When purchasing a home, buyers usually borrow money from a lender to pay for it. A lender must feel confident that they’re lending the amount of money the home is worth or less. So after the home goes under contract, the lender sends a third party appraiser to the home whose job is to professionally inspect and determine the actual value of the home. This person isn't an inspector; he or she isn't looking for damage that you should be aware of. This person is attempting to determine what your home is worth as it is today.

The appraiser might look at recently sold homes in the area, square footage, acreage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and other upgrades/assets of the home to come up with a value. 

If the appraisal comes in over the pending

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Finding a home to rent in NE Florida right now is like finding a needle in a haystack. Home sales are on the rise and landlords everywhere are selling their homes to cash out the equity. That means even the homes that are for rent are often being sold and renters are left to house hunt again.
What most renters don’t realize is that they might actually be better off buying a home in today’s market than continuing to try and rent, even with home prices on the rise. They think they can’t because they don’t have a down payment, they can’t afford the mortgage, and they won’t be able to find a house in the current market. While these can be true, they aren’t always true and oftentimes renters are shocked that they actually can save money by buying. 

 

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St. Johns County School Districts once again lead the pack in the Florida Standards Assessments once again! 

Numbers released in July 2021 by the state Department of Education show that St. Johns County once again led all 67school districts statewide in grade proficiency level and individual subject testing. This news comes amid one of students and teachers’ most challenging learning environments with constant interruptions to instruction during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Not all categories were an improvement. Math scores did fall just slightly from 2019-2021, however those scores still left the district in 2nd and 3rd place compared with other districts’ declines.
"Still, to imagine what we were dealing with at every level with so many variables,

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When buying a new home, buyers are considering home price, taxes, and HOA/CDD fees. It is rare that you’ll hear a home buyer ask their Realtor, “Will homeowners insurance greatly affect my monthly payment?”

Prior to 2019, homeowners insurance was a typical, somewhat predictable number for home buyers. While it fluctuated, it was rarely a deal-breaker when it came to completing the purchase of a home. But today, homeowners insurance in Florida is a wild card.

Hurricane Irma in 2017 began a downward spiral in the homeowners insurance industry. Huge claims paid out during the years following meant that insurance companies were strapped for cash. On top of that, lawsuits exploded. Lawyers have the ability to charge homeowners insurance companies far

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St. Augustine is the oldest city in the country (over 450 years old!). It comes with some incredible Spanish architecture, historical buildings and landmarks like the Castillo de San Marco, not to mention peaceful, sandy beaches! But over the past few decades, the food scene in St. Augustine has grown into something that caters to just about every palette. If you’re interested in buying a home in St. Augustine and you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat with some of the newer restaurants gracing its shores.

Sainte-George Restaurant is one of the more sophisticated restaurants to come on in the scene in recent years. A blend of American and European cuisines, the hand-crafted dishes look and taste like art! One reason for that is every meal is cooked

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Thinking about buying a house for your family in St. Johns County? Most people who are ready to make the move are interested in learning more about St. Johns County Public Schools. Known for being the top district in all of Florida, St. Johns County schools are also known nationally as being some of the best-ranked both academically and athletically! 

What makes St. Johns County Schools so special? Many of them are rated A and B. School ratings are based on state test scores, graduation rates, SAT scores, and participation in advanced classes. With so many A-rated schools, parents feel confident that their children are getting one of the best public school educations available in the country, and certainly the best in Florida.

In a recent issue

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New things are popping up in Nocatee all the time!

We get phone calls and emails everyday from people around the country who are interested in homes for sale in Nocatee. This incredible development in St. Johns County began construction in 2010 and has been expanding its amenities and home offerings ever since. You can find a home for nearly any single or family in Nocatee, from single family pool homes to condos. The amenities are constantly being upgraded. You'll find parks and walking paths, pools, splash parks, dog parks, plenty of preserve trails and kayak launches. Residents also have access to fitness facilities and neighborhood-wide events and activities. With so much going on in Nocatee, it's hard to believe that it's still growing and…

One of the largest master-planned communities in St. Johns County is underway! With more than 8,500 acres and 7 miles of roadway, SilverLeaf homes are selling!  What makes these homes unique is the master builders who are signed on the build them for you. We love SilverLeaf because the quality we hope our clients to expect is consistently delivered within this development. Dreamfinders, MasterCraft, Riverside Homes, and Ashley Homes all take credit for these beautiful homes. You will be blown away by the attention to detail and the craftsmanship. Both on-trend and classic are available, whether you're hoping from a traditional home or one with more flex spaces than you can shake a stick at! Zoned for more than 10,000 dwellings, SilverLeaf has…

Beach towns in Florida range from sleepy to bustling. What makes Jacksonville Beach so special is that it's both! From free to ritzy, just about anyone can find something to do and see there. The top 5 things to do in Jacksonville Beach are all easily accessible. A short journey from Jacksonville or St. Johns County, Jax Beach feels far from the big city. From hotels and restaurants to nature preserves and history, this coastline is unlike any other. 1. The Jacksonville Beach Pier A beautiful boardwalk lines the stretch of Jacksonville Beach and meets up with the pier, which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. It's one of the most beautiful and notable landmarks in the city. The boardwalk is more than a quarter of a mile long…

How lucky are we to live near such an historic city? St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and to this day remains known as the "Nation's Oldest City." Thankfully, the city has maintained much of its early history in the form of architecture and landmarks. If you live there, you know, but if you're considering moving to St. Johns County or Jacksonville, we'd like to suggest you go check out some of the coolest things about this city - and they're all free or very affordable! The beaches are the most obvious place to visit in St. Augustine. A beautiful pier, plenty of restaurants, and over 40 miles of sand await you to melt away the stress of a day. But right behind that is what is affectionately referred to as, "The Fort!" The…