We are proud to announce that our team is growing and Lynn Boyd has joined our team as a buyer specialist.  Lynn brings great customer service skills to the team and will be working exclusively with buyers.   She has the skills to find exactly what the buyer is looking for in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of hassle. If you are looking for a full time buyer specialist, contact Lynn today. Lynn Boyd, Buyer SpecialistThe Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty850-541-2725 (mobile)850-392-1771 (office)www.KnowPayneKnowGain.comlynnboyd@kw.com (email) 01/19/2009

We are proud to announce that Mia Pankey has joined The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty.  Mia will be working as a buyer specialist.   Please join me in welcoming her. If you are looking for a home in the Panama City and Beaches area, please give Mia a call at (850) 896-3033 or send her an email at miapankey@kw.com Mia is a dynamo, working full time at her profession. Her clients can always reach her easily and can be assured of a quick, helpful response with the kind of know how that comes from years of successfully selling Real Estate. First year production...21 million, with multi-million dollar production levels in the subsequent years!! Mia will negotiate expertly in your best interest. After twelve years of being a local business owner, Mia has become very familiar w... 01/19/2009

As promised, the new features on Panama City Real Estate are begining to roll out. The latest feature to be rolled out this week includes a large images of listings that can be viewed in a slide show.  This feature allows my customers interested in particular properties the ability to look at large scale photos of the property enabling a better view of the details of that property. Visit my blog - Panama City Real Estate blog for current listings which include this new feature. Also coming later in the week are investor specials. Real Estate Investors interested in international properties will find this new feature will contain international investment opportunities such as: Ore mines, Complete resort purchases, large scale international land investments as well as international vacati... 01/18/2009

Several of my customers have requested information in regards to the East bay development project. I am pleased to report that I have been in contact with a representative of the project and have posted updated information in regards to the Panama City - East bay development project. If there are other projects or properties you'd like information regarding, please contact me directly (850) 774-6582.  I'll do my best to obtain the information and post it promptly.   01/18/2009

It used to be that when dealing with VA loans, the loan killer was a low value.  Now value is not as much a problem as property condition.  There are no problems with my buyers as they have excellent credit and job history.  However, the house they wish to purchase is in need of many cosmetic repairs and they have a limited amount of funds without their current home selling first.  At only $100,000, this is not a bad deal.  Per the appraiser, the house now meets the VA minimum standards in it's FAIR condition (this after some minor repairs).  But no mortgage company will give them a VA loan without it being in AVERAGE condition.   It needs to be noted that FAIR vs AVERAGE is basically an opinion and it changes depending on the neighborhood.  This house would not be considered AVERAGE in... 01/17/2009

Is offering the 63 hour Pre-Sales Associate Course at the Bay County Association of Realtors In Panama City, Florida beginning February 20th.  Enroll now and "Let your Career Begin Here!" For more information visit us at www.RowlettRealEstateSchool.com or email us at info@RowlettRealEstateSchool.com We offer the finest in Real Estate Education in the Panhandle of Florida!  Rowlett Real Estate School offers Real Estate Courses on-line, on CD-ROM and in the classroom. It has never been so convenient to pass your real estate exams and achieve your Real Estate License. You can take our real estate courses anywhere in the world from any computer. Our real estate courses include the Pre, Post and Continuing Education courses for the Sales Associate and the Broker. In our bookstore, we offer ... 01/16/2009

I'm starting the new year off with an updated feature to get us all focused in the right direction for the coming year. My updated Panama City Real Estate Open House schedule will be just one of the newest features undergoing significant improvements this year The schedule is subject to change without notice so please check the schedule prior to visiting my team at any of the listed open houses. For additional information these Panama City Homes for sale open houses or about having my team conduct an open house for your home or condo, contact me directly (850) 774-6582 today. Also, look for an exciting announcement coming within the next few days! 01/11/2009

