Posts Tagged ‘Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida’
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 »
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a loan to help you purchase a home AND pay for the remodeling. This is a great financing program for all Americans. A program that more people should consider. It was originally set-up to revitalize run-down neighborhoods. There are certain credit score guidelines that must be met in order to qualify for this type of loan however the HUD regulations are not quite as stringent as Conventional or other standard FHA loans.
This loan is called a 203-k loan and requires a minimum of $5,000 in home repair and should be completed within six months. Some remodeling projects for consideration with this loan are: the repair of structural damage to a home, making an addition to the structure, the installation of additional bathrooms or the remodeling of the attic, kitchen or basement. Additionally the loan can be used to replace the air conditioning or all the flooring or the roof; one could also move a wall, do major landscaping or site improvements and, of course, make improvements and improve accessibility for the disabled.
In addition to the typical home improvement loan projects, the FHA 203-k can be used to convert a one family dwelling to a two, three or four family dwelling or the reverse of this. As with any projects, there are certain restrictions, like no new construction, and the contractor has to be an approved contractor. One should consult a qualified mortgage professional or I can introduce you to a mortgage professional that handles these types of loans.
One additional item the borrower needs is enough cash reserve to pay for materials and labor until they are reimbursed through a draw, or an adequate credit card balance. The contractor may also choose to cover these upfront costs. If you would like to know more about it, please go to the Department of Housing and Urban development web site or call a qualified mortgage broker. I will be glad to introduce you to one from my office at Keller Williams Realty, the third largest real estate company in the world.
To search the Greater Jacksonville Florida MLS for any home that might need remodeling or any home for sale, go to my web site at: http://www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Questions, call me at 904-233-1341 or email: gracehughesjax@gmail.com. Thank you for reading my blog and please enter any comments below.
Tags: 203 k loan, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, department of housing and urban development, fha financing, finance purchase and remodel, finding a home to remodel in the mls, Home Buyers in Jacksonville Beach, Housing Market, HUD, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Homes for Sale, looking for a fixer upper, remodel homes in atlantic beach florida, remodeling a home in jacksonville florida, remodeling a home in Ponte Vedra Beach
Posted in Buying a Home, Home Improvement, Homes | 5 Comments »
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
Home sales have improved in Jacksonville, Florida and the state across a number of consumer segments. In Miami the lower prices have helped to fuel the market for working class families. Additionally baby boomers have had less to spend due to the drop in the values of their investments so we are seeing retirees return to Florida due to the reduction in the cost of homes and the improved affordability index. We are also seeing more South Americans, Canadians and Europeans come to Jacksonville Florida and other parts of the state to purchase homes.
Foreclosures and Short Sales have fueled the market in Jacksonville, Florida and other cities in the state. They remain a big part of the state’s housing market today and will most likely stay that way for a while. So if you or someone you know have been planning to purchase a single family home or condominium in the Florida area, now is the time to make that purchase before the opportunity slips away. Condo inventories have dwindled to where there aren’t enough to go around and within a few short months will be even lower.
This has been the scenario every year since 2007. The demand from year to year has increased because Jacksonville is not only a vacation market it is a beautiful, green, thriving, interesting city that has a lot to offer all segments of the population. However there aren’t as many developers around this year with new projects coming out of the ground to supply the increased demand due to the depressed economy.
Find A Place With Style and Grace! My web site where you can find any home in the Northeast Florida MLS which is a five county area of homes including Jacksonville Florida and all the beach cities; Jax Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. www.FindAPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Email: gracehughesjax@gmail.com
Any questions you can text or call me 904-233-1341.
Tags: Buying a Condo in Jacksonville Florida, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, condomarkets, floridasecondhomesmarket, floridavacationmarket, great affordability, Housing Market, Improved Affordability Index, Jacksonville Beach Foreclosed Homes, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Jacksonville Real Estate, Reductionincostofhomes
Posted in Buying a Home, Foreclosures, Homes, Short Sales | 1 Comment »
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
According To CNN MONEY on line, Jacksonville Florida is One of Top Twelve Cities To Buy Property
The Median home price is: $83,200
The buy-rent equation in this northern Florida city is heavily influenced by mortgage defaults, according to Trulia spokeswoman Tara-Nicholle Nelson. Jacksonville has consistently been among the 30 hardest hit cities for foreclosures over the past two years, as compiled by RealtyTrac.
The flood of repossessed homes hitting the market has caused prices to fall by about 34% over the past four years, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders.
