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Destin, FL Real Estate News

By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Is January A Good Time To Visit Destin FloridaIs life bringing you to Destin Florida this January? Got thoughts of closed shops and snow covered tumbleweeds and a bunch of TV? Let's take a look at why an early in the year trip to the Emerald Coast can be a great idea. 1) Accommodations are cheaper this time of year-- Condo rentals are a fraction of what a guest would pay in peak season. Most of the larger resorts will have hot tubs and at least one heated swimming pool. 2) Many restaurants have off season specials-- For example, Louisiana Lagniappe has a "two can dine for 59 with wine" special. During summer that same feast would approach 200 bucks! 3) Less crowds/traffic--guests visiting the Emerald Coast will have plenty of elbow room. The city is build to handle a MASSIVE influx of v...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
What Makes Destin Florida A GREAT Place To RetireIs 2025 the year you select a setting for life's next chapter? If so, Destin Florida should be on your radar. Let's take a look at what makes this Emerald Coast town a GREAT place to retire. 1) Mild Winters-- Okay for full disclosure I am wearing a sweater as I type this. But it's also mid-January. As the locals say it only gets cold enough, "to kill the mosquitoes. Summers can get hot, but most days there is a nice gulf breeze. 2) Access to military services-- Thanks to Eglin Afb, Hurlburt Field, and Tyndall afb (Panama City) there are a lot of services for former/retired service men and women. 3) Plenty of housing options-- We have beach front, harbor view homes, and Bayfront homes. Within this range there are single family, condos, and...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Real Estate Advice- Is It Better To Fix Or Offer An AllowanceGetting ready to sell your Destin Florida home in 2025? One of the first questions sellers have centers around home condition. Is it better to fix/repair a defect, or simply offer an allowance. Let's take a closer look...1)What is broken matters-- Is the air conditioning broken? The better course is typically to repair or replace as needed. Why? Because nobody wants to linger in a home that's hotter than a 2025 Inauguration ticket. Is the wall sconce in the upstairs hall flickering? Maybe we can overlook that. 2) Defective home systems can limit the buyer pool-- Home buyers who use popular low downpayment loan programs often need properties in good condition. Yes there are limited workarounds, most buyers will simply move on t...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
2 Bedroom Condo For Sale In Destin Florida 32541Searching for a vacation condo around Destin Florida? Desire a harbor location, yet not on the main road? If so, 30 Moreno Point Unit 403-A should be on you must see list. Let's examine what makes this Destin Florida waterfront condo special. 2 Bedroom Condo In Destin Florida 32541 OverviewMapsPhotos $475,000 Condominium Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsInterior: 1,193 sqftYear Built: 1976MLS #: 966106 Location 30 Moreno Point Road403-ADestin, FL 32541USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings 2 Bedroom Condo In Destin Florida 32541 | $475,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Crystal Beach Destin Florida...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Past Clients Are The Best ClientsIn my first year of real estate practice there were plenty of closing table tears. Sure I was happy for my buyers (and back then most were buyers) but the reason for the waterworks was not knowing where my next deal would  come from. Let's look at why past clients  should be your best clients!What Makes Past Clients special1) They already know you-- Calling someone you know is typically less stressful than reaching out to a stranger. And since they have a prior relationship, past clients are more likely to take your call or reply to a text. 2) Past clients are forgiving-- Has it been a while since their transaction closed? Don't worry, as my coach Mike Ferry says, "they haven't been sitting around waiting for your call." Don't let a long gap in communica...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Looking For A Home, Don't Buy Anything Else!I remember like it was yesterday (actually it was 2007), my house hit the market and the showing starting coming fast! Within a couple of days the winning deal was inked. A week later the inspection was complete and it was time to pack. Well, not so fast...The person buying our home came across the prettiest little Acura that ever graced a car lot in San Angelo, Texas. The car salesperson assured the buyer that the loan wouldn't hit her credit for 30-45 days. Well, it did and our little house was without a buyer. 1) Buying something on credit during escrow can mess with your debt ratio- That 800 dollar per month car note will be listed right next to those student loans and visa credit card balance. Depending on your income, this could make an ...