A Quiet Battle Making Noise in Gainesville | New Home Valuation Tool Unleashed!

I wanted to touch on one of the hotter topics that is affecting our beloved Gainesville Community.  This topic has left a number of individuals, particularly on the eastern half of Alachua County, somewhat divided, and rightfully so.  There is a movement that is gaining traction, with support and opposition, that could shape the next 50 years of Alachua County's growth and development.  I recently have gotten involved in the discussions over this heated topic.  While I will not disclose my position on this topic through this medium, nor will I encourage you to choose either side of the discussion, I do think that it's only fitting for you to be "in the know" of what is at hand since it will affect you and your families for years to come.  The movement is called Envision Alachua and at the center of it's plan is huge landowner by the name of Plum Creek.

WHAT IS ENVISION ALACHUA?

When Alachua County government asked Plum Creek what its plans were for 65,000 acres of land in eastern Alachua County, the company responded with Envision Alachua—a community-based planning process that has spanned, to date, over three years and collected feedback from more than 1,700 area residents. A community vision of what could be achieved on these Plum Creek lands emerged from Envision Alachua. In December of 2013, to move forward on this vision, Plum Creek submitted the Envision Alachua Sector Plan (EASP) to local officials for review. The EASP includes a request to amend the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan to set aside an additional 29,325 acres—resulting in a total of more than 52,190 acres—for conservation, agriculture and open space. The EASP also provides the much needed land to support employment-oriented, mixed-use development (EOMU), which can accommodate 30,000 jobs in eastern Alachua County over the next 50 years.

WHO IS PLUM CREEK?
Plum Creek is one of the largest private landowners in the nation with approximately seven million acres of timberlands in the United States. Our core business is timber, and in Florida, we own 418,000 acres in 21 counties. Nearly 95,000 acres of those lands are permanently conserved. In Alachua County, Plum Creek is the largest private landowner with 65,000 acres, and about 24,000 acres are permanently conserved. Plum Creek believes giving back to our communities is not only responsible, but the right thing to do. Across the country and in Alachua County, the Plum Creek Foundation gives away thousands of dollars in grant funds to support nonprofit organizations that improve our citizens’ quality of life.

The Envision Alachua Goal for the Economy
To create economic development opportunities that support and enhance the innovation economy, provide job opportunities and services at all economic levels and ensure a robust and
sustainable economy.

• Accommodate 30,000 potential jobs over 50 years in eastern Alachua County, where the employment need is the greatest.
• Attract advanced manufacturing and agricultural related jobs, many of which require only a high school diploma or some specific training, overcoming jobs competition that residents face with college students.
• Assist to increase the tax base, and allow for the services and recreation opportunities close by that support a vibrant community.
• Enable Alachua County, the University of Florida and Santa Fe College and the region to compete in the state, national and global economies.

Well I hope this provided enough of an overview of the plan to pique your interest to learn more about the topic and delve further in to the details, pros and cons of the plan.  Either way, this discussion will affect generations of Alachua County citizens for years to come whether it happens or not… so GET INVOLVED!

*INVESTOR SPECIAL* New Millennium Home Available Now! - Tenant Occupied (Newberry, Florida)

CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW FOR A VIRTUAL VIEW OF THIS PROPERTY

28917 SW 30th Avenue, Newberry, FL 32669 

JUST LISTED!! Most likely, best suited for an investor, but can be made into a great home as well. Lease is flexible. Very cozy home on a 5 acre parcel of land. Built just before the turn of the millennium, this quaint, 3 BR, 2 Bath home is sure to impress. It includes a formal dining and living room, beautiful living annex, master bathroom with jacuzzi style tub and more! It has an A/C unit that is one-year old with energy efficient curtains installed. Outside come with a workshop with electricity, two carports for a regular car and an RV and/or boat. It is currently tenant occupied and the tenant can either stay to make it a rental or move to make this your new home!! (MLS# 355743)

Contact me for more information or to schedule a viewing.  When it comes to real estate, Think Hurst 1st!

How to Pet Proof your Home - An interview with Veterinarian, Dr.Jessica Robertson

Being a pet owner is truly a joy and privilege. My wife and I are the proud owners of a 4 year old boxer named Manni. And, I tell ya, if it wasn't for having a set of hind legs, I quite honestly don't think you can tell him that he isn't human. I'm always amazed by the intelligence of domestic animals and their ability to assimilate to human culture. However, as domestic as they may acts at times, the truth remains that they are still animals and that they require a whole set of separate rules and details to be able to coexist with their human counterparts.

