Author: blog_l2jmxx

Are you considering putting roots down in St. Johns County? There are so many wonderful developments in Northeast Florida to choose from! One of our favorites is Rivertown! Rivertown contains many wonderful amenities and is located on the banks of the Saint Johns River.

The blog below outlines the highlights of Rivertown and shares information on the community. If you have any additional questions on the community please feel free to reach out to us in the comments below!

Click Here to receive free weekly updates containing new listings in Rivertown.

Neighborhoods in Rivertown

• The Landings
• Main Street District
• The Lakes
• Northlake
• The Homestead
• The Gardens
• The Orchards
• The Groves
• The Enclaves

Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes builds residential construction homes in the Rivertown community. A skilled builder, Mattamy Homes offers several floor plans to meet your needs. Click here to view current floor plans offered by Mattamy Homes.

Watersong

Interested in a 55+ community, Rivertown may have what you are looking for. Check out their newest development at Watersong!

Amenities at Rivertown

Rivertown offers several amazing amenities for its Residents! Check out the list below. Interested in scheduling a showing or tour of the amenities at Rivertown? Click Here!

• Riverhouse- clubhouse complete with a catered kitchen
• Fitness Center
• Yoga Studio
• Swimming Pools –Olympic Style Pool and Zero-Entry Pool
• Tennis Courts
• Soccer Fields
• Tot Lot
• School Bus Stop

If you are interested in learning more about this beautiful community please feel free to reach out any time by emailing different@agentchase.com or give us a call at 904-513-8575. We are happy to assist you in every way!

Looking to Buy a New Home in Rivertown? Contact us today to get started at receive up to 25% of our commission at closing to cover your closing costs! www.AgentChase.com

About the Authors:

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Are you considering moving to Nocatee- one of St. John’s counties largest communities? Nocatee is filled with amenities for the whole family. This blog will break down the amenities offered at Nocatee, Builder information, and more!

Interested in getting alerts for new listings in Nocatee? Click Here to get started! 

Nocatee Neighborhoods

Twenty Mile

• The Outlook at Twenty Mile
• The Junction at Twenty Mile
• The Ranch at Twenty Mile
• The Vista at Twenty Mile
• The Hammock at Twenty Mile
• The Settlement at Twenty Mile
• The Colony at Twenty Mile
• Del Webb Ponte Vedra

Crosswater

• Heritage Trace at Crosswater
• Freedom Landing at Crosswater
• Liberty Cove at Crosswater

Town Center

• Siena at Town Center
• Daniel Park at Town Center

Nocatee

• Artisian Lakes
• Tidewater
• Timberland Ridge
• Coastal Oaks
• The Starling at Nocatee
• The Reserve at Nocatee

New Construction Builders at Nocatee

• CalAtlantic Homes
• David Weekly Homes
• ICI Homes
• Providence Homes
• Riverside Homes
• Dostie Homes
• Del Webb Homes
• Pulte
• Glen Layton Homes
• Toll Brothers
• The Pineapple Corperation

Parks at Nocatee

• Community Park
• Crosswater Park – COMING SOON
• Cypress Park
• Davis Park
• Dog Parks
• Greenleaf Park
• Schoolyard – COMING SOON
• Splash Water Park
• Splash Water Park Zipline
• Spray Park – COMING SOON
• Twenty Mile Park
• Twenty Mile Post

Fitness and Outdoor Activities in Nocatee

• Electric Vehicle Paths
• Fitness Club
• Fitness Trails
• Greenway Trails
• Kayak Launch
• Nocatee Landing – COMING SOON
• Nocatee Preserve
• Nocatee Swim Club
• Swim Club Green

Community at Nocatee

• Monthly Events
• Resident Clubs and Interest Groups

Nocatee Incentives and Extras

• Alhambra Theater and Dining
• Cabana Beach Club
• Florida Theme Park Discounts
• Jacksonville Jaguars Nocatee Tickets
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
• Serenata Beach Club

Schools Near Nocatee 

Preschool

• The Learning Experience
• PromiseTown Preschool
• Crosswater Christian Academy
• Primrose School
• St. John Paul II Early Learning Center

Elementary Schools

• Valley Ridge Academy
• Palm Valley Academy K-6 School

Middle Schools

• Valley Ridge Academy
• Palm Valley Academy K-8 School

High School

• Allen D. Nease High School

Looking to Buy a New Home in Nocatee? Contact us today to get started at receive up to 25% of our commission at closing to cover your closing costs! www.AgentChase.com 

About the Authors: 

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Whether your property is home for your family or an investment property, it is key that you use preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance allows that the life of your appliances if lengthened and ensures that your property is well cared for. Overall, using preventative maintenance can reduce potential issues that may come up.

