Good morning, everyone, and Happy New Year. I have a buyer looking for an agent in Jacksonville, FL. If you are a Jacksonville-area agent interested in this  referral, please let me know. Or, if you know of a reliable Jax agent, please feel free to email me at strawn.keith@gmail.com. Or feel free to call me at 843.263.6886. This is an active buyer, so I need someone sooner rather than later. Have a great day, and thanks!!     12/31/2014

Homebuyers in Jacksonville have several financing options when it comes to home mortgage financing.  One of the most popular in Duval County is the FHA mortgage loan. The FHA mortgage program started as a way of increasing ownership by providing more homeownership opportunities with a cheaper and limited down payment requirements. Here are some reasons Jacksonville home buyers should consider the FHA mortgage program:  Great alternative to subprime loans – Florida FHA mortgage loans can be used as an alternative to subprime loans. Unlike most other loans Florida FLA loans have a very low interest rate. Moreover the homeowner have a secure fixed interest rates and be exempted from paying any repayment fees.   Low down payment - Another major advantage of the Florida FHA loan is the low d... 12/29/2014

VA home loans still allow 100% financing in Jacksonville. Military personal can learn all about the VA loan program and benefits below.  No down payment required, yes still 100%.  VA loans one of the last $0 down payment loans available. Lower closing costs when compared to conventional and FHA loans. Certain closing costs are not permitted with VA loans, great for the homebuyers. No private mortgage insurance  or PMI requirement.  Lower credit score, income, and cash reserve requirements. Generally a 620 score is required by most lenders. No prepayment penalties.  You can pay your loan off as fast as you like. Many different fix rate and ARM terms available.   VA Loan Requirements and Eligibility: In order to be approved for a VA loan, you must meet the some basic requirements.  You mu... 12/23/2014

So you are a homebuyer that has already been in contact with a lender and has an FHA loan preapproval all ready to go.  Now you are hearing about this other loan called USDA Rural Housing that seems better?  Well.. is it really better? The short answer is YES, assuming you meet the eligibility criteria for USDA mortgages.USDA Rural Development is 100% financing whereas the FHA requires a min 3.5 percent down payment. These are both Government backed 30 year fix home loans. The USDA 100% financing is a big draw especially for the first time homeowners that have limited money saved for a down payment.   USDA and FHA loans both require monthly mortgage insurance. This is more commonly known as PMI, annual fee, etc.  Call what you like,  basically this is fee that is added to your mortgage ... 12/23/2014

        2,326 new listings added to market but inventory at lower than balanced levels. Sales drop to 1,611 but median price up to $161,500.       JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – November 2014 housing sales reports are now posted by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors on NEFAR.com. Except where otherwise indicated, statistics reflect combined results for single-family residential and condominium properties.   Despite 2,325 new listings hitting the market during November, the overall inventory of 9,573 homes equates to only 4.7 months on hand; less than the five- to six-months inventory that is considered a balanced market. Less options for buyers to pick from may have affected closed sales for the month, as the 1,611 sales were 2.6 percent less than a year ago and down from October’s 1,... 12/22/2014

One of the most amazing things about living here is the Christmas Boat Parades we have. They are available on the St. John's River, Queen's Harbour, and the Intracoastal Waterway, and I'm sure I've missed a few others. I got to spend this past Saturday night at the Queen's Harbour Boat Parade, and it was fabulous! Here are some of the boats we saw:      I was thrilled to be able to be on a motor yacht, on an outside slip position where we were front row! 12/10/2014

  Many people have disavowed the dinner theater concept - many times, they food is less than tasty, the show does not meet the expectations. . That was my first experience with Alhambra over 20 years ago, and for the first time since that visit, I was at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining this past Friday night for White Christmas. It was outstanding, from beginning to end. The decor has been updated to accomodate a larger stage, the buffet is gone, and the whole experience is incredible. The 3 course menu the night I visited included: First Course: Winter Kale Salad with Dried Fruits, Cornbread Croutons & Creamy Herb Vinaigrette or Cream of Roasted Onion & Brie Bisque with Cranberry Bruschetta Second Course:  Cornflake Crusted Mahi with Vanilla Bean Buerre Blanc, Fruit Salsa, Coconut Jasmi... 12/08/2014

Deer Ridge Investment Home for Sale in Jacksonville Florida OverviewMapsPhotosFeaturesDescription Video $124,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1,470 sqft Location 2308 Mindanao Dr.Jacksonville, FL 32246USA Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty(904) 476-5539christina@welchteam.comhttp://www.WelchTeam.com           Listed by: Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty Our recent listings Deer Ridge Investment Home for Sale in Jacksonville FloridaRolling River Estates Home for Sale in Jacksonville FloridaSt Johns County Home For Sale in St Johns FloridaWaterfront Adams Lake Home for Sale in Jacksonville FloridaBlack Creek Waterfront Home for Sale in Green Cove Springs Florida Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 12/04/2014

Rolling River Estates Home for Sale in Jacksonville Florida OverviewMapsPhotosFeaturesDescription Video $139,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1,742 sqft Location 11836 Raindrop Rd.Jacksonville, FL 32219USA Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty(904) 476-5539christina@welchteam.comhttp://www.WelchTeam.com           Listed by: Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty Our recent listings Rolling River Estates Home for Sale in Jacksonville FloridaSt Johns County Home For Sale in St Johns FloridaWaterfront Adams Lake Home for Sale in Jacksonville FloridaBlack Creek Waterfront Home for Sale in Green Cove Springs FloridaSouthside Pool Home for Sale in Jacksonville Florida Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 12/02/2014

So you just got the news that the family is relocating to Jacksonville, FL.  You have questions: schools, communities, doctors, playgroups. Here is a comprehensive list of resources for your upcoming move.  The best news: it's a great place to live, and this list of resources will help you answer some, if not all, of your questions. If you still have a question, please call, email or text me, and if I don't have the answer, I'll find it for you.   Duval County Public Schools Clay County Public Schools Great Schools Ratings/Rankings Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Jacksonville Energy Authority  Health Grades Hospital/Doctors Ratings/Rankings   Some of the reasons you should look forward to our area:  Water water everywhere! Whether you like fresh or salt water fishing or boating, we hav... 11/21/2014

Why Jacksonville, FL? Here are a few reasons: Atlantic Ocean, St. Johns River & Intracoastal Waterway offer boaters & fishermen a wide variety of options.  Mayo Clinic & Hospital. Four seasons, with mainly mild winters. No state income tax.     Median price $161,365 with 1,906 homes changing hands. Days on market: 82.  Less than five months supply available.      JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – October 2014 housing sales reports are now posted by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors on NEFAR.com. Except where otherwise indicated, statistics reflect combined results for single-family residential and condominium properties.   There were 2,830 new properties added to the for-sale inventory during October, bringing total inventory to 9,595. This equates to a 4.8 month supply; slightly less t... 11/15/2014

Everyone loves an all-brick home! OverviewMapsPhotos $191,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 2,686 sqft Location 7934 ORTEGA BLUFF PKWYJACKSONVILLE, FL 32244USA Ellen Dittman-Watson Realty Corp. Watson Realty Corp(904) 535 1199reo.ellen@gmail.com    Listed by: Watson Realty Corp, Ellen Dittman (904) 535-1199 Our recent listings Everyone loves an all-brick home!BRICK HOME IN LAKESIDE ESTATESCORNER LOT BLOCK HOMEALL BRICK POOL HOME!Elegant Pool Home! Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 11/12/2014

ALL BRICK POOL HOME! OverviewMapsPhotos $137,500 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1,360 sqft Location 4872 W LOFTY PINES CIRJACKSONVILLE, FL 32210USA Ellen Dittman-Watson Realty Corp. Watson Realty Corp(904) 535 1199reo.ellen@gmail.com    Listed by: Watson Realty Corp, Ellen Dittman (904) 535-1199 Our recent listings ALL BRICK POOL HOME!Elegant Pool Home!ALMOST NEW IMPECCABLE 2 STORYEveryone loves an all-brick home!HERITAGE HILLS HOME! Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 11/06/2014