As I look toward 2009 with new and fresh ideas for my business and web site: Panama City Real Estate I'd like to thank everyone who helped make 2008 another fine year. For 2009, I have many new features currently under development to add to my web sites. If you're a regular to my website and Panama City Real Estate blog, look for these new features: New automatic auction updates - Register and be among the first to know about upcoming real estate auctions Expanded business directory - Many more local businesses are signing up for my free local business directory service. Guest blogs - Look for featured posts and articles from the top agents around the country. New mortgage center - I will be adding a mortgage expert to my team very shortly which will give all my customers the ability to... 01/11/2009

No home is perfect. Anything from major damage to minor maintenance issues are often found. Even new homes are not immune - they could have problems with the plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling system, or the roofing system just to name a few.For buyers, a Home Inspection vital to uncovering issues a home may have but are invisible to the untrained eye. Even if the home inspection finds more problems than you're comfortable with and you move on to a different home to start the process all over again, it is money well spent. A Home inspection will give you the opportunity to ask the seller to make the repairs found during the home inspection before you buy, or to back out of the contract.  So be sure to ask for the "inspection contingency" when you begin to enter negotiation... 01/04/2009

Happy Holidays from the Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty .  Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Holiday Season.  Thank you to those we had the honor of serving and to those that have helped our business grow and fullfilling our lives.  Those relationships are very important and cherished.  For that we would like to say a big THANK YOU!! Let's ring in the New Year and look forward to 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Call us for all of your real estate needs in Panama City, Florida or visit our website at www.KnowPayneKnowGain.com To be notified of the foreclosures and short sales as soon as (or before) they hit the market..... please email Melonie with your request.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! 12/23/2008

In an effort to provide my visitors a single source of information I've decided to consoliate my blog posts to my primary blog: Panama City Real Estate To help my visitors navigate to these sources they find most useful, I will be providing links to the articles so they can select the information most important to them "at a glance". Not only is this feature currently available on my blog by selecting a category, the information is also available on my site by category. Without further ado, here are my most recent blog posts: Panama City Real Estate Auction Updates Panama City Real Estate - Website Updates Panama City Real Estate - Market Summary updates Panama City Real Estate - New website features Panama City Real Estate - Condo Updates   I'll also be creating several new widgets to ... 12/18/2008

In response to feedback from my posting about the much awaited opening of the Shrimp Boat Restaurant in Panama City, here are some pictures for those who haven't been able to visit since the opening.  This is the entrance on Beck Avenue.   Go to dinner by boat! Future dining options will expand with the opening of Gracie Rae"s Bar and Grille with a large deck over-looking St Andrews Bay                 Walk the Boardwalk and watch the boats unload thier catch of the day! 12/15/2008

Here are the top ten reasons NOT to wait for the “4.5%” loan program. 1) This program may never happen. 2) What will be the terms if it does? 3) No idea how long it may be before we ever find out. 4) High demand on product if it becomes available. 5) Rush to use this product will drive home prices UP! 6) Higher price pressure reduces or eliminates Seller concessions. 7) You may lose first time buyer tax credit. 8) FHA down payment increases to 3.5% in 2009. 9) Loss of all ownership tax advantages between now and when you buy. 10) If the program does actually happen, you can always refinance! Has waiting on the government to fix anything ever been a good idea? Home prices are at great right now. Home buyers have the ability to ask for seller concessions and can really negotiate terms. A ... 12/10/2008

This sound familiar to anyone?  For all of the buyers out there, please read below.  YOU COULD BE LOSING MONEY BY WAITING.  Now is the time to buy, especially if you are looking for a home for your family.  Waiting could cost you the home that you want and cost you more money to buy another home.   I will use averages for my business..... Financed amount or avg sales price $200,000Interest Rate 5.5%Principal and interest  $1135.57  Let's assume a 5% drop over the next few months in the value of this home BUT the interest rates make their way back up to 6%Financed amount $190,000Interest Rate 6%Principal and interest  $1139.14 Although this is a hypothetical situation, it could happen to you Mr and Mrs buyer. What did you gain by waiting?  NOTHING, it actually cost you in more ways than ... 12/08/2008

