Monday, March 27, 2006

Get Ready For Hurricane Season

Well it is almost April, which means it's Easter soon. However, it's almost hurricane season too! For those who don't know, hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 31st. 2005 had an active start to the season... and an active middle and end too. Phew, here we go again. So we have 2 months before June comes around, which means we all need to be smart and start thinking about preparations and hurricane awareness. Get flood insurance; even if your policies don't require it. You may not be in a flood zone right now but the lines keep changing and next year you may need it. Flood insurance is relatively cheap too. Stock up on batteries, flash lights and closer to June load up with water and canned goods. Trim overhanging branches away away from the home, which may pull down your power lines. There is a list of necessities but I will post that later. Common sense. Get some of that!! Good luck y'all.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Florida's Battered Beaches

Our battered beaches Storms threaten to wash away a coastline and an economy built on sand.
How about Navarre Beach? It's flat!

Daily News from Northwest Florida

Santa Rosa Property Taxes

According to Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser Greg Brown, the taxable property in the south represents 60 percent of the $6.6 billion worth of taxable property in the county. (read here)

Monday, March 20, 2006

Large Condo Planned For Milton, FL

Carmen Paige @ PensacolaNewsJournal. March 18th

The Blackwater River is the main attraction for a proposed 5½-story condominium complex just outside Milton that would become the tallest building in the city. Atlanta-based Core Development wants to build the 122-unit Granary Exchange Condominiums along the riverfront at the site of a former grain elevator at Henry Street and Taylor Road. Construction details and prices have not yet been finalized, but accompanying boat slips are key, said Richard Bell, a representative for the developers."We are looking at Milton because of the availability of waterfront," he said. "This property is beautiful."

Gulf Coast Condo Cruise Ships

RISMEDIA, Jan.16 — Pensacola native Mark Boyd had been a consultant to a number of Gulf Coast condo real estate developers when he realized that it wouldn't be long before there was no more prime waterfront property available anywhere in the state.

Plenty right here on Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze but I thought this was an exciting new project. Read HERE

Housing Market in NW FLorida

RISMEDIA, Sept. 19, 2005 — (KRT) — Over the past year, home sales along Florida’s Emerald Coast have declined from their 2003-04 torrid pace, according to Metro Market Trends, a Pensacola-based real estate sales analyst. But don't tell Ben Anderson the bubble has burst. "That's not an appropriate term," said the president of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors. "The market is rightsizing. "There's so much made about the bubble," he said. "People focus only on the bubble, like it bursts. It's really more like the air is slowly leaking. It will get back to normal size and the risk of bursting is lessened. "The market that we've had in '03, '04 and into '05 has been extraordinary," he said. "It could not sustain itself forever."
Read the article here..Housing Market Slows But Still Sizzles

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Pensacola News Journal Reports On Post Ivan Housing

Flooded Market - Dried Up Dreams by Lesley Conn, Pensacola News Journal. 3/19/2006

"Welcome to the housing glut. Last week, the Pensacola Association of Realtors listed 5,642 properties for sale -- a five-year high and nearly four times more than the 1,487 homes listed in March 2005.As surplus has mushroomed, selling prices slowly are beginning to drop, witnessed by the many "Reduced" signs that are being added to the "For Sale" signs throughout the two-county area."

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Panhandle Florida Having Tougher Hurricane Building Codes.

