Sandy Blanton- Pensacola Real Estate- #1 in 07'- 09'

We're all aware of the thousands of barrels of crude oil are pouring into the gulf every day from ruptured lines. The spill is still miles from our shores but what many people don't know is that the local housing market is already feeling the effects. We live in an area where property values are dependent on access to our white sandy beaches and anything that threatens that has to be taken into account. Part of what we sell is the lifestyle of living on or near the beach.

10 Calle Traviesa is a Team Sandy Blanton exclusive listing located in the Lago Bonita subdivision on East Pensacola Beach. This home is a perfect example of how the oil spill is already taking a toll on the Pensacola Beach housing market. Once the seller, who lives out of state, got wind of the oil spill she immediately dropped her price to $125,000. Not only is that $20,000 off the previous list price and the lowest price on Pensacola Beach but at just under $110 per square foot, this home is priced at nearly what the current owner paid in 2001 and one of the lowest prices per square foot in the last 10 years! The new price is significantly lower than offers we received on this home just a couple weeks back. We're very optimistic and working hard to sell this home and we have had some recent activity, but it's still available.

We still meet homeowners who refer to home prices in "pre-Ivan" and "post Ivan" terms referencing the dramatic rise and eventual fall of prices after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. We think it's possible that owners of beach property will look back at this oil spill and do the same. There's really never been anything like so all we can do is assess the situation and take all the factors into account. We have to consider the loss of jobs for local fisherman and people that work on the beach or rely on its' resources that may have to find other jobs in town or relocate. We also expect a lot of coastal homeowners may have difficulty making mortgage payments when they're faced with loss of rental income from properties which are rarely vacant during the summer season. This could create a whole new wave of distressed property owners which could lead to more foreclosures and short sales which will only aid in decreasing prices. The question isn't if coastal property values will continue to drop but how further will they drop, and long will they stay depressed once the oil is factored into the already declining waterfront market? No one knows for sure. We do know this crisis is making for some great opportunities for potential buyers in the meantime. Now may be the time to invest in that beach property you always wanted but couldn't afford at the escalated prices we saw just a few years back.

Sandy Blanton

Team Sandy Blanton Realty

Pensacola's #1 Realtor in 07', 08' and 09'. "I'm Not Bragging, I'm Applying For A Job. I Want Your Referrals!"

Check Out Our Websites - http://www.TSBRealEstate.com and http://www.10DayShortSales.com

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a licensed Realtor to join our team as a buyer specialist. We specialize in delivering a high level of customer service using technology. If you are licensed, motivated, eager to learn, service oriented, computer savvy and love working as part of a team, call 850-479-7653 and ask for Sandy for more information!

What's different about working at Team Sandy Blanton?

1. We have a team! This is truly different than any other brokerage you may see in the Pensacola area. As a buyer agent, you no longer have to handle your own closings- our client service and closings managers do this for you! This leaves you with more free time to do what you do best- selling houses! You can also rest assured that your contract will make it to closing in the hands of our exprienced closing coordinator with 300+ transactions under her belt.

2. You will receive weekly training and advising sessions with Sandy Blanton. Sandy sold more homes in the Pensacola area in 2007 and 2008 than any other agent and he has consistently ranked in the top 5 local Realtors since the year 2000. It's clear to see the training and advice you will receive are top notch.

3. We reimburse all of your costs! This is critical to many agents and truly is hard to find in this tough market. Where else can you go that puts money back in your pocket for things like cell phones and gas?

4. There are no desk fees or franchise fees! We don't "nickel and dime" you at TSB. We want you to make money and be successful.

5. We offer tons of leads! As a member of our team, you will receive lots of internet leads and a nearly unlimited amount of "floor time" with exclusive "floor duty" time after hours and over the weekend for a full week once monthly.

We believe that mo other brokerage in town offers this much opportunity to succeed.

I expect the Northwest Florida real estate values to drop another 12% by year's end. Perhaps the downward spiral will stop in 2010 but the days of double digit appreciation are gone for many years, maybe forever. I expect appreciation rates to be in the 2% range per year from 2010 through 2015. Perhaps we'll see some normal appreciation rates in the 4 to 6% range annually after that.

