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About Walt Bethel:
Walt Bethel is a fIfth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia,
with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern
and
Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
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He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two teenage children, a daughter Peyton and a son
Truman.
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Note From
Our Neighbors
Historic Downtown Punta Gorda 2016
Trick-or-Treating
Histori
c Do
wntown Punta Gorda is well known as the place to be for Halloween. Trick-or-treaters of all ages converge on the neighborhood, and many homeowners go all-out to entertain them.
Come see the creative costumes and decorated homes!
Join the fun!!!
October 31st, 2016
at dusk
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Did You Know?
Farming for Centuries in Florida
Florida has a long and storied history, and agriculture is the beginning of it all.
When Admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain founded St. Augustine in 1565, the indigenous peoples of the South Atlantic coast relied on a combination of estuarine resources, farming and foraging.
"The colonists who accompanied Menendez were lured to Florida with dreams of creating Iberian-style estates in their new home," says Mary K. Herron, director of development for the
Florida Agricultural Museum. "Menendez's contract with the Spanish Crown stipulated that each settler be allotted the land and basic supplies needed to make those dreams come true. To that end, the expedition arrived in St. Augustine with seed stock for planting wheat and other cereal grains, cuttings to establish vineyards, fruit trees and other vegetable crops."
The Spanish also brought with them their European cattle ranching methods, which dates the Florida beef cattle industry back to the 1500s as well.
Herron says that in the 1740s, the Seminole Tribe began making their way into Florida and attributes the rise of agriculture in the state to their arrival.
While citrus remains its top product, Florida grows more than 300 agricultural commodities.
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Welcome to the October
Edition of my
"Real Estate Resource" Newsletter.
to view my listings, search for property, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters.
As
always
, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Walt
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Family, Fall, and Football!
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Ventured out of our Florida roots to explore schools for our son and daughter. Truman is a Senior at Charlotte High School and Peyton is about to complete her AA degree at Santa Fe in Gainesville.
As they say in Alabama, War Eagle!
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Florida agriculture, natural resources employment up 29 percent in 13 years
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - About 1.56 million people worked full- or part-time in agriculture, natural resources and food industries in 2014, an increase of about 40,000 workers from 2013, and nearly 29 percent from 2001, according to a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences economic report.
Direct employment in the agriculture and natural resources sectors accounted for 13.8 percent of all jobs statewide. Employment in these sectors grew from 1.24 million jobs in 2001 to a peak of 1.34 million in 2008 before the recession, then recovered to 1.56 million in 2014, the latest year for which information is available.
"I would characterize that as modest growth in the industry, although the growth rate was higher before and after the recession (before 2007 and after 2010), and ag-food fared much better during the recession than many other leading industries such as construction and tourism," said Alan Hodges, Extension scientist with the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department. "Growth in economic activity of agriculture, natural resources and related food industries continues to contribute to the stability of the state's economy."
While jobs grew at 2 percent per year, the agricultural inputs and services sectors grew - at a faster rate of 8.2 percent annually. Agriculture, natural resources and their related industries account for $155 billion in sales revenue and contributed $127 billion to state gross domestic product in 2014, the report said.
Hodges sees a bigger picture perspective in the latest results.
"Agriculture and natural resources industries should be viewed in the context of the broader food and fiber economy in which they operate, because value-added processing/manufacturing and distribution activities are the largest sources of jobs and income and are directly tied to other major industries in the state such as tourism," he said.
Non-food commodity groups such as environmental horticulture and forestry and forest product manufacturing are actually larger than food commodity groups in Florida, he said. Employment reflected that growth.
Employment was highest for the food and fiber commodity groups of environmental horticulture, fruit and vegetable farming/processing, forestry and forest products, livestock and dairy farming and animal products manufacturing, according to the report, which can be found at
http://bit.ly/2d5xOLe.
Economic contributions of ag-food industries are greatest in in Florida's metropolitan areas because of large-scale manufacturing and distribution to the urban population, he said. But basic agricultural commodity production in rural areas and interior counties is more important, relatively speaking, where it represents more than half of all employment and GDP in some areas.
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Featured Listing
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Elk Hammock Ranch
350+/- Sportman's Recreational Acres with Estate Home, Lodge, and Workshop
2251 SE Durrance Rd. Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
350+/- Acres of authentic, creek-front Florida land with an exquisite three-story estate home set among a beautiful oak hammock. This sportman's recreational paradise is located off of Hwy 31 in Arcadia, FL offering a 3,600+ sq ft home with gated entrance, 2 private guest suites, barn, and separate guest lodge.
The main house features a beautiful wrap around porch with scenic views, stone fireplace, kitchen with red cherry cabinets and granite countertops, Master bedroom with Master bath on-suite, and a third story with large Office/Bedroom. Elevated walkways lead you to each of the private Guest Suites with their own private bedroom and bathroom.
