files.

Electric

Check your main breaker panel to be sure your electric grid is diagrammed and all labels are clearly legible. How much fun it is, playing the guessing game at your breaker panel, when the labels are written as clearly as a prescription pad. And be sure to have the GFI and AFI circuits tested to make sure they are properly wired.

Windows & Doors

Your windows should have certain ratings to meet the code requirements in our coastal area. Check window frame installation and windows for functionality. If your windows have a "pop out" cleaning feature, check the spring mechanisms to make sure they reset properly. For casement windows that are framed and imovable, check for any water seepage along the inside of the window frame. This could indicate a need for caulking or replacement of the window altogether. Doors should meet the local code requirements also. Check locking mechanisms and in the case of a French door system, check the locking pins that secure into the door frame above and below. These locking pins are vital to securing you home in a tropical event.

And Finally...

A new beach home is an exciting venture. And it's easy to get caught up in the moment and overlook some of these important aspects of home ownership. Be sure to secure as much documentation about the home as you possibly can. In the long run, you'll be glad you put forth the effort now as opposed to later.

Mark Evans, Eimers Group Real Estate & Land

WHERE IS NORRIEGO POINT GOING?

Good question. Where is the Point going? At this rate, by the time the political red tape is unraveled, where the Point is going won't matter. It will be gone. Wake up folks. Can you say bulkhead, rock jetty, seawall...anything proactive to address the issue while there is still an issue to address. The same applies to those on Holiday Isle and Destin Pointe and the problems they face with their disappearing beaches. Oh yes, and then there's the East Pass channel issue where dredging is again a necessity. Here's a suggestion...cut through all of the political gauntlet, get the Local, State and Federal parties involved together and hammer out a viable solution that encompasses the entire set of problems. And get it done in rapid fashion. The time for action is now. The agencies can bicker amongst one another at a later date. I only hope this same time next year we won't be reading about the demise of the western reaches of the Destin Harbor. Here's part of the story...

A smaller Norriego Point could become a big problem for Destin's harbor and some of its inhabitants. Erosion occurring at the tip of the point could also mean trouble for a planned marina and additional boat slips to be built along the western end of the harbor. Bruce Craul, chief operating officer of Legendary Inc., which has plans to build a marina near the company's Emerald Grande high-rise condominium project, said wave action from the East Pass and Gulf of Mexico could batter boats docked on the western end of the harbor if they're not afforded some protection by Norriego Point. "This is significant," he said in an interview. "This is as bad as any beach erosion we have. The property that's being threatened here has an effect on the livelihood of the entire area."Despite Legendary's plans to build a new marina at the Emerald Grande, Craul said what's happening to Norriego Point transcends corporate interests. "This is a community story, it's not a Legendary story," he said. He has three aerial photos, made last year in March, November and December, that he said show the point has receded an estimated 125 yards.

Jim Breitenfeld, executive director of the Destin Harbor Association, said its members, many of whom are harborfront business owners and/or work along the harbor, see it as a problem with potentially disastrous consequences. Breitenfeld said the harbor association plans to present the issue to the Destin's City Council within weeks to brief them on the problem with Norriego Point along with other harbor related issues, such as the proposed dredging of a new navigational channel in the harbor and the dredging of the East Pass. "We need to be more proactive rather than reactive, which is kind of how issues with the harbor have been handled in the past," Breitenfeld said.

The problem with Norriego Point isn't one of awareness but rather of ownership as confusion over who owns the spit of sand, he said. "The challenge is jurisdictional," Breitenfeld said. "It seems like with everything down on the harbor, no matter who you talk to, they'll tell you it's somebody else's problem." Norriego Point appears to be no exception. Jim Trifilio, director of beach management for the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, said he wasn't aware of any formal declaration of ownership on behalf of any government agency at any level. "My understanding is that there has never been a definitive answer as to the ownership issue," he said. "Some have said state, federal, local and private." Terry Jangula, site manager for the Panama City office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said he didn't know who owned the land or who was responsible for maintaining Norriego Point. Destin City Manager Greg Kisela said the state claimed ownership of the point with an arrangement with the county to "manage" the property. Okaloosa County Administrator James Curry said that after a little research, he found that in the early 1960s the county turned over ownership of Norriego Point to the state and that armoring the point would require state approval and permitting.

Charles DuPlantis, the owner of Boogie's Watersports, a business now located at the docks at Emerald Grande, said unimpeded wave action has wreaked havoc on his rental boats. "On certain days, we have waves washing over the docks. It beats everything up," he said. Advocates of protecting the point have suggested armoring it with a seawall or rock jetties to prevent further erosion. Trifilio said that without a study to determine the geological consequences of building such a structure, one isn't likely to be constructed by the state. "Armoring is not FDEP's (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) favorite method to control erosion, and lacking a study of some sort, it's not clear what would work in this location," he said. "Studies have shown that, while you can armor anything, the armoring often can cause additional problems." Over the years, Norriego Point has grown and receded. During Hurricane Opal in 1995, waves washed over the point, creating an island of sand between the harbor and the East Pass.

Special Edition: Legislators roll back Citizens premiums, insure vacation properties - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jan. 23, 2007

