CMPA Board Member,   I had time examine more closely a proposal submitted by one of the Master Developer Candidates and I wanted to share my concerns.   The proposal I am referring to states "The Master Developer shall sub-lease from the CMPA those parcels utilized for Private Improvements at a lease rate equal to 6% per year of the appraised value of the unimproved property as of June 30, 2008...payable beginning at building Certificate of Occupancy." I believe it is important to arrive at an educated guess of the income that would be lost as a result of agreeing to this proposal before an offer from a Master Developer is accepted. I would highly recommend that the Board obtain the opinion of a Real Estate Appraiser, but since you may be voting tomorrow and I am not aware of any apprai... 11/04/2008

July 9, 2008   Mr. Owen Beitsch Real Estate Research Consultants, Inc. 14 E. Washington Street, Suite 500 Orlando, FL 32801   RE: SELECTION OF MASTER DEVELOPER CANDIDATE   Mr. Beitsch:   I would like to start by saying that I am an avid supporter of the Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park and I appreciate your commitment to making it a reality. It has been exciting to follow the meetings and how you have dealt with the obstacles that have emerged during this process. I am impressed with the performance of the CMPA Board members and I believe they have addressed the issues before them in a thoughtful manner. I also want you to know that I have become slightly concerned over the past few months, beginning with the announcements by Carter Real Estate and Hammes Company that they did n... 11/04/2008

We all know that there are some Realtors that charge flat fees for their property management services and/or sales. Throughout the years, we have taken over several properties that were previously marketed or managed by these types of companies. The number 1 reason a consumer hires one of these brokers is to save money, but do they end up saving anything at all? If you're thinking of hiring a broker based on their fee, ask yourself the following questions: If a Realtor is this willing to severely discount their own fee, what can you expect when it comes to negotiating the price of your home (assuming that service is included in the fee)? What incentive does the Agent have to sell your home for top-dollar? If you were to hire a doctor to perform a delicate surgery, would you make the dec... 11/04/2008

  Does anyone know how hard we work ?  It is easy in this market to become negative about this business ! And then you have one good week and life is wonderful again. Sometimes those wonderful times seem far and few between ..... But this week has been particularly affirming. A couple whose home we sold invited us to dinner to show their appreciation of a job well done. A buyer was concerned about the amount of time we were spending to find her family's new home, many that were bank owned properties. She asked "if you show us foreclosures and short sales are you going to get paid?" ( And you thought no one cared!)Then yesterday, after a particularly grueling day, a client called that I had begun to believe was never going to be ready to buy.He wanted to tell me he had not forgotten us a... 11/01/2008

There is something infinitely reassuring when someone has known you all your life, knows your deepest, darkest secrets, and still likes you. Now I am not talking love you ....like you. There is a serious difference between the two things. One is a choice and the other pretty much an obligation if you're a Southern girl. Southern Girls Love their families! So here's to my sister who is always always there for me! We have not always been friends and still are miles away from each other politically but our hearts, well they are really close. And as we grow more comfortable in this adult relationship we find there is more we agree on than disagree and are more a like than not a like. Her version of our parents sounds to me like the folks that lived down the street from us. But at the same t... 10/30/2008

Since my real estate office is on Pensacola Beach flood insurance is always a "Hot" topic with my real estate clients. Who should buy flood insurance? What does it cost? What is a specila flood hazard area? These are crucial questions when looking at purchasing on or near the water. Flood insurance is a MUST PURCHASE if you live in a special flood hazard area. According to the Santa Rosa Island Authority Pensacola Beach had 3,349 flood policies in force as of June 2008. Flood insurance is provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is federally backed and available to everyone, even those who don't live in a special flood hazard area. Flood insurance is always a separate policy from your homeowners insurance policy, so don't get into the mindset that you have home... 10/30/2008

I'm so proud of our Pensacola Bay Area Coldwell Banker United Realtors who fielded a team and turned out EARLY Saturday morning to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research! Our team joined others in Pensacola - over 5,000 strong - in a sponsored walk that raised over $165,000 in just one day. The Pensacola area Coldwell Banker United Realtors were able to raise more than $3000 in donations. In addition to Coldwell Banker United Realtors from our Pensacola Beach office, Ruthie Johnson, Jessica Schnell, Kelli Malone and Bobbi Blades, Realtors from several other Pensacola offices participated in the event. The walk started at Cordova Mall with a kick off celebration and the award ceremonies were conducted at University Mall. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is an annual... 10/27/2008

Blue Angels Air Show... that is November 14th and 15th. Welcome to the worlds greatest beaches. Grab a blanket, chair and your favorite beverage to see the Blues. The ultimate thrill in aviation has got to be the Blues with their F/A 18 Hornets screaming across the beautiful waters of the Gulf Of Mexico. Chester Nimitz himself would be proud of what the Blues have accomplished. Hundreds of thousands of people every year crowd the beaches to get a glimpse of the greatest air team to ever assemble. Then see the historic Fat Albert which joined the team in 1970 and flies over 140,000 miles a year. Click here to see or find out more on the Blue Angels air show. 10/25/2008

My SUPER team of Northwest Florida Realtors just sold a $500,000+ home in less than three months in a market where the average(read - less expensive) home is selling in 5.5 months. How did we do it? By following some tried and true rules of the real estate trade: #1 Price it Right! This home had been handled by two other real estate groups and been on the market for over a year when we took the listing. Do you think the house was priced right from the beginning? Of course not. And as our market slowed and prices dropped the seller did not drop the price of this home to match . . . a condition we call "chasing the market." By providing the seller with up-to-date, accurate comps we were able to convince them of the appropriate price range to attract a buyer in the current market. Here are... 10/24/2008

What a year 2008 has been!  We have experienced an absolutely "unbelievable" Real Estate market.  We have been bombarded daily by all forms of the media with good and bad news.   Talk of "change" and reconsiderations have been everywhere.  What has remained the same is our dedication to a stronger, brighter, vital, and growing Pensacola Area.  We are a strong, warm, enjoining, colorful, and culturally diverse Community with a determination and spirit not only to survive but thrive.  We are, afterall, the City of Five Flags. We end 2008 and begin 2009 with exciting news of new development on Pensacola Beach with grading and construction beginning on the Gulf front Indigo Hotel on Ft Pickens Rd, a 162 room boutique Holiday Inn Hotel with over 3000 square feet of meeting space being devel... 10/23/2008

Woo Hoo and Yippee for Me and My Dedicated Team! Not usually one to run around and "Toot My Own Horn," I just have to share this news. The Robin Sherman Realtor team was one of the top 10 Coldwell Banker real estate teams in Florida for the second quarter 2008. Yes, that's right . . . little 'ole us from Pensacola . . . Robin Sherman, Ruthie Johnson and Harriett Gilbreath! How'd we garner this real estate distinction you ask. By working hard, respecting our clients and delivering what they want elegantly and efficiently. But what - exactly - did we do? We listed more properties and sold more properties in the second quarter of this year than all but 9 other Coldwell Banker teams in the state. And who knows . . . they didn't give us our number ranking so . . . suppose we were number one?... 10/22/2008

How lucky am I? VERY, VERY lucky! Being an active real estate agent in these trying times, I try to remind myself every day of the many ways I count myself lucky! So here's number one for today: I have tagged along on one of my husband's business trips to Lake Tahoe. Doesn't get much more lucky than that, but what - dear reader- you ask does that have to do with real estate and affordable housing in Pensacola? Well, absolutely everything! Do you have any idea just how lucky I am to be a real estate agent in an area where housing truly is AFFORDABLE? In today's trying economic climate it makes the difference between making a home sale - and bringing home a paycheck - and looking for other employment opportunities until the housing market turns around.  So number two for today: I live and... 10/21/2008

This is another successful short sale in Pensacola Florida! With a full time employee to work these deals, we know how to get them to closing. Call us if you or someone you know are considering the possibility. 850-479-SOLD(7653) Details about the home below: MLS#: 344807 Prop Type: Residential Detached ListPrice: $175,000 Status: Sold LastChng: 10/17/2008 ApproxSF: 2,450 Address: 437 ELCINO DR Bedrooms: 3   PENSACOLA, FL FullBaths: 2 Zip: 32526 HalfBaths: 0 County: ESCAMBIA #Rooms:   MainArea: 06 Southwest Pensacola YearBuilt: 1995 SubArea: 0606 East Perdido Bay CnstrStat: ConstrCmplt Subd/Proj: SHADOW GROVE NONE ParcelID: 362S310300092001 ElemSch: BELLVIEW - 06 Middle: BELLVIEW - 06 High: PINE FOREST - 06 Dir: From Blue Angel, West on Saufley Pines, left on Shadow Grove, left on Elcin... 10/21/2008

This Saturday October 18th from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Providence Manor Subdivision in Pensacola Model Home 944-3258 ~ ESP is giving away one Tankless Water Heater...FREE!!! Gift Cards!! 102.7 FM Live Remote ~ Cookies and Drinks... Home Prices are from the $140's to the $180's with up to 2,054 square foot houses ~ Providence manor is located off of Michigan Avenue between Memphis Ave and South Gulf Manor ~ Three homes are currently available for immediate closing ~ Builder is Adams Homes and Adams will pay the buyer's closing costs Today's interest rates are 6.625% ~ Rates have fluctuated the past several weeks between today's rate and 6.00%   10/16/2008

Pensacola's Downtown Improvement Board just had their annual meeting and the keynote speaker, Leland R. Speed, told attendees that Pensacola's small town charm and big city amenities position it particularly well to take advantage of the next major demographic trend: movement from large cities to small cities with high quality of life. Speed, the former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, pointed out that Pensacola's waterfront is vital to the city's economic success. "When I look at what you have here, I salivate," said Speed. He told the audience that the opportunities the downtown waterfront and properties afford the area are truly unique in his experience. Speed mentioned the physical assests including historic buildings and waterfront and waterview land tha... 10/12/2008

