Blog Northwest Florida

Wild Weather No Match for Pensacola Mardi Gras Celebration

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:33:30 -0800

Rain or Shine - We Roll in Pensacola - So goes the local mantra come February! Pensacola's 2012 Mardi Gras season started out with blustery wind and rain, but the inclement weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the Pensacola revelers. Perhaps the infectious party spirit is as important as the colorful floats, beads and costumes when it comes to enjoying Les Bon Temps! Here's what's on tap for this final weekend of Pensacola Mardi Gras: Saturday, Feb 18 - The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade rolls down Palafox Street today at 2pm. The ever expanding Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade won "Best Parade" by In Magazine last year, so if you are in or near Pensacola you don't want to miss this one. Over 30 Krewes, ranging from the Krewe of Bad Habits to the Krewe of Daisy Dukes, take to the streets in their most festive garb. This parade is always a big hit with families. Lots of beads and goodies will be, quite literally, up for grabs. Sunday, Feb. 19 - Two parades are on tap. The Krewe of Wrecks Parade on Pensacola Beach starts at 2pm. This is ALWAYS a popular parade, well known as THE party parade, so you will want to get there early if you are a spectator. The parade starts at Via DeLuna and Avenida 10 and rolls to the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach. The Krewe of Jesters parade on Navarre Beach starts at 1pm, but the Navarre Beach bridge closes to traffic at 12:30, so make sure you are over the bridge by noon. The parade starts at the intersection of Arkansas and Gulf Blvd and rolls to the state park at the east end of the beach. Bands will be playing all afternoon and there will be fun for the entire family. Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21 - The Priscus Celebration starts at 7pm in downtown Pensacola. South Palafox Street to Government Street and Government Street to Tarragona will be closed to traffic for the party venue. Exuberant music, good food and general merriment are the order of the night as Pensacola's Mardi Gras once again winds down.

The Whispers, A Centrally Located Pensacola Neighborhood

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:45:16 -0800

The Whispers - An Upscale Pensacola Neighborhood We’re working hard to update our web site, PensacolaForYou.com, with useful information, photos and still photography of Pensacola area neighborhoods. We want to incorporate the kind of information we would like to find on the Internet if we were not familiar with Pensacola real estate but wanted to learn more. So on to the Whispers, the latest neighborhood to make it to our web site and truly one of my very favorite Pensacola addresses. So much so that I helped one of my very best friends secure a home in this neighborhood not long ago! Here’s the thing about the Whispers; if you aren’t looking for this Pensacola area neighborhood you most likely won’t find it, despite the fact that it sits smack in the middle of one of Pensacola’s major shopping areas, less than a mile from Sacred Heart Hospital and the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional airport. The Whispers neighborhood is a pocket neighborhood in the truest sense of the word. Nestled in an area just off of 12th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard, the Whispers is tucked away from all the nearby hustle and bustle. The neatly manicured lawns and stunning brick and stucco homes in the Whispers neighborhood make you feel right at home. The Whispers is Florida living at it’s very best, with winding streets for privacy and small lots for ease of maintenance. The Whispers is surprisingly quiet for a neighborhood that is truly in the middle of everything. Within minutes you can be in downtown Pensacola, at the University of West Florida or on the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. Popular with physicians who need to be close to Sacred Heart or West Florida Hospitals and airline pilots who like the ease of a five minute commute to the airport, the Whispers is an in-demand neighborhood. Home prices in the Whispers start at $300,000 and the higher priced homes in the neighborhoods come close to $1m. Quality construction is a hallmark of the Whispers. Want to know more? Check out our video below or call a member of our team, Robin Sherman Realtors at Grand Points Realty at 850-516-8185.

Emerald Dolphin Pensacola FL

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:17:57 -0700

Emerald Dolphin Pensacola Beach FL When I purchased my Emerald Dolphin condo in 2006, a good friend came over with a housewarming gift; A plaque that reads, "If You're Lucky Enough to Be at the Beach You're Lucky Enough." And every time I'm at my beach place I decidedly feel "Lucky Enough." The Emerald Dolphin is conveniently located less than half a block from one of the most popular seafood restaurants on Pensacola Beach, Peg Leg Pete's Oyster Bar and Lafitte's Marina. You'll have to try the Grouper Supreme sandwich and visit the Under Where outdoor beach bar. Emerald Dolphin Pensacola Beach FL Emerald Dolphin was built in 2006, and was designed to provide spectacular Gulf of Mexico views. The building, located on Fort Pickens Road, has three floor plans; a two bedroom plan at 1245 square feet, a two bedroom plan with a "bunk room" or office at 1345 square feet and a three bedroom condo just shy of 1700 square feet. There are also five penthouse units in this 17 story tower. The Emerald Dolphin balconies are some of the largest on the beach. The three bedroom units are located on the east and west ends of the building and wrap around the unit. Unlike most condos on Pensacola Beach, these units have balconies that overlook both the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound. Emerald Dolphin Pensacola Beach FL Amenities include a state of the art exercise facility overlooking the Emerald Dolphin pool AND the Gulf of Mexico, a community room, a swimming pool and hot tub. There is also an area for owners and guests to temporarily park their toys like boats and travel trailers. There is always something to do on Pensacola Beach. If you enjoy fishing, surfing or other water sports you will be in your element here. From early spring until after Labor Day there are free concerts at Casino Beach on Tuesdays and entertainment at Quietwater Beach on Thursdays. Pensacola Beach has an active music scene, is the home of numerous festivals and athletic events and also has busy fishing pier which is fun to visit even if you don't fish! The Emerald Dolphin Pensacola Beach FL is a popular, stable condo building so sales are few and far between. If you would like information about the Emerald Dolphin condos that are currently available for sale, contact a member of the Robin Sherman Realtor team at 850-516-8185, or visit our website where you can search ALL active listings in the Pensacola area. Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own Logo

I don't mean to preach to the choir...

