Davidson Realty Blog » Alayna Oram

Mark Downing from CornerStone Homes Answers Top 3 Buyer Questions

Alayna Oram — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:21:35 +0000

Many people are realizing the benefits of buying a new home over a short sale or a foreclosure. So we decided to reach out to one of our many builder friends – Mark Downing with CornerStone Homes – to find out the top 3 questions he is getting about new houses in Jacksonville, FL today. Here are the top 3 buyer questions along with Mark’s answers:

1. How much does it cost to build per square foot?

There are many variables to the per square foot cost, but we generally start at $60 per foot. However, it does vary by plan, county and the personal choices you make for your finishes.

2. What incentives do you offer?

Unlike a national builder, we don’t have one program for every buyer. We work with our buyers to tailor a program that fits your needs. That may include a closing cost contribution, a price reduction or a design center option.

3. How long does it take to build a home?

After we get the permit, we can build your home in 90 to 120 days – depending on size. However, it often takes 60 – 100 days before we get a permit depending on the number of structural changes you make, a community’s ARC approvals, truss and structural engineering, and which county your home is in.

If you are interested in learning more about the differences between new construction and short sales or foreclosure – or if you have other questions you would like to ask a builder, please contact any Davidson agent!

Ana Speziale Shares 10 Interesting Tidbits!

Alayna Oram — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:39:58 +0000

It is time again to meet a member of the Davidson Realty team! This month we are introducing you to Ana Speziale – one of our Realtors. Ana was a high school art teacher for 20 years before starting her second career in real estate. (And you know Davidson Realty appreciates teachers!) Her husband Craig is still in education as the principal at Ponte Vedra High School. (In photo with Ana.) We have asked Ana a variety of random questions so you can get to know her a bit better. Meet Ana!

1. When & where were you happiest?

With my family on the beach, preferably in Hawaii.

2. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I can be inflexible at times.

3. What is the the trait you most deplore in others?

Not returning emails or phone calls in a timely fashion.

4. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Confidence.

5. What is the quality you like most in a woman?

Independence.

6.What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

7. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Courage.

8. Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to sing and not scare off the public.

9. What is your current state of mind?

Perpetual optimism.

10. What is your motto?

It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

Sherry Davidson Shares 10 Personal Tidbits

Alayna Oram — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:17:05 +0000

Every month we ask a member of our staff 10 quirky questions based on the Proust Questionnaire. (We stole the idea from Vanity Fair magazine!) This month we have a special treat…Sherry Davidson – president of Davidson Realty and all around extraordinary woman – is answering the questions. She is also vice president of Davidson Development – the master developer of World Golf Village, which is known to be one of the most successful master-planned communities in Northeast Florida. It also is Sherry and her family’s home. Meet Sherry!

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Sitting in our hunting camp with good friends and my family eating whatever fabulous meal everyone just prepared together.

2. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Impatience.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Arrogance, which sometimes manifests itself when people refuse to wear socks with dress shoes.

4. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Intelligence, many times it causes arrogance.

5. On what occasion do you lie?

Only to not hurt someone.

6. What is your greatest regret?

I spent many years caring what others thought of me. Thankfully, I am over that.

7. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion.

8. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Passion for whatever they do. This might be obvious if you know my husband who is passionate about everything.

9. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I had been born as an outgoing person. I have to really work on it.

10. What is your motto?

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

10 Things You Want to Know About Kristen Calhoun

Alayna Oram — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:50:51 +0000

We have been introducing you to our Realtor team on this blog for a while now. And we have been introducing you to World Golf Village residents on our WGV blog. Recently, we thought it would be a great idea to let you meet our staff too! Of course, we want it to be as entertaining as it is informative, so we decided to ask a different team member 10 quirky questions each month…just like Vanity Fair does to actors or politicians in each of their issues. This month, we decided to feature Kristen Calhoun. You will be seeing her name a lot in the coming months because she is going to start posting blogs on both of our sites soon!You will see she is a genuinely wonderful person – who is a bit of a firecracker! Meet Kristen…

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being on the beach, next to my husband with a fabulous glass of champagne, watching my girls play and a beautiful sunset!

2. What is your greatest fear?

Running out of wine.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Being scared to try something for fear of failure…

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Judgment. It is soooo unattractive.

5. What is your greatest extravagance?

My ability to love.

6. What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband, Austin!!! He is so amazing. Austin balances me and makes me a better person. I love that about him.

7. When and where were you happiest?

I believe right now in this present moment. It is a choice. I make a strong effort to always be my happiest.

8. What do you most value in your friends?

Compassion. I love compassion in people. I love people that open my eyes and move me to seeing a person or situation differently. My sister is really good at that.

9. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My short temper…watch out! It’s something I constantly have to work on. I have gotten a lot better. I’m like George’s dad in Seinfeld yelling, “SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW!”

10. What is your motto?

Simply, to be my best! No matter what I am doing, I just want to do it as well as I can.

Learn 10 Quirky Things About Kathy Mrkvicka

Alayna Oram — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:37:43 +0000

Davidson Realty has an incredible team of Realtors – and support staff! In fact, the staff is one of the things that really sets Davidson apart in the Jacksonville, FL real estate community. From marketing professionals, landscaping experts and financial gurus, Davidson Realtors have access to a brilliant team that can make buying or selling your home a wonderful experience. We will be introducing you to this team by asking them a series of quirky questions and sharing them on this blog over the next several months – or maybe years since it is a rather large team!We will start with the glue that holds Davidson together – the all important office manager. Meet Kathy Mrkvicka…

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Waking up in my own comfy bed with my husband and the dogs to sunshine, open windows with a warm breeze, the birds singing and our butler, Mr. French, bringing us waffles with ice cream for breakfast.

2. what is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Shyness.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Indecisiveness.

4. What do you dislike the most about your appearance?

My nose.

5. What is your greatest regret?

Not spending enough time with my nieces and nephews when they were children.

6. What is your current state of mind?

Experiencing wanderlust.

7. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Intelligence.

8. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion.

9. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Having to make small talk at social events with casual acquaintances or strangers.

10. What is your motto or favorite quote?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou