I want you to know how much I appreciate the confidence you have placed in me in allowing me to serve as your real estate agent. With your help, I was able to keep the #1 Realtor spot at my company and remain in the top 5% of all sales agents on the Emerald Coast. Thank you!
   I look forward to a long relationship. Please don't hesitate to call me at any time during the year with questions... Real estate and non-real estate If I don't know the answer, I'll certainly go to all lengths to find out.

TAXING MATTERS

Understanding tax terms can help you make wise investment choices.

• Tax-deferred means taxes aren't paid on earnings until the investor receives the money.  Examples include deferred annuities and life insurance cash values.  Ideally, the money is allowed to accumulate until retirement, when the investor could be in a lower tax bracket.

• Tax-exempt investments, such as tax-exempt municipal bonds, avoid federal income taxes on income from the investment, although state income taxes may still apply.  Capital gains and losses on these investments may be subject to federal taxes.

• Tax-deductible means the investment can be deducted from federal income taxes.  An example is a deductible IRA contribution.

   Only one thing determines what your home or condo is worth how much some-body else is willing to pay.
   To you, it is filled with memories and emotional attachments. But to anybody else, it's just another piece of merchandise up for sale. That's why the most important thing in selling is to set the price. Set it too high, and you may never find a buyer. Set it too low and you'll be cheating yourself.
   Keep in mind that the value of your property and the willingness of a buyer to pay that price isn't based on the cost of construction or the amount you paid for it. Instead, it's determined by market conditions in the area at the time you want to sell.
   There are basically two methods I will use to help you arrive at a realistic asking price. The first is a comparative market analysis. This is a thorough evaluation. It takes into consideration current market conditions, neighborhood influences and specific selling factors of your property to determine a suggested fair market value.
   With the second method, I will then show you actual selling prices of comparable properties in the area. From these price comparisons and the comparative market analysis, we can set a realistic price.
   Your final consideration should be leaving some negotiating room, the difference between your asking price and the actual amount you'd be willing to take. Generally, you can add about 5 percent to the fair market value to give yourself a bit of bargaining room.
   If the market is strong, as it is in Destin now, you'll get a higher price for your property. Of course, you'll have to turn around and pay more if you buy something else. If the market is weak, the opposite is true. You may sell for less, but you can buy for less, too.
   The result is that there is really no "best" time to sell. You should sell when your personal circumstances determine that it's time. Any amount you could gain or lose by waiting for the market to change is, at best, a pie-in-the-sky figure.
   Please call me if you'd like a free comparative market analysis on your property.

AT YOUR SERVICE

• I can help you determine the value of your property.
• If you decide to sell, I'll advertise and show your property and enlist the help of other real estate agents to help sell it. I'll screen prospective buyers and attend to the contractual aspect of the sale. You pay me nothing if I doesn't sell.
• I'll help you find a new property and help you obtain financing.
• If your friends want property here, just call me with their names and addresses, I'll take it from there.
• If you're moving, I can put you in touch with a real estate professional there to help you.
• I can handle all of your real estate transactions.
• Remember, there is no charge for a consultation, and you are under no obligation.
• Call me.