Buy a House
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
Maybe you have been considering a home purchase in the area; a place to go in Florida for the summer or winter. Or you are a first time home buyer? Right now affordability is the key with many home buyers with Jacksonville Florida being one of the major cities where owning a home is more cost effective than renting a home. This is due to all the repossessed homes hitting the market and a drop in the prices over the past few years in the Jacksonville Florida market making homes so affordable.
In fact home prices were down in the area for the 6th month in a row with all the foreclosures and short sales hitting the market. However homes sales were up in January for the third month in a row as home buyers have begun to discover the values are here especially in the condo and single-family home markets. Additionally there are rumblings from the market regarding an expected increase in the demand for multi-family housing which adds to the speculations for the area.
So What “DO” You Look For the First Time Through A Home? You might consider the following: Is there enough room for you now and the near future? A home can be an excellent investment but it should fit the way you live. It should have the space and features that fit the entire family. Pay close attention to the floor plan. How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Smaller homes are in demand as space is at a premium. However is there enough storage space for you? How about the appliances? Will you have to replace them? The roof is not a major issue when purchasing a condo as they are maintained by the Home Owners Association. However you must consider the costs of the home owners association in your budget and the quality of the maintenance in the complex. You may at first glance think the condo fees are too high until you consider the added costs you would pay in a single family home that will be covered by the association dues that you don’t have to pay outside of these dues.
Maintenance is a major cost to consider in a home purchase. How much maintenance will you have to do right away? The next three years? Will your present furniture work in the home? Pay particular attention to any areas that could be a problem like additions, defects or areas that have been repaired.
These are just a few basic suggestions for the first time through. There are many considerations and feel free to review any and all articles I have posted over the last year regarding these additional considerations before purchasing a home or condo. It all depends upon your situation, your family and your particular requirements. Feel free to go to my web site at www.FindAPlaceWithStyleNGrace.com or click on Visit My Website to the left of this blog article to search for homes in the MLS area. My direct contact number is 904-233-1341 or you can text me at this number. Feel free to send your home search requests to: gracehughesjax@gmail.com and I’ll set-up a search for you. Thank you for reading my blog. I am always complimented when I receive comments from you.
Tags: Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, First Time Home Shoppers, First Time Thru A Home, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Short Sale Homes, Jacksonville Florida Home Buyer, Looking Thru Home First Time Jacksonville Florida, Owning More Cost Effective Than Renting, Second home, short sales in florida, Short Sales in Jacksonville Florida, Things To Look For When Home Shopping
Posted in Buy a House, Buying a Home, First Time Home Buyer, Homes | 5 Comments »
Sunday, February 13th, 2011
All signs point toward an improvement in existing homes sales in 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida and the Beaches area. Although we saw a dramatic drop in new homes sales in 2010, sales are expected to improve by 17.7% according to figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This could be impacted by an improvement in the jobs market or a lack of it. However productivity was up in January in spite of the bad weather which kept a lot of workers home. Private sector payrolls and corporate earnings were up and existing home purchases rose in January with the current supply of new homes being stated as a 6.9 months supply. This number has been as high as 12 to 18 months in some areas.
So signs point in the general direction of a recovery for the housing market in Jacksonville, the Beaches and North Florida. Ninety percent of most homes purchased today are being financed through FHA loans and Ben Bernanke said last week when he spoke to the National Press Club the Fed won’t be changing their policy support anytime soon.
If you have been considering a home purchase, condominiums and smaller single-family homes (less than 2,000 sq ft) are getting a lot of attention and could be the latest and wisest investment in Jacksonville. To search for homes in Jacksonville, Florida and the Beaches MLS home market, go to www.FindAPlaceWithStyleNGrace.com and go to the Property Search Page. You can save your searches and return another time. Feel free to text or contact me Direct at 904-233-1341.
