Holley by the Sea - Whitworth Builders, Inc

Hooray for the Punch List!

We like Punch Lists, and you will to.  It's the final step toward moving into your new home.  It also gives you a sense of security knowing that you can walk through your home and make sure all is right.  Whether you are purchasing one of our already completed homes (spec) or in the last stages of completing a new build, you get a punch list before final closing.

So, what is a punch list?  A punch list is a list created at the end of construction that shows what needs to still be done or what needs to be repaired on the new construction.  The home buyer and the contractor create this list.

We very rarely miss contractual items that need to be done (ie, a ceiling fan instead of that flourescent light you didn't like).  However, inevitably there will be some damage done during contruction.  We have a lot of different people working on the house with hammers, paint sprayers, or dirty shoes.  You get the picture. 

About a week or so before closing, we will do a preliminary walk-through with you.  This is a time for you to put aside your excitement, and carefully observe your home.  If you have a real estate agent, they should come with you as they are less emotionally attached and can help identify flaws.  One of our representatives will also walk through with you. 

We go room to room, review contractual items to make sure they have been completed, and look for other items that need to be fixed.  You must be thorough on this examination.  Imagine all the components that go into constructing a home!  Some examples of punch list items are:  over spray of paint, thin paint spots, doors that need adjusting or weatherstripping, windows that don't open easily, or anything cracked, dinged, or broken.  It's kind of fun doing the walk through on the house, the building super gives you a roll of blue tape and you get to go through the house taping things you want corrected.  After this is completed, and all the corrections written down on a form, you and the building super sign the document and it becomes a binding contract.  Here is a sample punch list .

Either the day before closing, or on the day of closing you do a final walk-through.  This is to ensure that everything on the list was completed.  We have a painter on site to walk through with you just in case we missed a paint spot, or a new one is noticed.  Once you see that everything has been completed, and you are happy with the final product, you sign the final walk-through and all that's left is to close on your house.

Whitworth Builders has it's own warranty department.  If you move in and find something you wish you had put on the punch list, OR something new pops up, you have a year to send those repair items to us and we will send someone out to make it right. 

For more information about new construction in Navarre, FL, please contact Bethany Little at (850) 939-8018, or visit my website at www.thinkbeth.com.

He Was Raised Right, What Happened?

I'm a Gator Mom.  I AM a Gator Mom.  Hey, guess what? I'm a Gator Mom.  Blech.  It just doesn't sound right no matter how I say it. 

I raised him right.  Took him to Auburn games.  Made sure his first car had a "#1 Auburn Fan" tag.  His book bag was even officially licensed by Auburn.  We screamed and stressed together when Auburn played, and eventually beat, the University of Florida in 2006 and 2007.  He even ran up and down our neighborhood waving our big Auburn flag!  I'm getting a tear just thinking about how proud I was at that moment.  He was raised right.

I blame the Florida Lottery.  I do! There we were existing in our War Eagle happiness, while behind our backs millions of tourists and Floridians were buying lottery tickets and destroying my life....one dollar at a time.  You see, my son has always been a good student, and he was awarded a Bright Futures Scholarship.  This lottery funded scholarship offers up to 100% funding for post-secondary education to any state college, IF the student meets the academic standards.

It's hard to get into the University of Florida, and I was so proud of him when he got his acceptance letter from the College of Engineering.  It was impossible not to smile at how excited he was when we were shopping for apartments (he's like a big labrador puppy...that's the only way I can explain his enthuiasm for everything).  And it was devastatingly hard to keep a smile on my face when he packed a trailer and pulled out of my driveway to begin a new facet of his life.  I miss my Auburn abandoning, Florida Gator loving, big goofball of a son. 

So I'm definately a Gator Mom.  I'm trying to accept that and move on. In the big football game of life it's "Lottery-1, Auburn Mom-0".

*Disclaimer:  I don't really blame the Florida Lottery for my son's defection, that would be silly wouldn't it?  I blame Global Warming. It's the reason for every bad thing, isn't it? 

Update on 6634 Bellingham Street

Santa Clara III

$274,900

Framing has begun on our Santa Clara III model being built at 6634 Bellingham Street in Holley by the Sea.

