Summer has arrived! It's getting a little warm now! Mid to even high 80's already! I'm not complaining, this is why I moved here! I don't have to work outside in it all day, but I don't think its unbearably hot at all!!
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The big local news is the Arizona Chemical Plant in Port St. Joe is closing. This will eliminate about 80 jobs. The good news is that a new plant is coming into town! Biomass Gas and Electric is projected to build a facility on the ICW in Port St Joe with an opening date of 2011. The construction of the facility itself will create about 200 jobs and then employ about 25 permanent full time jobs as well as 50-80 related jobs.

We have had a love-hate relationship with Arizona Chemical. It provide a job base, but also emitted a terrible odor. I will be glad to get rid of that smell but I also pray for the families who are losing jobs.
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As for real estate:
Mexico Beach:

3 properties were put under contract in the last week.

• 2 bed/2bath newer townhouse about 1 mile from the beach, listed at $119,000
• 3 bed/2 bath home with over 1700 sq feet about 1/2 mile or so from the water , listed at $252,000
• 3 bed/2 bath newer home about 1/4 mile from the water in a new subdivision, listed for $259,000.

Cape San Blas

2 properties put under contract

• 3bed/3bath townhouse in Barrier Dunes (all the way out on the Cape) listed at $220,000
• 3bed/3 bath older home with views of the gulf, listed at $299,000

Port St. Joe

One property was put under contract this past week.

• Brand new home in a new subdivision, listed at $199,000 and is bank owned. This home has had some termite damage and is the only house in this subdivision, which accounts for the low price.

There are a couple of offers being negotiated as we speak.

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Interest rates have risen slightly although you can probably still get 5%. Remember, if you are financing a 2nd home, you have to have 20% to put down!

If you are looking to build, what a great time to buy vacant land. The prices have dropped dramatically!!!!! The only problem is that lenders are requiring sometimes as much as 50% down!!!! Many lot owners are now willing to owner finance!

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I've blogged about the auction coming up June 6th. Seven properties, 2 being gulf front homes. The most appealing house to me is the little house just a block from the water. It's an older home but well maintained and in a great area. If you want some more information, please don't hesitate to call/email anytime.

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I've been working with every kind of buyer from first time home buyers, to first time investors and end users, to experienced investors..........they all agree.......this is the time to buy!

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Have a great week. Don't forget to check out my calendar--click on local events---and don't hesitate to call/email with any questions you have about the Mexico Beach area!

Remember..........."Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift!"

Mary

850-896-5222

www.maryblackburn.com

Happy Memorial Day from Mexico Beach Florida

I embarrassed to admit when I first think of Memorial Day, thoughts of the official kick off to summer is foremost on my mind.

But then, the real meaning of this holiday emerges. Thank you to all who HAVE served and ARE STILL serving in the military forces. Thank you to the families who HAVE sacrificed and suffered and ARE STILL sacrificing and suffering.



All of us are forever indebted to you for your service, for keeping America free and strong and the greatest nation in the world!



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Our weather started out terrible this weekend, but I will tell you it can't be more perfect as I blog this morning!!!

It was great to see everybody on the beach this weekend!

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The sidewalk project is underway!

The sidewalks are going up fast on the west side of Mexico Beach. They look great and its fantastic to see people enjoying them already! The sidewalks are on the north side of Hwy 98 from 8th street west. I'm not exactly sure where they are going to end.



The city has had some opposition from homeowners on the east end of Mexico Beach. Some homeowners, across from dedicated beach, (From Toucan's eastward) have complained a little, so we are not sure if sidewalks will be built there.



Just a little bike etiquette for you......bike riders are not to ride on sidewalks. You are to ride WITH traffic on the road. I certainly wouldn't complain if you ride with small children though!



If you are enjoying the sidewalks, take the time to call the city and let them know. 850-648-5700!!

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As for real estate

Mexico Beach to St. Joe Beach:

Three properties were put under contract in the last week.

• A little house about 4 miles from the beach on an acre, listed at $155,900


• An older concrete block home on a large lot with gulf view, listed at $249,900


• A gulf front older townhouse (fixer upper) listed at $299,000 (short sale)

Cape San Blas

• 1st tier home with gulf view listed at $398,775 (short sale)


• Newer house, 2006 and over 2,000 sq ft listed at $464,000


• Newer, never lived in with almost 3,000 sq ft and private pool listed at $540,000 (bank owned)

I know that several offers are being negotiated as well!!

