I was thrilled when I saw WalMart sign announcing their new location in Highlands County, right on US 27 as you enter Avon Park. I was thrilled because it would save me 30 minutes in time and gas as I live in Avon Park Lakes, just 2 minutes away from the WalMart construction site.
Then I heard people starting to speculate: "My home value is going to increase, double, triple etc. as soon as WalMart opens its doors." I don't believe this is very likely to happen because generally WalMart doesn't employ rocket scientists or celebrities able and willing to pay $500,000 for a $130,000 home in Avon Park.
No doubt we will see an increase in home values but it's not going to happen over night. The commercial says "America runs on Dunkin", I say "America runs on WalMart". WalMart in Avon Park will draw in a lot of consumers from Sebring, Lake Placid, Wauchula and Frostproof. WalMart will also draw in other businesses and the value of commercial land in Walmart's immediate neighborhood is likely going to increase dramatically. Take a look at the kind of businesses you usually find around WalMart. This is what is going to go up around WalMart in Avon Park. In return, that will bring more money into Avon Park and into the pockets of the average home buyer. This is where I see the increase of property value happening. It's not going to sky rocket, keeping in mind that we are still recovering from a steep down market. However, things are looking good!
Andrea Mills - "Avon Park is gonna be the next big boom!" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved
This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
In our little Hemet - San Jacinto valley we have 2 Super WalMarts that have opened since October 2005 - On in Hemet and the new one in June in San Jacinto. Big boom to the locals, no doubt about it. We have had other bid box stores follow and more still to come - not to mention the new restaurants that are finally opening up - so enjoy.
Now Have a Blessed Day,
John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®
Mission Grove Realty
Hemet CA Real Estate
Well, think about it: We're still rural enough to offer a quality lifestyle for families and retirees alike, far enough from the City hussle but close enough to Orlando and both coasts for day trips. The keys are little farther but make for great weekend trips. Highlands is very affordable compared to anything along the coasts - how much better can it get?
Wal-mart sucks the life out of all the Mom and Pop stores of this great little town.