We wanted to share this video segment that aired on ABC’S “Good Morning America” a few days ago. This special is highlighting “America’s Top 10 Most Beautiful”….and Destin has made the list. Even better is the segment is hosted by our very own “local” celebrity. While we have been enjoying this special location for years…..it’s hard to believe that our paradise is still a relative secret. Enjoy the video! CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO 08/29/2011

Hi, my East Coast friends! We are all worried about Hurricane Irene, and the possibility you will be impacted.  I have family in Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey, and real estate friends from all over the Eastern seaboard. You may not have gone through  a major hurricane in your lifetime.  Since I have lived in Destin Florida for the past 16 years, I have experienced several.  Here is my urgent hint list for hurricane preparedness. PETS: Cats, dogs, snakes, parakeets?  Make sure you have carriers for them  if you have to evacuate.  Get any extra medication or tranquilizers for car trips.  Map out a hotel that accepts pets if you need to go.  Many LaQuinta hotels accept pets. INSURANCE: Take photos of all your belongings and download to a CD or thumb drive. Open drawers and closets.... 08/25/2011

   BofA Cooperative Short Sale Program.  Were you invited?  Destin FL Short Sales.   I am a Destin Florida Short Sale agent and I have had a good deal of experience dealing with Bank of America.  It is my opinion that Bank of America really wants to complete short sales and they want to do a better job.  However, sometimes the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.  I tell all of my buyers and sellers that the key component to short sale succes is PATIENCE.  In most cases, if you hang in there and wait you will finally get your approval.  It seems that Bank of America is really pushing their new Cooperative Short Sale Program.  This program addresses many of the problems with short sales and should help increase their success rate.  If you are a seller and you are invited... 08/21/2011

Larry Hughes has joined Rulnick Realty in Destin Florida as Buyer Specialist. Licensed as a Realtor in 2003, he is experienced throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties. Larry is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and very methodical in his business of finding the perfect property for his clients. As a licensed Florida state-certified residential contractor, Larry has built custom homes full time for several decades. He knows homes, commercial properties, condominiums and land. He has the diligence to assist first time buyers, as well as the experience to represent savvy investors.  A 21 year Destin resident along with his lovely wife, Larry has energy and enthusiasm to spare. Still a boy at heart, he loves cars, motorcycles and boats. Woodworking, fishing, music and amateur guitar are ... 08/10/2011

Destin FL Gulf Front Homes For Sale | Condos | Lots | Waterfront | Beachfont     Click the links below to search gulf front homes in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and Hwy 30A FL.   Destin Gulf Front Homes For Sale Destin Gulf Front Lots For Sale Destin Gulf Front Condos For Sale   Please take the time to check our new website dedicated to Destin and 30A Gulf Front Real Estate.  Find all listings, flood info, recent sales data, construction info as well as area info.   www.DestinGulfFrontHomesForSale.com     Are you interested in purchasing a gulf front home, condo, or lot in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach or Hwy 30A?  Our waterfront property searches are the most accurate and up to date available.  The results are pulled directly from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors MLS System and they ... 08/09/2011

Aug --- 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 -- in DESTIN Florida at - " Palms of Destin Resort" 4201 Two Trees Road, Destin Florida 32541 This information is courtesy of Captain Wayne Rowlett and Rowlett Real Estate School www.rowlettrealestateschool.com Rowlett Real Estate provides traditional classroom training in Panama City, Florida and in Destin Florida. Feel free to visit our classroom schedule athttp://www.rowlettrealestateschool.com/fl-schedule.htm Rowlett Real Estate School is a full service Florida real estate school with online real estate courses in most every state at http://www.rowlettcareerschool.com/ P.Stone, RRES 07/21/2011

My wife and family were slated to travel to Destin for another family vacation but we have had to cancel our vacation due to sickness in the family(family member is much better). This cancellation week at Destin's Pelican Beach Resort is August 6-13. Actually there are 8 days there. If you are looking for availablilty beginning August 6, 2011 at one of the nicest family resorts on the beach in Destin, then this is your opportunity. My unit #1004 is a 1 bedroom 2 bath with new hallway bunks and sleeper couch(sleeps 6). This 10th floor condo is directly on the beach. Contact Mike at 731-589-7841 for more info or to rent this Destin beachfront condo.   Update: 07/21/11   This week has been taken. 07/20/2011

