i believe something should be done about the bad national publicity we have been receiveing from the press, especially the Wall Street Journal. I believe that one of the reasons people swarmed the area last year is because it got trendy (in addition to beauty). People like prada, louis vaton, and sowal because all the trendy people have a piece of it. After a bad year of hurricanes, shark bites, and poor parking people have shyed away from buying beach homes in the panhandle. And I know we all think that it's REALLY expensive and crazy last summer, but really it is not when campared to places like the Hamptons, Miami, and San Diego. We attrat the same people that have second homes there. But not if they think that we are spent and "so last year" .
Anyways, I feel that there is enough money inversted in real estate here that we should defend our selves. Anytime a company does something stupid and people start to pull away from purchasing stock they release a press statement defending themselves. If we get together and start a campaign to get good publicity for the area it couldn't hurt. I feel like something should be done. Does anyone eles feel that this may be a good idea?
Having lived here my entire life I have mixed views about pimping out my area to outsiders. I have enjoyed the vacent majestic beaches with all the other poor rural locals back in the early 80's and even though I have to share the beaches and the roads with many more people now, I do appreciate how much better off people are that have taken advantage of the real estate boom. There is much more opportunity here and there is no need for it to completely collapse before it gets big again.
Replies
59Beach Lover
The county TDC does lots of advertising and PR. they spend millions and millions of our tax dollars and have gotten lots of people to buy here but have also ruined things.
They don't rebuild walkovers and still tell people to come here so they are lying. Good PR is about lying and covering it with money.
They don't rebuild walkovers and still tell people to come here so they are lying. Good PR is about lying and covering it with money.
margarita brocolia
....I believe that one of the reasons people swarmed the area last year is because it got trendy (in addition to beauty). People like prada, louis vaton, and sowal because all the trendy people have a piece of it......
We're not trendy .... We love the area for way different reasons.:scratch: You wouldn't be trying to drive the likes of us out would you? I'll stand up and say, my family wants more of OUR kind in SoWal.
Edited
SoWal Insider
:scratch: You wouldn't be trying to driving the likes of us out would you? I'll stand up and say, my family wants more of OUR kind in SoWal.
Honestly, the thought of SoWal being like SoBe or Key West makes me want to throw up. Trendy = bad IMO.
Beach ComberAuthor
FIRST I would like to say that I do appreciate all of the feedback. Even though a lot of it was posted from absentee owners. Not to offend anyone here, but where and when did you buy here? Where you not swayed by Gulf place, Watercolors, Seaside, and all of the other multi million dollar developments? Ask anyone that has lived here for several years and they will tell you that none of these developments are what Walton County truely is about.
But times have changed and we are dealing with the fact that people think its cool to live here. That's just the way it is. Now i know that most of the intelligent people on this message board don't want to lump themselves in the catagory of "trendy" people because if you are like me it's not cool to be trendy. But if they are the ones who are keeping out beaches livable, where most of us real locals make an acutal living, then we have to tend to them a little. I tell you this much I would much rather be a restruant owner or waitress, real estate agent or broker, and retail owner or worker than working up in Freeport as a farmer or living off of welfare. Have you ever been to upper walton county? South walton was not much different twenty years ago.
If the thought of marketing makes you think that it is only big bad business spending money on lies then you have never been involved with an honest businessman. Maybe ONLY a maketing campaign is not the answer, which is why I posted my thoughts in the first place. But we as people CAN get things done if we spend a little time and money one it. Rebuilding walkovers are a great place to start, in addition to hitting the specific people that are attacking us i.e. Wall Street Journal.
As far as if realtors have to spend money here then maybe we should find a new place to sell real estate. Let me tell you how much money they make on a single sale of a 2 million dollar house. It's more than enough to protect our interest here.
There are still a few places where it's not "trendy" in Florida. Ya'll ever been down to Appalachacola? Tell me how uncongested the roads are, how many diverse people live there, and how comletely in the middle of no where it is. There are no SOHO's there, no criollas, no bud and alleys, venus, mars, sufer girl. That's fine with me I don't take advantage of those things here. But I know that the majority of you do. So no hurt feelings, but try not to deny what South Walton has become and the direction it is going.
But times have changed and we are dealing with the fact that people think its cool to live here. That's just the way it is. Now i know that most of the intelligent people on this message board don't want to lump themselves in the catagory of "trendy" people because if you are like me it's not cool to be trendy. But if they are the ones who are keeping out beaches livable, where most of us real locals make an acutal living, then we have to tend to them a little. I tell you this much I would much rather be a restruant owner or waitress, real estate agent or broker, and retail owner or worker than working up in Freeport as a farmer or living off of welfare. Have you ever been to upper walton county? South walton was not much different twenty years ago.
If the thought of marketing makes you think that it is only big bad business spending money on lies then you have never been involved with an honest businessman. Maybe ONLY a maketing campaign is not the answer, which is why I posted my thoughts in the first place. But we as people CAN get things done if we spend a little time and money one it. Rebuilding walkovers are a great place to start, in addition to hitting the specific people that are attacking us i.e. Wall Street Journal.
As far as if realtors have to spend money here then maybe we should find a new place to sell real estate. Let me tell you how much money they make on a single sale of a 2 million dollar house. It's more than enough to protect our interest here.
There are still a few places where it's not "trendy" in Florida. Ya'll ever been down to Appalachacola? Tell me how uncongested the roads are, how many diverse people live there, and how comletely in the middle of no where it is. There are no SOHO's there, no criollas, no bud and alleys, venus, mars, sufer girl. That's fine with me I don't take advantage of those things here. But I know that the majority of you do. So no hurt feelings, but try not to deny what South Walton has become and the direction it is going.
Beach Comber
One quick clarification, all TDC efforts are funded by dollars paid by visitors staying less than 6 months called a bed tax or tourist occupancy tax- NOT County taxes. This goes for all beach restoration efforts, daily beach cleaning, post-hurricane debris removal, sea oat plantings, beach access rebuilding and maintenance, etc. Most people don't realize it but we have been exporting the cost of most of these activities to visitors for almost 20 years, and all of these activities since 1999.
As for access locations 25 are open today and the remaining ones will be completed by Memorial Day. Check http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/Open_Beach_Access.asp for more information.
As for access locations 25 are open today and the remaining ones will be completed by Memorial Day. Check http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/Open_Beach_Access.asp for more information.
Christini Zambini
FIRST I would like to say that I do appreciate all of the feedback. Even though a lot of it was posted from absentee owners. Not to offend anyone here, but where and when did you buy here? Where you not swayed by Gulf place, Watercolors, Seaside, and all of the other multi million dollar developments? Ask anyone that has lived here for several years and they will tell you that none of these developments are what Walton County truely is about.
But times have changed and we are dealing with the fact that people think its cool to live here. That's just the way it is. Now i know that most of the intelligent people on this message board don't want to lump themselves in the catagory of "trendy" people because if you are like me it's not cool to be trendy. But if they are the ones who are keeping out beaches livable, where most of us real locals make an acutal living, then we have to tend to them a little. I tell you this much I would much rather be a restruant owner or waitress, real estate agent or broker, and retail owner or worker than working up in Freeport as a farmer or living off of welfare. Have you ever been to upper walton county? South walton was not much different twenty years ago.
If the thought of marketing makes you think that it is only big bad business spending money on lies then you have never been involved with an honest businessman. Maybe ONLY a maketing campaign is not the answer, which is why I posted my thoughts in the first place. But we as people CAN get things done if we spend a little time and money one it. Rebuilding walkovers are a great place to start, in addition to hitting the specific people that are attacking us i.e. Wall Street Journal.
As far as if realtors have to spend money here then maybe we should find a new place to sell real estate. Let me tell you how much money they make on a single sale of a 2 million dollar house. It's more than enough to protect our interest here.
There are still a few places where it's not "trendy" in Florida. Ya'll ever been down to Appalachacola? Tell me how uncongested the roads are, how many diverse people live there, and how comletely in the middle of no where it is. There are no SOHO's there, no criollas, no bud and alleys, venus, mars, sufer girl. That's fine with me I don't take advantage of those things here. But I know that the majority of you do. So no hurt feelings, but try not to deny what South Walton has become and the direction it is going.
Kirsten, welcome to Sowal.com. We appreciate your postings and input. Be aware that most of those who post regularly on this board are very knowledgeable about the real estate market in this area. There are many professionals--realtors, developers, contractors, business owners--who post here (and at least one person who studies market trends for entertainment). There are many, many full-time Sowal residents, many who own property here (and wish they could be here full-time) and many who would love to own, but don't at this time. All are welcome. Sowal.com is a great forum for information about the area, intelligent debates (mostly about the "market" and investing), breathtaking photos (thanks to Kurt and Smiling JOe), and a whole lot of goofiness (visit "The Lounge").
