PAGE 4 June 3, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Squawk Box - Continued from page 1
adds 2%. I should probably be stopping the clock at about 37seconds, but invariably I will
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
yell, “STOP” after about 8 seconds. I’ll admit it’s probably the caffeine talking; but what’s
Beware Non-Experts Bearing Expert Advice
an addict to do?What’s really interesting about this stems from an article I read in the course
I’m presenting a young couple a 3/2 block home in Citrus Springs
of one of my other jobs. In this other job, I seem to be turning into a social media specialist.
when the wife asks me if this foreclosure is a good deal at $65,000.--. I men-
You know, Twitter and Facebook and MySpace and all that. Believe it or not, using those
tion that comparable homes in this area should be selling for about $110,000.,
tools in business can translate into big money and just about anyone who realizes it is trying
and since this home is just 3 years old requiring very little repairs, my opinion
to cash in.
is that they found the best deal in the sub-division at this time.
Would you ever have thought there would be a position called “Social Media Spe-
They immediately buy the home, happily close, and move in. The
cialist”? Me neither.Together with the social media tools that are Internet based, thus virtual,
fact that dozens of couples, that have just met me, trust me implicitly in their home buying
is a real-life media tool that you hold in your hand called the “Blackberry”. I have one. I’ve
quest has always tickled my fancy. How do they know, that I know what I'm talking about?
had one for a long time. So addicting is being connected to the Internet via your Blackberry
How do they come to trust so completely?
that they are nicknamed “Crackberry”. Yes, I have a Crackberry and loathe to admit, I am
I was brought up on Long Island, close to New York city. In the 1960's and 1970's
an addict.I am not alone.So prevalent is multi-tasking among executives using Blackberry
when Long Island was still rural, our mom and pop family business flourished, and people
technology that a new word has been created to describe it: “weisure”.
trusted us.
Weisure is when you are fishing and communicating with your office and plugging
By 1980 with the influx of thousands of big city folk into my rural area, that trust
into decision trees at the very same time. Working and leisure simultaneously. Once again, I
in business deteriorated into, “I will trust you as far as I can throw you”. Not good, so in the
have to raise a hand and proclaim guilty of this heinous activity. I rarely if ever go anywhere
mid eighties, I left the north east permanently, and came to Florida. And poof, the miracle
or do anything without being able to respond to emails, text messages, or phone calls (phone
of trust instantly returned. I am happy to inform you, that trust is still evident on the nature
calls are the least favorite).While at first thought it might seem that my life of weisure af-
coast.
fords me no quality time’ I have to argue that I find it quite the opposite.
My faithful readers have proof positive that I know what I'm talking about because
For me, weisure time makes me more productive, with less stress and pressure. I
it is impossible to write over 100 pithy, and educational articles on a weekly basis, for the
can negotiate an advertising deal while savoring the view at Fort Island Beach, color correct
past two plus years without some education, and knowledge acquired through extensive
and upload a front page photo for The Newscaster and make sure my contact in Idaho is
personal experience.
working on the proposal he promised me and let my relatives know that the family has a new
Well, it seems like everyone one today claims to be some kind of expert, mostly
canine adoptee named Bella and remind someone to call me ASAP. All without breaking a
to get your business. So I suggest that you ask any real estate agent helping you with the
sweat.For the naysayers, I will admit this kind of multi-tasking has taken me a few years to
biggest purchase of you life, several pertinent questions before shopping with them. Ask
perfect.
how many years they have been selling the specific residential or commercial properties
There is a certain degree of etiquette that calls for discretion at dinnertime or
they wish to present to you. Usually, the longer the better. You may wish to inquire on what
other face to face social events; but by a large, I am going to be doing something in-
other licenses and/or credentials they have? Ask to speak to one or two recent satisfied cus-
teresting and productive at all times.In a society that leads the world in working time/
tomers. You may wish to inquire as to how many Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)
vacation time, weisure time is the best of both worlds. I wouldn’t function well with-
complaints and/or violations this agent has had in the last 20 years. Ask about any recent
out it; in fact I think it helps me in my elusive quest to be a flat 60 second kind o guy.
complaints involving the local Board of Realtors. Ask your prospective agent whatever ad-
Citrus Commission lifts burn ban
ditional experience they may have handling the specific type of real estate being purchased.
