Watson Realty Gets More Recognition

Watson Realty Corp. has received the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Member Achievement Award. The award was presented during the Awards Gala March 14-16 in Palm Desert, Calif.

The annual meeting attracted nearly 800 brokers, managers, relocation professionals, sponsors and guests from leading domestic and international real estate firms.

Watson Realty Corp. was recognized as one of the top four companies in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network in 2006 for outgoing closed referrals.

Watson Realty Corp., is a two-time winner of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Diamond Award, and recipient of the RELO Quality Certification designation. The Diamond Award is the network’s top award for achievement nationwide and the RQC recognizes relocation service excellence. Only 34 companies nationwide have received this designation.

Watson Realty Corp. is a full-service real estate company with 43 residential sales offices located throughout Northeast and Central Florida as well as St. Marys, Georgia. Also under the Watson banner are Watson Property Management, Watson Commercial, Watson New Homes, Watson Home Improvement, Watson Plumbing, Watson Electric, Watson Mortgage Corp., Watson School of Real Estate, Watson Title Services, and Watson Relocation Services.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (www.LeadingRE.com) is a global real estate network comprised of more than 650 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With more than 5,500 offices and 160,000 associates in the United States and nearly 30 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World affiliates sell more than $400 billion in home sales representing 1.4 million transactions, outselling any national franchise and leading the nation in the sales of $1 million-plus homes. Seven of the United States top 10 real estate firms and 31 percent of the top 500 are affiliates of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Watson Realty Gets More Recognition

Watson Realty Corp. has received the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Member Achievement Award. The award was presented during the Awards Gala March 14-16 in Palm Desert, Calif.

The annual meeting attracted nearly 800 brokers, managers, relocation professionals, sponsors and guests from leading domestic and international real estate firms.

Watson Realty Corp. was recognized as one of the top four companies in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network in 2006 for outgoing closed referrals.

Watson Realty Corp., is a two-time winner of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Diamond Award, and recipient of the RELO Quality Certification designation. The Diamond Award is the network’s top award for achievement nationwide and the RQC recognizes relocation service excellence. Only 34 companies nationwide have received this designation.

Watson Realty Corp. is a full-service real estate company with 43 residential sales offices located throughout Northeast and Central Florida as well as St. Marys, Georgia. Also under the Watson banner are Watson Property Management, Watson Commercial, Watson New Homes, Watson Home Improvement, Watson Plumbing, Watson Electric, Watson Mortgage Corp., Watson School of Real Estate, Watson Title Services, and Watson Relocation Services.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (www.LeadingRE.com) is a global real estate network comprised of more than 650 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With more than 5,500 offices and 160,000 associates in the United States and nearly 30 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World affiliates sell more than $400 billion in home sales representing 1.4 million transactions, outselling any national franchise and leading the nation in the sales of $1 million-plus homes. Seven of the United States top 10 real estate firms and 31 percent of the top 500 are affiliates of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Watson Realty Ranks No. 17 in Nation

RISMedia, residential real estate’s largest independent news and information service, has released its 19th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey which identified Watson Realty Corp. as ranking 17th in the nation based on closed transaction sides (16,503) and 27th in the nation based on sales volume ($4,192,355,352.) in 2006. They were the only real estate company listed within the Top 50 Brokerages from Florida.

“Like many of the power brokers listed in this month’s Power Broker Report & Survey, we have the gift of perspective here at RISMedia,” said RISMedia CEO and Publisher John Featherston. “Publishing this magazine for 27 years and ranking leading brokerage firms for 19 of those years has provided us with an important vantage point on the market. It allows us to comfortably say that, despite rampant talk of the demise of real estate in 2006, we are still in the midst of a vibrant real estate market, one that continues to present a wealth of opportunity.

“But, there’s a catch. You have to know where to look. These brokers confronted the reality of the new marketplace and turned it into their competitive advantage. While some firms acted on the false hope that the slowdown was just a temporary fluke, power brokers with the benefit of perspective took the necessary steps to ensure profitability.”

