Fishin' Chix (the fishing women)

Last Monday a local fishing organzation (all female except for 1 male charter boat captain) made their debut on the Today Show. The ladies got national attention with their pink fishing clothes and boots, fishing tournaments, and their catchy name, "The Fishin' Chix". You can read more about them on their website at www.fishinchix.com. They have monthly meetings, instructional seminars, angling information, fishing trips, fun with friends, and a unique Fishin’ Chix name. To be a member, you pay annual dues of $100, plus your share of expenses for charter trips and other special events such as cooking classes, fishy theme parties, and family stuff. And, from looking at their website photos, it appears that they catch a lot of fish! Inquire through their website about starting a chapter in your area. We welcome your comments and questions, so write to me at joe@stukey.com or visit our website at www.stukey.com.

Blue Angels Air Show - July 14-15, 2006

Make sure to see the 2006 Blue Angels air show at Pensacola Beach this year! The official show is on Saturday, July 15th, but there is also a practice show on July 13th and full dress rehersal on July 14th. The Blue Angels put on a great show, flying just offshore from the crowds on the beach. I have several pictures of their planes in flight, which I plan to post in a gallery on our website. If you need information about other items of interest in Northwest Florida, visit our website at www.stukey.com or contact me at joe@stukey.com.

To learn more about the Blue Angels flight demonstration team, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.

Walk, Jog, Run in Paradise

Tired of the same old scenery or the hot pavement when you're trying to get some exercise? Well, I have found the solution to that problem. This is a photo of my exercise track. Miles and miles of unspoiled beach at Pensacola Beach, Florida. Each day I try to cover about 5 miles, but the scenery can be distracting ---- with all the birds, seashells, porpoises, and other sea life so close. I try to keep up with how long I have been going, so that I don't go so far that I won't be able to get back in time to go to work. This tropical environment is so invigorating that time just flies by. Walking or jogging barefoot is the best way to go. The sand is so white that it resembles sugar when it is dry. It is so clean that it squeaks when you walk on it. Because the sand is soft, more exertion is required to walk or jog, so the muscles get an extra workout. You can wrap up the exercise session with a swim in the crystal clear water and you're ready to start the workday. To find out how you can enjoy this too, contact me at joe@stukey.com or visit our real estate website at www.stukey.com. Feel free to download this photo for your computer background.....and if you need others just let me know.

Real Estate Market Update - 6-1-2006

This month there are some signs of improvement in the local market. Even though the number of houses listed for sale continues to grow (now up to 6,400 single-family homes and condos in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties), the sales improved in May. Six hundred (600) detached homes sold in May (up from 500 in April), and it is interesting to note that 523 of them were under $300,000. Of that number, 352 were under $200,000. The reason --- affordability. The average price of homes in the area is still slightly beyond the reach of the average person making $30,000 per year ($70,000 in a 2-earner family).

The prices are adjusting down slightly when new homes go on the market, but they are further reduced at the time of the sale (after all, it's a buyer's market!). Sales around the waterfront are still sluggish and a smart buyer can get some good deals on those properties.

The outlook for the area is very good right now, with several new downtown condos under construction and a new 2718-acre development, called "Jubilee" in the works in north Santa Rosa County. The Atlanta-based Eagle Group is planning to have the first phase and the golf course completed in the fall of 2007. We welcome your comments and questions. Send them to me at joe@stukey.com or visit our website at www.stukey.com.