Jennifer Howard's Sandestin Real Estate Blog http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog Real estate news from Sandestin, FL. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:36:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 5 Steps To Improve the Odds of an Offer on Your Home http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/5-steps-to-improve-the-odds-of-an-offer-on-your-home/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/5-steps-to-improve-the-odds-of-an-offer-on-your-home/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:36:10 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=353 Continue reading →]]> Thanks to the National Association of Realtors for the following list:

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Prepare for visitors. Get your house ready at least two weeks before you begin to show it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s not easy having folks walk through your home, often at a moment’s notice. But the more amenable you are about letting people see your home, the sooner you will sell it.

4. Anticipate receiving offers. That means decide in advance what price and terms you will accept.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market more than 30 days without an offer, you should at least consider lowering your asking price.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/5-steps-to-improve-the-odds-of-an-offer-on-your-home/feed/ 0 Wine, Women & Shoes: fun raising funds for WSRE Public TV http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/wine-women-shoes-fun-raising-funds-for-wsre-public-tv/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/wine-women-shoes-fun-raising-funds-for-wsre-public-tv/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:47:03 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=351 Continue reading →]]> This year the State of Florida cut all funding for public broadcasting. These funds helped WSRE deliver educational and commercial-free programming — from news programs and specials, to “Nova,” Sesame Street” and “Downton Abbey.” With more than 77,000 viewers, the need to highlight WSRE’s presence in this community and raise money to provide its services is vital.

Wine, Women & Shoes combines wine, shopping (shoes and much more!) and the opportunity for wineries, retailers and corporate sponsors to raise money over a fun-filled weekend of events, all benefitting the WSRE TV Foundation.

The Wine, Women & Shoes weekend kicks off on Friday, March 2nd with three Patron Dinners.  These intimate dinners will feature a private chef and world class wines.  With only 20-30 tickets available for each of these dinners, don’t delay purchasing tickets.  The cost is $500/couple.

On Saturday, March 3rd, we’ll pop the cork on the 4th Annual WSRE “Recipe for Success” Dinner and Live Auction. Starting at 6 p.m., people will gather in the Emerald Grande Ballroom to enjoy a wine stroll, gourmet dinner and live auction with “over the top” items up for bids. Saxophonist Al Alvarado will provide the musical entertainment.  Count on great food, great wines and great fun! Limited tickets are available at $150/person.

Sunday, March 4th brings the Wine, Women & Shoes event, held in the Magnolia Ballroom in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. From 2-5 p.m., attendees wil revel in wine-tasting and spectacular shopping, along with a silent auction and fashion show.  There will even be a stylishly cool bag to carry all the shoes and such as you shop and sip away the afternoon.

Special ticket packages are available: 2 tickets to all three events for $800.

I am proud to say Sandestin is a sponsor, and is offering special accommodations packages.  Girls weekend, anyone? Go to www.sandestin.com.

The event wine retailer is Chan’s Wine World, www.ChansWineWorld.com or 850-269-2909. Vintners will be Tres Sabores,Blackbird Vineyards/Recuerdo, Villa San Juliette, Wagner Family Wines (Caymus, Conundrum, Meiomi, Belle Glos); Lola Wines, Ada Vino Wines, Emmolo and Forman.

Other sponsors include Emerald Grande, McNeese Title, Republic National Distributing, Gulf Power, Cox, Dlux Printing, AT&T Yellow Pages, WEAR, ABC3, WFGX, Pensacola News Journal and Bella.  More sponsors are needed, and there are some great opportunities to get out in front of “women who shop”… and men who do, too.

To buy tickets or for more information, go to www.wsre.org/winewomenshoes, or contact me at Sandestin Real Estate.

 

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/wine-women-shoes-fun-raising-funds-for-wsre-public-tv/feed/ 0 Bayfront condo in Sandestin for $89,900 http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/bayfront-condo-in-sandestin-for-89900/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/bayfront-condo-in-sandestin-for-89900/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:21:44 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=347 Continue reading →]]> For all the folks who have been looking for a waterfront condo in Sandestin priced under $100,000 — here’s a rare opportunity. Bayside Condo #6388 just came on the market today.  It’s a one-bedroom, one-bath condo on the third floor of this popular rental area adjacent to the Bayside Conference Center, Fitness Center and The Links golf course and pub. If you have looked at Bayside previously, please keep in mind that the regulations governing rentals have changed.  Please be in touch if you’d like more information.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/bayfront-condo-in-sandestin-for-89900/feed/ 0 Waterfront home with the best lanai ever open this weekend http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/waterfront-home-with-the-best-lanai-ever-open-this-weekend/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/waterfront-home-with-the-best-lanai-ever-open-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:13:52 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=344 Continue reading →]]> Take 1,900 square feet of screened lanai on Mack Bayou deep waterfront.  Create the perfect entertaining and family fun place by adding in a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen: gas grill, fryer, warming drawer, refrigerator, icemaker, wine cooler, gas burner and sink.  Build in a fireplace and a large screen TV for entertainment. Oh yes, and a heated pool. If the weather puts you in the mood, a touch of a button lifts the screens to make the lanai totally open air.

Ready to enjoy the water?  There’s a dock, boat house, boat lift, guest boat slip and even a run-up for a paddle boat.

Oh yes, it all comes with a 3700 s.f. house… and what a house it is!  Well actually, there’s a house and a guest house and a three-car garage.  And you won’t be disappointed in any of it. Think high-end finishes and features with a heaping teaspoon of spicy Louisiana archtectural style.

