Foreclosures and Short sales Mexico Beach Florida

Okay, we are back to high 50's and 60's in the day and "plummeting" to the 40's at night. 

While the 50's  is still pretty chilly to us and 40's  is FREEZING, it certainly is better than the 30's and 20's in my hometown of Erie, Pa.
Or the 20's and TEENS in Michigan!!!

I even saw a lady sunbathing over the weekend!!
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There are currently 21 residential properties that are either short sales or bank owned properties in the beaches area of Mexico Beach to St. Joe Beach.
Short sales/foreclosures

Out of the 25 residential properties under contract, 16 of them are short sales or foreclosures.   Definitely these are dictating the pricing in the market right now!!
Short sales/foreclosures under contract.

The banks are FINALLY getting it!     In the last few weeks, the banks have lowered the prices on their homes to numbers that are drawing multiple offers!!

For the first time in several years, we are once again experiencing bidding wars!  The properties below were only listed for a few days (one was listed for an entire month )before multiple offers were in and bidding wars on!
Click here: 
Click here:  These homes were listed in Bay County's MLS but are properties in Mexico Beach.

The banks are negotiating but not much!  They don't have to, they have them priced right!
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As I send out my "deals and steals" newsletters or my daily listings of good deals, if you see something you are interested in that is at a price you believe is a great deal or even a reasonable price, don't delay!
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My January events calendar was a little bare--not a lot going on in the area right after the holidays.  I am in the process of udating events for February and March so don't forget to check it out. 
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Have a good week and don't hesitate to call or email me anytime!!

Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
Sundance Realty
Mexico Beach Fl Real Estate on Facebook

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Posted via email from Mary Blackburn in Mexico Beach, FL

Sunny weather in Mexico Beach Florida!

Wow, what a week!    We have finally warmed up to 50's-60's and it was great to see everybody back walking on the beach!
It was not the prettiest weekend though---it rained literally ALL DAY Saturday and was extremely windy Sunday. 
Gorgeous today though!!!!
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In the real estate world 4 properties went under contract in the last week:

• Nice mobile home on the canal in Mexico Beach listed at $130,000
• Summerhouse Condo across the street from the beach, awesome views, top floor, 3 bedroom unit listed at $225,000 as a short sale.
• A 1954 single family home one lot back from being gulf front, 1100+ sq ft, no updating, listed at $299,000
• 75 X 150 lot in the 2nd blk from the beach listed at $65,000

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I'm going to send out another "DEALS AND STEALS" newsletter this week.  There are some great deals out there and what's even better are the interest rates!!!

30 yr Fixed                                   FHA/VA- 30yr Fixed                                 30 yr JUMBO

 5.0% - 5.25%                                   5.0% -5.25%                                              5.625%- 6.0%              

15 yr Fixed                                     Interest Only ARM - Jumbo                                 Condos 

 4.375% - 4.625%                                    5.125%-5.375%                                   5.125%- 6.5%

Lots of incentives to buy now:  low interest rates, tax credits, reduced prices................

Don't forget the repeat buyer tax credit of $6500.  You must be buying a primary home though, but there are a lot of folks who just needed a little incentive to downsize, or upgrade, or move to the surf, sun, and sand!!!

Let me know if you'd like more information.  The tax credits are only good through April!
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The cold weather certainly took a toll on the sea turtles.  Check out the link below and the picture as well.  I heard the final number was around 1600 sea turtles that they picked up stunned by the cold in St. Joe Bay.    Thanks to all the locals who braved the cold to save these turtles!!

http://www.starfl.com/news/lin-19988-count-stunned.html

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Get ready for the Gumbo Contest in February!   They are adding Brunswick stew as a category and I love Brunswick stew!!
If you want to enter, send me an email and I'll send you the entry form!

Always a good reason to spend a weekend here at the beach!!
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Have a great week!
Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
Sundance Realty

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Posted via email from Mary Blackburn in Mexico Beach, FL

2010 So Far in Mexico Beach Florida

Well, we humans have survived sub-freezing temps for the last week!    It was touch and go though---we are just not used to being COLD.

I believe many of my plants were not so lucky, even though I covered them with towels and blankets.   I've heard people talk of lizards frozen in their tracks, colored black instead of their normal green.  And I've attached digital proof of hundreds of stunned mullet in the canal.

There's just no reason to let perfectly good (albeit chilly) mullet go to waste.  So several folks about town scooped up several hundred and are, as we speak, smoking mullet!!   

I've also heard there have been "stunned" turtles beaching themselves along the cape, a rescue effort is underway.

I've also attached the 10 day forecast to show the hope we hold we will be back to normal temps this week.

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On the real estate front:

Nine properties were put under contract since January 1. 

• Three residential SHORT SALES:  3bd/2 bath townhouse 1 mile from the beach, listed at $125,000,  3/2 small single family home a couple blocks from the water listed at $159,900, New 3 bd/3 bath condo one block from the water listed at $177,500
• One bank owned house across from dedicated beach listed at $289,000.  3 bed/1.5 bath--value is in the location.
• 3 bd/2.5 bath octagon home in an established subdivision--gulf view, very short walk to private beach.  Listed at $299,000.  
  
• Very small but recently renovated home about 3 miles from the beach on 1+ acres listed at $122,900.
• 4 vacant lots, 2 are short sales:  50 X 100 ft lot in Beacon Hill listed at $55K, Gulf view lot 47 X 170 ft listed at $89,900,   4 acres in Beacon Hill listed at $250K and a 75 X 150 ft lot in the 2nd block to the beach, listed at $65K.

Only one closing so far in January:

• Bank owned triplex in need of LOTS OF REPAIR AND RENOVATION!    Fantastic gulf view though!!!   Sold for $265,000.
  

Click here to see pictures and information.

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This is typically the slow season in real estate.  I am encouraged by the number of buyers looking though.   What is really encouraging is that when properties are priced right we are getting multiple bids!!    I believe that means we are pretty much at the bottom of the market.   If you are looking to buy to hang on to for a while, then even if values go down just a little bit more, you are still buying at the low end of the market and can look to typical appreciation for the next 10 years. 

Therefore if you are considering making an offer on a property that is priced right ( your Realtor can tell you!) you probably need to make your initial offer your best one!
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February 13 is our annual Gumbo Cook Off.   This is one of our largest events in Mexico Beach.   If you think you make a good gumbo, then come on down and enter.   It gets bigger and better ever year!    Let me know if you are interested and I'll get you an application!   It will be fun!
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I just sent out my January newsletter, giving stats for 2009.  If you didn't get it and you are on my email database, let me know and I'll send it another way.

Please don't hesitate to call me anytime if you have any questions about any kind of real estate matter.

Have a great week
Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
Sundance Realty

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Mary Blackburn in Mexico Beach, FL

Happy 2010

Wow, 2010 is making an unbelievably brutal entry!  

Nighttime temperatures BELOW 30 degrees!  We've had an occasional 29-30 degrees overnight throughout the years, however, I don't ever recall it being that low for several nights in a row.  These overnight temps are predicted for the rest of the week.    I'm not liking it either!

Of course, I could be in Michigan or Colorado.  Or I could be in Erie, Pennsylvania where their HIGH for the day is lower than our LOW for the night!   I believe I'd die!

I've attached a graph of the average temps for Mexico Beach, not to make anybody feel any worse but........
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On the real estate front..........

First of all, I'd like to thank all my customers who helped my have another successful year!  I have been graciously blessed and have actually sold twice as much as in 2008!    Many Realtors have had to take other jobs to support their families, many have had to quit real estate altogether, some have even had to move from the area.  I feel very fortunate to be able to make a good living doing something I love!   So, a big shout out to all my customers!!!!

It has been extremely busy since Christmas.   Lots of lookers, many contracts being written and negotiated!!!   I keep spouting the same mantra but....low prices = more sales!     Low prices + low interest rates + motivated buyers + large inventory = EXCEPTIONAL TIME TO BUY!

We are basically back to 2001-2002 pricing.  

I am sending out my monthly newsletter Tuesday (tomorrow) morning.  I give brief overview of the real estate for Mexico Beach, St. Joe Beach, Windmark Beach for the entire year.   If you are not on my database for the newsletter, just simply email me a request and I'll get it to you!
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Not a lot of events going on in the area for January.  Guess we are all just keeping warm!
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We do have a new restaurant open in Mexico Beach though.   Foodies opened January 1.  They are located on 40th Street, beach side.

Opening Hours - Will Change during season

Sunday 7am-2p.m. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Monday Closed

Tuesday 6am-2p.m. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Wednesday 6a.m.-2p.m. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Thursday 6a.m.-9p.m. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Friday 6a.m.-9p.m. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Saturday 6a.m.-9p.m. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

 They will be serving breakfast and daily hot meal special consisting of an entree, two sides and bread for lunch at $5.99, dinner for $8.99up. Examples of daily specials include fried chicken, rotisserie or baked chicken, homemade meatloaf, pastas, Jerry's wonderful homemade macaroni and cheese, real mashed potatoes, rice and gravy, vegetables and vegetable casseroles. Other daily features include handbreaded chicken tenders, delicious wings with a variety of sauce choices, fresh (not frozen) hamburgers, sub and sandwich station, and great salads.
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On the fishing front............................
Don't forget to keep up with www.unitedwefish.blogspot.com
We are marching on Washington February 24th to show Washington, we just aren't going to take this sitting down!   If they shut down the fishing here, as they did on the east coast----we are ALL  affected.   If you don't fish, I'll bet you know someone who does.   Or I'll bet you know someone who has a boat, or someone who likes to eat seafood.......
We need to get as many people to participate in this march on Washington as possible. 
We are trying to get several bus loads from the panhandle, so let me know if interested!!!
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Have a wonderful week and don't forget......."Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer" (Ed Cole)

Don't hesitate to contact me anytime with any questions about real estate in the beaches area!
Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
Mexico Beach Fl Real Estate on Facebook

Posted via email from Mary Blackburn in Mexico Beach, FL