"Signature Dishes" from Pensacola Beach include Muffalettas, Shrimp dishes, Crab and clam chowders, and a host of gulf coast treats.  A complete list is here. 

Just another fun and flavorful weekend in paradise! 

Here are some of the highlights of the new development spurring our physical and economic recovery:

The $3.6 million Escambia County fire house was opened in July. This replaced the one that was destroyed by Dennis in 2005.

Financing is being sought to rebuild the Best Western.

The Grand Marlin Restaurant and Yacht Club is near completion. This is on the site of Coconuts by the Sea. It is an $8 million project.

Hotel Indigo is being built on the site of the former Holiday Inn. The $50 million 160 room hotel is expected to open in May.

A new $60 million 206 room Holiday Inn is being built on the former site of Beachside resort.

Our roads and pathways are open too. Fort Pickens has reopened, and so has Opal Beach. The road connecting Navarre Beach and Pensacola beach reopened in March.

Even in an economic downturn, Pensacola Beach has rebounded from two devastating hurricanes in a record amount of time. The new buildings are up to the most stringent codes, reflecting a plan for disaster should another hurricane strike. The optimism in rebuilding, even during a bad economic time, shows that Pensacola Beach holds value as a destination, and as a location.

Take a look at these prime Pensacola Beach properties:

721 Pensacola Beach Blvd #501

1100 Ft Pickens Rd # C8

Vacant lot - 1003 Ariola Drive

Other beach area properties:

8522 Gulf Blvd #7 Navarre Beach FL

Sales overall in the state of Florida were up for the fourth consecutive quarter.  Prices remain low. Condo sales statewide rose 29 percent over the past year.  The median statewide existing condo sale price is down 38% from a year ago. 

Prices are low, but so are interest rates.  We are beginning to see with increased sales a dent in the inventory of foreclosures and distressed properties which pressure the market. 

Whether you are buying or selling, we at Americas Top Realty can give you expert assistance in all areas of real estate.  We are top buyer agents because we know the local market in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and the surrounding area.  We are full service realtors, and offer you the best marketing, advising, and overall service.  We also advise our clients about real estate investment opportunities.

The grand finale of Pensacola's 450th birthday party will take place this coming week. What a celebration it has been with the visit in June of the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, our annual reenactment of the Don Tristan de Luna landing, and now our final week long birthday party.

The events will begin with an unveiling of the Spanish Conquistador statue at Plaza de Luna on Thursday at 5 pm. On August 14, there will be an art auction at Plaza de Luna, featuring 10 historic paingints of Pensacola by Dean Quigley.

The main events are August 15. There will be a renactment of the landing ceremony of Don Tristan de Luna at Fort Pickens Gate Park. The party really gets going that evening. Palafox Place will host a large street party. Come for local and regional bands, birthday cake, restaurant specials, more historic re-enactors, and fireworks! Bring the kids - small Spanish plates prepared by the Pensacola Celebrity Chefs will be available for $4.50, and children can try to dunk their favorite chef in a dunking booth! All this and the world's biggest birthday card too!

The wisdom of buying now and retiring later certainly holds true for Pensacola. Our prices are the lowest they have been in years, and the area will hold value. Our beaches, safe communities, active lifestyle, and convenient location make us a very desirable location that will build value in the coming years. We're a community that maintains demand for housing on several levels - second homes, retirement homes, and housing for military families and people working for government contractors. We truly boast the world's most beautiful beaches, and we are comparatively inexpensive when you consider our costs with the rest of the country.

Buying now for future retirement is a good strategy for financial planning. You continue to gain equity while having a secure home for your retirement, a vacation home, and a potential income generating seasonal rental. One of the best places for owning a second home while generating rental income from vacationers is Portofino, the luxury towers on Pensacola Beach. You can view our Portofino video here. Many owners make their condominiums available for vacation rentals, managed by an onsite management company.

Take a look at these great opportunities for Portofino living on Pensacola Beach:

2 PORTOFINO DR 1406 PENSACOLA BEACH

4 PORTOFINO DR 2008 PENSACOLA BEACH

4 PORTOFINO DR 506 PENSACOLA BEACH

3 PORTOFINO DR T506 PENSACOLA BEACH

5 PORTOFINO DR 905 PENSACOLA BEACH

2 PORTOFINO DR 1804 PENSACOLA BEACH

4 PORTOFINO DR 1108 PENSACOLA BEACH

3 PORTOFINO DR 1409 PENSACOLA BEACH

3 PORTOFINO DR 1909 PENSACOLA BEACH

We've had some good news this week from Washington and in the local area regarding the housing market. Sales of previously occupied homes ROSE last month - and it was the THIRD consecutive month that they went up, and didn't decline.  Also, foreclosure sales and the number of homes on the market nationally declined. 

We have a way to go yet, but there are signs that as far as housing goes, we are on an upswing.  Prices are still low.  For first time home buyers, your window of opportunity to buy a home that qualifies for the $8000 tax credit is still open - you have to close on the purchase by November 30 in order to claim the credit. 

There's a renewed optimism.  The Dow is up, and big businesses are starting to recover. Good news about housing could influence the rest of the economy as well.

Here in the Pensacola/Gulf Breeze area, we have plenty of great opportunities for buyers who want to live near the beach, and enjoy our wonderful Emerald Coast.  Like many Florida communities, we have seen our share of foreclosures and short sales.  Gulf coast residents are still seeing some hard times.  However, we have not seen the glut of foreclosures and short sales pressing the market that some communities in south and central Florida have experienced.  The strong presence of military families and the jobs that bring them here has insulated us from the worst of the Florida crash.  And now, things seem to be looking up, not only in Florida, but around the country. 

Take a look at some of the great opportunities for home ownership here in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola Beach.

3360 EL PRADO ST GULF BREEZE

1616 MAUNA KEA CT GULF BREEZE

1522 LIGHTHOUSE CT GULF BREEZE

1100 FT PICKENS RD C8 Pensacola Beach

209 BARCELONA ST PENSACOLA

Bookmark this on Delicious                       

Lenders and brokers must give you the initial Truth in Lending disclosure at lease seven business days before your closing. No closing documents can be signed earlier than seven days after the first Truth in Lending disclosure has been issued.  When you interview lenders for a mortgage, have them provide you a Good Faith Estimate and a Truth in Lending Disclosure in writing. 

Sometimes there are changes to loans.  If these changes affect the Annual Percentage Rate on the Truth in Lending Disclosures, the lender must provide a comparison with the original.  If the change raises the APR greater than .125%, the lender must provide a corrected disclosure to the borrower.  Borrowers must have at least three business days to review an amended Truth in Lending Disclosure prior to closing. 

No fees can be collected from the borrower except for the initial credit report, until the initial Truth in Lending Disclosure has been given.  That means until they give you the disclosure, they cannot charge you up front for fees associated with the loan. 

These changes benefit borrowers, and prevent lenders from adding on fees, or changing the APR at the closing table.  It's important that home buyers can go to their closing confident that they know what to expect from their lender. You can find more information about these changes from the FDIC.

For more information about types of home loans please look at our information for buyers, or call us with any questions.

Bookmark this on Delicious                       

More than 7 1/2 miles of trails are in this park behind the Visitor's Center, and they include the .8 mile Breckenridge trail and the historic Andrew Jackson Trail. You can fish here, and there is a group camping area on the north side.  With showers and rest rooms available, this park is very family friendly. 

You'll find a rich assortment of animal species in the park, and it is a great place for bird watching.  Here you can see herons, black skimmers, and sandpipers, and dozens of other species, as well as watch for ospreys.  If you love the outdoors, this is the place! 

Check out these homes in Gulf Breeze:

1522 LIGHTHOUSE CT

1305 GRAND RESERVE CT

3480 TIBET DR

3803 TIGER POINT BLVD

1081 LAGUNA LN

1162 GRAND POINTE DR

1124 SUNSET LN

3951 MADURA RD

2946 CORAL STRIP PKWY

Bookmark this on Delicious                       

This is always a crowded but enjoyable event for Pensacola Beach.  Thousands of people turn out for this annual celebration, to see the best Naval flight demonstration squadron there is! 

Come and visit us on Pensacola Beach this weekend, and have a great time! 

Many people relocating to Florida want to know about driver licenses, and establishing residency. Here is some information from the Escambia County Tax Collector's office:

1. A driver license is required for anyone who becomes a resident of Florida, registers a child in a Florida school, or is employed in Florida. First time applicants for a driver license are required in Florida to present an original birth certificate and a social security card. First time drivers must be at least fifteen years old and completed a state approved drug alcohol traffic education course to obtain a restricted license or learner's permit.

2. Driver license services in Escambia county are provided by the Escambia County Tax Collector at the Warrington and Century locations only. You may make an appointment by calling 850-438-6500 ext 252. Find answers to many of your questions here.

3. Road tests are conducted by the Florida State office of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In Escambia County, this is located at 100 Stumpfield Rd. Call 850-484-5016 for appointments, or make online appointments at www.hsmv.state.fl.us. You can also find locations in other Florida counties on the website.

Pensacola is a wonderful place to live and work.  Take a look at some of our featured listings here:

3 PORTOFINO DR  506 PENSACOLA BEACH Florida

17 W GALVEZ CT PENSACOLA BEACH FL Florida

210 ALCANIZ ST PENSACOLA Florida

4924 VIZCAYA DR PENSACOLA Florida

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. 

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! 

  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

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.