Kerry Veach

Is your Retirement Account dwindling down? Are you worried about the stock market? Banks are only paying you 1% on your retirement savings. Now is the time to take advantage of low real estate prices, lowest interest rates ever in our life time. Income producing real estate that will cash flow, rentals at 0% vacancy rates. I’m investing my IRA into buying condo in Destin that is income producing real estate. My partner Brad Shoults (OICE) Investment Specialist, he has a program that can show you your ROI on any property over 5-10 or 20 years. He can show you how to buy real estate using your IRA; he help you find the investments. There has never been a better time to rebuild your retirement.

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Equity Trust Company

One of the basic principles of universal design, also called “ageless design,” is that it makes homes more practical and safer for everyone — not just the elderly or people with limited mobility. Even if you’re not a professional designer, you can certainly incorporate this smart thinking into your own home. If you’re remodeling or simply adding a few upgrades, be sure to keep universal design features in mind. Here are some simple (and great!) ideas from HouseLogic for getting started:

Replace doorknobs with lever-style handles. Doorknobs require lots of dexterity and torque to open; with levers you simply press and go. Imagine an emergency situation when everyone, including small kids, needs to exit fast: A lever handle is a safe, foolproof way to open a door. Levers are also attractive, and can contribute to the value of your home. A standard interior passage door lever in a satin nickel finish costs about $20; you’ll pay $25 to $30 for a lockable lever set for your bath or bedroom.

Replace toggle light switches with rocker-style switches. Rocker switches feature a big on/off plate that you can operate with a finger, a knuckle, or even your elbow if necessary (great if you’re carrying a laundry basket or bags of groceries!). Rocker switches are good-looking, too. Conventional toggle switches get dirt and grime embedded in them after a couple of years; no such problems with rocker switches! You’ll pay $2 for a single-pole rocker switch, up to $10 for multiple switch sets.

Anti-scald devices for your bathroom prevent water from reaching unsafe temperatures. An anti-scald shower head will reduce water flow to a trickle if the water gets too hot. An anti-scald faucet device replaces your faucet aerator and also reduces hot water flow.

Motion sensor light controls add light when and where you need it. They come in a variety of styles and simple technologies. Just stick plug-in sensors into existing receptacles, then plug your table or floor lamps into them. When the sensor detects motion, it turns on the light.

If you’re 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.

TAX TIME - MID STILL HOLDING ON

I have to say that I, for one, have had a love affair going on with a time-honored Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction (MID).  Up until the housing crisis, from which we are beginning to recover, interest rates weren’t all that friendly, if you remember what I mean, and we have all needed that deduction.

When the  bipartisan deficit-reduction commission, appointed by President Obama, released its sixty-some-page final plan in December of 2010, it was called “The Moment of Truth.” The plan, which included suggestions to cut back on the MID, didn’t get a majority vote.  However, “The Moment of Truth” spelled out the unfriendly facts for all of us to face.

Then, last summer, when the so called, “Super Committee,” was supposed to be working on ways to cut the budget, MID was on the table again, presumably to modify it in order to curb capital gains on home sales, but they were also threatening to modify it for primary residences, to cut it for second homes and HELOC loans. I was worried . . .

Recently I watched an interview between Robert Freedman of REALTOR ® Magazine and Linda Goold, National Association of Realtors ® (NAR) Director of Tax Policy.

 “There is to be no deficit deal from the Super Committee that will be an impact on Realtors ® in 2012,” stated Freedman.  Then when he asked Ms. Goold to comment, she said,  “The news at this point is really good because we know that there will be no immediate proposal to limit the mortgage interest deduction.  This is consistent with the NAR new mantra of ‘Do No Harm.’”

 In November, 2011, we got a tax breather!  For now, we can pay our 2011 taxes and take the deduction.  However, when the committee failed to do anything, it left the House and Senate back where they started–looking for ways to cut the budget.  There will be lots of competing deductions being considered, so don’t think it’s not going to be a dog fight, because it sure is.

In the meantime, we can get on with the business of listing and selling houses to people who want to live in the best of all worlds—the Emerald Coast in Destin or Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area.

 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 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.

OK, OK…so we’re not having a race for land here on the Emerald Coast like they did back in 1893. We are not holding a race where everyone lines up to stake their claim, but we are experiencing some of the same vigorous enthusiasm Americans have always had when it comes to vthe American dream of owning your own home.

After all, when you pay rent—it is a consumer expense. The money, in effect, is gone, and not only that, but in a mere thirty days—you have to do it all over again . . .

Do you need something to help you move off the fence? Try this: as people turn to renting, rentals become scarce, and rents go up! The very thought of it is kind of like trying to swallow bad tasting medicine, isn’t it?

Work on yourself! Get hot to buy and go for it . . .

At some point, a decision has to be made regarding long-term housing for you and your family, and there has never been a better time than now–when rates are at an all-time low and bargains are at a premium.

Think equity instead of consumer spending . . .

The housing industry in our country has suffered set-backs before, and it ALWAYS comes back. It is already coming back this time, and it is not too late to get yours.

You would not think of trying to do surgery on yourself, fix your own teeth, or be your own lawyer—so don’t try to be your own Real Estate Agent! Let us do what we do best—help you locate your piece of paradise without the hassles of the race for land.

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.

I was thinking the other day about when I first retired from the U.S. Coast Guard as an Engineer after serving more than twenty years. Many people don’t realize that the US Coast Guard is the oldest continuous seagoing service in the history of the United States.

We can all be proud of the men and women serving in this branch of our military. They enforce our Maritime Laws, protect our coast and coastal environment, operate ports and waterways, provide port security, and they are ever ready to defend our maritime borders and conduct safety and rescue for those in trouble.

I started out in the Coast Guard as an enlisted man, subject to more rules and regulations than I ever knew existed. I was daily confronted with new and more challenging disciplines, and since Coast Guard training is taught by professionals who are experienced and have the best possible skills—I learned from them to be a model to others as I went along.

My USCG training proved to be extremely valuable when I launched my real estate career. I won’t say it wasn’t daunting at first, because it was. But as I went along, I relied on my background of discipline and willingness to learn. I consistently applied the things I was told about the Real Estate business by those who were already professional Realtors®, and I found that it didn’t take long before things began to happen for me.

I first became familiar with serious responsibility in the military—and I have honed those skills as I developed my Real Estate career. The best advice I can ever offer to anyone entering the field of real estate is to be prepared to listen, to do – and then to go back and listen some more. Let what you learn from the veterans be the fuel you need to propel yourself ahead, and always be on purpose.

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.