Jacksonville, Florida enjoys an ideal location situated on the St. Johns River. The atmosphere of this river city melds the best of Southern culture and cosmopolitan city living. Encompassing over 750 square miles, Jacksonville is the second largest city in the nation in terms of land size, while it is only the fourteenth in terms of population. For residents of this city, this means all of the amenities and opportunities of a major metropolis, without the hustle and bustle, traffic and congestion. Jacksonville currently supports a population of approximately 773,781 residents. The average age of a resident here is thirty four years old, with an annual household income of around $40,316. The single largest employment sector in the region is the service industry, employing just under fif... 09/03/2008

Florida real estate is one of the several in the United States that will likely benefit from the unprecedented housing legislation bill passed by the U.S. government last month. It will still take some time to see whether allowing thousands of borrowers to refinance their mortgage will have a positive long term effect but for the meantime, let’s see what some industry experts have to say about it, in this case Pete Flint the CEO of the popular Trulia real estate website. Hesitant first time buyers will be critical in boosting home prices throughout the country and this trend may begin to occur sometime after the month of October as the incentives of the legislation go into effect and ease buying jitters. A boost in buying demand should prove vital in encouraging the languishing economy ... 09/02/2008

HOLA - SALUDOS A TODOS!!! MANANA, JUEVES, 28 DE AGOSTO A LAS 4PM ESTAREMOS CELEBRANDO NUESTRO PRIMER EVENTO EN EL JACKSONVILLE LANDING!!!!  LA CONFERENCIA DE PRENSA MUSICAL!!!! AQUI ES DONDE ENCONTRARAS TODA LA  INFORMACION SOBRE:   COMO PARTICIPAR EN LA PARADA PUERTORRIQUENA!   SI VAS A PARTICIPAR AQUI TENDREMOS LA INFORMACION DE DONDE IR, A QUE HORA, DONDE ESTACIONAR SU AUTO!   SI DESEAS VENIR A LA CENA DE GALA, AQUI TENDREMOS LA INFORMACION!   DAREMOS TODOS LOS DATOS DEL CALENDARIO DE EVENTOS DE LA SEMANA PUERTORRIQUENA!   Y ESTAREMOS PRESENTE PARA CONTESTAR CUALQUIER PREGUNTA QUE TENGAS Y PARA SALUDAR PERSONALMENTE A NUESTRO PUEBLO, NUESTRA GENTE!!!   TE ESPERO MANANA A LAS 4PM EN EL JACKSONVILLE LANDING!!! MUSICA, SHOW, Y TODA LA INFORMACION!!!! "ARRIBA CORAZONES"   Presentado por ... 08/27/2008

HONOR & TRIBUTE TO OUR MILITARY MEMBERS AND 65th INFANTRY"... Saturday, September 13, 2008 JACKSONVILLE LANDING         4th Annual Jacksonville's Puerto Rican Parade and Festival "WELCOME TO PUERTO RICO"   It is with great pride that we announce the 4th anniversary of the Jacksonville's Annual Puerto Rican Parade and Festival.   This Parade and Festival is considered the BIGGEST HISPANIC event in Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida. It has always been characterized as a family-oriented, cultural and educational event. It showcases the very best of the Puerto Rican culture, arts and crafts, Puerto Rican painters, exhibits, and a colorful and cheerful parade. The Puerto Rican Day Parade is becoming a Jacksonville tradition!!!  On Saturday, September 13th, 2008  the Jacksonville Landing... 08/24/2008

Our company name is Meridian Financial Inc. Please send us an email or simply give us a call for your address and we will send you a DVD with the following information: 1. What is an FHA Mortgage 2. How to qualify for the mortgage 3. 5 mistakes to avoid when purchasing home 4. 5 mistatkes to avoid when buying a home We do loans in every county in the state of FL so please call 24 hours a day 7 days a week for your free information. Our office number is 904-484-2161 Email: Igor@plprocessing.com We hope everyone stays safe as Faye makes its way out of Florida. 08/22/2008

Below I have posted a Q & A regarding the $7,500 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers. I specialize in helping First Time Home Buyers in Jacksonville Florida and Northeast Florida. realize their dreams of home ownership. Please contact me at (904)635-8822 for more information on our free buyer representiation.   First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions About the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 authorizes a $7,500 tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing homes on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. Who is eligible to claim the $7,500? First time home buyers purchasing any kind of home—new or resale—are eligibl... 08/13/2008

