You are here: Home / Archives for Panama City Beach Lifestyle

Buyers Get Edged Out

July 23, 2010 4 Comments

Here is a small article I saw recently from the Miami Herald and I think you can make the same argument for Destin Homes and Condos For Sale, and 30A Homes and Condos For Sale and Panama City Beach Homes and Condos For Sale.

Hungry for Homes, Buyers Get Edged Out

As South Florida’s home sales have continued to outpace national trends, distressed properties are still dominating the market, with more than half of all homes and condos sold last month at some stage in the foreclosure process. And cash-happy investors have been scooping up these bargain basement deals at a fast clip, often before middle-income buyers can get financing. [Source: Miami Herald]

To stay on top of what other investors are watching:  Foreclosures and Short Sales

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle Tagged With: ,

Tapping Retirement Funds Now

February 5, 2010 13 Comments

Buy your banks from these guys.

6 Reasons to tap retirement funds now to buy rental property

Here is more information about investing and Panama City Beach Real Estate.  As always I think it’s very important to be as informed as possible on how to maximize your investing power.  So with that in mind I found this article about using IRA’s to buy real estate at Market Watch.com. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Using IRAs to buy real estate

Six reasons to tap retirement funds now to buy rental property

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — One of today’s soundest investments is never touted in financial-services ads. The reason: Wall Street wouldn’t make any money off it.

Since 1974, Americans have had the ability to use IRA assets to buy investment property. Yet the means to do that — called a self-directed IRA — remains one of the least known and unheralded investment vehicles in the vast financial marketplace.

With foreclosed homes selling at dimes on the dollar, residential real estate is a bargain for investors holding cash. And if they can put 30% down, IRA investors will find specialty lenders eager to help them leverage their retirement savings with mortgages on rental properties.

The U.S. housing market may not yet have hit bottom, but the winds appear to be shifting. Existing-home sales are on the mend in hardest-hit markets and foreclosure-avoidance programs are expected to stem the rising inventory of bank repossessions, meaning the window to buy at rock-bottom prices could close before the year is out.

Bear in mind homes purchased with IRA funds can’t be used for personal purposes. Doing so risks the IRS declaring the assets withdrawn and demanding immediate payment of income taxes and penalties on the entire account value.

Still, as an investment readily understood by anyone who’s been through the home buying and selling process, purchasing a steeply discounted property that can produce annual income of 10% and more is a low-risk strategy for uncertain times — especially for retirees whose fixed-income investments are paying paltry yields right now. Read more on setting up a managing a self-directed IRA.

Here are six reasons why buying real estate with an IRA is a potentially lucrative and wise move today:

1. A solid alternative to stocks

When economies teeter, investors often run to hard assets such as gold — humankind’s historic “store of value.” Yet gold’s value is measured not only in ounces but also in the intangible fear that surrounds its price spikes.

When it comes to hard assets, there’s perhaps no greater shared sense of value from Mongolia to Montana than for land and a dwelling. And in U.S. history, there’s never been such a fire sale on our housing stock.

The Great Depression exacted a heavy toll on home values, but there was nowhere near the inventory flooding the… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle

Buying Panama City Beach Real Estate in you IRA

February 5, 2010 1 Comment

Dollars

Because investing and Panama City Beach Real Estate go hand and hand I think it’s very important to be informed as possible on how to maximize your investing power.  With that in mind I came across this question and answer segment on Smart Money.com  that address IRA’s and real estate.  Take a look and let me know what you think.

Q. Can an IRA be invested in mortgages or real estate?
—Linda Bruyette, Ellington, Conn

Yes, some real estate (including commercial property, vacation rentals, raw land and mortgage notes) is permitted. At best, real estate provides steady income and long-term appreciation. Usually only special-purpose banks and trust companies offer these investments, as “self-directed IRAs.”

Potential risks are high. “Self dealing” is strictly prohibited—which means you can’t invest in something you or immediate family members use or benefit from. Otherwise your entire IRA balance is treated as a withdrawal and subject to relevant taxes plus a 10 percent penalty if you’re under age 59 1/2. Plus, there’s the liquidity issue: You need a big IRA to handle buying and maintaining property while also keeping a diversified portfolio. And if you need out quickly, you better hope for a robust real estate market. A good real estate mutual fund or exchange-traded fund is a simpler choice.

Click on the links to find Panama City Beach Condo Foreclosures, Panama City Beach Condo Short Sales, Panama City Beach Homes For Sale,  Panama City Beach Condos For Sale

Also check out The Destin Real Estate News, 30A Real Estate News,  Panama City Beach Real Estate News.

