Entries by Toby Tobin

Why does it take so long to build a house?

They build houses in just a few days on television. Of course everything is pre-staged and non-traditional methods are used, but why does it take 6 to 18 months in real life? December 12, 2007 – Why does it take so long to build a house?   They build houses in just a few days […]

Flagler County needs more waterfront dining

The loss to fire last night of the Shark House exposes the need for more waterfront dining opportunities in the Palm Coast area. December 12, 2006 – Last night Flagler County residents lost an old friend, the Shark House Restaurant. The Shark House was one of a handful of restaurants located on the Atlantic side […]

Admirals’ Cove at Ginn’s Yacht Harbor Village is sinking

An old rumor with a new twist December 12, 2006 – Several people have told me over past months that Admirals’ Cove, Ginn’s condominium in Yacht Harbor Village was sinking. I didn’t give the story much credibility but recent information makes the rumor very interesting. I’m told that the building is not sinking – simply a rumor. […]

Is The Walt Disney Company coming to our area?

Disney may be coming to St. John’s County, just north of US 1 December 7, 2006 – Almost three years ago I heard that a major theme park company had locked up much of the triangle of land bounded by Interstate 95, SR 206, and US 1 in southern St. John’s County. At that time, the […]

Donald Trump is looking at western Flagler County

No confirmation and little corroborative evidence, but still a nice rumor December 7, 2006 – Some rumors are so solid, I’m tempted to put them on the news page. The Ginn purchase of Centex lasted as a rumor only a few days before being upgraded to solid news. On the other hand, some rumors a unsubstantiated, […]

Optimism rising in the housing market

Growing number of analysts beginning to hint that the country’s housing slump may be over.   Optimism is rising on housing market   LOS ANGELES – Dec. 4, 2006 – A growing number of analysts are beginning to hint that the country’s housing slump may be over, pointing to a rebound in home builder stocks […]

11/24/06 – Palm Coast Lot Update

November 24, 2006 – My October 29 th newsletter examined the proposition that Palm Coast Lots (PCL’s) are a good indicator of the Flagler County real estate market. At that time, lots were showing some minor price erosion. But when a local developer told me the other day that they were buying PCL’s for prices in […]

Houses selling for more than their asking price – watch for fraud

Florida Real Estate Commission and the FBI are investigating a new kind of real estate fraud. November 21, 2006 – FACT:  A broad scale investigation is underway in the Tampa, FL area exposing a practice of sales contracts for purchase at prices well above the advertised selling price. Investigators have found a pattern of inflated appraisals […]

Walmart Supercenter coming to Palm Coast

Wal-Mart has a parcel on Old Kings Road under contract for a new Walmart Supercenter November 21, 2006 – Wal-Mart has contracted for a parcel on Old Kings Road just north of SR 100 in Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL. They plan a very large Supercenter for the site. Still in the rumor category is […]

Palm Coast Data agrees to be purchased by New Jersey company

One of Palm Coast’s leading employers is purchased by a Princton, N.J. company November 18, 2006 – Big news for one of Palm Coast and Flagler County’s largest employer. PRINCETON AMREP Corp. (NYSE: AXR) in Princeton has agreed to acquire Palm Coast Data through its Kable Media Services subsidiary for $92 million. AMREP operates in […]