Did you know that you could save big bucks by installing “green” home improvements such as an energy efficient roof and insulation, a geothermal heat pump, energy star windows and/or doors, or a small wind energy system?

Here’s the breakdown:

A small wind energy system consists of a small turbine which gets wired into your home’s electrical grid.  As the propellers turn, the turbine produces kinetic energy which is then converted into electricity.  This nifty little contraption could lower your electric bill by at least 50%, or $600/year, and can generate 30% – 80% of the electricity needed for an entire household.  It’s also eligible for a 30% tax credit for the total cost of equipment and installation.  A wind turbine is a good investment for households which average at least $150/month in electric bills.  And of course, it doesn’t hurt to live in an area that produces relatively good winds.

Don’t think that because it’s called a geothermal heat pump, it only produces heat.  In fact, a geothermal heat pump serves as a replacement for the more traditional HVAC system.  On top of that, installing one makes you eligible for a 30% tax credit.  And because it uses 25% – 50% less electricity than a traditional HVAC system, so you can save about $600/year on heating and cooling costs.

Anyone who has ever lived in a drafty home understands the importance of good windows and doors.  For storm door or standard door replacements, you can claim up to a $500 tax credit.  For storm windows or standard window replacements, you can claim up to a $200 tax credit.  For skylight replacements, you can also claim up to $200.  The only pitfall to this is that 2011 was the last year you could install to qualify for these credits.

Of course, energy efficient windows and doors will perform much better in a well insulated house.  If you added insulation to your home in 2011, you could qualify for a tax credit up to $500.

If you installed a new heat efficient metal or asphalt roof to your house in 2011, then you could qualify for a $500 tax credit.

And last, but certainly not least on the list, is a non-solar energy efficient water heater.  If you installed on of these in 2011, you can qualify for up to a $300 tax credit on equipment and installation.

To determine if the system or systems you installed qualify for the above mentioned credits, visit the Energy Star Website.  Make sure you save, or have saved, all receipts and certifications for equipment and installations.  And finally, file Form 5695 with your tax returns this year.

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in the Northwest Region of Florida, contact The Veach Team for a complimentary consultation.

Information Source: http://www.houselogic.com/green-living/

One of the basic principles of universal design, also called “ageless design,” is that it makes homes more practical and safer for everyone — not just the elderly or people with limited mobility. Even if you’re not a professional designer, you can certainly incorporate this smart thinking into your own home. If you’re remodeling or simply adding a few upgrades, be sure to keep universal design features in mind. Here are some simple (and great!) ideas from HouseLogic for getting started:

Replace doorknobs with lever-style handles. Doorknobs require lots of dexterity and torque to open; with levers you simply press and go. Imagine an emergency situation when everyone, including small kids, needs to exit fast: A lever handle is a safe, foolproof way to open a door. Levers are also attractive, and can contribute to the value of your home. A standard interior passage door lever in a satin nickel finish costs about $20; you’ll pay $25 to $30 for a lockable lever set for your bath or bedroom.

Replace toggle light switches with rocker-style switches. Rocker switches feature a big on/off plate that you can operate with a finger, a knuckle, or even your elbow if necessary (great if you’re carrying a laundry basket or bags of groceries!). Rocker switches are good-looking, too. Conventional toggle switches get dirt and grime embedded in them after a couple of years; no such problems with rocker switches! You’ll pay $2 for a single-pole rocker switch, up to $10 for multiple switch sets.

Anti-scald devices for your bathroom prevent water from reaching unsafe temperatures. An anti-scald shower head will reduce water flow to a trickle if the water gets too hot. An anti-scald faucet device replaces your faucet aerator and also reduces hot water flow.

Motion sensor light controls add light when and where you need it. They come in a variety of styles and simple technologies. Just stick plug-in sensors into existing receptacles, then plug your table or floor lamps into them. When the sensor detects motion, it turns on the light.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

TAX TIME - MID STILL HOLDING ON

I have to say that I, for one, have had a love affair going on with a time-honored Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction (MID).  Up until the housing crisis, from which we are beginning to recover, interest rates weren’t all that friendly, if you remember what I mean, and we have all needed that deduction.

When the  bipartisan deficit-reduction commission, appointed by President Obama, released its sixty-some-page final plan in December of 2010, it was called “The Moment of Truth.” The plan, which included suggestions to cut back on the MID, didn’t get a majority vote.  However, “The Moment of Truth” spelled out the unfriendly facts for all of us to face.

