Gainesville FL Real Estate Blog

Gainesville Real Estate For Sale:

10340 SW 66th Street, Hampton FL 32044

MLS# 314478

This home offers a well thought out floor plan.  The family room with fireplace opens to the kitchen.  You will enjoy entertaining in the formal living room/dining room.  Retreat to the master bedroom with its luxury bath and walk in closets.  The laundry area has a washer/dryer, and there is a pantry area.

Learn more about 10340 SW 66th Street and other Gainesville real estate for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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Many renters are finding that they get more ‘bang for their’ buck if they buy a home rather than rent one. With affordable prices, low interest rates and tax incentives, Gainesville FL home ownership makes more sense than ever.

6 Reasons to Buy Rather Than Rent a Gainesville FL Home

1. Buying doesn’t always cost more.
The Associated Press reports the gap between buying and renting has decreased $550 in the last three years.

2. Affordability is at an all-time high.
Nationwide, prices have declined by nearly 20-40%.

3. Tax benefits for home ownership saves money.
The biggest tax break is the mortgage interest deduction. Most of your mortgage payment goes to interest which is tax deductible. Property taxes and mortgage insurance are also tax deductible.

4. Many loans require no down payment.
Veterans Administration (VA) loans and many first-time home owner loans don’t require a down payment.

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Gainesville Homes For Sale:

315 SW 145 Drive, Newberry FL 32669

MLS# 315635

This cute 2 bedroom 2 bath condo has a split bedroom plan, dining room, living room large walk-in closets in master and a great location in Jonesville.  You don’t want to miss this one.

Learn more about 315 SW 145 Drive and other Gainesville Homes for Sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com

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Gainesville Real Estate For Sale:

16515 Highway 441, Alachua FL 32615

MLS# 314818

This home is located right on Hwy 441 in Alachua.  It has a large kitchen, remodeled Master and a wood deck.  This property needs some remodeling but could make a nice home.  The property is being sold as-is.

Learn more about 16515 Highway 441 and other Gainesville real estate for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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To a home loan shopper, there may seem to be an endless–and confusing–array of mortgage types. Of course you want to choose the option that is best suited to your current and future financial situation, but understanding the terminology, types, and monetary ramifications is not always easy. Mortgages generally fall into four categories (fixed rate, adjustable rate, step, and balloon) according to the interest rate and duration of the loan.

Basic terminology;

Fixed rate–The interest rates do not change during the life of the loan, thus allowing you to know the amount of your payments.

Adjustable rate (ARM)–the interest rate is tied to certain indexes plus a margin and can fluctuate up or down, thus affecting each payment,

Step–the interest rate and monthly payment remain the same for a specified period of time. After that the interest will change to the prevailing rate and will remain there for the duration of the loan.

Balloon–a loan payment that expands after a certain amount of time. Basically it functions similarly to a fixed rate mortgage in the earlier months/years with a delayed steep increase at the end,

The following information, courtesy of Mortgages.Interest.com, outlines the type of mortgage, the loan characteristics, and the situations most appropriate for each one. If, for instance, you plan to live in your Gainesville Florida real estate more than 10 years and desire stability in payment amounts, then a fixed rate mortgage is for you. If, however, your finances are currently strained, but you know that in 5 to 10 years your monetary situation will improve or that you will most likely move within 10 years, then an ARM or balloon mortgage may be better for you. Being familiar with these options allows you to discuss them intelligently with your real estate agent and/or lender and then select the type which best fits your circumstances.

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Gainesville Homes For Sale:

205 SE 1st Street, HighSprings FL 32643

MLS# 314489

This home is located near downtown High Springs.  It features a Kitchen/Dining room combo which includes a built-in table and benches.  Outside you will find a fenced backyard, covered parking and a detached workshop/garage.  With come cosmetic work this house could make a nice home.

Learn more about 205 SE 1st Street and other Gainesville homes for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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Gainesville Real Estate For Sale:

887 SW 6th Avenue, Williston FL 32696

MLS#315088

Welcome home to this cute 4 bedroom 2 bath home in Williston that sits on a one acre lot. This home features an eat –in-kitchen, berber carpet and a 2 car garage.

Learn more about 887 SW 6th Avenue and other Gainesville real estate for sale by visiting GatorHomes.com and MyGatorCondo.com.

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Although the interior of your home may be lovely, you can’t use that fact to your advantage if potential buyers don’t come inside to see it. The majority of house shoppers are influenced by first impressions, and, according to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 50% of them make their decision about your Gainesville Florida home before stepping through the door. Ensuring that prospective buyers will want to see more doesn’t have to be time-consuming or cost-prohibitive; there are numerous ways to strengthen your home’s curb appeal, to capture the interest of buyers, and most likely increase the selling value.

Appearances are Important

When selling your Gainesville Florida home, appearances are important. The exterior of the house should be attractive and in good condition, and the well-maintained grounds should be pleasing to the eye. The first thing to do is to look at the exterior objectively. Assess the color scheme (siding, trim, brick, roof) and determine if the architectural features of your house are in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood.

Perhaps the easiest way to boost curb appeal is to clean. Pressure wash to remove mold and mildew from siding, decks, walkways, and driveways. Make sure that your windows sparkle and remember to wash the screens. Gutters, too, may need cleaning–or replacing. Investigate snap-fit vinyl systems, decorative rain chains, or even a copper system for a high quality look.

Generate Interest with Landscaping

Another way to generate interest in your Gainesville Florida home is to pay attention to the grounds. Remove weeds, keep lawns mowed, and trim shrubs and trees. Add color by planting flowers and mulching (now available in a variety of colors) around plants and bushes. Prune areas which may appear overgrown or obscure architectural features which should be showcased and look at your landscaping design with a discerning eye.

Consider adding more trees–for three reasons. In addition to making the grounds more attractive, tree cover can also result in lower utility and water bills and increase your home’s selling value. Shop for trees which grow well in Gainesville Florida, provide variety in color and texture (fruit trees, Japanese maple and birch trees, for example), and are water efficient. Most area nurseries will gladly offer expert advice in selecting trees to improve your landscape plan.

An inviting entrance will also impress buyers. Your front door may need repainting or replacing since it should be an attractive focal point of your property. Think about color and design as well as hardware when making improvements. Polish or replace knobs, knockers, doorbells, and kick plates. Purchase a distinctive welcome mat and investigate the need for outdoor lighting. Porch, garden, and walkway lights not only enhance the landscape’s appearance, they also help to provide safety and security (a good selling point!).

And finally, spruce up the front porch or landing. Brightly colored plant/flower containers and hanging baskets add pizazz, as do a freshly painted porch floor and outdoor furniture. An eye-catching entrance way certainly helps ensure that buyers will gladly accept your invitation to come inside your Gainesville Florida home.