I could't remember my login last night--which means that I haven't been out here enough!  Must change that.  I did, however, have a meaningful conversation about ActiveRain the previous evening--which is always good! Last night though I was inquiring about how to find the million dollar buyer.  No, really, what search would you do?  We have some really terrific properties out here and are very unique in some interesting ways and I would LOVE to get a buyer for them:-)  Even though they are not my listings! Any tips?  Thoughts, other than the --hey me too!?  As a new agent with lofty ambitions I would really like to get moving here--in forward motion. Thanks! 08/08/2008

Here's what Jacksonville Florida Real Estate in June 2008 looked like: Current # of listings available June 2008  7531 Average # of sales per month (homes that went under contract not sold)  648  Ave days on market (under contract homes, not sold)- 132.5   Remaining # months inventory  11.62  Selling price % of list price (original list price) (these were homes that sold and closed in June 2008)     Here's what Jacksonville Florida Real Estate in June 2007 looked like: Current # of listings available June 2007  7290 Average # of sales per month (homes that went under contract not sold)  788  Ave days on market (under contract homes, not sold)- 68.17   Remaining # months inventory  9.25  Selling price % of list price (original list price) (these were homes that sold and closed in June 20... 08/07/2008

Current market conditions for Jacskonville Florida Here's what Jacksonville Real Estate in May 2008 looked like: Current # of listings available May 2008  7525 Average # of sales per month (homes that went under contract not sold) 717  Ave days on market (under contract homes, not sold)- 112.88  Remaining # months inventory  10.50  Selling price % of list price (original list price) (these were homes that sold and closed in May 2008) 88.79%   Here's what Jacksonville Real Estate in May 2007 looked like:   Current # of listings available May 2007  7251 Average # of sales per month (homes that went under contract not sold)  826  Ave days on market (under contract homes, not sold)- 121.83  Remaining # months inventory 8.78  Selling price % of list price (original list price) (these were ho... 08/07/2008

We almost made it!  We were so close and 6 months into it, but we couldn't take it anymore!  We finally had to give up.  We found a house 3 days later, made an offer, they countered, we accepted and we were off to the races!  We are going to close August 18th.  So, this process, from initial offer to closing will take exactly 19 days. Can you believe it?  We waited 95 days for a response from the lender on our first offer on the short sale. They countered and we waited 60 days to hear about that. Then we ran into MAJOR issues with the Home Inspection and the VA wouldn't appraise it high enough.  Our deal finally sputtered to a stop 6 long months into it. I took another class on short sales and the consensus was that a short sale averages 5-7 months from initial offer to closing.  Unfort... 08/04/2008

Intracoastal West Jacksonville Florida Homes Considering purchasing a home in the Intracoastal Area of Jacksonville Florida? Below I have posted many of the featured Intracoastal west area Communities in the Jacksonville area from our website, www.FirstCoastRE.com. The intracoastal west area in Jacksonville runs from the Intracoastal waterway on the East to Kernan Bld. on the west. From single family homes starting in the mid $100's, to luxury estate homes and navigable waterfront homes in seven figure range, the intracoastal area of Jacksonville has something to suite most home buyers. The area is very convenient to the Jacksonville Beaches, as well as the most popular shopping in Northeast Florida at the St. Johns Town Center Shopping Mall. Each community profile below can feature com... 08/03/2008

A lot of the buzz for buyers these days is centered around the foreclosure homes for sale everywhere and while it may at first seem like there are some real "deals" to be had, there are some things you should know to level your expectations with reality. Contrary to popular belief, you are at least as likely to find resale homes that are at least as good of "deals" as anything that you can find as a foreclosure for a number of reasons. If you are in the market for a home and think you are going to find the next news making deal of the century, you might take a few minutes to read this post before venturing into the foreclosure market. The reality is that many of the buyers in the market think that banks are giving these things away because they are desperate, well quite frankly, you're ... 07/28/2008

Hi Lenn, My name is David Elian and I am on Active Rain.  I'm a Realtor in Jacksonville, Florida, with Keller Williams Realty.  I am an Accredited Buyer Representative and I should finish up my GRI by end of this year or early next year.  I've helped approximately 275 familes buy beautiful homes either as a Realtor or as a loan officer which is what I did before transitioning over to the real estate side. Please send me all your buyer referrals in the Duval, Clay, St. John's, and Nassau Counties.  I'll take great care of them for you. Sincerely, David Elian, REALTOR 904-338-5477 davidelian@comcast.net 07/27/2008

WOW!!! Bring your boat! A chance to build your own home on a Corner waterfront lot, tucked away down a dirt road in a peaceful tranquil wooded location in Mandarin. (Just 5 minutes from shopping and the freeway)  Privacy at it's best on this .44 acre property....and across the Creek is a forest Preserve.     On one side is 89 ft frontage on a Canal and 198 ft frontage on Julington Creek, which is Navigable to the St. John's River, an out to the Ocean! The creek will allow up to a 36' boat! Property has water and electricity.   Part of the lot has been cleared fro your home and MANY of the trees give plenty of Shade! IF you would LOVE the tranquil woodsy feeling and  enjoy having your boat right outside your  doorstep, then THIS Is the PROPERTY FOR YOU!! MLS #439024  .44 acres for only $... 07/18/2008

Jacksonville Florida Townhome Communities  We have over 40 Jacksonville Florida Townhome Communities featured on our main website. Townhomes are deeded as single family homes, however they are attached together.  Traditionally, townhome buildings are two stories, and there are no neighbors above or below you.  The main differences between townhomes and condominiums are 1.) In a townhome you actually own a piece of land, as opposed to owning an equal share of the common area, and 2.)There are typically no exterior building insurance policies on townhomes, which would require you have your own homeowners insurance on the property. Pros and Cons of owning a townhome vs. buying a condo: PRO:Condominium dues/fees are typically much more expensive, due to the fact that condominiums have exte... 07/16/2008

The difficult real estate market in Jacksonville, the foreclosure situation in Florida and the uncertain economic climate have all put homeowners a little on edge regarding the future of real estate and their own personal finances. While countless websites will advise on how to go about things, here are some tips on things you should not be doing when it comes to your money. Don't choose a mortgage without research. Lenders are allowing buyers to refinance but before signing up with mortgage lender A check out the interest rates and long term fine print also being offered by lender B. Some may charge for paying the loan too early while the other could skyrocket your interest rate. Seek advice from a professional, not your family. Real estate agents always have access to the latest marke... 07/15/2008

You have heard it a thousand times before: your Jacksonville property is one of your best investments. But it bears repeating! Be good to your home and your home will be good to you. And that means repairing, remodeling and updating. An important point to remember: know what you can safely conquer yourself and what you should leave to the professionals. I Need Professional Help! So, you have decided that your complete kitchen remodel, or three-tiered backyard deck for your Jacksonville home, is a bit out of your do-it-yourself range and more in the "There's no way I am attempting that!" range. First things first: find yourself a good contractor. No, not the cheapest, or the most expensive, or the first person that returns your phone call. I mean a contractor that you are willing to put ... 07/14/2008

If you're looking for a Townhome in the Heart of Southside, Oxford Chase is the Place!!! It is one of the FEW townhomes or condos in the area where Every home has a TWO Car Garage!!! There are three different floorplans, 1,720 sqft, 1,878sqft and 2,065 sqft. The first two are 3bedrooms 2.5 baths, and the larger one is always an End unit with an extra 4th bedroom or Downstairs office. (some models have french doors, others just have it as a den with no doors.)     They were built by Pulte in 2004. Many of them back up to a nice pond view! The Neighborhood is off Gate Parkway. It is SO convenient to Butler Blvd (Hwy 202), Hwy 95, and Hwy 295. You are only 15 minutes from the Beach, 20 minutes from the airport, and 15 minutes from downtown (all depends on traffic). The nicest shopping area... 07/14/2008

Here are the numbers for sold single family homes in the Pablo Bay subdivision area during June 2008. Pablo Bay is a well-designed subdivision conveniently located along San Pablo Road, close to the beaches, and a quick commute to Southpoint. Pablo Bay has approximately 450 homes, located 1 mile from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, and 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. A total of 7 homes sold in Pablo Bay during June 2008. Here are the highlights: Lowest price home sold: $305,000 (Bank owned property) Price per square foot: $108 This property sold at 89% of list price and was on the market for 50 days. Highest price home sold: $507,500 (seller offered pool service for one year, and a $1500 gift card to buyer's agent) Price per square foot: $165 This property sold at 95% of the list price... 07/10/2008

Durbin Crossing Jacksonville Florida Homes    Get 1.5% Cash Bach home rebate on ANY new home in Durbin Crossing! Durbin Crossing is a new residential community nestled in a tranquil setting in the Northwest St. Johns County area of Jacksonville conveniently located just 5 miles from US-1 and I-95 and 9 miles from I-295. St. Augustine can be reached in just 25 minutes, and downtown Jacksonville is 30 minutes away. Jacksonville International Airport is just a 45-minute drive from your new home. The 2,086-acre Durbin Crossing community offers an exclusive neighborhood with 1,551 single family homes, 947 multifamily homes, 29 acres for a village center, 298 acres for schools, parks and a golf course, and 1,105 acres of open space and wetlands. Developer is SouthStar Development Partners an... 06/20/2008