Filed Under: Investing, Panama City Beach Lifestyle Tagged With:

Beautiful Holiday Decoration Ideas At The Beach

November 25, 2009 1 Comment

Holiday Season Is Better AT The Beach

The holiday season is almost here. There is no better idea than to incorporate what you find in your backyard with your decoration, this way you are incorporating the beach with the season. It is easy, affordable and a fun day to spend with the family.

This months Coastal Living Magazine is giving … Read More [Read more...]

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle Tagged With: ,

Recent News About the North West Florida Beaches Airport

November 24, 2009 1 Comment

jan29_contract[1]

Southwest Airlines and Bay County tourism officials met in Dallas on Wednesday to sign an agreement.

This agreement will put local bed-tax muscle behind the low-cost carrier’s efforts to market the allure of local beaches.

Southwest airlines will provide daily non-stop flights from 4 cities to the new airport. These cities have not been announced yet. The airline officials will adjust flight schedules to meet the new airport’s May 18 grand opening.

The Walton County Tourist Development Council is expected to authorize a deal with Southwest similar to the Bay County agreement for a half-cent bed tax that county recently approved.

Come back to read more about the new airport.

Visit www.atthebeachpanamacity.com for things to do in Panama City Beach

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle Tagged With:

Want Great Golf Near Panama City Beach?

November 9, 2009 4 Comments
Golf Digest November Cover - Photo by J.D. CubanGolf Digest November Cover – Photo by J.D. Cuban

Golf Digest writer Peter Finch comes to Seaside to explore golf at the beach.

In the November issue of Golf Digest Magazine writer Peter Finch talks about his visit to Seaside Florida (about 25 miles from Panama City) this past summer for a family vacation.   He mentions that there are more than a dozen golf courses within an hour of Seaside with the heaviest concentration in Destin, where there is the Sandestin Resort has four (three of them with 4-1/2 stars in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play reader ratings).  He also mentions … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle

What If Oil Spill Hits Panama City Beaches?

September 4, 2009 25 Comments

Town Hall Meeting

Worry Abounds

Everyone who owns or lives in the Panama City Beach area along with those who visit our wonderful beaches is worried about the oil spill and what the effects will be. As of today I can tell you there is NO OIL on our beaches yet but by all accounts there will be in the days and weeks to come.

What Next?

Merlin Law Group will be hosting an educational town hall meeting, along with Keefe, Anchors, Gordon and Moyle, P.A (KAGM). to help those who may be affected from what is being described as the worst environmental calamity in US history, in understanding what they need to know about the oil spill and how it may affect their bottom-line. Gulf Coast Oil Spill Catastrophe: An Educational Town Hall Meeting is expected to be heavily attended by those unsure as to what this catastrophe can mean to their lives, will be held on Tuesday, May 4th at 1:00 PM in the Emerald Ballroom at the Hilton at Sandestin, 4400 South Sandestin Boulevard, Destin, Florida 32550.

I will attend and hopefully learn what property and business owners need to do now in order to prepare their property against damage and in the unfortunate event that a claim will have to be filed. Apparently they will address concerns from condominium associations, restaurants and hotels anticipating and already experiencing major interruption in their business as people who had considered vacationing in along the Gulf Coast and Florida are cancelling plans in face of the real possibility of the destruction of beaches by the spill. Also of great concern is possible evacuation should the oil cause the presence of toxins in the air and in the water.

Check back tomorrow to see the results of this meeting.

Wondering About Your Panama City Beach Real Estate?

If you own Panama City Beach Real Estate and would like to know what you could expect if you were to sell it in today’s market conditions simply call or text John Skinner at 850-543-5763 or send send me an email at JohnSkinner@AtTheBeachTeam.com

Filed Under: Featured, Panama City Beach Lifestyle Tagged With:

The Name Changes, But The Same Great Service Remains

September 2, 2009 2 Comments

Name Change For The Moran Team

In a move to carry the business forward Keller Williams Realty’s The Moran Team has changed it name to Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM. The change reflects the company’s philosophy away from a singular focus on John and Kris Moran to the benefits of working with a team of highly qualified realtors and support staff.

Where We Are

The Moran Team, headed up by John & Kris Moran, has built a very successful business over that past five years and is now recognized as one of the top ranking real estate teams in the area. According to recent Emerald Coast Association of Realtors statistics The Moran Team sells more condos than all but a handful of agents, has a higher list to sales price ratio than average and sells their listings 3 times faster than average. The current Average Days On Market for the board is 238 days while The Moran Team’s is only 71!

