Thursday, December 26, 2013

5 reasons to Buy

I recently wrote an article that explained in detail why thinking of your home as an investment is simply faulty logic. So, by the title of this post, it may seem that I'm contradicting myself. Not so. While I don't advocate considering "investment value" when purchasing a home, there are still plenty of valid reasons to own instead of rent, especially in the current low rate environment. Let's take a look at why homeownership simply makes more sense than renting, especially over a long-term basis. Reason 1: Mortgages are cheap Even though rates have spiked about 1% over the past year or so, at a 4.5% interest rate, 30-year mortgages are still very cheap on a historical basis. This is significant because in many cases, it is actually cheaper on a monthly basis to own a home than rent. In the market I live in, $350,000 gets you a relatively basic three-bedroom home, and I live in a hurricane-prone area, so we have to pay flood and windstorm insurances, which brings the total mortgage payment on a $350,000 house to about $2,400. The same house would easily command $2,700 per month in rent. Reason 2: Your life, your way Want to get a new family pet? Go for it! Want to landscape your yard, put in a pool, add on another bedroom, or remodel your kitchen? These are some things that are out of the question in virtually any rental situation and can be as easy as applying for a building permit if you own your own home. If you're a dog lover, finding an apartment can be a nightmare. Many of my friends who rent their houses are stuck with kitchens that look like something from a 70s TV show, and their landlords seem to be in no rush to update anything. The freedom to make your home truly your own is one of the best reasons to buy a house. Reason 3: Credit This may seem somewhat unimportant, since most people in a position to buy a house already have very good credit. Regardless, a mortgage will certainly report to the credit bureaus, and a rental company will almost certainly not. There are few items on a credit report that demonstrate financial responsibility and general stability in life better than a long history of on-time mortgage payments. Reason 4: Equity Having equity that can be tapped into if necessary is a big plus for homeowners. Having equity in your home is not only important to help pay emergency expenses, home improvements, or your kid's college tuition, but simply having the equity available to you makes it much easier to get a loan for almost anything else. If you have, say, $75,000 in home equity, a bank will feel much better loaning you $20,000 to buy a boat than if you were renting an apartment. Reason 5: Not an investment, but still much better than renting for your financial health Even though I've said your home is not a good investment, at least in the traditional sense of the word, it is still exponentially better for your long-term financial health than being a lifelong renter. Let's say you buy a $200,000 house, and you put $40,000 down. This would make your mortgage payment $810.70 for 30 years at a 4.5% interest rate. At the end of the 30 years, you own the home free and clear, and hopefully it's appreciated significantly in value. If you pay the same amount in rent, after 30 years, you'll have paid a total of $291,852 in housing payments. This is also a glorified scenario, as rental rates usually rise over time, making your actual total even more. At the end of 30 years, you'll have absolutely nothing to show for all of the money you spent. So, while owning your home only provides 3%-5% annual returns on a long-term basis, this is still far better than paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars and not building any equity whatsoever. Homeownership is still the way to go! John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Florida Economy

Florida consumer confidence up from year ago Floridians kept their rising confidence in the economy with a University of Florida survey showing spirits were higher than a year ago. Consumer confidence throughout the state remained in December at 77, the same as the revised November reading and three points above last year. Floridians' confidence in the economy has appeared to rebound after five months of dropping spirits from June until October. More from the Orlando Sentinel and UF News. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Latinos & New Year’s Resolutions

With their preparation for the holidays the Latino culture also prepares for some rituals, customs and traditions that are going to help to augur a New Year. Depending on the country or origin these traditions may vary, but one of the most commons in general is the 12 grapes and the 12 wishes. At 12 o’clock (or midnight), with the 12 chimes of the clock they will eat 12 grapes while asking for their 12 wishes. But what does this have to do with real estate?
One of those 12 wishes, you will have the opportunity to help to fulfill. The wish to buy a new home!
During the year we gave you a series of blogs talking about the Latino Community; the different segments within the community and some ideas of how to help them. It is our resolution for the next year to continue giving you information to make sure that the Latino Community will be able to fulfil one of those 12 wishes. The opportunity to be homeowners!

Latinos & New Year’s Resolutions

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Monday, December 23, 2013

Rates should go up

What it Means to the Consumer In an article in MarketWatch today, Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist at NAR, explained that sellers looking to move-up (to a better school district or larger home) “need to realize that it could be more challenging a year from now.” Yun stated the average 30-year mortgage rate currently hovers at 4.3%, but that could rise to 5% or 5.5% next year. What it Does NOT Mean to the Housing Market Some reports will now claim that housing prices will have to drop as interest rates begin to rise. There is no historical evidence of this. Below is a chart showing the last four instances of mortgage rates rising dramatically and what happened to home values at the time. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Tapering Begins!

Tapering Begins!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, December 13, 2013

Today's Prices Compared to Peak [INFOGRAPHIC]

Today's Prices Compared to Peak [INFOGRAPHIC]

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Florida Jobs

What you need to know about Florida today 12/12/2013 Florida posts largest job gain of year in November Last month, Florida posted its largest job gain of the year, according to payroll processor ADP. The Sunshine State added 19,450 private-sector jobs during November, more than any other state except Texas, which tacked on 28,030 positions, the ADP data released on Wednesday showed John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Monday, December 2, 2013

14,027 Houses Sell Every Day in the U.S.!!


14,027 Houses Sell Every Day in the U.S.!!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Flood Insurance Rates about to Skyrocket?

Flood Insurance Rates about to Skyrocket?

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, November 22, 2013

Average Days on the Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Average Days on the Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Characteristics of Mentally Strong People

1. They Don’t Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves Mentally strong people don’t sit around feeling sorry about their circumstances or how others have treated them. Instead, they take responsibility for their role in life and understand that life isn’t always easy or fair. 2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power They don’t allow others to control them, and they don’t give someone else power over them. They don’t say things like, “My boss makes me feel bad,” because they understand that they are in control over their own emotions and they have a choice in how they respond. 3. They Don’t Shy Away from Change Mentally strong people don’t try to avoid change. Instead, they welcome positive change and are willing to be flexible. They understand that change is inevitable and believe in their abilities to adapt. 4. They Don’t Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control You won’t hear a mentally strong person complaining over lost luggage or traffic jams. Instead, they focus on what they can control in their lives. They recognize that sometimes, the only thing they can control is their attitude. 5. They Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone Mentally strong people recognize that they don’t need to please everyone all the time. They’re not afraid to say no or speak up when necessary. They strive to be kind and fair, but can handle other people being upset if they didn’t make them happy. 6. They Don’t Fear Taking Calculated Risks They don’t take reckless or foolish risks, but don’t mind taking calculated risks. Mentally strong people spend time weighing the risks and benefits before making a big decision, and they’re fully informed of the potential downsides before they take action. 7. They Don’t Dwell on the Past Mentally strong people don’t waste time dwelling on the past and wishing things could be different. They acknowledge their past and can say what they’ve learned from it. However, they don’t constantly relive bad experiences or fantasize about the glory days. Instead, they live for the present and plan for the future. 8. They Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over Mentally strong people accept responsibility for their behavior and learn from their past mistakes. As a result, they don’t keep repeating those mistakes over and over. Instead, they move on and make better decisions in the future. 9. They Don’t Resent Other People’s Success Mentally strong people can appreciate and celebrate other people’s success in life. They don’t grow jealous or feel cheated when others surpass them. Instead, they recognize that success comes with hard work, and they are willing to work hard for their own chance at success. 10. They Don’t Give Up After the First Failure Mentally strong people don’t view failure as a reason to give up. Instead, they use failure as an opportunity to grow and improve. They are willing to keep trying until they get it right. 11. They Don’t Fear Alone Time Mentally strong people can tolerate being alone and they don’t fear silence. They aren’t afraid to be alone with their thoughts and they can use downtime to be productive. They enjoy their own company and aren’t dependent on others for companionship and entertainment all the time but instead can be happy alone. 12. They Don’t Feel the World Owes Them Anything Mentally strong people don’t feel entitled to things in life. They weren’t born with a mentality that others would take care of them or that the world must give them something. Instead, they look for opportunities based on their own merits. 13. They Don’t Expect Immediate Results Whether they are working on improving their health or getting a new business off the ground, mentally strong people don’t expect immediate results. Instead, they apply their skills and time to the best of their ability and understand that real change takes time. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, November 15, 2013

Hispanic Population Growth

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Great Real Estate Agents - Amelia Island

Qualities of a Great Real Estate Agent 55. Work with a Realtor and be sure that Realtor represents your interests, not the Seller. – Marty Martinez 56. Make certain that you have a buyer’s agent to represent your best interests. – Cynthia McKenna 57. Make sure that whoever you are working with is someone you can trust and that will put your interests in front of their own. If they care enough, they will ask you lots of questions! – Steven Pagano 58. Be absolutely certain that you align with the right real estate broker and loan officer. A good real estate team will help a buyer purchase a home that fits well within their budget. – Randy Schulenburg 59. All Realtors are not created equally and should hire a professional, competent and knowledgeable Realtor that can explain the process. – Alexander Vazquez 60. Work with an agent close to or within your market area, as their experience on local market trends is invaluable. Also ensure that their agent is a full-time agent. – Alfred Saiz John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Financing a Home - Amelia Island

