As many of you know from my recent posts, I'm in Texas visiting friends. We went to a 70's Disco Bash last night, complete with the (faux) Village People, the requisite faux goldfish in the heel shoes, a photo booth (the spit out the strip of 4 pix kind), and all sorts of FUN! I dressed up, courtesy of a very good friend, as this: Now, I don't normally dress up in platform boots, with a 4 inch heel, disco mini-dress, and a platinum blond wig, and I had so much fun passing myself off as "Roxy" and acting the part: Dancing the Hustle, having fun, socializing... It was fun, and just made me aware that when we are in different places, dressed differently, we act/behave differently - so, my question to you is: are you conducting your business as if you are in disguise, or as yourself? Better... 09/12/2010

I was lucky to tag along with some friends last night, post-chamber-event, and wind up at Dwight's Bistro, in Jacksonville Beach, FL. If you are not fortunate enough to be in our area, Dwight's is a treat, a special occasion place -  think big special occasions: 40th birthday's, major anniversaries, you get the gist. In addition, Dwight's is the only Jacksonville area's Chaine des Rotisseurs restaurant : http://www.chaineus.org/ Because of the group I was with, we got extra special attention, including sampler appetizers: spaghetti carbonara, fresh pan sauteed crab cakes, veal, fresh in-house made ravioli, you name it. Here is the link to the website: http://www.dwightsbistro.com/ Truly fabulous, reservations highly recommended...the four bar seats in the banner of the website? That is ... 09/08/2010

If you follow my daily blogs (now daily, I should say!), you may be aware my new habit is to ride home from the gym in the morning and take pictures of the sunrise. Yesterday, someone had put some sort of foaming agent/soap in the fountain outside Costa Verano, a condominium in Jacksonville Beach.  There were HUGE soapy clouds floating through the air, and I could not resist snapping a few photos. One of the viewers worked maintenance for Costa Verano, and said whatever was used was not a typical soap, as it did not disintegrate upon touch. The fountain... The clouds of bubbles wafting along the landscaping.   More bubbles..   The fountain again... And yet another cloud of bubbles! 09/07/2010

  Jacksonville Beach Florida Short Sale Help-- Need a local Short Sale Specialist? You do NOT have to be in default to work with a short sale! Many homeowners have no better option than to short sale with the declining property values. (904) 733-4911 www.FirstCoastRE.com Are you: Paying on a mortgage that is more than your home's current value? Behind on your mortgage payments? Using up your savings just to get your mortgage paid? On the verge of foreclosure? In a financial position where you MUST sell your home? A short sale may be your best option to avoid a foreclosure.  I am a local agent who specializes in guiding homeowners through a short sale.  When it comes to your financial future, there is no substitute for experience!  I have closed approximately 200 in the Northeast Florida... 09/05/2010

I have a prior buyer back in the picture; he had some credit issues to take care of, and he and his dad were all excited about an REO property.  They had previously had an offer in on this house, when it was a short sale, and we just could not get to closing. His credit fresh and squeaky clean (yay!), they wanted to go back to this house which was now an REO. It would have to be a rehab 203K loan, but was well priced. So, they were disappointed when I told them it was under contract. I emailed them new listings fitting their criteria, and they were driving around yesterday, checking out the neighborhoods.  He kept texting me with questions about other listings they saw, and since I was in front of my computer, it was easy for me to look them up and text him back. It made me consider how... 09/05/2010

Here are the January - June 2010 stats and 2009 for comparison - 2010 18 Homes Sold Lowest price: $113,500 Highest price: $950,000            Shortest Days on Market: 6 Longest Days on Market: 266 2009 14 homes sold Lowest price: $175,000 Highest price: $475,000 Shortest Days on Market: 8 Longest Days on Market: 350 Homes sold year over year are UP about 28% year over year, which is terrific news compared to what the media is portraying. Pricing on the low end shows a decline year to year, and a significant one, however, this is somewhat due to the number of distressed (short sales, and foreclosures) sales, which we will continue to feel the effects of for some time yet. Pricing on the high side shows a nice improvement - this year, more million dollar plus sized homes have sold year to... 09/03/2010

The closing I had the the other day had a twist, as most do these days. My buyer, Cindi, her husband and I are sitting at the attorney's office, waiting for the package to be printed, when I hear the closing agent asking Cindi if she has ANY documentation of her legal name, which is Cynthia. Cindi's reply is no, she has her husband's social security card copy and the kids, but not hers. Her driver's license has Cindi. Her re-inspect appraisal has Cynthia, but that does not suffice. How could we have gotten to this point, I'm thinking, without her legal name? I call Travis, the wunderkind of lending, and he has a copy of her social security card, with Cynthia on it, which he can scan and email over to save the day and get us to close. The moral of the story: even people you have known fo... 09/02/2010

I do a lot of work with a local retirement community. Part of the suite of services includes a complimentary market analysis to help sellers price their property to be attractive in today's market. A prospect was comparing my CMA a few months ago with one she had a "family friend in the business" prepare.   I was unaware I was being "mystery shopped", and was honestly surprised.  It's their decision to list with whoever they want, so bring it on: let's see the differences between the two reports and move forward from there. My CMA had recommended the property list at $380K, and the other agent eventually listed the property at $440K.  The property had some out-dated features, flooring that needed to be replaced, and a permeating smoke smell. The home is located in a fabulous gated count... 08/31/2010

Another fabulous sunrise! This was taken this morning, about 7:10am, at 1st Street South, behind Joe's Crab Shack. We've had some cloudy mornings lately, and the interplay between the clouds and sunrise has been incredible.    Dragonflys were darting all over the place this morning too, have not noticed them as much until this particular morning. 08/27/2010

I am constantly amazed by how much color there is in a sunrise, especially one like this from yesterday morning.  Tuesday was a cloudy morning, and I wasn't sure I would get anything notable, but then,  I saw the rays of the sun spreading out from behind the clouds.... This was taken at the ocean, and 7th South at about 7:15am yesterday. 08/24/2010

For 46 years, Jacksonville Beach has hosted an Annual Summer Beach Run. This year's run will be Saturday, August 28 at 6pm. There is a 5 miles run starting at 6pm and a 1 mile run at 6:05, followed by an awards ceremony at 7:30pm.  Location is the Sea Walk Pavilion and Beachfront.  For more info you can call 904/731-1900 or visithttp://www.1stplacesports.com 08/21/2010

Here are the July 2010 stats and 2009 for comparison - 2010 41 Homes Sold Lowest price: $48,900 Highest price: $725,000            Shortest Days on Market: 3 Longest Days on Market: 733   2009 36 homes sold Lowest price: $108,000 Highest price: $675,000 Shortest Days on Market: 18 Longest Days on Market: 426 This is the first time I've compared year to year short sale data, and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. First, the homes sold with short sale status year to year is fairly flat. This is both good and bad news, really.  Good, because it might be an indicator of fewer short sales at the beach. Bad, because it might just be an indicator of SUCCESSFUL short sales at the beach. The pricing on the high end is actually UP year to year, which is a good indicator for property values. ... 08/21/2010

I just had to share some of the FABULOUS news about how well we are doing here in NE FL: This is for our Atlantic Beach office only, and does not include any other Prudential Network Realty offices. Listings sold in June                            31 Listings sold in July                             26 Listings sold month to date August       45   Currently, our office's showings appointments are exceeding 400 per month. Average number of showings to contract is 7.  Highest percentage of showings per listing are in the first three weeks. This is wonderful news, indicating a healthy real estate market, and more optimism for sellers moving forward.   08/21/2010

Part II - this is at the ocean (obviously) at the Jax Beach lifeguard station -  it was a beautiful sunrise again this morning. Quite a few people out there with dogs, or jogging.  Two other photographers, one of whom had the brilliant idea of sitting in the lifeguard chair to take his shots. 08/20/2010

I am addicted to my cool new digital camera, and have it in my car ALWAYS.  My new hobby is taking pictures on my way home from the gym, or when I'm out on appointments. These are from Ocean Park in Jacksonville Beach, this morning. A little known factoid about Jacksonville, FL is that we have more parks per capita, than just about anywhere else in the United States, so our residents can enjoy the outdoors anywhere. 08/20/2010

For those considering building a new Jacksonville home, we've just listed a new oceanfront lot! MLS: 547879 Price:   $ 950,000 Lot Dimensions: 50x148x50x149 Features: BEAUTIFUL OCEANFRONT LOT in Jacksonville Beach. Home on the property is in the process of being demolished. Great opportunity to purchase an oceanfront lot to build your dream Jacksonville home. Find out What Your Home is Worth! - JaxValues.com Search 15,000+ Homes Online! - Jax-HomeFinder.com Buy ~ Sell ~ Invest ~ Build - ChristineLeeTeam.com Foreclosure List! - JacksonvilleForeclosureList.com Watch Videos! - ChristineLeeTeam.com Christine Lee Team Keller Williams Jacksonville (904) 262-9505 office (904) 262-0566 fax www.ChristineLeeTeam.com   08/18/2010

Mainly wordless, that is. Taken this morning, at 16th Street South, oceanfront, as the sun rose. This seemed to be the best one of the set with the birds in front of the rising sun....very peaceful this morning, with one person swimming at sunrise, and the oceanfront condo building to the direct south seems to be mostly vacant with some restoration going on... 08/18/2010

Target has plans to close ALL of their in-store garden centers by the end of September. Most of the stores are located in Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada. The garden centers will have normal stock throughout the summer, but will reduce to lawn and patio products thereafter, and discontinue selling live plants. There could be some fabulous plant deals between and the end of September, so keep your eyes open!     08/14/2010

Mostly wordless, that is - this was taken from the foot of Beach Boulevard at the ocean, adjacent to the lifeguard station.  I just waited for the clouds to work they way in front of the sun. I have decided I love taking pictures on my way home from the gym in the morning! 08/10/2010

Fabulous news for our beaches communities! This helps keep parking hassles to a minimum as well as being more environmentally friendly! A popular summer bus route in Jacksonville Beach will expand to a yearly service in September. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced that the Beaches Trolley will now operate year round. The service has run on weekends during the summer months. Starting in September it will operate 365 days a year from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Buses will pass each stop at 30 minute frequency during peak times and once an hour during other times. As part of the change the BH1 route, which serves Regency, Atlantic Beach and South Jacksonville Beach, will merge with the Beaches trolley, allowing Northside residents to take... 08/06/2010