Southside Home for Sale in Jacksonville OverviewMapsPhotosFeaturesDescription VideoNeighborhood $125,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms1 Bathroom1 Partial BathroomInterior: 1,228 sqft Location 2446 Hirsch AvenueJacksonville, FL 32216USA Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty(904) 476-5539christina@welchteam.comhttp://www.WelchTeam.com           Listed by: Welch Team Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty Our recent listings Southside Home for Sale in JacksonvilleOakleaf Plantation Condo for Sale in Orange Park FloridaSouthside Home for Sale in Secret Woods, Jacksonville FloridaOld Mill Branch Home For Sale in Jacksonville FloridaSouthside Pool Home for Sale in Jacksonville Florida Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 11/04/2014

  Victoria Lakes Homes For Sale Jacksonville Homes For Sale Search All Homes For Sale Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale Avoid Foreclosure What is Your Home Worth? Homes Close to Where You Work   Robert Schwabe Keller Williams First Coast Realty 904-403-2429 MLS#: 726334   Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 13884 Passmore Court Jacksonville, FL Scan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Walk Score Print Brochure JUST SOLD!     Beautiful Victoria Lakes Home $ Click for current price 5 BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS ( 3 full, 1 half ) 2930 Square Feet This is a fabulous Richmond American built home is located in Victoria Lakes on a cul-de-sac. This home o... 11/03/2014

      It takes a certain amount of humility just to serve others. It takes a hero to be willing to lay down their life for others. At First Coast Realty Associates, we honor the men and women as well as the families of those who have the type of courage and dedication to protect all that America stands for. As a way to give back and give thanks, we have created an excellent new resource for military veterans and their families with www.JacksonvilleVeterans.com.       Our goal with the JacksonvilleVeterans.com website is to create a true resource that veterans and their families go back to time and time again. While the website is excellent for those relocating to Jacksonville or veterans who may be interested in using their eligibility to buy a home, we have many resources on the websi... 10/28/2014

                                There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet this fall, maybe it's not priced properly. After all 14,164 houses sold yesterday, 14,164 will sell today and 14,164 will sell tomorrow. 14,164! That is the average number of homes that sell each and every day in this country according to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report. NAR reported that sales are at an annual rate of 5.17 million. Divide that number by 365 (days in a year) and we can see that, on average, over 14,100 homes sell every day. Sales are at the highest pace of 2014. We realize that you wan... 10/28/2014

How to Create a Real Estate Farm AreaWe're not creating Facebook farms on Farmville here, but instead providing a very effective, step-by-step method for creating real estate farm markets in only 50 days. We successfully utilize this same method within our brokerage, LinkUp Realty, with our 50-Day Farm Program. Any agent who follows this step-by-step plan will be branded by the residents as a community expert in any neighborhood they choose and have an opt-in email and contact list of 8%-20% of the residents in an entire community in under 50 days. The long term results can be as much as a market share of 20%-30% of all of the seller and buyer sales in any neighborhood or area. Yes, this does take some work and capital, but will create a lifelong stream of real estate business for anyon... 10/27/2014

Watch The interview here 10/24/2014

Everyone loves an all-brick home! OverviewMapsPhotos $193,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 2,686 sqft Location 7934 ORTEGA BLUFF PKWYJACKSONVILLE, FL 32244USA Ellen Dittman-Watson Realty Corp. Watson Realty Corp(904) 535 1199reo.ellen@gmail.com    Listed by: Watson Realty Corp, Ellen Dittman (904) 535-1199 Our recent listings Everyone loves an all-brick home!HERITAGE HILLS HOME!Elegant Pool Home!GREAT HOME & GREAT LOCATIONCORNER LOT BLOCK HOME Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 10/22/2014