From the Florida Real Estate Headlines:  Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill last Thursday on Phase one of Florida's property tax reform. The first phase is now a NEW law .  This law keeps our taxes the same next year and give us an additional savings of approximately 6% to 7%.  Let's hope this will help all of us with this taxing problem of property taxes.In our local market, here in Pensacola Florida for the month ending in May of 2007, there were 487 residential detached homes that sold.  There are currently 5,160 are the market for sell. The average number of days that it took to sell a home was 130.  There were 15 residential attached properties that sold and there are 375 currently on the market.  Average days on the market it took to sell was 150.  There were a total of 47 Condo... 06/26/2007

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  A Dad is not just a man that goes to work, comes home, eats dinner, and then goes to bed.  A Dad doesn't make time for his children, he takes the time.  On this day, I would like to celebrate all the dadss that have made this a better world to live.  THANKS DADS!!! 06/15/2007

The Gulf Breeze Zoo houses over 1,000 wild, domesticated and endangered animals.  The zoo is a wonderful place for the young and the young at heart.  They have Safari train rides that lets you observe 30 acres of free roaming animals. As you are strolling down the paths and visit the petting zoo.  Here you can feed the animals and watch children and adults enjoying the beauty of wildlife and nature at its finest. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is open daily9-5 in Summer9-4 in WinterEnjoy visiting this Big Gorilla on the Safari Train RideGet up close with this albino python  Feed the alligators                                                             Look at the beauty of the tigers                      When you are visiting the city of Pensacola, take a short drive over the bridge to the Zoo   ... 05/30/2007

The first 30 days are the most crucial when pricing your home to sell.  It is during this time that you get the most traffic from potential Buyers.  Buyers are searching the Internet and other Realtors that have buyers are searching with a particular price in mind.  If your home is over priced...guess what?  Yes, you are right, those buyers will miss your home. Another pitfall is that your home will help sell other homes in your neighborhood.   This is a benefit for your competition, but not for you.   If you wait and lower the price in a few weeks, you have already miss that pool of buyers.   Price you home to sell. 05/29/2007

Memorial Day in Pensacola, Fl is bitter sweet as we commenorate our fallen military members on this special day.  Veterans Groups will be out in full force with ceremonies, flying flags, reunion parties, and quite a few tears.Pensacola is the home of naval aviation training; every pilot who has ever flown for the United States Navy or Marine Corp has fought their first battle in our town as they go through Aviation Officer Candidate School.  Most aviators and their families hold sweet memories of Pensacola and thousands make a special effort to come back for reunions and special events. Backed by private donations, as well as public support, Naval Air Station is home to one of the finest aviation museums in the world, I believe second only to the Smithsonian's air museum in Washington, ... 05/26/2007

On December 12, 1985, I awoke with a sense of "something" nagging at the inner depth of my being.  I was uneasy and wanted more than anything to stay in bed.  I thought to myself, "I have to get up because my two little boys need their breakfast."  I eventually dragged myself up and out of bed.  As I was getting out their cereal bowls, the phone rang.  I was not prepared for what I was about to hear.My sister was calling from Alabama to tell me that our brother, who had been stationed in the Sinai for six months, had been killed in a plane crash at Gander, Newfoundland.  I couldn't or didn't want to believe a word she was saying.  Ricky was coming home for Christmas and yes, today his plane was due in at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.  I hung up the phone and called Mom.  I said, "Is it true? ... 05/23/2007

Like a cocoon that bursts into a butterfly, she has emerged as a new woman.  With the help of other women like herself, she has overcome obstacles that she allowed to hinder her from being a whole person.  Women with the same life experiences have shown her that she can do and be anything that she chooses.  Women in Transition means women in power.  It means taking control of your own Life and destiny which gives women the power to overcome whatever obstacles that stand in their way.  Women in Transition is a gift from God.  We, as women, must remember to give back to our sisters as a special Thanks for all that has been given to us.  Women in Transition will emerge as New women with the power to do whatever it takes to go forward!How often do we see people going through a difficult tim... 05/23/2007

If you thought buying a home was out of your reach, then think again.  The Florida bond program might be just what you are looking for. This program is available to low to moderate income first time home buyers.  It is also on a first come first served basis.Of course your credit worthiness has to qualify.  You also have to be a first time home buyer who has not held principal interest in a home within the past three years. You also have to meet the minimum income guide lines. There is also the Rural Development program.  This is a federally funded loan program that will allow you to get a home financed with nothing down.  There isn't any private mortgage insurance, but there is a 2% funding fee that can be wrapped back up in the mortgage.  Properties that are eligible are single family... 05/09/2007

Yes, I know, the market is slow, but I also, (in my opinion) think that it has just corrected itself.  As they say, "what goes up, must eventually come down." This is a great time for potential buyers to be looking to buy a home.  With an abundance of homes on the market, interest rates still at an all time low, what better time to buy than now?  Who knows, this time next year prices could increase and or interest rates could rise.  If you are renting, take a look at how many times the rent has increased.  Just something to think about.  I, for one, would rather have my own home than help pay for someone else's.  Pensacola is a wonderful place to buy real estate. 05/02/2007

For all of us that forget the Escambia County Property Appraisers website, here it is.  I know I have  forgotten it at times.  I know that when I am looking for telephone numbers or websites, that it sometimes gets frustrating. Now, I make it simple by bookmarking these into my favorites. This website can tell you a lot about a piece of real estate in the city of  Pensacola  Florida 05/02/2007

Welcome to the Pensacola Historical Society.  Click on the website and enjoy browsing through it.  There are so many interesting facts and features about Pensacola Florida that I thought this would be of interest to you. Pensacola is a wonderful place to live.  Where else can you have the gulf of Mexico with its beautiful white beaches?  There is so much to see and do in the city of  Pensacola.  In fact, it is so beautiful today that I wish I could go to the beach. 05/02/2007

It is a sad day for not only the people of the city of  Pensacola, but for all the people who love the Blue Angels.  This might be a time to reflect and remember all those that we love and care about.  This tragedy brings it to the foremost of our minds that we are not invincible.  My heart and prayers go out to LT. Commander Kevin Davis friends and family.  04/25/2007

I was amazed to see that a lot of first time home buyers were not aware of the many different programs that are available to them.   In Pensacola Florida there is the state housing initiative program (SHIP) This program helps first time home buyers with down payment assistance if they qualify.  There are bond programs and rural economic development program just to name a few.  I am sure there are many more etc...ameridream and so on.  Buyers need to call on their agents and  lenders and ask them about these programs.  04/04/2007

Spring has sprung and buyers are taking advantage of the warm weather.  This is the time for sellers to spruce up their yards for that great curb appeal..  It is also  a time for renewing..........renewing old friendships, past customers, neighborhood picnics and the list goes on.  This could be the perfect opportunity to stroll your neighborhood and get reacquainted with old friends.  Take this time to enlarge your sphere of contacts.  While you're at it,  Smile!!!!!! Life is Great 03/28/2007

As everyone is aware of, this is a buyers market in the ciy of Pensacola, Florida.  I have a first time homebuyer that got into a home with no money down and the seller paid all his closing cost. Granted, the buyer went VA, but the seller paid his prepaids along with the closing costs incurred by the buyer.    I am finding the sellers are having to make concessions on the buyers behalf.  03/14/2007

When Hurricane Ivan blew through Pensacola in September 2004, it took huge bites out of the middle sections of Interstate 10 Escambia Bay bridge on both the East and West corridors.  Engineers quickly moved the remaining sections which were good to the West bound lanes, placing steel road sections on the East bound lane. Yes, I said lane, one lane for what seemd like millions of cars a day lined up to merge into one lane. Finally, after two years and 3 months, in December 2006 the new bridge spanning the entire Bay was opened. Eventually, the old bridges running both directions will be demolished leaving three lanes each going East and West.  The truckers of the world, along with the Realtors of the area, rejoiced at  this huge event.  What a Christmas present!I hope you enjoy seeing ou... 02/10/2007

For more tips and information, please visit www.PcolaRE.com. #1 Needs Analysis Congratulations on your decision to purchase a new home. Your first step toward buying your new home will be to analyze your needs. By analyzing your needs you will be able to get a clear picture of exactly what you want your new home to look like and how it should function for you. First, you should write down why you are looking for a new home. For example, are you currently renting and would like to have a home where you can begin building equity? Maybe you recently married and have outgrown your current residence. Or, maybe you have just gotten a promotion which requires you to move to a new city. These factors will all have a bearing on how you approach your home search. Second, establish a time frame th... 11/24/2006