Happy holidays,
Well, the world keeps spinning by so fast we're already into Thanksgiving week and before you know it, we will be celebrating the new year!
The real estate market while quieter, is still steady. Forecasters are predicting this to be the normal winter lull and the market to continue its fast-paced march of double-digit appreciation. For a good frame of reference remember we used to be above the national average of home value appreciation at 6 to 8% but we are now seeing 16 to 20 something percent appreciation!! It's no wonder everybody and their brother are getting on board with buying and further pushing those rates of appreciation up. I continue to believe in our market we're seeing these higher numbers because COVID has changed the way people work and play. Especially when it's combined with lower taxes and home values as compared to northern states. Why not live somewhere warmer if your dollar is stretched further. Isn't that why people retire to Mexico!
I have traveled to many places and I'm always so thankful to live in Florida. This is despite when you travel and come back home to Florida and are met with a wet moldy humidity blanket. You get used to that after a few days.
Where else are you able to have so much fun playing in the river and at the springs as we do in the fall. While some folks are shoveling out their driveway, we're running around in our bathing suits playing volleyball and playing at the springs. Don't get me wrong, I do also enjoy beautiful mountains and snow skiing!!
These pictures were recently taken at Ginnie Springs and the Santa Fe River in the Branford/High Springs section.
We had so much fun camping a few weekends back that we planned a day trip to Ginnie Springs Park and Campgrounds last weekend and then followed it up with a JetSki ride from our house up the Sante Fe to Ginnie Springs Park and back.
The round-trip ride is about 2 hours by jet ski with no stops so for a fun-filled day, I'd recommend adding another 3 to 5 hours so you can explore all of the 7 Springs in the park. Being the river is still high we were able to make it through the shallow areas fairly well. You can't always take a boat that far upriver without bottoming out unless you know the Sante Fe river well and can find its deep passes through the shallow areas.
Our favorite campsite in Ginnie Springs park is Dogwood Springs where there is a volleyball court, pavilion with water and electricity, and bathrooms with showers within walking distance. This year I missed my favorite spot on the tip by the river by about 15 minutes when it was snagged by a big family. I hear you have to get in line at 5 am to get the prime spots!! So, we ended up closer to the spring which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We had a beautiful lagoon with clear fresh spring all lit up before us. Alicia was able to swim and kayak all day and night without being out of our site. It was an amazing time.
We met some friends at the namesake Ginnie Spring and play volleyball and corn hole! The fun ends too soon during the Fall because you have to be out by 5:30 if your not paying to camp.
These last pictures are from our Sunday JetSki ride to Ginnie. Who says we don't get colorful Fall leaves down south? I'd beg to differ when I look at these pictures.
I wish you a fun, happy and heartfelt Thanksgiving Holiday filled with lots of great food and making memories with family and friends new and old! We are very thankful for our clients' customers friends and readers! We love this Real Estate business ours and appreciate every day we get to spend in it. If we can ever be of service, even if it's just for advice, please reach out to me.
Tanya Chappell
