Memorial Day at Mexico Beach

WOW what a weekend!    This had to be the busiest weekend on record for Mexico Beach!!
It's always great to see homes that are usually vacant occupied with families enjoying the gorgeous weather we had!!!     The picture below says it all!!!      Of course, please realize, this is ATYPICAL!  It is only this crowded because its Memorial Day...the only other weekend it will be this crazy is 4th of July!!!

And speaking of the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces.....

THE EVENT COMMITTEE of the  FORGOTTEN COAST WARRIOR WEEKEND
on behalf of Port St. Joe and the surrounding communities will host 20 (Twenty) wounded Warriors
and their companions from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars the weekend of May 3...0 thru June 2. We will honor them with a PATRIOTIC BANQUET, A FISHING TOURNAMENT EVENT , LOTS OF FUN AND A GRAND PARADE/Motorcade.

THE GRAND PARADE WILL BEGIN AT 5: 30 P.M. on Thursday May 31 from WINDMARK BEACH where they will be staying and end at the Centennial Bldg where they will be honored and enjoy a patriotic banquet.

THE EVENT COMMITTEE WANTS TO URGE OUR COMMUNITY TO LINE THE PARADE ROUTE, WAVE AMERICAN FLAGS AND GIVE THESE WARRIORS, WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR US A RESOUNDING PORT ST. JOE WELCOME.

 

The City of Mexico Beach has, within the last few years,  done some great things for the town.....#1. The sidewalks!     It's so great to see the strollers, runners, walkers, bikers up and down the sidewalks starting early in the morning all day long until after the sunsets!!!    #2.  Golf carts...we are a golf cart friendly area and more and more people are taking advantage of this fun transportation mode!    It makes it so much easier for people several blocks back to haul all the kids and beach paraphernailia to the beach without having to get in the car!    It's become a form of entertainment around here!  It's a lot easier to stop and talk to somebody in their yard or riding on their bike, or taking a walk when you are in a golf cart than if you are in a car....so its also become a social thing!!!!

Memorial weekend is typically not a big weekend for real estate.  Families are too busy having fun!    Of course, we all showed property and a few offers thrown out and even a few accepted.  I'll update you later on those!

Suffice it to say.....inventory is still low......if you are serious about buying this year.....don't hesitate too long........I think we are at the bottom of the market and we just don't have a lot to choose from!

Interest rates are ridiculously low!!!!      Just make sure you have 20% to put down if you are buying a 2nd home/investment!

Snapper season starts June 1!!!!    I know Chip's calendar is filling up so if you want to catch some snapper this year...you better call and schedule it!!!    The season is only about 40 days long...limit of 2 per person.  But they are PLENTIFUL AND LARGE!!!!

www.charterboat-missmary.com 

850-527-6272

The MBARA Kingfish Tournament is August 25, as it is every year!!!!     It's a great fishing tournament and this year we are excited to have the Captain's party at the Beacon Hill Park!!!   Lots of room for even more folks!!!

The T-Shirts are out and the tournament book is out!!!    Below is our Sundance Realty Ad---As you can see......we take our jobs VERY seriously!

We have the tournament books in our office....stop by and get one!!!

Have a blessed week!

Don't hesitate to call me if you are interested in buying or selling!!!

Remember....I can help you with ANY property!!

Mary

850-896-5222

A Memorial Day Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
 Please hold our servicemen and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and your presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.
We also remember the families of our troops. We ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes, and we pray your peace, provision, and strength will fill their lives.
May the members of our armed forces be supplied with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Absolute Condo Auction at Paradise Shores

Paradise Shores had an absolute auction of 14 condos Saturday in Mexico Beach.
This complex is across the street from the beach and directly across from Toucan's Restaurant.

Very nice units, spacious, all have a water view albeit some better than others!

The auction was well attended!!!     High bidders had their choice of any of the 28 units owned by the seller.  Below is the list of units SOLD at auction.    All winning bids had to add 10% to the purchase price.  
The prices below have that 10% already added in.

#200  3BR/3BA  $220,000
#408  3BR/3BA $214,500
#405 (furn) 2BR/2BA $214,500
#206 (furn) 2BR/2BA $187,000
#308  3BR/3BA $181,500
#406  2BR/2BA $181,500
#306  2BR/2BA $168,300
#301  2BR/2BA $168,300
#309  2BR/2BA $168,300
#401  2BR/2BA $162,800
#402  2BR/2BA $162,800

Bids were also taken BEFORE the auction and 3 units below were sold PRIOR TO AUCTION.

