Southwest Airlines' Definitive Agreement to Acquire AirTran

Southwest Airlines has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AirTran Holdings, Inc., a parent company of AirTran Airways (AirTran). Although the closing of the deal depends on a number of approvals, we're all very excited about what it can mean for the Customers, Employees, Communities, and Shareholders of both organizations.

If approved, the acquisition will allow Southwest to offer low fares and exceptional Customer Service in more markets and to more loyal Customers like you.


More Access to More Destinations

Our new, broader national presence will benefit many markets as a result of increased competition stimulated by Southwest's low fares and well-known brand. This includes significant opportunities to and from Atlanta, the largest domestic market we do not serve. It expands our presence in key markets, like New York LaGuardia, Boston Logan, and Baltimore/Washington, as well as enables us to serve Washington D.C. via Ronald Reagan National Airport. Also, it presents the opportunity to provide access to key international leisure markets in the Caribbean and Mexico, and extend our service to many smaller domestic cities that we don't serve today.


What Changes Today?

There are no changes to the way you travel on Southwest today or in the near future. Until the transaction closes and we've received the required regulatory and AirTran Stockholder approvals, Southwest and AirTran will continue to operate as independent companies. After closing, Southwest plans, over time, to integrate AirTran into the Southwest Airlines brand to develop a consistent Customer Experience.

This, of course, includes combining the carriers' frequent flyer programs. Meanwhile, credits and awards in both programs remain valid, and you will continue to earn credits by flying or using our partners just as you do today.

There's a lot of work to be done and decisions to be made. We'll keep you informed of developments. In the meantime, we invite you to visit a special website we've created – www.lowfaresfarther.com – where you'll find regularly updated news and information about the deal.

A Way of Life Worth Preserving

by Hunter Harman, Price Rainer and John David Sullivan

Like everyone else along the Gulf coast, we’ve watched
the events unfold with the Deep Horizon Oil Spill
with great interest and concern. Fear of the unknown
haunts us all—and the one thing that all sides can agree
on is that we are faced with a multitude of unknowns in
regards to this disaster. As we write this column in July,
our beaches have received a surprisingly low impact of
oil product in comparison with surrounding areas, and
anything that has washed ashore has been quickly cleaned
and removed. We hope that this remains true, but we also
realize that we can’t expect to avoid the oil entirely.

2010 was poised to be a breakout year for the South
Walton real estate market with 205 home sales from
January 1st to June 30th in comparison to 179 home
sales for the same time period in 2009. We felt a stronger
interest from buyers as compared to previous years and
saw a leveling out of inventory. Post oil spill, we’ve noticed
two different trends in our prospective buyers. There are
the more cautious clients who have chosen to take a ‘wait
and see’ approach. They are still planning to buy; however
they are waiting to make sure that the oil leak can be
stopped before continuing on with their purchases. The
other group of buyers is our clients who are deciding to
forge ahead with their closings and feel that there is no
better time to make an offer. We observed a halt in new
buyers during mid-May in relation to the spill, however
many of our top clients believe that this pause may be
the last ‘bottom’ buying opportunity before the leak is
stopped completely and all clean-up efforts finished. The
local market has corrected close to 45 percent in some areas
and there are great properties available—and plenty of
reasons to still want to be a South Walton homeowner.

If anything, waiting and watching the oil slick travel
around the Gulf has made us all value each beautiful, oil
free day we’ve had this summer that much more than we
would have a typical summer day. We’ve learned to fully
respect the extraordinary beauty found in our beaches
and appreciate the ordinary day to day activities that are
easily taken for granted. We’ve watched our community
come together to prepare for the worst with bravery and
commitment to protecting our way of life. We’ve had
time to organize our efforts and we believe that any future
impacts from the spill will boil down to clean-up which
is something that everyone seems to be committed to,
from BP to local and state governments to independent
organizations such as the St. Joe Corporation.

Our local government has been proactive in keeping
the community and prospective visitors informed and
updated with current conditions. Local agencies have
proven to be committed to preparedness and open
communication. For example, The Walton County
Tourist Development Council developed an official blog
that is updated daily with beach conditions and real time
pictures of area beach accesses to keep the public informed
of actual impacts. The Sheriff ’s office posts air and water
quality testing results as they come available, along with
detailed accounts of oil prevention actions and efforts.
On an independent level, community organizations
are taking steps to contribute to the county’s response.
The Emerald Coast Surfrider Foundation has taken the
initiative to test gulf waters for presence of dispersant in
the water to ensure that all avenues are being explored
to determine water safety conditions. In South Walton,
we have the resources and the organization to tackle any
effects from this disaster with full force, backed by an
overwhelming love for our community to ensure that all
efforts will be made.

We’ve been so pleased to see just how many families
have kept their vacation plans and visited South Walton
throughout the summer. It is easy to become overwhelmed
with all of the media coverage, and the fact that so many
people have continued to visit our beaches is a testament
to the value that this area holds. South Walton truly is
a one of a kind location possessing some of the most
beautiful beaches and the most charming coastal towns in
the world. This area has survived devastating hurricanes
and our local economy has persevered through recessions.
In the same way that we’ve been challenged before, the
Deep Horizon Oil Spill will only make us stronger and
more united as we work together to preserve the way of
life that can only be found along Scenic Highway 30-A.
Visit www.beachpropertiesofflorida.com for additional information.

30a is the #1 Best Beach According to Florida Travel + Life

Check out the article by clicking the link below.