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I have updated the new foreclosure lists, so if you want that, just send me an email.

I can also send you information on the Auction June 6th. 7 properties, including 2 gulf front homes--not an absolute auction though---the seller must approve the price. I gave a brief description of all the properties being auctioned in my last blog (the 18th) but will certainly give you more detailed information if you request!!

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I'm proud to admit that I'm the 2nd top selling agent in Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach this year! Giving all credit to God who continues to rain His grace down on me!!!!

Thank you to all my loyal buyers and sellers who trust me to help them with one of the most important decisions they'll make!

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As always, have a great week. Please don't hesitate to call/email me anytime with any questions/concerns you have about real estate in this area.

Please continue to pray for our soldiers and sailors fighting for our freedom.

Mary

850-896-5222

www.maryblackburn.com

Mexico Beach Florida Real Estate

I thought we were back to the usual weather pattern as we had a couple of days last week with a short afternoon thunderstorm, but.......today I woke up to unusually cool temps! As the saying goes "if you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes"!!!

Of course, you could be in Michigan with 32 degrees this morning! (and to those of you who are, I'm sorry!!!!!!)

Believe me it makes me thank God everyday for being able to live here!!

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One of the hardest things to overcome with new buyers is the fact that our home values are above the "norm". They have a 3,000 sq ft brick home and they paid less than $200,000 for it back in their hometown. Well, as another saying goes "you have to pay to play!!" Or as another person put it you just have to budget in this "beach tax!"

It's worth downsizing and changing your "standard" of living to be able to live at the beach!
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As for the real estate market:

Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach

• One house has been put under contract in the last week. It is the premier home in Mexico Beach though! Listed at $1.4 million it is a gorgeous, custom built home with over 4,000 sq feet, in-ground pool, enclosed garage and fantastic gulf view!

There are several contracts being negotiated though!!

There have been 3 sales:

• Half duplex, beach side, adorable and furnished sold for $186,500 with seller financing.
• Large home with screened in pool selling for $290,000. Established subdivision and several blocks off the beach.
• A vacant lot in a subdivision, 1/4 mile at the most to the beach, sold for $46,000.

Port St. Joe has put one home under contract.

• It also is a builder's house. Gorgeous with over 3,000 sq feet and an in-ground pool. Listed at $499,000 (see what I mean about "paying" to be at the beach, look at the price differential between these two properties!). This is a short sale.

Cape San Blas has put 5 properties under contract in the last week:

• 3,000 sq ft newer home with private pool, water view, listed at $499,900. Short sale
• 3,000 sq ft newer home with private pool, water view, listed at $450,900. bank owned
• 3,295 sq ft home GULF FRONT, but not finished inside, listed at $449,000. bank owned
• 1,634 sq ft home, 1ST TIER, with great water view, private pool, listed at $585,000. Bank owned.
• 4,100 sq foot home with gulf view, private pool, listed at $629,000.

The Cape has had one closing:

• A bay front home with 2,400 sq ft selling for $425,000

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If you want information about the Auction June 6th, let me know. 7 properties are being auctioned off, only one vacant lot being sold regardless of price, the rest have a reserve that needs to be met.

The 7 properties:

• 2 gulf front homes
• one house about 1/2 block from the water, north side of Hwy 98
• one vacant lot beach side of Hwy 98
• one vacant lot less than 1/2 block from the water, north side of Hwy 98
• one commercial building on Hwy 98
• one large colonial residential home with over 5 acres one block from the water, north side of hwy 98

I'll be glad to send more information at your request!

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I almost forgot the fishing report!

Spanish and king mackeral are running!

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I pray you have a blessed week!

Don't hesitate to call/email me anytime if you have any questions at all about real estate in this area!

We've been busy, don't miss out if you are in the market to buy!!!

Thanks

Mary

850-896-5222

www.maryblackburn.com

Happy Mother's Day from Mexico Beach Florida

I pray everybody honored their mothers yesterday and hope all you mom's out there had a great day!
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We've had another gorgeous week of weather although still a little too windy for me to go fishing!

The kings and spanish are here though. I spoke to a friend who loaded up on kings at the buoy line!
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As for the action in the real estate market this last week:
Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach Sales:

• Newer, never lived in, 3bd/2bath townhouse about 1 mile from the beach sold for $137,000.
• Older mobile home in good condition just 2 blocks from the beach, 2bd/2bth for $110,000

I think both were excellent deals!!!!!

Only one property was officially placed under contract last week.

