Tallahassee Area’s Newest Park

Today, I took my family to a new park in Leon County, beside Lake Jackson, one of largest lakes in the Tallahassee area. Jackson View Park has plenty of open green space, trees, walking paths, covered picnic tables, a childrens’ playground, and a boardwalk looking out at the area’s nature. Green is the most common color found in this region it seems. There are so many parks, nature, and evergreen trees in Tallahassee, Leon County, and surrounding land.

We heard the happy sounds of birds. It is so comfortable walking in a park, and listening to birds. I get that from my dad, and his dad, who were both avid bird watcher. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to identify that many birds, but I do want to pick up my dad’s old bird books, and learn how to identify them. I also want to learn how to identify their sounds.

Tallahassee real estate and new home builders

I have a list of all the residential home builders in Tallahassee, Florida, that I like to keep handy, just in case I have a buyer who is interested in a particular builder in Tallahassee, Leon County, and surrounding area.

Not all of course, but many homebuyers want to purchase a brand new home. Sometimes that is good, sometimes that is not good. It depends on many factures. For some folks, an older ranch style home is just fine, with its typically bigger, spacious yard, than what if often found with new homes. Tallahassee, Florida, and Leon County, has all kinds of home styles, new and established neighborhoods, and a vast variety of price ranges.

I can assist you with finding a new home builder, and getting you all prepared with working with a new home builder, in Tallahassee, and Leon County, Florida.  Just let me know, as there is a lot of differences between home builders. The two big builders in the Leon County, Florida area are Turner, and Premier.

When interviewing a new home builder, be sure to ask about what buyer incentives the builder is offering, and if builder pays closing costs. I would probably not buy from a builder who does not pay closing costs. I have bought two new homes and the builder paid closing costs for me. That made it easier for me when I was out purchasing a new home. You will want to know the time frame, when the home is expected to be completed. To protect yourself, get all inspection copies from the builder, including the WDO, or what is called the, Wood Destroying Organism inspection report. This is Florida, and we have WDO issues, so inspections, and remedies are important. Builders are good about taking care of this, but never asume, and always get documents in writing. Real estate is so much about documentation. We document everything.

Kenneth Fach, REALTOR
Weichert, REALTORS-Anchor
1607 Village Square Boulevard, Suite B103
Blog: http://KennethFach.wordpress.com
Cell 850-339-5753

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Oak Valley and Russell’s Pond subdivisions in northwest Tallahassee with nice homes

Off of N Monroe, or Hwy 27, in northwest Leon County, just outside ot Tallahassee, Florida, sit two single family home subdivisions: Oak Valley and Russell’s Pond. Most of the homes were build after 1990. The homes are very affordable, have three bedrooms and two baths, nice yards, front and back, and a pond in the community.

Most of the homes in these two subdivisions, are contemporary in style, with or without ranch style home features, but there are some small ranch style homes as well.  Some homes have brick exterior, some vinyl siding, and some wood, or hardie board. Although, the homes are relatively small, (most under 1500 square feet of heating and cooling space), they come with popular features that so many buyers like: walk-in closets, cathedral, or vaulted ceilings, open floor plans, ceiling fans, and some with fenced in back yards, not to mention all the many other characteristics.

Both neighborhoods are close to several parks, both with recreational facilities, and a playground. One of the parks is situated on Lake Jackson, which is one of the biggest lakes, among the many lakes in Leon County, Florida. This park has bike trails, hiking trails, a boardwalk along the lake, with a view of a lake ecosystem, and there are picnic pavilions with grills, for big groups, as well as small groups. One of Tallahassee’s and Leon County’s newest schools, Canopy Oaks Elementary School, with just down the road. There is a new athletic community park next to this school, with soccer, tennis, running, and baseball facilities. Canopy Oaks Elementary is a very good school, but I am partial, my son attends there, and is a happy Cardinal. The school’s website is, http://www.canopyoaks.leon.k12.fl.us/ 

Russell’s Pond subdivision has 141 homes.
There are 9 homes currently listed with real estate companies, with the average price of $149,633. Since January, 1 home sold, and the sold price was, $145,000.