Where We Are Going

We have worked very hard to develop the skills required to succeed in a very challenging market and have developed systems that will allow us to continue grow well into the future. We are now beginning a phase of growth where we are adding realtors to service new areas for us. The first agent to join the AT THE BEACH TEAM is John Skinner who will be servicing the Panama City Beach market. You can learn more about him on the about section of the Panama City Beach Real Estate News website.

Where You Can Find Us

Some of the other areas Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM covers is Destin Real Estate, Kelly Plantation Homes For Sale, Regatta Bay Homes For Sale, Sandestin Real Estate, Grayton Beach Real Estate, Watercolor Real Estate, Seaside Real Estate, Watersound Real Estate, Rosemary Beach Real Estate, Seacrest Beach Real Estate and Rosemary Beach Real Estate.

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle

Great Condo Deals To Had At Celadon!

September 1, 2009 2 Comments
Great Short Sale At Celadon Condo - Click On Picture For Details

Great Short Sale At Celadon Condo - Click On Picture For Details

My how prices have fallen.
Celedon Condo in Panama City Beach Florida has seen prices plummet as a result of Foreclosures and Short Sales over the last year.  A 2 bedroom 2 bath with 1,157 sq.ft. recently sold as a foreclosure for $227,000.   To give you some perspective on how far prices have dropped since the height of the market I can tell you unit 502 which is also a 2 bedroom 2 bath with 1,157 sq.ft. floor plan sold in 2004 for $630,000! 
Right now unit #1002 is on the market as a short sale with a list price of $235,000 and who knows what final price the bank may take.  As you can see prices have come down dramatically and sellers are feeling the heat but if you have ever considered owning a property at the beach now is the time to get some great deals. 
 
Should I Sell?
 
Maybe.  if you can afford to hold on to your property unitl the market comes back (could be 6-8 years) you probably should.  The thing is if you can’t or don’t want to wait that long then I would say sell today, or at least talk to your financial advisor and see what they think.  
To find out where you stand with regard to the value of your property in today’s market simply call John Skinner at Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM and we will be happy to give you a detailed market analysis of your properties value.
Should I Buy?
If you want to buy a condo sometime in the next 6-8 years and can afford to buy now then I think you should give it serious consideration.  Foreclosures and Short Sales have brought the market back to to a place where it makes sense to buy, mortgage rates are still very low and the inventory of property for sale is robust.  RIGHT NOW, but it won’t always be like this so if you are waiting for something better be very careful. 
Call John Skinner at 850-543-5763 to explore all your options and begin your search today!
Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle

Selling Panama City Beach Condos Shouldn’t Take A Long Time!

August 30, 2009 1 Comment

Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM is now servicing the Panama City Beach market and bringing with us a track record of success for getting condos sold quickly for more money! 

Almost 7 More Morgage Payments!

Take a look at this:  According to the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors the average number of Days On Market for all the condos sold in Destin and South Walton County Florida so far this year is 231 (nearly 7 months)! That seem like a long time to us and I’m sure it is for the sellers as well. 

Your Condo Should Sell Quicker!

We have been trained that when a realtor does his or her job right a property will sell in 3-4 weeks regardless of market conditions. It should not take 7 months that is for sure! To sell a property quickly you need the right price, a lot of exposure and an aggressive agent pushing the property. If it doesn’t sell then some part of the mix (price, marketing, agent) was off and the realtor simply needs to adjust accordingly, once they do the property will almost always sell in the next 3-4 weeks.

The AT THE BEACH TEAM Sells Condos In An Average Of 71 Days!

The Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM sells more condos than almost anyone in the Destin Market Place and you know what – our average Days On Market is only 71 or about 3 times faster than the average realtor! More importantly we have saveed our sellers more than 5 months of mortgage payments, condo owners dues, taxes, insurance….

Not All Realtors Are The Same.

In addition to selling our listings faster Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM successfully negotiates more money for our seller’s as well. If you look at all the condos sold so far this year in the Destin Market Place seller’s are getting an average of 89.4% of the list price with an average sell price of $332,744.  The AT THE BEACH TEAM is earning slightly more money 89.65% for our sellers and boasts a 10% higher average sell price.

Panama City Beach Put Yourself The Best Position Possible.

If you are considering selling your Panama City Beach Condo doesn’t it make sense to hire a team with a track record of selling property quickly and for more money? Sure it does. For more information on Keller Williams Realty’s AT THE BEACH TEAM go to our websites – At The Beach Destin or At The Beach Fl for information on South Walton County real estate. 

Filed Under: Panama City Beach Lifestyle
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »