Monday, September 28, 2009

Happy Fall from Mexico Beach Florida

Well, it looks as if the rain is over! We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend!

I do miss the colors of autumn though. The deciduous trees here don't really turn the bright red and yellow and orange here. They pretty much just turn brown and fall off!! I remember taking long drives through Pennsylvania this time of year just to witness the awesome colors of God's creation!

But in Pennsylvania, I couldn't look out my window and see pelicans crash into the water to catch a fish, or see a dolphin glide through the water. Here I just take advantage of those colors as the sun sets over the water (in my shorts and t-shirt!!!!) A little give and take is what it is all about!!!!!
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A couple of great houses went under contract in Mexico Beach this past week.

>Gulf front, newer house, with over 3,000 sq ft. listed at $1,175,000.
>3 bed /2 bath home with unobstructed gulf view --great condition, awesome outdoor kitchen area, beautiful landscaping----and very motivated seller--listed at $475,000.
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My newsletter will come out by the end of this week (if all goes as planned) where I will go into detail about the market so far this year.
If you aren't receiving my newsletter and you would like to, just send me an email with that request and I'll put you on my database.
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I've been extremely blessed this year! I'm currently ranked the number 2 selling agent in the Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach area (only about $400,000 shy from being number one!).
My company, Sundance Realty is the top selling company and has been since we opened our doors in 2006.

THANK YOU to all my customers!!!
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I wanted to update you on the proposed by pass around Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach. I just heard that segment 2, which re-routes through traffic behind St. Joe Beach is just waiting on funding. No telling how long that will take to secure but once funded construction, they say, should take about 18 months.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING FOR OUR AREA! Hwy 98 will become a local road, taking the tractor trailers off this road. This road was never super busy and was rarely hard to cross to get to the beach, but obviously families with children just never felt comfortable on that side of the road. I believe this will increase the property values of all homes in the area!!!

Segment 3, which re-routes the traffic behind Mexico Beach is about 65-70% complete in design then it will also be ready for funding.

Mexico Beach will have sidewalks pretty much the length of the city by that time so we will become extremely pedestrian friendly. I'm hoping the city will also allow golf carts on that road then as well!

JUST ONE MORE REASON TO BUY NOW !
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West End Harbor Auction is coming up in October. 3 canal front condos being auctioned off absolute (no reserve). If interested, let me know and I'll send information.
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Have a great week and don't hesitate to contact me anytime (I really do work 24/7!)

Noah's Ark Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark. ONE: Don 't miss the boat. TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. FIVE: Don 't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. SIX: Build your future on high ground.. SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.. TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com
sundance realty

Monday, September 21, 2009

Still Raining in Mexico Beach

I don't think I ever remember as much rain as we've had in the last couple of weeks! On the positive side though, I've seen some extraordinarily beautiful rainbows!!!!!

Well, it just makes us appreciate that sunshine even more!!!
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Above is a picture of a family enjoying their vacation in Mexico Beach! They borrowed the beach wheel chair that Sundance Realty will loan out to anyone in need for no charge! We are glad the Infingers were able to take Kandice to the beach!
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Let's get right to the market:

In Mexico Beach 3 properties were put under contract:


>3 bed/2.5 bath newer home in Waterside Cottages, gated subdivision, listed at $291,000. Bank owned.


>1 bed/1 bath ocatgon home walkable to the beach listed at $135,000


>Gulf front older 2 bed/2.5 bath townhouse listed at $340,000


We closed on 2 houses last week:


>3 bed/2 bath older home in St. Joe Beach on 2 lots sold for $185,000. About 3-4 blocks from the water. It was a short sale and took 5 months to close it out!


>3 bed/2 bath beautiful home in St. Joe Beach in a nice subdivision sold for $227,000.


http://www.rafsg.net/RAFSGReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=G356320209


There are currently 25 properties STILL under contract in the area---many of these are short sales so it could be several more months for them to close out!


Although it has slowed down quite a bit there are still buyers looking!


There are some exceptional deals out there----let me know what you are looking for and I'll see if I can find it!!!!!
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I wish I could find someone to give me some insight into the banking industry! There was a short sale property listed and within a week was going to go into foreclosure. I had a full price offer. The seller's bank refused the offer without any kind of counter offer.
I see the property is back on the market now, bank owned and for LESS THAN MY OFFER. The bank has had to spend money completeling the foreclosure process, legal fees, they now have to keep the lawn cut, they are making some roof repairs, AND the commission is more.

Just doesn't make sense to me!!!!
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Short and sweet this week, but don't hesitate to call me with ANY questions!
Have a great week and remember "God's last name is not Dammit!"

Mary
850-896-5222
www.maryblackburn.com

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Mexico Beach Fl real estate

The Beach Blast Triathalon was a great success despite the rainy weather. The athletes appreciated the rain and cooler temperature though!!! Congrats to all who participated!! I admire you all!!

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It was definitely a little slow on the real estate front this past week.



Five properties were put under contract in the Mexico Beach area:

>A newer 3bed/2 bath townhouse about 1 mile from the beach. Listed at $139,900.

>An older 2 bed/1.5 bath townhouse beachside and just a stone's throw to the water. Needing quite a bit of updating, listed at $175,000 as a short sale.

>A 2,000 sq ft home sitting on 4.4 acres out in the Overstreet area, about 4 miles from the beach. Great view of the Intracoastal waterway, listed at $325,000.

>2 lots in the Windmark Beach resort, one in Phase I (Bayside of Hwy 98) listed at $119,000 and one in Phase II (Town center area) listed at $97,500.



Defininely more offers being negotiated as we speak though!!



Lots of buyers out there--looking for deals and steals----and they are getting them!!!

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Lots of activities planned for October, check out the calendar of events on my website.

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The auction for 6 West End Harbor Units, canal front, in Mexico beach is taking place October 10th. Let me know if you need more information!
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I'm a little short winded this week! Hard to believe!

Have a great week and just to let you know.... " Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway."

Mary

850-896-5222

www.maryblackburn.com

Sundance Realty


Monday, September 07, 2009

Happy Labor Day From Mexico Beach Florida

I love this picture---taken yesterday! Patriots at the beach! I know you can't quite tell from the picture, but they also have a "Don't tread on me" flag. So, they are TRUE patriots, in my humble opinion!!

The beaches were bustling with people enjoying the last summer hooplah! It was great to see!
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As for the real estate market in Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach:

Four properties were put under contract in the 1st week of September.
>2 bed/1 bath, small, renovated beach cottage just one block from the water, listed at $199,000

>Concrete block FIXER UPPER (most people would consider it a tear down), a few blocks from the water in St. Joe Beach, bank owned and listed at $77,000.

>An irregular shaped lot about 1/2 mile from the beach in Mexico Beach, listed at $39,000

>A beach side lot listed at $159,000.



We also had 4 closings in Mexico Beach/St. Joe Beach
>A 4 bedroom Palms townhouse about a mile from the beach, selling at $143,000

>A 1500+ nice 3 bed/2 bath single family home in a subdivision off the beach selling at $247,650.

>A newer, very nice home in the exclusive Windmark Beach subdivision, close to the beach on the bay, short sale, selling at $360,000! An awesome buy in my opinion!

>A 2,000 + sq ft home across from dedicated beach in Mexico Beach---nice home, but had some "issues", selling for $492,500-----It's the location for this one!!!!

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Just to brag a little...............My company, Sundance Realty, continues to be the top selling company in Mexico Beach----we have had that title since we opened our doors in 2006.


Our little company of 2 sales agents continue to control about 1/3 of the market! I think its because we are full time, dedicated and persistent!
A lot of agents have had to take other primary jobs due to the downturn in the market. We have been blessed enough to not have to do that!!!
Which brings me to another topic if you will allow me to digress......................I work on commission only! If I don't sell anything I don't earn anything. In other words, I get paid only after I close on a property. If I don't close on a property in 6 months, I don't make any money in 6 months--zero, nada, nothing.
Which is why I have to work hard!! So........if you appreciate my honesty, my dedication, my persistence.........if you have used my services and are pleased with it, please refer me to friends and family.
Not many women will tell you to pass around her name and number, but I am!!!
So many of you have already done so, which is why I am successful in this down market. I appreciate you sooooooo much!
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There is still a large inventory for sale, however, the properties that are priced right are definitely selling! I've talked before about "unusual" properties....properties that stand out for a particular reason (location, size, condition....) and there aren't 19 other properties just like it......these are definitely selling if priced right!
Don't miss out on an opportunity to have your Florida beach house-----if the time is right for you (you can afford it) don't sit on the fence for long!
Please feel free to call/email me anytime!
Have a great week and remember........"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain."
Mary
850-896-5222
Sundance Realty