• Three bed/2 bath townhouse in the coveted Gulf Aire subdivision. Easy walk to the beach, good condition. Listed at $229,000. This is a short sale, so you can always put in another offer if interested!!!

I know of several offers being negotiated at the beach as we speak though.

We have really been busy!!! Alot of actual buyers putting escrow money down and making reasonable offers. Deals are being made!!!!

Port St. Joe

• No closings in the last week
• One single family 3bd/2bath older concrete block home put under contract. Listed at $119,000

Cape San Blas

• One closing: A bank owned house with 3,400 sq ft. Short walk to the beach. Sold at $545,000
• One Gulf Front, bank owned property was put under contract. Listed at $449,900. This house was under construction when foreclosed upon so it needed to be finished out.

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There is ANOTHER auction coming up in Mexico Beach.

I'm sure you can tell I'm not a huge fan of auctions. The buyer has to add a 10% buyers premium on top of their winning bid. The seller has to pay some up front fees to even have the auction. I just think that a seller would be able to actually make more money if they just put it with a Realtor at a reasonable market value. Buyers, as we have seen, are at auctions to get a great deal. The last several auctions we've seen here have not been all that successful!

However, June 6th is the day. The properties that are being auctioned are:

• 2 gulf front homes
• A 5.5 acre parcel with a 2,664 sq ft colonial type home just a short walk to the beach.
• A 3 bed/1.5 bath home just 1/2 block from the water. With a guest cottage as well.
• A vacant lot beach side.
• A vacant lot 1/2 block from the water---sold at absolute!
• A commercial building on Hwy 98

If you want more information, let me know and I'll send you all the details!!!!

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I will have my newsletter out this week. I apologize for being late but I'VE BEEN BUSY!!!

Please don't hesitate to call/email me with any questions about the real estate market here in Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas.

Have a great week!

Mary

www.maryblackburn.com

What a great weekend in Mexico Beach, Florida!

We have had a gorgeous week and weekend! I did finally have to turn my AC on though because its getting up in the low 80's now!!!

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Just a quick fishing report............the spanish and king mackeral are here! It's been pretty windy and the water is stirred up but you can definitely catch something out there!!!

Snapper season is starting June 1st and is very short this year, so if you plan on chartering a trip, you better book it now!!!
www.charterboat-missmary.com

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The Tranquil Harbor Auction has been the hot topic this weekend! Tranquil Harbor is a 36 unit condo complex on the canal in Mexico Beach. Each unit has a boat slip. They are right on the boat launch and are just one block from the water.

The complex is bank owned with the exception of one individually owned unit-----he paid around $450,000 for his 2 bedroom unit.

The auction company advertised 10 units being sold REGARDLESS OF PRICE.

A 4 bedroom unit sold at $210,000 (+10% buyers premium--which is the auction company's fee).
A 3 bedroom unit sold at $185,000 (+10% buyers premium)
A 2 bedroom unit sold at $175,000 ( + 10%). They offered anyone else one at that price and somebody took that offer. So two 2 bedrooms sold at $175,000
They then auctioned off another 2 bedroom and only got $160,000.

THEY THEN SAID THEY WOULDN'T AUCTION THE REST!!!

They had a clause in their advertisements that they had a right to add or delete units. So, they exercised that option.
They auctioned off 5 of the 10 units and called it quits.

I think all buyers got great deals!!!!!
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As for other real estate business.

Mexico Beach to St. Joe Beach:
Three residential properties put under contract since last Monday.

• A small mobile home in Mexico Beach, a couple blocks from the beach. Listed at $99,950
• A good size home in the first block of St. Joe Beach--a REAL fixer upper, listed at $199,900
• A smaller home in good condition with a beautiful large pool, several blocks back from the beach in St. Joe Beach. Listed at $299,950

This makes 17 residential properties put under contract in the last 35 days!!!

Cape San Blas:

• One townhouse went under contract listed a $449,900
• A larger gulf front home sold for $825,000.

This makes 7 properties put under contract on the cape in the last 35 days.

Port St. Joe

• Three single family homes were put under contract in the last week.
• One listed at 129,900 (short sale)
• One listed at $119,000
• One listed at $159,000 (short sale)
• A Gulf Front condo under contract listed at $225,000 (bank owned)

This makes 6 residential properties put under contract in the last 35 days.

DEFINITELY A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE MARKET!!!!!

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Please don't hesitate to call me with any questions about any real estate in the area!

www.maryblackburn.com

And remember: " The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything."

Mary

850-896-5222