In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege to sit down with veterinarian, Dr. Jessica Robertson. Dr. Robertson owns Robertson Animal Hosptial, a full service animal care hospital in Gainesville, Florida. She is also a proud alum of the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jessica shares her expert opinion on pet care and making our homes more conducive to pets in this brief, informative interview that I'm certain you will enjoy. Take a look:

CLICK VIDEO BELOW TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW

If you have any questions about this interview or any other real estate related topic, feel free to contact me at any time! And remember, when it comes to real estate, Think Hurst 1st!

Beyond Real Estate: Success is a Daily Routine (Keys to a Purposeful Day w/ John Maxwell)

With so many life commitments like family, school, work, community organizations, travel, personal goals … (Breathe) …. home repairs, sporting events, family reunions, eating with friends and, I'm quite sure I'm missing some, it seems like 24 hours in a day can be laughable at times.  Oh, and not to mention, you have this little thing called "success" always lingering over your head… but no pressure.

Now, there's many ways that people will tell you as to how to define "success", but one aspect of the word that we can reach a consensus on is this, success does not happen on accident.  It is the result of purposeful planning and execution.  And a lifetime of success, first starts with a day-to-day routine for success.

According to leadership expert, John Maxwell, the first step in determining your daily routine is figuring out what really matters to you. Each individual has to define what priorities are central to their goals and beliefs, but Mr. Maxwell shares his personal pledges:

1. Attitude: I will display the right outlook daily.

2. Priorities: I will act on the things most important to me daily.

3. Health: I will follow healthy guidelines daily.

4. Family: I will communicate with and care for my loved ones daily.

5. Thinking: I will practice good thoughts daily.

6. Commitment: I will make and keep proper promises daily.

7. Finances: I will properly manage dollars daily.

8. Faith: I will deepen and live out my faith daily.

9. Relationships: I will initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.

10. Generosity: I will model kindness daily.

11. Values: I will embrace good standards daily.

12. Growth: I will seek improvements daily.

Maxwell goes on to suggest that we should dogmatically follow these daily routines in congruence with these priorities.

Prepare the Night Before

If it’s going to be successful, my day has to start the night before. Before I go to sleep, I do two things. First, I reflect on the day that’s ending. You will never make the most of the day that’s coming until you evaluate the day that has passed. Who did I help? What did I learn? Did I do my best?

Second, I look at the next day to see what I need to accomplish. I know I can’t be at the top of my game every minute of the day. So I look at my schedule and to-do list and decide what will be the main event. Then I make certain I can give my all to that most important thing.

Don’t try to prioritize your whole life. Just prioritize the day. If you can figure out the best possible way to spend four, eight or 12 hours, you can be successful.

Ask the Right Question in the Morning

Because I wake up knowing how I will spend my day, I’m able to hit the ground running. That leaves me with just one question to consider each morning: How can I add value to people today?

Asking this puts me in the right frame of mind as I approach my responsibilities. I want to make a diff erence. If I look for ways to add value to those I encounter, I will likely be satisfied with how I use my day.

Give Your Best

Parts of my day are routinely the same: I prepare at night. I get my mindset right in the morning. I try to carve out time to exercise in the afternoons when I’m at home or in the early mornings when I’m on the road. And I do things to help me grow personally (more on that shortly).

The rest of the day varies. Sometimes I’ll be speaking to live audiences. Other times I’ll be in meetings with leaders of my teams. Or I’ll write. Or I’ll be recording or thinking through future projects.

Whatever the day holds, I try to give my best. Success in life and leadership consists of being good in the moment. If you can be totally present physically, emotionally, mentally a nd spiritually, you b ecome a “100-percenter,” and those people are the ones who rise to the top and make a diff erence.

The best “100-percenter” I ever met was Bill Clinton. I got the opportunity to meet him at the White House during his second term. In our short time together, he focused completely on our conversation and made me feel important.

Learn

If you do everything I’ve listed, you w ill be able to add value to people and have a successful day. But how do you sustain that over the long haul? By adding value to yourself every day.

The “Rule of Five”— five things that I do every day:

1. Read. I am constantly feeding my mind. I try to read one or two books every week. Some I skim. Others I fully digest. I also listen to podcasts and other audio messages, t he b est of which I h ave transcribed.

