When is it summer time in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach? Can you tell by the temperature, by the swim suits, by the big smiles on everyone's face? Maybe, but there's another way. The official opening of the beaches starts Saturday April 28th with a sand castle building competition and Sunday with the  opening of the beaches parade at 2pm that include floats, marching bands, cheerleading team stunts and tons of fun. If you have never experienced the opening don't miss it this year. For more information check out http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/visitors/special-events

Imagine stepping out of your front door and enjoying the sun, sand, water and year round events at the beaches. Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra

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Jacksonville Florida Real Estate Solution

Here is a family that the Round Table was able to help by being, well, by being a part of the family. We enjoyed working with and for you as well! Now be sure to save us a spot at the BBQ!

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Mortgage Interest Deduction Vital to Housing Market

By: Dona DeZube

Published: October 29, 2010

The home mortgage interest deduction saves the average home owner thousands of dollars at tax time, supports home values at the community level, and helps American home buyers get into their first house.

How the deduction works

In general, any home owners who pay U.S. taxes and who itemize their taxes can deduct mortgage interest attributable to primary residence and second-home debt totaling $1 million, and interest paid on home equity debt of as much as $100,000.

Mortgage interest deduction threatened

In recent years, the mortgage interest deduction has come under attack. Among the suggestions for cutting it back to deal

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Flickr photo by Eran Finkle

Last month I was asked if I would give a presentation on photography for Realtors with tips on how to photograph homes. I decided to look at the photographs in the MLS to get some ideas on where to start.

It did not take long to find a blurry partial dining room picture taken in a dimly lit, half-million-dollar home and a picture of a family room with part of a human body and an entire dog in it representing a $300,000 home.

A recent study by Redfin estimated that only 15 percent of listings are marketed with professional-quality photographs...

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Realtor Notebook

BY TERESA BOARDMAN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011.

Inman News™

-If you or someone you know is looking to list

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The Washington Family & their new Jacksonville, FL home...

only made possible by the Round Table working with them on their old home

Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL - When the Washington Family purchased their new home they knew that the only thing that would be a problem that needed solving was what to do with their old or current home. While nice it wasn't what they wanted anymore and with the market the way it is they wanted to be able to take advantage. Could they get what they needed out of their old home? Mr. Washington and their family knew that through a marketing plan that involved a massive digital push built around amazing photography, the offers that would come in would be incrementally higher than what even their friends were seeing

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Homes at Risk, and No Help From Lawyers

NORTH FLORIDA HOMES, JACKSONVILLE HOUSING, MORTGAGES, ECONOMY, LAWYERS, LAW, PONTE VEDRA REAL ESTATE, ST JOHNS FORECLOSURESThe New York Times| 21 Dec 2010 | 06:36 AM ET

In California, where foreclosures are more abundant than in any other state, homeowners trying to win a loan modification have always had a tough time.

Now they face yet another obstacle: hiring a lawyer.

Sharon Bell, a retiree who lives in Laguna Niguel, southeast of Los Angeles, needs a modification to keep her home. She says she is scared of her bank and its plentiful resources, so much so that she cannot even open its certified letters inquiring where her mortgage payments may be. Yet the half-dozen lawyers

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Holiday Fire Safety Tips

Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Pat Curry

The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for household fires, so take note of these tips to reduce your risk.

Residential fires during the holiday season are more frequent, more costly, and more deadly than at any other time of the year. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year's Day. And when those fires occur, they do more damage: Property loss during a holiday fire is 34% greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70% higher. When the source of the fire is a

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10 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger

November 27, 2010--Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was just a little larger. What many don't realize is that with a little work and some TLC, they could have exactly what they're looking for.

Here, are 10 designer tricks to help you make any room look larger:

1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.

2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.

3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere

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Pet Odors While Selling a Home

Don't Let it Derail Your Sale

Jacksonville, FL -

Air your house out. While you’re cleaning, throw open all the windows in your home to allow fresh air to circulate and sweep out unpleasant scents.

Once your house is free of pet odors, do what you can to keep the smells from returning. Crate your dog when you're out or keep it outdoors. Limit the cat to one floor or room, if possible. Remove or replace pet bedding.

Scrub thoroughly. Scrub bare floors and walls soiled by pets with vinegar, wood floor cleaner, or an odor-neutralizing product, which you can purchase at a pet supply store for $10 to $25.

Try a 1:9 bleach-to-water solution on surfaces it won’t damage, like cement floors or walls.

Got a stubborn pet

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Mortgage rates are lower than last year.

Lower Rates = Larger Home!

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.17 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending November 11, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.24 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.91 percent.

• 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.57 percent with an average 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.63 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.36 percent.

• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.25 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.39 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.29 percent.

• 1-year

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