Foundation Announces Columbia County - Lake City FL as the First Six Pillars Community in the State of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Juli Puckett, jpuckett@FLFoundation.org


(850) 521-1217
Foundation Announces Columbia County as the First

Six Pillars Community in the State of Florida

Tallahassee, Florida (January 28, 2011) – The Florida Chamber Foundation announced that Columbia County has completed the steps to becoming the first Six Pillars Community in the State of Florida during a press conference today. The event took place at Columbia County High School’s Career Center with local leaders who spearheaded this effort for the County’s economic future.

In August of 2009, Columbia County IDA started out on a mission to develop a strategic plan for their community. After a presentation by the Florida Chamber Foundation on the 2030 Project to community leaders, the Columbia County IDA recognized the importance of aligning their efforts with what was being done on a state level by the Foundation.

“Florida is embarking on a new economy and communities across the state must take an active role in designing the future of their regions,” said Dr. Dale Brill, president of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “Columbia County sets the example of how to effectively plan for a new economy that they will be a part of.”

In order to become a Six Pillars Community, a municipality in Florida must complete a 10-step process focused around the Six Pillars for Florida’s Future framework. This framework serves as an organizing force for strategic planning at local, regional and state levels. It provides a means of harnessing fragmented viewpoints into a common and consistent conversation so that thoughtful and productive planning can take place. This ensures that communities across the state of Florida will design plans unique to their area – all connected by a common language that bubbles up to inform the state plan.
“We had a dedicated team of community leaders made up primarily of private business but also included local government, who worked tirelessly to position Columbia County as a player in economic development,” said Gina Reynolds, Deputy Director, Columbia County IDA. “The Six Pillars Community designation offers us the power of collective resources and a unified vision which will bubble up to state-wide efforts.”

The Columbia County IDA identified five strategic goals that will position the county for prosperity, high-wage jobs, and the ability to compete in a global market:

1. The Right Portfolio of Sites

2. High Performing RACEC Catalyst Site

3. Unprecedented Customer Service

4. Outstanding Market Communications

5. Engaged and Informed Partners

Implementation of the strategic goals has been a team effort of community leaders. A trained and equipped workforce is important to the future of the community’s prosperity. Community educators took the lead and developed a Career Academy for Global Logistics at Columbia High School and a Bachelors Degree in Global Logistics at Florida Gateway College. Coupled with the Employ Florida Banner Center for Global Logistics at Florida Gateway College, Columbia County is preparing their workforce in one of their target industries.

Preparations are already underway by working groups focusing on specific areas of development. The working groups will have input into the overall direction and marketing efforts of economic development

SugarSync for 2011 vs Dropbox vs LiveMesh - Great Service for Real Estate Agents

I have been using SugarSync for a month or so now & just upgraded to the paid version. You can get 30 GB of storage, sync, and back for $4.99 a month. If you work with folders in Windows XP or Windows 7 alot, this is a great service & a excellent value.

Example: I am a real estate agent & each of my customers whether they are my sellers (listings) or my buyers, each one of them has a folder. Now that I am nearly 100% all digital in my personal real estate files, I have Mozy to do a once a day backup of my files, but now I also use SugarSync as a 2nd backup. However, the primary purpose of my SugarSync is not the backup its the Sync!

When I go to a closing, I only need to bring my iPad, quicky sync that customers folder to the iPad for offline use, and off I go. Every single file is quickly & easily uploaded for backup & sync as I use my computer.

Also the service allows incredible ease of access & sync with about any device including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry.

I use a Blackberry Bold as well & there is a great app for viewing & sharing files. Another example is I was recently driving thru a bank teller drive thru when I got a call from another real estate agent. He wanted copies of deed restrictions of one of my listings. I simply grabbed my Blackberry Bold, selected the customers file I needed, clicked the deed restrictions, clicked email, put agent email, & within seconds, the other agent had a email link to download the deed restrictions quickly & easily.

Just another way a real estate agent can keep very up todate, very efficient, & very organized with technology, and all for very reasonable.

Hope you like my real estate tech tip. If you are interested in signing up for a FREE SugarSync 5GB account, click here and you will get 500mb bonus storage. Again its FREE, No credit card required. Its well worth trying out. - Thanks & take care. - Chad

Here is a site that Scott Britt from Britt Surveying showed me that is very helpful with property elevations ect….. http://www.labins.org/
This is a topo site that is run by FSU with input from surveyers around the state.

From Burbach Realty Services, Real Estate Agents in the Lake City, FL area.

Columbia County - Lake City FL Houses for Sale - Market Data - Real Estate

Interesting Columbia County, Lake City FL Housing market stats to ponder:

• Current residential home total listing inventory in Columbia County is 396.

• Closed sales since Jan 1 total 296 and annualized this will be around 322 closed sales which shows a current inventory supply of 14+ months. (A normal functioning real estate market will have a 6-8 month inventory supply)

Sold stats by price/current active listings in this price range: (closed sales only through Dec 8 not to Dec 31)

100k or less: 111 sales/106 active listings
100-150k: 92 sales/95 active listings
150-200k: 51 sales/75 active listings
200-300k: 36 sales/80 active listings
300-400k: 4 sales/21 active listings
400k +: 2 sales/19 active listings

• YOU CAN DEFINITELY SEE WHERE THE ACTION HAS BEEN! 150k OR LESS THERE HAS BEEN OVER 200 SALES IN 11 MONTHS CUTTING THE INVENTORY IN THAT PRICE RANGE TO AROUND 10 MONTHS
• THE MID RANGE OF 150-200k HAS BEEN SOFT AND SHOWS 16 MONTHS OF INVENTORY. (A HEALTHY MARKET IS 6-8 MOS. INVENTORY)
• THE UGLY PART IS 200k AND UP WITH THE DEAD ZONE ABOVE 300k WHERE ONLY 6 SALES HAVE OCCURRED. WITH ONLY 42 SALES IN THIS PRICE RANGE, AND 120 CURRENT LISTINGS, WE SHOW A 30 MONTH SUPPLY IN THIS PRICE RANGE!

Information Gathered from Lake City, FL MLS From Charlie Sparks, My former Broker With Westfield Realty Group

Lake City FL Commercial Office & Retail Space for Lease

We have several excellent centers in Lake City, FL with commercial office or retails space available for lease. These are top quality centers are a variety of locations & prices.

These are location owned by Westfield Realty Group's sister company, Westfield Investment Group.

See the flyers here. PDF file.

J.P. Morgan - 4th Qtr 2010 - Guide to the Markets

Here is tons of data regarding the markets, real estate, economy, business & more. Lots of charts, graphs & statistics.
Here is the report. Opens PDF.

Columbia County General Flood Zone Info

Here is some general information from Columbia County about Flood Zone information for the area. Helpful info to have when buying land & real estate in the Lake City, FL area

Click here for the info

10 Things You Can Do Today To Improve Your Credit

10 things you can do to improve your credit.. There are some incredible deasl when buying a house right now, but if your credit is less than 620 range, you may miss out on the great prices & interest rates.

Now is the time to take a closer look at your credit & do all you can to get it as best you can.

http://credit.about.com/od/creditrepair/tp/improvecredit.htm

Lake City FL has great houses for sale right now in many price ranges, contact a quality lender today to get started on your loan application & find out your score.

For all your real estate, housing, MLS search, foreclosure needs for the Lake City, FL area. Come back to http://www.chadstewart.com/ & start searching.

Lake City - Columbia County FL - Inland Port

This is from Florida Trend - & Cynthia Barnett - all credit goes to them.


Off U.S. Highway 90 outside Columbia County's Lake City, a big white sign stands incongruously in front of a forest of young pine trees: "Future Site of Inland Port." After years of work, the state and 14 counties launched the 2,500-acre industrial-development project this fall to create a catalyst for business investment in a region that suffered low wages and high unemployment rates well before the economic downturn.


http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=53684

This is great news for the Lake City - Columbia County Florida area. This brings not only long term recognition to the area, but along with it brings new higher wage jobs, more regional county industry & business growth, and  positive planned growth.

Just up the road on Hwy 90 from this site is a great multi use industrial facility for sale. Check it out here. http://www.industrialpropertyfl.com/

Also in Live Oak, FL is a prime retail & commercial development tract. See link http://commercialpropertyfla.com/

 - Chad Stewart - Pro Realtor - Westfield Realty Group.

New Real Estate Home Listing in Lake City FL by Chad Stewart - Westfield Realty

Cute & Affordable Home listed in Lake City, FL. This home is in a great location close to town , schools, & shopping. In good condition & great price for this house at $89,900. The house is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath,  and is on a 1/2 acre lot.
Furniture & all Appliances included, Fridge, Stove, Dishwasher, Washer & Dryer, 2 sheds.

First get pre-qualified by a local Lake City, FL lender, then contact me or your Realtor for a showing. If you need a local lender recommendation. Click here. http://www.chadstewart.com/Featured_Lenders.html
Here is a map link to the property.

Updated Video Tour - Lake City FL Real Estate

Lake City, FL Real Estate - Home for Sale in Callawy Subdivision. Very Nice. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. Upscale Interior, Quality Built, Huge Back Porch, large kitchen, 2,293 sq ft heated. 3698 sq ft under roof, plus workshop.

