Kerry Veach

I have been thinking about ways to educate readers, so they will be able to make more informed real estate decisions in 2012.  Sometimes when opportunities are plentiful as they are right now, and for the foreseeable future, it can be as difficult as it is when you have to dig around to find favorable circumstances.

This was the case a few years back.  Things were hard then, and many jumped on the chance to be a first-time homebuyer by taking advantage of the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008.

Let’s say you were one of those first-time homebuyers who took advantage of the Recovery Act of 2008.  Well, it’s February, 2012—now what?   It’s past time to begin paying back this no-interest loan—right?  In fact, if you purchased your home in 2008, the first installments were due in the 2010 income tax year.

But wait a minute; in 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was initiated expanding the first-time homebuyer credit from the original $7,500 to $8,000.  This was aimed at purchases being made during 2009, and before, December 1st of that year.

Then, later in 2009 the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended eligibility to taxpayers who had binding contracts to purchase a home before May 1, 2010 and could close on or before July 1, 2010.

Then, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, which was enacted on July 2, 2010, extended that closing date (of July 1, 2010) to September 30, 2010.

If you purchased your home in 2009, you do not have to pay the government back as long as you live in the home (as your primary residence) for at least three years from the date you closed on the loan.

Since then,  it seems that the IRS has released the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Lookup Tool   to help you figure out how much you owe; what, if anything, you owe; how to pay it back and when you have to finish paying it back.

Therefore, I suggest you take a look at the DOT form 5405 along with the instructions for filling out the form, and then take a nap to rest, and let all this digest.

Then, if you still don’t understand any of it, like most of the rest of us——or if you have questions about your FTHBC account, call the FTHBC toll free number at 1-800-919-0352. “It’s the fastest way to get your questions answered,” or so they say.

However, if you are at all ready to move ahead, and your head (pun intended) is in the right place, then you are staring perfect-timing in the face (no rhyme intended)!  You can upgrade to a better home or invest in rental property here on the Emerald Coast, or both.

In a truly remarkable article titled, “Buy a House or Bury Your Money?” Robert Freedman has hit the proverbial nail on the head, if you will, when he so eloquently reports on the difference between property values and interest rates.

There are plenty of ways, when dealing with a really good lender, to upgrade your home and come out ahead while values are moving up and rates are holding.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

Everyone is invited!  Above is an open invitation from HarborWalk Village, on the Emerald Coast, for you to come on up during any or all of three different weekends in February to enjoy our unique Mardi Gras celebration!

Since February of 1980, when the idea first came up, Mardi Gras has been celebrated in the area.  The beautiful Emerald Coast, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Harbor Walk Village, located between Destin Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico, across from Okaloosa Island, is the place to be in the month of February!

In addition to the amazing fun you are in for when you come to Mardi Gras, here are three very good reasons to choose the Emerald Coast as a dual vacation/area-investigation time:

1. During late morning, after you have rested and enjoyed breakfast, it will be a great time to begin checking out  the area.  Since the Destin and Fort Walton Beach district is near HarborWalk Village, it’s no problem to launch out on an adventure, and stop by RE/MAX Southern Realty (34894 Emerald Coast Parkway).  Hook up with me, Kerry Veach, and I’ll give you a virtual tour of local properties for sale plus available  rentals which are available in and out of season. Believe me, you’ll walk away with a voracious appetite for Emerald Coast living.
2. You will have an eye opening experience as you learn about the lifestyle here on the Emerald Coast that is quietly being enjoyed by residents away from the medley of tourist attractions and events.  There has been no better time in the last sixty years to buy an investment property or a home.  You buy it, and if you don’t live in it—we’ll manage it for you.
3. You’ll learn that our goal at ReMax Southern is simple:  Excellence!   As we walk every step of the way with you to find and secure the best possible home, investment property or vacation rental for you and your family, you will come to think of us as family.  Most of us at Re/Max Southern have lived here all of our lives, and we know the area historically and currently. We want to be your neighbors!

I’ve heard that the Mardi Gras parade is filling up quickly, so get your reservations in for the events you want, and then give us a call at 1-800-879-0309.  We’ll be waiting to hear from you.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

The Millennials are just hitting thirty, and the Echo Boomers are in their late twenties. Both groups are ready—or about ready–to be homeowners.

There has never been a better time to afford to own a home on the Emerald Coast.