2. File. It’s not enough just to read. The No. 1 timewaster for most people is searching for lost items. Whenever I find a good quote or idea, I file it. That way I can retrieve it within seconds or minutes.

3. Write. I help others primarily through books and speeches. That means I need to write continually. Look in my briefcase or on my desk and you’ll find files of material I’m working with to create new lessons and ideas.

4. Think. Perhaps the most valuable thing I do every day is stop doing and just think. I evaluate experiences, weigh opportunities, consider how to help my team and ask God for guidance.

5. Question. Good questions unlock doors and reveal opportunities. I feel so strongly about this that I wrote a book called Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, which will come out in October.

I would consider the words of John Maxwell along with the greats like Napoleon Hill, Robert Kyosaki, and Zig Ziglar.  You can apply these and many other of his several book titles to your career… I know I will be applying these to mine.  If you have a question about this or any real estate related topics, please feel free to contact me at any time.  I also appreciate your referrals.  And always remember, when it comes to real estate, Think Hurst 1st!

What in the World is Your Home Worth?? | July is Home Valuation Month

So I read a recent article stating that pending home sales surged 6.1% in May which represents the largest such gain since 2010. This remarkable note prompted me to make July The Month of Home Valuation. All month long I'm offering my time (for $FREE.99 of course) to put together a Comparative Market Analysis report for anyone who's interested in finding out how much your home is worth in today's market. You may find that now is a good time to cash in on your current home use your sudden cash flow to upgrade, downsize, place some money in a college fund or IRA, or use your new found wealth to meet some other financial goal.

For those not necessarily selling, but still interested in pricing a home, here are the BIG 3 components:

Price
This is the dollar value that the seller should be reasonably asking for given current market conditions.  Things that should be taken into consideration include factors such as recently sold properties.  These should, preferably, be within the last 6-12 months.  This way, you're taking advantage of the most recent market trends.  These comparative sales should also be be similar in size (land, home square footage, number of rooms, etc.) and amenities (i.e., fences, pools, etc.)  There are certain intangible factors that have to be considered as well such as location, surroundings, view from the property and more.  One of the single, biggest factors, of course, is the location.

Value
The value of the market is subject to the prospective buyer and can differ from transaction to transaction. Locational amenities such as highly-rated schools nearby, access to public transportation, or distance to a certain employer, can place a higher or lower premium on certain properties to prospective buyers.  Value can also be determined by a certain area's inventory.  Low supply of homes, with high demand for  them, will drive the market price up.  The inverse of this relationship is also true: high supply of homes available, with low demand, will drive price downward.

Cost
The cost basis is determined by the land, materials and improvements that have been purchased and utilized.  In a lot of cases, there is an inelastic value created when the cost of improvements is incurred.  Thus, value is not necessarily a direct derivative of cost.  More value can be created by spending money to make certain improvements.  The value is a subjective property that is usually determined by the buyer's preferences and interests.

Now, sites like Zillow and Trulia have made superior attempts to value homes all over the nation, which are pretty decent.. But how can you fully trust a company based in Arizona with a computer algorithm against an agent in your local market who lives, works and studies in your locale?  That's why I'm offering this service all month long… and thereafter I'm sure lol.  Feel free to e-mail me to take advantage of this offer.

Thank you so very much for you continued support.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to this or any other real estate related topics at (352) 246-8706 or at jhurst@mmparrish.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jasonjhurst.com and be sure to 'LIKE' my Facebook page today. And remember, when it comes to real estate, THINK HURST 1ST!

My Personal Gainesville Restaurant Week | MUST EATS!

In honor of the Annual Gainesville Restaurant Week that has so graciously been put on each year by the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, I have decided to highlight my personal, favorite restaurants in the area.  Now, none of these are featured restaurants on this years official tour, but make no mistake about it, they are OFFICIAL IN TASTE and need to be frequented. My wife and I are self-proclaimed "foodies".  We are contacted by many in our circles and are considered  reliable and consultative specialists when it comes to food and restaurant recommendations.  I would venture to say that, between us, there isn't one restaurant door that has gone unopened in Gainesville and the surrounding areas so I have a pretty qualified opinion on most places.  We enjoy dating and family time in a good restaurant, mostly the ones that are least advertised and underground favorites. So whether you're looking for a date spot, a catered event, or a brief meeting location, these eating sanctuaries will be right up your alley!

Civilization
1511 NW 2nd Street
Nestled near the Duck Pond area of Gainesville, this quaint restaurant is ideal for quiet conversation, a

small little getaway, and, of course, a great meal.  Now, me being from the densely-populated, urban demographic of the Chicagoland area of Illinois, I have never come in contact with a buffalo, let alone ever tasted one.  But let it be known, Civilization has an undeniably great and hearty Water Buffalo burger.  I would liken it most closely to an Angus beef burger, but with a more robust and rich flavor.  It's sure to capture your taste buds and leave you full; especially on the king of buns, the kaiser roll.  This is just one of the many organic, international treats on their menu. And, for the health conscious, Civilization is greatly vegan-friendly.  Civilization is definitely a natural food lover's spot and a free-feeling ambiance to take advantage of in Gainesville.

The Top
30 N Main Street
This is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Gainesville.  With me being a city boy, I am always on a

quest for venues, activities and restaurants that most closely resemble the food, culture and ambiance of "the big city" and, if only for a few hours, remind me of the urban, city culture.  THIS IS IT! Located right on Main street near the precise center of Gainesville (University and Main) it is always a bustling and tasty option.  But you may want to allow for a long wait time because it's always full… and well worth the wait.  If you go, and I highly recommend you do, you absolutely cannot leave with out at least ordering the corn nuggets.  I don't know how they make them, but they are similar to chicken nuggets but with a burst of seasoned cream corn, flavored just right to leave you wanting another bite each time.  You truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu, though.  A MUST EAT!

Southern Charm

• 1714 SE Hawthorne Road

What good is it to live in the South and not have a viable option for "good ol' home cookin'".  I, too, enjoy southern cooking, but my biggest hang ups, most times, are that the food is heavy, in most cases, unhealthy, and usually cooked with a bunch of grease.  This makes it hard to justify eating these meals regulary and preserving my sexy LOL!  However, Southern Charm, qualifies for the best of both worlds. Nestled in the heart of east Gainesville, with a decor of an upscale, blues shack, Southern Charm is the brainchild of the same people that brought you the tasty goodness of Reggae Shack.  There are a number of guilt-free and creative dishes that they have fused together with names and tastes that we have come to enjoy such as Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, Succotash, Okra, collard greens, apple turnovers and more!  I highly recommend the Shrimp and Waffles followed by the Apple turnovers with ice cream.

The Jones B-Side
203 SW 2nd Avenue
This upbeat, eclectic joint has moved it's home from it's East Gainesville location to one centered downtown in the party district of Gainesville. This is another new-aged, organic and naturally-raised food restaurant and it is DELICIOUS! And, for my personal taste, you can usually catch them playing some underground and old school hip-hop beats from A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Mos Def and the like. For someone like myself that just plain LOVES food, but needed to find a balance that I don't revert back to the 5'6", 200 pound frame of my former self, I have struggled to find delicious, gluten-free and/or organic alternatives to desserts that would rival my all-time favorite sweets.  But I have found some at The Jones. Let me recommend the vegan chocolate cake, the pecan bar, the chocolate chip brownie and the gluten-free chocolate chip pecan cookie.

Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd Avenue
Nestled on the Eastside of Gainesville, this iconic pizza restaurant resembles the home base of Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and their crew and it's by design.  The decor includes old 1960's games, paraphernalia, and even vehicles, in which you can dine, that resemble Scooby's mystery machine.  This theme and creative measures taken are what make Satchel's so unique and set apart from any other pizza place you will visit in the WORLD.  And it only helps that their jumbo pizzas with a wide array of toppings and flavors are mouth-watering and euphorically delicious… Come to think of it, I've often questioned whether their pizzas are baked with some other artifacts made popular in the 1960's era (please see Snoop Dogg.)  Two important things to be aware of when eating at this Gainesville Landmark: (1) allow for much wait time because it's always packed.. rightfully so, and (2) Be sure to bring cash! They're one of the few businesses that still operate on a cash basis in 2014.

The Hyppo
214 SE 2nd Avenue
I would have never thought you could find so much value in a popsicle.  But these aren't your everyday push-pops or Rocket pops.  The Hyppo is a boutique popsicle shop that prides themselves on an extremely unique offering of gourmet popsicles made with authentically real (not from concentrate either) ingredients.  They were birthed in St. Augustine, Florida and brought their coastal exclusivity and popularity to downtown Gainesville.  Their unique flavors such as Guava Hibiscus, Pineapple Cilantro, and Mango Habanero make this not just a great symphony of flavors, but an unparalleled experience… And they are DAAAAARN GOOD!!!  My favorite is the creamy, dreamy Key Lime Pie flavored pop.



