Jan Evett Panama City Beach, FL

Panama City Beach has been known since the 1950's as "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches." And that's the way I've known this beach my entire life (and that's been since the 1950's, too).

I took this photo, so I can promise you this is really what it looks like - gorgeous blue skies, white fluffy clouds, sugar white sand, and crystal clear water. Sometimes there are lots of intoxicating white-topped waves rolling in - and sometimes there's a little seaweed - we call it "June grass." It doesn't last long and it doesn't mess with the swimmers or jet skiers, or boaters.

It doesn't stop the kids from playing in the wet sand making sand castles and picking up beautiful sea shells.

This is what it looks like on a bright sunny summer day - like today. Won't it always be this way?

This is the city pier on Panama City Beach. It's right in the middle of all the fun places to see, if you're a tourist in the summer.

Local kids and adults spend a lot of time at those tourist places, too, but we don't admit it. We call them local hangouts.

Shipwreck Island water park, the fabulous new Pier Park - new shopping center with a huge theater and lots of restaurants.

This is the way I will always remember the Gulf of Mexico on the Northwest Florida Beaches. Won't it always be this way?

Today the beach is really busy - lots of friends and families enjoying a hot June day swimming, fishing, playing in the sand, racing on jet skies, and going out on the boat to meet friends at the Jetties.

When I was four years old, my dad and I were enjoying a day of vacation floating on the waves in these very same Gulf waters on Panama City Beach. A wave knocked me off the pink float that I was on - and it took him a long time to find me.

When you're 4 and under the salty water (and you can't swim) the gulf waves sound like a roaring train, and the sun glistens through the water - I couldn't see him, but he finally found me.

We sat on the white sand for a very long time that afternoon - not saying a word - just staring at those waves. I don't know if he ever told my mom that he almost let me drown in the Gulf.

This is "the strip" - where all the t-shirt shops, restaurants, high rise condos, and hotels provide fun, food, entertainment, and great places to stay when you come to the beach.

Some are nicer than others - the hotels, condos, and restaurants - but the white sandy beach and Gulf waters are always the main attraction - that's really why people come here for vacation.

Won't it always be this way?

This is a daytime west view - if you've been here you know it looks a lot different at sunset.

You can see for absolutely miles along the curve of the coast line on a bright sunny day. I took this photo in late winter from a condo balcony.

Today there would be a lot of people on the beach. If you want to see for yourself, click on this LIVE WEB-CAM LINK and you can see what it looks like right now - day or night - every day.

Won't it always be this way?

My family and I vacationed on this beach every summer of my life (my parents had been coming here for years before me). There are lots of things that I remember that aren't here any more like THE HANG OUT in the '50's and '60's, and Petticoat Junction in the '70's, and even my kids remember Miracle Strip Amusement Park - my kids and thousands of kids who vacationed here and grew up on this beach.

SUNSET

on

Panama City

Beach, FL

I know this photo is real, because I took this photo at sunset in February, 2008.

There have been thousands of sunsets just like it - if you've ever seen one - well, you know it's an unforgettable sight. And if you live here, sometimes you just stop whatever you're doing to go sit at the beach to watch the sun set. There are lots of great places to watch the sun set - Schooners Local's Beach Club (a big tourist spot) fires off a canon at sunset - or Laguna Beach with its 1.7 miles of dedicated beach.

My parents retired here in the early '80's, and they lived on Thomas Drive together for nearly 30 years. Of course I have friends who have lived here much longer - some have never lived anywhere else. Some moved here after retiring from careers in icy cold states that they only visit in the spring or fall now.

My husband and I vacationed at one of their condos for our honeymoon. Then we moved here a couple of years later with that "honeymoon baby" who has spent her entire 27 years on this beach. We had two more kids - now 21 and 24 - and they've spent their entire lives on this beach, too.

Today, we're all wondering if it will always be this way. Will we always have these white sandy beaches and clear Gulf waters? Everyone who loves these beaches - those who live here and vacation here, own homes and condos, or who are residents or investment owners - we're all wondering what the future will bring.

We never dreamed anything would soil our beautiful beaches. We've been through lots of tropical storms and hurricanes. We've seen storm damage, wind damage, flooding, and tornadoes. We've rebuilt from the ground up, we've seen condos, hotels, and beach front houses demolished - either during a storm or afterwards to remodel and rebuild something even bigger and better.

