Brrrrrrrrrrr, feels like winter here at the beach! Pretty chilly yesterday and today, in the 30's. But we could live in Chicago or Buffalo or in Minnesota, where the wind chill takes it into the MINUS!!!
I remember growing up playing all day long in the snow! Building snow tunnels, making snowmen, making forts and having snow ball fights-------------what great memories! I freeze now when it dips below 50!!!! I really am glad to have those memories though.
Its going to warm back up towards the end of the week!
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I'm done shopping! I've got the presents wrapped and under the tree! I love Christmas!
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I feel obligated to talk at least a little bit about real estate........................We are all showing property quite a bit! I'm not seeing a lot of properties go under contract but you have to start somewhere! I'm even showing the day after Christmas!!!!
The people looking are all end users. My feeling is they want and can probably afford a beach house but all are being extra cautious because of the unknown economic future! I can't say that I blame them! Listening to the news makes ME want to file bankruptcy!!!! And I have been extremely blessed this year----all our investments are either paid for or are generating income, we still have a lot of equity in our home, our cars are paid for, and I am not financially (again , thanking God) stressed, but listening to the news makes me think I am or I'm going to be!
(of course that is not to say, I sure would like to be busier selling some stuff!!!!!!)
As you know I am a huge Dave Ramsey fan! The other night he was saying that this is by far the best time he has seen for a really long time to buy real estate. The only time he encourages someone to take out a mortgage is if they are a first time homebuyer. He did say that if you have money for a down payment---buy a house now!
I definitely promote Dave Ramsey's style of investing----DO IT ONLY IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT! But, if you can afford it---DO IT!
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The least expensive residential townhouse is listed at $99,000!!!! Let's say you can get it for $90,000, you finance 90% at 5.5 % for only 15 years---your mortgage payment is $662 for your beach home!!!!! and of course we go up from there.
You can now buy a lot for $50-$60,000. Building costs are down as well, so lets say you buy a lot for $50,000, build a 1500 sq ft home at $100/sq ft----you've got a brand new custom home for $200,000!!!! Pretty good!
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I pray that every one of you has a blessed Christmas and a safe New Year's. I thank all of you for supporting me, encouraging me, trusting me to represent you in a transaction!
Don't forget to sing Happy Birthday to the King---it is His birthday, you know!
Mary
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Mexico Beach Florida
Tis the time of year to be prepared for any weather! 70 degrees one day, 40 the next! We've really had some unusually cold days for so early in the season, but Thank God it doesn't last long!
It's been snowing pretty constantly up north from what I hear!
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I've told my husband I want to fish for whiting ---so I'll give you a report after we actually do it!
Most people assume that we eat a lot of fish because Chip has his charterboat business, but its actually the opposite. His paying customers get all the fish! He rarely has time to go fish for himself, therefore, we rarely have fresh fish for dinner. Sad but true. I've been fish hungry, therefore my request to just fish from the beach!!!
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The El Governor is having a special---$50/night room. 850-648-5757. Gulf front hotel with pool/pool bar.
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Celebrate Safe, Celebrate Twice!!
Once again Mexico Beach will be running free shuttle busses on New Year’s Eve. This year, we will have three buses and they will be going from Port St. Joe, St. Joe Beach and Mexico Beach.
The stops will be:
Amanda’s Bistro
Fish House
Mango Marley’s
Ruby Runrunners
Toucan’s
EL Governor Motel
Lookout Lounge
The Haughty Heron
Thirsty Goat/Port Inn
The busses will be running from 8 PM ET – 3AM ET / 7 PM CT – 2 AM ET
Please stay safe!
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As for Real Estate:
There are going to be alot of people in town for the holidays and we are expecting to be pretty busy. I know that I have several groups of buyers coming this weekend and into next weekend!
I talked to a customer of mine this morning who is extremely optimistic about next spring. With lowered interest rates and declining prices, he feel there will be a lot of activity by spring! He has purchased and sold lots of real estate all over the world and watches things pretty closely!
Potential buyers are often astounded at the negotiating room that are often times built into the list price. Other areas, even Panama City, negotiate only a few thousand dollars. We, in Mexico Beach can negotiate several 10's of thousands of dollars and even 100's of thousands for those properties in the million dollar + range!
It's a shame that this is the case as it causes a lot of potential buyers to not even consider a property because it is listed way above their price range. Properties that are listed at the true market value are being shown and sold much quicker than those who are listing high "just in case" someone wants to overpay!!!!
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Let's talk credit. We had someone come in the office the other day saying they have a 560 credit score. Not a very good score. They told us their lender said as soon as they get it to 580 they would qualify for a 90% loan! 580 is not a very good score either!!!! So, please don't think that banks aren't lending!!!!
Interest rates are right around 5-5.5% for investment properties and even lower for primary residences!
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I have a few Mexico Beach 2009 Calendars left. If you want me to send you one just email/call me with your mailing address. They are nice calendars with local pictures taken by folks just like you----plus it has the local events listed as well.
There are not a lot of new listings on the foreclosures list, but I'll be glad to email that to you as well anytime you request. If you are not on my email list to receive new listings and such, send me a quick email, or give me a call and I'll put you on my list! If your wish list has changed or you are no longer interested in my emails, please let me know!!!!!
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I pray everyone is enjoying the season! Please don't hesitate to call/email me anytime if you have any questions at all about property in this area. Feel free to pass my name, number, website out to all your friends--for I live by referrals!
Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season!!!
It's been snowing pretty constantly up north from what I hear!
