Multiple Open Houses Kirkland Manor.

Sunday 1-3pm there will be several open houses to view. Please, call for directions.850.867.5309

Deerpoint Lake home under 250k.

Perfectly kept home on Deerpoint Lake. Endless views with your own private dock overlooking the lake. Relax on the back deck or sit on the swing down by the lake. The owners have taken pride in their landscaping and it shows. Lot features an outdoor greenhouse overlooking the lake. Also, it has an outside pump/storage house and a separate workshop area. The inside of the home has been well kept and has an updated kitchen with solid surface counter tops and newer appliances. All of the bedrooms are nice sized with large closets. The master suite has a large dressing area in the bathroom for even more room. The roof is less than 4 years old and the home has pre-fitted hurricane clips with pre-cut aluminum available. The owner has just added 12" of insulation in the attic for energy efficiency and the home is covered under a termite bond. There has been no detail overlooked when taking care of this beautiful waterfront home. Make your appointment today. It won't last long at this price.

Open House June 6th and 7th Kirkland Manor.

Please visit my open house June 6th and 7th from 1-4 pm in the Kirkland Manor subdivision. The seller's are motivated and have priced the home to sell quickly at 319,000. 4 beds, 3 baths, luxury home.

New short sale information.

Please visit my newest website: www.panamacityshortsales.com to explore a short sale option. There you will find forms you need to get started and important information on short sale vs. foreclosure.

Website for homeowner's looking to modify their loans.

Visit www.hopenow.com to see if you are eligibe to modify your loan under President Obama's new plan.

Link for info on the new tax credit.

www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

15 Market Positives for buying in Florida.

A recent article from the Florida Association of Realtor's.

The upside of Florida real estate: 15 market positives
Let’s take a look at some of the opportunities and positive indicators for the future of Florida’s real estate market.
1. Great prices. Statewide, home prices have fallen about 20 percent in the past year. FAR statistics show the existing-home median sales price was $185,400 in the third quarter of 2008, compared with $233,200 in third quarter 2007. By the way, those numbers are still significantly higher than in the early years of the decade. In 2003, the third-quarter sales price was $163,700, which reflects an increase of about 13.3 percent over the five-year period. (The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.)
2. The time is right. Home sales volumes are rising again – a signal that the market recovery may be underway. In third quarter 2008, statewide sales of existing single-family homes were up 5 percent compared to the same period last year, according to FAR statistics.
3. High inventory levels. Conditions are ideal for buyers to find their dream home. Inventory is plentiful in all price ranges. But as sales volumes increase, inventory levels are likely to shrink. That reality translates into this advice for buyers: Don’t wait too long.
4. Low mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are still at the lowest levels since the 1960s. Lower rates multiply a buyer’s financial power. Even half a percent can make a sizeable difference. For example, on a $200,000 home, half of 1 percent could save the homeowner about $815 a year. Buyers can get more home for the money, which is a perfect scenario for families looking to upsize.
5. Incentives to buy. Federal, state and local housing programs can help buyers make that big purchase. The U.S. Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 includes a $7,500 tax credit for first-time buyers on a home purchased between April 9, 2008, and July 1, 2009. President Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus package promises to enable programs that will assist homeowners. Talk to a local mortgage lender about state and federal incentive programs.
6. A long-term-growth state. Long-term economic and demographic trends continue to favor Florida. By 2010, economists forecast that Florida will be the third-most-populated state in the country. Florida has been one of the 10-fastest-growing states in the U.S. for each of the past seven decades, and often the state has been in the top four, according to Census data. Population growth will continue to provide a foundation for other economic development, such as new jobs and growing incomes. All of these trends are positive indicators for real estate growth.
7. A migration magnet. Even with a slowdown in economic growth nationally, projections call for Florida’s population to return to more normal growth levels of about 317,000 a year between 2010 and 2020, similar to the 1980s and 1990s, said Stan Smith, director of the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. That’s a lot of new buyers coming into the market.
8. A favored retirement destination. Over the long term, Florida stands to benefit from the migration of the aging Baby Boomer generation, roughly 80 million strong. Demographic studies show that the Sunshine State’s mild climate and outdoor amenities continue to make Florida a favorite retirement destination.
9. A diverse economy. Florida’s economy, like that of the rest of the nation, is impacted by the recession. Some business sectors, though, appear promising for the Florida economy. The healthcare and technology sectors are quickly becoming an important economic force in South and Central Florida. The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners ranked five Florida communities on its “Best Performing Cities Index 2008,” which ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Florida’s business climate ranked fourth among executives and sixth overall on “Site Selection” magazine’s 2008 Top State Business Climate rankings.
10. Investment outlook. Every quarter, the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies conducts a survey of industry executives, market research economists, real estate scholars and other experts. In the fourth quarter 2008 survey, the investment outlook for various types of Florida properties declined from the third quarter of 2008, although it is noted that the investment outlook remains higher than it was at times in 2006 and 2007. “We have 40 pages of comments from our respondents, and although the dominant theme is the disruption of financing, perhaps the second theme, as one person put it, is people being on the sidelines with full pads and helmets just waiting to jump back in,” said director Dr. Wayne Archer, when referencing the 2008 third quarter results.
11. Homeownership has value. Realtors believe – and research supports that belief – that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community and homeowners. Studies show that home equity is still the largest single source of household wealth.
12. Greater sense of well-being. Owning a home leads to increased personal well-being. Research shows that people who own their own homes tend to show higher levels of personal self-esteem and life satisfaction, which in turn helps to make homeowners and their children more productive members of society.
13. Beneficial for kids. Studies show that children raised in homes owned by their families are more likely to stay in school and more likely to graduate high school. They’re also shown to have a higher lifetime annual income.
14. Community involvement. People who own homes have a strong financial stake in what happens to their community and tend to become more involved in community and civic affairs. Studies show that homeowners also interact more with their neighbors and communities. Compared to renters, homeowners join up to 41 percent more civic and/or nonprofessional organizations, such as the PTA or Scouts; vote in local elections 15 percent more often; enhance their neighborhoods with gardens 12 percent more often; attend church about 10 percent more often; and have a 3 percent greater chance of being interested in public affairs.
15. An unsurpassed lifestyle. Finally, let’s not forget the things that brought people to Florida in the first place, and will continue to attract them – beautiful beaches, fabulous weather and a friendly business climate, with no state income tax. It’s no wonder that Florida’s combination of temperate climate, outstanding recreational amenities and economic opportunity has consistently put Florida in the top three of Harris Poll’s “Most Desirable Places to Live” survey.

