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Jacksonville Beach, FL Real Estate News

By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I'm ready to overhaul my yard - the landscaping is about 7 years old, and in some cases is completely overgrown.  I want to get rid of all the grass, and plant flowers, shrubs, etc, that are drought tolerant, and attract butterflies, and hummingbirds. I'm looking for native plants.Does anyone have a recommendation for a good landscape designer in the Jax Beaches  area?  Thanks in advance - I'm sure someone out there has a creative resource to share!
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here are the numbers of active property listings, those under contract, and sold properties for Single Family Homes in Jacksonville Beach, FL for the month of March 2008:Active                 322 active listings for Single Family Homes (no condos) Pending                     9 pending  (inspections & financing have been done) Sold                    10 sold (prices ranged from $177,500 to $2,585,000) New Listings           53The active listings are EXACTLY the same number from 2007 to 2008.  Our pending listings are down 57%, sold listings are down 33%, and our new listings are down 25%. The new listings decrease is a good sign: people who do not NEED to sell are not putting their homes on the market, so we are looking primarily at truly motivated sellers, not lookers. I have heard, an...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
My power in South Jax Beach, FL, went out at 6:45am this morning - not the usual time you would "expect" a power outage, although there really is no "usual" time, per se....there were no storms, no generators blowing, just zip! the power went out. Not expecting my power to go out, I didn't have my flashlight handy (which has no batteries currently anyway), but I do have candles scattered throughout the house, and matches. Proved to be very useful this morning.I could not continue cleaning up my email inbox, as the wireless router was down (requires electricity), and I could not look at changes in MLS for the same reason.  I could not cook breakfast or make a cup of tea, as all my appliances are electric as well.  It actually surprised me how quickly I went through all the things I could...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I just returned from a 10 day trip to Peru, including stays in Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu. The weather, people and sites were just incredible - here are some of the pics I'll be posting. I managed to go 10 days without a cell phone and internet, and it was a bit nerve wracking at first, but I got very accustomed to it.  The oddest part was not feeling by cell phone vibrating, and I seemed to mistake everything for that darn vibration! And, here is how they get their beverages (cervesa included) from the train station to the hotels, hostels, and B&B's in Aguas Calientes (at the base of Machu Picchu):Plan a vacation if you haven't already done so for the year - it really helps!
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here are the numbers of active property listings, those under contract, and sold properties for Single Family Homes in Jacksonville Beach, FL for the month of February 2008:Active              300 active listings for Single Family Homes (no condos)Pending                6 pending  (there is a contract and inspections/financing have been done)Sold                 4 sold (prices ranged from $221,000 to $700,000)New Listings        52This month it appears Jacksonville Beach is taking a step backwards: our active listings have increased 4% from January 2008, our pending listings have decreased 25%, our sold listings have decreased 55%, and our new listings have decreased 16%.  WHEW - that was a lot to type!I have been hearing positive news from Realtors, and other associated industries I ta...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I know there are many homeowners in the US, and here in Jacksonville, FL that were lured by low teaser rates into adjustable loan products in the past few years.I've had good friends desperately trying to avoid foreclosure (one is on his 9th workout contact at Countrywide), and now I'm getting calls from homeowners who fear losing their homes. Some of these homeowners have not yet missed a payment, but they are putting huge balances on credit cards, to they are struggling with the debt. I tell them; "Do not stop making your mortgage payments!". This is the first step to take. Once you miss one payment, it's easier to miss the second payment, because you've already missed one, so what's the big deal about two payments? The third payment is usually the silver bullet that starts the forecl...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here are the numbers of active property listings, those under contract, and sold properties for Single Family Homes in Jacksonville Beach, FL for the month of January 2008:         Active           289 active listings for Single Family Homes (no condos)          Pending            8 pending  (there is a contract and inspections/financing have been done)         Sold              9 sold (prices ranged from $180,000 to $400,000)         New Listings    62 The great news here is the number of sold listings in January 2008, when compared to January 2007: 9 compared with 4, which means we have closed DOUBLE the number of units year to year. Let's see what the numbers looked like in January 2007 to see what the true impact is.      Active             272 active listings for Single Family Home...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
This is an easy-to-read and understand method to ensure the roofing job you are contemplating is done correctly, and that all the necessary elements needing replacement are actually replaced.This suggestion comes from a commercial roofer, who inspected a residential roof for me in South Jax Beach today.When it comes time to have your roof replaced (which will vary, however, if your house is more than 15 years old, and you have not yet replaced the roof, the time is approaching), get a limited scope home inspection.  This inspection should have the inspector walking the roof to take digital photos of the shingles, as well as getting up into the attic/crawlspace, and taking digital photos of the interior condition of all the visible wood.When you have this report, you will be able to get ...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I've got a FSBO seller, and a first time homebuyer in contract, due to close 1/31/08.WDO inspection turned up more wood rot than anticipated, but the estimate we got had us safely within the 1% included in the contract.The repair estimate did not include one panel of a wooden garage door that had wood rot (yup, the bottom panel). So, I found someone that could and would replace the one panel.Imagine my surprise when I met the garage door guy this morning, and I found putty and paint on the existing garage door, as though someone had tried to  just "cover it up". The seller is the one who had the relationship with the WDO repair company, this was my first experience, and I can tell you, that if this is the way they do things, I won't use him again.  In all fairness, it could have been hi...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors are hosting a public forum on the Property Tax Amendment. This event is open to the public, and Duval County Property Appraiser Jim Overton will explain the proposed property tax amendment. This amendment will be on the January 29th ballot.  The forum will be at the University Center at UNF from 6-7pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.   The address is 1200 Alumni Drive, UNF.  If you have questions, you can contact NEFAR Government Affairs Director Nancy Garcia at 904/394-9494 x 1205. This is an important issue - voters need to be well-educated about this and other items on the ballot.
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here's a simple tip that almost everyone can benefit from, and it's easy.One of the toughest things about refining your lifestyle (which I prefer to saying dieting), is eating normal size portions.  On the large dinner plates, 3-4 ounces of protein, one cup of veggies (or more), and a half cup of starch look small, and you mentally do not feel as though you are eating enough, which can lead to snacking later, or going back for seconds.Try using the smaller bread/side plates instead. This makes the plate look full, and if you take your time, and just eat (no television, or reading while eating), you will feel full.Hope this helps everyone who resolved to lose weight this New Year!
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I read about this in a women's fitness magazine, and wanted to pass it along.It's a free online program that helps you track calories, your weight, your goal, and your activities.  This helps me to accurately keep track of what I do consume!You can choose from a wide variety of foods in the database, and customize them (if necessary) to your liking.The free version does not seem to have a wide variety of activities; the paid version ($20) may have more. I figure I'll see if I use the free version through the end of January, and if so, I'll probably spring for the paid version.There is also a journal so you can note how you feel after eating certain things, working out, etc. And, a reports feature so you can see where your calories are coming from (carbs, protein, etc).I've found it help...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
For those of us who live in the South, freezes are normally an overnight condiion that lasts a few hours, and really only affects the more inland communities.Tonight's chill will be more persistant however, so it's recommended you bring in cold-sensitive plants.  Remember to bring in any pets, even if it means the garage as the walls will protect them from the cold wind.Outside plants should be covered with sheets, not plastic; the sun that comes out tomorrow can burn plants throught the plastic, which is why sheets are recommended.  The Jacksonville Times Union shows a possible low of 16, which would break the record low of 19 set in 1979!Weather.com shows a low of 26,  which seems more probable at the beach. A hard freeze is predicted, probably more likley to occur west of the ICW, bu...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here are the numbers of active property listings, those under contract, and sold properties for Single Family Homes in Jacksonville Beach, FL for the month of December 2007:       Active             276 active listings for Single Family Homes (no condos)        Pending              9 pending  (there is a contract and inspections/financing have been done)       Sold                8 sold (prices ranged from $ to $220,000 to $720,000       New Listings      28The good news is that new listings are decreasing.  