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:41:22 -0700

Sellers - It Pays to Sell With a Realtor Monte is the poster child for why you need to sell through a full-time, experienced Realtor. I have watched sellers chase the market down as prices slipped faster than they could understand. Professional Realtors are watching the market EVERY day. We are showing homes for sale EVERY day. Do you have the time and expertise to follow the real estate market every day? Are you willing to spend the money to properly market your home? To do it right, you will end up spending more than a professional Realtor will charge you to sell - guaranteed. There really are economies of scale and Realtors have a ready sales force of hundreds - and in most markets - thousands - of sales agents eager to bring you a qualified buyer. I watched a friend and neighbor give up three years (anxiety, stress, maintenance and carrying costs) and $250,000 because he did not want to pay a 5% commission. There is an easier way. A professional Realtor is not out to take advantage of you. They area out to sell your home as quickly as humanly possible. Sellers - It Pays to Sell With a Realtor I don't mean to preach to the choir, but I think that sharing a real life experience of selling my house to you proves that it really does pay to use a REALTOR®. Back in November 2010, my wife and I decided it was time to move. We've only been looking for about 7 years or so - trying to decide which neighborhood to settle in. We knew we wanted in the "Deer Creek" school system, because now that our kids are getting older, it's all about the school system, right? At least a really big part. Ashlyn (my wife) and I decided to build, and not buy. Based on what we figured we could get out of our house and what we've saved, we could actually afford to get exactly what we want in the neighborhood that we fell in love with. So we put our house up FSBO back in November 2010. Why FSBO? For a number of reasons but mainly to try to save money. Jack Pratt Signs has been supplying the local Oklahoma City Metro with yard signs since 1950, so we pretty much know everyone in town that is in real estate. So, who am I going to use? I felt that I was damned if I used a REALTOR®, and damned if I didn't. We weren't in any rush necessarily because we were building, so we gave it our best shot. Guess how many offers we got? One (1), and it sucked, real bad. One formal contract that lowballed us so bad that I was tempted to not even counter. But we did, and then got into a counter match via text messaging with the buyers agent that lasted through a weekend. It finally fizzeled away - she put a contract on another house less expensive than mine in a different area. Though Ashlyn and I were not in any rush, summer was approaching and we found ourselves in the middle of June with nothing, nada, ziltch. Finnaly, we decided to use a friend of mine, TJ Jordan, whom I've known for 23 years. I was a little nervous using a friend, but I got exhausted trying to figure out what agent I should list with. The first thing TJ did was remeasure the house. Guess what? We picked up an extra 80 - 100 square feet (legitimate, too). So, we were able to list the house with MLS at a higher price but at the same dollar/square foot. Basically, it went down like this: We initally asked FSBO at $289,000. Got nothin... TJ took the listing, and recommended we ask $299,900 For 5 weeks we got more action than we ever did in the last 7 months. TJ suggested we reduce the price to $289,000. In the 6th week, we got a solid offer - we countered and they accepted!! $282,000. $7000 off our initial offer - pretty good, huh?? We closed last Friday and are now officially homeless - which I guess is better than having two mortgages.. We'll be living with my mom and dad until late October when our house is scheduled to be finished. So what have I learned? Just because one can list a house FSBO doesn't mean it ought to be done. You can drive a car with your foot if you had to, but that doesn't make it a good idea, right??!!? You guys don't tell me how to make signs, so I won't presume to know how to sell real estate either. That sounds pretty fair, don't you think? Furthermore, the money paid in commission to TJ pails in comparison of what I could have saved every damn month if only I listed it with him last November!! But, that's water under the bridge. Ashlyn and I got what we "needed" and the buyer felt like he got a steal of a deal. Plus, I'm glad to help TJ as a friend and a loyal customer to my company. I hope to stay in our new house forever and ever, however, if we do decide to move again, rest assured, I'll be calling a REALTOR®! Follow us on our social network sites!

Pensacola School Liaison Officers for Military Families

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:52:55 -0700

Pensacola School Liaison Officers for Military Families After more than 20 years "married to the military," I know a thing or two about military moves. And, I know how important getting accurate, reliable information on schools at the new duty station can be to military families. So I am really pleased to share some information about the School Liaison Officer Program. The school liaison officers are tasked with helping children in military families within a 50-mile radius of the base make a smooth transition to the new school. The program has only been around for a couple of years, but there are military liaison officers available at all our local bases. Some of the issues the liaison officers can assist with include school choice, transfer of records, graduation requirements, immunization requirements and special education programs. School liaison officers can also pair incoming students with current military family students, or local students willing to serve as peer facilitators, so that the new students have a sense of connectedness. Some local middle schools and high schools have an established program, Student 2 Student, and the school liaison officers are knowledgeable about these programs. If you think you could benefit from the program, please contact the appropriate liaison officer at the e-mail address posted below. Pensacola School Liaison Officers for Military Families E-Mail Contacts: NAS Pensacola - Carissa Bergosh - Carissa.Bergosh@navy.mil NAS Whiting Field - Chris Hendrix - Christopher.P.Hendrix@navy.mil Hurlburt AFB - Nacny Prescott - Nancy.Prescott@hurlburt.af.mil If you are interested in learning more about the Pensacola area housing market, or about the markets in Navarre near Hurlburt, AFB, or Pace and Milton near NAS Whiting Field, please contact me or visit my property search website: Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own Logo

Escambia County School District Calendar

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:23:40 -0700

Escambia County School District Calendar The Escambia County School District includes more than 107,450 students and 53,725 teachers in 51 schools throughout the Greater Pensacola Bay Area. The Escambia County School District's Vision is to "Create a school district where parents want to send their children, students want to learn, teachers want to teach and employees want to work." Click this link to directly access the Escambia County School District Calendar The Escambia County School District's main website is the source of plenty of great information for both newcomers and returning students and their families. Some of the information available on the site includes: District Plans and Guidelines Athletic Calendar List of Schools Bus Schedules Documents and Forms Click this link to directly access the Escambia County School District Main Website If you are considering a move to Pensacola, or any Escambia County location, you can search ALL homes available on the market at our website. We're happy to share information on the area and provide you with all the information you need to make a smooth transition to your new Pensacola home. We're pleased to provide you with the Escambia County School District Calendar for 2011-2012. Image by Cool Text: Free Logos and Buttons - Create An Image Just Like This

Santa Rosa County School Calendar

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:39:17 -0700

Santa Rosa County School Calendar August 23rd is the BIG DAY for Santa Rosa County families as it marks the start of the 2011 school year. The Santa Rosa County School District has long been a well respected district and lives up to it's Vision Statement, "Quality Education, It's My Responsibility!" The District's mission is to be the best school system in the nation. With 92 National Board Certified teachers and over 25,000 students, over 10,189 volunteers who devoted 162,849 documented volunteer hours in 2010, and numerous business partnerships, this well supported school district is on it's way to achieving that lofty mission. This link will take you directly to the Santa Rosa County School Calendar If you are a family moving to the area with children you will appreciate the Santa Rosa County Schools Newcomer's Page section. The Santa Roas County School District has anticipated the needs of newcomers and has included the following useful information: Zoning and Maps Transportation Health Requirements List of Schools Volunteer Information Lunches Documents and Forms If you are considering a move to Santa Rosa County I'm sure you will find my team's property search website useful. You can search ALL Santa Rosa County homes as well as save your favorite listings, receive weekly - or daily - e-mails with new listings and price changes and learn more about the Pensacola area and Northwest Florida. We're happy to provide you with the Santa Rosa County School Calendar as well as additional information about our area! Image by Cool Text: Free Logos and Buttons - Create An Image Just Like This

Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:05:10 -0700

Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000 Finding a condo on Pensacola Beach for under $200,000 has not - at least for the 10 years that I have been selling condos on Pensacola Beach - been an easy thing to do. And even with the slump in our beach real estate market, it's still not an easy thing to do. But, it's not impossible! Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000 - Today there are 13 Pensacola Beach condos actively listed on the Pensacola MLS that are priced at under $2000. They range in price from $119,500 for a two bedroom-one bath 914 square foot unit built in 1973, to $198,900 for a two bedroom-two bath unit at 1,000 square feet built in 2007. I've just put a condo priced below $200,000 under contract for a buyer client so I have prepared a quick raw video to give you a better idea of just what you can buy at this price point. As you can see from the video, you won't get a tremendous amount of space at this price point and your beach views from the unit may not be stellar, but you know the saying, "If you're lucky enough to be on the beach you're lucky enough!" Some of the other things that may be missing at this lower price point are convenience items like elevators and amenities like work out facilities. Another thing to consider when looking at Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000 - or beach condos at any price range for that matter - are just what are the additional costs associated with beach condo ownership. Very often I have calls from potential buyers for these lower priced condos that are surprised to learn of the additional costs they will incur in the form of homeowner association dues. A condominium is a collective ownership model, meaning you jointly own the condominium common areas with all the other owners in your complex. As a co-owner you have a share in the responsibility of maintaining the common areas and amenities as well as the exterior of all the condominium areas. If the condo has extensive landscaping it must be maintained and watered, the same for pools, hot tubs, play areas, boat docks, work out facilities and so forth. You will additionally have a share in the cost of insuring the property and beach properties do have higher insurance costs than properties in most other areas. The fees for these shared costs are covered by monthly dues to a condo homeowner's association. When considering Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000 it is important to inquire about the homeowner association dues. My practice is to always request three months of board meeting minutes for my buyer clients so that they have the opportunity to review the way the board is run and also ask additional questions based on any information they read in the minutes. Pensacola Beach Condos Under $200,000 - For detailed information on ALL condos for sale on Pensacola Beach, visit our property search site: Image by Cool Text: Free Graphics Generator - Edit Image

Portofino Condos Pensacola Beach FL

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:14:39 -0700

Portofino Condos Pensacola Beach FL Sales for Portofino condos have been pretty brisk the first seven months of the year. Forty Portofino Resort and Spa condos priced between $280,000 and $600,000 changed hands between Jan. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2011. What's so special about Portofino? Well for one thing this project, made up of five Italian Mediterranean inspired towers, is one of the largest and most well-appointed condominiums on Pensacola Beach. Another strong selling point for Portofino is simply it's amazing location on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the balcony of any Portofino condominium you have spectacular views of the sugar white beach sand that Santa Rosa Island is well known for. Portofino Condos Pensacola Beach FL are amenity packed. Each of the five Portofino towers has it's own swimming pool and there is an Olympic sized covered pool as well as a gorgeous infinity pool located at the spa. You can enjoy a full range of spa services at Portofino, in addition to enjoying the state-of-the-art work out facilities with a full schedule of classes. The spa incudes a whirlpool hot tub, wet and dry saunas, treament facilities, a juice bar, library and restaurant. And if you want to be at the beach to - well - enjoy the beach, Portofino is perfectly located. The Gulf of Mexico is right out your front door and the Santa Rosa Sound (Intracoastal Waterway) is at your back door. Portofino owners and guests have quick access to surfing, beachcombing, and sun bathing on the Gulf of Mexico and water skiing, jet skiing and fishing on the Santa Rosa Sound. A wonderful paved trail running almost the entire length of Santa Rosa Island runs right in front of Portofino and you will find that bicycles are a favored mode of transportation on the island. Portofino Condos Pensacola Beach FL individual units are all beautifully appointed with upscale kitchens, large balconies and lovely bathrooms. Available condo floorplans are two and three bedrooms as well as terrace and penthouse units. Most units are sold furnished and many owners take advantage of the onsite management services for vacation rental opportunities. We're happy to share our knowledge about these popular condominiums. We can give you information about available condos, recent sales and days on the market for any Portofino condominium. You can learn more about Portofino Condos Pensacola Beach FL at our website. Image by Cool Text: Free Graphics Generator

Nature Trail Pensacola FL

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:06:30 -0700

Nature Trail Pensacola FL Nature Trail Pensacola FL is a new gated community located on 750 acres in Northwest Pensacola. We've just represented several buyers who are now happy Nature Trail residents! And who wouldn't be happy? This lovely community boasts over 450 acres of land that is set aside as common area space; space that contains both trails and raw buffer land. Not only does this lend the community a tranquil feel and give plenty of separation from adjoining properties, it also assures the preservation of much needed vegetation and wetlands areas and gives residents - particularly children - abundant educational opportunites. Nature Trail Pensacola FL, also includes some pretty sporty amenities. The community owns a 6,000 square foot rustic lodge which houses meeting rooms, a full size kitchen for events, and a state-of-the-art exercise facility. There is a playground area complete with the latest kid-friendly equipment and separate swimming pools for adults and children. Nature Trail also has a barbeque area and tennis courts. There are several community parks within the Nature Trail Subdivision as well as numerous great walking trails. Street lights and sidewalks give the neighborhood a finished look and a true comfortable community feeling. One thing that has spurred the community's popularity is it's location. Nature Trail Pensacola FL, is in the growing Northwest area of Penacola; Beulah. In just minutes you can be on Interstate 10 and it's a very quick drive to downtown Pensacola or out to the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. NAS Pensacola is also a staight shot down Blue Angel Parkway. The Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport is a short drive as is shopping and entertainment. Navy Federal Credit Union has recently chosen Beulah as home to their corporate headquarters. Several builders have new homes under construction in Nature Trail now. Paragon Homes and DR Horton are currently building and there are also local custom home builders who have lots in the Nature Trail subdivision. You can learn more about homes in the community by clicking here: Nature Trail Pensacola FL We regularly post videos and other neighborhood information on Nature Trail Penacola FL, and other Pensacola neighborhoods. We're happy to answer your questions and to set up home showings in this growing Pensacola neighborhood.

