Florida homeowners facing foreclosure are finding help in an unlikely place - the company that insures their mortgage. Some PMI companies, like Genworth Financial, are helping to keep loans from failing and Florida is one of the states where the company has been most successful. In the past year, Genworth has mediated 901 workouts in the Sunshine State. If you're in this unenviable position ... give your private mortgage insurer a call - who knows?

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Finance, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale

In today's housing market, some people are finding a real estate investment niche by purchasing low-cost homes, then offering them to buyers with owner financing. Depending on the area, it can be critical and the difference between making a sale and not.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Finance, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale

The small Campbellton Community Center was filled a few weeks ago with locals gathered to hear East Coast Ethanol's plans to set up a corn ethanol plant on State 273 about a mile west of U.S. 231. Company officials said, if everything goes as planned, a $212 million plant with a capacity of 110 million gallons of ethanol would be built in Jackson County on 295 acres of farmland. The plant should provide 40 to 50 direct jobs and many more supporting the operation.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale

Like its name suggests, Donut Island sells all manner of donuts: plain, glazed, sprinkled, blueberry, coconut, devils food, iced and sour cream. Donut Island's gourmet-topped donut selections include The Southerner (caramel glaze, pecans and coconut), the Island Colada (vanilla glaze, pineapple, coconut and cherry) and the store's version of the Tiramisu, an Italian dessert. Located just outside the main gate of Naval Support Activity Panama City, Donut Island sits among many other fine food eateries, a "wine boutique" and just down the block from WealthCreation's main office.

Stop in and visit ... we'll go for a donut!

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Dining, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale, Vacation

Simon spokesman Les Morris said this past week that two new restaurants, Red Robin and Guy Harvey's, are scheduled to open in February 2009. Other retailers scheduled to open at Pier Park before the end of the year include Nike, AT&T, Crocs and Emerald Coast Mirror Maze.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Dining, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Short Sale, Vacation

Located next to Panera Bread (facing Back Beach Road), Baja Grille's food features a Southwestern flavor with an Asian fusion thrown in. Scott McGlauflin, former corporate chef for Tampa's Columbia Restaurant Group, said Baja's signature dish is its Baja Tower, which features two tournedos of filet surrounding stacked baja crab cake served with a citrus demi-glaze.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Dining, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Short Sale, Vacation

On December 13th, 2008 an auction will be held on site at Origin, the Towne of Seahaven. They will sell 29 condos with over 60 to choose from, including 2, 3, and 4 bedroom options. It is being advertised as no minimums and no reserves with the auction to begin at 11 am CST. Registered bidders are expected to bring a deposit and pay a 10% buyers premium on top of the final auction price.

Labels: Business, Condos, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale, Vacation

Edgewater Beach Resort’s been the premier resort in PCBeach for nearly 3 decades. You’d think, with all the new developments, they might be losing some of their luster. Not so. Long a magnet for social, recreational and business events, it’s no surprise Edgewater Beach Resort is planning the first of several “facelifts” between now and Spring 2009. The 32,000sf Convention Center will be upgraded; a children’s pool with a water feature will be added; a new sports complex; tennis courts will be resurfaced and exterior improvements to both the resort towers and landscaping are on the books.

Labels: Business, Condos, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Panama City, Real Estate, Short Sale, Vacation

If Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill has anything to say about who’ll be coming to the new airport – expect the best! This past week, Mr. Tannehill let Chamber Members know that the airport authority is negotiating with several carriers; that airlines operating out of the County’s new airport in May 2010, will include a legacy carrier (one offering 1st class, bus class and some sort of reward program) AND a discount cargo carrier (such as FEDEX) as well. And, just in case you didn’t know … Bay County’s new airport will be the nation’s FIRST “green” carbon neutral airport.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Short Sale, Vacation

Spring break 2009 will see the return of MTV. The agreement guarantees MTV’s Beach concerts and VJ’s will return. This agreement means MTV will be sponsoring PCBeach as the PREMIER Spring Break “place to be” for the country’s college crowd. MTV will be featuring Panama City Beach in a 10 campus kick-off to promote Spring Break.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Short Sale, Vacation

Plenty of holiday cheer coming to this Simon Property. November will host a food drive with sporadic places for canned goods drops. Mid November to Christmas eve photos with Santa are available. At 6:00 PM on November 28th, there’ll be the 1st Christmas tree lighting ceremony; Throughout December, Pier Park will host a toy drive ; then, culminating the Holiday season, on Dec 31st, Pier Park revelers will be able to enjoy family activities from 5 – 8:30 PM. New Year’s Eve festivities will begin at 9 PM with live entertainment and a giant beach ball drop to welcome the New Year.

Labels: Business, Credit Partners, Deals, Florida, Foreclosure, Investment, Short Sale, Vacation

Tower I and Tower III have been up and running for some time now and if “butts on beach chairs” are any indication of success, Emerald Beach is VERY successful. While several issues still exist with regard to Board of Directors vs Wyndham vs Owner priorities, THIS project will (unlike Boardwalk, Tradewinds, Seahaven and a few others), it seems, be completed. With approx 800 feet of Gulf-front, Emerald Beach is the largest Resort development in PCBeach.

Labels: Business, Condos, Real Estate, Vacation

Corus Bank took possession Oct 1, 2008. Certificates of occupancy have been received for the entire project. Only 60 units are listed as sold. Current estimates indicate an additional $10 million is necessary to complete the building. From what we’re being told, Corus intends to furnish approximately half of the unsold units making them available for rent.

Labels: Business, Condos, Real Estate, Vacation

It's been said, "With businesses comes growth". If so; in the face of economic adversity, Panama City Beach continues to grow. As we reported in last month's HotSpot NewsNote, a new donut shop opened on Thomas Drive; a new "wine boutique" as well. Hooters moved from it's 23rd Street location to just outside the Naval Support Activity's main gate accompanied by a Burger King, a Bruster's Ice Cream, several other eateries and, of course, the La Quinta Inn. On the other side of town, many of you will remember, several new businesses opened at Pier Park. Well, as of this morning, a few more companies have announced their intentions.

Quantic Engineering and Logistic company has established a new subsidiary, Quantroniks Design & Manufacturing Corp. The new company will specialize in equipment control and monitoring systems, prototype fabrication, manufacturing, ship electrical integration and shipboard Ethernet and fiber optic LAN design. (Almost too high tech for me to BLOG about much less FULLY understand). Additionally, for the children (and the young at heart), Pier Park's welcoming a new business. Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Lazer Craze opens this Friday. The store uses lights, mirrors and sounds to allow visitors to bend and turn through laser beams. (Sounds pretty neat!)

Labels: Business, Dining, Vacation