Bobbi Blades, ABR,CRS,GRI,PMN,RRS

The Real Estate Market in Northwest Florida is moving in a positive direction. Buyers are taking advantage of homes that are "value" priced, low interest rates, and first time homebuyer (those buyers who never before have owned or haven't owned a home in 3 years) incentives such as the up to $8000 tax incentive credit which, in the State of Florida, may be applied at closing toward their down payment.

Information supplied by the Pensacola Association of Realtors® indicates the numbers of available homes in all price categories continue to decrease as sales are increasing over the same time period last year. Much has been written regarding "distressed properties" or those who unfortunately are and have been listed and sold as "shortsales" and/or "foreclosures" (Bank owned properties.) The number of homes in the Pensacola Bay Area of northwest Florida listed under these two categories appears to have declined over the last 3 months from sales during the same period in 2008; and, represent less than 10% of the total sales in this 3 month period in 2009. Although homes sales are less by a small percentage than last year we have seen a steady increase in sales in 2009; the median sales price has increased, and inventory continues to decline.

With sellers "value pricing" their homes and pent up purchase demand causing supply and demand to once again move toward each other, purchasers are taking advantage of the low interest rates and purchasing homes. Even with the plethora of available homes many sellers are receiving multiple purchase offers for their homes that are priced correctly, presented properly in clean, maintained upgraded condition with a maintained lawn -- move in ready condition.

Are we at the "bottom" of the market? Statistics indicate that we are and may, in fact, be moving up. The question purchasers should be asking themselves is, would you rather wait and see if the price of the home you want will go down further; and if it does, will it out weigh the cost of a potentially higher interest rate being charged on the home loan? The question sellers should be asking themselves is, should I wait to see if the value of my current home goes up and hope the value of the one I want doesn't go up as well?

An experienced, educated and qualified Realtor® will be able to help you determine the answers to these questions and aid and guide you through the home purchase/sale process. Through their years of experience and their current research they will be able to give you the current market value of the home and the data and detail to support it. An experienced Realtor® has built a team of business partnerships qualified, experienced and certified if required in the functions necessary to sell or purchase a home or property and will share their contact information with you. Lenders which will assist in determining which financial programs match the personal financial needs and goals of a purchaser, and the Expected cost for the purchase of the home; home inspectors who will inspect all facets of the interior and exterior of the property to determine its condition, repairs necessary for functionality and/or expected maintenance timelines; insurance needs and requirements, environmental disclosures and concerns, surveyors, pest inspectors and treatment companies; closing companies and/or attorneys that will research the title of the property insuring all transfers of title have been performed properly and will issue title insurance for the lender and purchaser insuring against potential defects of title which were not of record; and, home warranty companies should you want or need one to cover major expenses of repair to the home mechanicals (electrical and plumbing, heating and air, water heater, etc.) during the first year of home ownership.

Which opportunity is of the most value to you? The opportunities are numerous. Are you ready to take advantage of the opportunity?

The Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package has been signed by President Obama. We are told that we are on the "road to recovery" now that much needed funds are earmarked for spending throughout the United States over the next 3 years. Although this is not a quick fix it is a beginning.

Visit http://www.Realtor.org, bottom right hand corner or the home page, "Unlock American's Economy," for detailed information regarding how provisions of this stimulus package will affect the Housing Industry. Take the time to listen to the NAR President's Broadcast as the President of the National Association of Realtors®, Charles McMillan, NAR's Chief Lobbyist, Jerry Giovaniello, and NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun discuss the housing provisions in the new law and their impact on the real estate market and the overall economy.

http://www.realtor.org/about_nar/presidents_report/_podcast_archive/mcmillan_americanrecoveryact_20090217

There is no doubt that this is a fabulous time to make property purchases. Values in most areas of the United States and certainly Florida are around the 2002 level and interest rates are at an all time low. For purchasers of single family owner occupied or investment properties the opportunities are numerous. For first time homebuyers or those who have not owned property for the last three years the $8000 credit to be applied to your 2009 tax return is incredible.

Do not miss this opportunity! It is a "once in a lifetime" deal; and, there are funds available for real estate purchased by qualified buyers.

We the People - Part Two

Today is a very telling day in our Government's history. We are being led to believe a "stimulus package" has been passed which will, in the immediate future, begin to bring us out of a recession. I'm sure it will aid a few areas in their quest for progression. In lieu of pontification I'll share these URLs with you. Definitely worth listen to and seeing.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1032368763 Digging into the Recovery Plan - CNBC Rep. Paul Ryan 2/20

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1023247980 Fixing the Housing Mess -CNBC Richard Smith, CEO of Realogy.

