Granite Cost More Than the Gulf War?

Seems like we all want the nice luxurious kitchen. Granite is definitely a part of that luxurious look today. But are Americans going too far with granite? According to findings from Forbes personal finance writer Stephane Fitch, he estimated that since 1990 the cost for this popular material is at $12 billion which is more than what the U.S. spent on the first Gulf war. Now, that's a lot of granite!! So why are we choosing granite over other materials? Well, first of all it looks fantastic! Also, granite simply performs better than other materials. They can last forever. Durability and style seems to be the strong selling points for this luxurious material and Americans want that on their kitchen counters. Quartz is another material that is gaining strength when it comes to kitchen counters. Although it's not beaten granite just yet, there are other options such as recycled stone or even concrete to consider when remodeling your kitchen. If you're not remodeling your kitchen but actually moving into your new house which already has a beautiful renovated kitchen than you're lucky! Make sure to use the local Jacksonville movers for your moving needs though. Our expert movers are reliable and will make sure that you have a pleasant move to your new place.

A New home and Super Bowl tickets?

Buying a home sometimes comes with some perks, depending on the home you buy of course. According to MSN.com, NBA All-Star Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks is hoping to sell his $2 million home in Coconut Grove, Florida. If you're thinking of buying this home then get ready for some perks that come with it. The lucky buyer will receive four club-level tickets to the Super Bowl with round-trip accommodations on a private jet between Miami and Dallas! There's a time limit for this offer though, the buyer needs to close the deal before 5pm EST December 31st. This would give the new owner, just enough time to get settled in and leave on February 6th for the Super Bowl kickoff. Talk about a treat! Maybe Coconut Grove, Florida is not the location that you we're hoping for, maybe you'd rather mover to Jacksonville Florida. If you decide to move in the Jacksonville area, don't forget to call the Jacksonville movers to get you going. They are backed by four generations of moving experience so you know they will get the job done properly. They will quilt pad wrap your belongings so you can be certain that your things won't get damaged.

Pay your mortgage bi-weekly?

Did you know that you can make mortgage payments bi-weekly and save some money by doing so? If you're a first time homeowner than you probably have a lot on your plate already than to worry on how to make bi-weekly payments. The Jacksonville movers think it's worth getting involved into these plans because you can save a lot of money. According to the Los Angeles Times, paying off your mortgage bi-weekly rather than monthly can shave years off the life of your loan and thus save you thousands of dollars in interest. Joining these types of plans are not always free according to Kathy Kristof of the L.A. Times. Some lenders charge customers to join, but even with these extra fees it's still worth. The money you'll save is way more than the charge. Look for lenders that don't charge as well, such as such as Wells Fargo for example. Citibank charges $375 to join the plan and then charges $1.50 per transaction. How much can you save by paying your mortgage bi-weekly? Well consider this example: A consumer with a $200,000, 30-year mortgage at 5%, could pay off this loan five years faster and save $33,000 in interest by paying biweekly, according to Diana Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo Bank. Talk about saving money! The Jacksonville movers suggest joining the bi-weekly payment plan and they also suggest that you call them for your next move. They are backed by four generations of moving experience so you can rest assured that you're belongings are in good hands.

On the Market for a Lighthouse?

So you are looking to buy a new place and you are not sure what to get. Maybe a cottage, or perhaps a split-level home is more your style. Ever consider buying a lighthouse? Yes it’s possible. In order to place a bid on a lighthouse, you are going to have to deal with the US government. According to SmartMoney, the General Services Administration is looking to sell a few properties the government no longer uses. Not only that, but they are lowering the prices of these properties as well, and yes, lighthouses are part of those government properties that are being liquidated. It's not easy though because you need to have the cash available. No financing available here. The advantage of owning a lighthouse is the location on the beach of course. According to SmartMoney renovating a lighthouse into a home can cost in excess of $500,000! If you're not into the lighthouse market and simply decide to buy a nice condo in the Jacksonville area, make sure to hire the right moving company. The local Jacksonville movers will quilt pad wrap your delicate belongings so you know your valuables will be protected.

Thanks Jacksonville movers

Thank you so much for the professional move. You guys are the best in the business I bet. I also want to thank my friend Viv for telling me about you guys. She had used your services in the past when she moved from her one bedroom apartment to her three-bedroom place. My move was pretty simple, but I did have a lot of things to move. A lot of moving boxes, a lot of furniture but the move itself wasn’t too far. The local Jacksonville movers came in and got to work right away. Each room was emptied within what seemed moments, but I’m sure it was a lot of hard work. I’m glad I didn’t have to do any of the heavy lifting.
If anyone out there needs great movers who can actually do their job right and efficiently, you want the Jacksonville moving specialists that’s for sure. I learnt they are family-owned but locally operated in each of the locations they have their moving offices. I felt at ease with knowing they have good family values, you never know with all the moving scams that are out there. I’m glad I worked with the most reputable movers, the All My Sons of Jacksonville movers. This moving review by Adriana C.

Remodeling Homes

According to ServiceMagic, home improvement projects lately have been about high-cost but necessary maintenance project. The most popular were heating and furnace system services that increased 30%, window installations that increased in 25%, service to septic tanks and well as increasing 12% and roof servicing at 4%. Kitchen remodeling , the Jacksonville movers decreased 6% and bathroom remodeling fell 33%. A ServiceMagic found that over 1,700 consumers found that people opted to do maintenance projects over cosmetic remodels, 62% said the repairs needed to be done to avoid further upkeep. 46% said they waited a year before diving into these high-cost projects.