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Showing Feedback Is Like Gold, Both Valuable And RareIn today's fast paced world, getting a buyer's agent to provide showing feedback can be a challenge. Do you remember when technology promised to make such feedback more easy and efficient? Let's take a look at how meaningful and timely feedback can help all parties... How Showing Feedback Helps The Seller/Listing Agent 1) Buyers can smell things the owners may miss-- After living with Rex the Greyhound for six years the owners may not smell his fumes. The buyers on the other hand may think the paint is in danger of melting. Speaking of stray gas...A buyer once noticed a gas leak that my seller hadn't picked up on. Saved that client more than money! 2) Feedback helps the listing agent know how the seller is prepping for showings-- Most...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Why Do I Need Notice to Tour a Home?Getting ready to purchase a home in greater Destin Florida? Frustrated because developing a touring schedule is becoming more difficult than balancing the federal budget? If those sellers wish to sell, why is scheduling a showing so tough? Let's look at some reason sellers may need notice...1)Sellers may have a lot of life happening at the moment-- People sell houses for various reasons, not all of them positive. There could be a newly single parent trying to get three kids out of the house. Or perhaps the current owner is in a later life stage and has mobility issues.2) We want to see the house in the best possible light-Most buyers claim to be able to see past daily life clutter. Almost to a person they can't. We want potential buyers to focus on th...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Should The Kids Attend Home ToursAs the father of four daughters, I'm sensitive to the needs of the home buying parent. When it's time for the home tour, should we get a babysitter or allow the little ones to tag along?Some Possible Challenges With Bringing the Kids1) Having the kids will slow our showing pace-- Regardless of how well behaved, just having more people to shuffle in and out of spaces takes time.2) Young children means one adult is always distracted-- Yes, an infant may sleep soundly from start to finish, but not so much with a 3 year old. If a parent is busy minding the kid, what home details are they missing? 3) Possible liability issues-- Even with close supervision, children are naturally inquisitive. I had a child on tour one time throw a figurine at the house cat. Lu...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
When Life Happens, Tell Your Agent! Years ago in a market far far away I worked with the sweetest couple. With a long list of needs/wants and limited budget, finding the right home was a challenge. But oh did we look. Tour after tour. Finally we found one that checked all the boxes, time to write an offer? Nope, we want to talk about it tonight. No problem, major purchases deserve the attention.The next day the husband calls and tells me the couple is breaking up. I understand, life happens and I wished them both the best. The kicker/reason for this blog post? One of them had been planning the breakup for months. He looked at homes just to keep up appearances. Let's examine why it's critical to tell your real estate professional about any life changes...1) Major life changes can impact ...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Destin Fl Real Estate-Should I Engage In a Bidding War?Looking for that perfect Destin Florida area condo? Does the unit in question check all the boxes AND sport an attractive asking price? To borrow a fishing expression, "that bait may attract more than one shark". Let's examine what to do if you must compete with other sharks or bidders...Dealing with multiple offers Get your financials in order prior to touring property- Like late summer storms, bidding wars happen FAST. How will your "don't worry we are good  for it" compare with other bidders' proof of funds and/or pre-approval letters Know what a higher bid means for your budget-- For some buyers the sky is the limit, just let mine be the winning offer. For others the deal needs to make sense as an investment How badly do you wan...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
How To Respond When The Showings StopAfter a week or two the excitement of your home hitting the market may start to fade. Are home showings starting to occur with a similar frequency as Dallas Cowboy playoff wins? Let's take a look at how to get the showings flowing again!Ways To Get The Showings Flowing 1) Are your listing photos high quality-- The first contact most buyers have with a home is normally online. Poor quality photographs can cause buyers to move on. 2) What feedback are you getting from the buyers' agents? Look for patterns, is there something actionable from the reviews? 3) Understand the dynamics of the local real estate market- Are house prices rising, falling, or holding stable? If the prices are declining, a home slightly overpriced in June could be significantly be...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
