Let’s finish out the year with a holiday basket packed with good news: We’re ending 2016 in better economic shape than in recent years. Unemployment is down to 4.6%, its lowest level since August 2007; consumer confidence is higher than it has been since July 2007; and home values nationally and in more than half of the major markets in the country have recovered.

We’re employed, confident, and have recovered equity in our homes. The stock market is up and flirting with all-time highs.

That sounds like the perfect backdrop to buy a home in 2017, whether it’s a first-time purchase, a move up, a downsize, or a relocation. Right?

Maybe. But before you take the plunge, you’re going to have to come to grips with two factors that are now decidedly…

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We hate to be scolds, but it’s time to break those deplorable habits that are hurting your home. No, a home does not actually feel pain, and, much like the American electorate, it can endure a remarkable amount of abuse. But the damage it sustains—scratches on the hardwood floors, a neglected leaky spot on the ceiling—will one day come back and take a bite out of your finances in the guise of costly repairs.

“It’s tempting for homeowners to get caught up in dreaming about the cool stuff they plan to do—the kitchen makeover with the big, six-burner commercial-grade stove, or the dinner parties on the yet-to-be-built backyard deck,” says remodeling expert John Riha. “But good homeownership is in the details, like doing regular maintenance and smaller…

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Most people know that home-ownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage, of course, but the costs hardly end there. You will also have to pay property tax. But how much? That depends not only on your home, but also where you live.

Here’s how to calculate property tax so you don’t end up blindsided by this hefty homeowner expense.

What is a home’s assessed value?

One factor that affects your property taxes is how much your home is worth. You probably have a good understanding of your home’s market value—the amount of money a buyer would (hopefully) pay for your place. (You could also enter your address in a home value estimator to get a ballpark figure.) Still, tax municipalities use a slightly different…

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Second-homeowners have options 

Here are four ways to solve second-home maintenance woes:

1. The property management company

Hiring a management company to look after a second home is one option. They can open and close the house, handle rentals (if applicable) and respond to emergencies. In most cases, the company can also arrange for cleaning and hire local maintenance workers to handle repairs so the home is in tip-top shape for the owners’ arrival.

This is a popular choice for owners who live far away and want to rent out their property when not in use. Management companies generally charge a percentage of the rental price, and this can range from 20 percent to 60 percent.

If you’ve stayed in a vacation rental yourself, you know…

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Real Estate Sales In Sandestin April 2015

SRE was responsible for 51% of listing and 24% of selling these 70 properties in April for 43% of overall business!

Project Name/Subdivision                     Sold Price               Street #                   Street Name                          

BAHIA CONDO                                        $205,000                4413        Grand Sandestin                                    

BAHIA CONDO                                        $350,000                4024        GRAND SANDESTIN                                               

BAHIA CONDO                                        $115,000                4517        Grand Sandestin                                    

BAHIA CONDO       …

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