Archives for October 2014

Condo Median Prices Jumped 53% in Okaloosa County During September

Image courtesy of Flickr by Brian Norwood

The September real estate numbers for the Emerald Coast, including Okaloosa and Walton counties, are a mixed bag. There were some shocking jumps, such as the 53 percent median price increase in condo and townhouse sales in Okaloosa County and a few not-so-shocking highs and lows when comparing this year’s real estate sales to last year at the same time.

Single Family Home Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales increased 24.6%
Pending sales rose 20.3%
Median prices increased 2%
Inventory increased 20.4%
Months supply increased 10.2% to 8.2 months of inventory

Okaloosa County

Closed sales increased 25%
Pending sales increased 20.7%
Median prices decreased 8.4%
Inventory increased 19.9%
Months supply increased 9.2% to 6.7 months of inventory

Walton County

Closed sales increased 41.4%
Pending sales increased 19.7%
Median prices fell 1.3%
Inventory increased 23.8%
Months supply increased 9.5% to 9.9 months of inventory

Townhouse and Condo Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales decreased 22.2%
Pending sales saw no change.
Median prices increased 11.2%
Inventory dropped 7.6%
Months supply increased 10.1% to 10.1 months of inventory

Okaloosa County

Closed sales dropped 13.6%
Pending sales rose 2.7%
Median prices rose 53% (from $150,000 in 2013 to $229,500)
Inventory decreased 7.7%
Months supply increased 17.2% to 11 months of inventory

Walton County

Closed sales decreased 14.5%
Pending sales increased 19.7%
Median prices decreased 9.4%
Inventory rose 1.3%
Months supply increased 8% to 10.1 months of inventory

A few things to remember…

Inventory levels have changed when compared to the previous year, but inventory levels have stayed consistent through the summer. A healthy inventory level for any real estate market is around 6 months supply of inventory. Anything over 8 is considered a high level of inventory and could begin to bring down prices as buyers are given more options and competition increases among sellers.

Townhouse and condo sales could be an indication of tighter financing options, insurance affordability, as well as the fact that the typical vacation season ends after Labor Day and demand is decreasing for resort or vacation properties. No one thing contributes to declining sales.

Pending sales are only an indication of the month ahead. In months with an increase in pending sales, you can expect sales to increase for the following month. A decline in pending sales may be an indication of lower sales the next month. It is not an automatic as sales often take more than 30 days to close, and a pending sales in June may affect sales data several months in the future.

All sales data is from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors® (ECAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and is compiled by Florida Realtors®, the state association for Florida. The Emerald Coast statistics cover both Okaloosa and Walton counties as well as surrounding areas based on the listings entered into the MLS by ECAR MLS participants.

5 Things You Should Know about Sleep

There’s no denying it: Sleep makes everything better. Getting the right type and the right amount of sleep every night makes us healthier and happier all around. However, you may have the wrong idea about what constitutes good sleep. Check out the following five sleep-myth busters from The Family Sleep Institute.

1. “Falling asleep before your head hits the pillow is a sign of healthy, normal sleep.” Normally it takes 10-20 minutes to fall asleep. Falling asleep immediately is more likely a sign of sleep deprivation, a signal your body needs more sleep than you’ve been getting lately.

2. “I sleep like a log, never moving or waking once during the night.” Actually, waking 1-3 times during the night is normal. A night of healthy sleep is composed of four to five sleep cycles. Between each of these cycles we naturally come very close to waking or actually wake up completely. We may roll over or adjust the covers. Often, the time we are awake is so short we don’t notice or remember it in the morning. Waking in the night is only considered a “problem” when you have regular difficulty getting back to sleep again; within 10-20 minutes or so.

3. “I don’t get much sleep during the work week but I make up for it on the weekend.” You may be able to pay off a little of your accumulated sleep debt this way, but it’s still not the same as getting adequate sleep on a regular basis. Most sleep experts agree that you may be able to pay off sleep debt by adding an hour or two of sleep to your nightly quota on a regular basis for awhile, but sleeping in huge chunks is just as likely to disturb your circadian rhythms, making it even harder to maintain regular schedules in the future.

4. “The sleep aids you can get at the drugstore are safe and effective.” Most over-the-counter sleep drugs contain an antihistamine, usually diphenhydramine (Benadryl(R)). Diphenhydramine can certainly knock you out, but it’s not the same as normal sleep. Regular use of these products can rob you of the repairing, restorative sleep process you really need. Also, antihistamines can leave you groggy and fuzzy-headed during the day.

5. “I get by just fine on 6 hours of sleep.” We frequently hear this myth spoken out loud; predictably by busy entrepreneurs or active social butterflies. The truth is, the typical human body requires between 7 and 9 hours of sleep time each night (more for children and teenagers) to repair the damage done, restore the chemicals depleted and rebalance the chaos created during the average day. Genetic research has shown that only 3 percent of people truly thrive on 6 hours of sleep or less. The rest are merely “getting by.”

A Closer Look: Holley by the Sea

Located in the heart of Navarre, Florida, Holley by the Sea is an active, vibrant community perfect for retirees, families, and anyone looking to make a home on the Emerald Coast.

Navarre is between the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area and Pensacola, Florida. Go east or west on Highway 98, and you’ll find something to do, something to eat, or something to buy. The most well-known and beloved neighborhood in Navarre is Holley by the Sea.

Community

The city of Navarre is one of those places that is constantly growing but manages to maintain it’s small-town vibe. Holley by the Sea is no different. With it’s own website to keep residents informed, a monthly newsletter, and an active Facebook page, living here means you’ll know what’s going on at all times.

The recreation center is home to tennis courts, swimming pools, and more. Residents can take yoga or Zumba classes or work out on your own. Classes are offered, summer camp is made available for children, and game nights are organized each month. There are also docks for boaters to use as the neighborhood is adjacent to Santa Rosa Sound.

Education

Raising a family in Holley by the Sea has benefits outside the neighborhood, as well. Children and parents are close to four schools.

Parents can rest assured that your children are getting an excellent education. Both Holley-Navarre Intermediate School and Holley-Navarre Middle School have a 9 out of 10 rating on GreatSchools.org.

If you want to have access to everything that makes the Emerald Coast what it is – the beach, the beautiful water, and more – while still maintaining a small-town feel, Holley by the Sea in Navarre is an excellent choice.

Fall Festivals and Events on the Emerald Coast

Fall is slowly approaching with the typical stutters and starts of hot again, cold again weather. Cooler mornings, less humidity, and less beach time mean more events and festivals to enjoy.

Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival
Intersection of Hwy 85 N and College Blvd. in Niceville, FL
Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19

This year marks the 38th year of the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival, an event celebrate a fish and a hairstyle. The festival is known for it’s star-studded entertainment. This year is no exception. Performers include Dustin Lynch, Neal McCoy, and headliner, Martina McBride! Come for the entertainment, stay for everything else. From smoked and fried mullet to oysters Rockefeller and every fair food in between, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy carnival rides and an arts and crafts festival.

Florida State H.O.G. Rally

Ramada Plaza Beach Resort

Tuesday, October 21 – Saturday, October 24

Join riders from across the Emerald Coast, the state, and the country for this multiple day event that allows you to see the area from the back of your motorcycle and get to know other riders. There are poker runs, bike games, bike shows, and much more. Pre-registration is closed, but you can register when you arrive.

City of Destin’s 14th Annual Fall Festival

Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Avenue

Monday, October 27, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Want a family-friendly event without a lot of cost? Come on out for the Fall Festival presented by the City of Destin. Cost of admission is one non-perishable food item. The family can participate in games, activities, a cakewalk, a costume contest, and more.

Flutterby Festival

Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, 105 Hogtown Bayou Lane, Santa Rosa Beach

Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9

Bring the whole family out to celebrate the local arts and the migration of the Monarch Butterfly along Scenic Hwy 30A. Free and open to the public, this festival is known as a place for kids to flitter and have fun. Live music, storytelling, artists, exhibitors, and more will be available. Some activities require a modest fee.

Want more information on local events? Check out the Destin Chamber event page and the Emerald Coast events page. The festivals and events coming up are great for the entire family and one of the best ways to experience the Emerald Coast during the fall months.

How to Get the Best Price for Your Home

When selling your home, you obviously want to get the maximum price for it. But most buyers will try to negotiate the price down. So how do you make sure this doesn’t happen? You need to learn the art of negotiation. Here are some tips for honing this all-important skill.

Know your competition: Investigate other homes for sale in your area and see what they’re listed at. Then check with your agent to see what they actually sold for. This will help you determine a realistic listing price, which will ultimately help you avoid receiving bids that are too low.

Understand your market: Understanding whether you live in a buyers’ or sellers’ market comes down to knowing how fast homes in your area sell and whether the sellers were inundated with home offers or had to settle for what they could get. Having this information in advance will help you determine how far to take the negotiating process.

Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate: The key to successfully selling your house is to look beyond the price itself. Everything is negotiable. For example, if buyers won’t rise to the price you’re asking, negotiate other financial aspects of the transaction, such as who pays for closing costs, upgrades or repairs, the appraisal or the home inspection. Agreeing to a less-than-hoped-for price is more palatable if the buyer agrees to pick up such costs.

By viewing the home sale as part of a larger transaction with several different pieces, many of which can be tweaked to help settle on a price that both parties can live with, the seller gains significantly more negotiating power.

Source: AOL Real Estate

9 WAYS TO HAVE A REALLY HAPPY HALLOWEEN

1. Watch where you walk. Use sidewalks, driveways, and paths. Cross the street at the corner or on a crosswalk.
2. Carry a cell phone, if possible.
3. Make sure kids are visible. Put a light or reflective tape on their costumes and have them carry a glow stick or flashlight.
4. Feed kids first. To keep kids from hitting the candy before they get home, give them a snack or dinner beforehand.
5. Don’t lose the dog. If you bring along the family pet, use a leash and collar with ID.
6. Drive extra carefully. If you drive, stay super alert and go extra slow through neighborhoods.
7. Have ground rules. If your child is old enough to go trick-or-treating without you, agree on the route and make sure it only goes through familiar neighborhoods.
8. Go over stranger dangers. Remind kids they must never get into a stranger’s car. Tell them to scream loudly and run if someone stops and asks for help or offers them candy.
9. Don’t forget to have fun. Hey, it’s Halloween–how great is that!