Join Coastal Realty Services for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Fort Walton Beach

The Fort Walton Beach community is made up of a diverse group of people: there are young military families looking to make a new life together, retirees who want to spend their golden years by the sun on the Emerald Coast, college graduates who want to take advantage of the bourgeoning opportunities in Fort Walton Beach's defense and tourism industries, and many more. However, one thing that all of us share together is that we are all willing to lend a helping hand when a neighbor is in need.

One great example of this will come at the end of the month with the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2014 held at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. This year's philanthropic event will take place on April 25^th and 26^th from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. This is the number one fundraising event that the American Cancer Society holds each year, so it's important for all who can to give – whether through sponsoring a walker or signing up a team. Each of us has been touched by cancer in one way or another. This is one way to fight back. 

So far, 114 teams and 704 participants have raised over $100,000, and we hope these numbers continue to rise. As a big supporter of the Fort Walton community, Coastal Realty Services has devoted much time and money to this event. We have a team of volunteers ready to participate in the overnight event, and our office has made a financial contribution to help take cancer down. This is what neighbors do for one another.

We urge all who can to visit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event's website and participate in any way you can for this very important event in Fort Walton Beach.    

What Are Five Things to Consider Before You Find a Place to Rent?

There are a number of reasons why you might want to look into renting versus buying. And in many cases, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can't afford the down payment. For example, if you don't plan on living in the area for more than a few years, it makes a lot more sense to rent. That being said, whatever your reason for choosing to rent, here are several things to keep in mind, so you can make the rental process as seamless as possible:

Determine How Much You Can Afford Each Month: Most rental experts recommend spending no more than 35% of your monthly income on your housing. Let's say your take-home pay each month is $3500. The total amount of rent you should be paying each month will be roughly $1100. If you want an apartment or home that's more than this, it makes more sense to get a roommate than to devote more of a percentage.

Is Your Credit on Track? One of the ways a landlord will judge whether or not you would make a good tenant or not is by taking a look at your credit score. A low credit score may indicate a character issue or inability to make monthly payments. While you won't necessarily get turned down if you have bad or no credit, you might have to pay a bigger deposit or have a co-signer. Easy ways to improve your credit include paying your bills on-time, reducing your debt and reviewing your credit report for errors.

Consider What You Want from a Place: When searching for places, take the time to create a wish list of requirements. This should include mandatory items, like a washer/dryer or free heating; a secondary list, like ample parking and some free utilities; and a list of “luxuries” that you may be willing to forego, such as a pool, gym, and free WI-FI.

Where Do You Want to Live? The simple question of where you want to live often falls below considerations of affordability and amenities, which is a shame. Although these matter, you should choose a location that you're comfortable with and one that you would happy to call home. Are there ample recreational activities nearby and do you have access to public transportation? What is the crime rate in the area? These things certainly matter, and you should consider the location as much as you do the rental price and amenities.

Take the Inspection Very Seriously: The rental inspection gives you the opportunity to note any damages or things in need of repair before you move in. Being as thorough as possible will ensure you're not responsible for past blemishes when it comes time to move out.

These are just some of the many things to consider before you decide on a place. If you're looking for a property to rent in Fort Walton Beach or elsewhere in Okaloosa County, the Realtors at Coastal Realty can help you find a property that meets your individual needs. Contact us today to learn more about the properties in these areas. 

3 Good Reasons to Check Out Fort Walton Beach Listings from Coastal Realty Services

Coastal Realty Services has been serving military servicemen and civilians for over 35 years, and one of the biggest joys we have is helping a young family find their first home. These are the formative years for your children, and a time in your life that you'll always cherish. It's for this reason why we recommend that young families take a look at the Fort Walton Beach area to find that lifetime family home. Here are three good reasons we came up with in our experiences:

Career Development:  Fort Walton Beach has a number of job opportunities available. Our strongest employer is the US Military for both servicemen and civilians, as Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB are both nearby. In that same arena, Defense Contractors frequently are hiring as new projects become available. Finally, because Fort Walton Beach is a vacation destination for many across the country, the hospitality industry is always in need of good people. For more resources on finding a job in Fort Walton Beach, we recommend visiting the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce work page.

A Great School System: One of the most important considerations when looking for a new place to live is the school system. We are happy to report that children of the Fort Walton Beach area can enjoy a fine education through the Okaloosa County School District. The Okaloosa County School District consists of a wide number of elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, charter schools and alternative schools that can serve your child, depending on your location and his/her individual needs.

Easy Access: It's incredibly easy to get around Fort Walton Beach.  You can walk, drive or take advantage of the Okaloosa County Transit system. In addition, Fort Walton Beach is home to Northwest Florida Regional Airport, which is within Eglin Air Force Base. Airlines that service this airport include US Airlways, American Airlines, and Delta. Flights are available to stops all across the South. To get an idea of where you can go, please click here for the latest flight information.

There are so many reasons to call Fort Walton Beach home for you and your family. Besides the aforementioned reasons, Fort Walton Beach has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a strong military tradition and presence, and gorgeous weather. Coastal Realty Services has a variety of listings for homes in the Fort Walton Beach area and elsewhere on the Emerald Coast. Contact us today to learn more.

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