The good news is that we can make a change. We can correct this. We are the best Country in the World to live, work and play in and it's our colorful, culturally diverse citizens with the best minds and most creative ideas that make us so. The freedom to creat and speak - as long as we don't tread on another's freedom.

We the People need to be very aware of what is happening in Washington. We need to stand up and SHOUT. Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them how you feel. Tell them "No More Pork!"

"We the People" - The American Relief and Recovery Bill and the Housing Industry.

I read with surprise and disappointment the "Recovery Bill" which is supposed to be agreed upon by both the United States Senate and the House written, supposedly, to put those in the unemployment lines back to work, shore up the Housing Industry, bail out the Banks, and stimulate the Economy. Thus far it appears to me that, other than the funding of Rural Housing and multifamily spending, there are no relief measures in sight for the Real Estate Industry or those experiencing financial hardship with payment of their home loans.

In reading the "Bill" http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf, that is supposed to be agreed upon by the US Senate and House, there is little to no funding for troubled property owners or incentives for potential purchasers of primary residences purchased in 2009 to purchase a home. The Amendment to the Bill to stimulate the Housing Market brought forward by Senators Isakson and Martinez which would have given a $15,000 tax credit to all 2009 purchasers of homes used as their principal residence appears to have been struck.

Where is the promised aid and help for the housing industry? Where is the buy down of the interest rates to refinance homeowners who can't make their current payment and for purchasers of primary residences?

Where are the promised incentives? It also appears a large amount of the money stays in DC rebuilding and or "maintaining" government property - in DC and the various agencies in the Government. This "Bill" as written appears to be about "We the Government" instead of "We the People." It will in fact put some people to work. Doing what; for whom; AND, how many of "The People" will the work actually affect? Special Interest Groups or "We the People?"

It's time we all stand up and SHOUT that we're tired of "pork barrel" spending; we want to know what we are about to purchase, and eventually pay for, and whom we are going to pay it to.

During the election campaign much was said about "the current administration..." and their spending habits. Too much was being spent on special interests and needless add-ons to the bills being passed which did not relate to the bills. The People spoke and said "You're Right. Out with the old and in with the new." However, there are still many of the "old" crew in power and I can certainly see their "special interests" all over this bill.

What happened to those campaign promises to "fix the housing industry?" Or, maybe that was simply the convenient wording at the time; or, maybe it was only their own house they were speaking of.

Why don't the Senators and Representatives voting in favor of this Bill, as it stands, explain this to the 20% of Realtors who "lost" their job (which of course doesn't show up in the unemployment figure,) or the construction workers, engineers, tradesmen, haulers, and suppliers who now have no work and are losing their homes? How are they going to explain why a Serviceman's home has gone to foreclosure because their family couldn't make the payment and there was no one to go to for aid?

And, why aren't the Members of Congress taking a 10% to 20% reduction in their wages to offset the higher expenses?

It's time for all of us to stand up and SHOUT that we disagree with the current "agreed upon" Bill. Former President Abraham Lincoln won't mind it if we don't have the "Bill" signed before it's a full and complete package.

It's time we remembered that "We the People" are the Stockholders in this Company - our Country. It's time we let our Board of Directors know what we expect of them and hold them accountable for the results of their actions.

It's Monday and what a great day it is. It's 70 degrees, a gentle breeze, waves are "softly" rolling on shore; the water is so clear you can see the bottom and tell what kind of fish are nibbling on your freckles, sailors are tacking gently along, skidoers are romping in circles, and people are actually putting sun screen on.

This morning Santa Rosa Sound was like glass. Did you know that young Seagulls actually play together? They simply love to swim, splash and dive under for fun and food. This morning there were 25 that I could actually count that would move along just a bit and then all dive under together and come up about 10 feet further down the current. They are just so funny.

Today is a good day, it began with clear blue sky, sun on my face, the gentle lapping of the Gulf waves, and beautiful, fun views of my wild neighbors, and warm breezes. And now, its time to go home, kick the shoes off, sip some tea and enjoy the view from my porch. Thought I'd share with everyone who wants to know what the Lifestyle on the North Florida Gulf Coast is like. Attitude and Gratitude go together, I'll share. And, Yes - this is really a shot from my balcony.

Ya'll come down now! Bobbi

Bobbi Blades, Broker Assoc / Sales Manager - 850-501-2354 - Bobbi@BobbiBlades.com

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors, Pensacola Beach, FL 800-874-5300 - Bobbi.Blades@CBUnited.com

http://BobbiBlades.com * http://Pensacola.CBUnited.com