Category: Real Estate

Keystone Heights

Debbie Roney Smith on

Keystone Heights is a small North Central Florida town tucked away amidst several lakes. It boasts holiday parades down the main street, a great selection of outdoor activities for all ages, and a welcoming small-town community home to all kinds of people and wildlife. 

Love lake days? There are SIXTEEN lakes for you and your family to visit including Santa Fe Lake, Keystone Lake, Paradise Lake, Crystal Lake, White Sands Lake, Little Lake Johnson, and more!

Craving some seafood and a fun festival? Check out the Cedar Key Seafood Fall Festival, the Sponge Docks Seafood Festival, or nearby festivals in Gainesville – a nice day trip. 

Prefer parades? Check out the annual Christmas Parade, Christmas Boat Parade, the Micanopy 4th of July Fireworks Parade, the nearby Hawthorns Christmas Festival, and more! 

Does this sound like your dream town? Check out this current listing by CLICKING HERE and start your journey to your small-town, dream home!

 

Easements and Encumbrances on Property Titles

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  1. Easements:  An easement is a legal right granted to a third party (such as a neighbor or utility company) to use a portion of a property for a specific purpose. Common types of easements include:
    • Right-of-way easements, which allow access to neighboring properties or shared resources like a driveway or private road.
    • Utility easements, which grant utility companies access to maintain or install infrastructure such as power lines, water pipes, or sewer lines.
    • Easements typically “run with the land,” meaning they remain in effect even when the property is sold or transferred to new owners.
  2.  Encumbrances: An encumbrance is a claim or liability that affects a property’s title or restricts the owner’s rights. Encumbrances can include: 
    • Liens, which represent a financial claim on a property to secure a debt, such as a mortgage, tax lien, or mechanic’s lien.
    • Deed restrictions, which are limitations placed on the use of a property by a previous owner, such as restrictions on building height, exterior colors, or commercial use.
  3. How to identify and address easements and encumbrances: A thorough title search and examination conducted by a reputable title company can identify any existing easements and encumbrances on a property. Once identified, your clients can:
    • Review the impact of these issues on their intended use of the property.
    • Negotiate with the seller to resolve any outstanding liens or encumbrances before closing.
    • Obtain title insurance to protect against unforeseen title defects or discrepancies.

Thanks to Burg Title, LLC for this helpful, comprehensive summary on Easements and Encumbrances. 

Greenwood is the Place to Be

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Click on the image to visit the listing!

Nestled in a small yet private 0.87 acres, this 1930s home is located in the historic, Antebellum town of Greenwood. The home is within walking distance of the grocery store, a bank, a town park, and the oldest running hardware store in the county. The yard has established flowering trees and is partially fenced; the empty space has endless potential. It would fit everything from a wildflower patch to a water slide to a few fruit trees. The homeowner has updated many of the house’s features including replacing the front porch and installing a new septic system. They have also installed a new HVAC, blown insulation, and replaced the main water line from the street to the house.

Greenwood is a lovely town and a peaceful place to live. It has seven homes and one store that are eligible for the National Registry. The store, Pender Store, is open for business to this day. Many of the homes can be viewed from State Highway 71. Additionally, Greenwood is close to a number of parks such as Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park, and Falling Waters State Park. Visit Greenwood or move here today!

To Sell or Not to Sell?

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A new report from real estate experts at Los Feliz, Realtor.com, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Florida has the highest rate of new home listings in the country; there are 248 active listings per 10,000 homes.(1) Florida has gained an estimated 2.7 million new residents since 2010, making the state the 3rd most populous after California and Texas. “Florida’s economy and lifestyle continue to attract people who want to live and work in the Sunshine State,” says 2023 Florida Realtors® President G. Mike McGraw, a broker-associate with RE/MAX Central Realty in Orlando.(2) 

The Florida Panhandle is experiencing a boom in listings, an increase in the average price of those listed homes, and a significant amount of commercial construction creating a strong demand for available homes by buyers. 

