Florida buyers take advantage of historically low mortgage rates.

An article posted by Florida Realtors on August 18 states that 15 metropolitan cities across the state have reported an increase in sales of existing homes. Also, according to a report taken last month, existing home sales rose by 12% in Florida over the past year.

To read more about this exciting turn of events, click here: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=263666

How to protect your home from hurricanes.

With hurricane season in full swing it's time to learn the necessary precautions, should one hit our town. The absolute best thing you can do is plan ahead of time and not when the storm is a day away.

Before the storm hits:
- Have a full tank of gas in all your vehicles.
- Make sure the shutters or plywood for your windows fit securely.
- Know if your home is safe from a storm surge zone or not.
- Know your evacuation route should you need one.
- Have enough food and water to last you a couple of days.
- Make sure you have plenty of flashlights, candles, matches and batteries.
- Have all your important documents secured safely in some sort of waterproof container and know where that container is.
- Have a battery-powered radio or television to keep up with the storm track or when you should expect to get your power back.
- Make sure you have plenty of books or board games at home, it gets rather boring when the power is out for days and you are not able to go anywhere.
- Don't forget to have plenty of cash! If the power goes out, it will be hard to use plastic.
- If you have a pool, take all your lawn equipment and patio furniture and throw it in.
- If you do not have a pool, make sure all these items are placed inside your home. We don't want them to be flying around outside at 100 mph.
- Have a "safe room." This will be the room in the house where everyone gathers when the storm hits, that either has no windows or smaller windows than other rooms.
- If you have any pets, make sure they are up-to-date on all their immunizations and that you have record of this. Also, don't forget to stock up on their food, water and keep their cage or carrier handy.

Safety is key during hurricane season. Follow these precautions and you should be in a pretty okay position should one hit.

Be safe out there, everyone!

Florida leads the nation in highest foreclosure rates.

In a list of 25 highest foreclosure cities in the nation, Florida leads the pack with 17, including the eight worst. Jacksonville, ranked 18th overall, has a 10.9 percent foreclosure rate. With an 18.2 percent foreclosure rate, Miami is ranked number one.

Read more here: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/404387/kevin-turner/2011-08-16/florida-now-epicenter-foreclosure-crisis-report?cid=hp-topnews

Fun Around Town: Jacksonville Sharks. The arena football team. Not the fish.

The Jacksonville Sharks were named the American Conference Champions on Monday night by defeating Georgia Force at home. Tomorrow night the Sharks take on the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Bowl XXIV for a shot at the championship. For those of you who are interested in watching the game, four local area Hooters Restaurants are broadcasting the game live with food and drink specials.

These locations include the locations at The Landing, Southside Boulevard, San Jose Boulevard and Wells Road in Orange Park. Food and drink specials include 50 cent wings, $5 margaritas, $3 Sam Adams drafts, $15 import buckets and two-for-one wells from 10pm until close at all locations.

Head on out to the location nearest you and cheer on your favorite Jacksonville Sharks!

Jax beach best in the nation!

Our very own Jax beach has been ranked number one, out of thousands of beaches in the United States, as the most popular beach destination in 2010 by The Daily Beast. Awesome, right? Right!

In total, five Florida beaches were ranked making it the second most popular beach state. That coveted number one position is held by California, with nine total beaches on the list of 20.  

Here is the full article for you to view:
http://jacksonville.com/community/arlington/2011-08-02/story/jacksonville-beach-ranked-nations-most-popular-beach

It's raining, it's pouring, the houses on sale are calling.

It's raining cats and dogs outside today but that shouldn't stop you from continuing your search for a house. You should go to Marie's website, mariefarrell.com, and check out the listings she has for gorgeous houses in Jax Beach. Don't let a little rain ruin your opportunity for a great house.

The importance of home ownership.

Did you know that for every two homes sold in the U.S., one job is created? With the way the economy is right now, we could do with a few more jobs created. This article discusses the importance of home ownership with links attached for you to research more about the pros of home ownership, as well as mortgages and mortgage deductions.

http://www.houselogic.com/articles/home-ownership-matters/?nicmp=hom&nichn=link&niseg=rc

Mortgage rates have nowhere to go but up!

This is an article from Florida Realtors on rising mortgage rates. You should definitely check it out.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=2&id=262811

The DOs and DON'Ts of a New Mortgage

The VERY, VERY important things you should and should not do when obtaining a new mortgage.

DO:

• DO continue paying off debt - help keep your debt ratio low!
• DO explain any credit blemishes and credit inquiries - help get your mortgage approved!
• DO submit all items requested by your loan officer within 5 days - get your mortgage closed on time!
• DO keep originals of all pay-stubs, bank statements and other financial documentation.
• DO provide documentation for the sale of your current home - sale contract, closing statement, etc.
• DO notify your loan officer if you are receiving gift funds for closing costs - FHA requires proof of a long-standing relationship.
• DO notify your loan officer of any changes in employment or marital status - change of employer, raise, transfer, change of pay status, divorce, marriage, etc.
• DO contact your loan officer to lock in your mortgage rate.
• DO research and choose a homeowner's insurance company and program as soon as possible.
• DO notify your loan officer of any special circumstances with your closing - utilizing Power of Attorney, sending closing documents to you at location other than the title company.

DON'T

• DO NOT make major purchases prior to closing - new car, furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. - This may impact your ability to qualify!
• DO NOT attempt to open or increase any liabilities including credit cards, signature loans, etc. during the loan process. - This may impact your ability to qualify!
• DO NOT change jobs/employer without inquiring about the impact this change would have on the approval of your mortgage.
• DO NOT obtain and/or deposit unusually large sums of money without proper documentation within 60 days of closing - FNMA/HUD guidelines require documentation as to the source of these funds - copy of bonus check, copy of insurance settlement, gift letter, etc.
• DO NOT close, open or transfer any asset accounts without acquiring the proper documentation required for your loan file.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog,

I hope you will find the information posted on here useful as you become more acquainted with the real estate market, Jacksonville, Panama and myself.

Posts you can expect to find on this blog:
- News in the world of real estate in Jacksonville, all of Florida, Panama and the United States as a whole.
- New listings as they become available.
- Pictures of houses on the market, Jacksonville and Panama.
- Events around town.
- Fun Friday (A day wholly devoted to something fun.)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will visit on a regular basis new information will be posted regularly.

To get in touch with Marie, call her at (904) 742 - 8534 or email her at marie@mariefarrell.com.

Check us out here as well:
Farrell International Realty
Facebook
Twitter