Watson Realty is pleased with the ranking, said Watson President Ed Forman.

“It is quite an honor and a powerful statement to be ranked as the top Florida real estate company as well as 17th in transactions and 27th in sales volume nationwide,” Forman said.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Watson Realty Ranks No. 17 in Nation

RISMedia, residential real estate’s largest independent news and information service, has released its 19th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey which identified Watson Realty Corp. as ranking 17th in the nation based on closed transaction sides (16,503) and 27th in the nation based on sales volume ($4,192,355,352.) in 2006. They were the only real estate company listed within the Top 50 Brokerages from Florida.

“Like many of the power brokers listed in this month’s Power Broker Report & Survey, we have the gift of perspective here at RISMedia,” said RISMedia CEO and Publisher John Featherston. “Publishing this magazine for 27 years and ranking leading brokerage firms for 19 of those years has provided us with an important vantage point on the market. It allows us to comfortably say that, despite rampant talk of the demise of real estate in 2006, we are still in the midst of a vibrant real estate market, one that continues to present a wealth of opportunity.

“But, there’s a catch. You have to know where to look. These brokers confronted the reality of the new marketplace and turned it into their competitive advantage. While some firms acted on the false hope that the slowdown was just a temporary fluke, power brokers with the benefit of perspective took the necessary steps to ensure profitability.”

Watson Realty is pleased with the ranking, said Watson President Ed Forman.

“It is quite an honor and a powerful statement to be ranked as the top Florida real estate company as well as 17th in transactions and 27th in sales volume nationwide,” Forman said.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Duval Schools to Get $250K in Grant Money

Close to $250,000 in grant money will be given to several Duval County public schools by The Chartrand Foundation.

The nonprofit awarded grants that range from $5,000 to $15,000 to schools that are part of the “Inspire.Create.Achieve” partnership between Chartrand and the school district. Grants were given in five categories: civic engagement, digital technologies in the classrooms, pre-kindergarten, enhancing the role of arts in education and community partners.

The partnership established the Standard Bearer and Acceleration Cluster in January, 25 Duval County schools that are implementing school improvement strategies to increase achievement by responding to basic causes of student performance.

Any school that is a part of the cluster was invited to apply for the grants. Through the grants, the foundation hopes to take students out of the normal classroom experience and give them an active role in their education.

The Jacksonville-based Chartrand Foundation was started in 2006 and its mission is direct funding of public education.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Duval Schools to Get $250K in Grant Money

Close to $250,000 in grant money will be given to several Duval County public schools by The Chartrand Foundation.

The nonprofit awarded grants that range from $5,000 to $15,000 to schools that are part of the “Inspire.Create.Achieve” partnership between Chartrand and the school district. Grants were given in five categories: civic engagement, digital technologies in the classrooms, pre-kindergarten, enhancing the role of arts in education and community partners.

The partnership established the Standard Bearer and Acceleration Cluster in January, 25 Duval County schools that are implementing school improvement strategies to increase achievement by responding to basic causes of student performance.

Any school that is a part of the cluster was invited to apply for the grants. Through the grants, the foundation hopes to take students out of the normal classroom experience and give them an active role in their education.

The Jacksonville-based Chartrand Foundation was started in 2006 and its mission is direct funding of public education.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Industrial Jobs Steady in Jacksonville, Down for State

The number of industrial jobs in Florida fell 1 percent over the past year, but held steady in Jacksonville.

According to Manufacturers’ News Inc., which publishes a registry of manufacturers in the state each year, Jacksonville was second in the state with 41,387 manufacturing jobs and 851 plants, but had no significant change in those numbers over the past 12 months.

Florida lost more than 5,700 manufacturing jobs in the past year. The south and central Florida regions combined lost more than 6,400 jobs while Northern Florida, which includes the Panhandle, gained 668 jobs.

“This is a trend we’ve seen in other states,” said Manufacturing News President Thomas Dubin. “Although manufacturing output is at record highs, industrial employment is stagnant or declining.”

