Flagler County, Florida's Economic Development

When I was a new Real Estate Broker in 1987, my leadership and management styles were extracted from my previous 20 years, as a US  Army Officer.  There, teamwork was essential for survival.  Yes, we competed within our service... and we had our rivalries with the Marines, Navy, and Air Force... BUT, when the heat was on, we were "One for all and all for one."


Imagine my shock, when I approached a fellow who had a particular area of expertise, and asked him to help a rookie in my real estate office to prepare for a listing interview with a property seller...  and he responded, "I've worked hard to learn that area for myself... let her sink or swim on her own."  The sweet follow on to that was the old "What goes around, comes around."  Mr. Selfish Agent made too many enemies and wound up drowning in his own self-aggrandizement... While that rookie ended up being one of the top producers in our company!  I love happy endings...

So, back to the Teamwork theme...  For many Counties (as well as Cities, States, and Global Countries), the 2006-2012 years have been tough to endure.  The bursting of the real estate bubble... as well as many other measurable economic indicator bubbles, has left us palpably shaken.  We here in Florida - and especially Flagler County - have had just about enough.  When you're trying to keep the bank from taking your house... and they've cut your hours at work... and your car needs tires... and gas hits $4.50/gal... and you need a vacation, but can't afford it...  IT'S TIME FOR SOME SERIOUS, NO NONSENSE, TEAMWORK ORIENTED, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT, RIGHT HERE AT HOME.  


As a member of the Flagler County Economic Development Advisory Council, I cannot say this enough:  "Site selectors want to know if all the local municipalities and government agencies play nice together!"  If an area gets a rep for being politically contentious... They'll go somewhere else to build or expand their business.  It is  imperative that we pay heed to this.  And a big part of the effort is to learn the "language of team."  Whenever the opportunity arises, our emphasis should be heavy on the "WE" and light on the "ME."  If it's a Palm Coast official, talk up the county and the beaches and the county seat history.  If it's a county official, spread the wealth and praise among all the entities.  Let people know we are in this together... and we all win.

We are so blessed in Flagler County!  We have so much to offer.  Recently, a national Site Selectors's workshop was held at the Hammock Beach Resort.  They loved it here and we got on more radar screens that ever before.  We'll make giant strides if we heed the advice of the famous motivator, Napolean Hill:  "You succeed best and quickest... by helping others to succeed!"

Palm Coast, FL, Real Estate Tidal Shift

                                                     

Point of Tidal Shift...
"Ebb Tide"

"Real Estate" has been the "happy" and also the "frustrating" for me, these past 25 years.  Just when you get to thinking that you are an expert... and have it all figured out... BAM!  It all changes, yet again!

Recently, I've had many conversations with a variety of property investors.  From wealthy folks who put millions into real estate in the 2000-2006 boom... to Mom & Pop who bought a modest vacation home here in Palm Coast or Flagler Beach, FL, during those same years.  To see the $580,000 (circa 2005) golf course lot, near the ocean, sell for $65,000 in 2011... or the $220,000 retirement home (in 2004) sell in a "short sale" in 2012 for $110,000, really hurts.  Yet, realistically, it sure doesn't hurt the buyer, does it?  Thank goodness, there are buyers who have faith that things will come back to equilibrium.  They have been keeping us afloat.

Not quite here at Equilibrium...
Yet!

Here's hoping that this is not wishful thinking, yet we seem to be "approaching" that magic place, where things "turn the corner."  We got hammered by the bust here in Florida, yet we read headlines that shout, "Many Major Real Estate Markets Seeing Price Increases!"  Well, not here yet.  We actually saw about a 4% decline in prices again this past quarter.  However, if other markets are trending up, then we will follow.  Good news is that our foreclosure rates are declining and our "distressed sales" fell to less than 50% of total market... (It had been over 60% for a couple of years)

Remember that "Ebb Tide" song, by The Righteous Brothers?

"First the tide rushes in;

Plants a kiss on the shore.
Then rolls out to sea;
And the sea is very still once more.
So I rush to your side;
Like the oncoming tide..."

Well, that's what the market is like... It gets hot and we rush in to buy.  Then it turns the other way and we rush to sell.  Sometimes, however, we get stuck at the ebb...  But it won't be long now.  The tide is changing...

Foreclosure Myths - 2012

Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales)
are 60% of the Palm Coast, FL market!

