destin: Five Star Beach Properties Giving Away 2 Kindle Fires for Christmas - 12/06/11 07:16 AM
Five Star Beach Properties is giving away 2 Kindle Fires just in time for Christmas. This is a Facebook Fan page promotion. Simply go to our Fan Page and share the contest link to be automatically registered. The random drawing will take place on December 17. Click here to view our Facebook Fan page.
Five Star Beach Properties defines 30A and Destin, Florida luxury vacation rentals. An experienced and friendly staff and the beautiful sugar-white beaches of 30A and Destin await you at your doorstep. Five Star Beach Properties will make your 30A or Destin vacation one to remember. Our properties … (0 comments)

destin: Check out Fiera Vista - Destin, Florida's newest luxury vacation rental - 12/14/10 03:48 AM

Welcome to Fiera Vista, one of the most spectacular beach front homes in Destin. This majestic 6,000 square foot home sits directly on the gulf and sleeps up to 14 people comfortably. Fiera Vista boasts 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths providing private suites for all guests. The home also features a private pool and hot tub overlooking the beach. Enjoy the private elevator spanning all floors making this gorgeous estate accessbile for guests of all ages. Fiera Vista is located beach front in Destiny by the Sea, the most exclusive neighborhood in Destin, Florida.
Fiera Vista has a wonderfully open … (7 comments)

destin: Win $500 Cash on your next Destin, Florida vacation - 11/05/10 08:12 AM
Win $500 Cash on a Destin Vacation <!-- .style1 { font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } a:link { text-decoration: none; } a:visited { text-decoration: none; } a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } a:active { text-decoration: none; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; } -->

Hi ,
If you've been dreaming of a vacation at the beach in Destin, we're making it a little easier for you.
Starting today, we're running a contest, giving away $500 CASH that you can use on your next vacation with us.
All you have to do to get started is visit our Facebook page, click the … (1 comments)

destin: Destin, Florida; a Panhandle Escape - 08/29/10 04:15 PM
Destin, Florida is located along the Florida Panhandle in an area widely known as the Emerald Coast. This area has earned it's reputation because of it's spectacular emerald-green gulf waters. Mix these incredible gulf waters with powder-soft white sands and you have some of the most breath taking beaches in the world. People have flocked to Destin for year because of incredible snapper, grouper, and marlin fishing.
Because of it's scenic beauty and proximity to many of the larger cities in the Southeast, Destin has quickly grown into a vacation destination that can't be missed. Destin has also quickly become one … (0 comments)

destin: Destiny by the Sea Vacation Rentals - 08/23/09 04:46 PM
Destiny by the Sea is the most exclusive gulf front rental community in Destin, Florida. Destiny by the Sea is located on Scenic Gulf Drive on the east end of Destin, Florida. Destiny by the Sea is a gated community that consists of mediterranean-style vacation homes and full time residences. Many of the nation's rich and famous make Destiny by the Sea their rental destination of choice. It is one of the most sought after rental communities on the coast for it's privacy, security, and incredible beaches. You can enjoy the community pool and hot tub or spend your days relaxing … (0 comments)

destin: Foreclosure Crisis Overblown? - 04/10/08 09:55 AM
Sure, there are pockets of pain around the US, but it's not as if most Americans are losing their homes.
More than 99% of homes aren't in foreclosure.
A recent list of year-end mortgage foreclosure rates in 100 top metropolitan areas drew a lot of attention. Released by RealtyTrac, a company that compiles data on home foreclosures, the list showed the number of foreclosure filings in each metro area, the percentage of homes being foreclosed and the percentage change from the previous year.
Though the report had some dismal news -- such as the nearly 4.9% foreclosure rate in … (0 comments)

destin: 2008 Forecast - 01/17/08 07:51 AM
The Real Estate market has been on a wild ride over the past several years. With the huge gains that were experienced for several years it is only natural that the market has now readjusted. Although the readjustment has not been kind to many people, it will be an important factor in the future health of our Real Estate market. In 2006 we had a 45% decrease in sales compared to 2005. Many of the so called economists predicted that the sales would continue to slide for years to come. Not so fast, 2007 sales were up 7.5% over those of … (2 comments)

destin: Long Term Value in Freddie Mac - 01/13/08 05:35 AM
What a difference a day makes for mortgage giant Freddie Mac.
The stock surged 14% on November 28, to $29.42, its largest one-day gain in 19 years. Freddie jumped on news that it will have no problem raising $6 billion of capital in a preferred stock offering to bolster its balance sheet. It also announced that it will halve its $2 per share annual dividend.
Rick Pzena, whose firm, Pzena Investment Management, recently went public, says the mortgage purchaser is still severely undervalued.
Speaking at the annual Value Investing Congress in New York City, Pzena labeled Freddie "the single cheapest stock that I've come … (0 comments)

destin: Real Estate Hits Bottom in 2008? (1/2008) - 01/13/08 05:30 AM
We at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine believe housing prices nationally will bottom out in 2008, but the recovery for housing markets will be slow. While lenders and loan servicers, the federal government and consumer credit counselors work out a plan to relieve some homeowners facing unaffordable rate adjustments on their subprime ARMs, home values continue to slide.
Just take a look at where we've been; consider Punta Gorda.
Low-key, low-rise and (prior to the housing boom) low-cost, Punta Gorda sits on Florida's west coast, halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers. Residents love their slice of paradise. In Punta Gorda and neighboring Port … (0 comments)

destin: St. Joe Picked as Top 10 Stock for 2008 (12/2007) - 01/13/08 05:28 AM
We'll say this for the U.S. economy: It can take a punch. Consider the blows it has absorbed just this year. The worst real estate crash since the Great Depression. Pow! Oil prices up from $50 to $90 a barrel since last January. Bam! A subprime mortgage mess metastasizing into a full-blown credit crisis, with banks swallowing billions in losses and cutting back on loans. Baff!
Yet through all the punishment, the economy has barely flinched. "I'm floored by how resilient it has been," says veteran stock strategist Ed Yardeni of Oak Associates. "Had you told me at the beginning of … (0 comments)

destin: Real Estate Market Hit Bottom? (12/2007) - 01/13/08 05:25 AM
NAR: Worst is over - existing-home sales to trend up in 2008 WASHINGTON - Dec. 11, 2007 - Existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008, with pending home sales showing a slight near-term rise, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, a recovery for new-home sales is unlikely before 2009.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says the worst part of the credit crunch has already worked its way through the data. "The unusual mortgage disruptions that peaked in August were clearly seen in lower home sales that were finalized in September and October, so … (0 comments)

destin: St. Joe Restructures (10/2007) - 01/13/08 05:22 AM
JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - The St. Joe Company announced today that it intends to significantly accelerate its value creation process in Northwest Florida and is restructuring the company to accomplish that objective. The restructured JOE is designed to increase its financial flexibility and strengthen its balance sheet. To improve its financial performance the company intends to: . Significantly reduce capital expenditures; . Meaningfully decrease selling, general and administrative expenses; . Divest non-core assets; . Aggressively lower company debt; and . Eliminate the current dividend and over time return value to shareholders through JOE's share repurchase program. "Going forward, a restructured JOE … (0 comments)

destin: Investor's Eyeing Florida Market (10/2007) - 01/13/08 05:07 AM
Real estate investor Matthew Martinez is the point man for a private equity group that plans to invest $200 million in Florida condo developments. But recent forecasts show many housing markets in the Sunshine State are looking at double-digit drops in home prices. What is he thinking?
"The smart money is thinking about buying there right now," says Martinez. "It may be six to 12 months early, but it's a good time to be searching for deals."
Local housing markets that have fallen far, yet have the potential to recover soon, are ripe targets for "vulture investors," who buy cheap in the hope … (0 comments)

