Gainesville FL Real Estate Blog

Gainesville Homes For Sale:

75 NW 48th Boulevard, Gainesville FL 32607

MLS# 304212

Low maintenance living tucked in behind Millpond close to Uf, Shands, Hospital and shopping. Gorgeous, airy home features private courtyard, gas fireplace, crown molding, screened porch, indirect lighting and many more luxurious amenities. Enjoy the pool, clubhouse and tennis courts while the lawn and exterior maintenance is taken care of for you by the Homeowners Assn.

Learn more about 75 NW 48th Boulevard and other Gainesville real estate by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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The current Gainesville real estate market is challenging for both buyers and sellers. Many sellers have not accepted the fact that their home has decreased in value and are trying to sell at peak 2006 prices. At the same time, buyers want to make sure they don’t overpay, fearing prices will continue to drop even more.

Of course, there are exceptions. Well priced homes in desirable neighborhoods or foreclosed properties selling at ‘yard sale’ prices may generate multiple offers. But all in all, it is a buyer’s market.

So how do Gainesville home buyers prepare to make an offer and put themselves in the best negotiating position? Here are some suggestions made by Dian Hymer in a recent Inman news article:

1. Before you make an offer on a listing that’s priced over market, try to find out as much as possible about the sellers’ motivation, and if there’s any flexibility in their price. If the seller owes more than the house is currently worth, they may not have any negotiating room. They may want to sell the house, but really can’t sell at today’s prices.  A lot of time and emotional energy goes into making an offer. Save your efforts for listings where the sellers are motivated. That is, they don’t just want to sell — they need to sell.

Some sellers want to test the waters at a price that’s higher than the market will support. They usually feel that someone will appreciate the added value their home offers and pay more for it. However, these sellers will often negotiate with a legitimate buyer who offers a price that is less than the list price.

2. Make sure that your financing is in order and that you are able to show the seller that you are capable of closing the deal. The fallout ratio is high in the current market. Many of these transactions fail to close because the buyers couldn’t get financing.

It’s always a good idea to be preapproved for the financing you’ll need to buy a home before you make an offer. Preapproval involves making a formal loan application, having your credit checked, as well as verifying your funds for down payment and closing costs, and validating your income and employment. Lenders often want to know that you have enough surplus cash to make house payments (mortgage, property taxes and insurance) for two to three months.

3. Buyers who make an initial low offer and who aren’t in competition should make as clean an offer as possible. This means omitting anything that’s not necessary. However, you should include contingencies for loan and appraisal approval and an inspection contingency.

It’s a good idea to include a copy of your preapproval letter with your offer. If you are approved for a higher price than you are offering, ask your lender or mortgage broker to issue a preapproval letter for the price you’re offering.

4. Be prepared to negotiate. It may take several rounds of counter-offering back and forth to reach a mutually acceptable price.

Are you thinking about buying a Gainesville home? We are glad to help you with your preapproval process, show you homes with motivated sellers and craft an offer putting you in the best possible light with the seller and results in getting you the best possible deal.

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Gainesville Real Estate For Sale:

2961 NW 21st Avenue, Gainsville FL 32605

MLS# 304708

A hint of country in the heart of the city!  Great location near UF, shopping and dining with no commute time!  Super entertainment home features a large deck overlooking a creek.  Watch the wild turkeys, owls and other wildlife from the screened porch.  Which comes with a refrigerator, sink and serving area or the solar heated salt pool surrounded by a decorative aluminum fence?  Home has been completely remodeled with hardwood floors throughout.  Custom built-ins in great room with fireplace and built-in surround sound speakers.  Gourmet kitchen boasts double convection ovens, smooth top range and pass thru to sunroom.  Large bedrooms feature floor to ceiling windows and master has a luxury bath.  Fresh paint and much more, large conservation area in the rear makes this a slice of heaven.

Learn more about 2961 NW 21st Avenue and other Gainesville real estate by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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This is a great time to think about buying a Gainesville home. Gainesville home prices have moderated and there is plenty of inventory to choose from. The biggest hurdle for many Gainesville home buyers is saving money for a down payment. Here are 25 things to do on a regular basis to save money:

