One of the many joys of homeownership in Northwest Florida and the Pensacola/Gulf Breeze area is gardening.  With weather warming up and the sun shinning it’s time to prepare the ground and our plants for the growing season and our gardens for the new delights we have planned.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or you simply enjoy the end result, there are countless ways to create a splendid outdoor setting within your means. So go ahead and kick things up a notch with a few budget-friendly upgrades to your landscape.

Treat your garden like a blank canvas waiting to be filled with wonderful finds. Be on the lookout for pieces that are unique and affordable. You can begin by incorporating some rarely used home decor into your outdoor setting. Anything from an old teapot to a soup tureen can quickly become a quirky container. Rather than discard anything that is chipped or slightly worn, give these tokens a second chance to shine in your garden with your flowers and plants. http://www.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_MAR_10_01/39845/index.html

It’s tax time again.  Time to get organized for another year.  It’s especially important that you keep complete records of improvements to your personal home and investment properties.

RISMEDIA, February 18, 2010—Preparing to file your taxes provides a great opportunity to get your financial life organized. Not only will it help you save time, it can reduce stress, help you stay on track to meet your financial goals and improve your long-term financial outlook.

“While you’re pulling together information to file last year’s taxes, note which categories have the most activity,” suggests Mechel Glass, director of education for Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta. “Make specific folders for such items as out-of-pocket medical and drug costs, work-related expenses such as mileage costs that are not reimbursed and educational costs.” Designate one location for all tax information and keep up with filing regularly. Next year, the tax preparation process will be much easier because all the records and receipts have been kept together.

CCCS offers the following tips to help consumers organize their financial lives

Review your current system. If you pile your bills on a desk and aren’t sure which have been paid and which are still pending, or if you have trouble locating receipts or invoices, it’s time to make a change.

Save all credit card receipts in one place. A box or file folder is a great place to store this month’s credit card receipts and will give you quick access to compare them to your statement when it arrives. You should keep all receipts at least until you have verified that the charges are correct on your bill. Create a “Receipts to Keep” folder for receipts for items that may need to be returned or that have a warranty or service plan in effect.

Organize your bill paying. Set up a regular time and place to pay bills each month. A good rule of thumb is to coordinate it with your pay schedule. If you are paid on the 15th and 30th, make plans to pay bills at those same times each month. If it makes it easier, you can log your due dates on a calendar. As bills arrive, organize them into “To be Paid” folders and when you pay them, document payment on the statement and file under “Paid.”

Paying bills online can be a great time saver. Whether you use your own financial institution or pay through the vendor’s website, you can often schedule the payments to occur on the day of your choosing. Be sure to jot down the confirmation number as proof of payment.

Pay off credit cards. Make a log with each of your credit card and credit accounts, and list the outstanding balance for each. Set up a schedule to pay off the ones with the lowest interest rates first. When that one is paid off, apply that money to the next card until all balances are paid. Avoid using credit cards to charge more than you can reasonably pay off at the end of the month.

Balance your checking account. At least twice a month, reconcile your bank statement to the bank’s records. This can be done in just a few minutes online, checking off what has cleared your account and making sure you have accounted for any debit card purchases or ATM transactions.

Review your insurance policies. Review all insurance policies to make sure you’re covered properly. Review your life insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your family. You can save money by raising your deductibles on auto and homeowners, or renters, insurance. Every few years, shop rates, comparing policies point for point.

Shredding. Purge old files and shred the contents to protect yourself from identity theft. Keep a shredder near your desk and deal with incoming mail immediately. While you should check with your accountant about how long financial records should be retained, a good rule of thumb is to keep credit card statements and tax records for seven years. Keep pay stubs until you get your year-end tax forms, and keep key banking information permanently. If you have not filed a tax return, or have filed a fraudulent return, keep tax records indefinitely.

Check your Credit Report. Consumers can request a free copy of their credit report from each of the three bureaus each year. Set up a regular schedule to get reports from www.annualcreditreport.com. A good rule of thumb is to get the report from one bureau in January, another in May, and the third in September. Notify the bureaus immediately if you find any errors or unusual activity, such as accounts you did not open.

There’s no right way to approach financial organization. “Each person’s style dictates their organizational approach,” says Glass. “Some people work really well with folders in filing cabinets; others prefer using hanging files on walls so they can see their files. With so many products available, the biggest challenge may be deciding which system is right for you.”

For more information, visit www.cccsinc.org.

Extending the Good News for Home Buyers

By Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR Research

Let’s first turn to the terrific news regarding the housing stimulus. Earlier this month, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly passed and the President signed into law new measures to maintain the momentum for a housing market recovery. The home buyer tax credit, originally scheduled to expire at the end of November will now be available through the middle of next year and more potential buyers will be able to take advantage of it. The income limit was also increased and many move-up buyers – not just first-timer purchasers – also will qualify. Furthermore, loan limits will not shrink as was planned for next year; in high-cost areas, the loan limit will remain at near $730,000 in 2010, thereby permitting more consumers to tap into the historically low mortgage rates.

To read the rest of the article

In a recent post from the National Association of Realtors in Washington on Oct. 1, 2009 – “Pending home sales have increased for seven straight months, the longest in the series of the index which began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, rose 6.4 percent to 103.8 from a reading of 97.6 in July, and is 12.4 percent above August 2008 when it was 92.4. The index is at the highest level since March 2007 when it was 104.5.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said not all contracts are turning into closed sales within an expected timeframe. “The rise in pending home sales shows buyers are returning to the market and signing contracts, but deals are not necessarily closing because of long delays related to short sales, and issues regarding complex new appraisal rules,” he said. “No doubt many first-time buyers are rushing to beat the deadline for the $8,000 tax credit, which expires at the end of next month.”

The Pending Home Sales Index in the Northeast jumped 8.2 percent to 85.3 in August and is 12.0 percent higher than August 2008. In the Midwest the index rose 3.1 percent to 90.8 in August and is 7.6 percent above a year ago. In the South, pending home sales increased 0.8 percent to an index of 104.6 and is 8.2 percent above August 2008. In the West the index surged 16.0 percent to 130.5 and is 22.3 percent above a year ago.

“There is likely to be some double counting over a span of several months because some buyers whose contracts were cancelled have found another home and signed a new contract to buy,” Yun explained. “Perhaps the real question is how many transactions are being delayed in the pipeline, and how many are being cancelled? Without historic precedents, it’s challenging to assess.”

Yun also noted that the data sample coverage for pending sales is smaller than the measurement for closed existing-home sales, so the two series will never match one for one.

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said first-time buyers need to act now. “Potential first-time buyers must make a contract offer very soon to have a reasonable chance of qualifying for the tax credit,” he said. “Congress needs to extend and expand this program because it’s stimulating the economy and reducing inventory close to price stabilization points.”

McMillan said a sizable number of homebuyers already in the pipeline could be let down because of the tight deadline. “We know there is a pent-up demand because sales are below normal levels for the size of our population. The faster we absorb excess inventory, the sooner we’ll turn the corner on home prices, prevent additional families from becoming upside-down in their mortgages, and give Wall Street the confidence to extend credit to other sectors,” he said. “Each home sale pumps an additional $63,000 into the economy through related goods and services, so the benefits of extending and expanding the tax credit far outweigh the costs.”

Yun said the forecast for home sales and prices depends very much on whether a tax credit is extended. “All we can say for certain is sales will decline when the tax credit expires because we are not yet on a self-sustaining recovery path. It also raises a risk of a double-dip recession,” he said. “Extending and expanding the tax credit is the best tool in our arsenal to encourage financially qualified buyers to stimulate the economy and help reduce the budget deficit.””

I found this fascinating quote today:

I was at my hair dressers today, yes one of the still guilty financial draining pleasures I have. We were discussing what I do for a living . . . Maximizing the technology that companies have through training and coaching. Of course got onto social networking and the whole place exploded. All this on line how about the real life experience of chatting and getting to know people?amychorew.com, At the Hairdressers, It’s All About People, Sep 2009

You should read the whole article.  Amy Chroew is a great friend, collegue and mentor in the Real Estate Industry as well as any other sales organization or company.  She makes the complicated simple!

Pensacola The City of Five Flags

April – September, 2009 – Artists at Palafox Market – Saturdays – Free, 8 a.m. – Noon www.CityOfPensacola.com

From April through September the Palafox Market is open every Saturday rain or shine in the shady park setting of MLK Plaza in downtown Pensacola.

September 19 -20, 2009 – Taste of the Beach on Pensacola Beach – www.VisitPensacolaBeach.com

September 25 – 27  - The 32nd Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival in Seville Square www.FiestaOfFiveFlags.org

You and your family can enjoy delicious fruits of the sea at this outstanding event, which has been consistently recognized as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.  Admission is free throughout the weekend.

Sample a variety of mouth-watering seafood dishes, enjoy continuous live entertainment in Foundain Park and start your holiday shopping early at more than 185 arts and crafts vendors.

On September 26, the Pensacola Runners Assoc will hold its annual Seafood Festival 5K run.