Thank you so very much for you continued support.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to this or any other real estate related topics at (352) 246-8706 or at jhurst@mmparrish.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jasonjhurst.com.  And remember, when it comes to real estate, THINK HURST 1ST!

Home Alone | 10 Ways to Protect Your Home While on Vacation

I know we all wish we had a blonde-haired, eight year old kid, with the intellect of a Harvard grad student to conveniently "forget" at home to protect the fort while we're on vacation; much like McCauley Culkin in the hit 90's movie, Home Alone.  But let's face it, though his antics made that one of our all-time favorite movies (well, at least one of mine anyway), it couldn't be further from a realistic tactic.  Home burglary while you're off on your summer and holiday vacations is a very real risk and you have to be prepared.  Here are 10 very practical ways to protect your home and valuable assets while you're enjoying your vacation time.

1. Ask a Friend to Help - commission a family member or close friend of the family to periodically stop by your house to patrol the inside of the house, the perimeter or even collect important mail, packages delivered in your absence, or bring the trashcans in/out for the neighborhood trash day. If you're going on a vacation to a point of interest that they've never been, you may even want to bribe them with a special gift from that point of interest upon your return. I typically find that bags of Garrett's Popcorn do the trick when I take trips home to Chicago.

2. Don't Broadcast Your Vacation Plans on Social Media - it's nice to share your life with others via social media, but your life shared with the wrong hands could spell trouble; particularly if you're broadcasting your vacation plans. Take pictures of your vacation and save them until you return before you create the album on social media to share with your friends. (Don't worry... I'm guilty of this one, too.)

3. Completely Unplug Appliances - utility companies and energy conservation organizations agree that even though your appliances may be completely turned off, they still use energy even if they're still plugged. However, you may want to reconsider unplugging the refrigerator. Otherwise, you may end up with some award-winning science fair projects upon your return.

4. Notify the Police - believe it or not, your neighborhood police men take interest in stopping potential theft in your particular home. Contact local law enforcement to put them on watch and they will periodically patrol yor neighborhood for suspicious activity... And let's hope they're not the Joe Pesci type as seen in the movie, Home Alone. 

5. Install Motion Activated/Timed Lights - consider installing lights that are triggered by motions within a certain proximity to your house, door, or the like. Or, you can install lights that are programmed to activate at a certain time. Both of these options will confuse a potential thief as to whether or not a home is inhabited, or it will at least make them think twice about their attempt to rob the place.

6. Leave a Light or Two on Inside - Leave a low beam light, or two, on such as a small lamp, oven light or ceiling fan light. This will also confuse a break in plot when it gets dark outside.  It may be a small expense on the GRU utility bill, but it's a small price to pay in comparison to replacing items stolen in the event of a break in. 

7. Pause Mail Delivery - Contact the USPS online or by dropping by your local branch and request that they hold your mail. You can provide them with the specific dates of your vacation and the mail will resume upon your return along with all the mail that was slated to be delievered while you were gone.

8. Remove your Hidden Spare Key - I know you usually leave a spare key under the mat, above the door frame, under an outdoor pot or other removable fixture outside. You may even leave it in the garage somewhere. However, none of these places are safe when you're out of town because experienced thieves know where your spare is too. Consider removing the spare key while you're gone.

9. Have Lawn Freshly Cut and Hedges Clipped - I'm sure you have a regularly scheduled time for lawn and shrub maitnenance. However, you'll want to make sure you cut your grass and manicure that greenery just before you leave (or schedule your maintenance crew to pay a visit while you're away.) Uncut grass and shrubs are dead giveaways for thieves to signal that no one is home. Or, it can be a dead giveaway of a lazy homeowner as well.

10. Invest in a Good Alarm System - a good alarm system will trigger cops and neighbors in the event of a break in. There are several reasonably-priced services that charge a monthly monitoring fee and also provide monitoring options via your phone through an app. I, personally, use ADT and have been very satisfied with their services. Feel free to contact me if you need me to refer you to a good rep in town.





Thank you so very much for you continued support.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to real estate at (352) 246-8706 or at jhurst@mmparrish.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jasonjhurst.com.  And remember, when it comes to real estate, THINK HURST 1ST!