Tags: Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, find a place with style and grace, Housing Market, Improvement in Housing Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Property Jacksonville Florida, Recovery in Jax Housing Market, Signs Of Improvement in Housing Jacksonville Florida, smaller homes for investment jacksonville florida, Smaller Singe Family Homes, Wise Investments
Posted in Bottom of Real Estate Market, Buy a House, Homes, Property Investment | 8 Comments »
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Although housing starts were down slightly (0.6%) in February they are up for the year by 39.8%. The slight decline in February was due to a reduction in multi-family housing starts. This information is according to the Mortgage Brokers Association. This reduction in multi-family housing starts can be a good thing if we see some absorption of the many condominium units on the market in our beautiful city by the sea of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
The federal government’s activity of purchasing mortgage-backed securities which has kept mortgage rates at historic lows for over a year is scheduled to stop March 31, 2010. The MBA says this may begin to put pressure on mortgage rates to gradually go up over the next year and keep rates rising into 2011 and 2012.
So before those rates go back up, exercise your right to claim a First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8,500, or if you have lived in your current home for five years or more sign a contract to purchase another home by April 30, 2010 and claim a $6,500 Tax Credit through the Federal Government. The contract if signed should close by June 30, 2010. Any questions call me at 904-233-1341 or go on-line to my web site to find a home in the Jacksonville, Florida and Beaches area: www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Go to the Property Search page.
Email me at: gracehughesjax@gmail.com.
Tags: Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, Home Buyers in Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville Beach Homes, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate
Posted in Buy a House | No Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Home sales are a matter of public record. You can get all the information you want about recent sales, including prices and time on the market, by asking your Realtor. This is valuable information when buying or selling a home.
If you’re interested in a particular home, we will be able to provide you with a list of comparable sale prices of homes in your area that are roughly the same size and age as the home you’re considering. If there are no homes FOR SALE in your neighborhood, the Realtor can give you advise regarding the way to determine the price. . .
Although there will certainly be some differences between the homes…the house next door may have an extra bedroom, or the one down the block may be older than the one you’re looking at…it’s a good way to evaluate the sellers asking price.
If you are considering buying or selling a home, call me Direct at 904-233-1341 and I’ll see how I can help, or send a quick email to: gracehughesjax@gmail.com. You can go to my web site where you can find any home listed in our five county Multi-Listing Service, including Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Amelia Island, and Fernandina Beach at www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Go to the Property Search Page.
Tags: Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, Jacksonville Beach Buy a House, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach First Time Home Buyers
Posted in Buy a House | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Buying a home is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences most of us ever have; it’s also one of the most challenging.
1. One clear advantage of enlisting the help of an agent is simply that you don’t have to “go it alone.” A good agent has the training, the know-how, and the experience to help you through each step of the process and to make the process of finding, buying, and moving into your new home as smooth, quick, and enjoyable as it can be.
2. Another advantage is that real estate agents are a valuable source of information about market trends, neighborhoods and especially information about homes for sale throughout the areas in which you’re interested. The agent may know about a home for sale that is not listed.
3. Another advantage is that, in general, all of these services come to you free of any charge or obligation. It used to be thought that, legally, all real estate agents involved in a given transaction worked for the seller. Now, with proper disclosure, the agent, salesperson or broker works for the buyer that they choose to represent. The buyer’s agent is then paid at closing by the seller.
In order get the process moving you need to have a Buyer Consultation Interview. Why? Simple – because no one likes to waste time, but that’s what many purchasers do. They don’t take the time to sit down with their Realtor to let the Realtor know, in great detail, what their house needs are. That’s what a Buyer Consultation is all about.
Through the experience of working with many buyers over several years, I have become skilled in (and enjoy) teaching you about the whole process and listening to your needs. Even if you have purchased a property in the recent past, a quick review might be in order to refresh everything in your mind!
All of my services come with a satisfaction guarantee – and are completely free of charge – so take full advantage of my FREE BUYER CONSULTATION today by calling at 904-233-1341 or email me at: gracehughesjax@gmail.com with a specific time and date.
Find your dream home on my web site which is linked to the MLS at: www:FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com.
Tags: Buying a Home in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Homes for Sale in Jacksonville Beach FL, Jacksonville Beach Homes for Sale, Jacksonville Homes
Posted in Buy a House, Buying a Home, Homes, Real Estate Agent | 1 Comment »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Here are just a few I suggest to my clients…
What is the neighborhood (and your neighbors) like?
Are there certain area features that would affect the value of this property in the future?
What are the realty taxes on the home? What are the utilities?
What home repairs have been made in the past three years?