Looking for a great place for the freshest of seafood and cheap, cold beer?  My wife and I have been regulars at Cato's Seafood Market on 231, 4 miles north of the Panama City Mall for 2.5 years now.  Owned by friends Jimmy and Joey, Cato's is a place where you are treated like family. The menu consists of fresh seafood, raw or steamed to your liking.   The jumbo Gulf shrimp steamed in a spicy mix is my favorite but the Steamed Grouper is hard to beat.  Of course, if you want the best raw oysters picked right out of the Appalacicola Bay, look no further, pull up a bar stool and enjoy.   Their smoked tuna dip is another delight, a must have. Jimmy says pull up a seat and have a good cold draft beer for only $1.50!!!   Of course they have soft drinks, iced tea and wines for those that don... 12/07/2008

Attention Panama City, Panama City Beach and Lynn Haven Florida residents.  Wondering the value of your home in todays market?  Are homes selling?  How fast are they selling?  What did the home next door sell for? If you are asking any of these questions, we can help. Click the link below. Tell me what my home is worth Whether you are buying or selling, The Payne Group has a specialist to take care of your needs.  Our listing specialist has the knowledge to effectively sell your home in a tough, buyers market.   We have a comprehensive sellers guide to selling your home in a buyers market.  Our marketing package is web based and enhanced by daily prospecting for buyers, which is why you should list your home with The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty. Our buyer specialists t... 11/21/2008

The buzz question around town has been a toss up between who is going to win the presidential election and when is the Shrimp Boat going to open.  Saturday at 4:30 it happened!  The Shrimp Boat opened it's doors to the awaiting crowd of local diners. Thursday Night I was pleased to have been a part of the pre-opening party and am pleased to report it was worth the wait.  The interior decor was pleasing with touches of nostalgia in pictures of the original Shrimp Boat restaurant and its owner, Lowe Smith.  The magnitude of the new building is realized when you first enter the front doors and gaze upon the old Shrimp Boat sign which once stood on the front of the original restaurant now hangs in the interior of the building over the bar.  There is a sushi bar to the left of the large venu... 11/02/2008

A Panama City Condominium Auction will be held ONLINE ONLY at CertifiedRealEstateAuctions.com and the online bidding starts closing on Thursday, November 6th @ 2 p.m. This fine Condo is located on the desirable Peachtree Place, a peaceful and quiet conservation area. This Panama City Condo has a split bedroom design that includes 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, it has the largest front window configuration available with an extra large front porch area. This Florida Condo has great Gulf view from the front porch! This Florida Condo is well equipped and ready for rentals! This Panama City property is located on 17680 Front Beach Rd, Unit B204 Panama City, Bay County, FL 32413. Call The Auctioneers today! Event news and details of this Florida Condominium Auction are available on our website... 10/30/2008

A Panama City Condominium Auction will be held ONLINE ONLY at CertifiedRealEstateAuctions.com and the online bidding starts closing on Thursday, November 6th @ 2 p.m. This fine Condo is located on the popular West end of the Beach near new Pier Park. This Panama City Condo is a ground floor unit that includes 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, sleeps 4-6 people, bunks and sleeper sofa are well maintained. This Florida Condo is bordered on one side by a conservation area and it has great Gulf view! This Florida Condo is fully furnished and ready for rentals! This Panama City property is located on 17680 Front Beach Rd, Unit A102 Panama City, Bay County, FL 32413. Call The Auctioneers today! Event news and details of this Florida Condominium Auction are available on our website CertifiedRealEstat... 10/30/2008

Once again thanks to my many visitors and customers for requesting my latest new website feature: Foreclosure and Short sale listings searches. Historically, foreclosure and short sale website data tends to be out of date by the time consumers search for these types of properties.  I get many requests from investors who use these sites for specific listings that always seem to be either out of date or sold. My 2 new quick search features will make it much easier for those real estate investors interested in purchasing these types of properties to find them quickly knowing the data is current.  They are able to contact me quickly to get the most up to date information on the Foreclosure and Short Sale Panama City Real Estate Market. With my custom Foreclosure and Short Sale search featur... 10/28/2008