Pelican Real Estate News

Pelican Real Estate will be offering clients the opportunity to reach dozens of prospective buyers in a single weekend as part of the Florida Open House Weekend sponsored by the 115,000-plus member Florida Realtors.  On Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, Pelican will conduct open houses at an estimated 100 homes in Northwest Florida. Blue balloons, featuring the Realtor “R” in white, will denote those homes that are part of the statewide open house campaign.  The Florida Open House Weekend comes just before the April 30, 2010, deadline for the federal homebuyer tax credit. Homes need to be under contract by April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30, 2010, to take advantage of up to $8,000 in tax credits.

Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast has been selected by Frommer’s Travel Guide as one of the top 12 destinations for 2010.  Frommer’s Travel Guide is one of the world’s best-selling travel guides with more than 75 million books sold.  Copenhagen,Denmark; Salta Province, Argentina; and Melbourne, Australia are other areas that made Frommer’s list.  Hawaii’s Big Island was the only other US location to make the list. 

 Frommer’s states:  The panhandle never gets the respect it deserves, Northwest Florida, in fact, contains some of the most diverse recreation choices along Florida’s drastically under-appreciated Gulf coast, and some of the best options for visitors seeking an affordable family vacation. From Destin to the west, where you can hire a fishing or sailing charter, to the smattering of National Seashores as you move east, there’s really something for everyone. Seaside’s planned community is so “perfect” it was the setting for the The Truman Show, yet you’ll also find old-school Florida towns with funky shops, tiny hotels, pristine beaches, and the perfect cottage to rent.

“Stunning beaches, nature trails … great restaurants, and a cozy, yet quirky, sense of community.” — Lesley Abravanel, author Frommer’s Florida

Southwest Airlines announces its intent to begin jet service from Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport in May 2010.  The new airport will introduce daily jet service to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, providing Southwest Customers easy access to its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant communities.  At least two daily non-stop fights from Northwest Florida to four destinations for a total of 8 daily non-stop flights will be available when service begins next year.  Rates and schedules will be available December 2009.

Information provided by Southwest Airlines 10/21/2009     www.southwest.com

The Estates at Indian Pointe is pleased to welcome LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles!  Coach Miles and his family have chosen The Estates at Indian Pointe for its unparalleled beauty, low-density and secluded setting.    For availability and promotional pricing… TheEstatesDestin.com

On Saturday October 10th, Pelican Real Estate and Shades at the Loop invite you to join us for a day filled with fun, football and food.  Pig Roast & BBQ plates prepared by Cajun Connection (Adults $10/Children$5).  Live music provided by various local bands including Newfangled Theory.  Big screen football inside and out.  Raffle tickets ($5 donation) for a chance to win great prizes including golf and vacation packages!  A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Meghan Burkhart Smith Foundation.

Selling your home is just like selling anything else. You need to highlight its strengths, focus on its features, bring out its best.  Here’s a list of places to start that won’t break your budget.

1 – Make a great first impression–curb appeal is vital. Curb appeal is what makes buyers want to come inside your home.Make sure your lawn is neatly trimmed, rake up any refuse or leaves, and sweep the walkway. The front door should be clean and presentable. If the doorbell’s not working, fix it.

2 – Don’t hesitate to decorate.  Faded walls and worn woodwork won’t sell your home.  A small investment in paint or wallpaper will.  Remember to use neutral colors–this is not the time to paint the red accent wall.

3 – Let the sun shine in.  Open the drapes and curtains, clean the windows, and turn on the lights.  Home buyers are drawn to bright, cheery interiors.

4 – Safety sells.  Keep stairways and corridors clean and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive, they’re dangerous as well.

5 – Call the plumber.  Dripping water suggests worn out plumbing. Clean those rust stained sinks and make sure the drains are running free and clear.

It was payday Wednesday afternoon for the Humane Society of Bay County after a local organization raised a nice chunk of change for a good cause.

The Meghan Burkhart Smith Foundation along with several local businesses including Pelican Real Estate on 23rd Street, held a community-wide charity yard sale on May 2nd and managed to raise close to $3500.  Full Story…

Vice President Joe Biden recently announced the Defense Department’s plan to expand its housing assistance program with $555 million devoted to service members forced to sell their homes at a loss due to the country’s struggling housing market.

“We are in the middle of a credit and housing crises, and we recognize that military families cannot generally choose when to move,” the vice president said, “so we’ve used the Recovery Act to dramatically expand what was once a fairly small program, assisting families forced to relocate due to base closures or normal assignment rotations.”

All active and former members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as DoD civilians who have sold a home since 2006 may visit the Homeowners Assistance Program Website to learn specific program criteria and eligibility.

Read full article from Military.com

Inaugural Community Yard Sale and Neighborhood Gathering

 May 2, 2009
Sale begins at 9:00 a.m.
Food Served 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Pelican Real Estate
111 W. 23^rd Street
(on the corner of Jenks & 23^rd)
Panama City

 All proceeds will be donated to the
Humane Society of Bay County
In Loving Memory of Meghan Burkhart Smith

For more information:  850-215-7273

The Meghan Burkhart Smith Foundation is charitable organization whose purpose is to continue Meghan’s legacy by promoting causes that were close to her heart.

Sponsored by: Hilton ● Diamond Title ● Regions Bank ● Green Central Station

Musical Echoes, a celebration of Native American culture, will be held at Fort Walton Landing, April 24th through April 26th.  The theme for this year is the Panther.  Enjoy music and dancing from internationally acclaimed Native American musicians and dancers, craft demonstrations, or attend a seminar to learn how to make and play a Native American style flute!  There will also be an outdoor market featuring Native American wares.

For more details, visit www.musicalechoes.org