30A Real Estate - Page 5 of 24 -

Hard Working and Professional Real Estate Agents

Karen June 24, 2014

As anyone who has purchased a property here along 30A can attest, once an agreeable price is negotiated and a contract to purchase is signed, it is just the beginning of a process that must take place in order to get to the closing table. Here is a quick list of some items that your agent will deal with in getting your property bought or sold. Home inspections, termite inspections, wood destroying organism inspections as well as many other items. Agents here at Homes On 30A are hard working and professional real estate agents that are well connected in the industry and will assist you with a list of local lenders, a list of local insurance carriers, a title company to handle the closing unless otherwise specified, provide a list of property management companies that handle vacation rentals, recommend a real estate attorney when needed, a list of local pest control companies, a list of local swimming pool maintenance companies and on and on. Here’s what we here at Homes On 30A want you, the consumer to know: at no time and under no circumstances do we ever accept any compensation from any of these vendors for providing their names to our clients. We do not solicit nor do we accept any “kickback” from anyone connected with the real estate business here.
During my years as a broker and an owner of Homes On 30A, I have come to appreciate how important transparency is in all of my interaction with my clients. There are no areas in a real estate transaction that need to be withheld or purposely hidden from view. It’s bad business and often times it’s bad for you the client. Our job as agents is to provide you with all the information you need to make a smart, well informed decision about buying or selling real estate and to provide you with the best service available during and after the process. We work hard to maintain this high level of integrity…It’s critical to our reputations and our success.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Home Inspection and Final Walk Through

Karen June 12, 2014

The home inspection and final walk through are two of the most important steps in completing a thorough and successful process when purchasing a home. Here are some important aspects of each to keep in mind during your purchase:
Home Inspection: Your Homes On 30A agent will always recommend that you have an inspection done prior to closing. We will provide you with a short list of licensed, experienced home inspectors to do the job. What you need to understand is these inspections are non invasive and, therefore, are limited in their scope. Upon issuing the inspection report, it will include a disclaimer that the inspector is not guaranteeing that all defects, if they exist, have been identified. Should there be questions or issues remaining, we recommend that you have someone who specializes in things like swimming pools, ac units, roofs etc be called upon to inspect. Ultimately, it is the buyer’s responsibility to assure themselves that the condition of the home is satisfactory. Upon receiving the inspection report, be sure to read it closely and we also recommend that you have a conversation with the inspector about all items found.
Final Walk Through:
A final walk through is your last chance to make certain that the property you are about to purchase is in the condition you expected. Buyers can sometimes be pressed for time or live out of town and be tempted to forgo this walk through. As real estate agents, we are sometimes asked to do a walk through for the buyer. We are quick to tell buyers that we are not liable for anything that might be overlooked so beware. A quick list of things to check includes light fixtures, appliances, checking beneath sinks for leaks, garage door openers, flush all toilets, inspect ceilings, walls and floors, run garbage disposal and exhaust fans, open and close all doors and windows. Have a list drawn up of anything that needs to be fixed and have your agent submit it.
As a buyer, commit yourself to being actively involved in home inspection and final walk through because, in the end, you are responsible for the condition of the property at closing.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Choosing a Great 30a Real Estate Agent

Karen June 12, 2014

Everyone knows that a real estate purchase is almost always the most expensive purchase most people will ever make in their lives. The importance of this fact cannot be overstated . As the Broker/Owner of Homes On 30A, I wear many hats and I have represented both buyers and sellers in many real estate transactions along 30A. Truth be told, I have a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in representing buyers in their search and acquisition of real estate.

Lets talk about the pitfalls in choosing a great 30a real estate agent and some things you should keep in mind. The real estate market has experienced a strong rebound over the past 18 months and the projections are showing further increases in prices and activity. As is always the case, this brings many people “jumping in” or rejoining the real estate business. For the most part, these people lack the experience and therefore the expertise you need from an agent when purchasing a property. Many of these “licensees” will not spend the time or effort, for a variety of reasons, to become serious agents and you can and will pay the price. When choosing an agent, always talk to more than one. If you choose an agent with limited experience, ask if they have a broker or another agent they are mentoring with. You deserve it!

One of the biggest disservices an agent can make when representing a buyer is to show only their own listings or only listings from their agency. This is bad business and severely limits your options as a buyer. ALWAYS make sure that you are seeing everything that is available and don’t be afraid to ask an agent directly “are you showing me everything that is available” and “how many of these properties are your listings or your agency’s listings”? An agent who limits you to specific listings is only interested in one thing and it’s not you!

Be prepared, when interviewing a prospective agent, to ask questions about the “process” of buying a property. The right lender, the right insurance agent, a good solid home inspection team, flood zones, who to manage your property if you are placing it in a vacation rental pool. Can the agent provide you with some income and expense projections? Detail and background on a homeowners association. I suggest you be quite specific in asking these questions. There are many real estate agents who are not experienced enough to provide you with the expertise and guidance you should expect. Confidence and competence go hand in hand and it doesn’t take long to separate the good ones from the “rest”.

As a broker here at Homes On 30A, I make sure that every agent is aware that it is our job to do the very best we can in providing clients with as much information as possible, access to all available inventory and provide excellent service throughout the buying process. Agents at Homes On 30A are all seasoned, experienced and recognized as top producers in the real estate field. We are very proud of our team and look forward to providing you with a great experience when you choose to become an owner in an amazing area such as this.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Choosing The Right 30a Listing Agent

Karen June 5, 2014

Most home sellers leave thousands of dollars on the table when they sell their homes. There, we said it and we mean it. It’s funny how we will look at a restaurant bill before paying it but not exercise due diligence in selecting a real estate agent to market and sell your property. Choosing the right 30a Listing Agent makes a huge difference.

