Piling It High in Bunnell: 9-19-26 Podcast

Real Estate Matters has been Palm Coast and Flagler County, Florida’s real estate voice for more than 12 years.

Not to be outdone by Palm Coast, the City of Bunnell is facing its own series of public relations faux pas.  Led by the stealthy approval of a massive landfill (Project Butterfly), they include a proposed rail transfer station, a proposed increase in stormwater management fees, the approval of a large mixed-use development with 6,100 residential units spread over 2,100 acres, and a new city hall that leaks. All leading up to its City Manager accelerating his retirement date.

With special guest Chelsea Herbert.

Watch the Podcast and read the Show Notes below for more details.

Be sure to check out the continually updated interactive Flagler County Map of Developments and Subdivisions.

Raw Show Notes

Our behind-the-scenes guide to the show’s flow, including topics we didn’t have time to cover. This is raw and likely contains typos. Data reflects the show’s recording date.

Show Notes for 9-19-2026

Recorded 9-17-2026

Welcome to the tranquil side of Florida. This is Real Estate Matters, the voice of real estate in Flagler County and Palm Coast for more than 12 years.

I’m Toby Tobin, publisher of the real estate news website GoToby.com, and a Florida-licensed Realtor with Grand Living Realty. I’m joined by Co-host Annamaria Long from the Flagler Homebuilders Association, one of our sponsors.

Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Flagler County Home Builders Association

Hammock Community Church

Guests: Chelsea Herbert, President and owner of 4C’s Trucking & Excavation, a family-owned construction company specializing in underground utilities and complete site work development. Chelsea is also the founder of Poppy’s True Market in downtown Bunnell and a co-owner of The Landing Strip Tavern. A licensed General Contractor and Underground Utility Contractor. She  is also a member of the Bunnell planning and zoning board but is not representing them or speaking in that capacity today.

State of the Market

Overall weakness disguised by marketing tactics and the laws of numbers

The “K” shaped recovery

The broad middle market is off by 10 – 20 percent

Both ends of the market are strong because they are less affected by mortgage interest rates

September MTD:

• Overall – 107 homes sold – median price $359,990 – DOM 51 – 37.4% cash
• <$259K – 6 homes sold – 54 DOM – 66.7% cash
• $250K to $499K – 81 homes sold – 48 DOM – 33.3% cash
• $500K to $999K -14 homes sold – 72 DOM – 36.7% cash
• $500K to $999K – $1M+ – 7 homes sold – 86 DOM – 66.7% cash
• 1137 listed homes – 73 DOM
• 337 homes pending – 48 DOM – median listed price of $399,890 – 43% new construction

Main topic – Bunnell

Alvin Jackson announced tat he is moving up his retirement

Background – Looked as the city’s poor stepchild by many who arrived since Palm Coast’s incorporation nearly 26 years ago, Bunnell is the county seat. It has roughly 4,100 residents, less than 3% of the county’s population but is the second largest city, by area, in the state. At 138.8 square miles, it represents about 25% of the county’s area.

Most of Bunnell’s developed residential and commercial land is along US1, north and south of SR100, the county’s primary east west thoroughfare. 

Largely agricultural, it has huge potential going forward. Further residential and commercial development has been largely restricted by the lack of an extended water and sewer system.

Three volatile issues currently at hand:

Project Butterfly

Stormwater fee increase

Reserve at Haw Creek – up to 6,100 residential units, a likely increase of 12,200 residents.

Other topics – fueling depot, Amazon, City Hall defects, data centers

Wrap-up:

Video podcasts of Real Estate Matters are available on GoToby.com. Click on Podcasts on the top navigation bar. Show notes are included so you can see what we didn’t get to on the show. Also, the Flagler County Interactive map of residential developments and subdivisions on GoToby.com is updated regularly. Currently viewed over 11,600 times.

If you are thinking about buying or selling property in Flagler County, call me first. Based on your goals, I’ll connect you with an appropriately qualified Realtor or builder and serve as your consultant throughout the transaction, at no additional cost to you. Call me at 386-931-7124 or email me at Toby@GoToby.com.