Larry Buchanan Realtor®

Archive for the ‘Jacksonville Homes For Sale’ Category

You and your family have decided that it is time to move to a larger home. However, you must sell the home you are currently living in to be able to make the move. The nagging question that pops into your mind is “When is the right time to sell my home?” The truth is there is no clear answer to your question.

The reason there is no clear answer is because there are many factors to be considered and each of these are of a subjective nature. But, all is not lost. The information contained in this article, hopefully, will give you a better feel for when the right time might be for you to sell your home.

People who are looking to buy homes do so through out the year. They base their decision on their own personal circumstances, which are occurring in their life and the life of their family. The circumstances can range from illness, divorce, employment, retirement, death of a loved one and the list goes on and on, as you well know.

The only clear trend which can be drawn from this is that normally there are more of these buyers entering the home marketplace during the spring and summer. This in turn can lead you to believe this is the best time, however there are more factors you should take into consideration.

While seasonal trends are important they are not the most important thing to keep in mind when selling your home. The most compelling factor in selling your home is your own needs and personal circumstances. There has to be a reason why you are selling your home and more than likely you are facing a deadline of some type. Focus on those rather than on the time of the year. Although, your own personal circumstances may not allow you to wait for the busy season, you should also pay attention to the current market conditions in your area.

It is important for you to determine whether it is a “Buyers Market” or a “Sellers Market” as either one will dramatically impact the value of your home. A buyers market usually indicates there are a great many homes on the market and the prices are falling because of the glut of homes on the marketplace. The sellers market will usually be an indication of a limited supply of quality homes, rising interest rates and home prices. If it is a buyers market you will be facing stiff competition when you are trying to sell your home.

One of the things you should consider in a buyers market is whether or not your home is extremely well maintained and priced so it will standout above the other homes on the market. If you think your home will not stand up well against the competition, perhaps, if your personal circumstances allow, you will better off waiting until the housing market takes the turn back to a sellers market. However, if your personal circumstances will not allow you to wait, the sooner you get your home on the market the better.

Apart from the current market conditions you should also understand where the market is going. This involves a bit of research to figure out future trends from past ones. Though you can’t accurately predict the future of the market you can get a reasonably close picture. The real estate market experts usually will have some expectation based on their experience and this should be factored into your decision making process.

The best time of the year is not as important as your personal needs and the state of the market. Therefore, after you have had time to weigh your personal circumstances and the marketplace, then and only then, will you get a better feel on the right time to sale your home.

I’ve got lots of stories I can share, however, the bottom line is, you need solid answers and lots of them. Yes, the market is moving, however, not for everyone. Let’s get together and take a close look at options that will work best for you.

Call me at 904-910-0203

I’m Larry Buchanan and I’m a full time Realtor. Let’s talk.
email: Larry@ LarryBuchananRealtor.com

Very few days go by where I do not have a conversation with a friend or business contact who must sell their home quickly. The media has done a good job of alerting everyone to the fact that the housing market has taken a dive, which definitely slowed the sale of millions of homes across the country.

If the thought of when to place your home on the market is a concern, as you continue to read, you will find that a few things have changed since the first of the year, especially in the greater Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beaches areas.

According to a recent story in the Associated Press, the fallout in regard to foreclosures seems to be affecting Ohio, Nevada, Arizona, California and Florida with the highest increases in foreclosures in the first quarter of the year.

While it’s easy to miss the positive side of this news, the impact on home buyers is on the up-swing. However, in the City of Jacksonville and the Beaches areas, home sales are gaining ground as well. I’ve been fortunate enough to find a couple of niches that are moving somewhat faster, sales wise, than the market in general.

The circumstances that support this trend are most likely tied to rising foreign interest in the US real estate market, fueled by the current weakness in the dollar. When combined with the rising number of foreclosures and the attractiveness of the US dollar’s purchasing power in many countries, the timing is right for sales to warm up in this area.

My best advice for homeowners interested in selling is to spruce up and liven up interior and external areas of your home. Particularly in the Beaches areas where traffic is becoming noticeably higher.

My advice for buyers, including investors is to shop carefully. While real estate in interior areas of Jacksonville provide good dollar values, Jacksonville’s Beaches are beginning to sell at very attractive levels. With foreign interest warming, don’t hesitate too long before starting your search. There are many hidden values just waiting for an offer.

Please feel free to call me to get your questions answered.

Best Regards,
Larry
Larry Buchanan Realtor, Prudential Network Realty
Phone: 904-910-0203
Email: Larry @LarryBuchananRealtor.com

You’re probably asking yourself, what does Larry know about wild flowers? I’m laughing out loud when I think back a few years at the easy answer I’d have for that question.

Actually, I’m a Realtor rather than a gardener. But I’ve watched how buyers respond to bright flowers and a nicely landscaped home so I thought I’d share an article with my blog readers. I assure you, curb appeal and landscaping go hand in hand when making a home more attractive….to buyers.

So what’s it take to add a little color and pazzaz to your curb appeal with wild flowers? Read on…

A wild-flower garden has an attractive sound. One thinks of long walks in the woods, collecting hands full of colorful plants, and then of the fun in fixing up a really cool wild garden.

Many people say they have no luck at all with such a garden. It is not a question of luck, but a question of understanding, for wild flowers are like people and each has its personality. What a plant has been accustomed to in Nature it desires always. In fact, when removed from its own sort of living conditions, it sickens and dies.

That is enough to tell us that we should copy Nature herself. Suppose you are hunting wild flowers. As you choose certain flowers from the woods, notice the soil they are in, the place, conditions, the surroundings, and the neighbours.

Suppose you find dog-tooth violets and wind-flowers growing near together. Then place them so in your own new garden. Suppose you find a certain violet enjoying an open situation; then it should always have the same. You see the point, do you not? If you wish wild flowers to grow in a tame garden make them feel at home. Cheat them into almost believing that they are still in their native haunts.

Wild flowers ought to be transplanted after blossoming time is over. Take a trowel and a basket into the woods with you. As you take up a few, a columbine, or a hepatica, be sure to take with the roots some of the plant’s own soil, which must be packed about it when replanted.

The bed into which these plants are to go should be prepared carefully before this trip of yours. Surely you do not wish to bring those plants back to wait over a day or night before planting. They should go into new quarters at once. The bed needs soil from the woods, deep and rich and full of leaf mold.

The under drainage system should be excellent. Then plants are not to go into water-logged ground. Some people think that all wood plants should have a soil saturated with water. But the woods themselves are not water-logged.

It may be that you will need to dig your garden up very deeply and put some stone in the bottom. Over this the top soil should go. And on top, where the top soil once was, put a new layer of the rich soil you brought from the woods.

Before planting water the soil well. Then as you make places for the plants put into each hole some of the soil which belongs to the plant which is to be put there.

I think it would be a rather nice plan to have a wild-flower garden giving a succession of bloom from early spring to late fall; so let us start off with March, the hepatica, spring beauty and saxifrage. Then comes April bearing in its arms the beautiful columbine, the tiny bluets and wild geranium.

For May there are the dog-tooth violet and the wood anemone, false Solomon’s seal, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wake robin, bloodroot and violets. June will give the bellflower, mullein, bee balm and foxglove. I would choose the gay butterfly weed for July. Let turtle head, aster, Joe Pye weed, and Queen Anne’s lace make the rest of the season brilliant until frost.

Wow…I didn’t realize how much reading a simple process could be:) But at least now you have the basics and with a little help from our always varying NE Florida weather, you’ll probably amaze yourself with the results of your wild flower garden. Just take a little time each week to stop back to review this article.

But in case you’d prefer to explore other ideas for improving your curb appeal I’ve got an option for you.

Click on this link for details about a great book, simply called: Curb Appeal

There are great pictures and descriptions of the types of small changes that can make a huge difference in how your home presents itself to prospective buyers.

I hope you find this somewhat lengthy article to be useful information. Please feel free to leave your comments and questions.

Larry
Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
Call: 904-910-0203
email: Larry@LarryBuchananRealtor.com

Nearly everyday I speak with women on the subject of the economy and how it is affecting home ownership. Women and men are worried about how long should they hold off their purchase decision while they wait to see how low prices will go.

For women, the decision is no different than it is for men. However, the concensus of women I have spoken to is that their approach to financing the purchase is, and must be different from the strategies used by men.

I found this to be an interesting point of view, so I did my homework. If you have a few moments please read a report I put together for women considering home ownership. In today’s real estate climate, knowledge is power. I hope that you find this to be helpful information.

Are you a woman who has the dream of owning your own home? If you do, you are definitely not alone. While a large number of women already own their own homes, there are even more who are looking to do so.

Unfortunately, many women mistakenly believe that they cannot afford the cost of a new home. Yes, there are really some who may be unable to afford the cost of a new home, but, for others, it is actually a lot easier than it appears.

The first step in buying a new home involves examining where you would like to reside. This is important as it gives you an idea as to what the average asking price for homes is. This average asking price can give you an idea as to the amount of money that you would need to have.

Since different areas of the United States have different real estate market conditions, this should be one of your very first steps. Once you decide where you would like to live, you can go about finding a home to buy, as well as get financing for that home.

Speaking of financing, there are many individuals who mistakenly believe that they need to have money, upfront, to buy a home. That is not the truth. In fact, in the United States, and especially in the greater Jacksonville area, most women and men, use financing, provided by financial lenders, to afford the cost of a home. If you have yet to consider getting a mortgage for your new home purchase, this is the time to do so.

If you need to obtain financing to purchase a new home, your first thought may be to head on down to your local bank or a local home lending office. While this is more than possible to do, you may want to first request a copy of your credit report.

Financial lenders will use your credit report to determine if you are a good candidate for receiving a loan from them. The cleaner your credit report is, the more likely it is that you will be awarded financing for the purchase of your new home. If your credit report is less than perfect, you may want to try paying off some of your old debts before approaching a financial lender.

Although a mortgage or a home loan can help you afford the cost of a new home, there are many financial lenders who first require a down payment. This down payment varies from lender to lender.

It is common for mortgage or home loan down payments to be anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. For many individuals, this is where the problem comes in. If you are wondering how you can go about coming up with the money needed for a down payment, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the easiest ways for you to save money for a new home down payment is by reducing or completely eliminating all of your unnecessary purchases. These unnecessary purchases may include a coffee, soda, or other snacks at work, dining out, a full cable television package, and so forth.

Unfortunately, many individuals do not realize the importance of eliminating their unnecessary purchases, when looking to save money to buy a new home. Yes, you may only be able to save $20 or $50 a week, but it is important to remember that money can add up overtime.

Another way that many women work to come up with the down payment often needed to buy a home is by getting a second job or by requesting additional hours at work. While doing so may result in you having less free time with your family, it is a sacrifice that many women are willing to make.

With an increased workload at work or a second job, even just a part-time one where you only work ten hours a week, you may be able to quickly come up with the down payment needed to acquire a home loan or a mortgage.

For many women, home ownership is an issue that they deal with in their life. The above mentioned approaches are just a few of the many ways that you can go about getting the home of your dreams.

Please feel free to post your comments and questions. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
Phone me at:904-910-0203
email: Larry@Larry Buchanan Realtor.com

PS Click here to see my complete listing of homes in the Greater Jacksonville Area

If you know anything about Realtors, you know we can talk about houses and real estate for hours, like most people talk about sports or their families:)

Well my goal is not to bore you, instead I’d like to share something that might just excite you.

In this business, and more importantly, at this point in the Jacksonville home market, the name of the game is timing and opportunity. I’ll get right to the point…

Homes that have been on the market for a long period are being reduced and the time to purchase, especially in Jacksonville Beach, could not be better. Those who try to time the market’s lowest point, traditionally miss out on the buys of a lifetime. We’re at that point with this home I’d like to show you.

You see the picture so you know what’s on the block. The property is being sold As-Is. Here are the details:

The price has been reduced because the seller means business. “Motivated seller” can often be used as a tactic or buzz word. With this seller, it’s just the plain truth.

This is an real opportunity on a real estate winner for any savvy buyer. The property is zoned commercial/residential. The options list is nothing less than robust with this Commercially Zoned Parcel. You’ll have tons of potential, mainly based on the location.

If your interest is building to your own design, make the call. If your preference is a well timed investment that’s close enough to the market bottom to make a decision, make the call.

My cell phone is always at my side, and you’ll find, I talk just like I write. My focus is providing facts you can check. I don’t believe in hype and misdirection. The truth stands the test of time and it’s how I prefer to build my reputation. My number is 904-910-0203…make the call and let’s chat.

Ciao,
Larry

Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
email:Larry@LarryBuchananRealtor.com

Click here to see my complete listing of homes in the Greater Jacksonville Area

I could talk to you for hours about the great buys in real estate in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. However, sometimes the old saying, “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words” says it all.

Ciao,
Larry
Phone:904-910-0203
Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
email:Larry@LarryBuchananRealtor.com

Click here to see my newest listings in the Greater Jacksonville Area

Nearly everytime I’m in a conversation, the subject of economic conditions comes up.  Once that happens the next question I often here is, “where do i find good real estate buys in Jacksonville?”

Of course the second most asked question, since I live near the beach is, where do i find good real estate buys in Jacksonville Beach?” Because I’ve been a Realtor® for so many years I know to ask a few questions so my answer will actually be helpful. I have a hunch my blog readers would be interested in these questions as well.

It may interest you to know that even if you don’t live in Florida the best way to find good real estate buys is to have a game plan, before you start looking.

What this means is you’ll want to ask yourself this question: What would make a great looking house in a friendly and attractive neighborhood a “good real estate buy” for me?

I’ve answered that question so many times and have never been disappointed with the responses I receive. The conversation always travels through many different topics. As amazing as it may sound, money, in regard to the investment required to own the home, is often way less important, once the conversation starts moving into the area of personal preferences. So let’s explore a few things you can use to start your house hunting list.

Hopefully these ideas will serve as idea joggers as you prepare to ask your own “Where Do I Find Good Real Estate Buys in Jacksonville” question. The answer is, nearly anywhere you look these days. It just depends on the type of residence you’d like, where you’d like it to sit…and how tall do you like your trees:)

I’ve made my home in the Greater Jacksonville Area for more than 20 years. I can show you some of the most beautiful sunset or sunrise neighborhoods anywhere in the world. Just text me or ring my digits and we’ll take a ride together and share some stories about NE Florida real estate…as we explore Jacksonville real estate treasures, some of which are off the beaten path.

I’m always excited about working with clients to help them find the comfortable home of their dreams.

Ciao,
Larry

Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
Phone: 904-910-0203
Email: Larry@ Larry Buchanan Realtor.com

Click here to see my current listings in the Greater Jacksonville Area

Jacksonville is holding the line in regard to real estate values. Home sales are down throughout the US and this time around the east coast has also started to slide.

Market analysts insist Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach homes for sale are at record market values. However, no one can predict the bottom of this market. What is certain is we are definitely in a buyers market.

Check with me if you have not had an evaluation of your home in more than 3 years. You definitely don’t want to be caught short before the market begins its next shift.

Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
904-910-0203
email Larry@LarryBuchananRealtor.com

Click here to see my current listings in the Greater Jacksonville Area

Is it your dream to live in the idyllic Jacksonville Beach? Have you been put off moving because it has seemed to be a sellers market with property prices just rising and rising?

You may not have to put off this dream much longer if the latest statistics coming out are anything to go by. If you want to get yourself a Jacksonville Beach home, there has never been a better time. Here is why:

Market Values in Jacksonville Beach have dropped slightly – According to real estate website www.zillow.com, the price of Jacksonville Beach homes has dropped by about 10% over the year from mid- 2007 to mid- 2008.

This means that times are changing and momentum is building in the transitiion from a seller’s market to a robust buyer’s market. The opportunities are here and many are finding they are able to grab themselves a bargain on the new home of their dreams.

Many people are suffering in the current economic climate and you can take advantage of short selling- Like the rest of America. With tough economic times, some home owner’s are feeling the strain of their mortgage and may be struggling with their mortgage payments.

While it is unfortunate for them, this can open the door for you. If they have made a short-selling arrangement with their mortgage provider, this could be a great chance to pick up a bargain.

Living by the beach is just fantastic- Another great reason to move to Jacksonville beach has nothing to do with property prices. Living by the beach is such a great lifestyle. Imagine being able to wake up in the morning and jump in the surf before you head off to the office. And then you can go for a surf again on your way home. It definitely beats the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle.

For a while there, it seemed with the property bubble that Jacksonville Beach homes were unattainable. However, things seem to be correcting themselves and Jacksonville in general, but especially Jacksonville Beach homes, may no longer be out of your reach.

With dropping house prices and many people forced in to short-selling their homes, now may be the perfect time to live the life of your dreams.

Make sure you speak with me so I can check homes in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach and other areas to see if short-sales of homes are available that fit your needs.

Larry Buchanan Realtor
Prudential Network Realty
Call me at 904-910-0203
email:Larry @ Larry Buchanan Realtor.com