The Real Estate 'For Sale' Sign Just Got Better With QR Codes

The 'For Sale' sign on the lawn of a property is still alive and well and continues to serve a purpose . . . letting others know the property is for sale.  In fact, buyers still continue to find properties of interest by these signs and continue to take drives to look for them in an area of interest.  But the sign has always had a huge barrier that has bothered my wife, Kathleen, and I . . . the lack of information.  You basically get three bits of information from the sign:

1. That the property is for sale
2. The company and agent the property is listed with
3. A phone number to call

So if the buyer does want to know more about the property they can either call the number on the sign or jot down the property address and look it up when they get home.  The buyer has really never been able to get any more information immediately other than maybe 'clunky' text message or 800-number requests . . . until now.

Realtor, Kathleen West (PalmCoastHomeShow.com) just launched scannable signs.  The lawn sign has a scannable QR Code (quick response code) which can be scanned with a smartphone and a scanning app such as Shop Savvy.  Once the code is scanned, the person is directed automatically to a site that contains the property information plus photos, local information such as schools, satellite maps, and more.  If the buyer wishes to schedule a showing or has more questions, simply click the 'Request More Information' button or touch the phone number on the screen to dial.  It's that easy. 

An example of the rider is below which you can scan the QR code on the screen to see the result at 13 Pinelark Ln in Palm Coast, FL:

 

The custom rider was created with help from Palm Coast Signs.  Fernando and his team have always done a wonderful job for us and provide quick turnaround.  

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City of Palm Coast increases Impact Fees by 8.5%

City of Palm Coast has announced an increase for the transportation impact fees (aka "impact fees"). Permits applied for on or after October 1, 2010 will be assessed an increase in transportation impact fees by 8.5%.

The new fee for a Single Family detached home or a Mobile Home on an individual lot will be $3,868.39.  For multi-family homes or apartments the fee is $2,239.26.

By statute, an increase in transportation impact fees is expected to be annually adjusted:

ARTICLE II.  TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES 

Annual adjustments.  On October 1, 2005, and each October 1st thereafter, the City of Palm Coast shall adjust all transportation impact fees assessed by the City. Adjustment shall be determined by comparing the U.S. Department of Labor (USDL) Highway and Street Construction Index for March of the year of adjustment, to the USDL Highway and Street Construction Index for March of the previous year.

What exactly is Impact Fees?
Let's turn to who else but Wikipedia for that:

"An impact fee is a fee that is implemented by a local government on a new or proposed development to help assist or pay for a portion of the costs that the new development may cause with public services to the new development.  They are considered to be a charge on new development to help fund and pay for the construction or needed expansion of offsite capital improvements.   These fees are usually implemented to help reduce the economic burden on local jurisdictions that are trying to deal with population growth within the area."

Any Advice?
Cyd Weeks, the owner of PalmCoasting.com and a Flagler County Realtor® says:

" Talk to your builder, and if you can, pay for it before October 1, 2010."

Charles Rinek, CEO of Rinek Homes and the current President of Flagler HBA (Flagler County Home Builders Association) says:

" The timing is unfortunate in that anything that increases the cost of building continues to discourage much needed growth in our community. 

This limits potential increase in the overall ad valorem tax base income for the City. 

Since the city has a right to adjust the impact fees every year, we hope they agree to lower the impact fees next year. "

How about the Permit Fees?
In 2009, Palm Coast City Council voted to reduce permitting fees by 90% with hopes to stimulate the local economy and reduce a surplus in the Building Department.  Administrative, Plan Review and Inspection fees assessed by the Building Department are currently reduced by 90%.

The reduction in permit fees will be in place for all permits subject to these fees issued through January 1, 2012.

Additional fees to include revisions, re-inspections, subcontractor change, contractor registration, impact fees, etc. and other departmental fees including Fire, Stormwater, Engineering, and Zoning are not eligible for the discount.

For more information on Permits and Impact Fees, contact:

City of Palm Coast

Building Division
160 Cypress Point Parkway
Suite B-106
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Phone : (386) 986-3780

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Tweeting Palm Coast & Flagler County

Follow Me @Bwest2

I love talking about Twitter with others.  Why?  Because it's fun.  It's even hard not to crack at least a little smile when you say, "Twitter" or "Tweet".  Go ahead, try it.  Go ahead.  I'll wait . . . See.  Wasn't that fun?  Ok, now stop because you look silly.  Anyway, so let's take a look at what this 'Follow Me", "Tweeting", and whatnot stuff is all about.