TALLAHASSEE -- An end to the Panhandle's exemption from Florida's full hurricane building code passed its first political test Tuesday, getting past its first Senate committee. If approved by the full Legislature, it would require new homes throughout the Panhandle to meet the same standards against hurricane winds and blowing debris as the rest of the state. Opponents say it unnecessarily raises the price of construction in a region that has natural protections against the full force of storm winds. "They're in the corral," declared Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, upon winning a unanimous vote before the Senate Committee on Community Affairs. Largely because of state Sen. Charlie Clary, R-Destin, state law exempts Panhandle builders from state codes that require wind-borne debris protection on doors and windows in high-wind areas beyond a mile from the coast. Constantine's bill to lift the exemption has Gov. Jeb Bush's support, who contends it makes no sense to allow any part of the hurricane-prone state to build to lesser standards. Clary defended the Panhandle as a special case with "a distinct contour and elevation." At the Senate committee meeting, he offered a handwritten amendment asking that any imposition of the code be delayed six months, at least until May 31, 2007. "It will give builders time to be educated," he said. The delay would be a disappointment for Florida's Secretary of Community Affairs Thaddeus Cohen. He said Tuesday he will continue to fight for speedy implementation of the code. But Constantine marked the vote as a victory against the Florida Home Builders Association, which has lobbied fiercely to keep the exemption. The trade group contends that impact-resistant glass and other features would make homes too expensive in the Panhandle. "At least we know it will be done with some certainty by the 2007 hurricane season," Constantine said. "I think it's inevitable. I think they've come to that conclusion and they will no longer fight it. Now it is just a matter of when."Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, offers a House bill that would allow the Florida Building Commission to custom craft high-wind lines for the Panhandle, rather than use national standards. That would pave the way for the home builders to use a computer study to lobby the building commission to determine where hurricane shutters are mandatory. The home builders say laboratory research will show that trees and sloping land in the Panhandle sufficiently weaken hurricane winds and lessen damage. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 proved Panhandle homes are not immune to wind-borne debris damage, a federal study of the storm concluded. Florida's statewide building code is a model for other hurricane-prone states, said Jeff Burton with the insurance-funded Institute for Business and Home Safety. But he said: "We have our little area (where) it is not the gold standard. The homes built in the Panhandle are the weakest statewide."

Paige St. John
News Journal Capital Bureau
Article in The Pensacola News Journal, March 15, 2006

St. Patrick's Day

I may be English but this week we are all Irish? No pinching ;)

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Top Things To Know About Buying a Home

Top things to know about buying a home. Shape up your credit and determine your affordability range before starting the hunt.

MONEY 101: In Lesson 8 find out how much you can afford, learn from the real estate glossary and also take a test.

Go to the real estate section of CNN.money.com

They recommend buying a home in the winter when there is a reduced demand. Over the holidays is also a good time. During the winter though the appearance of the landscaping may land you a better deal.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

The Marketplace at Tiger Point coming this summer

Woohoo, a new restaurant coming: Moe's Southwest Grill. Plus an 8000 sq ft Boater's World. Just west of Walmart and Lowes in Gulf Breeze; inbetween Tiger Point and Sterling Point. WOW!!! Read the full story here...

Tiger Point HOA Say "Clean Up"

The Tiger Point Village Homeowners Association (TPVHA) wants to clamp down on hurricane debris and abandoned homes. In the March 2006 edition of the Tiger Point Village Homeowners Newsletter, the association urged residents to "comply with the covenants in regard to their property or face legal action." Read here..

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Housing Boom Cools in the Pensacola Area

Published - March, 7, 2006
Housing boom cools
No 'gloom or doom' expected in area

Carlton Proctor @PensacolaNewsJournal.com

The national housing boom may be grinding to a halt, but a collapse in sales and prices is not a serious threat to Pensacola Bay Area market, according to some local Realtors. In the last week, the Commerce Department reported that January sales of new single-family homes fell 5 percent -- the fourth decline in seven months -- and the backlog of unsold new homes hit a record. And the National Association of Realtors said used home sales slipped 2.8 percent in January, the fourth straight drop and 5 percent below January 2005. That prompted some who track the industry to declare that the five-year housing boom was over.

Auby Smith, president of the Pensacola Association of Realtors, said the local housing market is definitely showing signs of leveling off after a red-hot run following Hurricane Ivan. But Smith sees no indications that the housing bubble is about to burst.

"I would like to think we're having a leveling off in the Pensacola market," Smith said. "But I see no indication that there is any gloom and doom here or for the state of Florida." Smith said his latest data from the National Association of Realtors show sales are down 5 percent throughout the country, but sales are up 2 percent in the Sunbelt states. Locally, February 2006 sales are down slightly over the same period last year. Smith said there were 489 sales of residential homes in February last year, compared to 409 sales last month. One significant change that could impact the market is the number of homes for sale on the Multiple Listing Service for the Pensacola Bay Area. In February 2005, six months after Hurricane Ivan, there were 1,355 homes for sale in the MLS two-county area. In February of this year, that number had soared to 5,155.

Despite the spike in MLS numbers, Nan Harper, past president of the Association of Realtors, said the national predictions are "unnecessarily dire." She said in the Pensacola area, the market for homes $300,000 and below is "very, very active."

The local slowdown in sales is more of a "blip" in the market and not a "bust," she said. Moreover, the high number of homes on the MLS is due, in part, to overpriced waterfront homes not selling and the battles many homeowners are having with their insurance companies. Looking ahead, Smith said the residential housing market in Florida is strong and getting stronger because robust population growth is expected to boost the state's census to more than 20 million in 2010. One area of the local market that is experiencing a noticeable slowdown, said Smith, is the condominium market. "The higher end condo market may be a little overbuilt," he said.

New Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last month housing would enter a moderate slowdown but not a crash.

William Mack, a housing analyst for Standard & Poor's, predicted "a soft landing. The overall market is just taking a step back."

Explanations for the recent cooling off vary. Many people bought homes during the past five years and are staying put. Some analysts blame a decline in consumer confidence. And interest rates have been rising, especially for adjustable mortgages that allowed people to buy more expensive homes than they could have afforded with a 30-year loan.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Gulf Breeze News

Gulf Breeze News

Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce

Relocating to Gulf Breeze? Check here

Area statistics and demographics, history, education. All you need to know about Gulf Breeze.

Fla. Assoc. of Realtors offer scholarship money

For the 6th year, the Florida Association of Realtors is sponsoring its Scholarship/Essay Contest for High School Seniors. This allows individual students the opportunity to win up to $6,500 in scholarships. Aaron Shoemaker, a Gulf Breeze High graduate, won the award last year. Read here in the Gulf Breeze News Community Newspaper

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Lowes Moving Program

Moving or selling? Here's the ticket: Log onto Lowes Moving to get helpful hints and tips to make your move easier and smoother. It has a moving day checklist and tips on packing. Plus tips on calculating flooring, paint, wallpaper, and how to install blinds etc, etc. All you need to know for the big day. Also advise on how to make a home more child friendly and also energy efficient. Plus how to get a home inspection. Make sure there are no "deal killers". Once you have a contract on your home the closing day comes up really quickly and it's usually within 30 days. You need to be organised and ready. If you have your home on the market right now then start thinking about packing up and possibly putting things into storage. A cluttered home and even more untidy garage is not attractive to buyers. They can change their minds in a heartbeat if a home looks overcrowded. Rooms look bigger if you clear things away. Sign up for savings and get a 10% coupon.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Garcon Point Bridge




For all of the Brits out there, this was Boxing Day 2005. December 26th to everyone else. It was an absolutely beautiful day; sunny but cool though. No wind at all. My husband and I were fishing on our johnboat under the Garcon Point Bridge. Mr. Funke calls it our playground. I call it our grocery store. We caught a redfish that day and ate it for dinner. What an awesome day and an awesome view looking towards Gulf Breeze. Wow I love it here!

Here's another photo looking towards Milton. Where is everybody?

I actually have more shots of us fishing, but that's for another time eh!

Tips For Selling in a Buyers Market

Right now it is a buyers market in our area of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola:- There is more inventory for sale than there are buyers. However, it is not a bad time to put your home on the market. On the contrary. You just need to be smart about how it is presented and marketed. I enjoyed this article that I found on www.bankrate.com because it gives helpful tips to sellers to prepare their homes for sale. Tips on how to prepare yourself mentally and how to get ready for picky buyers. Also how to improve 'curb appeal'.

Quote: "Home sellers take note: Buyers are gaining more leverage" Holden Lewis.

Tips for selling a home in a buyers market.

My advise is to hire an experienced Real Estate Agent to list your home. Someone who can work hard for you every day. Going FSBO is okay but right now due to the large number of homes on the market there is so much competition. An agent can professionally market your home to a wider audience and have access to clients and investors who they can contact. There is more to selling your home than putting a sign out in the yard. Advertising in newspapers is good but internet is the key. Pricing your home correctly is also one of the most important points. Overpricing your home will cause it to sit on the market doing nothing. Therefore, it won't sell. Buyers are smart, they can get a CMA too.

