Destin Florida Real Estate – Short Sales – Foreclosures

If you are buying a home around Eglin Air Force Base or Hurlburt Field, you may want to know about HAP properties. HAP stands for Homeowner Assistance Program, and it is designed to help military service members sell homes with upside-down mortgages. 

For example, if you are looking at a Crestview Florida home where the military seller owes $250,000 on the mortgage, and the home is only worth $150,000 (very common), this might be a scenario where HAP could help.  If the seller qualifies, HAP will cover his mortgage loss at time of sale, and allow you to buy it without waiting for a “short sale”.

HAP, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, assists airmen who are PCSing (permanent change of station) with orders to a new base more than 50 miles away.  To qualify for the HAP program, the service members must generally meet these criteria:

1.    They entered into a contract to purchase their current home before July 2006.

2.    It was their primary residence when they got orders to move

3.    Their orders were between February 1 2006 through September 30, 2012.

4.    The property must have declined at least 10% in value.  (That should not be in problem in the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field market).

If you find a property in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville or Navarre Florida that is specified as “HAP”, what does this mean to you?

1.     Your real estate contract should have language stating it is “contingent on HAP approval”.

2.    You should allow up to 90 days for approval.  The HAP processing time was about six months at the beginning of the year, but it is speeding up.  You may be approved quicker.

3.    HAP generally will pay competitive closing costs, perhaps 3% of the purchase price.  Be prepared that they may not agree with what you are asking.

4.    HAP wants fair market value for the property.  Do not expect to pay much less.  HAP will request the listing agent provide comparable sales data, and they will do an independent analysis, as well.

5.    Realize the Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field service member will do the initial negotiations with you, and may not accept or may counter offer your proposal.

When it is time to close, HAP will do what is called an “Augmented sale” or “Government Acquisition”.  They will actually buy the property from the service member, then sell it directly to you. 

As you begin your home search in Crestview, Navarre, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach Florida, remember to check out HAP homes.  You may be HAPpy you did!

Eglin and Hurlburt Field HAP help

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Search Crestview, Navarre and Fort Walton Beach FL Real Estate

Crestview, Navarre and Fort Walton Beach Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

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Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

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Like privacy? This Holley by the Sea short sale home on large lot is for you! 6776 Perch Rd., Navarre Florida has special features, including: new wood laminate floors thoughout the house in livingroom, dining, bonus room and hallway, new deck, dishwasher and stove. Tiled kitchen with center isle and storage underneath. Dining area with French doors to rear. Bonus sitting room or office off kitchen. Lovely covered tiled front entrance with columns. This Navarre short sale home has an oversized back yard with privacy fence. Holley by the Sea, in Navarre, Florida is a short drive to Hurlburt Field, and Navarre Beach.  Holley by the Sea has a recreation center with gym, 3 pools, 8 clay tennis courts, basketball courts, and handball courts.  Also offered are baseball, aerobics classes, campgrounds and private beach and pier.

6776 Perch Rd., Navarre Florida 32566 – short sale – offered for $143,900.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Wendy’s Navarre Real Estate Blog

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

I’ve sold real estate in Navarre Florida a long time.  About 20 years to be exact.  So I should know what the Navarre zip code is- 32566.  Or so I thought.

I was calling Homecomings Financial on the status of one of my Navarre short sales.  Of course, I going through the usual ninth-degree, name, rank and serial number before they would give me any information. Finally, the rep asks for the property address.  I told her 9478 Parker Place, Navarre Florida 32566.  She says, “That’s not the zip code we have”.  First I wondered if I called the wrong bank, or had the wrong property.  No, I quickly scanned my file and it was right.

I said, “Ma’am, Navarre has one zip code and it is 32566″.  Again, she repeated I was mistaken and she could not talk to me about the short sale.  OK, am I going nuts?  Maybe my listing wasn’t in Navarre, or there was a new zip code I didn’t know about.  I said, “Hold on, I’ll verify the zip code on the internet.”  Nope.  One zip code for Navarre, Florida.  Exasperated, I hung up and decided to do some digging.

I checked my physical file with payoff statement from Homecomings Financial. There it was. Their system had the Navarre Florida zip code wrong – 32568.  Done with the phone nonsense, I had my assistant call back.  She gave them the secret code- the wrong zip code, that is, and voila!  They would talk to her.  When she informed them they had the zip code wrong, they stated they would not change it unless my seller sent in a letter!  For some reason they could not check U.S. Postal Service themselves.

