Robin Sherman

Heidi - Conservative is good. As you mention, sometimes the stress of worrying about it can outweigh what looks like a cut and dry decision. If you feel there is a big risk you may be uncomfortable and who wants to lose sleep? Rent and sleep well!

That being said, I always look at the cost to rent - say $1500/mo for 12 months X 3 years = an investment (or a cost) of $54,000. No tax breaks and no ability to customize a home to your wants and needs.

Florida is a HUGE state and the Panhandle - decidedly - is not Miami. The Panhandle has not seen the huge price swings that Miami, Orlando and Tampa have seen. Our prices just did not run up as they did in other Florida markets dependent on tourism or a particular industry. The Panhandle economy has always been fueled by the military (NAS Pensacola, Hurlburt, AFB and Eglin, AFB), health care and retirees (primarily military).

With all due respect, I'm not sure that John in Conn. can give you a good read on buying real estate in Florida, or renting for that matter. All real estate really is local - our single family home market in Pensacola is considerably different than even the market on nearby Pensacola Beach. When you look at the numbers - you have to pull out properties like beach condos and waterfront homes as they aren't good comparisons - from the averages to make any sense of them.

And I don't really understand the comment about not following the herd. The herd right now is sitting the fence pretty much nationwide - other than the professional real estate investors who are doing what they do best; picking up the best deals while everyone else "waits for the bottom." Just like stock market timing, by the time you can see the bottom, it's usually above you!

Best of luck to you and your husband with your FL move and with the career. We found our time with the Navy to be very rewarding. - Mon Jun 30 2008, 15:15

Hello Heidi - I can understand your interest in renting, however there has never been a better time to buy in the Pensacola Bay Area! The near term predictions are for a continued slow market (lots of housing inventory), but most of the experts predict that with the baby boomers entering their peak retirement years areas like Pensacola (Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Navarre) will really benefit.

As a former Navy wife I can tell you that we purchased whenever we had an assignment that was more than temporary as the prospect of giving away rent money wasn't a pleasant one. There is always the tax benefit to home ownership.

All that said, when there is high housing inventory for sale there is also good inventory for rent. Pace is a rapidly growing area that is not far from Whiting Field and also close enough to Pensacola that you won't feel like you are "out in the stix." There is a new retail center with a Target, Starbucks, etc. Gulf Breeze is also another great choice if you would like to be closer to the beaches.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to visit my web site and check out my Testimonials page where you can read what a lot of military clients have had to say about working with me and my team. Best of luck to you on this upcoming adventure! There are lots of things to LOVE about Northwest Florida! - Mon Jun 30 2008, 08:22

Hello Cristiane - I answered your question previously, but just wanted to let you know that I just put a 3700 square foot Bay front home in Gulf Breeze under contract. Even in our slow market (particularly for waterfront) homes will sell if they are priced right. Please feel free to contact me to talk about the value of your home if you are ready to sell. - Fri Jun 13 2008, 12:35

Hello Cristiane - I am a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. I live and work in Gulf Breeze and waterfront properties are an area of specialization for me.

We have seen a lot of changes in our local real estate market over the last 8 years. The only way to give you a truly accurate answer is to see your home. But, for a shortcut I would encourage you to visit my website http://(www.PensacolaForYou.com) and click on the Market Snapshot tool. You can type in your address and it will show you all the nearby homes for sale and all the homes that have recently sold as well as days on the market, list to sale price information and mapping.

I'm sure you are aware that our market, like many real estate markets around the country, has slowed down dramatically. It is crucial that you price your home appropriately from the beginning and that you have the correct marketing tools. I have watched TONS of sellers "chase the market down" by pricing their homes too high. This is particularly true of waterfront which has not been in much demand since Hurricane Ivan. Make sure that anyone giving you a valuation on your home "prove" it with accurate comparative property information. It does none of us - sellers, buyers, Realtors, - any good to have the market flooded with overpriced properties that will not sell and just sit on the market for years. I am telling my clients (and potential clients) to price it to sell or to leave it off the market until such time that the market might meet their expectations. That is one of the keys to restoring a healthy real estate market.

I'd love to talk with you when you are ready to shop for an agent. - Thu May 29 2008, 05:36

Jaimee - No, you're not expecting too much. You should be getting regular communication from your agent. One of the things I do with my clients is tell them up front how I work; how often they will hear from me and what I am doing on their behalf. I sometimes have to adjust the way I communicate (phone vs e-mail, etc.) - or the frequency - of my communications to meet their needs, but it's not rocket science, it's really just systems. I have another agent who works for me so there is always someone the client can reach. This is a 24/7 business, so that just makes sense. - Mon Jun 2 2008, 20:28

Hi Jaimee - Our market is decidedly slow, but at the four month period with only one showing it's certainly time to sit down with your Realtor and figure out what is going on! In a slow market it is more important than ever that your house is in great shape , priced right and marketed as widely as possible. There is more inventory on the market now so buyers have a lot to choose from. You want yours to stand out! You should be looking at the sales on a regular basis with your Realtor. I, too, am a Navy wife and we were caught with a home that would not sell when we left Whidbey Island, Wa. I vividly remember the stress of that situation and would not wish it on anyone. Best of luck to you and call me when you decide it's time to look for another Realtor. - Mon Jun 2 2008, 11:59

Hi Lew - I'm a Realtor in Pensacola. I grew up here so have gone through hurricanes. From my experience, unless you are right on the water you should be fine. Not that people didn't lose some of their roof or have tree damage, but there are consequences to living anywhere (fires, tornados, earthquakes). The most scared I have ever been was in an earthquake in Seattle! Can you imagine the pavement moving like waves in the ocean?

As far the above average prediction for hurricanes, I have posted an article on my BLOG about the recent report showing Global Warming and increased hurricane activity being unrelated - this from a scientist who had complained loudly about the Bush admistration censoring reports related to global warming. You can access it from this link: http://activerain.com/blogsview/516278/Hurricanes-in-Florida-A

There is a GREAT search tool on my website that will allow you to see all the homes listed in Pensacola, satellite maps, photos, etc. I would suggest you look at Pace, Gonzales and Cantonment. There are wonderful family neighborhoods in Northern Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties that are short drives to downtown Pensacola. We really don't have a lot of traffic congestion here.

Let me know if I can help!

Robin Sherman - Mon May 26 2008, 16:31

She will love Pensacola. The beaches are beautiful, the University of West Florida is a small college with a gorgeous campus and a lot of activities she can participate in and the old downtown are of Pensacola is very quaint. Hopefully, you will be able to visit her in Pensacola. Please visit my website Juergen where I have a lot of information - and photos - available. I also have a blog there so you can keep up with what is going on in Pensacola. - Sun May 11 2008, 20:21