You will, however, be surprised at the price: only $1.35 million.  It’s an incredible value and a one-of-a-kind opportunity. The home will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, January 21-22. The address is 63 Windy Way. You can post back if you’d like directions or more information.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/waterfront-home-with-the-best-lanai-ever-open-this-weekend/feed/ 0 Do you know the way to Loonieville? http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/do-you-know-the-way-to-loonieville/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/do-you-know-the-way-to-loonieville/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:45:14 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=342 Continue reading →]]> Our winter visitors have settled in.  Did you know there is a neighborhood in Dune Allen nicknamed Loonieville — so named because so many Candians winter there?  Nope, the moniker has nothing to do with crazy goings-on.  The Loonie is the familiar term for the Canadian dollar.

Welcome to all our winter visitors.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/do-you-know-the-way-to-loonieville/feed/ 0 2011 Sandestin condo sales http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/2011-sandestin-condo-sales/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/2011-sandestin-condo-sales/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:02:11 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=339 Continue reading →]]> Luau led 2011 condominium sales in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, with a total of 39 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condos sold.

The highest priced condominium sold in 2011 was Southwinds 4549, sold by Christine Thompson and me (Jennifer Howard) for $1,950,000.

Here’s a list of Sandestin condominiums and 2011 sales:

  • Bahia, 18 sold
  • Beachside I, 6 sold
  • Beachside II, 11 sold
  • Elation, 16 sold
  • The Grand Sandestin, 16 sold
  • Lasata, 8 sold
  • Luau, 39 sold
  • Market Street Inn, 5 sold
  • Observation Point, 5 sold
  • Pilot House, 13 sold
  • Players Club, 2 sold
  • Southwinds, 3 sold
  • Westwinds, 8 sold

If you’d like to know the story behind these numbers or more information about your  neighborhood, please reply or contact our office at 850/267-8100.

 

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/2011-sandestin-condo-sales/feed/ 2 Mardi Gras parades, celebrations in Sandestin http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/mardi-gras-parades-celebrations-in-sandestin/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/mardi-gras-parades-celebrations-in-sandestin/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:39:41 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=335 Continue reading →]]> Break out your calendar.  The time draws near when it is absolutely anticipated that you will break those New Year’s resolutions.  That’s right, Mardi Gras is only about a month away!

This year, a happy confluence of holidays makes Fat Tuesday even more fun.  Mardi Gras (Tuesday, Feb. 21) is the next day after Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 20) this year, which means whoever is in charge of deciding these things loves us! It’s a certified, holiday weekend.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has a full weekend of Mardi Gras parades and celebrations on tap.  On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Annual Sandestin Gumbo Cookoff brings The Village at Baytowne Wharf to a boil.  Spend the day sampling the various gumbo recipes, and vote for your favorite as The People’s Choice. Celebrity judges will hold a proper blind-tasting to select the area’s Best Gumbo. A Best Display Award will go to the business or restaurant with the best booth. Live music by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe will spice things up a bit more, and there will be events for the kids. Tickets are $15 in advance; $25 the day of the event, which runs from noon – 4 p.m.

The Village at Baytowne Wharf is officially going to the dogs on Sunday, February 19, when the Mardi Paws Parade scampers in, with the theme of Cruisin’ Canines: Fetch a Wave. Precious pooches will be arrayed in their surfin’ safari best — sporting sunglasses, swimwear and cool beach togs.  Their Masters are encouraged to pull them in small floats because, after all, every dog has his day. Decorated golf carts, bicycles and wagons are also invited. Parade-goers should be ready to fetch a variety of beads, throws and favors.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Alaqua Animal Refuge.  So please come out to parade and party for a great cause!

The big day — Mardi Gras — arrives on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in Sandestin’s Village at Baytowne Wharf with the 10th Annual Baytowne Bash Fat Tuesday Parade. Be ready to yell, “Throw me something, Mister,” as revelers parade by on floats, golf carts and pickup trucks, throwing goodies like Moon Pies, beads and trinkets.

The celebration doesn’t end with the parade. The party goes on into the night with street pefromers, “throws” tossed from balconies, and parties at various Baytowne establishments.

By Wednesday, you might even be ready to revive those virtuous New Years resolutions!

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/mardi-gras-parades-celebrations-in-sandestin/feed/ 0 Condo with a little ‘lagniappe’ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/condo-with-a-little-lagniappe/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/condo-with-a-little-lagniappe/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:50:25 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=331 Continue reading →]]> Lagniappe (lan-yap) is a little something extra for the same price, as in a 13th donut in a dozen.  Looking for a good value in a Sandestin condo?  Of course you are. Then check out 3417 Lasata in The Village at Baytowne Wharf.  This one-bedroom, two-bath condo, priced at only $169,000, offers the lagniappe of a small den.  It’s a little something extra that can make a big difference in how the condo “lives large.”  The two baths make it very desirable for family rentals, too.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/condo-with-a-little-lagniappe/feed/ 0 Fly in from DC http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/fly-in-from-dc/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/fly-in-from-dc/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:10:43 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=328 VPS (a.k.a. the airport in Ft. Walton Beach) just announced a new direct flight from Washington, D.C.: http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/airport-20362-regional-daily.html.  It will make it a lot easier for folks living in that area to get to the Emerald Coast.

]]> http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/fly-in-from-dc/feed/ 0 Miss the tour? Call to see homes http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/miss-the-tour-call-to-see-homes/ http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/miss-the-tour-call-to-see-homes/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:40:04 +0000 Jennifer Howard http://www.sandestinrealestate.com/blog/?p=325 Continue reading →]]> A few people have told us that they missed the New Year New Home tour of Sandestin homes.  If you would like to walk through any of the homes featured on the tour, just call our office an 850/267-8100 and any of the Realtors will be delighted to schedule a time for you to see the homes.

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