Yep, I said it!  You know how I feel about cable news reporting that the sky if falling.  Well, I just did a search for Foreclosed properties and those in foreclosure in Okaloosa County in Northwest Forida.  That search encompassed, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, Mary Esther, Crestview, Niceville, (which inclulded Valparaiso, Bluewater Bay and Rocky Bayou) and Destin.  And what I looked for were:  Townhomes      Detached Single Family homes...    and   Condos.  So what did I find?  Survey says... Under $200K  I found 86!  click here to view:  The following are the links to the selected listings. http://ecarmls.com/EmeraldReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=1924957116  From $200-$250k I found 5!  The following are the links to the selected listings. http://ecarmls.com/EmeraldReports/List... 08/23/2010

If you haven't visited the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, then now is the time!  The oil spill didn't ruin the beautiful white sand beaches from Panama City, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre up to Pensacola. Bring the family to this all day All Star Jam, where you are sure to have a terrific time.  Something for everyone. The Clean Coast Music & Arts Festival, benefits local businesses and individuals that have been affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is scheduled to be held on Sunday, Aug 22 11:00a to 11:00p at HarborWalk Village, Destin, FLorida.  The day will begin with live entertainment at over 6 stages set up throughout the harbor front. Additional artists are being added to the line-up, but this is what they have scheduled so far.National touring ac... 08/09/2010

Fall Panhandle Job Fair September 16, 2010 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Northwest Florida Fairgrounds 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547 The Panhandle Job Fair Foundation will host the Fall Panhandle Job Fair September 16, 2010, at Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. The job fair will start at 10:00 AM and run until 3:00 PM. This job fair is completely free to the public. Here is a great opportunity, so help get the word out. Seminars will also be offered on Federal Job Applications, Resume Writing, Interviewing Techniques, and Job Search Strategies. Complete information is available at http://www.panhandlejobfair.com/.   Employers will have access to highly motivated military members from the five Air Force and Naval installations in the area in addition... 08/06/2010

Information about your Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)  has been provided to me to help folks who may be currently deployed and unaware of changes. November general election is only 90 days away. And since the law has changed--  You may not get your ballot automatically. To register, request a ballot and vote absentee by mail takes a LONG time.  But you can now go to www.FVAP.gov today, use the online registration and absentee ballot assistant, and have your forms completed, printed out and ready to send back home in less than 10 minutes.   It's simple and fast!!  Most election officials are now emailing blank ballots. Why wait 30 days, when you can get it emailed in 30 milliseconds.     Go to www.FVAP.gov and get started!  Make sure you include your email address!   Help sprea... 08/05/2010

Excellent opportunity to own a distressed property in Destin West. Unit has a great view of the Gulf from the master bedroom and the living area overlooks the bay, lagoon pool and will overlook the proposed marina. Enjoy floating in the lagoon pool during the day or under the lights at night. Very relaxing and fun for the whole family. Kids just love it. You must see this unit. This unit has been tastefully upgraded by the previous owner with installed custom made bunk beds in bunk room and added a door for privacy. Crown molding has been added and fans replaced with decorative palm leaf blades and lights. Custom paint makes this unit special. See pictures attached to this listing. Unit has washer/dryer hookup. Custom window treatments convey with sale. It's a pleasure and so relaxing t... 07/17/2010

  Bank of America just approved the short sale for Island Princess Unit 310 on Okaloosa Island, Florida. It took a longer-than normal 4.5 months.  And we're going to have a hard time complying with the closing requirements.... The approval letter date: yesterday.   The closing deadline:  today.  Enough said.    It's Wendy! Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc. Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204 Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com Fort Walton Beach Florida Real Estate Fort Walton Beach Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help. Read Wendy's Fort Walton Beach Real Estate Blog Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". Call Wendy Rulnick, Bro... 07/16/2010

