Get Ready Palm Coast – The much anticipated GINN Championship starts March 29th, 2008 and is expected to bring thousands of golf fans to the area. And, with the recent declines in Real Estate Values, we are expecting to see a lot of golf fans looking to purchase Palm Coast, Florida Waterfront & Golf Course property bargains.

When I first moved to Palm Coast, FL, I was offered a position as the Membership Sales Manager for the Palm Coast Golf Resort. One of my favorite memories of that job was getting to be a part of the Grand Opening of the Ocean Hammock Golf Club during the winter of 2000. Yup, I was one of the lucky few that walked behind the great Jack Nicklaus as he played and commented on his amazing creation for the first time…what a treat. By the way, his forearms are huge.

When Jack Nicklaus heard about the opportunity to have free reign to design the finest Oceanfront course to open in Florida in the last 70 years, he jumped at the chance and created a true masterpiece. Featuring 8 holes overlooking cinnamon colored beaches and the Atlantic Ocean – the 9^th and 19^th holes are truly spectacular. When asked how he felt about what he had created, the Golden Bear said it is “"The Pebble Beach of the East Coast." That is very high praise from possibly the best golfer of all time.

Since that opening day, The Ocean Hammock Golf Club has received some of the highest accolades.

Having won several awards:

Ranked #3 by Golfweek - America's Best State by State (FL) Public Access Courses (2004-2006), Rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest - Best Places to Play (2006), #78 by Golf Magazine - America's Top 100 You Can Play (2006), Top 50 Golf Course for Women by Golf For Women (2002-06), Rated #1 course on Florida's First Coast by Travelgolf.com, AAA Four-Diamond Award (2004-06).

Hosted Several Key events:

Ginn Championship (2007) Amateur Golfers Tour Championship (2004), USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying (2004), U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship (2003), Georgia Seniors Golf Association Championship (2003), U.S. Open Qualifying (2001).

In 2007 GINN Resorts purchased the Ocean Hammock course and clubhouse from CENTEX Destination properties and entered into a 5 year agreement with the PGA Champions Tour to bring some the the greatest players in Golf to North East, Florida. This purchase also became the perfect compliment to the stunning GINN Hammock Beach Club featuring a $150 million, 12 story resort situated on over 2 miles of pristine, undisturbed beach front in Flagler County, FL.

On March Saturday March 29^th & Sunday March 30th, some of the greatest legends in golf will be competing for one of the largest purses of the tour -$2.5 million. If you are not able to attend this world class event, it will be broadcast on the GOLF channel for your viewing pleasure.

Palm Coast, Florida is a master planned, resort community located equal distance between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach Florida. Known for it’s wonderful ammenities, close proximity to the beaches & Atlantic Ocean, 23 miles of navigable saltwater canals that lead directly to the Intracoastal Waterway, gorgeous weather and laid back lifestyle & affordable property values, it is no wonder we have been listed as Forbes Magazine’s # 3 pick of fastest growning metros in the nation. If you are looking for a primary residence, place to retire, second home, vacation getaway, a place to start a new business or property investment opportunities…Palm Coast must be on your places to visit soon.

For more information regarding Palm Coast Real Estate & Flagler County, FL…please contact Kristi Ross/Hawk Beach Realty @ (386)931–5822 or visit my website for more information.

I remember when I first moved to Palm Coast, Florida in the year 2000, the population was around 20,000 people and most of those were retirees.  Much has changed in the last 8 years and it looks like we are posed for some more great changes in the future. 

Our population in Palm Coast, Florida has now reached around 70,000 people. Given our incredible location, wonderful weather, plentiful ammenities, close proximity to 20 miles of pristine, unspoiled beaches & 23 miles of saltwater canals that allow homeowners to park their boat behind their homes with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway…it is not a surprise that Forbes Magazine featured us in their “BEST PLACES” List.   Which “BEST PLACES” list?  The best “BEST PLACES” list possible…”America's Fastest-Growing Metros”…SCORE…WE RULE…HIGH FIVES…HAPPY DANCE!!

Forbes Magazine has ranked Palm Coast, Florida #3.  Sure it would have been nice to be #1…but #3 is pretty cool.  Here is what Forbes said about Palm Coast, Florida:

“Palm Coast, Fla.
   Rank: 3

Projected total GMP growth, 2007-2012: 28.1%

For several years now, balmy Palm Coast has epitomized Florida's population boom--so much that last year the U.S. Census Bureau designated it as a metropolitan area. While the housing bust is sure to dent growth to some extent, the area's location halfway between St. Augustine and Daytona has made it an ideal location for those who want to relocate to Florida. From 2007-2012, Palm Coast's population is expected to grow by more than 31%, the fastest rate in the country.”

So now that you know where the fastest growth rate in the country is expected from now through 2012…what are you waiting for?  Contact me today 386–931–5822 for more information on buying property and living in Palm Coast, Florida.  With existing homes and condos starting @ $90,000 & lot prices for $30,000…you can afford a home in Paradise.

