FIREWORKS CELEBRATION IN ORANGE PARK FLORIDA     The July 4th Fireworks Show in Orange Park Florida, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orange Park, is held on the banks of the St. Johns River in front of Moosehaven Retirement Community on River Road. The atmosphere is festive, with booths displaying crafts and food, and there is lots of room to spread out blankets and chairs on the lawn leading down to the river. A barge in the river, loaded with fireworks, started shooting off right on time. The sky and water were ablaze with color.     If you want to get a 'front row' seat, you need to be there by 6 pm or earlier. Bring a blanket and chairs and drinks and snacks to enjoy the breezes from the River. While you wait, you can visit the craft booths to see if there's something you can't r... 07/05/2009

Orange Park, Florida Real estate market conditions for June 2009 There are currently 633 single family homes for sale in Orange Park. The average home price is $232,420 with a price range from $54,500 to 2,475,000. There are 169 homes that are pending/under contract in Orange Park. In the past 30 days there has been 59 homes that have sold and closed in Orange Park. The average closed price of $189,109 with an average of 102 days on the market. Year to date there has been a total of 346 homes that have sold in Orange Park with an average sold price of $177,306 with an average of 106 on the market. Highest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $795,000 and was on the market for 464 days. Lowest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $19,500 and was on the market for 1 day. If you would like to know... 07/01/2009

There are a couple of questions I get from almost every buyer when they are looking at a listing online.  Most of the time, the only way to answer these questions is to go out and see the property.  The thing is, it would not be that hard for the listing agent to put this information in the listing! For example... Does this house have a fence?  If the property has a fenced yard, take a picture of it and put it in the MLS. Do you have more pictures?  I know that each board is different, but in NE Florida, you can put something like 50 pictures up with each listing for no extra fee.  If an agent cares about selling a home, especially a short sale, they need to put lots of pictures.  As a buyer's agent, I look at pictures before I decide to preview a house, which I do before I decide to ta... 06/09/2009

Orange Park, Florida real estate market conditions for May 2009 There are currently 654 single family homes for sale in Orange Park. The average home price is $239,284 with a price range from $62,500 to 2,475,000. There are 165 homes that are pending/under contract in Orange Park. In the past 30 days there has been 68 homes that have sold and closed in Orange Park. The average closed price of $186,455 with an average of 109 days on the market. Year to date there has been a total of 267 homes that have sold in Orange Park with an average sold price of $178,693 with an average of 107 on the market. Highest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $795,000 and was on the market for 416 days. Lowest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $19,500 and was on the market for 1 day. If you would like to know ... 06/03/2009

Clay County home sales have been struggling for over a year now. Clay County has been hit with a large amount of short sales and foreclosures. With short sales and foreclosures comes vacant homes. Vacant homes become eyesores with homes deteriorating, dead grass, and overgrown bushes. The county commission has recognizedthe strugling housing market and has passed a moratorium for the next 3 years to relax the small housing related signs. So, From sunset Friday to sunset Sunday they will allow open house and directional signs on county roads. State roads are under state jurisdiction and will be removed. This is a move in the right direction. Foreclosures, short sales, and resales will benefit from advertisement of these roadside signs and get them sold.   Most Realtors invest money in op... 05/30/2009

The first offer I ever wrote as a real estate agent was with a customer that called on a home while I was on floor duty.  The home was listed at $212,000, and the buyer offered $160,000.  The home across the street, a foreclosure, had recently sold for $165,000. The buyer insisted on their offer despite the  different circumstances.   I presented the offer to the listing agent, who presented it to the seller.  The seller did not accept our offer, and countered at just slightly below list price.  The buyer was not willing to pay that price and moved on.   Almost a year and a half later, that home is still on the market, now a short sale, and under contract at $160,000.  It will probably close near $150,000.  This is interesting first hand support of the statistic that the best offer will... 05/25/2009

