Actually there was a time when shopping around did affect your scores severely when you shopped different lenders and online lending institutions as well.  Numerous inquiries gave the appearance that you were trying to open new lines of credit, which impaired your ability to buy a home.  So does that mean you are stuck with the first interest rate you are quoted? Most people don't realize that everytime a bank runs your social security number to check to see if you are "credit worthy"  there is a ding to your credit.  Ever been car shopping?  How about that big ticket item 65" television?  Or, hey if you open an account with us today you can save 20% on your purchase?  And then you say lets see if we qualify for a house ... sound familiar? I had clients who shopped around for about 3 mo... 04/10/2010

Green Tree Servicing has approved the short sale on this home in Elliotts Point, Fort Walton Beach Florida.  The odd thing about the approval was that Fannie Mae initially rejected the short sale because the seller was current on his payments, even though he had a hardship, as I wrote in "Current on  Your Mortgage? Short Sale Denied!".  He was told he could get 30 days behind, then  resubmit the short sale package. He did so, and another 30 days later, the sale was approved!  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 FL Real Estate Fort Walton Beach Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help. Read Wendy's Fort Walton Beach Real Estate Blog Wendy i... 03/26/2010

Effective April 5th 2010 which is less than 30 days away, the FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP) will be increased from 1.75% to 2.25 %. If you are considering an FHA mortgage for your new home, this is important news because it will cost you less to get it now.  So not only is the $8000 and $6500 Home buying tax credit ending next month, it will actually cost more to get the loan itself.  The FHA will seek authority to not only raise the up-front MIP but also the annual  MIP as well. Borrowers with weak credit will be required to pay more upfront, and will be required to have a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for FHA's 3.5% down payment program.  New borrowers with less than a 580 credit score will be required to put down at least 10% ! These changes will be taking  place with... 03/07/2010

Joint Strike Fighter pilot instructors were fitted for their new gear this past week at Eglin AFB.  This state of the art suit is off the hook.  Rumor has it that the helmet alone cost more than most single family homes!  The Joint Strike Force pilots wearing them represent not only the Air Force, but also the Navy, Marines, and student pilots from allied countries as well. The most advanced step is the personalized helmet that weighs as much as a bowling ball. A laser scanner maps the head of each pilot and creates padding tailored to their individual heads. A process that doesn't take months, but in a matter of hours! The technology of the helmet lets them view underneath and outside the aircraft, literally seeing through it like a virtual game. The thermal suit itself includes flame ... 03/07/2010

The New Navarre Fishing Pier is Nearing Completion The nice thing about my office being on the beach is I can take a break and see what is going on. Today I took my camera and took a picture of The new pier. It's Tuesday and I have already had a busy week I worked with really nice family we found them a bank owned house which was price almost 33% less than the comperable homes. The only thing that was missing was the appliances. It has Granite counter tops security system, huge rooms, fireplace downstairs master suite. I also leased a commercial building and trying to find a short term rental for a new customer. It took us 3 months to find this Home. We had just made an offer on a short sale and the owner turned us down not even the bank. I had done a CMA and our offer was in line with... 03/03/2010

Only one week to go until the Power Up 2010 Energy Conference in Ft Walton Beach!  Discounts are available for groups of 4 or more, college students, and members of Gulf Coast Energy Network, US Green Building Council, Florida Green Building Coalition, SE Energy Efficiency Alliance, American Planning Association, American Istitute for Architects, and Society of Military Engineers.  There is also a free public expo on Saturday, March 13th. Any Realtors, Builders, or mortgage lenders who are interested in Green Building should attend, especially on Friday when the focus is on Green Building and Sustainable Design. For more information, visit the Power Up 2010 website. 03/02/2010

Are You Waiting For Lightning To Strike? If your home is over priced You are. Your are wondering what is he talking about? If you have over priced your home there a small chance that someone could come along and pay you what you are asking. They will have to pay all cash or the difference to make the loan to value at least 80 to 90%. Houses do get struck by lighting so keep hope alive. I have some lottery tickets that I only used once. Check out this house it has a $15K lightning rod protection system. http://www.uberrealty.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?mls=523682&feed=flidx&propIndex=0 02/22/2010

This home is exceptional and a one-owner home custom built in a great neighborhood with a vast array of beautiful features. When you enter the home you are aware of the quality of this home with a bright and airy Family Room that brings you 17 foot ceilings, complete with laminate flooring and a gas fireplace with a heating system that if so desired redirects the heat into your home.The upstairs features two bedrooms with a walk in closet and a full bath. The Formal Dining Room on the first floor just off of the Family Room, with an updated Kitchen on the right. From the dining room walk out into a 22 x 11 Florida Room that leads to a seperate enclosed pool with screens that can be opened or closed depending on your desire so that you can swim all year long. This is really everything yo... 02/20/2010

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 #24 Listing Details MLS/Source ID 524477 Price/sqft $63  32547 Brandon Jordan Contact agent  Add me to your Facebook 02/14/2010

You won't believe the sweetheart deal that the Indymac boys were given by the FDIC. http://www.thinkbigworksmall.com/mypage/player/tbws/23088/964766 now you will know why we are in so much trouble. 02/11/2010

The New social media outlet is googles new BUZZ seems pretty neat so far was able to connect easier with people in my network. it is work a try I wonder if apple will give it any space as an app in the itunes store. Will Active Rain work with it? will there be a group on AR buzzing about it. check it out and give me a buzz and let me know what you guys think. 02/10/2010

