|
Written by Greg Snow
|
|
Tuesday, 26 April 2011 10:28 |
Much of our world's attention will focus on a small, unattended wedding in jolly old England this Friday. The Brits will have to be on their best behavior as Prince William marries his sweetheart , Kate Middleton. May they live long and happy, and may the weather co-operate. This occassion reminds me of an old axiom of, if they plan, publicize, and promote it, they will come. On the front page of yesterday's USA TODAY's http://www.usatoday.com, the lead story was of Ohio's attempt to revive it's saging economy with a philosophy of "If you build it, will they come?"
Ohio has set aside $1.4 billion dollars for outlays on economic development for 2011. Our state of Florida has set aside only 11 MILLION to spend for economic development this year. Directing or influencing the economy of a state into the future is difficult for any private or public or govenmental group to orchestrate. Florida is an agricultural and tourist oriented state and is continuing efforts to broaden it's economic base, but only 11 MILLION for 2011 for expenditures in 2011? Hope the money isn't used for sky writing! :)
|
|
Written by Greg Snow
|
|
Thursday, 07 April 2011 09:09 |
|
Today, I am fortunate to be on one of the nicest places I have ever been, lived, worked, and played on. Sanibel Island, joined by the bridge at Blind Pass to Captiva Island. Both islands famous for shells, beautiful Gulf of Mexico water, great food and fun, and expensive homes and condos that draw some of the most affluent individuals from all over the world. Debbie and I enjoyed our morning drive across three bridges onto a now less frantic traffic flow than a few weeks ago. The two islands have around 10,000 full time residents, which explodes into around 40,000ish during season. Between the 30,000 full timers on Fort Myers Beach and the folks on the islands, 25% of all property taxes in Lee County are assessed on these paradise properties.
The first time I ever saw Sanibel was in early 1986 as a restaurant owner at the Mad Hatter. Loved the area immediately and lived on the island until moving off in 2003. We have weathered some brutal hurricanes and rough real estate times, however this area "just feels right" for us. Come on down and see for yourself.
|
|
|
Written by Greg Snow
|
|
Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:24 |
|
Welcome to 1/11/11..hoping it is not the loneliest number, www.threedognight.com/l_one.html and the best area in Florida to live and work.
As the weather gets nasty in the Northeast, football begins to end, and the first of the Baby Boomers begin to hit retirement age, Lee County Florida has an offer that is tough to refuse. Obviously us Boomers (in "69, I was 21") www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_on_Empty_album account for over 25%of the U.S population an still have input into how this country should be run or crawl into the future. Since we got hammered in our finaces in the most recent Recession, does that mean we work longer, put off moving to the sunny Florida paradise we always dreamed of? Unemployment, coupled with net worth losses exceeding $9 Trillion dollars in stock and equity, and an erie sense of national estem decline and fall, make today's living a surreal challenge to the American Dream.
Our generation was regarded as the new wave when we began influencing Americana back in the 60's and 70's. Now, as we view life from "our" experiences, can we make supreme sacrifices to better "our way of living". Currently stagnant, can we jump start progression to a new genesis? We might be to stressed to change our thinking modes on how we can accomplish a return to the "Days of Wine and Roses" www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Wine_and_Roses(film) maybe without the alcohol addiction. More than 55% of us oppose a Federal sales tax, and along with our oppostion to taxing company provided health care benefits and getting rid of the tax deduction for mortgage interest (both of these would really hurt me :( ), we really need to come to an agreement. Our illustrious Congress is currently faced with many of these and other complex issues. Let's watch them closely and see if they are our real Ambassadors of our best thoughts. Meanwhile, Live Life in Lee. :)
|
|
Written by Greg Snow
|
|
Tuesday, 28 December 2010 15:26 |
|
While we wave so long to this first decade in our 21st century, and we shiver in southwest Florida for one last day this week, it has been one challenge to understand how our local real estate market was once the fastest appreciating in the U.S., then one of the leaders in foreclosures, to where we be on 12/28/10(my daughter Jordan is 17 today :). Southwest Florida is really a wonderful place to visit, live, work, play, and enjoy life. Great weather (usually), affordable pricing, plethora of recreational choices, no state income tax, and strong medical assistance make those cold days in the North alot better watched on the TV here. Come on down.
Beginning 1/1/11 :), 10,000 baby boomers will reach 65 every day (in 69 I was 21) and thoughts of retirement will dance mostly in their heads and hearts, not in their reality. With over 11 million home owners being upside down in their homes, and many boomers are among this 11 million people, getting here with any funds to live on will have to wait. The waiting will depend on unemployment decreasing, home values rising, economies abroad strengthing, inflation and deflation being held in check, and the circle of our lives returning to gentler times. Nearly 3 out of 4 boomers file for early retirment at 62, and their pension plans have mostly been staggered by stock market and real estate falls unforseen by my generation.
My family welcomes 2011 and the people of our area who make our paradise a guaranteed 7 or 11, unlike the pair of dice used by many in the first decade of this century. Happy NEW YEAR!
|
|
Southwest Florida Real Estate Blog
