Destin Florida Short Sales & Real Estate by Wendy Rulnick: December 2011

This is a fun home at 1215 Thomason Dr., with eclectic and enticing touches in Pine Meadows, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Some of the interesting elements are the arched pass-through from kitchen, repeating arch accent above kitchen entrance. Vibrant pendant lights above breakfast bar. Popping red tray ceiling, dining room with lively and inviting wall decor. Mostly tile and wood laminate floors. Big, fenced back yard with brick barbecue. New fence 2005. Air conditioner replaced within past 5 years.  Seller repairing French door and installing new pedestal sink.  Located in the Wright, Willow Bend area of Fort Walton Beach, this home is perfect for Eglin Air Force Base commuters. It is a Bank of America cooperative short sale.

1215 Thomason Dr., Fort Walton Beach FL - offered at $98,700.

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

Fort Walton Beach Florida short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

Regatta Bay, the gated golf course subdivision in Destin Florida, had 14 sales in 2011. Six were short sales and four were foreclosures, making distressed home sales the bulk of the market in Regatta Bay.  Who were the lien holders for these Destin homes?  Some of the short sale lenders were Flagstar,  Suntrust,  and Chase. The foreclosed homes that sold were owned by PHH Mortgage, Regions, Washington Mutual and First City Bank.  The incredible thing about the foreclosure sales was that one of the homes was never marketed as a short sale prior to foreclosure, another was only marketed for one month, one was marketed for six months but at a price far too high, and the last only for three months, with a 3 hour showing window available on some days of the week.  What does that tell you?  These foreclosed homes in Regatta Bay could have been successful short sales had they been marketed sooner in the foreclosure process and more aggressively. 

The average foreclosure timeline for Florida is now 749 days, the third longest in the U.S.  So, instead of using the ample time to short sale, these Regatta Bay homes were foreclosed on.  That could leave the owners open to deficiency judgments and at great risk to their financial well-being.

What is the best thing to do if you are a Regatta Bay homeowner and faced with the inability to pay your mortgage?  Immediately contact your mortgage holder for assistance. If that fails, consult with an attorney and an experienced Destin Florida short sale agent, who has successfully sold short sales with all the aforementioned lenders.

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 Short Sale Help

Destin Florida real estate

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States.

Furnished Destin office space for rent in Miramar Plaza with room for two to three employees or a generous single-person executive suite. Includes two-three new Hon desks and  chairs and sound absorbing room divider. This large office has hall window and full glass door for open feeling, and is located in a contemporary commercial condo in Miramar Plaza on Highway 98, near Sandestin, just over the Okaloosa County line in Miramar Beach. Enjoy use of conference room with large flat screen monitor, storage space, and kitchen. Internet, wireless, electric, water, CAM fees included. Store front window with business directory lists your company name. All you need is your own telephone line. Share with professional real estate brokerage and appraisal company. Owner is licensed Florida real estate broker.

12889 Emerald Coast Parkway, Hwy 98 E, Commercial Space - $599 furnished.

Contact Wendy Rulnick, Broker Rulnick Realty 850-650-7883

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

326 Cullman Avenue in Grove by the Sea just sold as a short sale. The Santa Rosa Beach Florida property needed significant work, but was located in a prime subdivison near Seaside, Watercolor and the Gulf of Mexico. Grove by the Sea has two community pools and a tennis court. There is a lovely walking trail highlighted by nature, and children's play area.  What I like most about Grove by the Sea is its respect for trees.  The neighborhood was not cleared out, and many natural elements were retained to give a feeling of privacy to the cottage style homes.

Five homes sold in Grove by the Sea in 2011.  Prices ranged from $315,000 to $429,900. Homes currently for sale are listed from $350,000 to $540,000.

326 Cullman Ave, Santa Rosa Beach FL sold for $315,000.  

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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

Santa Rosa Beach FL short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States.

