Calling all realtors/investors

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks for asking Paula.

(brief note: feel free to talk about respect for other posters, but do it on a new thread so all can learn and share. This will be helpful to new users as well as current users. Imagine logging in as a new user to the real estate thread and all you see is personal attacks rather than useful info. Just ask Unplugged, who felt this way after joining and almost stop using the board. Glad you are still with us.)

Paula, I think you bring up excellent points about creating the sense of community rather than fluffing the buy and flip market. The stories and history will make people smile and cry and want to be here for the long term, not run up the market, before pooping on it and taking the profits and leaving at the expense of the beautiful environment. I wish I was a writer sometimes, and that my writing could pay the bills. I would be eating PoorMan's Oysters for the rest of my life if I had to survive on my writing skills. (PoorMan's Oysters are freeSaltines topped off with cocktail sauce).
Several books on the history of Walton County have been written and are available at the local Library, Grayton Corners General Store, SunDog Books (Seaside), and other places. They are facinating reads.

I can understand why vacation renters, most Realtors, and short term investors want to read ample stories regarding the good side of coming to SoWal. I smile too, when I read such things, just like I do when I post a photo of the sunset from Grayton Beach. I smile because I live here and see it for myself on a daily basis. Believe me, words and photos never do the real thing justice -- never.

One reason that I joke about me paying the WSJ to run the negative stories is that I hate seeing this beautiful refuge from the busy world, getting included in the busy world. I dislike seeing it destroyed for the sake of the almighty greenback. Many of the developers do care somewhat for this area, and a few care greatly. Unfortunately, some could care less and will do whatever it takes to make it work for themselves.

Do I want to see SoWal in a no-grow box? Of course not, but I would like to see developers go to environmental classes before they are allowed to develop land. Much of the growth in this area is affecting other things in the area. Look no further than the new developments being built around Big Redfish Lake, one of which tried to get started with blatent disregard for the rules in place. I want to see growth of this area, but I want to see it managed, not the tail wagging the dog syndrome which is currently ongoing.

Without the tools of education which Paula refers to eg- local history of area, hurricanes, etc, people will not know and will not care, and we are all doomed. IMO, having good press does not help to bridle the unmanaged growth. Instead, it spurs it on.

 

[Unplugged]

...So, this suggests that realtors would want to tell stories that get the kind of people who serve the community best here. For example, if we tell "buy and flip" stories, we get investors. If we tell, "this is a special places to love and preserve and build memories in", we get people who will want to connect to the area. I was told "this is a special place" stories (but then again, I actually got to buy my little piece of heaven here by "buy and flip" people...).

Excellent point - as a SoWal REALTOR? these are the personal stories we like to relate to our clients and the type of client we prefer to deal with
_________________________

 

[Beach Runner]

I'm happy to say that in the Sunday Travel section of the Indianapolis paper, there was a very positive article about the beaches of South Walton.

And while I was getting my hair done yesterday in Buckhead (Atlanta), I read Atlanta Homes magazine. I couldn't believe how many advertisements there were for SoWal rentals, including the rental management company that we use. SoWal is getting some major ink in the press! Love it! And love SoWal!

 

[Paula]

I have seen very positive articles about the area (restaurants, people, places) in Southern Living and Coastal Living (at least 3 times in the past 2-3 years).

Regarding history, I've read one of the books about the history of SoWal, as well as the book that was written about St. Joe's impact on the Panhandle. They were both very useful in giving a sense of history and perspective. I think a beautiful photo book with some interesting facts and stories about SoWal nature -- e.g., chapter on turtles, dunes, history (how was it founded), hurricanes, preservation efforts, alligators, ocean life, shells (not too many but there are some), sunsets, the formation and changes in the beaches (e.g., how they used to be a cyrpess (sp?) forest and that's why we have the peat "sand" and "stones", before/after photos of the growth, etc.

It would be a labor of love for someone (Joe, Kurt, Katie Blue?) and, though it wouldn't pay a salary, it would bring in some po'boy $ I'm sure. More importantly, it would be a meaningful thing to do, would bring in some income, would be a significant contribution to documenting important information about the area, as well as gorgeous photos. I think I'm talking myself into it. If I was retired or if I lived in the area, I'd definitely pursue this.

People would buy it to put in their rentals, for their homes, as something to bring home, etc. Again, mostly one would do it as a labor of love and a desire to contribute to the history of SoWal. It should not be written as a marketing tool, otherwise it will feel like a marketing tool.


It could be fun to have sections about how to talk like a local (whether local means :

Poorman's oysters: saltines with cocktail sauce
Teatime in SoWal: Having a few drinks at the beach while watching the sunset.
What else?

And a section on favorite recipes from local restaurants or food recipes from the panhandle.

Oops... I've got to go to work again... sorry for any typos, etc.

 

[Jdarg]

I would buy copies for everyone I know. What a great idea Paula!

 

[John R]

As you are aware, bad press, and bad weather are cyclic(sp). And, some chucklehead up in NYC has a deadline to meet, and a minimum number of stories to produce. A little bump in the road may not be a bad thing to temper the frenzy that was last year. I agree with some of what Kristen says, but i feel we need to focus here, and not there. there are many discussions on this board regarding the ethics of some of the 'hit and run' developers who treat this area like carrion birds. we(our local govt) are unable to regulate what color sand our own neighbors are using to backfill their 'temporary' retaining walls. and, we allow vehicles to drive on said sand, quaint, but honestly, not environmentally conscious. the turtle's might as well find a place on the moon, and the dune mouse was in trouble years ago. let's direct our attention locally to get our house in order, and demand our local govt. to enforce it's own regulations, and plan for the future(something they've conveniently forgotten to do). People will come here despite bad press, word of mouth is much stronger. i feel we could use a little cooling off period. i might then actually be able to buy and build then. this being said from someone who makes my living from growth.


jr

 

[SHELLY]

Go to your rooms, now! ... and take the sandbox fight with you.

Come on grown ups. This thread is supposed to be about the Wallstreet Journal's negative publicity and what "our" reaction should be to the bad press going around regarding SoWal. Any suggestions, as Kirstenon30A asks?
Care to share?

Personally, I'm not concerned about what the WSJ, CNBC or Penthouse says about the area in the least...but then I don't have big bucks riding on the outcome.

While it's true that nature messed up the panhandle (its happened in the past) it does repair itself very nicely if given the chance.

Over-development and the real estate money-grab <IMO> also has messed up the panhandle--but I just don't see it getting any "better" with more and more development.

Visitors to South Beach (Miami) may have a need for wall-to-wall "designer" shops...the area is lined with "places to be seen" (bars, nightclubs, high-end eateries). Personally, I don't see the folks who love and enjoy the area having the need to rush out at the last moment to buy an emergency Prada handbag to swing for an evening out at the Red Bar.

I just have issues with developers and investors who want to go-for-the-gold and turn <what's left> of our area into a "South Beach Mini-Me"....that's all.

 

[Paula]

I would buy copies for everyone I know. What a great idea Paula!

thanks... We'll see what develops... I'd love something like this myself.

 

[Sandcastle]

thanks... We'll see what develops... I'd love something like this myself.

Paula:

We keep a copy of The Seaside Times on our coffee table at home. Our friends who stop by can't keep their hands off of it. We'd love to buy "your" book!

 

[Paula]

It would be fun to do (I'm sure it would be more of an "our" book), we'll see what happens. I'd love to learn about the area, as would many other people. I've learned so much in the few years since we joined the SoWal community (e.g., turtles, dunes, beach changes) with so much more to learn about the area.