Real Estate on The Rise…and Rising

A local perspective on rising home prices and rising rates from Michael Tarleton, Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer with the Bank of England.

Average U.S. home prices gained 2.5 percent in the top 20 U.S. Markets from March to April 2013, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. From a year ago April 2012, home prices in these markets gained a whopping 12.1 percent. “The recovery is definitely broad based,” according to David Blitzer of S&P Dow Jones in a release. “The two composites showed the largest year-over-year gains in seven years.”

The housing market has certainly seen its ups and downs over the past several years, but recent events have made things even more interesting than normal. Talk from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke about possibly tapering its QE3 economic stimulus has resulted in mortgage rates climbing. In May 2013 the 30 year average mortgage rate per bankrate.com was 3.40%. This week it reached 4.51%.

What does this mean for home buyers and sellers?

Hopefully it means our economy is truly recovering and our financial markets will eventually return to a free market system that does not require government intervention. However, the reality is it is nothing but Fed “talk” that has caused this volatility in rates. And all the Fed has stated is that it “may” pull back its buying of mortgage backed securities later this year from $85B per month to $65B. That is still a huge amount of economic stimulus.

For the home buyer, if you are going to buy a house in the next 5 to 10 years, there is not a better time than now.

Even though rates may be higher than they were a month ago, they are still unbelievably low. The graph below from mortgage-x.com shows the national average mortgage rates from 1963 to 2012 and rates are still well below what was considered “normal” or “average” in years past.

The volatility in rates that has occurred is also an indicator of where rates are headed when the Fed finally ceases it quantitative easing. Sooner or later as the economy grows, the Fed will have to turn its attention to fighting inflation rather than keeping rates low and the way it fights inflation is by raising interest rates.

Why wait until then?

The Bank of England, has loan programs for all types of borrowers and we always go the extra mile for our clients. If you have any questions about the interest rates and how they affect your chances of owning real estate in our area, or maybe you just a need a fast and free pre-qualification, please reach out. You can email me at mtarleton@englending.com

Mike Tarleton
Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer
Bank of England

Shane Johns Project Play Charity Show this Saturday

Charity Benefit and Music Show this Saturday Afternoon, June 29th with The Shane Johns Project

The benefit, held this Saturday will be at Beachside Grill, located at 13312 Front Beach Road and will be raising funds for Soldiers Angels and Seasons of Hope.

Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to provide aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and their families and to enable our volunteers to improve the lives of a growing veteran population.

Seasons of Hope is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization offering positive outdoor experiences related to hunting, fishing, camping, and many other activities for the terminally ill, physically challenged, disabled and displaced.

Attendees can enjoy a $5 Pork Sandwich plate, participate in a 50/50 raffle and bid on door prizes. All proceeds will go to benefit the two volunteer led charities.

The entertaining band, The Shane Johns Project is a three-piece alternative rocked based band. The trio has a vision to shed light on familiar sounds from the late eighties, nineties, and current rock as well. The mission is simple “Stay Original!” Shane Johns Project lives by this motto. The goal is to perform wherever they can to push a new sound. Shane Johns Project is: Shane Johns (Vocals, Guitar) Rhys Chartier (Drums) and Sandip Roy (Bass). The group has been performing around Panama City Beach area and has plans for an upcoming album. They also are big into fan appreciation so if you can catch a show do not be afraid to say hello. You can also check out some of their music on reverbnation HERE.

Celebrate with Beachy Beach in Destin and don’t forget your PB and J!

Beachy Beach Real Estate has been growing like wildfire and now they are spreading Peace, Love and Beachy Beach from PCB to Destin.

Last year, broker and owner of Beachy Beach Real Estate in Panama City Beach, Karen Smith celebrated the official Grand Opening of the Beachy Beach 30A office in Seagrove with partners Hugh Smith and Hilary and Chad Farnum and this year, the Smith/Farnum team are taking their fun, boutique Real Estate concept to Okaloosa County.

In a few days, Tuesday the 25th to be exact, the team will once again join forces to welcome the community to join them in cutting the ribbon for their Beachy Beach Destin location off of Hwy 98 and 200 Calusa Blvd, right next to Destin Plastic Surgery Center, and just a little east of Destin Commons.

In addition to celebrating the office opening, Beachy Beach is using this event to highlight the expansion of Food for Thought from Walton County into Okaloosa County. The organization helps local school children who battle with “food insecurity”, providing them with easy to prepare meals to help them keep their minds focused at school, instead of their rumbling stomachs.

Now the the “PB and J Soiree” event title makes sense, make sure you go catch the BOGO sales to get the best deals on peanut butter and jelly! Food for Thought is requesting the containers be non-glass and the lower sugar options whenever possible. You can learn more about Food for Thought and what their other needs are at: www.foodforthoughtfl.org

For event updates, stay tuned to Beachy Beach Destin’s Facebook page and use the event page to invite your friends.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Destin Chamber of Commerce and the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce and blessing of the business will start at 4 pm and last until 7 pm as guests will enjoy live music courtesy of Destin Escapes Vacation Rentals, frosty beverages thanks to Coastal Insurance and sweet treats from Veritas Appraisal services.

Guests will also get a chance to win as they play Beachy Beach’s version of Plinko and nab some fun items from local businesses.

There will also be door prizes given away, as well as raffle items attendees can bid for to support Food for Thought.

Synovus Mortgage Corp is also providing a very generous spread of delicious food for guests as members of the community not only enjoy the festivities, but hopefully learn more about FFT and what they can do to help. Thanks to the support of companies like Synovus, 150 guests will receive the inaugural Food for Thought reusable grocery bag with goodies from local businesses.

Attendees will be able to commemorate the fun thanks to local photographer Tasia McDaniel of TasiaMade Photography and Design as she will have a fun, summer photo booth for people to visit and hopefully, enjoy a few laughs! It’s not every day you get to wear an inflatable frog float after all.

And you just might get famous for it, VIP Destin Magazine will be in attendance covering the event and will also have an opportunity for guests to win! You might want to go ahead and “like” their new page on Facebook so you can tag yourself after Tuesday’s event.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next Tuesday, June 25th at 200 Calusa Blvd in Destin. For more information about event or to donate a raffle prize item or other ways you can help the Smiths and the Farnums spread the word about Food for Thought, email: destin @beachybeach.com or contact myself, Britt Matthews at 732-539-6720.

(Please advised, parking will be an issue, so we encourage those of you coming with a group to please car pool! Thank you!)

Next Idea Camp at Fishale on June 27th!

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce’s wildly successful Idea Camps are still rocking and rolling thanks to the support of Southwest Airlines.

The upcoming Idea Camp is next Thursday, June 27th at FishAle Taphouse and Grill from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The event is made possible by businesses like MaceTech Security Solutions, Edward Jones, and Beachy Beach Real Estate.

Cost to attend is free for Beach Chamber members; $20 for non-members. For more information and to RSVP, call the Beach Chamber at (850) 235-1159. Space is limited and you don’t want to miss this one, as guests will get to try some signature Fishale treats, including enjoying a special craft beer tasting!

Idea Camp is an interactive think tank with focused networking and an ‘ideashare’ of business dialogue but with a more limited group of people than other events, so the setting is more intimate and laid back. Most people that start going to Idea Camps find it soon becomes one of their favorite chamber events.

See the flyer below for more information, including this month’s speakers, all local leader’s like yourself inspired to share and learn from others. If you are interested in speaking at an Idea Camp please notify the chamber and ask for Marta Rose or email her at: marta@pcbeach.org

Kicking Off A Summer of Hot Deals!

Hot Deal #1 Great Tidewater unit floor plan “A” priced at $357,900

One of the largest 2BD floor plans w/approx 1600 sq ft, 4th unit with nice views
Large kitchen with breakfast bar & pantry, master bedroom faces gulf
Strong rental history, indoor pool, 2 outdoor pools, movie theatre, game room
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach Real Estate)

Hot Deal #2 Tidewater unit floor plan “E” with nice westerly views – $329,950

2BD/2BA, approx 1200 sq ft, large windows with lots of natural light
Granite kitchen counters, nice open floor plan, strong rental history
Great complex amenities and just a mile west of Pier Park!
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach Real Estate)

Hot Deal #3 Desirable Sunnyside unit on the PCB west end listed at $259,900
3BD/3BA with 1st floor master bedroom, unit is one of the closest to the gulf
Large green space area, tennis courts, nice pool for 74 unit complex
Townhome design, large dedicated beach, underground passage to beach
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach Real Estate)