What Happens The First Week Your Home Is On The Market Getting ready to sell your Destin Florida area home? Need the home to fetch top dollar but not stay on the market longer than a Taylor Swift song? Let's take a look at what Doug Rogers with RE/MAX Coastal Properties does IN WEEK ONE to get sellers the best terms. Before Going Live Professional listing photos- The first contact your home will have with the buying public will be online. The days of rocking ten blurry photos from the agent's iPhone 3 are gone. Only in rare instances (say an occupied rental) will anything less than a full set of high quality photos be used.  Listing paperwork-- At RE/MAX Coastal Properties we make sure our sellers understand ALL the paperwork they are filling out. In addition we will provide a mock net ...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Home For Sale Near Hurlburt Field- Price REDUCEDLooking for an updated home near Hurlburt Field? Want water access AND be within a reasonable drive to the gate? If so, this Destin Florida area home should be on your must tour list. 4 Bedroom Home For Sale Near Hurlburt Field OverviewMapsPhotos $685,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 3,212 sqftLot: 0.17 acre(s)Year Built: 2017MLS #: 954339 Location 9 Plantation Oaks DriveMary Esther, FL 32569USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings 4 Bedroom Home For Sale Near Hurlburt Field | $685,000 | Mary Esther, FL3 Bedroom Home For Sale Near Alexandria LA | $155,000...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Buyer Broker Agreement One Is Signed! How's It Going For You?As the NAR Settlement changes loomed, I was more than a little apprehensive. After all, in my vacation market most (read all) buyers are from out of state. Not knowing me any better than the second Darrin from BeWitched, why would a rational buyer hook themselves to an agent? How I made Buyer/Broker Agreements work with my business 1) Strong online footprint-- In my experience buyers will start looking for homes (not agents) online. Once contact is made though, they will Google the heck out of you! I will send them links to Activerain posts I have made (it helps to include a YouTube video even if poorly done). Having a professional mls fed website helps as well!2) Multiple communication paths- MY firm has KVCORE which boasts a...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Sometimes It's Good To Step Out Of The OfficeMy morning is set aside for finding new lines of business. I accomplish this mostly via the telephone (yes I know old school), but boy it works! Today I had to mix things up. A buyer client (who I found by phone prospecting) needed to look at homes this morning prior to getting on the road. So I fired up the Jeep and headed down 30A! 30A boasts a wide range of cool shops, restaurants and upscale housing options. The property we toured today actually borders a national forest. This golf course friendly community is a short ride to the beach or area lakes. After checking out a couple of Emerald Coast homes the buyers wished to see something around Sandestin. Enjoy golfing, shopping, beach lounging, or just people watching? Like having a range o...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
If I Sell As-Is Why Do I Need To Fill Out Disclosures?Getting ready to list your Destin Florida  home for sale? One of the steps in the pre-listing process sees the sellers complete property disclosures. But if the client wishes for an "AS-IS" transaction why bother with disclosures? Let's take a closer look at how doing so can make for a smoother transaction.Why seller disclosures1) Disclosures provide important information to the potential buyer--Is there a home owner's association (HOA)? If so, how much are the dues? How often are they paid? Any pending assessments? Having this information clearly outlined in one place helps speed the process and avoid mistakes when one person relays a message to a group (remember playing the telephone game as a kid). 2) Seller Disclosures is formal ...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Destin Florida Real Estate-Who Should Go On The Home Tour?Is 2024 the year for you to purchase a home near Destin Florida? We are following the home buying process, and  now it's time to tour 3-5 of the properties on your list. So, who should tag along and who should check for updates on Facebook?Those Who Should Attend1) Your Real Estate agent-- The person who you pay should be familiar with the home you are interested in. Sure, some real estate teams utilize showing agents, but someone on your side needs to be there. Want to checkout a Sunday open house? Give me a call, we can go together! 2) Everyone on title--Is your name going on the contract? If so you should attend the tour. This is a struggle sometimes for our military clients. If there is anyway possible we will use FaceTime or...