This Month in Real Estate

This Month in Real Estate

Gallery Night Pensacola - Mardi Gras

Taking the "Arts to the Streets" 

The first Gallery Night of 2018 is happening Friday night in downtown Pensacola with a Mardi Gras Theme. 

 

Are you ready to let the Good Times Roll?

  January 19, 2018

• Location: Downtown Pensacola
• S Palafox Street
• Pensacola, FL 32501
• Time: 5:00 PM

Great Gulf Coast Art Festival Pensacola

                                            November 4, 5 & 6, 2016

Location: Seville Square, Pensacola, Florida

Hours: 9am - 5pm on Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm on Sunday

Children’s Festival: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm. 

Admission to the festival is free. Pets are not allowed at the Festival.

The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is one of the most popular arts festivals in the United States. The three-day, juried art show draws more than 200 of the nation's best artists and craftsman.  Never boring and something for everyone's interests.

There will be live music and performances from local performing arts institutes, as well as a Heritage Arts section with demonstrations of traditional skills in the Heritage Arts.

The Children's Arts Festival area features hands-on activities for kids at no costs to parents.

It will be a fun weekend with beautiful weather!

Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival

The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk will transform into an art and wine lovers Paradise today, October 23, 2016 for the annual Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival.  Starting at 11 am the festival brings local artists and dozens of wine selections.  Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather, the local art and taste some wine!  Sounds like a fun day to me!

This Beautiful home is BACK ON THE MARKET! Priced BELOW the APPRAISED VALUE!

 This recently remodeled home features an open living area with split bedroom floor plan. 3bd/2ba, all brick with new hardwood cabinets, granite counter-tops, hop-up bar, engineered wood floors and more! Call Carla Encarnacion 850.910.5841 for your appointment to view.

1953 Commodore Drive, Navarre, Florida 32566

Put this home on your list! Beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bath Craftsman style home with 3 car garage. High ceilings create an open and spacious living area with the kitchen open to the family room. The family room has triple rear windows overlooking the covered lanai and back yard. The master suite offers double doors that open to the master bedroom, a door to the rear lanai, and 2 walk-in closets. The Master bathroom has spacious custom tiled walk-in shower with multiple heads, double sinks, and garden tub. The kitchen has a HUGE walk in pantry, granite counter tops, kitchen island, raised panel cabinets with crown molding, over/under cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, lots of cabinet storage and a set of lighted cabinets with glass inserts. All bedrooms have walk-in closets.  Call Carla 850.910.5841 to view.

C

Home for Sale! 1958 Aurora Dr, Navarre, Florida 32566

Remodeled and Updated home in Holley By The Sea!     A must see!  The kitchen renovation was just completed.....redesigned, new hardwood cabinets, granite counter-tops, hop up bar and fixtures. Your first impression when you step into this home will be a lasting one! Attractive engineered wood flooring that is inviting and functional combined with warm and modern paint colors. This home features an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, plant ledges and split bedroom floor plan. Huge master bedroom suite and updated master bath with separate shower and garden tub with dual vanity. Enjoy the outdoors from the enclosed patio or the Florida Room which provides approx 400 sq ft of living and entertaining area.This immaculate and well cared for home is move in ready.  Call to tour today!  Carla 850.910.5841.

http://fusion.realtourvision.com/framelinkb/110980

Homesite in Waterfront Community, Navarre, Florida

Sound View Lot with Deeded Access! This 0.25 acre home site located in a Waterfront Community is not only high and dry, it is positioned in a quiet neighborhood where you can enjoy walking, biking and fishing! This sound side subdivision features underground utilities, natural gas available, storm sewers, community fishing pier, playground and picnic areas and deeded access to the Sound! Conveniently located minutes from shopping, schools and Navarre and Pensacola Beaches!  Call listing agent Carla Encarnacion, 850.910.5841 for information.

Lower Home Prices Don't Always Equate to Lower Mortgage Payments

Our first inclination is to assume that lower home prices will equal to smaller home payments.  Here is one point to consider.  Even if you believe that home prices will continue to decline, it's very difficult to believe that interest rates will remain at these low levels.

Did you know that even if home prices were to decline 10% but interest rates available for home loans were to increase by 1.00% during that time, your monthly principal and interest payment would actually be higher?  It's true.  So, if you are thinking of buying, get busy and get in the game now.  To quote Warren Buffet, "If you wait for the robins, spring will be over."