Charged with the daunting task of reducing homeowners’ insurance premiums for millions of Florida property owners, the Florida Legis­lature last night passed a 167-page bill that could lower premiums between 5% and 40% and provide other insurance relief to millions of property owners. Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign the legislation today.
“Florida’s 160,000 Realtors® congratulate the governor for his commitment to reducing prop­erty insurance costs, and to the Legislature for acting in a truly non-partisan manner to provide relief to those who call Florida home,” says Nancy Riley, 2007 president of the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). “This is a good first step in re-energizing the housing sector of our economy so buyers can take advantage of very attractive interest rates. But there’s more work to be done in order to create a vibrant and competitive insurance market.”
Here’s how legislators intend to make that happen:
Lower rates
• Allow property owners to exclude windstorm coverage from their policies;
• Allow policyholders to exclude contents coverage;
• Remove the requirement that Citizens Prop­erty Insurance Corp. charge the highest premi­ums in the state;
• Repeal Citizens’ Jan. 1, 2007 rate increase and freeze rates at the Dec. 31, 2006 level.
• Eliminate the cap on deductibles so a hom­eowner can choose a deductible other than the standard 2%, 5% or 10% in current law. However, the policyholder must execute a written statement demonstrating understanding and intent, and must obtain approval by a lender if the deductible is more than 10% on a home valued under $500,000.
• Allow non-homestead properties to be eli­gible for Citizens coverage effective March 1, 2007;
• Authorize Citizens to write multi-peril poli­cies in the windstorm pool, which will result in a direct decrease in premiums for at least 110,000 policyholders.
Protect policyholders
• Require all Florida-only insurance company subsidiaries to have a surplus of at least $50 million in liquid assets to help ensure that poli­cyholders receive payment when they need it;
• Require insurance companies to evaluate the hurricane-security of a structure rather than the date of construction when determining risk and establishing premiums. Age of the home may not be used as the sole reason for rejec­tion of coverage;
• Require insurance companies to give at least 100 days written notice, or written notice by June 1, whichever is earlier, for any non-renewal, cancellation or termination of a homeowners policy that would be effective between June 1 and Nov. 30;
• Require insurance companies to expedite payment of claims following a storm. Insurers must pay or deny a property insurance claim within 90 days of notice of the claim with an exception for factors beyond the control of the insurer.
• Prohibit excess profits by property insurers.
Expand the market
• Require any insurance company that writes homeowners policies in other states and writes auto insurance in Florida to sell homeowners insurance in Florida effective Jan. 1, 2008;
• Allow Citizens to write statewide commercial insurance policies and to determine policy lim­its and premiums;
• Allow Citizens to sell traditional homeowners policies to 350,000 customers who currently buy only windstorm coverage from Citizens;
• Enable insurance companies to purchase additional backup insurance from the state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund at rates lower than on the private reinsurance market;
• Repeal a law that had called for insurers to pay extra into the fund to build up its reserves;
• Allow state regulators to waive a deposit requirement for foreign-based reinsurance companies to lure more worldwide reinsurers to sell coverage to Florida companies.
“Today, property owners in Florida are very happy,” says John Sebree, FAR’s vice presi­dent of Public Policy. “The goal of the one-week special session was to lower property insurance rates. It’s what the citizens were seeking and what the governor promised.
“But this is just the beginning of meaningful reforms,” he adds. “Available and affordable property insurance remains a key issue for Florida Realtors, and FAR will press legislators for additional reforms during the 2007 legisla­tive session that begins March 6.”
To read the legislation in its entirety, visit http://snipurl.com/185co

Crist proposes emergency rule so that insurance rates don't rise

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Jan. 30, 2007 – Gov. Charlie Crist proposed an emergency rule Monday to guarantee insurers do not raise property insurance rates or cancel policies before a law he signed last week to lower rates goes into effect on June 1.
Crist will ask the Cabinet to approve the measure during its meeting Tuesday. It’s designed as a stopgap measure to prevent any filings for rate increases or cancellations within the next 60 to 90 days, which is when companies are expected to make their rate filings in accordance with the new law.
“The governor wanted to prevent companies from circumventing the intent of the law,” Crist’s spokeswoman Vivian Myrtetus said.
Under the bill passed by the Legislature during a special session, private insurance companies have access to more and cheaper reinsurance from the state. Private companies have less risk with the state providing more backup coverage in the case of a catastrophic hurricane.
The legislation forces companies to pass on to customers the savings they get because of the lower risk. There will be a 25 percent statewide average savings for customers in the private market outside of State Farm, the state’s second largest insurer, lawmakers said.
Customers of State Farm will get a statewide average decrease of 7 percent, lawmakers said.
Sam Miller, spokesman for the Florida Insurance Council, said insurance companies did not know Crist would sign the emergency rule.
“We didn’t know about it,” Miller said. “I can’t say we’re totally surprised. We’ll just have to look at it. Obviously it’s a pretty serious step the state’s taking.”
Miller also questioned the need for the rule because the Office of Insurance Regulation has the authority to turn down requests for rate increases.
Justin Glover, a State Farm spokesman, said the measure wouldn’t affect the company because it already received approval for an average statewide rate increase of 50 percent last fall.
Lawmakers went into special session after they were bombarded with complaints from residents who have seen their homeowners insurance costs soar since the destructive hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, which brought eight hurricanes to the state and cost $36 billion in damage.
Now, lawmakers have decided to lower rates, but with a cost. Should a catastrophic storm or season of storms hit the state, policyholders will be hit with assessments on their policies to help the state pay for the damage.

CITIZENS TELL LEGISLATORS: LOWER OUR PROPERTY TAXES

And next on the agenda for the Florida legislators would appear to be curbing the escalation of our property taxes. Over the last few years, property taxes have soared to stratospheric heights, creating another hurdle for Florida homeowners. And the voices being heard in the following article include homesteaded residents who benefit from $25,000 annual homestead deduction and are limited by the "Save Our Homes Act" that caps annual property tax increases to a maximum of 3%. This article also makes mention of the tax burden being weighed upon the "rental" owners who enjoy neither of the previously mentioned tax benefits and are subject to the ad valorem taxes doled out by the local county tax assessors. And these increases have been significant over the past 3 years. I only hope the powers that be in Tallahassee recognize the impact that non-homesteaded Florida homeowners have upon the overall economic picture of the State and will address this issue for the benefit of ALL property owners. Here's the latest...

PANAMA CITY - Taxpayers lined up Thursday night to unload their horror stories for about a dozen state legislators - and did they ever. But amid all the anger and dismay emerged a chorus of ideas for dealing with the problem pervading the state: skyrocketing property tax rates.

Sen. Don Gaetz, a Republican from Niceville, hosted a three-hour forum at Gulf Coast Community College as the first leg of a statewide "tax tour" featuring a panel of legislative leaders on both sides of the political aisles and from both branches of government. Local property taxes overall for the state have increased by 83 percent since 2001. The meetings are intended to collect suggestions from citizens and property owners about how to fix the problem in the 2007 legislative session or possibly via a special election. In Panama City, Gaetz and company got their wish, with an overflowing crowd.

South Walton resident Emmett Hildreth said he would like to see a cap on property taxation tied to population growth and inflation. "One great American said, 'The power to tax is the power to destroy,'" Hildreth said, referring to a phrase written in 1819 by former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. "I think what we?re seeing in Florida today is destruction," Hildreth said. "We're in a crisis, and this problem needs fixing. It's up to the Legislature to lead the way."

