Liz Allen Florida Home & Land Listing Agent with Levin Rinke

06/30/2026

Desantis announces ballot to vote taxfree homestead november - if this comes to pass, surely everyone wanna move to Fl right? What other state offers this?

It would almost certainly make Florida even more attractive, but there are several reasons it probably wouldn’t trigger a mass migration by itself:

* Florida already has no state income tax, which is one of its biggest draws.
* Eliminating homestead property taxes would mainly benefit people who make Florida their permanent primary residence—not investors or second-home owners.
* Home prices could rise because buyers can afford more when annual ownership costs fall.
* Other costs (insurance, HOA fees, utilities) would still be significant in many parts of Florida.
* Local governments would need to replace billions in lost revenue somehow, whether through higher sales taxes, other fees, state funding, or spending cuts. That’s one of the biggest debates surrounding the proposal.

How Florida would compare with other states

No other large U.S. state currently offers both:

* No state income tax, and
* No property tax on a primary residence.

Some states have no income tax:

* Texas
* Tennessee
* Nevada
* Wyoming
* South Dakota
* Alaska

But they all still levy property taxes on homeowners.

Imagine owning your home in a state with no state income tax and no property tax on your primary residence. Few places in the world offer that combination.

06/28/2026

For the past few years, my dad has been lovingly restoring Laverton Hall in the Yorkshire Dales—one of England’s most visited national parks, attracting millions of visitors each year with its rolling countryside, historic villages, hiking trails and heritage attractions. Its location alone offers enormous tourism potential.

Originally built in the 17th century (with later additions over the years), Laverton Hall is a remarkable example of Yorkshire’s historic country estates. One of my favourite features is the original stone-built dog kennels, a reminder that every part of the estate was constructed to last for centuries using local Yorkshire stone.

Restoring an estate like this isn’t simply a renovation—it’s a commitment to preserving history. It takes years of planning, specialist tradespeople, significant investment and countless hours of work to sympathetically restore a property while protecting the craftsmanship and character that make it so special.

As I walk around the estate with my sons, I can’t help but imagine what its next chapter could become. Boutique holiday cottages, luxury Airbnb accommodation, a destination coffee shop, artisan gift store, afternoon teas, weddings, retreats, wellness experiences and private events could all complement the estate while creating local employment and giving visitors another reason to explore this beautiful part of Yorkshire.

Historic estates are becoming increasingly attractive to investors who want more than just bricks and mortar. They offer the opportunity to preserve heritage, create sustainable tourism businesses and build long-term value around truly irreplaceable assets.

Whether Laverton Hall is ultimately retained, sold, or opened to investment, I hope its future owner shares the same vision—to protect its history while creating a destination that can be enjoyed for generations to come. Some properties are simply houses. Others become legacies.

Let me know if you’d like to stay connected on this project!

06/28/2026

🏰Your chance to own a castle🏰
Currently listed for around £7.5 million (approximately US$10.2 million), this remarkable 14th-century castle has been owned by the same family for over 700 years. The estate includes 166 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland, walled gardens, an orangery, tea room, coffee shop, gift shop, wedding venue, estate offices, and private apartments.

I filmed a walk around the grounds while I was there, last week visiting family, and the scale, history, and setting are simply breathtaking. If you’ve ever wondered what $10 million can buy in England… here’s your answer. 🏰🇬🇧

Why this would be a smart buy for investor potential;
Its location is equally impressive. Ripley sits just north of the elegant spa town of Harrogate, one of England’s most affluent and desirable places to live, and only a short drive from the world-renowned Grantley Hall luxury hotel, a destination known for attracting celebrities, professional athletes and international visitors.

For the right owner with a long-term vision, there is potential to continue growing hospitality, events, luxury accommodation and heritage tourism while preserving an important piece of English history.

That said, buyers should also factor in the realities: Grade I listed buildings have strict planning restrictions, maintenance costs can be substantial, and profitability depends on effective management. The investment case is strongest if the estate continues to operate as a destination business rather than simply as a private residence.

https://www.carterjonas.co.uk/house/for-sale/ripley/har250216

06/27/2026

Just got back from our trip in England - back to Florida grind - lucky to work here!

Why has Portofino continued to hold its value while so much of Florida has seen waves of new construction?

Portofino Island Resort sits on one of the most supply-constrained stretches of the Florida Gulf Coast.

A few reasons why:

• Much of Pensacola Beach is protected through conservation land, dunes, and federally managed shoreline, limiting where future development can occur.

• The island has strict planning and height restrictions compared with many Florida beach communities, making large-scale new condo projects relatively rare.

• Land available for new high-rise construction is extremely limited, so existing waterfront inventory becomes more valuable over time.

• Owners enjoy amenities that would be difficult and extremely expensive to replicate today—multiple pools, a spa, fitness center, tennis courts, restaurants, beach services, and direct Gulf access.