Most home sellers make a hiring choice before considering what separates the top producers from the rest of the pack and make no mistake about it, there are very real, discernible differences if you know how to interview agents prior to giving one your listing. It happens in every local housing market. It doesn’t matter where you are, there exists a small group of excellent real estate agents and then a mass of licensees who don’t put much time or effort into what they do.

Here are our suggestions when it comes to hiring the right agent to sell your home:

Interview at least 3 agents. Don’t leave your decision to chance and don’t ever pick the first one you interview. For years, people would use someone they went to church with or a neighbor or friend but there is a vast difference in expertise and experience among agents today. Why not choose one that can get you the results you want. Ask for sales numbers and total transactions. These are always a good measure of an agent’s experience and abilities especially in pricing your property right and most importantly, in negotiating the best price. Be sure you ask all agents you interview the same questions so you can make a clear choice in who you use. Use the internet! Word of mouth is great but don’t invite one in for an interview because of PTA or youth baseball. The best agents who successfully market and sell property are heavily invested in what an online presence can give them. Face it, an agent who is not invested in what the internet can do for them and, most importantly, you the client is not in the game. The more “tech savvy” they are, typically the more successful they are. The internet is the best place for agents who know how to properly use it to have a deeper understanding of your market and it’s history. Websites such as Zillow and Trulia are dependable sources for finding the best agents. I also suggest you simply Google your neighborhood or area followed by “real estate” and see who pops up ! These are the agents who have made the financial commitment to being successful.
A 30a real estate agent who can speak to you about the market in your area, price comparisons, square foot prices, flood insurance, local lenders, title concerns etc without having to “get back to you” is the person you want. Ask questions about these things and listen closely. Don’t be afraid to call one back with a follow up question if you have one. Don’t ever take the selection process lightly as it can mean thousands of dollars in your pocket.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

30A Real Estate Company

Karen May 22, 2014

The best in a 30A Real Estate Company. As we leave the springtime behind and get set for another great summer season here on 30A, Homes On 30A is growing and proud to announce the addition of a new office. Effective May 1 of this year, we have expanded our efforts to include a new office on the East end of Highway 30A in the Alexander at Palm Court Building located between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach. This addition was not part of our plan when we opened our new office in Blue Mt. Beach in February but circumstances provided us with an opportunity that we could not pass up. 3 very successful and experienced agents who have spent most of their time on the East end of Highway 30A approached us back in February about moving to Homes on 30A as agents and opening a new office. We were thrilled with the idea and were able to secure some really nice space on the ground floor of the Alexander at Palm Court building at 9961 East County Highway 30A in Seacrest Beach. Nancy Abood of Haus of Abood, an upscale funriture/design and decorating business has provided us with space that has been transformed into a small, very comfortable boutique office.

The three agents that we welcome aboard are Miriam Dillon, Mary Alice Johnson and Luann Brown. These ladies have long since established themselves as top producing agents with outstanding reputations as real estate agents in the area. This new office with these three great agents gives us a presence on the East end of 30A as well as expertise in the planned communities such as Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seacrest Beach and others.

Homes On 30A is now perfectly positioned on both the West and East ends of 30A offering excellent service in the marketing, sales and purchasing of real estate here in paradise. Please drop by to visit at either location.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

30a’s newest homes for sale

Karen May 18, 2014

Finding 30a’s newest homes for sale made easy. With the real estate market back in full swing and the new construction starts up along hwy 30a, finding a brand new home is getting much easier. There are quite a few developments along the beach, all varying in price range, with great opportunities. Let’s cover West end of 30a through Blue Mtn Beach.

1) Cypress Dunes is a gated community, on the far Western end of hwy 30a with prices ranging from $399,900 and up. There are 207 homesites in the community, a beautiful infinity edge community swimming pool overlooking topsail nature preserve and the Gulf of Mexico. This great neighborhood winds through cypress swamps and natural landscape but does not currently have a deeded beach access.

2) Forest Lakes is a small planned community located in Blue Mtn Beach with prices ranging from $450,00 and up.The homes are smaller craftsman style situated perfectly on each homesite. A large community pool, large greenspace and community gathering spot are the main focal points and located in the middle of the neighborhood for easy access. The Public Beach access is a few blocks away

3) Draper Lake is a gated community located n Blue Mountain Beach on one of our famous Coastal Dune Lakes. Keeping with nature, the homes here are more rustic style. There are community pools, boat docks, bridges, parks and an observation tower for viewing wildlife and nature. You can walk, bike, fish or swim behind the gates of this fabulous new community. Rental golf carts are also available for a short ride to the beach access. There are no homes currently available for purchase but many lot opportunities

4) The Retreat at Blue Mtn Beach is a luxury gated community consisting of 90 home sites, with half of those fronting the Gulf of Mexico or Draper Lake. This planned development does not allow short term rentals and offers 3,000 feet of white sandy beaches. There are 4 dune walkovers to the beach and a luxurious beach front community pool. If you are looking for luxury and privacy then this community is for you. Prices range from $2.2 million and up

Check back soon for more information about 30a’s newest homes.

Karen Holder
Broker Owner
850.687.1064
www.HomesOn30A.com
3092 W County Hwy 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459