She Would Have Liked This

The first thing he asked wasn’t about the roof or the price—it was, “Do you think my wife would have felt safe here?”

We were standing in the entryway of a small, unassuming house. He’d lost her six months earlier after a long illness, and this was the first home he’d toured alone since they bought their last one together decades ago. He explained that she used to walk the halls at night when she couldn’t sleep, checking locks, straightening picture frames, making sure everything was “just so.” This house had wide hallways, soft corners, and a front porch light that bathed the yard in a steady glow. He stood quietly, imagining her footsteps, her habits, her presence.

When we reached the porch, he smiled for the first time. “She would have liked this,” he said, more to himself than to me. He didn’t rush the decision. He took his time, not because he was unsure, but because he was carrying a lifetime of shared memories into a new chapter. When he finally bought the house, he asked only one favor: that the porch light be replaced before move-in. “She always said a well-lit home feels welcoming,” he told me.

Real estate isn’t just about finding a place to live—it’s about creating a space where love, memory, and healing can coexist as life moves forward.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you find your new home that feels welcoming. Call Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

The Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving the Greater Pensacola area – Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Florida

Our office is in Pace Florida at 5561 Woodbine Road – Pace, FL 32571

You can reach us at (850) 429-4002, or by email at livinginpensacola@gmail.com

She Would Have Liked This

At the closing table, everyone was smiling—except him.

The papers were signed, keys slid across the polished surface, and polite congratulations filled the room. But he kept glancing at his phone, waiting. Just before we stood up, a notification finally appeared. It wasn’t from the lender or the movers. It was a photo from his next-door neighbor at the old house: a handwritten note taped to the door that read, “Thank you for the snow shoveling, the late-night laughs, and being family when ours was far away.” Under it sat a small potted plant.

He swallowed hard. That house had been his first stop after a cross-country move, a place where he knew no one and felt invisible. Over time, it became the place where borrowed tools turned into shared dinners, where hellos became friendships. Selling it made sense—new job, new season, better fit—but leaving meant more than changing addresses. It meant closing a chapter he didn’t realize had shaped him so deeply.

When he walked into his new home later that day, he placed the plant on the kitchen counter before unpacking anything else. “This one comes with us,” he said quietly.

Homes don’t just hold our lives—they connect us to people who change us, and those connections are what truly move with us.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you find the place that truly feels like home. Call Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

The Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving the Greater Pensacola area – Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Florida

Our office is in Pace Florida at 5561 Woodbine Road – Pace, FL 32571

You can reach us at (850) 429-4002, or by email at livinginpensacola@gmail.com

At The Closing Table

Acknowledging Where You’ve Been

The house was already sold when she pulled up, yet she stayed in the driveway anyway, sitting on the hood, not ready to leave.

She told me later she wasn’t hoping the deal would fall through. She just needed a minute. Her kids had learned to ride bikes on that cracked concrete. Every height mark on the doorframe was still there, penciled in with dates and crooked handwriting. She knew the numbers made sense—the equity, the timing, the next chapter—but numbers don’t pack boxes or say goodbye. When she finally hopped down from the car, she walked straight to the front door, placed her palm against it, and whispered, “Thank you.”

People assume selling a home is about maximizing profit. Sometimes it is. But more often, it’s about honoring what the home gave you. Shelter during hard years. Laughter during good ones. A place where life unfolded whether you were ready or not. That driveway pause wasn’t hesitation—it was respect.

The next week, she sent me a photo of her kids in the new backyard, already barefoot, already claiming the space. “We’re okay,” she wrote. And they were.

Real estate isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about acknowledging where you’ve been, so the next place can truly feel like home.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you find the place that truly feels like home. Call Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

The Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving the Greater Pensacola area – Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Florida

Our office is in Pace Florida at 5561 Woodbine Road – Pace, FL 32571

You can reach us at (850) 429-4002, or by email at livinginpensacola@gmail.com

Acknowledging Where You’ve Been

The Tree In The Back Yard

The offer fell apart at 11:47 p.m., and instead of calling her agent, she called her mom.