Upscale House & Real Estate for Sale in Lake City FL

Very nice house for sale in Callaway here in Lake City, FL. Well built with lots of features. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, about 2,293 sq ft. Large enclosed back porch with disappearing sliding doors! Wow, Check this out today. Link to youtube here. Call to schedule your tour today.


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Commercial Real Estate in Live Oak, FL - Suwannee County

55 +/- acre prime development tract located across the street from Wal-Mart on Hwy 129 in Live Oak, FL. This is in high commercial activity growth corridor ½ mile south of Interstate 10, in Suwannee County, FL.


http://www.commercialpropertyfla.com/

The Inland Port project in Lake City got good press in the Gainesville Sun today.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100807/ARTICLES/8071009&tc=email_newsletter

The Psychology of Real Esate - Interesting

Here is an interesting article about how people think & see real estate choices & options.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/the-psychology-of-real-estate.html

I definetly would reccomend painting and recarpeting if your home is showing too many signs of aging or wear an tear. This will help the buyers get past the cost & hassle of having to redo it themselves after they purchase. Most buyers will over compensate about 2-3 times for these type of items.

Example: If a buyer walks into a moderate home that needs new paint & flooring, rather than see or estimate it till take $2,500 for paint & carpet, they will estimate $5,000 to $7,500 just to be safe & offer that much less. Its good for both buyers & sellers to understand this & think logically about it to make the best decisions.

Thanks. Check back again - Chad Stewart - Westfield Realty Group - Lake City FL Real Estate Broker Associate.

Homes are extremely affordable, Especially Lake City FL Homes & Real Estate

FAR affordability index. Still running at historic highs. The average buyer has nearly twice the income necessary to buy the median priced home financed with the average fixed rate mortgage loan.

Click Here

Columbia County - Lake City FL Regional Inustrial Development News

RePost from Columbia County FL Industrial Development Authority newsletter. Lake City, FL is definetly a up & coming place for regional development, and long term growth & stability for Florida.

The Columbia County Industrial Development Authority is busy working on several projects for the betterment of Columbia County, the region and the state. To keep you up to date with activities involving economic development in Columbia County, we have attached several articles for your perusal. If you missed previously released articles and columns, they can be viewed by visiting our link on the County’s website, http://www.columbiacountyfla.com/IDA.asp  or you may click on one of the links to previous articles provided below. We are working diligently to develop our own website and will notify you upon completion.

Recent links relevant to economic development in Columbia County:

IDA Column: Historic meeting marks unified effort to transforms area’s economy : http://www.lakecityjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=75&ArticleID=6172
Jacksonville Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/06/28/daily4.html?ana=e_du_pap
St. Leo University preparing students for International Trade: Here

Officials discuss major projects to prepare Columbia County as Inland Port: Article Here

Poole, Huddleston and Reynolds selected for Florida Chamber Foundation’s Caucus System: Link Here

Plum Creek and Columbia County Team Up for Job Creation: http://www.plumcreek.com/tabid/73/itemid/981/Plum-Creek-and-Columbia-County-Team-Up-for-Job-Cre.aspx

Foundation Grants Making Impact on Education: Read here
The Columbia County Industrial Development Authority Board meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. The meetings are open to the public and we welcome your attendance.

Posted by Chad Stewart, Westfield Realty Group, Credit goes to article writers, and CCFLIda

Homebuyer Tax credit extension.

Repost of FL Realtors Information:
Congress extends homebuyer tax credit and flood insurance

The U.S. Senate passed two bills last evening previously passed by the House. Both bills still need President Obama's signature to become law, but that's expected to happen quickly.

Homebuyer tax credit:
The Senate passed HR 5623, which extends the mandatory closing date to qualify for the homebuyer tax credit. The contract deadline does not change - homebuyers must have a contract signed by April 30, 2010 (an exception for active duty military) - but the previous closing deadline of June 30, 2010, has been extended to Sept. 30, 2010. The National Association of Realtors estimates that the approved bill will benefit more than 14,000 deals in Florida.

Lake City FL Phone Book & Directories

If you are looking for a Phone Book for the Lake City, FL area. Here are a couple resources for you. Of course Google is what I use for searching for real estate or anything about a city like Lake City, FL, but sometimes it might be nice to just browse the phone book.

Local Edge - the Talking Phone Book - Lake City - Live Oak
http://www.localedge.com/laci

At&t - Bellsouth - Real Yellow Pages for Lake City
http://www.realpageslive.com/WebProject.asp?BookCode=lkf09htm&from=2


Google Local

Here is an encouraging report. We continue to build on the good news momentum.


http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=238713