Doubling the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 would not help, Bay County resident Mike Cazunas said. Currently, Floridians are permitted to take off $25,000 from the taxable value of their primary residence, and the taxable value of the homestead may rise by only 3 percent each year. But rental units and businesses still are subject to oftenegregious increases, Cazunas said, creating inequity in the tax laws. "Whether it's a cap on spending or a cap on all properties, it is the same thing; you need to get the equity back in there," he said. Among other ideas, speakers encouraged state and local government officials to curb unnecessary spending, add exemptions for military veterans, adjust Panama City Beach's bed tax and the gasoline tax, and adjust the state's formula for education spending.

Elected officials weighed in on the problem. In Bay County, County Commission Chairman Mike Nelson said, the millage rate has not been raised since 1990 and this year was cut by 2.75 mills, reducing revenue projections by some $28 million for last year. Changes in property valuations since then showed another $5.3 million drop in projected revenues. "In many instances, property values increased so much that if the county took our millage to zero, property taxes still would have risen by sometimes 100 to 200 percent," Nelson said. County Commissioner George Gainer said the St. Joe Co., the county's largest landowner, should be paying more in property taxes, and he added the state needs to get a grip on the number of community redevelopment agencies, or CRAs, that are being created. A CRA is an area in which property tax increases over time are funneled back into that area for aesthetic or infrastructure improvements there. Gainer said Bay County recently cut a check to the Panama City Beach CRA for $12 million. "It makes it hard to cap spending if you keep allowing all these CRAs to pop up all over the place," Gainer said .

A view of Destin from the Maui Perspective

I recently returned from a trip to Kapalua, Maui and as always, the island provided spectacular ocean views and sunsets daily, with a scattering of rainbows over the shrouded mountaintops. During my stay, I indulged in a number of local real estate publications and drove through numerous south and west Maui areas to satisfy my curiosity and compare our Destin and 30A markets with those of Maui. What I found is this - Destin is still very much a bargain. What the Destin market offers in the way of infrastructure is far greater than that of south and west Maui. From dining to shopping, beaches to clear blue waters and the casual lifestyle appeal, Destin offers
every bit as much and more than this tropical beauty of an island. The south shore drive from Lahaina to Kahalui provides for some spectacular views of the Pacific as well as the surrounding island of Lanai. But as I drove and absorbed the vistas, I reflected on my many casual drives down Scenic Gulf Drive or 30A. The beauty of the natural dune lakes that provide unparalleled views over the pure white sand dunes and outflows to the Gulf. The buzz that occurs with every venture to Seaside or Rosemary Beach. And nothing surpasses the unique styles and designs of our up and coming local area architecture. In the case of the Maui to Destin price comparisons, Destin definitely holds the upper hand. I'll take a meal at Zampieri's Harbor Grille over Roys at Kahana any time. And the home prices in Maui would give Destin
homeowners a sense of excellent value. I won't go into a full blown price anaylsis, but I will say, I feel great about my ownership in Destin and I recognize, even moreso, the value that currently exists in our market. Maui was indeed a wonderful trip. And I came home feeling even better than when I left. Here's looking forward to a great 2007...Mark Evans, Eimers Group Real Estate & Land

"2007" a Basis for Optimism

A REALTOR, a Rabi and a Boat Captain walk into a bar; from a table in the back of the room a question rings out, “so tell us what's the future of this real estate market?” The Rabi and the Boat Captain turn and dash out of the bar leaving the REALTOR to answer. Sounds like the beginning of a good joke, but more times than I can count…that REALTOR has been me. This is a great question, one that we all are asking ourselves.

We are now 30 days into 2007 - in these 30 days my agents have shown more property to more serious
buyers than we had in the six months prior. We've written offers, had most accepted and are preparing several to close quickly. Some might say…”So why is this news?” It's news because it has been a long time since the Eimers Group, as well as most other real estate agencies, have had this much activity. The good news is that it is proving to be more than just a tease. As I am speaking with other agents and brokers throughout this area, I hear the sentiment echoed…whew!
2006 was a very unique selling or as the case was “non-selling” year. The future of 2007 holds some real promise and how the next two quarters play out may or may not be within our control.
“non-selling” year. The future of 2007 holds some real promise and how the next two quarters play out may or may not be within our control.

Within our control are the following:
1. Sellers need to be sure they are keeping their prices consistent with this market.
2. Buyer's expectations to buy at below fair market values need to re-evaluate those expectations.
3. REALTORS should clearly depict the strengths and weaknesses of this market to:
a. Buyers entering or re-entering this new robust market.
b. Sellers preparing to price or re-price their homes for this market.
4. Increased communication between all of us; agents, buyers and sellers, in an effort to insure a win-win real estate sale for all.
5. Facing Facts: This is a buyers market. There is too much inventory, and the rules of supply and demand do apply here.
a. Sellers need to price properties accordingly.
b. Buyers need to understand there is a difference between reasonable and unreasonable expectations.
c. The excesses of 2004-2005 are gone for everyone. That anomaly came and went. Some people did experience some amazing successes, but that time
is over. If your property did not sell during that time, it was overpriced then. If it was overpriced then, consider your position in today's market. It is time to adjust to this market.
d. If you bought in 2004-2005, in all likelihood you paid more than you can sell it for today.
6. Property Taxes: We must become more vocal with our elected officials, and we must stop accepting the status quo.
7. Insurance Rates: There is definitely activity in Tallahassee addressing this issue. We must not sit back and wait for something positive to happen. We need to continue to show our discontent with this issue. These are the addresses to the Florida House of Representatives http://www.flhouse.gov/ and the Florida Senate http://www.flsenate.gov/ . Please visit these sites and let your voices be heard. We can make the difference.

Outside our control:
1. When the FED will again drop interest rates.
2. Inflation, unemployment, the price of oil, the strength and health of our nation's economy.
3. Acts of Mother Nature
As you see, there is more that we can do than things we cannot do. I am only one of many REALTORS in this market; I am passionate about where I live, where I have raised all of my children and where I hope, that as they grow into adults will have a future here.
I think that this real estate market may be more a matter of a self-fulfilling prophesy than anything else.
The real facts are that this really is a beautiful place, truly paradise, somewhere everyone wants to be. So let's stop shooting ourselves in the foot and again get excited about all of the wonderful reasons to be here.

THE ROAD TO PROPERTY TAX REFORM

Florida's property tax system is broken. We must have legislative change in order to correct this unfair and unaffordable problem. I and many others support new property tax reform legislation that is in dire need of implementation this year.

I submit to you a list of ideas I and many other Floridians support, most of which were presented to Governor Bush's Tax Reform Committee in Orlando.

1. Portability of homesteads

2. An additional 25,000 homestead exemption

3. Cap all properties similar to homesteaded properties

4. Use a 5 year moving average on non homesteaded properties

5. Limit the growth of the budgets of all taxing authorities by linking them to the CPI plus the percentage of population growth

6. Shorten the length of time a Community Redevelopment Agency may be in existence

7. Change the "highest and best use" to "value in use"

8. Reassess property only at time of sale

9. The average differential in those homes that have been homesteaded for years and those for a short time is approximately 40% statewide.

A. Assess all homesteaded properties at a 60% level

B. Those with levels below the 60% level will retain that level until sold

10. Establish a Marine Merchant Classification to protect concerns like marinas and boatyards from escalating property values brought about by development of condominiums and other waterfront communities.

Rick Barnett
Bay County Property Appraiser

Make the most of your time on the Emerald Coast

The Eimers Group and At Your Service Destin have joined forces to offer a truly unique and different approach to property management. Both the Eimers Group and At Your Service Destin have a reputation of providing unparallel customer service and exceeding their customer expectations. We are constantly looking for new ways to provide additional services to our clients and to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the industry. The end result for our customer is whether they buy, sell, own, or rent their property we can now cater to all their individual needs and be their single point of contact for the entire time they own that property.
At Your Service Destin manages luxury properties for absentee second home owners and for individuals that are selective as to whom they rent their property. At Your Service Destin provides professional specialty services that allow vacationers and part-time residents to truly make the most of their time spent on our Emerald Coast. Imagine arriving at your home with your groceries and beverages of choice waiting for you, and the biggest decision you have to make is to either go to the beach or the pool. At Your Service Destin is an all-encompassing company for everything you need to truly be able to unwind, relax, and enjoy your vacation. Rest assured in knowing that every detail has been taken care of for you by an experienced professional who is licensed, bonded and insured.
A few things that distinguish our service from others is that we don't rate properties….Every property is in top quality and provides the most sought after locations and latest amenities. In addition, all guests are carefully screened and a representative from At Your Service Destin personally meets each guest at the house to ensure all expectations are met. Establishing a portfolio of Luxury properties allows us to charge a management fee that is well below current market rate and be selective as to which properties we take under management. Currently we manage properties located in Crystal Beach, Regatta Bay, Emerald Shores, Destiny East, and Destiny By The Sea.

Architectural Style - Split Level

A Modern style that architects created to sequester certain living activities--such as sleeping or socializing--split levels offered a multilevel alternative to the ubiquitous style in the 1950s. The nether parts of a typical design were devoted to a garage and TV room; the midlevel, which usually jutted out from the two-story section, offered "quieter" quarters, such as the living and dining rooms; and the area above the garage was designed for bedrooms.

Basic Steps for Staging Your Home

When considering putting your home on the market for sale, the term “STAGING” seems to be the latest buzz word. Staging is nothing more than preparing your home for sale and has shown to bring top dollar at the closing table. It sets the flow and mood of your home, giving potential buyers a better idea of how it can work for them. As a former Estate Management Consultant myself, I know there are many professionals out there who specialize in Home Staging. But with a little elbow grease and time, you can prepare your home by following these simple steps:

1. Clean Your Home From Top to Bottom- Look at your home through a buyer's eyes and try to remember your first impression of your property before you bought it. You only get one chance for that first impression, so let buyers know that you are proud of your home.*Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms

2. Remove Excess Furniture - It makes the rooms look larger and easier to walk around.

3. Remove Clutter - Put the magazines, newspapers and toys away. Keep countertops and vanities clear and put small appliances and other items away. It's also best to depersonalize your home and remove family photos. It gives the buyer a sense of how they can make it their own. While you're at it, it's a good idea to put away valuables and breakables.

4. Let There Be Light - Open the curtains and blinds…it's so much more welcoming to walk into a well lit home.

5. Remodeling - If you plan to do any remodeling, keep colors simple and neutral. Many home improvement stores rent tools and offer advice for some of your projects. Remember, you're catering to a variety of people and they may not share your same tastes.

6. The Front Entrance and Exterior - Again, de-clutter the porch and keep any furnishings simple. Clean up the lawn and flower beds. Tidy up around the pool for any tripping hazards and make sure it looks clean and inviting. flower beds. Tidy up around the pool for any tripping hazards and make sure it looks clean and inviting. How's the paint on the front door? A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. Remember, first impressions…

7. What's That Smell? - If you have pets, love to cook with a lot of spices or smoke open some windows and air out your home. Offensive smells are a huge turn off when walking into a house. If you smoke, try to go outside for that fix while your home is on the market. Febreze is a wonderful product that really does help eliminate odors. Keep cat litter boxes cleaned daily and keep after any other pets. Keep in mind that some people don't like pets or might be allergic.

8. Speaking of Pets - If you can, make arrangements to have your pet visit a friend or family member's home while it's being shown. Or, try gating off an area.…try not to let them run freely in the house. You wouldn't want them to get out or hurt anyone.

9. Don't Forget The Garage - Clean it up so a buyer can see how much room it has. Don't let it be a dumping ground. If you're storing items from the house…Keep It Organized!

10. The Daily Sprucing Up - Make the beds and quickly tidy up every morning before you head out the door for any last minute showings

CRIST PUTS FOOT DOWN ON INSURERS

The ink is barely dry on the transfer of power paperwork in Tallahassee and the insurance shake-up has begun. Gov.Crist has taken the issue to task and come out swinging the proverbial axe towards the insurance companies that have raked homeowners, throughout the state, over the coals. It's good to see a hardline, proactive stance favoring the general public and it would seem the issue is in good hands from the consumer prespective. Kudos to the new administration for heading straight to the heart of a very contentious matter. Here's the latest on the insurance fiasco of Florida...

TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Floridians' property insurance rates must go down - even if it means the state will have a greatly expanded role in providing the coverage, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday as he endorsed several ideas lawmakers are already working on to fix the state's insurance woes. Crist didn't propose specific legislation, but laid out broad goals for what he wants lawmakers to do when they meet in a special session next week. "Any bill that reaches my desk must require a meaningful and broad-based rate reduction for homeowners," Crist said. "And I believe it will, from what I've seen."

Crist was speaking of a wideranging array of lawmaker proposals. They include extending more backup coverage to private insurers; required rate rollbacks for the state's largest insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.; and prohibiting companies from selling some types of insurance but refusing to sell wind coverage. All the ideas Crist endorsed are already being considered by either the House, the Senate or both.

Crist also made it clear that he isn't trying too hard to find a way for insurance companies to come out of the session happy. "We must prohibit excess profits by these companies," said Crist, a Republican taking on his first major challenge as governor. 'We must require them to return those excessive profits to the policy holders." He campaigned on bringing down premiums that have doubled or tripled after eight hurricanes affected Florida in 2004 and 2005. Rate decreases didn't accompany a quiet 2006 storm season, sparking widespread complaints from homeowners and businesses who are struggling to pay for coverage or find it.

Crist also said he wants to dramatically expand the role the state plays in insurance. For one, Crist envisions making the state the ultimate underwriter of all risk above a certain catastrophic amount, an idea initially proposed by Senate Democrats. Under that proposal, which is being included in a bill the Senate is working on, state government would guarantee that it would pay claims in the event of a major storm, like a Hurricane Andrew or Katrina, that causes tens of billions of dollars in damage. That should make companies more willing to sell policies here because they will know they won't be on the hook should there be a massive storm. "The more we define the exposure, the more companies come back," said Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Park. And companies wouldn't have to factor the prospect of a huge storm into premiums, backers of the idea say.

Crist also believes the state should take over more of a role from private insurers by expanding the role of Citizens, a company the state created to sell wind policies to people who can't find private coverage. It has grown to be the largest insurer in the state with more than 1.3 million policies. Crist said the company should be able to cover things besides wind damage, thus building a broader premium base. He also backs plans to automatically roll back one recent Citizens rate increase and delay another, keeping the company's rates at last year's levels.
Typically, Republicans have been loathe to endorse a broader role for government in providing services, generally saying that private companies almost always do a better job at everything. But asked about whether Republicans were abandoning their principles, Webster said another conservative principle - that private homeownership is a good thing - is at risk if something isn't done to lower rates. Insurance companies say they lost more than $35 billion in Florida in the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 - and that they've generally only pulled in less than $5 billion a year in premiums, meaning those two seasons wiped out years of profits.

Northwest Florida Daily News

NAR ADVISES CONSUMERS TO TAKE ACTION NOW WHILE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE

Remember the stock market bubble days approaching the year 2000? Yes indeed those were interesting times. I had a small basket of wildly fluctuating stocks and a pocket full of "paper wealth". Then came the reality check as the air abruptly escaped the bubble and left many investors holding the proverbial "bag", myself included in many cases. The real winners were the true stock market pros who bought and sold the cycles within the big scheme of Wall Street recognizing the vertical ascent of stocks could not be maintained. They played market volatility, both long and short, profiting handsomely along the way. And one common denominator amongst the real pros was to act with purpose and not succomb to greed. Have an entrance and exit strategy and stick to it. The cyclicle "waves" of Wall Street have a familiar ring within the real estate market. They do exist and the real "pros" will not succomb to the greed factor by trying to time market tops and bottoms of these waves to perfection.

Potential real estate buyers who believe the market has not yet approached the bottom of this down cylical wave should take heed of familiar lessons learned in the past. Large homebuilders are reducing land inventories, developers are shelving projects, "vulture funds" are swooping in to purchase distressed properties from the inventory. The market is seeking equalibrium and will eventually follow historical patterns of the past by slowly beginning the next leg up. Many prices have adjusted to reflect more realistic values and inventories are such that the buyer has a wide range of selection and plenty of negotiating leverage. Interest rates are hovering near historic lows. Builders are offering any number of enticements to lure buyers, from upgrades to closing costs paid and more. Yet buyer sentiment still seems to be one of resistance, waiting for the "perfect" bottom of the cyclical wave.

A lesson learned during the stock market adventures approaching 2000...the pros are there for a reason. Find a good investment advisor, tell them your objectives and heed their advice. The same can be said for our current real estate market. Find a real estate professional, tell them your objectives and heed their advice. A buying opportunity does exist in just about every facet of this market. And buyers should be implementing strategy while this favorable environment exists. Here's an article from the National Association of Realtors addressing the issue...

In a full-page newspaper advertisement running in six of the nation's leading newspapers beginning Nov. 3, the leadership of the National Association of Realtors has launched a national campaign to urge home buyers who have been waiting to buy the home of their dreams to act now before the market changes. NAR's first-ever newspaper blitz features the headline, "It's a great time to buy or sell a home." The advertisement points out that interest rates have fallen seven months in a row and are near 40 year lows, inventories of existing homes are higher than they have been in decades and prices have stabilized. But the perfect conditions for buyers are likely to change as sales pick up, prices gain traction and conditions improve for sellers next year. "Homeownership is a safe, secure way to build long term wealth. The national median price of homes bought 10 years ago has increased 88 percent. The number of U.S. households is expected to increase 15 percent during the next decade, creating a continued high demand for housing," the ad reads. It quotes former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan saying, "Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us. The fourth quarter should be reasonably good, certainly better than the third quarter." The advertisement appeared in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. It will run in the same newspapers this weekend.

NAR President Thomas M. Stevens of Vienna, Va., said the newspaper ads are the beginning of an NAR campaign to urge buyers and sellers to take advantage of the favorable market conditions. Two new network television and radio ads directed at buyers and sellers will begin airing in second week of January. The new spots will be rotated into NAR's $40 million network Public Awareness Campaign. NAR's 1.3 million members and state and local Realtor associations are being encouraged to adopt the message in their own advertising and communications to consumers, Stevens said. "The market is much better than you might hear or read. Consumers should take advantage of this perfect alignment of low rates and extraordinary inventory before market conditions change," Stevens said.

Total housing inventory levels fell 2.4 percent at the end of September to 3.75 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.3-month supply at the current sales pace, according to NAR's existing-home sales report. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $220,000 in September, which is 2.2 percent below September 2005, when the median was $225,000. The median is a typical market price where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less. According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was 6.40 percent in September, down from 6.52 percent in August.

WALTON RESUMES BEACH RESTORATION NEAR POMPANO JOES

And so it begins...again. The long awaited, oft maligned, Walton County/Destin joint beach restoration effort has cranked back up again with an onslaught of piping and conduit freshly laid in front of the Pompano Joes beach access. And what a welcome sight it is. Here's the latest...

SANTA ROSA BEACH -The beach restoration in Walton County has resumed after months of delays, and the project will move into Destin next spring.
Work to pump sand from the East Pass onto beaches began in South Walton behind Pompano Joe's restaurant on Scenic Gulf Drive on Saturday.

Employees at Pompano Joe's have eagerly awaited beach restoration, said restaurant manager Vicki Berfanger. "We can already see a difference," she said. "It's definitely making a big improvement." Beach erosion had so narrowed the shore behind the eatery that storm surge routinely caused water to rise to the building's back deck, Berfanger said.
"We're ready for it to be done," she said. The final 6,300 feet of beach in Walton County should be finished by the middle of January, said Brad Pickel, director of beach management for the Walton County Tourist Development Council. "We're very happy to see the project back under way," he said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shut the project down in May after several endan- gered sea turtles got caught in equipment and died during sand dredging. The Corps later reversed its decision, and the TDC has spent the past several weeks working out a contract with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock for work to restart. The project, which covers about four miles of beach in Walton and two miles of beach in Destin, originally had a price tag of $22.8 million.

Delays and the expense of getting Great Lakes to come back after shutting down in May have added almost $5 million to the cost. The price now stands at roughly $27.7 million. Walton's share of that is $19.1 million. The TDC is using state grant money and tourist bed-tax revenue to fund the project. Part of the cost increase includes measures to reduce the risk of another sea turtle death. The TDC has hired a trawler to cast nets near the East Pass and collect and relocate any sea turtles in that area.

The trawler starting working Friday before the restoration resumed and had a close call when and endangered leatherback sea turtle got caught in the net and drowned, Pickel said. It happened when the net got snagged on what the TDC believes is a sunken boat in the East Pass, he said. That turtle death does not count against the restoration project because it happened during trawling and not during sand dredging, Pickel said.

Walton County has had to contend with not just sea turtle deaths but a legal battle over the project since it began in February. The case has reached the state Supreme Court, which will determine whether the project unconstitutionally violates private-property rights, as several Walton residents claim. There is no timeframe for when the court will issue a ruling. The TDC has said the restoration will continue as planned unless the court says otherwise.

Plans call for the project to start on two miles of beach in Destin early next April. That should take about 45 days to complete, Pickel said. He said he expects the Walton project to go smoothly and finish on time. "We've had no delays yet," he said.

Northwest Florida Daily News

GRAND BOULEVARD ANNOUNCES TENANTS

The following article is a follow up to a recent post on the upcoming Grand Boulevard development. A number of new retail and restaurant names will make their first appearance along the Emerald Coast. Our community is thriving and this development is another confirmation of this reality. Here's the latest...

Rising within the thriving landscape of South Walton, a small city's worth of construction is taking shape. Modeled after town squares that still dot small towns throughout America, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is the highlyanticipated, shop, work, play and stay destination being built in Northwest Florida. Based on the mixed-use architectural model, Grand Boulevard will offer a lifestyle experience with access to many shopping and dining options, entertainment, professional services, corporate offices and residential and hotel space.

Offering a pedestrianfriendly layout, the town center also includes a large, centrally-located public green space named Grand Park, which will host year-round events. This downtown-inspired area provides an array of necessities either as a resident or a visitor to the area. "When we were growing up, we went downtown to the grocery store, to shop for clothes, to the bank or doctor. Grand Boulevard will be a more modern and dynamic version of the town square model. You won't have to leave the property," said Grand Boulevard developer Keith Howard.

Howard Group, the development company of Grand Boulevard, spent more than 10 years acquiring the 52 acres Grand Boulevard sits on. Just across the street from Topsail State Preserve and a short walk from Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Grand Boulevard is designed as a town center and destination for all of Northwest Florida. The eastern-most end of the property already contains the Sacred Heart Hospital and Publix, both opened in 2003. Marriott Courtyard and Marriott Residence Inn, border the western end, and opened in 2006.
According to Howard, the area residents and visitors are ready for Grand Boulevard. "This is more than a typical lifestyle retail cen- ter. It's more cutting-edge - offering a truly grand experience and a sense of excitement," he said. A place to shop, play, work and stay. Built along two miles of U.S. 98, Grand Boulevard will ultimately have many retail and dining options, offices for professionals, and rental and residential spaces.

In spring 2007, Grand Boulevard will celebrate the grand opening of a major portion of the town center, including several lifestyle brands and restaurants. Among the first to open will be P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe & Emporium, The Orvis Co., Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Coldwater Creek, J. Jill, Aveda Salon, Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food and an exciting new concept from an American retail icon - Brooks Brothers Country Club.
Among the other retail tenants opening are Viking Lifestyle Store, Fusion Glass Art Gallery, Learning Express Toys, Sunglass Station and Billabong. Several of the restaurants are new additions to the region and will be original dining experiences.

The name P.F. Chang's China Bistro evokes one of the most original dining experiences in the country. Fresh, contemporary and consistent are the trademarks of this addition to Grand Boulevard. A combination of Chinese cuisine, attentive service, wine and desserts, P.F. Chang's reflects the evolving Chinese culinary landscape, served up in a stylish bistro. Striving for harmony in taste, texture, color and aroma, P.F. Chang's balances the Chinese principles of fan and t'sai. Fan foods include rice, noodles, grains and dumplings while vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood are t'sai foods. Working in an exhibition kitchen, the chefs of P.F. Chang's use Mandarin-style wok cooking to prepare food. Using the fresh, high-quality ingredients, the chefs create lightly sauced dishes that allow natural flavors to emerge.

