Certified Residential Specialist Designation

In my ongoing quest to provide my customers with the best possible service and the highest level of professionalism, I am extremely pleased to announce that I have earned my CRS designation. This designation, which stands for Certified Residential Specialist, is the highest credential awarded to experienced residential agents and of the utmost importance - the only one based on production and education. The Council of Residential Specialists represent the most successful realtors in the U.S. that have completed advanced training and demonstrated professional achievement. In fact, only 3% of all realtors earn the CRS designation.

So, how does this benefit my customers? The council focuses on results-driven best practices on both the selling and buying side. I have access to those tools and practices, putting me and my customers a step ahead of the competition. I am also part of a national referral network of fellow CRS realtors which translates into my ability to connect you with someone to assist you in real estate anywhere in the United States. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share my good news with you. As always, I am available to assist you in any way that I can. So please call or email me and let me know how I can be of service to you. 

--Robin

Top 10 Apps for Home Buyers and Sellers

Digital technology has made significant inroads in practically every facet of socity, so why should buying and selling real estate be any different? When trying to decide the best way to go about buying, selling, moving to and/or remodeling a home, there are countless apps to help with your decision-making that can be accessed for a fee or free. But what are the best? The following list provides the top 10 . . . 

1.  Homesnap. See a home for sale that you like? With Homesnap, you just take a photo with your smart phone and the Homesnap app can pull the home's interior photos and data from the Multiple Listing Service. iPhone and Android.

2. Dwellr. Developed by the US Census Bureau, this app drills down to the neighborhood level to provide home values, education statistics, commuting information and more. iPhone and Android.

3. Realtor.com. Search for the home of your dreams with an app that has the most accurate listing information available.

4. Houzz. Found the perfect home? Here's an app that will provide the inspiration you need to make it on your own. Includes more than 8 million photos of homes that you can search by room, style, location, and more. iPhone and Android.

5. MagicPlan. Not sure how you're going to fit all your furniture into a new home? Pull out your smart phone. MagicPlan can quickly measure rooms and create floor plans from the photos you take. iPhone and Android.

6. GreatSchools Finder. Get detailed ratings, test scores and reviews of schools in the areas where you're looking to buy. iPhone and Android.

7. AroundMe. See how close a home is to banks, bars, grocery stores, entertainment and other key locations that may influence where you guy. iPhone and Android.

8. Mortgage Calculator Plus. A top 100 financial app in the United States and 30 other countries, Mortgage Calculator Plus quickly estimates your mortgage, then provides analytics and graphs to show you principal payments over time and much more. iPhone.

9. Family Handyman DIY Tip Genius. If you're preparing your old home for sale or improving your new one before moving in, this app can save you time and money. iPhone and Android.

10. Real Estate Dictionary. Having trouble deciphering all the real estate jargon? This app from Lingodiction covers more than 2,000 common terms, concepts and fundamentals. iPhone and Android. 

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® Designation

As a full-time real estate professional, it’s not only crucial for me, but one of my goals to improve my skills in order to better serve my customers. I recently earned the prestigious Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist^® designation in recognition of my experience, knowledge and expertise, as well as my performance in the luxury home market. I have worked to develop this market knowledge and the special skills necessary to offer exceptional service in the fine homes and estates marketplace here along 30A.

As a homebuyer, I will match homes with your preferred lifestyle, no matter where you want to buy – locally or internationally – and bring strong negotiation skills to the table. As a seller, I will setup a customized lifestyle marketing plan for your residence and tap into a local and international network that offers you the biggest exposure for selling your property.

My membership in The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing^® provides me with the marketing tools, the networking capabilities, and the expertise to successfully meet the needs of affluent buyers and sellers. Please give me a call if you’d like more information.

Income Tax Tips

Income tax season is upon us, and it seems like every year there are more forms to figure out! But I ran across some tips that might be helpful to get you started with this year's return. So check out these links to max-out your home-related tax breaks. 

• Tax and Home Records Checklist - What to Keep and For How Long
• 9 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make on Their Taxes
• Don't Miss These Home Tax Deductions
• Are Mortgage Points Tax Deductible?
• 5 Good Reasons to Amend Your Tax Return - and How

Spring Events on 30A

Spring is on its way, and you won't want to miss these great events coming up on 30A! Starting with the Wine Festival at Alys, to the St. Patrick's Day Festival at Gulf Place, to the Easter Egg Hunt at Rosemary, there's something for everyone. And don't forget the weekly events - the Alys Beach concerts, movies in the park at Watercolor, the Seaside and Rosemary Farmers Markets, and so much more. So grab your flip flops and come join the fun!

Get Your BEACH On and come visit the BEACHES of 30A!

Boy isn't that the truth!  NOW is the perfect time to come to the Beaches of 30A.  The crowds have thinned, the sun is shining, the Gulf is warm.  So come on down and get your beach on. 

Robin Morrow, The Premier Property Group 850-570-7290

What is fueling the 30A Real Estate Market?
 

A question that I get asked almost on a daily basis is “What is fueling the 30A market?”  In a nut shell it is supply and demand.  I’m sure you remember Economics 101, well it is at work here on 30A. 

Last year at this time there were 1,031 active listings and this year there are 505 active listings.  A decrease of 51%.  Buyers have half the properties to choose from this year!  Last year at this time there were 614 new listings and this year there are 245 new listings.  Buyers that are looking for that particular property are having to wait longer to find it. 

Last year at this time sales volume along 30A for condos, attached single family and detached single family was $451,037,444 and this year it is $499,954,000.  This is an increase of 11% with half the inventory from a year ago.  The average sales price has jumped from $740,620 to $786,091 for an increase of 6%. 

So what does all this mean?  If you are considering selling, now is a great time to list your property.  You have half the competition of a year ago.  If you are considering buying, there is no time like the present.  The average sales price is increasing and has been now since 2012.  Waiting will cost you money. 

I’m happy to discuss our market in more detail with you. You can reach me on my cell at 850-570-7290.  I answer my phone!  

Greetings from the beach.  

Robin

Beautiful Beaches on Scenic Hwy 30A