This will help stabilize the pricing as the inventory will be more limited.Plus, we are up 2 more sold homes this month than last month, and again, while that number may not appear to be huge, it represents a 33% increase, which is great. Let's see what the numbers looked like in De...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I thought it was odd last night when I could not get a cell signal at my guy's house, but since it was late on New Year's Day, I wasn't worried about it.This morning, I realized,  my E-Key could not update because the phone was off...or so I thought. My memory seemed to tell me this was not the case, but once again I dismissed it.Got home, tried to update my E-Key and received an error message: Cannot update there is no digital cellular signal is available.WHAT?!Tried soft reset, warm reset, back up, and then hard reset, convinced this is my Treo's swan song...all to no avail.  Change out the SIM card to put into an older phone, happy that I'll at the least re-establish communications with the rest of the world....dial a number....and.....NO SERVICE!Luckily, my day is pretty light, but ...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
If you read my blog yesterday, you know that I live in Florida, and the holiday spirit hadn't really "moved" me until yesterday, when the morning temps were about 35 F.So I finally got around to decorating my house, and wrapping presents to a roaring fire last night.And, building and tending the fire made me realize the similarities that exist between business development and, well, building a fire.You start with fuel,  (kindling, newspaper, starter logs, fatwood) which help get your properly seasoned, dry wood burning (these would be your customers, and sphere of influence).It doesn't stop there, however; you need to tend the fire to keep all the logs burning and using the most of each piece of firewood in the fire.  The tending takes time: it's much easier, for example, to NOT utilize...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
For those of you who live in parts of the country where it is already cold and snowy, I apologize in advance for this post.I do miss the full four seasons of NJ, where I grew up.  Fall was one of my favorites, and winter wasn't a big snow drift, just enough to have to shovel. However, I have lived in Jacksonville, FL for the past 17 years, and now find myself reaching for a sweater or a jacket when the temp approaches 70 F.  I'm spoiled rotten, I admit it!This morning, the temp at the beaches was about 35 F - so I'm finally getting in the holiday spirit!  It's tough, believe it or not, to get into the mood when it's warm enough for t-shirts and shorts.Happy Holiday Season to All Active Rainers!
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
I visited a local restaurant yesterday - I have an active listing with the owners, and wanted to give thtem an update in person about a recent showing, and the best place to catch them is as the Sun Dog Diner (which has terriric burgers, cold beers on tap, and live music every night - it's in Neptune Beach, and it's a fun, fun place. Stop by - you may see me there!)While there, they told me about another listing they are going to list with me (happy news!), and that they want to underprice the market (happier news), so we talked about getting over there early next week.  The daytime manager sat down next to me, and told me she wants to buy a house when her lease is up next August, and she wants to know how to pull her credit, how to work on improving it, and who I would recommend as a m...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Here are the numbers of active property listings, those under contract, and sold properties for Single Family Homes in Jacksonville Beach, FL for the month of November 2007:Active     297 active listings for Single Family Homes (no condos) Pending    6 pending  (there is a contract and inspections/financing have been done)Sold         6 sold (prices ranged from $367,000 to $1,187,000)The good news is that new listings are decreasing.  While we still have 25 more listings in 2007 than we did in 2006, this is 12 fewer active listings than we saw in October.  This may not seem like a huge number, but it represents a sizable drop, meaning the sellers on the market are more motivated, and the people who really do not have to sell have decided to wait to put their homes on the market. Let's s...
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By Carol Zingone, Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
Has anyone else had this issue, or is it unique to me?I've had several buyers who are interested in homes that are in the MLS with the "Exclusive Right Non-Representation" type listing, where the listing agent simply lists the property in MLS for a flat fee (I'm assuming that), and all showings/offers/counters/etc are direct communications with the seller.Invariably, the sellers have an overvalued opinion of the value their home, and are not interested in really negotiating or even presenting a counter offer to a less-than-full-price offer, and my buyers have gotten to the point where they do not want to even LOOK at these listings, due to past history.I'm a professional attempting to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner about the contract nuances, and they don't want to hear anything other tha...
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