This is absolutely the best deal for a home with acreage in the entire Pensacola area! Check out our website for more details http://www.TSBRealEstate.com Residential Click photo for more media and enlargements MLS#: 349741 Prop Type: Residential Detached ListPrice: $187,000 Status: Active LastChng: 10/10/2008 ApproxSF: 2,090 Address: 1973 INTERSTATE CIR Bedrooms: 3   PENSACOLA, FL FullBaths: 2 Zip: 32526 HalfBaths: 0 County: ESCAMBIA #Rooms:   MainArea: 08 Northwest Pensacola YearBuilt: 1973 SubArea: 0802 Marcus Pointe CnstrStat: ConstrCmplt Subd/Proj: NONE NONE ParcelID: 231S301201001075 ElemSch: LONGLEAF - 08 Middle: BELLVIEW - 08 High: PINE FOREST - 08 Dir: FROM PINE FOREST ROD TURN EAST ONTO INTERSTATE CIRCLE (ACROSS FROM FOOD WORLD BY INTERSTATE 10 EXIT 7). TRAVEL ONE (1) MILE, HO... 10/10/2008

Where else can you find a new home in downtown Pensacola for 105k? Check out our website http://www.tsbrealestate.com for more details Residential Click photo for more media and enlargements MLS#: 356905 Prop Type: Residential Detached ListPrice: $104,900 Status: Active LastChng: 10/09/2008 ApproxSF: 1,300 Address: 215 A ST N Bedrooms: 3   PENSACOLA, FL FullBaths: 2 Zip: 32501 HalfBaths: 0 County: ESCAMBIA #Rooms:   MainArea: 05 South Pensacola YearBuilt: 2006 SubArea: 0501 Downtown Pensacola CnstrStat: NewConstr Subd/Proj: NONE NONE ParcelID: 000S009080280015 ElemSch: HALLMARK - 05 Middle: WARRINGTON - 05 High: PENSACOLA - 05 Dir: GARDEN STREET TO NORTH ON A STREET. PROPERTY ON WEST SIDE OF STREET BETWEEN WRIGHT AND GREGORY or CERVANTES TO SOUTH ON NORTH A ST. Legal: LTS 28 29 AND S 12... 10/10/2008

What an amazing deal, check out www.tsbrealestate.com for more details Residential Click photo for more media and enlargements MLS#: 359243 Prop Type: Residential Detached ListPrice: $275,000 Status: Active LastChng: 10/10/2008 ApproxSF: 1,700 Address: 100 CALLE DE SANTIAGO CT Bedrooms: 3   PENSACOLA, FL FullBaths: 3 Zip: 32501 HalfBaths: 1 County: ESCAMBIA #Rooms:   MainArea: 04 Southeast Pensacola YearBuilt: 1976 SubArea: 0406 Bayfront CnstrStat: ConstrCmplt Subd/Proj: INTENDENT NONE ParcelID: 000S009001003362 ElemSch: HALLMARK - 04 Middle: WORKMAN - 04 High: PENSACOLA - 04 Dir: OFF ROMANO BETWEEN TARAGONA & ALCANIZ ST Legal: Lenghty, In File. This is an amazing New Orleans style home with all the modern conveniences! This home has been completely remodeled with neutral paint, an all ... 10/10/2008

Residential Click photo for more media and enlargements MLS#: 358239 Prop Type: Residential Detached ListPrice: $83,500 Status: Active LastChng: 09/24/2008 ApproxSF: 1,306 Address: 431 FAIRFAX DR Bedrooms: 3   PENSACOLA, FL FullBaths: 1 Zip: 32503 HalfBaths: 0 County: ESCAMBIA #Rooms:   MainArea: 04 Southeast Pensacola YearBuilt: 1956 SubArea: 0403 Woodlawn Heights CnstrStat: ConstrCmplt Subd/Proj: WOODLAND HEIGHTS NONE ParcelID: 042S302051023005 ElemSch: HALLMARK - 04 Middle: WORKMAN - 04 High: PENSACOLA - 04 Dir: N on 9th Ave past Fairfield then take a left on Woodland, a left on Fairfax, the house in on the right Legal: In File This is a completely remodeled 3 bedroom home! This home features a great location- only minutes from Pensacola Junior College, Cordova Mall and fabulous Pen... 10/08/2008

Bring Your Family and Friends to The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center and join  Cantonment Rotary Club and the Emerald Coast VolksSport Club for a Trek Through the Trees October 18th, 8am-3pm FREE WALK    Begins at 8am, walkers may register until 12n, trail closes at 3pm - take a 5 or 10K Trek on trails through the Environmental Center's grounds.  This event counts towards IVV credit and is sanctioned by the American VolksSport Association (AVA), sanction #81035, a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV).  NOTE:  The walk is rated A "2" on a flat wooded trail.  Strollers/wheelchairs would have trouble, wagons OK.  There is a $3.00 fee for those walkers wishing a credit stamp. FREE ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Come stroll through the butterfly garden, climb aboard the one-of-a-... 10/05/2008