Florida ranks seventh in the nation for manufacturing plants, but the 584,000 jobs ranks it 12th nationally.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Industrial Jobs Steady in Jacksonville, Down for State

The number of industrial jobs in Florida fell 1 percent over the past year, but held steady in Jacksonville.

According to Manufacturers’ News Inc., which publishes a registry of manufacturers in the state each year, Jacksonville was second in the state with 41,387 manufacturing jobs and 851 plants, but had no significant change in those numbers over the past 12 months.

Florida lost more than 5,700 manufacturing jobs in the past year. The south and central Florida regions combined lost more than 6,400 jobs while Northern Florida, which includes the Panhandle, gained 668 jobs.

“This is a trend we’ve seen in other states,” said Manufacturing News President Thomas Dubin. “Although manufacturing output is at record highs, industrial employment is stagnant or declining.”

Florida ranks seventh in the nation for manufacturing plants, but the 584,000 jobs ranks it 12th nationally.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Watson Web Site Wins First Place

The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Annual Marketing Awards were presented recently in Palm Desert, Calif., with Watson Realty Corp. receiving first place for their Web site, http://www.WatsonRealtyCorp.com. Watson Realty Corp. also received awards for Best Referral Promotion, Best Specialty Marketing and Best Company Brand Advertising.

Watson Realty Corp. is a two-time winner of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Diamond Award and recipient of the RELO Quality Certification designation. The Diamond Award is the network’s top award for achievement nationwide and the RQC recognizes relocation service excellence. Only 34 companies nationwide have received this designation.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, at http://www.leadingre.com, is a global real estate network comprised of more than 650 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With more than 5,500 offices and 160,000 associates in the U.S. and nearly 30 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World affiliates sell over $400 billion in home sales representing 1.4 million transactions, outselling any national franchise and leading the nation in the sales of $1 million-plus homes. Seven of the United States top 10 real estate firms and 31 percent of the top 500 are affiliates of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Watson Web Site Wins First Place

The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Annual Marketing Awards were presented recently in Palm Desert, Calif., with Watson Realty Corp. receiving first place for their Web site, http://www.WatsonRealtyCorp.com. Watson Realty Corp. also received awards for Best Referral Promotion, Best Specialty Marketing and Best Company Brand Advertising.

Watson Realty Corp. is a two-time winner of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Diamond Award and recipient of the RELO Quality Certification designation. The Diamond Award is the network’s top award for achievement nationwide and the RQC recognizes relocation service excellence. Only 34 companies nationwide have received this designation.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, at http://www.leadingre.com, is a global real estate network comprised of more than 650 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With more than 5,500 offices and 160,000 associates in the U.S. and nearly 30 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World affiliates sell over $400 billion in home sales representing 1.4 million transactions, outselling any national franchise and leading the nation in the sales of $1 million-plus homes. Seven of the United States top 10 real estate firms and 31 percent of the top 500 are affiliates of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Florida TaxWatch Backs Senate Reform Proposal

Florida TaxWatch is calling the Florida Senate’s proposed property tax reforms “a good step in the right direction.”

The reform legislation, which is on the Senate Finance and Tax Committee’s April 17 agenda, includes a property tax roll back, a cap on government spending and a $25,000 tangible personal property tax exemption.

Under the plan, property taxes would be rolled back to the 2005-2006 level and be frozen for one year. After that, annual government property tax revenues could not grow faster than population and income.

Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan research institute that tracks taxation, spending and public policy, noted that the Senate plan includes several provisions that Florida TaxWatch has already recommended, including the rollback of taxes and the $25,000 exemption on tangible personal property tax.

The group qualified its support by noting that inequities created by the Save Our Homes amendment, which caps the growth of a property’s assessed value, have not been addressed.

“This plan is a good step in the right direction and will meet the Florida TaxWatch call for tax relief now,” the group said in a written statement, “but most of the inequities created by [the] Save Our Homes amendment remain.”

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Florida TaxWatch Backs Senate Reform Proposal

Florida TaxWatch is calling the Florida Senate’s proposed property tax reforms “a good step in the right direction.”