Florida Travel + Life

10 Lyonia Lane - WaterColor Florida

This beautifully decorated 4 bedroom/3 bath cottage is move in and rental ready. Situated in the accessible yet secluded Tennis District this fully furnished home offers ample parking, just a 5 minute bike ride to the beach, Camp WaterColor and Publix. Constructed by St. Joe Home Builders, the home is professionally decorated and accessorized. The first floor offers the living and dining area with built-in bookshelves and drawers for storage. The kitchen features granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom and one guest room are downstairs with the additional bedrooms on the upper level with balcony. Additional upgrades include pine floors throughout, washable paint (for those creative kids), additional landscaping, ceiling fans in both porches, two ac/heat units and two water heaters. Original owners never rented. Centrally located to the best dining, unique boutique shopping, bike paths and some of the most challenging golf courses the gulf coast has to offer. Easy access to Hwy 98, allowing you to explore the nearby cities of Destin or Panama City Beach, as well as, the new international airport nearing completion.

Contact Price Rainer for additional info. price@beachpropertiesofflorida.com

153 Pond Cypress - WaterColor Florida

This home provides the most bedrooms available in Watercolor's Camp District. This premium Watercolor cottage provides both elegance and ease for the perfect beach home while being steps away from Camp Watercolor's pool, playground, and play fields. This charming six bedroom, five full baths and two half baths home offers professional finishes throughout. This home has master on the main level with his and her closets, and a master bath with shower and jetted tub with its own rinnai hot water heater. Gourmet kitchen is fully equipped with granite counters, two sinks, one Italian farm sink, large wine cooler, 6 burner gas stove, refrigerator, dish washing drawers, and microwave. Main level has separate laundry with full size units, a banquet based dining table, large living area, gas fireplace, built-in stereo system and three sets of French doors opening to a porch with swings. Upstairs there are four more bedroom suites and a study desk. One suite offers a private bath and walk-in shower. The second suite offers private bath with jetted tub, the third has a built in queen bed with twin bunk (high above), and private bath with jetted tub. The fourth upstairs bedroom is a large bunk room with half bath. All suites have large walk in closets. The carriage house is a small home to itself and offers substantial space in the living, dining and kitchen area. The bedroom has a private bath, walk-in shower, and washer/dryer. Other unique features include three guardian air ultraviolet air cleaning systems purifying the house air hourly. Each level of the house has separately zoned air conditioning. The house also has a two car garage with a third off street parking location. This home is being sold unfurnished (furnishings negotiable).

For more info contact Price Rainer at price@beachpropertiesofflorida.com.

Rosemary Ramblings - by Price Rainer

Spring and early summer are my favorite time of the year for enjoying Rosemary Beach. The warmer temperatures and bright sunshine make this time of year perfect for exploring the brick-lined streets with unique village shops, quaint restaurants and community green spaces. It is refreshing to see all types of people outside enjoying the weather, the beach and a myriad
of outdoor activities after the chill of winter. Spring activities in Rosemary Beach include the Spring Fling Family Nights with games and outdoor concerts, the Route 30-A Car Show and the annual Cottages for Kids fundraiser to name a few. It seems like there is always something going on, and both new and familiar faces to meet and greet.

I have spent quite a lot of time in Rosemary Beach this year and have realized that the community has so much to offer. There are countless amenities including beautiful stretches of private beach with eco-friendly dune walkovers designed to protect the coastal environment. There’s the Rosemary Beach Racquet Club with eight fast-dry clay tennis courts and tennis pros on staff to instruct and assist. Winding throughout the community is a 2.3 mile fitness trail with four fitness stations complete with exercise apparatuses for stretching and strength training, and a first-class fitness center that offers top-ofthe- line equipment along with yoga and spinning classes. Four dazzling pools are spaced throughout community including one with year-round access. Additionally, there are several parks and green spaces spaced throughout, perfect for anything from quiet reflection to pick-up games to events.

What I enjoy most is simply walking through the community with friends or especially with new customers. The distinctive West Indies and Dutch-style architecture and the superior quality of the homes never cease to amaze and inspire. Our conversations move from personal dreams to comments regarding the homes, the greens spaces and the overall unique feeling of the community. Rosemary Beach offers many other things than what might be expected—behind, beside and along the homes you will find fountains, wonderfully landscaped private courtyards and patios, pools and even a couple of Zen-inspired gardens. The quality of what has been created within the community of Rosemary Beach is something that our 30-A corridor can be proud of and will serve as a great asset to our area for some time. Rosemary Beach is a place that continues to motivate me on several levels as a realtor. Almost always, my conversations with clients and friends turn to the real estate market in Rosemary Beach. Interestingly enough, the market has a story that is contrary to what most expect. Home sales in Rosemary Beach have increased dramatically over the last nine months. In July 2009 there were about 99 homes for sale, and as I write this in late March 2010, there are only 67 homes on the market. The town of Rosemary Beach is truly unique in its feel and design, almost magically transporting you to another place and time where life is simpler and everything you need is a bicycle ride away. It offers such a tranquil experience for the people who live, vacation or just come to play for a day. If you decide to come and visit Rosemary Beach, I challenge you to park your car and just spend some time walking around and letting yourself appreciate what has been created. It is a very special place. I could tell you more about the sales taking place and how the market is changing, but I’d rather that you fall in love with what Rosemary Beach has to offer—the lifestyle, the people and the places. As a realtor, my job is finding you the perfect place to “hang your hat,” and Rosemary Beach may just be that place for you.

I believe that the evolution of the 30-A area will entail becoming a premier destination for visitors from all over the world, and the quality of communities like Rosemary Beach will further the appeal of our little stretch of beach. I like the direction we are headed, and as progress continues to change this once sleepy hamlet into whatever the future has in store for us, I think you could not be in a better place.

This article was recently published int he 30A Review in the June 2010 edition. Click here to view the article.

Price Rainer is a Sales Executive and Partner of Beach Properties of Florida. Visit www.beachpropertiesofflorida.com for additional information.

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