Owl's Head

[6thGen]

Website is up.

http://www.owlsheadfla.com/

[dbuck]

What an attractive, informative and navigable web site. Someone did an outstanding job.

[TooFarTampa]

DPZ and a Palmer course, in Freeport? With prices starting at $200K? The mind reels.

This is much more interesting than St. Joe trying to sell off mosquito-infested woodlands.

[Smiling JOe]

DPZ and a Palmer course, in Freeport? With prices starting at $200K? The mind reels.

This is much more interesting than St. Joe trying to sell off mosquito-infested woodlands.
I poked around a little bit on the site. Glad to see it is more than a cover page now. Nice site. I did not see a price page, but I doubt you will see $200K on any home in Freeport, as currently you cannot find a home for under $275K. Perhaps you are referring to the homesite's price.

I recall finding a starter website for Freeport Plantation about a year ago, and it announced prices starting around $30K for homesites. Of course, the info was a bit dated, as prices for lots in Freeport were around $95K to start. Perhaps if the homes in Owl's Head are quoted as starting at $200K, the data is not up to date, but if it is correct, sign me up today!!! :D

[steeleing1]

I poked around a little bit on the site. Glad to see it is more than a cover page now. Nice site. I did not see a price page, but I doubt you will see $200K on any home in Freeport, as currently you cannot find a home for under $275K. Perhaps you are referring to the homesite's price.

I recall finding a starter website for Freeport Plantation about a year ago, and it announced prices starting around $30K for homesites. Of course, the info was a bit dated, as prices for lots in Freeport were around $95K to start. Perhaps if the homes in Owl's Head are quoted as starting at $200K, the data is not up to date, but if it is correct, sign me up today!!! :D

I thought it said lots started at $80k with homes from $200-$800k. I assumed that was above lot cost. Does seem a bit too good to be true, though. Better move fast!!!!

[TooFarTampa]

I poked around a little bit on the site. Glad to see it is more than a cover page now. Nice site. I did not see a price page, but I doubt you will see $200K on any home in Freeport, as currently you cannot find a home for under $275K. Perhaps you are referring to the homesite's price.

I recall finding a starter website for Freeport Plantation about a year ago, and it announced prices starting around $30K for homesites. Of course, the info was a bit dated, as prices for lots in Freeport were around $95K to start. Perhaps if the homes in Owl's Head are quoted as starting at $200K, the data is not up to date, but if it is correct, sign me up today!!! :D

There was a link to what's new and a story in the Walton Sun (so consider the source). It said that homesites would start at $80K -- they do seem kind of small -- and "units" at around $200K, so that must be condos or townhouses. Still relatively affordable. Lovely architecture. I'm just starting to worry about so many people living up in Freeport and driving to the beach. For example, around here, just to drive to Clearwater beach even in the offseason is a total nightmare. How much road widening is planned? Shuttles? Parking? Anything?

[Smiling JOe]

I thought it said lots started at $80k with homes from $200-$800k. I assumed that was above lot cost. Does seem a bit too good to be true, though. Better move fast!!!!That may make better sense. I could see maybe the small townhomes going for $280K+.

ps- we missed you last night.

[Smiling JOe]

There was a link to what's new and a story in the Walton Sun (so consider the source). It said that homesites would start at $80K -- they do seem kind of small -- and "units" at around $200K, so that must be condos or townhouses. Still relatively affordable. Lovely architecture. I'm just starting to worry about so many people living up in Freeport and driving to the beach. For example, around here, just to drive to Clearwater beach even in the offseason is a total nightmare. How much road widening is planned? Shuttles? Parking? Anything?TFT,
Your point is very valid. Parking for Beach Access is potential going to be a major problem in SoWal as Freeport gets built out. Fortunately, most locals don't visit the beach often. Wierd I know, but true. However, as more units are built, the beach access parking needs to be addressed today, instead of after the fact.

[TooFarTampa]

TFT,
Your point is very valid. Parking for Beach Access is potential going to be a major problem in SoWal as Freeport gets built out. Fortunately, most locals don't visit the beach often. Wierd I know, but true. However, as more units are built, the beach access parking needs to be addressed today, instead of after the fact.

Not weird. I live on a peninsula (South Tampa) within a peninsula (Florida), and I can go two weeks or more without seeing the water. And it's only a half-mile away or so. The beach? Forget it. I drive 6 hours to go to the beach every 3-6 months!!

But if SoWal ends up like Clearwater, I won't be coming up so much I don't think.

[kurt]

It will take awhile, but just the developments south of the bay will stress all infrastructure and traffic will become a nightmare.

As for beach accesses - my guess is the State Parks will add a lot of parking and facilities, and become very popular places for beachgoers.

At some point, Grayton Beach will be closed to vehicles.

[Wastin Away]

I dont' mean to get away from the point, because it does happen, but when I read some of the comments it made me think of this. We live in a small town outside of the city called Grayson, Gwinnett's Best Kept Secret, not any more. Because of all of the media coverage and the articles written about this area, everyone has decided that Grayson is where they want to be. The county officicals have let things get so out of hand. You use to have, what we call in the south, back roads, to most places you needed to go. Now the back roads are filled with cars, housing developents, retail developments, you name it. To the point. We have a town flyer that comes out once a month where you can advertise and residents of the area are spotlighted, well, one articles in the paper is called "The Forgotten Coast". It talks about the area, the beaches, what there is to offer, of course to buy, and who do you think is promoting, St. Joe Company. Now understand, this is a small 23 page paper in a now growing town. This is why we are seeing the changes. 30-A no longer is a kept secret.

[kurt]

The marketing of the area has increased every year and a stall in sales, and a little recent bad PR related to natural forces, might crank it up even higher than normal in the coming season or two.

[Kimmifunn]

The marketing of the area has increased every year and a stall in sales, and a little recent bad PR related to natural forces, might crank it up even higher than normal in the coming season or two.
Because they didn't have me as their publicist.

[Miss Kitty]

This name is bothering me...why just a head? It reminds me of LL's story about his stepdad and the rabid dog!!

[Mermaid]

I like the architecture. Looks like a nice combination of styles from Rosemary Beach and Watercolor, with the mixture of stucco and siding. I'll take that 3rd sidehouse, please. :clap_1:

[Smiling JOe]

... one articles in the paper is called "The Forgotten Coast". It talks about the area, the beaches, what there is to offer, of course to buy, and who do you think is promoting, St. Joe Company. Now understand, this is a small 23 page paper in a now growing town. This is why we are seeing the changes. 30-A no longer is a kept secret.
I did not read the article so I don't know what areas in particular are being promoted, but I believe St Joe refers to our area From Destin to Pamana City as Florida's Great North West, and the area which is refered to as the Forgotten Coast is the area from Port St Joe to Apalachicola. Either way, this area is in general is still being promoted in many regional and national publications.

[Wastin Away]

I did not read the article so I don't know what areas in particular are being promoted, but I believe St Joe refers to our area From Destin to Pamana City as Florida's Great North West, and the area which is refered to as the Forgotten Coast is the area from Port St Joe to Apalachicola. Either way, this area is in general is still being promoted in many regional and national publications.


That's what area they were talking about. My point was that my little town was a best kept secret for a long time until development/advertisment/word of mouth has turned it into another bumper to bumper traffic nightmare. When we first starting comming to the 30-A area there was no traffic. The longest line we had to get in was at the Winn-Dixie in Panama City. We would always think twice about telling a lot of people where we would vacation because it was our little secret, now it is no longer a kept secret and a much sought after place to vacation.

[6thGen]

Pittsburg was once the best kept secret in buffalo hunting until the white man came along and made the women put shirts on.

[Smiling JOe]

That's what area they were talking about. My point was that my little town was a best kept secret for a long time until development/advertisment/word of mouth has turned it into another bumper to bumper traffic nightmare. When we first starting comming to the 30-A area there was no traffic. The longest line we had to get in was at the Winn-Dixie in Panama City. We would always think twice about telling a lot of people where we would vacation because it was our little secret, now it is no longer a kept secret and a much sought after place to vacation.

I understand your point Wastin. Perhaps we could hire Shelly to write for publications in the SouthEast to help keep traffic to current levels in the Florida panhandle. :idontno:

Those darn white men :bang: Only men should wear shirts!

[beachmouse]

I saw a pretty long article on Owl's Head a while back, and it sounded like they were hoping that a decent percentage of houses and units there would be used as primary residences, and even a mention that they were hoping that the cheap part of town would be affordable for BRAC commuters (IMO, only if they're stationed at bomb school or the tracking center. The commute to base proper would be too long) and families with school age kids as well as affluent retirees.

Which make me wonder if they've got plans to build up the white collar/high tech jobs base in the Freeport area in some way. Seems like a forward-looking company like that would look to encourage jobs outside of the usual real estate/service industry suspects that dominate the area.

[Cil]

<<<I did not read the article so I don't know what areas in particular are being promoted, but I believe St Joe refers to our area From Destin to Pamana City as Florida's Great North West, and the area which is refered to as the Forgotten Coast is the area from Port St Joe to Apalachicola>>>
This is my understanding as well, Smilin Joe. The Great Northwest is the St Joe Co's madeup name, but the Forgotten Coast moniker has been around a long time. (And it still feels very Forgotten here!)

<<<That's what area they were talking about>>>
The Great Northwest or the Forgotten Coast, Wastin? The Great Northwest?

Either way, I really understand how you feel. I've watched it happen elsewhere. There are some places which I personally do not think should even be touristed, but the scenesters, just because they can, will go.
They not only will go, they'll also get the t-shirt.

Our planet is getting crowded. What with placemakers, tastemakers, trendsters and followers, some locales are getting chewed up and spit out.

It's the American Way to make money from real estate, but I do wish that public transportation was not such an alien concept here. Fewer cars would go a long way towards alleviating the impact Wastin is describing.

[steeleing1]

<<<I did not read the article so I don't know what areas in particular are being promoted, but I believe St Joe refers to our area From Destin to Pamana City as Florida's Great North West, and the area which is refered to as the Forgotten Coast is the area from Port St Joe to Apalachicola>>>
This is my understanding as well, Smilin Joe. The Great Northwest is the St Joe Co's madeup name, but the Forgotten Coast moniker has been around a long time. (And it still feels very Forgotten here!)

<<<That's what area they were talking about>>>
The Great Northwest or the Forgotten Coast, Wastin? The Great Northwest?

Either way, I really understand how you feel. I've watched it happen elsewhere. There are some places which I personally do not think should even be touristed, but the scenesters, just because they can, will go.
They not only will go, they'll also get the t-shirt.

Our planet is getting crowded. What with placemakers, tastemakers, trendsters and followers, some locales are getting chewed up and spit out.

It's the American Way to make money from real estate, but I do wish that public transportation was not such an alien concept here. Fewer cars would go a long way towards alleviating the impact Wastin is describing.


To use someone's quote, "We're cooking the goose that laid the golden egg."