But we never dreamed that anything would come ashore like the oil in the Gulf that threatens our beaches.

We're praying that it doesn't. But we've learned new words that we don't want to know - like 'tar-ball' - we never dreamed we would be holding our breath worrying about tar-balls. We hope and pray that our beaches will always be pristine and beautiful like they are today.

If you think about it tonight, say a prayer for all the people along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Say a prayer for the wildlife, the birds, the turtles, and sea life. Say a prayer for the people who live along the coastline whose lives, homes, jobs, and futures depend on the viability of the Gulf.

This is the sign that "proclaims" that Panama City Beach IS "the world's most beautiful beaches." Pray that it stays that way!

POSTED BY JAN EVETT, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CENTURY 21 RYAN REALTY, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - JUNE, 2010

Remember how good it feels to swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico... soaking up the sunshine on the sparkling white sandy beaches of Panama City Beach, FL? It can't stay freezing cold forever! Spring will be here soon ... come to "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches."

One of the best things about vacationing on Panama City Beach, Florida is Capt. Anderson's Restaurant.

This famous seafood restaurant has won many culinary awards over the years, far too many to list here. You can read all about this beach icon on their website:

Capt. Anderson's Restaurant

And one of the best things at Capt. Anderson's is the Dessert Tray!

By far, the two favorite desserts seem to be Feud Cake and Key Lime Pie! For years these recipes were kept as a family secret. Now they are published in the Capt. Anderson's Cookbook that you can order on their website.

On one post I wrote about Capt. Anderson's, several people have commented that they LOVE these desserts. Many have asked that I post these recipes. I am trilled to be able to do that for you right now straight from the cookbook!

CAPT. ANDERSON'S FAMOUS FEUD CAKE

CAPT. ANDERSON'S KEY LIME PIE

Enjoy these recipes and share them with everyone you know! And when you come to Panama City Beach for your summer vacation, be sure to enjoy them at the award-winning Capt. Anderson's Restaurant! And don't forget to give me a call so I can meet you there!

By the way, the seafood entress are absolutely fantastic!!!

JAN EVETT, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CENTURY 21 RYAN REALTY, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL

You might feel a bit intimidated at the thought of buying your first home. You might be a fairly young, recently married couple, and it’s important to you to feel that you aren’t making any big mistakes.

You want to go through this experience feeling like you asked the right questions and that you can trust the people who help get you through this big step. The two best qualified people to help you find the right answers and the right home are a great lender and your REALTOR®.

Some important FAQs to consider would be:

• 1. How much can you really afford to pay for your first home?
• 2. How will you know if you’ve found the right lender and what does it take to qualify for your first mortgage?
• 3. How much cash will you need “out of pocket” – 3%, 5%, or more?
• 4. What closing costs will you be expected to pay and how much will it be?
• 5. How much will your monthly mortgage payment be and will that include home owner’s insurance and county taxes?

These are all great questions … and there are a lot more questions that will come up along the way from “just looking” to actually closing on your first home purchase. However, if you can get clear and accurate answers to these 5 questions, you will be way ahead of most first time buyers and well on your way to your goal of home ownership. As an experienced full-time real estate agent, it is my job to answer these questions for you and to help you avoid making mistakes that you may not even know about yet.

Some answers to these 5 FAQs:

• 1. The absolutely best way to know how much you can afford to pay for your first home is to make an appointment with a mortgage lender or financial loan officer. I know you’ve heard it before, but it really is best to pre-qualify for a future purchase. A good lender will ask you some basic questions about your current income and debts, monthly expenses and obligations, and any past debts that you still pay. A great lender will talk openly with you about your debt ratio (your income vs your debt), and he/she will go over your credit report with you to make sure there are no surprises.

• 2. When you find the right lender you will go from feeling completely overwhelmed by the process to realizing that you are in a good place. When you find a professional loan officer, loan originator, or mortgage broker, you will get solid answers to the questions that usually trouble buyers the most. The right lender will take or return your calls in a timely manner and he/she will take the time to explain all the costs that come along with the loan. You need to ask how much they charge for the credit report, the appraisal, underwriting, and other closing costs. Ask for a closing cost estimate of the lender’s charges in writing! In order to qualify for your first mortgage, you will need to provide personal information including proof of your income, your social security number, and bank statements. You will need to give them permission to run your credit report.

