It’s not uncommon to see buyers with less than 720 credit scores get pushed through the hoops only to find that the loan they once had………no longer exists. No doubt about it: the ability for the Average Joe to get a mortgage in today’s credit environment IN A TIMELY FASHION has dramatically changed over the last 12 months! And now, it’s a fact that the difference between a 720 mid score and a 620 mid score can cost a buyer an extra 1.25% on the mortgage rate or 2% additional points in cost. On a $250,000 loan, that’s an additional $5,000 which can lower the purchasing power by up to 28%!

There is a solution - THE USDA RURAL HOUSING LOAN!·       

No Declining Market Worries - Properties in Florida have been classified as DECLINING and are now requiring more money down.

No Credit Score Worries - Buyers can maintain their purchasing power whether they have a 720 credit score or a 620 credit score. The buyer doesn’t get a higher fee or rate with a lower score! 
      
No Worries for Buyers with No Credit Score - Even buyers with no score whatsoever can qualify for a home with no money down! ·        No Down Payment Worries - Finance 102% of the appraised value! ·       

No Seller Concession Worries - Recent conventional guidelines limit the maximum seller concessions to 3% in most cases. There is no limit to seller concessions for our Rural Housing program, and that can make a tight deal work…and save a lot of cash! ·       

No Monthly Mortgage Insurance Worries - Keep payments lower than an FHA or VA loan (funding fee is lower on Rural Housing than it is on VA) ·       

No Reserve Requirements and No Minimum Borrower Contribution ·       

Available for New Construction, as well! With prices as low as they are, a Rural Housing loan allows for a people who didn’t think they could buy a house to purchase a home with no money down and payments that they can afford……..and that are fixed for 30 years!You can apply with Northstar Mortgage Group for a Rural Housing loan and be in your new home within 2 weeks!

Sue BotelhoLoan Officer/Branch Manager
Northstar Mortgage Group, LLC
Destin, FL
850-424-6866
904-212-1641 (fax)
 www.getmyloanonline.com  

Where: Parking lot at 151 Regions Way, Destin, FL

Donation: $5.00 for Chili, Beverage and Dessert

 3 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING GOLF COURSE PROPERTY

A home on the golf course is many peoples dream. Head out the door, jump in your personal golf cart and sneak in nine holes before dinner. Owning golf-course real estate has its benefits. Golf course properties are three times as valuable as the average U.S. home, according to the Golf Research Group, which tracks the industry.

However, there are 3 things that are important to know before investing in your dream home on the golf course.

 Location, location, location

That old cliché again? When purchasing golf course property this old cliché is twofold. The first is general location. Sure, the home on a course way out in the boon docks may be less expensive, but it probably won’t appreciate as quickly as one in an established club that is also convenient to shopping, restaurants, schools and infrastructure. The other is within the community. You don’t want a “golf ball lot”. Sure extra golf balls in the yard are nice but not through your window or through the screened lanai. Other nuisances can be golfer chatter and golf path noise. Choose your property slightly removed from the course or with a buffer between you and the course.

 Who Is The Developer?

Check around for the financially stability and signs of long-term commitment from the developer and other communities that he has built. You don’t want that green grass turning brown and turning into a dust bowl or some other unsightly development popping up in your back yard.

 Who is the Designer?

Buying a property in a community with a brand name course designer like Nicklaus, Norman or Davis Love to name a few, usually brings better appreciation and higher property values in the long run. The initiation fees to join the club, although painful at first, can be a great barometer for determining property values and club stability.

 For More Information on Choosing the Your Dream Home in a Golf Course Community on the Emerald Coast Contact Steve Brown

www.BuyInDestin.com/485RegattaBayBlvd

www.BuyInDestin.com/299CorinthianPlace

www.BuyInDestin.com/GatedCommunities

 Steve Brown is a 13 year Destin area Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Emerald Coast specializing in luxury, second and vacation homes. He is the owner of BuyInDestin.com a Full Service Real Estate website offering helpful Real Estate Information and Searches such as: Gated Communities; Best Deals In Destin; Boat Properties; news, tools and much more. He can be reached at 850-376-4761 or by email buyindestin@cox.net

For more information on East Pass Towers or any Luxury condominium on the Emerald Coast contact Steve Brown.

Steve Brown is a 13 year Destin area Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Emerald Coast specializing in luxury, second and vacation homes. He is the owner of BuyInDestin.com a Full Service Real Estate website offering helpful Real Estate Information and Searches such as: Gated Communities; Best Deals In Destin; Boat Properties; news, tools and much more. He can be reached at 850-376-4761 or by email buyindestin@cox.net

Short Sales sound easy enough; sellers need to sell home for less than they owe, lenders don’t really want to foreclose and deal with litigation and owning property with liabilities, so they forgive the difference of the mortgage and a buyer gets a great deal. Right? If only it was that easy. 

Although most banks don’t necessarily want to foreclose if they can get a reasonable price before hand, they still want to make sure the Seller cannot find another source to pay off or down the loan. They generally want a “Hardship Letter” to explain the reason for a short sale. Banks also have obstacles with second mortgage holders and PMI companies. All banks are not the same when it comes to how they deal with short sales.  Sometimes the potential buyer just gives up after waiting for any kind of response from the Bank. In the mean time other offers maybe coming in on the property. The awaited answer from the bank can be simply “no”, with no counter offer or explanation why.  Like the song by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – “The Waiting Is The Hardest Part”. 

Deals can be had on short sales and foreclosures. The old saying, “You make money when you buy not just when you sell”, holds true. Short sales can be the nails in the floor of the market, but don’t expect to get way below true market value.  

For More Information and a Constantly Updated List of Short Sales, Foreclosures, REO (Bank Owned Properties) and Distressed Sales in and around the Destin, FL area, Contact Steve Brown and visit www.BestDealsInDestin.com 

Steve Brown is a 13 year Destin area Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Emerald Coast specializing in luxury, second and vacation homes. He is the owner of BuyInDestin.com a Full Service Real Estate website offering helpful Real Estate Information and Searches such as: Gated Communities; Best Deals In Destin; Boat Properties; news, tools and much more. He can be reached at 850-376-4761 or by email buyindestin@cox.net

Buying a property on the Emerald Coast is buying a lifestyle, which is why Kris thinks of herself as a “dream maker” rather than a “home seller”. She believes that there is something here for absolutely everyone, no matter what your needs or desires. Kris spends the time to really listen to her clients and prides herself on the effort and caring she gives to each and every person she works with. As a Buyer Specialist, she is an expert in this marketplace and has put in the time to know this area inside and out and where to buy and why. She not only knows the properties that are “officially” on the market, but many others that are not.

Kris believes that the best barometer for measuring her real estate success comes not just from her impressive sales performance, but from words that come directly from her client’s mouths. For Kris, it’s common to hear such compliments as “you’ve ruined us for any other realtor,” “you’re so easy to work with and to trust,” and “you’ve made the process smoother and more fun that I could have ever imagined!”

An extensive current market analysis is always provided so that you know you are going into this process with access to all of the information needed to make an educated and knowledgeable decision, whether you are looking to buy or sell. Kris can also assist a seller in fully optimizing marketing appeal, whether that is through suggestions for furniture placement, paint colors, staging or just knowing which highlights to point out that enhance a property’s appeal.

Originally from North Dakota, her Midwestern charm is projected through her mannerisms and sincerity. Kris has been selling real estate with a commitment to excellence since 1999 and is constantly raising the bar and setting new standards of excellence. When not “hard at work”, Kris is with her husband and two adorable children, or enjoying her hobby of photography!

Her long list of sales and repeat clients are your guarantee of success. When you work with Kris and her team, you are getting the best marketing systems, marketing research, network of prospective buyers, and first view of new properties. Plus, the best administrative support and follow-up to your transaction!

For more information about Kris or the great investment properties on the Emerald Coast simply call Kris Moran at 850-654-3325 or email her at Krismoran@cox.net or visit www.themoranteam.com

5 Reasons to Join Keller Williams Realty by Jeff Adamson

1. NON COMPETE BROKER/TEAM LEADER……At Keller Williams the broker and team leader is there to help you build your business by providing the tools you need to succeed. Not compete for the leads or as most real estate companies be the top producer in the offices they own.

2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING……Using the MREA Millionaire Real Estate Agent Book systems and models, we teach agents how to create their own business and not be dependant upon market conditions or leads given to them by their company.

3. COMPANY CULTURE….We believe in GOD then FAMILY then BUSINESS in that order and the ethics and moral standards that come with these beliefs. Come join a family of agents who wants to “Do the right thing”.