Just part of my zany short sale week, how was yours?

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Navarre FL Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Wendy’s Navarre Real Estate Blog

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

Lovely spacious short sale townhome in Hadleigh Hills, Navarre, Florida! Maintenance-free yard, as association takes care of entire grounds. Beautiful dark chocolate maple cabinets and tile floors in foyer, kitchen and baths. Upgraded stainless appliances, pantry. The 9ft ceilings and open floor plan give a bright, comfortable and warm feeling to your new home. Downstairs is more spacious than most Hadleigh Hills units. This Navarre Florida short sale townhome is in a complex with a walking path, privacy fence and extra parking for your guests. Hurlburt Field is only 7 miles away and you can be at the Gulf of Mexico beaches in minutes.

This Navarre short sale is offered at $117,900.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

Regions Mortgage has approved a short sale in Holley by the Sea, Navarre, Florida.  Regions has branches primarily in the South and Midwest.  I have found they like to negotiate back and forth on short sales, more so than other lenders.  They normally want a cash contribution, promissory note, or both, and prefer to move their liens onto other of the borrower’s real estate assets.  Regions has gotten some press lately as one of the few lenders who is yet to repay TARP funds to the U.S. Treasury, as well as federal charges against its subsidiary, Morgan Keegan & Company.  Regions is fighting those charges.

They did recently approve this short sale in Navarre, Florida.

Property:  Single family home in Holley by the Sea

Mortgage:  Regions – balance about $210,000

Offer:  about $150,000

Cash Contribution:  $22,000
 
Notes:  Remainder of balance moved as collateral to another property

Regions short sales are not always the easiest, but they can be accomplished. If you need to avoid foreclosure, and do a Holley by the Sea, Navarre, Florida short sale, consider hiring an experienced Navarre short sale agent.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Wendy’s  Navarre Real Estate Blog

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field

2389 Hemlock Drive is in Holley by the Sea, Navarre, Florida.  Beautiful home with upgrades! Newer appliances, granite counters. Tiled kitchen, baths. Vaulted living area with accent columns adding drama to open floorplan. Large lot with roaming deer (see photo!!) Holley-by-the-Sea offers a world of amenities, bay access, pool, more.

This Navarre Florida short sale home is offered at $149,900

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Short Sale Estate Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy to sell your home or buy a home: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Call Wendy Rulnick, Destin real estate agent, to list and sell your home or condo or help you buy a home or rental property on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.   Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and can help you sell or buy a short sale property in and around Destin Florida and the Emerald Coast.

6444 Starfish Cove is in Lighthouse Point in Navarre Florida.  Cozy cottage with a nice back yard. This Navarre home has an unique floor plan that works!! Floorplan makes good use of all space! Rooms feel large! 3 bedrooms and 2 baths or the 3rd bedroom could be used as an office with double doors off the living room. Navarre short sale with excellent commute to Hurlburt Field!

This Navarre Florida home is offered at $129,900.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Short Sale Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy to sell your home or buy a home: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Call Wendy Rulnick, to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.   Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist.

Your Hidden Bay Village Townhouse, 7239 Majestic Boulevard, is located in a waterfront community on East Bay.  This Navarre Florida short sale home has an open floor plan. with dramatic kitchen, dining and living areas. Cathedral ceilings in the Master bedroom and in an additional bedroom, the Master also has a balcony. Community pool, dock and boat slips may be available! 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths.  Hidden Bay in Navarre is a quick commute to Hurlburt Field and the  Gulf of Mexico.

Offered at $147,900

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Wendy’s Real Estate Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

Are you considering building a new home in Crestview, Freeport, Navarre, Rosemary Beach, Watercolor or Niceville Florida?  Consider these questions in your search for that fantastic home of your dreams.

1.  Is the builder licensed?  This may seem like a basic assumption, but always verify his current active license and possible compaints .  Go to the Florida Division of Business and Professional Reguation website and you can check.  Even if you’ve had a friend use the contractor, he might not be legitimate.  If the builder has already commenced work, go to the online Clerk of Court records in your county to see if permits were pulled in his name.  You may research Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County or Walton County records.

