IN APRIL’S ISSUE How to Engage in Virtual Open Houses Rest Your Eyes The Art of Art Placement
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IN YOUR CORNER
APRIL 2021
WATER WISE
COMMUNITY PROPERTY REST YOUR EYES
FEATURE STORY HOW TO ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES
LIVING LARGE THE ART OF ART PLACEMENT
MARKET UPDATE CURIOUS IF PRICES ARE UP? WHAT’S THE MARKET DOING? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!
CBV CARES LEADING THE WAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES
©2021 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo and “We Never Stop Moving” are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
The cover image was photographed by BEN ASHBY.
Water conservation has been talked about for decades. This article by Athena Snow, originally posted on the Coldwell Banker Blog Blue Matter, brings up a few small and big ways people can change their water ways. See if any work for you.
On any given day, one might find several front-page news articles covering the topic of water – whether it’s the political debate taking place in Detroit, Arizona officials introducing beetles to kill a particular tree that consumes a lot of water or the drought in California. The lack of water is alarming and, lately, has me feeling guilty every time I run the dishwasher or washing machine. I want to be a good steward to our planet, especially in ways I can control in and around my home. So how can I (and you) lessen our water footprint, so future generations don’t have to face an even worse situation? Here are some things I’m going to start incorporating into my daily routine to reduce my home’s excess use of water.
Checking leaks: I plan to watch my
water meter this week after work (and before daily tasks like dinner preparation or a load of laundry) for an hour. If during that hour I notice the meter changing while no water consumption is taking place, then I know I need to contact a plumber to identify a leak.
Piping insulation: Speaking of calling
WISE The following is a guest post by ATHENA SNOW originally published on Blue Matter, Coldwell Banker’s Blog.
the plumber, it’s been on my to-do list since we moved into our new home. It takes the hot water forever to flow in our bathroom, which leads me to believe our pipes need some insulating. All that water going down the drain each morning while we wait and wait and wait for the water to be reasonably warm is wasteful.
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Washing the fruit or veggies: I ’m guilty of letting the water run while I wash our fruits and vegetables
in the kitchen sink. I’m vowing now to end this nasty habit and will partially fill the sink with some water and white vinegar to further help reduce our home’s water consumption. D
Running a bath: Another confessional item here, I don’t plug the bathtub until the water temperature is to my liking. Yes, shame on me. From now on, I’m making sure to stop up the bathtub right away and adjust the hot/cold as the bath fills.
Ideas for the shower: There are several ways to reduce this activity’s water
consumption. One, set your phone timer for five minutes, so you know for each minute over, you’re wasting anywhere between 7 to 10 gallons of water per minute. If you’ve gone over the five-minute mark and still haven’t washed your hair or lathered up, turn off the water and resume for rinsing.
Reusing pet’s water: Although I do use our cat’s discarded water to feed outside
potted plants, I never thought to also use Salvador’s (our fish) tank water as a means to water my outdoor or indoor plants. This, too, is going on my list.
Things your mom always told you: For some reason, these types
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of things sunk in for me but not so much for my husband (don’t be mad, honey, for spilling the beans here). I’m going to leave some colorful post-it notes next to the sinks that say, “turn the water off while you brush your teeth or wash your hands.” And maybe adding an amendment to the note saying “fill the sink up when shaving or doing dishes.” Oh, and of course, an “I love you” or “you’re the best” at the bottom to be sure I don’t end up in the dog house.
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Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. Jacek Dylag (A), Goby (B), Daniel Tuttle (C), Talal Ahmad (D), and Bibi Pace (E).
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Be it for work or pleasure, many of us spend much of the day staring at screens. On top of that, Americans are overworked, and many constantly in a state of stress overload. Hans Christian Andersen once said, “just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Taking that advice to heart, here are some great places in Northeast Florida that will allow you to rest your eyes and soak in the sunshine.
Alpine Grove (2060 FL-13, Switzerland) This 5.4-acre park was an orange grove during the 19th century. Today it provides a plethora of natural wonders from large live oaks, freshwater creeks, citrus trees, and wildlife from various birds to manatees. The park is also home to two butterfly gardens and several remnants of the orange grove, including the Bennett House and a sorting shed.
Betz Tiger Point Preserve (12100 Pumpkin Hill Rd, Jacksonville) This park has 525 acres of trails, marsh, and wildlife. Walk amongst the pine flatwood, kayak, or fish along Edwards Creek or Pumpkin Hill Creek. Betz Tiger Point Preserve is a part of a 7 Creek Recreation Area that spans more than 5,600 acres of conservation lands, much of it considered completely unspoiled land encompassed by saltmarsh. If you can’t find a relaxing moment here, you will be scant to find one anywhere.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (505 Guana River Rd #6527, Ponte Vedra Beach) Formerly owned by Gate Petroleum and known as the Guana State Park, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is a collaboration between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to protect, research, and educate. The whole reserve includes a whopping 76,760 acres between Ponte Vedra and Palm Coast. The vast reserve cultivates a lush home for wildlife and sea-life, including being a calving ground (birthing spot) for North Atlantic right whales. Here you will find a gorgeous beach, pine flatwood, and maritime hammock trails, allowing you to visit a different atmosphere every time you call upon the Reserve. F
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens (1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville) This park is a 120-acre property that cultivates and studies trees and plants. A portion of the land was originally used for strip mines and other spots prone to illegal dumping. In 2004, a group of citizens organized and leased the property to revitalize this abandoned land. In 2008 the Arboretum & Gardens officially opened to the public, and you can now enjoy boardwalks, trails, wildlife, and now a robust garden. Take a moment to take a breath of fresh air and appreciate this testament to nature’s resolute ability to elegantly recover from trama.
Tree Hill Nature Center (7152 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville) The Tree Hill Nature Center is an oasis in the middle of a concrete desert. This urban wilderness preserve includes 50 acres of hilltop and wetlands. The center provides preservation of fragile plants and wildlife while fostering environmental education and awareness. You can hit the trails, visit the nature center, or just relax in the wildflower gardens.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast) Now this one is a little bit of a trek from Jacksonville, but the plentiful gardens that are the focal point of the park make it worth the drive. The tranquil gardens full of native and exotic plants feature a calm, winding reflection pond engulfed in an oak dome. In contrast, the park is also famous for its rare shoreline of ancient coquina rock formations, if you prefer the ocean. If you aren’t partial to lush gardens and picturesque beaches, you can enjoy numerous other short trails the park offers. Hopefully, one or more of these beautiful spots have caught your eye and motivate you to take some time away from screens and stresses of life. They can certainly bring calm, relaxation and fun to anyone who visits. Photography provided by the following in order of appearance: Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (A), @soscenicphotography (B), Will Dickey for Timucuan Parks Foundation (C), Treehill Nature Center (D), Photographed by Martha Mazza(E), Washington Oaks Gardents State Park (F), and Ryan Arnst (G).
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How to Engage in
OPEN HOUSES The following is a guest post by MATHEW LIPANIMAR originally published on Blue Matter, Coldwell Banker’s Blog.
The real estate industry is always transforming with the development of new technology. Real estate agents have adopted an array of tools that help them provide increasingly sophisticated services to their customers. Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.
Expand Your Opportunity to View More Homes Virtual open houses let buyers reach more properties, in more places, by way of various platforms that show tours live via websites, YouTube, FaceTime – and Facebook and Instagram Live. It also allows agents to reach potential buyers while saving consumers the time they would normally spend repeating in-person tours.
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Helpful Tips on Exploring the Virtual Real Estate World Get Familiarized with Different Platforms With the rapidly changing pace of technology, it may seem daunting for a buyer to know which platform may suit them best in their home-buying journey, whether it’s Facebook Live, YouTube, Skype, or other platforms. Many of these platforms have How -To Guides on their websites to help a consumer navigate their way around an agent’s version of a virtual tour.
Ask a Coldwell Banker Agent for a Virtual Property Tour Life situations can hamper the time needed to travel to a traditional, in-person open house. Many agents utilize some form of a virtual open house to meet the ever-evolving needs of their customers, so ask your local Coldwell Banker agent for a virtual tour.
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“We need to embrace any and all means to help buyers and sellers feel confident and secure right now. I have clients that have been renting and need to be out of their current home by the end of April. The family, who have three children, are concerned they won’t be able to find a home quickly enough. We looked at several homes online together recently, and I’ve set-up showings for them via FaceTime as I tour through the home,” said Jane McAuley, affiliated sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Atlanta. Aside from convenience, virtual property tours, including drone footage or still shots in a YouTube video, can also assist with viewing properties with pools, ponds, and lakes, as well as grand acreage. “To enter a gated community of only 22 houses via flyover, filming gives a perspective of the topography of the land, draped in beautiful oaks and palms, leading to a grand finale of a deep-water dock that offers exquisite sunset views of dolphins, birds, and other wildlife that you may not see just walking over the terrain one step at a time,” said Sibita “Many agents utilize Proctor, an affiliated real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in some form of a the Carolinas who has utilized YouTube for large property tours.
virtual open house
Be Ready!
to meet the ever-evolving needs of their customers, so ask your local
“Consumers should be ready at their computer at a specific time if they have questions for their agent while the virtual for a virtual tour is going on, along with marking the day and time on your computer’s calendar, so you don’t miss it,” said Amy McGee, an affiliated real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Texas. “Another great way to be synced-in with your agent is to ask what social media platforms they use and follow them on their social media feeds, such as Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for updated information on upcoming virtual open houses.”
Coldwell Banker Agent
And…Virtual Open Houses Benefit Sellers Too! If you’re selling your home, it offers a more comfortable way to display, market, and sell your home without having to vacate for potential buyers every time there’s a viewing appointment. In turn, it provides you with a sense of privacy and safety.
Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. Tirza Van Diijk (A), Christian Wiediger (B), Nordwood Themes (C), Solen Feyissa (D), Chris Montgome (E), Jimmy Dean (F), Alexander Dummer (G), and Kraken Images (H).
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Coldwell Banker Vangard Agents
utilize INNOVATIVE technology & a MARKETING TEAM to benefit
BUYERS & SELLERS too!
People are driven by technology, and finding things quickly and efficiently is imperative. As more home buyers initially turn to the internet, they aren’t just looking for snapshots of their future home; they want the full effect. Buyers want to feel as if they are actually walking through the home alongside a sales professional, even if it is only virtual. With Coldwell Banker K Vanguard, our virtual tours and honed HDR photo galleries do just that.
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Virtual Tours are shared Across Platforms Virtual Tours are posted to Coldwell Banker Vanguard’s YouTube channel, The Vanguard Edge, the Coldwell Banker’s local site, Realtor.com, Zillow, and distributed through our STELLAR network to REALTORS throughout the country. This gives our sellers the best exposure, and those virtual buyers the opportunity to take a virtual tour on their prefered platform.
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The following is a guest post written by TRACY ELLISON posted by GUSTAVO GONZALEZ originally published on Blue Matter, Coldwell Banker’s Blog. Edited by Chelsea Cornelius.
Ever wonder what magic tricks interior designers have up their sleeves? There’s no secret. It’s just an understanding of what’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye and why. And like so many things in life that work well, it’s all about balance. Considering where you place objets d’art – your favorite things – is key to pulling off a professional-looking interior design.
When hanging artwork, first look at the big picture. Make sure the
scale of the piece doesn’t over or underwhelm the wall where it will live. Ask yourself if the content and color of the art complement the room as a whole. Typically, artwork should hang at eye level. But don’t discount the occasional element of surprise by positioning an eye-catching picture above a doorframe or running an elongated series of images over a desk, serving as an exaggerated architectural element.
When creating a collage of artwork, find a common denominator that runs
through the collection, such as similar framing, matting, or subject matter. A connecting thread may be the collective uniqueness of the featured items – some of the most dramatic statements are made this way. A smart plan is to lay out your vision for the wall on the floor first or have a friend hold up your artwork before nailing away. Then stand back and see what you think. If it feels right, it probably is – if not, the composition may need small tweaks here and there. Take your time to get it right. After all, this is the part of the room that expresses your personality and adds the wow factor.
Think twice about the amount of color.
