When the 2-party system brings the government to close, Americans tend to get cautious

We are seeing this in Jacksonville, even in the Historic districts of +Avondale +Riverside +SanMarco +Springfield +Ortega, the confidence level is affecting Real Estate. Ronald Reagan had his issues with Congress, so did George Bush Senior, but they never brought the economy crashing down. Our government will be the death of our great country, unless we can reign them in as citizens.

The ugly fight in Washington that shut down the government and nearly failed to raise the debt limit took a serious toll on consumer confidence.

The Conference Board's monthly Consumer Confidence Index was released Tuesday, and it showed that the American people's confidence in the U.S. economy dipped sharply in October. In one month, the confidence index fell from 80.2 to 71.2, and the nonprofit that publishes the survey pointed the finger at the budget crisis.

"Consumer confidence deteriorated considerably as the federal government shutdown and debt-ceiling crisis took a particularly large toll on consumers' expectations," wrote Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. Franco went on to note that similar dips have been observed last year during the "fiscal cliff" debate and during the last government shutdown in the mid-1990s.

The Conference Board isn't alone in its assessment that the shutdown hurt consumer confidence: Last week's Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer confidence survey found that confidence in the economy had reached its lowest ebb since December 2012.

Consumer confidence is a closely watched economic indicator, and the troublesome reports come just a month before the official kick-off of the holiday shopping season. And that could spell trouble for the retail industry and the economy as a whole.

"With the holiday shopping season around the corner, consumers have been shaken by all the political turmoil in Washington," wrote IHS Global Insights economist Chris Christopher in an email. "Looking ahead, we expect consumer confidence to gain traction in the upcoming months; however, confidence falls faster than it rises."

There is a potential silver lining for consumers, though -- as Christopher points out, retailers will be discounting heavily to convince shoppers to shake off their worries and get to the mall. And we all like sales, but is it worth bringing the country to the brink of collapse? If you want to see an equally scary scenario, watch "Too Big To Fail" sometime on video, it is the scary story of the Lehman Brothers collapse and then the bailout of AIG and banks during the last financial crisis. Scary stuff, just in time for Halloween!

#LizBobeck

Some great benefits to buying a house in the fall

Traditionally, fall isn’t a very popular season for home-buying.  But there are advantages to buying a home in Historic +Avondale, +Riverside, +SanMarco, +Springfield, +Ortega. With holidays, cold weather, and the likelihood of bonuses at the beginning of the new year, many people wait to buy homes in the spring and summer. Statistics show year after year how significantly the market slows down, but this can make fall the opportune time to buy a home. If you’re able and don’t mind moving in colder weather, I believe there are quite a few benefits of buying a home in the fall.

Less Competition

Because fall isn’t a popular home-buying season, you’ll face less competition when you’re house hunting and ready to make and offer. This can alleviate a lot of the stress ordinarily associated with house hunting, because it allows you to browse homes and consider them at a more leisurely pace. It also means you’re likely to have more negotiating power when it’s time to buy. Without other offers to compete against, you can leverage your position to land a better deal on a home.

Tax Benefits

Purchasing a home has tax benefits, especially for first-time buyers. If you purchase in the fall, before the new year, you can claim deductions on your 2013 taxes. Waiting to buy a home, even till winter, means missing out on various benefits in April—and usually means receiving a smaller refund.

Better Selection

In the height of the home-buying season, homes can go off the market weeks or even days after their listing. This quick turn-around means you’re left with few options when you’re ready to buy. In the slower fall season, there’s a larger inventory to choose from, which increases your chances of finding the ideal home for you and your family. For a look at what is available right now, head over to my website that features my listings.

Eager Sellers

Because sellers know as well as anyone that fall isn’t the most popular season for the market, if they choose to sell during it, they’re likely to have a pressing reason. This usually makes for more eager sellers, which again works to your advantage. If someone needs to sell quickly, whether to relocate for work or to free up funds, you can leverage the situation to land a better deal on the sale.
If you’re interested in purchasing, refinancing, or learning more about mortgage rates this fall, simply fill out our Fast Response form. Our experienced mortgage professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. We look forward to hearing from you!

#LizBobeck

Historic 1504 gets money for a facelift!

If you have ever been to the Prime Osborn Convention Center on Water Street and parked in the back lot, you pass by the old Atlantic Coast Line Railroad #1504 Steam Engine. No matter if you live or want to live in Historic +Avondale +Riverside +Ortega +SanMarco +Springfield, it is great to see other +Historic landmarks around +Jacksonville.

So here is the write-up on 1504 being awarded money for its facelift:

The North Florida Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) has received $20,000 from Trains Magazine and CSX Corp. to fund the cosmetic restoration of Atlantic Coast Line No. 1504, a 1919-built steam locomotive on display in Jacksonville, Florida.

