http://activerain.com/blogs/miapankey en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/2255545/good-news-for-the-panama-city-beach-condo-market <p>Finally; the first good news for the Panama City Beach condo market since the meltdown in 2006.&nbsp;</p> <p>PLEASE VISIT <a href="http://www.CONDOSALESTRENDS.COM">WWW.CONDOSALETRENDS.COM</a> FOR GRAPHS AND MORE COMPLETE DATA!!</p> <p>It's been a long slog, but indications are that the bottom may be near.&nbsp; The number of sales from the 75 buildings in our data base during November, December, and January has been higher than any other similar months over the past three years.&nbsp; December and January sales were significantly higher.&nbsp; While short sales and foreclosures still represent a large portion of the sales, sale prices have appeared to stabilize over the past two months. No new sale price lows were established during the past two months.</p> <p>&nbsp;It appears that buyers are sensing the bottom and that prices can't go much lower.&nbsp; The next several months will be very important in determining if the bottom is really here or if the last two months were just an anomaly.&nbsp;</p> <p>The data indicates that the overall market has tended to stabilize over the past two months with no new lows reported during that time frame. This is the first time that has happened during the past several years.&nbsp;However, let's not get too euphoric and herald that the bottom is really here quite yet.&nbsp; Several negative factors are still in play. We don't know how deep the buyer market is.&nbsp; We don't know how many short sales and foreclosures are still waiting to come on the market. Financing units in certain buildings remains difficult.</p> <p>&nbsp;Let's just enjoy the first good news for the Panama City Beach condo market since 2005.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:48:34 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2255545/good-news-for-the-panama-city-beach-condo-market http://activerain.com/blogsview/2099548/-tips-for-buying-foreclosures- <p><strong>1. Work with an agent who has access to foreclosure information. </strong><br>Many home buyers assume that all agents have access to foreclosure listings. It's important to ask. <br><br><strong>2. Bank-owned properties generally close faster than short sales. </strong><br>While short sales can be bargains, they also can take a lot longer. Some banks will negotiate in a timely manner on short sales, but most will prioritize properties they have already repossessed. <br><br><strong>3. Always offer less than the asking price. </strong><br>Don't assume that banks are firm on their price.&nbsp;Never hurts to ask...</p> <p><strong>4. Ask the bank to pay your closing costs. </strong><br>The worst that can happen is that they say no. Sometimes buyers are surprised to find that banks can be quite accommodating when they want to. <br><br><strong>5. Get pre-approved from the right bank. </strong><br>When making an offer on a short sale, it's often strategically helpful to be pre-approved by the same bank. During negotiations, this may tip the scales in your favor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>RISMEDIA, January 25, 2011</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:13:18 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2099548/-tips-for-buying-foreclosures- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2095348/tax-time-5-tips-to-put-more-money-in-your-pocket- <h3>Taxpayers receive the most important tax form of the year in January: Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Your 2010 income tax and future Social Security benefits are based on it, so its accuracy is vital to your short- and long-term financial health.<br><br>The American Payroll Association offers W-2 tips to save you time, money and headaches this tax season:<br><br><strong>1. Increase your paycheck in 2011. </strong>The average person overpays taxes by nearly $250 a month, according to the IRS. Making minor adjustments to Form W-4 can increase your paycheck. The W-4 assistant at <a href="http://www.nationalpayrollweek.com/W4%20">www.nationalpayrollweek.com/W4 </a>helps determine the withholding allowances you claim on Form W-4.<br><br><strong>2. Don't forfeit free money. </strong>Read the back of W-2 copies B, C, and 2 to determine if you are eligible for credits. You could be missing out on thousands of dollars in tax credits.<br><br><strong>3. Review your W-2 carefully against your final 2010 paystub. </strong>If your W-2 seems incorrect, contact your payroll department.<br><br>Important items to review: <br><br><strong>A. Box 1 </strong>should differ from your final 2010 paystub year-to-date gross pay if you participate in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored savings plan. <br><strong>B. Box 3</strong> total should not exceed $106,800 - the 2010 social security wage base. <br><strong>C. Boxes 1, 3, and 5</strong> should be less than your final 2010 paystub year-to-date gross pay, if you use pre-tax deductions to pay your insurance premiums or to contribute to medical or dependent care, parking, or transit flexible spending accounts. <br><br><strong>4. Ensure your Social Security Number (SSN) matches your Social Security card.</strong> The name and SSN on your W-2 must match your Social Security card to receive your benefits. Ask the payroll department for a corrected W-2 if they do not match.<br><br><strong>5. Make sure you get all your tax forms. </strong>You should receive a W-2 from every company that paid you in 2010 by January 31. Contact the payroll department of any company you worked for in 2010 that didn't send you a W-2. Request a 'reissued statement' to replace lost W-2s. If you earned more than $600 from a single company for any freelance or contract work, you should receive Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, instead of a Form W-2.<br> </h3> <p>RISMEDIA, January 24, 2011-</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:20:57 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2095348/tax-time-5-tips-to-put-more-money-in-your-pocket- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2080964/managing-your-tax-documents-what-you-need-to-know- <table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h3> </h3> <p>With the end of the holiday season, comes the start of another-tax season.<br><br>With tax season officially underway, tax preparers are working hard to make the season more bearable. That said, according to Florida-based Marshall Stevens of Stevens &amp; Stevens Business Records Management, business owners should not just rely on their tax preparers to handle all the work; there are other things owners should consider regarding tax documents.<br><br>"While being organized is important, secure storage, retention and destruction of tax information should also be addressed this time of year," said Stevens, co-owner of the full-service records management center that specializes in tax information management. "Thinking about these areas will protect you if there's an audit or lawsuit and will protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands."<strong><br><br>Protect tax documents </strong>- Since tax documents contain sensitive information, they should be stored in a locked area. Limit access to select personnel and password protect the electronic files. <br><br><strong>Retain tax information </strong>- Typically, tax information must be kept for three years as the IRS can perform an audit at any time during this period. But, if there's any question with filed information, they can perform audits past this mark. Choosing a secure, climate-controlled location is essential to protect your company in the event of an audit. <br><br><strong>Secure destruction </strong>- To protect your business from falling victim to identity theft, shred everything. While a small office shredder may work for some offices, most businesses will need to seek the services of a company that specializes in secure destruction. <br><br><strong>Simplify things for next year </strong>- Convert all tax-related documents into electronic formats. These files can be housed on a secure, password protected website for quicker access and automatic monitoring of retention periods.</p> <p>RISMEDIA, January 17, 2011</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:27:32 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2080964/managing-your-tax-documents-what-you-need-to-know- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2049380/older-homeowners-turn-to-reverse-mortgages <table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h3> <em>&nbsp;<br></em>With demand rising for reverse mortgages, senior citizens are particularly at risk of being misled and should be protected by greater government oversight of the industry, according to a report by Consumers Union and two California advocacy groups. In a struggling economy, older homeowners are turning to reverse mortgages as a way to pull money out of their homes, with the loan not coming due until the borrower dies. But the loans can come with hefty charges, including origination fees, closing costs and compounding interest on loan principal.<br><br>"Reverse mortgages are a very risky deal for borrowers who don't understand the complicated terms of the loan and how quickly fees and interest charges can add up," said Norma Garcia, senior staff attorney for Consumers Union. "Reverse mortgages should only be a last resort for seniors who want to stay in their homes and have no other alternatives to supplement their income," she said.<br><br>The report was released by Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, along with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform and the Council on Aging Silicon Valley. It warned that seniors taking out reverse mortgages risk losing their homes while they're still alive.<br><br>The groups called for strong oversight from the new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is being launched by Obama administration appointee Elizabeth Warren as part of financial reform legislation passed this year.