Real Estate Blog - Buyer

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra 2009 Fee Schedule

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra is an equity community in which property owners own an equity interest in the community amenities.  Membership is acquired at the purchase of any home or homesite. 

Membership includes:

• 24 Hour Security
• Use of Plantation House for functions and individual dining
• Private Oceanfront Beach Club with Pool
• Unlimited golf, tennis, state of the art fitness center and other recreation facilities

Fee Schedule

Initiation Fees:

$40,000 ($20,000 is refundable equity upon sale of the property)

Monthly Fees:

Association Fees: $700

Food & Beverage Service Charge (no tipping) $40

General Assessment & Maintenance:  $155

Capital Allocation Fund (reserves): $100

Lawn Maintenance for Garden Homes…

2829 Views, 0 Comments

Negotiating the Purchase – Tips for Buyers

Finding that perfect Jacksonville Beach home for you and your family may seem like the hardest part of the process, but in reality it’s just the beginning!
The next step in the process involves submitting an offer to the sellers.
Deciding on an offer to submit to the sellers should involve a great deal of thought, research and, of course, your budgetary constraints.

1.       The first factor you should consider before submitting an offer on the Jacksonville Beach home is the market value of the home.

Your real estate agent will likely provide you with a comparative market analysis on the property. This will detail comparable homes in the neighborhood that have been sold, have been listed or are currently under contract.

A…

2148 Views, 0 Comments

Buyer Tips: How to Compete in a Multiple Offer Situation

It is a common misconception that multiple offer situations do not exist in a buyer’s market. Although there certainly are not as many instances of multiple offers, the situation does exist, particularly in the case of foreclosures and short sales.

If you are caught in a multiple offer situation as a buyer for a Jacksonville Beach home, then there are some things you should know:

1. Don’t panic if your offer is not the first one. If you want to put an offer in on a Jacksonville Beach home that already has multiple offers, you’ll first want to decide exactly how much you want the home before submitting your offer. When the offer comes in is not as important as the offer itself.

Aside from the offer price, you’ll want to pay…

2246 Views, 0 Comments

Can you Afford to Buy a Second Home?

If the thought of purchasing a second home sounds tempting, indeed it is! Owning a second home in a favorite vacation spot such as St. Augustine may not only serve as a great getaway, but also as a solid investment.

You’ll need to do your homework, and crunch the numbers, before making the jump into a second home.

Some things to consider when purchasing a vacation home (aside from the price) are:

• Down payments and interest rates. Even though interest rates are rock bottom as of late, it is important to realize that most mortgage companies will charge you a higher interest rate for a second home. In addition, you may need to fork out a higher down payment on a second home, as well.
  
  The bottom line: find a good…

2326 Views, 0 Comments

What you Don’t Know about your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Could Cost you Big – Part II

Do you know what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers? More importantly, do you know what it doesn’t cover?

If you’re like most Americans, you have not given much thought to the details of your homeowner’s insurance policy lately. However, being unaware of your level of coverage can lead to a great deal of heartache and a large dent in your pocket.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you’re savvy about the details of your homeowner’s insurance policy:

Do you know whether your policy covers actual cash value or replacement cost value?

These two phrases can mean the difference between no out-of-pocket expenses should your Jacksonville home need to be repaired or replaced and falling short.

If your Jacksonville home is…

1991 Views, 0 Comments

What you Don’t Know about your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Could Cost you Big – Part I

Everyone who owns a Jacksonville home must have a homeowner’s insurance policy, yet these policies are often misunderstood. And unfortunately, most homeowners don’t realize their homeowner’s insurance does not cover specific things until it is too late.

Owning a homeowner’s insurance policy is just like any other type of insurance: there are different levels of coverage, different inclusions and certainly different exclusions. It is up you to educate yourself on the nuances of your homeowner’s insurance policy so that you will not find yourself stuck in a financial disaster should something happen to your home or your home’s belongings.

Am I protected from flooding?

No. Flood damage is not protected by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, as was…

2193 Views, 0 Comments

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…

1938 Views, 0 Comments

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 …

3753 Views, 0 Comments

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,…

4680 Views, 0 Comments

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…

2304 Views, 0 Comments