Sometimes things strike me as powerful statements I like to share. You may not think this has anything to do with Real Estate...but it does in a very profound way. Food for thought moving into the NEW YEAR!!! Cheers!!!! Enjoy!!! 12/30/2008

  Residential Houses   Active 1520 Lowest $64,900 Highest $1,850,000 Average List Price $253,949 Median List Price $199,900 Pending Sales 137 Lowest $54,900 Highest $435,000 Average List Price $175,056 Median List Price $150,000 Sold (November 2008) 82 Lowest $64,750 Highest $650,000 Average Selling Price $165,963 Median Selling Price $146,000 Average Days on Market 174 Sold to List % 91.86% Sold Year to date (January 2008 - November 2008) 1067 Lowest $40,100 Highest $831,000 Average Selling Price $186,033 Median Selling Price $160,000 Average Days on Market 147 Sold to List % 93.58% Residential Houses (Foreclosures) Active 38 Lowest $64,900 Highest $585,000 Average List Price $176,543 Median List Price $159,950 Pending Sales 18 Lowest $54,900 Highest $164,900 Average List Price $113,21... 12/29/2008

When making the decision to buy, we often go directly to price of the property.  Price is important, and we all want to get the most house for our money.  One thing we can not forget is the interest rate.  Since most people finance their purchase, interest rate on your loan plays a huge role in not only what you pay for the property monthly but also over the life of the loan.  Just 1/2 of a point can be a huge difference.  Let take a look: A $100,000 loan with an interest rate of 5% and a term of 30 years: Payment: $536/month Total interest paid during the course of the loan: $93255.20 Total loan value: $193255.20 A $100,000 loan with an interest rate of 5.5% and a term of 30 years: Payment: $567/month Total interest paid during the course of the loan: $104404.40 Total loan value: $2044... 12/29/2008

hmmm...PROJECT SPRINT...could this be code??? Great news for Flagler County.... 470 new jobs coming into the area...add that to the 700 coming from AMREP and looks like Flagler County is making progress. May be time to start buying....jobs mean money, new homeowners and renters....smart money..... time to get your butts off the fence... Deal aimed at bringing 470 jobs to Flagler County By HEATHER SCOFIELDStaff Writer "BUNNELL -- A deal is in the works that could eventually bring up to 470 new jobs to Flagler County over a period of years starting in January, said Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez. "All I can say is we are aggressively moving to bring economic development to Bunnell," Martinez said. Martinez, who has dubbed the deal "Project Sprint," said that, of the 470 jobs, 70 wo... 12/26/2008

Happy Holidays too all..this about sums it up...enjoy!!!!! See ya in NEW YEAR!!!!! 12/24/2008

hmmm...interesting...anyone familiar with this and care to share any feedback. Trying to figure out how to possibly use it as a tool and if the information is actually accurate...sort of like the Zillow.com of Rentals???   Where is the data coming from? "Solution Zilpy aggregates data from most available sources including but not limited to: Googlebase, online classifieds such as Rent.com, private property management leasing data and also offline sources. We cover about 75% of the US population in urban areas and offer  especially very good coverage on top 100 US Metropolitan areas." 12/22/2008

Courtesy of NAR today.... Daily Real Estate News  |  December 19, 2008  |     " Mortgage Rates Plunge to Record Lows In response to the Federal Reserve's cut in the federal funds rate to near zero, Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.17 percent during the week ended Dec. 18--down from 5.47 percent last week and the lowest since the survey's inception in 1971. Interest on 15-year fixed loans slipped to 4.92 percent from 5.20 percent. Meanwhile, the five-year hybrid adjustable mortgage rate dropped to 5.6 percent from 5.82 percent; and the one-year ARM dipped to 4.94 percent from 5.09 percent. A year ago, the 30-year fixed rate stood at 6.14 percent, the 15-year fixed rate at 5.79 percent, the five-year hybrid ARM at 5.9 percent, and the one-year ARM at 5.51... 12/19/2008