2.  Will you be able to see other homes the builder has completed?  If your contractor is a custom-home builder, he should be happy to send you to see a past customer’s house to view his workmanship.  Talk to the customer, too, and find out what his experience was with the builder and during construction. That way, you may have more reasonable expectations about the building process.

3.  Will you be able to review the contract before signing?  Some national builders will not release their purchase and sale agreement for you to take home to review.  They will state it is not their policy.  Insist on it, especially if you are not comfortable turning over a deposit and signing under pressure in the on-site salesperson’s office.

4.  Does your building plan comply with association restrictions or covenants?  Do not assume that the builder and your local building inspector will check your covenants for you.  The building inspector may only check for compliance with building codes.  Don’t risk a lawsuit from the community association because you have installed the wrong roof type, used unapproved materials, built an unacceptable style of home, etc.  You could be sued, and it could be costly.

5.  Does the builder offer a warranty?  The State of Florida does not require the builder to warrant their work for any period of time.  Check your state laws.  Ask if the builder will provide a policy for defects.  An example of a reputable warranty company is Bonded Builders.  Coverage will be for up to ten years for major structural items, which is transferable to a new buyer of your home.

6.  Who will be your main point of contact during construction?  Will it be the salesperson, the construction supervisor or the builder?  Find out how communication works with your contractor.  If it is a large national company, with many layers of management, be proactive and follow up with any questions, don’t assume your issue will be taken care of.  Remember, if the builder has a 100 lot subdivision and dozens of homes under construction, information can get lost that might affect the completion of your house.  I know a couple who recently bought a new home from a national builder in Crestview Florida.  The home needed a variance because it was built over the setback line.  The variance would take 30 days before it was approved.  The builder did not notify the buyers until four days before the closing that there would be a delay because of the variance.  Why?  It seems that no one at the company was responsible for the “overall” construction picture. 

7.  I don’t need a “home inspection” on a new home, right?  Not necessarily.  Great builders are not afraid of home inspectors.  Home inspectors may be the objective third party who will guide you through to reasonable expectations from the builder.

8.  Don’t expect the house to be “perfect” at your punch-list walk-through.  Homes are built by human hands.  Expect dozens of items needing correction, such as paint, scuffs, trim work, landscaping, etc.  Your builder should have a system to finish the home to your complete satisfaction, however, in writing.

9.  When should I worry?  Red flags are when the contractor asks you for more money outside the terms of your contract.  Certainly, if it is a “change” during construction, you might have to pay for it at the time depending on your agreement.  But if the request is for moneys to “continue” work that is not specified in your contract, seek legal counsel.  Also, if the builder stops construction without a reasonable explanation for days or even weeks, you may need an attorney.

10.  Should I use my own Realtor?  If it is a national builder represented by an on-site salesperson, you should strongly consider bringing in your own Emerald Coast real estate agent.  On-site salespeople can be great and knowledgeable, but they represent the builder, and may not bring up any of the items in this list.

Finally, buying and building a new home in Crestview, Freeport, Navarre, Rosemary Beach, Watercolor or Niceville Florida is very exciting.  Expectations are high, and emotions follow, because new construction can fulfill your lifetime dreams.   Educate yourself, research, and interview your builder.  And consider hiring an experienced real estate agent to guide you along the way.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Destin FL Real Estate

Destin Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Wendy’s Destin Real Estate Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to find your new construction home on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County-  Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Freeport, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.

 9478 Parker Place Dr., Navarre, FL 32566

This is a huge Navarre Florida home at 2455 square feet! Very open floorplan, big living spaces! Cathedralled living room is punctuated by fun kitchen with red wall. Corner fireplace. Master bathroom with separate shower and huge tub.  Total four bedrooms! Attractive patio. This home in the Parker Place neighborhood is a few minutes away from the air force base at Hurlburt Field and the beaches of the Emerald Coast, Navarre Beach!  Shopping choices include the Santa Rosa Mall, and a ride over to Pensacola will bring many more stores. Short sale offered at $225,000.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Navarre Florida Real Estate

Navarre Florida Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

Read Navarre Real Estate Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy to sell your home or buy a home: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Call Wendy Rulnick, real estate Broker, to list and sell your home or condo or help you buy a home or rental property on the 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, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.   Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and can help you sell or buy a short sale property in and around Destin Florida and the Emerald Coast.

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