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Should I Have The Renters Move Out Before Listing My House?A common question Destin Florida area home sellers involves the occupancy of the home they wish to sell. Should we allow the renters to remain until closing, or is it best to have the home vacant prior to hitting the market. Let's take a closer look at some key factors...1) What does the lease say-- If the home currently has a renter, you will need to follow the terms of the lease. Some will have a provision for putting the home on the market, others don't.  In most cases an owner can't terminate early simply because they wish to sell. 2) Who is the likely buyer-- For an investment property, having a renter in place can be a plus. This is the case even if the rent is currently below market value. If the likely buyer is an owner ...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Should I Replace The Carpet Or Just Clean It? Getting ready to put your Destin Florida area home on the market? Want to get the most money without having to take on a major renovation? Let's tackle one of the common issues, to replace or simple clean the carpet. To Clean Or Replace Replace if you have the time and money--Carpet retains all sort of animal hair, dust, and a whole host of other things best not pondered. New floors will certainly dress up an existing home and get rid of some possible odors.  Clean if money or time is tight-- Running short on disposable income? Or perhaps the home needs to be sold like yesterday. This suggests a professional cleaning. And don't go cheap or try to do it yourself. Professional grade cleaning equipment is FAR superior to the contraption you ren...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Destin Florida Condos-Sandpiper CoveSearching for a laid back condo community around Destin Florida? If So, Sandpiper Cove should be on your must tour list. Word of warning, folks who visit often become residents...Located along Gulf Shore Drive, Sandpiper Cove has deeded beach access on one side and the other half of the community features golf courses, private ponds, a canal, and pier. There is a variety of housing ranging studio units all the way to three bedroom freestanding properties. Sandpiper Cove Key Features  One of the few pet friendly properties in Destin Florida. Why leave your four legged companion behind?  Onsite 24 hour seven days a week security Home of Louisiana Lagnaippe Restaurant (try the Bayou Grouper) Looking for a snack? Rick's Gill is located on the beach offeri...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
What The Heck Is a Home Buyer Consultation?Getting ready to purchase a home around Destin Florida? You got the loan pre-approval, now what? Let's take a look at why our first meetings should be at my real estate office instead of some front porch...Overview The buyer consultation is an in office (or Zoom for out of market home buyers) meeting between myself and everyone who will be on the purchase agreement. The goal is to go over the purchase process, explore the buyers' wants/needs, examine areas of interest, and cover the Buyer Brokerage Agreement (BBA). Let's look at each.1) The Purchase Process-- Buying a home changes a little each year as forms/common practice evolves. In addition, real estate sales from market to market will vary. Without drowning the buyers in detail (I'll be he...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Only Practice On The Days You Wish To WinAs August lumbers along its hot path, NFL teams are busy with training camp. Why the heck does a professional football player need training camp? Many of them have been playing the sport since they were walking. Did Joe Burrow (best quarterback in NFL history) suddenly forget how to throw a football? If a rockstar quarterback invests his summer on the practice field and film room, why not real estate agents? Let's look at some areas agents can/should invest time in training and  practice...1) Learning what to say and how to say it-- Yes, every client is as unique as a snowflake but the situations they find themselves in are similar. Learn the dialog for dealing with a for sale by owner, expired, and members of your database. But Doug, I just like...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Is Destin Florida A Good Place To Retire?After many years in the office is it time to plan the next great life adventure? Love visiting the beach but hate the commute? Let's examine why Destin Florida is a great retirement destination. Why Destin1)Just look at that water-- The water isn't always crystal clear, but even on a "bad" day it's prettier than Galveston (As a Native Texan I can write that). And it's not just gulf front. We have homes on the harbor (see above), properties along the bay, and even some on neighboring Santa Rosa Sound (with many cool islands to explore). 2) Everything is close--Yes traffic can be "interesting" in summer peak, but grocery  stores, pharmacies, and restaurants can be founding abundance all along highway 98. Got a sweet tooth? We have more ice cream sh...
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