223 La Valencia Panama City Beach Florida

Just reduced by $75,000. The lowest priced unit per sq. ft in the whole subdivision. This complex features a gulf front swimming pool with gulf access just steps away. Offered at $575,000 for a limited time only. Please call Carrie Routt at Keller Williams Success Realty for more details. 850-867-5309.

Riverside Park Tour of Homes Sunday 1-4 pm.

I am pleased to announce the 2nd Riverside Park Tour of Homes. This is an excellent opportunity to visit this unique community and tour the amenities it has to offer. There will be tours of the clubhouse, fitness center, billiard room, park and fishing dock. Please, bring your family for a wonderful day of "window shopping" for that perfect dream home. You can park your car and stroll the wonderful sidewalks that surround the park and homes. If you've ever dreamed of owning a home in this exclusive community, please, contact me today for a private tour. There will be several luxury homes to view on Sunday July 13th 1-4 pm.

"These are my people, this is where I come from....."

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mashburn family held its first family reunion in 1865 to celebrate the end of the Civil War and honor Richard Byrd Mashburn, who served in the Confederate Army and was released from a Union prison that year.
On Saturday, the family will hold its 143rd annual Richard B. Mashburn Memorial Picnic at Mashburn Memorial Park on the Econfina River with about 200 family members and friends.
Jack Mashburn, great-nephew of Richard Mashburn, said he believes his family reunion might be one of the oldest continuously held reunions in the country. The location had to be changed a few times because of bad weather, but there has been no gap in the gatherings.
At 80 and "proud of every mile," Mashburn can remember reunions when the attendance ranged between 5,000 and 10,000.
"After World War II, there was gas rationing, and attendance really dropped off," he said.
The picnics are held on family-owned land on Hallmon Road off Mashburn Road. The family flag, which Mashburn designed and had sewn by a family member, will fly during the picnic.
The flag's gold band represents the Mashburn word being as good as gold. A white portion represents "this country in pristine condition," and a green section represents farmers.
In the center is a rendering of his great uncle, Richard Byrd Mashburn, wearing his Confederate uniform, beside his older brother Stephen Mashburn, who didn't believe in slavery and served with the Union Army in his uniform. The latter is Mashburn's grandfather, who was shunned by the family for making that choice.
"After awhile, he was accepted back into the family," Mashburn said.
Mashburn said there is a long, covered table near the river that holds the food for the picnic. Everyone brings their own tables and chairs, and there is a restroom facility at the park.
"We always have games and fun for the young children. Years ago, we used to grease a pole with cooking oil and put an envelope with $5 in it at the top. The kids would try to climb the pole to get the money," said Mashburn, adding that this year, there will be inflatables for the children to play on. "The children think it's fun and feel a responsibility to continue the reunions because of their pleasurable memories."
Entertainment is another staple of the Mashburn picnics. A bluegrass band called "The Millers" will perform, and there will be door prizes and gifts for the oldest and youngest Mashburn.
Boston butts are this year's entrée. Vegetables, salads and desserts are supplied by attendees, as well as ice and drinks.
"It's a renewal of fellowship," Mashburn said. "It gives you a sense of belonging, a sense of where you come from. If you don't know where you've been, it's hard to tell where you're going."