Attached below are some simple ways that you can maintain your home:

• Change your Air Filters regularly: Aim to change your air filter every 3 months
• Check underneath all sinks and look for leaks that you may have missed
• Clean refrigerator coils twice a year
• Check floor boards for loose sections and termite damage
• Consider investing in a termite bond or a use pest program with a local pest control company
• Clean out and maintain your dryer vent
• Spot check for peeling paint and ceiling stains that may indicate water damage
• Manage yard waste and make sure that trees, shrubs, and hedges are trimmed back

For more information about property maintenance or to learn about our property management programs in Northeast Florida please send us a message at different@agentchase.com or give us a call at 904-513-8575.

Visit www.agentchase.com to learn more!

About The Authors:

Thanks for reading and feel free to post any questions below in the comments.

About the Authors: 

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Are you getting ready to celebrate the holiday season! Whether you live in Riverside, Southside, or at the Beaches- there is always something to do this December.

Check out some of our favorite holiday activities below!

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ZOOLights

• Dates: December 8th through January 5
• Where: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
• Address:  370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218

Come and view the beautiful sites at the Zoo! Activities include marshmellow roasting, a 4-D Theater Ride, “Ice” skating and Carousel Rides.

Beaches Polar Express 

• Dates: December 8th and 9th
• Where: Beaches Museum & History Park
• Address: 381 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Write your Christmas letter to Santa and enjoy cocoa, cookies, and fun activities!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

• Date: December 13th
• Where: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
• Address: 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Enjoy beautiful holiday music!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the Musical

• Date: December 20th
• Where: The Florida Theatre
• Address: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Come and see your favorite holiday story come to life!

We hope you enjoy your holiday season!

About the Author:

Smruthi Boyer, Lic. Real Estate Agent for AgentChase Real Estate

Smruthi Boyer is a licensed real estate agent who strives to provide her customers with care and guidance. Smruthi’s background in education and customer service has given her the experience she needs to make her an excellent communicator. Her favorite part of being a realtor is being able to connect and relate to buyers and sellers. A painter and photographer, her love for art has allowed her to handle each sale in a creative a unique way while providing her with an eye for marketing. Smruthi is excited to assist you on your journey; whether it be finding your first home or selling your property in today’s competitive market.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in Northeast Florida? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Click AgentChase Agent to learn more about our affordable services.

Property managers do not exist because it is impossible to manage a property on your own. They exist to supply a service that makes owning an investment property more convenient and stress free. Below is a list of the main services that a property manager will supply you with.

Tenant Placement – Tenant placement involves advertising and screening tenants. Advertising your unit involves photography, an online presence, and signage. Tenant screening involves running background checks on potential tenants and selecting the best fit for the home.

Tenant Relations – Tenant relations involves making sure that the tenant is happy with the home, and the home is happy with the tenant. The involves regular check ins with the tenant to make sure they aren’t experiencing issues, and periodic property inspections to make sure the home is being treated properly.

Property Maintenance – Property maintenance can be preventative like replacing the HVAC filter, or it could be a broken item reported by the tenant or found during inspection. All property maintenance issues involve quoting, coordinating, and follow up to make sure no new problems have arose.

Accounting – Accounting involves rent collection, disbursement, and record keeping. Timely rent disbursement is important to landlords, and proper record keeping helps ensure that you are able to write off your expenses come tax season.

If that all sounds like something you want to take on, then managing your property on your own may be the best bet. If not you may want to check out your local property management companies, or if you are in Northeast Florida check out our services here.

Thanks for reading and feel free to post any questions below in the comments.

About The Author: 

Jeff Boyer, Lic. Real Estate Broker and Founder of AgentChase Real Estate 

Jeff Boyer is a licensed real estate broker who is extremely passionate about achieving excellence in negotiations and home marketing. Jeff has a strong background in Information Technology which he has pursued for over a decade. He is an extremely hard working and always looks to find simple solutions in every equation. Jeff is a Michigan native who wanted to pursue his dream in real estate after his move to Florida. An avid investor, Jeff and his family currently own numerous properties throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine. This sparked his love for property management and home sales. Jeff’s knowledge of market conditions and compassion for others makes him an ideal teammate to have on your side for your real estate goals.

Are you looking for property management services in Northeast Florida? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Click Property Management to learn more about our affordable services.

Are you planning to relocate to a new home and you don’t know whether you should rent your existing place, or put it up on the market? Check out the below questions to help you decide.

1. Would holding the property create a financial strain?

There are 3 main financial impacts to owning a rental property. First is occupancy. There is a chance that it could take longer than anticipated to find a renter. If you are able to support the property for a few months without any rental income then this shouldn’t be an issue. The second is a non paying tenant, but again if you can support the property for a few months without income then this is not a problem. The last impact is a major repair like the roof or HVAC. If the estimated rent you will receive does not allow you to also save for repairs then you may run into an issue later on. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 1% of the property value each year for maintenance costs each year. So if your property is valued at $120,000.00 you would want to set aside $1,200 per year or $120 per month. This rule gives you a rough estimate, but there are always exceptions.

2. Would the recent sales prices cover any mortgages on the property?

If the home prices in your area have dropped since you purchased your home selling may not be the best option. Prior to selling your home you should request the mortgage payoff amount from your lender. This number may be different from what you expected as some lenders charge fees for an early payoff. If the recent sales of similar homes wouldn’t cover the cost of closing and the mortgage payoff you may want to consider renting until the prices recover. Check out our seller closing cost calculator for an estimate. If you don’t believe prices will recover you can consider a short sale, or renting the home and holding it as a long term investment.

3. How long have you owned the home?

The amount of time you have owned the home, and lived in it can greatly affect the amount of taxes owed on profits. If you have owned the home for less than 1 year any gains from the sale will be taxed as a short term capital gain. This is the same rate as your ordinary income. If you sell after holding the home for greater than one year any gains will be taxed as long term capital gains. This rate caps out at 20%. If you have owned and lived in the home for 2 of the past 5 years you will qualify for the home sale tax exclusion. This allows you to exclude up to $250,000.00 profit from the sale of your home if filing single, or up to $500,000.00 if filing joint.

Thanks for reading and feel free to post any questions below in the comments.

About the Authors: 

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

Is your lease term coming to an end? If so you may be trying to decide to buy or rent your next home. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine which choice works best for you.

• Are you looking to stay in the area for a longer period of time?

Are you looking to reside in your current location long term? If so you may want to consider buying a home in order to save on rising rental rates. Buying a property can also lead to a great long term investment.

Do you want the freedom to relocate? If you are interested in exploring new cities and neighborhoods it may be easier to rent to allow for more flexibility and convenience.

• Do you have savings prepared or do you qualify for down payment assistance programs? 

When contemplating buying a home it is safe to have a savings amount of 5-10% of your pre-approved amount. However some loan options offer low and no money programs. These loan options include VA, FHA, USDA, and First Time Home Buyer incentives. Ask your lender to work with you on finding the best option for your budget. If you decide to work with a low or no money down option, aim to still save about 4% of your pre-approved amount to budget for closing costs and home inspections.

If you do not qualify for programs or if you are working on building your credit, consider renting while preparing and saving for the home buying process. Continue to stay aware of the market and work with a Realtor to determine the type of home that you would like to consider when you are ready to buy. This will keep you aware of current market trends.

• What are your life goals for finances, family, and your career? 

Write a list of your life goals to put perspective on your decision. For instance, are you interested in growing your family and in need of more space? Or does your career involve travel and relocation?

• Are you interested in the responsibility of repairing and maintaining the property? 

The benefit to renting is the convenience of not needing to coordinate, manage, or budget for home repairs. Home ownership does require the additional responsibility.

There are several benefits to both renting and buying. Which decision better matches your needs? If you are considering buying a home or if you would like to learn more about the process, please feel free to reach out to us for a buyer consultation. If you are considering renting, contact us to learn about our rental units that are currently on the market!

About the Authors:

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com.

Are you considering moving to the new Beachwalk community in Saint Johns County? With a beautiful private beach and wonderful amenties, Beachwalk sums up paradise! Learn More Below!

What Builders are constructing in Beachwalk? 

There are four wonderful new construction builders that are focusing in Beachwalk. Which one do you prefer?