If anyone tells you to "take your house off the market until next year when things get better," run like hell! Believe it or not, I meet with sellers on a regular basis who have been told this by other Realtors! It's not getting better anytime in the near future folks! Let's say your property is worth $100K today, by year's end it'll be worth $88K. At 2% a year appreciation from 2010 on, it'll take until year 2017 to get back to the $100K you're at right now!

Buyers will remain in control of the market for as long as I can see. About 80% of the listings I see on the market are 20% over priced. There is a lot of seller denial in the real estate world. As if they have a serious disease, putting off treatment (adjusting to the real world value) will make it worse. You're losing about 1% in value as each month passes.

There is a silver lining to every cloud! If you're an investor I recommend you buy repos and hold them for rental income. You can buy a livable rental property now for $30K that will rent for $600 a month! This is where the money will be for investors. My associate, Brandon, just closed on a 3 bedroom home for $13,500 that rents for $500 per month! He has a tenant signed up and moving in on February the 1^st. If you've never considered purchasing real estate as an investment, now is the time!

Interesting article: http://blogs.tampabay.com/realestate/2008/10/downbeat-news-f.html

For more expert advice and predections, call me at 850-479-7653! Also, take a moment to check out our website- http://www.TSBRealEstate.com - it's a great resource to search for Pensacola area homes and for more information about our area!

- Sandy Blanton, CRS, GRI, Pensacola's #1 Realtor in 2007 and 2008. I'm not bragging, I'm applying for a job. I want to be your Realtor!

We all know that there are some Realtors that charge flat fees for their property management services and/or sales. Throughout the years, we have taken over several properties that were previously marketed or managed by these types of companies. The number 1 reason a consumer hires one of these brokers is to save money, but do they end up saving anything at all?

If you're thinking of hiring a broker based on their fee, ask yourself the following questions:

If a Realtor is this willing to severely discount their own fee, what can you expect when it comes to negotiating the price of your home (assuming that service is included in the fee)?

What incentive does the Agent have to sell your home for top-dollar?

If you were to hire a doctor to perform a delicate surgery, would you make the decision based on the doctor who boasts the lowest fee?

If the Agent doesn't sell your home, how much money have you saved?

If the Agent charges an upfront fee for their services, what incentive do they have to sell your home?

Every Brokerage and every Agent is different so it would be impossible to categorize all discount Brokers together. These are just a few things to consider. One thing is certain; hiring the wrong person to sell your home may cost you!

For more information about Pensacola Real Estate, visit www.tsbrealestate.com. We are the foremost authorities in Pensacola homes and real estate sales.

This is another successful short sale in Pensacola Florida! With a full time employee to work these deals, we know how to get them to closing. Call us if you or someone you know are considering the possibility. 850-479-SOLD(7653)

Details about the home below:

PRE-FORECLOSURE!!! Check out this 2,423 square foot home with a pool for only $180,000! This home is located in desirable Shadow Grove subdivision and has many amenities including a spacious master suite, 22x42 inground pool, a fireplace and vaulted ceiling in the living/great room. When driving up to the home you will notice the curb appeal and great location "high and dry" in a quiet cul-de-sac. Upon entering, the fireplace, vaulted ceiling, orange peel texture and plant niches and nooks catch your attention and set the stage for what is to come. Continue your tour to kitchen, you won't be diasppointed! The kitchen boasts an island, vaulted ceiling, cabinet space galore, side-by side refrigerator, stove and built-in microwave. Directly off the kitchen is the formal dining area with lots of windows that over look the backyard with a 22x42 lighted in ground pool with jets and diving board, and 336 square foot of patio space. A couple other great features of the home are the Florida room and office (current owner used office as 4th bedroom) located directly off the main living space. This home has 3 bedrooms seperated by a split floor plan. The Master Suite has a trey ceiling, a door that leads directly to the patio, and a spacious bath with seperate shower, jacuzzi tub, and walk in closets. On the other side of the home the front bedroom features a bay window with seat and built in storage. There is a "Jack and Jill" style bath with pocket door access to either bedroom and central access for guests from the main hall. Other things to consider are the fire hydrant and security system that can account for up 20% savings on home insurance per current owner, and all rooms (except baths) are wired for cable, internet, and phone! This home is an amazing value and won't last long.