The "Big Six" Home Selling Factors

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:44:31 -0700

Looking to Sell Your Pensacola Home in this Challenging Real Estate Market? It's far from impossible. Homes are selling everyday. I acutally just represented a buyer in a multipe offer situation. What do these sellers - and their Realtors - know that others don't? My collegue Karen Kruschka from VA has done a great job of answering this question. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I thought I would share Karen's blog post - The "Big Six" Home Selling Factors. Although they can be stated in different ways there are only six factors that affect the sale of a home. It is important for you, as the seller, to understand who or what has control over them and how they impact on each other.You control 3 of the 6The Market controls 2 of the 6 Your REALTOR® controls 1 of the 6 YOU Control1. Price - You determine list price for your home. However, a list price above the market for homes similar to yours will impact negatively on buyer interest in making an offer. Your REALTOR® will review price history with you to assist you in making a list price determination.2. Terms - Buyers have requirements just as sellers do. Your willingness to respect them and be willing to negotiate which terms will be acceptable to both parties can have a very positive impact. Price and Terms will usually be negotiated at the same time.3. Condition - How well you have maintained the home will influence both your price and length of time to sell. The pool of buyers who are willing to make major repairs is much smaller than the pool of buyers who want a home that has been well maintained.THE MARKET Controls4. Timing - Economic conditions operate independently of price, terms and property condition. Similarly, seasons and weather factors can affect the time it takes to sell a home.5. Competition - The number of homes on the market most certainly bears heavily on your ability to sell your home on a timely basis.YOUR REALTOR® Controls6. Promotion - From entry into the Multiple Listing System, to internet marketing and any other programs your agent will have an impact on your home sale.CONCLUSIONNo one of the six factors alone controls the timely sale of your home. Your agent should provide you with Feedback from prospects who have visited your homeChanges in market conditionsYour willingness or ability to make adjustments in price, terms or condition based on the information provided will be the final determinant as to how quickly your home will sell.+++++++++++++++++++My Team has 35 years experience in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket Prince William County”Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS”If you plan to buy or sell a Woodbridge or other Prince William County home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.Prince William County Karen Kruschka's Web SitePopular Prince William County subdivisions to consider are Eagles Pointe, Wellington, River Falls, Saratoga Hunt, Winding Creek, Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, Brittany, Montclair, Ashland, Port Potomac, Potomac Club, Rollingwood Village, Lake Terrapin, Lake Side and Meadowbrook Woods

It's Fall - Pensacola Area Happenings and Events

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:33:05 -0700

Fall weather blew into Northwest Florida this week and with it TONS of wonder fall events. Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival First up, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival which kicked off Friday morning with over 200 fine arts exhibitors from all around the country. This event is one that locals look forward to for months and an event which attracts visitors from around the Southeast. Lucky me - and members of my team at Grand Points Realty - our office is only two and a half blocks from the site of the event; Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola. We couldn't help but play a little hookie and visit the event on Friday. An estimated 150,000 people attend the festival every year and I can attest to the fact that it was hard to concentrate on work with all the colorful arts and crafts surrounding us! This year's event was exceptional - great weather, fabulous arts and crafts, amazing food and entertainment. Garden Gate in Gulf Breeze Not that I'm all work and no play . . . Saturday morning found me in Gulf Breeze at the Garden Gate getting a kick out of their eclectic group of employees, customers, chickens (yes, I said chickens) and row after row of gorgeous native plants and plenty of garden objet de arts. Most Saturday mornings the Garden Gate hosts classes ranging from herb gardening to shell crafts. This week the crew at the Garden Gate were tackling Mosaics. Since I had visited Pensacola's Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival yesterday, I was inspired to try my hand at some art work. The class started at 9:30 and before noon I had turned out several stunning pieces (just ask me!). And I still had time to make it home to catch the opening kick of the Gator game! I was thinking about what good fortune I had to live in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area when I received some photos from my friend Captain Jack showing just fhow he spent his Northwest Florida weekend. Best of all, he stopped by with samples of his work which made for a fabulous redfish dinner. Interested in knowing more about Northwest Florida? I work with an exceptional team of full time Realtors and we are always available to answer your questions about life in Paradise. Have questions about the local lifestyle, taxes, insurance, rental returns, homes for sale or rent? Real estate is our business. Just ask us!

Feeling Stuck in Your Current Home? Would $6500 Loosen the Glue?

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:07:14 -0800

With all the work the National Association of Realtors is doing to get the word out on the home-buyer tax credit changes, I'm surprised to talk to current homeowners every day who have no idea they qualify for up to $6500 in a tax credit if they purchase a new home before the end of June 2010. Now there's an attractive incentive to move to a new home! I wish Uncle Sam had been so generous when I moved to my current home back in '04. Now, there is that newer model with the pool and state-of-the-art office that I have been eying down the street! Perhaps I need to be talking with my accountant and lender . . . So what are the rules for the tax credit? Simple really: You must have owned your current home for five consecutive years of the past eight years. You must have a contract on your new home in place by April 30, 2010. Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the full tax credit, as are joint filers who earn up to $225,000. The maximum purchase price to qualify for the tax credit is $8,000. Think you qualify? Get in touch and we will walk you through the details and get you down the road to a new home before the deadline passes!

