Amendment to use doc stamps for environment and the effect on Gulf Breeze?   Fla. environmental groups say they're collecting signatures to propose a constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot. Read more. Future funding for Everglades restoration and other environmental programs could be enshrined in the state constitution under a ballot initiative proposal. If the proposal goes through all the hurdles necessary to be added to the Florida Constitution, it would require $10 billion be spent on state environmental programs over 20 years. "If you decide to enroll in a full-time MBA program, you must also consider the opportunity cost of lost wages and long-term investable savings." — Josh Kaufman:is an author, learning expert and business advisor   Buyers are taking advantage of our Smoot... 08/12/2012

Fed hits MetLife with $3.2M sanction while running up a 5.6 trillion dollar tab.   Federal Reserve says MetLife had shady procedures in its home loan servicing and foreclosure processing. Read more. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board hit MetLife with a $3.2 million fine for failing to adequately oversee its subsidiaries’ home loan and foreclosure operations.When levying the sanction, the Fed took into account the relative severity of MetLife’s misconduct and the size of MetLife’s foreclosure activities, among other things, the board said Tuesday in a release.   "If you want to succeed in business in any capacity - employee, manager, or owner - you must have a solid, comprehensive understanding of what business principles actually are and how they actually work." — Josh Kaufman:is an author,... 08/12/2012

7 states with the most underwater homeowners helps buyers in Gulf Breeze   24/7 Wall St analysis: Fla. ranks second in percent of mortgage-holders underwater at 45.1%. In Nev., it's 61.2%. Read more. Fewer homeowners nationwide are “underwater” on their mortgages, owing more on their loan than their home is currently worth. CoreLogic reported in July that the number of underwater mortgages fell from 12.1 million – or 25.2 percent – at the end of 2011 to 11.4 million – or 23.7 percent – by the end of the first quarter of this year.   3007 W Lee St, Pensacola, FL 32505 For Rent: $650 /mo 3 beds | 2 baths | 984 sqft MLS #: 429528 Sellers Flat Fee of $2995 when one of our agents sells your home or if you want MLS (where you home is available for all Real Estate Agents to sell) then the best... 08/11/2012

CoreLogic: June Home Price Index rises 2.5%, how about Gulf Breeze   It's the fourth consecutive upswing in home prices nationally on both a year-over-year and month-over-month basis. Read more. According to the HPI, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased on a year-over-year basis by 2.5 percent in June 2012 compared to June 2011. On a month-over-month basis, home prices increased by 1.3 percent in June 2012 compared to May 2012.   10045 Foxrun Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514 For Rent: $975 /mo 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,580 sqft MLS #: 429527 Sellers Flat Fee of $2995 when one of our agents sells your home or if you want MLS (where you home is available for all Real Estate Agents to sell) then the best program TODAY is $1495 to us +3 % offered to Buyers Agent for bringing the ... 08/11/2012

Housing market lifts off from the 'bottom' or is it false hope for Gulf Breeze sellers   In Feb., experts predicted a drop in home prices, but expected wave of foreclosures never arrived and prices rebounded. Read more. “We’re wiping out just about all of the decline,” Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors, told NBC.com about recent housing data showing home prices inching up. “It indicates the market has turned the corner on the pricing side.”   1980 Tampa Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566 For Rent: $2,000 /mo 4 beds | 4 baths | 3,000 sqft MLS #: 427187 Buyers are taking advantage of our Smooth Move Program at closing, Choose between 1% Cash Back,  1 years taxes paid, 1 years insurance paid, Free Home Warranty and Use of our Moving Van or Free Survey with Free Termite. Lots of... 08/09/2012

Cheaper to buy than rent for two-year stays in Gulf Breeze as well   Top-visited consumer website says it's cheaper to buy than rent in four Fla. cities if staying at least two years. Read more. And a recent announcement from Zillow might lead more buyers to knock on real estate agency doors: According to the site, the average national homebuyer will save money over renting if he or she stays in a home for only three years. And in at least four Florida cities, a homeowner only needs to stay two years to make ownership the preferred option.   3254 Abel Ave, Pace, FL 32571 For Sale: $399,900 6 beds | 5 baths | 4,400 sqft MLS #: 425016 Buyers are taking advantage of our Smooth Move Program at closing, Choose between 1% Cash Back,  1 years taxes paid, 1 years insurance paid, Free Home Warra... 08/09/2012

NAR emailing 82 million Americans, what say you Gulf Breeze Florida   Email explains proposed fed actions that may impact ownership and Realtor efforts to protect the American dream. Read more. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) started an email campaign last week. NAR says it will contact 82 million Americans – 75 million homeowners and 7 million renters – and explain actions in Washington that, if passed, would make homeownership less desirable. Buyers are taking advantage of our Smooth Move Program at closing, Choose between 1% Cash Back,  1 years taxes paid, 1 years insurance paid, Free Home Warranty and Use of our Moving Van or Free Survey with Free Termite. Lots of choices but the Realtor should be Contact Charles Stallions 850-478-8811 and make your move smooth. Renters ... 08/09/2012

Is technology more important than location? not in Gulf Breeze   Buyers and sellers are relying more on websites and Facebook pages for referrals as local ads take a backseat. Read more. However, Move Inc. communications director Jennifer DuBois says agents need more than just a social media presence – they must actively participate in social media. Agents could post local market data on Facebook walls, view connections to clients and prospects, and allow consumers to use Pinterest to make side-by-side comparisons. They can also “check in” to properties for showings using a Trulia app.   2500 Thomas Mccall Ln, Mc David, FL 32568 For Sale: $300,000 3 beds | 3 baths | 2,427 sqft MLS #: 419334 Buyers are taking advantage of our Smooth Move Program at closing, Choose between 1% Cash Back,  ... 08/09/2012

UF: Jump in Florida consumer confidence boost Gulf Breeze as well   July index up 3 points since June and 9 points since July 2011. More say they're better off today than one year ago. Read more. Consumer confidence among Floridians rose in July by three points from the revised June figure to 76. The index is nine points higher than it was last year at this time, according to a monthly University of Florida (UF) survey.   "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." — Steve Jobs:was an American businessman, designer and inventor UF: Jump in Florida consumer confidence boost Gulf Breeze as well Buyers are taking advantage of our Smooth Move Program at closing, Choose between 1% Cash Back,  1 years taxes paid, 1 years insurance paid, Free Home Warranty and Use of our Moving Van or Free Survey with Free T... 08/09/2012

Consumer confidence up after four declines which could be helpful to Gulf Breeze.   U.S. consumers' outlook bounced back three points in July based on higher short-term business and employment prospects. Read more. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which declined in June, improved slightly in July based on a rise on positive expectations about short-term gains for businesses and the nation’s unemployment. "If you want to succeed in business in any capacity - employee, manager, or owner - you must have a solid, comprehensive understanding of what business principles actually are and how they actually work." — Josh Kaufman:is an author, learning expert and business advisor Consumer confidence up after four declines which could be helpful to Gulf Breeze.   Buyers are taking a... 08/09/2012

Body language can shape workplace image, Say What?   Posture, facial expressions and even leg placement can ruin deals if a nonverbal message contradicts what's being said. Read more. Sitting around the table for the first time with a new client, Jane Snell found herself getting more and more frustrated. Although she owns her Coconut Creek construction company, JS-1 Construction, the half-dozen men seated around the table were addressing their questions and comments to her male assistant. It wasn’t until days later that she discovered where she had gone wrong: her smile.   Today's Prayer Whew! Sometimes, Lord, it seems I'm "in the fire." Things are hectic, I'm bombarded with trials and temptations, and it is not easy. Please help me through the fiery times. I pray that I will emerge a b... 08/05/2012

Making sure a home gets appraised accurately even in Gulf Breeze Florida   Appraisal Institute spokesman says valuations may lag in a recovering market, but sellers can do a few things to help. Read more. Despite rising home prices across South Florida, sellers and real estate agents still complain that low appraisals delay or kill up to 15 percent of all deals.   Today's Prayer Dear God, Truly blessed are the feet of those who share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray for every Christian, and every Christian leader, who shares your love and gift of life with others. I pray for protection and blessing upon those lives. I pray that you will give each of us the messages that you want us to speak and nudge us through your Holy Spirit to speak at the right times and the righ... 08/05/2012

Getting referrals from people you know and more.   Agents know they should ask for referrals, but some toss away a golden opportunity by downplaying its importance. Read more. Agents who are successful in getting referrals approach the process with the right mindset, skills and timing.First, they should respect the referral process and not treat it as unimportant. That means approaching clients by saying, “I have a very important question to ask you.” Referral requests that start with something like “Oh, by the way” lessen the value of the conversation.   Today's Prayer Oh God, How mighty are your works in all the earth! I want to thank you for the times you have made Your presence felt in a mighty way. Please, prick the hearts of mankind that we might seek you with all we are and that ... 08/05/2012

