Want to live on a Golf Course??

Check out my newest listing. Perfect for those wanting to live and play on the golf Course. This home is located in The South Hampton Golf Community, on the first hole.

Since its opening in 1999, the Golf Club at South Hampton is a Mark McCumber masterpiece in St Augustine, Florida. The course has 16 large lakes, over 60 contoured bunkers, towering pine and oak trees, and a par 72 that is challenge for any skill level. South Hampton offers different skill levels a variety of six large tee boxes giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy their round of golf. The yardage ranges from 6,935 yards for the low handicappers, all the way down to 2,862 from the family tees. Every golfer will need to watch out for the 17th hole which is a monster par five stretching 571 yards.

The Golf Club at South Hampton also offers you great facilities before and after your round with its world class practice facility and the 19th hole where you can kick back and relax after your round of golf. Of course, living in South Hampton places this course in your backyard, and the Club House a short-walk.

It is time “Realize” your dreams and start living and golfing every day!

Check out the video -

1205 Garrison Dr

Weeding, chore or therapy?

A morning spent in the garden, nothing to plant, nothing to harvest today, but plenty of weeds. Growing up weeding was my least favorite thing to do. Now I think of it more as therapy than chore. When I look at a pristine bed, flowers growing strong and my tomatoes bursting with fruit, I don’t see the two hours it took get it looking that way but the peace it offers when it is done.

Time just drifts by when you are weeding, no phones, no computers, a moment in time with just nature.

What is your therapy?

Is the amateur investor to late?

Wow, has the market really taken off since the beginning of the year. We are seeing homes go quickly, and anything under median price seems to have multiple bids, leaving me to wonder if the amateur investor waited to long to get into the market to buy.

As I work with users who are looking for a first time home, the distressed sales are very appealing, low price big house. The problem is they usually cannot wait out the bank to complete the transaction. They need a place to live now. The bidding is also intense on these homes with 3 -15 bids on a good home. The cash investor is winning.

Also, the amateur investor is apt to miss key components of the transaction or avoid costs as unnecessary to maintain cash in their accounts. Often times the amateur investor will forgo the cost of an attorney to represent them, decline an Owners Title Policy, refuse a survey as unnecessary, and overlook potential repair costs, and avoid purchasing a home warranty.

Some added hidden costs in buying distressed sales include items like a Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) Bond, which is normally not up-to-date, likely hood of mechanical failure of major appliances or HVAC – these components tend to freeze up or fail when not used for long periods of time.

When considering a property as a rental income I find a lot of amateur buyers fail to consider any expenses beyond the mortgage and the rent to determine cash flow. While these are important they are only one factor.

Competition is fierce and in the rush to get a good deal you have to wonder if it is not already gone in the first few hours on the market, then what are you missing?

Food for thought, get a good team of professionals behind you, ask questions, and listen to their advice. If they are holding up red flags reconsider what you are doing.

Check out my newest listing

555 Oakridge Trl.

Let me knwo what you think of this home I just listed. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, comletely updated. Lots of living spaces, wrap around porches, and gym, basketball court, work shed, and kennels. 3 acres, plenty of room for a horse. Lcoated in the Huertas grant inside King & Bear, providing a great location and proximity to Historic downtown, the beaches, adn Jacksonville.

Stephen Coolee Rd Ranch

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This is a true working horse farm with 35+ acres of cleared and usable pasture, cross fenced with high tension fencing, a 10 stall horse barn with individual paddocks and walk-outs, and a 2nd floor hay loft with Florida venting and direct access to provide feed to individual stalls from above. Multiple pastures, cleaning station, mating and foaling pen, and a riding arena provide everything you need to care for your horses.

The primary home is 3400+ square feet built in 1999 with wrap-around porches, wood floors throughout , a huge upgraded kitchen with Kashmir white granite counter-tops, ceramic tile flooring, walk-in pantry, large cook island (gas), Stainless Steel appliances, and large open spaces for multiple cooks. The dining room overlooks the pond and gardens with picture windows. The Great room features high ceilings, a fireplace, and stunning views. The Master bedroom is located downstairs with a private bath and multiple walk-in closets. For added convenience there is a separate entry to the wrap around porch and hammock for lounging. Upstairs are three large bedrooms with a work area and two baths.

There is also a detached garage with two enclosed bays, and three covered spaces. Upstairs are quarters for a ranch hand. All of the buildings have metal roofs, bathrooms, electricity, and water (private well and septic).

Looking for a new place for you r horses, and just starting that dream, this place is your new home, don’t wait to make an appointment.

1824 W Windy Way

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Check out this great home in Julington Creek Plantation. Three bedroom 2 bath with a separate cozy study. Wood floors, updated kitchen with granite counter-tops, back-splash, and tile floors. The outside has been professionally landscaped with fruit trees, paved patio, sculptured hedges with a view to the lake. It is a beautiful setting to share with your family.

Congress Passes Flood Insurance Stopgap Extension

This is good news if you are currently in the process of buying a home, as many people do not realize how many communities are affected by flood zones. There are flood zones in every State, and in almost every community. Not having a policy for flood zones impacts both buyers and sellers, as you cannot obtain a mortgage in an area designated as a flood zone without flood insurance. Not having flood insurance in place will have a chilling effect on the already weak housing market.

Do you know what flood zone you are in?

From : Florida Realtor Association
WASHINGTON – Oct. 5, 2011 – Congress finally agreed on – and President Obama signed earlier today – a bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until Nov. 18, 2011. The move allows closings to go through if a mortgage lender requires flood insurance as a condition. However, it’s only a short-term solution.

“The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is pleased that a continuing resolution passed by Congress … included a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program,” says NAR President Ron Phipps. “But NAR still believes a longer-term extension is needed to ensure access to affordable flood insurance for millions of homeowners.”

Phipps asks Congress to pass a five-year NFIP extension.

“The NFIP was created because of the lack of available and affordable flood insurance in the private market, which remains true today, and serves as an alternative to expensive taxpayer-funded disaster relief for flood victims,” Phipps says. “The program writes and renews flood insurance policies for more than 5.6 million home and business owners in 21,000 communities across the country.”

Phipps also pushed for higher loan limits for mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

“The lack of mortgage availability is already a real concern, and lowering the loan limits will only further restrict liquidity for creditworthy homebuyers,” Phipps says.

© 2011 Florida Realtors®