This home is 2534 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car garage, and covered lanai.  Estimated completion time is 3 to 4 months.  The home will include bull nose corners, 18" tile in all wet areas, granite countertops, Armstrong tru-wood cabinets, moen faucets, 10 ft ceilings with knock down, cultured marble vanities, formal dining room and living room, fabri-shield hurricane shutters, wind resistant garage door with hurricane reinforcement bar, finished out garage area, fully sodded and landscaped lawn with sprinkler system on well.

I really love this floorplan because it has a separate guest area off of the family room that has a bedroom, full bath, and entrance to the lanai.  I would put my teenager there, since he needs his own "space".

Above are pictures of the way we tie down or wrap the joists for wind resistance, the frame of the house is actually bolted down to the foundation.  The picture to the left shows another one of our houses farther along in construction showing how extensive the hurrican reinforcements become.  

There is still some time to pick out colors for this house. 

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this home.   Beth Little, Realtor (850) 543-8617 or info@thinkbeth.com

Shoreline Bark Park Now Open

My dog A.J. loves to go to doggy parks.  We're excited to see that the dog park in Gulf Breeze is having it's grand opening today from 11 am to 2 pm.  Called Shoreline Bark Park because of it's location close to Shoreline Park, this facility overlooking the bay has an approximately 30,000 square foot enclosed area complete with benches, trash cans and doggie excrement bags.

The park includes a separate section for smaller breeds, water facilities, and a five-foot tall chain link fence around the perimeter.  A.J. hopes that some of the braver small dogs will come visit the large dog area.

Use of the park is free, but dog owners must first register their animal at city hall, which is less than half a mile away. The annual cost of the city's dog license is $6 for spayed or neutered dogs and $9 for animals that have not been spayed or neutered. Residents aged 65 or older qualify for the senior citizen's discount, reducing the license to $3.

Park patrons are asked to follow a few simple rules when visiting:

No children under age 8

Clean up after your pooch (bags are provided)

No aggressive dogs

No tobacco or food products

The park upkeep is being maintained by the Gulf Breeze Dog Lovers Association (GBDL) whose volunteers allocate their time and money to the park.  They have also committed to regularly clean the park as well as spray for ticks and other harmful insects at no charge to the city.

Though the park is free to the public, the GBDL is encouraging dog lovers to join their association. Members can purchase a one-year "tennis ball" membership for $30, a five-year "Frisbee" membership for $100 and a lifetime "Kong" membership for $250. Families can purchase a one-year "park" membership for $50. These dues allow members to participate in the special programs that GBDL offers, as well as participating in the upkeep of the park.  For more information visit Gulf Breeze Dog Lovers Association (GBDL).

Below is a slideshow of A.J. on a visit to Niceville, Florida's Dog Park.  We can't wait to visit Shoreline Bark Park and make some more memories.

A New law gives first-time buyers $7,500 tax credit

First-time home buyers it’s time to commit: There was a provision recently passed that is part of the federal housing recovery bill that gives first time buyers an interest free loan of up to $7,500 in the form of an income tax credit.

The credit applies to homes that are the buyer's principle residence, not investment property.  The credit equals 10 percent of a home’s cost up to $7,500, and applies to any single-family residence (including condos and co-ops).

If you have not owned a home in the last three years, you are considered a first time home buyer under this plan.  You can claim the tax credit the first year that you file federal taxes and receive the money as a reduction of your federal tax liability. The money must be repaid at the rate of 6.67 percent of the total credit each year for 15 years, essentially making it an interest-free loan. If a home is sold before the 15-year pay-off, the balance of the credit is recaptured at resale. 

There are some provisions:
 
• Income limits: Full credit goes to individuals making $75,000 per year or less ($150,000 for couples). The credit amount phases out for higher incomes.
 
• Effective dates: The new law is retroactive back to April 9, 2008. It terminates on June 30, 2009.
 
• Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): Credit can be used against the AMT and the credit will not throw any individual into AMT territory.

To read more information about the tax credit and other provisions of the federal housing rescue plan, visit the National Association of Realtors Web site at: Key Provisions.

If you have been thinking of purchasing a home, now is a good time!  Whitworth Builders, Inc. is actively building affordable homes in Holley by the Sea, Navarre FL.  Contact us to see how we can help you purchase your first home. (850) 939-8018.