Summertime in our area brings thoughts of fun and sun at the beach. While I expect to see plenty of events this month, I am excited to see so many options. I have seen the GoRetro buses driving around downtown recently. This newer service touted as Pensacola's most flexible, fun and, affordable sightseeing tour that offers a fully narrated tour with 14 stops. Included is a guided tour of the oldest house still on its original foundations and a self-guided old cemetery tour. Selected nearby businesses and restaurants offer over $100 in discounts or giveaways by simply showing them your Go Retro wristband. The fare is available at any stop. Public parking is available at New World Inn, Visitors' Information Center, or Go Retro Tours. Hop-On Hop-Off Tours are available Fridays Saturdays thru September 1, 2017. Call 850-466-5220 for more info.

Being an empty nester has given me time to have a hobby, so I recently started doing stained glass again after many years. I have meant to get over to meet the artist Lyn Gentry before the chance ends on June 6, 2017, to get some inspiration. Lyn studied with the renowned glass artist and designer, Narcissus Quagliata. Quagliata has artwork in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass. Quagliata is said to have developed the concept of using glass rather than canvas to express the nature of light within a design. Lyn's pieces vary from functional glassware to large, custom-designed architectural pieces. You can check out her work at www.hotsandsglass.com or call 850-602-9279 or more information.

My knees do not let me run anymore, so I will not be participating in the 2017 Island Triathlon on June 10 in beautiful Pensacola Beach. I think I am paddle boarding that morning anyway. Santa Rosa Island Triathlon, Inc. is producing this quality event to welcome first-timers to the sport and to provide an outstanding racing experience for seasoned triathletes. A sold-out field of 500 athletes is expected to compete. The race distances are a 300-yard swim, ten-mile bike, and two-mile run. Perhaps Bill and I can make the after party at 8:00 at the Gulf-side Pavilion.

The 8th Annual Junefest Music Festival is scheduled for downtown June 23, 2017 - June 24, 2017. This family-oriented festival offers a wide variety of performing artists and bands from all genres: Rock, County, Blues, Pop, Reggae, Jazz, and Gospel. Details are still in the works so call beforehand at 850-889-8157.

Finally, this month's Gallery Night Pensacola will be held on June 16, 2017, from 4:00 - 8:00 with the after party following. See you there.

This well-kept house at 3590 Monteigne Drive is in the Summit Park subdivision, east of Pensacola Heights off of Scenic Hwy. This lovely home features a sparkling gunite pool, lush mature landscaping under majestic oak trees. The family room has a beautiful brick fireplace, hardwood floors, and high vaulted ceilings. The Kitchen is spacious and bright and has plenty of room for an eat-in breakfast area. There is a poolside screened in sunroom with easy access to the kitchen.

The formal living room and dining room are great opportunities for home offices or dens; you can have both in this home. The master suite and bathroom is downstairs away from the other three bedrooms upstairs allowing additional privacy.

Sold by Kim Gibbons at Emerald Coast Realty.

702 Dubois Drive is a spacious two story home situated on a large over-sized corner lot in Fort Walton Beach with a privacy fenced backyard. When you enter the house, you step into the large foyer with a large dining room to your left and the living room to your right. The home features a large eat-in kitchen that opens to a spacious backyard. Your master suite is located upstairs along with two guest bedrooms and a bathroom. Downstairs you have a large bonus room that can act as a fourth bedroom or converted into an expansive master suite.

702 Dubois Drive is convenient to shopping, base, and the minutes from the Gulf beaches in Fort Walton Beach and Destin.

Sold by Kim Gibbons at Emerald Coast Realty.

 Mortgage Delinquencies Lowest in 10 Years

Mortgage delinquencies of 30 days or more, or in early stage delinquency, are at their lowest level in ten years, according to CoreLogic's new Loan Performance Insights Report. This is a key check on the health of the housing market and the overall economy. Approximately 5 percent of mortgages, including those in foreclosure, were 30 days or more delinquent in January 2017, 1.1 percentage point less year-over-year.

"The 30-plus delinquency rate, the most comprehensive measure of loan performance, is at a 10-year low and rapidly declining," said Frank Martell, president, and CEO in a statement on the report. "While late-stage delinquencies remain in the pipeline in selected markets, early-stage delinquency performance is stellar and the lowest it's been in two decades. The continued improvement in mortgage performance bodes well for the health of the market in 2017". Mortgages that are 90 days or more delinquent are following the trend, at a rate of 2.5 percent in January, down from 3.2 percent the year prior.

"Steady job and income growth, combined with full-doc(documentation showing real income over two years) underwriting, has led to low early-stage delinquencies," said Dr. Frank Nothaft, economist. "January's 0.9 percent transition rate for current to 30 days late is lower than a year ago and much lower than the 1.5 percent average from 2000 and 2001, during which the foreclosure rate was, conversely, lower than it is today."

