Good News! The H.M.S. Bounty (replica built for the 1962 film)is coming to our shores in April. Will there be exciting sea battles staged with, for example , the pirate ship, The Black Raven? Will the losers have to walk the plank? Stay tuned!  http://www.tallshipBounty.org

Not Good News! Could it really be possible that the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind be awarded eminent domaiin powers to expand, thereby, of necessity, requiring the demolition of existing structures, most famously, the Nelmar Tract, on the National Registry of Historic districts. Pretty scary, huh? Is this Dr. Proctor's going away gift to St. Agusustine? Bet he doesn't live there! Want to complain? The House sponsor is Doug Broxon  doug.broxon@myfloridahouse.com.

I love living and working at real estate in St. Augustine.  (Click to see a Saint Augustine slideshow)  If you’re looking for property in St. Augustine Beach, Historic District, or anywhere in St. Johns County, I can help! Here are some of my featured properties.  I also specialize in listing properties and can help sell your home.  Call me for a FREE CMA at 904-669-2146.   Just click here to search the MLS like an agent. 

Murrell Weissinger, P.A. Realtor

904-669-2146

Watson Realty Corp.

3175-1 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

View my website

Email me

Once again St Augustine has received international recognition, adding to at least 4 awards over the last year and a half (see my blog) - this time by none other than National Georgraphic, which has named our beautiful "city of lights" one of the world's top ten places to view the holiday lights, in such company as Madrid, Copenhagen and Hong Kong! Over the years since its inception, this has become one of St Augustine's major attractions, drawing visitors from all over the nation and beyond. It has also become a local favorite. It's quite a scene to watch the trolleys trying to avoid each other, touring the downtown(even "uptown" is getting into the act), loaded with tourists singing carols and yelling out Merry christmas to all and everyone on the streets. What do you think? Is St Augustine hot or not!!?

Moving on to a lesser known event, I want to mention the second annual film festival, The St Augustine Film Festival,last yeae known as the Flagler College Film Festival, though there were no student films. This will run with some fascinating indie films from Jan 19th through the 22nd. Anyone who is a film buff and doesn't shell out the $45 for an all included ticket plus two parties, needs to have their head examined!

Just a quick reminder that the Celtic festival, organized by the Romanza group(see previous blogs) will be repeated again this year and word has it that the parade will be bigger and even better. Many thanks to John Meehan, owner of the eponymous restaurant on the bay, for his solid suppport on every level. Thanks, John!

Murrell Weissinger, realtor, Watson Realty corp 904-669-2146 www.staugustinehomesforsale.com

Is it possible to end this political and economic roller coaster  America is on? One day we are pondering which candidate for president has less strikes aagainst him - a negative starting point for surel Then we are bombarded with news about the economy - sometimes even good news , like the unemployment figures are down nationally to 8.6 %. Practically in the same breath, we are told that that figure is bogus because so many people have pulled themselves out of the job market, have given up and are not currently even looking. The latest monthly statistics of 120-125,000 new jobs created, is immediately poo-pooed as insufficient, just a drop in the bucket. The usual optimistic stats about the housing mareet  come with so many caveats, only a deranged and unerinformed person would find cause for celebrating. Is there a fix? Just saying "Go get a job" (as in, well, let them eat cake) is insulting to the vast number of unemployed desparately seeking work and is sufficiently callous as, one hoes at least, to curtail his polictical ambitions. No name naming, please, but how can the current president function in this atmosphere? What valid and effective answers do any of his opponents really have, apart from pushing the ideology of the party forward, their answer would be not to raise taxes which certainly has its supporters. Please, is nothing to be accomplished for a whole year, before the changing of the guard, if there is one? 

The Spanish Quarter - light at the end of the tunnel?  Hope so. Three tourism companies are vying for the opportunity to take over the running of this tourist attraction which the University of Florida currently controls, and has built up a deficit of over 700k. The possible candidates (they have not yet presented their actual proposal, just at the "audition" stage") are Pat Croce and Company of the Pirate and Treasure Museum, St Augustine Historical tours (the green trolleys) and Orlando dinner Entertaining.  This is pretty exciting! How long as it been since we've seen even a whisper of a bidding war (Murrell, don't exagerate..let's say "interest") over an apparently money losing operation. The loss is somewhere around $700,000. If the University of Florida can't balance the budget on an important attraction such as the Spanish Quarter, it looks like time to let a commercial entity have a try.

There are so many up and coming celebrations to fund and organize and with the subequent influx of visitors, the least we can do is have our already existing infrastructure functioning and in good health. Someone ought to be able to encourage vistors to turn their heads a few degrees away from the malls and enjjoy the opportunity to see some living history!  Nothing against shopping, mind you - guilty as charged!!  As always, thanks to George Gardner for keeping us up to date on these very important matters so crucial to our near and not - so far- away  future.

I specialize in real estate in St. Augustine. If you’re looking for property in St. Augustine Beach, Historic District, or real estate in St. Johns County, I can help! Here are some of my featured properties.  I also specialize in St Augustine Homes for Sale and can help sell your home.  Call me for a FREE CMA at 904-669-2146.   Just click here to search the MLS like an agent. (Click to see a Saint Augustine slideshow)

Murrell Weissinger, P.A. Realtor

904-669-2146

Watson Realty Corp.

3175-1 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

View my website

Email me

Did you know LinkedIn is an awesome networking tool? I am so impressed with their reports. Today I read that the 30 year fixed rate for loans was @ 4.15%, the lowest level in 5 decades! This has kept the refinacing activity very high and accounts for  almost 70% of all mortgage activity! Treasury securities are averaging 2.86% coompared to 3.53% last year. The perception must be that these are a safer bet in these volatile times even though they are not paying what they used to.

Did you know that the National Association of Realtors is 1.1million strong and is America's largest trade association?!. Let's see if we have some pull with the powers that be. In California, the realtor association is calling for a summit to bring the policy makers and movers and shakers to come together to solve the economic and housing situations, both so mutually dependent. The short sale process needs badly to be speeded up and streamlined. That would be a great step forward. Come on banks - let's get on the same page!

I specialize in real estate in St. Augustine. If you’re looking for property in St. Augustine Beach, Historic District, or real estate in St. Johns County, I can help! Here are some of my featured properties.  I also specialize in St Augustine Homes for Sale and can help sell your home.  Call me for a FREE CMA at 904-669-2146.   Just click here to search the MLS like an agent. (Click to see a Saint Augustine slideshow)

Murrell Weissinger, P.A. Realtor

904-669-2146

Watson Realty Corp.

3175-1 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

View my website

Email me

We know the 450th anniversary o St. Agusitne, FL's founding is coming up in 2015, but who knows apart from us local and who will be on board for this?? After the dissolution of the organization ,the First American Foundation that is retuning a good part of the money they were granted( at least 150k out of 275k), the whole affair might seem ruderless while they try to get the next act together. However, the Commeration Committee, whose ,members were governmenet appointed by the U.S. Dept oof the Interior, Ken Salazar, has been there since April and is set to have their first meeting on July 18th in Saint Augustine. They are a very impressive group, including Andrew Young, and I personally have high hopes that this really means the whole country will get onboard and be a part of this celebration. You can always go to the COSA(City of St. Augustine) website for loads of information. Also, check out George Gardner's newsletter, AND you can sign up for a special designation for your property or business, called the Improvement Club!

It has been awhile since I've written about Romanza, St. Augustine's version a mini-Spoleto a la Charleston and the original in Spoleto, Italy, founded by Gian Carlo Menotti and an important fixture in the euopean summer festival scene. Last night marked the end of the gatherings for Romanza until September. Romanza is intended to be a week-long festival of the arts, to be launched in May, 2012 and to carry on every year and hopefully, to help set the stage for the celebrations for the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine. There is a great deal of goodwill, lots of energy and good ideas, but a noticable lack of funds. The success of this venture will depend, I believe, on the ability to bring in some big names, "headliners" to sprinkle around during the week in order to attract not just locals, but outsiders. The organizers are seeking some serious money which I sincerely hope they will be "granted" because this has got to fly and will show that, despite the confusion and dismanteling of the core committtee for the 450th, we can still accomplish something very important and run with it all the way!.Will the city/county/state help by stepping up to the plate? We shall see....

I love living and working at real estate in St. Augustine.  (Click to see a Saint Augustine slideshow)  If you're looking for property in St. Augustine Beach, Historic District, or anywhere in St. Johns County, I can help! Here are some of my featured properties.  I also specialize in listing properties and can help sell your home.  Call me for a FREE CMA at 904-669-2146.   Just click here to search the MLS like an agent. 

Murrell Weissinger, P.A. Realtor

904-669-2146

Watson Realty Corp.

3175-1 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

View my website

Email me

Most of our local Saint Augusitne realtors were informed that Lawrence Yun, economist for NAR(National Association of Realtors)

Was coming to speak today a the venue of Anastasia Baptist
Church which holds circa 600 people. Not sure if we aere even 300. Although I thought his talk was good and somewhat enlightening, I wondered if the lack of attendance had something to do with the fact that over the "lean" years, he - or they - kept putting out optimistic reports when all the evidence showed to the contrary about the housing market. Today he laid things more on the line. Yes, transactions are picking up, yes, new listings are down approx 2%, exisiting homes make up 90% of the market as new home construction stagnates, 8million jobs were lost, 2 million added on, America is still a land of property owners - 60 to 65% of Americans are homewoners, the loans issued since 2009 have onlly a 1% default stat...all this is well and good. But he did say that if certain things are not accomplished to help the housing market, which would help create jobs, etc. that we could be looking at a double digit recession rate...please no!! Price of gas, natural disasters helped to make April a very slow month. Locally our sales were way up, the inventory down, and the median price for homes only moved a small percentage down from last year's price but still, be aware that although sales are up, the volume (dollar amount) is way down. Fortunately, our local St. Augustine and St Johns County market are showing signs of becoming a niche market where prices are stabalizing in some niche areas and the overall outlook does look roseish!!

realtors)

The Early Learning Coilition...helps expose toddlers and pre-schoolers to books, words and any vehicle that helps them to experience the joys and potential of the written word. It is a well-known fact that if a child reaches the age of 6 without receiving certain brain stimuli, those "electric" circuits will not activate. I heard on the radio that if a child does not acquire a reading level beyond the 4th grade that he or she will have an 80% chance of ending up in jail. If a child does not graduate from high school, he or she will most likely earn an average of $12,000 yearly which is really poverty line level. Is this the time to cut educational programs? Is it ever the right time? Check out the Dolly Parton Library - any child born after May 2008 can sign up and receive a free book every month until they are 5!! 

I love living and working at real estate in St. Augustine.  (Click to see a Saint Augustine slideshow)  If you're looking for property in St. Augustine Beach, Historic District, or anywhere in St. Johns County, I can help! Here are some of my featured properties.  I also specialize in listing properties and can help sell your home.  Call me for a FREE CMA at 904-669-2146.   Just click here to search the MLS like an agent. 

Murrell Weissinger, P.A. Realtor

904-669-2146

Watson Realty Corp.

3175-1 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

View my website

Email me

Let's Talk about Food! What is a St. Augustine Datil Pepper?

History tells us that the Datil Pepper(Capsicum chinense Jacques)arrived at our shores in 1768, brought from Minorca by indentured servants on their way to Dr A. Turnbells' plantation in New Smyrna, FL. In 1777 the survivors migrated to St. Augustine and brought with them the seeds of this unique hot pepper. Rumor has it that this pepper only thrives in St. Augustine and  close surrounding areas, though I have read differing opinions.  The plant can grow as high as 4'or more and gives green fruit which eventually can turn a yellow orange color - they're even hotter at this stage! One of St. Augustine's' best restaurants, Collage, has been generous enough to share their wonderful recipe for a carrot, bacon and datil pepper soup. It has traveled with me to California, New York City and practically to Canada! Always a success, except for the faint of heart and palette - they can be so hot that one of the traditional uses, putting them in a jar with white vinegar and flavoring food such as cocktail sauce with a few drops, can be repeated with the same peppers once the vinegar is gone!!

Freeze them, dry them, make "dust", mustard, jellies, hot sauces such as the ubiquitous Dati'l Do- It or make your own version of bottled hell..whatever you do and wherever you take this unique pepper, people will never forget that taste! Most will thank you but others need to be forewarned!

Murrell Weissinger

 http://staugustinehomesforsale.com