Greenwood: A Gorgeous Place to Call Home

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The Town of Greenwood was established in 1824, though the area was settled earlier. A charming small town, it remains a largely historic Antebellum community. Incorporated in 1927, Greenwood is a burgeoning town that offers a peaceful atmosphere. The town has a rich history, especially in regard to the Civil War. For instance, in 1853, Greenwood attracted national attention when a slave managed to injure a plantation owner. After failing to escape, he chose to take his own life by diving headfirst down a well rather than be captured, whipped as punishment, and returned to slavery. The incident was widely publicized by abolitionist editors as evidence of the cruelty of slavery. 

Greenwood is also home to seven homes and one store that are eligible for the National Registry. The store, Pender Store, is open for business to this day. Many of the homes can be viewed from State Highway 71. Additionally, Greenwood is close to a number of parks such as Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park, and Falling Waters State Park. Visit Greenwood or move here today!

Greenwood Home

Debbie Roney Smith on

Nestled in a small yet private 0.87 acres, this 1930s home is ready to be enjoyed as it or renovated to create your modern dream home. Located in Greenwood, it is within walking distance of the grocery store, a bank, a town park, and the oldest running hardware store in the county. The yard has established flowering trees and is partially fenced; the empty space has endless potential. It would fit everything from a wildflower patch to a water slide to a few fruit trees. The homeowner has updated many of the house’s features including replacing the front porch and installing a new septic system. They have also installed a new HVAC, blown insulation, and replaced the main water line from the street to the house.

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

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Spring is well underway, and summer is just around the corner! Want to be sure to keep your home in good condition? Want to straighten it up before putting it on the market? Follow the checklist of spring maintenance tasks below:

  1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts: clogged gutters/downspouts can cause wood rot and allow critters access to your home/attic.
  2. Reseal Exterior Woodwork: doors, porches, fences, trellises, and railing should be resealed every two years to prevent wear and tear. 
  3. Check for Signs of Termites and Carpenter Bees: look for holes in exterior wood or swarms of flying insects coming from your home.
  4. Inspect the Roof: look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged/missing, or anything that simply doesn’t look right. Call a roofer with any concerns.
  5. Paint the Exterior: this is less a need and more a want. Spring is the best time to paint your home so if you’ve been wanting to slap a new coat on, now’s the time!
  6. Inspect Driveways and Paths: look for damage to walkways, paths, and driveways. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.
  7. Check Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems: make sure there are no clogs/broken pipes by running the system. Check that none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged. 
  8. Prevent Mosquitoes: prevent mosquitos around your home by getting rid of any standing water.
  9. Check Screen Doors and Windows: carefully check each door/screen and repair any holes or tears to prevent bugs from getting in. There are screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores.
  10. Schedule Air-conditioning Service: just because your ac is producing cold air doesn’t mean it’s in peak condition. Get the most out of your ac – change the filters at least once each season and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before the start of summer.

National Life Insurance Day

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Today is National Life Insurance Day! It marks the anniversary of the first day that life insurance became available in the United States and takes place every May 2nd. The day is designed to help educate individuals on the benefits of life insurance and how to secure it for themselves. Life insurance does more than support your family after your loss; it can also ensure you don’t fall into debt, pre-fund a child’s college education, and keep a business afloat for a while in the event of the death of a family member who owned a business. Most life insurance policies make it possible to establish an emergency fund while making sure your family is taken care of. 

Greenwood: A Great Place to Live!

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Greenwood is a small, close-knit community in Jackson County, Florida. The town is home to a number of historic sites such as the Historic Erwin House and the Great Oaks/Bryan Plantation. Additionally, Greenwood is home to the oldest running hardware store, Pender’s Store. Pender’s was opened in 1869 under the name of N. B. Long and Bros. The store maintains the original shelves and heart pine floors. 

The small town is nestled among a growing community, has a lovely public park, and is within a day of a number of amazing cities, state parks, and family-friendly activities. Considering moving to Greenwood? Click on the photos of the beautiful homes below to visit their listing and schedule a viewing!