All those dispossessed households have also added to demand for rental properties, pushing the ratio of home prices to yearly rents down into single digits. That makes Jacksonville one of the best places to buy in the United States.
To find homes in The Greater Jacksonville Florida area including the Beaches and Downtown as well as all the condominiums in the five county area Multi-Listing Service, go to www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. To make an appointment to see any of these homes, call or text me at 904-233-1341. Or my email address is as follows: gracehughesjax@gmail.com. Questions? Call 904-233-1341
Tags: Best Places to Buy, Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buy Property Northern Florida, Buy Property vs Rent, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Cities For Foreclosures, Jacksonville Beach Foreclosures Properties, Top Cites to Buy Property
Posted in Buy Condominium, Buying a Home, Foreclosures, Homes, Housing Market | No Comments »
Monday, January 17th, 2011
Affordability in single-family homes and condos returned to Jacksonville Florida and the Beaches of Florida in 2010. A good indicator of this fact is more than 50% of all homes sold in the Jacksonville, Florida area in 2010 were purchased by First Time Home Buyers. This was higher than the national average of 40%. Last year first time home buyers could once again afford to purchase nice single-family homes in neighborhoods that were previously out of their reach financially. This means it is a great time for “anyone” to purchase in the Jacksonville, Florida area markets! This means it’s time to buy that second home or beach-front property you have been wanting to purchase!
According to Florida Realtor statistics five years ago affordability was one of the greatest challenges facing the Florida housing market. Home prices were rising annually at a rate of 15 to 25 percent. The state of Florida’s median sales price had reached $248,300 for single-family homes and $211,300 for condos. However since the peak of 2006 sale prices have fallen more than 40%. Now that sales have increased this year and prices have begun to stabilize in many areas listing inventories are shrinking as more buyers have taken advantage of the markets by purchasing homes in Jacksonville and surrounding communities.
Find A Place With Style and Grace! Call or contact Grace Hughes, Realtor, GRI,e-Pro, LMC at 904-233-1341
To Search Homes in North East Florida Realtors Multi-Listing market, go to www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com.
You can send a text to Grace at 904-233-1341
Tags: affordable condos in jacksonville florida, affordable florida housing market, affordable homes beaches of florida, affordable single family housing, baby boomers return to florida, Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Buying Home in Jacksonville, find a place with style and grace, Florida, great affordability, Homes for Sale in Jacksonville Beach FL, Jacksonville Beach Condo, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, second homes jacksonville florida, waterfront property jacksonville beach
Posted in Buying a Home, Homes, Housing Affordable, Second home, Second home buyer, State of Florida Home Sales | No Comments »
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
When you buy your next home in Florida consider requesting a Florida Home Energy Rating. Use this rating to figure how much the home will cost you like you would the miles-per-gallon sticker ratings on a new automobile. The Florida Building Energy-Efficiency Rating Act was passed by the State Legislature in 1993 and amended in 1994. This act established a voluntary statewide energy-efficiency rating system for homes.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Jacksonville the energy rating offers you a market-place yardstick that measures the benefits of energy-efficiency improvements. You are probably planning to get a Home Inspection if you purchase a home. Smart home buyers in Jacksonville are now asking for a home energy rating. In addition to an overall estimate of energy use you get detailed breakdowns of the energy costs of the air conditioning, space heating, water heating, refrigerator, clothes dryer, cooking costs, lighting, pool pumping and other miscellaneous equipment.
Qualified Energy Gauge raters use a specially designed software program to input data about your home and obtain accurate information regarding what energy-efficiency features can be added to your home to maximize cost-savings and add more comfort. The raters give your home an index that is based on the energy costs of your home compared with national guidelines.
As a real estate professional I am required to give you information about getting an EnergyGauge Rating when you sign a home purchase contract with me. I will be glad to give you additional information about this program. Call me Direct at 904-233-1341 or information about this program is available at www.floridaenergycenter.org. My email is: gracehughesjax@gmail.com.
My web site where you can find any home listed in the Northeast Florida MLS is located at the following link: www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. Go to the Property Search Link on the Left Menu and c lick on Search for Property in Your Area.
Tags: Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Home Buyers in Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville Beach Buy a House, Jacksonville Beach Foreclosures
Posted in Buying a Home | 1 Comment »
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, March 19th, 2010
Ideas for Inside the Home that are Free and Easy Fix-ups to Help Sell Your Home For Top Dollar in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida:
1. Clean everything in and out of sight. Shampoo rugs and wax floors. Wash or brush walls. Wash windows and clean blinds and draperies.
2. Straighten up the clutter in the closets and cupboards to get the best return on investment.
3. Create space by storing some of the extra furniture, like bookcases, storage chests, over-sized chairs, etc.
4. Placing remaining furniture so the traffic can flow easily from room to room will help you get top dollar for your home.
5. Keep shades and draperies open, to admit as much light as possible.
6. Keep your kitchen warm and welcoming by keeping the sink shining and free of dirty dishes at all times.
7. Clean the refrigerator and keep the kitchen counter tops clean and neat, but not empty. Show off only your best canister set.
8. Completely degrease your oven and keep the area smelling fresh as possible.
9. Removing dust and debris from all light fixtures will help bring top dollar for your home.
10. Keep bathrooms scrubbed and tidy with a fresh supply of soap, towels and tissue. Install new washers, if needed, and get rid of all stains.
To get top dollar for your home you may have to put in some extra work, however, it will pay off in the long run. If you need to sell your home in the Greater Jacksonville area and need additional advise, feel free to call me direct at 904-233-1341, or my email is: gracehughesjax@gmail.com. To find all homes for sale and listed on the area MLS go to 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, Jacksonville Beach Home Buying Process, Jacksonville Beach Homes for Sale, Jacksonville Beach Real Estate Market, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate, Selling Your Home in Jacksonville Beach FL
Posted in Selling Your Home | No Comments »
Monday, March 15th, 2010
If you put your home on the market without preparing it for sale, you may have a long wait. You also may not realize your home’s greatest return on investment. Here are a few tips to get you started toward selling that home:
1. Spruce up all around the home. Keep the lawn and shrubbery trimmed and free of bicycles and other clutter.
2. Keep the garden beds weeded and mulched.
3. Put a flowering pot on the front step and keep it watered and trimmed.
4. Fill potholes in your driveway and tidy up walkways.
5. Clean off your outdoor furniture; remove any rust or toss out the rusted items.
6. Clear out the garage of everything but cars. If yours has become a two-car attic, throw out the excess.
7. Straighten gutters, the mailbox, the fence and other things that sag.
8. Fix doorbells, tighten loose doorknobs, and oil squeaking hinges.
9. Repair broken windows and shutters.
Hope this will help you get started. I’ll address some ideas for the inside of your home with my next blog entry.
If you would like some suggestions and you are not sure where to put your time and money, feel free to give me a call and I’ll be happy to make some suggestions. My email is gracehughesjax@gmail.com or feel free to call at 904-233-1341. My web site where you can find all homes listed for sale in the Northeast Florida Multi-Listing Service is: www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com.
Tags: Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Jacksonville Beach Buy a House, Jacksonville Beach Condo, Jacksonville Beach First Time Home Buyers
Posted in Selling Your Home | No Comments »
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Advantages of Owning a Home In Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- Equity builds over time
- Real Estate Taxes are Deductible
- Sense of Security and Stability
- Can Decorate, Remodel, Paint as you like
- Homes Can Appreciate in Value
- Housing Payments Are Usually Fixed
- The Payment Rate Whether Fixed or Adjustable is Your Choice
- In a Buyers Market Some or All Closing Costs could be paid by the Seller
Other Thoughts You Must Consider Before Purchasing a Home in Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- You are Responsible for the Upkeep and Maintenance Costs
- Property taxes must be paid either once a year or escrowed and paid monthly
- Mortgage payments can be equal to or even higher than rental payments if you purchase too much home
- Must pay closing costs, real estate transfer taxes and other application fees or plan for these costs if seller doesn’t pay them
Real estate markets and deals vary from city to city and state to state. Do not purchase a home on a whim, even if you know it is ”the one’. Ask your real estate professional to help you determine it’s market value and the value of the homes around it.
I live and work in the heart of Jacksonvlle and Jacksonville Beach, including Duval and St John’s County and can help you run a report from the Multi-Listing database to determine the best offer to make on the home. My web site which is updated by the MLS daily is: www.FindaPlaceWithStyleNgrace.com. You can search for properties by going to the Property Search page.
Call me at 904-233-1341 to find out how I can help or email or text me at: gracehughesjax@gmail.com
Tags: Buy a Home in Jacksonville Beach, Buying a House in Jacksonville Beach FL, Buying a Single-Family Home in Jacksonville Florida, Jacksonville Beach Buyers, Jacksonville Beach Condo, Jacksonville Beach Home Buyers, Jacksonville Florida Real Estate
Posted in Owning a Home | 21 Comments »
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