Released on: January 4, 2008, 7:00 am

Press Release Author: Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: The formation of a Mastermind Group signals agents response
to the media\'s grim view point of the real estate market. Goals including putting
Destin, FL on the map to bring more home buyers to the Northwest Florida Area.

Press Release Body: We've been seeing it every day for months - the down turn in the
national real estate market. Going from record breaking growth in many market areas
across the country, to what seems like record breaking plummets. According to Johan
Moran, of the Keller Williams Realty Emerald Coast Market Center, "The number of
real estate transactions in the Destin and South Walton County area are down by as
much as 30% compared to 2006 sales figures. Sales prices have dropped in some areas
as much at 40% from where they were just last year." To make matters seem even more
bleak, John Moran indicates that, "It seems that about 1/3 of residential deals are
falling out before closing." It is no argument that foreclosures are on the rise
and current inventory levels are still near record highs. All these issues make for
a difficult real estate market, yet despite all the negative perceptions and
obstacles currently weighing so heavy on our market there are agents who are still
selling property at record levels.

Recently a number of them, led by John Moran, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty,
formed the Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group. The group meets each month to
brainstorm about how to address these negative conditions and issues to ensure a
strong healthy real estate market . The other members of the group are Blake Morar
with Destin Real Estate Company, John Cook with Coldwell Banker United, Mary
Stephens with Resortquest, Robin Fletcher with Fletcher Sales Realty, Hannah Stanley
with 100% Realty, Chris Abbott with Resortquest, Juanita Taylor with Keller Williams
Realty, Andrea Farrell with Re/Max Southern Realty, and Laurie Hollowell-Meeker with
Keller Williams Realty. The mission of the Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group is
to: Take real estate to a higher level by sharing insight, expertise, and
experience.

In an effort to be as educated and informed as possible on the issues affecting the
local real estate market guest panelists are invited to participate in the meetings
to provide expert opinion and perspective to the discussions. Past guests include
real estate attorney and American Land Title President Mark Violet talking about the
benefits and drawbacks of working with short sales. Tom Marr, a real estate
appraiser with Marsh Appraisals addressed recent pricing trends, their effects on
appraisals and the ability to get loans funded. Richard Long, Vice President, for
the Zimmerman Group, which handles advertising and promotion for the Okaloosa
Tourist Development Council (TDC) advised the group on how to increase awareness of
Florida's Emerald Coast on a national level in an effort to attract more buyers to
the area.

The next meeting, held on January 14th at the Keller Williams Realty office in
Destin, will continue the discussion on how to increase awareness of our area on a
national level. For more information about the Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group
call John Moran at 850-217-7618 or visit our website at
http://www.DestinRealEstateMasterminds.com

About the Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group

The Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group is comprised of the Destin-Ft. Walton Beach
top 10 real estate agents. Their common success and common real estate goals help
answer and explore some of the fundamental concerns in today's real estate climate.
The Destin Real Estate Mastermind Group website is located at
http://www.DestinRealEstateMasterminds.com

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Web Site: http://www.destinrealestatemastermindgroup.com

Contact Details: Contact: John Moran
Phone: 850-654-3325
Email: john@themoranteam.com
Website: http://www.DestinRealEstateMasterminds.com