If you decide to not take on these high-cost maintenance project but rather move, don’t forget the local Jacksonville movers, backed by four generations of movers, for your stress-free residential move. We’re experts in our field and have really made a successful career with moving. All My Sons of Jacksonville enjoy offering unparalleled moving services and can’t wait to help you throughout your move. You can also get a free moving quote online for a convenient way to start your moving process.

Keep in Touch After a Move

After a move it can be hard to keep in touch with people, especially if some of them are now living further away from you. Also, a move is not over after moving day. There’s a lot of time needed for settling in, fixing up the place, buying furniture, painting and so on, and that can take time away from your friendships and relationships. But these days, thanks to technology, there are great ways to staying touch. All My Sons of Jacksonville movers say use the internet as a way to communicate. From emails to online messaging to social media websites to video conferencing and Skype, staying in touch can be easy.

The local Jacksonville movers say another great way is to pencil in those friendships. Make sure you treat them just as importantly as your other appointments. This will ensure you get to see your friends regularly. So go ahead, make it a lunch or dinner date every week. The phone can be a powerful tool these days as well, not only because of the obvious, but you can also send a quick thoughtful messages by text to remind the important people in your life that they are in fact important to you.

Paying Attention When Shopping For Rentals

When looking for a rental make sure you choose something that’s right for you and your lifestyle. From the floor the apartment is on to the view to the size of the kitchen and layout of the floor plan. Check out the apartment unit for leaks, mold and the obvious things like cracked walls. But other things to check out include the building’s parking lot. In most places, heavily damaged cars are not allowed on the lot. So watch out for flat tires and broken windows as well as distinguishable parking lines separating a spot from another. Make sure that there isn’t any lack of parking, for you and guests. It’s best if you have an assigned spot for yourself. Pay attention to who lives there now. Can you hear a lot noise? Are there a lot of people wondering around in the hallways? Visit at nighttime if possible as well. Check to see if the place feels safe and if it similar to what it looks like at nighttime.

When you find the perfect rental for you, don’t hesitate to call the Jacksonville movers for your hassle-free move. We’re licensed and insured and connected to a huge, reputable moving company with moving offices throughout the states.

Better Photos Sell Your Home

If you’re looking to see your house and move into a new one and settle into a new neighborhood, taking better photos might be the answer. The Wall Street journal suggests that better pictures that place your home in a better light can gain you a little leverage on the bargaining table. According to a new survey done by Redfin, The Wallstreet Journal says that home sellers who posted photos taken by higher end single lens reflex camera ‘landed sale prices that were from $934 to $116,076 more than the home listings that posted photos from a point and shoot camera. These homes also got more potential home buyers to browse the home listings. If you’re desperately trying to sell your home and command a higher price tag for it, the Jacksonville movers suggest maybe hiring a professional photographer who’s got the talent and correct camera equipment to make your home shine. That way you’ll be moving with the All My Sons of Jacksonville team in no time.

Thanks Jacksonville Movers

Thank you for providing your professional moving services to help me move from my old home in Jacksonville to my new home in Jacksonville. You guys were a really reliable team of movers and have truly helped me and my wife out. We both work such hectic jobs that moving seemed just like an overwhelming task to take on, on top of everything else. Our friend Jeff had used your moving services several months ago and was very happy with your moving company’s customer service. He mentioned your moving company over dinner when we had announced that we sold our house and would have to move in the next month.
Your All My Sons of Jacksonville movers took care of safely transporting our furniture out of our home, they moved all our wardrobe and moving boxes and made sure nothing got damaged. It was really impressive to see movers take their job very seriously and wanting to deliver the very best service to their customers. That’s how I operate at work and it was nice to see others do the same. Thanks for a great move. This moving review was by Allan B. Jacksonville, FL

Home Sales

According to the National Association of Realtors, 4.3% more from the month of July of home buyers contracted to purchase a home and up 5.2% from the month of June. However after the homebuyer tax credit expiring in April home sales decreased in May by 30%, followed by another 2.6% decrease in June. August 2010 compared to August 2009 was 20.1% lower in pending home sales. Even with low home prices and historically low mortgage interest rates, people still need to work in order to afford a home. So the real estate recovery still depends a lot of job creation and unemployment rate, as well as consumer confidence. Some are saying that people would buy more homes if they felt that this was their last time to buy at a great bargain. Some say with higher mortgage interest rates hitting the market, this fear can be created.
Are you on the fence about buying a home? Do you wonder if this is the right time to buy? Whatever you decide, make sure you call the Jacksonville movers to help you on moving day. With such professional residential moving services and an amazing reputation, you’ll be glad you did.

Foreclosures in the News

Because of the latest scandals surrounding the foreclosure robo-signing, there are many questions about whether or not the foreclosures are legal. Right now, in some states, the Jacksonville movers found out that foreclosures are being put on hold while lenders and title companies decide if their court actions were done correctly, this according to MSN. The situation means that people facing foreclosure will probably be able to stay in their home without paying their mortgage for a longer period of time while everything gets sorted out.
Already in Florida, it takes about 578 days to foreclose on a home, starting from the notice of default to the homeowner. Lengthy investigations are to be expected setting back even more the real estate situation across the US. These investigations are to determine if the foreclosures were done correctly and even figure out who actually owns these foreclosed homes.
If your home was foreclosed on properly and you need to move out, call the All My Sons of Jacksonville movers for stress free moving services. We’re a licensed and insured local Jacksonville moving company with a great reputation in the public as well as the moving industry.