She sat on the edge of her bed, phone pressed to her ear, staring at the ceiling of the apartment she was trying to leave behind. This was supposed to be her first home. She’d already pictured the couch against the wall, the flowers on the patio, the feeling of finally having something that was hers. But the inspection came back rough, the seller wouldn’t budge, and just like that, months of excitement collapsed into silence. Her mom didn’t rush to fix it. She just listened. Then she said, “Good. That home wasn’t ready for you yet.”

A few weeks later, she walked into a different place. Smaller. Quieter. Nothing flashy. But the moment she stepped into the backyard, she stopped talking. There was a tree—old, crooked, clearly not planted for curb appeal. She told me her grandfather had one just like it, where they used to sit on summer evenings. She didn’t negotiate aggressively this time. She didn’t overanalyze every detail. She trusted the feeling. The deal closed smoothly, almost effortlessly, as if the home had been waiting.

Real estate teaches you quickly that timing is rarely about the market alone. Sometimes a deal falls apart not because it failed—but because it made room for something better aligned with who you are becoming.

Not every “lost” home is a loss; sometimes it’s protection, clearing the path to the place where you truly belong.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you find the place where you truly belong. Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

The Tree In The Back Yard

Pensacola Market Update January 18 2026

📍 Market Snapshot – Stabilizing Conditions
In the Pensacola area, the housing market is showing signs of normalization rather than heat, with median prices and pace of sales shifting from the rapid growth of recent years. According to Realtor.com, the median listing price in Pensacola sits near $298,000–$314,900, with roughly 2,500–3,200 active homes on the market across Escambia County, giving buyers more choices than we’ve seen in the last few years. Zillow’s latest home value index shows typical home values around $258,000, down slightly year‑over‑year, and homes are taking around 80–90 days to sell — longer than the national average and an indicator of a more balanced market between buyers and sellers.

📊 Local Neighborhood Dynamics
Drilling down into local micro‑markets, trends vary across the area: zip code 32526 has seen median sale prices near $305,000, up year‑over‑year though homes take longer to sell, while 32503 shows a more mixed trend with prices around $312,500 but some recent softening. These nuanced neighborhood shifts reflect a market where value and location matter more than ever — buyers have options, and sellers in stronger pockets can still see solid demand. Activity across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties suggests a steady pace of transactions without the aggressive bidding wars of the pandemic era, with inventory levels and buyer interest balanced by realistic pricing and thoughtful negotiation.

📈 What This Means for You
Overall, Pensacola’s 2026 market feels balanced and approachable, especially compared to the frenzied conditions of past years. Buyers benefit from greater inventory and negotiating power while still finding value in key neighborhoods, and sellers who price accurately with strong presentation are attracting engaged buyers. Whether you’re considering listing soon or shopping for your next home, this market rewards preparation, patience, and a clear understanding of local trends.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you make good decisions buying or selling a home. Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

Pensacola Market Update January 18 2026

The Yard That Wasn’t on the Listing

They almost skipped the showing because the yard didn’t look impressive online.

No lush landscaping. No oversized oak tree. Just grass, a worn fence, and a patch of dirt where something used to be. In the photos, it felt forgettable — an afterthought compared to the updated interior.

Then they stepped outside.

The first thing they noticed wasn’t the size. It was the quiet. The kind that settles in instead of echoing. The fence blocked just enough of the world to feel private without feeling closed off. Sunlight hit the yard in long, slow stretches, the kind that makes you want to sit without checking the time.

They bought the house for the inside.
They fell in love with it because of the outside.

Over the years, that yard became a backdrop for real life. A grill dragged out on short notice. A kid learning to ride a bike, wobbling until confidence kicked in. Conversations that started at the back door and stretched past sunset. Nothing about it was magazine‑worthy — but everything about it was used.

They never landscaped it the way they once planned. The dirt patch stayed. The fence aged. The grass wore thin in places. And somehow, that made it better. Proof that the space was lived in, not staged.

The most meaningful parts of a home aren’t always the ones that photograph well. Sometimes, the true value shows up quietly — in the spaces where life happens naturally, without trying to be impressive.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

We can help you find that perfect back yard. Jaime Walker and Phil Baker from the Living In Pensacola Group™ at Coldwell Banker Realty.

(850) 429-4002

Visit our YouTube channel for more information about us and the Pensacola area! www.youtube.com/@livinginpensacolagroup

Search for your next home here: Current Listings

The Yard That Wasn’t On The Listing

The Offer They Almost Didn’t Make

They almost walked away because the kitchen felt too small.

