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5 Reasons to Live on the Emerald Coast

Image via Flickr courtesy of Allison Hare

You can call so many places home, especially in the Sunshine State of Florida. Those of us who live and work on the Emerald Coast know exactly what makes it so special. In case you aren’t sure, take a look at these five reasons you should live here.

Live anywhere. You can live in the more rural areas of our beautiful area like Crestview or Defuniak Springs and still have only a short drive to the beach. Move to the suburbs of Niceville or Fort Walton Beach and you’ll have water as close as the neighborhood park. Call the Gulf of Mexico home – and your backyard – and move to Destin or Rosemary Beach. You have plenty of options.

Strong local economy. Of course, tourism is a large part of the local economy on the Emerald Coast, but so is the military. Our area is home to the largest Air Force Base in the world in Eglin AFB. We also have Hurlburt Field in between Navarre and Mary Esther, as well as Duke Field and the 7th Special Forces outside of Crestview.

No state income tax. Anyone who already lives in Florida knows the benefit of no state income tax. For those who may be moving in from out of state, you’ll soon learn the tax savings of living in Florida, as well.

No snow. As one of the most northern parts of Florida, we do get cooler temperatures in the winter. However, the average highs in winter are anywhere in the 60s or 70s. That’s got to be better than 62 inches of snow in January.

Soft, white sand. No matter what time of year you go, you can walk along the beaches of the Emerald Coast barefoot. The sugar white sand is soft and much cooler than in other areas, thanks to its white color. Sink your toes into the sand, feel the breeze on your face, and know that you’re living in the most beautiful place in Florida.

Still not convinced? Here are a few more reasons: local, affordable colleges; better than average employment rates; fairs, festivals, and other family-friendly events; and small, but growing communities. There are plenty of reasons to live on the beautiful Emerald Coast. The best reason of all is the emerald waters, white beaches, and friendly people.

5 Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation

Whether you’re planning a road trip or taking to the skies, the following tips will put you in vacation mode while taking the stress out of the equation.

1. Plan ahead. There are some things that can be done way ahead of your trip, like making reservations, taking the car for a tune up, and letting neighbors know you will be away. Even packing can be done earlier than most people think. For instance, getting your bag ready on Tuesday for your weekend at the lake will be less stressful than packing it on Friday, with your family in the car honking the horn.

2. Delegate. Scrambling around to get everything ready for your trip? Dole out tasks to lighten your load. Tell your kids to clean out the car before piling in for that road trip. Ask your teenager to look up good restaurants in the area you’re staying. Have your husband or wife contact the kennel to make reservations for your four-legged friend.

3. Unplug—everything! Leave your laptop at home, turn off your iPhone and stow away your iPod. Designate 20 minutes a day for catching up with work related emails only if necessary. We are so focused on technology today we forget what it’s like to be away from it. After a few hours of connecting with your family, friends, or just nature, you will feel liberated and care-free.

4. Do nothing. Pencil in time to do nothing. Whether this is two days on your weeklong vacation, or an afternoon during a long weekend, section off a block of time where you have nothing planned. This will allow you to plan your activities based on how you feel at that moment—a true luxury in this fast paced world.

5. Smile. This may seem like a given, but often we get hung up on the small stuff – even while on vacation. Don’t get upset if a friend bails last minute, or your hotel room is smaller than it seemed in the picture, or you forgot to pack your kid’s bathing suit. When you look back on your trip, these inconveniences will be forgotten, so don’t let them ruin your time in the moment, either.

 

The Importance of Home Staging

Image via Flickr courtesy of Real Estaging

According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81 percent of buyer’s agents report that a staged home makes it easier for their buyer to visualize themselves in a home, and 46 percent say their buyers are more willin to tour a staged home after they’ve seen the photos online.

A home that looks nice and is presented properly attracts attention. Home staging, when done right, works.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging ranges from a complete redecoration of a home to a simple decluttering and rearrangement of furniture, depending on your budget and your needs. Higher-end luxury homes, especially vacant homes, are more likely to have special pieces of furniture brought in to give it a certain look and feel.

The average furnished single family home or condo doesn’t need as much work. Home stagers may rearrange furniture from one room to the next, remove pictures from the wall, and add small detailed touches to each room to give it a more pulled-together look and feel.

Why is Home Staging Important?

Often the first impression a buyer has of a home is a lasting one. In a world where buyers may look through dozens of homes online before settling on a few to view in person, the pictures of a staged home will grab more attention.

Home staging can often increase the price a buyer is willing to pay for the home by one to five percent of the asking price. For sellers on a tight deadline to sell their home, home staging may be the difference between a few weeks on the market and a few months.

Take a look at the links below to get some tips on home staging and what the pros do:

Styling for the Photo Shoot

Why the Lightbulb May One Day Be Your Favorite Staging Tool

When a buyer can imagine themselves in a home, they are much more likely to make an offer. Grab their attention online with beautiful photos that highlight your home. Then keep their attention with staging that shows your home in the best possible light when they arrive to view your home.

Safety Awareness

Safety Awareness

What Everyone Should Know

Your safety is important to us. With the help of law enforcement, Loss Prevention Department has developed a list of personal safety tips for keeping you and your family safe. The following is a list of tips for decreasing your chances of becoming a victim of crime or injury. And always remember, your life is worth more than anything in your purse or wallet.

In the store

• If possible, shop with a friend or family member.
• Carry only the amount of cash or credit cards you need and keep them secure until checkout.
• Always keep small children near you. At retail stores, many of the shopping carts are equipped with safety restraints and several have safety seats for smaller children.
• Do not leave your purse unattended in your cart – even for a moment.
• Only sign checks at the register.
• Put your change away before leaving.
• Let an associate carry out your groceries – even if it’s only one or two bags.

When outside the Store

• Park close to the store or in a highly visible, well-lit area of the parking lot.
• Keep packages and other valuables locked in the trunk.
• Limit the amount of time you spend sitting in your car.
• Remember where you parked so you’re not wandering around looking for your car
• Always lock your doors – and don’t forget your keys!
• Look confident and use assertive body language.
• When possible, wear clothes and shoes that won’t slow you down.
• When returning to your car, look under and around it. Also check your front and back seats before getting in.
• Be aware of your surroundings by scanning the parking lot and identifying potential hazards.
• Once in your car, immediately lock the doors and drive away.
• If you feel you are being followed, don’t go home – go to the nearest safe location: a crowded store, the fire department, a police car or station.
• If you are confronted in your car, stay in your car and blow your horn. This will attract attention and scare the stranger off.

 

 

If You Are Approached

• If a car approaches you while you’re walking, quickly turn and run in the opposite direction.
• Carry a police whistle on your key chain to alert attention when you are away from your car.
• Make eye contact. Looking at the person gives you time to plan and lets the stranger know you will not be taken by surprise.
• If you are going to be knocked down, sit down.
• If someone suspicious approaches your car, blow the horn until the person has been scared off or you have attracted attention.
• Some law enforcement agencies suggest carrying an extra $20 to satisfy desperate thieves.

At the ATM

• Choose a PIN (personal identification number) that is easy to remember, but not obvious to others. Don’t use birthdays, social security numbers, etc.
• Avoid using ATM’s early in the morning, late at night, or those that are isolated from the general public.
• Beware of anyone “hanging out” near the ATM. If someone suspicious approaches you, quickly cancel your transaction and leave.
• Plan your transaction and have your card ready before you reach the ATM.
• Put your money and card away immediately.
• Take your receipt and make sure it is accurate.
• If your life is threatened while using an ATM, cooperate fully with the robber – your life is more important than money. Once you are out of harm’s way, contact the police immediately.

 

Everyday Safety

• Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
• When possible, carry your wallet and credit cards in your pocket.
• Eliminate spare keys from your purse.
• Carry belongings close to your body. Keep purses and bags fastened shut and held in front of you between your arm and body, but not wrapped around your neck or wrist.
• Do not leave belongings in your car or otherwise unattended.

 

 

 

 

Is Real Estate Going Green?

Image via StockMonkeys.com

A recent study has found that some home buyers are willing to pay more for a solar energy home – a home that is powered, in part by solar energy. According to “Selling into the Sun: Price Premium Analysis of a Multi-State Dataset of Solar Homes,” buyers often pay up to $15,000 for a standard 3.75 kW photovoltaic energy system on a home.

Does this mean real estate is going green?

In some parts of the country, renewable energy, green energy, and clean energy have become more and more popular for home buyers.

For those sellers who’ve made energy efficient improvements to their home, buyers are paying an average of $47,500 more for a home. Improvements include solar panels, dual-pane windows, energy-efficient appliances, as well as certifications from environmental organizations such as LEEDS.

Going green isn’t just for places like Seattle, WA or Portland, OR. In a 2014 Redfin study, some of the neighborhoods with the highest percentage of green homes were in places like Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; and Raleigh, NC.

Green mortgages are even available to help assist in the cost of making a home more energy efficient. Rules and restrictions apply and vary between FHA, VA, and conventional loans, for owners or buyers looking to be greener – and save on energy costs – a green mortgage could be an option.

Sellers who make home improvements, whether in order to sell or with an eye for selling in a few years, may do well to consider making your home more energy efficient. Not only will you save on your own energy costs and possibly become eligible for tax credits or deductions (speak to a tax professional for more information), you may also fetch a much higher price for your home when you sell it.

The question you have to ask yourself is this: are you green or are you willing to go green?

Why Do We Lose Our Keys?

Do your keys go into hiding regularly? Do you try to hide important items in obscure places that are later forgotten about? Recent studies have shown this is due to our subconscious. We misplace our keys because we subconsciously don’t want to be somewhere!

This tendency, according to the Freudian perspective, can be related back to our thoughts: “We never lose what we really want” goes the theory. Whether it’s a big meeting where your entire job is on the line or a get-together with your in-laws, we misplace things because we are trying to avoid something or someone.

How do you avoid misplacing things? First, create a habit. For example, put your keys in the same spot every day. Maybe even create a hook to hang your keys or a specific drawer that you will always put them in.

Second, put your items in obvious places. Hiding a passport or expensive jewelry in the back of your closet in one specific coat pocket is a recipe for a forever-lost item.

Final word of advice: If you want to make sure your items don’t become lost in a black hole never to be seen again, make sure to stop for a moment and think about the object as you put it down.

Source: Psychology Today