And, finally, if it is a big commercial transaction, defiantly ask how many law suits have
The Citrus County Commission on May 26 lifted the burn ban that it had
they been involved in over the past 20 years.
imposed in January because of the fire danger caused by drought conditions. A
If you do not ask these questions, along with any other concerns you may have,
week’s worth of rain and the apparent shift in weather conditions to the rainy season
and end up involved in a problem during the transaction you have no one to blame, but
yourself. Remember, an expert is great, but even better, hire someone that has a lot of expe-
pattern of frequent showers and thunderstorms convinced Citrus County Fire Chief
rience, and knowledge in all aspects of real estate. One fun way to look at it is “An expert
Larry Morabito to recommend the end of the ban until conditions change. He noted
is someone who knows more and more about less and less”.
to commissioners that such a change would likely come in the next normal dry sea-
Darryl, Vicki and Shirley are “The Diamond Team” We are the seasoned profes-
son, which is usually from late fall to late spring.
sionals at Diamond Investments Inc., and we are available for all of your real estate needs.
Morabito said after the ban was lifted that residents must remember that
If you are a buyer, we would appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Please call us at 352-
even though the ban on burning yard waste is lifted, that does not mean there is not
447-4442. I’ll see you around “The Campus”
a danger of fire escaping and causing a wild fire that can spread quickly and threaten
WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC • 5 Acres of Trees, Shrubs & Plants
lives and property. He noted also that only the burning of yard waste is allowed and
KNOCKOUT ROSES-2 gal-Double Pink Miniature & Rainbow Std-- $8
not household trash and garbage. The ordinance states that open burning of yard
trash and household paper products generated on occupied residential premises of
FLOWERS - 1 gal - Begonias,Moss Rose,Dianthus & Impatiens--$1.25
not more than two (2) family units is allowed in Citrus County provided the follow-
PERENNIALS - 1 gal-Gaillardia & Black Eyed Susan--$2
ing conditions are met: ? The open burning does not produce smoke, soot, odors,
HYDRANGEA - Now Flowering - 3 gal--$5
visible emissions, heat, flame, radiation, or other conditions to such a degree as to
RIVER BIRCH MULTI - 3 gal - 5 ft--$6
create a nuisance. The open burning must be enclosed in a non-combustible barrel
While They Last
or container or restricted to a pile no larger than 8 feet in diameter built upon ground
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 488 - Turn S onto N Ira Martin Ave
cleared of all combustible material. The non-combustible burn container or pile must
Turn E onto 7 Rivers Farm St - Nursery s a Short Distance on L
meet the following setbacks: 150 feet or more from any occupied building other
9775 W. Seven Rivers Farm St.
than owned or leased by the individual doing the burning; 50 feet or more from any
Crystal River, Florida
public highway or road; 25 feet or more from any residence on the property where
(352)422-1244
burning is conducted; and 25 feet or more from any woodlands, forest, brush or any
Vinyl & Aluminum Fence Installation • FL License #04723005
unoccupied building. Burning cannot begin before 9 a.m. and must be extinguished
one hour before sunset. The fire must be attended at all times, and adequate fire ex-
email your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
tinguishing equipment be readily available at all times. Persons responsible for the
Continued on page 8 - Burn Ban Lifted
Buddy & Fred’s Hardware
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Plumbing - Electrical - Garden - Paint - Lumber
Broker/Owner
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See all the listings in Citrus County on our Website
Angela “Bunny” Adams
www.plantationrealtyinc.com
RV Sewer Parts - Water Hose - Unique Tank Chem.
352-422-7925
Case Knives - Leatherman Tools
Phone: (352) 220-8828
email: lisavandeboe@yahoo.com
352-447-2600
Est. 1983
Fax: (352) 337-0723
31 ACRES ON AN AIRSTRIP. Perfect for an ex-
3/4 mile W. of US-19 on 40 W., Inglis
Office E-Mail: aadams@apexlending.com
ecutive home, can be subdivided into three parcels.
Home E-Mail: bunnyadams@comcast.net
Hours: Mon-Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-2 Closed Sun.
$799,900 Call 352-795-0784 or toll free 866-795-0784.
Licensed Mortgage Broker
ID LI00000703883
Celebrating 26Years Thank You!