6 in 10 U.S. cities see foreclosure spike and we thought it was over.   Orlando, Miami, Cape Coral and Lakeland in foreclosure rate top 20; Tampa had nation's highest increase over six months. Read more. RealtyTrac released its Midyear 2012 Metropolitan Foreclosure Market Report. It shows that foreclosure activity in the first half of 2012 increased from the previous six months in 125 of the nation’s 212 metropolitan areas with a population of 200,000 or more. However, in a year-to-year comparison, foreclosure activity declined in 129 of the metro areas. Today's Prayer Oh God; I want to KNOW You. You are so great and do great things. I want to spend more time with You. Help me to make time to sit before Your throne in quiet places, to read Your Word in order to know You more intimately,... 08/05/2012

The next big threat to homeowners looms says Pensacola Realtor.   Many owners took out home equity lines of credit during the boom, but some reset soon and tack on principal payments. Read more. While the housing market is showing signs of picking up across the country, housing experts warn of a new concern for homeowners: resetting home equity lines of credit.Home equity lines of credit often require low payments in the initial years as homeowners only pay loan interest at the onset. But later on, these loans reset with higher payments when homeowners have to start paying down the principal.   Today's Prayer Dear God, Thank you for the people you have placed in my life as mentors to look up to as examples. I pray that you would help me to live life in such a way, and to grow stronger i... 08/05/2012

Movers who hold stuff 'hostage' on notice of government takeover.   In Oct., U.S. gains legal authority over moving companies, including ability to pay victims part of $10,000-a-day fine. Read more. Help is on the way for people who think they’ve been scammed by moving companies, thanks to a new law signed by President Obama this month.Starting in October, the Transportation Department will have more authority to order moving companies that are illegally holding people’s property to return the goods. The department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will also be able to use some of the $10,000-a-day fines to reimburse victims. Beginning in October 2014, new movers will have to pass tests on consumer protection and estimating. Today's Prayer Dear God, Thank you for the... 08/05/2012

Foreclosure crisis hits older Americans hard even in Gulf Breeze FLorida.   AARP report: African Americans and Hispanics hit hardest; 1.5M adults 55 and older have lost a home to foreclosure. Read more. More than 1.5 million older Americans already have lost their homes, with millions more at risk as the national housing crisis takes its toll on those who are among the worst positioned to weather the storm, a new AARP report says.   Today's Prayer Dear Lord, I pray that you will strengthen the relationships I have with family and friends. Please make me a blessing among the circle of those I love and live. Give me the grace to bless those who curse me, so that You will get the glory. Thank you.   Investors and Landlords Wanted for Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Short Sales   Foreclosur... 08/05/2012

Real estate funds lead pack - can it last over stocks ?   Mutual funds that invest in real estate (REITs) have posted a 33% average annualized return over the last three years. Read more. But there’s far greater strength in commercial real estate. Check out the recent investment returns of stock mutual funds that specialize in companies owning income-producing property, from office buildings to hotels.Real estate funds have posted an average annualized return of 33 percent over the last three years, according to Morningstar. That’s the top performance among the fund categories it tracks. Year-to-date, the funds are up nearly 17 percent. That’s about double the average return for diversified stock funds.   "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." — Steve Jobs:was an American businessman, designer an... 08/05/2012

  NAR supports bill to speed up short sales that may help Gulf Breeze Sellers   Second mortgages are a weak link in short sale approvals, and NAR says it fully backs a mandatory 45-day turnaround. Read more. “As the leading advocate for homeownership, Realtors know that issues and delays with secondary lien holders remain an obstacle to streamlining the short sale process,” says NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc. in Miami. “Short sale negotiations are much more difficult for borrowers who have multiple servicers involved, and ongoing delays continue to severely limit the number of homeowners approved for short sales, forcing many into foreclosure.”   "If you want to succeed in business in any capacity - employee, manager, or owner - you must have a solid,... 08/05/2012

'Lost generation' of buyers may reappear in Gulf Breeze Florida   While young adults no longer consider homeownership a sure way to make money, most still see it as a smart investment. Read more. Today's Prayer God, People in this world are looking for real faith. Some of them place that faith in the wrong god, whether a false god or material things or a person. I pray for everyone in the world, for those in my own "Jerusalem," and my own family. I pray that you would use me and my life experiences as an instrument to demonstrate real faith to the unbelieving. Give me opportunities to share my faith experiences and give me the words to say to influence those who need it. Speak through me, work through me, your servant. I love you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 'Lost generation' of buyer... 08/05/2012