How far do I have to travel for schools, public transit, and shopping?
What major repair expenses do I have to look forward to within the next three to five years?
What is the traffic flow in front of or near the property…any main roads, bus routes, etc.?
Are there any utility easements or encroachments over the property?
Is there a fairly recent survey that shows all the buildings and additions on the property?
There are so many things one should check before making a home purchase. I can send you my complete list if you would like. Or, if there are any of the above questions that you don’t have a clear answer to – call me, and I will see what I can do to find the answers for you.
All my services come with a satisfaction guarantee – and are completely free of charge to you. My job is to have you fully informed before you make a costly buying decision! My #904-233-1341 or my web site where you can go to find all listings in the five county Northeast Florida area which includes Jacksonville Beach and the other beaches. Go to www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Then to the Property Search Page.
Tags: Add new tag, Buy a Home, Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Jacksonville Beach Home Appraisals, Jacksonville Beach Home Buying Process, Jacksonville Beach Homes, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Jacksonville Real Estate, Real Estate Agent
Posted in Buy a House, Homes | No Comments »
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
As a real estate consultant, if you were a first time home buyer, I would begin the process of making sure you are well-informed about the home buying process and the Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area. I would begin by sending you a few emails, the first one would contain the following information:
Where do I begin the process of looking for a home?
The first thing you should do is begin focusing on what you’re looking for in a home. You can start by establishing priorities in the following three areas:
Location: Are you relocating because of a new job, or to be closer to your current job? How will the location of schools, shops, and transportation affect your choice of neighborhood?
Personal Taste: How large a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? On what type of lot? Depending on where you want to live, you may have a choice. Every family’s needs are different. It is helpful to examine what you like or don’t like about your current home or apartment. What don’t you like? What features are missing?
Budget: How much home is it wise for you to own or how much do you want to spend on a monthly basis without eating popcorn for dinner every evening? It pays to make a top five to seven list of items you want in a home. The more information you have, the better.
From The First Coast of North Florida, Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida. All of my services come with a satisfaction guarantee – and are completely free of charge.
You can call me on my CELL at 904-233-1341, give me your price range and let me send you some homes to choose from, or log onto my web site at: http://www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. On this site you can search the entire database in the Northeast Florida MLS area, then save the homes to your personal file and come back to it later. It is a great resource. Email me at gracehughesjax@gmail.com.
Tags: Buying a Home in Jacksonville, Buying a House in Jacksonville, Homes for Sale in Jacksonville, Homes in Jacksonville FL, Jacksonville Homes
Posted in Buy a House | No Comments »
Monday, September 7th, 2009
I have used this phrase to emphasize a point. The point being how often someone tells me about the one home they didn’t purchase when they had a chance; the home they wished they had purchased due to it’s current “much higher” value! Unfortunately we will not hear a bell and the government can not say, or know, when we reach the bottom of the real estate market in Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville Beach, or anywhere else. However, if you have been considering purchasing that single-family home, condominium, second home, or, you are a first time home buyer, and you are interested in this data for this very reason, please find it below. This area and the State of Florida data is compelling, and so makes me think the bell should possibly be shined up a bit…so here you are:
State of Florida Home Sales 7/09 Compared to 7/08 + 28% Jacksonville Florida Home Sales +16% Same Period
Other areas and cities: Daytona Beach+20% Ft Lauderdale+35% Ft Myers+137% Ft Pierce+27% Ft Walton Beach+15% Lakewood+14% Melbourne+14% Miami+54% Ocala+63% Orlando+38% Panama City+15% Tampa+21%
Average Interest Rate Ending period Sept 3, 2009: 30 yr Fixed - 5.08% Freddie Mae
Low mortgage rates are helping to keep housing affordable, according to government housing VP and chief economist, Frank Mothaft. Seven of the top eight most affordable months for purchasing a home have occurred during the last twelve months, with the Most Affordable months being tracked since 1971! As a result, pending sales of existing homes rose for the sixth straight month in July of this year, and July sales were the strongest since June 2007. Call me with any questions about property, homes or financing.
All Single-Family Homes and Condominiums Available in the MLS, as well as Short Sales and Foreclosures are available on my web site at: http://FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. My email is: gracehughesjax@gmail.com. My Direct contact number is 904-233-1341 with questions.
