Michelle Frericks, Realtor®

Archive for May, 2010

Both populations are critical elements that drive sales in a successful real estate market. Experts fear that the long-lasting effects of the recession will impact these groups the most, stalling home sales across the nation. Read more here.

Lower mortgage interest rates can add up to savings for buyers worth much more than $8,000. Click here to read the full article.

It’s easy to be complacent about hurricane season. But, don’t be. Take a few minutes to review your disaster plan and ensure that you and your family can weather the storm. Here are some tips.

I’ve been showing a lot of rental properties this week and have encountered many objections to properties that have had or currently have pets. The biggest problem has been fleas – even in vacant properties. One house had a dog smell so powerful that the hardwood floors had to be refinished in order to remove the smell!

I love pets. But pets need responsible owners that will keep them clean, free of pests and train them to be well-behaved.

Here’s an article I came across today with more info on this subject.

Each year the National Association of Realtors conducts a tracking study of consumer attitudes and awareness. Telephone interviews were conducted among 1,500 qualified adults selected at random between Sept. 12-28, 2009.

Key findings include:

~ Eight out of 10 consumers surveyed believe that owning a home is an investment in your future.
~ Nearly nine out of 10 consumers surveyed strongly agree that the real estate market varies by location.
~ More than seven our of 10 potential buyers and sellers said that they would be more likely to use a Realtor in their next transaction than they would to work with a real estate agent who is not a Realtor.
~ Only 15 percent of consumers plan to buy or sell a home without professional assistance – that’s an all time low, down from 25 percent in 2001.

I came across this article today with some great tips about buying a vacant home. Of course, you should ALWAYS have a home inspection and wood destroying organism inspection and make your offer contingent upon your approval of the inspections. But, you can give the property a good look on your own with these tips in mind and potentially spot some problems before going any further and spending money on inspections.

Keep in mind, though, that even serious problems are most often able to be addressed. Sometimes a home with flaws at the right price may be a smart buy. Just proceed with caution!

On May 15, 2010 the Murray Hill Preservation Association held its first Home Tour. There were 12 locations on the tour and about 200 people came out to see the neighborhood and learn more about its history. I am priviledged to have served on the committee that pulled this event together. Huge thanks to the many volunteers that worked so hard on making this event a success!!

Here are some pictures from the volunteer party and the day of the tour. Enjoy!

I’ve had dozens of people call me lately that are relocating to Jacksonville for work from all parts of the country. Many are not receiving any financial help from their employers with moving expenses.

Click here to read an article about this trend.

4612 College Street

This is the perfect starter house in Murray Hill. Immaculate, perfect home inspection, termite bond, security system and great floor plan. This is a “worry-free” house for first time homebuyers.

The home has a formal living room with fireplace and built-ins, formal dining room, big new kitchen with eat-in area and all appliances included. The bedrooms each have a walk-in closet and the bathroom is also new. The house has beautiful glossy hardwood floors throughout, with tile in the kitchen, laundry room and bath.

Located just 1 block from Four Corners Park, this is a sought-after location in Murray Hill.

The home is priced at $139,900 and the seller is offering to pay $2,000 towards buyer closing costs. Call me today to schedule a showing of this house!