Real Estate Information

The $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers is one of the best opportunities for new homeowners in this current market.  Prices are lower, and the tax credit will help ease the crunch of the first year of being a home buyer for many people. 

But there's a time limit to this credit - you have to buy by November 30,2009 in order to claim the credit on your 2009 tax return.  It won't last forever. With rates being low, and prices still lower than they have been in years, first time home buyers should plan to claim this credit.  That means buying now, in order to close the sale before the time limit runs out. 

A first time home buyer is someone who has not owned property for three years.  The credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.  The credit does not need to be repaid.  Single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and couples with incomes up to $150,000 may receive the maximum tax credit.  The amount of the credit decreases as the buyer's income increases.  Single buyers with incomes over $95,000 and couples with incomes over $170,000 are not eligible for the credit. 

Single family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops are eligible for the credit, and must be a primary residence. 

Call us for more information about this great opportunity, and to find the home of your dreams! 

 Darlene Hammond, Mimi Bogan, and Kristen Marks

Last week we held our first Women Empowered Seminar and dinner with great success! Sponsored by Mimi Bogan of Coaching For Transformation, the evening featured presentations by Kristen Marks of Mypinkattorney.com and Darlene Hammond.    

When women get together to learn more about financial opportunities and expanding their horizons, the positive energy is just wonderful! 

We had so much fun, we've decided to do it again! 

We're going to host another free dinner and investment planning seminar on August 18, 2009, at 5:30 pm.  This informational and enjoyable evening will take place at the America's Top Realty office, 2777 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563.  Is one of your goals to leave a legacy beyond money?  To own investment property?  To generate income? Whatever your goals are, this seminar will help you set them, and show you the path toward realizing your expectations. 

It is very true that what you think about, you bring about.  Having a plan and a focus to achieve your goals and desires is extremely important in bringing about the life you want.  At our Women Empowered Seminar, learn about Estate Planning, Real Estate Investments, and how to create income producing avenues. 

Join us for a fun and informative evening!  It's free, and we promise you a great time while you are expanding your horizons, and enhancing your life.

Pensacola is really looking forward to our usual July 4 week long celebration on Pensacola Beach. 

The July 4 weekend kicks off with a three day celebration beginning July 3.  At 3pm on Friday, hear live music at the Gulfside pavilion, and concerts will begin at both the Gulfside Pavilion and the Shell on Portofino Boardwalk.  At 9 pm there will be a free showing of the movie Forest Gump.  On Saturday, July 4, there will be live music beginning at 3 pm and continuing throughout the evening until the fireworks begin at 9 pm.  The fireworks display, "Kaboom" is one of the biggest and best on the coast and will take place over the Santa Rosa Sound. 

A schedule of events is here.

See all our wonderful Pensacola Beach Properties here.

The Sounds of Summer and Bands on the Beach are a popular attraction on Pensacola Beach.  These free concerts are provided by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and are VERY popular.  People from all over the Pensacola area come to Pensacola Beach to hear these top local musicians perform on our beautiful beaches. 

On Tuesday nights, the Bands on the Beach  concert series takes place in the Gulfside Pavilion from 7-9 pm.  Bring your chairs and come and enjoy this free family friendly event from now through September. 

On most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August 30, you and your family can enjoy the Sounds of Summer concert series from 6-8 pm.  These concerts are held in the Quietwater Shell on the Boardwalk, overlooking our clear Santa Rosa Sound.

These concerts are very enjoyable for your family - relaxing, and entertaining.  Our big week for festivities is the July 4 week, when Pensacola's own Blue Angels will demonstrate their amazing skill at the Pensacola Beach Air Show.   This amazing Navy flight demonstration squad is world famous, and will be joined by other first rate pilots exhibiting their skill over our emerald green waters.  The Pensacola Beach Air Show will be July 11, and fun activities are scheduled all week long. 

Hey, have you heard?  Fort Pickens Road is finally open again!  Fort Pickens Road is on Santa Rosa Island, and prior to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Fort Pickens was the 10th most visited national park.  Since it was re opened on Memorial Day weekend, it looks as though it will soon regain that status.  The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place this week. 

This is great news for our Pensacola Beach area.  The Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore is a rare beach in it's natural state, and is such a wonderful place for camping, birdwatching, kayaking, and relaxing.  Where else in the world can you visit a 19^th century fort, go camping, fishing, scuba diving, or participate in dozens of free programs for snorkeling, stargazing, and tours? 

Come and visit one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the world.  It's open now! 

Take a look at these homes on Santa Rosa Island.

1100 Fort Pickens Rd, # C8

1111 Fort Pickens Rd, # 222

492 Fort Pickens Rd

Be sure to visit the Port of Pensacola this weekend, to celebrate the 60^th annual Fiesta of Five Flags AND Pensacola's 450^th anniversary.  Can you believe Pensacola was first settled in 1559 by the Spanish Explorers - and we still celebrate this heritage!  Some very special events are planned. 

The world's third largest tall ship, Juan Sebastián de Elcano will arrive at Port of Pensacola on Wednesday, June 3, at approximately 9 am.  This ship, a commissioned vessel of the Spanish Royal Navy, represents the journey of those early explorers and honors Pensacola's heritage. Public tours will be available throughout the week.  The schedule is posted here.

There will also be a Fiesta Boat Parade!  Decorate your boat and be part of one of the largest boat parade on Pensacola Bay on June 6.  The procession begins at the mouth of Bayou Chico and can be seen from Quietwater Boardwalk on Pensacola Beach.

For more information about the Five Flags Fiesta, click here.

Pensacola is a beautiful place to live, and now is the right time to buy your dream home at the beach.  Take a look at these featured listings:

17 W Galvez

22 Via De Luna Drive

1100 Ft. Pickens Rd

1111 Ft Pickens Rd

1684 Calle Bonita

Call us to view any of these properties.  We can find you the perfect Pensacola home! 

Come for a fun and informative evening and learn about investing opportunities for women!  Start with a free dinner at 5:30!  Learn about Estate Planning, Real Estate investing, and creating income producing avenues.

  Kristin Marks     Darlene Hammond

Featured speakers are Kristin Marks Esq of MyPink Lawyer.com and Darlene Hammond of America's Top Realty.  Door prizes will include copies of Darlene Hammond's book "Bella Success" and a free one day use of the America's Top Realty Truck. 

This information will expand your horizons, enhance your life - it's free and it's fun! 

What: Planning & Investing for Women

Where: America's Top Realty, 2777 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

When:  Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 5:30-7:30 pm

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.