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  • Home sales in Citrus County seeing a spike

    Home sales in Citrus County seeing a spike

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Home sales in Citrus County are seeing a spike in this new year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Data from the Florida Realtors Report shows almost a 14% increase in the sale of single-family homes for the month of January compared to last year

    • There was a total of 222 sales during the month — up from 195 sales at the same time last year

    • With the number of buyers buying rising, so too did the number of homes going up for sale

    Data from the Florida Realtors Report shows almost a 14% increase in the sale of single-family homes for the month of January compared to last year. A total of 222 sales were recorded for the month — which is up from 195 sales at the same time last year.

    Local real estate agent Judy McCoy says it’s a recipe for real estate success.

    And right now that recipe has proven to be in high-demand.

    “We have more sellers with more homes out there, so we’ve had a big increase in the number of sales, but we still have homes for sale,” said McCoy, a real estate agent with Century 21 J.W. Morton.

    In the previous few months, the real estate market was very different, she said.

    “I think a lot of buyers, and we still see a little bit of this, were anxious,” McCoy said. “You can’t blame anybody. They were very anxious about what was happening in the economy, where was it going to go, and it was very slow in November and December.”

    With the number of homes for sale increasing, so too did the number of buyers. But Mccoy said times like these don’t typically last for long.

    “We do anticipate seeing a decrease in the interest rates. The thing about that though, for buyers to know, is that when interest rates go down, prices normally go up,” she said. “As I mentioned before, what you might want to do to get the best of both worlds, is right now the prices are really good. Very good prices. You won’t see prices like this again.”

    And for those currently in the market to buy, McCoy has a few helpful tips.

    “Be well defined, get professional help — you’ll be glad you did — and the third thing about buying a house is an investment value,” she says. “I don’t think Florida real estate is going to go anywhere but up and up and up.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Best friends experience first-time homeownership as neighbors

    Best friends experience first-time homeownership as neighbors

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, Black homeownership still lags behind white homeownership by almost 30%, despite recent increases.

    This disparity can be attributed to systemic factors, such as redlining and inequitable access to mortgage credit. To address this, Habitat for Humanity launched the “Advancing Black Homeownership” initiative, which aims to dismantle the bias that has prevented Black families from accessing intergenerational wealth.

    What You Need To Know

    • Childhood friends Nikkita Houston and Marita Harris both experienced homeownership for the first time after going through Habitat’s program

    • According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, Black homeownership still lags behind white homeownership by almost 30%, despite an increase in Black homeownership

    • Over the course of its 45-year history, Habitat has worked to help close the homeownership gap

    • In 2021, 43% of the families who partnered with Habitat to build homes were Black

    Childhood friends Nikkita Houston and Marita Harris both experienced homeownership for the first time after going through Habitat’s program.

    Over the course of its 45-year history, Habitat has worked to help close the homeownership gap. In 2021, 43% of the families who partnered with Habitat to build homes were Black.

    “This is my first time owning a home,” said Houston. “So, being a divorced mom, you know, I didn’t know what was going to be possible.” 

    Houston is building a home for herself and her two children with the help of Habitat for Humanity.

    “I’m so excited about my new space, about my new home, because it’s much more than a house,” said Houston. “Habitat homes are not free. They are a 0% interest loan. So we will have a mortgage, though, but it will be affordable, and that is exciting.”

    She says that it’s not only about changing the address, but it’s also about creating a community.

    Marita Harris also signed up for Habitat for Humanity with the support of Houston.

    “I didn’t really think it was attainable for me just because of the economy that we are in,” said Harris.

    The childhood friends found out they were going to be neighbors last May when Habitat for Humanity surprised them with lots beside each other.

    “When you’re friends with somebody for so long, you might not talk every day. You might not see each other every day. But we always have that connection,” said Harris. “So for us to come back full circle and be living next to each other as neighbors. Absolutely amazing.”

    Both women have invested over 350 hours of sweat equity into building their dream homes. Soon, they will create new memories in their homes.

    “It’s really a dream come true,” Houston. “It’s so much bigger than me and Rita and our kids like because we are such dedicated mothers. I know she is a dedicated mother. I know I’m a dedicated mother and the things that we do for our children and to be able to give them everything that they deserve and more.”