THE REALITY CHECK I have been working on a Real Estate Market Update for November 2008 for the Palm Coast/Flagler County, Florida area and quite frankly am horrified by what I am seeing.  I will be posting the results soon...but in the meantime I would like to dig into the cause of this mess from a very local perspective. I am issuing a challenge to all sellers and thier agents to FIX IT!!!!!! I am sorry to be the one to tell you but "WAKE UP"!!!!  Either price your house at or below its current market value or take it off the market and let the serious seller's take the spotlight and get thier houses sold.  Why?  Because you are part of the problem...not a part of the solution. The argument may be if your not in the game you have no chance at playing ball...sorry, ask yourself how many... 12/16/2008

Real Estate Palm Coast Homes For Sale - Palm Coast Market Report.Real Estate in Palm Coast Florida has changed so much.  There are many homes for sale in Palm Coast, and prices have never been better! There are currently 2094 Homes For Sale in Palm Coast. Home Buyers in Palm Coast are finding some of the best Homes For Sale in all of Central Florida, at prices as much as 25% or more below one or two years ago. Why pay rent when you can own a home in Palm Coast for less than your rent per month? Palm Coast Realtor RJ Elsbree Can help you find and buy the right house in Flagler County with the best price and terms. Flagler Market Report  New Active - 219 Pending - 71 Sold - 69 New Total Active - 1589 Palm Coast Short Sales New Short Sales - 124 Pending Short Sales - 77 Sold Short Sales - ... 12/15/2008

Real Estate in Palm Coast, Florida is real attractive for home buyers and first time buyers here in Palm Coast since there has been a downturn in home sales for the past three to four years.  Home owners are ready to sell at bottom line prices.  With existing home sales starting to show signs of improvement over the past few months and a new President taking office soon, people need to act so they don't miss out.  Everyone says history repeats its self and if history has taught us anything the housing market has its ups and downs but will recover.  With this being a down market there are more opportunities out there then every before.  Don't wait, start looking today because tommorrow may be to late.  I encourage you to take a look at my web page for more real estate information and top... 12/15/2008

A long awaited addition to sharing Palm Coast with out-of-town home buyers is finally here . . . Google Maps Street View.  This amazing feature allows home buyers to tour a neighborhood on their screen.  We have only been able to share overhead satellite images in the past, but now can easily share the entire neighborhood and town virtually.  Click here to take "a drive" down Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast, FL. 12/11/2008

Palm Coast has been hit pretty hard by the sub-prime mess, over exuberant investors that got in over their heads and job layoffs.  What does all this mean...mounting foreclosures and bank owned properties.  The good news, is that if you are familiar and educated with the the process of purchasing foreclosed homes...you are in luck.  If you are not, be very careful before you run to the courthouse steps thinking you are getting the deal of the century. Knowledge and education are vital to successfully purchasing foreclosed and bank owned homes. Bank owned and up-coming foreclosures:    Bank Owned Properties          Bank owned properties are a safer more effective way for first time homeowners or investors to find a great bargain on a home that has already been foreclosed on.   Up-coming... 12/09/2008

First you have to watch this video...because it will make you laugh before you are struck with the fact that it sure felt better when we "THOUGHT " we were rich than when we realized we really were "JUST PRETENDING"...     In The Know: Are America's Rich Falling Behind The Super-Rich? Now for the reality...I know...reality stinks...an article written on the Gotoby.com website recently, gives you an excellent perspective on the domino effect of how the folks who really did or do have the money to make the luxury home purchases in Palm Coast, Florida...are being very negatively impacted by everyone thinking they were a member of the "Super Rich"   Luxury Market Feeling the Pain Foreclosures move into the luxury market, reduced prices will follow as lender-owned properties come onto the ma... 12/08/2008

Palm Coast Real Estate Short Sale Information With the current market conditions in Palm Coast, Florida many homeowners and banks are now entering into what are called short sales.   Palm Coast Single Family Home Statistics:   55% of all Listed properties under $200K are Short Sales. 69% of all listed properties under $150K are Short Sales 73% of all listed properties under $125K are Short Sales 80% of all listed properties under $100K are Short Sales Short sales in Palm Coast, Florida can be a great way to pick up an incredible bargain or get yourself into much unwanted trouble.  Before you decide to make an offer on a home that is declared as a short sale, make sure you are educated on the subject to avoid painful headaches in the future...please read below for more information on sho... 12/08/2008

