Jacksonville is growing in popularity thanks to a revitalized arts and culture scene coupled with idyllic Florida weather and an ever increasing job market. The choice to move to Jacksonville may be easy, but settling on a specific neighborhood can prove less so. For all types of lifestyles, here are 3 of the best places to live in Jacksonville.
1416 Moss Creek Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32225 Listed by Sharon Mills • WATSON REALTY CORP
Arlington provides some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Jacksonville area in the form of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, and the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. The cost of living in Arlington is lower than the rest of Jacksonville, and significantly lower than the rest of Florida, so it’s perfect for young families who want to put down roots or professionals looking to commute to the downtown area. The median home price in Arlington is just $82,000.
11620 Thornapple Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32223 Listed by Heather Kruayai • REDFIN
A picturesque neighborhood marked by large oak trees covered in Spanish moss, the Mandarin Area is more elevated in terms of price than most of Jacksonville. Mandarin feels removed from the hustle and bustle of Jacksonville, providing a truly residential experience for those who can afford to live there. The median home value here is just over $286,000, so it may be an ideal area for established families looking for a great school district, or for empty nesters who want to finally move into their dream home, and who have the means to afford it.
1337 Hubbard St, Jacksonville, FL 32206 Listed by Julie Francis • BENCHMARK HOMES REALTY, INC.
A trendy neighborhood located just north of downtown Jacksonville, Springfield is a diverse area with plenty of art and cuisine to satisfy a young crowd. The median home price in this area is just under $83,000, and only about 12% of residents are families with children, so Springfield is likely the perfect place for young singles or couples without kids to buy a home at a relatively low cost with lots of potential for growth in the coming years, as Jacksonville culture continues to draw in new residents. What’s more, the median household income in Springfield is just shy of $28,000, so those just getting out on their own should be able to afford living in this up and coming area.
No two Jacksonville neighborhoods are exactly alike, so choosing the right one will take some effort to understand its character. Whether buyers are families, retirees, or young professionals just starting out, one of these 3 neighborhoods is sure to suit their lifestyles.
If you live in Florida, and you’ve recently purchased a home, you may be wondering what “4-point inspection” is, and why you need it. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics about 4-point inspections – what they are, what is included, and what you need to do if any issues are found with your home. Let’s get started now.
A 4-point inspection is a type of home inspection that is required in Florida, either to obtain or maintain insurance coverage. This inspection was designed by home insurance companies to help them get a more comprehensive understanding of the buildings that they are insuring.
This is especially important if you have an older home. Older homes are more likely to be in disrepair, or to have had multiple repairs and additions that may not be up to modern standards. The insurance company must be aware of these things, to ensure that the home is eligible for coverage under their existing underwriting coverage.
For example, older homes often use fuse boxes with screw-in fuses – which was normal (and standard) in homes built in the 1950s. However, some insurance carriers have rules that prevent them from knowingly insuring any home with these kinds of outdated circuit breakers panels.
Most insurance companies will only request a 4-point inspection after the home reaches a certain age. Some others will require any newly-purchased home to have a 4-point inspection performed. This varies, based on your insurance company and their underwriting rules.
The 4-point inspection includes a visual-only examination of the following four systems, as the name suggests.
● HVAC systems
● The roof and related systems
● Plumbing
● Electrical systems
These four “points” are responsible for the vast majority of insurance issues and risks, which is why they are chosen for this inspection.
This depends on the age of your home, and your insurer. Most insurers in Florida require a 4-point inspection in homes older than 40 years, or rentals older than 30 years. Make sure to ask your insurer about their policy, to understand if you need an inspection.
There are many things that can cause your home to fail a 4-point inspection, such as shingle roofs that are over 19 years old, roof damage, knob-and-tube electrical wiring, a hot water heater over 18 years old, and other such problems.
Some insurance companies will not insure you at all if you do not fix the problem. Others will insure you – but add an exclusion for the faulty system. For example, if your home has knob-and-tube wiring, it may be insured – but any electrical issues will not be covered.
In most cases, the best thing to do is to replace the faulty system. This may be expensive – but it’s better than risking home damage that is excluded from your insurance policy.
If your insurance company is asking for a 4-point inspection, don’t wait. Use our website’s online scheduler to make an appointment now, and ensure that your home is in good shape, and will be covered by your insurance company.
Information courtesy of Wendy Griffis, Realtor at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty of Jacksonville, Florida.
Moving to Jacksonville, Florida will bring some sunshine to your life. With Jacksonville being one of the top 100 sunniest cities in the United States, you are sure to soak up some joy living there.
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and has a population of approximately 907,529, which makes it the most populous as well. The real estate market in this sunny city is warm and healthy. That’s a good sign for everyone involved. The average listing price for a home in this area is $196k, which is just $10k up from March of last year, while the median closing price is $178k. Homes tend to sit on the market for approximately 68 days which is down from 84 days on the market at the beginning of 2017.
Zillow predicts home values will rise by 4.5 % within the next year. Some demographics for Jacksonville, Florida are as follows:
Here are several resources to help make your transition to the area flow more smoothly.
Whether you have propane, natural gas, or electric heat, Florida Public Utilities handles all these services. You can contact them here to set up service. Bill payment is convenient by phone, online, or through the mail.
You can contact JEA to start new service for your water utility. You will need to fill out this form if you have never had service with them before. You can enroll in their autopay program if you don’t want to have the hassle of dealing with your bill every month.
If you prefer you can pay online manually or mail to: JEA P.O. Box 45047 Jacksonville, FL 32232-5047. If you’d like to look at their rate comparison chart, you may do so by clicking on this link. They say their rates are lower than they were six years ago if you adjust for inflation.
For residents of Jacksonville, Florida, waste disposal is not costly like it is in rural areas where residents must pay a monthly fee for pick up. You will need to check here to see what day and time your particular waste management provider will be by to collect your items.
The website notes that there is a pickup for garbage, yard waste, and recycling, so that should cover all of your waste management needs.
With such a large city, there’s plenty of things to see and do. Here are just a few of them:
1. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary located at 1860 Starratt Rd is an exciting time for the whole family, especially if you love big cats. Watch the night feeding while 600 pounds of meat is fed to the “cats” or tour during the day. This sanctuary is a place where these cats are loved and protected.
2. Big Talbot Island State Park is perfect for those who want to enjoy hiking, boating, bird watching, or just enjoying the beauty of nature. Located at 12157 Heckscher Dr, this beautiful park awaits.
3. The Kingsley Plantation will take you back in time. This location is owned by the National Park Administration and contains several historical sites. You will find it at 11676 Palmetto Avenue.
4. Here is a link to the top beaches in the Jacksonville area.
When you’re ready to find the perfect house in Jacksonville, Florida contact us for the best home inspection.
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