Then, last summer, when the so called, “Super Committee,” was supposed to be working on ways to cut the budget, MID was on the table again, presumably to modify it in order to curb capital gains on home sales, but they were also threatening to modify it for primary residences, to cut it for second homes and HELOC loans. I was worried . . .

Recently I watched an interview between Robert Freedman of REALTOR ® Magazine and Linda Goold, National Association of Realtors ® (NAR) Director of Tax Policy.

 “There is to be no deficit deal from the Super Committee that will be an impact on Realtors ® in 2012,” stated Freedman.  Then when he asked Ms. Goold to comment, she said,  “The news at this point is really good because we know that there will be no immediate proposal to limit the mortgage interest deduction.  This is consistent with the NAR new mantra of ‘Do No Harm.’”

 In November, 2011, we got a tax breather!  For now, we can pay our 2011 taxes and take the deduction.  However, when the committee failed to do anything, it left the House and Senate back where they started–looking for ways to cut the budget.  There will be lots of competing deductions being considered, so don’t think it’s not going to be a dog fight, because it sure is.

In the meantime, we can get on with the business of listing and selling houses to people who want to live in the best of all worlds—the Emerald Coast in Destin or Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area.

 If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

I have been thinking about ways to educate readers, so they will be able to make more informed real estate decisions in 2012.  Sometimes when opportunities are plentiful as they are right now, and for the foreseeable future, it can be as difficult as it is when you have to dig around to find favorable circumstances.

This was the case a few years back.  Things were hard then, and many jumped on the chance to be a first-time homebuyer by taking advantage of the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008.

Let’s say you were one of those first-time homebuyers who took advantage of the Recovery Act of 2008.  Well, it’s February, 2012—now what?   It’s past time to begin paying back this no-interest loan—right?  In fact, if you purchased your home in 2008, the first installments were due in the 2010 income tax year.

But wait a minute; in 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was initiated expanding the first-time homebuyer credit from the original $7,500 to $8,000.  This was aimed at purchases being made during 2009, and before, December 1st of that year.

Then, later in 2009 the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended eligibility to taxpayers who had binding contracts to purchase a home before May 1, 2010 and could close on or before July 1, 2010.

Then, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, which was enacted on July 2, 2010, extended that closing date (of July 1, 2010) to September 30, 2010.

If you purchased your home in 2009, you do not have to pay the government back as long as you live in the home (as your primary residence) for at least three years from the date you closed on the loan.

Since then,  it seems that the IRS has released the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Lookup Tool   to help you figure out how much you owe; what, if anything, you owe; how to pay it back and when you have to finish paying it back.

Therefore, I suggest you take a look at the DOT form 5405 along with the instructions for filling out the form, and then take a nap to rest, and let all this digest.

Then, if you still don’t understand any of it, like most of the rest of us——or if you have questions about your FTHBC account, call the FTHBC toll free number at 1-800-919-0352. “It’s the fastest way to get your questions answered,” or so they say.

However, if you are at all ready to move ahead, and your head (pun intended) is in the right place, then you are staring perfect-timing in the face (no rhyme intended)!  You can upgrade to a better home or invest in rental property here on the Emerald Coast, or both.

In a truly remarkable article titled, “Buy a House or Bury Your Money?” Robert Freedman has hit the proverbial nail on the head, if you will, when he so eloquently reports on the difference between property values and interest rates.

There are plenty of ways, when dealing with a really good lender, to upgrade your home and come out ahead while values are moving up and rates are holding.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

Everyone is invited!  Above is an open invitation from HarborWalk Village, on the Emerald Coast, for you to come on up during any or all of three different weekends in February to enjoy our unique Mardi Gras celebration!

Since February of 1980, when the idea first came up, Mardi Gras has been celebrated in the area.  The beautiful Emerald Coast, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Harbor Walk Village, located between Destin Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico, across from Okaloosa Island, is the place to be in the month of February!

In addition to the amazing fun you are in for when you come to Mardi Gras, here are three very good reasons to choose the Emerald Coast as a dual vacation/area-investigation time:

1. During late morning, after you have rested and enjoyed breakfast, it will be a great time to begin checking out  the area.  Since the Destin and Fort Walton Beach district is near HarborWalk Village, it’s no problem to launch out on an adventure, and stop by RE/MAX Southern Realty (34894 Emerald Coast Parkway).  Hook up with me, Kerry Veach, and I’ll give you a virtual tour of local properties for sale plus available  rentals which are available in and out of season. Believe me, you’ll walk away with a voracious appetite for Emerald Coast living.
2. You will have an eye opening experience as you learn about the lifestyle here on the Emerald Coast that is quietly being enjoyed by residents away from the medley of tourist attractions and events.  There has been no better time in the last sixty years to buy an investment property or a home.  You buy it, and if you don’t live in it—we’ll manage it for you.
3. You’ll learn that our goal at ReMax Southern is simple:  Excellence!   As we walk every step of the way with you to find and secure the best possible home, investment property or vacation rental for you and your family, you will come to think of us as family.  Most of us at Re/Max Southern have lived here all of our lives, and we know the area historically and currently. We want to be your neighbors!

I’ve heard that the Mardi Gras parade is filling up quickly, so get your reservations in for the events you want, and then give us a call at 1-800-879-0309.  We’ll be waiting to hear from you.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams or the investment property that will put your money to work for you. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

There has never been a better time to afford to own a home on the Emerald Coast.

Jobs are available, and house payments are often the same or lower than rent. Mortgage analysts are predicting that 30-year-fixed rates—currently at 60 year lows–will remain low or below 5% for most of 2012.

More than a year ago, when FHA guidelines reduced the amount a seller can contribute to closing costs by half (from 6% to 3%) it looked like buyers may have to begin jumping through impossible hoops to get a government-backed loan. Because FHA requirements were more stringent, some lenders developed their own conditions which were over and above what FHA required.

Originally these extra conditions were initiated in an attempt to improve the quality of loans being made—but this little-known practice by lenders called, “investor overlays,” began to close doors for many borrowers. Some lenders decided to overlay FHA guidelines with their own conditions that had to be met by borrowers in order to get a loan.

Ironically, even though a time of economic uncertainty still exists, “investor overlays” seem to currently be creating a beacon of hope for many buyers who are just on the cusp of these more stringent requirements.

Borrowers today are more savvy than ever, and the overlay practice has begun to prompt them to be pro-active–going to the next lender and the next until they get the approval they are after.

In other words—if a borrower gets turned down by a bank they can now go down the street to another bank or mortgage company and try again. It is no longer unusual to get turned down by one bank or mortgage company using stringent overlays–only to be accepted by the next one who is not using the practice, or who is not as stringent.

Buyers are learning to get their information together in a ready format that can be submitted to more than one lender. An immediately available, well-documented, current, organized folder will go a long way to ingratiating any buyer when applying for a loan.

The folder may include such information as a copy of the sales contract; the past two years of residence information, employment history, monthly budget, and information about all income sources—including W-2s and federal tax returns; the past two months of bank statements and check stubs; copies of current insurance: homeowners and flood.

There may be other things required, depending on an individual’s circumstances, but most of the above is a definite.

Folks, you know, and I know that real estate values are already increasing in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area of Florida. As I stated above: “There has never been a better time to afford to own a home on the Emerald Coast!”

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

DISCLAIMER: The above links to sites not maintained by The Veach Team are provided for reference only. We do not operate or control or endorse, in any respect, their site, their services, the contents, products-or any sponsors of the site.

Why does Re/Max Southern Realty think this is such good news?

Well, I’ll tell you why!  It’s good news for our listing sellers because there are a lot of motivated buyers out there.  It’s good news for our buyers because they have a unique opportunity to shop for what they really want in a home.  It’s good news for our investors because there will never be a better time to shop for investment properties that have nothing to do but go up.

If you step back to 2006-2008, and remember that an average family was laying out more than  20% of their total income just to meet the mortgage–then you can see another reason why this is such good new!

And while we are talking about history–one of the goals The Veach Team has for 2012 can be found in a 2009 report put out by  the US Government Census Bureau where they stated that “In 2004, about 58 percent (+/– 0.6) of American families (current owners as well as renters) could afford to purchase a modestly priced home . . .”    We believe the Emerald Coast will be able to boast the same figures in 2012 and 2013, largely due to the efforts of The Veach Team and Re/Max Southern Realty!

Now getting back to the above mentioned report on This Month in Real Estate– another of the commentators, Bryon Ellington–stated that buyer’s window of opportunity is not all that large due to the fact that current listings are being scooped up, and new home construction–which dropped dramatically during the recent housing problems in the country–is not expected to keep pace with the rising housing demand.

In closing, I have to quote Ellington’s own closing statement, which was: “If you are looking to get the most from the sale of your house, or if you want to buy before prices rise in your area—talk to your real estate professional to learn more about what a housing shortage could mean for you.”

SO, If you are out there listening, and you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in Emerald Coast area—then the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

RE/MAX Southern Realty has one, simple goal: EXCELLENCE!

