It's 2010 - How's your "Bucket List" coming along?

Instead of jotting down my annual goals this year which I have done for the past 10 years, I decided to work on my "bucket list" (a.k.a. "100 Things to do before I die"). Whether it's buying your first home, traveling to Australia, parachuting out of a plane, or just getting on an airplane, at some point we realize life is flying by and I don't want to be on my death bed saying, "gee, I wish I had.....".

Hence, the beginning of my "bucket list". I always wanted to get more involved in our awesome community. However, the idea of getting up in front of a room full of people makes me lightheaded. In order to overcome this fear, I've become involved in the Bay County Association of Realtor's Leadership program. I even have to go through TOASTMASTERS, talk about being out of my comfort zone!

Another item on my "bucket list" may seem small to many, to me it was huge - complete a 5K. I figure if my husband Ron can complete the Gulf Coast Triathlon (swimming a mile, biking over 50 miles, then running a 1/2 marathon (and after brain surgery), surely I can finish a 5K. I am glad to announce I ran in and completed my first 5K on Sat., April 3, 2010. On to the next item on my list....

Why do I mention my "bucket list"? Because life does pass us by before we know it. So, if you have been thinking about buying that first home, move up home, or maybe downsize so you can spend more time with the grandkids or your loved ones, now is the time. WHY? Rates are low, there's a large amount of inventory to choose from, it's a great time to afford a "move-up" home or become a landlord.

Maybe your "bucket list" includes living on a tropical island? Hey, I can find that for you too!

Good luck with YOUR bucket list and here's to a fabulous, healthy, successful 2010!

Karen


Karen Branham, e-Pro, SRES, Broker Assoc., SFR
"Exceptional Service"
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
(850) 832-8626 or visit me at www.KarenBranham.com

What I Know For Sure In 2010

As we fully embrace the first quarter of 2010, I would like to share with everyone a few things that I know for sure. One, I know how grateful I am to be born in this amazing country. I know for sure I am grateful for the business relationships I have built up over the years. I have not only enjoyed the business aspect of real estate, but I have also enjoyed the friendships that have come with it. I have enjoyed helping my buyers and sellers with their real estate endeavors. Whether it was a challenging short sale or a relocation due to a job transfer, or maybe I helped you with your first home or it was time to enter a new chapter of life called retirement, I have enjoyed our journey together and look forward to working with you again.

I know for sure I have an incredible family and support system. I have two amazing daughters, Katie 19, Erin 15, and I know my life has been full of many things including side-splitting laughter and deep love because of what they bring to this world. I know for sure I was meant to be a mother.

I know for sure that I have the most incredible husband a girl could ever ask for. Ron and I have been married for 24 years. He has been along for this ride that we call life, through the ups and downs and there is no other "gentleman" (in every sense of the word) that I have enjoyed spending my life with and look forward to spending the next 50 years with. I know for sure he has been my source of strength, my rock, my cheerleader, my friend (and a few other things I can't mention), and I know for a fact he has taught me so much in life. I know I would not truly understand the power and meaning of kindness, sharing, bravery, strength, compassion, compromise, dignity, friendship, confidence, self worth, humor and of course love, had he not taught me. I know I am a lucky girl.

I know 2010 will continue to be a challenge for many, whether it's personally, professionally, health wise or maybe spiritually. I know I will smile when I see my dog optomistically wait at the pantry door for her cookies. I know I will continue to drive my family crazy, I will look forward to date night as well as a laugh or two at my girls night out. I will look forward to the sun coming up each morning, as well as look forward to being greeted at the office by my extended Coldwell Banker family.

Finally, I know for sure that I have no idea what the new day will bring, but I do know for sure, I will optomistically look forward to it!

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone! Karen

Karen Branham, e-Pro, SFR, SRES
USAA Certified, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS
Direct: 850-832-8626
Visit me at http:www.KarenBranham.com

Panama City's Star Looks Bright in 2010

The following article comes from the News Herald's Fri., Jan. 1, edition. We all love optomistic news like this!

SCARLET SIMS / News Herald Writer

PANAMA CITY — Panama City’s economy will be a shooting star during the next two years, local business leaders and economists said Thursday.

“The future is really bright for Panama City,” said Rick Harper, director of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development. “2010 is the year to be pulling out of the economic trough. It is really the recovery year.”

This past year hit Bay County hard. Median home and condominium sale prices have plummeted, foreclosures are up and unemployment is high. Last month, Bay County reached 10.7 percent unemployment and it may go higher, economists say. Harper said Bay County’s economic woes are bottoming out. Next year will be better, especially the second half when the economy begins to rebound, he said.

Bright spots persisted in 2009 and will continue next year, said Beth Oltman, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce president. Area leaders pointed to Southwest as the No. 1 event impacting the business community in 2009. Southwest Airlines’ decision to be the low-cost carrier for the new international airport means Bay County is poised for growth, they said.

“We’re all living on the hopes of the new airport,” Oltman said.

Southwest is drawing the interest of other companies wanting to locate at the new airport’s industrial park, setting the stage for a better 2010. Harper said Southwest will draw tourists and military contractors.

“Southwest is going to be huge for Panama City and South Walton,” Harper said.

More companies mean more jobs, said Kim Bodine, Gulf Coast Workforce Board executive director, in an e-mail. She expects the local recovery to have fits and starts, but joblessness should lessen in 2010. Southwest’s decision increases the area’s visibility and opens the market for more visitors, which will immediately help the tourism market.

“It really broadens our reach,” Bodine said.

Bay County must work to bring more jobs to the area to recover fully from the worst recession in at least 20 years locally. Banks must be confident in loaning money, the county or state must offer incentives for new companies to locate in Bay County and the county must do what it can to be a business-friendly community, Bodine said. The airport is a great start, she said, but the workforce should still consider retraining or improving skills to meet future business demands.

In the short term, this spring’s tourism turnout is expected to be strong, Oltman said. Bodine hoped to expand existing businesses or bring in enough new companies to offset job losses when the tourism season ends.

“With the opening of the airport in May of 2010, this region will begin to see a surge of activity that we have probably never experienced and will assist us in a rapid recovery from the economic downturn,” said Bay County Chamber of Commerce President Carol Roberts in e-mail.

That growth probably won’t be strong until 2011, but when it hits, it will be faster than Tallahassee’s recovery and most of Northwest Florida, Harper said.

“I think the stage is set for robust growth in Panama City,” Harper said.

MAY THIS NEW YEAR BRING YOU GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND TERRIFIC REAL ESTATE VALUES! Karen

Karen Branham, REALTOR
Associate Broker, e-Pro, SRES, SFR
Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS
THE BRANHAM TEAM
"Exceptional Service"
726 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Direct: 850-832-8626
Email: karen.branham@cbunited.com
Visit my website and blog at http://www.karenbranham.com

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