May – September, 2009 – Bands on the Beach  7 – 9 p.m. www.VisitPensacolaBeach.com

During the summer season, enjoy the free Bands on the Beach concert series featuring an exciting line-up of bands performing each Tuesday at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach.

Each summer, the Santa Rosa Island Authority sponsors Blues Bands on the Beach, concerts taht take place at Pensacola Beach’s Gulfside Pavilion every Tuesday from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Most Friday’s, Saturdays and Sundays June – September, 2009 – Sounds of Summer – www.VisitPensacolaBeach.com 5:30 – 7:30 pm

The beat goes on in Pensacola Beach with this free concert series at the Quietwater Shell on the Boardwalk.

First Fridays, May – October 2009 – Live After 5 www.CityofPensacola.com

Free music concerts performed on Romana Street, between Palafox and Jefferson, reature regional artisis performing live in the streets of downtown Pensacola.  Great entertainment for all.

September 18, 2009 – Gallery Night – www.artsnwfl.org

Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown arts galleries open late for this event offered several times a year.  A fun downtown community event.

October Festivities – 2009

October 16 – 18 – Greek Festival www.AnnunciationGOC.org  Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 1720 W. Garden Street, Pensacola, FL

One of Pensacola’s largest and most popular outdoor events celebrates its 49th anniversary this year.  Traditional Greek dances, gifts, entertainment and fabulous dishes such as baklava, gyros and spanakopeta.  Be sure and go early!

October 22 – November 1, 2009 Pensacola Interstate Fair www.PensacolaFair.com.  6655 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola, FL

The Pensacola Interstate Fair features big-name entertainment in addition to games, rides, agricultural and education-oriented exhibits and displays.  See the website for entry fees and the schedule of events.

October 16 – 17, 23 – 24, 2009, 19th Annual Historic Haunted House Walking Tour, www.PensacolaHistory.org/GhostWalk.htm.

A family favorite for Halloween, the narrated tours are led by costumed guides, visiting more than 50 different sites around the Seville and North Hill Historic Districts.  Make your reservations early and get the details of where to park and meet by calling the Pensacola Historical Society (850) 433-1559,

What Would You Do with an Extra $8000 Cash?  Buy a home, investment property, farm or ranch?

What if the government decided today that, instead of bailing out Wall Street, it was going to give every American $8,000? What would you do with the money?

For most Americans, paying off credit card debt would be a great way to use the free money. According to a Nilson Report released in April 2009, the average credit card debt per household in the US was $8,329 at the end of 2008. That money from the government would almost wipe out your debt completely. Imagine being completely debt free.

Healthcare is a big topic these days. According to the most current Census Bureau statistics, some 45.7 million Americans do not have health insurance. So, many Americans might choose to use their $8,000 to enroll their family in a healthcare program through their employer. The federal government tracks the average spending on health insurance for people with job-based coverage, and the most recent figures (from 2005!) indicate that the average individual’s premiums were $3,991, while families spent an average of $10,728. Your $8,000 would go a long way in insuring your family.

Some Americans might choose to start a small business. Experts estimate that start-up costs for many new business ventures are between $10,000 – $15,000. With $8,000, a large portion of your initial investment would be covered.

If you really think about it, there are so many things you could do with $8,000. You could open a 529 college savings plan. You could add your 8 grand to the government’s $4,500 Cash for Clunkers plan and buy a new car. You could take your family on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You could open an IRA and save for retirement…

But what’s the point in dreaming. The government’s not giving away $8,000, right?

Wrong.

Right now, through November 30th of this year only, the government is giving qualifying first-time home buyers up to $8,000 for purchasing a home (or up to 10% of the purchase price). This is free money that you do not have to pay back. And here’s the best part: if you qualify, you can get your money from the IRS this year, even if you’ve already filed your 2008 taxes.

There are, of course, limitations and other qualifying factors, but they are all pretty reasonable and easy to explain, and we’ll be glad to discuss these with you or anyone you know who is looking to buy a home. With today’s combination of lower home prices and lower interest rates, this temporary incentive from the government is really a great option for many Americans who act now to finally fulfill their dreams of owning a home.

Provided by Shellie Isakson, Mortgage Banker and Consultant

Beach Community Bank, Pensacola, FL  – 850-232-3224

If you or someone you know qualifies as a first time homebuyer please have them give us a call – what a gift you would be giving them! 