destin: Drop in Insurance Rates (10/2007) - 01/13/08 04:56 AM
Two years of unexpectedly quiet hurricane activity in the US have caused a dramatic drop in insurance premiums that, experts say, could spark consolidation amongst brokers and underwriters.Brokers are predicting cover for hurricanes in the will tumble by at least 10pc in 2008The chief executives of the world's largest insurers and brokers are predicting cover for hurricanes in the US will tumble by at least 10pc in 2008 - on top of a 20pc slump in premiums this year.They forecast the sharp falls as they headed out to Monaco, where they meet over the next few days to estimate demand for … (0 comments)

destin: Foreclosures are a hot commodity! (9/2007) - 01/13/08 04:54 AM
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The delinquency rate for mortgage borrowers spiked higher in the second quarter and the number of homes entering the foreclosure process hit a record high, according to a report released Thursday.
Deliquencies hit 5.12 percent of all outstanding mortgages, up from 4.39 percent a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said in a quarterly survey.
Serious delinquencies, those 90 days or more late, jumped to 1.11 percent of all loans, from 0.98 percent in the first quarter.
The loans actually entering foreclosure proceedings stood at 0.65 percent, a rise from 0.58 percent in the first three months … (0 comments)

destin: Prices to Bounce back in 2008 (7/2007) - 01/13/08 04:52 AM
Home Prices Expected to Bounce Back in 2008
The prices of existing and new homes are expected to bounce back next year after a dreary 2007, a real estate trade group said Wednesday.
The National Association of Realtors also said it expects existing-home sales to rise to nearly 6.4 million in 2008, up from the 2007 estimate of more than 6.1 million. Nearly 6.5 million existing homes were sold in 2006, the association said.
As for new homes, sales are projected at 865,000 in 2007 and 878,000 next year, but the 2008 projection would still be down more than 20 percent … (0 comments)

destin: Housing Slump Nearing End? (6/2007) - 01/13/08 04:48 AM
Paulson: Housing slump likely near endThe Associated Press, Martin Crutsinger (AP Economics Writer)WASHINGTON - June 21, 2007 - The major slump in the housing market is nearing an end and should not have a significant impact on the overall economy, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Wednesday.Paulson refused to comment specifically on the market impact of troubles confronting two large Bear Stearns hedge funds that invested heavily in subprime mortgages - loans made to borrowers with spotty credit histories."We have had a major housing correction in this country," Paulson said in an interview with a small group of reporters at the Treasury … (0 comments)

destin: Considering Purchasing a Second Home? (3/2007) - 01/13/08 04:39 AM
The Florida market has been hit particularly hard by the current real estate slowdown. Investors, potential owners of second homes and retirees are backing away from buying there, says David Hehman, chief executive of EscapeHomes.com , a vacation home Web site. In the Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas of Southwest Florida , for example, existing home sales plummeted 34 percent between January 2006 and January 2007, according to the Florida Association REALTORS. WCI Communities, a builder based in Bonita Springs , Fla. , saw its net income plunged from $186.2 million in 2005 to $9 million in 2006. CEO Jerry … (0 comments)

destin: Buyer's in Charge (4/2007) - 01/13/08 04:34 AM
You'll find no better experts on the real estate boom and bust than Joyce and Louis Bertulfo. Between 2004 and 2006 the couple successfully navigated a hot San Jose housing market, buying and selling two homes for a profit.
By the time they relocated to Tampa with their three children this January, however, the winds had shifted. The pace of home sales in the area had fallen by 40 percent from a year earlier. Prices were already softening.
So Joyce, 32, and Louis, 33, spent weeks looking for just what they wanted (four bedrooms, three full baths and a three-car garage), … (0 comments)

destin: Buyer's Advantage, the Time is Now! (3/2007) - 01/13/08 04:22 AM
UF study: The price is right, so buy now
GAINESVILLE , Fla. - March 9, 2007 - Hopeful homebuyers in Florida should act now: The price is right as the state's single-family residential housing market bottoms out, according to a University of Florida study released today.
"If you're thinking of buying a house, there's probably not much to be gained by holding out at this point," says Wayne Archer, director of UF's Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies. "It doesn't look like prices are going to fall anymore."
The quarterly survey of experts in the real estate industry completed in January … (0 comments)