John's Jottings
Todays carvan was 3 properties. First property was a 3 bedroom/3 bath unit at Ketch Courtyard. Located on the Ocean and near the Surf Restaurant. Available for short term rental, great balcony with ocean views, nicely decorated interior. Priced in the low $500's. Second stop was a home on Fletcher with a wonderful backyard. It was listed by John Rogers and had a pool and hot tub as well as a separate guest studio. Third stop was Oak Bluff off Citrona. Single family home with pool, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open floor plan, centrally located on Amelia Island.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Preserve America
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL, OCTOBER 12, 2009: The City of Fernandina Beach has officially been designated a “Preserve America” community. Preserve America is a federal program designed to encourage and support community efforts to highlight and protect cultural and natural heritage. As a Preserve America community, Fernandina Beach is eligible for grant opportunities, and will be featured on the program’s website and in National Park Service heritage tourism publications.
First Lady Michelle Obama sent a letter of designation to Mayor Susan Steger on October 7, 2009, and a formal presentation to the City Commission will be announced upon receipt of the designation certificate. Fernandina Beach is the 18th community in Florida to receive this special designation.
For more information about Preserve America, please visit the Preserve America website at www.preserveamerica.gov or contact the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 202-606-8503.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
First Lady Michelle Obama sent a letter of designation to Mayor Susan Steger on October 7, 2009, and a formal presentation to the City Commission will be announced upon receipt of the designation certificate. Fernandina Beach is the 18th community in Florida to receive this special designation.
For more information about Preserve America, please visit the Preserve America website at www.preserveamerica.gov or contact the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 202-606-8503.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Monday, October 12, 2009
High End Foreclosures
New data suggest that foreclosures are rising in more expensive housing markets.
About 30% of foreclosures in June involved homes in the top third of local housing values, up from 16% when the foreclosure crisis began three years ago, according to new data from real-estate Web site Zillow.com. The bottom one-third of housing markets, by home value, now account for 35% of foreclosures, down from 55% in 2006.
The report shows that foreclosures, after declining earlier this year, began to accelerate in the late spring and that more expensive homes have more recently accounted for a growing share of all foreclosures. "The slope of that curve in recent months is much sharper than it was recently," said Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow. Rising foreclosures among more-expensive homes could create added pressure for a housing market that has shown signs of stabilizing in recent months as sales of lower-priced homes pick up.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
About 30% of foreclosures in June involved homes in the top third of local housing values, up from 16% when the foreclosure crisis began three years ago, according to new data from real-estate Web site Zillow.com. The bottom one-third of housing markets, by home value, now account for 35% of foreclosures, down from 55% in 2006.
The report shows that foreclosures, after declining earlier this year, began to accelerate in the late spring and that more expensive homes have more recently accounted for a growing share of all foreclosures. "The slope of that curve in recent months is much sharper than it was recently," said Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow. Rising foreclosures among more-expensive homes could create added pressure for a housing market that has shown signs of stabilizing in recent months as sales of lower-priced homes pick up.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Mortgage Rates
October 8, 2009, 2009
FNMA 30 Year Fixed: 4.625% FNMA 15 Year Fixed: 4.125%
USDA / FHA / VA: 5.00%
Hello Friends, I hope that you are doing well.
Have you seen rates today? WOW!! These are the best rates we’ve seen since early spring and match historical lows. Combined with the very competitive prices we are seeing on homes this is the best time to buy a home in the past 20 years.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
FNMA 30 Year Fixed: 4.625% FNMA 15 Year Fixed: 4.125%
USDA / FHA / VA: 5.00%
Hello Friends, I hope that you are doing well.
Have you seen rates today? WOW!! These are the best rates we’ve seen since early spring and match historical lows. Combined with the very competitive prices we are seeing on homes this is the best time to buy a home in the past 20 years.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Jacksonville Market update
Jacksonville, FL – Demand Fades Further as Buyers See Fewer Opportunities
(5,135 single-family permits in 2008, 18th largest market in the country)
Traffic shows further signs of deterioration as first-time buyer demand slows. Buyer
traffic worsened again in September as our traffic index slipped to 27 from 30 in August, marking a worrisome pullback to levels well below agents’ expectations over the past two months after our index reached 54 in July (any reading below 50 suggests traffic below agents’ expectations). Agents cited a variety of concerns, but the primary ones were continued concerns over the weak job market and economy, a lack of quality low-priced inventory, and perhaps most importantly an apparent slowdown in first-time buyer demand.
While some agents disagreed and noted traffic is still good on low end homes, others said buyers became less interested in September as they became more concerned that if they bought a home now they would still have trouble meeting the November 30th closing deadline to receive the tax credit. We anticipate hearing more of these anecdotes in October as the closing timeframe becomes even more compressed. Prices fall further on weaker demand. Home prices remained under pressure in September, likely as a result of the weak demand, although fewer agents noted declining prices relative to last month as our price index improved to 36 from 20 in August (readings below 50 point to lower home prices over the past 30 days). In addition, agents noted higher inventories this month after indicating declining inventory over the prior two months. Our home listings index fell to 36 from 60, with readings below 50 indicating rising inventory.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
(5,135 single-family permits in 2008, 18th largest market in the country)
Traffic shows further signs of deterioration as first-time buyer demand slows. Buyer
traffic worsened again in September as our traffic index slipped to 27 from 30 in August, marking a worrisome pullback to levels well below agents’ expectations over the past two months after our index reached 54 in July (any reading below 50 suggests traffic below agents’ expectations). Agents cited a variety of concerns, but the primary ones were continued concerns over the weak job market and economy, a lack of quality low-priced inventory, and perhaps most importantly an apparent slowdown in first-time buyer demand.
While some agents disagreed and noted traffic is still good on low end homes, others said buyers became less interested in September as they became more concerned that if they bought a home now they would still have trouble meeting the November 30th closing deadline to receive the tax credit. We anticipate hearing more of these anecdotes in October as the closing timeframe becomes even more compressed. Prices fall further on weaker demand. Home prices remained under pressure in September, likely as a result of the weak demand, although fewer agents noted declining prices relative to last month as our price index improved to 36 from 20 in August (readings below 50 point to lower home prices over the past 30 days). In addition, agents noted higher inventories this month after indicating declining inventory over the prior two months. Our home listings index fell to 36 from 60, with readings below 50 indicating rising inventory.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Search for Homes on Amelia Island
Click here to Search the Local MLS
www.nassaumls.net
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
www.nassaumls.net
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Builder Incentives
Builders cut back on incentives
WASHINGTON – Oct. 6, 2009 – Home builders are cutting back on the freebies they’ve been tacking on new homes for the last couple of years to woo buyers.
The reason is simple: Demand is almost back in sync with supply. According to Jeffrey Laverty, analyst with research firm Oscar Gruss & Son, new-home inventory has declined from 12.4 months in January to 7.3 in August, close to the six-month mark considered standard.
While eliminating incentives like free cars and free pools, some builders are continuing to offer to pay points on mortgages and discounts on upgrades – “Incentives that make sense,” says Laura VanVelthoven, Hovnanian’s corporate vice president of marketing and sales.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
WASHINGTON – Oct. 6, 2009 – Home builders are cutting back on the freebies they’ve been tacking on new homes for the last couple of years to woo buyers.
The reason is simple: Demand is almost back in sync with supply. According to Jeffrey Laverty, analyst with research firm Oscar Gruss & Son, new-home inventory has declined from 12.4 months in January to 7.3 in August, close to the six-month mark considered standard.
While eliminating incentives like free cars and free pools, some builders are continuing to offer to pay points on mortgages and discounts on upgrades – “Incentives that make sense,” says Laura VanVelthoven, Hovnanian’s corporate vice president of marketing and sales.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Spring 2010 Golf Coference
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - San Diego, CA, United States, 10/05/2009 - “We are thrilled with the response and the continued commitment from our core attendees — golf course owners, developers and management company executives".
The Golf Inc. Conference, which recently wrapped up its three-day fall event at the La Quinta Resort, once again earned high marks from attendees.
A survey of those taking part in the conference showed that more than 96 percent of those attending said they would recommend future conferences to their peers and colleagues.
“We are thrilled with the response and the continued commitment from our core attendees — golf course owners, developers and management company executives,” said Jack Crittenden, president of Golf Inc. “Our attendance numbers were down, as expected because of the economy. But, quality stayed very high and the attendee survey shows attendees were very pleased overall.”
More than 350 people registered for the Sept. 14-16 event. Of those attending, 92 percent rated the conference as “good” or better.
The Spring 2010 Golf Inc. Conference (golfincmagazine.com) will be held April 12-14 at Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Fla. This will be the second Golf Inc. Conference at the resort, with the 2007 event receiving rave reviews from attendees and exhibitors.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
The Golf Inc. Conference, which recently wrapped up its three-day fall event at the La Quinta Resort, once again earned high marks from attendees.
A survey of those taking part in the conference showed that more than 96 percent of those attending said they would recommend future conferences to their peers and colleagues.
“We are thrilled with the response and the continued commitment from our core attendees — golf course owners, developers and management company executives,” said Jack Crittenden, president of Golf Inc. “Our attendance numbers were down, as expected because of the economy. But, quality stayed very high and the attendee survey shows attendees were very pleased overall.”
More than 350 people registered for the Sept. 14-16 event. Of those attending, 92 percent rated the conference as “good” or better.
The Spring 2010 Golf Inc. Conference (golfincmagazine.com) will be held April 12-14 at Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Fla. This will be the second Golf Inc. Conference at the resort, with the 2007 event receiving rave reviews from attendees and exhibitors.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Amelia Chamber Event
Pictures from the Chamber Event at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and hosted by Nitelights.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Fernandina Real Estate Reports
Looking for a statistical report on market conditions and pricing in the Fernandina Beach, Florida area over the last 30 days? Just send me an email and I will send you out a copy of everything in the MLS that has sold, been listed or under contract. You custom pick the report and I will email it out to you.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
Addison Inn
Places to Stay - Addison Inn - Amelia Island!
Listed below are some Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners. For a complete list of winners, including regional, Canadian and international awards, visit http://ping.fm/vLEFp and click on the WINNERS 2009-2010 badge on the left. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners are not ranked numerically and are listed alphabetically by state or country within each category. Theme categories reflect prevalent comments from each winner's reviews.
Top 10 Overall in the United States
The J. Patrick House, Cambria, CA
Napa Old World Inn, Napa, CA
Addison on Amelia, Fernandina Beach, FL
Americus Garden Inn, Americus, GA
The Queen Anne B&B, Natchitoches, LA
Sobotta Manor Bed and Breakfast, Mount Airy, NC
Pilot Knob B&B, Pilot Mountain, NC
Barn Inn, Millersburg, OH
Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle, TX
Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, VT
John Holbrook - Realtor
Amelia Island, FL 32034
904-415-0171
Listed below are some Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners. For a complete list of winners, including regional, Canadian and international awards, visit http://ping.fm/vLEFp and click on the WINNERS 2009-2010 badge on the left. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners are not ranked numerically and are listed alphabetically by state or country within each category. Theme categories reflect prevalent comments from each winner's reviews.
Top 10 Overall in the United States
The J. Patrick House, Cambria, CA
Napa Old World Inn, Napa, CA
Addison on Amelia, Fernandina Beach, FL
Americus Garden Inn, Americus, GA
The Queen Anne B&B, Natchitoches, LA
Sobotta Manor Bed and Breakfast, Mount Airy, NC
Pilot Knob B&B, Pilot Mountain, NC
Barn Inn, Millersburg, OH
Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle, TX
Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, VT
John Holbrook - Realtor
Amelia Island, FL 32034
904-415-0171
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Jacksonville Real Estate
Bank-Owned, Short Sales Bolster Gains
While Jacksonville home sales have been back on the rise this year, new data suggests that almost 50 percent were bank-owned foreclosure sales or short sales, in which the properties were sold for less than their owners owed on their mortgages. Jacksonville-based Lender Processing Services Inc. released data earlier this month showing the impact of bank-owned sales - commonly referred to as real-estate owned or REO sales - on overall sales in each state. Florida's percentage was 35 percent, in line with Duval County, which was 37 percent.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
While Jacksonville home sales have been back on the rise this year, new data suggests that almost 50 percent were bank-owned foreclosure sales or short sales, in which the properties were sold for less than their owners owed on their mortgages. Jacksonville-based Lender Processing Services Inc. released data earlier this month showing the impact of bank-owned sales - commonly referred to as real-estate owned or REO sales - on overall sales in each state. Florida's percentage was 35 percent, in line with Duval County, which was 37 percent.
John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, Florida
Cell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com
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