honest amelia agent Archives - Jennifer Sells Amelia

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Rent or Buy at Amelia Island

Posted May 22, 2018 by David Walton

Is now the right time for you to buy a home?

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

You have many options to consider and choices to make. Buying a home is a big responsibility, financially and emotionally, but, most people want to own a home. Homeownership often is referred to as “The American Dream.” Why is it so special? Among the reasons: Real estate often is an excellent investment, perhaps the number one source of wealth-building for families.

“…Owning a home also qualifies you for tax benefits that may assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities…”

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity – and that’s an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax benefits that may assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities – such as homeowners’ insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep, which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are definitely worth it! Owning your own home also can be a great source of pride and stability.

But homeownership may not be for everyone. It’s a big financial commitment – starting with the initial shock of your purchase (including a down payment and fees paid to a real estate agent, the lender and others) followed by years of monthly mortgage payments, real estate taxes, property insurance, and maintenance costs. When you decide to purchase a home, you accept responsibility for paying for these expenses. They are additional costs to your monthly mortgage payment and should be included in your budget estimates: Property Taxes and Special Assessments, Home/Hazard Insurance, Utilities, Maintenance, Home Owner Association (HOA) Fee if applicable.

One of the advantages of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities and the flexibility of moving almost as soon as you decide. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for your housing needs. Consider these 4 questions when making your choice:

Do you want to spend several years in a house and in a neighborhood?
Do you enjoy lawn and garden work?
Might you need to move suddenly to care for family?
Do you want to keep your assets accessible in the bank, or do you want to invest long-term in a home?

Interested in learning more about the home buying process? Submit a request for contact or give us a call today. We specialize in knowing all about Amelia Island, and would love to be your local agent!

Creating a First Time Home Buyer Wish List

Posted May 16, 2018 by David Walton

6 Considerations Before You Begin Your First Time Home Buying Search

(Information and photo via Keller Williams)

You’ve started your search, but do you know in detail what type of home are you looking for? There are so many choices that it is important to have an idea of what you want and need before you begin looking. Consider making a checklist of amenities that are essential and those you would like to have in your new home.

The list of 6 considerations below may help you clarify your thinking on what is important to you when you are ready to purchase your first home:

What neighborhood(s) would you like to live in?
What price range do you have in mind?
What type of home interests you? (One-story, two-story, split-entry, townhouse, condo, duplex)
Are schools a factor? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Learn more about schools and local housing values!
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? How many do you want?
What other interior and exterior features are important to you?

Please feel free to submit a request for contact, email or call me at any time to learn more about specific areas you are interested in learning more about. I am happy to help you in your research and can give you an up-to-date snapshot of the real estate market.

Doing the Homework on Fernandina Schools

Posted May 16, 2018 by David Walton

How the neighborhood school can help your home value!

Content via Keller Williams

Even if you don’t have school-aged children, school ratings can have a significant impact on the value of a home. Often, homes that are located within the boundaries of highly rated schools will be highly sought after.

As we search for your new home, we’ll take into account the following:

If you’re a parent, nearby school ratings will likely be a primary concern for you. By supplying you with details on school characteristics and ratings, we’ll make sure you have all of the information you need to make the best decision for your family.

Schools and school districts that show significant ratings improvements over time or areas in which new schools are currently under development could increase the value of nearby homes. This could be an opportunity to find a home that possibly will appreciate quickly.

Our interviews with past clients and members of our community on their firsthand experience with local schools will give you detailed insights and a complete understanding of a school’s quality.

Our commitment to thorough research and analysis of schools is the key to finding your new home.

Submit a request for contact or give us a call today to begin your home search.

This Month in Real Estate April 2018

Posted April 24, 2018 by David Walton

Real Estate Trends for April

(information via Keller Williams)

Interested in what’s going on specifically in your neighborhood? We’d be happy to review your particular situation! Give us a call today, or submit a request for contact.

April 2018 Market Update According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales showed modest improvements in February. Despite ongoing inventory constraints in many parts of the country, sales rebounded after two consecutive months of declines.
Interest Rates According to Freddie Mac, 30-year fixed rates rose from 4.40 percent to 4.45 percent. This rate remains well below the historical average of 8.90 percent.
Home Sales The National Association of REALTORS® reported home sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of approximately 5.5 million homes during the month of February. This was an increase of 3.0 percent from January and an increase of 1.1 percent from February of last year.
Home Prices The median home price increased to $241,700 in February, which was up 0.4 percent from January and up 5.9 percent from February of last year. The median home price has increased by approximately $13,500 in the past year alone.
Inventory There was a 3.4-month supply of housing inventory in February, which was flat from January. The total number of available homes for sale has decreased by 10.5 percent compared to February of last year.
Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources. You should not treat any opinion expressed on This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind. All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. All investments involve some degree of risk. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate.

4 Home Staging Hints to Help Your Home Stand Out From The Competition

Posted April 23, 2018 by David Walton

4 Home Staging Hints for Your Home on Amelia Island and More

60 percent of homes sell during the summer months, making now the peak season for home showings. When you’re serious about selling your home for top dollar, these staging tips will help your home to stand out against the competition:

(Information via Keller Williams)

1. Install an Air-Conditioning Timer – Regulate the temperature to be an optimal 70 degrees Fahrenheit when buyers arrive.

2. Clean Up Outdoor Areas – Rent a pressure washer to clean a patio, deck or driveway, and sweep up debris around the pool.

3. Show Off Built-In Features – Arrange neutral items in small clusters on built-in bookcases, shelves and wall cutouts to show off attractive architectural elements of your home.

4. Stage the Unexpected – Show buyers how livable the home is by staging something fun and inviting. Arrange some rolled up towels by the pool or place a novel next to the rocking chair on the front porch.

Interested in customized home staging plans for your home? Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today!

Love Your Dog and Your Beautiful Back Yard

Posted April 13, 2018 by David Walton

Two Tips For Landscaping and Your Dog on Amelia Island

Here are two tips to help you keep your landscape looking top shape for you and your best friend in Fernandina (information and photo via Keller Williams)

1. Set Some Boundaries: Even the smartest pooch in the pack can have a hard time telling which areas of the yard are off limits. Your flower bed or vegetable garden can easily look like fair game, so adding permanent or temporary barriers to these areas may be the best way to keep the peace between you and your pet.

2. Hate those Brown Spots? Watering regularly and keeping your grass a little longer than is typical can help reduce the appearance of brown spots in your grass, but it won’t solve the problem entirely. If you can’t live with the burn marks that come from the nitrogen found in your dog’s urine, consider creating a new special place for your dog to eliminate. A fenced off area or a section of the yard with some gravel that can be easily sprayed down from time to time are great options.

As always, we appreciate referrals from our friends and past clients. If you know of anyone who is looking to buy or sell real estate, please send them our way! Give us a call or send us a request for contact today.