Response to Comments

I’m going to burn a little blog space here and respond to some comments about several topics. I thought this might be easier on you than fishing around for them in the body of the web site. The main text is intended to be more or less permanent, a sort of general reference to the region. We weren’t trying to anticipate areas of special interest or the effect things like the oil spill that happen elsewhere would have on how people see Southwest Florida… even though there is no direct effect on us. And none on Florida in general east of Pensacola, for that matter.

Oil Spill

So, while I’m on the subject, let me put this thing to bed. I feel sorry for the folks in Mississippi and Louisiana whose livelihoods may have been irreparably damaged. But it has nothing to do with us down here. The oil has either evaporated, been dispersed, or consumed by bacteria. And/or has settled to the bottom where it may destroy plankton, oysters and scallops out of sight of the TV cameras and, thus, not within the view of the media.

I predict, however, there will be no shortage of anecdotal, poignant tales of ruined lives for a long time. These will not likely be accompanied by a cogent overview of the adjustment by the population at large. You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.

Much to the surprise of many of the experts, the marsh grasses at the edge of the spill have been observed to be sending out new shoots as have some of the mangroves even while blackened by the stuff. Once the oil stopped coming, the plants seem to have adapted. I think the people will, too. Most of them, at least.

For further information, scroll down to the other two blogs on this subject, including links to maps.

So, I’m done with oil spill until we have one ourselves.

Real Estate

Naturally, right after I wrote the last update on this subject national articles were printed and placed online about the sorry state of South Florida real estate. Had I known they were going to do that I’d have waited on the blog.

Well, it is in a sorry state if you’re a seller. Naples was singled out in our region as not being expected to recover “fair value (whatever in hell that is)” until 2014. I finally found a site that seems credible to me that shows pricing trends. I find it credible because it follows the same path other, separate sources have taken. If, like me, you’re wondering about biased reporting from real estate professionals, let me say that their primary interest would be in encouraging more transactions. This, in turn operates to move the market upward in prices over time from here. More buyers will eventually encourage more sellers and someday we won’t have a severely depressed market anymore. Someday.

When I tell you this might be the opportunity of a lifetime, I’m not the only one. Just remember overall real estate prices down here are not likely to resume an unbroken upward trajectory for a couple of years at least. Except for niche markets here and there (the beaches for example), they will move in a narrow range, I think with a gentle upward bias. But count on this: one day we’ll look around and wonder where that buyers’ market went. Nobody knows when that will be. And it might not be a couple of years off.

Anyway, check out this real estate pricing trend site. I’ve linked you to the Florida part, but it covers the nation. They’ve reported, you decide….uhmm, that isn’t trademarked by someone is it?

Everglades and Exotic Snakes

I found a link on the special hunting season and the Park Service’s update on their removal program. Inexplicably, the Park Service only mentions Burmese pythons and not the other large constrictors. My brother and I might go hunting down there if they have the season again. It’ll not be like shooting fish in a barrel; more like shooting big  snakes on a levee.

It seems the cold winter took its toll although the park service is still removing a bunch of these critters.