St Augustine Real Estate Information

The 2006 Florida Statutes

(1)  A prospective purchaser of residential property must be presented a disclosure summary at or before execution of the contract for sale. Unless a substantially similar disclosure summary is included in the contract for sale, a separate disclosure summary must be attached to the contract for sale. The disclosure summary, whether separate or included in the contract, must be in a form substantially similar to the following:

BUYER SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE SELLER'S CURRENT PROPERTY TAXES AS THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES THAT THE BUYER MAY BE OBLIGATED TO PAY IN THE YEAR SUBSEQUENT TO PURCHASE. A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OR PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS TRIGGERS REASSESSMENTS OF THE PROPERTY THAT COULD RESULT IN HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING VALUATION, CONTACT THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE FOR INFORMATION.

(2)  Unless included in the contract, the disclosure summary must be provided by the seller. If the disclosure summary is not included in the contract for sale, the contract for sale must refer to and incorporate by reference the disclosure summary and include, in prominent language, a statement that the potential purchaser should not execute the contract until he or she has read the disclosure summary required by this section.

Jacksonville - is one of the fasting growing cities in Florida. Our housing activity has slowed some what but homes sales are picking up. It's a great time to buy with interest rates still low and home prices stabilizing. Homes are selling at approximately 5% lower than ask price. Properly preparing and pricing the home for sale continues to be important because buyers are well informed and know the market. The average price is hard to determine in Jacksonville because the area is so large and there are so many different communities. Communities are springing up all over Jacksonville. Some of our areas of town include: Mandarin, San Jose, Southside, Westside, Northside, Baymeadows, Julington Creek, Argyle, and of course the beaches, Fernandina Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and Vilano Beach.

Approximate Location Boundaries: NE Florida to the Atlantic Ocean

Location Characteristics: Jacksonville is located in Northeast Florida at the crossroads of two interstate highways, Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States in land area, a major port, the insurance and financial center of the state, site of U.S. Navy bases and the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars. In February 2005, the city of Jacksonville hosted the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots and their fans at Super Bowl XXXIX.

The Jacksonville metropolitan area includes: three beach cities and Clay, Baker, Nassau and St. Johns counties, has a population of more than 1,000,000 residents and covers 841 square miles. There are three major Interstate Highways running through Jacksonville-I-95, I-295 and I-10. Additionally, I-75 is approximately 60 miles west of downtown Jacksonville and several U.S. Highways- U.S. 1, U.S. 17, U.S. 90 and U.S. 301.

Since the Jacksonville area is so large it is hard to determine an average sold home price, however, homes range from high $100K to several million depending on the area of town you live in.

Buyers splurge where it counts: Kitchen, bath
 

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 15, 2007 – The slowdown in the housing market hasn’t curbed consumers’ desire for upscale kitchens and baths, says American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker.

“Households continue to emphasize size, features, and high-end products used in their kitchens and baths even as the overall housing slowdown has encouraged many to scale back on their overall housing investment,” he says.

No longer just a place to cook, the kitchen has evolved into the most popular room in the house. “There’s a strong desire to integrate the kitchen with living space that allows for a more open home environment with the ability to converse and access entertainment options while in the kitchen,” says Baker.

In the most recent AIA design trends survey, 40 percent of architects report a trend toward larger kitchens. Almost one-third see separate kitchen facilities (other than the main kitchen) or secondary food preparation or food storage areas as also increasingly appearing in homes.

Kitchens also are an area where owners are likely to upgrade. “Upper-end appliances are becoming more popular, even for homes that aren’t at the upper end of a price range,” says Baker.

Survey: Most Popular Kitchen Features

AIA rated the most popular kitchen features by subtracting the number of survey respondents who say a feature is decreasing in popularity from the number who say it’s increasing.

• Upper-end appliances: 65 percent

• Increased pantry space: 64 percent

• Renewable flooring material: 53 percent

• Wine refrigerators/wine storage: 53 percent

• Integration with living space: 53 percent

• Recycling center: 48 percent

• Island work areas: 43 percent

• Natural stone countertops: 42 percent

• Drinking water filtration systems: 37 percent

• Duplicate appliances: 34 percent

In the Bath: What Buyers Want

In the bathroom, “accessibility features and universal design to accommodate an aging population are on the rise,” Baker says. “From an amenities standpoint, heated floors lead the way, followed by multiple showers and towel warming racks. The popularity of whirlpools has dropped for the second consecutive year.”

Here's the complete list of the most popular bath features:
 

• Radiant heated floors: 62 percent

• Multi-head showers: 62 percent

• Accessibility/universal design: 48 percent

• Doorless showers: 47 percent

• Linen closet/storage: 36 percent

• Hand showers: 36 percent

• Multiple vanities: 26 percent

• Dressing/cosmetic areas: 23 percent

• Towel warming drawers/racks: 22 percent
 

Growing, too, is the desire to incorporate green features into kitchens and baths. Increasing, according to architects, is consumer demand for renewable flooring material, such as bamboo or concrete, and drinking water filtration systems.
 

Source: Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR® Magazine Online

Preparing for a Hurricane

If you are under a hurricane watch or warning, here are some basic steps to take to prepare for the storm:

• Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
• Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
• Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it.
• Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc.
• Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
• Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly or bedridden people, or anyone with a disability.
• Make plans to ensure your pets' safety.

Emergency Supplies You Will Need

You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period. At a minimum, these supplies should include:

• Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person).
• A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food.
• A first aid kit and manual.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
• Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
• Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
• Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
• Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
• Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
• Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
• An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.

You can find more information on emergency plans and supply kits at www.ready.gov

Preparing to Evacuate

Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. The National Weather Service will issue a hurricane watch when there is a threat to coastal areas of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.

When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:

• Fill your automobile's gas tank.
• If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
• Fill your clean water containers.
• Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
• Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
• Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.
• Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.
• Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
• Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.

If You are Ordered to Evacuate

Because of the destructive power of a hurricane, you should never ignore an evacuation order. Authorities will be most likely to direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the storm. Be aware that most shelters and some hotels do not accept pets. If a hurricane warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:

• Take only essential items with you.
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
• Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.
• Make sure your automobile's emergency kit is ready.
• Follow the designated evacuation routes—others may be blocked—and expect heavy traffic.

If You Are Ordered NOT to Evacuate

The great majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts caused by flying glass or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds resulting from exposed nails, metal, or glass, and bone fractures.

To get through the storm in the safest possible manner:

• Monitor the radio or television for weather conditions, if possible.
• Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over.
• Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed—the calm "eye" of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when strong winds resume.
• Stay away from all windows and exterior doors, seeking shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials.
• Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.