<br><br>The report lists concerns including misleading marketing claims by lenders; attempts to sell borrowers other products at the same time, such as long-term-care insurance or annuities, and an increasing number of borrowers defaulting on reverse mortgages, triggering foreclosures.<br><br>Consumers Union offers tips about reverse mortgages on its website, <a href="http://www.consumersunion.org">http://www.consumersunion.org</a>. The site's offerings include information about applying for government benefits for seniors, getting advice from local Housing and Urban Development counselors and seeking a so-called private reverse mortgage-a loan from a family member using the senior's home equity as collateral.<br> </h3> <h3> <em>By Jim Puzzanghera <br></em><br><br>(c) 2010, Los Angeles Times.<br>Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.</h3> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 08:22:37 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2049380/older-homeowners-turn-to-reverse-mortgages http://activerain.com/blogsview/2023878/homeowners-insurance-winter-prep-to-keep-costs-down <p><strong><em>Now&nbsp;is the perfect time for homeowners to ensure their house is prepared for winter weather. A home should be winterized so it will be able to sustain damage severe weather may bring. Additionally, if a house is winterized and damages do occur, the homeowners insurance policy will cover the house against the weather damage. HomeownersInsurance.net offers advice so people can prepare for winter weather and help avoid potential costly issues.</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;Homeowners must first inspect their house thoroughly so that possible issues can be avoided. The most important interior areas are the furnace and fireplace. HVAC professionals can inspect the furnace and clean out the ducts. Furnace filters should be replaced on a monthly basis to keep ducts clean. Any flammable materials around the furnace should be removed. If there is a hot-water radiator, the valves need to be opened slightly to bleed. When water is seen, they can be closed. If propane is used in the home, the tank will need to be filled. These should all be inspected to be sure they are working properly.</p> <p>If there is a fireplace in the house, the screen or cap on the top of the chimney should be secure to keep out any birds, squirrels or rodents. The chimney should be cleaned by a professional occasionally because buildup of soot can cause fires. The damper should open and close properly and the mortar between the bricks should not be cracked. Any cracks should be fixed so heat does not seep into areas it should not be, creating a fire hazard.</p> <p>The next step in preparing for winter for safety and insurance purposes is to examine the exterior. Damage may not be evident immediately during winter months, and may only be noticed with the first spring rain. The doors and windows should be checked for cracks, and then fixed. If the homeowner has a basement, shields can be placed over the window wells for protection from snow melt. Any worn shingles or roof tiles should be replaced so melted snow does not seep into weak areas. Gutters and downspouts should also be unclogged and leaf guards should be installed. Debris should then be cleared from the foundation to look for further cracks to repair.</p> <p>RISMEDIA, November 20, 2010</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:16:51 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2023878/homeowners-insurance-winter-prep-to-keep-costs-down http://activerain.com/blogsview/2016113/11-ways-to-save-on-airfare-in-any-season- <h3>11 Ways to Save on Airfare in Any Season</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yes, fares on many routes are much more expensive this holiday season than last, but airfares are not static and there are (relative) deals to be had any time of year. Here is Airfarewatchdog.com's best advice for making your</span></em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>airfare dollars go further, no matter what the time of year.<br><br></em></span><strong>1. Sign up for the airlines' email feeds and frequent flyer programs<br></strong>We know, you already get too much e-mail, but the airlines want to develop a one-on-one relationship with you, so they'll send you special deals, such as 50 percent off promo codes or two-fers, if you sign up. Airline sites sell much more than airfares these days (hotels, rental cars, credit cards and such), and they will entice you to deal direct rather than use a third party site such as Orbitz. If you're on Twitter, you might also want to follow the airlines' tweets, which they're using to promote exclusive Twitter-only deals. <br><br><strong>2. Sign up for third-party fare alerts<br></strong>Many airfare websites offer alerts, and they all have something to offer. Yapta.com lets you track your specific itinerary, down to the flight number and dates of travel, and will let you know if the airline owes you a price-drop refund. Travelocity's easy-to-use FareWatcherPlus lets you track up to ten routes and you can choose to be notified either when a fare goes down by $25 or more, or when it goes below a price you choose. Orbitz also offers alerts, as does Bing Travel, TripAdivsor.com/flights and FareCompare.com.<br><br><strong>3. Search airline sites individually, but not exclusively<br></strong>As noted above, many airlines have "private" sales, reserving their very best fares for their own sites. These are different from promo code fares. International airlines such as Aer Lingus, Iberia and Qantas regularly offer lower fares (i.e., $100-$400 less) on their own websites compared to what you'll find on Kayak or Orbitz. And yet, you shouldn't ignore online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity, because these sites will tell you if it's cheaper flying out on one airline and back on another. In general, airline sites want you to fly only on their "metal."<br><br><strong>4. Buy hotel plus air packages<br></strong>It's often significantly cheaper to buy an air plus hotel package rather than airfare alone, especially for last minute travel. We often see Travelocity "TotalTrip" offerings, especially on last minute flights, pop up with hotel plus air for half the price of air alone. Lastminute.com is also a great source for finding last minute packages.<br><br><strong>5. Use Priceline for last-minute trips<br></strong>If you don't have a 7-, 14-, or 21-day advance purchase window to buy your fare, your best bet is the "name your own price" feature of Priceline.com. True, you won't know the exact flight times or airline you're flying until to pay for your trip, but you can save 50 percent or more. Hotwire.com can also be useful for last minute trips.<br><br><strong>6. Use consolidators, but beware of the restrictions<br></strong>Especially with the economic downturn, business and first class cabins will be emptier in 2010, and deals will be amazing. Consolidators specializing in premium cabins will have some great deals, and the airlines themselves will be heavily discounting their premium cabins, so check the specials on their websites. Sites like Vayama.com, airfare.com and Asia.com also sometimes sell consolidator fares. <br><br><strong>7. Use a flexible date search<br></strong>True, many people are not flexible in their travel dates, but would you fly in a different month or a day or two earlier or later to save hundreds of bucks? If so, learn how to do a flexible travel date search on airline and third-party sites. <br><br><strong>8. Consider the extra fees before you buy<br></strong>If Southwest has a fare of $198 round-trip and United has one for $148, and you are checking three bags, then Southwest actually has the lowest fare because Southwest charges nothing for the first two checked bags, whereas United would charge you an additional $165 each way for three.<br><br><strong>9. Combine two separate fares rather than buying one fare<br></strong>If you're flying to a destination in Europe, you might save money by purchasing one fare from the U.S. to, say, Dublin, and another from Dublin onward on Ryanair.com (just beware of Ryanair's rather onerous fees). Same holds true for some destinations in Asia (fly into Singapore and catch a low-cost carrier such as Airasia.com from there) and to some smaller Caribbean destinations via San Juan or the Bahamas. Even domestically, two fares are often less than one, such as the recent scenario where Dallas to Honolulu was selling for $350 round-trip with tax, but Houston/Honolulu was $800. As you're no doubt aware, you can fly Houston-Dallas for a lot less than $450!<br><br><strong>10. Buy tickets on an airline that will refund the difference if a fare goes down<br></strong>Let's say you've found the lowest fare, and then the day after purchase your non-refundable fare for the same itinerary goes down. If you ask for it you can get a refund for the difference. But some airlines will charge you a costly "administrative" fee of $150 or more, wiping out any savings. Others will give you the entire fare difference without extracting a fee. Currently, the "nice" airlines are JetBlue, Southwest and Alaska.<br><br><strong>11. Check fares several times a day, and don't listen to airfare pundits who predict airfares<br></strong>A lot of people like to pretend they're clairvoyant, and they know where airfares are headed. But airlines are unpredictable creatures, and any airfare expert who claims he or she knows that airfares will be lower or higher in the coming months or the coming day is suspect. No one can accurately predict where airfares are heading, any more than we can predict the stock market, because we have no idea when the economy will improve, or how much airlines will cut back capacity, or when the next flu epidemic will hit. If we could, we'd all be comfortably retired by now! Fares fluctuate throughout the day, and the number of seats offered at the lowest fares also changes frequently. So if you don't like the fare at 10 a.m., check at 2 p.m. or the next day and you may be surprised.