Real Estate in Northeast Florida and Around the World

To all the Mothers out there - or those who provide a Mothering touch to those who need it - Happy Mother's Day!

In 1905, Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia, swore at her Mother's gravesite to continue her mother's work to have a day of honor for all mothers.  In 1907, at the St. Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, Anna passed out 500 white carnations - one for each mother in the congregation.  A year later, on May 10, 1908, the Church responded by dedicating a Sunday service to mothers.

West Virginia became the first state to adopt Mother's Day as a recognized holiday in 1912, and in 1914, the United States Congress made Mother's Day a recognized national day of remembrance. 

Interestingly, Anna Jarvis strongly opposed the selling of flowers and greeting cards associated with the day of remembrance.  So maybe in honoring the original spirit of the holiday, make a handmade card and pick her a wild posey (OK, maybe check the state laws first on the cutting of wild flowers).  At a minimum, call that person in your life that you think of as a mom - whether it is your mom, or someone that you know that does a great job of being a mom, and tell her thank you.  Being a mother, I will tell you she will appreciate it.  And being a native West Virginian, I am proud to continue Anna Jarvis' work and let my friends, family and customers who are mother's know that they are appreciated.

Have a wonderful day - and maybe I'll see you around the neighborhood picking a wild posey!

Tomorrow is a day a remembrance for those who have sacrificed time with their families, in pursuing personal dreams and even their own lives to defend the wonderful freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis in the United States of America.  We honor those who have provided their service, whether drafted or voluntary, in the Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Let us not forget those who stood in their places while they served their time as well - the women who worked in factories, farms and motor garages during World War II, women and men test and training pilots, merchant marines and the like.  And all of the folks at home who also sacrificed.

And even today, the sacrifices that are made so that our nation remains strong, defending our right to worship as we please, live in our homes without fear, have food on our table without paying dearly on the black market.  We have had so many liberties for so long, we sometimes take even the small things for granted. 

So tomorrow, as you are in your neighborhood, remember those who have served and sacrificed and thank them - even just giving a wave will let them know you care.

Ahhh, one of my favorite times in Northeast Florida.  Time for The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach.  Am I a golfer?  Unfortunately, no.  Between being a mother, wife and having a full-time career for most of my life, I never really had the opportunity to learn (but it is on my bucket list).  But - I am always intrigued to watch these fabulous players with their masterful strokes and wonder how they can get that dimpled orb to go exactly where they want it to go.

But, the most fascinating thing to me is the people that come out to this magnificent sporting event in our own backyard.  There those who come to follow their favorite golfer from hole to hole, jockeying for the best viewing position, those who come to claim their spot at the famous "Island Green", the 17th hole surrounded by water, where many a famous (or infamous) quote or stunt has been witnessed of golfers by their insatiable fans.  There are the fashion-conscious that come in their spiked heels, flowy dresses and hats, and those that come in their camoflouge, I guess trying to hide from the likes of me who come to watch all of the diversity of people that stream by like the waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway that flows nearby. 

I also enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass.  Even with thousands of people mingling about, there is quiet.  You can see and hear mother Ospreys teaching their eaglets to fly.  Mallards and geese and water turkeys in the ponds around the course.  Landscaping that would make Martha Stewart envious.  One year I was engulfed in the drama of an alligator in the pond along the 18th fairway chasing a water turkey.  The water turkey knew he was there - they just played all afternoon and I'm guessing the gator went hungry that night.  This is my favorite spot by the way, on the hill along the 18th fairway.  I am fortunate to be provided a Clubhouse pass each year, however, I prefer to sit away from the throng to do my people watching.  For networking, the Clubhouse is great and grand, but for my own time - my people-watching time, it's the hill along the 18th fairway that is my favorite spot.

So, if you are in the area this week for our famous golf tournament, look for me - I'll be there, checking out our newest housing inventory in between rounds, which is how I spend most of my time. Give me a wave when you see me around the neighborhood!

You've decided to sell your house, you've found your Realtor, discussed the price and signed the listing documents.  Congratulations - this is a huge step and one that takes a lot of emotional and physical fortitude to accomplish.  But it is still not time to celebrate.

Ring, Ring - you have just been notified that someone wants to see your house.  Congratulations - but still not time to celebrate.  While your house will not be sold unless it is seen, typically there will be many buyers preview your house before an offer is submitted.  Be patient, keep the faith and keep the house in showing condition.

Ring, Ring - your Realtor just called and has informed you that an offer has been received.  Congratulations!  Oh, what's that?  It's 5% less than your asking price and the buyer wants you to pay closing costs?  Deep breath.  After discussing options with your Realtor, you decide to accept, counter or reject......but still not time to celebrate.

Ring, Ring - your Realtor just called and you have a ratified contract.  Congratulations!  Yes, this is a milestone moment, but save that champagne.  There is loan processing for the buyer, inspections to be done and titles to be searched.  Keep packing but don't uncork that bottle just yet.

Ring, Ring - your Realtor just called.  The buyer's lender has not yet approved the buyer - that preapproval didn't account for unverified items, and they are having a hard time with the verifications.  Breathe slowly and deeply.  There is nothing you can do but pray (unless you want to offer seller financing).  Keep packing.

Ring, ring - your Realtor just called.  They buyer's financing has been fully approved, closing confirmed and in just a few days.  Packing is almost done, but you are reluctant to celebrate.  You are getting the hang of this.

Cha-Ching - that is the sound of the closing being finalized.  All documents are signed and the check is now in your hand.  NOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE!!!

Now, I did not write this to be discouraging to anyone.  This is a reality check.  There are many moving parts in a real estate transaction, and the message I want to convey is that when you work with a Realtor, you have a partner to help keep the moving parts moving, and hold your hand along the way.  If you are considering selling your house, and are not yet working with a Realtor, please give me a call.  I'm probably working in your neighborhood - so look for me and give me a wave!!

Have you heard the news?  A recent report from the University of Florida says the bottom of Florida's real estate market has been found!  Of course those of us that have been the boots on the ground have been saying this for several months.  Buyers are out, and yes, they are still out even with the April 30 tax credit deadline having passed. 

In recent months I have personally been involved in several transactions that resulted in multiple offers, an activity that tells us the market is normalizing.  Inventory levels are continuing to shrink, and buyers are paying closer to list prices with fewer contributions being made by the sellers.  Of course, all of these activities that indicate a normalizing market are seen first by those involved in daily real estate activities.  The data that supports the activities always lags - which is why the general public is only recently beginning to hear this good news.

The latest Northeast Florida Association of Realtors Market Report for the month of March is now available on my website, just click on the "Market Data" button in the column to the left.  To read more about Florida's Housing Recovery, click on the link below.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=238713

In the meantime, I'll be out and about, helping people in local neighborhoods achieve their real estate goals.  And I'm glad to help you reach yours too - just give me a wave or give me a call, I'm your Real Estate resource for life!

See you around the neighborhood!