Beautiful New Listings on The Beach Show!

 

Hot deal #1 Beautiful custom home in bay front community – $354,900

4BD/3-1/2BA w/ 1st fl master suite, 2100+ sq ft, travertine flooring
Gas FP, upgraded SS appliances, under cabinet wine cooler, nice courtyard
Community boasts heated pool, fitness ctr, billiard room, dock on the bay
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach)

Hot deal #2 Beach ranch located on the lake on double lot – $299,900

Vintage 3BD/2BA w/ 2200 sq ft, terrazzo flooring throughout, large sunroom
FP, large living room, bright sunny kitchen, outdoor covered patio and shower
GREAT location just one block to the beach, hear the waves from your backyard
(Courtesy of Beachy Beach)

Hot Deal #3  Move-in ready all brick home in Riviera Beach – $204,900

3BD/3BA spacious open design home w/ 1636 sq ft, tile throughout
Tall ceilings, large bedrooms and bright kitchen w/ eat at breakfast bar
Partially fenced yard, covered patio and porches on front and back
(Courtesy of Century 21 Ryan Realty Inc)

2013 Seabreeze Jazz Festival Full Event Schedule

The Jazz Fest is coming up next week and they’ve got a sweet lineup and a new amphitheater to entertain at!  This year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival includes artists such as Brian Culbertson, Tower of Power, Average White band and is hosted by Alonzo Bodden.  This event has been amazing in the past and promises to be the same this year.

Full Event Schedule

Thursday April 18th

Free Kickoff Show — Food Court Promo Area — Pier Park

1pm-3pm featuring Brian Lenair, Peet Project, Margo Rey, Yancyy, and Motown Jazz Jam

Thursday April 18th Gates at 4pm-Show at 5pm

5pm Steve Oliver

7pm Margo Rey

8:30pm Boney James

Friday April 19th Gates at 4pm – Show at 5pm

5pm Ken Ford

7pm Tim Bowman

8:30pm Fourplay feat. special guest Lalah Hathaway

Saturday April 20th Gates at 10am – Show at 11am

11am Brian Lenair

12:30pm DW3

2pm Peter White and Euge Groove

4pm Peet Project

6pm Brian Culbertson

8pm BwB (Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, and Rick Braun)

Sunday April 21st Gates at 10am – Show at 11am

11am Roman Street

12noon The Southern Gentlemen

(Joey Sommerville, Michael Ward, and Eric Essix)

2pm Yancyy

4pm Average White Band

6pm Jazz in Pink featuring Pamela Williams, Althea Rene, Karen Briggs, Gail Jhonson, and more

8pm Tower of Power

Take a Sunset Cruise with the PCB Chamber April 11th

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce prides itself on being different.   Not only have they created a new movement in small business networking and development, but they are always looking for ways to improve.  Next month, they are taking their new signature Idea Camp, aboard a 52′ foot Catamaran with Paradise Adventures.

Thursday, April 11th from 5 to 8 pm, all are invited, as space allows to join the PCB Chamber of Commerce for a “Sunset Think-Tank” as they take Idea Camp on the open water.

For more information about this event or to RSVP, as space is limited, call the PCB Chamber at 850-235-1159 or email: marta@pcbeach.org.

Panama City Beach Chamber members may attend for FREE, the cost for non-members is $20.  Guests will gather at Paradise Adventures and fellowship together and enjoy hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 6, with the boat departing a few minutes before 6 pm and arriving back at 8 pm.  There will also be light eats and a cash bar aboard the boat.

IdeaCamp, as started a few months ago, thanks to the generous support of Southwest Airlines, is an interactive think tank with focused networking and an ‘ideashare’ of great business dialogue.   Last month,  PCB Chamber members and friends convened at G.foley’s in Panama City for a night of sharing, learning, and networking.

“When IdeaCamp was created last fall, our initial goal was simple,” says IdeaWorks Chairman David Balmer, “We wanted guests to ‘walk away with more ideas for their business than they had when they arrived.’” The IdeaWorks Committee has already reached that goal, and has additionally created a unique networking event to inspire business connections and deepen those relationships. “The diversity of guests and speakers, who talk on a variety of business and leadership related topics, is what keeps this event interesting, fun and relevant,” says Balmer.

