About Duval County, FL

Six new hotels - including two in Jacksonville Beach - were recently designated in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida Green Lodging program. With a total of 590 designated members, the Florida Green Lodging program and its designated facilities prove that green is the trend in travel.

According to the DEP director of sustainable initiatives Deas Bohn, "Designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging program are trendsetters in the lodging industry." "By implementing sustainable practices that are protective of Florida's natural resources, Green Lodging facilities offer their guests an eco friendly retreat."

To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste.

The new designations locally are:

Northeast - Best Western Oceanfront and Quality Suites Oceanfront, both in Jacksonville Beach

The Florida Green Lodging program was launched in March 2004 and establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As a reward for designation, the state is recommending designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities.

This is fabulous news for Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach,as green lodging and living are become increasingly important to all tourists.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Source: The Beaches Leader, November 2009

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 17 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $46,000
• Highest price: $850,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 12
• Longest Days on Market: 453

2008

• 7 homes sold
• Lowest price: $190,000
• Highest price: $900,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 21
• Longest Days on Market: 194

Similar to Jacksonville Beach, lots of good news to report this month. The low end prices are not drastically different year to year, although it's still a 27% decrease which is exactly what we have been seeing pretty much across the board.

The year to year homes sold increased 142% which is fabulous.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

And, if you are a 1^st time homebuyer, act now, while interest rates are below 5%, and the $8K tax credit is still available - now is a smart time to buy!

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 5 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $195,601
• Highest price: $838,948
• Shortest Days on Market: 0
• Longest Days on Market: 246

This is two more homes than sold in September for a 66% increase month to month.

2008

• 2 homes sold
• Lowest price: $345,000
• Highest price: $850,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 111
• Longest Days on Market: 226

Neptune Beach is a very small market, hence, smaller numbers than the neighboring towns of Atlantic & Jacksonville Beach.

You can clearly see the year to year, and month to month increases - I just posted a link to a home this week, a duplex east of 3^rd Street in Neptune Beach priced below $350K - so it would seem we have reached the pricing bottom in most areas.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

And, if you are a 1^sttime homebuyer, act now, while interest rates are below 5%, and the $8K tax credit is still available.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 22 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $124,900
• Highest price: $1,515,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 4
• Longest Days on Market: 534

This is 5 more homes than sold in September, which is a 29% increase month to month.

2008

• 8 homes sold
• Lowest price: $195,000
• Highest price: $3,500,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 43
• Longest Days on Market: 407

This is wonderful news, and demonstrates we are close to the bottom of the single family housing market, or possibly already at the bottom.

As you can see from the numbers, listings sold year to date has increased a whopping 175%, which is terrific news for both buyers and sellers. Buyers see the value in the market, and sellers have become more realistic in their list price.

The price ranges still show a decline in the market, however, without pulling more specific data, the low end range is most likely a short sale or foreclosure property. These prices do, in fact, all pricing, so they cannot simply be discounted.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

HUD has the most AMAZING program for those in the Riverside, Avondale (my favorites), Jacksonville Florida areas. Really! If you are a: teacher, firefighter, police officer (all law enforcement), or EMT you may qualify.

What are you qualifying for? Purchase a home at HALF THE LIST PRICE! No way--right? Yes, way! Let's say you find your home on the HUD list (I can email that to you) and decide to submit an offer. The offer is accepted and the list price is $100,000. AWESOME---your first mortgage is $50,000 and there is a second mortgage for $50,000. Live in the home for 3 years as your primary residence and the second mortgage is forgiven!

Details--there are always details! There are 2 stages to HUD submissions:

1) In the 10 days of the listing only owner occupants may submit offers. Typically these are posted on a Friday and the 10th day is Sunday, with submission needing to be in by midnight (or just prior). There are quite a number of details to this--which is why you need me! Your Realtor:-)

2) On day 11 the submissions open to the investor community as well. As such offers are looked at each night and the best net will 'win' the home.

So, what is the downside? Patience. Finding the right homestake patience, and a lot of it. Right now there are quite a few homes--some great, some needing a little love, some needing A LOT of love--it all depends on the perspective of the home-buyer!

At the end of the day, we are here to help you find your home. So, let's get looking! Call Christa LaFarlette, or Jessica Touchtontoday--and we'll get you going on the path to homeownership! And that is what I learned today----