• 3. The amount of “out of pocket cash” that you will need will depend on the kind of loan or financing you qualify for with that great lender you’ve found. The amount of down payment – 3% or 5% for example – will depend on whether you get an FHA, VA, or Conventional loan. The kind of loan you get will be decided between you and the lender based on your credit report, the condition of the property you are planning to buy, and the types of loans the lender has available.

• 4. There are some specific closing costs that are usually paid by the buyer, and these can vary depending on what is typical in the area where you plan to buy a home. Most of these costs have to do with your loan such as the appraisal, underwriting, and any other lender fees or state taxes on the new loan monies. In addition, you may be required to pay for inspections such as termite or home inspections, as well as a property survey. In some areas it is typical for the seller to pay for a termite inspection, but in others the buyer pays for any inspections he/she orders. The two most important people who will help you estimate the closing costs are the lender and your REALTOR®.

• 5. You know better than anyone else what you can realistically afford to pay each month. Chances are you’ve already made a budget based on your current income and monthly expenses. Go ahead and make a list of all your bills that you think will continue to stay with you after you buy a home, such as car payments, student loans, credit card monthly payments, and any other credit obligations. Your monthly mortgage payment (P/I or Principle and Interest) will depend on the amount of the loan and the interest rate the lender charges. Your lender should give you these numbers in writing! The taxes and insurance will depend on the value the local property appraiser assigns to the property you buy and the amount of home owners insurance required to sufficiently protect your home. Once you’ve found the right home, decided on a purchase price, and have qualified with a lender the next step is to find the right insurance agent. It doesn’t hurt to “shop” rates when considering home owner’s insurance costs. Don’t skimp! And if you are in certain areas, you may need flood, wind, or other forms of extended home owners insurance. Be sure to ask for any requirements and for written quotes on these as well.

Detailed answers to these FAQs and other important questions can and should be answered by the real estate professionals you choose to work with you on this most important first time home purchase. There are great programs available for first time home buyers through various lenders in addition to the federal $8,000 tax credit. There are limitations on all of these, so be sure you find a lender and a REALTOR® who will to spend the time necessary to answer your questions. You will be glad you asked these questions when you close on the purchase of your first home.

Education, experience, and expertise are the values I bring to every real estate transaction. You will feel confident when you have all your questions answered and you find the perfect first home to buy!

POSTED BY JAN EVETT, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CENTURY 21 RYAN REALTY, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL

In Panama City Beach on the NW Florida Gulf of Mexico, locals go to Capt. Anderson's Restaurant to celebrate the family milestones of life. Our family gathered tonight to celebrate my dad's 82nd birthday ... and the evening couldn't have been better!

Candi organized our plans as she drove from Orlando to Panama City today. It 's always so much fun when she comes home for a visit!

We had a wonderful time choosing our favorite Capt. Anderson's entrees beginning with Greek Salads. From the classic Scamp Imperial with fresh lump crabmeat to the rich and creamy she-crab pie, every dish was delicious!

Of course the best part of finishing your entree is the arrival of the Capt. Anderson's dessert tray.

Yummm!

Our server, Robin, was just tremendous!!! She has been doing this for quite a while, so her attention to detail and anticipation of our needs made the experience even more special.

Robin is showing off the world famous Feud Cake that she selected for Dad's birthday celebration ... served with a lighted candle!

Thank you, Robin, for being part of our special evening!

And "Thank You" to the entire Capt. Anderson's family for making us feel so welcome and appreciated!

It was a very Happy 82nd Birthday!

You can read more about Capt. Anderson's in these articles I've written about the restaurant:

A SPRING BREAK FAMILY TRADITION and A SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY INVITATION

For more information about Panama City Beach restaurants, read the RESTAURANT VACATION GUIDE FOR PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA written by Jan Evett, Broker Associate, Century 21 Ryan Realty, Panama City Beach, FL.

POSTED BY JAN EVETT, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CENTURY 21 RYAN REALTY, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA