Fun Decorating-The ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui has gained in popularity in the West in recent decades. Many homeowners seek out the wisdom of its teachings in order to create balance and harmony in their homes.  Feng Shui is about taking control of how our environment affects us. Different objects, arrangements of these objects, and even colors make all the difference for receiving positive energy. The first word you should associate yourself with is Qi (pronounced chee). This is another word for life energy. Homes are divided into nine sections where this Qi flows. Start by mentally standing at your front door and then visualizing a 3 by 3 grid laying over the whole of the house. The top layer of the grid from upper left to upper right is as follows: Wealth and Prosperity, Fame and Recognition, Marriage and Relationships. The middle layer of the grid from left to right is as follows: Health and Family, Life Force, Children and Creativity. Finally, the lower level of the grid from bottom left to bottom right is: Knowledge and Self-Cultivation, Life Purpose and Career, Helpful People and Travel. If you feel your life is lacking in one of these areas or needs some help, then be sure to pay careful attention to these particular zones. If your bathroom is in your wealth corner, for example, then be sure you’re not “flushing away” opportunity. To balance this affect you can introduce eight stalks of bamboo to foster wealth and abundance and always keep the toilet seat closed! Your kitchen in an integral part of your home. Consider what colors you use since they have strong affects on Qi. In kitchens you should refrain from using red, black, or green as your dominate color. Instead choose shades of yellow, which is said to aid digestion. Kitchens are the source of our literal nourishment as people, so its doubly important that this room be well-balanced. Does your stove face you towards a wall? Consider hanging a mirror behind the stove so that you can see behind you. Finally, to bring in extra life to this important room, introduce bowls of fresh fruit or some flowering houseplants. Another important room is the bedroom. This is not a room to house a TV or exercise equipment, instead make it a relaxing and inviting space. Choose appropriate lighting for this space, such as lights on a dimmer or candles and pick soothing earthy colors just as beige or taupe. Feng shui is a complicated study that includes many more intricacies that were discussed here. If you are interested in creating more balance in your home be sure to extend your study by checking out books and informative websites. Your home will thank you! Published: January 18, 2012

Hope everyone has a wonderful, maintenance free weekend in Gulf Breeze and on Pensacola Beach!  70 degrees in January, not too bad, hopefully the rain (and leaks) will stay away…Happy Weekend!

Very interesting and informative CAI (Community Association Institute) luncheon today presented by Suzanne Blankenship and Stephen Lowery with Coastal Association Law Group.  Determining who is responsible for cost of repairs in condominium complex  is always a challenge for managers and board of directors.  One point being made several times was it is imperative that associations take precautions for repairs and perform regular maintenance of common areas and limited common elements.  It is also very important that the association regulates the owners to maintain proper maintenance on areas within their unit that can create larger problems for the association and other owners.  For example, keeping drain line in washer machine free of clogs, refrigerator lines properly connected and lint traps clean, just to name a few.

Off to Regency Cabanas Board Meeting at SRIA.

Busy week with upcoming Board meetings for Regency Cabanas and Palm Beach Club.  Reviewing  reports for both associations and getting updates from maintenance staff.  There are always many maintenance projects going on simultaneously, so coordinating with staff, vendors and owners is always about good communication and consistency.  Making sure you have accurate ‘apples for apples’ quotes is always a must and can be time-consuming for managers but money-saving advantage for the association and owners.

Lots going on in the CAM department today:

• Regency Cabanas board meeting coming up on Thursday – prepared agenda, sent to board for approval and did walk through of property.  Dropped off Agenda items at a board member unit since he does not get email.
• Emailed Regency Board meeting notice/agenda to Regency owners
• Sailwind property decks and railing are being painted.  Dropped off new notices for Carlos the painter to post about painting next section
• Spoke with Sailwind maintence regarding repairs in unit, will coordinate with vendors
• Coordinated repairs at Palm Beach Club for unit with leak
• Sent financials to Sailwind board members
• Prepared late notices for Sailwind accounts
• Change pay period dates for PBC payroll with payroll company

Community Associaion Management-  AM Staff Meeting · Payables for RC and PBC · Ralph came and signed checks – we met about the agenda for next week’s meeting – gave Barrons checks for copies to Renee · Went to SW to check on projects · Had calls about maintenance items at SW ·Went to banks and storage unit · Mike came and signed checks for PBC · Mailed all payables · Worked on filing ·Worked on info for audit and reviews for PBC and SW

Retirees could again lead Fla. rebound  WASHINGTON – Jan. 4, 2012 – While international buyers have been heralded as the leaders of a Florida real estate rebound, a recent Census Bureau report on migration trends indicates that U.S. residents from northern climates are once again heading to Florida for retirement.

Between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, Florida welcomed 256,000 new residents, or roughly 560 new Floridians each day. Texas grew by 529,000 residents, and California came in second with 438,000.

In total population, Florida retained its No. 4 status, but its 19.1 million residents moved closer to bumping New York, with 19.5 million residents, from its No. 3 spot.

Florida ranked No. 3 for attracting new international residents, behind only California and Texas. However, the Sunshine State ranked No. 2 in attracting residents from other U.S. states. During the 15 months of the Census study, 119,000 moved to Florida from other states, a number surpassed only by Texas’ 145,000 new residents.

The state’s growth according to the Census Bureau surpassed earlier estimates by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic & Business Research, and Sarasota’s Herald-Tribune dug a little deeper to find out why. They found that the UF study relies mainly on new electric utility hookups to judge population growth, while the Census Bureau relies largely on tax returns and Medicare data.

Since the Census Bureau numbers were roughly twice UF’s figures, the Medicare data may have made a difference – implying greater demand from retirees – said University of Central Florida Economist Sean Snaith. “I think with the recovery of the wealth, at least through the rebound of the stock market, that has helped the flow of retirees resume,” Snaith said.

Source: Herald-Tribune, Dec. 21, 2011, Doug Sword

© 2012 Florida Realtors®

(850)934-2588 – WeRentTheGulfCoast.com

new rental: 201 Stillman Street  Wonderful location near Downtown Pensacola.  Perfect for anyone.  Convenient to local shopping, NAS Pensacola and Historic downtown area.  Water, sewer and trash are included.  Address :  201 Stillman Street,  PENSACOLA, Features  Laundry Facility Onsite Water/Sewer Included Minutes from downtown Close to shopping Minutes to NAS Pensacola Private Balcony Furnished Renting price : $ 650 Application Fee : $ 45 Security Deposit : $ 600 Description :    Bedrooms : 1  Full Baths : 1