You will find that many of the topics that you have brought up have been discussed in previous threads. Take some time to look through those threads and you will get a sense of who is who--where we're from, what we do for a living, and if we are bullish are bearish and the market. As you sift through the previous threads, you will find that some very interesting and intelligent conversations have taken place. And there are many very interesting and intelligent conversations that have yet to take place, so you input is welcome. Just don't jump to conclusions about the people on this board. This board in NOT a place where full-time SoWallians and full-time property-owners, but part-time residents, argue or fight. For at heart, almost everyone on this board is a full-time SoWallian.
Edited
margarita brocolia
One quick clarification, all TDC efforts are funded by dollars paid by visitors staying less than 6 months called a bed tax or tourist occupancy tax- NOT County taxes. This goes for all beach restoration efforts, daily beach cleaning, post-hurricane debris removal, sea oat plantings, beach access rebuilding and maintenance, etc. Most people don't realize it but we have been exporting the cost of most of these activities to visitors for almost 20 years, and all of these activities since 1999.
As for access locations 25 are open today and the remaining ones will be completed by Memorial Day. Check http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/Open_Beach_Access.asp for more information.
Thank you. I did not know that county taxes didn't help with some of the mentioned. This board again serves as a quick source of info.
Beach Comber
I have a home in a nonresort area of Seagrove. I do not want the area to be known as trendy with people flocking to vacation here. I bought here because I enjoy the uncrowded, natural beauty of the area. Growth is inevitable, but I wince at every new development.
Beach Comber
I think that I agree with you kirstenon30A and I have lived here since Ed Walline was just a place with two large concrete blocks painted to look like dice and One Seagrove was just a old house on an empty beach. To be a real local you have to know what I am talking about......haha Easy now and just kidding before I get cyber jumped....... I do agree though with the branding and marketing.
SoWal Expert
I think that I agree with you kirstenon30A and I have lived here since Ed Walline was just a place with two large concrete blocks painted to look like dice and One Seagrove was just a old house on an empty beach. To be a real local you have to know what I am talking about......haha Easy now and just kidding before I get cyber jumped....... I do agree though with the branding and marketing.So Reedtsu, I reread Kristenon30A's post and don't have a clue of where you are going with this. Since you have lived here longer than all of us, you think we should go on a major marketing program to sell more real estate and tell people to come in droves? I think that is what Kristen is talking about. Just trying to understand you correctly.
Beach Comber
The living here so long part was mostly a joke but you read correctly. From what I have read I do think we are getting some bad media. The shark attacks and all the predictions of several more years of bad hurricane seasons are a couple that really get me. They do not mention all the things that make South Walton South Walton. I would like to see people come here and continue to come here in droves, if they want. I do not think it is the popular opinion but it is mine. That old house and tacky concrete dice would still be there today if not for growth. Do you want it to stay just like it is now? Something does need to be done as far as governing the growth. Things could get out of hand quickly if they havn't already.
SoWal Insider
I would like to see people come here and continue to come here in droves............Something does need to be done as far as governing the growth. Things could get out of hand quickly if they havn't already.
Ya can't have it both ways.
Personally, having the wide, uncrowded beaches lined with dunes (not houses and condos) all to myself--with the only "downside" being the dice house? Where do I sign up?? You can keep your Prada and "louis vaton."
Beach Comber
I am not sure you would like it so much after a few months. The beach just gets old after awhile with nothing else to do. Cold weather hurts that image too. I like there being a Publix right down the street. I guess the romantic in me is not as strong as it should be.....I agree with the Louis Vaton thing!! 1000.00 for purse!! I sure would like the guy that marketed it to come market South Walton though!!
SoWal Insider
I am not sure you would like it so much after a few months. The beach just gets old after awhile with nothing else to do.
I DID.............and it DIDN'T.
I agree with the Louis Vaton thing!! 1000.00 for purse!! I sure would like the guy that marketed it to come market South Walton though!!
If you get a "Vaton" for $1,000 you've been robbed...and the guy who's marketing them in SoWal would more likely than not be selling them out of the trunk of an '82 Chevette.
Beach Fanatic
I agree with Kirsten on most of her points. I have full faith that SoWal will continue to grow. I also believe that many people who have lived here for a long time, for a short time, or who are second-home owners love it (regardless of when they bought their places here), though they may have different ideas about what it should look like in the future and what kind of people they want to be around.
