The media is full of negativity in real estate, and as soon as there is a glimmer of something positive happening in the industry it is played down in the news at best, and never repeated.  But let it be the reverse, you have to hear it every 15 minutes. The truth is a lot of positive things have happened for homeowners in the last 12 months!  Over 1 Million people took advantage of the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit.  And the National Association of Realtors was instrumental in making that happen. You hear about what percentage of homes in our 5 largest vacation spots are underwater on their mortgages. Approximately 5.3 million people across have mortgages that are about 20% higher than their homes current value.  Hey, We've still got 45 other States! But guess what?   Most U.S. home... 11/25/2009

All real estate value is based on the concept of "highest and best use." Okaloosa County has a duty to its taxpayers to exercise this principle in relation to the Island Golf Center land in order to increase the county's tax base if the land is sold or to obtain maximum lease payments if it is leased. A wrong-way decision could cost taxpayers millions or even billions of dollars in future real estate tax payments or lease payments. Okaloosa County is not performing its governmental functions if it is not actively soliciting proposals to turn this non-performing asset into a revenue source for county taxpayers. Okaloosa County probably has other non-performing assets that are not of such high value as the subject property, and which would better serve the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge an... 10/29/2009

MLS#: 523195 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $77,000 Status: Sold ApproxSF: 1,175 BG:1175 Address: 727 MARY AVE $/Sqft: $65.53   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 4 Zip: 32547 Baths Full/Half: 1/ County: OKALOOSA Stories: 1 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach YearBuilt: 1958 SubArea: 06 OCEAN CITY OccStat: Vacant Subdiv: OCEAN CITY ImmOcc? Y ParcelID: 02-2S-24-213A-000H-0030 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: WRIGHT Middle: PRYOR High: CHOCTAWHATCHEE Dir: From Racetrack by the fire station, turn south on Pinedale which turns into Mary Ave. The house is on the left. Legal: Racetrack Rd S/D Lot 3 Blk H "AS IS"home just waiting for a personal touch. Bathroom has been remodeled. Enclosed porch area, large back yard with wooden fence and building for storage. Home needs updating and is in a good l... 10/25/2009

  Haunted House at Uptown Station October 09, 09 - October 31, 09 Type: Holiday Events City: Fort Walton Beach Venue: Uptown Station Address: Eglin Pkwy, FTWB The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge will present its annual Haunted House. Contact: 850.243.0401 Add me to your Facebook 10/23/2009

Haunted History Tours October 30, 09 - October 31, 09 Location: Fort Walton Beach Address: 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy Phone: 850.833.9595 This second annual event is based on authentic local history, folk stories and spooky downtown sites. Add me to your Facebook 10/23/2009

A Call to all Zombies October 24, 09 Location: Fort Walton Beach Address: Downtown Ares Phone: 850.642.5292 The FTWB Jaycees will make an attempt to break the worlds record Zombie Walk. All "undead" are invited to join. The downtown merchants will also be hosting Trick or Treating for the little Zombies from 2-4pm.     ZOMBIE WALK FOR THE HUNGRY:  Historic Downtown Fort Walton Beach on October 24th from 4-7pm meet at Fokker's Sports Pub & Grill. Guiness Book of World Records attempt for Largest Zombie Walk.   Add me to your Facebook 10/23/2009

Overview   Photos (31)   Map   Mortgage   Compare   Price Trends   Local Area   Schools   Contact        NICE TOWNHOUSE IN CONVENIENT LOCATION,MASTER BEDROOM HAS A BIG WALK IN CLOSET. CLOSE TO BOTH BASES AND SHOPPING.Price reduced and *MOTIVATED SELLER* updated paint colors and updated kitchen floors adorns this great townhome. Immediate occupancy or great for investment purposes. This townhome features a screened porch with utility room for washer and dryer MASTER BEDROOM HAS A BIG WALK IN CLOSET and large closet in 2nd bedroom. Price is right and ready for new owners. Contact the agent View more details Home facts for 696 Tyner St #24 Listing Details MLS/Source ID 524477 Price/sqft $63    32547 Brandon Jordan Contact agent    Add me to your Facebook 09/27/2009

MLS#: 523195 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $77,000 Status: Pending ApproxSF: 1,175 BG:1175 Address: 727 MARY AVE $/Sqft: $65.53   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 4 Zip: 32547 Baths Full/Half: 1/ County: OKALOOSA Stories: 1 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach YearBuilt: 1958 SubArea: 06 OCEAN CITY OccStat: Vacant Subdiv: OCEAN CITY ImmOcc? Y ParcelID: 02-2S-24-213A-000H-0030 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: WRIGHT Middle: PRYOR High: CHOCTAWHATCHEE Dir: From Racetrack by the fire station, turn south on Pinedale which turns into Mary Ave. The house is on the left. Legal: Racetrack Rd S/D Lot 3 Blk H "AS IS"home just waiting for a personal touch. Bathroom has been remodeled. Enclosed porch area, large back yard with wooden fence and building for storage. Home needs updating and is in a goo... 09/23/2009

FORT WALTON BEACH Public lectureThe Mattie Kelly Cultural & Environmental Institute at Northwest Florida State College will host Dr. Patricia "Tricia" Kelley, a National Association of Geoscience Teachers Distinguished Lecturer, at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 on the mainstage of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus. She will present a free public lecture on "Evolution and Creation: Conflicting or Compatible?" Call 729-5376.Teen DanceThe Destin Community Center will hold a Teen Dance for middle school students from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 28. Cost is $5. Call 654-5184.College Surplus SaleNorthwest Florida State College will hold a Surplus Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Niceville Campus in Building G-2. The sale is open to the public and conducted by closed bid with no prior inspe... 08/24/2009

Hi!  This is my first ActiveRain post--I have been a "lurker" for quite a while, with an outside blog at www.Realtown.com/blogs/valeries, and finally comfortable enough to start on AR.  Please bare with me as I'm still trying to understand things and make my blog look like so many others I've been reading for so long.  As I start, I fear this will be a "vanilla post" as I learn how to get better... I find being a realtor very enjoyable in many ways, but as with any job a person has, there are always the bumps and bruises that go with it.  I have shown buyers houses, and when driving up to the home never even make it inside the home.  This is through no fault of the seller, as they've landscaped nicely, the house is in great shape, well cared for, BUT, the neighbor either next door, or a... 08/09/2009

July 4th Extravaganza on the Harbor The July 4th Extravaganza at HarborWalk Village on Destin Harbor will feature live entertainment by the Zydeco Bad Boys and a 21-minute firework display sponsored by the City of Destin. Live entertainment will be on the HarborWalk Village stage from 7-9pm. Fireworks at 9pm. 850.337.8000Additional InformationPhone: (850) 337-8000Website: www.harborwalkdestin.comEvent Time: See above Event Type: Fireworks, Holiday Events Party in the Open Market Artists, vendors, friends, neighbors and customers come together in The Fountain Square in Fort Walton Beach to celebrate the 4th of July. Bring a covered dish to participate. Followed by fireworks at The Landing. The Open Market will also host varying vendors each Saturday offering art, jewelry, produce, plant... 07/04/2009

Sold Terms and Market Statistics  Detached Single FamilyStatistics for Fort Walton Beach 6/1/2009 - 6/30/2009 Areas:Fort Walton Beach Sold Terms Total Total List $ Total Sold $ Avg List $ Avg Sold $ Med Sold $ Avg DOM Avg DTC Avg $/SF % SP/LP CONVENTIONAL 7 $1,405,450 $1,322,000 $200,778 $188,857 $175,000 92 62 $107 94.06% FHA 13 $2,179,400 $2,102,300 $167,646 $161,715 $175,000 105 50 $101 96.46% NONE 4 $947,700 $725,500 $236,925 $181,375 $65,500 108 44 $133 76.55% OTHER 2 $639,500 $576,000 $319,750 $288,000 $288,000 249 28 $125 90.07% VA 30 $6,020,990 $5,808,730 $200,699 $193,624 $174,750 109 43 $111 96.47% VA VENDEE 1 $274,900 $265,000 $274,900 $265,000 $265,000 105 36 $130 96.39% TOTALS 57 $11,467,940 $10,799,530 $201,191 $189,465 $175,000 111 47 $118 91.67% This is good news for Fo... 07/02/2009

Everybody knows somebody who's trying to buy a home.  The market is changing and so are the rules, here is some important info you can pass on: HUD unveiled a policy change in May that would provide homebuyers with quicker access to a the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Buyers would be free to put the funds toward closing costs and a portion of their down payment, in  hopes that this measure will stimulate housing demand, and reduce unsold inventory. Here are few  things you need to know about the policy changes: 1. Less waiting:President Obama's economic stimulus plan included a tax credit worth up to $8,000 for qualified first-time homebuyers. However, they couldn't receive the funds until after they filed their taxes. The new HUD initiative would enable these borrowers to obtain sh... 06/25/2009