The guest lodge is outfitted with kitchen, bar, 2 bedrooms, and one bath. A large metal shop constructed on the property is full of tools and equipment that are part of the purchase.
This high fenced hunting preserve is quality managed with Elk, Deer, Red Stag, Turkey and Hogs. Mature oak hammocks provide the ideal habitat for the abundant wildlife. Joshua Creek flows through middle of property year-round. Elk Hammock Ranch lays perfect for entertaining with ATV's, fishing, buggies or horse trail riding. Additionally, the property has an access road, paved county road frontage, well, and power.
This home is perfectly located within one hour to Florida's Gulf coast and less than 5 minutes to downtown Arcadia. A peaceful preserve close to town.
Call for an appointment to see a truly beautiful estate!
MLS #: C7229803
List Price: $3,900,000
Heated Sq Ft: 3,284
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Featured Listing
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624 W Marion Ave. Punta Gorda, FL 33950
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Extraordinary opportunity to live in a gorgeous custom built home in the charming historic district of downtown Punta Gorda!
This spacious three bedroom, three bath home is situated on three lots with dual entry driveways. Upon entering you will be delighted by the vaulted ceilings and open concept floor plan. This expansive home boasts 6500 total square feet, wood floors throughout, crown molding, a gas fireplace and a cook's kitchen complete with beautiful butcher block island, breakfast bar and Eight burner Viking stove.
The master suite has his and her large walk in closets, huge walk in shower and a garden tub. A second bedroom is ideal for guests with its own private bathroom and two closets. The large office space with handsome, custom built in cabinetry and granite countertops is also a perfect space for a theater room.
The enormous recreational room is the ideal casual entertaining space with triple french doors that open out to the pool patio. Lush landscaping surrounding the pool creates a very private tropical oasis that will make you feel as though you are at a resort in your own back yard!
This home also boasts a four car garage that opens out to a spacious yard area with its own private porch overlooking the quaint brick lined street.
Enjoy living the historic district lifestyle in a fabulous home that is within a short walk to Gilchrist Park, Charlotte Harbor, Fisherman's Village and lovely downtown Punta Gorda's shopping, dining, and entertainment! Listing Agent is Owner.
MLS #: C7224085
List Price: $999,000
Heated Sq Ft: 4,480
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Featured Listing
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BACK ON THE MARKET & REDUCED!
Waterfront Boca Vista Harbor Condo
13113 Gasparilla Rd. #205A Placida, FL 33946
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
BACK ON THE MARKET AND REDUCED OVER $40K!!
This MOTIVATED SELLER is offering a fully FURNISHED 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Boca Vista Harbor that is immaculately adorned with coastal decor, ornate furniture and rich colors.
Just minutes from Boca Grande, shopping, restaurants, pristine beaches and world class fishing sits this 1500+ square foot corner unit with views of Coral Creek Lagoon, offering the most privacy available in the complex. The eat-in kitchen with Corian countertops also has a breakfast bar and is open to the living room and dining area with bay windows.
The large covered, screened lanai is accessible from the 3 door slider in the living room or the single sliding door in the master bedroom. His and her master walk-in closets adjoin the master bath with its glass shower enclosure, deep soaker tub, and his and her Corian vanities with under mount sinks and large 3 way mirrors. Ceramic tile flooring laid throughout with custom tile mosaic featured in the foyer. Spacious laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer to maximize space.
Community features include clubhouse, heated pool and spa, outdoor grilling and dining areas, and tennis courts. Off-site boat docking and storage are available at neighboring Gasparilla Marina. Boat docks, accessible only to Boca Vista Harbor owners, are available for purchase or lease through a separate association and provide direct access to Boca Grande Pass and the Gulf beaches.
Don't miss this opportunity!!
MLS #: C7223376
List Price: $319,000
Heated Sq Ft: 1,701
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Featured Listing
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141+/- Acres in Ft. Ogden
Under $4,000 Per Acre!!
SW Grape Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
Fort Ogden acreage priced UNDER $4,000 PER ACRE!!
Beautiful 141.77+/- Acres abundant with Florida wildlife, oak hammocks, ponds and improved pasture. Ideal recreational property with cleared land ready for a cabin or your next home! Fenced, gated and ready for grazing.
Two Parcels included: 21-39-24-0000-0041-0000 and 28-39-24-0000-00180-000.
MLS #: C7227668
List Price: $560,000
Total Acres: 141.77
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Featured Listing
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SOLD
Lovely 3/2 Home on 2.5 Acres
1172 Wilidwood Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
MLS #:
C7228289
Total Acres: 2.50
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Featured Listing
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PENDING!
10+ Acres with Warehouse
1460 Price Child St. Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
MLS #: C7221876
Total Acres: 10.15
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Featured Listing
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SOLD!
20+ Industrial Light Acres
DESOTO COUNTY
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