Calling all baseball fans! As we approach this year’s Major League Baseball Opening Day we want to make sure you are warmed up and prepared to make the most of this fun day.

Compared to other years, this year’s Major League Baseball Opening Day is happening earlier than ever. In fact, with the March 28th date set, this is the earliest opening day in league history. As all 30 teams prepare to take the field on this day, we want to share tips for fans to make the most out of this day as well.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR The first thing you need to do: save the date! Set reminders on your phone to remind you at least three days before the actual date, with reminders every day leading up to the event. The first two games will begin at 1:05 p.m. ET and feature a pair of AL and NL East division rivalries between the Mets and Nationals and Orioles and Yankees.

SCHEDULE TIME OFF WORK  Since opening day falls on a Thursday, be sure to schedule time to enjoy the day. Unless you have a flexible work schedule, put in those vacation-day requests now.

FIND THE GAME NEAREST YOU  If you need help locating the nearest game (or your home state doesn’t have a team in the league) visit the Major League Baseball website for more information on the schedules.Get your tickets early. This can’t be stressed enough! Opening day is a big day in the Major League Baseball world, so expect tickets to go FAST. The earlier the better, as the best seats tend to go quickly.

HOST A VIEWING PARTY  Unable to make it to a game? The next best option is to host a viewing party at your house. Depending on where you live and your cable provider, you may be able to watch the Major League Baseball games live. Be sure to check the blackout dates from your cable provider to insure you will be able to watch the game live, before you plan a viewing party. 

SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE BASEBALL  Most importantly, sit back and enjoy the game! As a fan of baseball, it’s your duty to enjoy the game no matter what. With all these tips in mind, you can make this opening day your most memorable one yet!
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​   $350,000 - 3 Bed | 3 Bath - 1,690 Sq. Ft. 
Interior Freshly Painted and windows replaced (November)! PRICED TO SELL! 2 story condo with privacy of a stand-alone home. Linkside Golf Course Views in popular Sandpiper Village in the world renowned Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. Un-Furnished - 3 bedrooms on 2nd floor (kingsize bed fits in each) ~ BONUS Room on first floor was used as bedroom (can be den or media room). Full bath on first floor. Two owners closets inside and one owners closet outside. Updates since 2013 include - roof , electrical, hot water heater , ext HVAC unit, ceilings scraped, some plumbing. House is in a Condo Association which cares for roof, exterior walls and grounds. Owner cares for interior (walls in). Washer/Dryer convey. Call for your private showing today~

​We are very fortunate that the communities we serve were spared the worst from Hurricane Michael. Our footprint sustained very minimal damage and all four of our offices have reopened.

Unfortunately, our friends and neighbors to the east were not so lucky. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this difficult time. 

Some of our PPG family were directly impacted by the Hurricane and we're fortunate that they and their families are safe. We also want to celebrate and support those within our team that selflessly went into action and rolled up their sleeves to support our team, their families and others in desperate need.   

We, as a company, will be delivering much needed supplies and assisting in the rebuilding effort. If you would like to learn more and participate, you can click on one of the links below. 100% of the proceeds donated to these charities goes to Hurricane Michael victims. If you are looking for a more tangible means of assisting, the Grayton Beer Company is serving as a regional warehouse and distribution center for the Walton County Sheriff Department’s relief efforts. Grayton Beer’s facebook page, is updated daily to communicate items of critical need. You may either drop these items off in person or order on Amazon.com and have them shipped directly to their site. 

To make it even more convenient, you can drop off items at The Premier Property Group - Seascape Office 90 Seascape Drive, Suite 102 Miramar Beach, Florida 32550 and we will happily deliver those items to the Grayton Beer Company.

Thank you for everything you have already done in the recovery effort and thank you in advance for your continued assistance.

​The PPG Team will continue to look for opportunities to assist those in needs and coordinate communication with local officials for support. As the near-term needs are met, we will be engaging as a company in the long-term assistance and rebuilding efforts.  

​In this time of recovery here are some websites and telephone numbers that might assist you or someone you know:

[Source:  Emerald Coast Association of Realtors]

FEMA ASSISTANCE

To apply for FEMA assistance visit: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585. To find the nearest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator


​EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

If you need emergency help call 9-1-1.


BASIC SUPPLIES

If you need supplies, such as food, water, or ice, please contact your county emergency management at: http://www.floridadisaste r.org/fl_county_em.asp or by phone at (850) 815-4001 for the location of the nearest distribution center. Your county emergency management can provide up-to-date information about shelters and local distribution centers for food and supplies.


HELP FOR SENIORS

If you know of a senior who needs assistance call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs hotline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). To report elder abuse, call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).


