by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Residential real estate appraiser Jeff Conley says Springfield has made it. The area just north of downtown Jacksonville used to be synonymous with violent crime, but today is one of the more up-and-coming areas of Northeast Florida, according to some Realtors at last month’s Downtown Neighborhood Council of Realtors, part of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.
How far? Conley appraised a house in December 2004 and it went for $55,000. The same house, sold as is, was appraised for $108,000 in 2006.
“There’s a definite increase in the market,” said Conley. “In 2004, Springfield didn’t have a $300,000 house. Now, there are several.”
Conley explained there are 14 lines to adjusting and appraising houses and one of the first items he looks at is not, as commonly believed, square footage.
He said one of the most important is quality. And when it comes to restoration versus renovation, it depends on an individual taste.
“You can charge for it, but some people are not going to pay for it. There’s a limit as to what you can do and sometimes you just may not get the money out it,” he said.
Conley was questioned about builders and developers who have come into the area and made changes. He said that at first he was leery of some companies, especially SRG Custom Homes, which has renovated several homes in the area.
“I wasn’t big on (SRG) at first,” he said. “But I knew they wouldn’t be able to build garbage. Now, it’s all good. The rest of Springfield has caught up to their prices. God bless their vision, along with some of the others who have built here.”