Eagle Landing is another fabulous East West Partners development, located in the Oakleaf Plantation area of Orange Park FL. Eagle Landing began developing during the boom years of 2004-2006, so no expense was spared for the amenities. Just look at the photos of the Clubhouse, the Athletic Center, and the Village Green. We love East West Partners. They excel at developing communities and Eagle Landing is no exception. The golf course community features a well-appointed two-story Clubhouse overlooking the 18-hole Clyde Johnston-designed golf course. The water park features a water-slide and  Cabana Bar. The Athletic Club is equipped with 8 Har-Tru tennis courts, a fitness center and full size-gymnasium with indoor track. Special features that children will especially enjoy are the garden ... 05/24/2009

05/17/2009

Orange Park, Florida real estate market conditions for April 2009 There are currently 688 single family homes for sale in Orange Park. The average home price is $239,212 with a price range from $45,000 to 2,475,000. There are 145 homes that are pending/under contract in Orange Park. In the past 30 days there has been 63 homes that have sold and closed in Orange Park. The average closed price of $189,508 with an average of 117 days on the market. Year to date there has been a total of 199 homes that have sold in Orange Park with an average sold price of $176,995 with an average of 104 on the market. Highest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $795,000 and was on the market for 416 days. Lowest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $19,500 and was on the market for 1 day. If you would like to kno... 05/09/2009

Contact the Orange Park Florida Short Sale Specialist Realtor Team for FREE Stop Foreclosure help! (904)733-4911 If you are in financial hardship where you MUST get your home sold, I may be able to help.  I have a team of agents in Orange Park who are specialists in short sales.   We work with your lender on your behalf in order to get them to accept a lower payoff amount on your loans. You do not always have to be in default, or even late on payments to qualify for a short sale!  Fees are paid by your lender 100%, you do not have to pay any money out of pocket! Our agents will work to get you forgiven of your debt 100%, regardless of what you owe! We are NOT home investors trying to steal homes! Our agents are ALL state licensed and regulated! ***A short sale is NOT part of the Realtor... 04/30/2009

The Oakleaf Animal Hospital is one year old this month!  To celebrate their first year in our community, Saturday April 25th they are hosting an open house.  There will be free food and prizes and music.  They will also be offering tours of the hospital.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the behind the scenes workings of a vet's hospital.  I've always enjoyed great service from Dr. Weichman and her staff.  Come out and meet them, and support our local Oakleaf businesses.  When: Saturday April 25th 10-2  Where:  8483 Merchants Way (behind Vystar, across the street from Beall's) See you there!  Melissa Tolson, GRI - Buyer's Specialist, the Landry Team 04/15/2009

Orange Park Country Club (formal name is Country Club of Orange Park) in Orange Park, Florida is a guard-gated community located off Blanding Boulevard a few miles south of I-295. The community was originally developed by Stokes Land Group, a well-known Jacksonville developer who developed many other communities including Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra and destination communities at Amelia Island. In 1993, a British company, Taylor Woodrow, purchased Orange Park Country Club and finished the development. The Country Club joins Loch Rane which was developed in the 1970s and is a community of homes on estate lots with majestic oak trees. 630 homes are spread over 800+ acres. Among the builders are local master custom builders Sid Higginbotham, Barry Poimboeuf, Gary McCumber (br... 04/04/2009

Orange Park, Florida real estate market conditions for March 2009 There are currently 716 single family homes for sale in Orange Park. The average home price is $243,269 with a price range from $59,900 to 2,475,000. There are 126 homes that are pending/under contract in Orange Park. In the past 30 days there has been 41 homes that have sold and closed in Orange Park. The average closed price of $172,841 with an average of 104 days on the market. Year to date there has been a total of 124 homes that have sold in Orange Park with an average sold price of $178,028 with an average of 103 on the market. Highest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $795,000 and was on the market for 415 days. Lowest home sale YTD in Orange Park was $19,500 and was on the market for 1 day. If you would like to kno... 04/02/2009

The Wallstreet Journal released an article on March 27th 2009 that stated why its a good time to buy a home better then I could ever try to explain. Below are those six reasons. 1. Uncle Sam is willing to help. First-time buyers (defined as anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) are entitled to a maximum $8,000 tax credit; interest rates are at record lows; and the Federal Reserve is doing its best to make mortgage loans available.2. People have to live somewhere. About 800,000 new households are formed each year in this country, ensuring that the housing market will tighten, even if the economy doesn't soar.3. Borrowers leverage their investment. If you put $10,000 into the stock market and it earns 10 percent, you've earned $1,000. If you put $10,000 down on a home a... 04/01/2009