For a little taste of last month’s Idea Camp at G.foley’s, check out one of these video clips below.

 

This fun, interactive event is made possible by not only the folks at Paradise Adventures, but other generous sponsors such as: Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts, North Florida Financial, Dr. Myra Ancelet Reed  and with food by Runaway Caribbean Grill.

 

Furry Friend 5K is on for April 13th

Humane Society Announces 2013 5K Fundraiser for Saturday, April 13th
The Humane Society of Bay County’s Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers are gearing up for the third annual Furry Friend 5K. It will be held on Saturday April 13, 2013 at A.L. Kinsaul Park (Lynn Haven, FL) and will start at 7 a.m. (CST) (registration from 6:00 to 6:45 a.m.). HSBC has designated Sunday, April 14, 2013 as a rain date in the event of inclement weather on Saturday.
This will be a fun-filled event with a full (professionally-timed) 5K for all ages with/without your pet, pet adoptions, pet microchipping, awards and more.SPONSORED BY: PINEAPPLE WILLY’S, CULLIGAN, FREEDOM SPORTS, POWELL BROADCASTING, WARRIOR RACE TIMING, MAGIC BROADCASTING and GORGEOUS-STRATEGIC BRANDING & DESIGN.______________________________________________________

5K RACE/WALK INFO
______________________________________________________

The 5K will start at 7am and registration will be held from 6:00 to 6:45am. We ask that you still show up for registration even if you’ve already pre-registered. This will be a professionally timed event and we want to make sure everyone get’s timed correctly.

You can either register online (by visiting http://www.active.com/running/tba-fl/3rd-annual-furry-friend-5k-to-benefit-the-humane-society-of-bay-county-2013) or you can register on the day of.

You can also register by filing out the entry form (located here:http://adoptme.org/upload/furryfriends2013_entryform.pdf) and either mailing it to HSBC Furry Friend 5K 2013 P.O. Box 883 Panama City, FL 32402 or you can drop off at one of the locations below:

– THE HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL & ADOPTION CENTER (2620 E. 15th Street) (in front of Coin & Bullion Reserves)
– THE HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT & GIFT STORE (1408 Harrison Avenue)

5K REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Deadline for online registration – April 12th
Deadline for mail registration – mailed no later than April 5th

5K REGISTRATION FEES:
$25 for all ages; After April 12th: $35 for all ages

* PLEASE ADD A $3.95 PROCESSING FEE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION

RUNNER/TEAM SPONSORSHIP
http://www.adoptme.org/Events_5kSponsorship.aspx

For more information, or to be a vendor or sponsor, please contact Sean Brosnan at 850-691-2725 or marketing@adoptme.org.

 

Picking up trash and in Praise of Tele-marketers

 

I have been toying with this idea for quite some time. The notion has been stuck in my head but mostly my heart, the thought of BECAUSE I CAN… not sure really why it keeps coming up but for at least 7 years it has been brought to my attention that I need to do something with this.  I know there is so much talk about what  we can not do  but really there is always so much more we CAN do.

One of my earliest memories of the term, Because I can came up when a favorite Pastor of mine, Ronald Ball then with Woodlawn church would tease me about my working out. He would jokingly say, “I just do not understand why you want to run when no one is chasing you?” I think I would just say, Because I can.  A few years ago a dear amazing friend Gabe had cancer and each time I would run while he could not I would think as I took those Grateful steps…. I will run for Gabe, Because I can.

I even shared with my friend Angie years ago that I felt I was being called to do something with these 3 words, Because I can.  I have tried to run from it but it keeps meeting me at every corner and even though I am not quite sure what I am supposed to do I will just go ahead and do what I can… Because I can.

I was walking on the beach the other day, one of my most glorious,most reverent and thankful of things to do.  While  walking and jogging and humming to my happy tunes I sadly noticed all the Spring Break trash piled up along my pretty beach.  My first thought was to be aggravated that people would do such a thing and garner a self-righteous stance.  I quickly turned about and thought that instead of being angry or aggravated why not say a sweet prayer for the givers of the trash. Why not ask God to bless them and keep them safe while they are here and make their life a nice one.  I also hoped that they may think next time but until they do I will gratefully say a prayer and pick up the trash…. Because I can.

