We’re in for another round of amendments to the Florida constitution and, just like in the past, none of them need to be there.
The 2000 referendum got us the bullet train, which will cost jillions. Last time, we got an amendment protecting pregnant pigs.
Now, a group is trying to amend the constitution to require changes to governmental comprehensive plans to be approved by a vote.
The builders are all over this and you’ve probably received information on the amendment and why you should encourage everyone not to sign the petition that’s being circulated. If the petition doesn’t get enough signatures, the proposal doesn’t make the ballot.
Florida has enough growth management protections in place.
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You shudda been there, as they say.
If you attended the Laurel Awards, you know about it. If you didn’t, you’ll hear about it.
Good work to all involved.
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You think you’re doing OK? You should be in Palm Beach County.
I spent a long weekend playing mediocre golf there last month and snooped around the real estate market.
Some findings:
1. There are so many developments that they’ve run out of names. I realize that we have our oddities, but “Evergrene?” “Clocktower Hammock?” “Old Palm?” “Villa Lofts?”
2. There are so many golf courses that they literally can’t keep count. I went to three sources which should know and got three different numbers. It’s somewhere around 126. Contrast: Duval has more land and only 24 courses.
3. In our area, a $30 million producer is either Elizabeth Hudgins or someone who hit the jackpot. In Palm Beach County, $30 million will get you a nice mention, but no Laurel.
4. We worry about things getting tight when the interest rates rise. Down there, they worry when there isn’t a line outside the office.
5. The median price of a single-family home in the county is $171,900 in the latest (2001) stats. What are we? Half that?
6. Homes will appreciate at a significantly higher rate. In this decade, the University of Florida says that Palm Beach County homes will get a 6.27 percent boost compared to 4.97 percent in the rest of the state.
7. The Palm Beach Post had seven advertising sections on a recent Saturday. They have so many requests for the schlocky “advertorial” full-page feature that they run three stories on the section fronts, then go back and rearrange things so each can have its own “page” even though that page never appeared in the paper.
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Isn’t it great to know that at least a few of us aren’t so driven that we can’t have fun — i.e., the Red Hat Ladies? Maybe we need a men’s Red Hat (Red Cap?) group. Let’s see ... Walter Williams, Bob Ransom, Bill Watson, Bob McAfee, Wendell Davis.
Pretty good start.
- Fred Seely is the editor of Realty/Builder Connection and editorial director of Bailey Publishing & Communications In. He can be reached at [email protected].