Saturday, August 29, 2009

Short Sale - Pirate's Wood, Yulee Florida

97106 Cutlass Way.
All the things on your wish list. Gleaming wood lamintae floors, stainless steel appliances, bitcher block island in kitchen, tray ceilings, crown molding, custom closet built ins, jetted master tub, split floor plan, designer light fixtures, large fenced back yard, community boat launch, great location.

Priced at $249,900. MLS 49687. Call John Holbrook - Realtor 904-415-0171 to view or go to www.nassaumls.net and type in MLS number.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Banks Rates Amelia Island

From the Desk of Alan Vanderhieden - Regions Bank, Amelia Island.

August 28, 2009

FNMA 30 Year Fixed: 5.00%
FNMA 15 Year Fixed: 4.375%
USDA / FHA / VA: 5.00%

Hello Friends,

I hope that you are doing well.

As you can see, rates continue to be strong and as far as I can see, there in nothing yet on the horizon to change this trend.

Jobless claims yesterday came in @ 570,000….a bit higher than expected. After a couple months of better than expected claims it seems we may be turning in the other direction. A healthy job market is one of the important elements to the economic recovery and it’s not happening yet.

The first time homebuyer market continues to be hot. Here are just a few of the products that I am using for these customers.

FHA. 96.5% financing. Competitive rates. Down payment and closing costs can come from a gift. Seller can pay up to 6% closing costs. Condos allowed.

VA. 100% financing allowed. Competitive rates. No monthly mortgage insurance. Seller can pay up to 6% in closing costs.

USDA. (Rural Housing) 100% financing allowed. No limit to seller paid closing cost (have to be reasonable however) Competitive rates. No monthly mortgage insurance. We do have income limits based on family size.

Flex 97. This is a Fannie Mae product. 97% financing. Fannie Mae rates. Seller paid closing costs. This does have monthly mortgage insurance.

Thanks to Alan - John Holbrook, Realtor Amelia Island

Short Sale North Hampton


Great chance to get a short sale at North hampton in Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034.

Currently listed at $340,000 and looking at all offers.

John Holbrook - Realtor
Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty
904-415-0171

Amelia Island Plantation

8/28/09
There are 130 active MLS listings at the Amelia Island Plantation. MLS listings are offered by co-operating brokers. They include condos, homes and vacant lots.
Here is a link to the full list. Just click area #6 when you get to the map.

www.nassaumls.net

Thanks,
John Holbrook - Realtor
Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty
904-415-0171

Thursday, August 27, 2009

ICI Scratch and Save Promotion

The ICI Scratch and Play Promotion is in full swing and I have tickets! Call me for a personal tour of one of the remaining inventory homes at North Hampton. Prizes include weekend getaways, kitchen packages, and keep an eye out for the $100,000 grand savings prize on a new home.

John Holbrook 904-415-0171 Realtor Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach Florida.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Amelia Business Network - We had our monthly meeting this afternoon at the Golf Club of Amelia Island. Thanks to our hosts for providing a great meal and beautiful setting. Our guest speaker spoke about the upcoming Iron Man triathalon on Amelia Island. They are looking for contestants as well as volunteers for the event which takes place at Main Beach on Amelia Island. Find info at www.islandchamber.com

I wanted to highlight some interesting networking partners who were at the meeting today. Red Bones Bakery specializes in healthy dog treats and is located on 8th Street. They just celebrated their 10th anniversary. I often stop in to pick up unique dog treats and custom gift items for friends with dogs. Their annual dog parade takes place in December and usually has a great turn out of furry friend.

Another interesting story at the meeting was that Laurel and Hardy once stayed at The Florida House Inn on 4th Street in downtown Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Island Film Festival will celebrate this fact by incorporating it into their fall event, comedy shorts and dinner at the Florida House Inn.

Thanks to all those who attended.
John Holbrook - Realtor

John Holbrook

John's Jottings - Saw 7 properties on caravan this morning. Some of the highlights included homes in Blackrock Hammock, North Hampton, Amelia Walk, Meadowfield Bluff, Amelia National and Amelia Lakes. Market seems to be increasingly affected by short sales and preforeclosures as two of the homes represented that category.

Some-one recently told me that 42% of homes in Northeast Florida are upside down. I find this statistic surprising but realize that most anything that was purchased in the last 4 years would fall into that catergory.

I have shown several properties on the Amelia Island Plantation this past week and am always pleased by the high standards that the grounds crew and landscapers keep.

I am constantly searching all of Nassau County for the best values and bank owned properties so email me to get on the inside email list at holbrook66@msn.com

Thanks for reading and stay posted. John Holbrook - Realtor 904-415-0171
City favors parking over bicycles on Atlantic Ave.

By Angela Daughtry, News-Leader



Fernandina Beach Commissioners agreed Tuesday that parking spaces should not be removed along Atlantic Avenue for a proposed island bicycle trail.

Instead, the street should be designated a "shared-road segment" of the trail for both bicycles and cars, commissioners told representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation and Amelia Island Trail team.

Mayor Susan Steger said the consensus to keep parking on Atlantic Avenue "in no way reflects that the trail system doesn't need our support," but she said at least one house on Atlantic would have "serious problems" if there was no parking on the street.

The Amelia Island Trail is being created to provide pedestrian-friendly modes of transportation on the island. Phase I of the project uses existing roads and sidewalks, trails, the Fort Clinch State Park trail system and a ferry service to provide 48.6 miles of paths in 2010-11.

Planners have designated $2.5 million in federal funding to provide at least five miles of off-road trails and other improvements in 2014 to link the trail from the south end of the island to the city marina downtown.

It would course along South Fletcher Avenue, requiring the removal of some mailboxes on that street, and continue east along Atlantic Avenue to downtown.

Thanks - John Holbrook - Realtor www.nassaumls.net

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Amelia Island Florida - John Holbrook will be in North hampton today showing the remaining three ICI Homes and preparing for their scratch and save promotion. It's a great chance to get some extra discounts on already reduced inventory. John is a Realtor with Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty.

These homes start at $300,000 and include the membership to the North Hampton Golf Course. Other community activities include the tennis courts, basketball court and Lofton Creek Outpost.

Call 904-415-0171 for information. Thanks

Friday, August 21, 2009

SOURCE: Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Aug 20, 2009 08:30 ETMilitary Gets Special "Seaside Salute" on Florida's Amelia Island
Savings of up to 40 Percent for Military Personnel
Highlighted Links


Seaside Salute

Amelia IslandAMELIA ISLAND, FL--(Marketwire - August 20, 2009) - Active duty, reserve and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families can now take advantage of savings of up to 40 percent through a special Seaside Salute* on Amelia Island Florida. Voted one of the Top 10 North American Islands in Conde Nast Traveler's "Reader's Choice Awards" for two consecutive years, Amelia Island is an ideal location for a welcome home celebration, Florida beach vacation or family getaway. Thirteen of the island's award-winning accommodations are offering an arsenal of military special offers and discounts. Specific details are listed at http://ping.fm/Dd5yh Participating properties include:


-- The Addison on Amelia Island (14-room boutique inn) - 15 percent off
for Active Duty Military
-- Amelia Hotel at the Beach (family-owned, oceanview hotel) - $69 rate
-- Amelia Island Plantation (1,350-acre beach resort) - $119 rate
-- The Amelia Island Williams House (southern Victorian inn) - 10 percent
off
-- Beachside Motel Inn (the island's only oceanfront motel) - 10 percent
off
-- Comfort Suites - Only steps from Main Beach - $79 rate
-- Elizabeth Point Lodge (one of 50 great beach resorts by Travel +
Leisure) - 15 percent off
-- Hampton Inn Amelia Island (one block from the beach) - $89 rate
-- Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach historic harbor-
front hotel) - $84 rate
-- The Hoyt House (1905 bed and breakfast) - 10 percent off; 15 percent
off for Vietnam Veterans
-- Residence Inn Amelia Island (area's newest hotel) - $79 rate for one-
bedroom suite
-- The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island (AAA Four-Diamond luxury resort) -
$129 rate
-- Summer Beach Resort (condominium accommodations with resort amenities) -
20 percent off
Offering an irresistible mix of quiet beaches, natural beauty, championship golf, and unique history, Amelia is unlike any other Florida destination. The island is also home to Fernandina Beach, FL, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions, and eateries.

-Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau-

* Advance reservations are required. Military ID must be presented at time of check-in. Some blackout dates or other restrictions may apply. Rates shown do not include applicable taxes. Offer may not be combined with any other offer, promotion, or package. Check with individual property for specific terms and conditions.

PS Visit your Realtor while in town. John Holbrook 904-415-0171 Prudential Chqaplin Williams Realty

Thursday, August 20, 2009


Foreclosures, bank owned property and REO's in Fernandina Beach and Yulee. I doubt that anyone has access to more information than I do regarding these types of properties. If you are looking for a deal, steal or great bargain - we need to talk. My name is John Holbrook and I am a Realtor with Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty on Amelia Island. My updates can by found at www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

I am constantly looking on the REO lists and talking with people in the know to research and find great deals. Let's get together and take advantage of the current real estate market.

Thanks - John Holbrook - Realtor 904-415-0171
Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce.

I went to the Chamber event earlier tonight and met some great local business people. The Chamber web site is www.islandchamber.com and they have tons of local information. The staff is extremely helpful. They can provide area maps and information for those looking to relocate. Also remember my site for property searches www.nassaumls.net

Thanks! John Holbrook - Realtor
Rentals on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and Yulee.

We've got a great rental department that our office uses. It's called Chaplin Williams Rentals and they manage a wide selection of rental properties in the Nassau County Florida area. If you would like a current rental list - please send me an email at holbrook66@msn.com

Thanks and good luck with your search. John Holbrook - Realtor 904-415-0171
American Beach on Amelia Island. 2 interior lots for sale by SunTrust Bank. REO properties. Must buy both and total price is $99,900. Call John Holbrook - Realtor for information. 904-415-0171.

www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

Regions Bank Program

Friends,

Regions has signed up with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) to offer a down payment assistance program through FHA. This is specifically for first time home buyers. It is a 30 year fixed rate mortgage and will assist borrowers with funds for down payment and closing costs.

How it works.......
There are income limits.......80% of the Median income for Nassau County....currenlty $51,120.
Customers must complete a pre-purchase counseling course over the phone.
Borrower must make a $500 minimum investment.....it can be a gift.
FHLB will match this gift 5:1 up to $10,000. Example.....$500 investment is matched with $2,500. A $2,000 borrower investment is matched with $10,000 from FHLB. The borrower can contribute more but the maximum grant from FHLB will be $10,000.
This grant is a 2nd mortgage. No payments or interest is charged on this loan. Each year 20% of the loan will be forgiven and after five years the entire debt is gone.
Good only for a purchase transaction of a primary residence.
Minimum credit score is 580.
Competitive FHA rates.

John Holbrook - Realtor
Prudential Chaplin Willliams Realty
904-415-0171

Thursday, August 13, 2009

89 Sea Marsh



Video

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Jacksonville, FL – Bargains Bring Buyers Back to the
Market, Although Many Buyers Still Lack Confidence
(5,135 single-family permits in 2008, 18th largest market in the country)
Traffic improves, modestly above expectations. Buyer traffic improved in June, coming
in slightly above with agents’ expectations for this time of year as our traffic index
increased to 54 from 30 in June (any reading below 50 suggests traffic below agents’
expectations). The key driver of the improvement was traffic from buyers seeking to take
advantage of the foreclosure bargains and other buyers who need to move. Agents
described significant pent-up demand from buyers who have stayed on the sidelines as
they have waited for pricing to bottom out. However, we continue to see little demand
outside of the foreclosure and short sale market, as buyers don’t view traditional sales (i.e.,
non-distress sales as bargains). The tax credit for first time homebuyers was cited as
helping to improve traffic, although the low foreclosure prices might have been sufficient
on their own.
Falling inventories, but continuing pressure on home prices. Agents reported that
home prices fell in July, with our price index registering 25, up slightly from 20 in June, but
still below a neutral level of 50 (any reading below 50 indicates lower home prices over the
past 30 days). Inventories, however, moved in the right direction, as our home listings
index registered 58 (better than 40 in June) and with a reading above 50 indicating falling
inventory. Our time to sell index, which effectively reflects trends in both traffic and
inventory, increased to 50 in July from 40 in June, with a reading of 50 indicating an stable
time needed to sell a home. The trend in this metric will be important in August as a
declining time needed to sell a home would likely be a leading indicator of better pricing
trends.

John Holbrook - Realtor 904-415-0171

Walk to Beach






2323 Yard arm Way - Fernandina Beach Florida - $440,000
Walk to the beach from this unique neighborhood off 1st Ave and south of Sadler Rd.
John Holbrook - Realtor Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty
904-415-0171 www.nassaumls.net