    The Aegean, Destin Gulf Front Condo - JUST SOLD!         Click the link below to search Destin, Gulf Front Condos, Homes, and Lots. Destin Gulf Front Condo Search   I just sold a Destin Gulf Front Condo in the Aegean on Holiday Isle.  I represented the buyers on the transaction and they are very happy with their purchase.  The Aegean is one of the oldest condo properties in the area but it recently went through a complete overhaul and this project is definitely worth a look.  This condo was one of the best in the complex because it was on the third floor and had a premium location directly on the gulf.  The condo had also been recently renovated. Below are the details on the transaction. 1. Date Sold - 6/29/2011 2. Sold Price - $457,500 3. Square Footage - 1870 4. Number of Bedrooms... 07/12/2011

Some listings don't sell during the listing period for a variety of reasons, including: · market conditions (oversupply of homes available for sale); · property condition;  · listing period too short; · uncooperative owner or tenant; · overpriced; or · poor marketing effort.  Except for the uncooperative owner or tenant, the major reason listings expire is almost always price. If there is an oversupply of homes on the market, the price should have been reduced. If the property condition is poor, it was probably overpriced. A short listing period calls for a low price. This information is courtesy of Captain Wayne Rowlett and Rowlett Real Estate School www.rowlettrealestateschool.com Rowlett Real Estate provides traditional classroom training in Panama City, Florida and in Destin Florida... 07/11/2011

  Rulnick Realty is pleased to announce the hiring of Kathy Schwietz as Client and Marketing Manager in its Destin Florida office..  Kathy has 14 years experience in the field of real estate administration.   She excels in graphics, web design and print media advertising. Kathy is a well-versed photographer who has done aerial photography in the Destin Florida area. As Client and Marketing Manager for Rulnick Realty, Kathy will do everything from shooting new listing photos to transaction follow-up to ensure smooth closings. Also a licensed Realtor, Kathy also holds the Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) designation.  Kathy has been coming to Destin her whole life to visit her Grandparents.  She is originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area and when she got both kids in college she ... 07/05/2011

•To remember elements of a valid and enforceable real estate contract:   C     Competent parties  O     Offer and acceptance (meeting of the minds)   L      Legal purpose   I      In writing and signed (statute of fraud)   C     Consideration (valuable or good) A contract does not have to be in any particular format to be valid, as long as it contains all the essential elements.     Contracts can be classified by their method of formation, their content, or their legal effect.  The first classification is formal and informal contracts. - Formal contract, historically was in written form and under seal. -The term formal contract also refers to a contract that depends on a particular form. ·         For Example:  a negotiable instrument such as a promissory note is referred to as a formal... 07/03/2011

  This Amalfi Coast short sale condo unt 221 in Destin Florida just sold.  The spacious unit, over 1300 square feet, is two bedrooms and two full baths.  The Amalfi Coast condo complex has gulf views, and yards of deeded beach access to the Gulf of Mexico. Amalfi Coast is set on eight lavish acres, with two pools, two tennis courts, pond, bridge, covered parking. It is in the Miramar Beach part of Destin proper, with nearby shopping at Silver Sands, Baytowne Wharf, Destin Commons and Grand Boulevard.This Amalfi Coast short sale condo just sold for $225,000.Search Destin Florida real estate. Sell My Destin Florida property It's Wendy! Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc. Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204 Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com Destin Shor... 06/29/2011

Earlier today a booking was cancelled for my Destin Pelican Beach Resort unit #1004 for the week of July 23-29th. I have turned down so many potential Destin beachfront condo rentals in July because of being fully booked. Each time I tell them to keep an eye on my website and availability calendar in case someone cancels. Here is a link to that website and calendar. Although this is the most expensive time of the year to stay at the Pelican Beach Resort, this is also the time when most families book their summer vacations. The normal total rate with my discount built in is $1695 but if you contact me and say you saw this ad on Activerain, I will reduce the total to $1650(includes fees and taxes). This price is only good for the above week. My direct number is 731-589-7841.  Update: 7/2/... 06/26/2011