HELP FOR VETERANS

Veterans in need of assistance or in need of their medication can contact the Veteran Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571 or go to any VA medical facility for assistance.


MENTAL HEALTH

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. You may also visit: http://bit.ly/2vH2Huc for more information about managing stress after a disaster and talking with children about traumatic events.


DIALYSIS

To find a dialysis center in your area visit: http://www.dialysisunits.com/. Patients of DaVita Dialysis may contact 1-800-400-8331 to find the nearest Dialysis Center.


MORTGAGE RELIEF

To find out if you qualify for temporary mortgage relief, visit the Freddie Mac website at: http://www.freddiem ac.com/about/hurricane-relief.html , the Fannie Mae website at: http://www .fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/hurricane-relief.html or by phone at 1-800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643). To contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency visit: https://www.fhfa.gov/Homeownersbuyer/MortgageA ssist ance/ Pages /Disa ster-Assistance.aspx
You may also contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find out if you qualify for any hurricane related help with your mortgage or mortgage insurance. To contact HUD about disaster assistance visit: https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft or https://www. hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121


TAX RELIEF

Taxpayers in affected areas may be eligible for tax relief from the IRS. To learn more about IRS assistance visit: https://ww w.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.


DISASTER RECOVERY LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing various disaster loans to qualifying Floridians. For more information about SBA disaster loans visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-ass istance/. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides loans to qualifying individuals, businesses, and communities after disasters. For more information visit: https://www.usda.gov/topics/d isaster/storms, or contact the USDA office in Florida at: (352) 338-3400.

​DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Floridians who are unemployed as a result of a disaster, and who are ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance, are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the U.S. Department of Labor. For additional information about DUA visit: https://workfo rcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp or contact the U.S. Department of Labor by phone at 1-866-487-2365.


HURRICANE RESPONSE HIRING

The U.S. Small Business Administration is hiring a variety of temporary positions located throughout areas affected by recent disasters. For more information visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/hurrican e-res ponse -jobs -sba< /a>. For FEMA hiring visit: https://careers.fema.gov/hur ricane-workforce.


FEMA ASSISTANCE

For in-person assistance with storm related questions, visit your local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. For a list of centers in your area visit: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585.
Be aware of SCAMS: Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money, and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, or the State of Florida. If you suspect fraud call FEMA's Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or the Florida Attorney General fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.


RESOURCES

​Emergency Assistance 9-1-1

Local resources (food, shelter, childcare,) 2-1-1

Food, water, ice distribution https://www.floridadisaster.org/, 850-815-4001, TDD/TTY: 1-800-226-4329

County Emergency Management Offices https://www.floridadisaster.org /counties/

Shelters www.floridadisaster.org/sh elter-status/

Florida Highway Conditions: www.flhsmv.gov/f hp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html, or dial 5-1-1 or *FHP (347)

​Florida Elder Affairs Hotline 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/

Veteran Disaster Hotline www.va.gov, 1-800-507-4571

Disaster Distress Helpline (for emotional distress) 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Blue Tarp Roofs (Army Corps of Engineers) 1-888-ROOF-BLU

​FEMA www.disasterassistance.gov, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-745-0243 

Watch to see why this area is quickly becoming more of a primary resident for so many people. It's not just a vacation destination anymore! 

8 FIFTY Productions does a fantastic job capturing this lifestyle! 
​

Grayton Beach State Park:
 https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: 
https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park
*Offering free day-use admission (generally 8 a.m. to sunset), compliments of the Walton County Tourist Development Council.  

State Parks: 
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-regional-map/northwest

Okaloosa County Parks and Beach Access Ways:
http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/pw/parks/list

Links to Destin Beach Access and Destin City Parks:
http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/pw/parks/list
https://www.cityofdestin.com/DocumentCenter/View/11536/City-Facilities-and-Parks-11x17

Please click HERE for a list of Walton County beach access locations.
 

If you've ever financed a condo, you're likely familiar with the term "condo reviews".  These reviews include analysis of condo complexes' financials and insurance, breakdowns on units' ownership and residency, the percentage of owners in arrears on Home Owners' Association (HOA) dues, any pending legal actions, and more.  Lenders must obtain them on every condo loan, in one of two different variations: "limited" and "full" reviews. If complexes don't meet the requirements, buyers in that HOA can't get financing.  Far more complexes fail full reviews than limited, a distinction I always address with clients early in the loan process.

Limited reviews are fairly routine, consisting of a short questionnaire and insurance documentation from condo management.  HOA management companies typically charge nominal costs to complete the questionnaires. Owner occupied condo loans with down payments of at least 10% (25% for second homes) are eligible for limited reviews.  It's fairly unusual for a condo complex to fail a limited review. I've had numerous complexes fail a full review, yet meet limited review requirements.

Historically, however, all investment condo loans (regardless of down payment) required full reviews, which entail added cost/time to acquire more detailed info from HOA management BEFORE lenders even know if the complex meets full review requirements!  That's a situation buyers, sellers, lenders, and agents all find stressful. No one likes uncertainty in the home buying process.

Fortunately for rental condo buyers, however, Fannie Mae recently announced that investment condo loans with 25% or more down were now eligible for limited reviews.  Why is this a big deal?  Rental condo buyers who put 25%+ down already get improved loan pricing from Fannie Mae, saving 2-2.75% of the loan balance (up to $5500 on a $200,000 loan!) compared with those putting 15-20% down.  

In short, many investment condo buyers were putting 25% down, but still had to cope with the uncertainty and cost of full condo reviews.  They'll be pleased to hear that Fannie Mae's logical guideline reform just made rental condo loans far simpler.

Fannie Mae also expanded their Property Inspection Waiver (PIW) program to condos in June.  A PIW is often referred to as an "appraisal waiver", and allows lenders to close certain loans without the expense/time of appraisals.  There's nothing agents, buyers, and sellers love more than hearing their transaction doesn't need an appraisal. PIWs are determined automatically by Fannie Mae's automated underwriting engine Desktop Underwriter or "DU."  
​
Between these two guideline revisions, Fannie Mae has made condo financing faster, cheaper, and far more predictable.   More predictable loans mean more closings, higher condo values, happy buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders. It's a big win for everyone.  Thanks, Fannie Mae!

Sold this home last week in Seagrove's Cassine Village. The new owners are very excited to have their first home here on 30A. I always enjoy the excitement! 
See their Zillow review 
Here is the current activity in Cassine Villlage.   

​In the American holiday calendar no day is more significant than the Fourth of July, in which we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. That Declaration proclaimed to the world our separation from Great Britain and our emergence as a new sovereign nation, as we state in the pledge to our flag, "under God, with liberty and justice for all."

The Declaration stated unequivocally: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."

Those few words sum up the divine source of our unalienable rights and our philosophy of government. Nothing quite so revolutionary had been proclaimed anywhere by any people. The result has been this shining light on a hill, the United States of America, the freest, most creative, productive, and richest nation in the history of mankind.

Its words must be written in our hearts and minds, and that we never forget the price paid for our freedom ... and the reasons why freedom is worth paying the price.

Old Bay Condo - Destin, FL  32541

2 bed / 2 bath luxury condo in mid-Destin for under $200k!
~No short-term rentals
Only 18 units total in this 3 level low-rise quality-built condominium.

Call for your private showing today!
Share this link with anyone you may know looking in Destin for a primary residence or second home.

Thank you for your interest.
Gena Bolton
Realtor, GRI, CLHMS
251-366-0423
The Premier Property Group
email:  Gena@SoWal30a.com

Builder Makes Alexa a New-Home Standard
DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

Lennar, the nation’s largest homebuilder, announced a deal with Amazon that will make voice-activated digital assistants a standard feature in its new homes, as well as other smart devices. The new homes will include built-in Wi-Fi, smart locks, doorbells, thermostats, and lights that can be controlled by Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant, Alexa. 

“This will be the hallmark of why we buy a new home,” says David Kaiserman, president of Lennar Ventures. “It’s an important step in the mass adoption of all these technologies.” 

Every new home from Lennar will come with two Alexa-enabled smart speakers, an Echo Show and an Echo Dot. The builder will also give home buyers a complimentary visit from an Amazon technician to teach them how to operate everything. 
Lennar and Amazon announced Wednesday that they will be opening eight model homes across the country to showcase the technology.

“We want to be able to walk into one of these model homes and see how it all works in a real house, so they can see how much it would simplify their lives,” says Nish Lathia, general manager for Amazon Services. “It’s super addictive.” 

Voice assistants have been growing in popularity. About 18 percent of Americans this year use a smart speaker at least once a month, according to eMarketer, a digital marketing firm. Amazon holds the majority of the market share, but Google and Apple hope to change that. 

Source: “Amazon’s Alexa Will Be Built Into All New Homes From Lennar,” USA Today (May 9, 2018)

​This is your perfect opportunity to own a condo with direct Gulf Views! This condo has many amenities nearby including the Shunk Gulley resturaunt, Coffee Shops, Ice Cream, Shopping, and of course the beach!

​Destin is rightfully famed for its sugar-white sands and emerald-hued waters. And due to its plentiful and always hungry underwater population, Destin is widely known as the "world’s luckiest fishing village." Destin also harbors world-class resorts and rentals – and some of the best shopping and dining anywhere.