Pensacola Beach Photos

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:16:52 -0700

Pensacola Beach Photos It's been a while since I have posted anything about Pensacola Beach so I think it's time! The summer is behind us, the vacationers - for the most part - have left our tiny strip of white sand beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico. Our real estate sales have slowed as they normally do until the spring when this beautiful island, population roughly 3,000 souls, is once again discovered by those seeking paradise (Or at least warm sandy beaches!). So, I'd like to share, via photos, some of the things I love most about the beach: Pensacola Beach Photos - I can't think of much that is more fun than watching the surfers catch the waves. Unless maybe it is actually surfing the waves. Pensacola Beach is the home to a dedicated group of surfers who you can find, regardless of weather, honing their craft in the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, our waves aren't big, but what better place to learn to surf and WOW what scenery. Pensacola Beach Photos - And then there is sailing. Quietwater Beach on the north side of Santa Rosa Island provides the perfect sheltered harbor for sailing, kayaking, wind surfing, swimming . . . in short, any and all of the "quietwater" water sports. And there are plenty of restaurants and bars on Quietwater Beach, so you are only steps from good food, drink and music. This is generally a quiet, family beach. Until, that is, Blue Angel weekend when hundreds of boats crowd the Quietwater Beach area in search of the PERFECT spot to raft up and watch the hometown heros' spectacular show. Pensacola Beach Photos - And here's "You Know Who" with her big catch for the year, a 16-plus pound red snapper. I can't say you are assured of a big catch like this, but I've been pretty fortunate! Snapper, grouper and amber jack are plentiful off our island. There are a number of charter boats leaving Pensacola Pass every day for their favorite fishing spots. Hop aboard and see what you catch! Tuesday evenings May through September, you can find an enthusiastic crowds with their lawn chairs, coolers and dancing shoes (or flip flops) taking in the free Bands on the Beach concert at Casino Beach in the heart of Pensacola Beach. From blues to rock to island sounds and even hip hop, the bands play on! Pensacola Beach Photos - While not technically on Pensacola Beach (Juanas is on Navarre Beach at the east end of Santa Rosa Island), Juanas Pagoda serves the MEANEST sticky buns in Northwest Florida. These buns are gigantic - and truly sticky. When I'm feeling really frisky and in need of a great breakfast treat I actually ride my bike down the island, through the National Seashore, to Juanas. You can sit out on their deck overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound if you arrive sweaty like I usually do, or you can dine inside in air-conditioned comfort. With the exception of Sunday morning, the line isn't usually too long! Pensacola Beach Photos An early morning group ride down Santa Rosa Island through the National Seashore. Suppose they stopped at Juanas for the buns? What a great venue for riding. J. Earl Bowden Way has just been repaved and has a great bicycle shoulder. The National seashore is also my favorite place for snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, birdwatching and on-shore fishing. Then there are the gorgeous beach homes. From the island's original 1950s concrete block homes to Gulf front mansions, Pensacola Beach boasts a variety of housing styles and options. Pensacola Beach Photos While a single family home appeals to many, the amenities found in the many beach condos appeal to others. Me, I like them ALL! As the saying goes, "If you're lucky enough to be on the beach you're lucky enough!" Pensacola Beach Photos Colorful beach floats line the shops at Quitewater Beach. Want a dinosaur float or will a dolphin make you feel like a real sea creature? No problem, you will find them all on the Boardwalk! Pensacola Beach Photos There are PLENTY of wonderful seafood restaurants on Pensacola Beach. Crabs at Casino Beach is just one of my favorites. Guess what sea creatures they serve most? And finally, the thing I love absolutely love most about Pensacola Beach: The Truly Amazing Sunsets! Or as we like to say, "Wine Time." See ALL Pensacola Beach Homes For Sale!

Eglin Air Force Base Growth Spurs Development in Nearby Navarre, FL

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:57:22 -0700

Spurred by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) transfer of the U.S. Army's 7th Special Forces to Eglin Air Force Base, and the assignment of the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center to the same base, the Navarre area is beginning to see growth once again. Tapestry Group, a nonprofit foundation which finances construction projects and Fountain Design Build of Navarre have joined forces to create Waterstone at Navarre, a $30 million, four-story, 250 unit apartment complex. According to a recent article in the Navarre Press the project will be an "upscale" community with 300 to 600 feet of buffering to separate it from existing neighborhoods. The amenities slated for the project include elevators, extensive landscaping, an exercise room, pool and walking path. Greg Fountain, spokesperson for Fountain Design Build, was quoted as saying the project is designed for tenants with incomes ranging from 80 to 150 percent of adjusted mean income which will qualify it as moderate-income housing. This will allow the developers to use tax-exempt bonds to finance the project. The target group for tenants are military, teachers, firemen and retirees as well as those wanting to downsize. Tapestry Group has a track record of completing similar projects in the Florida Panhandle. Waterstone Springfield in Panama City opened in February bringing the total invested by Tapestry in Panama City to $55 million. The inventory for single family residential housing listed in Navarre has dropped from 14.21 months at the end of July 2008, to 11.86 at the end of July 2009. For more information on communities or individual homes and lots in Navarre, Florida, contact us through www.PensacolaForYou.com

Pensacola Beach Welcomes Bands on the Beach

Sat, 02 May 2009 01:14:00 -0700

You know it's almost summer when it's time for the Tuesday evening Pensacola Beach ritual Bands on the Beach! This Tuesday, May 5, marks the start of the 2009 Bands on the Beach series with Wildwood, a group regionally knows for their rock, blues, Beatles tunes and reggae rhythm. The free concerts are hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach and run through September 22. Put on your flip flops and bring a chair. The concerts are family friendly and usually draw a crowd of 1,000 to 2,000. Picnic baskets and coolers are the order of the day! For a schedule of this season's Bands on the Beach go to www.PensacolaForYou.com and click on the Events button just below the tiny blue crab. See you at the beach!

