Kerry Veach

If you’ve been on the fence about selling your home in Destin, FL, now may be the best time to make the move…and here’s why:

• Low Inventory

Currently, there is a very short supply of homes which is not only driving up property values – it’s also reducing your competition.

• High Demand

There might be a short supply of available homes for sale in Destin, FL but there is no short supply of eager buyers, ranging from experienced investors to rookie first-timers.

• Low Interest Rates

Can mortgage rates get any lower?  I highly doubt it…and I highly doubt that it’s possible for them to stay so low for much longer.  Don’t wait for them to increase and reduce the number of qualifying buyers.

• Streamlined Transactions

Whether it’s a short sale or a traditional sale, transactional procedures and processes are much more efficient now than they were a few years ago.

• Moving Up

Home affordability is at an historical high, which means now really is a great time to make the move!

If you’re interested in selling or searching homes in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR) will be holding The Great Emerald Coast Open House this Sunday, the 16^th, from 1:00 – 3:00pm.  At this time, home sellers will open their homes to the public for viewings.

The Emerald Coast, located in Northwest Florida, is a popular vacation destination that attracts approximately 4.5 million visitors a year.  Cool white beaches and emerald-green waters attract all ages year-round, with about 80% of these visitors going to Destin, FL.

Being crowned “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, deep-sea fishing is also a huge attraction that has brought in many awards and salt-water records.

And if that wasn’t enough to give this beautiful region boasting rights, the Emerald Coast was also the filming location for portions of The Truman Show, Jaws 2, and Frogs.

For those who want to appreciate all the natural beauty this area has to offer, there are four renovated beachfront parks – Beasley Park, James Lee Park, Marler Memorial Park and Wayside Park.

If you would like to search Emerald Coast homes, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell real estate in Destin, FL.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

With Hurricane Isaac having passed, I’d like to take this opportunity to help residents prepare their Destin homes for a blackout in the future.

• Flashlights

Keep plenty on hand…ideally one in every room.  This is a MUCH safer alternative to candles.

• Batteries

Those flashlights won’t do a lot of good without any batteries.

• Bottled water

In the event you lose your running water, you’ll be happy to have gallons of water on hand.

• Ice

Keep bags of ice in a freezer so that when the power goes out, you can transfer this ice and food into coolers

• Coolers

Speaking of coolers, have plenty of those on hand too.  The cheap, styrofoam coolers will work just fine.

• Emergency Numbers

Make sure all of your emergency numbers are accessible so that, if needed, you can call from your cell phone.

• Car and USB chargers

If you have a garage and a car that will charge even when off, have a car charger on hand to charge your cell phone.  If not, use a USB to charge your phone on your laptop (for the time that your laptop holds a charge).

• First Aid Kit

Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked and easily accessible.

• Back-up generator

Ideally, this is a great thing to have.  However, it may not be enough to power your home in severe weather, so don’t develop a false sense of security if you own one.  Make sure you still prepare using the above bullet points.

From one Destin, FL resident to another…stay safe out there!

These tips have been provided by Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Moving to Destin, FL is like a long-term vacation.  However, every move (no matter how desirable the destination) presents challenges.  Fortunately, these challenges can be limited with the proper planning and organization.

• Sort

Moving provides a great opportunity to start fresh.  The mistake many people make is moving the junk with them.  This can make the move more stressful and overwhelming than it needs to be.  For this reason, I recommend sorting your belongings into three different groups:

1. Items that can be donated to Goodwill.
2. Items that are broken or damaged and will go into the trash.
3. Items that will make the move with you.

If you are having trouble deciding whether or not to keep something, imagine yourself packing it, moving it, unpacking it, and placing it in your new home.  Is it worth the effort?

• Label

Make sure you categorize your boxes by room and write the appropriate room on each box.  If multiple rooms are being combined into one box, make a general list of items going into the box.  This will make the first morning in your new home easier when you are looking for something specific…like the coffee brewer.

• Prioritize

When you load items onto the truck, prioritize the boxes by loading the less important items first and the most important items last.  When you unload, you’ll have access to the most important items first.

Ready to make your move?  If so, contact Kerry Veach to search homes in Destin, FL.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

According to data released by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, home prices have increased by six percent along the Emerald Coast in Florida.  This may be due in large part to a continuously low inventory and high demand from buyers.