Jobs are available, and house payments are often the same or lower than rent. Mortgage analysts are predicting that 30-year-fixed rates—currently at 60 year lows–will remain low or below 5% for most of 2012.

More than a year ago, when FHA guidelines reduced the amount a seller can contribute to closing costs by half (from 6% to 3%) it looked like buyers may have to begin jumping through impossible hoops to get a government-backed loan. Because FHA requirements were more stringent, some lenders developed their own conditions which were over and above what FHA required.

Originally these extra conditions were initiated in an attempt to improve the quality of loans being made—but this little-known practice by lenders called, “investor overlays,” began to close doors for many borrowers. Some lenders decided to overlay FHA guidelines with their own conditions that had to be met by borrowers in order to get a loan.

Ironically, even though a time of economic uncertainty still exists, “investor overlays” seem to currently be creating a beacon of hope for many buyers who are just on the cusp of these more stringent requirements.

Borrowers today are more savvy than ever, and the overlay practice has begun to prompt them to be pro-active–going to the next lender and the next until they get the approval they are after.

In other words—if a borrower gets turned down by a bank they can now go down the street to another bank or mortgage company and try again. It is no longer unusual to get turned down by one bank or mortgage company using stringent overlays–only to be accepted by the next one who is not using the practice, or who is not as stringent.

Buyers are learning to get their information together in a ready format that can be submitted to more than one lender. An immediately available, well-documented, current, organized folder will go a long way to ingratiating any buyer when applying for a loan.

The folder may include such information as a copy of the sales contract; the past two years of residence information, employment history, monthly budget, and information about all income sources—including W-2s and federal tax returns; the past two months of bank statements and check stubs; copies of current insurance: homeowners and flood.

There may be other things required, depending on an individual’s circumstances, but most of the above is a definite.

Folks, you know, and I know that real estate values are already increasing in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area of Florida. As I stated above: “There has never been a better time to afford to own a home on the Emerald Coast!”

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

DISCLAIMER: The above links to sites not maintained by The Veach Team are provided for reference only. We do not operate or control or endorse, in any respect, their site, their services, the contents, products-or any sponsors of the site.

“Home buying affordability is at a record high!” said, Jay Papasan, on January, 2012, when reporting for This Month in Real Estate.  Papasan went on to say that the National Association of Realtors (NAR), reports their home buying affordability statement is based on the latest figures, which indicate that home payments are averaging just 13.6% of a family’s median income.

Why does Re/Max Southern Realty think this is such good news?

Well, I’ll tell you why!  It’s good news for our listing sellers because there are a lot of motivated buyers out there.  It’s good news for our buyers because they have a unique opportunity to shop for what they really want in a home.  It’s good news for our investors because there will never be a better time to shop for investment properties that have nothing to do but go up.

If you step back to 2006-2008, and remember that an average family was laying out more than  20% of their total income just to meet the mortgage–then you can see another reason why this is such good new!

And while we are talking about history–one of the goals The Veach Team has for 2012 can be found in a 2009 report put out by  the US Government Census Bureau where they stated that “In 2004, about 58 percent (+/– 0.6) of American families (current owners as well as renters) could afford to purchase a modestly priced home . . .”    We believe the Emerald Coast will be able to boast the same figures in 2012 and 2013, largely due to the efforts of The Veach Team and Re/Max Southern Realty!

Now getting back to the above mentioned report on This Month in Real Estate– another of the commentators, Bryon Ellington–stated that buyer’s window of opportunity is not all that large due to the fact that current listings are being scooped up, and new home construction–which dropped dramatically during the recent housing problems in the country–is not expected to keep pace with the rising housing demand.

In closing, I have to quote Ellington’s own closing statement, which was: “If you are looking to get the most from the sale of your house, or if you want to buy before prices rise in your area—talk to your real estate professional to learn more about what a housing shortage could mean for you.”

SO, If you are out there listening, and you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in Emerald Coast area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

RE/MAX Southern Realty has one, simple goal: EXCELLENCE!

Since employment is on everyone’s mind these days, and since we all know that information is KING, I decided to present some job facts and growth projections about the Emerald Coast you may not have known.  Check out the information, and give us a call today.  Together, we’ll  get the ball rolling for you and your family . . .

Six Florida counties make up the Emerald Coast: Santa Rosa, Escambia (West), Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf. In those six counties (and the surrounding areas), we have the richest future growth prospects in the State for 2012 and beyond.