Pensacola Area Home Lending and Appraisals - Changes Abound

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:53:09 -0700

Lots of changes are coming our way in terms of both lending and appraising. Those of us actively working in real estate in the Greater Pensacola Bay area are realizing that the saying "each deal is a new deal" has never been more true. With much tighter underwriting scrutiny on loans and new appraisal guidelines taking effect May 1, it's time to make sure we understand and stay on top of all the changes that are having an impact on our real estate market and our clients. And there are many! Toward that end Shawn McCorkle with First American Title, DeeDee Rhodes with Gulf Coast Community Bank and Pensacola area Appraiser Dan Helms put on an excellent workshop for Realtors at the Pensacola Association of Realtors downtown Pensacola location this morning. I'd like to share some of the more salient points made by the trio. Everyone discussed "Time" as a factor that is now more important than ever when writing a contract to purchase real estate. As DeeDee explained, "We have been used to closing in 30 days, but everything must be verified and verified once again now and that takes time." She gave the example of having a buyer's pay stub not match their annual salary. A number of things; overtime, a bonus, variable work hours, etc., could cause this mismatch, but it must be researched and verified before the transaction can move to closing. DeeDee has worked in both underwriting and as a loan officer and says that we are, "Back to 1980," in terms of loan underwriting criteria and scrutiny. Dan spoke about the new more stringent appraisal guidelines which add hours of work to the appraisal process. "I'll estimate that the new marketing addendum alone adds an additional two hours of work," Dan said. When you consider that with the downturn in the real estate market there are far fewer appraisers working in the Pensacola market than in the past, and now that their time to complete an appraisal has increased, you can see why the days of a two day appraisal turnaround are over. Some pointsand changes related to lending and underwriting: Credit Scores - Most loans will require a minimum of 620 and talk is of going to a 660 minimum. Private Mortgage Insurance is underwriting and with all the recent payouts they are stringent. Credit score is the determining factor with 10% down. New Good Faith Estimate forms will be required beginning Jan. 1, 2010. These will require the buyer's signature and the loan will not be able to close for 10 days (3 days if sign in person). New HUD1 forms that reconcile the Good Faith Estimate with the actual closing costs will be required. Stated Income Loans will be a thing of the past. RESPA will be requiring verification of income. Employment will be verified within 48 hours of closing. Some points and changes related to appraisals: The Home Valuation Code of Conduct going into effect for appraisers May 1, 2009, requires sales used as comparables to be within one mile of the subject property and to have been sold within the past 90 days. Exceptions require a narrative explanation. Comparables require bracketing. One property that is similar, one that is above (newer, larger, etc.) and one that is below (older, smaller, etc.). Foreclosure will carry the same weight as regular sales. The List to Sale Price average in the area must be considered and included in the valuation. My big takeaways from today's workshop: Patience - for both Realtors and our Clients - we're in a brave new real estate world! Knowledge - Things are changing almost daily. It's important that we stay on top of the changes; talk regularly with our local lenders, appraisers and real estate agents. Talk with clients - both buyers and sellers - about realistic expectations. In my own Pensacola area real estate practice I am noticing an abundance of unrealistic expectations on the part of both buyers and sellers today. Too many sellers haven't internalized the reality that the property will only sell for what it will appraise for. We ARE in a declining market. And too many buyers have been pulled into the negative media hype and believe that sellers are giving away properties. As example, the recent caller from Ohio who told me, "I am looking for one of those $350,000 homes that you are selling for $100,000." Whether it's an individual seller or a lender as seller (foreclosure), I've yet to see any true giveaways. All bargains come at a price. A thorough understanding of the market forces at work that a real estate professional can provide help buyer and seller arrive at a realistic price that meets the lenders' criteria. And our title, appraisal, and lender partners can help us stay abreast of these forces.

Trust as it Relates to the World of Real Estate

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:06:57 -0700

Trust - Such a small word, but one packed with tremendous meaning. I just received an e-mail from Stephen Covey's (author - The Speed of Trust) organization which indicated that according to the Edelman Annual Trust Barometer, trust in business in the United States dropped from 58% to 38% since 2008. Given the current state of the economy and the many individual real estate, job loss and other assorted hardship stories I hear daily, I don't find this very surprising. As a Realtor I have always known that trust is a bedrock value that we must operate from. A home purchase is generally an individual's largest lifetime purchase so the entire experience is often fraught with emotion and trepidation. (My team always strives to make each real estate purchase a joyous event and a win/win for all - a transfer of pride of ownership from one homeowner to another - but that's another story for another day!) But do all real estate practitioners operate from a core value of trust? I have just completed my "Ethics" continuing education training; a requirement Realtors (members of the National Association of Realtors) must complete every four years. Interestingly enough, our instructor pointed out that only 55 to 60 percent of all real estate practitioners in the state of Florida are members of the National Association of Realtors, so the remaining 40 to 45 percent have no Code of Ethics that they adhere to. And why is a Code of Ethics important? Well, as I'm sure Stephen Covey would be quick to point out, without a Code of Ethics that is agreed upon we might just find ourselves back in the Wild, Wild, West - particularly in tough economic times when real estate practitioners are trying hard to hold on to their livelihood just like everyone else. Commission sales have the potential to make normally upstanding individuals dance around the issue of black and white vs. gray in a very provocative way! As I look at my dealings with real estate customers, associates and allied professionals I am more and more aware of the fact that trust is confidence. I recently saw a quote by Dr. Laura Schlessinger that sums it up, "If you want to be an irresistible positive force, combine personal responsibility with compassion and respect for others." This is something that we strive to do in our practice of real estate and I find that it is contagious!

Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach - Outdoor Activities in Northwest Florida

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:43:13 -0700

What an absolutely AMAZING place to live! The Florida Department of Transportation opened J. Earl Bowden Way in the Gulf Islands National Seashore to traffic on Friday and - WOW - did I forget just how much I missed this gorgeous stretch of Gulf front road! The road, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and again by Huricane Dennis in 2005, once again links Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach and the drive is nothing short of spectacular. I was out on the road on Saturday taking photos of my husband and a group of his friends who were out for a training bike ride and I just have to share! The weather was in the mid 70s on Saturday - a perfect day for a long bike ride and the group rode 70 miles. Their loop took them from Gulf Breeze, out Garcon Point to I-10, back to Gulf Breeze and over to Navarre Beach - down the National Seashore to Pensacola Beach and finally back to Gulf Breeze. So - with the weather forecast to remain sunny and in the 70s through the weekend, who could resist a bike ride Sunday afternoon followed by an 8k run to benefit the Midway (Gulf Breeze) Fire Department and Muscular Dystrophy? Jay and some of his friends participated in the run and I served as back up crew. Anyone who loves the outdoors will feel at home in Northwest Florida. The temperate climate and abundant access to waterways, parks, trails and outdoor events is truly unparalleled. Forgot to mention that we actually started the weekend early with a free (almost free - admission is a food donation to Manna Food Bank) concert in downtown Pensacola Thursday evening; "Radio Live", sponsored by the Universtiy of West Florida's WUWF radio station. The start of the Gulf Breeze Midway Fire Department's 8K Run to benefit the Fire Department and Muscular Distrophy. The well attended run was held Sunday afternoon and the course wound it's way from the Fire Department on Gulf Breeze Parkway through several neighborhoods. Would you like more information on living in a place that will make you feel every day is a vacation? Please visit my website, www.PensacolaForYou.com for home searches and information on the Greater Pensacola Bay Area.