I just returned from my Destin vacation a couple of days ago and I noticed on signs around town that Destin was in the top ten places in the United States for boating. Not only were they in the top 10 but they were picked #1 by Boating Magazine. Here is a link to an article written in the Destin Log Newspaper about the selection of Destin. We love vacationing in Destin and also enjoy deep sea fishing out of Destin(did not this time). With the Choctawhatchee Bay, access out into the Gulf and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway there are so many reasons that Destin was picked #1.   06/06/2011

It is a violation of the Fair Housing Act to do any of the following Activities: •Steering -Channeling home seekers to or away from neighborhoods •Blockbusting -Using entry or rumor of entry of protected class to urge owners to sell •Redlining -Denying loans or insurance coverage or different terms and conditions for homes in certain neighborhoods •Refuse to rent to, sell to, negotiate with, or deal with protected class •Quote different terms, conditions, or privileges for buying or renting •Advertise housing is available only to people of a certain race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap status, or familial status •Deny membership or use of any real estate service •Make false statements concerning availability of housing for inspection, rent, or sale   This information is... 06/05/2011

•Typically, when a buyer makes an offer on real property, the buyer includes with the offer a deposit to show good faith that the buyer is serious about purchasing the property.  The deposit is placed in a escrow account by the broker.           -Deposit - money delivered to a licensee in connection with a real estate transaction            -Escrow (trust) account - an account for the deposit of money the broker holds in trust for others -Earnest money            deposit can be cash or anything that can be converted into money.   •Immediately defined - Sales Associates who receive a binder deposit from a customer or principal must deliver it to their broker-employer immediately -which means no later than the end of the next business day.  •Brokers must place trust funds into an escrow a... 06/01/2011

Yes, you can get a short sale approval with Vericrest and Flagstar on your Amalfi Coast Condo in Miramar Beach Florida!  The Destin Florida Amalfi condo was originally encumbered by a Carrington Mortgage as senior lien, and a Flagstar junior lien.  The mortgage servicing was switched from Carrington to Vericrest last year, and the Flagstar servicing went to Strategic Recovery Group (SRG).  The nuances of this Miramar Beach short sale provide some material to help you with future dealings with these companies: Vericrest Financial.  The good: Vericrest is one of those short sale lenders (servicers) who will assign a negotiator to you, and keep the same one on the file until the property is sold. So you could have a contract that doesn’t work out, and go directly to the same negotiator ne... 05/27/2011

    Mainsail Condominiums, Short Sale - Just Sold!     Click the link below to search Mainsail Condos For Sale Mainsail Condo Search   I just sold another condo in Mainsail in Destin, FL.  I represented the buyers in the transaction and they are very happy with their purchase.  This particular condo was a Bank of America short sale and it was offered completely furnished.  The condo was located in the back Western end of the complex and had limited gulf views.  The condo had been recently renovated with granite, flooring, and cabinets.  It really was a fantastic deal. Below are the details on the transaction. Sold Price - $175,000 Square Footage - 956 Price Per Square Foot - $183.05 Number of Bedrooms - 2 Date Sold - 5/12/2011     05/17/2011

MLS Access along 30a by a Real Estate Professional Lana Stansbury is critical to your home, condominium or waterfront property search. Whether seeking to purchase your new home or looking for a listing Real Estate Agent multi-channel marketing is critical to your success. To succeed at selling or buying the largest investment of your life hire an experienced and qualified Realtor for the success of the purchase or sale of your property that utilizes MLS listing and other listing services. The Official Site of the National Association of Realtors (Realtor.com) is one of the MLS listing sites utilized by Lana Stansbury an Active agent for Prudential Coastal Properties These are only a few of her marketing tools used to ensure your success. There are numerous marketing tools used by Realto... 05/14/2011

    Marbella on Destin Harbor| JUST SOLD!     Click the link below to see Marbella Condos For Sale in Destin, FL Marbella Condo Search    I just sold a short sale condo in Marbella in Destin, Florida.  I represented the buyers in the transaction and they are very happy with their purchase.  Marbella is a short term rental restricted condo project on the Harbor in Destin, FL.  The condo project has fantastic views, a great location, and wonderful ammenities.  This was a short sale and it ended up being a really good deal for my client. Below are the details on the transaction. Sold Price - $315,000 Number of Bedrooms - 3 Date Sold - 5/11/2011 Price Per Square Foot - $154.56     I would love to help you find a great deal on a Destin, Florida property.  Feel free to call or email me any ti... 05/12/2011