The reform legislation, which is on the Senate Finance and Tax Committee’s April 17 agenda, includes a property tax roll back, a cap on government spending and a $25,000 tangible personal property tax exemption.

Under the plan, property taxes would be rolled back to the 2005-2006 level and be frozen for one year. After that, annual government property tax revenues could not grow faster than population and income.

Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan research institute that tracks taxation, spending and public policy, noted that the Senate plan includes several provisions that Florida TaxWatch has already recommended, including the rollback of taxes and the $25,000 exemption on tangible personal property tax.

The group qualified its support by noting that inequities created by the Save Our Homes amendment, which caps the growth of a property’s assessed value, have not been addressed.

“This plan is a good step in the right direction and will meet the Florida TaxWatch call for tax relief now,” the group said in a written statement, “but most of the inequities created by [the] Save Our Homes amendment remain.”

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Florida SCORE Ranks 2nd in Nation

A report by a Washington, D.C.-based business organization ranks Florida second in the nation in assisting business owners and entrepreneurs.

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) reports that its Florida chapters provided counseling and training to more than 11,300 Florida entrepreneurs during the first four months fiscal year 2007 (Oct. 1-Jan. 31), an increase of 29.2 percent compared to the first four months of fiscal year 2006. Only California ranked higher in the number of entrepreneurs served during the first quarter.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Bob Shephard, district director of the SCORE Central/Northern District based in Orlando, notes Florida has a large number of business owners and entrepreneurs moving to the state “to realize their dream and are turning to SCORE for counseling and advice on how to start and/or grow their businesses.”

Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, a district director with SBA, says the volunteers donate their time to assure necessary steps are taken to build a successful small business.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

Florida SCORE Ranks 2nd in Nation

A report by a Washington, D.C.-based business organization ranks Florida second in the nation in assisting business owners and entrepreneurs.

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) reports that its Florida chapters provided counseling and training to more than 11,300 Florida entrepreneurs during the first four months fiscal year 2007 (Oct. 1-Jan. 31), an increase of 29.2 percent compared to the first four months of fiscal year 2006. Only California ranked higher in the number of entrepreneurs served during the first quarter.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Bob Shephard, district director of the SCORE Central/Northern District based in Orlando, notes Florida has a large number of business owners and entrepreneurs moving to the state “to realize their dream and are turning to SCORE for counseling and advice on how to start and/or grow their businesses.”

Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, a district director with SBA, says the volunteers donate their time to assure necessary steps are taken to build a successful small business.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

The Strand to be Apartments, Not Condos

The Strand, the 28-story residential tower being built on the Southbank, will be leased as apartments. That’s a shift from plans to sell the units as condominiums, but is what the property was originally planned to be.

The developer, American Land Ventures, is developing The Peninsula, a condo tower adjacent to The Strand. All 234 units at The Peninsula have been sold, and the brisk sales there prompted the developer to temporarily market The Strand as condos.

“Based on the high demand and success of The Peninsula, sister property of The Strand, we elected to market the tower for condominium sales,” said Granvil Tracy, president of American Land Ventures. “Since then we have listened to our prospects who have expressed a greater interest in leasing rather than buying during this unpredictable state in the real estate market.”

Rents at The Strand will start at $1,000.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal

The Strand to be Apartments, Not Condos

The Strand, the 28-story residential tower being built on the Southbank, will be leased as apartments. That’s a shift from plans to sell the units as condominiums, but is what the property was originally planned to be.

The developer, American Land Ventures, is developing The Peninsula, a condo tower adjacent to The Strand. All 234 units at The Peninsula have been sold, and the brisk sales there prompted the developer to temporarily market The Strand as condos.

“Based on the high demand and success of The Peninsula, sister property of The Strand, we elected to market the tower for condominium sales,” said Granvil Tracy, president of American Land Ventures. “Since then we have listened to our prospects who have expressed a greater interest in leasing rather than buying during this unpredictable state in the real estate market.”

Rents at The Strand will start at $1,000.

Source: Jacksonville Business Journal