Since employment is on everyone’s mind these days, and since we all know that information is KING, I decided to present some job facts and growth projections about the Emerald Coast you may not have known.  Check out the information, and give us a call today.  Together, we’ll  get the ball rolling for you and your family . . .

Six Florida counties make up the Emerald Coast: Santa Rosa, Escambia (West), Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf. In those six counties (and the surrounding areas), we have the richest future growth prospects in the State for 2012 and beyond.

It was predicted in the April, 2011 issue of, 850 The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida, by Michael Plitkin, a program director at the defense contractor, SAIC, that he thinks “Northwest Florida will be the Silicon Valley of the 2020s.”

Until very recently, though, we had one of the lowest population demographics in Florida–but that has begun to change rapidly in the last several years.  The Emerald Coast now boasts a projected growth rate of amazing proportions!

In the projection graphic above (2060 A Research Project of 1000 Friends of Florida), you can see the significant growth here on the Emerald Coast.

It just doesn’t get any better than that! We have the best of everything here in Northwest Florida, and unlike most of the rest of the state, we are projected to “retain significant areas of open space.”  We are not crammed together like many other coastal areas.

Below is a sampling of the type of jobs that can be found in the area.  Each Industry has a number beside it indicating the number of companies who are listed with this service and who are located in the area.  Each one also has a link.  Click on it to see the names of the potential employers.  These are, by no means, all of the available opportunities you will have to choose from when you move your family to the Emerald Coast.

In addition, we have an aggressive academic force at work in the community that is preparing for the growing need of technical, medical and tourism service employee demands of the area.

A few of the top companies are: Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)– Medical; Goodrich– Manufacturing; ARINC– Engineering and Technology; Air Force– Military; WinnDixi– Grocery and Food Service; General Dynamics– Aerospace and Defense; L-3 Communications– Engineers, Technology and Aerospace; Pizza Hut – Food Service; North Okaloosa Medical Center- Medical.

I hope this information has helped you move one step closer to your dream of living and raising your family in our, “practical paradise!”

The Veach Team has a dream too, and it is all centered around our being able to do what we do best: help you achieve your dream with EXCELLENCE!

Buyers, looking for an affordable, comfortable lifestyle; strong community values ¬ and a great area with a long-term vision, are discovering that the Emerald Coast of Florida has more to offer than anywhere else.  Are you looking for a place to live and experience amazing growth?

If you are, and you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach, Destin or anywhere in the area—then The Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

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The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reports existing home sales were up in November, and RealtyTrac reports that new Florida foreclosures were down 2.72% in November over October, 2011. In addition, the average foreclosure sale price during that same period was up 3.61%.

Earlier this month, a poll conducted by HouseLogic (a NAR website) showed housing to be the priority of 2012 voters–second only to jobs and unemployment. The NAR article went on to remind readers that home sales and home building also generate jobs and that housing accounts for more than 15% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, making it a “key driver of the national economy.”

Buyers are more realistic than they have been in a long time and more than 80% of them are going through a Real Estate Agent to insure a smooth transaction. Trends show they are staying within their means, and that they consider their home a better long-term investment than the stock market. That’s the very kind of thing we like to hear, because we are working hard at ReMax Southern Realty to help build communities that add value to the Emerald Coast here in northwest Florida.

Sellers are reportedly older than in the past; they have a higher income and standard of living and are frequently selling because they are relocating for a job or have outgrown their house—leaving us with the privilege of not only selling your home but finding you a new one in the process.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook and Twitter – we’d love to talk with you.

The joy of Christmas is in the air, and the day itself is nearly here! The malls are full of shoppers, as expected—but wait! There are some other shoppers out there, and they are buying too! All over the country news is trickling in with real estate numbers higher than expected, and for sure—they are higher than this time last year!

Are you one of those savvy buyers taking advantage of the amazing real estate deals to be had right now? I sure hope so because at this rate, with home values rising, and properties moving, you sure would not want to miss your chance by spending your money in a mall when it could be providing you and your family a dream home by the first of 2012!

Mortgage rates are at an all-time low. As I write this post, a 30-year fixed mortgage can be had for a record low of 3.91% for buyers with good credit. December is the second month in a row that these lower, affordable rates have pushed sales up. Do not wait around thinking it will last forever…it won’t!

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Panama City Beach or Destin, the Veach Team is prepared to help you find the Florida home of your dreams. Contact us today, and let us show you why “Life is a Beach” here in beautiful Destin! And don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook – we’d love to talk with you.