Davidson Realty Agents Recognized

October 23, 2009

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Posted by in Uncategorized

Davidson Realty really has a remarkable team of sales agents and support staff. Each month we like to take the opportunity to recognize a few of them. This month, we’d like to congratulate Jock Ochiltree for selling the most homes in September. Although this is a wonderful claim to fame, one of Jock’s other notable accomplishments is playing golf on over 400 courses in 14 countries.

Davidson Realty’s top producer in September was Doug Duggan with over $1.3 million in volume. We must give an honorable mention in this category to Beverly Morse who was a very close second with $1,278,500 in volume.

Finally, the top lister for the month was Lyn Sappington. And she has played almost as many golf courses as Jock, including Ballybunion, Old Course and Pebble Beach. Read more

Putting Things Into Perspective

October 21, 2009

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DSCN0205Karen Palmer and I just returned from Atlanta, GA (my hometown) where we attended the Buffini & Company Turning Point Retreat. Brian Buffini is always a dynamic and entertaining speaker but he was very passionate about his message in this presentation.

Brian began the morning by discussing perspective. The economy and the real estate market are cyclical but when we are in a downturn like we have been for quite some time, it feels like it will last forever. We went through the history of the United States to reinforce that this too shall pass. The real estate market will rebound like it has every time before.

We looked at the National Association of Realtors statistics to understand how many Realtors have left our profession. Many of the Realtors with less experience and knowledge are no longer selling real estate, which only supports the fact that it is in your best interest to work with seasoned real estate professionals. Read more

Davidson Realty Ramps it Up

October 19, 2009

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DSCN0177I recently challenged my colleagues at Davidson Realty to join me in a project for RAMP IT UP – a Northeast Florida Association of Realtors’ (NEFAR) signature project  in conjunction with The Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida to build wheelchair ramps for disabled members of our community that are confined to a wheelchair.  I was thrilled that 11 of our office associates, including owners Jim and Sherry Davidson, decided to join me at 8:30 on a crisp morning on the north side of Jacksonville to build the largest ramp of the year for the partnership.

Most of us started the day by learning the proper way to use a speed square, to measuring and cutting the wood boards on the table saw with perfection.  Throughout the 8 hour project, I enjoyed the team work and the camaraderie Read more

What is Foreclosure?

October 14, 2009

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Posted by in Uncategorized

DSC_0326Are you are struggling to make your mortgage payment and afraid your home may be foreclosed? You are not alone. There are many foreclosures in St. Augustine, Jacksonville and the rest of the Country.

Many people don’t understand how foreclosures work. Foreclosure is a process with four phases.

1. Default – You must miss a payment or more likely several payments to be in default. You may also enter the foreclosure process if you miss payments to a local taxing authority, a condo association or a homeowners association.
2. Legal Notice – The lender or foreclosing party must notify the owner that they are entering into the foreclosure process. In Florida they file a Notice of Lis Pendens. The owner will be personally served with the document and/or the foreclosure will be published in accordance with the local statutes.
3. Bank Sale or Auction Date – In Florida a Judgment of Foreclosure is filed that sets a sale date. The full amount due including penalties will be listed in the Judgment. On the sale date the property will be sold at the County Courthouse. Read more

$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Ends November 30th

October 12, 2009

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Posted by in News

I was surprised to hear recently how many people looking at homes in Northeast Florida have not heard about the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. I guess since I eat, sleep and breathe real estate, I assume other people understand what a great deal this tax credit really is.

The tax credit is similar to the Cash for Clunkers program for the car industry except instead of a $4,500 trade-in allowance, you will pay $8,000 less in taxes to the IRS or get an $8,000 federal income tax refund if you do not owe any income tax.

The $8,000 tax credit is available to anyone buying their fist home or anyone that hasn’t owned a home in three years. To qualify for the credit, you have to close on your new home by November 30, 2009. There is talk in Congress of extending the credit into 2010; however, until Congress passes new legislation, no one knows if it will be extended. Read more

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