It was predicted in the April, 2011 issue of, 850 The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida, by Michael Plitkin, a program director at the defense contractor, SAIC, that he thinks “Northwest Florida will be the Silicon Valley of the 2020s.”

Until very recently, though, we had one of the lowest population demographics in Florida–but that has begun to change rapidly in the last several years.  The Emerald Coast now boasts a projected growth rate of amazing proportions!

In the projection graphic above (2060 A Research Project of 1000 Friends of Florida), you can see the significant growth here on the Emerald Coast.

It just doesn’t get any better than that! We have the best of everything here in Northwest Florida, and unlike most of the rest of the state, we are projected to “retain significant areas of open space.”  We are not crammed together like many other coastal areas.

Below is a sampling of the type of jobs that can be found in the area.  Each Industry has a number beside it indicating the number of companies who are listed with this service and who are located in the area.  Each one also has a link.  Click on it to see the names of the potential employers.  These are, by no means, all of the available opportunities you will have to choose from when you move your family to the Emerald Coast.

In addition, we have an aggressive academic force at work in the community that is preparing for the growing need of technical, medical and tourism service employee demands of the area.

A few of the top companies are: Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)– Medical; Goodrich– Manufacturing; ARINC– Engineering and Technology; Air Force– Military; WinnDixi– Grocery and Food Service; General Dynamics– Aerospace and Defense; L-3 Communications– Engineers, Technology and Aerospace; Pizza Hut – Food Service; North Okaloosa Medical Center- Medical.

I hope this information has helped you move one step closer to your dream of living and raising your family in our, “practical paradise!”

The Veach Team has a dream too, and it is all centered around our being able to do what we do best: help you achieve your dream with EXCELLENCE!

Buyers, looking for an affordable, comfortable lifestyle; strong community values ¬ and a great area with a long-term vision, are discovering that the Emerald Coast of Florida has more to offer than anywhere else.  Are you looking for a place to live and experience amazing growth?

If you are, and you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then The Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

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More good news! It’s hard not to keep talking about it when the upswing for home sales is reported to be at its highest level since the middle of 2010. We are pumped and ready at ReMax Southern Realty. Our active listings along the beautiful Emerald Coast are moving, and 2012 promises to be a great year!

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reports existing home sales were up in November, and RealtyTrac reports that new Florida foreclosures were down 2.72% in November over October, 2011. In addition, the average foreclosure sale price during that same period was up 3.61%.

Earlier this month, a poll conducted by HouseLogic (a NAR website) showed housing to be the priority of 2012 voters–second only to jobs and unemployment. The NAR article went on to remind readers that home sales and home building also generate jobs and that housing accounts for more than 15% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, making it a “key driver of the national economy.”

Buyers are more realistic than they have been in a long time and more than 80% of them are going through a Real Estate Agent to insure a smooth transaction. Trends show they are staying within their means, and that they consider their home a better long-term investment than the stock market. That’s the very kind of thing we like to hear, because we are working hard at ReMax Southern Realty to help build communities that add value to the Emerald Coast here in northwest Florida.

Sellers are reportedly older than in the past; they have a higher income and standard of living and are frequently selling because they are relocating for a job or have outgrown their house—leaving us with the privilege of not only selling your home but finding you a new one in the process.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

The joy of Christmas is in the air, and the day itself is nearly here! The malls are full of shoppers, as expected—but wait! There are some other shoppers out there, and they are buying too! All over the country news is trickling in with real estate numbers higher than expected, and for sure—they are higher than this time last year!

Are you one of those savvy buyers taking advantage of the amazing real estate deals to be had right now? I sure hope so because at this rate, with home values rising, and properties moving, you sure would not want to miss your chance by spending your money in a mall when it could be providing you and your family a dream home by the first of 2012!

Mortgage rates are at an all-time low. As I write this post, a 30-year fixed mortgage can be had for a record low of 3.91% for buyers with good credit. December is the second month in a row that these lower, affordable rates have pushed sales up. Do not wait around thinking it will last forever…it won’t!

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook – we’d love to talk with you.

Folks, have you heard the news? Our real estate market is increasing in value! In its December 2011 issue, Money Magazine, under the REAL ESTATE category, there is an article called “Markets That Moved the Most.” The article stated that while some areas are still searching for bottom, others are starting to bounce back, and out of the five cities listed under the biggest home value increases in the nation, Destin, Florida, was #4 with a one-year increase in value of 2.9%.

