Jazz Festival - Amelia Island

Amelia Island Jazz Festival 2011 Amelia Island Jazz Festival tickets are now on sale online for all shows. Beginning Oct. 2 with a free Amelia Park concert by the U.S. Navy Big Band and closing Oct. 9 with a Dixieland brunch at the Beech Street Grill, the weeklong event will present blues on Oct. 5 at Sandy Bottoms with Toots Lorraine, an Oct. 6 Latin show and dance with Impacto Latino at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, jazz songstress extraordinaire Nicole Henry Oct. 7, and Louisiana rhythm masters Buckwheat Zydeco Oct. 8, both within an expanded setting at St. Peter's. For information visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Bike Trails Amelia Island

A Florida Department of Transportation public information workshop to discuss a multi-use trail for bicyclists and pedestrians alongside Florida A1A in Amelia Island will be discussed today at the American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia St. in American Beach. An open house will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a opportunity for the public to comment at 6:30 p.m. The state is proposing paving a 10-foot wide asphalt path alongside Florida A1A north of the Nassau Sound Bridge and the Amelia Island State Park to Peter's Point Park, a distance of almost six miles. The paved trail will be built primarily on the east side of A1A, but will cross over to the west side in a few places. The project includes drainage structures, utility coordination and wetland permitting and is estimated at $1.6 million. Currently, the project is scheduled for construction in late 2012. Public comments can be made to the FDOT project manager Amy Williams at amy.williams@dot.state.fl.us Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/community/nassau/2011-09-22/story/new-trail-along-florida-a1a-amelia-island-discussed-tonight#ixzz1ZLp3Xsdr John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Florida - Georgia weekend on Amelia Island

AMELIA ISLAND, FL, Sep 28, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- One of the biggest rivalries in college football is making its way to Northeast Florida once again for the much anticipated Florida vs. Georgia Game, Saturday, October 29 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. Located 45 minutes from downtown Jacksonville, Amelia Island is offering a variety of discounts and events allowing fans to score big on their Florida-Georgia Football Weekend. Amelia Island, Florida has created a gridiron getaway contest in which one lucky fan will win a three-night stay at Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Visit www.ameliaisland.com/florida-georgia-showdown to enter. Guests can also enter the sweepstakes by sending a text message with "Ameliaisland Sweeps" to 77950 on their mobile phone. Amelia Island offers a full roster of accommodation options for Gator and Bulldog fans looking to turn a game day trip into a weekend getaway. The Amelia Island CVB is offering 15 percent off accommodations at 15 locations during Florida-Georgia Football Weekend. Book the Florida vs. Georgia game weekend today and receive 15 percent off per night at a choice of 15 Amelia Island accommodations. The offer is only available by calling the participating property and mentioning "Go Bulldogs" or "Go Gators." A two night minimum stay is required and offer is only valid on reservations made before September 30. Visit www.ameliaisland.com/plan-your-vacation/memorable-offers/flga-special-offer for a list of participating Amelia Island hotels. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation is providing several events open to the public to kick off the rivalry weekend. On October 28, The Shops at Omni Amelia Island Plantation are offering a Florida-Georgia Block Party. Starting at 4 p.m., the party will offer family fun with live music, family-friendly activities and much more. From 7 to 10 p.m., the Jim Beam Party offers UGA highlights, game tent with simulators and video games and more. The after-party kicks off at 10 p.m. at Falcon's Nest John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

13,780 homes sold yesterday!

13,780 Homes Sold Yesterday by The KCM Crew on September 26, 2011 · 3 comments ShareShare To all those who have declared the real estate market dead, we want you to know that over 13,780 houses sold yesterday, 13,780 will sell today and 13,780 will sell tomorrow. That is the average number of homes that sell each and every day in this country according to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report. NAR reported that sales had increased 7.7% over the month before and 18.6% over the year before. According to the report, annualized sales now stand at 5.03 million. Divide that number by 365 (days in a year) and we can see that, on average, well over 13,000 homes sell every day. We realize that these numbers are below the record for homes sold in 2006. We also know that we may never see those numbers again (and that is probably a good thing). But to say that the current real estate market is dead or that houses are not selling is totally inaccurate. We have over 13,000 pieces of evidence to prove that. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Seller's Window

We have suggested that sellers who need to sell within the next 18 months had a ‘window of opportunity’ to sell at higher prices. They needed to put their houses up for sale immediately before a flood of distressed properties were introduced to the market. This window is beginning to close. The paperwork challenges faced by banks that caused a delay in the foreclosure process over the last ten months are starting to clear. It seems that these houses are now coming to the market. RealtyTrac reported in their September Foreclosure Report: “Default notices were filed for the first time on a total of 78,880 U.S. properties in August, a nine-month high and a 33 percent increase from July — the biggest month-over-month increase since August 2007.” James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac explained: “The big increase in new foreclosure actions may be a signal that lenders are starting to push through some of the foreclosures delayed by robo-signing and other documentation problems. It also foreshadows more bank repossessions in the coming months as these new foreclosures make their way through the process.” Diana Olick, of CNBC’s Realty Check quoted a spokesperson for Bank of America: “ Strong gains like that from July to August demonstrate our progress – primarily in judicial states — clearing more volume to advance to foreclosure once we pass the numerous quality controls we have in place and exhaust all options with homeowners.” The impact will be felt from coast to coast. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson recently cleared the way for the top banks to resume foreclosures in the state. The impact this will have on the number of distressed properties can be clearly seen in these statistics reported by Housing Wire: “In October, New Jersey had the 24th highest foreclosure rate in the country, with servicers filing roughly 5,200 foreclosures that month, according to RealtyTrac. By July, the Garden State’s foreclosure rate dropped to 42nd with just 1,112 filings last month.” ForeclosureRadar, which handles research in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Nevada, last week reported: “Foreclosure starts rose in every state.” Bottom Line If you currently are selling your home, price it to compel a buyer to purchase it now. Waiting will cause you to compete with an increased number of distressed properties which sell at dramatically discounted prices. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Northeast Florida Market report - Real Estate

Jacksonville, FL – Converting Traffic into Contracts is Taking Time, Patience, and Lower Prices (3,381 single-family permits in 2010, 26th largest market in the country) Traffic down modestly, but still at decent levels. Buyer traffic fell in August, as our traffic index dipped slightly to 39 from 42 in July, indicating traffic levels below agents’ expectations (any reading below 50). However, this was still good enough to be tied for the highest reading in the 20 largest markets we survey. After a solid spring and early summer, sales seem to have moderated as of late, but agents say well-priced homes in good locations are still selling. One agent commented, “The under $150,000 market is heating up and involves lots of work and showings.” Another agent said, “I’m feeling more sincerity on the part of the buyers looking around.” However, not all were as positive. One agent said that the traffic may have been ok, but, “Still just a bunch of lookers.” Others also noted difficulty securing financing and getting appraisals high enough to support prices. “Many properties are not appraising, including short sales,” according to one agent. Sellers cutting prices in order to generate buyer interest. Home prices remained under pressure in August as sellers continued to adjust in response to buyer demands and competition from distress. Our home price index slipped to 23 from 25 in July, with readings below 50 indicating lower home prices over the past 30 days. We think the declines are likely to continue in the coming months. Inventory levels were stable in August, as our home listings index fell to 50 from 58 in July, in-line with a neutral reading of 50. However, our time to sell index still indicated a longer time needed to sell a home, as deals are taking longer to formalize given buyer hesitancy, coming in at 23 in August (from 21 in July) vs. a neutral reading of 50. The longer time needed to sell is typically a negative indicator for near-term pricing trends. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

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