Make sure to check back in for updates on The Palm Coast - Flagler County Real Estate Market and Trends.   I believe that information is power and am an advocate for customer empowerment.   Market update for November 2008 Indian Trails is one of the most built out communities in Palm Coast, so it is not a surprise that it has high inventory levels of homes on the market. Indian Trails has always been a desired area due to its proximity to schools, the Library, restaurants, grocery stores etc. Located just to the North of Palm Coast Parkway - West of I-95 and to the south of Matanzas Woods...it is in close proximity to the new Palm Coast Park development. In November 14 homes sold in Indian Trails - 4 Bank Owned - 4 Short Sales and the remaining 5 were non distressed sales.  Indian Trail... 12/01/2008

  Make sure to check back for updates on the Palm Coast - Flagler County Real Estate Market and Trends. I believe that information is power I am an advocate for customer empowerment. Gated, Intracoastal Front, Golf Community of Grand Haven *I feel it is very important to disclose that I personally own property in this community.*   Please read more about this unique and wonderful community here So little sales activity has taken place over the last few months in the community of Grand Haven that I have chosen to do a three month market report.  The following data is for September 01, 2008 through November 24, 2008.   Search Grand Haven Homes for Sale   Total Grand Haven Home Listings: 131 Single Family Homes Average Listing Price: $433,396 Average Sales Price: $356,222 Total Sold Homes:... 11/25/2008

Make sure to check back in for updates on the Palm Coast - Flagler County Real Estate Market and Trends. I believe that information is power and am an advocate for customer empowerment.   Market update November 01 - November 21, 2008   The Cypress Knoll community has seen less foreclosures and deep discounted short sales erode away at the prices until recently It looks like we are seeing some weakening in the price stabilization in Cypress Knoll. Last month there were O Bank Owned properties available for sale. There are currently 4 Bank Owned properties now available in Cypress Knoll. Search Cypress Knoll Bank Owned Located directly across from the new Town Center Project, close to the Flagler County Hospital, easy access to the beach by way of US 100 into Flagler Beach and of course i... 11/22/2008

Living Sq Ft: 1597 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size:  Oversized 10,858 sq ft Neighborhood: Lehigh Woods Condition: Excellent For more information about listing and actually getting your home SOLD -  contact your Palm Coast – Flagler County, Florida Real Estate expert Kristi Ross/Hawk Beach Realty@ (386) 931–5822 Kristi Ross - REALTOR - With over 12 years of experience in buying, selling, managing & investing in real property personally in addition to being a very active, full time  REALTOR in Palm Coast/Flagler County, Florida for 7 years ....I have learned that information is power and I am an advocate for customer empowerment. Please feel free to search the MLS for free at my website www.Palm-Coast-Hot-Properties.com.  You can sign up to be on the list of first to know when properti... 11/21/2008

Image by Praziquantel via Flickr   The Palm Coast - Flagler County Real Estate Market and Trends. I believe that information is power and am an advocate for customer empowerment.       I personally own waterfront property in Palm Coast, Florida...so this market report is especially important to me personally.   Here is a Market Update for Navigable Saltwater Canal & Intracoastal Front Properties for October 1, 2008 to November 18, 2008.   Total Active Saltwater Canal & Intracoastal Homes: 195 homes for sale Average List Price: $580,000 Average Sale Price: $316,000 As you can see from the numbers above...much off our market sales recently have been on the lower priced homes as bargain shoppers have rushed in to pick up the bank -owned deals and lower end properties. At some point these ... 11/20/2008

  Obviously we are all inundated with negative news reports about the economy and the Real Estate markets.  It is true that there are economic hurdles present.  But I thought it important share some positives about the Real Estate Market here in Palm Coast, FL with Residential Houses.  Total Number Sold Thru October 2008 . . . . . . . .  980 (5% Higher compared to this period in 2007)Average Sold Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $187,938Median Sold Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $162,000Average Days on the Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  145 # Short Sales Sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   190 (19% of all sales)Average Sold Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $161,126Median Sold Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $151,500Average Days on... 11/17/2008