There are some terrific deals to be had here on the Emerald Coast, and it is one of the greatest areas in the world to live–so if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Destin, or anywhere in the area, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams.

ReMax Southern Realty is more than just a real estate company. Each of our agents are dedicated to providing you with the support and services you expect in order to achieve your goal of selling your home or buying your new home.

Vacation rentals are also plentiful in the area. Why not come up for Christmas or the week after and look around? You will find yourself not wanting to leave—I guarantee it!

There has never been a better time to own real estate. Rates are down, values are increasing and the economic outlook for 2012 is good. There are those who would like you to see it otherwise, but for those of you who believe in our country and our way of life, you know, and I know, that you can’t keep an American down for long. Optimism and hard work is in our blood—and it has been from the start!

Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook – we’d love to talk with you.

Christmas lights can be simple displays erected by northwest Florida home owners to show good cheer, or million-bulb light-apaloozas that draw gawkers from near and far. Courtesy of HouseLogic, here are some tips on how to get the most from — and spend the least on — your holiday display.

Safety first. Emergency rooms are filled with home owners who lose fights with their holiday lights and fall off ladders or suffer electric shocks. To avoid the holiday black and blues, never hang lights solo; instead, work with a partner who holds the ladder. Also, avoid climbing on roofs after rain or snow.

Unpack carefully. Lights break and glass cuts. So unpack your lights gingerly, looking for and replacing broken bulbs along the way.

Extension cords are your friends. Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords that are UL-listed for outdoor use. To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord.

LEDs cost less to light. LED Christmas lights use roughly 70% to 90% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can safely connect many more LED light strings than incandescents. Downside: Some think they don’t burn as brightly as incandescent bulbs.

Solar lights cost nothing to run. Solar Christmas lights are roughly four times more expensive to buy than LEDs, but they cost nothing to run. They’re a bright-burning, green alternative.

Dismantle lights sooner than later. Sun, wind, and rain all take their toll on Christmas lights. To extend the life of lights, take them down immediately after the holidays. The longer you leave the up, the sooner you’ll have to replace them.

Plan next year’s display on Dec. 26. Shop the after-Christmas sales to get the best prices on lights and blowups that you can proudly display next year. Stock up on your favorite lights so you’ll have spares when you need them (and after they’re discontinued).

Permanent attachments save time. If you know you’ll always hang lights from eaves, install permanent light clips ($13 for 75 clips) that will save you hanging time each year. You’ll get a couple/three years out of the clips before sun eats the plastic.

Find those blueprints. Instead of guessing how many light strings you’ll need, or measuring with a tape, dig up your house blueprints or house location drawings (probably with your closing papers) and use those measurements as a guide.

Store them in a ball. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the best way to store lights is to ball them up. Wrap five times in one direction, then turn the ball 90 degrees and repeat. Store your light balls in cardboard boxes, rather than in plastic bags: Cardboard absorbs residual moisture and extends the life of your lights.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook – we’d love to talk with you.

Great food, family gatherings, football—Thanksgiving certainly was a day to be thankful for all of our blessings here in the greatest country in the world—the USA!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful tradition in our country, and it brings all of us here on the Veach Team to a center point: Gratitude!

Officially one of our country’s annual traditions since 1863, it was decided by President Abraham Lincoln that each November we would spend a day giving thanks for our blessings. But it does not now, nor has it ever, come to us without a cost, and that is where we are focusing—on our troops.

The impending withdrawal of many of our troops from the Middle East gives us cause to stop and consider the sacrifices these men and women have made for the freedoms we all enjoy. It is imperative that each of us think about the various ways we can make their re-entry into mainstream society as seamless as possible.

They will be coming back to return to their civilian lives. They will need homes and jobs, and we want to be ready to make sure those choosing to live and raise their families on the Emerald Coast find the exact right place to live from Pensacola to Port St.Joe, or anywhere in between.

VA loans are mortgage loans that are guaranteed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and this is the way to go for military members who are eligible. To get started, veterans will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). It is wise to have the process underway while looking for the perfect home.

Buying a home is an important decision—Re/Max Southern Realty works with veterans and their families to find the best fit both financially and with your specifications in mind. In addition, we stand ready to educate you on these loans and to guide you in getting with the right people who can help you get approved.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook – we’d love to talk with you.