This is an approach for you if you don’t like a lot of color or you prefer a more calming environment. Stick to one main hue in the room and a complementing accent color or two – anything more can overly complicate the overall design. Another simple yet ultra-sophisticated approach is to introduce one single color in varying shades for quiet impact.
Be Bold.
Enjoying art in your home is at the end of the day about what makes you happy. As long as it fits your overall design aesthetic, feel free to hang the art that moves you. Don’t be afraid to mix your fine art, either! Cross-collecting has been an art collecting trend for years. Hang your Warhol next to your Joseph Jeffers Dodge if that allows you to enjoy the works. It may even spark conversation with your guests to have interesting juxtapositions within your home.
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However you decide to leave your signature stamp on your interior design, remember that properly placed artwork and an oh-so-right aesthetic is well worth your while – and one that may even turn out to be sheer bliss. Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. Kam Idris (A), Sidekix Media (B), Ashley Byrd (C), Collov Home Design (D), Alan Navarro (E), Trend (F), and Collov Home Design (G).
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MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021
MARKET BREAKDOWN In a press release NEFAR President Ron Harris said “Northeast Florida’s housing market desperately needs a significant influx of homes for sale...The depleted supply is not even close to being able to support the demand.” That was in November, the cold weather elsewhere coupled with the pandemic have people relocating to Florida in droves.
What does this mean for BUYERS?
If you are looking to buy be prepared for some serious competition. Your agent needs to be a fierce negotiator and consider being a bit more flexible than you might be in a buyer’s market or even a normal market.
What does this mean for SELLERS?
We are currently in a Seller’s Market. The low inventory means sellers have more control over pricing. If you’ve been considering selling this might be the time to contact your agent.
Want the latest market data when its available? Ask your agent if they are a part of the MLS MARKET UPDATE program. www.CBVHomesearch.com
“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” - Denzel Washington
The pandemic has effected a lot of people across the country. Fortunately for CBV cares, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Real Estate Agents have been able to continue donating and hosting events to raise money for local charities in Northeast Florida. In February, Fleming/Oakleaf Offices CBV Cares donated the following to four different charities in Northeast Florida. $2,000 went to Clay County Dental Clinic who provide free dental services to needy families. Additionally, checks for $1,000 went to First Coast Women’s Services, Grace Episcopal Day School, and Young Life of Clay County. First Coast Women’s Services provide support to pregnant women by offering free services such as ultrasounds, baby clothes and childcare classes. Grace Episcopal Day School will be using their donated funds to support the financial aid program, providing scholarships to families in need. Young Life of Clay County provides adventure, friendship and a sense of significance to Northeastern Florida youths through weekly gatherings and youth camps.
The Mandarin Office presented the WithLove Charity with a check for $250. WithLove Charity bring awareness while also inspiring and giving children with cancer the opportunity to be kids. This is the third time the Mandarin Office has gotten the chance to donate to WithLove and they also provided them with space to hold a toy drive in December and a space to organize Valentines goodie bags in February!
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The State of Florida registration number for CBV Cares, Inc. is CH61481.
Jeanie Leapley
from the Ponte Vedra Office helped organize a Pampered Chef event to raise funds for BEAM. This virtual fundraiser ran all the way through the 20th of March and 15 % of the sales volume from the event will go to BEAM. BEAM serves low income residents in Jacksonville’s beaches communities with the aim to stop beach residents from going hungry and facing the crippling fear of eviction. The St. Johns Office has been hard at work preparing for their 1st Annual CBV cares Golfing for Charity event. It was held March 22nd. After this fundraising event St. Johns will be able to donate to several local charities. Stay tuned for those donations and images of everyone hitting the links for Northeast Florida charities. Last but certainly not least the Town Center Office hosted an interoffice fundraiser to raise funds for CBV Cares.
To nominate a favorite charity or organization that is near and dear to your heart, contact your CBV agent for more information.
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ABOUT US “Closing Bear launched in June, 2019, and has quickly become the fastest growing title company in Jacksonville. By infusing modern technology and practices into an age-old industry, Closing Bear has positioned itself as the most innovative company in its market.” —Innovate Jacksonville
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