Kirsten clearly loves the area and makes her comments not to tease people or annoy people, but to express a heartfelt hope and desire to have some say in the future of the area. As for Hamptons or Prada or whatever else annoys many people, that didn't jump out at me as much as someone caring about the area (and I don't own any Prada and I've never been to the Hamptons). I don't think Kirsten expected the comments to become SoWal sport (sorry, Kirsten -- message boards can often lack politeness norms that we often play by in face to face conversations).
There are other threads on this topic, but I wouldn't mind hearing ideas on this thread as well. I have to go to work now so can't reply now with specific ideas (other than get the boardwalks up quickly after storms and/or have the kind of boardwalks that can be pulled up before a storm is predicted). I think my comments would have to do more with protecting many of the good things we already have (bike trail, nature, parks, etc.), managing traffic, life guards in some areas (which we'll have), supporting local businesses including restaurants/galleries/taxis/physicians. I also think having more books of all kinds about the area published (with the great photos by our growing number of photographers in this area) would be useful (e.g. history, cookbooks, poetry, photographs, children's books, etc.)
So Kirsten, I think it would be very interesting and useful to have a conversation with you!
Kirsten clearly loves the area and makes her comments not to tease people or annoy people, but to express a heartfelt hope and desire to have some say in the future of the area. As for Hamptons or Prada or whatever else annoys many people, that didn't jump out at me as much as someone caring about the area (and I don't own any Prada and I've never been to the Hamptons). I don't think Kirsten expected the comments to become SoWal sport (sorry, Kirsten -- message boards can often lack politeness norms that we often play by in face to face conversations).
There are other threads on this topic, but I wouldn't mind hearing ideas on this thread as well. I have to go to work now so can't reply now with specific ideas (other than get the boardwalks up quickly after storms and/or have the kind of boardwalks that can be pulled up before a storm is predicted). I think my comments would have to do more with protecting many of the good things we already have (bike trail, nature, parks, etc.), managing traffic, life guards in some areas (which we'll have), supporting local businesses including restaurants/galleries/taxis/physicians. I also think having more books of all kinds about the area published (with the great photos by our growing number of photographers in this area) would be useful (e.g. history, cookbooks, poetry, photographs, children's books, etc.)
So Kirsten, I think it would be very interesting and useful to have a conversation with you!
Beach Fanatic
I don't think Kirsten expected the comments to become SoWal sport (sorry, Kirsten -- message boards can often lack politeness norms that we often play by in face to face conversations).Well said Paula - I see this all too often here, and wonder why..
... esp. when it frequently comes from long-time posters
I agree with Kirsten on most of her points. I have full faith that SoWal will continue to grow. I also believe that many people who have lived here for a long time, for a short time, or who are second-home owners love it (regardless of when they bought their places here), though they may have different ideas about what it should look like in the future and what kind of people they want to be around.:clap_1: (re the the thread topic and Kirsten's/ Paula's point of view)
... So Kirsten, I think it would be very interesting and useful to have a conversation with you!
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Beach Fanatic
Paula, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Also, more civility and less sarcasm is needed on message boards. This is a fabulous forum for expressing concerns and ideas. When someone expresses a heartfelt thought, it is not helpful when it is met with sarcasm and condescension. Just my opinion.
SoWal Insider
Kirsten clearly loves the area and makes her comments not to tease people or annoy people, but to express a heartfelt hope and desire to have some say in the future of the area.
Kirsten is/was a real estate agent so IMO rah-rah comments come with the territory and are accepted with a grain of salt. Being in the "business" I would think <hope> she's quite capable of defending her position.
Beach Lover
Ya can't have it both ways.
Personally, having the wide, uncrowded beaches lined with dunes (not houses and condos) all to myself--with the only "downside" being the dice house? Where do I sign up?? You can keep your Prada and "louis vaton."[/
It's Louis Vuitton and it's too late for SoWal. I promise you won't even
have to get out of your car. Drive from Grayton to Rosemary on 30-A,
check out the cars driving past you....that will tell you the whole story...
You won't even have to get out of your car to know what's going on!!!
While driving down 30-A, try to avoid all construction trucks on the road too.
Stop by the Seagrove Beach Mkt. Real Estate office and pick up the "new"
Hotel Viridian literature. Note the architect's rendering of the development.
Make note of the Hotel Lobby.......their using a CHANEL store in the back-
ground. Too late to keep your Prada, Louis Vuitton & Luella crowds away.
The Carole King song is here to stay!! It's Too Late Baby!!!
Christini Zambini
Ya can't have it both ways.
