Jacksonville FL and Ponte Vedra Beach Real Estate Blog

If you are selling St. Johns County real estate, you likely want to know exactly what today’s home buyers are searching for. Although each home buyer will have his or her own wish list regarding wants and needs, there are a select group of things every buyer is looking for:

• Value – In other words, buyers want to get as much for their money as possible; and this means you must price your home to sell. Pricing your home accurately according to its location, its features and other comparables in the area is the best way to attract the largest number of buyers. If you price it too high you can be certain you will exclude a large percentage of potential buyers.

• The “wow” factor – If you are selling a three-bedroom bungalow in a neighborhood with a half dozen other three-bedroom bungalows for sale, be prepared for competition. A great way to make your home stand out from the crowd of other homes for sale is to give it the “wow” factor. Your “wow” factor may be new, stainless steel appliances, newly refinished hardwood floors or new landscaping. Whatever it is, make it impressive so that buyers will be captivated with your home the moment they walk through the door.

• Maintenance issues tackled – Although not every property will be turn-key, most buyers expect basic maintenance issues to be addressed by the homeowner. For example, a buyer should never see a leaky faucet, a torn carpet or chipped ceramic tile. Even if your home is in good condition otherwise, small maintenance issues will immediately turn buyers off and make them suspect that there are a number of bigger issues in the home. Take the weekend and make sure all maintenance issues are handled, and don’t forget about the details, such as burned-out light bulbs, squeaky door hinges and dirty walls.

Today’s homebuyers are meeting the demands of their customers. Case in point: the multi-generational household for Ponte Vedra Beach homes.

A multigenerational household is a home that accommodates more than one generation living underneath the same roof. This could mean separate living spaces for parents, in-laws or even adult children. Many builders are building “homes within homes,” or more than one home inside one structure. Today’s multi-generational homes have separate entrances, separate living areas and even separate laundry facilities.

If you are considering building a multigenerational home, it pays to consider a few things:

• Privacy – If you are building a home designed to accommodate your in-laws, for example, privacy may be an issue. For example, if your household has small children, your in-laws may not want be bothered by the noise created by a bustling household. There are many ways to achieve privacy in a multi-generational household, including sound-proof walls and insulation, so make sure to talk to your builder about privacy issues.

• Heating/cooling issues – Your family’s heating and/or cooling issues may differ from that of your parents or adult children living under your roof, so many multi-generational household opt for separate furnaces and air conditioning units as to accommodate everyone living in the home and their heating and/or cooling needs.

• Utilities and other expenses – Before you begin to build a multi-generational home, it is important to talk to all involved parties and discuss how household expenses will be handled. Having a frank, open discussion beforehand may eliminate a great deal of confusion and stress once everyone begins living together.

• Entrances – If privacy is a concern when building a multi-generational household, it will probably benefit everyone involved if separate entrances are considered. Consider how everyone in the family will enter and exit from the home, and how this will affect other members of the family.

A move can be a stressful experience for all members of the family, including the family pets.

Because pets do best when they maintain a routine, it may be very stressful on a family pet during a move. However, there are a number of things you can do to ease the transition for Fido or Fluffy.

• Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations – It is best to get the proper vaccinations for your pet before the move to your Saint Augustine real estate. Also, don’t forget to ask the veterinarian for your pet’s medical records if you are moving out of the area. If your pet takes any prescriptions medications, get them filled before you make the move.

• Consider micro-chipping your pet – If you are moving out of the area, micro-chipping your pet may be a great idea. Many pets will quickly become disoriented or lost when away from their familiar home, so micro-chipping will provide you with the peace of mind when moving far away.

• Secure your pet when moving – During the move itself, it is probably best to confine your pet to a small, secured area of the home. If you cannot find a safe spot, putting your pet in a kennel or taking it to a trusted friend or family member may be your best bet. The chaos of a move, combined with movers and packers, could put a great deal of stress on your pet.

• Keep a schedule – Once you have arrived at your new home, make sure to pick up where you left off in terms of your pet’s schedule. Keep feeding, walking and playing times constant so the transition won’t be as stressful for your pet.

• Don’t leave your pet’s belongings behind – Just like a person, a pet will feel safe and secure if you remember its familiar belongings, such as its bed, its toys and its feeding dish.

If you are selling your Jacksonville Beach homes and you want to wow your home buyers, one of the best ways to do this is from the ground up. In other words, consider flooring when remodeling, as it usually offers a great return on your investment. If you want to rid your home of carpeting, or if your vinyl tile has seen its better day, you may want to consider hardwood or wood laminate flooring.

Although each type of flooring has its benefits, there are certainly pros and cons to both hardwood flooring and wood laminate flooring:
Hardwood pros and cons

• Return on investment – PRO
Hardwood flooring, without a doubt, is the best flooring choice if you want to see a great return on your investment. The majority of home buyers want to see hardwood flooring, so remodeling with hardwood flooring is almost always a sure bet.

