New homeowners oftentimes stretch themselves financially when having to pay the initial costs that come with purchasing a home. While it is important to focus on these preliminary expenses, homeowners must be aware of the financial requirements that come with maintaining the home. Here, Dan Steward, President, Pillar To Post discusses how homeowners can effectively budget for home maintenance. Enthusiastic new home buyers often stretch financially to cover a home's initial deposit, closing costs and any cosmetic touchups. However, buyers frequently focus only on those first costs, overlooking the financial requirements of maintaining the home over time. Providing some guidance to your clients regarding realistic maintenance costs will help them transition smoothly into ownership of that... 02/15/2010

 Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.1. Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he'll be in better shape.2. Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for "down-payment assistance programs" and the name of your region.3. Your uncle has money to share. Besides ... 02/12/2010

You're Invited!! Bring your Valentine to 4006 E 7th Circle in Panama City, Florida. February 14th from 1- 4pm. Doors will be open. Come check out this GREAT 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with over 1300 square feet on a lake. This home was built in 1982 but has recently been updated and renovated with new carpet, new tile, fresh paing, cabinets, solid surface countertops and a newer roof. There are many other WONDERFUL features besides the multi level deck overlooking the lake such as, a wood burning fireplace, family room, and utility room. Need parking? No Problem. This home also features  a detached garage and 2 carports. This home is not a drive by. Come visit me, Brook Simmons; Buyer Specialist with The Payne Group of Keller Williams Success Realty. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday... 02/10/2010

13th Annual St Andrews Mardi Gras Parade   You are officially invited to the 13th Annual St. Andrews Mardi Gras Parade in Panama City, Florida!  Come join the fun and festivities on Friday, February 12th and Saturday, February 13th. There will be a Parade on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with marching bands, decorated floats, and thousands of beads and doubloons will be tossed along the parade route! There will also be food and drink vendors, kiddie rides, and live bands performing. This event promises to be fun for everyone!!!   Schedule of Events Friday, February 12, 2010, Starting at 4:00 PM Kid's Parade Kids Parade will be down Beck Avenue from 15th Street to 11th Street, kids throwing to other kids along the route (beads, stuffed animals, toys and more). Adults are asked to stand back and ... 02/09/2010

 Home designers and builders speaking at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas say that buyers are seeking cost-effective features and rejecting things that don't have lasting value."It's all about family togetherness - casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces," says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio. Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, identified these must-haves in new homes:1. Large kitchens with islands2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.3. Home offices4. Main-floor master suite5. Outdoor living space6. Ceiling fans7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area8. Stone and... 02/08/2010

Quote for 02/04/2010 I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. ~ Carl Jung   Quote for 02/03/2010 Love is like the perfect Rubix Cube.  There are countless number of wrong twists and turns, but when you get it right, it looks perfect no matter what way you look at it.  ~ Brian Cramer *************************************************************************************  Rates are still low and home prices are affordable. Please give me a call so we can start your new home search today!    Lynn is a licensed Realtor in Florida and Georgia.    02/04/2010

RISMEDIA, February 2, 2010-As real estate owners and investors do business throughout 2010, they will more than likely face many complex tax issues that could strain their resources and drain profits. They should keep in mind these tax tips that could help them save money in the long run: 1. Determine if your partnership qualifies for an income deferral for debt reacquisition transactions. Has your business had debt forgiven? There is a tax election available that will allow you to defer cancellation of debt (COD) income until 2014, when it will then be recognized ratably over five years. Carefully consider the options before making this irrevocable election as your COD income could be fully excluded under other provisions. 2. Color your building green. Take advantage of special deducti... 02/02/2010

RISMEDIA, December 15, 2009-(MCT)-Interest rates on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dipped to a 38-year low recently, giving consumers another reason to consider purchasing a home or refinancing their current one. Freddie Mac recently stated the average rate on a 30-year loan was 4.71% with an average 0.7 point, the lowest rate since the agency began its weekly tracking of long-term interest rates in 1971. A point is equal to 1% of the loan amount, payable as a lump sum at closing. While the decline wasn't overly dramatic, the dip is likely to get people wondering whether it's time to sign on the dotted line. The 5 following questions may help you decide if now is the time to go ahead and purchase a home or refinance your current home. Q: Why are rates so low?A: Since early J... 01/31/2010

Captain Wayne Rowlett would like to thank the students who attended Rowlett Real Estate Schools 63 hr Pre Sales Associate course in Panama City Florida, January 2010.  CONGRATULATIONS!  Everyone passed the course!  Captain Wayne wishes each of you a successful career in Real Estate.  We look forward to seeing you again when you are ready to meet your post licensing  equirements.  01/30/2010

Captain Wayne Rowlett  of  Rowlett Real Estate School, offers for Free, the 63 Hour Pre Sales Associate Class to any military personal who has served or is serving our country in the Afghanistan or Iraq.  We also extend this free offer to their spouses.  Please click on this link for detailed information on the class and qualifications.  http://www.rowlettrealestateschool.com/fl-military.htm  Rowlett career school is proud to offer this free real estate course to honor our troops.  This offer is for the Florida 63 hour pre sales associate classroom training and does not include the online course.  Don't miss out on the great opportunity to get your Floirda real estate license and become a Florida Real Estate Professional for Free.  Please check our schedule for upcoming classes at www.o... 01/23/2010

RISMEDIA, January 23, 2010-By now it is well documented that today's affordable housing prices, historically low interest rates and federal home buyer tax credit have combined to create one of the most attractive first-time buyer markets in recent memory. What many Americans might not realize is that a recent expansion of the buyer tax credit has created an equally desirable opportunity for existing homeowners. This past November, Congress elected to expand the home buyer tax credit to repeat buyers after seeing the success the temporary financial incentive had on the housing market and overall economy. As a result, current homeowners who will have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 may now be eligible to receive a $6,500 tax credit. "The expanded tax credit o... 01/23/2010

RISMEDIA, January 23, 2010-By now it is well documented that today's affordable housing prices, historically low interest rates and federal home buyer tax credit have combined to create one of the most attractive first-time buyer markets in recent memory. What many Americans might not realize is that a recent expansion of the buyer tax credit has created an equally desirable opportunity for existing homeowners. This past November, Congress elected to expand the home buyer tax credit to repeat buyers after seeing the success the temporary financial incentive had on the housing market and overall economy. As a result, current homeowners who will have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 may now be eligible to receive a $6,500 tax credit. "The expanded tax credit o... 01/23/2010

Captain Wayne Rowlett would like to congratulate all the students in my class who took our 72 hour pre broker course in Panama City, Florida this week.  We had a 100% passing rate!  It was a great class and I enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you.  Thank you for choosing Rowlett Real Estate School.  ~Captain Wayne Rowlett 01/22/2010

Prices in Panama City Beach are back down below 2004 pricing!  2004 was the start of the sellers market here in Panama City.   Savvy buyers are watching this trend and are buying homes!  Sales are up from 2009, see Panama City Market Conditions for an overview of the number of sales in the single family home market. Take a look at the chart below, it goes back to 2002 and reflects average listing prices in the blue bar and average sales price in the red bar for each year.  As you can see, prices have come back down to under 2004 values. What are you waiting for? Interest rates are LOW LOW LOW, the government is giving away money to first time and move-up home buyers, and homes are priced below the "bubble" prices! 01/21/2010

The Panama City Real Estate market is starting to heat up, the 4th quarter of 2009 was much better than the 4th quarter of 2007 and 2008.  Take a look at the chart below, 2009 sales is represented with the purple bar and 2008 is represented with the green bar. What does this mean for you?  If you are a buyer, the bottom may be here.  How do we know when the bottom hits?  When prices start to go back up and when the inventory starts to go down. If you are thinking of buying, keep in mind that this graph shows that others are also thinking of buying or are buying.  If you are thinking of selling, keep in mind that buyers are buying, more sales are occurring, now could be the time to get your home on the market!   01/21/2010