Personally, having the wide, uncrowded beaches lined with dunes (not houses and condos) all to myself--with the only "downside" being the dice house? Where do I sign up?? You can keep your Prada and "louis vaton."[/
It's Louis Vuitton and it's too late for SoWal. I promise you won't even
have to get out of your car. Drive from Grayton to Rosemary on 30-A,
check out the cars driving past you....that will tell you the whole story...
You won't even have to get out of your car to know what's going on!!!
While driving down 30-A, try to avoid all construction trucks on the road too.
Stop by the Seagrove Beach Mkt. Real Estate office and pick up the "new"
Hotel Viridian literature. Note the architect's rendering of the development.
Make note of the Hotel Lobby.......their using a CHANEL store in the back-
ground. Too late to keep your Prada, Louis Vuitton & Luella crowds away.
The Carole King song is here to stay!! It's Too Late Baby!!!
Shelly knows it is "Louis Vuitton." She was referencing the first post in this thread in which the poster misspelled it as "Louis Vaton."
SoWal Insider
Shelly knows it is "Louis Vuitton." She was referencing the first post in this thread in which the poster misspelled it as "Louis Vaton."
WHAT??That's the way it's spelled on my luggage! Can I file a complaint with the BBB on a guy in a '82 Chevette? His tag number was SAX 5TH--so I thought he was trustworthy.
Beach Fanatic
Frankly, I've always been treated very well by realtors, including the two realtors I worked with in SoWal (thank you to them, I'm happy and found a great fit for a vacation place) and in my home town (twice). So, my experience is that realtors, like people in any other business, do good work and, in general, serve us and their communities well. Sure, there are people who try to take advantage of people in any field, but in general, I like to hear what realtors say about an area, particularly the future of an area. Of course, I know there will be biases, but I like to learn what I can and I hope I'm wise enough to keep the biases that every profession has in perspective when making decisions. People, in general, deserve respect and, as I've said before on this board, stereotyping people rarely leads to anything productive for anyone. It's just way too simplistic for my taste.
Beach Fanatic
Frankly, I've always been treated very well by realtors, including the two realtors I worked with in SoWal (thank you to them, I'm happy and found a great fit for a vacation place) and in my home town (twice). So, my experience is that realtors, like people in any other business, do good work and, in general, serve us and their communities well. Sure, there are people who try to take advantage of people in any field, but in general, I like to hear what realtors say about an area, particularly the future of an area. Of course, I know there will be biases, but I like to learn what I can and I hope I'm wise enough to keep the biases that every profession has in perspective when making decisions. People, in general, deserve respect and, as I've said before on this board, stereotyping people rarely leads to anything productive for anyone. It's just way too simplistic for my taste.:clap_1:
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SoWal REALTOR?
beats on hood
Paula, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Also, more civility and less sarcasm is needed on message boards. This is a fabulous forum for expressing concerns and ideas. When someone expresses a heartfelt thought, it is not helpful when it is met with sarcasm and condescension. Just my opinion.The problem is that quite frequently when someone disagrees with you on this board, they attack you personally instead of disagreeing with your point of view. I have best friends with whom I strongly disagree on many issues, but I would never attack them personally. Some people on this board don't roll like that, and it's just not civil.
For example, recently I made a not-well-thought-out comment on another thread. We're not publishing for a professional journal - hell, this is just a message board - but when you make a mistake, some people are just ready to pounce. Someone even rudely and sarcastically tried to put me down by calling me "Mrs. Ph.D." Well, I wasn't pretending to be an expert on that subject or an expert on *every* subject - my expertise is only in math and computer science. Again, I made the mistake of making a post (a) on an area in which I have no expertise (not that this is a prerequisite for this board) and (b) which was not well thought out. I apologized profusely, and still I got a sarcastic reply.
It's easy to fire off a post. Yes, I have made posts I have regretted, but I am known as a person with integrity. If I have inadvertently offended you and not apologized, please accept my sincere apologies.
As an aside, I've learned from my uneducated mother that people love to put down Ph.D.'s - she does it to me all of the time - it makes her feel superior because she is intimidated by it. Frankly, I don't feel superior because I have a Ph.D. - rather, I was just stupid enough to stay in school long enough to get one. And that only makes me have expertise in one small area of my discipline, not expertise in all of the world's knowledge. BOTTOM LINE: I AIN'T NO SMARTER THAN NOBODY. I JUST GOT ME A PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS I BE A DOCTOR.
SoWal Insider
Kirsten clearly loves the area and makes her comments not to tease people or annoy people, but to express a heartfelt hope and desire to have some say in the future of the area.
Note the TITLE of the thread...it speaks volumes.
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