Lisa Barton's Ponte Vedra Real Estate Blog

Why First Time Home Buyers Should Use a Real Estate Agent

2013-06-19T02:15:58+00:00

Here are some of the ways you can benefit from the assistance of the Lisa Sells Ponte Vedra Team:

Together, we will search plan for a home that fits your needs. We’ll consider the style, size, amenities, and other preferences to find what kind of home is best suited for you.
We will help determine realistic spending limits. We can also explain alternative financing options and introduce you to a mortgage counselor that can assist you in securing a “pre-approval” letter which can help you improve your position in negotiations.
Our access to the multiple listings service allows us to evaluate the wide range of options based on your affordability and need requirements.
We will share information on the taxes, local real estate market trends, utility costs, and municipal services, all of which can help you make a more informed decision.
As a buyer’s agent, we can work directly with your interests in mind and negotiate the best terms and price for you.
We’ll stay by your side throughout the closing process and will obtain closing figures in advance for your review.
We’ll share our vast connections in the local market and will refer you to needed home inspectors, pest inspectors, and surveyors.

There are just a few of the ways in which our team can help you in your journey toward buying your first home. You can find more information about buying your first home on our website or you can call us directly with any questions or to receive your free copy of The First Time Home Buyers Guide. We look forward to working with you during this exciting process!

Adorable Home For Sale in Ocean Cay

2013-06-13T14:34:41+00:00

Ocean Cay is a wonderful neighborhood in Jacksonville Beach with family-friendly amenities including a swimming pool, clubhouse, playground and dog park. Ocean Cay is conveniently located, just four blocks to the beach and one block to Sunshine Park. Ocean Cay is very close to shopping, dining and excellent public schools!

Mortgage Interest Rates are Beginning to Rise

2013-06-08T03:46:47+00:00

Just Sold in Sawgrass Players Club!

2013-06-04T21:55:10+00:00

Search and Save Properties with My Website

2013-06-01T18:27:17+00:00

Search for Properties

Choose the Search MLS tab from the top navigation on my website.
Select “Advanced Search” to be able to specify numerous parameters that you’d like to find in your next home.
From the drop down menu, choose the types of properties that you’re interested in from the following options: Single Family Residential, Rentals, Lots and Land, Multifamily Residential, and Commercial.
If you’re looking for Single Family Residential, click on the checkbox to select your preference for Single Family, Condominium, Townhome, Mobile Home, or Farm.
Select your desired options in as many of the remaining areas as you desire. You can limit your search by City, Listing Status, Dwelling Type, Style, Lot Description/Views, Waterfront Type, Location, Region, Area, Subdivision, and Schools. You can also put in parameters for Price, Number of Bedrooms, Number of Bathrooms, Minimum Number of Square Feet, and Maximum Number of Days Listed.
Click on the green Search button when you are ready.

Remember, the more specifications that you enter, the more narrow your search. If you do not receive the number of options that you think you should, consider widening your search by removing some of the specifications.

Save Your Search Results

The results that match your specifications will be marked by blue flags on the map. You can click on the flag that interests you the most or you can scroll down below the map to see all of the options in more detail.*

Three options appear above the map: Save Search, New Search, or Modify Search. To save the parameters that you’ve set for this search, click Save Search.

If you are new to the website, click Create a New Listing Manager Account Now. Note: You will need to verify your email address via a link to your email account in order to activate your Listing Manager Account.
If you are returning to the website and already have a Listing Manager Account, enter your email address and password.

Once you login to your Listing Manager Account, you will receive a message that states, “Your search has been saved!” You now have access to the Listing Manager Account features which include: My Saved Searches, My Saved Properties, Edit My Info, and Log Out.

By clicking My Saved Searches, you can view all of the properties that fit your previous searches. And, you can see what search parameters you selected in the past. The same applies to My Saved Properties.

*Note: To save a property, scroll down to the property description below the map and click Save.

Housing Recovery Noted Across the Nation!

2013-05-29T21:14:32+00:00

U.S. home prices rose 10.9% in the 12 months ending in March. This mirrors what we reported for the Beaches in our S pring 2013 Real Estate Report.
Home prices are still 28% off their 2006 peaks.
The broadbased housing improvements appear to be buoying consumer confidence and spending (confidence reached a five-year high in May, according to a Conference Board report also released Tuesday).
Inventories everywhere are low - that's especially noticeable in the Jacksonville Beaches communities of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra.
Mortgage rates are still very low, and new construction is rising.

What can we expect going forward? Here are a few “educated” guesses:

More sellers will come off the sidelines as prices move up.
Fewer distressed sales will continue to push prices up overall, but their influence will diminish going forward. Be prepared for fewer “deals” with sale prices moving closer to the initial asking price.
Some slowing in price increases from double digits, but steady gains, nevertheless.
More construction stimulated by buyers looking for options in a tight resale market. There are many great choices available now and there will be much more to choose from if you can wait from four to seven months.
Heavily discounted markets (such as our own local markets) will see the most appreciable price increases. The rebound is not over at the Beaches, so if you are buying, now is a good time.

Looks like 2013 and 2014 will be favorable to both buyers and sellers here at the Beaches. If you are thinking of coming off the sidelines, contact me. We (my team and I) would be delighted to help you with a free market analysis of your property, or in finding the perfect new home.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, 5/26, 12-3 p.m. at 204 Clearwater Drive in Plantation Oaks

2013-05-26T04:50:35+00:00

Communities in Nocatee are Hot! Hot! Hot!

2013-05-24T13:34:48+00:00

With a choice of 12 builders across the development, Nocatee has quickly risen to one of the ten best-selling communities in America. The Enclave is a relatively new development with a cottage-community feel that offers energy-efficient homes within a short distance to the Town Centre. Greenleaf Village is breaking ground on the final phase and offers several options for new home construction. Greenleaf Preserve is now starting to offer new homes by ICI homes.

In Nocatee, you can live the community lifestyle with accessibility to biking and walking trails, electric car routes. You can also enjoy riding the zipline or splashing around in the fabulous waterpark. With its wide variety of neighborhoods and home styles, Nocatee could easily be the right community for you!

Article by Lisa Sells Ponte Vedra Team member, Tonya O'Quinn.

L’Atrium Neighborhood Notes with Lisa Barton

2013-05-22T23:05:38+00:00

New School in Nocatee

2013-05-21T17:24:11+00:00