As I was merrily cleaning the beach,  I remember that Charlie Lahan for years could be seen up and down Laguna Beach picking up trash to make our beaches beautiful for the next round of folks.  I also started thinking of those tele-marketers that will be calling the house soon and how for whatever reason I always have a soft spot for them.  I always tell them that I am not in need of their product but I bet someone else may be and that I pray they have great success. I imagine that they have my name and they call me for training to raise their self-esteem.  I will continue to be kind to them so in some  small way I may make a difference in their day…. Because I can.

Still not sure where I am going with this but I suspect if I do what I can with what I have from where I am it will be revealed to me.  I know that I have many people who I have watched do the Next right thing in life and all the people they have left better off by their journey.  I know that I want to make a difference so perhaps Because I can can be the mantra of myself and others as we celebrate all of us even those that leave behind trash and tele marketers.

 

Buyer jilted at the Alter… the closing alter that is

 

I know it is not quite as earth shattering as being left at the wedding alter but it can be quite complicated and feelings and bank accounts are hurt all the same. If you read my blog you know that I try to talk about things that are happening in our office or at least in our Real Estate community so I can get it off my chest…… but also as a way to hear from wiser more amazing agents and people out there.

I was just involved with a deal where the buyer had performed all of his duties, his money is ready, inspections are done and in spite of low appraisal the buyer is ready to follow through with his nuptials and low and behold the seller gets cold feet. The seller hinted that he had lost that loving feeling and afraid of following through but even though all indicators were that he would be honorable… it was not to be.

So what in the world is the buyer to do? Does he have any remedies to at least get his money that he is out much less not being able to find a home comparable to the home that got away. It is very difficult in Florida to make a person sell his home if he does not wish to even if he is contractually obligated. That one is hard to believe!!! But the seller can sue in certain circumstances for Specific Performance.

To obtain specific performance, the purchaser must show that he or she was ready and able to perform at the closing. Specific performance may be granted where there is reasonable certainty as to what was intended in the contract and the meaning of the contract, taken as a whole, is understandable to the court. In order for a contract to be subject to specific performance, the contract must reflect that the obligations of the parties with respect to conditions of the contract and actions to be taken by the parties are clear, definite and certain. If the agreement is definite in all of its essential elements, specific performance can be granted.

“Essential elements” of the contract typically would be the purchase price, deposit amount, down payment amount, legal description of the property, financing terms, closing date and effective time period of the contract. It also could include an inventory of property on the premises that is to be included with the real property, specific conditions for sale, assignment of the contract to a third-party and terms for refinancing, particularly where the seller is holding the mortgage.

If the buyer seeks specific performance, he or she must remain ready to perform his or her obligations under the contract while the lawsuit is pending. Specific performance involves problems of proving contract certainty and reasonableness that are not involved in a lawsuit for damages.

It is also possible that the buyer could seek damages for the money that they spent to acquire the home such as inspections, appraisal and loan processing to name a few. With all the talk about repercussion what about the earned sales commission? (We will play with that one next week)

AS I have warned before I am not an attorney and I do not play one of TV or in the press so please consult an attorney if you find yourself in this precarious position. Thankfully this does not happen often but when it does keep a cool head, contact an attorney and weigh your options.

I would love to hear from my fellow agents and others that may have found themselves in this circumstance. Please change the names to protect the innocent and the NOT so innocent. Until next week, Please remember that, “The only people we have to get even with are those that have helped us”

Next Idea Camp is March 21st!

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to Idea Camp #3 on Thursday, March

21, 2013 at G. Foley’s Restaurant at 3212 23rd Street in Panama City, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This

IdeaCamp is presented by Southwest Airlines and sponsored by North Florida Financial and

Macetech Securities. Cost to attend is free for Beach Chamber members; $20 for non-members. The

Chamber is still signing up speakers. For more information and to RSVP, call the Beach Chamber at

(850) 235-1159.