• Pensacola Beach attracts a diverse mix of second-home owners, retirees, military families, and vacation rental investors, creating demand from several buyer groups rather than relying on just one.

• Northwest Florida continues to benefit from population growth, expanding aerospace, defense, healthcare, and tourism industries, supporting long-term housing demand.

No investment is guaranteed, and real estate values can rise or fall. But historically, markets with limited supply and desirable waterfront locations have often been more resilient over long periods than markets where thousands of new units can be built.

For buyers looking in the $800,000–$1,000,000 range, Portofino remains one of the few Gulf Coast communities where you’re buying not just a condo—but a location with genuine barriers to future competition.

What do you think—is scarcity one of the biggest drivers of long-term coastal real estate value?

06/23/2026

For Northwest Florida local job growth data means…

At first glance this local graph shows that Pensacola is still outperforming the surrounding markets. While Destin, Panama City, and Mobile are seeing flat or declining employment, Pensacola remains positive - that’s actually a sign that the Pensacola market may be more resilient than many people realize.

Markets like Pensacola depend much more on local jobs because a large percentage of buyers actually live and work there.

…..But much of 30A functions differently.

A large share of owners in 30A come from Atlanta, Nashville & Dallas… there, Many buyers are purchasing; Second homes, Vacation rentals, and wealth preservation assets.

…So if Walton County loses a few thousand local jobs, that doesn’t automatically mean a luxury buyer from Dallas making $500k+ or a business owner in Nashville stops buying a $2 million beach house.

For 30A investing, I’d pay closer attention to; Stock market performance, Luxury home sales nationally, Interest rates, Wealth creation in Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia, Airline access into Northwest Florida, Short-term rental performance.

That’s why you can sometimes see local economic data weakening while high-end 30A prices remain surprisingly resilient.

30A is increasingly behaving less like a local Florida housing market and more like a luxury asset class. If that’s true, then Dallas, Atlanta, and Nashville matter almost as much as Walton County itself.

For Pensacola and Pace, local jobs matter a lot. For 30A outside wealth matters more. The local economy can cool while luxury beach property continues to attract buyers from much larger and wealthier markets.

The K-economy is another reason this graph doesn’t tell the whole story - 20 years ago, local housing markets were tied much more directly to local employment. Today, many buyers bring their income with them with boom of remote workers as technology advances.

Think about who is buying on 30A; Tech executives working remotely, Business owners, Investors, Doctors and attorneys, Retirees with investment income, People who sold companies or stock holdings, Remote workers earning salaries from Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, New York, or California - Their income isn’t generated in Walton County.

A software engineer making $250,000+ remotely can live on 30A whether Walton County creates 100 jobs or loses 100 jobs. The same is true for a retiree living off a multi million dollar portfolio.

Think of 30A as having three demand drivers:

1. Tourism Economy – visitors and short-term rentals.
2. Wealth Economy – affluent second-home buyers from major cities.
3. Knowledge Economy – remote workers who can earn anywhere and live where they want.

Pensacola is increasingly benefiting from this too. Since COVID, many people discovered they could keep their big-city paycheck while living near the beach with lower taxes and a better lifestyle.

Can Northwest Florida continue attracting high-income remote workers and wealthy households faster than local job growth slows?

If the answer is yes, real estate can continue outperforming what local employment data alone would suggest. That’s one reason we need to be so focused on Northwest Florida’s long-term migration story rather than just monthly housing statistics.

06/23/2026

U.S. job growth has been slowing steadily since the post-COVID boom. We’re still adding jobs, but not at the breakneck pace we saw in 2021–2022.

What does that mean for real estate?

It doesn’t necessarily mean a crash is coming. Real estate tends to struggle when people lose jobs, not simply when job growth slows. Right now, the data suggests the economy is cooling rather than collapsing.

For homeowners, this is probably a “hold” environment rather than a panic-selling environment. For investors, it means focusing on quality assets, strong locations, and cash flow rather than assuming rapid appreciation will do all the work.

The easy money phase of real estate may be behind us for now, but history shows wealth is often built by buying and holding through uncertain periods, not by trying to perfectly time the market.

My takeaway: if your finances are solid and the property makes sense long term, don’t let headlines make decisions for you. Watch jobs, affordability, and local population growth more than national fear.

The question isn’t “Will prices go up next month?” The question is “Will people still want to live here, work here, and buy here in 5–10 years?” That’s usually where the real answer lies.

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

Stepping through the front door, the tall ceilings immediately make the home feel bright, open, and spacious. Everything feels fresh, modern, and well cared for—almost like walking into a brand-new home. If you love natural light and open-concept living, you’ll want to see this one in person.
Open house today 11-2

06/06/2026

Headed to HammerSmith in Pace this morning to host an open house at 5945 W Cambridge Way! If you’ve been curious about newer homes in Pace with great curb appeal and a move-in-ready feel, stop by between 11–2 today. Looking forward to meeting neighbors, buyers, and anyone dreaming about their next chapter.