4. COMMISSION STRUCTURE…We have the highest commission structure with little or no risk to the sales associate. You start with a high commission split and then advance to true 100% commissions after satisfying your operation expenses and royalty which are capped at a fixed amount. You never pay more than your annual cap and it starts over each fiscal year and you never owe money to satisfy the cap.

5. PROFIT SHARING…The Destin Keller Williams office has shared over $760,000.00 with the agents that helped the company grow and to those that generated the profits. This does not come from agents commissions, but the owners truly share up to 48% of the profits every month. How much of the company profits did your broker share with you last year? This can be a retirement program for you with agents here making $20,000 to $50,000 annually!

Call Jeff Adamson for a confidential meeting or call 850-654-2900 for more….

Why Invest In The Emerald Coast?

The Emerald Coast presents the perfect scenario for real estate investment:
Limited supply matched against high and growing demand. This proven law of economics will, over time, always lead to price appreciation.

The facts are simple:

• There is an absolute and finite supply of beachfront property. Of that limited supply The Emerald Coast has some of the nicest beaches in the country. The USA Today and Southern Living Magazine both have recently named the area as having the Best Beaches in the USA.  
• People have been, and always will be, drawn to the water. Compared to other states, Florida’s growth rate has ranked among the top 7 every decade since 1920.  Going forward Florida’s population is expected increase and everyone needs a place to live.
• There are very few areas of the country that enjoy warm weather, virtually year round, the way our area does.
  The Emerald Coast has at least 9 months of the year with average high temps of 71 degrees or warmer, 6 months average high temps of 80 degrees or warmer, and all 12 months average high temps of 61 degrees or warmer.
• The Baby Boomer Generation. This massive demographic shift, which is just beginning and expected to last the next 30 years, is bringing tens of millions of Baby Boomers into the prime second and vacation home buying demographic. Because of the strong attraction of water and warm weather many of these baby boomers will seek property here on the Emerald Coast.

For more information about great investment properties on the Emerald Coast simply call Kris Moran at 850-654-3325 or email her at Krismoran@cox.net or visit www.themoranteam.com

Has Pelican Beach Condo Hit Bottom? 

I have a buyer that is looking for a “steal” and he wants to buy in Pelican Beach Condo.  There have been a few recent short sales and a foreclosure sale that have set the bar in the building and my buyer wants to buy a little lower even then current “low” bar.  Seems reasonable right?  The market is still going down so a buyer should not have to pay even what     the most recent sale price was – right?  Well this is not the case when the market has bottomed out and the sellers that are left won’t go any lower which is what has happened recently at Pelican Beach Condo.  We have been making offers to listed property and the sellers are rejecting them outright – they are not going as low as recent sales.  This is a very good sign that the market in Pelican Beach Condo has bottomed out.  Granted there are a few more short sales and possible foreclosure properties that may hit the building so if you are hoping to get  a “steal” a Pelican Beach Condo you are going to need to keep an eye on the short sales and possible foreclosure properties and be ready to act quickly when they come up.   

For more information on short sales and possible foreclosure properties at Pelican Beach Condo simply call Kris Moran at 850-654-3325 or email her at Krismoran@cox.net or visit www.themoranteam.com

Why I Joined Keller Williams  

I decided to join Keller Williams when I noticed that the market was going to turn and sales were going to be harder to come by.  In time like this I feel that agents need every tool they can get their hands to continue to grow and Keller Williams offer me   

 Nationally recognized brand name.  This is important because when time get tough confusion creeps into the decision making process which causes buyers and sellers to move toward things they recognize and are comfortable with – like a nationally recognized brand name rather than beautiful beach property realty.com.  

Guidance for my business.  This is important because when times get tough we start to question our skills and our confidence can take a hit leading to even more problems.  Keller Williams offers constant education, training and direction that I can use as needed to keep me on track – and it’s free.  

An office to work from.  This is important because working at home did not pan out for me, I need to be able to get up, get dressed and go to an office to be productive.  Keller Williams had office space for me, or the option to share an office depending on my financial need.   

Financial Opportunity.  This is important for anyone who plans to make a lot of money because at Keller Williams there is a cap on how much you have to pay the company each year.  Once you have achieved the cap there are no other charges and you take home every dime of the commissions you earn.  Keller Williams isn’t perfect but it was better than the alternatives when I was looking to hang my license and I have not regretted joining for a minute.  

If you have any questions about Keller Williams that I can answer please feel free to contact me at 850-654-3325 or at john@themoranteam.com