First of all, if you're confused  as to what Twitter really is and why it's beneficial . . . you're not alone.  If you were to use the service solely at it's base level (send and receive Tweets from others), you could probably best describe it as 'text messaging on a lot of steroids'.    The more people you 'follow' on the service the more you would see this steady stream of widely varying 140-character messages (a 'Tweet') and possibly with links to various things like articles, photos, videos, etc.  It would be a jumbled mess.  But when you look into it further and start organizing those tweets into targeted searches (i.e. 'Palm Coast', 'Flagler County'), it's a 'perfect mess'. Now you start seeing things in your area that might have gone unnoticed.  Or you can create targeted lists for groups of 'Tweeters' in an area or about a topic. Here are some lists I created to get you started or if you'd just like to find some more Tweeters out there:

• Palm Coast List - A list of 65 different Tweeters in the area including
• Follow Ky List -  If you're wondering where Ky Ekinci (owner of Office Divvy) is?  This list will help you as he updates his location around town.  Haven't found out yet if there is a prize or not for finding him.  Also a great way for his wife @LisaFLA to insure he's not goofing off somewhere. 
• Barnes and Noble List - This highlights various tweets from Barnes and Noble's Twitter Accounts
• Google - I love Google and they have a bunch of targeted Twitter accounts which update different news about their many services

Available at Barnes & Noble

If you click on the Palm Coast List link above you'll see a sample of who uses Twitter in the area.  You can also check out a service called Twitter Grader for Palm Coast to see who is most active.   But has it been beneficial for them?  Well, I can tell you I probably would never have met Ky and not be even posting this article on here if it were not for Twitter.  I met him through Twitter.  Well, actually I stalked him on the 'Follow Ky' list above using a mobile device and he got tired of me always being there.  So he gave me something to do.  Just kidding . . . kinda.   @OfficeDivvy (who offer local flex office space and Social Media consulting services) says, "We've met great, progressive people, great minds. Drove new business, created brand-awareness locally & nationally thanks to Twitter." @HeyLaurenMack (local writer, Lauren, and contributor) shares, "Twitter finds the nice line between personal and industry and creates an environment where you can find your creativity matched" (from her blog).  @RoyallD (local photographer, David Royall) finds Twitter great for getting "much of my news thru Tweets from people and organizations I follow."  @PalmCoastHomes (local Realtor, Kathleen West) has found it great for "building brand awareness, sharing Real Estate news, and even advertising properties for sale."  @AskPalmCoast, is a great example of individuals who have found social networking such as Twitter to be a significant part of their jobs.  She utilizes "Twitter to benefit others and to make Palm Coast visible." Here's some other Palm Coast/Flagler County Tweeters to note:

• @PalmCoastJulie - She's on a mission discovering the hidden gems and things to do in Palm Coast and Flagler County.  Produces videos that gets published on her Facebook channel: http://facebook.com/PalmCoastJulie 
• @FlaglerChamber1 - The official twitter feed of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and their affiliates in Palm Coast, Bunnell, and Flagler Beach.
• @ PalmCoastReal - The original Palm Coast Real Estate company, originating multiple communities and putting Palm Coast on the map.
• @FlaglerSchools - The official Twitter feed of the Flagler County School District
• @NightHawkSolar - A Palm Coast based company with a propriety portable solar light product with over 100 uses. 
• @VividScope - A premier provider of early learning programs in the Town Center at Palm Coast, owned by a progressive, passionate woman entrepreneur and educator. 
• @EuropeanVillage - Terrific destination in Palm Coast, with a unique courtyard surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars, a cigar lounge, offices and more.
• @PhilChanfrau - A unique Palm Coast Personal Injury Attorney with years of experience and name recognition in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. He tweets, blogs, is a foodie, and an all around real person!
• @CoachYonta - A Psychotherapist, Life Coach, and Personal Trainer --all in one! With offices in Port Orange and Palm Coast, he's a good person to follow!
• @GiftsAndGraces - A Palm Coast Hidden Gem! A super hip Gift Shop not only in Flagler County, but probably in the entire Central and Northern Florida.
• @NancyNally - Publisher of highly successful industry publication, ScrapbookUpdate.com --company based in Palm Coast but with national audience nationwide.
• @RinekHomes - One of the most progressive custom-builders in Palm Coast, led by Charles Rinek, specializing in smart and luxury living.

There are a variety of ways to use Twitter for both personal and professional use. Our own School District is using Twitter to keep parents informed and linking to information update. Mobile use through devices such as iPhone, Droid Phones, etc. have great applications as they allow users to share things likevideo, photos, and/or mapping of things going on where they are. Click here for a list of books on the subject. So how are you using Twitter and what benefits have you found?

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