Thursday, August 30, 2012

LOVELY CONCRETE BLOCK HOME ON A LARGE NICELY LANDSCAPED LOT CLOSE TO THE ICW

Relax on the screen lanai and enjoy the coastal breezes or unwind by the fireplace
in the great room.
 
This home has lots of upgrades like woood and tile floors, vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, and a jetted garden tub and shower in the spacious master.
 
The home is on county water but also has a well for the sprinkler system. Some other features include a new A/C, new garage door opener, new dishwasher,
stove, and disposal.     

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

SUPERB LIVING IN FABULOUS MARSH CREEK

 
 
This 3/3.5 custom Marsh Creek home is immaculate, spacious, and stylish. Warm Brazilian wood covers the floors in the gathering areas and master. The master suite has His and Hers baths & 2 walk-in closets. A formal living and dining room and family room w/fireplace make entertaining a breeze. The fully equipped kitchen hosts tile flooring, granite counters & a large breakfast nook. the extra large utility room offers office/desk space & extra storage. Aso available for lease $2000 a mo. Additional Marketing: The winding staircase leads upstairs to 2 large bedrooms,with Jack & Jill bath w/individual vanity areas for each. Two HVAC units help with climate control. Enjoy the spectacular golf course views and watch the birds from the screened lanai. Room for a pool! Gated security, tennis, fitness, golf, clubhouse, all available in Marsh Creek. Owner financing/lease option possible with acceptable down payment and terms. Owner is licensed Florida Realtor.
Call 904-495-4211.     

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Do You Know What You Want?


Whether you are a first-time home buyer or entering the marketplace as a repeat buyer, you need to ask why you want to buy. Are you planning to move to a new community due to a lifestyle change or is buying an option and not a requirement? What would you like in terms of real estate that you do not now have? Do you have a purchasing timeframe?

Whatever your answers, the more you know about the real estate marketplace, the more likely you are to effectively define your goals. As an interesting exercise, it can be worthwhile to look at the questions above and to then discuss them in detail when meeting with local REALTORS®.

Do You Have The Money?
Homes and financing are closely intertwined. (Financing is the difference between the purchase price and the down payment, commonly referred to as debt or the mortgage.) The good news is that over the years new and innovative loan programs have evolved which require a 5 percent down payment or less. In fact, a number of programs now allow purchasers to buy real estate with nothing down.

In addition to a down payment, purchasers also need cash for closing costs (the final costs associated with closing the loan). Several newly emerging loan programs not only allow the purchase of a home with no money down, but also underwrite closing costs.

Not everyone, however, elects to purchase with little or no money down. Less money down means higher monthly mortgage payments, so most home buyers choose to buy with some cash up front.

As to closing costs, in markets where buyers have leverage, it may be possible to negotiate an offer for a home that requires the owner to pay some or all of your settlement expenses.

Still have questions ???  Stop by our downtown location located at 93 King Street and speak with a Re/Max Coast2Coast Agent who is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and show you what St. Johns County has to offer.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

How Much Can You Afford?

The answer to that is a function of two things: How much you can borrow and how much of a down payment you can muster. As a rule of thumb, your annual mortgage payment, taxes and homeowner's insurance shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income. Then determine how much cash you have for a down payment, leaving yourself enough left over to pay those pesky closing costs, which can add up to 3% to 5% of your total home's value (plus a little something extra for emergency repairs once you move into your new home).

Monday, August 13, 2012

Interest rates still LOW !!!

Today's mortgage interest rates for a 30 year mortgage are around 3.500 %, which makes it a great time to invest in that new property you've been thinking about. Stop by the only downtown Re/Max location located at 93 King Street to speak to an agent today !!! We also have a sister mortgage company that can answer any mortgage related questions, and they promise to beat your bank or credit union in rates !!!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Tips for first-time home buyers

Defining Search Parameters for a First-Time Home Buyer

 Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You've probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent's office, you are halfway to home ownership.

Have more questions ???  Stop by our office located at 93 King Street and speak to a Re/Max Coast2Coast agent today. We are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about the home buying process and show you what is available in St. Johns County. Give us a call at 904-810-2293 and let us put you in your first home !!!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Meet one of our agents, Liane Stark


During my life I’ve been lucky to have traveled much of the US and Europe, but St. Augustine is my true home even if it took me awhile to find it.   In 2005 my husband and I sold our home in Michigan, bought a motorhome and traveled the next 4 years.  We crisscrossed the U.S. volunteering all the while searching for the next place to call home.  After traveling over 40,000 miles and seeing much of our beautiful country, we chose St. Augustine!  St. Augustine has it all – history, culture, sunny skies, dog friendly beaches and well the people of St. Augustine are warm, friendly, the absolute best!  I knew we had found home.

Being a full-time, full service realtor, I love helping others find their perfect home in St. Augustine too.  I have 20 years of sales experience and understand the frustration buyers and sellers can feel about the countless details, negotiations, financing and finally closing.  Combining my experience with web savvy, I keep my buyers/sellers informed and up-to-date throughout the process ensuring we reach a successful close.  I’m part of the dynamic and successful Florida East Coast Group at RE/MAX Coast 2 Coast.  Our team has the experience, dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm necessary to get the job done for our buyers and sellers!

When I’m not working I find time to volunteer at Labrador Rescue, Anastasia State Park and ArtBreakers and am a Board Member for the Enterprising Women’s Leadership Institute and Pink Up the Pace 5K Breast Cancer Walk/Run.  I’m an avid runner and sometimes triathlete.  My husband Doug and I have been married for 29 years and have two rescue labs – Mini and Cooper.   And yes, I do drive a Mini Cooper!


Monday, August 6, 2012

Top 10 Reasons to buy a home

Still renting or living with mom and dad ???  Here are the top 10 reasons buying a home NOW is a great idea.

1.  You can get a great deal, and probably pay less or as much for a mortgage as you are for rent.
2.  Mortgages are cheap.
3.  You'll save on taxes.
4.  It'll be yours.
5.  You'll get a better home than most homes you'll find on the rental market.
6.  Home ownership offers some inflation protection
7.  It's risk capital.
8.  It's forced savings.
9.  There is a great deal of inventory to choose from right now.
10. More sooner than later, the market is going to turn around and the market will be clear of inventory.

Questions ???  Stop by our downtown office, located at 93 King Street, and speak with a experienced local agent today who can answer all your questions.  Whether you're looking to buy your first home or that hard worked for vacation home, Re/Max Coast2Coast can help.

We also have a sister mortgage company, Coast2Coast Lending who can answer any mortgage related questions regarding your purchase.  And they always promise to beat your bank or credit union on rates.

Great Weekend for Re/Max

Thanks to everyone who came out on Friday for our First Friday Artwalk event, it was a great one. It is great to see so much local community support for our local artists and business.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Re/Max Coast2Coast

I don’t know about you but I just realized it's August already and September 1st is just around the corner! It has been an amazing summer. The weather has been beautiful, the water at the beach is the warmest it has been in years and of course, the real estate market is as hot as the weather.


In case you haven’t heard, homes are selling faster right now than they have since 2006. REALTORS® are reporting they are getting multiple offers on most of their listings and if you’re a buyer…we have good news for you; interest rates just dropped again! Housing affordability is the best it has been since 1965…it is time to buy.


Whether you are selling or buying, you have the best of both worlds. And if you have been thinking about refinancing lock in your low interest rate now…there’s never been a better time. So act now, before September 1st
rolls around and everyone else realizes what is going on. I’m just a phone call away.