New Construction tips for First Time Homebuyers in Jacksonville Florida
When my husband and I got engaged we knew marriage for us meant moving out of an apartment and buying our first home. We knew nothing about what it meant to buy or own a home. (I was a buyer for Stein Mart at the time and not a Realtor so I was as inexperienced as any first time homebuyer.) With our Realtors help, we decided on new construction because the location of the neighborhood was central to both of our jobs.
New construction is more challenging than buying a resale home for any homebuyer but especially so for a first time homebuyer.
When you build a home you make almost all the decisions – you aren’t seeing a home as it sits on the lot with all the decorations, fixtures, electrical outlets, cabinets, etc.
Building a new home means identifying the right floor plan, what lot it should go on and then making 100s of decisions about it in just a few hours. I’ve heard it takes 3 home moves until you are in the home you think you can grow old in and of course this is in part because experience owning other homes is always a benefit.
When you’ve already owned a home you’ll know whether you need a raised vanity because your back hurts when you bend over the sink to wash your face or whether you need an open kitchen so when you entertain you don’t feel like your stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is watching a movie or playing a game.
So here are some tips for building.
First, identify the community you want to live in and next identify the builder you want to use.
You’ve heard before LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. This applies not only to the part of town you build in but also where the home is located within the community. We tell our clients, “You can’t pick a home up and move it but you can change things inside.” If there is a premium for a better lot – one on a cul-de-sac or with a view, SPEND THE MONEY!!!
Next, put your money into the floor plan and not upgrades that can be done later. What I mean is spend the money on the bonus room where you can add square footage for the least amount of money. There are two reasons for this; if you're like most people you WILL out grow your space. Two because when you go to sell, value will be determined first using $/square foot before they even look at lot location and upgrades.
If you are thinking about building a new home in the Jacksonville area, use a Realtor. Using a Realtor, costs a buyer NOTHING but the experience we bring is PRICELESS. Builders build marketing costs into their company expenses and not into the cost of the home. Choose an experienced and competent Realtor who has guided others through new construction AND make sure they will be available to you when you go to the design center. For this reason alone, having a Realtor will be invaluable. Realtors will be able to help you focus on not only what will be important to your own needs but also what will help you when you go to sell. (In my case, our Realtor didn't go to the design center and
we picked green formica countertops!!) 
So if you are thinking of building your first home, give us a call. We can keep you from choosing green formica counters!!! We'll hold you hands until the keys are in them.
If you are thinking about buying or building in Julington Creek Plantation, Durbin Crossing
or the surrounding areas contact your Jacksonville Realtors for Life -- Jami Shapiro and Erica Jolles at (904) 201-9276.
To learn more about us and how we can help with all of your Real Estate needs visit www.JaxRealEstateForLife.com
The different programs of study include:
It is also helpful to know all three schools offer Advanced Placement programs. In addition, Nease High School also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This is a two-year program of curriculum and service that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary students...With a rigourous curriculum, the original research requirement, the Theory of Knowledge course, and the service component are designed to produce well-rounded and well-educated citizens who can read and think critically...
Clearly, one can see living in Julington Creek Plantation offers many different High School options with exciting programming for all levels and interests.
If you don't already live in Julington Creek Plantation or the surrounding area and would like more information contact your Jacksonville "Realtors for Life" Jami Shapiro and Erica Jolles at: (904) 201 -9276 or email us at: Jami@JaxRealEstateforLife.com or Erica@JaxRealEstateforLife.com.
To learn more about us and how we can help you with all of your Real Estate related needs visit our website at: www.JaxRealEstateforLife.com.
First time home buyers in Jacksonville Florida - If you are in the position to be buying your first home in Jacksonville during this era of the buyer's market, you can count yourself extremely lucky.
Not to sound cliche but buying a home is a huge part of the American experience. Owning a home almost instantly makes you realize that you have become the "grown up" you've always imagined yourself to be. There's a definite distinction between owning a home and renting a home and recent studies on Trulia.com even indicate in the Jacksonville market it actually might be less expensive to own than to rent!!