   "We meet so many people with mis-guided perceptions about today's market.  Just because it's a foreclosure or short sale, is by no means a guarantee of a great deal.  It's all about "seller motivation and local market knowledge" - and the seller may be Joe and Mary down the street... not a bank or hardship situation.  Make sure you do your homework!  (Frank Zedar, Broker Associate/Sales, Parkside Realty Group,Palm Coast, FL)

1. There is going to be a flood of new foreclosures to the market.

This rumor has appeared every year since 2008 and has been routinely debunked. However, recent announcements that the Feds reached a settlement over the robo-signing scandal have reignited speculation. The idea is simple: Since the cork is now out of the foreclosure bottle, we’ll soon see another flood of REOs inundating the marketplace.  This makes no sense to me at all.  To do so would be a form of the banks "shooting themselves in the foot."  Banks have learned that if they control inventory, they can affect local prices. By releasing homes in measured amounts, they realize higher prices than if they released a glut of homes. In addition, they’ve learned that if they can mitigate their losses by agreeing to a short sale, everyone wins.

2. You can go directly to a bank to buy a foreclosure.

Every few weeks I’m asked how to buy foreclosures direct from a bank. Someone knows a friend being foreclosed on and they want to step in and grab the house before it hits the market. Don’t we all? In reality, banks have a simple system – they first offer properties on the courthouse steps. The rest they assign to asset mangers who then hire local real estate agents to put them on the market along with all the other homes. Want an REO? Pay cash at the courthouse steps or get in line witheveryone else when they hit the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service).  And if you think hiring a lawyer will help - forget it. The banks have a system to release these homes in a reasonable sequence, which satisfies stock holder's interests.

This seems funny on the surface,
yet this is reality for many!

3. You can get a killer deal by submitting lowball offers on foreclosures.

You would think this myth would be dead by now. Unfortunately, like Elvis sightings, it just won’t go away. Here’s the truth: Banks want REOs sold in 30 days or less, so they typically appear on the market priced slightly under comparable properties. If the property doesn’t sell quickly, the bank will lower the price after about 30 days. Lowball offers are ignored and are, quite frankly, a waste of everyone’s time and effort. You might get a deal by offering a lower price on a foreclosure that’s been sitting on the market for more than 90 days, but remember that there are good reasons it’s gone unsold for so long. And even if you have cash, your lowball offer won’t be accepted —seriously.  People think their cash is somehow better than the cash provided by a mortgage company for a well qualified buyer?

4. You can’t use foreclosures when doing an appraisal.

Or short sales, for that matter. That is no longer true. In fact, in many neighborhoods, that’s all that’s there. Therefore, foreclosed or distressed sales represent the actual value of homes in the area and HAVE to be used to appraise other properties.  You may not like it, but it is the new reality. Times have changed and the ways neighborhoods are valued have changed as well.  (In Palm Coast, FL and all of Flagler County, these distressed sales comprise 60% of the market.  Of course they "count!")

5. Foreclosures are only affecting the bottom end of the market.

This used to be true. However, while foreclosure rates on the lower end of the market have actually decreased,they’re actually increasing on the upper end. According to Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac, the market share of foreclosed homes under $1 million is shrinking, but those among properties valued over $1 million are rising – up 115% since 2007. And foreclosures on properties valued upwards of $2 million have increased by 273%. While some well-known jet-setters have melted down and lost everything, others are choosing to strategically default. They see it like liquidating a poorly performing portfolio – they have enough resources to cut their losses and move on. Historically, banks have been reticent to foreclose high-end homes and absorb a large loss, but defaulters are now forcing their hands and mansion foreclosure rates are moving on up.  (In Palm Coast, FL and Flagler County, 25% of residential home and condo sales, over $300,000 in the past 15 months, have been distressed.)

Myths control behavior, and this has never been truer than in the housing market in 2012!  If you are in the market in Palm Coast or Flagler County, FL - and you need to buy or sell real estate in this chaotic and confusing market - you will need knowledgeable, experienced help.  I've been at this - in good markets and bad - for over 25 years.  Families and investors alike appreciate my professional approach to this business.  Let's meet and talk about your situation!  Thank you!  Frank Zedar, Parkside Realty Group.  Cell/Text:  386-931-1987.  email:  frankzedar@gmail.com.          (This is extracted from Carl Medford's Trulia Pro blog.  Carl is a Realtor with Prudential in California.  California, like Florida, is among the hardest hit states in this real estate mess.)