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Realtors Go To Tallahassee

Image via Flickr courtesy of Stephen Nakatani

You might be surprised to learn that Realtors go to Tallahassee every year to advocate for property owners, both residential and commercial. Of course, we speak up about issues that affect our business, but overall, the issues that affect you, affect us. This year, nearly 1,000 Realtors arrived in Tallahassee on March 3 and 4, bringing important issues directly to our state legislators.

Sales Tax on Commercial Lease

If you’ve ever owned a business and leased your location, you are very familiar with this one. Florida is one of the few states that charges sales tax on your lease and expenses like landscape, insurance, and property taxes. This can make operating a business very expensive. Legislation has been proposed to phase out the sales tax over time with a one percent decrease this year. If this passes, it would be good news for business owners and Floridians. More companies opening up in the state means more jobs to fill.

Affordable Housing

Did you know that whenever you buy a house, you pay doc stamp taxes? Those taxes go to the Sadowski Trust Fund, an affordable housing trust that funds homeless programs, low-income renter programs, and down payment/closing cost assistance programs. Amendment 1 which addressed water and land conservation requires that 33 percent of all doc stamp taxes collected go toward conservation. Realtors understand the importance of conservation, but don’t think it should be done on the backs of people who need help with housing. In a year of $1 billion surpluses and plenty of funds in general revenue, we asked our legislators to leave the Sadowski Trust Fund alone.

Water Policy

Realtors understand more than most that the population is booming and will only continue to grow. What’s not to love about living in Florida – especially after a winter like the northern states have experienced this year? In order to make sure that everyone has access to clean, drinkable water, Realtors asked legislators to develop a comprehensive state water policy. This includes:

• Utilizing money from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to sustain and maintain lands and other resources the state owns,
• Support programs that keep our waters free from harmful pollutants,
• Expand the use of alternative water supplies.

Cap Estoppel Certificate Fees

If you have ever owned and sold a property as part of a condo or homeowner association, you’re probably very aware of estoppel certificate fees. The certificate is issued by the association when an owner sells their property to show the owner is in good standing and has paid their dues and fees. Current policy allows community associations to set a “reasonable” fee for this. Unfortunately, some associations have seen this as a revenue stream and fees can be as high as $500 in some associations. The proposed legislation would do three things:

• Cap the fee to be charged at $100
• Require the certificate to be prepared and delivered in 10 days
• Make the certificate valid for 30 days

If you want to lend your support to any of these topics, feel free to reach out to our state Senators and Representatives and let them know what you think.

Realtors do much more than list your home or help you find your dream home. We’re also advocates for home and business owners, fighting issues that make it harder to own or sell and supporting issues that save you money and help you enjoy homeownership.

Smart Eating Strategies Make Dining Out a Healthy Choice

If you’re on a diet or simply watching what you eat, a trip to a restaurant doesn’t have to knock you off the wagon. You can keep your eating in check by following these tips.

First, prepare for your meal. If you eat a big lunch, have a light dinner. Or if you know you’re going to be eating a calorie-filled meal out, eat healthy throughout the rest of the day.

Next, focus on picking the right restaurant. When picking one, make sure you look at menus first. Picking a restaurant with a lot of options will give you a better chance of finding something healthy and less caloric to eat. Make sure you also understand menu terms. Avoid dishes with descriptions that include the words “au gratin,” “rich,” or “crispy.” These foods are usually fried and or carry a high fat content thanks to ingredients such as cheese, butter or cream.

When ordering at the restaurant, balance your meal by including foods from all the different food groups: meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Look for freshly made salads that give you “balance in a bowl.” For example, order salads with chicken, cheese or almonds. These foods are high in protein along with fiber and vitamins. If you are counting calories, use a low-fat dressing or skip some of the extras, like croutons.

You can also substitute sides for healthier options, such as green beans for mashed potatoes. Most restaurants will be pretty accommodating to your needs so don’t be afraid to ask.

The most important tip? Eat slowly. Your body takes about 20 minutes to register that it is full. So by eating slowly, you will be able to tell when you’re full before you over-eat.

Now that you have these handy tips, you won’t have to worry about turning down your friends for dinner anymore. Happy dining!

Source: eatright.org

It’s Becoming Too Expensive to Rent – It May Be Time to Buy!

Image via Flickr courtesy of Mark Moose

A frightening number was recently released by a J.P. Morgan study that all renters need to be aware of:

Renting is now more expensive than owning a home – by 20 percent.

Let’s contrast that with the post-housing bubble crash. In 2006, as prices skyrocketed and many low or moderate income people found themselves priced out of owning a home, owning a home was 76 percent more expensive than renting. For anyone on a tight budget, it made sense to rent.

Then the market crashed. Prices plummeted. Short sales and foreclosures became the new normal. Instead of this being a time for people to buy and scoop up amazing deals, credit tightened to the point of strangulation, and it became more difficult to purchase a home.

A recent study done by New York University and commissioned by Capital One shows that rent is increasing in 11 major cities around the country. While the Emerald Coast is its own market and does not always follow the trends of larger cities, this is something to watch.

The fear is that current rents and the speed with which they’re increasing aren’t sustainable for many renters. But renters have their own fears – the inability to qualify or afford their own home, what their credit must look like, and that another housing bubble could happen.

• This isn’t 2006 or 2007 and we’re no longer in the middle of a housing market crash. Prices are trending up, but they are no where near their 2003-2006 levels. Housing prices make sense again.
• Thousands upon thousands of people went through foreclosure or a short sale. There’s no need to be embarrassed to have that sitting on your credit report. You’re not alone, and lenders won’t judge you for it.
• Lenders have tightened their credit standards, this is true. If you can show that you have stable, steady income; an ability to afford the loan you’re requesting; and a clean credit history for the past few years, you have a good chance of being approved.
• Low down payment options are available – 3 percent from FHA and 5 percent from many lenders. The 20 percent down payment rule is not a requirement to purchase a home.
• Down payment assistance programs are available to help low-to-moderate income buyers with down payments and closing costs. The idea is to help you own your home instead of renting and paying someone else’s mortgage. Along the Emerald Coast, the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority is the place to go for help.

You don’t have to rent forever. You can be a homeowner again. To find out if you qualify for a home loan, contact a lender. They’ll be able to let you know if you qualify or what you need to do in order to qualify. Homeownership doesn’t just have to be a dream – it can be your reality.

5 Fun Things to Do on the Emerald Coast in March

Image via Flickr courtesy of Olin Gilbert

Unseasonably cold days make it hard to believe that the warmer temperatures we love are headed our way. If you’ve been cooped up too long this winter, get some spring into your step and get active again with these five fun things to do on the Emerald Coast in the coming weeks.

15th Annual Run with the Dogs 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, February 28, 9:00 a.m.

4200 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin

Technically this is still in February, but it’s a can’t-miss event, whether you walk or run. A stroller division has been added for this year, too, so bring the kids with you. And as the name implies, your pooch is definitely welcome. All dogs must have their current rabies tag and be kept on a short leash. (Don’t forget your baggies as it will be your responsibility to clean up after your furry friend!)
Learn more.

Zoolectric 5K

Saturday, March 7, 7:00 p.m.

105 Santa Rosa Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach

This inaugural 5K race is electrifying and vibrant with glow-zones and deejays to keep you pumped as you run or walk the course. The race begins and ends at Nightown and all proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuse. Wear bright, neon, reflective, or glow attire!

Learn more.

8th Multi-Chamber Business Expo & Taste of Okaloosa County

Thursday, March 12, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Emerald Coast Convention Center

For the eighth year in a row, you can discover new businesses and new tastes thanks to this multi-chamber event hosted by the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville-Valparaiso Chambers of Commerce. This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more.

9th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic

Friday, March 13

Lunch at 11:00 a.m.; Shot-gun start at 12:00 p.m.

Make a difference in the life of local children and get a round of golf in at the same time. All proceeds benefit Children in Crisis. The cost is $100 per player or $400 per team.

Learn more.

7th Annual Irish Street Fest and Grogg March

Saturday, March 14, 1:00 p.m. until.

Harborwalk Village

During daylight hours, bring the entire family down to the Harborwalk Village for games and activities for the kids and to enjoy an Irish street festival. Make sure to wear your green! After hours, leave the kids at home and come on down to the Grogg March. Bring a plastic jar of peanut butter or jelly and receive $5 off a Pub Crawl Pass. Proceeds benefit Food for Thought Outreach.

Learn more.

To see these events and more, visit:

Destin Chamber of Commerce

Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

Shake off the cold, wet weather, and come on out into the sunshine. There is so much to do on the Emerald Coast at this time of year. You won’t want to miss a thing!

Big Ideas for Small Kitchens

No room is too small for a fabulous kitchen! All it needs is some cleverly thought-through tricks to ensure every corner of the room is used, whilst still looking great. Take a look at these top tips on how to make a big kitchen impression in your small space.

• If your space is small, make use of light. With the combination of clever lighting, glass and mirrors, you can make the room seem much more spacious by choosing a pantone that works with the space.

• Try to avoid clashing colors and bold patterns, as these generally work best in larger rooms. You don’t want the room to have too many different colors or points of focus. Instead choose something practical and let the accessories do the talking.

• Storage should be top of the list when it comes to making a small kitchen space work. Consider talking to a designer about the best ways to increase your storage capacity.

• If you have always longed for an island in your kitchen but don’t have the space, write it down on your kitchen wish list and speak to your designer. You may be able to have a breakfast bar, or even a pull-out table solution, which means you can have a separate eating or working area, even in a small kitchen.

4 ROUTES TO THAT FIRST HOME

Here are four ways for first-time buyers to find a starter home they can afford:

1.  Focus only on what you need to start. Think of your starter home as a financial launch pad to the ideal home you’ll spend the bulk of your life in. Decide how long you want to stay in your starter. Then list your basic needs for space and location, and don’t worry about amenities.
2. Look at resale homes vs. new. New homes generally cost more than “existing” homes being resold by the resident owner. New starter homes can be hard to find, with most builders targeting upgrade buyers. An older home in a well-established neighborhood might give you what you need at a price you can manage, even accounting for renovations and repairs.
3. Be smart about location. Home prices and property taxes are higher in better neighborhoods and school districts. Why pay this premium if you find a nice home in a good neighborhood and it’ll be years before your kids are in school? Another consideration: if you find an affordable home farther from work, be sure to factor in the added commuting costs.
4. Get a mortgage pre-approval. With well-priced starter homes, you can find yourself competing with other buyers. See us for a mortgage pre-approval to strengthen your offer.