Ruttenburg Homes - Amelia Island

Plantation Housing Corp., an independently owned franchisee of Arthur Rutenberg Homes, is one of the First Coast’s most respected contractors. That’s because the company embraces state-of-the-art technologies while adhering to oldfashioned
craftsmanship.

Since 1998, the Fernandina-based company has off ered new custom homes, complete home remodeling and interior consultation services and, now, pool design and construction. Led by President Victor L. Buscaino, who has more than 20 years of experience and has built thousands of homes ranging in price from $200,000 to $3 million and higher, Plantation Housing Corp. boasts a staff of certifi ed professionals who are committed to the highest standards of quality and integrity.
The company also features an 8,000-square-foot design center, which stocks an impressive selection of furniture, fl ooring, lighting, appliances, kitchen and bath fi xtures and much more. Everything from architectural design through construction is available under one roof.

Plantation Housing Corp.’s people understand the intricacies of both general construction and remodeling, and make every effort to off er each customer excellent quality, exceptional value and extraordinary service. “Our company’s philosophy of business is to provide the best service by listening to our customers,” says Buscaino. Buyers have the option of selecting an Energy Star-rated home, which is a home that’s certifi ed to be more energy efficient than building codes require. Energy Star homes are healthier for occupants and less expensive to operate.

Reprinted from Florida Homebuyer.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

1815 S 8TH STREET, Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 :: Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty

$325,000. Located on 8th Street, Amelia island, Commercial Building

1815 S 8TH STREET, Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 :: Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Downtown Fernandina Beach Project

News from The Newsleader about Fernandina Beach

$6 million loan for Forward Fernandina ~~ 'Now is the time for city to invest'

By Angela Daughtry, News-Leader


After hearing residents speak out both in favor and against a strategic redevelopment plan, Fernandina Beach Commissioners unanimously approved the plan with no discussion Tuesday.

Later, in comments at the end of the meeting, City Manager Michael Czymbor would call it historic, Commissioner Jeffrey Bunch would compare it to President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal almost 80 years ago and other commissioners would hail the plan as being appropriate despite hard times.

The plan, called Forward Fernandina, will finance improvements to the waterfront and downtown, including moving the library to Centre Street and, later on, renovating the post office.

The first phase of the plan, scheduled over three years, will cost $6 million.

The plan will be financed by a revenue bond loan, and will most likely be repaid by a fee on city residents' electric bills.


Resident Andy Curtin said he was "very disturbed that this is going forward" and called the plan "a bunch of projects that are of questionable value and questionable need." He also noted the city had other obligations such as beach renourishment and paying off a lawsuit with McGill Aviation.

"Where is that money going to come from?" he asked. "It's ridiculous, it has to stop."

Dee Torre, vice president of Friends of the Library in Fernandina Beach, urged the plan be approved and presented a petition with more than 1,100 signatures calling for a new library.

"Now is the time for the city to invest (in the strategic plan)," said Max Wohlfarth, president of the Historic Fernandina Business Association whose family owns the Crab Trap restaurant at North Second and Alachua streets and Amelia Dream Cars on South Eighth Street. "I don't think we can afford not to fix the waterfront."

The plan's first phase includes opening Alachua Street to vehicular traffic across the railroad track, reconstruction of Front Street and improving its infrastructure and construction of a park on the Amelia River waterfront,

Czymbor said the city's annual debt would be around $500,000 under the 20-year loan plan. City residents might pay up to $2 per $100 on their electric bills to repay the loan.

Improvements scheduled in the first phase would be completed by 2015. The city has set aside $350,000 in its proposed 2011-12 budget to stabilize the downtown post office's exterior. Renovation is scheduled later in the Forward Fernandina plan, but funds have not been secured for that purpose yet.

The resolution calls for quarterly reports from the city manager on the status of the plan. Adam Kaufman, president of the Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation, which pushed the plan, has promised that his group will continue to monitor the city's implementation of the plan.

Vice Mayor Tim Poynter said at the end of the meeting that commissioners "have the community's best interest at heart," and that residents should "embrace the opportunities that these times represent."

"I don't care what's happening in the nation as a whole, I care about what's happening here," said Bunch. "I want to move forward, and that's what I plan to do."

"I request that we move forward with incredible care," said Steger. "People are watching us and we should use tax dollars wisely."

The Forward Fernandina effort began earlier this year with public meetings and coordination with commissioners and city staff spearheaded by the Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation.

adaughtry@fbnewsleader.com

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Amelia Island

In yesterday’s blog post, we explained that the ‘shadow inventory’ of distressed properties which has hung over the housing market will soon be released for sale. The real estate market won’t recover until we work our way through this discounted inventory.

The great news is that as these properties exit the bottom of the inventory funnel, there are fewer homes entering the top of the funnel. The best indicator of future foreclosures is the number of households that fall 90 days delinquent on their mortgage payments. This number is falling dramatically. As the S&P Shadow Inventory Report states:

“Our estimate of the months to clear the shadow inventory reached its peak at 57 months in early 2008. Back then, rising default rates caused a sharp increase in the overall amount of distressed properties. However, first default rates have been falling since March 2009), indicating that fewer loans are becoming distressed.”


John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Search the MLS for Properties in Amelia Island

Marsh Cove-Somerset, Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 :: Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty

Marsh Cove-Somerset, Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 :: Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

85185 EADY LANE Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

$69,900 in Yulee, Florida.
85185 EADY LANE Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Heron Isles - Yulee

Heron Isles Home.
null

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Flora Park, Fernandina Beach

Short Sale - $249,000. Flora Park with Pool.
null

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

86511 EASTPORT DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

North Hampton with Golf Course Views.
86511 EASTPORT DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

North Hampton Custom Home By Brylen
85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Amelia National Home for Sale

$349,900 New Home at Amelia National
null

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

2815 PARK SQUARE PLACE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

$369,900 Egan's Bluff, Amelia Island, Close to Beach.

2815 PARK SQUARE PLACE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com