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Saint Augustine, FL Real Estate News

By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
I love the 4th of July in St. Augustine!  There is not a better place to celebrate than in Nations Oldest City. Get an Early Start with Fireworks at the World Golf VillageIf you want to start off your Fourth of July weekend early, head to the World Golf Village already on Friday, July 1, 2011. This is one the largest fireworks displays in Northeast Florida. Firework start at 9.30 pm. You can bring your whole family, all your friends, blankets or lawn chairs and find a spot around the Walk of Champions to take in the grand fireworks show. Parking is limited and a minimal parking fee will be required for entry to the event. St. Augustine Fireworks over MantanzasThe spectacular Fourth of July fireworks in St Augustine will  burst above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the ...
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
It was mixed news this week in the real estate market. While new housing starts were up after a month of declines, existing-home sales were down 3.8 percent from April. What will the rising initial jobless claims mean?  Boy oh boy...do you ever feel like you are on a roller Coaster? What is going on with the homes in St. Augustine? Anastasia Island's sales have been a bit stronger this year.  There have been 271 homes closed through our local MLS year to date. Although they took a bit longer to sell, the $200's price range seems to be the sweet spot.
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By Carol Tunis, Carol Tunis...a "HouseSold" name!
(Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage)
Who says the real estate market is dead? I just listed a bank owned home, stripped of the total kitchen, building permits that have not been closed out and foundation cracks throughout the main floor! Now, I must say that it takes a special buyer as the financing may be tough to get So, the price placed on it was right where the comps were for homes in similar size and condition. What this has unleashed has got my head spinning! Within a day, I had almost 300 views on the property and about the same as far as phone calls go! Agents are running to show it and buyers have come out of the woodwork! I already have multiple offers and will continue to collect them until today at noon, when they will be submitted to the bank. I haven't seen this type of frenzy since the market reached it's pi...
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
Do you remember, not so long ago, buyers were lined up chomping at the bit to purchase your property? Bidding wars not low-ball bids were the norm in the Sellers Market. Awww, those were the good old days, as they say. Today ... the tables have turned, the bubble has popped and it is definitely a Buyer’s Market. In this market flooded with foreclosures and short sales, what’s a person to do if they really want to sell their home? I recommend to my clients when they want to sell thier home in St. Augustine that they stage their home, price it right and make it easily available for showings.  The home will sell and they can move on with their plans, move on with their life. I can’t emphasize enough; the home you are selling must be clean and free of odors. Outdated fixtures, wallpaper and...
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By For Buyers Only Realty, Sharon Stevens & Dwight Cole
(FOR BUYERS ONLY REALTY )
June is National Homeownership Month, but the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA), an organization of real estate professionals who advocate for home buyers, cautions that, for some, this may not be a good time to become a homeowner. According to 2011 NAEBA President Michael Crowley, “A potential home buyer needs to seriously consider at least five reasons that home buying may not be the best choice right now.”  Crowley mentioned mixed economic indicators and the potential for the market to turn soft again to a point where first time home buyers could potentially lose their down-payment and time invested in buying a home. “As the association that works to protect buyers and not just promote real estate sales, we sometimes need to stand up and point out these concerns...
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By Carol Tunis, Carol Tunis...a "HouseSold" name!
(Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage)
I'm listing a concrete block home in Palm Coast, FL.  Although it's not that old, it has fallen on tough times.  Another broker had it's stab at trying to short sale it, to no avail.  It sported a beautiful kitchen with 42" cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and dressed to the nines in rich granite on the countertops.  Dramatic pillars defined the formal dining area, along with multiple trayed ceilings and beautiful travertine flooring.  You can see the extra deep inground pool, through the intricately mitered windows, surrounding by a concrete wall.  Definitely a showplace and a home anyone would have been proud to call home! Fast forward, the bank now owns the property...Now, I know many people have fallen on hard times and can't think of anyone who's life has not been altere...
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By For Buyers Only Realty, Sharon Stevens & Dwight Cole
(FOR BUYERS ONLY REALTY )
Last Tuesday another housing market obstacle appeared in the form of Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Home Price Index for March. Prices for 20 major metro areas dropped 0.8% for the month and were down 3.6% from a year ago. These numbers had some folks claiming the double dip in housing prices had arrived. But Case-Shiller's longer term data reveals that in their 20 measured metros, home prices are still UP 38.2% since January 2000. This shows that in real estate, you have to look at the long term picture, just like you do with your 401K. You can see a chart of the info here: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/31/business/economy/case-shiller-index.html?emc=eta1#city/IND20 National average home prices are also misleading. First, the national average rarely matches the price situa...
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By Pavel Martynenko, Realtor Listing Specialist, Buy or Sell call Pavel! (904)859-5002
(Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage (904)859-5002)
New CONDO! Open and spacious floor plan. 940 sq. ft of living space present 2 bedroom, 2 bath, large living room, dining room, gourmet kitchen with all new appliances, pantry closet, utility room, covered lanai.Luxurious, affordable, feature-rich and location are just a few words to describe the new home community of Sebastian Cove. The new home community of Sebastian Cove boasts an exciting playground for the little ones and a sparkling community pool for the whole family to enjoy!Sebastian Cove is one of St. Augustine’s most sought-after condominium communities. Located just minutes away from the upscale shops of the St. Augustine Outlet mall, Sebastian Cove is situated in the heart of the quickly-growing St. Johns County. Choose from several spacious new home floor plans and location...
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By Stacia McCallum, Palm Beach County Real Estate
(Illustrated Properties)
Referral Information Date: May 31, 2011 Status: Available Seeking: Agent/Broker Name: St. Augustine, Fl (Hidden) Location: Waterbury in St Augustine, FL Side: Seller Property Type: Land Price Range: $500k to $700k Time Frame: Immediate Referral Quality: Personal Referral Referral Fee: 20% Extra Details: I need somebody to list a lot in World Golf Village. Not familiar with the area so I'm looking for an agent who can move this lot quick. I put 500-700k, but not certain what it's worth at this time. At one point it was worth over $1m. Please email me for more information. Thanks!
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By An Marshall, Your St Augustine Real Estate Consultant
(Berkshire Hathaway - St. Augustine)
         Heavenly Oakes is a beautiful sprawling 19+ acre estate with mature trees, manicured lawns and landscaping, sprinkler system ,a 1-acre stocked fish lake with dock, an outdoor summer kitchen with brick pavers.  The property hosts 12.15 acres perfect for horses, cows or possibly a dog training afacility, and a 6.29 acre preserve for four wheeling, walking or riding horses.  The property is currently zoned for a family farm open rural and is partially fenced.      The main house which is concrete block construction has been completely and tastefully updated with new kitchen, corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, new bathroom, floor to ceiling stone fireplace, tongue-in-grove walls and ceiling adds a feel of a country retreat.  Living room has a cathedral ceiling, new ti...
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By Stefanie Bernstein
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
to all the courageous men and women in the military, whom have the courage and strength to fight for our freedom in America.  I am in awe of what you do and have respect for you beyond anyone’s comprehension, as I could not do what you do without giving a second thought to it on a daily basis.  America is truly Great because of you! In St. Augustine, The Florida National Guard located at 104 Marine Street is hosting its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 am this Monday. The ceremony commemorates the men and women who died while in military service and special recognition will be given for veterans of St. Johns County that have dies since Veterans Day 2010. Guest speaker for the ceremony will be Retired Army Col. Henri F. "Rik" Erkelens.and more than 25 local military, police and civic o...
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By Stefanie Bernstein
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty)
The time is now if you are looking to purchase a property. Sales are up in St. Johns County, inventory is down, and prices are stabilizing in the single family residential homes catagory. If you are looking to purchase you could not ask for a better set of conditions. Add to it the fact that FHA financing is readily available where you only have to put 3.5% down (which you can ask a seller to pay for all or a majority of it) and with interest rates starting as low as 4.5%, you would be crazy not to buy. Your mortgage payment will more than likely be less than what you are currently paying in rent and you will have an investment that you can call your own and know that it will increase in value in the future, after all, real estate is cyclical, what goes down has to go back up. With a lo...
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
You wont want to miss the Memorial Day Airshow held at the North Florida Regional airport in St. Augustine. The event will honor our military with a special "Salute to Veterans" past and present. The airshow promises to provide entertainment for the whole family. There will also be performances by aerobatics pilots as well as military exhibits.Ticket prices will be $10 per day for adults, $5 for children over the age of 5. For more information contact Craig Fordem 904-825-0203 cfordem@aerobaticexperience.com
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
Music by the Sea, a FREE outdoor concert series at the St. Augustine Beach Pier, is back! Here is the 2011 schedule until the end of June. Grab your chair, your favorite beverage and come on out to the Pier. Unwind and enjoy Hump Day – through the summer, Dinner serves at 6 PM - Concert starts at 7 PM.   See you at the Beach!       2011 Music by the Sea Concert andRestaurant Schedule Band & restaurant subject to change - all shows weather permitting MAY 05/11/11 St. Augustine High Jazz Ambassadors ~ Jazz & Swing  ~ WildFlower Cafe 05/18/11 Billy Buchanan & the Free Avenue Band Florida Funk  ~ R & R ~ South Beach Grille 05/25/11 Amy Alysia & the Soul Operation ~ R/B Motown ~ SeaFood Kitchen JUNE 06/01/11 Funk Shui ~ Classic R/R ~ Barnacle Bill's 06/08/11 Bush Doctors ~ Reggae R/R ~ Amici...
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
If you're hunting for a real estate bargain, look no further: Here are 10 cities where the typical home costs less than $82,000. Although homes in St. Augustine did not make this list, there are many great short sale and foreclosure deals in St. Augustine Florida worth checking out. Is your market on the list?
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By Amy Capo, Key to St. Augustine Real Estate
(St. Augustine Key Realty)
Meet Amy G. Capo, P.A., BROKER ASSOCIATE REALTOR® AHWD, CDPE, SRES, TRC Amy's real estate experience began in the mortgage business where she gained critical knowledge in home finance and all its important nuances'. She then moved into the title industry where she learned all the contractual documentation required in the residential closing process. Her time was well spent gaining the aptitude necessary to inform her customers on all aspects of the sale and buying processes. Now a seasoned REALTOR®, Amy's desire to give exemplary customer service and an unparalleled drive to succeed creates an unbeatable value for her customers. Amy is also a proud member of the following organizations: (AHWD) At Home With Diversity, (CDPE) Certified Distressed Property Expert, (SRES) Seniors Real Estat...
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
The climate in North East Florida, St. Augustine for example, is great for growing all sorts of things.  If you water it, it will grow, or so I've been told.  For those of you who know me well, know that I consider my thumbs to be anything but green.  However, I've always dreamed of creating an herb garden with maybe a tomato plant or two.  I scour articles about Indoor Gardening for Dummies with Black Thumbs with hopes that they will enlighten me.  Here is a start; I've learned how to turn a common mudroom into a glorious and natural garden room.  There may be more herbs and a tomato or three in my homes in St. Augustine.
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
Rental homes in St. Augustine are becoming tougher to come by.  Apparently this is the case across the country.  The US home vacancy rate, a measure of the share of properties empty and for sale, fell to 2.6 percent in the first quarter as foreclosures slowed amid a lender backlog in processing paperwork. However there are still many opportunities to purchase Foreclosures in St. Augustine as well as Short Sales in St. Augustine.  We need more investors to purchase these properties to increase the rental inventory in St. Augustine.
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
Applications for U.S. home mortgages rose for the first time in a month last week as interest rates eased and purchase activity picked up, an industry group said on Wednesday. The sales activity has increased in St Augustine too. Could this mark the return of our “normal” real estate market?
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By Marjorie Taylor, New Homes in St. Augustine Florida
(Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage)
I have found that the financing of homes in St. Augustine is getting tougher and tougher.  So, I have done some research and found this great article from CNN Money that explains why many home-buyers are getting rejected for loans they could easily afford.  There is a solution, but it could be pricey.
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