• Beauty – PRO
You simply cannot match the beauty of hardwood flooring. From traditional to contemporary, hardwood flooring is at home in nearly any type of home design, and the classic look always stands the test of time.

• Expense – CON
Hardwood flooring, in comparison to other types of flooring, doesn’t come cheap. Whether you choose prefinished hardwoods or unfinished hardwood that is finished after installation, the cost of hardwood is often a deterrent for many homeowners.
Laminate flooring pros and cons

• Affordability – PRO
Laminate flooring is a great choice for homeowners on a budget. And, because laminate floors are traditionally of the tongue-and-groove design, the installation costs are also much lower than hardwood floors.

• Durability – PRO
In terms of durability, laminate flooring can’t be beat. Many homeowners with animals and children love the durability that laminate flooring affords them.

• Lower return on investment – CON
Although many home buyers appreciate laminate flooring, perhaps just as many prefer hardwood flooring. If you own a smaller home, laminate flooring will probably be a great choice, while owners of larger, more expensive homes are probably better off with hardwood flooring.

Just like any other type of insurance you may carry, homeowner’s insurance rates can vary from person to person. This is because a number of factors are considered by your insurance company when determining your homeowner’s insurance rates. Although there are a number of factors that can’t be changed, like the cost of the St. Johns County real estate or the location of the home, there are a few things you can do to lower your homeowner’s costs:

• Install deadbolts – Simply installing deadbolt locks on the exterior doors of your home can save you in homeowner’s premiums. Plus, they will provide additional security for you and your family. If you move into a home with existing deadbolts, consider changing them as to eliminate the chance of someone you don’t know having access to your home.

• Consider a home security system – A home security system that is connected to your local police and fire department may be a smart decision you make for the protection of your family, yet it can also lower your homeowner’s premiums. Once you have the monitored system installed, you need only bring a certificate from the security company to your insurance agent so you can begin to enjoy savings on your monthly premiums.

• Bundle with the same company – Bundling insurance policies with the same company is a great way to organize your finances and save money at the same time. Most insurance carriers will grant people discounts if they carry more than one insurance policy with them. For example, consider purchasing homeowner’s insurance through the same company with which you have auto insurance.

• Keep a strong credit score – A strong credit score in today’s society is more important than ever, and that goes for your homeowner’s insurance premiums, as well. An individual with a strong credit score will have a much better chance of scoring lower homeowner’s insurance premiums than one with a lower credit score.

Owning a home comes with plenty of excitement – and expenses! Instead of paying more to your electric and gas provider every month, concentrate on conserving energy and cutting your payments.

Here are just a few things you can do to lower your energy consumption:

• Replace your appliances with energy-efficient ones – Look for energy-saving appliances that are clearly marked with the Energy Star logo. These appliances will reduce everything from electric consumption to water consumption and keep more money in your wallet.
• Keep your thermostat low in the winter – Lower your thermostat by a couple degrees and throw on a sweater during the colder, winter months.
• Purchase a programmable thermostat – Many programmable thermostats cost as little as $20 or $30, yet can save hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling costs. For example, program your thermostat at a lower setting during the colder months while you are at work or asleep, and then program it to rise upon your returning or waking.
• Check and clean your furnace frequently – It is always a good idea to have a professional check and clean your furnace at least once a year to make sure it is performing efficiently and effectively. In addition, make sure to replace your furnace filter often during the colder winter months.
• Add more insulation to your attic – If you have less than seven inches of insulation in your attic, add more.
• Replace your windows – When it comes time to replace your windows for your Ponte Vedra real estate, make sure you do so with low-E energy efficient windows. Energy efficient windows will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
• Replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs – Don’t waste your money on incandescent bulbs that burn out quickly and increase your electric bill. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs and enjoy the savings.
• Insulate your hot water heater – Simply by adding a special insulating blanket around your hot water heater, and insulating all exposed hot water pipes, you can enjoy hotter water and lower energy bills.
• Close your curtains and blinds during the summer – The best way to lower your cooling costs is to simply close curtains and blinds when the sun is the hottest to keep out the heat.

The last few months came and went and you are still hanging onto your home. This scenario has been played out time and time again, especially in today’s competitive buyer’s market. If you have been unable to sell your Ponte Vedra homes and your time and patience are wearing out, you may need to readdress the situation. Here are a few of your options when your home simply won’t sell:

• Take it off the market – If you are in a position to wait, you may decide to take your home off the market for a while. If the inventory levels in your area are high, it may be best to take your home off the market and wait it out until levels have dropped again. Plus, you can create more interest if you take if off the market and the re-enter the market a few months later.
• Rent it out – If you absolutely must move and you can’t sell your home, you may consider renting it out. Many homeowners, especially ones that are relocating, are turning to this option. Renting your home may allow you to make enough money every month to pay all or part of your mortgage while you wait for the market to improve before attempting to list it for sale again.
• Consider a short sale – If your home has been listed for a number of months, and you simply can’t sell it for enough to pay off the balance of the loan, you may need to consider asking your lender for a short sale. A short sale is the result of an agreement between a homeowner and a lender to sell the home for less than what is owed on the home loan. Although there are a number of circumstances that must take place before a lender will agree to a short sale, and although a short sale will negatively affect your credit, you may need to address this option.

If your next move takes you to St. Johns County real estate that is smaller than your current home, or if you are merely looking to purge some of your extraneous belongings before you embark upon your move, now may be the best time to downsize your stuff.

There are a number of ways you can downsize before you make a move:

• Hold a yard sale – As they say, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. With this in mind, you can hold a yard sale and not only get rid of your unused household goods, but also make money in the process. Clear out the attic, the garage and the closets in your home and spend a weekend holding a yard sale. Advertise in your local paper, throughout your neighborhood and even at your local library so you can be sure to get plenty of foot traffic.
• Donate – Once you have held a yard sale, pack up what wasn’t sold and call a local charity. You can make sure your belongings get to those in need, and at the same time you can write off the donations on your year-end federal taxes. Photograph and catalog what was donated and ask for a receipt from the charity where the goods are headed for tax purposes.
• Gift – Now is a great time to gift furniture and other meaningful household goods to close friends and family members. Your children would appreciate your cherished mementos, and you can be sure meaningful items stay in the family.
• Throw them away – Sometimes it’s like ripping a Band-Aid off, but recognizing that there are simply household goods that you no longer need or want and ridding your home of them quickly may be a great thing. Separate what can be sold or donated from what must be thrown away, but do it without overthinking the process so you don’t find yourself moving with things you no longer need or want.

Buying your first home is an exciting – albeit stressful – experience. Once you have made an offer on your first home, and the offer has been accepted, you may think your job is over as the buyer. This, however, is not the case. Before you arrive at closing, there is one important thing to accomplish: the home inspection.

The importance of a home inspection for Marsh Landing real estate should never be underestimated. A thorough home inspection can uncover many of the defects with the home you want to purchase; as such, a buyer should never forgo a home inspection.

A home inspection should be conducted by a professional home inspector, and finding a qualified home inspector to inspect your home should be a top priority. Here are a few ways you can find a great home inspector:

• Ask friends, family and business associates for referrals. The easiest way to begin your search for a home inspector is to gather a list of names from people you know and trust.
• Research the home inspector and check for his or her certification. Your home inspector should, at the very least, be certified by a reputable training institute such as the National Institute of Building Inspectors.
• Make certain the home inspector carries the proper insurance coverage, including general liability insurance and E and O (Errors and Omissions) insurance, which is like malpractice insurance. All members of the National Institute of Building Inspectors require that its members carry E and O insurance.
• Ask the home inspector about his or her guarantee. A qualified, professional inspector should have a written guarantee that is based upon his or her findings during the inspection.
• Ask the home inspector if this is his or her full-time job. There have been many cases of contractors working as home inspectors, which presents a conflict of interest in most cases. For example, a home inspector who finds defects in your home may then vie for the job of repairing it.
• Ask the home inspector for a list of references of past customers. Call a few of the home inspector’s recent customers and ask them if they believed the home inspector provided a quality service.

Closing costs – in particular, the details surrounding closing costs for Nocatee homes – are often difficult to decipher. More specifically, coming to the table with a down payment for a new home is just the beginning of what you may need to pay to the lender and to the settlement company.

Closing costs, in short, refer to the taxes and fees associated with completing a real estate transaction. But who pays what part of the closing costs varies from state to state and from transaction to transaction.

In most states, closing costs are split evenly between the buyer and the seller. Other times, depending on the negotiation between the buyer and the seller, they can vary. For example, many times sellers will offer to pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs to attract more buyers. On the flip side, in many hot markets, sellers may ask the buyers to cover a larger portion of the closing costs.

Depending on the particulars of the transaction, closing costs can vary wildly. There may be city, county and state transfer taxes, mortgage taxes and documentary taxes included in closing costs. And, depending on the state or the county where the transaction is taking place, who is responsible for covering these fees varies.

The following fees are typically a portion of your closing costs:

• Attorney/escrow fees – Depending on who handles your closing (an escrow company or an attorney) you can expect to pay them to perform this duty. Fees associated with the attorney or escrow company are commonly split by the buyer and the seller.
• Title insurance – Title insurance is a policy designed to protect the buyer and/or the seller from any liens on the property. Because both the buyer and the seller must obtain title insurance, they are therefore typically responsible for their own related fees.
• Transfer fees – Transfer fees (fees associated with transferring the property into the buyer’s name) may be charged by the state, the county or the city.
• Recording fee – The recording fee is paid to the county for recording the deed in the buyer’s name.