Buyer's Real Estate Guide

Golfing in December

Kelly Klein — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:36:45 +0000

Santa Rosa Golf Course

Walton County Florida Sales Trends

Kelly Klein — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:42:53 +0000

The month of October brought an increase in the number of home sales in Walton County Florida. It is now up 25.71% over 2011 same period. It is incredible to see builders excited again and consumer confidence up. Inventory is down so they have to build new right now. We seem to have an abundance of cash buyers in the area too.

Condos did not fare as well as financing for condos is still tricky and hard to get. The condo market is down 14.15% over the same period in 2011.

Lot sales are abundent with an increase of 75% for the year. Soon that land they are not building any longer will be gone.

I am noticing an increase in the number of Lis Pendens being filed with an increase in Walton County of 25% over same period last year. Perhaps the banks are now letting some of their foreclosures go that they have been holding back over the past year.

Overall, the market is healthy and I see inventory being reduced as prices are holding steady for the sellers. I would call this a stable environment at this time. Don’t wait to buy. You do not want it to be a seller’s market again so hurry with your decisions to own that dream vacation property here along the Panhandle.

I would love to work with you on your next purchase. I work exclusively as a buyer’s represenative and can assist you by saving you time, energy, money, and frustration.

Warmly yours,

Walton County Sales Trends for August 2012 – Took a Dip

Kelly Klein — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:02:42 +0000

Walton County Florida Sales Report is out for August. Thank goodness it was just not me that felt the drop in sales activity. The entire area had a slight drop over July figures. This can sometimes be attributed to the fact that parents are busy wrapping up the summer and getting their children prepared for school.

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Total Single Family Home Sales gained slightly in August by almost 20% over same period last year.

However, Condo Sales were way off the mark. They were down 15% from the month of July and down over 20% for the year.

Residential Lots are still selling well. A category that we just can’t make enough of any more. People are here and buying up lots while the prices are still somewhat low. Lot sales are up 90% over same period last year. The prices on lots are going up. In some communities double the prices in January. Keep an eye on this category as rising lot prices will mean higher home prices as we move through this next phase in the real estate market.

Foreclosures are down almost 25% for the year. However, there are 28% more Lis Pendens filed over the same period as last year which means we are not out of this yet. Shadow inventory and more buyers just getting to the point of breaking can never be a good sign.

Buying a home is all about decision making, and you can only make good decisions when you have all the best information that’s available. It also helps to use the services of an experienced professional who can assist you in interpreting all the information, particularly given that there is so much of it – on the Web, in print, everywhere.

One of my specialties as an agent is helping buyers make the most informed decisions they can: decisions based on location, the market, financing, a home’s condition, which “extras” to negotiate for and much more. In addition, I will do a lot of the legwork for you so you save time, money and energy.

So if you’re thinking about buying soon, please contact me anytime. My work won’t cost you any more than if you do it yourself, and I guarantee you’ll like the result.

Business Contact

Free MLS Search

Kelly Klein — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:13:10 +0000

Free MLS Search

Seychelles Resort has a outdoor pool and spa, on-site rental managment and office, an exercise room, 9′ ceilings, ceramic tile flooring in foyer, hall, kitchen and baths, solid surfact kitchen countertops, cultured marble vanity tops in baths, 6′ to 8′ balcony depths, two bedrooms with separate bunk room (9’4 x 9’4), and washer and dryer.

Seychelles is located at 5155 Gulf Drive in Panama City Beach, FL 32408

There are 22 floors with 193 units and dedicated gulf frontage of 200 feet of white beautiful sandy beaches.

www.panamacitymls.com/kellyklein

Kelly Klein

Lifeguard Real Estate, Inc.

850-420-2480

Mortgage Rates on the Rise and Why

Kelly Klein — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:25:51 +0000

This comes from my Mortgage Lender, Debbie Parmer Regions Mortgage Mortgage Loan Originator Assistant Vice President NMLS ID#546507 91 Scenic Gulf Drive Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 585-8448 (Cell) (877) 770-0133 (Fax) www.regionsmortgage.com/debbieparmer debbie.parmer@regions.com

Read below:

Good Morning, I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I am in all week.
After reaching record lows near the end of July, mortgage rates have moved steadily higher this month, and the trend accelerated this week. While the US economic data was roughly neutral and there was little news out of Europe, mortgage rates continued to rise.
Prior to July 26, two primary factors were responsible for the decline to record lows. First, the European debt troubles caused investors to shift to relatively safer assets, including US mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and mortgage rates are largely determined by MBS prices. Second, slower economic growth reduced inflationary pressures and supported low mortgage rates. While the troubles in Europe and sluggish growth rates are likely to remain for quite a while, what changed is that investor expectations on both fronts have improved this month, which has been negative for mortgage rates.
On July 26, the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) declared that the ECB will do “whatever it takes” to preserve the European Union (EU), and Germany’s Chancellor made similar comments this week. This raised expectations that the ECB will provide additional aid and help prevent the troubles from spreading. As a result, investors have partially reversed the flight to safety trade, lifting stocks and hurting mortgage rates.
The stronger than expected July Employment report released on August 3, this week’s Retail Sales report, and improving housing sector data have raised the outlook for US economic growth. In typical fashion, as expectations have improved, mortgage rates have moved higher.
Next week, Existing Home Sales will come out on Wednesday. The detailed Minutes from the August 1 Fed meeting also will be released on Wednesday. The Minutes often provide additional insight into the debate between Fed officials. New Home Sales will be released on Thursday. Durable Orders, an important indicator of economic activity, will come out on Friday.

Amendment 4 Matters

Kelly Klein — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:19:51 +0000

On this November 6th Election Ballot there will be a vote on Amendment 4. This Amendment will address several property tax inequities here in the State of Florida. It will help the first-time home buyers and attract job-creating business investments. Florida relies heavily on the secondary vacation home property, second homes and investment properties. This Amendment will give them tax relief on these types of properties and will encourage others to invest in Florida.

Please vote YES to Amendment 4 if you are a Florida Registered Voter.

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Florida_Property_Tax,_Amendment_4_(2012)

July 2012 Sales Report — Walton County, Florida

Kelly Klein — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:07:38 +0000

New home sales are up over 98% in Walton County Year-to-Date 2012 over Year-to-Date 2011 figures. DR HORTON has contributed to this increase with 13 new communities in South Walton County alone. To view, go to www.drhorton.com

Resale of Detached Single Family homes remain stagnant. Why buy used when you can buy new for less and get a home warranty?

Walton County does not really have any new condos to offer for sale so this number is almost 70% down over last year’s figure. It makes sense for this to happen. Land is at an all time premium, thus we have been built out for a while here. Condo fees continue to increase at many complexes. This coupled with the fact that you must have 25 to 30% down to qualify for a condo purchase makes buying a condo difficult for many.

Condo resales are down almost 20% Year-to-Date over 2011 figure. Again qualifying for a loan and the complex itself being a healthy complex come into play.

Lots seem to be selling at a record pace this year with an 86% increase over last year’s lot sales. They just don’t make any more land and people are grabbing what they can while it is still available.

If you would like a copy of the complete statistical report, please email me at Kelly@KellyKleinSoldMine.com or call me at 850-420-2480.

Lifeguard Real Estate, Inc.

Broker / Owner

Hurricane Preparedness

Kelly Klein — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:48:32 +0000

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

You Had Me At…. I Am a Cash Buyer

Kelly Klein — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:00:29 +0000

Real Estate has become harder and harder to get financing on. Now with Bank of America‘s credit score being reduced along with some other top banks, the lending will get even tighter. The banks need to keep their own credit ratings up in order to borrow more money so they can make more loans to the end users. The end users have to jump through more hoops than ever now.

Example: A buyer of mine who had been divorced for years and remarried for over 5 years had two boys. The underwriters one day before close made him have his sons who were now ages 22 and 25 send the underwriter copies of their driver’s licenses to prove dad didn’t owe any child support.

Example: Another buyer of mine had to write a letter on why he wanted to move across town a distance of about 40 miles to a better home from the one he had. Really?

Come on. So when I hear a buyer say, “I will be a cash buyer”, it is MUSIC to my ears.

Kelly Klein, Lifeguard Real Estate, Inc.

850-420-2480

Kelly@KellyKleinSoldMine.com

www.KellyKleinSoldMine.com

www.EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com/KellyKlein

Walton County Florida May Real Estate Sales Trends

Kelly Klein — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:35:45 +0000

What is going on in Walton County Florida? Let’s take a look. May experienced a jump in Single Family Homes sales. Up 19% for the year and 14% over May of 2011. Lower interest rates and affordable homes are making a difference.

Condo and Townhome sales were only up slighty by 9.28% for the month of May and down overall slightly for the year by -.44%. Condo and townhome loans are more difficult to obtain. You must have excellent credit and at least 25-30% cash down. On top of that, the condo association cannot have more than 15% deliquencies of non-paying condo owners past due on their quarterly fees. Condos are much harder to finance, but Debbie Parmer at Regions Bank and Sue Botelho at Waterstone Mortgage both seem to have condo packages to meet the need of my buyers and can get them done.

Residential lots are selling like crazy right now. Not an easy purchase unless you have the cash to buy them, but they are up 75.22% for the year over last year. Foreclosures and Short Sales have driven the prices of lots down and then you have DR Horton, America’s Largest Builder, buying up failed subdivisons and building brand new homes on these lots at affordable prices. If you need a lot loan, my best source is John Kelly at Trustmark Bank. They require 25% down and rates are around 6% today.

What is interesting is the “shadow inventory” that is beginning to come back on the market. The number of Lis Pendens or Notices of Foreclosures increased by 92.11% for the month of May over last year and for the year is back up to 63.67% as the banks are slowly dripping their inventory back into the market again after last year’s robo signing debatacle. If you are looking to buy property in Walton County, please consider using someone who represents your best interests.

I work Exclusively as your Buyer’s Agent and represent you. My services are free and I am compensated through shared commissions in the local MLS. However, I will walk you through the process from searching to getting you to the closing table successfully all the while educating you and empowering you to make the smartest buying decision you can possibly make. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The summer is “hot” and getting “hotter” when it comes to sales.

Warmly yours, Kelly Klein, Lifeguard Real Estate, Inc.

Kelly@KellyKleinSoldMine.com

Http://www.KellyKleinSoldMine.com

Http://www.EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com/

KellyKlein 850-420-2480