Jacksonville Real Estate Blog

Top 5 Repairs Every Home Owner Should Make Before Listing

Hot Topic of the week:  Top 5 Repairs to make before listing house for sale

Regardless of your financial situation, all home owners want to get the absolute highest price for their home.  It rarely makes sense to do big renovations before selling, but there are several items that will prepare your home for sale with a minimal budget.

1. Curb Appeal:  All of us have curb appeal improvements that can be made - Now is the time to make them!  Fresh paint on that front door, clean the windows, pressure wash the house and walkways, and tend your landscaping.  Fresh flowers, trim back hedges, bump up your watering schedule, fresh mulch, and a little fertilizer will take your curb appeal to the next level.
2. Interior…

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Just Sold!! Waterfront Home in Empire Point

Congrats to the Sellers and Buyers for the sale of 4925 S. River Basin in Empire Point

Empire Point, located just East of downtown Jacksonville, San Marco, and St Nicholas has quite the collection of waterfront homes.  The neighborhood was developed by land owners, the Durkee family back in the 1950's.  Many of the current residents are original owners or quite often family members of original owners.  Empire Point is going through a renovation phase currently as many Jacksonville residents have discovered this private neighborhood.  It is a very quick boat ride to the Everbank Stadium or to downtown, and is just minutes away from some of the top private schools:  Episcopal, Bolles, and Bishop Kenny.  

Congrats to the new owners of this…

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Price Changes Year Over Year Chart

Straight from CoreLogic, they've released this telling chart that displays the rise the plummet and the rise again in home prices.  This is a national look, but could be argued that it closely replicates what has been happening in Jacksonville FL over the same period.  It's interesting to see the small downward dip that we are currently experiencing in home prices.  I had fully expected a continued increase in prices but it looks to be not the case thus far.  

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Peak House Prices to Current Market Prices

Another interesting graphic from CoreLogic's recent market index report.  Here it shows just how far we here in Florida are off the peak values.  Many states are already near recovered or fully recovered, but we are still so far below peak values.  Ouch!  Looks like short sales and foreclosures will continue in Florida for some time to come.  

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Short Sales aren't getting any easier

Straight from the Florida Association's newsletter and real estate attorney/writer Gary Singer:

"Borrowers must be as persistent as ever. Get all your information together and jump through all the hoops that are presented to you. Send in the same paperwork again and again, reply to all requests quickly and fully, document everything, and always remain calm, polite and cooperative when dealing with the bank's representatives."

Blah

Basically this article stated that Short Sales aren't getting an easier.  Although, you would think after the government has gotten so involved that it would be much easier by now right?  (please pick up on the heavy sarcasm as I was laying it down pretty thick)

If you find yourself needing a short sale, hire a…

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Ocwen Short Sale Closed

Ocwen / Altisource has an interesting process for Short Sales.  Here is Ocwens Short Sale Process:

1. They have the REALTOR list the property for sale
2. Realtors does all the marketing
3. Realtor handles all the calls and showings
4. Realtor negotiates the highest and best contract
5. Realtor submits the contract to Ocwen no less than 3 times
6. Realtor handles all the erroneous document request
7. and then just when you think you've got an approval.... They require to have the home listed for sale on HubZu.com???  

Hubzu.com is an online auction company owned by Ocwen .  Hubzu is an unknown real estate auction website up to this point, although they will probably generate some traffic as Ocwen is forcing buyers to use the site.  

To make…

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A clear reason to choose the Waterfront Lifestyle

Not sure anything else can sum up the reason to live on the water better than this picture.  Search Waterfront Homes ->

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Price Correctly and Sell Your Jacksonville Home Fast

Another happy seller that agreed to price the home correctly.  12 days on the Jacksonville MLS, multiple offers, and now under contract, this Julington Creek Home For Sale was a hot showing for few days.  We had so many showings, even the seller was ready for them to slow down! 

Of course it helps that this house is very well cared for and the home owner has done everything to get and keep the home in show ready condition.  

Thinking about Selling your Jacksonville Home and Real Estate?  Give us a call or send a quick note, and we can discuss getting you top dollar in the fastest amount of time.  

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Another Successful Short Sale Closed in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Short Sale Success

Another Happy Home Seller!  This home was a challenge, but what short sale isn't?  The Seller needed to sell due to a relocation, and like so many other homes in Jacksonville, it had lost half it's value from the peak.  

We listed the home and sold it quickly, but the all cash hedge fund investor cancelled all contracts within specific zip codes.  Really ticked a lot of listing agents off and not to mention a lot of sellers!

Round 2:  We sold to another all cash hedge fund investor, got the approval from the seller's bank, and then the buyers requested tens of thousands in repairs. Mostly just paint, carpet, landscaping, etc.  A joke really.  Of course the bank declined their inspection request, so we went back on…

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How to Sell Your Home For the Highest Price

There are thousands of articles that have been written on this subject, but overall they are all missing the #1 key ingredient.  

If you have a home that you'd like to sell, I'd naturally conclude that you've cleaned things up.  I'd assume you've fixed all the little things that have been bugging you for years.  I'd think you have already de-cluttered the rooms and removed any funky artwork that spoke to you back in 92.  I'd also like to believe that you have completed paint touch ups to all the baseboards and heavy wear areas.  You've cleaned the floors and replaced carpet if need be.  

I'd also think you have taken the time to give attention to the outside of the home.  You spent a couple weekends cleaning out weeds, pruning, and adding fresh…

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