The Department of Veterans Affairs has a specially adapted housing program.  An eligible veteran or servicemember may receive a VA grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of a specially adapted house.  This amount is allowed above the standard VA loan limits.  The grant is available for servicemembers to construct an adapted home or modify an existing home to meet their adaptive needs.

Whitworth Builders, Inc. recently had the pleasure of completing a home for a servicemember who has a specific service-connected disability.  The whole process takes longer than an average build given we had to send the selected plans to the VA for review, which added about 5 months to the build time. 

During the build, Whitworth Builders were given specific guidelines to follow and were monitored at various stages by the VA.  After completion of the home, the VA sent an appraisor who specializes in adaptive housing to ensure that the completed home met adaptive home requirements. 

All in all it was a very rewarding experience for Whitworth Builders, Inc. and we look forward to building another one.

For more information on use of such grants, please contact Brian N. Bixler, Chief, Specially Adapted Housing, on (202) 461-9546 or via Email at: brian.bixler@va.gov.

Here is a video of the completed home. It is located in Navarre, FL. For more information about homes Whitworth Builders is building in the Navarre, FL and Crestview, FL area, please contact me at (850) 543-8617 or beth@whitworthbuilders.com

Surprise....It's BEEN open.

At least it has been for a little while.  It has been so long since the 12-mile road through Gulf Islands National Seashore was clear that I forgot to keep up with it's status.  This road connecting Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach is open for the first time since 2005 when Hurricane Dennis destroyed the recently completed repairs from Hurricane Ivan.

J. Earle Bowden Way (or Beach Road as most people call it) has a very special place in my history.  It's where my husband proposed to me in 2001.  I remember driving the stretch of road and marveling at the miles and miles of pristine white sandy coastline. 

So we, as in my husband and I, have decided to make a commemorative bike trip along Beach Road.  We drove last time, but we need the exercise this time.   And if I remember correctly, there are several "rest stops".  We can do it.  Now, I'm off to tell my husband about our new plans.  And to buy/borrow some bikes. 

I have a cool new video camera, so I'll be sure to get video.

If you are looking for a special way to celebrate the holiday's this Christmas season, don't forget the  ZOOLights at The Zoo of Northwest Florida.

There are more than a million lights in 85 light displays.  Plus, you'll be able to view the animals in the animals in their nighttime setting.  There is a petting zoo, and arts and crafts section, and a Christmas Express train ride.  The event also features Christmas stories read by Mrs. Claus, and pictures with Santa.  ZOOLights is open from 6-9 p.m., Nov. 28-Dec. 13 Thursday, Friday and Saturday and nightly Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-27. Admission is $5.  ($1 for members).

Hooray for the Punch List!

We like Punch Lists, and you will to.  It's the final step toward moving into your new home.  It also gives you a sense of security knowing that you can walk through your home and make sure all is right.  Whether you are purchasing one of our already completed homes (spec) or in the last stages of completing a new build, you get a punch list before final closing.

So, what is a punch list?  A punch list is a list created at the end of construction that shows what needs to still be done or what needs to be repaired on the new construction.  The home buyer and the contractor create this list.

We very rarely miss contractual items that need to be done (ie, a ceiling fan instead of that flourescent light you didn't like).  However, inevitably there will be some damage done during contruction.  We have a lot of different people working on the house with hammers, paint sprayers, or dirty shoes.  You get the picture. 

About a week or so before closing, we will do a preliminary walk-through with you.  This is a time for you to put aside your excitement, and carefully observe your home.  If you have a real estate agent, they should come with you as they are less emotionally attached and can help identify flaws.  One of our representatives will also walk through with you. 

We go room to room, review contractual items to make sure they have been completed, and look for other items that need to be fixed.  You must be thorough on this examination.  Imagine all the components that go into constructing a home!  Some examples of punch list items are:  over spray of paint, thin paint spots, doors that need adjusting or weatherstripping, windows that don't open easily, or anything cracked, dinged, or broken.  It's kind of fun doing the walk through on the house, the building super gives you a roll of blue tape and you get to go through the house taping things you want corrected.  After this is completed, and all the corrections written down on a form, you and the building super sign the document and it becomes a binding contract.  Here is a sample punch list .

Either the day before closing, or on the day of closing you do a final walk-through.  This is to ensure that everything on the list was completed.  We have a painter on site to walk through with you just in case we missed a paint spot, or a new one is noticed.  Once you see that everything has been completed, and you are happy with the final product, you sign the final walk-through and all that's left is to close on your house.

Whitworth Builders has it's own warranty department.  If you move in and find something you wish you had put on the punch list, OR something new pops up, you have a year to send those repair items to us and we will send someone out to make it right. 

For more information about new construction in Navarre, FL, please contact Bethany Little at (850) 939-8018, or visit my website at www.thinkbeth.com.

"Christmas in Navarre Park"

Saturday, December 6, 2008

 3 - 8 p.m.

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Christmas in Navarre Park" on December 6th.  This event will feature free refreshments served at Mrs. Claus' Bakery, entertainment by local schools, photo's with Santa & Mrs. Claus from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. for children 12 and under ($2.00), Raffle Prizes, and we must not forget - A PARADE!

The parade will start at Winn Dixie at 4:00 pm.  

This will be a fun, family oriented outing for everyone of all ages.  And if the cold whether we've been experiencing holds out, the occasion will seem even more festive.   I know we all own more flip flops than mittens, but we might need some cold weather gear during this event.  If you would like more information about "Christmas in Navarre Park", please visit the Chamber website at link above.

 I was at Navarre Park today, and I shot these pictures.  I especially love the photo of the Christmas tree at Navarre Park, which is overlooking Santa Rosa Sound toward Navarre Beach.  The whole park is being set-up with a holiday display that will make this Christmas season special.  There are even twinkling snowflake lights hanging from the trees.  I can't wait to see the whole area lit up at night.  Seeing this display really put me into the holiday spirit, and I think it will for you also.  So enjoy the pictures I took today, and I hope to see you at the Parade!

 Patriotic Christmas Display

Children's Park

 View of Santa Rosa Sound, Navarre Park

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And last, the front entrance to the Butterfly House.  I took this picture because I love the flowers still blooming in November!

GOOD NEWS VETERANS!

I ran across this information today.  In response to the U.S. financial crisis, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided to guarantee subprime loans for Veterans.  For Veterans who wish to refinance they can now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of their property.  Also, this 100% refinance option also applies to standard loans - which had previously been capped at 90% of the property value.  They have also raised the maximum loan amount for this refinancing from $144,000 to $729,750, depending on where the property is located.  For more information, contact the VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit VA's Loan Guaranty website. Go here to learn more about the VA mortage options.

Florida Humanities Council six-part series Florida: Then and Now

I came across an article in the Northwest Florida Daily News about the Florida Humanities Council six-part series, "Florida: Then and Now".  In the second installment yesterday, the lecture shared the stories about four Hollywood productions filmed at Eglin AFB and surrounding Okaloosa County. 

Held at the Heritage Museum in Valparaiso, FL Eglin Air Force Base historians Clay T. McCutchan and Robert B. Kane reviewed the productions of "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo," "12 O'clock High," "Dr. Strangelove" and "Green Berets" - which were filmed in our area.

In the Peter Sellers' classic, "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," when Maj. T.J. "King" Kong rode a nuclear bomb into the coast line of the Soviet Union, he is actually riding through the Desin Pass.  The sands of Destin, Florida's East Pass were so white (and still are!) that they easily passed for Russian snow.  (Which immediately gives me the idea to dress my kids up in winter clothes and head out to the pass to take "snowy" Christmas pictures.)

Duke Field, was used in "12 O'clock High," where Mr. McCutchan said the director spent hundreds of hours searching for airfields that could mimic the cracked, grassy asphalt of a World War II English airfield. He filmed the first 15 minutes at Duke.

"They went out to Duke and they built a complete little English base," McCutchan said.

He talked about the cast that had to act in coats and scarves in the middle of May and the local inns where the cast and crew slept.

The Doolittle Raiders were featured in "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo". In one scene, they donned Navy caps.

"They went up on the flight deck without their hats so they grabbed any hat they could, and most of those hats are Navy hats," said McCutchan.

I hate I missed this lecture, but I will be sure to be at the next installment.  It will be this Dec. 3 on Florida Holidays.  It will be held at the Northwest Florida State College K-Gallery. For more information, visit www.heritage-museum.org.  Here is a pdf of the slide show used at the Eglin Air Force Base In The Movies Lecture.

Is there anything more noble than agreeing to lay your life on the line in service of your country?  Thank you Veterans, and those currently serving overseas, for your service and dedication to America.

I am lucky to live in an area surrounded by Eglin AFB, Hurlburt AFB, Duke Field, and NAS Pensacola.  When I am driving up Hwy 85 and the fighter jets fly over low to land at Eglin AFB, it gives me chill bumps every time.  That is the sound of freedom, to me.  Every morning and evening, across the water, I can hear The Star Spangled Banner being played on Eglin as they raise and lower the flag.  When I hear this I know that every serviceman and woman has stopped whatever they were doing, turned toward the direction of the flag, and saluted in respect.  Thank you.

Not only are our past and present military personnel embodiments of the ideals that make this country great, they are some of the best citizens in our community.  Quick to volunteer when needed, dedicated to their neighborhoods, respectful, and proud.  They fly a flag in front of their home to say, I've lived this.  I fly a flag in front of my home to say..thank you. You are the reason I can fly this flag.

We don't just have to honor them on Veterans Day.  If you meet a Veteran or someone on active duty, please thank them for their service to our country.