Oak Valley subdivision has 159 single family homes. There are 5 homes currently on the market with real estate companies. The average home price is, $167,00. Since January, 1 home sold, and for the price of $145,000.

As a real estate agent, I always like talking homes and neighborhoods with people. If you would like to know about other neighborhoods in and around Tallahassee, Florida, please let me know. If you are from Tallahassee, Leon County, and have information about neighborhoods, that you would like me to post, please tell me. I am always looking to learn more about the many neighborhoods from people who have lived there man years, or from the birth of neighborhood.

Please read my other real estate blog posts on this site, and don’t forget to leave a comment. Blogging is sharing ideas, and learning from one another.

Kenneth Fach, REALTOR, ePRO
Weichert, REALTORS-Anchor
1607 Village Square Blvd., Suite B103
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Cell 850-339-5753, Web http://KennethFach.com
Blog http://KennethFach.wordpress.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Tallahassee Real Estate Growth in Every Direction

Remember the old saying in American history, “go west young man, go west?” In Tallahassee, Florida, you can go west, south, east, north, northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast and find new home subdivisions, some single family homes, some condominiums, some townhome communities, some, upscale homes, but truly, Tallahassee’s real estate development is shooting forth all over, like the falling to the earth of many sparks from an explosion of fireworks in the night sky, and this, even when the markets are buyers’ markets at this time, some strong, and some weaker. The bulk of grown in Leon County and Tallahassee is towards the east, and southeast. There is a lot of land that is undeveloped, forest land.

Off of highway 90, and Bucklake Road in east Tallahassee, appears the busy activity of building a new commercial and residential development mixed, called Fallschase. There will be a new Walmart, Cosco, Books a Million and Dilliards. There will be several thousand single family homes, and apartments. Fallschase represents  a big piece of real estate that is just in the process of moving forward. Things are moving fast. Some of the structures have been built. This will be a very big community relative to other communities in Tallahassee, and Leon County.

Home building  and real estate development does not stop in this region of canopy covered roads, forests, parks, many trees, and very friendly residents. Tallahassee real estate is a system that is moving, living and having its being, regardless of sellers market or buyers market. Real estates goes on. Government employees come and go in this capital city, new corporations take up roots here, people come to retire from elsewhere, even from foreign nations, parents comes to invest in housing for their university age students who will be studying at one of the two big universities here.  

My Leon County Florida Backyard View

My home sweet home. In the picture you see what I see looking out from the back of my house in northwest Leon County, Florida, just outside of Tallahassee.

It is not the greenest appearance of nature since the picture was just taken, here in December. Most of my life I have had nature scenes similar to this in the back of my home. I feel blest to have experience nature up close. Photosynthesis is working right before my eyes and I am breathing good air. Deer, rabbits, fox, turtles are some of the inhabitants out in that green zone separating my home from Little Lake Jackson.

I don’t usually pass a day without admiring this forested area and expanse of privacy. Other neighbors have a simillar view, a view that I hope they admire and rejoice in as much as I do.

My love of flora came from my early beginnings, those first 9 years
of my life in southern California. Dad often took me camping in Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park and elsewhere. Dad took me out rock hunting in nature to find rocks for his awesome Japanese Garden that he built in our California backyard. During that time, I also was active in Cub Scouts, (and later Boy Scouts). When we moved to New Mexico, where I lived for 2 years until age 11 or 12, I joined the boy scouts, and went camping almost twice a month. Dad also, took me hiking, rock hunting, and taught me about rocks. We explored abandoned ghost towns that were sitting in isolated regions of New Mexico. I spent much time in the outdoors with dad, growing up.

Then there was Grandpa Fach. He owned a canyon outside of Albuquerque, over 300 acres I believe. He used to take me on mountain hikes and taught me about the flora and fauna of his canyon. He was a naturalist among many other things. He kept a record of the number of bird varieties showing up in the canyon.

To this day, I am the happiest man on earth when I am in the presense of trees, green nature around me, (and maybe some rocks to go with it).

