Gulf Coast Homes Blog

The Secret of Navarre, Florida

2011-06-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Just a blip on the map or so your would think but Navarre, Florida has a lot to offer! For those that live there and those wanting to "get-a-way" the gorgeous emerald coast with its white sand beaches invite you to dig your toes in and enjoy God's creation! Cross the bridge in downtown Navarre to get to the island and you'll think you have arrived in paradise. The beaches are usually not crowded and if you turn left at the Stop sign just over the causeway, you'll find beaches and no condos!!

The park in downtown Navarre has a great place for kids to play and if your timing is right the Butterfly House is a must see. Activites abound at the little park with live bands, parades and get togethers. If you need something to eat a Grouper Sandwich at TC's Front Porch that used to be a gas station years ago is a good bet. Fish Tacos at Cactus Flower are so good some brides to be have them for Rehearsal Dinners! Get the crisp flour shell for added flavor! The Sno Cones are available in all flavors when the weather starts to warm. You can not miss the brightly colored booth!

The location is great with Walmart, Publix and assorted shops close by. Housing prices are below the national average. A few local builders will add additional touches in normal pricing and some can build out in 90 days. The cooler summers and warmer winters make this a great place to live. Just a few miles inland the temp can average a ten degree difference.

Lifestyle is what it's about. Beaches, swimming pools, cook outs, BBQs, short sleeves year round and flip flops...Oh and we work sometimes...........

Housing Market Picks up along Gulf Coast

2011-04-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

Many are pleased to see the housing market pick up in our area. It means lots of work for a lot of people that were so negatively impacted by the BP Oil Spill. So many are thankful and very pleased to see things picking up. Tourists are starting to arrive and book condos, hotels and beach homes which means other retailers will reap the benefits of the spending that comes along with tourism.

Our beaches are doing better and the emerald green waters are just as clear as they can be! Last year this time many were standing on the beaches in tears as our beloved, gorgeous gulf coast was impacted by the BP Oil Spill. Many have still not recouped their losses due to the "red tape" of the "claims process".

There is hope that this year will be better especially since the winter was extremely harsh in the north. That usually means more second home sales and the accompanying migration of the cold-natured to move south.

The locals are expecting a record year and praying we don't get another major hurricane or oil spill. We'll know the results in September. Here's to looking back to a wonderful summer.

Yeaa! For Daylight Savings Time

2011-03-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

Finally the trees are starting to bud, pollen coats the cars and the days are warming to the mid 70's. Life is returning to normal after an unusually cold winter. Winter's cold is judged by the locals ability to wear flip flops throughout the colder months of December to March. Some wore socks this year therefore, it was a cold winter!

The real estate market is picking up especially after the BP Oil Spill and the Media's exaggeration of the areas impacted. So much so that it hurt many financially. Many beaches were not impacted but according to the media the ENTIRE Gulf Coast was slopping in oil along the beaches.

People are nautrally drawn to the powdery white sand that looks like snow lining the emerald waters of the Gulf Of Mexico. It is a most wonderful place to live without the dog eat dog of the big city. A great place that reminds you there is always time to build a sandcastle with your kids or sit and watch the sun go down..maybe even cast a rod into the turquiose waters and see what you may eat come dinner time. Grills are smoking in the neighborhoods and people are sitting on their porches enjoying the gulf breeze that always arrives just as you think it's getting too hot!

Finding a home can pose a number of problems most of which can be quickly overcome by finding the right Realtor that knows the area and has a wealth of information on areas and lifestyle. Love your work, love the people you live with and, above all, love your family and God.

Views of our beaches: Be patient on loading..

http://www.destincam.com/

http://www.navarrebeachlife.com/

Pensacola/Gulf Breeze Market

2009-12-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

Quick report on November Market
Pensacola has 1924 detached residences Active For Sales.
Average List price is $152,657
List to Sold price was 94.28%

Gulf Breeze has 320 detached residences Active For Sales.
Average List price is $229,268
List to Sold Price was 96.20

Navarre has 529 listings active
Average List price $237,000
List to Sold price is 96%

Short Sales and Foreclosures

2009-11-02T05:11:00.000-08:00

The Real Estate Market currently is responding to the housing market that over the last few years has declined to about what houses were selling for in 2003-2004. Of course, that depends on the area but the focus here is the Florida Panhandle and those areas that skirt the Emerald Coast. The Buyers that bought in 2005-2006 bought their property at the height of the market. Many did 80/20 loans or 105% loans and can not sell the property now for what they owe on it.

A Short Sale is a Mortgage Company or Bank accepting less than what is owed on the property so the Buyer can relinquish the Note. Many times the Buyer will not take as hard a hit on his credit than if the property went into Foreclosure and if they can negotiate a paid in full from the Mortgage Company then the Buyer can many times qualify to buy a house 24 months later. If the property goes to foreclosure it costs the Bank between $25,000 to $40,000 to foreclose on the property. You can see why Short Selling the Property can many times be the best option for both.

Needless to say this process is a little more involved than what it appears and a qualified agent can get you through this process. Short sales are not standardized but Congress is working on a plan to do just that. Many times a Short Sale falls through because the Buyer does not understand the Process and many times neither does the agent so it is not communicated what needs to occur.

The advantage to a Buyer is many times you can get an awesome deal because the Bank just wants to "get the file' off their desk and they have so many the pressure is there to move the properties. Our Team has worked both sides of these types of transactions and understand the process. We can represent you and get the deal closed.