Though homes sales were down in May 2012 from May 2011, this data does not appear to be indicative of the overall housing market’s condition – again, due to the extremely low inventory.  Single family homes sales in May 2012 dropped 1.7 percent from 12 months ago, while townhomes and condos dropped 7 percent.  Pending sales, however, have increased – 5.4 percent for single family homes and 13.1 percent for townhomes/condos.

Realtors in the Emerald Coast are reporting that many homes are receiving multiple offers.  This makes a strong argument that the market is beginning to transition into a seller’s market.  As multiple offers continue to roll-in, values will continue to improve.  As values improve, many homeowners will begin to get out of the red and can consider selling their Emerald Coast homes.

“Frankly, this is basic theory of supply and demand,” said Rutland.  “As the supply goes down and the demand continues to rise, the prices will rise.  While this is still a buyer’s market the pendulum is not swinging as far into the buyers’ favor as it was just two and three short years ago.  A buyer who believes sellers are desperate to sell may be surprised.”

Another bit of good news is that foreclosures and short sales are decreasing.   In Okaloosa County, closed foreclosure transactions decreased by 46.2 percent over May of last year, while completed short sales decreased by 33.3 percent.   While short sales and foreclosures continue to be a force in the real estate market, the reduction in their numbers leads real estate experts to believe that the housing market is recovering.

If you are interested in selling or searching homes in the Emerald Coast, Florida, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Emerald Coast, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Emerald Coast has some of the most beautiful beachfront in all of Florida.  Soft, white sand and clear, cool waters make this not only a great vacation spot, but a great place to live as well.  Imagine looking out onto a sun-shimmered ocean everyday from your Emerald Coast home.  Combine this everyday beauty with a dazzling day of fireworks, and you have Fourth of July weekend.

If you haven’t made plans for Independence Day yet, no worries – there’s still plenty of time.  Leading up to the big day, HarborWalk Village will transform into New Orleans on July 3^rd at 7:00pm.  There will be a parade with extravagant floats, Cajun-style cooking, live musical entertainment, and lots of beads – all staying true to “The Big Easy”.

After “Pardi Gras”, you can return to HarborWalk Village for the Fourth of July Extravaganza on the Harbor.  From 6:30 – 9:30pm on July 4^th there will be a hot dog eating contest, live music on the main stage, family activities with contests and giveaways, and a spectacular fireworks display over the water.

For a change in scenery, check out the Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Fort Walton Beach.  From 4pm – 10pm, this event will include entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, a bicycle parade for children, a fly-over, children’s games and activities, and much more.  At 9:15pm, the fun-filled day will be concluded with a celebratory show of fireworks.

If you would like something a little more cozy and comfortable, come over to Destin Beach for some patriotic pyrotechnics over the East Pass at 9pm.  This annual fireworks show will be hosted by AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, and Z96.

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes in the Emerald Coast, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell real estate in the Emerald Coast.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The heat is here, and so is the time to begin thinking about ways to keep your home cool.  Besides cranking the AC to full blast and paying exorbitant electric bills, there are some other ways to help keep your home cool.  One thing homeowners can do to keep their Destin Beach homes cool is known as “landscape shading”.  This requires more effort than the simple press of a button (or push of a lever) on a thermostat, but I believe it is well worth it.

I’m sure you don’t need to be told how simply stepping into some shade on a hot day can make a huge difference.  Your home, of course, is no different.  Landscape shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9° F (5°C).  And because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop.

Not only is landscape shading a great way to cool your home, it’s also beautiful.  The process can be a little tricky since it requires that you analyze where and when the sun hits the hardest in your yard.  However, once you know that, you can move onto the next step:  figuring out which types of trees and shrubs you will plant.

At this point, it would probably be wise to consult a professional landscaping company (unless, of course, you have a pretty reliable green thumb yourself).  You’ll need to select the right type of tree for Florida climate, as well as a tree that will cover the areas you want shaded.  For example, you may want shade over your home during the hottest time of day, while leaving the pool area exposed.

Done correctly, landscape shading will lower your cooling bill and add beautifully customized curb appeal to your Destin Beach home.

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes in Destin Beach, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell a home in Destin, FL.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Florida Realtors recently released a report concluding that real estate in Northwest Florida has improved since last year.  Several variables play into this result, including low inventory, low interest rates and strong buyer demand.  Buyer demand remains supported in large part by investors, but first-time homebuyers have begun dipping into this pool.  Another new member to this group are buyers who are using this opportunity to move up into a more desirable home, now that housing affordability is at an all-time high.

Okaloosa County, home to Destin Beach, had 2,498 properties — single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums — on the market in March. That’s a 27.43 percent decrease from March 2011, when 3,442 properties were up for sale.  Neighboring counties Walton and Santa Rosa are reporting similar figures.

“There are plenty of other signs of improvement,” Judi Rutland, president of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, said in an email. “A positive sign for Okaloosa and Walton counties is a decrease in inventory levels for all property types…It’s basic economics: supply and demand,” she added. “As the supply goes down, the demand will go up. Once demand increases, the prices will begin to go back up.”

Sales are also up in Okaloosa County.  238 single-family homes were sold in March at an average sales price of $207,649, and 70 townhome/condo units were sold at an average price of $271,671. Compare this to March, 2011 when 221 single-family homes were sold at an average of $205,451 and 52 townhome/condo units were sold for an average of $266,578.  In addition, single-family homes are also spending less time on the active market and receiving strong offers much faster than this time last year.

With such positive findings based on real estate market data, the future housing climate appears to provide hope to homeowners in Destin Beach.

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes in Destin Beach, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin Beach real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now that June is here, we are entering our hottest season.  AC units will be cranked at full blast, and Destin Beach homeowners will be looking for ways to save money without compromising efficiency.  Here’s a list of things homeowners can do that will make cooling Destin Beach homes a breeze.

Change Your Air Filter Frequently

It’s good practice to check your air filter once a month and change it at least once a quarter.  In the months June – August, when your AC unit is working overtime, you may need to change your filter monthly.  If the filter is dirty, it will slow down air flow and make the unit work harder to keep your home cool.  You also need clean filters to prevent dust from building up in the system, which could lead to costly maintenance repairs down the road.

 Tune Your HVAC Yearly

Speaking of maintenance, don’t neglect your HVAC system.  Just like your car needs regular oil changes, your HVAC needs the occasional tune-up to prevent it from breaking down suddenly – and that’s the last thing you want to happen on a 100 degree scorcher!

Seal Your Ducts

By simply sealing and insulating your cooling ducts, you can improve efficiency by as much as 20 percent!  Focus first on any obvious energy wasters, like your garage.  Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts.  After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer.  Next, look for ducts you can access from any cooled parts of the home.  Learn more about duct sealing here.

Energy Star

If you’ve had your HVAC for 10 years or more and/or you feel it may be time for a replacement, why not purchase a new Energy Star unit?  An Energy Star unit could potentially shave up to $200 off your annual cooling bill!  However, make sure you’ve completed step 3 before installing a new unit – otherwise, your new and efficient system will be pretty inefficient.

If you are interested in searching for homes in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Destin Beach was recently ranked the second best beach in Florida by US News – Travel.  Known as “the world’s luckiest fishing village,” this hotspot is known for fishing, white sand, and golfing.

Destin, FL has a year-round residential population of 12,000, giving it an intimate, family atmosphere.  With a heavy influx of tourism during peak season bringing this number closer to 40,000, Destin, FL is a great place for investors to purchase rental properties for vacationers.

However, vacation is not the only draw to this beautiful beach-side town.  The fishing resort community has taken careful measures to balance environmental preservation and heritage with quality of life for its residents.   Besides beautiful views along the Emerald Coastline, Destin, FL offers residents and visitors a variety of amenities, activities, shopping, restaurants, events and entertainment for the entire family.

If that wasn’t enough, Business Week listed Destin Beach as one of the best 18 new golf locations in the country.  Destin, FL was also named by readers of Southern Accents Magazine as the number two beach destination, and the number eight golf destination in its second annual Great Escapes Reader Travel Awards.  And last, but not least, the Milken Institute listed Destin as the top Best Performing City in 2005 for small metros.

As a result of this, real estate in Destin Beach maintains its value better than surrounding areas in the state.  The household income median is one of the highest in Florida, as are property values.

If you have been thinking about purchasing real estate in Destin, now is a great time to do it.  While the area has maintained its value relative to its neighboring regions, prices are still far below peak.  In addition, mortgage rates remain historically low and housing affordability is at a record high.

If you are interested in searching homes in Destin, FL, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Destin, FL real estate.  With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net