Buying a home can be the most exciting purchase many people make in their lifetime. Although buying a home can be exciting, it can be challenging at the same time. To become a successful homeowner you need commitment when it comes to planning and learning about homeownership. It’s important to have the right guidance and connections before you purchase a home. Purchasing a home is a big personal and financial decision, so let Marsh Landing Country Club Realty ensure you find the right one to compliment your lifestyle. Below we go into depth about the home-buying process and what you need to know.

Finances

One of the most important steps for every home buyer is figuring out finances. Buying a new home requires a mortgage and in order to get a mortgage, you will need a down payment. It is smart to look for homes that cost no more than three to five times your annual household income and have about 20% set aside to contribute to a down payment to avoid added fees. If you can’t put that much down, don’t worry, your down payment can be lower for certain types of mortgages. To get prequalified for a mortgage, you have to provide some financial information to your mortgage banker, such as amount in savings, income, and investments. After you get prequalified, you can get pre-approved for credit.

Credit Score

Your credit score needs to be decent in order to purchase a home. This three-digit number tells a lender they can rely on you to make your monthly payments on time.. In order to get pre-approved for credit, you have to provide financial documents such as W-2 statements, paycheck stubs, and bank account statements. Providing this information will allow your lender to verify your financial status and credit to then decide whether or not to loan you the money and at what interest rate. If you have an unsatisfactory credit score and financial status, you’re at risk of getting a loan with a bad interest rate or even not receiving a loan at all. It’s important to know your credit score, check it regularly, and what range is best to fall in when considering making large purchases, such as a new home. 

Real Estate Agents

If you want someone to help you find the right house, negotiate a great deal and explain everything you need to know about the home-buying process, then you need a real estate agent by your side! Real estate agents are important partners for you and will give you all the right information on homes and neighborhoods that aren’t that accessible to the public. Using the help of a real estate agent doesn’t cost you anything because they are compensated from the commission paid by the seller of the home. Marsh Landing Country Club Realty real estate agents have an extensive network, experience, and access to the latest real estate marketing tools. If you are looking to work with a team that is not only experienced and knowledgeable, but dedicated, then Marsh Landing Country Club Realty is right for you.

Shop for a Home

This is the fun part of the process! Once you receive the help of a real estate agent, you will soon be touring homes in your price range that meet your unique needs and wants. You will probably see a lot of houses, so it might be smart to take notes and photos to remember what you love (or don’t love) about each home. Keeping a  list of your needs and wants will help you significantly when it comes to narrowing down your options. Although the inside of the home is very important, it is also important to check out the neighborhood itself and make a note on how neighbors are maintaining their homes, traffic, parking, and convenience to shopping, schools, and restaurants. This might be a short or long process, but take as much time as you need to find the perfect home. Once you find the one you want, allow your real estate agent to use their negotiating skills to place an offer that is comparable to the value of the other homes in the neighborhood. If your offer is accepted, the house will go into escrow in order to complete the last few steps in the home-buying process. 

Appraisal & Inspection

An appraiser will soon come in to have the home appraised. Appraisers are meant to provide an independent estimate of the value of the house. This is where the lender checks out the house to make sure it’s a good investment. Around the same time a home inspector will evaluate the home as well. A home inspection is where you hire a home inspector to see if there are any issues that will make you second-guess your decision on whether to move forward or not with closing on the home. Termites, mold, or an old roof are just a few things an inspector may find that could leave you second guessing the purchases. There will be smaller issues as well that may appear though, in which you can rely on your real estate agent to help negotiate getting fixed before closing. This is where their expertise can really be of benefit to you. 

Closing

After you have the home appraised and inspected and everything has been negotiated and approved, then it is time to coordinate the paperwork and get ready to close the sale. Paperwork is very critical to closing a property deal. Despite there being a stack of papers filled with complex legal terms, you should read all of it yourself. If there comes a time where you don’t understand something, it is advisable to consult your real estate agent and/or a real estate attorney. It’s worth the time and effort to understand the paperwork rather than hurrying up and signing. Once you sign all the paperwork at closing, it might take a few days for your loan to be funded. Closing day is the day you get the keys to your new home – and pay all the various parties involved such as your down payment, closing costs, and extra fees. After you are done with closing, then you are officially a new homeowner! Congratulations!

There are many benefits of becoming a homeowner. Let Marsh Landing Country Club Realty assist you in the process of buying a home. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, ready for an upgrade or choosing to downsize, we want to do whatever it takes to make sure you find the home of your dreams. Visit our website at https://mlccrealty.com/ or call us at (904) 285-6514 to find your home today!

The Beaches found in the Greater Jacksonville Area are known as Atlantic Beach,
Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. They are all similar in a
way, but have some features and characteristics that make them different from one
another, which are important to consider when choosing where to live! Residents and
visitors will find plenty to do and a variety of activities, so now is the time to move to
Jacksonville’s beaches. Below we discuss the differences between the four, real estate
options and things to do in each beach community to help you find the perfect area for
you.

Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is located in Duval County and is the community that is the most north of
the four beaches. This seaside city covers roughly 13 square miles, but once you pass
over Atlantic Blvd, this area is mostly residential, with a large number of single-family
homes. However, there are condos, townhomes, and multi-family homes that you can
find as well. Atlantic Beach offers a large park system that runs throughout, which gives
the area a laid-back, small town feel. Most of the homes can be found walking distance
from the beach, which makes Atlantic Beach a unique spot to live. The homes that are
built take advantage of being near the beach, which means you can find architectural
features such as expansive balconies, patios and large windows. Although Atlantic
Beach consists of miles of laid-back beaches, it does offer some nice commercial
properties that can be found on and near Atlantic Boulevard. In this area you can also
find amazing restaurants, shopping and cool bars. Plus, there are several awesome
community events that are held each year such as the North Beaches Town Center Art
Walk!

Neptune Beach

Neptune Beach is located in Duval County just between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville
Beach. Neptune Beach was originally a part of Jacksonville Beach, but became its own
municipality in 1931. Neptune Beach is a young, small, community-oriented area. You
can find plenty of single and multi-family homes here, but very few condos. The
properties in this area tend to be older which means many properties are being
converted and renovated to give the area the perfect feel of new meets old Florida.
Neptune Beach has many superb restaurants nearby, such as Ocean 60 and Flying
Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar. With multiple boutiques and stores, museums and
restaurants, there is always something to do! Neptune Beach is known for its surfing, so
you will see the beaches busy with surfers, swimmers, paddle boarders and people who
just want to enjoy the sun. The area is pedestrian-friendly, so it’s common to see
runners, bikers, and people walking around as well.

Jacksonville Beach

If you are looking for an active community with many different housing options, then
Jacksonville Beach is the place for you! You will find the most oceanfront townhomes
and condos here and other single family homes. Recently, there has been a good bit of
development in Jacksonville Beach, which will give residents more options for real
estate, dining and shopping. The real estate market here is one of the most popular in
Northeast Florida because of the affordable real estate at the beach. Jacksonville
Beach is known for its fishing pier, water recreation, Jacksonville Beach Golf Club and
stunning beaches. There are many community events that happen here as well, such as
the Salt Life Festival and Jax Beach Art Walk. There is a lot to come in the near future
in Jacksonville Beach, such as new restaurants, oceanfront hotels, and more.
Construction is well underway for the Margaritaville Beach Hotel that will be at the
corner of First Street and Seventh Street North and will open in the summer of 2021.
Jacksonville Beach can accommodate many different lifestyles and budgets, so if you
are looking for a seaside property that is affordable and in the heart of it all, then
Jacksonville Beach is the place for you!

Ponte Vedra Beach

For those who are looking for a community that is known for luxury beach resorts and
golf courses, Ponte Vedra Beach is a fantastic choice. Ponte Vedra Beach is known for
expansie oceanfront estates that are nothing short of luxurious. You can also find
condos and townhomes and other single family homes of different styles and sizes. One
of the attractions that brings in the most visitors to Ponte Vedra Beach is The Players
Championship which takes place at Sawgrass and is one of the most prestigious golf
tournaments in the world. Marsh Landing Country Club is also in Ponte Vedra Beach
and is known for its expansive marsh, deep water access, and golf and Intracoastal
views. This community is one of the most sought out communities in the Jacksonville
area because of its exclusivity, award winning St. Johns County School district, and
ease of access to JTB for those who have to journey into town for work. Ponte Vedra
Beach is also known for its selection of top-notch restaurants and boutique shopping. If
you are looking for a life of ease and leisure, then buying real estate in Ponte Vedra
Beach would be an amazing choice!

Do you need help finding the perfect home in the Greater Jacksonville Area? Now is the
time to make your coastal living dreams come true! Talk to us at Marsh Landing Country
Club Realty to find out how we can fulfill your real estate goals! Buying right now is a
great investment for the future, so give us a call today at (904) 285-6514 or visit our
website here: http://mlccrealty.com/

For many, the lasting impact of the Great Recession of 2007-2009 has left memories of
losing a home or watching one’s neighbors or parents lose theirs. This in itself may be
enough to have you second-guessing a home purchase in uncertain economic times.
However, with super-low mortgage rates and better deals to be negotiated with sellers,
now is potentially a good time to wade into the market. A home is not just an
investment, but a place to live. If you’re considering moving to Florida or purchasing a
second home, Northeast Florida has a ton to offer! This blog will discuss some of the
advantages of owning a home in Jacksonville, Florida, especially in our stunning beach
communities.

Low Interest Rates

In light of the economic strain due to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve is slashing
interest rates a full percentage point to zero and is giving banks more lending power. As
a result, potential homebuyers have the opportunity to secure an incredibly
advantageous home loan. Financial experts assume the reduced interest rate will
continue in efforts to ward off the economic dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic.

No Income and Estate Tax

While other states mandate an income tax between four and eight percent, Florida
residents pay none. The strength of Florida’s low tax burden comes from its lack of an
income tax, making them one of seven such states in the United States. Florida also
does not assess an estate tax, or an inheritance tax. In other states, families of
deceased loved ones are forced to pay taxes on their assets, including property. No
portion of what is willed to an individual goes to the state in Florida though.

Property Tax

Property tax percentages vary by county, but the average rate for the state is only .98%,
which is slightly lower than the national average. The average country tax rate for
Jacksonville Beach, Florida is .972%, Ponte Vedra, Florida is .969% and Jacksonville,
Florida is .972%. Property taxes in Florida are some of the highest in the country,
although there are several exemptions to try to lighten the load for many Floridians.
Some property tax exemptions include Homestead Exemptions, Widow(er) Exemptions,
Senior Citizen Exemptions, Blind Person Exemptions, Total and Permanent Disability
Exemptions, and Veterans Exemptions.

Recreation

Of course, saving money via low interest rates and tax exemptions is desirable, but
Northeast Florida real estate has several other alluring attributes. These include the
white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, championship golf courses, premier tennis
facilities, world renowned fishing spots, and remarkable recreational fields. All of which
you can find in or near Ponte Vedra, Florida, where we are based. Plus, the almost
year-round warm and sunny weather is hard to beat.

Potential Rental Income

If you’re looking for some additional income, one of the benefits of owning a second
home is that you can potentially rent it out and make enough money to cover the
house’s mortgage and expenses as well as have some profit left over for daily living
costs. Leasing the place out monthly with a long-term contract is definitely a financial
benefit of owning a second home. You could also take advantage of short-term rental
services like Airbnb and Vrbo to rent to vacationers and business travelers on a more
flexible daily, weekly or monthly basis. With Florida being a vacationer hot spot, you’re
sure to be fully booked if renting while you’re away is your desire.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make, and one
that you need to time just right to get the best deal possible. Saltwater recreation,
resort-style amenities, tax-friendly incentives, potential rental income, and a luxurious
lifestyle all contribute to the steady increase in Jacksonville real estate investments. If
you’re ready to purchase or talk through owning a second home, we at Marsh Landing
Country Club Realty are experts in the area and here to help!

Contact us today at (904) 285-6514 or by visiting our website. We look forward to
serving you on your journey to home ownership.