Kerry Veach

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

If you’ve been searching Emerald Cost homes, then you might be interested to learn that home affordability is currently at the highest level we’ve seen in decades.  Nearly 78 percent of homes sold during the first quarter of 2012 were affordable to individuals who earned the national median income of $61,000 – this according to a report released yesterday by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo.

Here are some general figures to give you an even better idea of what this means:

• To purchase a home at the national median price of $158,000 with 5 percent down, the loan applicant would need an annual household income of $34,700.
• To purchase a home at the national median price of $158,000 with 10 percent down, the loan applicant would need an annual household income of $32,900.
• To purchase a home at the national median price of $158,000 with 20 percent down, the loan applicant would need an annual household income of $29,300.

These figures are assuming a 4 percent interest rate, good credit, and 25 percent of gross income allocated to principal and interest.

There are few reasons for this historic affordability index.  For starters, home values are still about 36 percent away from their peak, while the annual median income has increased by about 10 percent on a national level.  Mortgage rates also remain at record lows, hovering around the 4 percent mark.

While homes in Emerald Coast have never been more affordable, mortgage lending guidelines are far tighter than they were before the housing bubble burst.  Lenders are also requiring more documentation to verify that the borrower can afford the monthly mortgage payments associated with their loan program.  For borrowers with average credit, FHA may still be the best option, but this often comes with a higher interest rate and private mortgage insurance, making monthly payments higher than conventional loan programs.

If you are interested in searching Emerald Coast homes, contact Kerry Veach.  Kerry is an experienced Realtor who can help you buy or sell Emerald Cost 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

As many sun-seeking folks head down to vacation at an Emerald Coast home, gas mileage (and prices) might become a concern for those taking to the road.  No worries though.  I’ve created a handy list of ways you can conserve gas and money during your trip.

1. Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned

By simply maintaining your vehicle correctly, you can save anywhere from 4 percent (for repairing minor emission issues) to 40 percent!

1. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

You’ve probably heard this one before and for good reason.  By simply pumping up those tires, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.  It might not be much if you’re driving only a few miles, but it adds up for those serious road trips.

1. Use Your Vehicle’s Recommended Motor Oil Grade

Improve your gas mileage 1-2 percent by using your manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.  Even better, use motor oil labeled “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol.

1. Replace Your Air Filter

This may not directly affect your gas mileage on newer cars, but it does affect your vehicle’s overall performance.  This quick and inexpensive change can improve your acceleration time by 6-10 percent.  If you have an older car with a carbureted engine, this can improve your gas mileage by 2-6 percent.

1. Cruise Control

Since most road trips involve lots of highway miles, give your foot a rest and set your cruise control.  Doing so will not only prevent excessive gas guzzling, but also foot cramping.

1. Avoid Excessive Idling

Contrary to popular belief, you do not use more gas starting your car than idling.  So, if you’re taking a pit stop for the kids’ potty break, turn the engine off.  This will save gas in the long-run, since idling can use up to a half-gallon of fuel per hour.

1. Drive Sensibly

Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway.  You can also assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.31 per gallon for gas.

1. Don’t Over Pack

A loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent, while 100 pounds in the trunk reduces it by 1-2 percent.

1. Plan

While it might be difficult to follow it to a tee, mapping out your pit stops and breaks will make your trip more efficient.  Driving around aimlessly while you search for a place to eat is a waste of time, gas, and money.

1. Have a Blast!

OK, this one doesn’t save you any gas, but it sure saves stress!  And while you’re visiting the beautiful Emerald Coast, contact Kerry Veach to see some Emerald Coast homes.  With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

Don’t forget to check the Veach View Blog frequently to get more energy related news and money saving tips.

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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.

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.

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.