Consumers  Anticipate Higher Home Prices

Consumers continue to anticipate an increase in home prices for the future, foreseeing a 3.3 percent change, a figure that has been steady since 2015. According to the March 2017 Survey of Consumer Expectations by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. More consumers in March also anticipated a "much easier" or "somewhat easier" time obtaining credit than in February.

Opposing forces were at work when it came to household finances in March, according to the survey. Consumers' expectations regarding income growth decreased to 2.5 percent, but their expectations regarding spending growth increased to 3.3 percent. Their reported likelihood of missing a minimum debt payment decreased, as well, to 11.2 percent.

On the broader economy, consumers expected the median inflation rate to be 2.74 percent in one year and 2.71 percent in three years. Their reported likelihood of finding a job increased dramatically, from 56 percent in February to 59.3 percent in March, while their reported likelihood of losing a job decreased from 15 percent in February to 14.5 percent in March.

See the current real estate market trend here on the Emerald Coast. The key data tracked are: Average Sale Price, Active Listings and Number of Monthly Sales.

This month's Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola will be May 19 from 4-8 pm with the after party following immediately afterward. During this event car traffic is not permitted on Palafox Street between Garden and Main Street. This month's theme is Taking the "Arts to the Streets" where visitors can connect with the unique Culture of Pensacola. My husband and I like to secure a window seat at one of the great restaurants on Palafox for a front row seat.  Gallery Night is a great opportunity to see the art, listen to local musicians, and people watch. Restaurants get booked so make reservations.

Every spring I promise myself that I will commit to paddleboarding on a regular basis. Has not happened yet, but this year I have signed up for Namaste Afloat Paddleboard Yoga Series with Vina Combellick on Saturdays, May 20-June 10, from 6-7:30 pm.  Vina is one of the Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center's instructors, but she also leads this stand-up paddleboard yoga class. SUP Yoga is a new way to center yourself and experience your practice out in nature and on the water. Feel the breeze on your face and sun warm your skin as you flow while floating. Alignment and breath play a big role in SUP Yoga and encourage you to individualize your practice. Float into savanna after challenging your balance and focusing on your movement; relaxing to the sound of the water lapping against your board and the birds singing in the background. No paddle board or yoga experience is necessary. Ability to swim is required. Check it out at www.breathepcola.com under workshops and events.

The Gulf Breeze Optimist Family Fishing Rodeo returns for its 42nd year on May 20-21. This year, awards total over $5,000 in cash and prizes. There is a $1,000 cash grand prize. Entry fee is $25. Kids aged 9 and under are free with an adult entry. The event is hosted at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze, with weigh-ins Sat-Sun from 2 to 5 pm. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prized will be awarded in the following categories:
Amberjack, Bluefish, Bonito, Croaker, Dolphin, Flounder, Grouper, King Mackerel, Lady Fish, Ling/Cobia, Other Legal Snapper, Pompano, Redfish, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Trigger Fish. For more information, call them at (850) 261-3731.

If paddle-board yoga or fishing is not your thing, perhaps the Grand Prix of Watercross will intrigue you. This event is the second round of the Pro Watercross National Tour Stop.  Hosted by Casino Beach Bar & Grille and Visit Pensacola, for $20, visitors can gain access to the VIP tent. The VIP tent features free food, complimentary drinks from Abita Brewing Company, and unbeatable views of the competition. VIP guests will also receive a Pro Watercross DVD so that they can relive the action at home. The fun starts Friday, May 13th and features live music by The Rips. Check out Pensacola Beach Grand Prix of Watercross for more details.

The Blue Angels will be practicing all month and can be seen practicing over the Museum at NAS Pensacola most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Practices typically begin at 11:30 am, and last about 55 minutes. Admission to practice is free and open to the public. The outside viewing area for the Blue Angels practice, located on the Museum Flight Line north of the Museum. Signs are posted to direct visitors to viewing and parking areas, including limited parking for disabled visitors. Open bleacher seating is available for seating 1,000 people.  Chair service is available, but the quantity is limited. The fee of $3 per chair good for that day's practice session. Concessions (bottled water, sports drinks, light food and treats) and merchandise are also available. Chair service, concessions, and merchandise are provided by the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. All proceeds support the Museum and Foundation programs. You can find out more at www.navalaviationmuseum.org.

This contemporary brick home at the Crane Cove subdivision in Gulf Breeze has a salt water pool is situated on a nice large corner lot which gives give you privacy. Nice open floor plan with great room, eat-in kitchen, and formal dining room. However, owners use the dining room as flex space. It has a great floor plan with master on one side and three bedrooms on the other side. The master bedroom has two closets and double vanities in master bathroom.

The salt-water sports pool is only two years old and has two multi-color LED underwater lights, four deck jets,  Pent-air energy efficient, super flow variable speed pump, Pent-air Sand filter, Intelli-chlor Power Center (salt/chlorine converter) and a self-cleaning Polaris. Enjoy the Florida lifestyle; call 850-437-5618 to get more details.