There will be plenty of debate when Federal Reserve Officials meet in mid September to determine whether to hike interest rates for the first time since the end of the Great Recession.  After months of forewarning by Federal Reserve officials that they are preparing to raise short term interest rates, some international officials say to "get on with it".  Many things to consider with low inflation, market turmoil, job growth and the impact of China's devaluation of it's currency, the decision is no slam dunk.

Waterfront Living....Oh, the Views!

Magnificent Water Views, Everyday, All day long!  Large expansive glass doors and the open floor plan allow for a never ending view of the Intracoastal waterway from inside or outside of 4881 Soundside Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida, 32563.

 

 The cathedral ceiling in the great room, kitchen and dining area expands the open and airy feel of the home.  This 3 bedroom/2 bath home also boasts a desirable split bedroom floor plan with tile throughout.  The kitchen features beautiful granite countertops with a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances and a pantry for convenient storage.  All windows and doors have been custom fitted with steel, Accordion Hurricane Shutters. The essence of water front living is enhanced with a 200 ft dock w/Trex decking and covered 10,000 lb boat lift complete with running water, electric and breaker box. Additionally, all stairs, the covered front porch and the full length veranda are composite maintenance free Trex decking with clear view porch railing to not obstruct the view. The fully enclosed lower level is accentuated with 3 garage doors for cars and boat storage, an enclosed storage area and is designed with blow out walls. The lawn pump for the sprinkler system is 3 years old. Make an appointment today to view this great property located on scenic Soundside Drive in Santa Rosa County, Florida.  $679,900.00   #Waterfront 

 

 

 

 

Call Carla Encarnacion, 850.910.5841,  Keller Williams Realty for your appointment to view!

Step 1. Purchasing a Home.....Mortgage Pre Approval

We all know that buying a home is one of the most important purchases in a person's life and deciding on a particular house requires thoughtful planning and decision-making.

The first step is to get pre-approved by a local lender.  By doing so you will have knowledge of the following.

• What your approximate monthly house payment will be
• The price range of the home you can purchase
• How much down payment, if any, that you will need or want to put down
• What are your approximate closing costs
• That you can confidently go out and search for homes and put an offer in if you want
• What kind of loan program will be good for you based on your wants, needs and desires

So, get your finances in order first.  Most real estate agents won't even show homes to prospective clients who don't have a mortgage pre-approval.   

As a real estate agent my job goes far beyond finding you the right home for your lifestyle.  In fact, it's after the house hunt that you will need me most to structure and present your offer and then troubleshoot any issues that erupt between contract and closing.  Having your pre-approval letter to include with the offer is good practice because it shows the seller you can likely afford what you are offering.

Explore NW Florida - Morrison Springs

Morrison Springs, Walton County, Florida

Surrounded by giant Cyprus trees, the natural spring maintains year-round water temperatures between 65 - 68 degrees.  This spring is a popular diving spot and is also great for swimming, picnicking, kayaking and boating.  Morrison Springs pool is over 250 ft in diameter, light blue and crystal clear water with a sandy beach on one side for walk in entry and two diving docks.

Amenities include a large pavilion with picnic tables, available grills, restrooms, showers and wash stations for dive equipment and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk with overlook.  The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.  We thought it was exceptionally clean and well maintained.  Very beautiful and worth the drive.

A View From The Sky!

I went on my first helicopter ride yesterday along the beaches of Santa Rosa Island, Navarre Beach, past Okaloosa Island to Destin, Florida.  It was an amazing ride and the pilot, Lisa, kept you informed of things below.  We saw many sharks and a very large hammerhead shark, an old shipwreck and the beautiful sugar white sand beaches from the sky!  It's something fun to do in Navarre, located at One Eyed Willy's on Hwy 98,

Are You Still Renting?

 

There has never been a better time to enter the real estate market. So, why throw away money on rent when you can be your own landlord?

Mortage rates are low, great homes are more affordable than they have been in recent history and there are plenty of highly-motivated sellers out there ready to negotiate.

If you have questions I will be happy to answer them!
 

Call Carla at 850.910.5841
Keller Williams

 VIEW Available Homes in Navarre, Florida $125,000 to $150,000

TAKE A LOOK!  Homes $150,000 to $200,000

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  Think about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities and proximity to shopping, schools or any other places you frequent.   

Scout out the Neighborhood!

   It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person.

  ~ Talk to people who live there.

  ~ Drive through the entire area at different times of the day,
     during the week, and on weekends.

  ~ Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being
     maintained--are they painted; are the yards well cared for;
                                                           are parked cars in good                                                                                                                     condition?


Neighborhood Factors to Consider

• Look for things such as access to major thoroughfares, highways and shopping.
• Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
• Smell the air for nearby industry or agriculture.
• Check with local civic, police, fire and school officials to find information about the area.
• Research environmental topics such as soil and water quality, as well as floodplain implications.
• Study traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day and measure drive time from the area to work.
• Is the neighborhood near parks, places of religious worship, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc?
• Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner's Association and what does it provide?

Buying vs. Renting

Is now the right time for you to buy a home? You have many options to consider and choices to make. Buying a home is a big responsibility, financially and emotionally, but, most people want to own a home. Home ownership often is referred to as "the American dream." Why is it so special? Among the reasons: Real estate often is an excellent investment, perhaps the number one source of wealth-building for families.

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity - and that's an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax benefits that may assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities - such as homeowners' insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep - which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are definitely worth it! Owning your own home also can be a great source of pride and stability.

But home ownership may not be for everyone. It's a big financial commitment - starting with the initial shock of your purchase (including a "down payment" and fees paid to a real estate agent, the lender and others) followed by years of monthly mortgage payments, real estate taxes, property insurance and maintenance costs. When you decide to purchase a home, you accept responsibility for paying for these expenses. They are additional costs to your monthly mortgage payment and should be included in your budget estimates: Property Taxes and Special Assessments, Home/Hazard Insurance, Utilities, Maintenance, Home Owner Association (HOA) Fee if applicable.

One of the advantages of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities and the flexibility of moving almost as soon as you decide. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for your housing needs. There are many considerations in choosing between renting and buying:

• Do you want to spend several years in a house and in a neighborhood?
• Do you enjoy lawn and garden work?
• Might you need to move suddenly to care for family?
• Do you want to keep your assets accessible in the bank, or do you want to invest long-term in a home?

There are tax advantages to home ownership in both the short and long terms. The mortgage interest and real estate taxes are tax deductible, which allows you to subtract part of your housing-related expenses from your taxable income, which could reduce your tax bill. In many cases, the amount of money a renter spends on rent can be about the same as or less than the amount a homeowner spends on a mortgage. With the tax benefit for homeowners, the savings can be significant.

The Trivia Block

Who said, "Real Estate is the best investment in the world because it is the only thing they're not making anymore?"

Will Rogers, stage and film star, who began his career as a rope-throwing cowboy.

Thinking of purchasing a home? Don't hesitate too long.....

Mortgage Rates Edge Higher This Week

Daily Real Estate News | Friday, March 29, 2013

Mortgage rates moved slightly higher this week, but still remain low by historical standards and are providing support to the ongoing housing recovery, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.
"Low and relatively steady mortgage rates are invigorating the housing market,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.
Freddie Mac reports the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending March 28:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.57 percent, with an average 0.8 point, rising from last week’s 3.54 percent average. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.99 percent. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained below 4 percent for more than a year.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 2.76 percent, with an average 0.7 point, rising from last week’s 2.72 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.23 percent.
• 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.68 percent, with an average 0.6 point, rising from last week’s 2.61 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.90 percent.
• 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.62 percent, with an average 0.3 point, dropping from last week’s 2.63 percent average. A year ago at this time, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.78 percent.

Santa Rosa Island

 

The water is gorgeous right now but cold!  Water temperature is 63 degrees.

 

27th Annual Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade

Febuary 2 on Navarre Beach

The wait is over. This Saturday, 2 February, the 27th Annual Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Come on out and enjoy the Family Oriented Mardi Gras parade on beautiful Navarre Beach. The parade will run east along Gulf Boulevard. This year's theme is "CARN-I-VAL". The bridge will close about noon so come early and pick your spot.

Stunning Waterfront Views in Navarre, Florida

It's fun to look at Condo's and Townhomes on the water, even more fun to live in them!