Suddenly, you aren't living for the moment, you are investing in your future. You are maintaing the lawn, you are landscaping, picking paint color, buying better furniture and buying light fixtures. Whether your plans include raising a family or just having a space in the world that is yours, there are so many emotional advantages to home ownership. This picture is the first home my husband and I bought when we were getting married!!
So once you know you want to buy, how does it work? The first thing you should do is qualify for a mortage. Most first time home buyers will not have 20% to put down so they will need to plan on obtaining an FHA loan where you will need to put 3% down plus closing costs (figure about 1.5% of the purchase price). An FHA loan will allow for seller's to contribute towards buyer's closing costs. In my opinion it's almost better to pay a little more and get your closing costs paid. Ultimately the seller's concern is what they're going to net and it doesn't affect them whether you pay $150K for the home and they pay $6K in closing costs or you pay $144K and ask for no closing costs. The seller nets the same either way. As a homeowner it's really a good idea to have money tucked away in savings so if it were me, I wouldn't put everything down.
The other important reasons to get pre-approved are because sellers likely won't accept an offer without a pre-approval in hand and most importantly it helps you understand your buying power. There's nothing like the disappointment of finding a home you absolutely LOVE and then realizing it is unaffordable. No house you find afterwards will compare. Think about it this way...think about what $50,000 will buy you? (The same will hold true when you are looking at homes. You will absolutely notice a difference from a $150K house to a $200K house. When my husband and I were buying our first home, our agent did something sneaky. She showed us 4 homes in the $150K range and then took us into a $200K home. Which home do you think we ultimately bought?
The way we were treated is one of the reasons I got into the business myself but that's a whole other story!!
So now, you've qualified and know what you can afford. Next it's critical to find the right Realtor. (You definitely want to chose a Realtor and not just a real estate agent as Realtors are held to a code of ethics and if they don't adhere to it, you have some recourse.) When chosing a Realtor, work with someone who you connect with and with whom you trust. A Realtor should be an advocate for you. When I am working with first time home buyers I view my role as both an educator -- explaining the whole process so my buyers are informed every step of the way AND a counselor. I want you to think about where you plan to be in five years. If you aren't thinking long term, you aren't going to be buying the right house. Are you going to want to quit your job and have children? Are you planning on having kids so schools will be an issue? Do you hate sitting in traffic?
I love to work with first time home buyers and I am happy to put you in touch with the many I've worked with. Visit our website to learn more about our team and to read what our clients have had to say.
If you are thinking about moving into your first home -- We'd LOVE to help you!! Let us be YOUR Jacksonville Realtors for Life -- Jami Shapiro and Erica Jolles at (904) 201-9276.
To learn more about the home buying process or to learn how we can help with all of your Real Estate needs visit www.JaxRealEstateForLife.com
If you are looking for a 55+ community in Jacksonville, FL, look no further than Riverwood by Del Webb at Nocatee!!! This place is amazing!!! While I have NO intentions of rushing the aging process, I know where I am going to look when the time comes.
In the meantime, any clients who enjoy an active lifestyle and are either relocating to Jacksonville OR looking to make a change to a 55+ community in Jacksonville I will absolutely suggest they consider the Nocatee community of Riverwood by Del Webb.
Today I took my dad, who lives in CA, to tour the community and the view the different model homes. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement.
There are so many different options in a number of different price points. Including:
Single Family Homes:
Single family home prices reflect a "base" price without any of the bells and whistles one would likely want at this point in life.
We were a little surprised by the additional cost for the lot premiums. Each lot seems to have some sort of "premium" and we didn't see on for less than and additional $24,000. Like most model homes, the single family homes in Riverwood at Nocatee were beautifully appointed with many "non-standard" upgrades. 
Carriage Homes:
Each Carriage house has a one-car garage and looks more like a townhouse except each unit is all on one level and is very open and spacious.
Condominiums:
The condos are absolutely stunning! It feels like city living without paying the high prices!
Del Webb communities are synonymous with Lifestyle Communities and this 55+ community in Jacksonville, Fl is no different.
Another added bonus: If you are not ready to make a move but know it is something you will want to do in the next 12-15 months, Del Webb offers some great programs and incentives!!
Did I mention all of the great activities and events that take place? Not yet...stay tuned for the 2nd part and learn about the great social aspects of living in Riverwood by Del Webb at Nocatee!!
If you are thinking about making a move to Nocatee or the surrounding areas contact your
Jacksonville "Realtors for Life" Jami Shapiro and Erica Jolles a (904) 201-9276.
To learn more about how we can help you with all of your real estate needs visit www.JaxRealEstateForLife.com to learn more about how we can help you!
Durbin Crossing - Building a home in St. Johns County. A little over a year ago, my family chose Durbin Crossing to build our home. We love the natural settings and sidewalks, the proximity to I-95 via the Bartram Park cut through and for our particular home the spaciousness of the lots. Our neighbors are empty nesters, first time home buyers and families. We built in NorthDurbin the the Leith Hall area with Providence. There are several other builders to choose from in NorthDurbin including Toll Brothers, Holder Johnson, Richmond American, Drees, Advantage Home Builders and Dream Finders Homes. Prior to this article, Beazer also sold homes in the neighborhood but recently sold their model and is no longer building here due to cost.
Durbin Crossing offers home buyers in all price ranges fabulous opportunities to build a home in St. Johns County. St. Johns County is known to local residents as well as people relocating to the area who desire excellent public schools. In fact many of our neighbors sold their homes in neighboring Julington Creek Plantation for larger, newer opportunities. Durbin Crossing is a great alternative to popular Julington Creek Plantation because you can build a home for roughly the same price as buying an existing one. Building a home offers buyers the opportunity to customize a home and build the upgrades into the mortgage. With the trends in housing leaning towards gourmet kitchens, home offices and 3 car garages, a buyer can build a home with all these features. The best part is there is no need to worry about the HVAC breaking or the roof leaking.
The down side to building a home is unless you are willing to pay for them or can negotiate them into your initial contract, you start with a blank canvas -- no window coverings, one color paint throughout, no ceiling fans. In our experience, we have found builders are more willing to negotiate extras and upgrades rather than reduce the price and ultimately compromise neighborhood values.
One of the many builders is Richmond American. They build in two communities in North Durbin -- Laurel Estates and St. Andrews. In St. Andrews, homes start at $179,000 for 3 bedroom, 2 baths and 1500 square feet and are as large as 2600 square feet for $235,000. These are the 53 foot lots. Laurel Estates are 83 foot homesites and range from 2200 square feet for around $239,000 to 3600 square feet for around $305,000.
Standard features include double ovens, flat cooktops, granite kitchen counters, 3 car garage, upgraded cabinets and 12" tile in wet areas. Th master bathroom includes garden tub, raised vanities & back tile.
A friend of mine built with Richmond American and her home is nearly the same same as mine with almost as many upgrades and she paid about $50,000 less. (She's got an amazing laundry room and a better kitchen and truth be told, I'm a bit envious!!)
Check out this video of the model home in St. Andrews. This is the Cottonwood model downstairs. This is upstairs in the Cottonwood model.
Richmond homes are also Energy Star qualified.
To learn more about the Durbin Crossing community or building a new home visit us at www.JaxRealEstateforLife.com
If you are thinking about moving to Julington Creek Plantation or the surrounding areas contact yourJacksonville Realtors for Life -- Jami Shapiro and Erica Jolles at (904) 201-9276.
To learn more about us and how we can help with all of your Real Estate needs visit www.JaxRealEstateForLife.com
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Whether you are buying or selling property in Julington Creek Plantation, St. Johns County, Mandarin, Southside or the Beaches we are the Realtors for you!
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