Property Left Overnight on the Beach - Did You Know?

I’ve recently been asked what the rules are as far as leaving personal property on the beach overnight – tents, beach chairs, towels, etc. Here is an article that provides detailed information as to what’s allowed – and not allowed.

Walton County’s current Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance [No. 2016-16] addresses unpermitted personal property left on the beach overnight. Overnight is defined as the hours between one hour after dusk and one hour before sunrise.  The Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance also prohibits obstructions on the beach, including ropes, chains, signs or fences, at any time of day.  The beach is defined as the soft sandy portion of land lying seaward of the seawall or the line of permanent dune vegetation. 

Unlawful personal property left on the beach overnight may be considered abandoned. Items such as coolers, umbrellas, chairs, etc. are currently being removed and disposed of by Walton County staff nightly.

In June, notifications were sent by the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Code Enforcement Department to beachfront property owners informing them that as of July 15, 2016 unlawful obstructions on the beach including but not limited to ropes, chains, signs or fences, are subject to citations. The civil penalty is up to $500.00 per violation.

Items such as ropes, chains, signs or fences left on the beach overnight may also be deemed abandoned and become subject to removal and disposal.

For more information or questions about the ordinance, contact Office of the County Attorney at 850-892-8110. For ongoing code enforcement operations, contact Walton County TDC Code Enforcement Department at (850) 622-7895.

Certified Residential Specialist Designation

In my ongoing quest to provide my customers with the best possible service and the highest level of professionalism, I am extremely pleased to announce that I have earned my CRS designation. This designation, which stands for Certified Residential Specialist, is the highest credential awarded to experienced residential agents and of the utmost importance - the only one based on production and education. The Council of Residential Specialists represent the most successful realtors in the U.S. that have completed advanced training and demonstrated professional achievement. In fact, only 3% of all realtors earn the CRS designation.

So, how does this benefit my customers? The council focuses on results-driven best practices on both the selling and buying side. I have access to those tools and practices, putting me and my customers a step ahead of the competition. I am also part of a national referral network of fellow CRS realtors which translates into my ability to connect you with someone to assist you in real estate anywhere in the United States. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share my good news with you. As always, I am available to assist you in any way that I can. So please call or email me and let me know how I can be of service to you. 

--Robin

Top 10 Apps for Home Buyers and Sellers

Digital technology has made significant inroads in practically every facet of socity, so why should buying and selling real estate be any different? When trying to decide the best way to go about buying, selling, moving to and/or remodeling a home, there are countless apps to help with your decision-making that can be accessed for a fee or free. But what are the best? The following list provides the top 10 . . . 

1.  Homesnap. See a home for sale that you like? With Homesnap, you just take a photo with your smart phone and the Homesnap app can pull the home's interior photos and data from the Multiple Listing Service. iPhone and Android.

2. Dwellr. Developed by the US Census Bureau, this app drills down to the neighborhood level to provide home values, education statistics, commuting information and more. iPhone and Android.

3. Realtor.com. Search for the home of your dreams with an app that has the most accurate listing information available.

4. Houzz. Found the perfect home? Here's an app that will provide the inspiration you need to make it on your own. Includes more than 8 million photos of homes that you can search by room, style, location, and more. iPhone and Android.

5. MagicPlan. Not sure how you're going to fit all your furniture into a new home? Pull out your smart phone. MagicPlan can quickly measure rooms and create floor plans from the photos you take. iPhone and Android.

6. GreatSchools Finder. Get detailed ratings, test scores and reviews of schools in the areas where you're looking to buy. iPhone and Android.

7. AroundMe. See how close a home is to banks, bars, grocery stores, entertainment and other key locations that may influence where you guy. iPhone and Android.

8. Mortgage Calculator Plus. A top 100 financial app in the United States and 30 other countries, Mortgage Calculator Plus quickly estimates your mortgage, then provides analytics and graphs to show you principal payments over time and much more. iPhone.

9. Family Handyman DIY Tip Genius. If you're preparing your old home for sale or improving your new one before moving in, this app can save you time and money. iPhone and Android.

10. Real Estate Dictionary. Having trouble deciphering all the real estate jargon? This app from Lingodiction covers more than 2,000 common terms, concepts and fundamentals. iPhone and Android. 

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® Designation

As a full-time real estate professional, it’s not only crucial for me, but one of my goals to improve my skills in order to better serve my customers. I recently earned the prestigious Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist^® designation in recognition of my experience, knowledge and expertise, as well as my performance in the luxury home market. I have worked to develop this market knowledge and the special skills necessary to offer exceptional service in the fine homes and estates marketplace here along 30A.

As a homebuyer, I will match homes with your preferred lifestyle, no matter where you want to buy – locally or internationally – and bring strong negotiation skills to the table. As a seller, I will setup a customized lifestyle marketing plan for your residence and tap into a local and international network that offers you the biggest exposure for selling your property.

My membership in The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing^® provides me with the marketing tools, the networking capabilities, and the expertise to successfully meet the needs of affluent buyers and sellers. Please give me a call if you’d like more information.