Mark cowart 

​COUNTS REAL ESTATE 30A GROUP

WHETHER IT'S BEACH FRONT IN ROSEMARY OR OVERLOOKING THE BAY IN SANDESTIN OR JUST DOWN THE BEACH FROM PIER PARK...

​Buyers: It's hard to know when the timing is right...
I remember when I made the decision to buy a place at the beach, I was so anxious to get down here to start looking. I was living in Birmingham and was coming down to Sandestin at least once or twice every month, I thought to myself that it only seemed logical to try to find a place of my own that I could rent out when I wasn't using it.
I was very fortunate to have a relationship with a realtor who knew the area and the best opportunities that were available at the time, ironically, the best opportunities came and went with blazing speed. My realtor would say "You better quit thinking and pull the trigger on this one before it's gone!" and just like she predicted by the time I would make an offer it would already be under contract. It didn't take me long to figure it out, after missing three places that I absolutely loved, the next time my agent called me and said she found what I wanted I said "send me a contract now!"

Some of us learn faster than others, but each of us have to realize that values are increasing and we are transitioning to a seller's market. So the big question is "when is the time to buy?" Well guess what - the time to buy is NOW! I have said over and over to clients sitting on the fence "If you could buy $100 bills for $50 or $60 each, how many would you buy?" I don't think it's a stretch to say that we all would buy all that we could and honestly that's the opportunity that is right in front of you. Values are appreciating and if you want to own, then now is the time to act!
The Real Estate Market...

Just like the stock market or precious metals market, the real estate market is cyclical and the time to take advantage is when the markets are down or when values are increasing. If you had known to buy gold even when it was climbing through the $500 mark or what about GM or Ford stock? Had you bought a few hundred shares when its was just a couple of dollars per share less than 9 years ago you would be sitting on huge profits today. 

​We've All Said It...
"When the Real Estate markets right I'm taking advantage of it this time" or "Why did I just stand by and let everyone else take advantage of this buyer's market?" Rarely are we presented with perfect timing, but the reality is that the markets are beginning to swing to some degree back to the seller's favor. The longer a buyer sits on the sideline allowing inventory to reduce, the more he will pay when he does decides to buy! The lenders have finally woken up and realized the folks taking advantage of this buyer's market are the ones they want as clients. Today's buyers are fiscally responsible and shrewd enough to know NOW is the time to buy and they ARE taking full advantage of it!

​What's Your Next Step...

Now that you have decided to take advantage of the market and get your own place at the beach, you have a few questions that you have to ask yourself:

1: Exactly what do you want, is it a condo or a house?

2: When you come, how many typically come with you - how many bedrooms?

​3: How often will you be using it?

4: Will you allow your family and friends to use it?

5: Will this be an second home or investment property?

6. Will you require a lender?

Once you have answered these 6 questions you are ready to start the search for your dream home. I encourage all of my clients to be open minded and prepared to jump when the right opportunity comes along! ​