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 #24 Listing Details MLS/Source ID 524477 Price/sqft $63   32547 Brandon Jordan Contact agent     Add me to your Facebook 01/31/2010

Jan. 26  Sonny's  Bar-B-Q restaurants in Fort Walton Beach and across the Southeast are holding a fundraiser to collect money for the devastated people of Haiti. This Tuesday, participating Sonny's locations will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the Red Cross, to aid in the rescue and support efforts in Haiti. If you would like to make a contribution in addition to dining at Sonny's on Tuesday, you can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 800-RED-CROSS. Donors can designate their gifts to Haiti relief. You can also donate $10 by texting "HAITI" to "90999." Call your local Sonny's for participation. Jan. 27  David Copperfield - Pensacola Saenger Theatre   Feb. 27 AN EVENING OF CLASSIC LILY TOMLIN| Pensacola Saenger T... 01/24/2010

According to Deutsche bank predicts that 50% of all mortgages will be underwater by 2011. Yes there was a small up tick of prices in November. Can anyone say $8000 check from Government. Is now a good time to buy Yes and no but mostly Know. Know what your situation is, can you afford to purchase a home. Is it in an area where there will be demand now and in the future. Is it good repair. Good schools and generally location, location and location. Make sure  to look at what will happen in the neighborhood in the next couple of years. Where all the homes built and bought between 2005-2007 if so, most will be underwater on there mortgage. Will there be walk aways? Foreclosures short sales? Now Might be the best time to buy in recent history but know a good Realtor and know what you are buy... 01/22/2010

A short sale can absolutely be a great deal for buyers.  You can get a tremendous house for the money.  While short sales are oftentimes sold "as is", that isn't really where the problem arises.  No matter how many times you explain to buyers that buying a short sale can be a lengthy process, that could take anywhere from 3-9 months on average, and no matter how many times they say "yes I know", it never fails that they will call you in 48 hours and say... What have you heard?    Why haven't we heard anything yet?     Do they want to sell or not?    I'll Just look for something else! A short sale does not mean short closing time!  Occasionally, you can come in right after another deal has fallen through and the lender could possibly close quicker, say around 3 weeks.  But that isn't the... 01/21/2010

If you have had the wonderful experience of waiting for a month for a dental appointment at Eglin AFB, it seems your prayers are being answered.  It's true, construction has already begun on a new clinic that will help support the base's growing and projected population and expanded mission of the 7th SFG and F35's have fueled the fire for the urgency for the facility, and hopefully it will reduce patient wait times.  The projected completion date for the new clinic is expected sometime around fall next year. Will it really reduce wait times?  Well, there is a strong possibility that it may.  What I'm hearing is that there will be a new two-story 31,000+ sqft building that will be co- located near the existing Hospital (which has also recently received upgrading), and the Fisher House t... 01/21/2010

MLS#: 530046 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $285,000 Status: Active ApproxSF: 2,100 BG: Address: 856 OVERBROOK DR $/Sqft: $135.71   FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Bedrooms: 3 Zip: 32547 Baths Full/Half: 3/ County: OKALOOSA Stories: 2 MainArea: 12 Fort Walton Beach YearBuilt: 1987 SubArea: 05 OVERBROOK/PINEDALE OccStat: Occupied Subdiv: OVERBROOK 2ND ADDN ImmOcc?   ParcelID: 09-2S-24-3032-000A-0540 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: WRIGHT Middle: BRUNER High: FORT WALTON BEACH Dir: From Highway 98 go north on Beal Parkway then left on Manring, (Where Leitz music is located) then left on Overbrook Drive and stay on it until you can't go any further and your new home will be on the right. Legal: OVERBROOK 2ND ADD LOT 54 BLK A This home is exceptional and a one-owner home custom built in a great ... 01/17/2010

MLS#: 520240 OfficeFile#: ListPrice: $125,000 Status: Sold ApproxSF: 1,132 BG: Address: 633 JERRELLS AVE $/Sqft: $110.42   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: Vacant Subdiv: OLD TOWN PH 1 ImmOcc? Y ParcelID: 03-25-24-1820-0000-0030 ConstrStat: Construction Complete ElemSch: WRIGHT Middle: PRYOR High: FORT WALTON BEACH Dir: From Hwy 98 take Beal Parkway north to Oakhill (next to Big 10 tires) go east on Oakhill to Jerrells, take 2nd left on Jerrells, home on right Legal: Lot 3 Old Town Sub division phase 1 A little beauty located in a lovely neighborhood close to everything, the mall, the base, and the beaches. Home has berber carpet,blinds, all appliances,... 01/03/2010

Eglin officials have confirmed that the base will host an air show in 2010. This years theme will be "75 Years of Eglin Pride", scheduled for April 10th and 11th 2010. A wide variety of aerial performers, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, will headline the show, along with a variety of othe aircraft on display, and lots of vendors.  It's always a good time for everyone so whether you've been or this will be your first air show, make sure you mark your calendars for this event and make plans to attend.  More details and event schedules will become available as we get closer to the date.  I've had the wonderful opportunity to see air shows all around the world during my Air Force career, and there is nothing like it.  Aerial displays, from aircraft.  The Army's Golden Knights par... 12/11/2009

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... 12/07/2009