Cantina Laredo, in the east end of Grand Park, serves gourmet Mexican food. The Mexico City-style menu includes grilled fish, chicken and steaks complimented by signature sauces such as chipotle-wine with portobello mushrooms or saute?d artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers. Their signature margarita, the Casa Rita, is made from fresh lime juice and top-shelf tequila. Guacamole is made fresh at your table to your specifications. In addition to serving lunch, dinner, drinks and Sunday brunch, Cantina Laredo also offers catering.

Tommy Bahama is among the specialty retailers to open in Grand Boulevard. It is located at the west end of Grand Park. Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe & Emporium brings something unique to Grand Boulevard - a beautiful retail store featuring Tommy Bahama apparel, accessories and home decor items, along with a restaurant with a large veranda for outdoor dining, serving upscale-inspired cuisine.

Sporting traditions will be represented with the inclusion of one of the country's oldest retailers, The Orvis Co. Specializing in what the company calls a "distinctive country lifestyle," the 13,000-squarefoot Orvis offers the world's finest fly fishing equipment, men's and women's clothing, gifts for the home as well as dog beds and other pet supplies.

The first Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar opened in 1998, and have won awards from all over the country for food, wine and service. Most recently, Fleming's was the recipient of 37 awards of excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. Stylish, contemporary dining is the hallmark of Fleming's. As the name implies, the menu features prime beef, a variety of chops, fresh seafood, chicken, salads and desserts. Wine selections are recommended with menu items or may be chosen from the "100 wines-by-the-glass" election or from the extensive wine list which includes hard-tofind reserve bottles. In addition to the menu selections, Fleming's offers another way to enjoy food and wine with Discovery Dinners and Wine Flights. Their signature Discovery Dinners offer three fourcourse menus with wine pairings. For parties of six or more, Discovery Dinners feature wines especially chosen to complement each course. With 100 wines by the glass, including many hardto-find boutique wines, Fleming's is a wine-lovers dream. Besides pairing the ideal wine with dinner, explore their signature Discovery Wine Flight. A way to enjoy the adventurous side of wine-tasting, there are six different flights to explore, compare and enjoy.

Discovery Wine Flights are like having your own private wine-tasting every time. You can sit at the bar and try them or have one during dinner. One way to enjoy a flight is by having your waiter bring you a blind flight along with tasting notes. This is a great way to explore and educate your palate.

The heart of Grand Boulevard is a hub of construction and building as the spring grand opening nears. It has taken hundreds of construction workers, engineers, carpenters, roofers, electricians and plumbers, a dozen architects and one visionary to launch Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. One would never know how arduous building a town center is from talking to Keith Howard, a developer of Grand Boulevard. An optimistic Howard said Grand Boulevard is the natural progression for his work in the community. After success with the Market Shops at Sandestin and the nationally-recognized Silver Sands Factory Stores, he says he knew the land and location warranted something special that would endure the test of time. Howard opted for a sustainable town center development based on the principles of new urbanism. "We asked ourselves how we could take the retail lifestyle experience to the next level. We knew what we wanted to do years ago, before town center models came to the forefront. Now there is a name for it," Howard said.

While Grand Boulevard draws upon the style and comfort of old-fashioned town squares, the walkable town center takes a modern approach to this time-honored tradition. It has been updated and fine-tuned. No expense has been spared to make the Grand Boulevard experience truly grand and inviting. One of the first things Howard did to ensure the success of the project was to research other similar successful developments and identify the professionals responsible. Enter Nelson Architects Inc., an Austin based firm specializing in the town center model and exclusive mixed-use vernacular. As the project began to take shape, Philip Crisara, principal architect with Nelson, realized the scope of the project was more ambitious than anything else being built in Northwest Florida between Panama City and Mobile. With his experienced team on board, Howard's dream for a town center in South Walton took off. "Keith (Howard) is bringing forward two unique things. He is bringing a project-type that does not exist in this part of the region - a true mixed-use development with all of the layers needed to support it. Secondly, the quality of every aspect of the center is unparalleled," Crisara said.
"It's spectacular to have a project with all of these layers melded together - retail, dining, entertainment, outdoor lifestyle, lodging and even residential down the line," he said.

The close proximity to the growing population, beaches and development in Northwest Florida make Grand Boulevard the right destination in the right place at the right time. Located between Pensacola and Panama City - approximately 45 miles to either - at the entrance to Sandestin's Golf and Beach Resort. A proponent of sustainable development and protecting the community's natural resources, Howard is ensuring that Grand Boulevard will complement the environment by making green space and landscaping a vital part of the project's design.

Topsail State Preserve spans the south side of Emerald Coast Parkway across the street from Grand Boulevard. In a tribute to this preserve for local flora and fauna, a large public green space has been designated as Grand Park, a major focal point of the town center. Besides providing scenery, Grand Park is designed with flexibility. It will offer space for entertainment, celebrations and community events. Year-round programming such as concerts, movies, and dance and theater performances will occur at Grand Park. One of the most elegant elements of Grand Park is the playful and intricately designed water fountain. Paying homage to the Gulf of Mexico, the fountain visually represents the ebb and flow of the tide and, as with the tide, is constantly changing. Located at the east end of Grand Park, it displays a horizontal design that mimics the coastal tides and projects vertical water at intervals. According to Howard, the fountain is one of the classic characteristics associated with the town center. The dynamic yet tasteful presentation fits within the park, making it part of the landscape. Acoustics from the flowing water combine to make the fountain in Grand Boulevard a highlight within the town center.

About $4.2 million dollars is being spent on landscaping throughout Grand Boulevard. The more than 50 types of trees, bushes and plants will include Medjool date palms, live oaks, bird of paradise, bamboo varietals, crepe myrtles and 600 oversized planters of seasonal varieties. The landscaped walkways around Grand Boulevard will provide shade, and tree canopies at Grand Park will offer respite to those waiting, relaxing, or enjoying the park. At night, the grounds of Grand Boulevard are illuminated throughout.

Determined to meet the growing lifestyle needs of an expanding community of residents and visitors, for 10 years Keith Howard collected parcels of land along U.S. in South Walton. Success of his previous retail ventures convinced him that a mixeduse project - shop, play, work, stay - would be a valuable asset to the Gulf Coast region. "We wanted to build a place with all of the depth and components of a thriving town center and to make sure it will still be here 50 years from now. We will not sacrifice the quality of materials. We?ve built it to last," Howard said. Opting for the highest quality building materials, from solid masonry block frames and authentic traditional stucco exteriors to walnut stained floors in the office space lobbies, space in Grand Boulevard - whether for a professional business, a specialty retailer or fine dining - will offer premium standards.

The grand opening of the major portion of Grand Boulevard will take place in spring 2007. The opening festivities will include and private and public events. Howard Group is responsible for the development of The Market Shops at Sandestin, the Silver Sands Factory Stores, several gulffront resort and residential communities such as Vizcaya at Dune Allen and Stallworth Preserve, as well as Heron Harbor in Destin. Heron Harbor is being designed as a mixed-use community that will include retail, office, residential and marina components.

This article was contributed to The Log by The Howard Group.

30A BEACH RESTORATION TALKS CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FUNDING

As forward progress continues along the Walton County Scenic Gulf Drive Beach Restoration, talks continue concerning a future restoration project along Scenic 30A. The project is necessary and should be given a very high priority to protect the remaining dune infrastructure before more significant damage can occur. Here's the latest on the Walton County effort to secure a sand source and the funding for the 30A restoration project...

Brad Pickel does not like to guess. "I don't do hypotheticals," said the Tourist Development Council's director of beach management. But sometimes he has little choice. The TDC held a final workshop to discuss the technical issues of a planned beach restoration project along County Road 30A, but the conversation quickly turned from science to money. And when the question was how to fund the $50 to $60 million project, Pickel had few specific answers. "TDC taxes will always serve as a first funding source," said Pickel, "but as far as anything that has or has not been taken off the table, we haven't gotten to that point."

That point will be next year.
On Jan. 9, the TDC will make a formal request to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners for approval of 30A beach restoration. The project would rebuild 12.9 miles of beach damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in 2005. The state will share up to 50 percent of the cost of rebuilding the 7.5 miles it has deemed critically eroded. The percentage is based on the quality of beach access in place. The TDC has currently secured $8 million from the state, but that number will increase if the county adds amenities to the beach, such as public restrooms and parking spaces. Federal cost sharing could also cover up to 65 percent of costs, and the TDC is pursuing that funding by performing required feasibility studies. Outside funding will be necessary, as local TDC funding is already behind due to the current Western Walton County Beach Restoration Project, which carries a cost to Walton County of $19.1 million.
"We're $8 million in the hole because of this beach restoration project going on outside," Pickel said. "We more than likely will end up $10 million in the hole."

The TDC has always used bed tax revenue for beach projects, but Pickel said additional funds will need to be located for a project this size. But the project hasn't reached that step yet. "That's a step you do after you have a project approved by the County Commission," Pickel said. One completed step is preliminary beach quality studies and sand source identification. The abundance of available matching sand makes the longterm prognosis for the area good, said LSU geologist Dr. Greg Stone, who is working with Taylor Engineering on the project. Taylor Engineering has constructed multiple models for how future hurricanes would impact the area. In a 20-year storm - a storm with a 5 percent chance of hitting the area in a given year - more than 50 percent of the beach structures along 30A would be impacted. With readily available sand, Taylor Engineering's Michael Trudnak expects they will use a plan that would restore the beaches for protection against 100-year storms - more powerful hurricanes that have a 1 percent chance of striking the area.

Pickel said the BCC has been supportive of beach restoration work. Commissioner Cindy Meadows said the beach's connection to tourism makes the project is a high priority. "It's up there on the top," said Meadows. "It's something that we need to do." The county may look into issuing bonds or securing credit lines to fund the work not covered by outside sources and current TDC taxes. Meadows said she would not support a tax increase. If approved, construction is still at least a year away. Pickel said work would not begin in 2007, as the year will be spent securing permits and fi nalizing funding. Once construction does start, it will take roughly one year to complete.

The Walton Sun

TAXWATCH WANTS SAVE OUR HOME REPEAL

Whoa Nelly...this one is sure to raise some hackles. And as a non-homesteaded homeowner in the Crystal Beach area, I agree with many of the points raised and possible solutions suggested. Though I'm certain the local contingent will resist any hint of change, the fact remains that a large number of non-resident owners are bearing the burden of exhorbitant tax increases noted over the last handful of years. Though this platform will most likely never see the chambers of the House, I'd certainly advise state leadership to take a good look at the out of state contingent and consider the some form of relief for the non-homesteaded homeowners. Here's the article...

Florida's property tax system is in crisis with skyrocketing levies accompanied by explosive local government spending that is exceeding the taxpayers' ability to pay, according to a report by Florida TaxWatch. "Florida taxpayers perceive our property tax system as unfair and unaffordable and they are right," said Dominic Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "Our research quantifies the growing tax burden and tax shift onto certain classes of property owners that has created two separate, but unequal tax systems in Florida."

The TaxWatch research report urges repeal of a popular three-percent cap on homesteaded property owners' annual tax bills while maintaining taxpayers' current savings, a cap on local property taxes and revenues, and a fairer system for assessing a property's value. The report, "Controlling Escalating Property Taxation and Local Government Spending and Revenue," places part of the blame on the state's "Save Our Homes" amendment in the state constitution. Since it took effect in 1995, it has limited annual increases in homesteaded property to three percent or the increase in inflation, whichever is less.

The report shows that while holding down taxes for many homeowners, the amendment has brought on a myriad of problems, shifting billions of dollars in taxes from homesteaded taxpayers to non-homesteaded businesses and those with second properties, creating inequities in tax treatment, increasing housing costs for renters and new home buyers, and restricting the financial ability of some people to move to a different home. It also shifts taxes among homesteaders, as some benefit more than others.

In addition to repealing the Save Our Homes amendment, Florida TaxWatch recommendations include: allowing homeowners who currently enjoy the protection of the amendment's cap to keep their reduced assessment; capping local governments' revenues; allowing a one-time statewide portability of a homeowner's assessment reduction; assessing commercial property at the value of its existing business, rather than what the property could sell for under the current "highest and best use" criteria.

The Florida Home Builders Association, during its Winter Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting, will discuss and possibly adopt a position on Florida's increasing property tax problem. The FHBA's Governmental Affairs meeting is slated for Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the HBA of Metro Orlando.

This article was contributed to The Log by FHBA