<br> </h3> <h3> <em>By George Hobica<br></em><br>RISMEDIA, December 7, 2010<br>(c) 2010, Airfarewatchdog.com.<br>Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.<br><br><br> </h3> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Sun, 12 Dec 2010 13:17:11 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2016113/11-ways-to-save-on-airfare-in-any-season- http://activerain.com/blogsview/2016107/how-to-stay-positive-no-matter-the-market- <h3> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">It is more important than ever that we find ways to stay positive, especially as we continue to make our way through today's real estate market. Your success depends on your mindset, not on the economy or the marketplace.</span></em><br><br>These are top producing sales people that have been in the business for 10, 20, or even 30 years. They've been through up times, down times, and all kinds of different markets, and they said, without a doubt, it was their mindset. When times get tough, people start to look outside of themselves for answers and what they really need to do is look inside themselves and ask themselves the question, "How can I stay positive, how can I stay hopeful, how can I stay optimistic?"<br><br>Here are a few tools that will make it easier to create a positive mindset, no matter what the real estate industry throws at you.<br><br>The first tool is to really stop watching, or listening, or reading the news as the news is based on negativity. The news amplifies fear and negativity in order to capture more listeners, more readers, and more viewers. The media is a business like anything else and there's a popular saying in the media industry that describes their approach: "If it bleeds, it reads." So the more fear the media can instill in people, the more people will turn to newspapers or the television to find out what's going to happen, or in some way stay fixated because they're in fear. In order to create a positive mindset, it is crucial to not become fixated on what the media is reporting.<br><br>The second tool is to stop being around negative people. Your colleagues are going to want to constantly come and talk to you and tell you how bad things are. Maybe your clients or prospective clients are going to tell you how bad things are during phone conversations, and even your friends will do the same thing. You will go through a day and everybody will want to tell you how negative everything is. If you are looking to create a positive mindset, the first step is to avoid the negative people who surround you. If you are stuck talking to someone who is speaking negatively, simply tune them out and say: "Well that may be true for you, but that's not true for me." This is like an inner mantra which will help you create your own inner environment.<br><br>The third tool is a technique that I've used with my clients throughout the past 12 years as a successful business coach. It's a very powerful tool called The Stop Technique, and there are three steps to it. The first step is just called Stop. If you start to notice your mind going in a negative direction such as, "I can't succeed in today's economy," "I just don't have what it takes to be successful or to make money," "I have to work really hard and struggle and sacrifice," your job is to simply catch these negative thoughts as soon as they pop into your head and say, "Stop." Take a deep breath, and then put in a positive new thought.<br><br>You can put in your choice of however many positive new thoughts you have ready in your arsenal. If some of your negative statements are about yourself like, "I'm not good enough, or I'm not smart enough, or I'm not experienced enough," an empowered belief that you can substitute in its place may be: "I love and approve of myself unconditionally." Another kind of self-limiting belief is something that you continually tell yourself, such as: "To succeed, I'm going to have to really struggle, and sacrifice, and stress out, and work hard, and then I won't have a life." If this has been your primary belief, it is important to put a stop to it when you hear it coming. Instead, take a deep breath and replace this negative thought with a positive one such as: "I'm committed to working smarter, not harder."<br><br>One of the things that is great about this technique is that it really forces you to become aware of what you're thinking from moment to moment, and it's what you're thinking from moment to moment that will create a negative or positive mindset. If you're continually thinking negative thoughts either about yourself, or the market, or about money, then you're setting yourself up for a negative mindset. Then what happens is what you believe tends to come true, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. For example, if you tell yourself, "I don't have what it takes to succeed in today's market," and you tell yourself that over, and over, and over again, your thoughts will create your reality and then you'll find that you don't have what it takes.<br><br>Henry Ford once said, "Whether you believe you can or you can't, either way you're right." The way to create a positive mindset is to continue to bring your thoughts back to, "I can do it." You need to have unwavering faith in your ability to be successful. The way you do this is to retrain your mind. The stop technique is the most powerful technique for retraining your mind, but you may have to use it a few hundred times a day at the beginning. Your mind has been going down that negative track in an undisciplined way for a long time, and now you have to reign your thoughts in, which is going to require a lot of vigilance at the beginning.<br><br><br> </h3> <h3> <em>By Dr. Maya Bailey<br></em><br><br> </h3> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Sun, 12 Dec 2010 13:15:01 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2016107/how-to-stay-positive-no-matter-the-market- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1998576/panama-city-beach-in-top-five-for-winter-travel-destinations-worldwide <p><strong>PANAMA CITY BEACH - Panama City Beach has been named one of the top five winter travel destinations by </strong><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/02/five.to.go.winter.travel/index.html" title="CNN.com" target="_blank"><strong>CNN.com</strong></a><strong>, along with such notable vacation spots as Paris and Costa Rica</strong>.</p> <p>The website's editors talked to experts on value vacationing from such publications as STA Travel, Student Universe and Smarter Travel for recommendations on the best deals designed to put the winter blues in the rearview mirrors of tourists seeking the best bang for their buck.</p> <p>The Panama City Beach/Panama City area logged in at No. 3, just behind Costa Rica and Lima, Peru, but ahead of Boston and London/Paris.</p> <p>"Panama City and neighboring Panama City Beach aren't just for spring breakers," according to CNN.com. "Indulge in shopping, helicopter tours or spend a day at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum. With highs in the 60s even during winter, there's always something to do in the area."</p> <p>Dan Rowe, executive director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council, said he was thrilled at the recognition, coming as it does on the heels of recent comments by First Lady Michele Obama that Panama City Beach and the beaches of Northwest Florida were "a national treasure."</p> <p>"We are thrilled they have recognized Panama City Beach," Rowe said. "This is a great beach that is worth coming to and checking out."</p> <p>The recognition comes in the wake of recent popular events that pulled large numbers of visitors to the area, including Ironman Florida, where 2,851 athletes registered for the competition, and Taste of Bay, which included a free Clint Black concert. The always well-attended Emerald Coast Cruizin' car show arrives this weekend at Frank Brown Park, with its classic autos, muscle cars and "street rods."</p> <p>November 10, 2010 05:32:00 PM <a href="/reporter-profile/pat-kelly-newsheraldwriter-552">PAT KELLY / News Herald Writer</a></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:12:00 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1998576/panama-city-beach-in-top-five-for-winter-travel-destinations-worldwide http://activerain.com/blogsview/1995626/tips-for-an-eco-friendly-christmas-in-your-new-home- <p><strong><em>It was Bing Crosby who immortalized a "White Christmas" in his 1942 hit single, but these days more and more eco-conscious consumers are dreaming of a green hoilday season instead. </em></strong></p> <p><strong>Use Sustainable Gift Wrap: </strong>Consider saving and reusing holiday wrapping paper just as your grandmother once did. Or wrap your gifts in pretty fabric that can be used for other purposes. "In my family, we re-gift gift bags again and again," DeLongpre Johnston says. "Pillowcases can also make pretty gift wraps if done right." <br><br><strong>Decorate with Energy-Efficient Lighting</strong>: While many people still use standard incandescent holiday bulbs, decorative LED lights are now available in a variety of holiday shapes and colors. In addition to having a much longer life span than standard lights, LEDs also reduce fire risks because they stay cool to the touch. "This would be one of the areas where you might spend a little more upfront, but save in the long run," DeLongpre Johnston says. Want to be even greener? Use light-sensor timers to turn your lights on and off. <br><br><strong>Give Consumable Gifts: </strong>Most Americans don't need any more stuff or, as DeLongpre Johnston points out, we're all "stuffed out." So consider giving the gift of services instead, or goods that can be consumed. Some ideas include massages, pedicures, tickets to sporting events, gift certificates for restaurants and other similar pampering treats. Other options would be to give consumable gifts that keep on giving all year long like a membership to a Wine of the Month Club or a monthly delivery of seasonal fruits grown locally. Says DeLongpre Johnston: "It doesn't mean you have to be any less generous." <br><br><strong>Make a Donation in Someone's Name: </strong>If someone has a passion in life, giving to an organization that supports their cause can be very meaningful. Whether you donate a flock of chicks to support a hungry family through Heifer International or fund the planting of trees through American Forest, you will be giving a gift that gives back and helps preserve the environment at the same time. <br><br><strong>Give the Gift of Time: </strong>Schedule time to get together with friends and family for cookie exchanges or other meaningful holiday events. "We do have the ability as individuals and families to bring whatever intention to this season that we want," DeLongpre Johnston says. "So we can share meals and share time with one another, and if we'd like to give each other gifts, we can do that too." <br><br><strong>Treecycle</strong>: If you have a cut tree, check with your local municipality to find out when they will pick it up for recycling. Fortunately, you'll be in good company. More than 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, but more than 90 percent are being recycled for mulch or chipped and used in parks and other public spaces.