When you look at the number of foreclosures, hear all the talk about the housing bubble and mortgage meltdown…Florida seems to always be at the center of the discussion….but it is days like this that remind me why Palm Coast, Florida is  paradise.  The skies are bright blue, the water is clear, the sand is clean and the temperature today is in the 70’s.  What an amazingly gorgeous day.  It is so beautiful outside today that I am not even peeved off that gas is at 3.32 per gallon….ok maybe a little peeved…grrr!!!

The DH and I decided that today would be the perfect opportunity to take the kids to the beach. The kids got spoiled living at the beach and being able to walk to the Ocean…now that we have moved back into the City of Palm Coast and are living on the Saltwater Canals…the beach is still super close by, but we need to load up the car with all their toys and necessities before we go play in the sand…and when life gets busy…we just do not make the effort as much anymore…sigh…but today was a blast and we have agreed to make sure we take the furry ones to the beach more often.

Not all of the beaches in Flagler County are dog friendly.  The city of Flagler Beach has restrictions on where you can and cannot have your dog on the beach…even if it is leashed.  If my memory serves me correctly…dogs are not allowed on the beach in Flagler between south 14^th Street & North 14^th Street.  Flagler Beach can get very, very crowded…so we prefer going elsewhere for our beach outings anyway.

Our favorite beach in Flagler County is the unspoiled area just North of Marineland and south of the St. Johns County line.  The beach here is pristine, rock free, white, fine, sugar sand and best of all…practically deserted….there is no driving allowed on any of the beaches in Flagler County.  It is about noon on Sunday and we have the beach all to ourselves…except for the two men fishing and a lady beach combing for shells. 

For anyone who is not familiar with Palm Coast – Flagler County, Florida…it is a master planned community that was developed by ITT development group back when people use to talk about  “Buying Swamp Land in Florida”…. (look for upcoming posts on the history of Flagler County & Palm Coast)

Exit 289 which is the main access to the city of Palm Coast is the closest place in the state of Florida that I-95 comes to the Ocean…just 2.5 miles.  It is also the only county in the state of Florida that US-1 runs west of I-95.  This means that no matter where you live in Palm Coast, you are never more than a quick 7–10 minute drive to the beach….that makes it a pretty cool place to live.  (watch for an upcoming post on the top ten things I love about living in Palm Coast – Flagler County, FL.)

Just as I-95 divides Palm Coast down the middle between Eastside & Westside, the Intracoastal Waterway divides Flagler County from Palm Coast & the Beachside. You must cross over the intracoastal Waterway to get from Palm Coast to  the Ocean.  There are two access bridges – Hammock Dunes Toll Bridge & the Flagler Beach Bridge.  The Hammock Dunes Toll Bridge is the closest access over the Intracoastal Waterway for anyone who lives north of Palm Coast Parkway.  For people who live south of the Parkway and closer to US-100…the Flagler Beach Bridge is the closest.  Yes, you did see the word toll with regards to the Hammock Dunes Bridge.  It costs $2.00 to go east over the bridge to the Ocean and is free to come back into town. The Flagler Beach bridge does not have a toll.

The peninsula (beachside) in Flagler County extends From Marineland to the north, down through the Hammock, onwards to Flagler Beach.  A1A runs the entire distance of Flagler County and much of it is a Scenic Ocean view drive.  Through the Hammock area of Flagler County, A1A jogs in and therefore offers a pristine Ocean front destination that has mostly just been developed within the last few years.

All of the beaches in Flagler County are public and accessible on county maintained roads and have parking, public restrooms and picnic areas.  The closest access point to the beach from the Hammock Dunes Toll Bridge is located on Jungle Hut Rd.  This is also the same road that my office is located on…right at the intersection of A1A & Jungle Hut….feel free to stop by and see us. The next access is further North at 16^th St. Rd. next to the clubhouse for the Ocean Hammock Golf Course and Hammock Beach Club Resort. 

Further to the North you will find several county roads…many of which are still gravel…that lead to the beach & Ocean.  These county roads are lined with some of the original Flagler County Beach homes intermingled with newer homes.  This is becoming a very desirable location to own a home if you want to be beachside but not in a Gated or Resort Lifestyle Community.  The only issue with owning property or a home on one of these old country roads is access to water and sewer.  The Hammock area is starting to experience growth with commercial developments.  Within the last two years, Publix has built a grocery store, Suntrust Bank now has a banking branch and small niche business have sprouted up along A1A to serve the growing demand and needs of the population.

I am very glad that we decided to make the time to take the furkids to the beach today.  It almost makes me feel guilty for not going more often.  Much of the population of the United States and Canada dream of living this close to the Ocean and Beaches in Florida.  Even with all the negative media we are constantly bombarded with lately about the houseing bubble and how hard Florida has been hit by this mess…people will always want to move here…live here…to retire here…afterall it is Paradise.

Oh…by the way…don’t forget, I am a REALTOR in Palm Coast – Flagler County.  If you want to move to paradise…please drop me an email or give me a jingle on the cell.