Real Estate Blog

The Agricultural Industry of St. Johns County

Crops and livestock remain important industries for the livelihood of those in the St. Johns County area, and are therefore an important part of the local economy, job market and housing market.

For starters, St. Johns County leads the state of Florida in the production of potatoes and cabbage. Approximately 24,960 acres of land in St. Johns County are dedicated to potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, turfgrass, livestock, nursery stock, timber and various, small truck crops.

As stated by the University of Florida, agricultural and natural resources industries account for over $171 million in revenue for St. Johns County, and account for over 2,600 jobs.

The industry breakdowns are as follows:

• Vegetables                                           …

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The Basics of Buying a Home in Foreclosure

Most buyers have dreams of finding that perfect deal –you know, the worst house in the best neighborhood kind of deal. And many buyers find that home through the foreclosure process.

Many homes in the foreclosure process can be bought for substantially less than other comparable homes in the same neighborhood – often as much as 30 percent less.

But as with any other kind of transaction, it pays to be educated before diving into purchasing a Jacksonville property in foreclosure.

The following tips are designed to serve as a starting point when considering the purchase of a foreclosed home:

• Find a qualified real estate agent who has extensive experience dealing with foreclosures. A qualified real estate agent will prove invaluable…

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Prime Outlets Set to Unveil Expansion and Renovation Project

Let the shopping begin! Find your favorite designer and brand name apparel and accessories at Prime Outlets – St. Augustine.

Prime Retail, the outlet center developer for Prime Outlets – St. Augustine, has just completed a 90,000 square foot, $35 million renovation that will be unveiled to the public, through a ceremony and activities, from Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9.

Prizes and Giveaways Galore

City officials and tourist representatives will be on hand to host the ceremonies. There will also be special discounts, prizes, giveaways and an appearance by celebrity stylist Mark-Alan Harmon.

The grand prize winner of the Prime Outlets sweepstakes will receive a Prime Outlets - St. Augustine's $5,000 Ultimate Shopping…

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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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Seller Tips: Quick Tips for Removing Stubborn Wallpaper

One of the best things you can do when selling your St. Johns County property is to produce a clean palette of sorts. That means removing all of the home’s décor that isn’t neutral. Unfortunately, this means wallpaper usually has to go.

Buyers are much more likely to feel comfortable about purchasing a St. Johns County property that doesn’t have your favorite floral wallpaper flowing throughout the first floor. It may be the perfect wallpaper for you, but chances are your buyers are not going to feel the same.

With that said, it’s time to tackle the wallpapered walls in your home. If the thought of peeling wallpaper gives you the hives, then you’re not alone. Luckily, however, there are a variety of wallpaper removal methods to facilitate the task…

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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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How You Can Qualify For a FHA Loan

You may want to purchase Jacksonville property but you have doubts about your qualifications.  You may think you don’t earn enough money, or your credit score is too low to qualify for a loan. Possibly you have experienced a foreclosure and even a bankruptcy in the recent past.  In your mind you have about as much chance of owning a home as you do of owning a private island in the South Pacific.

But you could be mistaken.  An FHA guarantee allows more potential home owners to be approved for a mortgage with less stringent requirements.  The government wants you to own property, and it is willing to back up the banks who lend money so that the economy continues to thrive. 

Since qualifying for a FHA loan is more flexible than a…

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Major Employers Now Hiring Near Ponte Vedra Beach

If you are looking to purchase Ponte Vedra Beach real estate, you may be wondering about local job prospects. The good news is that there are several major employers within twenty miles of Ponte Vedra Beach who are hiring right now. With openings in nearly every industry from construction, finance, human resources, retail, management, and more, you are sure to find just the right employment opportunity for you. As you search Ponte Vedra Beach homes for sale, keep these employers in mind.

United Parcel Service

Also known as UPS, this company offers employment opportunities at all experience levels from part-time and full-time drivers to package handling, dispatch, and management.

Goodyear

Goodyear is a well-known company all over the United…

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Is Your Home Ready To Sell?

Sometimes when homeowners decide to sell their homes, for a variety of reasons, they do not consider how potential buyers may feel about the home’s condition. Unfortunately, the condition of your home can be a determining factor for whether or not a home buyer will make an offer on your house.

If you live in the Jacksonville Beach area, you should be aware that there a lot of choices for buyers in the market for Jacksonville Beach properties. It is very important that your home is in good order to get the very best price. It would not be wise to ignore small repairs to your home that could potentially make your home worth much more if they were done in advance.

Small Details Can Equal Big Bucks

Buyers who are looking to purchase Jacksonville…

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