The First Home I Listed in Leon County

A couple years ago, in the fast moving seller’s market that we experienced here in Tallahassee, I listed, and marketed this traditional ranch style home sitting on an acre of land on Williams Road outside of Tallahassee, in Leon County, in the southeast direction, in the country, yet close to town.Since than I have sold other properties in and outside Tallahassee, but this one is memorable for many reasons. It was a pleasure working with the sellers, and coordinating the home selling and home buying transaction. Much goes on behind the scenes in a real estate transaction to put it all together. Many service provides get involved: mortgage professionals, appraiser, home inspector, WDO inspector, surveyor, title representatives, closing coordinator, agents, moving company contacts, home repair professionals (if required), recorder.

Canopy Road Future In Tallahassee, Florida

Roads
I am attending the Canopy Roads Visioning Workshop at Dorothy B Oven
Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The issue is how to manage, protect and
plan for the future of the canopy roads and canopy corridors in
Tallahassee, Leon County. I am attending because I honor the trees and
want to see these majestic oaks and other tree types protected for
years into the future.
Tallahassee and surrounding lands have a unique tradition of having so
many trees and tree covered roads, the canopy roads. There is an
active biodiversity here. As the result of abundant tree ecosystems
there is an abundant wildlife population as well. This is one big
attraction to me living in this community. As the urban area expands,
there has to be a plan to manage the tree population. I am gathering
the comments made at the workshot for those who care about trees and
how a community can plan for the future of these inhabitants among us.
There is not a day that goes by almost that I do not drive or walk
down these beautiful tree canopy roads.
When you look at early photos of Tallahassee you can’t help but notice
these natural wonders. There is such a restful, cozy feeling traveling
through these canopy road coridors. They are our treasure. We
Tallahasseans love our trees.
Here are the comments made.
*It is about our trees which connects us to our past. It separates us
from other cities. Canopy roads serve as primary transportation
corridos in our community.
*There is a management plan already, such as when to prune the trees.
*What are the big issues:
*TRANSPORTATION:
-Prohibit commercial license vehicles.
Alternate roads to protect trees.
-More focus in alternative transportation.
-Enforcing speed limit.
-Have non canopy road routes as well.
-Development should adapt to the canopy roads and not threaten the roads.
-Triple canopy road system
-Safe bicycle passage.
-Road bumps to restrict traffic.
-Build homes along roads with nice views.
-Off road paths parallel to roads.
-Bike and pedestian trails.
-Plant more trees.
-Offer more protection for parallel off road paths.
-Schedule automobiles on alternate days.
-Use GIS in planning.
*TREASURES (the people):
-Network of canopy and historic roads regionally and nationally recognized.
-Offer ad valorem tax break for land home owners who protect their canopy trees.
-Recognized as national asset
-Featured in travel magazines.
-Canopy road festivals.
-Public roads.
-Improving vistas.
-Secure funding.
*TREES:
-Tree education program
Keeping as many trees as possible as a community heratage.
-Agressive enforcement of tree maintenance.
-Include other trees beside Oaks. More biodiversity.
-Risk assessment of trees and catalogue them. Prevent fatal accidents.
-Expand and nurture wildlife habitats.
-Enforce tree removal and protection.
-Expand tree growth.
-Have a grading system for canopy trees.
-Extensive mnagement.
-Management should be corridor specific, road specific.
-Limit denisity.
Tallahassee has a strict no cutting down tree without planting more
trees policy. This is a subject that will be of importance to our
community for a long time I believe.
Kenneth Fach
Tallahassee, FL 32309

A Neighborhood We Had to Come Home To

My wife, son, and I sold our beautiful Lakeside neighborhood home in northwest Leon County, just outside of Tallahassee,  after living there for a number of years,  and thought we would go west, to better opportunities. We did so much to our beloved home in Lakeside: painted the walls several times throughtout the years we lived there since we built the Leon County, Florida home in Lakeside Subdivision, had fun decorating with accessories, furniture, rearranging furniture in innumerable ways it seems, and had a remarkable vegetable and flower garden. Our son had a very attractive child’s room. We were proud of our home and what we did. People often are proud of what they put into their homes, but when opportunity knocks, many of us will leave our homes to establish roots and work on a new home elsewhere.

