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with amenities in walking or biking distance might be the right choice. Charles Anno, who has more than a decade of experience in real estate, recently noticed a clear trend regarding location. "Certain parts of Jacksonville are doing much better. Avondale, Ponte Vedra, anything out at the beaches. San Marco has been good as well. You have everything within a few miles of the house you pick. Dry cleaners, post office —you can walk out your door and go get something to eat, people will pay a lot more to live in an area that is walkable."


“People will pay a lot


more to live in an area that is walkable.”


Getting a home inspection done is another integral step


before buying a home. A home purchase is a key investment, and buyers must do everything in their power to identify possible defects before closing on the property. Choosing the right home inspector is crucial. Te inspector should be able to show his or her credentials and easily answer any questions about qualifications and experience. Finding an inspector who is affiliated with a professional inspection organization is also a wise decision. It is imperative that the buyer check for any complaints or issues that might be on the inspector’s record.


Doing the proper research on your home inspector is a must,


and the same goes for your potential neighborhood. Take time to go online and search for local news about your future neighborhood and zip code. Look closely at the schools, businesses, reviews, and other information that can help you get an accurate picture of your new home. Before you seriously consider making an offer, visit the neighborhood on different days and times to see if it is a good fit for you and your family.


Another important factor to know when buying a house is


that the process is about compromise. Teresa Akel has real estate experience in all areas of Jacksonville, with a focus on Mandarin. “As far as buying a home, there is a give and take. Understand that you might not get everything you want for the price range you are in. You need to understand that there has to be balance. Most sellers expect to get within 3 percent of list price. Don't go in and low-ball. If you are a serious buyer you need to move very quickly and be ready to write an offer that day or the next day. Tat house that you see today might not be there tomorrow.”


Before deciding how to finance a home purchase, potential


homeowners are advised to shop around for the lowest interest rates. Tis search should include credit unions, banks and other financial institutions. Comparing different options allows the buyer to select the mortgage product that best fits their individual needs and circumstances. Online research is critical, the time spent researching different financing options can translate into tens of thousands of dollars in savings. Buyers can choose to have either a fixed or variable interest rate, and must investigate both options to ascertain which choice best suits their needs. When deciding how much of a down payment you can afford to put down, keep in mind that there are many benefits to putting down a higher amount. Higher down payments can save consumers a significant amount of money in fees and interest, as the banks often view these loans as less of a risk.


Selling With regards to selling a home, many of the same rules apply.


Our experts all accede that location is the primary determinant of how much your home is worth, and how quickly it will sell. After location, the condition of the property is next on the list of critical areas to consider when selling your home. Make sure your home is in excellent condition and do whatever it takes to present your home in the best possible condition. Many people are reluctant to spend extra money on a house that they are planning to leave, but it is a small investment that will pay tremendous dividends when the property is sold at a higher price.


Naturally, sellers want to be assured that they are getting a


fair price for their home. Should sellers be careful of selling their home too hastily and losing out on the potential for higher offers in the future? "I don't think so, we do a CMA, a comparative market analysis, to get a fair market value of the house. Tese days, buyers have so much information, buyers know exactly what a house is worth. If a house is priced correctly, it is going to sell. If a house sits on the market for any extended amount of time, it has to be overpriced, unless it is an issue of condition or location.” says Charles.


When selling your home, make sure that you go through and


take care of any issues that could possibly prevent your home from selling. Te market is being flooded with homes, so you want your home to stand out. Tis increased competition means that even the slightest imperfection could possibly discourage a


Photos courtesy of Leah Adams, Watson Realty


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