I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Now its time to get ready for Christmas--------where in the world did 2008 go?
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Our weather was beautiful last week! Shorts and T-shirt if you were out working in the sun. Cooler in the shade though. We had a little rain, which is always needed this time of year, since most of us turn off the sprinklers.
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I'd like to put in a plug for a friend of mine who is starting his own business. Dave Bonar has worked for St. Joe as a construction supervisor. He built his own home here in Mexico Beach and has tons of experience.
THE CARPENTER'S SHOP will do any kind of woodwork, especially custom cabinetry as well as cabinet refacing!! He can also restore, repair, and refinish wood furniture!
Give him a call if you are planning on doing any kind of kitchen renovation----its more economical to reface those cabinets than replace them!
Dave's number is 850-527-8950
You won't be disappointed!
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As for real estate: It was a little slow this week. People were concentrating on family and food!
A short sale closed this week though---what I think was a screaming deal! A newer home, over 2200 sq feet literally a stone's throw to the water and with outstanding water views---------listed at over $480K, purchased in 2005 for $835,000!!! It closed this week for only $350,000!!!
It was a short sale, which means the lender took a substantial hit! Short sales are all different, so it might be the seller is still responsible for the balance of his mortgage or the bank may have let him off the hook completely. Short sales are easier on your credit than a foreclosure!
The house was listed at $480K and somebody had the nerve to offer $350K!!! And the bank took it!!! Not all properties will knock off a whopping $130K but the point is, you have to be bold enough to make the offer. If you have the means to close quickly you have lots of bargaining power!!!
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I will be sending out my newsletter this week which has detailed information on recent sales and good deals!
You never know where a screaming deal is until you make an offer---some sellers are listing their properties now at competitive prices with OTHER LISTING PRICES. However, each seller situation is different. Some may be willing to negotiate a little, some may be willing to negotiate A LOT, but all will negotiate for sure!
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You can now buy a livable home (townhome) within walking distance to the beach for under $99,000. You can buy a livable mobile home within walking distance to the beach for just a little over $100,000. A lot of people wouldn't consider a mobile home, but if your goal is a place at the beach............................you can always use the mobile home as your vacation retreat for a while and then either build, rent or sell! Your first investment here doesn't have to be your ultimate dream house--you may have to build up to that!
At these prices, you really can afford something at the beach!
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In this tight financial market, one thing you must be aware of is your credit score! If you have a 15-20% down payment and a good credit score, you can get financing! I know of a bank that, with 30% down, you can get an interest rate of less than 4.5%!!!!
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Lots of activities in the area this month. Mexico Beach's tree lighting is Sunday the 7th at 5:30. Please bring a new unwrapped toy or canned goods. Festival of trees in Apalachicola through the 13th of Decembeer. The Dixie Theatre in Apalachicola is putting on the production of "The Christmas Shoes" the 6th and 7th!
I'll be posting a calendar of events on my website Next Year----am just beginning to work on it!
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Have a wonderful week and don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested in either buying or selling in the area!
Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
Sundance Realty
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving from Mexico Beach
It seems I always start with an update on the weather so.............it was really cold Friday and Saturday but absolutely gorgeous Sunday! You can't ever really put your t-shirts and shorts away----Of course, my husband Chip, pretty much wears shorts all year round!
It will get sweatshirt weather in the evenings but t-shirts in the day! We'll continue to have a few nights when it gets below 40, but that never lasts long and its always nice to have a chance to wear a new sweater now and then!
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Not much news on the fishing front. Chip hasn't gone out for quite a while. I believe he has one or two trips scheduled but he's pretty much finished up until spring.
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As for real estate: All I can say is ............find a property you like and make an offer.
There is a gulf view newer home that is selling for 28% of the list price. And that is actually more than 50% of what it was purchased for in 2005!!!
It is a short sale, so the bank was ready to get rid of it!
Other recent sales have been anywhere from 15% to 30% off the listing price! The higher the list price the more negotiating room you have! Short sales, foreclosures probably have the most negotiating room depending on how long it has been listed.
You don't know what a seller is willing to take until you make an offer. Some are very ready to sell, some are not, but it's definitely worth a try!!!!
Least expensive residential property is now at $99,000!
