Real Estate Blog - buyer

How to Approach an Overpriced Home

You find the home of your dreams, and you are thrilled. It has the secluded backyard, the master suite, and the massive walk-in closet you have been dreaming about. The only problem is that the home of your dreams is simply priced too high. After a talk with your realtor and a close look at the comparable sales in the area, you know that the jacksonville florida real estate is simply overpriced for the market. What do you do? Sit back and wait.

Chances are an overpriced home will simply remain on the market. Once a home has sat for a few months, you will likely see a price reduction. That may be the time to pounce, as the home sellers at that point are aware that their home is priced too high for the market. However, waiting it out could backfire on…

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Your Home Inspection Questions Answered

As a first-time home buyer, your real estate agent likely recommended a home inspection contingency with your offer. But what exactly is a home inspection and what rights does it afford you in the home buying process?

Here is a list of your top home inspection questions answered so you can better understand the process of a home inspection – and why it’s so important for home buyers:

Q: What does a home inspection include?

A comprehensive home inspection includes a visual examination of the home’s major systems and structure. This includes the home’s roof, foundation, heating and cooling system, doors and windows, plumbing, insulation, and drainage. It is important to remember that a home inspection includes only what a home inspector can…

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What Savvy Home Buyers Are Doing

There are plenty of tips and hints for home buyers when house hunting for julington creek plantation real estate, but there are a few suggestions that nearly every home buyer should consider. Here is our list of the top things today’s savvy home buyers are doing (and what you should consider doing, as well):

Don’t cram as many houses as you can into one day.

You may think you are being productive and efficient by viewing as many homes as possible in one day, but this tactic can quickly backfire, creating confusion, wearing you out, and making all the houses blend together. Choose a few homes you really want to view, and take the time to view those on one day. If there are more on your list, choose a different day or even later in the day.

Don’t…

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Home Inspection Problems: When to Proceed and When to Walk Away

Although the seller has already accepted your offer and you’ve already signed a purchase agreement, the deal isn’t signed, sealed and delivered just yet. After the purchase agreement for the Jacksonville Beach home has been signed, but before you head to closing, you will need to get a home inspection done on the house.

Although most of the things found through home inspections are easily remedied, there are a few things that may be deal breakers for most buyers. Catastrophic problems with a home are rare, but when they are there, they can sour even the best real estate deal. They may include: environmental hazards, such as radon, water contamination, asbestos and lead paint; insect infestation, like termites or carpenter ants; horizontal foundation…

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Buyer Tips: How to Save Money on your Next Move

Purchasing a St. Johns County property can have many hidden expenses; particularly those expenses involved with moving. If your head is spinning because of all the expenses you must pay in the upcoming weeks and months, fear not: there are a number of ways you can cut your expenses so that your new home purchase doesn’t leave your savings account empty and your emotions running high:

• Ask for assistance from the seller with closing costs. Given the state of the economy and certainly the state of the real estate market, it never hurts to ask the seller to help with the closing costs on your St. Johns County home. In fact, many home sellers will offer to pay for some – if not all – of the closing costs as an incentive to…

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Buyer Tips: What a Comprehensive Home Inspection Should Include

A comprehensive home inspection is an important step in the home buying process, and can often make or break a deal. It is therefore in your best interest, as the buyer, to secure the services of a qualified home inspector to thoroughly inspect your new Jacksonville Beach property.

What does a comprehensive home inspection include?

• Roof – In addition to the roof, the roof inspection will likely include the gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing and the chimney. An inspector will likely check for missing shingles or signs of excessive wear, although he may or may not climb onto the roof to perform the roof inspection.

• Foundation – The home inspector will likely check the exterior of your Jacksonville Beach home’s…

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Tips to Remember When Buying New Construction

A brand new home is the dream of many home buyers, and for good reason. From counter top materials to the number of bathrooms and the fixtures on the walls, you get to hold the reins and make all the decisions. But before you start choosing kitchen cabinets, make sure you don’t forget all of the details involved in buying new construction:

1. Understand that upgrades can cost you big in the long run. It may be very tempting to say ‘yes’ to every upgrade offered to you, but it is important to understand that upgrades often come with a hefty price. Before you know it your $250,000 home is now $280,000. When choosing upgrades for your Duval County real estate, consider upgrades that will get you a good return on your …

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Heritage Park: St. Augustine’s Newest Home Community

Heritage Park is the epitome of luxury living. Aside from the obvious perk that it is located in gorgeous St. Augustine, Heritage Park is conveniently located just minutes from Interstate 95 for a quick commute to Jacksonville and other cities to the south.

Shoppers will be satisfied, as the St. Augustine Outlet Malls, the Ponce de Leon Mall and St. George Street are also located within minutes of Heritage Park.

Surrounded by a conservation area, the communities of Heritage Park, which include New Hope Village, Quail Ridge and The Villas, boast wonderful amenities, including:

• Nature trails
• A community clubhouse which features a media room, a library, a kitchen and an on-site daycare center
• A resort-style swimming …

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Buyer Tips: What you Need to Know About HOA Fees

Homeowner Association Fees, otherwise known as HOA fees, are fees imposed on many condominium or single-family St. Augustine homes that are located in subdivisions or formal communities. HOA fees can vary widely in price, from as little as $50 a month to as much as $400 or more a month. These fees may substantially raise your monthly housing budget.

Understanding the details of a home's HOA fees, how they work, and what they cover will help you make the best decision regarding the purchase of a home.

The services covered under HOA fees may include: lawn and landscape maintenance (for your property, common grounds or both), snow removal, community amenities, such as swimming pools and tennis courts, security services, trash removal and utility fees,…

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Purchase a Fixer-Upper with FHA Loan Funds

Are you in the market to buy a home for sale in St. Johns County?  Are you willing to put a little “sweat equity” into a home for a lower purchase price?  If yes, then an FHA insured HUD 203(k) loan may be just the thing for you.  If you qualify you could be approved for a loan equal to the selling costs, and the estimated costs of repair and remodeling. 

There are many reasons why a home may be in disrepair.  The age of the home, or it may have been unoccupied for a length of time causing the property to wither.  Or, perhaps an owner simply ignored maintenance issues and would now rather sell than fix the property.  In any case, a fixer-upper home can be a good start for an individual or family willing to invest the time and effort in a St. Johns…

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