Real Estate Blog

Questions to Ask When Buying an Older Home

Whether the Jacksonville home of your dreams is 10 or 50 years old, there are a variety of issues that you will need to deal with when purchasing a home that is not brand new.

Maintenance Costs

Have a qualified home inspector check out of the major areas of the house, including the plumbing, the heating and cooling, the windows, the roof and the major appliances.

Ask the sellers to provide a list of repairs and modifications that have previously been made to these areas of the home and the dates on which they were made. Also ask the owners to estimate the age of these things.

It is with this information that you can make a more informed decision regarding the sale price of the Jacksonville property. These major areas of the home are generally…

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Buying A Foreclosure Home In Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Many home buyers in the market are specifically interested in purchasing one of the foreclosure homes for sale in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Buying a foreclosure home has its own set of rules and circumstances which are important to know before putting a bid in. When a home is in foreclosure and a buyer wants to pursue the property, it is a much different process than buying any other Ponte Vedra Beach real estate.

The Basics

A foreclosure home is a home that is owned by the bank. The positive aspect is that a foreclosure home is typically sold below its market value and can therefore be a good investment. It is important to pay a good price for the home while also minimizing any risk to yourself and your financial situation. It is a good idea to…

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning A Condo In St. Johns County

A single family home is not for every home buyer. If you are in the market to buy St. Johns County property, you may already know that you have other choices. There are town homes, villas, and even condominiums. There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of property when it comes to ownership, but a condo is a unique type of property which should be considered carefully before you decide to purchase one.

Advantages To Owning A Condo

There are several clear advantages to owning a condo in St. Johns County, or any other place for that matter. Especially as you consider the purchase of St. Johns County property, owning a condo is quite an affordable option in many communities as the housing market continues to thrive in this area.

When…

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Architectural Styles in St. Augustine, Florida Real Estate

If you are in the market to purchase St. Augustine real estate, you will not be disappointed in your choices of architectural style in the area. Being the oldest European settlement in the United States, the city has a beautiful diversity of architectural styles including Spanish, Victorian, and Southern. Some homes include influences called “Spanish Revival Style” in which you will find details such as mosaics, stained glass, and terra cotta.

Many of the St. Augustine homes for sale have wonderful character through the use of these architectural styles. Southern style homes offer a traditional feel with quaint details such as white pillars, grand staircases, and large, inviting front porches. Victorian homes in St. Augustine, Florida have very…

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Tips For First Time Home Buyers In St. Johns County, Florida

Buying a home for the first time can be both exciting and intimidating. If you are looking for St. Johns County real estate for sale, your search will be an easy one. St. Johns County property has a lot to offer first time home buyer. Thus, the only problem you may have is deciding which house to buy because there are so many great ones available!

First time home buyers should keep several things in mind however, before going through with the purchase of a home. Below are some tips to help you along the way:

Tip # 1 – Make Sure You Are Financially Ready To Buy And Own A Home

Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility. It is very important that you have steady income and employment and that you have not been stretching to live beyond your…

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Condo Benefits And Pitfalls: A Closer Look

When searching for your Duval County real estate if you are considering the possibilities of moving into a condominium, you will want to ponder some of the common benefits and pitfalls.

The Benefits

There are many great advantages found in living in a condo today.   One of the main pleasures is convenience. Unlike a single family home, you do not have all of the maintenance, landscaping and other exterior responsibilities that are very time consuming. Another benefit is security. Today’s condominium communities often possess private, 24 hour security. In addition, many condo communities are gated. With crime always a concern, the added security from your condo complex can provide additional peace of mind.  The newest condo communities also allow you…

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Selling FSBO May = Catastrophe

Taking the tiger by the tail selling For Sale By Owner may work out and save you a little bit of money.  But before you do, make sure you are comfortable risking the dangers and pitfalls of doing so.

 Here are some things to consider for your protection.

 The Breakdown:

 Many say they have a hard time paying “all that commission” for the sale of their home. However, upon closer evaluation, the 6% commission generally breaks down as follows:

 Commission is split fifty/fifty by the selling and purchasing agent.   If another Realtor has buyers that wish to purchase your home, you would still be bound to paying that agent’s 3% commission in order to get his buyers.  A Selling Agent has an agreement with his or her brokerage who may require up to half…

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Understanding the Title Insurance Expense

Often wonder what that number in your closing cost column is paying for?  Of all parties involved in the purchase and sale of a Jacksonville fl real estate transaction, many people feel that the title companies are the ones walking away with most of the cash.  After all, they do own the biggest, most plush buildings besides the corporate banks!  While no one enjoys paying title insurance costs, no one ever gets out of it either, unless you’re paying for a new property in cash.  Even then, this is one insurance that isn’t wise avoiding.  With closing costs being a huge expense, along with money signed away in a matter of minutes, you can rest assured this is what you get with your hard earned cash:

1.  Title insurance expense is not a recurring…

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The 30 Day Checklist to Making Your Florida Move a Breeze

Relocation brings with it the most difficult challenges.  Having a Realtor assist you in finding your St Johns County property makes the process easier for you, as they work behind the scenes in closing on your dream home. 

In terms of your personal planning, here are some frequently overlooked tips to help in your relocation process:

Things to do at least 1 month before you move:

• Start a log of moving expense receipts, keeping mind of which is tax deductible and which costs will be paid by your company.
  
• Organize important documents to a secure, clearly marked, fire resistant box. Things to include are school records, home purchase or sale documents, will documents, marriage/divorce papers, medical documents, financial records,…

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Unravelling the Confusion of Closing Costs

 In comparing loans for your new Jacksonville home, keep the following in mind.  Closing costs are split into two main categories: the closing costs controlled by the lender which vary from place to place and closing costs not controlled by the lender that will not be negotiated. 

The Process

You will first obtain a "Good Faith Estimate" of closing costs when talking to a mortgage lender.  It is your right to receive a copy although they may send it to you within three business days of your application.

Remember, the mortgage lender is not the only one charging all of your final closing costs, nor do they know what all the costs will actually be. They will normally give you a higher end estimate based on an educated guess from…

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