Excellent opportunity to own a distressed property in Destin West. Unit has a great view of the Gulf from the master bedroom and the living area overlooks the bay, lagoon pool and will overlook the proposed marina. Enjoy floating in the lagoon pool during the day or under the lights at night. Very relaxing and fun for the whole family. Kids just love it. You must see this unit. This unit has been tastefully upgraded by the previous owner with installed custom made bunk beds in bunk room and added a door for privacy. Crown molding has been added and fans replaced with decorative palm leaf blades and lights. Custom paint makes this unit special. See pictures attached to this listing. Unit has washer/dryer hookup. Custom window treatments convey with sale. It's a pleasure and so relaxing t... 07/11/2010

Do you think landscaping doesn't make much difference in the curb appeal of a home?  Think again!  Look at the two photos below of a Fort Walton Beach Florida home I have listed for sale."Before" "After"Isn't the difference in the "Before" and "After" photos are striking?  In the Fort Walton Beach market area, this curb-appeal change may bring the homeowner $5,000 - $10,000 more in sale price.  The investment?  Only a few hundred dollar for wood chips and cleaning the exterior siding.  Sure, if this home already looked good, and just a few flowers were added, it might help with "salability", but not so significantly dollar-wise.  But what if a home lacks any landscaping pizazz, and has perhaps overgrown bushes, weeds, and no obvious attention?  That's when the return-on-investment can ... 07/05/2010

A strategic default occurs when a homeowner just stops making payments on a mortgage even though they actually "can" make the mortgage payment. It is an ugly trend going on in some areas where housing values have fallen and some homeowners owe more than their houses are worth. But many of these are not due to the economy or job loss.   Some are the people who for example took out a second mortgage for home repairs, but paid credit cards, bought boats and cars.  At the height of the real estate boom, they borrowed all the equity in their home, without thinking about the fact that they have to pay it back.  So you bought a home for $200k and then borrowed another $100k.  The current market may still able to sustain the original value of your home, but not the $300k you now owe. But your h... 07/05/2010

Fort Walton Beach Real Estate Market Overview Total properties on the market for sale as of July 4th: 1056 (includes single family homes, townhomes, mobile homes and condos) Total sold since January 1st:  435 Total Pending/Under Contract: 166 (2nd qtr)   Avg. Listing Price $277,315 Wk ending Jun 30          Median Sales Price $145,000 Apr - Jun  Average price/sqft       $113                      +8.7% Number of Sales           150                        +25% Fort Walton Beach Summary Average price per square foot for Fort Walton Beach FL was $113, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price decreased, and the number of home sales increased 25%.   Info for surrounding  Cities                             ... 07/04/2010

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 #24Listing DetailsMLS/Source ID524477Price/sqft$63 32547 Brandon Jordan Contact agent 07/04/2010

From the wonderful lawn to the many improvements- this Fort Walton Beach Florida short sale home is easy to love! 225 Fliva Ave., in the Bayou Subdivision, has new hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets, Corian counters, and all new lighting. That's just a start. All windows have been replaced, new air conditioner and new paint! The exterior is brick, the street appeal is upscale.  Located in the Bayou Subdivision in the Cinco Bayou area, just a few minutes to Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, or especially, the beaches of Okaloosa Island and Destin Florida. Make it yours!225 Fliva Ave., Fort Walton Beach Florida - short sale  - offered for $155,000 It's Wendy! Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc. Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-6... 07/01/2010

Last night Senate approved the homebuyer tax credit  AND without as much acclaim but equally important, they also passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act , which extends the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30 2010. This will allow home purchases in the 100-year floodplain to move forward. These homebuyers and homeowners have been sitting on pins and needles too since Friday when the house approved it, waiting for for the Senate to give the okay. What I found significant in this is that when signed into law by the President, the bill, which will apply retroactively, will cover the lapse period from June 1 to the date of enactment of the extension. Without flood insurance, households buying homes in the 100-year floodplain cannot obtain mortgage financin... 07/01/2010

Legislation in the Senate was approved tonight by unanimous consent! The House approved the measure on Tuesday.  Now, Congress has sent President Obama a plan to give home buyers the extra three months to close to still get their $8,000 in federal tax credits. Buyers who already have signed contracts will now have until Sept. 30 2010, to complete their purchases. Remember, this is not for new contracts, and our industry as a whole needs to be vigilent and police each other, because others will be in looking for those who will try to go and back date contracts fraudulently.  I don't know of anyone willing to risk losing their license over this, but I'm sure they are out there.  I know it took a lot to get this through for us, so we need to monitor it very closely, because if scams, fraud... 06/30/2010

Excellent opportunity to own a distressed property in Destin West. Unit has a great view of the Gulf from the master bedroom and the living area overlooks the bay, lagoon pool and will overlook the proposed marina. Enjoy floating in the lagoon pool during the day or under the lights at night. Very relaxing and fun for the whole family. Kids just love it. You must see this unit. This unit has been tastefully upgraded by the previous owner with installed custom made bunk beds in bunk room and added a door for privacy. Crown molding has been added and fans replaced with decorative palm leaf blades and lights. Custom paint makes this unit special. See pictures attached to this listing. Unit has washer/dryer hookup. Custom window treatments convey with sale. It's a pleasure and so relaxing t... 06/13/2010

Apparently short sales can continue to be reported that the account is still delinquent to the credit reporting bureaus  for up to  10 months even after the sale has closed.  For people already suffering through a hardship, this can severly impacting a persons ability to reestablish their credit and get back on their feet. I didn't say it was right, I said they are doing it.  What you can do is have clients, Realtors or Attorneys contact the servicer to let them know the sale has closed and to  please (don't forget that part) stop reporting continual late payments.  More than likely it is the trickle down effect, and until the word trickles down that the servicer no longer has this account, they will be on automatic pilot with the account.   FREE Search Homes For Sale: Fort Walton Beach... 06/01/2010

MLS#: 538824m ListPrice: $193,500 ApproxSF: 971 Project: DESTIN WEST SANDPIPER LastChng: 5/29/2010 BalconySF: 206 Address: 1324 MIRACLE STRIP PKWY , #503 FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 1 Baths Full/Half: 2/ StoriesInUnit: 1 County: OKALOOSA YearBuilt: 2003 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach OccStat: Vacant SubArea: 01 OKALOOSA ISLAND ImmOcc? Y ParcelID: 00-2S-24-2300-0000-0503 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: OCEAN CITY Middle: BRUNER High: FORT WALTON BEACH Dir: On the bay side of Hwy 98, .4 miles east of Brooks Bridge. Unit 503 Sandpiper (Destin West Beach & Bay Resort). Legal: Sandpiper @ Destin West Beach & Bay Resort unit 503 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Excellent opportunity to own a distressed property in Destin West. Uni... 05/30/2010

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 #24Listing DetailsMLS/Source ID524477Price/sqft$63 32547 Brandon Jordan Contact agent 05/14/2010

    Project: DESTIN WEST SANDPIPER     BalconySF: 206 Address: 1324 MIRACLE STRIP PKWY , #503 Bedrooms: 1   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Baths Full/Half: 2/ Zip: 32548 StoriesInUnit: 1 County: OKALOOSA YearBuilt: 2003 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach OccStat: VacationRental SubArea: 01 OKALOOSA ISLAND ImmOcc? Y ParcelID: 00-2S-24-2300-0000-0503 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: OCEAN CITY Middle: BRUNER High: FORT WALTON BEACH Dir: On the bay side of Hwy 98, .4 miles east of Brooks Bridge. Unit 503 Sandpiper (Destin West Beach & Bay Resort). Legal: Sandpiper @ Destin West Beach & Bay Resort unit 503 05/02/2010

My most recent Fort Walton Beach short sale approval was like going through ten rounds in a boxing match.  The senior lien, Carrington Mortgage, initially wanted the seller to pay a $150,000 promissory note, or about $450 per month, to cover the loss. The seller, having no income, said no.  Carrington then dropped the request and asked for a cash contribution of $10,000.  Again, the seller said no.  After weeks of wrangling, Carrington settled for the contract proceeds without any promissory note or cash contribution, and approved the short sale.  Flagstar Bank, the junior lien, received a small contribution from the buyer. Here is the summary: Short Sale property:  Single Family home in Fort Walton Beach Florida Senior Lien:  Carrington Mortgage – balance $570,000 Junior Lien:  Flagst... 04/13/2010