-Lennar Homes- Lennar Northeast Florida

-Americrest Luxury Homes – Americrest Luxury Homes Website

-Vintage Estate Homes – Vintage Estate Homes Website

-Dream Finders Homes – Dream Finders Homes Website

Looking to Buy and Save on Closing Costs! Contact us today to get started!

Enjoy the Following Amenities at Beachwalk!

• Members Only Beach Club – Enjoy a delicious meal on the water on one of many Restaurants in the Members only Beach Club.
• Beachwalk’s Private Beach – Enjoy sailing, kayaking, and swimming at your Private Beach. Simply Paradise.
• Swim Up Bar – Swim Up and grab your favorite cocktail!
• Water Slides– Enjoy 40 foot water slides with your family!
• 24 Hour Fitness Center- Enjoy 24 hour access to Beachwalk’s Fitness Center!
• Har-Tru Tennis Courts- Choose one of 7 courts to play your favorite sport!
• Sand Volleyball Courts– What is more enjoyable than a game of Beach Volleyball?
• TPC-Tiny Putting Course– Challenge yourself to 18 holes!
• Splash Park for Dogs– A dogs dream…

Ready to Move to Beachwalk?

Contact your AgentChase Agent today to get started! 

About the Authors: 

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

While the home buying experience can be one filled of excitement. Many homebuyers are nervous and apprehensive about their home inspections. This makes sense as the home inspection process is one of the most important parts of buying a home. Attached below are 5 common fears of home inspections along with ways to combat each issue.

• What if something comes up in my home inspection?

There is no such thing as a “perfect” home and each home is subject to repairs. Go into your home inspection with an open mind and feel free to ask your home inspector about their opinion of the issue. It’s better to allow your home inspector to do a complete inspection and wait to ask your questions during the final walk through of the inspection. This allows you the reassurance that your home inspector was able to inspect the entire home to best of his or her ability. Review your concerns with your realtor and determine if you would like to negotiate with the seller on the items.

•  If I back out after an inspection will I lose my binder deposit?

Prior to submitting an offer, review this concern with your realtor and make sure that you are comfortable with the terms of the contract and that you are given an inspection period with the right to back out and still receive your binder. This will allow for a smoother process should you need to back out during the inspection period.   

•  Inspections are expensive…can I just use a handyman?

On average, home inspections cost around $300 to $400. Some loans such as VA, FHA, and USDA loans do require certain inspections as part of the loan process. If you are purchasing your home with cash or a loan type that does not require a home inspection you can opt out. However, home inspections are recommended. It is also recommended that you use a certified home inspector over a handyman to ensure that your home is inspected properly. Strongly consider home inspectors that are certified by ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). Ask your realtor for their recommendations and do not be afraid to research other local companies.

• I am purchasing a house in AS-IS condition. Is it worth doing an inspection?

We recommend ordering a home inspection on a home being sold in as is condition. It allows you to understand the work needed in the home. If an issue that comes up is a deal breaker, speak with your realtor about exiting the contract or trying to negotiate the cost of the home with the seller. If no issues come up, then you will feel reassured about your purchase. It’s always worth it!

•  What if something is missed during my inspection?

There is always a risk for an issue being missed on a inspection. The best way to combat this issue is to do thorough research prior to selecting an inspector. Before the inspection, ask your realtor to provide you with a sellers disclosure on the property so that you are aware of any issues that the seller disclosed prior to the sale. Discuss these issues with your inspector and realtor and determine if they are deal breakers. Join in for your home inspection so that you are aware of the issues discovered. Upon receipt of your written inspection report, discuss all items with your realtor and determine how you would like to move forward. Lastly, consider a home warranty to add piece of mind.

While a home inspection can be a stressful endeavor it is always a good option for a homebuyer and can lead to a better understanding of your future asset. Always feel free to reach out to your AgentChase Realtor with any concerns or worries. We are here and happy to help! Congratulations on your home buying journey!

About the Authors: 

Jeff and Smruthi are husband and wife Real Estate Team proudly serving Jacksonville and surrounding. They offer homebuyers  closing cost assistance allowing them to save. For those looking to sell; AgentChase provides competitive flat fee listing options while providing unbeatable service.

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact us today at 904-513-8575 or send us an email at different@agentchase.com

It’s that time of year again! Attached below are 5 great Pumpkin Patch locations in the River City!