The magazine selected the NRHS chapter for its annual $10,000 Preservation Award, which was doubled by a matching grant from CSX. Currently on display at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, ACL 1504 has been outdoors for more than 50 years and is rapidly deteriorating due to exposure from the harsh Florida sun and salt air. NRHS named the locomotive to its 2013 “Most At-Risk list” of endangered railroad landmarks in April.

Widely considered one of the Southeast’s most important symbols of railroad history, Engine 1504 is the last remaining original U.S. Railway Administration locomotive in essentially as-built condition. The Pacific-class engine was built by Alco Locomotive Company for USRA during World War I; however, the war ended before 1504’s completion and the engine went into service for the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) railroad, powering premier passenger trains in and out of Florida.

North Florida Chapter NRHS is coordinating efforts to rescue ACL 1504 with its “Project Return to Glory.” The Trains award will fund the project’s first phase, which focuses on the engine’s appearance and stabilization. Also participating are the Atlantic Coast Line-Seaboard Air Line Historical Society, the Southeast Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society and the North Florida Railroad Museum.

“We are thrilled with CSX’s participation, and we hope this is the beginning of a long-term view of this locomotive as an important keepsake of American history that needs the best care possible,” said Trains Editor Jim Wrinn. “We would love to see more work on top of what Trains and CSX are funding, a roof to shelter it, and an endowment to ensure that this treasure is with us forever.”

“Engine 1504 represents the nationwide plight of park locomotives that are exposed to the elements without adequate maintenance resources. We’re grateful to the coalition of railroad history groups that have joined together to save this vital landmark,” said John S. Holmgren, president of the North Florida chapter. “Thanks to Trains Magazine and CSX, we can rescue engine 1504 through urgently needed cosmetic restoration and help ensure a bright and secure future for this historic locomotive.”

These locomotives are no different than a Historic +Avondale house, which gets the Florida Sun, Rain, Wind and elements on it daily. Here in Florida, we have more +Salt in the air due to the ocean and thus on a pretty day, the sun and salt are beating up your house. I have helped to restore a 1926 +Avondale house and it is a tough task. Learn more at my website on some of the other great +Historic properties available and their special condition.

#LizBobeck

Be warned. Pre-approved and pre-qualified are not the same thing

To all my friends in Historic +Avondale +Riverside +SanMarco +Ortega +Springfield, when looking for a home or have a friend looking to buy a house, remember the difference between Pre-approved versus pre-qualified. There is a difference, let's explore....

The Skinny on Pre-Qualified

Getting pre-qualified is the initial step in the mortgage process, and it's generally fairly simple. You supply a bank or lender with your overall financial picture, including your debt, income and assets. After evaluating this information, a lender can give you an idea of the mortgage amount for which you qualify. Pre-qualification can be done over the phone or on the internet, and there is usually no cost involved. Loan pre-qualification does not include an analysis of your credit report or an in-depth look at your ability to purchase a home.

The initial pre-qualification step allows you to discuss any goals or needs you may have regarding your mortgage with your lender. At this point, a lender can explain your various mortgage options and recommend the type that might be best suited to your situation. (For more, see Mortgages: How Much Can You Afford.)

Because it's a quick procedure, and based only on the information you provide to the lender, your pre-qualified amount is not a sure thing; it's just the amount for which you might expect to be approved. For this reason, a pre-qualified buyer doesn't carry the same weight as a pre-approved buyer who has been more thoroughly investigated.

The Skinny on Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved is the next step, and it tends to be much more involved. You'll complete an official mortgage application (and usually pay an application fee), and then supply the lender with the necessary documentation to perform an extensive check on your financial background and current credit rating. (Typically at this stage, you will not have found a house yet, so any reference to "property" on the application will be left blank). From this, the lender can tell you the specific mortgage amount for which you are approved. You'll also have a better idea of the interest rate you will be charged on the loan and, in some cases, you might be able to lock-in a specific rate.

With pre-approval, you will receive a conditional commitment in writing for an exact loan amount, allowing you to look for a home at or below that price level. Obviously, this puts you at an advantage when dealing with a potential seller, as he or she will know you're one step closer to obtaining an actual mortgage.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage also enables you to move quickly when you find the perfect place. When you make an offer, it won't be contingent on obtaining financing, which can save you valuable time. In a competitive market, this lets the seller know that your offer is serious - and could prevent you from losing out to another potential buyer who already has financing arranged.

Once you have found the right house for you, you'll fill in the appropriate details and your pre-approval will become a complete application. My banker told me that you want to be Pre-approved, period. Anyone can get pre-qualified, but pre-approved, even though it has a cost, is worth more and allows you to move quickly to acquire your dream house.

#LizBobeck

This startup lets you store digital copies of your keys in the cloud | Inman News

This startup lets you store digital copies of your keys in the cloud | Inman News

This is a great idea for tenants, landlords, and Realtors. Take a picture of your key, then send to a Kiosk to have them create a duplicate for you. This may put locksmiths out of business, but it also may make breaking into homes easier too...

#LizBobeck

Ladies 3 Things You Must Do at Gas Stations - Safe Choice Security

Ladies 3 Things You Must Do at Gas Stations - Safe Choice Security

I know I am guilty of leaving my purse, sometimes, in the front of my seat. I arrive at a Gas Station, I am on my phone (My husband calls it the Realtor's weapon), and I am oblivious to the surroundings, and I leave my purse unattended in the car. It only takes a second for a criminal to spy an opportunity.

As the sun goes down earlier on Historic +Avondale +Riverside +SanMarco +Ortega +Springfield, ladies, be aware that there will be people looking for easy targets and unfortunately those of us driving SUVs are going to be their targets. Don't make it easy for them. Be aware of the surroundings, if something scares you, drive off to another corner. Lock your doors when you leave to go inside. Don't leave your purse on the passenger seat in plain view for a criminal.

If someone comes up to you for money or worse, make noise, scream at the top of your lungs, they will go away as criminals do not like attention on them and their situation. Make as much noise as possible. scream for help. You will find others who will assist you.

#LizBobeck

Dreams Come True Jacksonville FL

Today, we take a break from discussing the stories about Historic +Avondale +Riverside +SanMarco +Springfield and +Ortega. So that we may bring you a softer, more human side of how we care for others at +Prudential Network Realty of Northeast Florida.

Meet two of our dreamers, Rayna and Logan and view their pictures and think of how happy these pictures make them in their fight for life.

#LizBobeck

Scam Alert in Jacksonville, FL

This is from the #JSO here in Jacksonville. We have seen burglaries in Historic +Avondale +Riverside +Ortega +SanMarco and +Springfield, but now we have a new scam to discuss and caution against with all the Affordable Care Act discussion:

Here is the link to the story

**SCAM ALERT**

With the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) underway, agencies around the country are receiving numerous reports of identity theft when scammers solicit personal information under the guise of helping those victims sign up for the new program. Although investigators have not seen this in Jacksonville, we anticipate this to be a problem and want to warn people so they do not fall for this scam.

Scammers are using the ACA as a way to fool victims into sharing their personal information.

How the Scam Works:

You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the federal government. The caller informs you that you've been selected to receive insurance cards through the new Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). However, before he/she can mail your card, the caller needs to collect personal information.

Scammers do a lot to make their requests seem credible. For example, they may have your bank's routing number and ask you to provide your account number. They may ask for your credit card or Social Security number, Medicare ID, or other personal information.

Sharing personal information with a scammer puts you at risk for identity theft. Scammers can use the information they obtain to open credit cards in your name or steal from your bank account.

How to Spot a Scam and Protect Yourself:

Con artists are taking advantage of the confusion and buzz surrounding the Affordable Care Act implementation. Here's what you can do to protect yourself:
•Hang up, don't press any buttons and, if you received a voice mail message, don't call the scammer back. We all like to have the last word, but returning the phone call may just give the con artist information he can use.
•The government typically doesn't call, text or email. Government agencies normally communicate through the mail, so be very cautious of any unsolicited calls, text messages or emails you receive. Also, if the government is contacting you, they should already have your basic personal info, such as your Social Security number.
•Don't trust Caller ID. Scammers have technology that lets them display any number or organization name on your screen.
•There is only one place to shop for a qualified health plan: www.HealthCare.gov, which is run by the FTC's Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Who is Being Targeted?

Anyone can be the victim of this scam, but some groups are more likely to be targeted than others. The new law has special provisions for the following groups:
•People 65 years or older
•Persons with disabilities
•Owners of small businesses

Officer Melissa J. Bujeda
Public Information Officer
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

#LizBobeck

Is the extra $100 worth it for RV City? What else is going up at Florida / Georgia?

Parking fees for RV city go up an extra 100 bucks, welcome to Jacksonville fans!

Here is the link from Channel 4

Football fans planning on heading to RV City for this year's Florida-Georgia game should get ready to shell out some extra cash. A four-day parking pass for RVs is going to run an extra $100 this year.

The Daniel family has been taking their RV to Florida-Georgia game for nearly 15 years, but this year they're going to be rooting for their Gators with a little less money in the wallet. They said if fees for parking this RV continue to go up, they may have to end what's become a family tradition.

“This is where we stay, all week,” said Deanie Daniel.

The Daniel’s RV is their home away from home during the Florida-Georgia game, but after the price hike this year, Deanie Daniel fears her budget might bust.

“I said, ‘they went up again. $100 this year!’ And I said, ‘it’s increased to 500 percent,' which I think is a big increase,” said Daniel.

The cost to park an RV in RV City this year is $125 a day. Multiply that by four days and that’s $500 for the weekend. Daniel said compared to last years $400 fee, she expects more for her money.

“Unless they're giving us something else, I feel like we definitely need more Port-O-Lets to handle the Friday and Saturday crowds and the security. I mean, they do the best they can, but sometimes they're a little slow because I think they have a lot going on,” said Daniel.

The City of Jacksonville statement about the cost of parking in RV City:

“The total cost of parking at RV City during the Florida-Georgia weekend goes toward the services and enjoyment for RV guests. That includes helping pay the costs for maintaining operations through the week, clean up and the personnel who make it an enjoyable place to witness a great college football event.”

“If the city was to decide to increase the fees even more moving forward for next year, do you think you guys will go?” “No. We actually talked about there's another lot down the street, that's a big lot. We actually talked about it this year, but we already had told people we'd be down there, so we said we'll go ahead and do it, but if they go up again - no, we'll look for another alternative or we won't go at all,” said Daniel

Many of our friends in Historic +Avondale + Riverside +SanMarco +Ortega +Springfield go to the game and take their RV. Sure, its 100 bucks more for 4 days, but fans have seen the increase every year. Now there is a LOT of fun in RV city, they do have concerts and parties there in the area every night. It is a blast. Maybe the 100 bucks is worth the extra entertainment value. Saturday, day of the game, is indeed a zoo down there.

If you get the chance to see RV City, go and see all the people having fun, Gators or Bulldogs, they are all about the fun, and by Saturday, they will have been there for many days, as this Friday, October 25, they have to move their RVs to get in line just to have it open up next Wednesday. Makes for a long stay in Jacksonville!

#LizBobeck

RealtyTrac: Investor demand boosts residential property sales | 2013-10-23 | HousingWire

RealtyTrac: Investor demand boosts residential property sales | 2013-10-23 | HousingWire

Jacksonville featured in the article in terms of where you can find a good deal under $200,000.

#LizBobeck

Seasons are changing, take care of your dogs too

You have probably noticed here in Historic +Avondale +Riverside +San Marco +Ortega +Springfield, that the temperatures are changing, getting cooler. Whew! Your dogs can tell it too! They have more spring in their step, and are prone to not eat right as they go chasing after the last lizards of the season! So I recommend you keep this close as you get ready to decide what to do with your pumpkins (besides cooking the seeds).

Pumpkin can help with the following pet ailments:

1) Digestive Health: Pumpkin is a great source of fiber for our furry friends, as well as for us. Pureed pumpkin (with no added sugar or spice) can help dogs and cats with both constipation and diarrhea. Adding a tablespoon or two (in proportion to their size) to their regular meal is known to help keep them regular. It can also help dogs and cats with indigestion or upset stomachs.

2) Urinary Health: According to Veterinarians Laci and Jed Schaible, co-founders of VetLive.com, pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants (good for overall healthy skin and fur), and the oils in pumpkins’ flesh and seeds are believed to support urinary health. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium and iron, and may even reduce the likelihood your pet will develop cancer.

3) Weight Loss:  Dogs seem to naturally love pumpkin. If you are looking to take a few pounds off of your pooch or kitty, try reducing a portion of their food and replace it with the same portion of canned pumpkin. Their tummy will feel just as full, and they might even thank you for the additional flavor.

Chopped Pumpkin

Amazing stuff just purée the pumpkin and freeze it in ice-cube trays and store in freezer  bags for when needed. It usually only takes one cube thawed and added to your dog’s meal to correct the stool problem, often associated with change in diet, traveling, or stress. If pumpkin does not solve the problem quickly take a stool sample to your vet with your dog as there is probably something more serious going on.

Raw Pumpkin Puree.

When I purée the pumpkin I add some olive oil and water to make the purée easier to make.You can add a little cinnamon some say it adds to the effect and the dogs enjoy it more, but just a little.

Pumpkin puree frozen in cubes.

If you do not have the time to make this yourself frozen pumpkin for dogs is also available commercially, I know of one place, RawPaw

So before you carve the pumpkin, remember you can use the pumpkin for your health and that of your furry friend! Don't forget to eat the pumpkin seeds!

#LizBobeck

The Strand Apartment Building has been SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, good news for Historic San Marco

From the Florida Times-Union October 21 online:

The Strand, a 28-story apartment building on Jacksonville’s Southbank, has been sold for $53.3 million. The $181,000 per unit is close to $30,000 more than any previous apartment purchase in Jacksonville, according to Brian Moulder, who brokered the deal for CBRE.

The buyer is Crescent Heights, a Miami firm well known across the country, primarily for converting apartments to condominiums. No one from the company would talk for this story other than to say it does keep some buildings as apartments. And Moulder said his understanding is that Crescent Heights would continue to run it as apartments for the foreseeable future.

He said he was told that The Strand’s 295 units are 96 percent occupied.

Crescent Heights’ website lists 43 luxury properties, both condominiums and apartment buildings, around the country. The company is credited with starting condo conversions in South Florida in the early 1990s. Since then, it’s been the major player in conversions around the country.

“Last week, they closed a deal in San Francisco, Chicago and Jacksonville,” Moulder said. “There’s definitely a buzz about Jacksonville and around its downtown. It’s certainly one of the most significant buys in North Florida.” Prudential Network Realty is in charge of sales at The Peninsula on the Southbank, the condo tower next door to The Strand. A Prudential representative said that representatives of Crescent Heights came to see The Peninsula as they studied a possible purchase.

Earlier this month The Beacon Riverside Condo was announced, a 600 apartment unit,  planned for Riverside Avenue just south of downtown. Bryan Weber, who developed Villa Riva condominiums in Riverside 10 years ago and is working with Hallmark Partners on the planned Beacon Riverside condo tower, said a successful condo conversion of The Strand would depend on price.

“I think with The Peninsula being sold out, there’s an increasing demand for that kind of product,” Weber said. “But it’d be a whole different price point and target audience than Beacon. “They’d be looking at more of a young professional than a luxury condominium.”

Prices at Beacon Riverside are slated to start at $600,000 and go to more than $1 million.

The Peninsula opened in 2008 and the last of its 234 units sold in June. There are 13 units on the resale market, ranging from $265,000 to $1.25 million.

The Strand was originally developed by American Land Ventures as apartments, but when The Peninsula started selling well, the developer decided to make it condos as well. But before it opened in 2007, it was changed back to apartments. Moulder said he listed the building for sale this summer and had more than 20 serious groups looking to buy it.

Crescent Heights paid cash, he said.

Historic +SanMarco is coming back, this sale is huge to help push the local apartment market. If you would like to see an apartment, condo or house in +SanMarco, call me to schedule an appointment.

#LizBobeck

Dying is part of living, so why should someone dying in a house make a difference in the sale of the house? Check this site to see if someone died in YOUR house!

I live in a Historic +Avondale house that has had a number of residents who have lived in it during the almost 88 years it has been standing. It is a great house, and it has its old house flaws. One flaw I am not aware of is that maybe someone died in the house during the 88 years. Well, as they say, there is a website for that too....

Remember that house? Popularized by the Amityville horror movies. Yes, movies mind you, but there are plenty of homes I can discuss that I know of where a family member died in the house, because they did not want to be moved to a care facility. Who can blame them? If they live in a 1-story home, and they have all their senses, why would anyone want to me moved to a place that is plain vanilla and just plain boring compared to the memories of your own home?

Now there is a site where you can see who died in the house, before you buy it. Is it a legitimate site? they show some sample reports, but its hard to see if the people actually died there or if they had lived there, were taken to a hospital, where they expired. Some celebrities, it shows that they did actually commit suicide at the house, so the site is open to interpretation.

If nothing else, it is a site for another 12 bucks of your money. Or I suppose you could blow that same 12 bucks on a few more lives of Candy Crush.

#LizBobeck

Are you part of Nextdoor?

I know my neighbors here in Historic +Avondale. Do you know yours if you live in the historic neighborhoods of +Riverside, +San Marco, +Ortega or +Springfield? Granted, I have many friends who live in these other neighborhoods, but they are not in my particular neighborhood. The Nextdoor site is a great website that attempts to connect residents within neighborhoods to other residents in the same and neighboring neighborhoods.

RAP is comprised of Riverside and Avondale and both neighborhoods share a lot of similarities and they both grow and contract together. Being close to each other, it tends to happen. So when you hear about growth in Avondale, you can almost be sure that growth is occurring in Riverside or even Ortega, since they are all so close to one another, like steps across a stream.

Within my Nextdoor - Avondale there are 48 confirmed neighbors who are connected to this service and then there are 305 "nearby" neighbors who are located in other neighborhoods, like Murray Hill, Ortega, Riverside. Nextdoor sees neighborhoods as 3000 households. So they will split, rightfully or wrong, a neighborhood if they feel that there are too many households. They have a "formula" for how neighbors should interact and more than 3000 does not work, to them, yet Avondale has 3,380 households, so go figure!

Still, it is a great way to stay in touch with others and learn what is going on in your community. In a way, it is like a community page on Facebook, but it has other neat features, like "Are you planning to give out candy for Halloween?", so people can plan on going to your house, maybe skipping others who are not. There are sections of the site that allow for posting of "For Sale" items as well as a blog for asking and allowing others to answer questions. It really is like a neighborhood paper or community pages we used to have with the Jacksonville Journal (this was a newspaper that stopped operations in the late 1980s).

So try out Nextdoor, it is free to join and post a picture and then start interacting with your fellow neighbors. After all a strong community starts with neighbors looking out for each other, and what better time to organize a street party than now, in the fall, when nature allows us to all get out and enjoy the cooler nights and days.

#LizBobeck

10 signs you might have an unrealistic buyer on your hands.....

Now this is funny, see if you are in any of these top 10 posts about unrealistic buyers. I am sure we have thought this at one time or another. From my friend, fellow Realtor, Marc in South Florida:

1. "I am in control of this deal. The sellers need me more than I need them."

2. "I can get a mortgage with no problem. Let's go find the house and then we will worry about how to pay for it."

3. "I would like to find a house on the beach  for $100,000."

4. "Thank you for showing us these market statistics. My sister's boyfriend, who has his real estate license but works at Chili's, told me that it is still a buyers market." - my personal favorite!

5. "I know the roof checked out fine in the inspection but we would like the sellers to install a new metal roof for us. We love the way they look." - goes over well in Historic +Avondale and +Riverside

4. "I would like to make an offer 70% of the asking price and don't plan to go up a whole lot."  (The average discount in Jacksonville in September was 5.6%. See NEFAR market stats.)

5. "I would like a high-rise condo for $50,000. Oh, by the way, it needs to have an unobstructed water view, I have seen a lot of foreclosures in Miami, surely you have them here too!"

6. "I want to put down $2,000 and have the seller hold a mortgage for the rest."

7. "We want a new home with some acreage and a lake view within walking distance of downtown."

8. "I would like to lease option a condo, preferably on the beach. Can you help me find a seller that won't ask me to put much money down?"

9. "Here is our home inspection report. We would like the sellers to paint the entire house inside and out."

10. "I plan on retiring in 9 years but want to look at some property now. Can we see these 11 homes this weekend?" (True story)

As you can see many people have no problem asking for the ridiculous and think that "Hey, what else does this Realtor have to do", when in fact, just as in their business profession, there are people who are serious and there are the tire kickers. Realtors work hard to help clients and help them avoid the many pitfalls in the world of bad titles, bad inspectors, bad appraisers. You need an advocate to help you though the maze, as it is far worse now in 2013 than it ever was in the good years of 2004-2006. Call me today to learn about what I can offer you in Historic +Riverside and +Avondale.

#LizBobeck

Mortgage lenders relaxing standards as refi business dries up - Important because you want to use someone else's money to help you buy a house!

Mortgage lenders relaxing standards as refi business dries up | Inman News

Mortgage lenders continued to ease underwriting standards in September as the refi boom fades and lenders become increasingly reliant on business from home buyers, according to the latest monthly survey by mortgage origination software company Ellie Mae Inc.

Average FICO scores for closed loans dropped to 732, compared with 734 in August and 747 in January. In addition, 31 percent of loans closed in September had FICO scores of less than 700, compared with 17 percent at the same time a year ago.

Purchase mortgages accounted for 58 percent of closed loans, up from 27 percent in January.

This is great news if you are looking to buy a house in Historic +Avondale or +Riverside. As banks see fewer refi opportunities, they will lower their credit scores so that more people will be able to qualify for a loan. So the "boomerang" people who were caught in a foreclosure or short sale, will be able to get into a home sooner. At least in theory. Every bank will be different. Call me for my recommendation on a mortgage lender!

#LizBobeck

When is a house too big in Historic Riverside and Avondale?

When is a house declared "too big" for a buyer? Typically this happens when you have an empty nester or someone with not enough kids or plans to fill the bedrooms. Sure its great to own a large house, for your ego and / or status, the fact remains the City charges you for property tax based on the size of the house, regardless of your children status.

Those who live in Historic Riverside Avondale know what a great neighborhood it is for children. There are so many parks and places to go and things to do that raise the quality of life when you have children. Quality of life becomes such a large issue when you are choosing a neighborhood. At least in Historic +Riverside +Avondale, you can walk on sidewalks, walk to the Shoppes of Avondale or to Memorial Park or even Riverside Park. Our neighborhood does not have gates and walls around it.

3029 Riverside AVE - JACKSONVILLE_FL_32205

Yes, 3029 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205 is available for sale. Some of the comments from people looking are that the house is simply too big. Some of the people were empty nesters, some had 1 child or a special needs child, but the house shows so well, one spouse is an interior decorator. The house has been on the RAP Tour of Homes, it is of the design and layout of the mansions that used to line Riverside Avenue. This is an amazing structure and if you are in the Riverside Avondale area, check it out.

If you know someone who wants to live in the Historic District, who has a need for more room than the cookie-cutter boxes that are cut in a subdivision neighborhood, why not look at the virtual tour on the link above? This is an opportunity to own a piece of history in the best neighborhood in +Jacksonville.

#LizBobeck

Hey Investors, Historic Avondale and Riverside is still on sale!

Calling all investors, +Avondale and +Riverside are still on sale! So says many national investors. I just posted that 1 in 96 homes in Jacksonville are in foreclosure, yes this is better than 2012, but it seems that we are up a bit in our pace for 2013. Probably after the summer lull!

The current price for the median US house is below $200,000 but a fair value estimate based on a mortgage rate of 4.5% is about $257,000 a 34% gain from the median price. There is still a lot of upside in real estate. Rates are inching up and this will create more value for homes as well.

Say mortgage rates rise, and it is conceivable to see this into 2014,  to 6%, fair value for US houses would be about $219,000, still a solid investment of around $27,000 from today's price. We are still rising to where values were in 2009, so we are a good 40% below where we were for 2005.

Where are you, the investor going to invest your money? Treasury bills? How long can you live on zero percent interest, CDs? Come on aging folks, we all know you can't even beat inflation with half of 1% for a 5 year CD. There are few good alternatives for money. Real Estate at 6 to 8 percent is a great deal for an investor.

We still have a ways to go with the rise in real estate values, as we are just passing where we were in values from 2009. Look for 2013 to finish strong and for 2014 to build on the gains of 2013. Metals, Stocks, bonds, none look as appealing as real estate at the moment, and +Avondale along with +Riverside are on sale here in +Jacksonville.

#LizBobeck

Area homes selling faster, and for more, than a year ago, but down from last month | jacksonville.com

Area homes selling faster, and for more, than a year ago, but down from last month | jacksonville.com

Riverside/Ortega/Avondale, 47, $229,000

Median sales price — $156,000, down from $169,000 in August but up from $131,500 in September 2012.

Average sales price — $194,661, down from $198,474 in August, up from $181,369 in September 2012.

Closed sales — 1,691, down from 1,998 in August and up from 1,352 in September 2012.

Days on the market until sale — 80, up from 79 in August, down from 109 in September 2012.

Percent of original list price received — 94.4 percent, up from 94.1 percent in August and 91.4 percent in September 2012.

Properties sold over list price — 15.6 percent, up from 13.9 percent in August and 12.4 percent in September 2012.

New listings — 2,635, down from 2,947 in August and up from 2,217 in September 2012.

Inventory of homes for sale — 8,970, down from 9,265 in August and 10,827 in September 2012.

#LizBobeck

Historic Riverside Avondale Diversity Great 2013 PRIDE parade

Northeast Florida is an area of the United States of America that is fairly conservative. There are more Democrats who live in NE Florida, but the Dems do not always vote in a liberal manner. So what you have here is a great place to live that is traditionally conservative, but can be open to changes, when needed.

This past weekend, the 2013 Rivercity Pride Parade worked its way through Historic +Avondale and Historic +Riverside. It was a great event with many corporate sponsors, including +Bank America and +Chase.

The crowds were peaceful and the folks on the floats were respectful of the people who lined the streets. My husband and I were in our golf cart with our two black standard poodles and we have fun watching the parade at 3 different locations. We were able to see friends and neighbors all along the way.

The weather cooperated and even though there was a nice party in 5-points, the real festival is next week at RAM, the Riverside Arts Market. Cost for the parade and the festival is FREE. It is a great way to show our diversity and ability to live together with people who have different views and ideas.

#LizBobeck

Just Sold in Historic Avondale

Just sold this fantastic waterfront home. On Woodmere Drive. Great ending to a house that was in a trust with a number of trustees from all over the country. It was a challenging sale, but in the end, my team was able to make this work.

If you have real estate you would like to buy or sell, please consider me as a Realtor for your transaction, (904) 210-6399.

#LizBobeck

Fresh Market coming to Riverside Avenue, city official reveals | jacksonville.com

Fresh Market is coming to Riverside Avenue, a city official said. Karen Nasrallah, manager at the city’s Office of Economic Development office, said at a meeting this week that her understanding is that the grocery has been signed for the project going in just east of 220 Riverside.

Fresh Market coming to Riverside Avenue, city official reveals | jacksonville.com

#LizBobeck

Fla. has lots of REOs, but they’re not for sale, we have a few in Historic Riverside Avondale

Did you know that there is a house that has been sitting empty at the corner of Challen and Remington that has been involved in a foreclosure/REO issue for the last three years? I'd call this house in Historic Avondale a Zombie Home. Bank has not foreclosed on it yet, owner declared bankruptcy. Yet, it just sits growing vines and who knows what inside....have you seen a vampire or zombie home in our area?

Did you know that Florida has a lot of REOs – properties owned by a bank after foreclosure – but slightly more than half (an estimated 53 percent) aren't for sale. In those cases, the owners who lost the property still lives there.

In a report released this week, RealtyTrac calls the homes “vampire homes,” perhaps in deference to Halloween. However, it also identifies “zombie homes” as ones where a bank has not yet foreclosed but the owner has already moved out. While vampire homes can look like any other home on the block, zombie homes tend to have overgrown grass and sometimes maintenance issues.

Nationwide, an estimated 47 percent of bank-owned homes fall into the vampire category. An additional 20 percent of homes somewhere in the foreclosure process have been abandoned by the owner.

Vampire homes “represent a shadow inventory that is becoming more imminent as rising home prices motivate banks to sell off these homes to try to recoup their losses on soured loans,” says Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac vice president. Zombie homes “often represent a threat to the quality of the surrounding neighborhood, dragging down home values.”

Vampire homes as a percentage of all REOs, according to RealtyTrac

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach – 64%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater – 46%
Orlando-Kissimmee – 50%
Jacksonville – 39%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers – 54%
Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice – 48%
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville – 38%
Port St. Lucie – 34%
Lakeland – 63%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach – 33%
Ocala – 36%
Naples-Marco Island – 62%
Tallahassee – 49%
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent – 47%
Gainesville – 55%

Zombie homes as a percentage of all homes in the foreclosure process

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach – 16%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater – 27%
Orlando-Kissimmee – 20%
Jacksonville – 30%
Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice – 25%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers – 26%
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville – 28%
Port St. Lucie – 31%
Lakeland – 27%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach – 30%
Ocala – 38%
Naples-Marco Island – 21%
Tallahassee – 28%
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent – 26%
Gainesville – 28%

How do you stay in touch with your neighbors about crime, issues in the neighborhood, or new items?

Living in Historic Riverside Avondale, there are many occurrences when I can run into someone and start a conversation. Our offices are located at 3627 St. Johns Avenue, next to +Underwood Jewelers and across the street from the +Casbah restaurant. Our spot at +Prudential Network Realty of Northeast Florida is also used as a valet spot for the Avondale area, so it is a great spot to see and be seen!

But if I sell a house or work with someone down on Menna Street, which is a few blocks away down Dancy and Park to Menna, how do I know what is happening back there, as compared to say what is happening to neighbors who live at Talbot and Pine Street? Well, there is +Facebook+ Fan Page and the fan pages of friends and co-workers. We all +google bloger about what we do, or at least should! There is the ability to send email, call or other, but what about a neighborhood solution?

+Nextdoor has created a neat solution that allows you to get connected with Avondale Riverside and now Greenwood (more on that in a minute). So you can connect with, now, over 300 residents in the Avondale Riverside area to announce a new event, or new restaurant, or anything on your mind. A break-in, burglary, or other issue. The site sends out an email about new conversations. You join your neighborhood and stay connected. The Avondale Riverside site is here.

So never think that you are alone out there in terms of news on the neighborhood. As there is the local Resident newspaper, it is nice to know what is happening every 30 days, but it is better to have direct and immediate access online or on your iphone. Look at what is offered to you and see if you can stay connected. A stronger community creates a safer community and raises property values. So being diligent may just put more money in your pocket!

#LizBobeck

Happy Fall Ya'll, it is the time of year to cool off a bit and time to work in the yard again!

We are so blessed to live in Northeast +Florida and in doing so, we have the opportunity to see some cooler weather. Just recently we started seeing the average nightly temperature dip into the 60s, a sign that winter and jeans (without sweating in them) and sweaters are around the corner.

So to get right with fall, and Happy Fall Ya'll, which is my flag at my house.

Creating a beautiful yard is something that everyone in Riverside/Avondale can appreciate and enjoy. By giving your Historic home some real curb appeal, you are only adding value and style to your household and those around you. While you may think that making your yard beautiful will take a lot of work, there are actually plenty of different simple things that you can do to turn your boring outdoor space into a private oasis. Enjoy spending time outside when you opt to take advantage of these five tips that are sure to make your yard a beautiful paradise for your enjoyment.

Planting Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can add true natural beauty to your yard. Head out to industrial auctions to find a backhoe for sale that can be used to dig up and even out your current yard. This gives you the ability to really start over with your entire landscaping scheme. Choose the perfect spots to plant your trees in and watch as your yard becomes more beautiful than it has ever been before.

Enjoying Your Garden
Whether you have a flower garden or a vegetable garden in your outdoor space, you deserve to take the time to enjoy it. By adding a small table with two chairs, a bench or a swing to your yard, you will be creating a beautiful spot where you are able to sit back, relax and take in all of scenery around you.

Adding a Pond
Play up the natural design aspects of your yard by adding a pond where fish, frogs and birds can come to play. Work with the current plants that are found in your backyard and dig your new pond in an area where it looks like it should naturally be there.

Potted Plants
You don’t need to be a landscaping expert to add beauty to your yard. With some simple potted plants, you can create a whole new look in both your front yard and backyard. Choose annual or seasonal flowers that can be placed on your front porch steps, hung above the porch or that will line your walkway.

Fence Flowers
Turn your boring old fence into your yards statement piece by planting flowers around it or over it. You may even opt to create an entire living fence made out of flowers, plants and vines. This will add color and beauty to the outside of your home.

#LizBobeck