Pensacola Area Housing Market Forecast

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:54:50 -0800

Sales and Currently Active Listings of Single Family Homes, Towwnhomes and Condominiums in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties for 2008. Source: Pensacola Association of Realtors. What's going on with the Escambia and Santa Rosa economy and local housing market? Here's the latest from a presentation I attended at the Pensacola Association of Realtors yesterday by experts Dr. Rick Harper, Hass Center for Business Research and Economic Development, Al Muller, Metro Market Trends and local appraiser John Priller: John Priller- Pensacola area appraisers have just received new, tighter HUD guidelines pertaining to the required number of comparable listings and sales in the last 3, 6, and 9 month periods as well as absorption times. Translation: appraisers have more work to do and we should be looking for fees for appraisals to go up. John notes that we have watched housing prices in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area fall at a rate of about 1% per month for more than a year and these rates must be taken into account when performing appraisals. He predicts that we are closer to the bottom for our high end residential properties, but our lower priced properties will continue to fall. He believes we will see our housing prices fall through 2009. Once we reach the bottom of the market we will have a period of "stagnation" before prices begin to rise again. Dr. Rick Harper- Dr. Harper echos John Priller's predictions. He said that while he had predicted a bottom of the Pensacola Bay Area housing market in late 2009, he is now changing that prediction to early 2010 based on the latest economic news. While we can consider 6 months of housing inventory (The time it would take to sell all the active listings in the market if no new listings came on.) healthy, we now have 17 months of housing inventory. Dr Harper pointed to population growth as the driver for the housing industry and said that immigration reform is key for states like Florida who have historically relied on in migration for new growth. While our Pensacola area housing slowdown began prior to the poor nationwide economic news, the slowing economy has certainly hampered any recovery. Dr. Harper predicts that our commercial sector will continue to soften as "retail follows rooftops."' There are a few bright spots in the local economy. Our small corner of Florida has always had a more affordable housing market than the rest of the state and our "run up" while significant, was not as extreme as most of the rest of the state. We are also somewhat insulated economically with our military installations. We have seen oil prices and inflation decrease and our trade deficit shrink. Fort Walton Beach will see an estimated 6,000 new jobs created in defense with the BRAC (Base Realignment And Closure) recommendations. Harper predicts that historically low interest rates - as low as 4 to 4.5% - will certainly stimulate housing sales. Al Muller - Al said that while our prices increased rapidly from 2002 to 2006, the downward trend has been slower. He anticipates this to continue as there is a "Great Hidden Inventory" which is made up of the homes that were on the market but were pulled off when they failed to sell and homes that would have gone on the market if prices had appreciated. Like John Priller, he anticipates a slow return to appreciation. Al's research is in line with Dr. Harpers as well and he sees declining housing prices for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties over the next year. Bottom Line - All the experts agreed that with prices and interest rates low and an ample supply of housing inventory there is a fabulous window of opportunity for purchasing a home over the next year. For residential listings fitting your customized parameters sent directly to your e-mail inbox on a daily or weekly basis log in to http://robin.pensacolahomesnow.com

Women Boomers and Housing - Choices for a Bright Future

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:18:55 -0800

As we enter the New Year I have been thinking a lot about financial planning and happiness. Funny how intertwined the two tend to be! While many of us are rethinking our spending habits amidst the poor economic news and wondering if we really NEED all those things we tend to buy, the fact of the matter is that even if we simplify and downsize there are some financial realities that we just can't escape. And for women these financial realities can be much different than those faced by our male counterparts. I listened to a great talk by Carol Carlan, a consultant with "Our Collective Mind" at the Pensacola area Women's Council of Realtors yesterday. Some points she made deserve to be shared: U.S. Life Expectancy - for Women 83, Men 76 3 out of 4 Married Women will be Widowed 3 Common Mistakes Women Make 1) Don't Invest in a 401k 2) Don't Diversify and Take Risks in Investing 3) Underestimate Health Care Costs Carol's talk reminded me of a recent study which was conducted by the Harvard Generations Policy Program. The findings indicated that while the approximately 40 million baby boomer women are the largest generation to reach their 40s, their financial security may not be assured unless they make wise housing choices. The study showed that boomer women (born from 1946 to 1964) spend more, acquire more debt, and are less likely to have traditional pensions, spousal benefits or retiree health coverage than other cohort groups. For these women - interestingly enough, the majority of those I saw sitting around me at the Pensacola Women's Council of Realtors group - housing is a key to their future security and happiness. The Harvard study says unequivocally that women of the baby boom generation who own their own homes (either alone or with a spouse) will be at an economic advantage. Over the past two years I have watched our hot housing market cool, our economy slow down and potential buyers wring their hands as they worried over finding the bottom of the local housing market. Both Carol Carlan's talk and my review of the Harvard study reminded me just how important it is to review with potential buyers the decision tree for renting vs. buying. Long term financial goals and security always have to be part of the equation and in most cases, buying wins out. As we enter a new year and take stock of where we are and where we are going, whether we are female boomers or not, housing should be a big part of our equation. With the current attractive housing prices in the Pensacola area, low interest rates and the generous seller concessions we are seeing, NOW is a great time to explore whether buying is right for you. If you agree, don't wait . . . call your professional Realtor!

Year	Annual Sales	Avg List Price	Avg Sales Price	% Diff Sell/List	Avg Days on Market	Current Inventory	Months Inventory
2006	6888	$216,269	$207,873	96.12%	108	6,690	11.92
2007	5535	$217,360	$207,787	95.60%	131.1	7,154	15.75
2008	4285	$208,118	$196,029	94.19%	153.3	6,502	18.75

The chart above provides an overview of the Escambia and Santa Rosa County single family home, condominium and townhome sales from 2006 to 2008. You will note that sale prices are down while selling days on the market have increased significantly. Firgures were taken from the Pensacola Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. Robin Sherman, Robin@PensacolaForYou.com

Mortgage Squeeze - Not as Tight as Some May Think!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:02:03 -0800

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is working hard to get the word out - Mortgage Money is Available! In a press release issued today NAR urged the public to disregard much of the "misinformation" floating around in the media and on blogs related to the tight home mortgage market. NAR shares the following facts: 1) An individual may be required to put down 20% based on that person's financial situation, but that is not an across-the-board requirement for all borrowers. 2) A borrower who puts down less than 20% is required to obtain mortgage insurance. 3) Even in a declining market a borrower is required to make at least a 5 or 10 percent down payment. 4) FHA requires a 3.5% down payment by borrowers, so long as they meet a 31% housing cost-to-income ratio. In other words, anyone who stays within their budget and who can afford a 3.5% down payment (even with family help) can become a homeowner. It is quick and simple to determine your required down payment. A call to a reputable lender and a few minutes of your time will provide you with the information you need. I know that many people are afraid of having their credit pulled, having heard that this will impact their credit score, but it isn't necessary to have your credit pulled to get an idea of your downpayment requirements and an estimate of loan costs and monthly payment schedules. Again, any reputable lender will be able to help provide this information. We will be happy to provide you with lender information for the Northwest Florida real estate market. Our primary market area is from Fort Walton Beach through Pensacola, Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

Pensacola Bay Area Economy - A Balanced Look, Please!

