Southwest Airlines announced today that the they will be providing service to the Northwest Florida-Panama City! This is HUGE for our area. Our market is stable and growing and homes and condos are at an all time low!! Check us out!! Now you will be able to get here quicker!! We are very excited about our new Air Port and what it will do for our area!!

http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/news-flash-new-service-coming-next-may

As a Realtor, I must first disclose that YES I too have taken an overpriced listing. However these days things are different. We need to pull our customers out of the Neighborhood of Make Believe! Many people that bought homes during the "Boom", with a "Creative Home Loan" are going to have to realize that their money was made up front. There is no easy way to say it except just SAY IT! When taking a listing I always take a Sellers Net Sheet with me with the "TYPICAL" closing costs for the seller on it. This way they will see a pretty close estimate as to what they will be putting in their pocket IF the home sells for the listed price. If that price goes into negative numbers, I am not taking that listing, unless they are realistic and decide on a short sale or have cash to bring to the table. As Realtors we need to understand that there are years worth of inventory out there, Why would you spend money on a listing that is not going to sell in this market. You need to educate your seller and make sure they are not living in the Land of Make Believe.

Some people are in situations where they HAVE to Move, as professionals we need to educate them what their options are. If their house is not worth what it once was then they need to know that. It is much easier to let them know up front then to do it while you are trying to sell the house. Make sure your seller is not living in the LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE. 

Unlike an automobile, you can't test drive a home before you purchase it. You have to base your decision on other factors such as layout, condition and much more. And, of course, the seller is obligated to disclose the property's condition that may alert you to issues such as previous mold, defective water heater or leaky roof. Yet, that still doesn't always paint the entire picture. Here are six questions you should consider asking the seller to gain additional insight about the prospective home before you make a final decision.

1. Why is the seller selling the house?
This question may help you evaluate the "real value" of the property. Is there something about the house the seller does not like? If so, you may be able to adjust the purchase offer accordingly.

2. How much did the seller pay for the home?
In some instances, the answer to this question may help you negotiate a better deal. However, it is important to remember that the purchase price is influenced by several factors, like the current market value and any improvements the seller may have made to the home. The original purchase price might not have anything to do with the current value of the house.

3. What does the seller like most and least about the property?
By asking the seller what he or she likes most and least about the property, you might get some interesting information. In a few cases, what a seller likes the most about a home might actually be something the buyer is looking to avoid. For example, if the seller describes his house as being in a "happening neighborhood," the buyer might consider this a negative factor because the area may be too noisy or busy for his or her taste.

4. Has the seller had any problems with the home in the past?
It is also a good idea to ask the seller if he or she has had any problems with the home while living there. Has the seller had problems with a leakage from the upstairs bedroom in the past? If so, even if the leak has been corrected, the floor and walls around the bathroom might have been damaged. You should check that these items were repaired properly.

5. Are there any nuisances?
Use this question to find out about barking dogs, heavy airplane traffic or even planned changes to the community, such as a planned street widening. This may give you insight on why the seller is really moving.

6. How are the public schools in the area?
Because the value of a community is usually greatly influenced by the public schools in the area, finding out the buyer's perception can give you some insight about the quality of the area's schools.

Knowing all you can about a prospective home will help you make a more informed decision as well as offer. Your real estate professional can be a great resource in helping you get your key questions answered and give you advice on how to evaluate your findings.

Here is part of an article that was in Micorsoft Money Feb 09 addition!

Pick your sweet spot

The current downturn has hit virtually every corner of the market. So you can find deals almost anywhere; the trick is to home in on locales where the houses also have a good shot at maintaining their value going forward and eventually appreciating. Your best bet: areas with large employers in growth industries such as health care and technology or that offer other extras that will help fuel expansion. Examples include the new airport planned for Panama City Beach, Fla. and the Goldilocks weather (not too hot, not too cold) in the Carolinas, which have seen a recent influx of new residents from the Deep South, typically former northerners who are coming partway back up the coast to recapture a taste of the four seasons.

See complete article at this link.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/11/retirement/retirement_home.moneymag/index.htm

Why would you buy anywhere else?

For more information on Panama City Beach Florida BUZZ THE BOWMANS 850-258-1509  or visit us on the web at www.PanamaCityHomeSales.com

If you are doing short sales you need to look into this. This is the best training I have had in years!! I am confidant that I will be able to get more short sales closed by having this designation!! Special thanks to the North Florida CRS Chapter for bringing this to our area!!! This should be a REQUIREMENT for anyone doing short sales!!

I sat an open house this past Sunday in a gated neighborhood. I put the code on the keypad so folks could get in (which is against the rules!!), put it in the paper and had 5 people show up. they all LOVED it and ended up writing an offer and having it accepted later that evening!! Are Open Houses coming back??

• Trouble paying your mortgage?
• Trouble trying to make ends meet?
• Don't want to go into foreclosure?
• Don't want to file bankruptcy?

Then we have the seminar for you!

This is designed to inform the public how to avoid losing your home in these hard economic times!

There is a way out!

February 19th, 5-8pm

Association of Realtors

1123 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32401

This seminar is FREE but PLEASE RSVP so we have enough material for everyone!!

850-784-1435

ask for Terry or Jennifer

Before you file your taxes this year, don't forget about the $7500 tax credit for first-time home buyers, which was enacted by the 2008 American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Act. Designed to help stimulate interest in the housing market, this temporary provision provides a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) a tax credit of up to $7500 for homes purchased between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Basically the tax credit, which must be repaid over 15 years, is an interest-free loan from the government to help you offset the costs of home ownership.

But here's the best part. The law allows qualified taxpayers to take the credit against either their 2008 or 2009 taxes. This means, if you qualify, you can buy a house this year before July 1st and receive the credit on the 2008 tax returns you're filling out right now. Imagine having an extra $7500 in cash to pay bills or credit cards or even pay for renovations on your new home. If you choose to utilize the credit on your 2009 returns, your tax professional can help you reduce income tax withholding up to the amount of the credit. This will help you to increase your take-home pay throughout the year to save money for a down payment for a qualified purchase before July 1st.

There are certain income restrictions and rules for repayment, but give us call today to learn more about this valuable government program for first-time home buyers.

when looking for homes in Bay County, Gulf County or Franklin County There is only one phonecall you need to make.

BUZZ THE BOWMANS

850-258-1509

or visit us on the web at

www.PanamaCityHomeSales.com

PANAMA CITY - BAY COUNTYAIRPORT

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT

NEW PANAMA CITY - BAY COUNTY AIRPORT

PANAMA CITY, Florida (December 29, 2008) -  The Panama City-Bay County International Airport team announced today that the construction at the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport continues to run smoothly and is currently about 3 and a half months ahead of schedule.

"The entire project is about 35% complete, with the heavy civil portion, which includes the main runway, approximately 66% complete.  In general, almost 250 workers are regularly onsite each work day.  Offsite quarries, asphalt plants, concrete pipe plants, truck drivers and other ancillary activities will normally employ another 350 people in significant activity. As the terminal construction and utility installation contracts begin to ramp up after New Years, these numbers will increase.  The foundation for the terminal building is underway with concrete being placed in the footers. Foundations are also underway for the various support buildings and the air traffic control tower.   Concrete is being produced by local plants (offsite).  Approximately 40,000 tons of asphalt has been placed on the project to date.  Contractors are currently paving the main apron areas.  Approximately 55% of the main runway's 15" concrete paving lanes are now in place.  To date 5.4 million cubic yards of earth has been moved on the project site.  Work on the underground utilities portion of the project is expected to begin on January 5, 2009."

This is the first "GREEN" airport to be built in our country! It is going to bring jobs and new industry to the Panhandle of Florida!

If you need more information on the New Panama City International Airport, visit our website at

www.PanamaCityHomeSales.com