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I am still coming across people who say to me "So, are you selling anything at all?" This comment always make me smile! My first response wants to be "So, watching the news are you?" Of course we are selling! We would all have our doors closed and be working at Walmart if we weren't!
This is the time to buy! There are buyers out there! They want the bottom dollar however. And there are sellers that are willing to take that bottom dollar. The hard part is getting them to both agree!!!!
If I said it one time, I've said it a zillion times.............if you can afford to buy a home here, this is the time! If you are planning on keeping that home for the next 5 years or more, this is the time to buy!
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I just wanted to include the link below. During these Holiday times, we can't forget our military who are overseas and putting their life on the line for us. The link below is just an easy way to send a quick Christmas card showing your appreciation the men and women in uniform.
http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/?gclid=CNiYqrCYjpcCFQVuswodSGrE9Q
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Don't forget to tell the cook in your family how much you appreciate them! It's a great time to stop and remember all your blessings also. Every time I look out the window, I thank my God for allowing me to live here at the beach!!!
Mary
It will get sweatshirt weather in the evenings but t-shirts in the day! We'll continue to have a few nights when it gets below 40, but that never lasts long and its always nice to have a chance to wear a new sweater now and then!
_____________________________________________________
Not much news on the fishing front. Chip hasn't gone out for quite a while. I believe he has one or two trips scheduled but he's pretty much finished up until spring.
_____________________________________________________
As for real estate: All I can say is ............find a property you like and make an offer.
There is a gulf view newer home that is selling for 28% of the list price. And that is actually more than 50% of what it was purchased for in 2005!!!
It is a short sale, so the bank was ready to get rid of it!
Other recent sales have been anywhere from 15% to 30% off the listing price! The higher the list price the more negotiating room you have! Short sales, foreclosures probably have the most negotiating room depending on how long it has been listed.
You don't know what a seller is willing to take until you make an offer. Some are very ready to sell, some are not, but it's definitely worth a try!!!!
Least expensive residential property is now at $99,000!
_________________________________________________________
I am still coming across people who say to me "So, are you selling anything at all?" This comment always make me smile! My first response wants to be "So, watching the news are you?" Of course we are selling! We would all have our doors closed and be working at Walmart if we weren't!
This is the time to buy! There are buyers out there! They want the bottom dollar however. And there are sellers that are willing to take that bottom dollar. The hard part is getting them to both agree!!!!
If I said it one time, I've said it a zillion times.............if you can afford to buy a home here, this is the time! If you are planning on keeping that home for the next 5 years or more, this is the time to buy!
_____________________________________________________
I just wanted to include the link below. During these Holiday times, we can't forget our military who are overseas and putting their life on the line for us. The link below is just an easy way to send a quick Christmas card showing your appreciation the men and women in uniform.
http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/?gclid=CNiYqrCYjpcCFQVuswodSGrE9Q
______________________________________________________
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Don't forget to tell the cook in your family how much you appreciate them! It's a great time to stop and remember all your blessings also. Every time I look out the window, I thank my God for allowing me to live here at the beach!!!
Mary
Monday, November 17, 2008
November in Mexico Beach, Fl
Brrrr.....supposed to be chilly all week, with it dipping REALLY low at night. Freeze warning Tuesday night! I really, really, really dislike the cold. It does get cold here, the only saving grace is that it doesn't last long! We'll have a few days of really cold weather, and as long as the sun is shining, its bearable. But it will really only last a few days and then it's not so bad!
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On the fishing front---snapper are out but you can still catch grouper. We've had some exceptionally calm water out there lately! You will probably have to go out a ways to catch most of the grouper, but what a better way to spend a day!!!!!
If interested, of course----www.charterboat-missmary.com
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On the real estate front: My newsletter with specific stats will be out the first week of December, but not a lot going on! A couple of gulf front townhouses, short sales, are now under contract, as well as a townhouse off the beach and a single family home-----so there is activity, just not a lot! I'm in negotiations with a couple myself.
Florida is #2 in Foreclosure filings for October. The information is from Realtytrac.com. I've watched this website quite a bit and I don't think its real accurate, but it does give a ball park.
According to Realtytrac 1 out of 157 housing units have filed foreclosure. That is up a whopping 80% over October of 2007. That's pretty staggering!!!!
Nevada is #1 and Arizona is #3 in foreclosures.
On an encouraging note, the Mortgage Bankers Association said applications for new mortgages are up 11.9% for the week of November 7th.
Which is certainly understandable-----the foreclosures are up, which means the prices are down, so the buyers are buying!!!!
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I know in our little area here, the foreclosures are not primary homesteads, they are investment properties gone awry!
There are deals out there!
Not a great time to sell-------UNLESS--you've owned the property a long time, in which case you still have great equity! If that is the case and you want to sell, then it must be listed at a realistic price and it will sell!!!!!
Great time to buy as some prices are back down to 2001-2002 pricing!
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Well, I pray everyone has a great week. I know that there are a lot of people who are worried about their jobs and the economy in general. I certainly pray for all Americans and the President, especially in these times. Please keep the faith!
Mary
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On the fishing front---snapper are out but you can still catch grouper. We've had some exceptionally calm water out there lately! You will probably have to go out a ways to catch most of the grouper, but what a better way to spend a day!!!!!
If interested, of course----www.charterboat-missmary.com
___________________________________________________
On the real estate front: My newsletter with specific stats will be out the first week of December, but not a lot going on! A couple of gulf front townhouses, short sales, are now under contract, as well as a townhouse off the beach and a single family home-----so there is activity, just not a lot! I'm in negotiations with a couple myself.
Florida is #2 in Foreclosure filings for October. The information is from Realtytrac.com. I've watched this website quite a bit and I don't think its real accurate, but it does give a ball park.
According to Realtytrac 1 out of 157 housing units have filed foreclosure. That is up a whopping 80% over October of 2007. That's pretty staggering!!!!
Nevada is #1 and Arizona is #3 in foreclosures.
On an encouraging note, the Mortgage Bankers Association said applications for new mortgages are up 11.9% for the week of November 7th.
Which is certainly understandable-----the foreclosures are up, which means the prices are down, so the buyers are buying!!!!
________________________________________________
I know in our little area here, the foreclosures are not primary homesteads, they are investment properties gone awry!
There are deals out there!
Not a great time to sell-------UNLESS--you've owned the property a long time, in which case you still have great equity! If that is the case and you want to sell, then it must be listed at a realistic price and it will sell!!!!!
Great time to buy as some prices are back down to 2001-2002 pricing!
____________________________________________
Well, I pray everyone has a great week. I know that there are a lot of people who are worried about their jobs and the economy in general. I certainly pray for all Americans and the President, especially in these times. Please keep the faith!
Mary
Monday, November 10, 2008
Mexico Beach, Florida
Brrr........45 degrees this morning---however, it will be in the 70's this afternoon. This is the time of year when you have to dress in layers!
It's been just beautifully sunny though!
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Not a lot going on in the real estate world, its been pretty slow. I sent out my newsletter with specific stats last week. If you are not on my list for the newsletter or did not receive it last week, let me know!
We still have some "end-users" buying simply because the prices have dropped considerably. End-users (people who are buying to USE for the next 10 years or so) have typically been our market. These type buyers are still looking and buying. The "flippers" are pretty much gone, although I know they are looking and ready to buy if a 'STEAL" comes up.
I know that a lot of buyers are still sitting on the fence, waiting to see if the market has bottomed out. I'm not sure that we will know that until its been here and gone.
Steve Forbes (of Forbes magazine) was on Fox news the other day saying he believed the market will turn around soon and we will start to see some real activity spring of 2009. Others say 2010!! So, in otherwords ........... who knows!
Sellers are desperate for activity. Buyers..........this will mean sellers won't be as negotiable.
Sellers are extremely negotiable right now. One can not be afraid to offer what you are willing to pay!
____________________________________________________
I have an updated list of foreclosures and short sales. If you would like this list, give me a call or email.
____________________________________________________
As for the credit crunch............Banks are lending! The media acts like no one is able to get credit, not true. You do have to have good credit though! Bankers are still lending even at 95%. If you are interested in purchasing and haven't checked your credit lately, you may want to take a look and clear up any errors or problems!
I even have a banker who will now lend on single wide mobile homes!
______________________________________________________
I pray that the transition to the new President will be smooth and take great comfort in the fact that God is still on his throne---he's the only One I have faith in!!!!!!!
Have a great week and please don't hesitate to call or email me!
Mary
It's been just beautifully sunny though!
_______________________________________________
Not a lot going on in the real estate world, its been pretty slow. I sent out my newsletter with specific stats last week. If you are not on my list for the newsletter or did not receive it last week, let me know!
We still have some "end-users" buying simply because the prices have dropped considerably. End-users (people who are buying to USE for the next 10 years or so) have typically been our market. These type buyers are still looking and buying. The "flippers" are pretty much gone, although I know they are looking and ready to buy if a 'STEAL" comes up.
I know that a lot of buyers are still sitting on the fence, waiting to see if the market has bottomed out. I'm not sure that we will know that until its been here and gone.
Steve Forbes (of Forbes magazine) was on Fox news the other day saying he believed the market will turn around soon and we will start to see some real activity spring of 2009. Others say 2010!! So, in otherwords ........... who knows!
Sellers are desperate for activity. Buyers..........this will mean sellers won't be as negotiable.
Sellers are extremely negotiable right now. One can not be afraid to offer what you are willing to pay!
____________________________________________________
I have an updated list of foreclosures and short sales. If you would like this list, give me a call or email.
____________________________________________________
As for the credit crunch............Banks are lending! The media acts like no one is able to get credit, not true. You do have to have good credit though! Bankers are still lending even at 95%. If you are interested in purchasing and haven't checked your credit lately, you may want to take a look and clear up any errors or problems!
I even have a banker who will now lend on single wide mobile homes!
______________________________________________________
I pray that the transition to the new President will be smooth and take great comfort in the fact that God is still on his throne---he's the only One I have faith in!!!!!!!
Have a great week and please don't hesitate to call or email me!
Mary
Monday, November 03, 2008
Mexico Beach Florida Real Estate
We are having our typical fall weather now! Cool in the evenings (50's) and absolutely, stunningly gorgeous in the day---upper 70's. The water is calm and beautiful. We still have some swimmers on the weekend---the water is a little too cool for me but......................
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We had several first time Mexico Beachers stop by the office this weekend! They raved about how quiet and low key it is and remarked how it is the exact opposite of what Panama City Beach has become. This is a typical response from people who have not visited us before. We really are like a pleasant step back in time!!
We may have to drive 40 minutes to eat at "Outback" or shop at Dillards, but its a small price to pay when you look at at that ocean and drive down Hwy 98 without a stop light for miles and miles! Not to mention the wonderful people here!
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As for the real estate market. Prices are continuing to decline. We just closed on an 1800 sq foot home for $160,000! Not a foreclosure, not a short sale, not a distress sale. EVERYONE was happy with this transaction, buyers and sellers alike. The home could use a little updating but could easily be lived in for the next 20 years without doing a thing!
I will be sending out my monthly newsletter with specific stats this week.
_____________________________________________________
My blog is short this week because I just mainly want to say
BE SURE TO VOTE!!!!
As much as I want to, I will refrain from spouting my political viewpoint. Suffice it to say
I pray you will vote your faith, your conscience, and your common sense!
_____________________________________________
Have a fantastic week!
Mary
__________________________________________________
We had several first time Mexico Beachers stop by the office this weekend! They raved about how quiet and low key it is and remarked how it is the exact opposite of what Panama City Beach has become. This is a typical response from people who have not visited us before. We really are like a pleasant step back in time!!
We may have to drive 40 minutes to eat at "Outback" or shop at Dillards, but its a small price to pay when you look at at that ocean and drive down Hwy 98 without a stop light for miles and miles! Not to mention the wonderful people here!
__________________________________________________
As for the real estate market. Prices are continuing to decline. We just closed on an 1800 sq foot home for $160,000! Not a foreclosure, not a short sale, not a distress sale. EVERYONE was happy with this transaction, buyers and sellers alike. The home could use a little updating but could easily be lived in for the next 20 years without doing a thing!
I will be sending out my monthly newsletter with specific stats this week.
_____________________________________________________
My blog is short this week because I just mainly want to say
BE SURE TO VOTE!!!!
As much as I want to, I will refrain from spouting my political viewpoint. Suffice it to say
I pray you will vote your faith, your conscience, and your common sense!
_____________________________________________
Have a fantastic week!
Mary
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