Have you been thinking of selling your Panama City or Panama City Beach home?  Don't know where to start?  Interested in an honest opinion of the value of your home?  The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty can help.  We sold over $20,000,000 in real estate in 2009 with a solid plan and great systems in place.  Don't leave your sale to chance, contact us today. www.KnowPayneKnowGain.com For a quick, free, no obligation analysis of your homes approximate value go to www.PanamaCityHomeValues.com . We will only contact you by email with a report and will not call you unless you ask us to. Simple and easy with no obligation! We also have a monthly Panama City Market Snapshot that is delivered every month to your inbox. Upside down in your mortgage, WE KNOW SHORT SALES! Check us ou... 01/21/2010

Whether you are looking to buy or sell in Panama City and the Beaches?  The Payne Group has a plan for you.  We have an experienced team to handle all of your needs. Introducing The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty Jeff Payne, Listing SpecialistMelonie Payne, Closing co-ordinatorLynn Boyd, Buyer SpecialistBrook Simmons, Buyer SpecialistJennifer Ethridge, Marketing Director We sold $21,000,000 in 2009 and have the experience to sell your property. We have:Great priced listingsForeclosures and bank owned propertiesWe also successfully negotiate short sales with all of the lenders with a high success rate Need to sell?  Want to know what your property is worth?  www.PanamaCityHomeValues.com Want to see all listings, all the time?  www.KnowPayneKnowGain.com Upside down on your ... 01/20/2010

RISMEDIA, December 21, 2009-It's easy pickings out there for many potential homebuyers. Housing prices are at their lowest in more than a decade, inventories are high, analysts are predicting a new wave of foreclosures and the government is offering two substantial tax credits for which many homebuyers qualify. But bargain buyers beware, warns Vince Mastronardi, whose property preservation business has been busy preparing foreclosed homes for sale. "Buyers need to educate themselves about the potential pitfalls of purchasing distressed property," says Mastronardi, president of On-Site Specialty Cleaning & Restoration. "It's not so much what damage occurred, but the source of that damage and how long before the problem was addressed." These 10 signs may indicate that trouble is around th... 01/20/2010

It's been said before but is definitely worth repeating.....a Buyer Consultation is mandatory if you want to show fewer homes and have Buyers love it.  I recently worked with a customer that was referred to my team from a fellow Keller Williams agent in Madison, Wisconsin, Amy Bresser. Amy referred her cousin to us and not only was he a joy to work with he knew exactly what he wanted and I was able to help him find it the very first day we looked houses.  As a matter of fact, we only looked at 4 houses after he met me in our office for a Buyer Consultation. I was able to take the information he gave me and narrow our search from the 4000+ active listings in Bay County, Florida down to a handful of listings that met his criteria. This, by the way, is only possible when an in-depth one-on... 01/13/2010

 63 hr Pre Sales Associate Class starts January 15, 16, 17 - 22, 23, 24, 25  / Cost $249.00  includes Book - 72 Hr. Pre Brokers Class starts January 11, 12, 13, 14, - 18, 19, 20, 21 / cost is $329.00  includes Book       UP COMING CLASS SCHEDULE    Captain Wayne Rowlett, School Administrator and Instructor             Welcomes you to the finest in Real Estate Education.     Course Books are Included in the cost of each class.      Payment arrangements are available to suit your needs.     I look forward to helping you further your career.  Feel free to call me with any questions.        850-547-1333        Enroll Here          Quick Links...                Class Location    Bay County Association of REALTORS®, Building 1123 Harrison Avenue   Panama City, FL       63 Hr. Pre Sales Associ... 01/10/2010