Healthcare is a big topic these days. According to the most current Census Bureau statistics, some 45.7 million Americans do not have health insurance. So, many Americans might choose to use their $8,000 to enroll their family in a healthcare program through their employer. The federal government tracks the average spending on health insurance for people with job-based coverage, and the most recent figures (from 2005!) indicate that the average individual’s premiums were $3,991, while families spent an average of $10,728. Your $8,000 would go a long way in insuring your family.

Some Americans might choose to start a small business. Experts estimate that start-up costs for many new business ventures are between $10,000 – $15,000. With $8,000, a large portion of your initial investment would be covered.

If you really think about it, there are so many things you could do with $8,000. You could open a 529 college savings plan. You could add your 8 grand to the government’s $4,500 Cash for Clunkers plan and buy a new car. You could take your family on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You could open an IRA and save for retirement…

But what’s the point in dreaming. The government’s not giving away $8,000, right?

Wrong.

Right now, through November 30th of this year only, the government is giving qualifying first-time home buyers up to $8,000 for purchasing a home (or up to 10% of the purchase price). This is free money that you do not have to pay back. And here’s the best part: if you qualify, you can get your money from the IRS this year, even if you’ve already filed your 2008 taxes.

There are, of course, limitations and other qualifying factors, but they are all pretty reasonable and easy to explain, and we’ll be glad to discuss these with you or anyone you know who is looking to buy a home. With today’s combination of lower home prices and lower interest rates, this temporary incentive from the government is really a great option for many Americans who act now to finally fulfill their dreams of owning a home.

Provided by Shellie Isakson, Mortgage Banker and Consultant

Beach Community Bank, Pensacola, FL  – 850-232-3224

 Real Estate prices in northwest Florida along the Gulf Coast are definitely at “value based” levels.  Inventory is going down and sales up.          

 If you or someone you know qualifies as a first time homebuyer please have them give us a call – what a gift you would be giving them! 

Welcome Home

10 S Florida Blanca

Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze ,and the Pensacola Bay Area are experiencing an increase in residential real estate sales and a reduction in the number of homes that are available for sale.  This is great news for all of us who live here.  Fortunately, for those who are in a position to purchase new homes, second homes, and residential resort properties this is a great time to buy with values comparable to 2002 and interest rates at an all time low.  Many Sellers are faced with the big question of  “Do I sell now or later.”

RIS Media announced the results of refinances during the second quarter of 2009 on mortgage payments and its savings to homeowners of over $3 billion (collectively, of coarse.)  Have you refinanced? Is it time to refinance?

In some cases now just isn’t the right time to sell your home.  The market gives every indication of having hit the bottom and beginning to move up; but, how long will it take?  Would it be better to refinance now; enjoy the savings on your payment or even use that savings for a further buydown of your principal and wait for a better time to sell?  Are you planning to stay in your current home for another 5 years?  Do you have a good bit of equity in your home that you want to use for an investment purchase?

Call me for an honest opinion of the current market value  (the price Purchasers a currently willing to pay) for your home.  If you determine now is not the right time to sell I’ll be happy to provide you with the names and contact information of my business partners who are qualified, experienced, knowledgeable,  mortgage lenders who are currently lending on homes in your area.  They will be happy to discuss your financial  needs and goals with you and see if it’s the right time to refinance.

Wikipedia describes the American Dream as a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States of America to achieve their goals in life through hard work. A part of that American Dream is to own our own home, you know, that proverbial house with the white picket fence and all.

Americans have a long tradition of a solid work ethic to reach our dreams. No doubt about it, it does take a lot of work to own your own home. Over the years, the American Dream has changed a bit in relation to finding that home. Years ago it was much simpler. You purchased a plot of land and built your house on it. Now, we spend hours and hours looking for the right area to live; the right schools for our children; and the perfect house with the perfect yard. We have to make sure the house we buy has the best of everything. This can be exhausting!!! Not to mention, do the neighbors have barking dogs?!

In spite of today’s complexities, the American Dream is still alive – dreaming of making a better life for ourselves and our families. We have high hopes and great expectations. Our goals are founded on those high hopes, and we will do anything to achieve them.

America is known as the land of plenty, the land of opportunity, and the land of destiny. Free enterprise is at the foundation of that dream. In relation to owning our own home, the possibilities are limitless in America. We have so many choices and are very fortunate. In America, owning your own home (private property) is a fundamental, unalienable right. This American Dream is real, and it can be achieved.

The paradox is: some people say that we are working so hard to make the American Dream happen that we are not taking the time to enjoy the American Dream.

I am here to help you not only make your dreams come true but to help you enjoy the process of finding the home of your dreams in the Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, and Northwest Florida Florida areas.

So . . . live your dream, but enjoy the journey!