This was one of the most unusual short sales I've ever gotten approved.  It all started when an investor with a PNC mortgage called me about his property in Santa Rosa Beach Florida. He had purchased the new construction home sight-unseen seven years ago in the Town of Santa Rosa.  It was in a small subdivision with nine other homes, all identical floor plans.  The current owners of these houses had been presented with an "investment" opportunity at a hotel event.  They were told they could buy these new construction homes and "flip" them for a profit when they were finished. They were also told there would be no payments due, just their credit used to buy these homes. (This is a mortgage fraud RED FLAG). Of course, no mortgage payments were ever made. The construction was never completed. Contractors were not paid. Only some of the homes even had a certificate of occupancy. All of them needed substantial work to finish. They had been abandoned and boarded up for several years. They were purchased for about $400,000 each, and now were worth around $50,000 each. 

When this seller called me and told me about the situation, I contacted the other owners who were in the same predicament.  They each listed with hopes to obtain short sale approval. Luckily, we got an offer for all ten homes from one buyer.  The buyer obtained professional bids to bring all the homes up to code and into move-in condition. The repairs were approximately $10,000 to $40,000 per home. I negotiated back and forth between the sellers, PNC and the buyer’s agent until we reached agreeable terms and short sale approval last week. 

PNC is issuing each seller a waiver of deficiency.

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

Santa Rosa Beach FL short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States

I was amazed the other day when I got a real estate listing from a service provider I know.  I’m talking about someone like a repairman, UPS deliveryman, postal worker-- not in a business directly related to real estate.

He called my office to set an appointment to list his elderly parents’ property.  When he came in, I thanked him and said I was “honored” that he had selected me. I truly was.  He said, “You know I do work for dozens of Realtors on the Emerald Coast, but I know you are the right one." I thought about this. I had never mentioned real estate to him in all the years I knew him. But I had always asked him how he was, how his business was, discussed the weather and called him by his name.  Why? Because I am interested in people.  I never thought nor cared about getting "business" from being nice and never had an ulterior motive.

The reason I am writing this is because I know some people won’t even give eye contact to people they are not engaged with, like those who mow their lawn, fix their cable t.v., provide termite treatment, detail their car, or are secretaries to someone they want to see.  They don’t look at them, don’t say hello, and certainly don’t shake their hand.  That’s all wrong.

One of the greatest gifts we can give others is respect. If you acknowledge the people you encounter, and show them kindness and interest, you can make their day.  I remember I shook an electrician's hand to introduce myself once.  He almost fainted. My UPS lady loves talking with me, and I like hearing about her family.  It makes me feel good, and I can see her glow, which is my reward.   So, think about how you conduct yourself. I am not perfect, and surely can get moody sometimes.  But I try to be my best self to others by acknowledging them, looking at them in the eye, and truly being interested.  Don’t do it to get business, whatever kind of business you are in. Do it to show your humanity.

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 Florida short sale help

Wendy has been licensed for over 20 years, and owns Rulnick Realty, Inc.  She serves the entire Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County-  Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This sharp HAP home in Marion Manor, Navarre Florida, is just what you need to welcome the New Year. It sparkles! The living room, kitchen and breakfast area all have cathedral ceilings for an open feeling.  The kitchen has breakfast bar, pantry, and plenty of cabinet and counter space, and is adjacent to tiled eat-in area. Master bedroom is oversized. Master bath features his and her vanities, separate garden tub and shower and two walk-in closets. Architectural touches include plant ledges and transom windows. Marion Manor is "West of Hurlburt" for good commuting to Hurlburt Field. It is also convenient to Santa Rosa Sound, with gorgeous sugary beaches, fishing and restaurants.

This Marion Manor home at 1987 Alfred Blvd, is listed for $177,900.

What is HAP? It's the Homeowner Assistance Program for military members who transfer (PCS) to new bases, to help them avoid short sale or foreclosure.  In a nutshell, when the market value of an Eglin or Hurlburt Field area property is less than the mortgage balance, HAP will pay the shortfall for the servicemember.

Learn more about buying a HAP home.

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

Navarre Florida short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States.