This all-brick home in Autumn Meadows is practically perfect in so many ways. Located fifteen minutes from downtown and just outside of NAS back gate, this newer community, encompassed by Tarkiln Bayou Preserve and Big Lagoon State Parks. Southwest Escambia Sports Complex is just minutes away on the north side, and the beaches of Perdido Key are equally close to the south. Target, Walmart and plenty of other shopping venues, restaurants, and entertainment options are close by as well.

This home features vaulted ceilings in the great room and trey ceilings in the master bedroom and dining room. The kitchen features granite on the counter tops and on the kitchen island, upgraded appliances, and a true breakfast bar your family can use for snacks and meals. The master bedroom has a lovely master bath on suite with a soaking tub and separate shower. The split floor plan this home offers provides privacy for the homeowners with plenty of room to entertain. The fenced backyard has an inviting covered patio for year-round use. Why would you ever leave?

Call Kim Gibbons at Emerald Coast Realty to schedule a tour, 850-437-5618.

See listing detail page for 9561 Laramie Drive, Pensacola, FL 32506.

Here is your golden opportunity to find a great place to live and at the same time have an income producing property with easy access to downtown Pensacola. Located just minutes from the thriving revitalization Pensacola is becoming famous for, this charming recently upgraded bungalow has glossy hardwood floors, beautiful bathrooms, slate flooring in the master and a double corner lot. The property includes a cute apartment above the garage that is currently rented, allowing you to offset your expenses.

This neighborhood is walking distance to restaurants, pubs, grocery stores, banks and all of the terrific things that make downtown Pensacola so desirable. A quick tour of the area shows how rapidly the expansion downtown is reaching neighboring areas. Many homes here are being renovated to showcase the original charm but offer updated conveniences. Other neighbors are choosing to build new homes with the same classic bungalow designs on the remaining available lots. Folks are flocking to get into the area while they can so don't wait to make your appointment.

Sold by Kim Gibbons at Emerald Coast Realty.

Spring is officially here on the Gulf Coast, and once again it is glorious. With mild temps and sunny skies, it is easy to head out to enjoy all the area offers. If you have not yet had the opportunity to check out the Palafox Market it is on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 2 pm. Located on N. Palafox St., in Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, between Wright St. and Chase St., the Palafox Market is centrally located to many shopping and dining establishments in Downtown Pensacola. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art, and antiques are just a few of the items offered by vendors at Palafox Market in Downtown Pensacola. Items originate directly from onsite vendors who grow, make or create the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and art for sale.

Seville Square Park is host to the 2017 Pensacola JazzFest on April 1 & 2 from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. My husband loves jazz, so maybe we will see you at this free all-jazz festival held in historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. Jazz Pensacola produces the event with assistance from a variety of corporate sponsors, community organizations, and donations. The two-day festival celebrates America's unique musical art form-jazz. Jazz Pensacola volunteers work yearlong to present the festival as their annual gift to the community. Named among the TOP 20 festivals and events by the Southeast Tourism Society. They reportedly have a great lineup of performers among our JazzFest headliners, including Greg Abate, Wayne Bergeron, Annie Sellick and Dimas Sanchez and Fusion Beat.

Springtime also is the beginning on the Bands on the Beach. My family has been enjoying this for seventeen years now. Every Tuesday Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features a lineup of performers sure to please every musical taste. Located in the beautiful Gulfside Pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the series features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Bring your lawn chair and join us every summer for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times. Enjoy this week's performance of "Not Quite Fab." The fun starts at 7 pm at 20 Casino Beach Road.

My son highly recommends the Pensacola Museum of Art, and now you can now experience it on Sundays for half price. The museum is open on Sunday from noon until 4 pm thru August. You can check out the calendar of exhibits at pensacolamuseum.org. Parking is available on the streets around the Museum on Zarragossa St, Jefferson St, Main St, and Palafox St. It is free for two hours.

A true Gulf-front two-bedroom condo in Regency Towers only seems to come on the market once in a blue moon. Finding one that has been recently upgraded and is rental ready is luckier still. Make an appointment to see this pristine beach home before someone else snaps it up. This condo offers direct views of the gulf from the living room, dining room, both bedrooms and from the balcony. Perfectly situated on the third floor, you are close enough to see the sand dunes but high enough to get a bird's-eye view of the emerald waters. Truly the best of both worlds.

Regency Towers is located on the eastern end of Pensacola Beach and is on the trolley line. You can ride the trolley free to go to local shops, restaurants, clubs, and water sports venues as well as down to Ft Pickens. At the end of the day, you can hop back on for a free ride home. With the ferry service coming to the area, you can take a leisurely boat ride to the mainland to check out downtown Pensacola before heading back to your beach retreat. So many options.

Once you have returned to the beach, make sure to check out the amenities at Regency Towers. This complex offers a sparkling community pool, elevators, exercise room, tennis courts, picnic area all situated in secured Gulf-front buildings.

This Regency Towers 302W Condominium listing was sold by Kim Gibbons at Emerald Coast Realty, 850-437-5618.