There are always changes going on around us, most you don't even notice until after the fact.  So just in case you didn't know that the Okaloosa airport located in ValParaiso is now named the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. You will still land on Eglin AFB, and taxi over to the commercial side, they just changed the name.   Now that you know what airport I'm speaking about, I want to tell you about the latest addition to the airport taking place. There will be a new Military Reception area located on the first floor of the airport.  You will recognize it by the the emblems of the five military branches that will be featured, as well as artwork honoring the men and women who have and are still serving our country. When I was stationed overseas, which is like many moons ago now, the U... 06/17/2009

  The American Red Cross announces    Run for the Red, White and Blue Raising Hope for our Military Programs   July 18, 2009 Greetings! It's almost that time of year again. The American Red Cross in cooperation with running clubs along the gulf coast are holding our annual "Run for the Red, White and Blue".   You can be a part of our run and help raise money to support our military programs.   Each year, the American Red Cross provides emergency messages to military families in crisis across Northwest Florida.  Last year more than 2000 military families needed a loved one reached in times of  birth, death and impending crisis.   Without dollars, this program could not exist as it is not funded by Congress or the military. We need YOU!   Come out and run, walk, stroll or just watch.  He... 06/13/2009

I just now have seen the first Coldwell Banker commercial on prime time the other night talking about the On Location and new Youtube Channel. So I was wondering how many on Active Rain have posted their listings on their? Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has launched an innovative branded YouTube channel designed to offer consumers a new way to search for and interact with real estate information and listings 06/01/2009

06/01/2009

In just under 60 years, the population of Fort Walton Beach, Florida has swelled from 90 to 175,000, enjoying growth in many quarters. Undiscovered by tourists for years, Fort Walton Beach is home to small and large businesses, beautifully kept residential communities, sophisticated condiminiums, an energetic and clean light industrial park, and a plethora of recreational activities. A large auditorium, city council offices, library compound, and beautiful parks grace the city. Fort Walton Beach has a large number of upscale restaurants and entertainment venues. The education system, one of the best in Florida, provides education from kidergarten all the way to graduate studies. Fort Walton Beach has a vibrant spiritual presence, plus many clubs and civic groups. Located on the Emerald ... 05/02/2009

Detached Single Family . MLS#: 515546 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $235,000 Status: Active ApproxSF: 1,832 BG:0 Address: 678 RANDALL ROBERTS RD $/Sqft: $128.27   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 3 Zip: 32547 Baths Full/Half: 2/0 County: OKALOOSA Stories: 1 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach YearBuilt: 2000 SubArea: 05 OVERBROOK/PINEDALE OccStat: Occupied Subdiv: EMERALD VILLAGE S/D ImmOcc? N ParcelID: 09-2S-24-1222 ConstrStat: ConstrCmplt ElemSch: NEW HEIGHTS Middle: BRUNER High: FORT WALTON BEACH Dir: Go down Martin Luther King Boulevard. Turn left by the Tom Thumb Food Store just before getting to Freedom Way (back gate of Hurlburt). Take a right onto Randall Roberts Road. Follow around the curve until you get to 678. There is a white bench in the front yard. Back up to wooded area. Legal: Eme... 05/02/2009

Detached Single Family . MLS#: 514510 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $175,000 Status: Active ApproxSF: 1,274 BG: Address: 1010 HIGH GROVE CT $/Sqft: $137.36   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 3 Zip: 32547 Baths Full/Half: 2/ County: OKALOOSA Stories: 1 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach YearBuilt: 1995 SubArea: 07 WRIGHT OccStat: Occupied Subdiv: HIGH GROVE PLANTATION ImmOcc?   ParcelID: 03-2S-24-1220-0000-0160 ConstrStat: ConstrCmplt ElemSch: WRIGHT Middle: PRYOR High: CHOCTAWHATCHEE Dir: From Beal Parkway to Carmel, west on Carmel turn right on Hart continue around curve to Vickie Leigh turn left on High Grove Ct. Legal: HIGH GROVE PLANTATION LOT 16 Nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in nice neighborhood. Inside you will find new paint, new light fixtures, and new hardware on all the doors. The guest b... 05/02/2009