Real Estate Blog

FHA Mortgages For St. Augustine Real Estate

As a potential home buyer, you may or may not understand the benefits of an FHA mortgage loan. Using an FHA loan to purchase a St. Augustine property is a good idea for many reasons. With lower interest rates than most conventional loans, less strict qualification guidelines, and down payment grant programs available to those who qualify, FHA mortgage loans can even make home ownership possible for those with less than perfect credit or for buyers with limited or no money for a down payment. If you dream of owning a home, it is possible that an FHA loan is the right choice for you.

What Is An FHA Loan?

An FHA mortgage loan is a loan which is insured by the FHA, or Federal Housing Authority. These loans are issued through private lenders based on a set…

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Tips For Selling Your St. Johns County Home

When you put up your home for sale in St. Johns County, you are probably hoping for a quick sale. If you have hired a real estate agent, you are moving in the right direction. A real estate agent can help you to sell your home more quickly and can offer valuable insight into St. Johns County real estate. Additionally, these tips for selling your St. Johns County property will ensure your home is sold as quickly as possible for the best possible price.   

Tip # 1 – Set A Competitive Price

Though you may be hoping to make a lot of money from the potential sale of your home, it is important to be realistic. There are a lot of homes for sale in St. Johns County, so work with your agent to compromise on a competitive price. If your home is overpriced, you…

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Tips For Buying A Home In Jacksonville Beach

Now is a great time to buy one of the many homes for sale in Jacksonville Beach. With a comparatively strong real estate market, Jacksonville Beach has a lot to offer potential buyers. While the median home price in Jacksonville Beach is $485,000, there are many homes in the area for sale with prices starting in the low $200,000’s with plenty of space and great features for even the most discriminating home buyer. Jacksonville Beach real estate is full of diverse communities. Regardless of what your your needs or wants may be as you shop for homes, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for in Jacksonville Beach Florida. Especially if you are a first time home buyer, these tips for buying a home in Jacksonville Beach will help make the process…

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Storm Safety Tips For Ponte Vedra Beach Homes

Living in a beach community comes with its unique challenges, especially when it comes to hurricanes and storms. Below are several storm safety tips to ensure your Ponte Vedra Beach property stays in tact during the 2008 hurricane season.

 Tip # 1 – Know The Evacuation Routes

First and foremost, your personal safety is the most important thing. Be prepared and know all of the evacuation routes in your area so that you can leave in a safe and timely manner. Evacuate as soon as you are informed to do so by your local officials instead of waiting until the last minute.

 Tip # 2 – Storm Shutters

Be prepared with storm shutters and board up for a storm. To ensure your property weathers the storm as best it can, storm shutters are a necessity. If you…

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Simple Home Repairs For Your Jacksonville Property

For some homeowners, home maintenance and home repairs can often feel overwhelming. Home repairs do not have to be performed on a large scale though, as there are several do-it-yourself projects that almost any homeowner can successfully complete. This article gives you several do-it-yourself tips for a few different home repairs. Jacksonville real estate, which is kept updated and in good repair, will be easier to sell when the time is right.

Tip # 1 – Fixing A Leaky Faucet

Fixing a leaky faucet is easier than it sounds. First, turn off the water supply. Second, open up the faucet and drain all excess water out of the pipes. Next, plug the sink with a towel or drain plug to prevent any screws or parts from going down the drain. Then, use a…

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Duval County Real Estate – What Happens at Closing?

As you get closer and closer to closing on your new Duval County property, you may be wondering what will happen at this meeting – especially if you are a first time home buyer. The deal is wrapped up and you are in agreement with the seller about everything from price to repairs and all details in between. You are prepared to take ownership of your new Duval County property - yet one step remains, the closing table.

Who Will be at The Closing?

The closing meeting is the finalization of all things between the buyer and seller. There are several important people will need to be present at your closing besides the buyer and seller. Other key people who should be at your closing include the title company representative, the mortgage lender, and possibly…

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St. Johns County Property - The Importance Of Home Maintenance

If you have recently purchased a home, or if you are planning to purchase one of the St. Johns County homes for sale, it is wise to know the importance of home maintenance. Your new home will likely be the biggest investment you ever make, therefore it is important to care for it as such.

Whether it is something small such as paint peeling in the bathroom or a creaky floor board in your hardwood floors, taking care of problems as you notice them will help you to avoid costly repairs in the future. Additionally, in the event that you want to sell your home, keeping up with the maintenance of your St. Johns County property will pay off in the form of a higher resale value.

Should You Do It Yourself Or Hire A Professional?

It is important to be…

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Flood Insurance For Ponte Vedra Beach Homes

Living on the beach is a unique experience, with unique challenges. As with any Ponte Vedra real estate for sale, each property has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are willing to shoulder the disadvantages of a beach home, you will enjoy the benefits and advantages so much more. From the beautiful ocean views to the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, homeowners in beach communities rarely regret their purchase – especially with the right type of flood insurance.

Coverage

There are two policies you should look at for your Ponte Vedra Beach property: Flood Insurance and Excess Flood Insurance. Standard flood insurance policies cover damages due to rising water (flooding) in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the National Flood Insurance…

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New Expectations in the Mortgage Market

The vacillation of the stock market is being seen in the mortgage market in their rates, terms and timing.   You've probably heard that lenders have been strengthening their guidelines requiring higher credit scores for the best rates and/or bigger down payments from borrowers.   You might of heard that lender are changing their programs more regularly. But have you heard of buyers going to the closing table and the lender no longer keeping to the terms that were offered?  I am being told that it is happening.   In addition, I am just being told that the rates the lenders are charging can change up to 4 times a day!  So if your mortgage broker calls you with a great rate and you don't lock in ... you can pretty much be assured that the…

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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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