1. Make it automatic. Before you see your paycheck, have a percentage of it automatically deposited into your 401(k) and savings.
2. Keep minimum funds in checking account. Transfer extra funds into your savings account where it will earn more interest than in our checking account.
3. Don’t pay banking fees! Use your bank’s free bill pay, automatic deposits, free checks, and free reimbursements for all ATM fees.
4. Use rewards credit cards. Use a credit card offering cash back on every purchase and pay the card off each month to eliminate interest fees.
5. Actively search out deals. It never hurts to try and find a better deal, or request a better deal from your service providers.
6. Use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats save you an estimated 10-20% on your heating and cooling bills.
7. Use ceiling fans, floor fans, and space heaters. Turn your thermostat down, close the doors to unused rooms and use a space heater for heat. Use ceiling fans and floor fans to assist with heating and cooling – depending on the season of course!
8. Install CFLs to save energy. Compact fluorescent lights use about a quarter of the electricity of normal incandescent bulbs. They also need replaced much less often.
9. Drive smoothly. Accelerate smoothly and at a reasonable rate, and coast to a stop as often as possible. Also use cruise control on the highway. My car is rated to get 26 mpg around town and I regularly get 29. You can also use these tips to save money on gas, and use gas rewards credit cards to save money on fuel costs.
10. Plan and research major purchases. Take the time to research the best deals when planning a vacation.
11. Buy quality products. Quality items may cost more up front, but they last longer and generally provide better results than cheaper, inferior products. Examples of items you should buy higher quality – furniture, clothes and shoes, vehicles, and other items that will see a lot of use.
12. Buy generic where applicable. You can save a lot of money on generic items for which the brand name product is essentially the same as the store brand. Food and medicines come to mind as items where generic products are good deals.
13. Use coupons and rebates. Use coupons for oil changes, groceries, books, on-line purchases, and just about anything else we can find.
14. Use store rewards cards. Many grocery stores have their own ‘reward cards’ saving you money each time your shop. If you are a senior, shop on designated senior citizen discount days.
15. Cook at home.  Limit restaurant dining to once a month.
16. Eat leftovers. You can save a minimum of $20 a week by bringing your lunch to work. It is also healthier. On the rare occasion you go out to lunch with coworkers, you’ll enjoy it more.
17. Use the library. Borrow books and movies from the library. New movie releases aren’t always available, but there are usually plenty of classics from the 40s and 50s.
18. Use parks. They are great for hiking and outdoor recreation.
19. Take care of things. Treat the tings you own with respect and take good care of them. This includes doing things such as cleaning the house, washing your cars, and polishing shoes. Things last much longer when you take good care of them.
20. Buy insurance. Health insurance, home owner’s insurance, auto insurance, and other types of insurance are designed to save you money! Sure, you may end up paying premiums for years and never file a claim, but in the event you need to file a claim, your premium will likely be small compared to what you would have had to pay. You’ll be very happy if you ever need it!
21. Bundle cable and internet. You can save a lot of money by bundling these together rather than purchasing the separately. You can save more if you bundle your phone as well.
22. Use cell phones – skip the landline. Depending on your plan, it can be a real cost saving.
23. Cancel subscriptions. Almost everything you want can be found on-line for free.
24. Home improvement. Try making your own repairs before calling a professional.
25. Avoid debt. If you don’t have the money for it, don’t buy it.

Saving money and watching your savings account grow is a rewarding experience…especially if it can help you purchase a Gainesville home of your own. If you are a first-time home buyer, your $8,000 tax credit can now be used towards your down payment and closing costs. Learn how at GatorHomes.com or give me a call for more personal service.

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Gainesville Home for Sale:

2636 SW 35th Place, Gainsville FL 32608
MLS# 303443

Gorgeous end unit with 2 bedrooms upstairs each has its own private bath.  Features include smooth top range, side by side refrigerator with ice in the door, washer, dryer, hardwood floors, tile floors in the kitchen, and screen porch The bus stop is right outside your door and you can bike to UF and shopping.  FHA approved means low down payment! Pets welcome.  Home was very well cared for it’s in move in condition.

Learn more about 2636 SW 35th Place and other Gainesville Homes for Sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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You’ve probably seen lots of financial arguments about why you should invest in Gainesville real estate and own your own home rather than rent. This includes budgeting (no rent increases) and the tax savings you’ll most likely have. Now we’re going to give you some reasons you probably haven’t heard.

1. Freedom to pursue other goals in life once the major goal of home ownership is achieved.

Strange as it sounds, many of our first-time buyers have told us that once they bought the house, other things in their life started to fall into place. It’s as if not owning took so much of their mental energy that other goals were not worked on until that big goal was reached. So buy a home and get on with your life!
2. A greater sense of belonging to the community.

Once you own a home, you feel more attached to the city in which you live. You’re more interested in what happens in Gainesville, to the roads, schools, and shopping areas. Some people even become involved in local politics.

3. A commitment to something, a sense of stability.

Home ownership is an anchor, something that cannot be pulled out from under you. You’ll never get a notice that you have to move. You’re kids will never have to change schools. It gives you freedom to plan years ahead.

4. You can change things, a feeling of being in control.

It’s your home. You can add to it, remodel it, change the landscaping, do whatever projects you want. You have a feeling of being in control of something in your life. At work we don’t always have control of what happens, but your home is your castle and you have dominion over it. You can see what you’re building take shape before your eyes.

5. More control over the children than in an apartment complex

In a neighborhood, kids usually play in the yards or go to friend’s houses a few doors away. Our clients have told us that in an apartment complex they never knew where the kids were. They could be in any of hundreds of apartments, doing who knows what. In a home you get to know the neighbors and watch out for each other’s kids.

6. Children do better in school and feel more secure.

This one surprised us, but buyers have reported to us that their kids calmed down in school after they bought a house. We don’t know why, but it seems to work that way. We remember a single mom watching her son play in the yard, making steps in the slope and building things. She didn’t have to tell him to leave everything alone, like she did at the apartment complex. I guess kids feel the same need for control we adults do.

7. Time and money saved by not going to the Laundromat.

A small point, but if you have kids, you know the value of this one. You gain a whole evening a week when you buy a house! The wash gets done in between other things, or while you’re at work. What would you do with the extra evening you’ll have? How about going out for dessert with your spouse with all those quarters?

We’ve been in a home of our own for so long; we take these benefits for granted. We forgot what it’s like to be renters! If you have anything you can add to the list, please let us know via email. We would love to hear from you! 

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Gainesville Real Estate for Sale: 1201 NW 4th Street, Gainsville FL 32601

MLS# 282478

This Condo is in an ideal location in a quiet residential neighborhood and is perfect for the serious student. Exterior has been completely repainted and roof is new as of April 2007. UF And Downtown Gainesville is only 5 minutes away. The bus stop is a short 5 minute walk. The electric water heater is new and the dryer is new. Walking distance to Publix, the Post Office, Restaurants and The Tutoring Zone. Only a two unit Condo, never a parking problem. Alarm System. Attached Storage Shed.

Learn more about 1201 NW 4st Street and other Gainesville real estate for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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Skeptics thought the Internet would be the extinction of the real estate agent. Let’s face it, all the information in the world about how to buy and sell a house is at your finger tips. So why hire a real estate professional to represent you in the purchase or sale of your Gainesville home, when you can save the big fat commission they charge and do it yourself. If you have asked yourself this question, you are not alone. Here are the Top 10 Reasons To Hire A Gainesville Real Estate Professional:

1. Education & Experience

Most people buy or sell homes 2-3 times in their lives. Many Gainesville real estate professionals are involved in buying and selling real estate 2-3 times a month. Henry Ford once said that when you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are. You don’t need to know all there is to know about buying or selling real estate, you just need to hire the people that do. Hire someone with more experience and education than you that can help you get the best possible deal and save you precious time and money. 

2. Agents are Buffers

If you are a buyer, agents will insulate you from builder representatives and listing agents, who can be piranhas when going after a sale. And if you are a seller, your agent will weed through the ‘lookie loos’ and bring you only well-qualified buyers. Real estate professionals save you time…and as they say, ‘time is money.’  

3. Neighborhood Knowledge

Your neighbor may know that the people who sold the house down the street were asking $350,000, but your Gainesville real estate agent will know that the house actually sold for $295,000 and paid $5,000 of the buyer’s closing costs after being on the market 45 days.  

4. Price Guidance

Your real estate agent is able to guide you through the decision making process to help you make the right choice for yourself and your family. Whether a buyer or seller, agents are able to provide you with the data you need to choose a correct price and then put together a negotiating strategy based on market supply, demand and conditions. 

5. Market Conditions Information

Real estate professionals can also provide you with market data such as price per square foot, median and average sales prices, days on market and list/sell ratios that will have a bearing on your buying and selling decisions. 

6. Professional Networking

The network of other professionals known by real estate agents, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell, can be invaluable. Isn’t it better to have a service provider, who is known for quality and professionalism, recommended to you than having to pick someone out of the yellow pages? 

7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality

Top producing real estate agents are skilled negotiators, not just messengers delivering paperwork to a buyer or seller, who are able to remove themselves from the emotion of the situation…and be assured, buying and selling a home is emotional! They are professionals who are trained to present their client’s case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.  

8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork

Purchase Agreements in the 21^st Century are 10 pages or more and include state and federally mandated disclosures which can be overwhelming and confusing to the inexperienced. One omission or mistake could land you in court or cost you thousands of dollars. 

9. Answer Questions After Closing

Issues have a habit of cropping up after closing…things such as taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices. Your real estate professional is there to answer questions, provide documentation and help clear up questions. You won’t be left out in the cold to handle issues by yourself. 

10. Develop Relationships for Future Business

Referrals are the basis of am agent’s success. Your real estate professional will provide you with ongoing market updates, news and information. Keeping you informed and staying in touch will help insure your repeat and referral business. 

Bottom line, Gainesville real estate agents are highly skilled, knowledgeable professionals. They will help you sift through the mountains of information you find on the Internet and make sense of it in order for you to make good buying and selling decisions. 

Learn more about Gainesville real estate at GatorHomes.com or give us a call for more personal service.

Search all ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Gainesville real estate and homes for sale.

Gainesville Homes For Sale:

5311 NW 54th Court, Gainesville FL 32652
MLS# 302394   

Light And Airy Home In Desirable Deer Run Features Remodeled Kitchen With Accessorized Wood Cabinets, Tile Floor And Lg Pantry. New 30 Year Roof In 2008, New Berber Carpet In Bedrooms In 2008, Fresh Paint, Upgraded Light Fixtures, Workshop, Carpeted Screened Porch, Spacious Closets And Custom Stained Glass Make This A Gem!! Paved Walkway To San Felasco Park And Greenway From Subdivsion. Possum Creek Park Is A Short Stroll Away. This Home Has It All – Location, Great Condition And Priced To Sell!

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Learn more about 5311 NW 54th Court and other Gainesville homes for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

Search all Gainesville homes for sale.