_________________________________________________
I've told my husband I want to fish for whiting ---so I'll give you a report after we actually do it!
Most people assume that we eat a lot of fish because Chip has his charterboat business, but its actually the opposite. His paying customers get all the fish! He rarely has time to go fish for himself, therefore, we rarely have fresh fish for dinner. Sad but true. I've been fish hungry, therefore my request to just fish from the beach!!!
__________________________________________________
The El Governor is having a special---$50/night room. 850-648-5757. Gulf front hotel with pool/pool bar.
_____________________________________________________
Celebrate Safe, Celebrate Twice!!
Once again Mexico Beach will be running free shuttle busses on New Year’s Eve. This year, we will have three buses and they will be going from Port St. Joe, St. Joe Beach and Mexico Beach.
The stops will be:
Amanda’s Bistro
Fish House
Mango Marley’s
Ruby Runrunners
Toucan’s
EL Governor Motel
Lookout Lounge
The Haughty Heron
Thirsty Goat/Port Inn
The busses will be running from 8 PM ET – 3AM ET / 7 PM CT – 2 AM ET
Please stay safe!
_____________________________________________________
As for Real Estate:
There are going to be alot of people in town for the holidays and we are expecting to be pretty busy. I know that I have several groups of buyers coming this weekend and into next weekend!
I talked to a customer of mine this morning who is extremely optimistic about next spring. With lowered interest rates and declining prices, he feel there will be a lot of activity by spring! He has purchased and sold lots of real estate all over the world and watches things pretty closely!
Potential buyers are often astounded at the negotiating room that are often times built into the list price. Other areas, even Panama City, negotiate only a few thousand dollars. We, in Mexico Beach can negotiate several 10's of thousands of dollars and even 100's of thousands for those properties in the million dollar + range!
It's a shame that this is the case as it causes a lot of potential buyers to not even consider a property because it is listed way above their price range. Properties that are listed at the true market value are being shown and sold much quicker than those who are listing high "just in case" someone wants to overpay!!!!
____________________________________________________
Let's talk credit. We had someone come in the office the other day saying they have a 560 credit score. Not a very good score. They told us their lender said as soon as they get it to 580 they would qualify for a 90% loan! 580 is not a very good score either!!!! So, please don't think that banks aren't lending!!!!
Interest rates are right around 5-5.5% for investment properties and even lower for primary residences!
___________________________________________________
I have a few Mexico Beach 2009 Calendars left. If you want me to send you one just email/call me with your mailing address. They are nice calendars with local pictures taken by folks just like you----plus it has the local events listed as well.
There are not a lot of new listings on the foreclosures list, but I'll be glad to email that to you as well anytime you request. If you are not on my email list to receive new listings and such, send me a quick email, or give me a call and I'll put you on my list! If your wish list has changed or you are no longer interested in my emails, please let me know!!!!!
________________________________________________________
I pray everyone is enjoying the season! Please don't hesitate to call/email me anytime if you have any questions at all about property in this area. Feel free to pass my name, number, website out to all your friends--for I live by referrals!
Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season!!!
Monday, December 08, 2008
Foreclosures in Mexico Beach
17 Days until Christmas!!!
I love seeing all the Christmas lights. If you haven't driven by the city park next to the El Governor, you must do it! Wiley at the El Gov does a fantastic job!!!
I love seeing all the Christmas lights. If you haven't driven by the city park next to the El Governor, you must do it! Wiley at the El Gov does a fantastic job!!!
Of course, pictures don't do it justice!
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I just sent out my newsletter for the month of December. If you are not receiving it, please let me know and I'll add you to the list.
If you no longer want to be on that list, send me an email as well and I will remove you from the list! I certainly don't want to pester anyone!!!!
I just took a quick look at the sales for all of 2008---about 25% of them were foreclosures, or short sales or distress sales!!! That's pretty huge for our little area!!!
We have about 15 foreclosures, pre-foreclosure, distress sales on the market right now. If you want an updated list, just let me know and I'll send you one.
Some of these properties are selling at 50% or more of what they were purchased for at the height of the market. The banks are really losing a lot of money!!!
I've blogged before about the foreclosure websites that you can sign up for to receive foreclosure notices. I'm not an advocate of those---why? I have not seen one yet that is really accurate.
For instance, they still list a house in Port St. Joe as a foreclosure, available for sale, that was sold at a courthouse auction several months ago!!! I also have seen a listing of a property on a foreclosure website in which THERE WAS NO MORTGAGE.
You can certainly use it for a reference, but don't rely on the accuracy. The banks are listing the properties with Realtors pretty quickly after the foreclosure takes place, so your best bet is to go ahead and just get updates from your Realtor!
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I find it interesting that Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) showed retail sales were up 7.2% over last year--------most are saying that's because people were taking advantage of the drastically discounted prices.
Sounds a lot like real estate, doesn't it!!!!!
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Interest rates are down to 5.5% all over the place, even a tad lower. There has been a rumor that they may go down to 4.5% but most are saying there will be lots of restrictions on this rate.
Still, 5.5 % is pretty good!!!
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Wow, have gas prices been falling!!! I paid $1.59 in Georgia yesterday!!!!! Man, that was nice!
Makes me want to take a road trip!!!!!
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I pray everyone has a happy, healthy, productive week! Be sure to enjoy the Christmas season this year. I know we get overwhelmed with the shopping, traffic, cooking, parties and such, but remember "Jesus is the reason for the season!!!"
I'll be working right up to Christmas Day, so don't hesitate to call if you are interested in buying or selling!!!!
Mary
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