REAL ESTATE
46
ANTHONY INSWASTY
The Lowes’ latest project is selling the 35 lots they bought in the private
residential community of Bear Creek in Linville, North Carolina. They have
already sold eight since the Dec. 28 closing.
JOE DESALVO
The Lowes enjoy giving a miniature LED flashlight with their business name
to each client and visitor to their office, which led to Bob Lowe being known
as ”The Flashlight Guy” around the Treasure Coast.
being the 17th Street bridge in Vero Beach,” Madden said of
the bridge’s impact on the island’s real estate market. “It’ll be
a destination. People will want to go over it.”
In the meantime, the Lowes have taken on a new project.
They closed in December on 35 lots in Bear Creek in Linville,
North Carolina. It’s a private, prestige residential community
near Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk.
“We did our honeymoon in Banner Elk and Beech Mountain,
and that’s where we fell in love with North Carolina,”
Sharon said. “So, we’ve had numerous homes up there and
now we’re buying this project and trying to sell these lots.”
“I think we’ll have all the lots sold in 18 months,” Sharon
said. “That’s our goal and we already have sold eight since
the Dec. 28 closing.”
Lowe is quick to share his principles of selling real estate so
effectively and in Bear Creek’s case, so swiftly.
“Honesty. Integrity. And, satisfying the customer,” he said.
“We’re very firm on that.”
Not to mention, visitors and clients can count on receiving
the Lowe’s International Realty Plus LED mini flashlight
from the Lowes.
“He’s known as the ‘Flashlight Guy’ all over Vero and Fort
Pierce,” Sharon said with a smile.
With that said, Lowe is possibly shedding light on retirement
plans?
“I’ve been blessed. We’ve both been blessed,” Lowe said. “I
thank God every day. We talked about that this morning. I’m
going to retire someday — I think sooner than later.”
complex include 70 units with shops below the front condos.”
“We’re hungry for it here,” Sharon said. “We’ve met a lot of
people who are interested.”
“It will sell because there’s nothing left,” Lowe added.
It’s on the market for $7 million.
As for the former Holiday Inn site nearby at the northeast
corner of A1A and Shorewinds Drive, Lowe sold it a year ago
in December to an investor in Vero Beach. It’s 11.8 acres with
500 feet on the beach.
“He wants $50 million for it,” Lowe said. “It’s zoned for 36
units an acre for a hotel, commercial, and commercial hotel.
You can build condos, but they have to be part of the hotel.
You can make a Marriott Residence and sell some as condos
to make your money back. Then they control the rental of it.”
IMPACT FROM NEW BRIDGE
What should be a game-changer for those aforementioned
sites and residential property values on the island is the
North Causeway Bridge replacement project that has been
approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The existing two-lane 2,100-foot-long bridge, constructed
in 1963 and including a double bascule over the Intracoastal
Waterway’s main channel, is being replaced with a high-level
4,152.5-foot-long fixed bridge crossing over the FEC Railroad
tracks, Old Dixie Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway.
First approved five years ago, preliminary work has finally
begun after several delays. It should be completed by the end
of 2025.
“It will increase the real estate prices,” Lowe said.
Debra Madden, who has been with the Lowes for six years
and serves as office and rental manager as well as being a
broker sales associate, agreed.
“It will be the second largest bridge to island, the other