Oldest Home in San Francisco

According to MSN.com, the oldest home in San Francisco is priced at $3.8 million. Captain Andrews built a home on Telegraph Hill on Alta Street over 150 years go. The view from the home wss supposed to let him see ships sailing into the shipyards below. This home, the Captain’s Quarters, has had a historic renovation in 2005 has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and built in 1852. The restoration kept original touches with the staircase dismantled and then put back together after the balusters were individually refurbished. The homes’ most famous resident has been Charles Sawvelle and his wife Myrtle who bought it in 1920. The home survived the 1906 earthquake. There’s a large foyer, cedar lines closets, custom built-in bookshelves and remodeled with Jerusalem Gold Marble and steam shower I one of the bathrooms.
If you want to move into an old house, trust the Jacksonville movers to do the job for you. All My Sons of Jacksonville is a licensed and insured local Jacksonville moving company with a great reputation. Our career movers have tons of experience and you won’t regret hiring the very best in the moving industry.

About St Johns

St johns is an upscale suburb of Jacksonville and an area where All My Sons of Jacksonville offers professional moving services. This suburb includes the communities of Fruit Cove, Switzerland and Julington Creek. St Johns has many golf course, riverside mansions and retail exclusive boutiques. So if you’re a golfer, this place is really perfect for you. There are plenty of schools in the area as well from elementary to middle school and high school. So if you have kids that are still in the education system, St Johns can also work for your family.
If St Johns seems like a great place for you and your family to call home, then call All My Sons of Jacksonville for your free moving quote and affordable moving services. We’re part of the enormous All My Sons Moving and Storage network including moving offices in Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Nashville and many more, so you know you’re in good hands. Our moving company also does a lot of pro bono work for nonprofit organizations that can’t afford a move but need it desperately, so you know the All My Sons moving company has good values and believes in family traditions. Do business with efficient movers and a reliable company you can believe in.

The town of Orange Park

Orange Park in Florida is a suburb of Jacksonville where All My Sons of Jacksonville offer their moving services, both commercial moves and residential moves. Orange Park is in Clay County, Florida with may single-family homes decorating the various neighborhoods to accommodate the 100,000 residents. There are plenty of parks in this Jacksonville suburb, including Clarke House Park, Gano Avenue Park, Town Hall Park and it’s a great place to raise a family. There are also schools in the area such as Orange Park Junior High School and Clay County Public Schools.
If you’re thinking about moving to Orange Park, count on the Jacksonville local movers to offer you the very best moving services in the area. We’ll help you assemble your furniture, disassemble it, quilt-pad wrap all of your delicate belongings and everything in between. All you have to do is get online to the Jacksonville moving specialists for your free moving quote. You’ll find it affordable and the service reliable, efficient as well as extra professional. We are backed by generations of movers that have made it a career and we have a licensed and insured moving company so you have nothing to worry about.

Costly Homes

According to Move Trends, there’s a list of 10 homes going for $100 million, even in this real estate market of foreclosed homes and short sales. There’s a nine bedroom and 11.5 bath mansion in Washoe County, Nevada called Sateline with five casinos, four of which qualify as resorts. This mansion is 38,000 square feet with a game room, wine cellar and even an indoor pool. This single family home was built in 2000, with three fireplaces and a lake view. The Jacksonville movers found out there’s another costly home in Nevada, in Reno with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. This one is listed for $75 million and offer 150 square feet of getaway options like riding horses or water skiing on the lake. Another home for the same price is situated in Rancho Mirage, California. It has 16 bedrooms, a lake view and golf course view as well. The California mansion has a five to nine car garage, in ground spa, vaulted ceilings not to mention swimming pools and more opulent things that make this home a sweet home.
For your own mansion move in Jacksonville, FL, call the All My Sons of Jacksonville moving company for an affordable moving quote and reliable move.

What’s Persuading Home Buyers?

According to a post on MSN, walkability and amenities for four-legged best friends are what homebuyers are looking for when shopping for a home to move into. This includes pet-friendly landscaping, luxurious doghouses, dog parks around the home as well as day care centers for dogs. The All My Sons of Jacksonville, expert residential movers, found out these amenities can not only help sell a home, but at a higher price as well. Pets are seen as part of the family and their needs are part of the family’s needs. Other amenities that Move Inc found was deluxe dog runs, custom dog doors and private patios with personal fire hydrants. Local parks, walking paths, nearby pet fashion stores, pet groomers and other businesses geared for dog lovers are all helping to sell a home. For all you dog owners out there, the local Jacksonville movers remind you that it’s National Dog Day on August 26th.

If you need to move into a dog-friendly neighborhood around Jacksonville, Florida, call you local Jacksonville moving specialists for your stress-free move. We are backed by four generations of moving experience and have a licensed and insured moving company.

Thank you Jacksonville Moving Specialists

You guys were awesome in my recent move to an apartment building in Jacksonville. Thank you so much for all your expert help, I couldn’t have done it without you guys. It’s so important to have professionals by your side, that know what to do and can move fast. I’m so grateful to my friend Betty who has used your moving services before when she had to move her clothing boutique to another location. You guys, at the time, helped her move wardrobe boxes filled with clothing, cash registers, a few office supplies, chairs, a couch, a computer and a few other decorative accessories. She was really impressed with how efficient the move was, so when I told her I was moving to another unit, she was more than happy to give me your name. Again, thank you for the stress free move and thanks for making the appointment on such short notice. You guys were great, I will forever be grateful and will advertise your name as the best movers in town. Thanks local Jacksonville movers. This testimonial is by Ellen C., Jacksonville, FL.

Oil Spill Decrease Home Value

All My sons of Jacksonville brings you the latest information on the BP oil spill and the damage it can do to the real estate market: According to an article on MSN.com, since May, Gulf Coast property owners have already been feeling the effects of the BP DeepWater Horizon oil spill. Less than 30 days into the oil spill, tourists were canceling their summer rentals, just in case the disaster was going to reach the shoreline. CoreLogic, a company that provides mortgage data, is estimating that the BP oil spill damages to home values can reach $648 million in one year to as much as $3 billion over five years. And that if it spreads into the Florida Keys and up the Atlantic Coast, that number can be $28 billion over five years. The Jacksonville movers found out that the markets taking the biggest hit are Gulfport, Miss. With an estimated $56,000 decrease per home, Mobile, Ala.with $45,000 loss, and Pensacola, FL with $40,000 in decrease per home. CoreLogic adds that there are 600,000 properties within 1,000 meters of the coastline in 1 major counties that could be affected as well. The local Jacksonville moving specialists will keep you updated on the BP oil spill.

Saving Money While Cooling Your Home

Let’s face it, the summers are brutal in South Florida and the air conditioning in every household is working double time. By the 1920s, the modern air conditioning was common. These days Americans, according to the US Department of Energy, spend more than $22 million a year on electricity to cool their homes with air conditioning and use 183 billion kilowatt-hours. That’s 15% of al energy is some homes, and up to 70% in homes in warmer climates like in Jacksonville, Florida. Walletpop online puts it in other words. A floor fan uses 110 watts on the highest speed, a ceiling an uses 15 to 95 watts depending on size and speed, a window unit air conditioner uses 500 to 1440 watts and a 2.5 ton central system uses 3500 watts.
Costing less than a penny an hour, is the ceiling fan. Plus, All My Sons of Jacksonville reminds you, they don’t have to be on when you’re not in the room. So that’s definitely an alternative or in support of your AC. Using a ceiling fan can drop and cool the temperature in a room form 3 to 8 degrees. A neat trick is to cool the a room you’re in and then just use a ceiling fan.

When Selecting a Roommate

There are many questions you can ask potential roommates when you’re interviewing to find the best one to share a space with you. The local Jacksonville movers suggest you start by asking them for the reasons they’re moving. Find out why they’re leaving their current home. IS it because they are not getting along with their current roommate? Is it a financial issue, they can’t afford it anymore? The why of their move will help you find out if you feel comfortable with moving with that person. The local Jacksonville moving crew suggest you ask what a typical day is like for them. Do they get up early to go to work? Do they work from home? If both of your schedules clash, that person might not be right. You don’t want to be fighting over the bathroom every morning. Find out if the person you’re interviewing has a pet or if they smoke. This will have major impact on your living situation and possible on your health. You might be allergic to dogs or have asthma, and if you’re not a smoker, you might have a problem with the smell in the housing. You might want to also get financial background and review their credit to find out if they have the means to be your roommate.

Buy Your Next Home From The Government

According to an article on MSN.com, more than 3 million homes have been seized over the past five years from delinquent borrowers. Most homebuyers think that banks are the only source they can buy home foreclosures from, but the Jacksonville movers found out you can also purchase foreclosed homes from the U.S. government. The U. S. government owns many properties because of its role in buying and guaranteeing mortgages. Many of these homes are held because of the conservatorship over the government-sponsored Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac owns about 45,000 multi-family and single-family homes as of the end of 2009. These homes are valued at about $5.13 billion. Freddie Mac got these homes by being the highest bidder at foreclosure auctions and is now wanting to sell them. The All My Sons of Jacksonville movers found out that these formerly-foreclosed homes are being marketed through HomeSteps which allows buyers to search by state and city.

There Are Gender Differences Even When Buying A Home

According to an article on Walletpop.com, there’s another added difference between the sexes. Men and women are different even when buying a home. A new survey from ZipRealty.com found that men were significantly more likely than women to want a room with a view and a bedroom for guests. Men were slightly more likely to want a garage, ample storage and a large yard, but they also wanted more closet space. They preferred a home office over kids’ playroom. All My Sons of Jacksonville found out that the same things typically expected to be on the top of the list in terms of home must-haves and home deal breakers were there. However, the surprise was that the things stereotypically associated as being female priorities were more men priorities. Men were likely to balk at superficial details like unkempt landscaping or curb appeal. Both sexes wanted walk-in closets and master suites and green attributes.
Wherever you and your spouse decide to buy and move, don’t forget to get online for your free moving quote from the local Jacksonville movers.

Foreclosures Hitting the Courtrooms in Florida

According to an article on HousingWatch.com, the average foreclosure now takes about 438 days and delinquent borrowers are finding out they can live rent-free for at least a year. The catch is that the nationwide average might not apply to you state. All My Sons of Jacksonville found out the longest wait time for foreclosure happens in states that require judicial foreclosure which means the case has to go to court. Florida is one of the 16 states along with California, Iowa, Kansas, New Jersey, Louisiana, Nebraska and a few more. For those of you who don’t live in one of those 16 states, you might use mediation to slow down the foreclosure process. According to HousingWatch.com, Florida has over 350,000 foreclosures yearly and the State Supreme Court issued an administrative order mandating mediation for all residential foreclosures.

If you’re facing foreclosure and need to move out of your home in Florida, call the local Jacksonville movers for professional residential moving services. We have a solid reputation, we’ll help you locate moving boxes easily and we offer affordable moving services. With four generations of moving experience, you really can’t go wrong with the local Jacksonville movers.

Do the Math Before You Buy

All My Sons of Jacksonville movers learnt that, whether it’s better for you to buy or rent might depend on where you’ll be living. Even though there are low mortgage interest rates and home prices are also compared to previous years when real estate was booking, buying is not best for everyone. The Trulia website has created a price-to-rent ratio to help people decide what’s best for them: Rent of buy. The price-to-rent ratio dealt with 50 US cities with the highest population. The formula behind the math involves not only the mortgage versus the rent, it includes other factors like closing costs, principal and interest, insurance, property taxes and other things.
The Wall Street journal says that as a rule of thumb, homes are fairly valued in a city when they cost about 15 times a year’s rent. So if you’re paying $10,000 for rent every year, you should think twice before buying a home that’s more than $150,000. The local Jacksonville movers are proud to say that Jacksonville , FL is one of the best cities to buy versus rent. The list also includes our neighbors in Miami, Arlington, TX, Fresno, California, Last Vegas, Phoenix and San Antonio.

What’s a Weamer?

All My Sons of Jacksonville found out there’s a new term out there in the home owning world. Ebico, the UK’s only nonprofit energy company defines a ‘weamer’ as someone that wastes energy and money. They recently released a study that claims over 60% of British households argues over wasting energy and therefore money, in the home. In the UK, the majority of respondents, actually 78%, declared their home was occupied by at least one energy-waster. 23% of those blamed their mates and 15% blamed themselves. The solution to the weamer-driven fights is to become more energy efficient. Ebico’s managing director reminds us that “turning the thermostat down by one degree can save 10% on an annual energy bill.” The local Jacksonville movers remind weamers that they can switch out lightbulbs, start a little garden, turn off the lights when no one’s home and so on. There are plenty of ways to conserve energy, be green and be good to the planet. Every little bit counts and with good habits come co-habitating pleasures.

If you just moved into a new place, along with moving your furniture, settling in, redecorating and everything in between, the All My Sons of Jacksonville movers feel this might be a time that you might want to establish new habits relating to home. Whether it’s organizing things differently or keeping the place regularly clean, there are little changes you can do to also help your health. For example, changing the place you typically keep your toothbrush. According to an article on Health.MSN.com, the worst place you can keep a toothbrush is by the bathroom sink. While there’s nothing wrong with the actual sink, it’s more like its location that’s no good. It’s next to the toilet. There are 3.2 million microbes per square inch in the average toilet bowl, and all of those germs are propelled up to six feet every time you flush. They can settle on the floor, sink and even on a toothbrush. So the best place to keep what cleans your mouth and teeth is behind closed doors like a medicine cabinet or cupboard nearby. The Jacksonville movers remind that you that some homes, especially in older condominium units, have separate bathrooms from sinks or vanity mirrors, so in that case there’s no fear of germs landing on your toothbrush. So the next time you shop for a home, check out the bathroom layouts more carefully.

New HUD Program for Underwater Homes

Many homeowners who are underwater feel stuck because they can’t sell without taking a major loss and often they can’t refinance and if they want to benefit of certain mortgage modification programs they’re told they need to be behind on their home payments. If they’re current with their mortgage payments, All My Sons of Jacksonville found out thanks to AOL Real Estate that there’s a new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program where homeowners can reduce their mortgage by 10%, if they qualify and if they’re lender approves. This is great for the states that have been hit the hardest including Florida, Nevada and Arizona which have between 35 and 70% of underwater home mortgages. As many as 4 million homeowners could get help by 2012 with the federal government funding up to 50 billion through the Troubled Asset Relief Program or TARP. To qualify the total mortgage amount for the borrower after refinancing can’t be greater than 115% of the current value of the home. The goal is to lower the mortgage to be closer to today’s actual value. The home must be the primary residence as well. There are more prerequisites on the TARP program.

New Community in Jacksonville, FL

The community of Oakleaf Plantation sits on 6,400 acres southwest of Jacksonville. It’s nestled between Clay and Duval Counties and offers easy access to the area’s interstates, downtown Jacksonville and moments away from shopping malls, restaurants, medical centers and more. To live here is to truly live in a community because you can work, play and live around here. It’s a multiple village-style subdivision with single-family homes, multiple family homes and apartments. Residences prices range from 100K to over 500K. The homes are built with fine craftsmanship in mind, quality and there are plenty of amenities too. There are two athletic centers with water parks including slide towers, spraygrounds, lagoon pools and a lap pool. The Centers also have clubhouses, fitness centers, soccer and baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts and playgrounds. There’s even a golf course surrounded by lakes.
If Oakleaf Plantation in Jacksonville sounds like the right community for your growing family, give All My Sons of Jacksonville a call so we can help you move and make the transition easier on you. Our local Jacksonville movers will take care of every detail of your residential move so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Just pack your belongings and leave the rest to us.

Real Estate News From The Jacksonville Movers

According to an article on Forbes.com, even though the unemployment rate is getting better, homeowners in certain metro areas continue to take a hit in terms of losing equity on their homes. Nevada and Florida were the hardest-hit states since the real estate market busted. Last week the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index revealed that February prices in Las Vegas, Miami and Tampa decreased about 8.3% over the same time period the year before. In California, even if the market seems to be getting better, home equity is still continuing to fall and many homeowners are forced to foreclose on their homes. The local Jacksonville movers found out that besides these three metros, Modesto California, Cape Coral-fort-Myers, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona also join the list lowest home equity to home value ratios.
If you’re facing foreclosure during these hard times, don’t forget to get you free online moving quote from the Jacksonville moving specialists so you can have simple, professional and affordable moving services in the surrounding areas. And if you’ll be relocating because of a new job, let All My Sons of Jacksonville know and we’ll help you get in touch with other All My Sons Moving offices throughout the U.S.

Buying a Vacant Home

Recently MSN.com featured an article on the pros and cons of purchasing vacant homes and whether or not they’re good to move into. The Jacksonville movers bring you the highlights. First, a home can be vacant due to a number of reasons from a marriage gone bad to a job relocation or simply a bank foreclosure because of missed mortgage payments. Vacant homes can be problematic at times because they can have a wide range of problems due to neglect and deferred maintenance and upkeep of the house, not to mention vandalism if it has been vacant for a long time. Problems can include broken windows, broken water pipes, stolen electrical wiring, damaged appliances, mold and more. The local Jacksonville moving specialists learnt that according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.2 million homes for sale were vacant in 2008, which is double the number compared to the year 2000. If you find a great bargain price for a vacant home in a neighborhood you like and feel comfortable with maybe purchasing it, hire a professional and reputable home inspector that will prepare a report on the home’s condition. Have them insect the house thoroughly, check everything from plumbing, electric, heating and cooling system and everything in between.

What Kind Of Home Can Have Potential?

When you’re looking to move into a new home, you might not find an actual new home for your budget. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find your dream home. It may actually be a better situation because you can save money on buying a fixer-upper and customize it in the way you want. The Jacksonville movers suggest all you do is look for potential signs. Look at where the location is. If it’s in a good and safe neighborhood, with upgraded homes than it’s worth it. Look at the age of the home, you don’t want anything older than 50 years old. If the home is older, you can risk having major problems that will need much more than just a quick makeover. You can have problems with piping, with the foundation, the electrical wiring and other problems. Look for something that needs simple, budget friendly upgrades like flooring, new countertops fixtures, paint, newer appliances, faucets, all inexpensive improvements. All My Sons of Jacksonville suggests you make sure you like the floor plan, that you like where the bedrooms are located, that you can live with the number of bathrooms there are in the potential home, and you have enough space to live comfortably. Because adding rooms or remodeling on that scale requires a big budget, building permits and much more work.

Unpacking Tips from The Jacksonville Moving Specialists

Packing is not the most fun in the world, and after hiring the movers and actually moving, the last thing you want to do in unpack. Especially if you have a big family, younger children or have just moved into a bigger home. A larger place might mean that you’ll be decorating for a longer time because you’ll have to purchase new furniture to fill up the house. Anyhow, the Jacksonville movers are here with a few tips. The first one begins when you’re actually packing. When you’re placing things into your moving boxes and labeling them, make sure you write a number that will indicate how important it is for you to open the box in the first few days of getting settled. For example, a box filled with sheets and blankets and pillows would rate as number one because you’ll need those things the first night you sleep in your new home. Things like a electronics or books can be a number three because it’s not so important that you have to unpack it right away. All My sons of Jacksonville also recommend you start with the rooms you’ll use first. Like the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. A garage or dining room might not be as important for the time being. Make unpacking fun by inviting a few friends to see the place, stay for good old delivery pizza and help with unpacking. If they hesitate, let them know that instead of having them help during the move, you hired professional movers.

Decorate With An Interior Design

If you have found your dream home and feel like decorating it like a pro, the Jacksonville movers thinking hiring an interior designer can help. Interior decorators/designers are true professionals in the art of fixing up a room. They’ll know how to use the space you have and make it feel even more spacious and comfortable. You’ll be able to discuss your favorite color schemes, your furniture style and some of your concerns too. Interior decorators can either work with making changes to your entire home or just one specific room. All My Sons of Jacksonville recommends you work with someone who was referred to you. Check their credentials and ask them to show you pictures of the work they’ve done before. Once you’re familiar with their style, you’ll be able to tell whether or not they’re a good match for you. If you’re interested in redesigning only one or two rooms in the entire house because of budget constraints then choose rooms that will be of highest-interest level to potential buyers once you decide to see your home. The kitchen is a good example of that. Not only is that a place where families spend the most time in, it’s of great value when you’re looking for a good return on your investment.

Jacksonville Movers Find Out About Rental Homes

These days renting doesn’t apply just to apartment units. Because of the state of the economy, many potential home buyers are having a hard time getting approved loans so many are turning to rental homes. Some need more rooms (for kids, for office space), some need to accommodate family members frequently visiting, some just prefer a home than an apartment of a third floor somewhere. If you can relate to this situation, All My Sons of Jacksonville wants you to remember that with a bigger house comes bigger maintenance bills and more cleaning. With a home, you’ll probably be responsible for landscaping and if gardening is not your passion, prepare to pay out of pocket for regular yard work. So besides just the monthly payment that at this point you won’t be making towards a mortgage or towards something you own, you’ll have extra expenses and you’ll need to figure out if it’s worth it to you and your family. If it is, remember that the local Jacksonville movers an take care of your rental home move for you. We’ll take care of all the details involved in moving out from your apartment and moving into your new rental home.

Childproof Your Home

All My Sons of Jacksonville has done countless moves throughout the years, moving families in and out of homes. When children experience a move, the parents are typically even more sensitive to the moving and go through great lengths to make the child feel comfortable in his or her new environment. Plus, safety in the new house takes center stage. To help you with childproofing your new home, the Jacksonville movers have put together a little list of childproofing tips. First, make sure all of your smoke detectors in the new house work correctly. You might need new batteries or they might just be too old, if it’s an older home. Improve your air quality around the house and clean out the air ducts before you move in. You can also install a new air filter that will collect the dust particles and allergens as well and ensure healthier air for the entire family. Secure your windows with metal guards and be careful of the cords on your blinds, these can be very dangerous for kids if they choose to play with them. Be aware of the furniture you have. Some might have very sharp edges and kids can bump into them. As a general rule though, if you have younger children, they should always be supervised.

Jacksonville Can Be Great For Retirement

When you’re looking for your perfect retirement destination, there are many factors that come into play. Besides moving from your current house and neighborhood, you’ll have to think about things like downsizing the size of your home maybe, great and affordable healthcare, recreational activities you could do during the day to keep you busy now that you won’t be working and a few other things. Jacksonville, Florida is a great place to retire. It’s beautiful and sunny weather pretty much year round. It has countless opportunities for different types of housing from 55 and over communities to condominiums with a host of amenities including swimming pools, tennis courts, game rooms, fitness centers, convenience stores and more. Jacksonville also has golf courses and is a road trip away to other great cities in Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and more. If you'd like to move to Jacksonville, All My Sons of Jacksonville can help. We're professional movers with experience in local, commercial, residential and long distance moves. Call or get a free moving quote online today.

Jacksonville Movers - Cheaper Property Taxes

There may be a way for you to decrease your current property taxes if you own a home. The housing market isn’t what it used to be so there’s no reason why you should be paying taxes on the value your house use to have when the real estate market peaked. The bubble burst and property taxes should be reflecting that. Not all cities and municipalities reassess their taxes amount every year, some do it every five years, so it might a little hard to find the information you need. But, if you feel that your home has decreased in value a lot, you can maybe benefit from decreased property taxes helping you put the savings towards your mortgage payment. All My Sons of Jacksonville suggests to maybe check in with an assessor’s office or check your municipality’s website for information. You might also get solicited with direct mail advertisements form realtors or lawyers that can help guide you. Just be careful of the type of compensation they’re expecting. They might be more expensive than the amount they’ll save you. The American Homeowners Association and the National Taxpayers Union sell property-tax-reduction kits that may help find out more information.

More News On The HAMP Program

According to HousingWatch.com, banks may soon be required to screen and reject homeowners for the governments Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) before they go onward with a foreclosure. According to the outlined proposal ‘it prohibits referral to foreclosure until borrower is evaluated and found ineligible for HAMP or reasonable contact efforts have failed’. About 2.82 million U.S. homeowners lost properties last year and as many as 4.5 million filings are expected in 2010 according to RealtyTrac. So one in four homeowners in the U.S. owes more on their house than it’s worth. All My Sons of Jacksonville learned that this proposed plan of action will require borrowers who are two months delinquent on their mortgage to be contacted by HAMP. Each mortgage company will have to make at least four attempts by phone and two by certified mail over 3 or more days before going to foreclosure. There might also be a plan in the works to help homeowners who are unemployed. The Mortgage Brokers Associations wants the Treasury Department to provide special loans to companies that must advance payments to investors during a period of forbearance for the unemployed which will give unemployed people a chance to hold on to their homes while they look for work.

Sell Your Home, Price It Right

As Americans we are a consuming population, we like to buy and buy some more. And right now, many of you who bought are looking to sell. In order to have better odds of selling your home, All My Sons of Jacksonville suggest you take the advice of countless retail stores who know how to price right. Instead of selling your place at $300,000, ask for $299,999 instead. This will give a potential buyer the illusion that the price on your home is cheaper. You can also price it at a more specific number like for example $299, 892 to give buyers the illusion that you really thought about the price and came up with an exact and fair number. Another great trick is of course to do what many small mom and pops shop do, list higher than your willing to accept. This way the potential buyer feels like he can negotiate and feels like he or she got a bargain, a home for ‘lower’ than it was priced at. In any case, when it comes to homes and cars, most people feel like negotiating is part of the purchasing process.

When you successfully sell your home, don’t forget to call the All My Sons of Jacksonville movers for you quick and stress-free move. Our local Jacksonville movers will be there on time and ready to tackle the move for you. And remember to get your free moving quote online.

Find A Cheap Home

If you’re looking for a cheap home in Jacksonville, Florida, you might be able to find your dream place thanks to a website called CheapHomeListings.com. It’s filled with all types of homes for all types of low budgets. You can customize your home search by including a specific location, a price range, the number of bedrooms you would prefer, the number of bathrooms you want and listing type. The listing type choices lets you access foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, bankruptcies, auctions and broker listing, all at great prices and below market value. Presently, there are about 4283 cheap homes in Jacksonville, FL listed on the site. Homes in different zip codes including 32209, 32256, 32246, 32210, 32225, 32208 and so many more. Locations in Jacksonville include Commonwealth Avenue, Whistler Spring, Nancy Street, Woodcrest Road, Willow Spring just to name a few. On CheapHomeListings.com, you can find all types of home price too, including $169,000, $128,200, even $21,000 for a three-bedroom foreclosed home.
If you find you dream home at your dream price in Jacksonville, FL, don’t forget to get online for a free moving quote from the local Jacksonville movers. We’re a licensed and insured local moving company with countless satisfied customers and expert moving services. We move everything from couches and plasma screen televisions to pianos and pool tables, even fitness equipment.

Move Into A House or Condo?

For many people looking to buy property, the decision to buy a condo or a house is not made easily. All My Sons of Jacksonville reminds you that there are advantages and disadvantages to both of course, and in the end it’s a very personal decision. A condo for example can offer you a less expensive price tag but in a great central location, close to many things like specialty shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies and more. However, condos are smaller, so if you have a big family or little kids that like to run around, a single-family home might be better, especially with a big yard. The Jacksonville local movers remind you that with condos come condo fees and a condo association. If you don’t like to share the decision-making with other tenants and would rather make your own, then a condominium apartment might not be ideal. Also, you’ll most likely be using an elevator and only have a limited space in terms of parking. No two-door garage for you in a condo. In your single-family home, you’ll have to take care of all the maintenance and repairs. In a condo environment, there’s a possibility that you’ll have maintenance crew on the premises so if you’re having a problem with a leaking pipe, you can have immediate help. As you can see, both living arrangements have pros and cons and it’s really up to you to figure out what’s best for you.

Pick The Right Movers

According to an article on EHow.com, in a single 2004 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) operation, agents arrested owners and employees of 16 Florida-based moving companies for a moving scam. The moving companies gave a low-ball estimate, only to demand two to three times the amount in cash before they delivered the household's possessions later on. Unfortunately, this scam is not uncommon. When you’re choosing your movers, choose wisely. Do the research and investigate because there are scams of every kind and you don’t want to be caught in any of them. You deserve a hassle-free move with reliable movers who will be right by your side, doing the heavy lifting and transporting your personal belongings efficiently but carefully.
If you’re moving in the Jacksonville, Florida area, All My Sons of Jacksonville movers are experts in doing residential and commercial moves. We also do long distances too. You can go online, check out our references, reviews, articles on moving and even get a free moving quote. Please note that we’re licensed as well as insured, and our moving experiences goes back to four different generations. If you’re moving in and out of Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra, St-Augustine and St .Johns, All My Sons of Jacksonville can definitely do the stress-free move for you. No scams, no headaches, no problems, just great moving services.

The Jacksonville Movers Were Really Awesome

I just want to say that it was a pleasure to work with the Jacksonville moving team three weeks ago. They really changed my perspective on moving companies. They helped me move from a 2-bedroom condo to a brand new house still in Jacksonville that my husband and I snatched up for an amazing deal. The All My Sons of Jacksonville movers truly knew their job inside out. So professional and friendly too, they were cracking jokes with my husband during some of the move. The company itself I know is reputable because I’ve heard of them before, and now that I got to experience an actual residential move with them, I can see why they have such an awesome reputation. The Jacksonville movers were efficient but still careful with our stuff, and nothing arrived scratched or damaged. Trust me, I inspected all of my furniture and my fine china. I’m glad we chose them as our movers of choice for this 2-bedroom move. You can do the same for your nest residential or even commercial move. You won’t regret it, that’s for sure. This testimonial was by Michele Mass, Jacksonville, FL.

The Situation With Office Real Estate

Every now and then, the All My Sons of Jacksonville movers report and comment on the state of real estate and other related fields to our moving industry. It seems like commercial real estate is still taking the plunge. According to an article posted on NyTimes.com, there are 920 football fields of available office space in Manhattan. More than 180 major buildings totaling $12.5 billion are in a lot of trouble, from the Columbus Tower on Broadway to 400 Madison Avenue. In many cases, they face foreclosure or bankruptcy. The article continues to say that, in general, office space rents fell faster in the last two years than in the last half century. Rents apparently will keep tumbling down and vacancy will rise.

The state of the economy can also have a bright side to it. If rents are down, then it’s easier for people to snatch up modern office space for a great bargain and virtually in any city. Lower rents are not limited to New York City. If this seems like a good opportunity for you and your business, maybe it’s time to shop around for a brand new office. And when you’re ready to move, call the Jacksonville movers for your Florida commercial move. Our local Jacksonville movers will take care of all the details, protecting your office furniture and office equipment including desks, file cabinets, printers, computers, books, industry-related equipment and everything in between. Call All My Sons of Jacksonville when you’re ready to move.

All My Sons’ Re-Launch of Charity Site

All My Sons Moving and Storage just recently re-launched its All My Sons Moving Charity website with a changed look and feel and an easier way for customers to navigate the site. The Charity Initiative website now includes up-to-date information on the latest programs All My Sons supports, along with press releases describing our movers’ involvement and the different charities and organizations we helped. All My Sons Moving is constantly looking to help and give back to the countless communities we serve, supporting their fundraising programs and campaigns. All My Sons Charity Initiative looks to improve the quality of life for residents in the communities we serve, so we offer pro bono moving services to many organizations and even directly to families in need. This 2010 year, All My Sons movers are looking to focus on issues that are central to our founding values and business ethics including youth leadership development, housing assistance and homelessness prevention. You can find out more information on our charity initiative on All My Sons Moving Charities.

For residential and commercial moves in and around Jacksonville, FL, call the All My Sons Jacksonville movers for a stress-free transition into your new home. Our professional Jacksonville movers will take care of all the moving details so you don’t have to. Just have your moving boxes securely packed and ready, a new address to move to and leave everything else to the reliable Jacksonville moving crew.

The Jacksonville Movers United With Hope Worldwide

The Jacksonville movers, All My Sons of Jacksonville, partnered with Hope Worldwide to distribute toys to the area’s youth for this past holiday season. Hope Worldwide is an international charity that changes lives with the help of volunteers to deliver community-based services to the poor and needy. They have many different programs in place to help others including toy drives, blood drives, feeding of the homeless, senior services and more. The Jacksonville movers provided the labor and the trucks to load toys. The toys were then stored until Christmas Eve when the Jacksonville local moving specialists delivered them to the children. “We look forward to this give-back moment every year. Our moving crew recognizes the importance of supporting charity initiatives like these," said Steven Horowitz, President of the Jacksonville Moving Company. This is another example of All My Sons Moving and Storage charity initiative, All My Sons Moving Charities. All our reliable movers believe in giving back to the communities w serve in each one of the areas we work, from Dallas to Jacksonville to Raleigh to Atlanta to Maryland and more.