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:01:40 -0800

Unemployment, slow retail sales, falling home prices, and here we all go . . . circling the drain once again. Amid all this negative news isn't there a bright spot for Pensacola? Well, of course there is - or are- in reality (and realty) there are MANY positive things going on in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties: #1 - Falling mortgage interest rates - We actually saw rates hit 4.5% in Pensacola in mid December and many predict we will see rates this low once again. Those of us working in real estate and related fields saw a rash of activity in December as buyers scrambled to take advantage of the low rates and attractive home prices. #2 - South Santa Rosa County - Surveying is underway on the 100-plus acres owned by Pensacola Junior College in Gulf Breeze (Midway) for construction of a new campus within the next two years. #3 - Escambia County - Several large capital projects are underway - or in the final planning stages. Today's Pensacola News Journal ran a story "Building Up 2009"detailing the following projects; the $320 million wastewater treatment plant, the $35 million airport expansion and completion of the adjacent $16 million parking garage, Navy Federal Credit Union's $54 million building 3 on their Beulah campus and the much anticipated $70 million Community Maritime Park. #4 - Regionally - There is still the strong likelihood that the $40 billion KC-45 tanker project will find a home in nearby Mobile, AL, and the Chamber's economic development arm continues to promote the I-10 Wired initiative that I wrote about in an earlier post. So let's pay heed to the difficult issues our economy faces, but let's also not lose sight of the great things on our horizon and how they will impact our local economy today and well into the future.

Pensacola Bay Area Housing and Economy - January 2009

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:05:43 -0800

There was a great article in last Sunday's Pensacola News Journal titled "Meltdown to Rebound - When will area economy turn around?" The News Journal brought together a panel of five Pensacola area economic experts for their read on what our future will bring. One of the experts interviewed for the Pensacola News Journal story, Al Muller from Metro Market Trends was featured in a blog I wrote back in July on the same subject - Real Estate Trends, What's the Real Real Estate Story Interestingly, several members of the panel - including Al - pointed out that the "rapidity of the economy's meltdown" was the most surprising thing about it. Indeed, when I heard Al's presentation back in July he was encouraged by some bright spots in the housing market which, although small, were pointing to a slowdown in the rate of decline. But that was before Wall Street's credit crash hit the news. Muller had predicted that we might see the Greater Pensacola Bay area (Pensacola, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Pace, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties) housing market start to get back on track to our traditional 4.5 to 5% annual appreciation rate by late '09 or early 2010. According to his comments in the Pensacola News Journal article he feels it will now take a major catalyst like federal tax incentives coupled with attractive interest rates to kickstart the local housing market. "Bottom line," Muller said, "as long as we're in a recession the real estate market won't get better." So, what does this mean for the average person looking to buy or sell real estate in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area? Number 1 - For Buyers - Today is a great day to buy! Certainly credit is tight and a good credit score is important. However, the current interest rates are incredibly attractive and there are some great loan products and incentives - particularly for first time home buyers - in the market now. Let's hope congress is listening to people like Al Muller and we see some significant tax incentives for home buyers in the new year. Who wouldn't be excited about a 20% tax credit for buying a home? Write your representatives! Number 1 - For Sellers - Listen to a professional real estate agent and PRICE YOUR HOUSE FOR THE MARKET. Many of today's potential sellers took advantage of the appreciating home prices from 2003 to 2006 and took out equity loans on their homes. As prices have declined this has made it difficult to sell as they are essentially "upside down" in their home. The reality is that homes must appraise for buyers to obtain the loans to purchase them. As a seller, analyze what you really need out of your home sale to make it work for you. In 2008 I had a seller who had to transfer with his job and was in this "upside down" situation. Once we looked at the cost savings he had for housing in his new home town things didn't look quite so bleak. We priced his home below the neighborhood comparables and sold it quickly. Yes, he came to closing with cash - never fun as a seller - but he purchased on the other end of his move for much less than he had anticipated and got a very favorable interest rate which allowed him to actually buy more house than he had expected. Stay tuned to my blog as I will continue to provide updates on local housing information. As always, I will be happy to answer any real estate questions you might have. If I don't have the answers, I will be happy to track down an expert who does!

New Year and a New Pensacola Area Home

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:50:59 -0800

2008 was a BIG YEAR for the Robin Sherman Realtors team. I just checked our stats and we finished the year as the #2 Coldwell Banker team in the STATE of Florida in terms of our sales volume. WOW . . . even if I do say so myself!!!! (To borrow one of my competitors slogans - just this once Sandy - I could say "I'm not bragging, just applying for a job.") "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" - Robin, Harriett and Ruthie join Keller Williams The beginning of a new year is always a good time to make a new start. After seven very productive and successful years at Coldwell Banker in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area (Coldwell Banker JME Realty and later Coldwell Banker United Realtors) we have moved our team to Keller Williams Realty. Our new offices are located in Gulf Breeze, not too far from our previous location on Pensacola Beach. Our clients will receive the same caring, personal service that has helped us grow our business so rapidly over the past seven years. Our philosophy of having fun while we work . . . and making sure our clients do too . . . won't change! The move allows us to expand our team, adding local area specialists and providing our services throughout more of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. We are also redoubling our efforts to keep our clients and blog subscribers up to date on the rapidly changing real estate market. We'd love to show you why over 85% of our business is "repeat and referral." Never hesitate to call or e-mail us with your real estate questions! Robin Sherman Realtors - Now with Keller Williams Robin@PensacolaForYou.com