At Coldwell Banker JME Realty we have a booklet that we give to our customers on how to get their homes ready to sell. Most of it is common sense: pull weeds, trim bushes, fresh paint. But some advise suggests moving furniture to open up spaces; take down personal items so that they don't distract buyers. etc etc. Title companies assure us that homes are selling. Buyers are out there buying homes every day. As a motivated seller in a buyers market, make sure that it is you that has the upper hand.

Say Goodbye To Blue Roofs - Paradise Is For Sale

Since Hurricane Ivan and Dennis struck the coast of Northwest Florida in 2004 and 2005 residents have had a long hard struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives. All along the Gulf Coast of Florida homes were destroyed and lives devastated. And that’s not to mention the damage that Hurricane Katrina and Rita did to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama: But that’s another story. Here in Florida many homeowners have had to wait a long time to even start rebuilding due to insurance companies taking so long to assess the damage and agree on compensation. Some are still waiting! But residents have more or less said goodbye to the FEMA blue roofs that we became so familiar with, and are finally saying hello to new construction and a brand new look to their coastal communities. Some residents were forced to tear down their homes, which were too damaged for repairs to be even considered. The only option was to rebuild and start from scratch or sell the lot and move off the beach. So now many vacant lots right on the water are available and ready for new buyers to come and build brand new homes. Once called Florida’s best-kept secret, Pensacola is making headlines and finally the “cat’s out of the bag”. Hurricanes or no hurricanes, people are buying up whatever is available so that they can have a little piece of paradise. Waterfront property is now in big demand all along the Gulf Coast. Since September of 2004 house prices shot up anywhere from 15% to 30%. At first prices increased approximately 3% month but now in 2006 prices are actually coming down. Is the bubble bursting? (Google that because there are conficting reports as to where it is or isn't bursting. I will keep you posted) The market is now flooded (for want of a better word) with homes fixed up and back on the market and vacant land ready for new construction. It’s a BUYERS MARKET! Buyers have tons of choices. According to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), favorable mortgage rates, a growing economy and an improving job market boosted Florida's housing market to a strong start in 2005 with a 10 percent increase in single-family existing home sales in January. The Pensacola Association of Realtors reported that listings were on the market for approx. 70 days. However, right after Hurricane Ivan if a house was priced right then they were snapped up within days - often within hours. Many residents put their homes up for sale and were shocked to get offers and be signing contracts before lunchtime. Buyers were also shocked that when they saw the perfect home that they were pushed into making quick snap decisions. Sellers had multiple contracts to consider. Buyers didn’t have the luxury of going home to talk to the family and sleep on it. You saw it, you liked it, and you bought it!

It is now March 2006 and we are fast approaching another busy summer season. So why do people want to live here so close to the Gulf? Is it the sparkling emerald green water, or the smooth white sand that crunches and squeaks as you walk on it? People are mesmerized by its allure and are transfixed by its awesome beauty. So for those people thinking about a dream home close to the beach, don’t wait too long. It is time to invest in paradise. For snowbirds looking for a retirement home, military personnel relocating, or out of state workers settling here due to booming job prospects, you deserve a piece of paradise too. Prices may have gone up but they are also leveling off. Some over-priced homes are finally coming down too. Come make an offer. Come visit and see the reconstruction and the rebuilding of our area. No hurricane can stop that. We are coming back with full force!

At http://www.meganfunke.com/ visitors can get access to the Pensacola / Gulf Breeze MLS to search for available properties for sale. My website offers a variety of helpful tools including mortgage calculators, reports for buyers and sellers, links to local services, and a very helpful home notification service. By linking to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) you can quickly view a large database of available homes, condos and vacant lots for sale throughout the Gulf Coast and even personalize your search to fit your specific needs.

Funke Town

"Won't you take me to Funke-Town?"

Where's that? Gulf Breeze of course!

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Megan Funke, Real Estate Agent

Megan Funke, Realtor
Coldwell Banker JME Realty
3688 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Tel: 850-723-8801 cell
Tel: 850-932-1000 office
Tel: 800-543-9904 toll free
Fax: 850-932-5809

www.MeganFunke.com

MeganFunkeHomes@mchsi.com

www.JMERealty.com