Jacksonville Real Estate Trends in May – Find Out What The Experts Are Saying

June 17, 2016

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“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan

I couldn’t resist a little Ronald Reagan with the 4th of July coming up so soon. I wish you a wonderful holiday.

The May numbers from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors continue to indicate a healthy real estate market in our area. The pending sales of 2,765 are up 6.5% over the previous May and 5.5% year to date. There were 2,393 closings in May which is down 1% from last May, but year to date closings are up 5.1%. Read more

Attention First-Time Buyers! Get Tips From Real Estate & Mortgage Pros At May 7 Seminar

May 4, 2016

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Posted by in News

Are you interested in buying but not sure where to start the process? Here is the perfect chance to ask questions and gain insights from industry pros in a no-pressure environment! Davidson Realty Agent Terri Apodaca and Bank of England Production Manager Troy Silhan will host a First-Time Homebuyers Seminar at Davidson Realty’s headquarters in World Golf Village on Saturday, May 7. Read more

Jacksonville FL Real Estate Stats – Pending Sales up 32% from June 2014

July 31, 2015

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“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different…” C. S. Lewis

I am seeing solid steady improvement in the real estate market. I much prefer steady improvement over the roller coaster ride we have been on for many years.

The June 2015 Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) market stats show steady improvement in pricing, closings and pending sales. The average sales price in June is $224,387 which is an increase of 6% over the June 2014 price of $210,846. The year to date increases were 4% in 2014 and 6% in 2015. The median sales price is $183,590 and show similar year to date increases of 4% in 2014 and 8% in 2015. Read more

Northeast Florida Market Trends in July are Encouraging!

August 29, 2011

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Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.
–H. Jackson Brown Jr.

danceIn my opinion, it is time to get on the dance floor. There are opportunities in great neighborhoods for investors, first time homebuyers and anyone in between. I am  feeling encouraged about the real estate market after reviewing the July market stats data produced by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. The pending sales are up; and the inventory numbers continue to improve. Quite possibly in the near future we may reach inventory stability which will lead first to stabilized pricing with a gradual increase in pricing.

The pending sales in July 2011 of 1,661 are up 18% over July 2010. The pending sales year to date for 2011 are 6% higher than year to date 2010. It is encouraging to see more contracts being written despite the continued turmoil in Washington.

Closings in July 2011 are 1% less than July 2010. This is not unusual since closings normally dip in July each year. Closings are also down from the previous month.

The average sales price in July 2011 is up 5% over July 2010; however, the July 2011 average sales price of $177,596 is down from the previous month average price of $184,166. The drop from last month doesn’t concern me because the average price normally varies each month. The overall pricing trend this year continues to be up.

The median sales price in July 2011 is down 5% from July 2010. The July 2011 median sales price of $130,199 is also down from the previous month’s price of $135,364. The July median price is higher than every month this year except June.

The consistent good news is that the inventory of homes for sale is down 30% from July 2010. The available inventory of homes in July 2011 of 11,529 homes is also down from 12,285 the previous month. The months supply of inventory is down to 8.2 months and continues to drop every month. Read more

It’s Wedding Season! We Have Great Tips for Buying Your First Home

July 11, 2011

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Posted by in News, Videos

picFirst time home ownership can be as exciting and stressful as getting married. And often the two often go hand-in-hand, so to speak. So, we have six key tips for new couples embarking on their first home purchase below and we had some of our knowledgeable Jacksonville Realtors give you more tips in the video above!

1. Check your credit. It’s wise to get this one out of the way before the wedding so both partners are clear about each other’s financial health. Check at least two of the three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  Address any issues or misreporting. A FICO score of 720 or above is the best range for loan approval and favorable rates.  You may still get approved for a loan with a credit score of say 680 but you’ll most likely have a higher interest rate.  If you’re in the 660 range, you may be able to qualify for a FHA loan.

2. Agree on what you can afford. This is where those communication skills are key!  Make sure you’re both comfortable with the budget. Generally a home purchase should not be more than 2 ½ times your combined annual salary but perhaps you have student loans to consider.  It’s ideal to have a 20% down payment, but you may be able to qualify with less down, although that’s tougher in today’s real estate market.

3. Agree on top needs. Talk, talk and talk some more. Be able to agree on at least your top three must-haves.  For example, maybe it’s good schools, three bedrooms and an easy commute to work.

4. Find an experienced Real Estate Agent.  An experienced real estate professional can help ease the home buying process in many ways – from helping identify lenders to providing current market stats and advising you about what to offer on house. Ask around. Word-of-mouth recommendations are often the best.

5. Get pre-approved. Getting pre-approved ensures you don’t waste time looking at houses you can’t afford.  It also puts you in a better position to make an offer when you find the right home. Pre-approval is a more in depth process than pre-qualified but it’s the smarter way to go.

6. Use a home inspector. Being a smart homebuyer means being informed. A home inspection will make you aware of any potential problems BEFORE you’ve signed on the dotted line.

For more information about first-time home buying, visit Davidson Realty’s First Time Homebuyers Webinar Library at http://www.davidsonrealtyinc.com/webinars/category/first-time-homebuyers.

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