IdeaCamp is an interactive think tank with focused networking and an ‘ideashare’ of great

business dialogue. On February 26, the diverse crowd at Kingfish Restaurant & Sushi Bar inside Bay

Point Wyndham, mostly members of the local business community, enjoyed the second IdeaCamp

event. “When IdeaCamp was created last fall, our initial goal was simple,” says IdeaWorks

Chairman David Balmer, “We wanted guests to ‘walk away with more ideas for their business than

they had when they arrived.’” The IdeaWorks Committee has already reached that goal, and has

additionally created a unique networking event to inspire business connections and deepen those

relationships. “The diversity of guests and speakers, who talk on a variety of business and leadership-

related topics, is what keeps this event interesting, fun and relevant,” says Balmer.

Topics for March 21 include: “Hovering on the Edge of Technology Commercialization” by

Dr. Stephen Dunnivant from Gulf Coast State College; “If Les Miserables Leaves New York at 8 PM

EST” by Jennifer Jones from Bay Arts Alliance; “The Perfect Website Homepage” by Cebo

Campbell from Novel Avenue Creative; “Top Ten Ways to Improve Collections” by Michael Pak

from Transworld Systems; and “How I Use Email Marketing to Create Hundreds of Customer

Interactions in One Day” by Jason Koertge from PCB Luxury Properties.

Play Purdy!!! Multliple offers

I just love this job!!! Every day it is new and exciting and different and just when you think you have it figured out …. here we go again.  One day our buyers are just strolling along and taking their time to figure out just which of the many houses they want and with the blink of the eye it has changed.  Although it is NOT a total sellers market yet, we are inching closer and closer as inventory is going down and the multiple offers are CRANKING up.  So what is one to do when you are faced with multiple offers.

Play Purdy!!!!  (southern for Play Pretty)

My grandmother alway hollered after us as we went out to play,” Play Purdy now!!” Of course that was her way of reminding us to play nice and that is great advice when making an offer on a home that you really want. To make your offer more attractive, don’t ask for closing cost and other extras from the seller. If you do need to ask for closing cost assistance then up your offer to cover those expenses.  It is also a great idea for your agent to be really sweet to the listing agent because emotions do play into our engagement with others… whether on a subconscious or conscious level.

Hot buttons!!!

More than likely the seller has some hot buttons, some things that just may tilt the sale in your favor. Maybe you find out that they would love a quick close or maybe they need to even stay a few days after close…. if you can find out what makes them tick you may have a good chance of having the winning offer.

Share that loving feeling…. oh that loving feeling.

Most home owners love their home and have an emotional attachment and the notion that someone else will love and enjoy it too makes them feel good about the sale of their home.  I have actually had people write a letter to the seller’s expressing how they felt about the home and what it meant to their family.  On a personal level I just purchased a new home and I believe that the seller who really did not want to leave the beach, ( and who would?) felt a sense of comfort because of my over the top enthusiasm for her home that thankfully is now mine.

As we continue to move towards more of a Seller’s market  I will share some more tips next week…. but for now remember, “The only people we have to get even with are those that have helped us.”  And until I see you again, “Play Purdy”

 

Pier Park Walmart Grand Opening March 13th

In my sneak peak last week, I showed you the new Pier Park Walmart was getting super close to completion.  They had inventory in stock and staff in place and everyone was charged for the grand opening.  Yesterday the date was announced and they’ll ring in the new location next Wednesday, March 13, right in the middle of one of the biggest spring break weeks in Panama City Beach.

We just talked about the sales floor being about the same size as the “beach” Walmart, and with all the jobs it opened up, it’s sure to be a good economic driver for the area.  And as commented in our previous article, it’s certainly the most aesthetically pleasing Walmart I’ve ever seen.

Press release.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., March 7, 2013 – Residents of Panama City Beach are invited to the new Walmart store, which opens on Wednesday, March 13, at U.S. Highway 98 and Powell Adams Road. The grand opening is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., and the store will open to the public immediately following the grand-opening ceremony. Conveniently located at Pier Park, the new store brings approximately 200 new jobs to the area and opportunities for savings for customers. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We are delighted to have another Walmart superstore in our city,” said Mayor Gayle Oberst. “The design and location will help it to become a focal point as growth continues on the Panama City Beach Parkway. Walmart has been a great community partner in supporting our library and other aspects of community development and activities in the past and we look forward to years of working together.”

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13

Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Grand-Opening Events

Customers are encouraged to come to the store on grand-opening day to take advantage of a wide variety of events and promotions. The grand-opening celebration events include product samplings and giveaways from Australian Gold, Borden, Coca-Cola, Vita Coco, Community Coffee, Coppertone, Frito-Lay, Krispy Kreme, Lewis Bear Company, MillerCoors, Nabisco, and character appearances by Elsie the Cow, Cracker Jack and the Oreo Cookie. The Jack Link’s Truck will also be on site. All events are family-friendly, free and open to the public.

“Our associates are enthusiastic and look forward to serving the Panama City Beach community and providing everyday low prices and convenience,” said store manager Jennifer Ross. “We invite local residents to come see their new Supercenter at Pier Park and enjoy product samples and giveaways on grand opening day and throughout the following week.”

Customer Convenience and Wide Product Selection

By combining general merchandise and a full line of groceries in one convenient location, the store offers Panama City Beach shoppers the convenience of one-stop shopping close to home.

The new store features a wide assortment of quality, value priced merchandise, including:

  • Family apparel
  • Health and beauty aids
  • Electronics
  • Toys
  • Lawn and garden items
  • Jewelry
  • Automotive products
  • Home furnishings
  • Hardware
  • Sporting goods
  • Pet supplies
  • Housewares

The grocery area will include a wide selection of fresh produce, including organic products and a gluten-free section. Other features include a full bakery, meat and dairy products, dry goods and staples, beverages, a deli, frozen foods, canned and packaged goods, baking items and household supplies.

The pharmacy will offer a full range of products and services to support the health and wellness of customers and their families. The pharmacy team can answer questions and offer health and wellness solutions. They can also assist customers who wish to transfer their prescriptions to Walmart. The pharmacy is conveniently located at the front of the store next to the Walmart.com services department.

This store features many energy-saving elements, part of Walmart’s overall efforts to reduce the total amount of energy used in stores and other operations. These features include LED lights in signage, freezer cases and the parking lot. This technology uses about 50 percent less energy than traditional lighting.

Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants

Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, over $4,500 in grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will be presented to local organizations at the grand opening. Organizations receiving grants include Covenant Hospice, Inc., Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Junior League of Panama City, Inc., Panama City Beach Library Foundation, Inc. and Surfside Middle School.

Healthier Food and “Great For You”

Walmart made a major commitment to make food healthier and healthier food more affordable, ensuring families won’t have to choose between a product that is good for them and one they can afford. Steps in the healthier food initiative include:

  • Reformulate thousands of packaged food items by 2015 by reducing sodium and added sugars and removing all remaining industrially produced trans fats.
  • Make healthier choices more affordable by providing savings on fresh produce and reducing the price premium on “better-for-you” items.
  • Provide solutions to address food deserts by bringing stores in underserved communities.
  • Increase charitable support for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food solutions and choices.

The “Great For You” icon appears on select Great Value and Marketside products as well as fresh and packaged fruits and vegetables. The icon was developed to help customers easily identify nutritious food options so they can make healthier eating choices for themselves and their families. For more information, visit corporate.walmart.com/healthier-food.

Walmart.com Services

Walmart.com services will be available at the store’s entrance. In addition to a digital photo processing lab, the store will also offer two services for customers who shop online. Site-to-Store is a free service that allows customers to ship online orders from http://www.walmart.com free to any Walmart store for pickup. Pick Up Today is a free service that allows customers to order store items online and pick them up at their local Walmart store that same day (or the next day if items are ordered after 6 p.m. local time).

Pay With Cash

All Walmart stores and Walmart Neighborhood Markets participate in the “Pay With Cash” program. This allows customers to order online at Walmart.com and pay for the items with cash at all stores in the U.S. Walmart is the first major retailer to offer online purchases without the need for banking services or a credit, debit or prepaid card.

Economic Impact Includes Approximately 200 New Jobs

The new Panama City Beach Pier Park Walmart will employ approximately 200 associates, according to Ross. The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Florida is approximately $12.81 per hour. * Eligible full- and part-time associates at Walmart are able to take advantage of many employment benefits, including a wide variety of health-care plans, 401(k) participation, discounts, membership at Sam’s Club and the opportunity to purchase stock. Nearly 75 percent of the company’s managers began their Walmart careers as hourly associates.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our more than 10,600 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.