I started working in Pensacola, Florida, in real estate sales. Did good considering I just entered that profession earlier that same year, about 6 months earlier.  I listed and sold properties. I was developing a client base. Everything was looking GREAT. Wife was about to get a new job in Pensacola working for a state laboratory. Then, came Hurricane Ivan, and dad passed on just prior to the hurricane. My world changed somewhat. Dad’s loss was tremendous, and a surprise to all of us, as Dad was healthy all his 82 years and never suffered illness.

The hurricane destroyed so much of Pensacola’s homes, and real estate listings were torn asunder. I saw gorgeous beach front homes and estates destroyed by tornados as a result of the hurricane. I lost clients and customers. Homes I was selling or going to sell had trees lying in the living room or elsewhere. Roofs were missing. Several customers lost there jobs and could therefore not buy a home. So many tears shed by so many people. Horrible!

I came back to Tallahassee, moved into a rental property we own, where my wife and son were residing in the interim, until they were going to join me in Pensacola. We lived for about a year and a half in the rental before looking for a single family home to buy. As it turned out, our eyes were looking back at the neighborhood we loved so much: Lakeside Neighborhood in northwest Leon County, outside of Tallahassee, and beside one of the biggest lakes in the area, Lake Jackson.

We looked and looked, for the right home. Then, we saw a home for sale exactly next to the home we lived in. We had to consider it. We liked it very much. We bought it. Does it ever happen that we leave our neighborhood and return only to live right next door to where we lived before? This happened to us. We love our Lakeside community. We love the friendliness, the green zone in back with deer, rabbits, fox, abundant bird life and Little Lake Jackson. We made the right decision.

Kenneth Fach, REALTOR, ePRO Certified
Weichert, REALTORS-Anchor
1607 Village Square Boulevard, Suite B 103
Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Direct/Cell/Text  850-339-5753   http://KennethFach.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

What is happening to beautiful Lake Jackson

Tallahassee and Leon County is a wonderful place to live in. So many benefits, and so many natural habitats, lakes, forests, and parks to enjoy the area’s nature. However, unfortunately, we have four politicians on the Leon County Commission that are pro growth and anti environment. There record proves this.

I believe we need a balance, of growth and protection of the ecology in the region. We have a wonderful Comprehensive Plan protecting our area’s resources, but that plan has been breached it appears, and attempts are being made to change it, or abuse the plan, a plan well thought out in prior times.

On October 26, 2004, the Leon County Commissioners voted 4 to 3 against protecting Lake Jackson, which is one of the biggest lakes in the area. There are over 60 lakes in Leon county. Lake Jackson has been a popular place for fishing, boating, swimming, and for having picnics in the parks around the lake. It is an important habitat for many species of flora and fauna. Instead of continuing the protection of this ecological zone, it now appears that beside Lake Jackson,  across Hwy 27 N, which goes right by Lake Jackson, there will be 13 3-story apartment buildings with 312 units, 175 single family homes, and 120,000 square feet of commercial development, and about 15 acres of parking. I happen to live in a nearby subdivision of beautiful single family homes. In my community, we are offended by the actions of the County Commision. Of course, having an apartment sprawl next door to homeowners, will certainly have an impact on home values. This is usually the case where apartment complexes appear next to single family developments.

 For more information about the issue, go to http://LakejacksonAlliance.org. There you will find the history the the Lake Jackson lawsuit, pics of the lake and surround area, documents and who voted for who. The information above comes from this website.

Those who voted against protecting Lake Jackson are:
Bill Proctor, Jane Sauls, Rudy Maloy, and Tony Grippa.

Those who voted in favor of protecting Lake Jackson are:
Bob Rackleff, Cliff Thaell and Dan Winchester. My applause goes to these individuals who see that the proposed Planned Unit Development will harm the ecology of the Lake Jackson zone, and present a water drainage issue as well. They see that it will present traffic problems causing congestion around typically peaceful neighborhoods.