#211  3BR/3BA $245,000
#203  3BR/3BA $215,000
#210  2BR/2BA $195,000

The RE Market is HOT in Mexico Beach

As typical, I met several people this week who have come to Mexico Beach recently and just fallen in love with the area!   You really can't help it!!   We are a unique area!   Gorgeous white sand beaches, blue green water, no high rises...no super sizing in Mexico Beach!   

This is the perfect place to escape the hustle bustle of everyday life----or at least the every day of life of people who don't live HERE!

We've had an exceptional year in real estate thus far and the only thing slowing us down is our slim inventory!!    

Click here to see the properties put under contract since my blog last week.
Properties put under contract in the last week.   In Mexico Beach to St. Joe Beach.

Cape san Blas had a little slower week with only Five properties put under contract last week.
Click here to see them!

Port St. Joe had a fantastic week with Seven properties going under contract in the last week.
Click here to see.

As for closings...........ELEVEN closings in Mexico Beach since last Thursday!   Click here.
The best deal was a move in ready house beach side of Hwy 98.  Sold for $235,000.

Twelve closings between Port St. Joe and The Cape.....the majority of them are vacant lots.  Vacant lots have taken the largest decrease in value and its now a great time to buy a lot and build that custom house!!!!

Click here to see the closings in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas

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Here is a new listing in the beaches area.....2bed/2bath townhouse a little over a mile to the beach.

It's a short sale for $99,900!     Let me know if you are interested!!!

Here is another newer listing....GULF FRONT!

Older, 2 bed/2bath asking $259,900

The Paradise Shores Auction is this Saturday----should be interesting!    I'll blog on the outcome Monday!!!

If you are interested in buying or selling.....I'D LOVE TO HELP YOU!!!

Mary Blackburn

850-896-5222

www.maryblackburn.com

Sundance Realty

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Below is a song I've just recently fallen in love with.   Hope it blesses you!



Super Moon in Mexico Beach

The super moon in Mexico Beach.   (photo by Bill Fauth)
Absolutely gorgeous!!

Our weather has been fantastic...still coolish in the morning and evenings and wonderfully warm, even hot in the middle of the day!!   

We just had a little flurry of activity in the beaches area!   See the link below to see what's been going on!!    
Real Estate Activity in Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach

Buyers definitely feel this is the bottom of the market and while interest rates are still so low......they are eager to buy!     

This is going to be short and sweet!

I'm actually on vacation this week.....all my sisters (6 of them) have flown down here to Florida.....so it's "sister" week and it is WONDERFUL!!!  

I'll elaborate more next week!!!
Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
sundance realty

Nationwide Inventory is Decreasing

Below is an article that confirms there is a change in the market!!!!!     We have been experiencing these 'bidding wars' on quite a few properties within the last year.   Properties priced aggressively often have multiple bids within a few days of listing!!!!

The supply in Mexico Beach to St. Joe Beach is low and we are all searching for properties to sell!!!
We've got the buyers!!!     Sellers who are serious about selling this year......YOUR PROPERTY WILL SELL THIS YEAR......it's all about.....LOCATION, CONDITION, PRICE! 
If you have a property you'd like to get rid of this year...call me!   Mary 850-896-5222



Bidding wars catch buyers off guard

SEATTLE – May 1, 2012 – Homebuyers are unexpectedly finding more competition this spring in landing their dream home. Bidding wars are increasingly being reported in markets across the country, from California to Florida, The Wall Street Journal reports.

“It’s a little surprising because we thought bidding wars were done with,” Andy Aley, a home shopper in Seattle said. Aley says he was outbid on a home earlier this year, even though he offered to pay $23,000 above the listing price and also waive inspections and other closing conditions.

Homebuyers are frustrated and caught off-guard about the bidding wars re-emerging, real estate professionals report.

“We’re writing a record number of offers, but we’re not seeing a record number of closings and that’s because it’s so competitive,” Glenn Kelman, chief executive of Redfin Corp., told The Wall Street Journal.

Why are things getting so competitive? Many housing markets are seeing a drastic decrease in the number of homes listed for sale, leaving homebuyers with fewer options and more bidding on the same house. Housing analysts say the shortage in supply is from sellers unwilling to take much less for their home than what they originally paid for it and pulling homes off the market. Also, a surge in investors who snatch up homes in bulk in all-cash deals has made the market competitive.

“The bidding wars caused by tight inventory provide the latest evidence that housing demand is starting to pick up after a six-year-long slump,” The Wall Street Journal reports.

National Association of Realtors® latest pending sales report seems to confirm the trend. Pending sales in March reached their highest level in nearly two years and are up 12.8 percent from one year earlier.

Source: “Stunned Home Buyers Find the Bidding Wars Are Back,” The Wall Street Journal (April 27, 2012)

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