    As mothers, the two aim to lead by example and provide their children with access to generational wealth.

    “When the inevitable happens, and I leave this earth, it’ll be my son’s, and he can have this home, and he can continue the legacy that Habitat has brought us,” said Harris.

    They’re grateful to not only stand side by side as friends, but now neighbors as well.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Homeowners speak against development at Pine Ridge Golf Club

    Homeowners speak against development at Pine Ridge Golf Club

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    BEVERLY HILLS, Fla. — The Citrus County Board of Commissioners took public comment Tuesday on what to do with the vacant Pine Ridge Golf Club.

    What You Need To Know

    • The future of the once former Pine Ridge Golf Club is up for discussion with the Citrus County Board of Commissioners

    • Talks of building new townhomes as well as senior living apartments on the property have begun

    • Some homeowners in the area are against the idea and would like to see other plans be made for the former golf course

    There are talks of building new townhomes as well as senior living apartments on the property. But not everyone is in agreement. One homeowner has some strong feelings for the former golf course.

    “Even if it’s left natural, people are fine with that,” said Linnea Johnson, who has called Pine Ridge home for 17 years.

    Johnson says she’s worried about potential noisy neighbors in her backyard, as her property ends where the old golf course begins.

    “It’s like 50 feet from here to our pool screen,” she said.

    For a couple of years now, the golf course has sat vacant. But after a recent purchase in 2021, its new owner has plans to make it relevant again.

    “He wants to put a separate housing development in the middle of Pine Ridge and gate it,” said Johnson.

    It’s what’s sparked Johnson to get involved. She and a few other homeowners in the area have started petitioning against any development on the property.

    “To me, the green space is what it’s all about,” she said. “I mean, look at these beautiful big oak trees. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. If it can’t be brought back as a golf course, just let it be nature or maybe even part of a park or something. Just for the wildlife.”

    Johnson was one of many to speak out against the plan Tuesday night at a commission meeting in Citrus County. A vote has yet to be held on the matter.

    A vote, Johnson says, that is important not only to other homeowners but others who call the area home.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Inverness homeowners feeling forgotten as issues arise

    Inverness homeowners feeling forgotten as issues arise

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    CITRUS CO., Fla. — Homeowners in a new community in Inverness say they’re feeling forgotten about.

    It comes as “Inverness Village 4” development continues and as more homes go up, roads are showing signs of wear-and-tear in combination with flooding and drainage issues.

    What You Need To Know

    • Homeowners in Inverness Village 4 say issues have been mounting in the new community with drainage and flooding problems

    • Roads and driveways also appear cracked, as homeowners have noticed shifting

    • A large fissure has also appeared in one neighbor’s backyard, a worrisome sight for other homeowners in the area

    “The main concern that people are worried about is losing their homes to some sort of shifting and the drainage and flooding,” said resident Karleen Sempert.

    Since September, Sempert has called Inverness Village 4 ‘home.’ She bought her property back in May, after living thru Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers.

    “We looked all over the State of Florida,” said Sempert. “We definitely wanted to be away from the coast because of the flooding. But when we drove around and visited all of the places, we loved Inverness just because it was a very small, cute town. We’re originally from the country, and it’s a beautiful area.”

    But since moving in, issues have followed, coming with a warning. As homeowners have posted signs- warning potential buyers of a risk.

    “The more research that I did, I did discover that the drainage was not in place,” says Sempert. “Now what we’re having is homes are suffering with shifting areas. It’s mostly in the land.”

    Taking a drive around the community, you can see what Sempert is talking about. With drainage pipes lying in trenches. An issue these homeowners have taken to the county.

    “Basically, what they’re saying is, because the builder does not have the proper permits from the water management district, they can’t hold up a permit for construction of a home,” said Sempert.

    Elsewhere in the community, further evidence of shifting land is in sight. In a neighbor’s backyard, a large trench has formed.

    “All of that sand that’s there right now is just flushed through and is, eventually, going to make its way to her pool,” said Sempert.

    A worrisome sight for Sempert looming in the back of her mind. Imposing as a potential outcome if something is not done soon. But Sempert is keeping belief.

    “We feel abandoned out here,” she says. “But I truly believe the harder we push and the more we can work together with the county.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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