Find Out How Much Financing You’re Eligible For 29. Do not look for a home for the amount you are qualified to buy with your mortgage agent. Ask him to tell you how much you can buy based on the mortgage amount you are comfortable paying every month. – Charles Miltenberger 30. Have a good conversation with a loan officer or mortgage broker to check all the options regarding financing. – Ximena Alzate 31. It’s essential to get pre-approved for a loan. – Laurie Shapiro 32. Know your finances and speak to a lender first. – Sheryl Dicarlo 33. There are a lot of opportunities out there for financing, no matter your credit score. – Ronnie Sanchez John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Choosing the right Home - Amelia Island

How to Choose the Right Home 23. Choose the property according to your needs. – Nefer Londono 24. The most important thing when buying a home is location, location, location! – Jeffrey Fairchild 25. Love what you buy. – Anita Zubov 26. When you feel the feeling of finding your dream, act quickly. – Jay Talenda 27. Take the time to search for a home that suits you and meets your personal/financial needs. – Carlos Armas 28. Buy the “most house” that you can comfortably buy, and, even perhaps, push yourself to the limit of your pre-approved amount. Thus, you will be satisfied with your purchase for a longer period of time. – Charles Lipford John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Educate yourself - Fernandina Home Market

Educate Yourself on Local Market Conditions 15. Interest rates are still low. – Tatiana Guila 16. Buyers have to be aware of market conditions. – Margoth Sinclair 17. You will probably move in the next seven years, so make sure to think about resale value in the near future. – Barry Krupp 18. The market hit its bottom last year. So far, this year’s prices are up by about 10 percent since last year’s and home values are continuing to increase. – Martin Miller 19. The market is shifting, so you have to be aggressive with your home search because properties are selling quicker with multiple offers. – Alice Green John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Rent or Own - Amelia Island

Consider if It Is Better to Rent or Own 11. Don’t forget that rent is a variable,; it will likely be much higher five years from now. – Daniel Locascio 12. The real estate market has made it cheaper to own than rent. – Darryl Williams 13. Know the trade offs of renting verses owning. – Ajay Jagga 14. When considering your price point, start with the amount of rent you are paying now, not necessarily what the bank/mortgage company says they will loan you. – Debra Grog John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Home Buying tips - Amelia Island

How Much Can You Afford? 6. Have a budget. It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many first-time home buyers don’t know how much money they have to spend on their new house. – Walter Black 7. Figure out your personal budget to determine how much you can truly afford, then get pre-qualified and compare the amounts. Use the lowest of the two. – Jorge Fernandez 8. Purchase a home that you can afford. – Reynalda Chavez 9. Keep your mortgage within your budget and find a neighborhood that has amenities that will fit your needs. – Daniel Sompolski 10. Protect yourself: Get pre-qualified for a mortgage so you don’t spend more than you can afford for a home. – Anthony Leone John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Home Buying tips - Amelia Island

Set Your Expectations 1. Set the correct expectations. Take out a blank piece of paper and write out your wish list. – Dulce Monahan 2. There is no such thing as the perfect home, but there is a home that is perfect for you. – Sheena Weatherly 3. Make sure you know what you want before starting the buying process. – Ashly Haley 4. Be prepared! Have a list of your “wants” created, and all your financial documents lined up with the lender so you know how much buying power you really have. – Stacey Rider 5. Be patient and realistic when looking for your first home. It is important to find a home within your financial position at the time of purchase. Remember, your first home most likely won’t be your last. – Kyle Seyboth John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

30 year mortage rate average 4.16%

WASHINGTON – Nov. 8, 2013 – Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose slightly last week but remained near historically low levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan increased to 4.16 percent from 4.10 percent last week, which was the lowest level in four months. The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 3.27 percent from 3.20 percent. Rates have been falling since September when the Federal Reserve surprised investors by continuing to buy $85 billion a month in bonds. The purchases are intended to keep long-term interest rates low.
Slower hiring in recent months has many analysts predicting that the Fed will maintain the current pace of the bond purchases into early next year, which should keep mortgage rates low for the time being. The recent drop in mortgage rates could help boost home sales, which slowed in September after rates reached their highest averages in two years. The decline in sales has also affected price gains. Real estate data provider CoreLogic said Tuesday that a measure of U.S. home prices rose only slightly in September from August, a sign that prices are leveling off after big gains earlier this year. To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday each week. The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. The average fee for a 30-year mortgage rose to 0.8 point from 0.7 point. The fee for a 15-year loan was unchanged at 0.7 point. The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 2.61 percent from to 2.64 percent. The fee remained at 0.5 point. The average rate on a five-year adjustable mortgage was steady at 2.96 percent. The fee edged up to 0.5 point from 0.4 point. AP Logo Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Freddie Mac Update

Fannie, Freddie move closer to repaying bailouts WASHINGTON – Nov. 8, 2013 – Federal taxpayers have nearly recouped their $188 billion investment in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giants taken over by the government in 2008. Third-quarter profit rose sharply at both companies, each reported Thursday, letting Freddie Mac finish reimbursing taxpayers for its bailout and bringing Fannie within about $2 billion of repaying what it received. Their recovery owes much to an improving housing market, legal settlements and tax benefits. Fannie said net income more than quadrupled compared with last year’s third quarter, reaching $8.7 billion. Freddie said it earned $30.5 billion, as a $6.5 billion operating profit was combined with a $24 billion tax benefit. Freddie said it will be profitable enough over time to eventually use all of the massive tax benefits it built up while losing tens of billions of dollars during the financial crisis. Freddie said it will finish reimbursing the government for its $71.3 billion bailout by year’s end, including a $30 billion payment it will make by December. The total of its payments will exceed the amount it received from the Treasury by $9 million. Fannie said it will pay $8.6 billion in December, leaving it about $2 billion short of the $116.1 billion it got from the government. The milestone in the USA’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis comes as a rising housing market has put Fannie and Freddie, which are still in federally supervised conservatorships, back on their feet. Fannie and Freddie together buy or guarantee most U.S. mortgages, and by taking them over, the government has expanded its role in housing since the crisis. Ideas for how to eventually replace them with a system that relies more heavily on private capital are still at an early stage. Fannie’s and Freddie’s agreements with the Treasury call for them to gradually shrink their operations. For now, the two entities will keep operating under 2012 agreements with the Treasury Department that require them to pay much of their profits as dividends to the government. That means taxpayers will begin reaping multibillion-dollar returns by next year. The requirements will be reduced gradually until 2018, reflecting the Obama administration’s intention to phase out Fannie and Freddie’s role in the market. Already, payments from the two government-sponsored enterprises reduced the 2013 federal deficit by more than $140 billion. “It’s going to challenge the convictions of policymakers about reforming Fannie and Freddie,” said Tim Rood, a former Fannie executive who is a partner at a Washington-based consulting firm that helps businesses work with the mortgage entities and the government. “You can have all the principles in the world, but with legislators flipping couch cushions looking for change, it’s hard to shoot the two-headed monster that’s spitting out $10 bills.” Copyright © 2013 USA TODAY, Tim Mullaney John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Big Break Comes to Florida - Amelia Island Plantation

The First Coast finally gets a Big Break. Golf Channel’s popular reality show, which offers participants a chance to play on professional tours if they survive a series of skills challenges, wrapped up 11 days of filming its 21st edition on Thursday at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. “Big Break: Florida” is the third to be filmed in the Sunshine State but the first outside Central Florida. “Big Break: Reunion” aired in 2007, from the Reunion Resort in Orlando, and “Big Break: Disney” was shown in 2009 from the Disney World Resort courses. The cast for this edition of the Big Break is all-female, which historically draws the highest ratings — hardly surprising since 74 percent of Golf Channel viewers are male. The identify of the cast will remain secret until a preview show on Feb. 5. The premiere will be Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. Golf Channel spokesman Jeremy Friedman would say only that the cast of 12 is made up of a mix of budding professionals and players attempting to get back to the pro ranks. They were selected from an initial lot of about 3,000 applicants. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Amelia Island Tourism - Visitor Count

Tourism to Amelia Island is on the upswing. In fact, the resort and hotel locations have drawn more visitors in the past year than ever before, a new study shows. For the first time, more than 500,000 visitors stayed in resorts and hotels along the Nassau County coast, according to research conducted by Research Data Services Inc., which tracks tourism trends. In total, 504,300 tourists paid for overnight lodging on Amelia Island between Oct. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2013. That’s a 9.7 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, a news release issued Tuesday stated. “Florida tourism as a whole is on the upswing,” said Danny Leeper, chairman of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. “But Amelia Island continues to outperform destinations throughout the Southeast thanks in large part to the outstanding efforts of the TDC and its marketing team and tremendous support from local industry partners.” John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Monday, November 4, 2013

Virtual Tour - Amelia Island Home

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Going Green

Looking to reap the rewards of going "green" at home? The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) has created a comprehensive list of federal and state incentives, including tax credits, deductions, and rebates. Visit www.dsireusa.org for more details. For all of us, saving money should be a top priority. Please let me know if you have questions or need assistance. It would be a pleasure to help. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, October 25, 2013

Realty

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Stats

What’s happening in real estate Existing-home prices continue to edge up across the country, but sales aren’t keeping pace. Here are five key indicators for the housing market from the National Association of Realtors®’ latest existing-homes report, which reflects September data: 1. Home prices. In September, the median price nationally for an existing home was $199,200, up 11.7 percent from a year ago. Home prices have had 10 consecutive months of double-digit year-over-year increases. 2. Home sales. Sales of existing single-family homes dropped 1.5 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million. However, sales remain 10.9 percent above year-ago levels. Meanwhile, existing condo and co-op sales dropped 4.7 percent in September, but they’re 8.9 percent above year-ago levels. 3. Distressed homes. Foreclosures and short sales accounted for 14 percent of September sales. That’s up from 12 percent in August – but a year ago, distressed home sales made up 24 percent of the market. “Lower levels in the share of distressed sales account for some of the growth in median prices,” NAR notes. In September, foreclosures were sold at an average discount of 16 percent below market value; short sales were discounted an average of 12 percent. 4. Inventory. Housing inventory in September held steady, with a 5-month supply at the current sales pace. NAR’s report shows that 2.21 million existing homes were available for sale in September. For-sale inventory is 1.8 percent higher than a year ago. 5. Days on the market. The median time on the market for all homes was 50 days in September, up from 43 days in August but down from 70 days a year ago. Short sales were on the market for a median of 93 days in September; foreclosures were at 43 days. NAR notes that 39 percent of homes sold in less than a month in September. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Aja Court in Fernandina

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com www.johneholbrook.com

Friday, October 11, 2013

Amelia Park in Fernandina Beach

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Prices vary by area

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Monday, September 30, 2013

Amelia Park

* Branded Vtour - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/39624 * Non Branded Vtour (MLS) - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/idx/39624 * Graphic Intensive Flier (for e-mail) - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/flyer/39624 * Ink Friendly Flier (for print) - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/flyer/p/39624 * TinyTurls (Short link, i.e. Twitter) - http://tinyturls.com/39624 * YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAD8mspAq0k&feature=youtube_gdata_player * Your Vtour Gallery - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/mypage/2711 John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Amelia Island Playground

Local Contractor and Anonymous Donor Make Huge Contributions to the Pirate Playground Project 22Sep 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. recently eclipsed the halfway point of our fundraising effort to build Pirate Playground. “We have received a number of donations in recent weeks which have taken us to a new level” says Aaron Morgan, President of 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. “The closer we get to our goal, the easier it is to raise the funds necessary for the construction of Pirate playground”. Clayton Buchannan, owner of Buchanan Builders, Inc., donated his services valued at $25,000 which is the largest single contribution to date. Mr. Buchanan stated, “I support this project because this is good for the community and good for the kids.” Mr. Buchannan will serve as the General Contractor for the Pirate Playground Project. Pirate Playground also received a pledge in the amount of $14,000 from an anonymous donor which is intended to cover concrete expenses and will be used for curbing, sidewalk, and surfacing. The combination of these donations and an earlier donation of site prep by John E. Myers has moved the project into a new phase. Plans are now underway to start construction in late fall. Additionally, 8 Flags Playscapes received commitments for several $1000 “Dreams” after a presentation by Ingrid Harding at the Nassau Medical Society banquet. Ingrid, who has a daughter with Rett Syndrome, spoke to the group about the importance of this playground to her family. During the presentation, Ingrid emphasized, “For hundreds of kids in this county, their only dream is that their wheelchair will roll up to it (the playground), or the swing will be wide enough to keep them safe and they will not fall out.” You can hear Ingrid’s recent talk regarding the importance of the playground at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWr9kqmv9lg . The Pirate Playground Project is proud to recognize support from many local and national organizations including: The City of Fernandina Beach , Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Heal Foundation, Gillette and Associates, Fidelity Information Systems, Rayonier, and many individuals throughout the country and the local community. “This Project is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Pirate Playground will be a place for all children to play, regardless of ability,” says Aaron. Opportunities for in-kind support still exist. There is a need for organizational sponsorship of cement, building materials, and fencing. Additionally, 8 Flags Playscapes is in need of monetary donations. $1000 donors are recognized by having a pennant placed on the Dream Pole located in front of Atlantic Recreation Center and also in a permanent place once the playground is built. 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. is a registered 501(C)(3). Donations to the project are tax deductible. For more information, call or e-mail Aaron at 904-335-7253 and 8flagsplayscapes@gmail.com. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Friday, September 20, 2013

Florida help

Thank you for using the official Florida Hardest-Hit Fund Principal Reduction (HHF-PR) Website! Attention: The online application for the Florida HHF Principal Reduction (HHF-PR) Program will open on Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern). Please review the information provided on this website to determine if you should apply. Please be advised that only 25,000 completed and submitted applications will be accepted initially for eligibility determination. When you click “Start Now,” you must complete all the steps to have a completed application. After you complete “Step Four”, you will see the “Submit Application” button located at the bottom, click that button, and your application is considered complete. Once we have reached 25,000 applications, the “Start Now” button will be disabled so that we can begin processing the completed applications. If additional funding is available for the HHF-PR program after this initial launch, we will re-open the application process. This site contains all the information you will need to begin your application for the Florida HHF-PR program, with step-by-step instructions and prompts to help you. In addition, there are facts about the program, answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other information that may be helpful to you. The federal government has allocated funding to assist eligible Florida homeowners who owe at least 125% more on their home than its current market value, commonly referred to as the home being “underwater.” The Florida Hardest-Hit Fund Principal Reduction (HHF-PR) program will provide up to $50,000 to an eligible homeowner(s) to help reduce the principal balance of the first mortgage. The program is available in all 67 counties in the State. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: ◦Must be a Florida resident and a legal US resident/legal alien; ◦Must occupy property as primary residence; ◦Must be current on the monthly mortgage payment (cannot be 60 or more days late on the first mortgage within the past 24 months); ◦First mortgage must have been originated prior to January 1, 2010; ◦Must have an unpaid principal balance (UPB) that does not exceed $350,000 for the first mortgage; ◦Loan-to-value for the first mortgage must be greater than 125%; and ◦Total household income (including all persons living in the home age 18 years and older) must be less than 140% of the area median income (AMI) as provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Click here to download the HHF-PR “Frequently Asked Questions” document, which contains the complete list of Florida HHF-PR eligibility requirements and program benefit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After reviewing this information, if you determine that your situation does not meet all of the eligibility criteria for participation in the HHF-PR program, you may qualify for Florida HHF Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP) or Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Program (MLRP) assistance. To review program eligibility criteria and/or to submit an application, you will need to visit www.FLHardestHitHelp.org. However, this site will not accept NEW applications until Tuesday, October 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m. IMPORTANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS! •Please be aware that www.PrincipalReductionFLHHF.org is the OFFICIAL website for Florida Hardest-Hit Fund Principal Reduction (HHF-PR) program information and to apply for assistance. We strongly encourage you to verify that the website you are using is, in fact, the official Florida HHF-PR website BEFORE you provide your personal information. If you are concerned that you have used a website that is suspicious, contact the HHF Information Line toll-free at 1-(877) 863-5244 to verify the website address. Application for the Florida HHF-PR program is FREE-OF-CHARGE and you will not be asked to pay for any eligibility determination services in conjunction with applying for the Florida HHF. •Please be advised that the entities listed below ARE NOT associated with, nor authorized to represent Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) and/or the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund Principal Reduction (HHF-PR) program. Neither Florida Housing nor its authorized representatives will require any fees to apply for or have eligibility determined for the program. ◦Mader Law Group ◦Attorneys Legal Network ◦The Law Center ◦National Loan Restructuring ◦LMPrep LLC ◦Hardship Center Also, the following agencies are no longer participating in the Hardest-Hit Fund program: ◦REACH (Real Estate, Education and Community Housing) ◦Reliance Financial, Inc. ◦Second Chance Help Center, Inc. ◦All-American Foreclosure Solutions, Inc. ◦Affordable Housing Centers of America John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Hurricanes - Fernandina Beach

At hurricane season's midpoint, forecasters perplexed Remember those predictions of an extremely active hurricane season? Water temperatures were high. There would be no El Niño to thwart hurricane development. All signs pointed to an ominous season. Yet on Sept. 1, for only the sixth time since 1950, not a single hurricane had formed in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico. [Source: Tampa Bay Times John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Should I Wait for Interest Rates to Come Back Down?

Should I Wait for Interest Rates to Come Back Down?

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Monday, September 2, 2013

Under Contract - Plantation Point

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Under contract - Prudential Listing

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Certified Chase Preferred Partner

I am now a Certified Chase Business Partner and would be happy to assist with any Short Sale help that you may need. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Movoto Business Partnership

John Holbrook - Real Estate Agent John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Florida Cash Real estate Purchases

Florida leads nation in cash-only home sales Florida led the nation last month with what one expert called an "astounding" rate of all-cash home sales: 66 percent, a new report shows. Investor groups, international buyers, landlords and those in the market for vacation homes are fueling a cash-only market that has virtually shut out entry-level homebuyers, who can't get approved for mortgages. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Fernandina's Young homebuyers

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2013 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study, the average Millennial home buyer (32 years old or younger) purchased a home within 8 miles of their previous home, whether leased or owned. To put icing on the cake for all of the incredible lead converters out there: 69% of Millennials contacted and worked with just one agent in the home buying process. This is a higher percentage than any other age group in the survey. Furthermore, 59% used the same agent to sell a home as when they purchased. Again, the highest of any generational group. Why is this important? It proves once and for all that there isn’t some mythical land where young home buyers will come from. We are right in front of you, working in the communities we live, and where we plan on staying for a while. No media article or pundit can take away from what quantified studies prove. Contrary to certain media opinions, Millennials are not fickle narcissists who only care about themselves: We as a generation want an agents’ experience in negotiations, not their beliefs about what THEY think we need. Millennials are an important part of the market, and like anyone else, we will use the agent that best suits our needs. Most likely, that agent will be someone who listens, understands why young home buyers are purchasing, and understands they are an advocate for their clients. You don’t need to reinvent the game. Do what you do best. Take young home buyers seriously, and be visible…on the internet AND in your community. Now, when a young home buyer approaches you at Starbucks with Beats™ by Dre headphones and Rayban Clubmasters® on, don’t dismiss them. They may have invented a website worth billions or just be hard working professionals. But, at some point, they realize it is time to buy their first home and start a family as has every other generation throughout history. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Field Street

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Monday, August 19, 2013

House Pricing is Still about Supply and Demand

House Pricing is Still about Supply and Demand

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Friday, August 16, 2013

Real Estate Prices over 30 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]

Real Estate Prices over 30 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Fort Clinch on Amelia Island

Welcome to Fort Clinch State Park A part of the park system since 1935, Fort Clinch is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Although no battles were fought here, it was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps began preserving and rebuilding many of the structures of the abandoned fort. Daily tours with period reenactors depicting garrison life bring the fort to life for visitors. Sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing are popular activities at the beach. Anglers can fish from the pier or take advantage of excellent surf fishing. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail through the park. Self-guided nature trails provide opportunities to learn about and observe native plants and wildlife. A full-facility campground and a youth camping area provide overnight accommodations. www.floridastateparks.org John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Plantation Point on Amelia Island

About Plantation Point Plantation Point was developed in the early 1990's on the south western end of Amelia Island on the lands along Harrison Creek. Plantation Point is just north of Amelia Island Plantation and is a gated community with beautiful live oak trees. Some homesites front the marsh and have wonderful marsh views. Beautiful golf courses, shopping centers, restaurants, and Historic Downtown Fernandina are only a short distance away. Interesting fact about Plantation Point during construction. It was discovered that native Americans of the Orange Period and the St. Johns Period once inhabited the land some time between 1000 and 2000 BC. Construction plans were changed to allow the archaeological team to excavate portions of the sites in order to save for future generations the information that these early occupants left behind in the archaeological sites on the property. www.plantationpoint.org John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Amelia River Golf - Fernandina Beach

Amelia River Golf Club 4477 Buccaneer Trail Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034 Pro Shop: 904-491-8500 Restaurant: 904-271-4039 Lee Allen Director of Golf lallen@ameliariverclub.com Colson Hillier Director of Marketing chillier@ameliariverclub.com James Wathen Golf Course Superintendent jwathen@ameliariverclub.com Alan Clack Head Golf Professional aclack@ameliariverclub.com Mark Dailey PGA Professional mdailey@ameliariverclub.com Kellie Culbreth Marketing and Special Events kellie@lickwidmarketing.com Arnaldo Gonzalez Food and Beverage Director papi@ameliariverclub.com John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Loans in Fernandina Beach

Ending Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will mean two things to the housing industry: higher rates and probably shorter mortgages. This will result in larger monthly mortgage payments. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government run agencies that have propped up a troubled real estate market over the last several years. The agencies always had a place within the mortgage sector but over the past several years have been involved in over 90% of new mortgage originations. As they wind down this involvement, the mortgage space may change dramatically. David Stevens, CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association and a former Obama administration housing official, in a recent AP article explains what will be the result of winding down Fannie and Freddie: “You have to assume that almost in any future model being drafted, loans will be more expensive.” This will be felt in two ways. Higher Interest Rates In the same AP article, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, reveals: “It will mean higher mortgage rates. The question is how much higher.” According to Zandi, borrowers could pay about ½ point higher in interest rate ($75-$135 extra in interest payments per month to the average purchaser on a $200,000 loan). Why a projected increase in rates? The average 30 year mortgage rate over the last three decades is 8.69%. From 2003-2008, it was 6.06%. Part of the government’s stimulus program was spent on keeping mortgage rates low while the economy recovered. Many think that rates will return to the 6-6.5 range should Fannie and Freddie cease operations. Shorter Loan Terms Once Freddie and Fannie no longer exist, the question becomes whether or not the private sector will any longer feel comfortable issuing a fixed rate loan for 30 years. In Canada, for example, they don’t even have 30 year fix rate mortgages available. The vast majority of Canadian home loans have a 25 year payout with the interest rate being renegotiated every five years. If rates go down, the borrower will wind up with a lower rate. If rates go up, the borrower ends up paying a higher rate. If you want a fixed rate mortgage for 25 years you pay a rate approximately two percentage points higher than the going rate at the time of your closing. Some believe that the private sector will no longer make the 30 year mortgage option available for at least a portion of borrowers. Bottom Line It will be interesting to see how the winding down of the two agencies impacts the housing market going forward. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Real Estate without Freddie and Fannie

Real Estate without Freddie and Fannie

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Monday, August 12, 2013

Buying or Selling a Home? Where Are Values Headed?

Buying or Selling a Home? Where Are Values Headed?

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Things Have Changed. Have You?

Things Have Changed. Have You?

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

5 Demands to Make on Your Real Estate Agent

5 Demands to Make on Your Real Estate Agent

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

New rules boost homeowner association regulations

New rules boost homeowner association regulations

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

May home prices rise by 12.2% – most in 7 years

May home prices rise by 12.2% – most in 7 years

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fernandina Homes for Sale

MARCH REBOUND ALERT: HOME PRICES IN 96 OF THE TOP 100 U.S. MARKETS ADVANCE The March 2013 Local Market Index provided by Homes.com shows monthly pricing increases in 96 out of the top 100 markets, a sizable improvement from the 75 out of 100 that gained in February, and a significant indicator of a nationwide rebound in home prices. Honolulu, Hawaii posted the largest monthly increase, 2.40 index points from February, as well as the largest year-to-year gain of 22.55 index points. The second fastest growing market for the month of March was Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.-N.C. with an index increase of 2.23 points. The second fastest growing market year-to-year is Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz., with a gain of 18.18 index points in pricing for home sales. Honolulu and Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale also had the largest year-to-year gains in February. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Buying a Home? How the Serenity Prayer May Help

Buying a Home? How the Serenity Prayer May Help

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Monday, June 24, 2013

Buying a House? 3 Reasons to Do it Now!

Buying a House? 3 Reasons to Do it Now!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Friday, June 21, 2013

Home Mortgage Rates Climbing [INFOGRAPHIC]

Home Mortgage Rates Climbing [INFOGRAPHIC]

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Take flood ins. survey: Have changes impacted sales?

Take flood ins. survey: Have changes impacted sales?

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Fla.’s housing market continues momentum in May 2013

Fla.’s housing market continues momentum in May 2013

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Home Start heating up - Fernandina Beach FL

Home starts are erupting By Josh Salman Published: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 8:38 p.m. New home construction across Southwest Florida has climbed to its highest level since the Great Recession began battering the industry seven years ago. Builders in the region enjoyed an uptick in May, amid pent-up demand from buyers and a shortage of existing single-family homes for sale. As a result, builders are breaking ground on new homes at a pace not seen since the housing boom in the mid-2000s. "We're ramping up, and I still don't think we have seen the peak at all," Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder John Cannon said. "For many years, people were looking at distressed property, and that inventory has decreased drastically. We are seeing increased demand across the board." Builders in unincorporated Sarasota County pulled 86 new single-family building permits in May, a 5 percent increase from April and a 46 percent gain from the same time last year, according to county records. The 255 new residential building permits in Manatee similarly were up 9 percent from the previous month and jumped a whopping 98 percent from May 2012. The bulk of new permits in Manatee were issued for Lakewood Ranch and Parrish, the two most popular areas for new-home buyers this year. The combined totals from both counties were a post-recession high in May, as builders scramble to complete homes in time for next winter's busy selling season. Permit activity measures homes that are expected to begin construction within three months. John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com www.jholbrook.ameliaislandrealestatelistings.com

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

5 Ways to Use Video to Improve Your Real Estate Marketing

5 Ways to Use Video to Improve Your Real Estate Marketing

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.johneholbrook.com

Tuesday, June 11, 2013