There is a big problem occuring these days in the rental market. As we all know foreclosures are popping up right and left. An alarming 1/13 homes are going into some stage of foreclosure in Florida. So you ask how this affect rentals/tenants.  We'll a large amount of these homes that are going into foreclosure are tenant occupied. A good tenant, pays their rent on time, keeps the house up and all of a sudden there is a knock at the door and the bank says they need to be out within 30 days. Confusion sets in....the tenant has been paying the rent, why is he getting kicked out! Well the case is that many landlords are falling on hard times just like the rest of us. They take the rental money and pay the bills that they currently have, neglecting their investment property. Why you need t... 03/30/2009

The time that all Oakleaf Residents have been waiting for. POOL TIME!!! We are happy to let you know that the Oakleaf Pools (Both of them) will be re-opening for spring on April 4th!!  POOL HOURS OAKLEAF VILLAGE ATHLETIC CENTERAprilSaturday, April 4: 10am - 6pmSunday, April 5: 11am - 6pmMonday, April 6 - Friday, April 10: (Spring Break) 10am - 6pm AprilSaturday: 10am - 6pmSunday: 11am - 6pm May 2 - June 3Monday - Friday*: 3pm - 7pmSaturday: 10am - 7pmSunday: 11am - 7pm June 4 and June 512pm - 7pm June 6 - August 16Monday - Friday* : 10am - 8pmSaturday: 10am - 8 pmSunday: 11am - 8pm August 17 - October 2Monday - Friday*: 3pm - 7pmSaturday: 10am - 7pmSunday: 11am - 7pm October 3 - October 31Saturday: 10am - 6pmSunday: 11am - 6pm   PLANTATION OAKS ATHLETIC CENTERAprilSaturday, April 4: 10... 03/26/2009

It was a seller's market for Orange Park real estate not that long ago.  It was not that long ago when I listed a property for sale and within 24 hours I would have several offers to purchase the property. It was an exciting time for sellers and buyers alike. Sellers would be ecstatic that they offers within 24 hours. Buyers on the other hand knew that there were a low amount of homes for sale and had to move quickly.  In their thought process they did not want to lose the home over a few dollars. In some cases the home would have several offers at once and property would sell for more than what I had it listed for.   Now, skip to today's Orange Park real estate market.  As everyone is aware it's a buyer's market in Orange Park, Florida. With a high amount of homes for sale and prices a... 03/25/2009

This Weeks HOT Foreclosure List!! March 23, 2008 Oakleaf Plantation Foreclosures IMPORTANT INFORMATION!! First Time Home Buyers!! $8,000 Tax Credit to First Time Home Buyers, AND buyers who have not owned a home in the last 3 years! This program is in effect by the government only for 2009. We can help you find your home to receive your $8,000 tax credit!           03/23/2009

Top 5 Foreclosures for sale in Orange Park Florida for March 2009. After reviewing the available foreclosed homes on Orange park I came up with my top 5. There are some really good foreclosed home deals out there. One thing you have to watch out for when buying a foreclosed home is that the bank usually will not do any repairs on the home. It is in your best interest to get a home inspection so you have an idea if anything is wrong with the home. If you would like a complete list of foreclosed home in Orange Park, middleburg, Green Cove Springs, or Jacksonville just email me at robert.schwabe@kw.com          Free SEO Directory 03/20/2009

Orange Park Florida waterfront homes are now affordable. House prices have dropped in Orange Park Florida and now is a great  time to purchase waterfront property at affordable prices.  There are some really beautiful homes located on Doctors Lake and also the St. Johns River. They have some of the greatest views that Orange Park has to offer. These homes give direct access to the St. Johns River and Doctors Lake. You can really enjoy not having to  waiting in line at the public boat ramps and dealing with the expensive marinas. If you every wanted to be on the water now is a great time with low interest rates. You can get moved and settled in just in time for summer to enjoy what the lake and river have to offer.    If you would like more information on Orange Park Florida waterfront ... 03/18/2009