Standing in the doorway, they started doing mental math — where would the table go, would guests feel cramped, would holidays feel tight instead of warm? The house checked every other box, but that one room kept nagging at them. Logic said keep looking. Emotion said this feels like home.

They made the offer anyway, half‑expecting regret.

The first year, the kitchen stayed exactly as it was. No renovation. No expansion. Just a few extra hooks, a rolling cart, and a table pushed closer to the wall than they’d imagined. Then something unexpected happened: people started gathering there. Friends leaned against the counter during late conversations. Neighbors squeezed in for coffee. Kids sat on the floor doing homework while dinner simmered.

The kitchen wasn’t big — but it was busy, loud, imperfect, and alive.

Years later, when someone commented that the space felt “small,” they laughed. It had held birthdays, hard talks, celebrations, and quiet mornings. Not once had it felt lacking. The thing they almost walked away over became the heart of the home.

Homes don’t just serve our plans — they shape our lives. What looks like a flaw on paper can become the place where connection happens, reminding us that the right home isn’t always the most perfect one, but the one that gets lived in fully.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

You’re not just a number to The Living In Pensacola Group at Coldwell Banker Realty – Jaime Walker, Team Lead, and Phil Baker, Broker Associate. Sometimes life throws us a curveball, and we will be there to help minimize the stress of these life changes. Call the real estate team you’ve trusted for over a decade. We will take good care of you.

(850) 429-4002

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The Offer They Almost Didn’t Make

The Room They Never Used

They bought the house for the extra room — and never once used it the way they planned.

When they toured the home, that room sealed the deal. It was just off the hallway, with a window that caught the morning light. This will be the nursery, they said. Or maybe a home office. Possibly both, at different stages. It didn’t matter yet. What mattered was what the room represented: the next chapter.

For the first few months after moving in, the door stayed closed. Life was busy. Work ran late. Plans shifted. The future they had pictured didn’t arrive on the timeline they expected. Occasionally, one of them would open the door, stand in the empty space, and imagine what it might become.

Then life changed — just not in the way they planned.

A friend needed a place to stay after a hard season. The room became a soft landing spot, furnished simply, no expectations attached. Later, it transformed again — a quiet place to read when the house felt loud, a space to think, to reset. Eventually, art supplies appeared. A chair by the window. Music playing low in the evenings.

The room was never a nursery.
Never an office.
Never the version they had carefully imagined.

But it became the most used room in the house.

Years later, when asked if they still wanted the house they originally envisioned, they laughed. The house had given them something better — not the future they planned, but the flexibility to meet life as it came.

People don’t just buy homes for who they are today — they buy them for who they hope to become. The true value of a home isn’t in how perfectly it fits a plan, but in how gracefully it adapts when life inevitably changes.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty

The Room They Never Used

Nighttime neighborhood

Before they made an offer, they came back and sat in the driveway after dark.

No appointment.
No showing.
Just the engine idling, headlights off, windows cracked open.

Earlier that day, the house checked all the boxes. Right size. Right layout. Good condition. But something felt unfinished — not wrong, just unanswered. So instead of debating numbers at the kitchen table, they drove back once the sun went down.

They listened.

A porch light flicked on two doors down. Someone laughed on a back patio. A dog barked once and settled. A neighbor waved as they pulled into a driveway, assuming they must live there already. The street felt calm, lived-in, normal — the kind of quiet that doesn’t feel empty.

They weren’t testing the house.
They were testing their future.

Could they come home late from work and exhale here? Would this street feel safe on a random Tuesday night? Could this be the place where ordinary life unfolds — grocery bags, evening walks, early mornings?

Inside the house, none of that was obvious. But out here, in the dark, it was clear.

When they finally left, no one said much. They didn’t need to. The decision had already been made, not by spreadsheets or comps, but by a feeling that settled in slowly and stayed.

The next morning, they wrote the offer.

People don’t buy homes during showings — they choose them in quiet moments when they imagine real life happening. The smartest real estate decisions aren’t always about features or price; they’re about how a place feels when no one is watching.

#LivingInPensacolaGroup #ColdwellBankerRealty