Monday, October 11, 2010
Never a better time to buy a home
Low, low interest rates and the overcorrection of home prices makes this the best time to buy a home. With the economy and jobs moving in the right direction, these prices probably won't last.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Florida is ranked #4 for Most Tax Friendly States
During tax season, it seems as if everyone thinks the grass is greener one (or in some instances, two) states over. Wonder whether your own envy is justified? Luckily, the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research group based in Washington, D.C., crunched some numbers to determine which states are the most generous with residents.
Unlike other "best of" surveys, the Tax Foundation takes a number of criteria into consideration, including state and local income taxes, property taxes and local sales taxes. Other overviews, such as those based on the Census, may rely solely on state income tax revenue (hence the minor difference in ranking).
Below are the five most tax-friendly states, according to the Tax Foundation's results. Worth noting is that the results were calculated based on information made available from the Tax Foundation for 2008, the last tax year for which state income tax data is completely available. Any recent changes, where significant, have been noted.
1. Alaska.
2. Nevada
3. Wyoming.
4. Florida. Sunshine and low tax rates have helped Florida become one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Florida imposes no personal income tax and no inheritance tax. Property taxes are collected at the state and local levels with rates per person landing it near the middle of all states when it comes to overall property tax paid out. As the state tries to keep taxes low for residents in a tight economy, it is exploring alternative ways of raking in revenue -- such as a proposed gambling deal with the Seminole tribe, which is expected to provide the state with $412 million. Florida is also grabbing at federal stimulus dollars (which they originally proposed to reject) to keep the budget afloat -- subsidies like the proposed $880 million Medicaid grant have helped Florida lawmakers avoid expensive tax hikes.
5. New Hampshire
Unlike other "best of" surveys, the Tax Foundation takes a number of criteria into consideration, including state and local income taxes, property taxes and local sales taxes. Other overviews, such as those based on the Census, may rely solely on state income tax revenue (hence the minor difference in ranking).
Below are the five most tax-friendly states, according to the Tax Foundation's results. Worth noting is that the results were calculated based on information made available from the Tax Foundation for 2008, the last tax year for which state income tax data is completely available. Any recent changes, where significant, have been noted.
1. Alaska.
2. Nevada
3. Wyoming.
4. Florida. Sunshine and low tax rates have helped Florida become one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Florida imposes no personal income tax and no inheritance tax. Property taxes are collected at the state and local levels with rates per person landing it near the middle of all states when it comes to overall property tax paid out. As the state tries to keep taxes low for residents in a tight economy, it is exploring alternative ways of raking in revenue -- such as a proposed gambling deal with the Seminole tribe, which is expected to provide the state with $412 million. Florida is also grabbing at federal stimulus dollars (which they originally proposed to reject) to keep the budget afloat -- subsidies like the proposed $880 million Medicaid grant have helped Florida lawmakers avoid expensive tax hikes.
5. New Hampshire
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Do you want an agent with too many listings?
Just read a blog about a seller looking for the agent with the most listings and I wondered why that would be an important factor in determining the value an agent brings.
Impressive to have many listings, but can and agent properly service many listings. Oh, I'm not saying that agents can't many listings (although it's questionable), but actually SERVICE them? Maybe not. Very few agents of any experience level can provide repeat-and-refer-worthy service at that level of production and give individualized attention need to every seller and every buyer inquiring about the properties.
So, what do I mean by "service?" Well, you can bet I mean more than taking a listing agreement, hiring someone to put a sign in the yard, having the receptionist write up an inaccurate and boring MLS description, taking some awful photos, creating typo-infused home brochures and showing up six weeks later with a smile and an amendment to reduce the price.
No, I mean overseeing all the moving pieces and parts of the complicated process of preparing, marketing, selling and closing a listed property. Really caring about the outcome. Making sure your seller knows you care about the outcome. Keeping your seller informed and involved. So many other things I've written about in the past.
Many say that most of the post-signed-listing-agreement functions can be handled by a $10/hour assistant. I disagree. But that's a post for a different day.
What do YOU think?
Impressive to have many listings, but can and agent properly service many listings. Oh, I'm not saying that agents can't many listings (although it's questionable), but actually SERVICE them? Maybe not. Very few agents of any experience level can provide repeat-and-refer-worthy service at that level of production and give individualized attention need to every seller and every buyer inquiring about the properties.
So, what do I mean by "service?" Well, you can bet I mean more than taking a listing agreement, hiring someone to put a sign in the yard, having the receptionist write up an inaccurate and boring MLS description, taking some awful photos, creating typo-infused home brochures and showing up six weeks later with a smile and an amendment to reduce the price.
No, I mean overseeing all the moving pieces and parts of the complicated process of preparing, marketing, selling and closing a listed property. Really caring about the outcome. Making sure your seller knows you care about the outcome. Keeping your seller informed and involved. So many other things I've written about in the past.
Many say that most of the post-signed-listing-agreement functions can be handled by a $10/hour assistant. I disagree. But that's a post for a different day.
What do YOU think?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
HUD homebuying info
HUD homes in Jacksonville are selling and if you are interested in finding a great deal then there are some things you need to know about bidding and the financing requirements and options. Due to the housing market conditions, you can now find homes that are in good shape that need minimal repairs.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Still time to take advantage of Tax Credit
Time is running out to take advantage of the extended Home Purchase Tax Credit. The credit was expanded to include much more than first time home buyers and is set to end on April 30th, 2010. If you contract with a builder before April 30th and the home is completed and transaction closes on or before June 30th, 2010 you still qualify for the Tax Credit if you meet the other criteria. Take advantage of the Perfect Storm -- Low Interest Rates + Low Home Prices + Tax Credit -- There has never been a better time to buy a home.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Durbin Crossing New Home Community
Durbin Crossing is progressing at a good pace and home buyers are now finding the amenities and neighborhoods attractive and very reasonably priced. There are several builders in the community and a broad range of home sizes and values to fit many buyers needs. I showed several homes the past 2 weeks to a couple relocating down here from Wisconsin. I was very impressed with DS Ware homes and their current special of $20k in free options (*special just started and told it will end Jan 31st 2010,builder can change or end at any time) on homes already nicely appointed with numerous upgrades including granite and tile to just name a few. Their homes have nice architectural details, great energy efficient and quality construction included. My client's are able to build their dream home in a great price range ($220s-230s) in a community with great amenities.
There are other great builders in Durbin including: Providence, Richmond American, Mattamy, Ryland, Mercedes, Beazer, and Toll Brothers. I am very familiar with the homes, price ranges and options or specials each builder offers and can help you navigate all your options.
There are other great builders in Durbin including: Providence, Richmond American, Mattamy, Ryland, Mercedes, Beazer, and Toll Brothers. I am very familiar with the homes, price ranges and options or specials each builder offers and can help you navigate all your options.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Heritage Landing at World Golf Village is a great family community
Are you looking for an active, strong family oriented community that is zoned for the great St. Johns County schools, then Heritage Landing is worth checking out. During most family holidays, like 4th of July, Superbowl, New Year's Eve, you can find families gathering on many cul-de-sacs. On Halloween, the trick-or-treaters are everywhere, requiring you to stock up on treats to not disappoint. There are so many kids of all ages in this neighborhood that your children will find and form great relationships and the amenities are geared towards kids and families having a camp theme. The walking and jogging trails are great for connecting with the unspoiled outdoors and you can see residents taking full advantage of them daily.
This community is definitely for people who appreciate spectacular amenities and enjoy the great outdoors. The $5 million "Camp Heritage" Amenity Center is the community's unique cornerstone. There, residents are pampered with a wealth of resort-style amenities including a spacious clubhouse featuring a state-of-the-art fitness facility, designated bath houses and a catering kitchen. The outdoors is celebrated through Camp Heritage's interactive camp area, which features a storytelling pavilion with a campfire ring and movie screen, volleyball and bocce ball courts, a fishing pier, an event lawn and an open pavilion with a cozy fireplace and verandas. Camp Heritage's water amenities include a sixlane, heated competition pool, a "swimming hole," a sugar-sand beach and fun pools. For more daring swimmers, there's Lookout Tower, one of the tallest waterslides in Northeast Florida. Heritage Landing encompasses 680 unspoiled acres near the juncture of Six Mile Creek and the St. Johns River.
Residents are able to take advantage of all that World Golf Village has to offer—two world-class golf courses, a posh spa, playgrounds and sports fields, as well as an IMAX Theater. There are at least 2 buses for just Nease High School. There is also a new retail town center planned for the I-95/International Golf Pkwy cooridoor.
Click here for link to the Heritage Landing website and here for the Newsletter. Contact me for more information on New Homes and Resales in this wonderful community (starting in $150s). As a resident, I can truly say it's a really great community to live in.
Dawn Spencer, Realtor
Magnolia Properties
904.608.0016
dawnspencer.jax@gmail.com
This community is definitely for people who appreciate spectacular amenities and enjoy the great outdoors. The $5 million "Camp Heritage" Amenity Center is the community's unique cornerstone. There, residents are pampered with a wealth of resort-style amenities including a spacious clubhouse featuring a state-of-the-art fitness facility, designated bath houses and a catering kitchen. The outdoors is celebrated through Camp Heritage's interactive camp area, which features a storytelling pavilion with a campfire ring and movie screen, volleyball and bocce ball courts, a fishing pier, an event lawn and an open pavilion with a cozy fireplace and verandas. Camp Heritage's water amenities include a sixlane, heated competition pool, a "swimming hole," a sugar-sand beach and fun pools. For more daring swimmers, there's Lookout Tower, one of the tallest waterslides in Northeast Florida. Heritage Landing encompasses 680 unspoiled acres near the juncture of Six Mile Creek and the St. Johns River.
Residents are able to take advantage of all that World Golf Village has to offer—two world-class golf courses, a posh spa, playgrounds and sports fields, as well as an IMAX Theater. There are at least 2 buses for just Nease High School. There is also a new retail town center planned for the I-95/International Golf Pkwy cooridoor.
Click here for link to the Heritage Landing website and here for the Newsletter. Contact me for more information on New Homes and Resales in this wonderful community (starting in $150s). As a resident, I can truly say it's a really great community to live in.
Dawn Spencer, Realtor
Magnolia Properties
904.608.0016
dawnspencer.jax@gmail.com
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