</p> <p>RISMEDIA, November 30, 2010</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:03:05 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1995626/tips-for-an-eco-friendly-christmas-in-your-new-home- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1993004/americans-uncertain-housing-market-has-bottomed-out- <h3> </h3><p>RISMEDIA, November 29, 2010-Fannie Mae's most recent nationwide housing survey finds that Americans are less certain that the housing market has bottomed, and continue to be wary of buying a home. The Third Quarter 2010 Fannie Mae National Housing Survey polled homeowners and renters between July 2010 and September 2010. Findings were compared to similar surveys conducted in June 2010, January 2010 and December 2003. <br><br>Fewer Americans think it is a good time to buy a home (68 percent, down 2 percentage points since June) and more Americans think it is a bad time to buy (29 percent, up 3 percentage points). Similar to the last survey, an overwhelming majority of Americans believe it is a bad time to sell a home (85 percent, up 2 percentage points since June). <br><br>"Consumer attitudes toward buying a home are more negative since last quarter," said Doug Duncan, vice president and chief economist, Fannie Mae. "Our survey shows that Americans' declining optimism about housing and their personal finances is reinforcing increasingly realistic attitudes toward owning and renting." <br><br>One-quarter of respondents think that home prices will rise during the next 12 months (6 percentage points lower than in June), while 22 percent expect home prices to decline (4 percentage points higher). Americans continue to believe that rental prices will rise more than home prices and continue to believe that rental prices will go up rather than go down by a ratio of almost 4 to 1 (Americans expect rental prices to rise by 2.8 percent over the next year, compared to 3.6 percent in June). <br><br>The perception that buying a home is a safe investment continues to decline among Americans. Although 66 percent of Americans think buying a house is a safe investment, this is down 1 percentage point from June 2010, down 4 percentage points from January 2010, and down 17 percentage points from 2003. <br><br>For the first time, delinquent borrowers are more likely to say they would rent rather than buy their next home - 50 percent would rent (up 10 percentage points since January) and 45 percent would buy (down 11 percentage points since January). More than half of delinquent borrowers are very stressed about their debt, and, unlike most Americans, are falling into more debt - 29 percent of delinquent borrowers have significantly increased their mortgage debt during the last year, almost three times the percentage of mortgage borrowers who did so.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:36:30 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1993004/americans-uncertain-housing-market-has-bottomed-out- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1970304/top-tips-for-winterizing-your-home- <p><strong><em>As winter sets in, there's nothing better than hibernating on the sofa with a good book or classic film. But having this spoiled by a home emergency can add a real chill to your winter warmth, especially if it's preventable.<br><br>We're all familiar with the issues winter forces upon us: the boiler breaking, pipes bursting or a break-in, which can make the harsh effects of winter far more severe.<br><br>Planning ahead now can help protect you against these potential problems. Here are some simple tips from John Lewis Insurance to prevent home emergencies from happening. Many of them are relatively quick and easy to do.<br><br></em>Quick fixes:<br></strong>* Change the battery in your smoke detector or install them if you don't have any - it's a simple task that can save your life. And make sure you test them regularly.<br><br>* Inspect your roof for missing or cracked tiles. If repairs are needed, get them done as soon as you can.<br><br>* Vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. This will help your fridge work more efficiently and will help you save money on your power bills.<br><br>* Turn your mattress regularly. We all spend more time in bed over winter - turning your mattress regularly will extend its life and ensure a more comfortable night's sleep.<br><br>* Get your boiler serviced. If you haven't had your boiler serviced this year, now is the ideal time to ensure it's in good working order.<br><br><strong>More time needed:</strong><br>* Oil your power tools and if you have a gas-powered lawn mower, drain the gas from it. They will survive the winter better and be in top shape for spring.<br><br>* Check all taps for leaks and locate the main pipe to the water mains. Pipes can burst if they freeze so if you leave home for more than a few days, ideally you should turn off the water and drain the pipes.<br><br>* Bleed your radiators by opening the valve until water appears - they will work more efficiently.<br><br>* The cold doesn't deter burglars so be sure to inspect your locks and any burglar alarms - and consider using lighting timers for that lived in appearance.<br><br><strong>Worth the effort:</strong><br>* It may take a day or two to sort out but cleaning your gutters properly will guarantee they won't get blocked or overflow.<br><br>* Trimming back trees is always recommended in the autumn.<br><br>* Clean out the garage before anything is stored that can get spoiled by the cold.<br><br><strong>Finally, preparing an emergency kit </strong>is a great way to make those small and big emergencies as easy to handle as possible. This is what you should have at hand's reach:<br><br>* A small tool bag containing a torch, a roll of insulation tape, spare fuses, spare batteries and a screwdriver<br><br>* A radiator key<br><br>* A fire extinguisher if you have one, checked or recently replaced<br><br>* Important telephone numbers like the police, a trusted plumber, electrician, etc</p> <p>RISMEDIA, November 15, 2010</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:39:28 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1970304/top-tips-for-winterizing-your-home- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1968568/7-steps-to-a-sound-retirement- <p><strong><em>There are seven keys to a lot of things in life. There are seven steps to heaven and seven types of intelligence and seven habits of effective leaders.<br><br></em></strong><strong>1. Quantify assets and net worth.<br></strong>The first order of business is taking a tally of all that you own - your financial and non-financial assets, including your home and a self-owned business, and all that you owe. Your home, given that it might be your largest asset, could play an especially important part in your retirement, according to Abkemeier.<br><br>And at minimum, you should evaluate the many ways you can create income from your home, such as selling and renting; selling and moving in with family; taking out a home-equity loan; renting out a room or rooms; taking a reverse mortgage; and paying off your mortgage.<br><br><strong>2. Quantify risk coverage.<br></strong>Take stock of all the insurance that you might already have or need - health, disability, life, auto and homeowners. In addition, consider whether you might need long-term-care insurance, especially in light of the cost associated with long-term care and the very real possibility that you might need some assistance at some point in your life.<br><br><strong>3. Compare expenditure needs against anticipated income.<br></strong>The thing about retirement is that it's filled with expenses, which according to the SOA report "can be thought of as the minimum needed to sustain a standard of living, plus extra for nonrecurring needs and amounts to help meet dreams." What's more, those expenses are likely to change over time.<br><br>So to make your retirement plan work in reality, you first have to make it work on paper. You need to compare whether you'll have enough guaranteed income to cover your essential living expenses, including food, housing and health-insurance premiums, at the point of retirement and then compare what amount of income you'll need to cover your discretionary expenses, such as travel and the like (if those are indeed what you might consider discretionary expenses).<br><br>Your guaranteed sources of income include Social Security and possibly a pension and annuity. Not so guaranteed: earnings from work and income from assets such as capital gains, dividends, interest and rental property.<br><br>No doubt, as you go about the process of matching income to expenses, you might find yourself having to revise your discretionary expenses, especially if there aren't enough guaranteed sources of income to meet essential expenses.<br><br><strong>4. Compare amounts needed in retirement against total assets.<br></strong>So here's where your math skills (or your Google search skills) might come into play. Besides calculating your income and expenses at the point of retirement, you need to figure out whether your funds will last throughout retirement. In other words, you need to calculate the net present value of your expenses throughout retirement.<br><br>Now, truth be told, finding the present value of your expenses is a bit tricky, especially since there are many factors that can affect how much is really needed, including the date of your retirement, inflation rates, gross and after-tax investment returns, and your life expectancy.<br><br>But the bottom line is this: If, after crunching the numbers, the present value of your expenses is greater than the present value of your assets, you've got some adjustments to make. And the good news is that there are plenty of adjustments that you can make.<br><br>You could, for instance, delay the date of your retirement. You could return to work or work part-time. Those actions might be enough to offset the difference. In addition, you might consider trimming your expenses or consider a more tax-efficient plan to draw down income.<br><br><strong>5. Categorize assets.<br></strong>The SOA also recommends that assets be grouped to fund early, middle and late phases of retirement. Thus, assets for early retirement should be liquid, while mid-retirement assets should include intermediate-term investments such as laddered five- to 10-year Treasury bonds, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, laddered fixed-interest deferred annuities, balanced investment portfolios, income-oriented equities, variable annuities and the like. And late retirement assets include longevity insurance, TIPS, balanced portfolios, growth and income portfolios, laddered income annuities, deferred variable annuities and life insurance.<br><br><strong>6. Relate investments to investing capabilities and portfolio size.<br></strong>This should come as no surprise. The SOA recommends that you invest only in things that are suitable, relative to your risk tolerance, investment knowledge and the capacity of the portfolio to accommodate volatility. "In short, a retiree should not invest beyond his investment skills, including those of his adviser," the SOA report stated.<br><br><strong>7. Keep the plan current.<br></strong>This too might be a bit obvious, but retirement-income plans must not be built and set on a shelf. The plan is a point-in-time analysis that must be reviewed on a regular basis.<br><br>Consider, for instance, just some of the things that could change in one year, according to the SOA. Health status or health-care costs could change; your life expectancy might change; your investment returns and inflation might be quite different than your assumptions; and your employment status and expected retirement date might change.<br><br>What's more, you might suffer the loss of a spouse through death or divorce, or perhaps you might not be able to live independently any longer, or perhaps you might need to sell your house or unexpectedly care for dependents, or change your inheritance plans.<br><br>RISMEDIA, November 13, 2010--(MCT)--</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:16:42 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1968568/7-steps-to-a-sound-retirement- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1965452/bedroom-design-ideas-for-better-comfort- <table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h3> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Creating a relaxing and comfortable bedroom environment is an important part of getting better sleep. Bay Area interior designer Lisa Staprans offers these interior design ideas for bedroom designs that enhance sleep and rejuvenation.<br><br></span></em><strong>* Keep the bedroom uncluttered. </strong>What is in the room should bring you joy and a sense of peace and calm. <br><br><strong>* Select artwork </strong>that is personal and inspiring.<br><br><strong>* Choose bedroom colors that make you feel </strong>relaxed and rejuvenated. Add splashes of color with a beautiful coverlet or pillows made from an amazing textile. Stay away from fussy fabrics.<br><br><strong>* Have a variety of lighting options, </strong>including ambient and reading lights.<br><br><strong>* An upholstered headboard </strong>adds comfort and softens the room.<br><br><strong>* For stability and harmony, </strong>anchor the bed against a wall<br><br><strong>* Invest in high quality and beautiful linens: </strong>pillows, comforters and mattress pads. They feel great and last longer.<br><br><strong>* Have a mix of pillow sizes. </strong>Among Staprans' personal favorites is a small Camille travel pillow from McRoskey Mattress Company. She says it's a perfect neck pillow for reading in bed.<br><br><strong>* Build your bedroom around a high-quality, </strong>comfortable mattress set.</h3> <p>RISMEDIA, November 6, 2010</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:30:13 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1965452/bedroom-design-ideas-for-better-comfort- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1964398/10-ways-to-say-thank-you-on-veteran-s-day- <table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td>RISMEDIA, November 9, 2010--<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">More than 20 million veterans currently live in the United States. Although their military experiences cross decades and continents, one thing remains constant: Their service deserves our honor, recognition and gratitude.<br><br></span></strong>In an effort to encourage acts of recognition this Veterans Day, philanthropic business Products for Good has compiled 10 simple tips to honor those who have served.<br><br><strong>1. Acknowledge active members of the military by sending a thank-you to troops overseas via a tweet! </strong>Tweets using the #wearegrateful hashtag are screened and printed onto postcards distributed to troops worldwide.<br><br><strong>2. Spend time volunteering at a local VA Medical Center. </strong>A small amount of time can make a big difference. Sign up here: <a href="http://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/">http://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/</a> .<br><strong><br>3. Take a five-minute break from your daily routine</strong> to personally thank a co-worker, neighbor or loved one who is a veteran. A heartfelt thank you accompanied by a smile may just make their day.<br><br><strong>4. Not every veteran is lucky enough to have someone at home to honor and thank them for their service. </strong>Products for Good launched the Honor One in a Million Project to change that. When you buy a coin from the Honor One in a Million Project, the coin is hand-delivered to a veteran under VA care. Each coin comes with the opportunity for you to personalize a note to the recipient thanking them for their service. In turn, you will receive a letter confirming the receipt of your gift. Learn more here <a href="http://bit.ly/ajJDJi">http://bit.ly/ajJDJi</a>.<br><br><strong>5. Take advantage of the Veterans Day holiday to teach kids about our nation's history </strong>and sacrifices of those who have served. For a listing of fun, kid-friendly activities, visit <a href="http://www4.va.gov/kids/">http://www4.va.gov/kids/</a>.<br><br><strong>6. Plan a trip to Washington, D.C. to partake in national Veterans Day events </strong>or check out your local news and chamber of commerce community calendars to learn about parades and events in your area.<br><br><strong>7. Bring patriotic-themed baked good or cards to a local retirement home </strong>and help staff distribute to veteran residents.<br><br><strong>8. Change your Facebook status to honor a veteran in your life: </strong>Today I Honor and Thank (Rank, First Name, Last Name, Branch of Service). Don't know a veteran? Check out the Veterans History Project to find an individual to honor, <a href="http://bit.ly/cVw4OO">http://bit.ly/cVw4OO</a>.<br><strong><br>9. There are 1.8 million female veterans in the U.S.</strong> Honor the women in your life who serve and the women who face their own battles at home as their loved ones serve.<br><br><strong>10. Veterans Day is a great opportunity to give a loved one who has served an unexpected call. </strong>Have your kids call and thank a grandparent or cousin who has served, and you'll feel the appreciation through the phone.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:09:46 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1964398/10-ways-to-say-thank-you-on-veteran-s-day- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1939443/best-time-to-buy-best-time-to-sell- <p><strong>If you know a great real estate professional, you might be questioning them right now. They may tell a friend of yours in the afternoon that this is a great time to buy a home and in the evening tell another friend that they have to lower their price in order to sell their home. Wait a minute. How can it be a great time to buy if prices are falling? Is the real estate agent just saying this to make a sale? Actually, the agent is 100% correct. Perhaps for the first time in American real estate history, you must buy now and you must sell now. How can this be? Because what is important to the buyer is different than what is important to the seller. Let us explain.</strong></p> <p><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>The most important thing to the seller: PRICE<br></em></strong></span>Every seller is most concerned with trying to get the best price possible for their home. In order to do that, they must sell now. Banks repossessed the highest number of foreclosed homes in history last month. These houses will come to market at dramatically discounted prices. This is the main reason analysts are calling for another dip in prices over the next eighteen months. The best advice a seller can receive is to sell their home now before these foreclosures come to market.</p> <p><br><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The most important thing to the buyer: COST<br></span></em></strong>Price plays a part in the buyer's decision. However, the most important thing to most buyers is the cost - the mortgage payment they must pay every month. That payment is determined by the price of the home AND THE INTEREST RATE ON THE MORTGAGE. Rates are artificial low because of government intervention. That will not last forever.<br>The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has projected that rates will rise over the next seven quarters. What will that do to the cost? Here are NAR's projections and what impact it will have on a $100,000 mortgage:<br>&nbsp;As we can see, the interest rate has a major impact on the COST of the home. Even if prices continue to fall, the cost may not go down if interest increase.</p> <p><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bottom Line<br></span></strong>Your real estate agent is trying to give the best advice they can to every family they work with - even if that advice seems to be counter intuitive.</p> <p>&nbsp;COURTESY OF:</p> <p>SCOTT C. RICHTER<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Home Loan Consultant</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1714 W. 23rd Street, Suite C<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Panama City, FL. 32405<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Office: (850) 640-0656<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cell: (850) 832-3210<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Email: scottr@fairwaymc.com</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:07:37 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1939443/best-time-to-buy-best-time-to-sell- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1922462/5-reasons-to-sell-now-yes-now- <p><strong>Selling your house in today's market can be extremely difficult. It is for that reason that every seller should take advantage of each and every opportunity that appears. Each fall, such an opportunity presents itself. This fall, that opportunity may be just too good to pass up.&nbsp; <br>Below are five reasons you should consider pricing your house to sell in the next 90 days. Meet with your real estate agent and mortgage professional today and see whether it is the right move for you and your family.<br></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1. Entering this time of year, the buyers are more serious.<br></span>We all realize that buyers are not quick to pull the trigger on the purchase of a home today. There is no sense of urgency with the supply of eligible properties at all time highs. However, at this time of year, the &lsquo;lookers' are at the stores doing their holiday shopping. The home buyers left in the market are serious and are more apt to make a purchasing decision. Less showings - but to more motivated purchasers.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2. If you are moving up, you can save thousands.<br></span>The Chicago Tribune stated in an article last week that sellers who want to &lsquo;trade up' should act now:<br>It could be a bigger house, different neighborhood or a better school district, but it comes with a higher price tag. Do the math; this might be the right time.A home that was once worth $300,000 may now be worth $240,000 in a market where prices have fallen 20 percent. Wow, you think, the seller is taking a bath. But that seller may also be a prospective buyer who wants a house that once was valued at $400,000. With an equivalent market drop and a realistic listing price, that house may now sell for $320,000. So, in effect, the person is losing $60,000 on the sale of one home but coming out ahead $20,000 on the purchase of another.Keep in mind the spread may be even greater. There's a smaller pool of potential buyers for more expensive homes, so sellers may be more willing to cut their price to get a deal done.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3. Interest rates just fell again - to 4.19%.<br></span></strong>Professor Karl E. Case, the founder of the Case Shiller Pricing Index in an article in the New York Times last month actually did the math for us:<br>Four years ago, the monthly payment on a $300,000 house with 20 percent down and a mortgage rate of about 6.6 percent was $1,533. Today that $300,000 house would sell for $213,000 and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 20 percent down would carry a rate of about 4.2 percent and a monthly payment of $833 ... housing has perhaps never been a better bargain.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4. You beat the rush of inventory that is coming next year.<br></span>Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market from January through April as homeowners put their houses up for sale in preparation for the spring market. As an example, here is the number of listings available for sale in each of those months in 2010.<br>&sect; January - 3,277,000<br>&sect; February - 3,531,000<br>&sect; March - 3,626,000<br>&sect; April - 4,029,000<br>You won't have to worry about this increasing competition if you sell now.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5. You have less &lsquo;discounted' inventory with which to compete.</span><br>This year, sellers of non-distressed properties have been given an early holiday present. With banks declaring a suspension on the sale of many distressed properties (foreclosures), there has been a large supply of discounted properties removed from competition. No one knows how long this self imposed moratorium will last. However, while it does, every homeowner has a better chance of selling their property.<br>Bottom Line<br>If you are looking to sell in the near future, there may not be a more opportune time than this fall. Serious buyers, great move-up deals and less competition from foreclosures creates the perfect selling situation. Don't miss it!<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>COURTESY OF:</p> <p>SCOTT C. RICHTER<br>Home Loan Consultant<br>&nbsp;<br>Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.<br>1714 W. 23rd Street, Suite C<br>Panama City, FL. 32405<br>Office: (850) 640-0656<br>Cell: (850) 832-3210<br>Email: scottr@fairwaymc.com<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:51:22 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1922462/5-reasons-to-sell-now-yes-now- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1530758/some-home-projects-are-best-left-for-the-experts- <p>RISMEDIA, March 6, 2010-(MCT)-</p> <p><strong><em>Eager to save money, homeowners are more willing to get their hands dirty with home-improvement projects these days. But the DIY route isn't always the safest or cheapest.</em></strong></p> <p>"Especially with money being so tight, it's totally understandable that people want to take on projects themselves that in other periods they would have hired someone to do," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, a Washington nonprofit dedicated to preventing home-related injuries. But how do you determine if a project entails more than you can realistically handle?</p> <p>Most people tend to gauge the complexity of a project by doing research online, said Chris Murray, front-end insights manager for tool maker Black &amp; Decker. Some do-it-yourself websites grade a project's difficulty. You should also look at the tools that are required for the job. "If it says &lsquo;You need these tools,' do you know how to use them? If you don't, you have a challenge coming," Murray said.</p> <p>If you're unsure about your ability to finish a project correctly, get an expert opinion before proceeding. Sometimes, you may end up spending more money to repair a bungled DIY job than if you had hired someone to do it from the start.</p> <p><strong>Here are a few occasions when you may want to consider turning to a pro: </strong></p> <p><strong>When safety is an issue</strong><br>Tinkering with a home's electric system can be risky business, said Matt Knox, chief executive of DiggersList.com, a construction classifieds website. Not only could the do-it-yourselfer risk electrocution, but doing a job incorrectly could create a safety hazard within the home's structure.</p> <p>A basic ceiling-fan installation is a popular do-it-yourself project. But even that, if done incorrectly, can have dangerous results. More than 19,700 people a year are injured by ceiling fans that are improperly mounted or incorrectly sized, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International, an organization that focuses on electrical safety in the home and the workplace.</p> <p><strong>Some other jobs that involve safety risks:</strong><br>-Extending a gas line. "Do not mess around with gas. If you're DIY, you probably don't know how to check for gas leaks," Knox said. A mistake there could lead to an explosion or carbon-monoxide poisoning.</p> <p>-Projects that involve heights. Carefully assess projects that require you to be high up, whether it's roofing or pruning trees, Appy said. "Do the cost/benefit analysis upfront and ask yourself, &lsquo;How well trained am I to do this?, do I have the proper tools?, what is my physical well being?'"</p> <p>-Projects that require power tools. Obviously, big power tools, such as a circular saw, can lead to serious injury or even death if used improperly. But don't underestimate jobs that could cause an injury that might not be devastating, but would still slow you down, Appy said. "The nail gun that injures the hand you write with, it might not be something that seriously injures you," she said. "But it could be something that puts you out of commission for a couple of weeks."</p> <p><strong>When water is involved</strong><br>Leaks and water damage can lead to more costly and complicated repairs. If left unfixed, they can lead to mold-which affects air quality and if found during an inspection can be a deal breaker on a home sale.</p> <p>Water-related projects don't have to strictly involve your home's pipes. Putting in a skylight might seem like a do-it-yourself job you can handle. Do it incorrectly, however, and you could end up with a leaky roof, water damage and mold. "If you're lucky and it leaks, you will see the leak," said Knox. If you're not lucky, leaking can start inside the ceiling and drip behind the walls, causing damage to drywall and wooden beams. Knox said 90% of all construction-defect claims on jobs done by professionals are due to water intrusion, so it escalates when you go to DIY.</p> <p><strong>If the cost of material or tools are high</strong><br>Sometimes the cost of materials and the expense associated with making a mistake are enough to make hiring an expert a good idea. "For something like crown molding, you need an expensive tool and the material itself is expensive," Black &amp; Decker's Murray said. Mistakes on this project are also not always easy to correct.</p> <p>A kitchen cabinet can cost a couple hundred dollars, and if you order incorrectly, there might be a restocking fee and special orders may be non-returnable, said Mike Albrecht, division director for Home Depot's installation business. Being off on measurements for granite countertops can also be a costly flub.</p> <p><strong>If the project is too big</strong><br>If you're planning on replacing all the windows in your home or remodeling your kitchen, think twice about how much of the project you want to take on yourself, Albrecht said. Often, you can leave the heavy lifting to the experts, and work on the finishing touches, such as painting and tiling backsplashes.</p> <p>In a bathroom, for example, you might be comfortable changing lighting fixtures and medicine cabinets, painting and retiling. "If you mess up, there's not injury or damage," said Knox. "If it can do damage you can't see, have someone else do that part."</p> <p>While putting in hardwood or laminate flooring can be a good do-it-yourself project, its complexity will largely be determined by its scale: Installing laminate flooring in a small, square bedroom is easy for homeowners to do on their own, Albrecht said. But doing a larger-scale flooring project-involving a transition between rooms or perhaps around a kitchen island-is where people get tripped up.</p> <p>(c) 2010, MarketWatch.com Inc.</p> <p>Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:07:43 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1530758/some-home-projects-are-best-left-for-the-experts- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1528666/fabulous-new-bay-front-listing-in-pc-fl- <p>A VIEW FROM ALMOST EVERY ROOM...EVENING SUNSETS OVER THE BAY...FISHING FROM YOUR BACKYARD...SUMMER DIPS IN THE POOL....Sound like Coastal Living at its finest to you? If so...this is the home for you! Effective year...TODAY!!..Don't let the age fool you, you must see this home ...Gorgeous, updated, spacious home located near the mouth of the expansive bayou/bay. The view is stunning, and the sunsets are to die for..Home has inground pool and HUGE deck with 30 foot boathouse and lifted rated for 10,000lbs. Deep water access and more than navigable....Home is on a quiet cul de sac and a low volume street with no thru traffic. The home itself is charming and tastefully decorated and renovated. Family room , Master bedroom, and Kitchen have stunning views and floors are tiled throughout for low maintenance upkeep. This home is designed for an active family lifestyle and perfect for entertaining! New roof in 2002, new A/C unit and new Shwinco windows throughout. No major systems needed before move in! Architecture is unique in family room, and lots of windows throughout with great natural light. This is a must see property in the highly desirable Northshore area! Prices on homes like this have not been lower in years. What a great time to upgrade to waterfront living and to finally make your dreams come true!</p> <p><img title="Bayfront living in PC FL" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/7/2/6/7/ar126779713776275.jpg" height="600" alt="" width="800"></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:53:57 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1528666/fabulous-new-bay-front-listing-in-pc-fl- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1528658/interest-rates-are-awesome-buy-now- <p>RISMEDIA, March 5, 2010-<strong>The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.80%, down four basis points from 4.84% compared to this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate peaked at 4.87% late last week before hovering below 4.80% over the weekend.</strong></p> <p>Zillow's real-time mortgage rates are based on thousands of custom mortgage quotes submitted daily to anonymous borrowers through the site, and reflect the most recent changes in the market. These are not marketing rates, or a weekly survey.</p> <p>The rate for 15-year fixed home loans is currently 4.23%, while the rate for 5-1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) is 3.57%.</p> <p>The total volume of mortgage requests in the past week was unchanged from the prior week. Of last week's requests, 32.2% were for refinance loans, 65.8% were for purchase loans and 2.0% were for home equity loans. The prior week, 30.2% of requests were for refinance loans, 67.7% were for purchase loans and 2.1% were for home equity loans.</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.Zillow.com" target="_blank">www.zillow.com</a>.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:48:18 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1528658/interest-rates-are-awesome-buy-now- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1524840/8-tips-in-preparing-for-tax-time- <p><strong><em>With the U.S. federal income tax filing deadline of April 15 now just weeks away, taking time to review your tax situation and plan for any needed action will save you time, stress and, quite possibly, money</em></strong>.</p> <p>With the economic recession impacting so many Americans in 2009, many people will have complicated filing situations this year, says Jeff Staley, president of Freedom Tax Relief, LLC. "This is the time to prepare, review your tax obligations and evaluate your alternatives for payment if you find you may have difficulty in paying your tax bill this year." Staley recommends taxpayers follow these steps now in order to be ready for April 15:</p> <p><strong>1. Make a plan for filing. </strong>Make plans now to ensure that you will be able to file your income tax return on time. If that is impossible, file an extension. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is more forgiving of those who follow the rules than those who skip filing. Even if you cannot pay your tax debt in full on April 15, filing the required forms will result in smaller penalties.</p> <p><strong>2. Understand tax on unemployment benefits.</strong> Unemployment income is taxable. If you received unemployment benefits during 2009, you should have received a Form 1099-G providing the total amount received. If your employer paid separate unemployment compensation, that income should be reported on your W-2 form as income. Note that the first $2,400 of government benefits received in 2009 is exempt from tax, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.</p> <p><strong>3. Prepare documentation for tax credits.</strong> Review your 2009 expenses to know whether you qualify for credits. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (e.g., stimulus package) included many tax credits, ranging from an expanded health coverage tax credit to new education benefits.</p> <p><strong>4. Maximize deductions.</strong> If you made donations to nonprofit organizations in 2009, make sure you obtain needed appraisals or valuations to list these contributions accurately in your tax forms, per IRS guidelines.</p> <p><strong>5. Contribute to your retirement plan. </strong>If you plan to contribute to a retirement plan, you can still make tax-deferred contributions for 2009 until April 2010.</p> <p><strong>6. Estimate your payment.</strong> You can estimate your tax obligation by reviewing a copy of last year's tax form, completed with your 2010 data. If you purchase tax return software, you can use that. Or go to www.irs.gov and download a PDF version of your form to fill out.</p> <p><strong>7. Plan for payment. </strong>If it looks like you will have a larger tax bill than you can afford to pay in full by April 15, the IRS suggests taxpayers find any means possible to pay that bill, including bank loans, cash advances on credit cards, using savings, borrowing against retirement or life insurance, or using equity in assets (such as a home) to pay. However, if you are in dire financial circumstances, exchanging one debt for another will not make things easier, and putting a home at risk is almost always a bad idea. Consult a tax and/or financial adviser before making a decision.</p> <p><strong>8. Evaluate your alternatives.</strong> If you will absolutely be unable to pay your tax bill, contact the IRS. The agency sometimes gives some leeway to taxpayers who contact them directly or pay a late bill voluntarily. The IRS might waive penalties for those who cannot pay because of a death in the family, serious illness, financial records lost in a natural disaster or another "reasonable cause."</p> <p>Another alternative is tax debt resolution. Tax resolution specialists can often negotiate directly with the IRS on behalf of consumers who owe $10,000 or more. These specialists usually are attorneys, enrolled agents or certified public accountants with special training and experience. They can navigate the maze of IRS forms and calculations, help consumers understand what the IRS wants, and help them resolve their tax debt.</p> <p>"As the April tax filing deadline looms, it is time to face up to the demands of the IRS and determine a payment strategy for your tax bill," says Staley. "In these economic times, it is good to know that help is available for those who need it."</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:37:04 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1524840/8-tips-in-preparing-for-tax-time- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1507136/5-tips-to-managing-improving-your-credit <p><strong>5 sensible credit card management tips: </strong></p> <p><strong>1. Maintain prompt payment status with your credit card company.</strong> Demonstrating that you can responsibly meet your current credit obligations is the number one behavior that will impact your standing with the credit card company and your credit score. By missing or being late on a payment, you will incur fees, potentially increase your interest rate and lower your overall credit score.</p> <p><strong>2. Pay down high balances to improve credit card utilization.</strong> This will show that you can responsibly manage your credit limit, minimizing the chance of higher tiers of interest rates or reductions in credit limit. Additionally, better credit utilization will help boost your credit score.</p> <p><strong>3. Maintain activity on your credit card accounts. </strong>By using the revolving credit lines that you need or want to keep and promptly paying on them, you can help avoid cancellation of those credit card accounts. Additionally, some credit card companies are introducing inactivity fees. This behavior will avoid those fees and help boost your credit score, while having a long existing credit line closed could lower your score.</p> <p><strong>4. Avoid fees through responsible spending habits.</strong> Credit card providers will likely look to recoup revenue by charging fees for extra services. New regulations prohibit over limit provisions unless consumers opt-in to the service. Card providers could then charge consumers for this right. By remaining aware of credit limits and balances, consumers can avoid a need for these fees altogether.</p> <p><strong>5. New regulations do not apply to corporate or small business cards.</strong> This means some small business owners might consider using personal cards for business expenses because of fee and rate limitations. However, these owners should remain cautious because their personal credit scores could suffer in the event of missed payments or defaults.</p> <p>"It is important to remember that these new regulations do not limit interest rates, they only make the communication with consumers more transparent," continued Stroh. "The best approach to these changes is to be proactive and adjust personal behavior to avoid negative implications."</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.bills.com" target="_blank">www.bills.com</a>.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:19:17 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1507136/5-tips-to-managing-improving-your-credit http://activerain.com/blogsview/1494205/homeowner-tips-on-budgeting-for-maintenance- <p><strong>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.</strong></p> <p>Enthusiastic new home buyers often stretch financially to cover a home's initial deposit, closing costs and any cosmetic touchups.</p> <p>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 house.</p> <p>According to industry standards, homeowners should have 1% of the purchase price of their home in savings for improvements and surprise expenses. While this minimum will help ease through maintenance costs, a 2-3% cushion is far more prudent.</p> <p>A home inspection will help prospective buyers better understand the condition of the house, gaining insights and recommendations from the inspector during the inspection. At Pillar To Post, we also deliver a detailed, computerized inspection report onsite, so buyers have a printed guide available for future planning.</p> <p>A home inspector will estimate the age of major structural components and systems, providing the buyer an indication of each item's anticipated lifespan. A furnace, for example, often lasts between 12 and 15 years and a water heater lasts from ten to 12 years. Understanding the current age of any particular system will allow buyers to calculate approximately when they'll be due for major repairs or replacement.</p> <p>LivingWithMyHome.com offers a list of approximate life expectancies of home components as well as cost estimates, useful as a tool for financial planning of homeownership. Our company, Pillar To Post, sponsors this site in response to questions from prospective home buyers across North America regarding how much they should plan to spend on ongoing maintenance costs.</p> <p>Once the buyer has completed the home inspection, negotiated the price according to information gained in the inspection and possibly had the sellers repair or pay for needed upgrades, it's time to plan the maintenance budget for the future.</p> <p>Home buyers should plan for big-ticket costs across a five-year timeline, budgeting for major expenses, such as roof repairs, new air conditioners or plumbing upgrades. The best plan is to sock away those funds, rather than relying on borrowing from banks. As the credit crunch has deepened, banks have nearly stopped offering home equity lines of credit, so counting on a loan for needed repairs is a risky strategy.</p> <p>This brings us to timing of repairs-when small problems pop up, it's important to address them before they become large-scale projects. A minor leak on a window frame can seem innocuous, but with repeated rains that leak can turn into window rot and even mold.</p> <p>Again, this is where preparedness in budgeting can make all the difference-the ability to correct a minor problem immediately will likely mean a lower-cost repair and a less-demanding repair job.</p> <p>Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people ever make. Helping your clients plan successfully to have a strong, positive home-buying experience will create the most beneficial outcome possible for them and for you.</p> <p>Now, back to the monthly expenses. Estimating these regular costs often trip up new home buyers as well. Many people, particularly former renters, are accustomed to paying rent and likely utilities, phone, Internet service and cable.</p> <p>As a homeowner, however, there will be other utility costs such as water, sewer and trash collection. Then there are property taxes, homeowner's insurance and possible homeowner's association dues.</p> <p>Home buyers can also have seasonal, recurrent expenses such as snow removal and lawn service that should also go into that five-year budget. Helping your customers understand not only how to find and purchase their ideal home, but maintain it as well is the value-add service you can provide that will benefit them for the future.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:37:17 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1494205/homeowner-tips-on-budgeting-for-maintenance- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1489788/4-reasons-to-sell-now- <p>&nbsp;<br>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.<br><br><br><strong>1. Sell low and buy low</strong>. 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.<br><br><strong>2. Down-payment help is widely available</strong>. 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.<br><br><strong>3. Your uncle has money to share</strong>. Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.<br><br><strong>4. Good help is available</strong>. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.<br><br><em>Source: McClatchy Tribune, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)</em></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:52:20 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1489788/4-reasons-to-sell-now- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1480674/10-home-features-buyers-want- <p>&nbsp;<br>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.<br><br>"It's all about family togetherness - casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces," says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio. <br><br>Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, identified these must-haves in new homes:<br><br><em><strong>1. Large kitchens with islands<br>2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.<br>3. Home offices<br>4. Main-floor master suite<br>5. Outdoor living space<br>6. Ceiling fans<br>7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area<br>8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl<br>9. Community walking paths and playgrounds<br>10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable<br><br></strong>Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (01/30/2010) </em></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">All my Best,</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mia&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img title="Panama City Real Estate #1 Expert" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/3/1/6/ar126401415161346.jpg" height="240" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="160"></p> <p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.buypanamacityproperty.com">www.buypanamacityproperty.com</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">WWW.LATITUDESREALTY.COM<a href="http://www.freepanamacityhomesearch.com"></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: small;">**ASK ME ANYTHING industry related...I am always here to help you, with a GUARANTEED&nbsp;30 minute or less response time!</span></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/6/6/4/ar12589929246605.jpg" height="186" alt="" style="float: left;" width="526"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Mia Pankey (Latitudes Realty) Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:40:30 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1480674/10-home-features-buyers-want-