Tags: Bottom of Real Estate Market, Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Home Buyers in Jacksonville Beach, Housing Market, Jacksonville Beach Buy a House, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Condo, Jacksonville Beach First Time Home Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Mortgage Rates, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Jacksonville Real Estate, Low mortgage rates, Pending Home Sales, pending sales of existing homes, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, State of Florida Home Sales
Posted in Bottom of Real Estate Market, Buy Condominium, Buy a House, Condos, First Time, First Time Home Buyer, Homes, Housing Affordable, Low mortgage rates, Pending Home sales in Jacksonville Florida, Property Investment, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, State of Florida Home Sales | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Actually there are many things you need to know about a home before you make a purchase, and here are “just a few” of the questions you need to have answered before moving forward with that purchase of a home:
- What is the neighborhood (and your neighbors) like? Are there certain area features that would affect the value of this property after you buy or in the future?
- What are the realty taxes on the home and what are the costs of utilities?
- What home repairs have been made in the past three years?
- How far do I have to travel for schools, public transit, and shopping?
- What major repair expenses do I have to look forward to after the purchase or within two years after purchase?
- Are there any utility easements or encroachments over the property?
- Is there a fairly recent survey that shows all the buildings and additions on the property?
- Has the property had a Home Inspection done when the present owners bought that you could check to see what minor and major problems there were? Have your Realtor ask for a list of these problems, if there were any.
- Has the homeowner signed a Property Disclosure statement?
My goal is to have you fully informed before you make a costly home buying decision! If there are any of the above questions that you don’t have a clear answer to for any home in Jacksonville you are considering purchasing – call me, and I will see what I can do to find the answers for you. All of my services come with a satisfaction guarantee – and are completely free of charge to you. If you would like a “Complete” list of questions to ask, please respond by email to gracehughesjax@gmail.com or call direct to 904-233-1341 and leave a message, or send a message with a blog entry. My web site: http://FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, Buy a Home, Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Housing Market, Jacksonville Beach Buy a House, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Condo, Jacksonville Beach Home Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Home Buying Process, Jacksonville Beach Short Sales, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Jacksonville Real Estate, purchase dream home, Purchase Dream Home in Jacksonville Beach Florida, Purchase Dream Home in Jacksonville Florida, Purchase that dream home, Purchase That Dream Home in Jacksonvillel Florida, Real Estate Agent
Posted in Buy Condominium, Buy a House, First Time Home Buyer, Homes, Homes for Sale, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent | 5 Comments »
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
The value of homes in the US fell in the second quarter this year by 12% compared to the same time last year. However, the rate of decline shrank, according to Zillow.com, with smaller market declines than the year before, and June sales volume being higher than May; and May is normally one of the highest volume months of the year.
An article from the Florida Association of Realtors also suggests buyers of foreclosures need to be quick. The founder of a top foreclosure company, Foreclosures.com, Brad Geisen, says, “Some homes go under contract fewer than ninety minutes after they are put on the market.”
So you North Florida buyers, listen up, as some markets are showing signs of being at the bottom, and Northeast Florida just may be one of them. As a real estate professional located in Jacksonville Florida and the Beaches area, I have found there are more offers from more buyers than just a few weeks back.
The Fed on Wednesday extended its support of the weak economy by keeping interests rates at or near 0% for the lending institutions, which means you have until October to take some action to purchase that home. Until then, who knows? Rates have already crept up. It seems to happen overnight in this business, don’t miss out on the lowest interest rates we have seen in years!
My web site with all MLS properties for sale, and the foreclosures and short sales that are left, can be found on my web site at: http://FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. If you need additional information, or wish to comment, please do.
Tags: Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Jacksonville Beach Homes, Jacksonville Beach Homes for Sale, Jacksonville Beach Mortgage Rates, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market
Posted in Apartments, Buy Condominium, Buy a House, Condos, Estates, Foreclosure Property, Foreclosures, Homes, Homes for Sale, Housing Market, Luxury Homes, Property Investment, Questions and Answers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agent, Relocation, Second home, Second home buyer, Short Sales | 2 Comments »
Avg. Sales Price: $180,000
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