About Holmes County, FL

Regardless of the style of home, we frequently use stone on both the exteriors and interiors of our custom Tampa homes. You’ll see it on columns, fireplaces, accent walls and other locations. Most Tampa builders, including ourselves, utilize manufactured stone, but what are the differences between manufactured and real stone?

We all know what real stone is, but what is manufactured stone? What may come to mind is vinyl replicas that were used 25 years ago, but these products have changed dramatically over the years. Very simply, today’s manufactured stone is fabricated by pouring mixtures of stone, concrete and polymers into stone-shaped molds.

So what’s the difference between manufactured and real stone?

• Weight: Manufactured stone weighs less than real stone. The benefit here is that they are easier to install and don’t require the additional structural and foundation support that real stone requires.
• Cost: Manufactured stone costs significantly less, about one-third to one-half the cost of real stone. Not only is the material and installation less than real stone, but there is a lot less waste due to the way the stones are shaped and fit together.
• Variety of Designs/Color: A benefit of manufactured stone is the variety of selections. Nature only made so many real stone varieties. Generally, real stone selections are limited to what is locally available due to the cost of transportation.
• Durability: This is the one area where there is some legitimate debate, depending in the type of real stone. Manufactured stone is quite strong and comes with a warranty. Real stone has no warranty, but it is thicker than manufactured stone. Yet due to the natural cracks in real stone, it can have weaknesses that lead to breaks. Lastly, manufactured stone's color may fade or change in pools and fountains due to the chemicals in the water.

With a few exceptions, like the pool and fountain areas, our recommendation for new Tampa homes is manufactured stone. Even the trained stonemason has difficulty telling real stone from today's manufactured stone. It’s definitely come a long way.

Follow us on our Blog & Social Networks:

Javic Blog: http://javichomes.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/javichomes

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/javichomes

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jon-solomon/4/547/660

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jondsolomon?feature=mhum

Main Street will be filled with quality craft and food vendors for the Winterfest Festival beginning at 1:00 PM and last until 7:30 PM.

This year the vendors will be set up in Madison Street Park.

Come join the fun and festivities on Main Street in Marianna, Florida.











This is truly a time for families to enjoy clean family fun together. Come on out and enjoy the arts and crafts along with the good music, good food and activities at the 2011 winter festival in Marianna, Florida.

For the second year now the Chipola Area Board of Realtors had a float in the Bonifay Florida Rodeo Parade. This sleepy little town in the Florida Panhandle really comes alive for this weekend event!

According to the 2008 census report, the city of Bonifay has 2780 residents. But, according to the Bonifay Kiwanis Club which sponsors the event (this was the 67th annual rodeo), there are over 25000 people that come to enjoy the rodeo weekend!! Judging by the amount of people lining the streets during this lengthy parade, I can believe it!

Our float was lined up in the staging area as # 100 out of 112 floats. This does not include all the horses, 4 wheelers, and other participants that marched in the parade.

One thing is for certain, they really take this parade very seriously!! I have participated in a couple of other parades with our Fire Department, but have never experienced one as massive and well planned as this one.

Proud Realtors and family

Decorating the float

Parade Route

Tossing candy and beads during the parade

The residential market in Holmes County Florida continues to be on the slow side, but the number of homes sold (18) was the same as the 2nd quarter.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the market in Holmes County Florida

Welcome to "Pine Lake Estate". This is a truly beautiful 9.29 acre, prestine, park-like locale. The main house is a newly constucted 3 bedroom, 3/1/2 bath, approx. 2,894 sq.ft. brick showplace. It fronts a large lake that has been stocked with many different kinds of fish. It has a dock and is ready for the fisherman in the family to cast his or her line and pull in the big one. It also has a 2 bedroom 1 bath, fully equipped kitchen and living area guest cottage. There is a very large and tall barn, suitable for farm equipment or even horses, they are welcome here! There is plenty of room for riding and it is a great place to take a hike or just sit on the large covered porch, sipping iced tea and relaxing and watching the fish jump in the lake. This home would be a great full time residence or even a weekend get away. It is serene and peaceful and a wonderful place to bring the entire family especially the kids or grandkids. It would also be a safe haven, during strong storms coming in from the Gulf. It even has a "safe room", in the center of the home. It also has an emergency generator. No detail has been overlooked. It is simply breathtaking! Do not miss this opportunity to acquire a family retreat on 9+ acres on a lake and within just a short drive to the beautiful beaches of South Walton or Bay County. It is a great value!