“Fitness centers are bigger than ever, along with walkable/bikeable streets with sidewalks. Neighborhoods with biking and running trails would be awesome. Maybe we’ll see those in the next decade.”
—Clare Berry, Berry & Co. Real Estate
“They want simplicity as far as common service providers including cable, telephone, water and trash. They want to be close to a gas station, dry cleaners and pizza/fast food. They want well thought-out amenities that accurately reflect the lifestyle of the community and well-built infrastructure including curbs and gutters, sewers and underground utilities. Property management that is responsive to the resident’s needs. Entry and common area landscaping that is maintained and seasonally updated. Community Center and pool area’s kept clean, three pools including a baby, kid/activity and adult; tennis court with a backboard and a maintained, fenced and gated ‘doggie parks’. Sidewalks on at least one side of the street, uniform mailboxes or common pick-up areas, street lights, curved streets and cul-de-sacs, an identifiable community name, gated secure RV and boat storage, trees and consistent in type and height fencing. They want to know the value for their Property Owners Association dues. What services are received? POA fees and dues are collected for common area maintenance and common property taxes. If you have a 250-unit subdivision and each household is paying $500, that equals $125,000 per period. They want to know where the money is going and what controls are on that money. There have been many examples of loss and misappropriation on these monies. Knowledgeable buyers want a statement of accounts and want to know where their money is going and who has control of the checkbook. They want to know what conditions, covenants and restrictions are enforced. CCR’s are the bylaws of the community attached to the deed that govern or restrict activity and actions of homeowners. These include color of paint, fences, pets, commercial traffic etc. Once a developer turns control over to the community than after a period of time the rules are not enforced and the community suffers.”
—Jeff Kern, Embassy Mortgage and Real Estate
“Most of what I am seeing is a reluctance to deal with Community Development fees. The appearance of the community is much more important (trees, landscaping, entrance and architectural interest of the homes) than having a ‘bigger and better’ community pool and tot lot. I am even seeing this attitude from people that are moving into golf course communities.”
—Lesley Vitel, Keller Williams Realty, Atlantic Partners
“I am seeing buyers want to know what the investor cap is. This prevents the neighborhood from turning into a rental community and possibly lowering property values down the road.”
—Bill Kirby, HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation
“Buyers are looking for the proximity to retail centers (strip malls with Starbucks, restaurants, nail places, and etc.) where they can walk to or ride their bike or golf cart to.”
—Kris Pedersen, Keller Williams Realty, Atlantic Partners
“I am getting more folks wanting either gated or they want the amenities such as community pool or golf course. Things have picked up and it’s a great new year!”
—Judi Seay, Century 21 John T. Ferreira and Son, Yulee
“The trend we are seeing at Pablo Creek Reserve is one of longevity. By this I mean our purchasers have been looking for a neighborhood where they can build a home that they will live in for a very long time. We are also finding that our purchasers are bringing in family and friends to build in that same neighborhood, so that they can get back to a more traditional neighborhood feeling; one where family and close friends are within walking distance. Tradition, family and privacy are the components of the trend we are seeing.”
—Victoria Stockton, PARC Realty, Inc.
“In this area (Fernandina Beach) everyone is concerned about how far they will be from the beach, as always. They also want to know where to shop for groceries and if they have access to stores like Target and Wal-Mart. They want to know how far they are from schools and ‘where to catch’ the bus to school. They want areas to walk, run or bike, access to the Jacksonville airport and to know the cost of insurance and taxes.”
—Josie Deal, Coldwell Banker Jasinsky and Associates
“Believe it or not, but I have customers who ask me for the nearest Starbucks location. Now that’s addiction.”
—Rose C. Jenkins, The Rose Jenkins Group, Watson Realty Corp.