Home Prices Are Down

According to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller home-price index, home prices in 16 out of the 19 cities tracked decreased in January 2012 compared to a month before in December 2011. The most dramatic declines, the local Jacksonville movers found out, were in Miami, Phoenix and Washington. The cities tracked represent a 34% decline since the housing bust and are now back to what they were around 2002. On the positive side, this past winter has been the best for home sales for the last five years. To add to the good news, eight cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Las Vegas, New York, Portland, Seattle and Tampa have all had year-over-year increases in home sales. And on the more good news front….The local Jacksonville moving specialists found out that between December and February, there were about 245,000 jobs added, improving the unemployment rate which dropped to 8.3%. That's the lowest unemployment rate we've had in three years. Some real estate experts are attributing foreclosures as the reason for lower price tags on houses. Stay tuned to the local Jacksonville movers’ blog for future news regarding home prices.

Buying Is Cheaper than Renting?

Real estate is on everybody's mind these days. You don't have to be a realtor anymore to understand the effects of housing on our nation, employment rate, investments and everything in between. A new report from real estate search engine Trulia says that in 98 out of 100 largest metropolitan areas it's more cost effective to buy a house versus to rent one. The latest Rent vs Buy index reports that only San Francisco and Honolulu rank as "iffy bets."

The local Jacksonville movers learned that Detroit, Oklahoma City, Dayton and Ohio rank as the top American cities when it comes to owning versus renting, with a greater value for homeowners. Trulia bases these statistics on their price-to-rent ratio, which they do by multiplying average monthly rents by 12. As the rents go up, owning becomes more affordable for people. Low vacancy is also what is keeping the rents high up there. According to the latest research, only 5.3% of rental units were not rented to tenants. The Jacksonville moving specialists learned that what may be stopping some people from buying is affording that first down payment. Toledo, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Atlanta and Memphis are also part of those metropolitan areas where owning a home is better than renting.

So do you own a home in Jacksonville or rent?

Orange Park, Florida

All My Sons of Jacksonville has professional movers working in various locations around Jacksonville, Florida including Ocala, St. Augustine and Orange Park. The local Jacksonville movers take care of all types of residential moves and commercial moves. Our movers serve customers in single family homes, apartment rentals and even private practice offices.

Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida that includes various communities from Fleming Island to Lakeside and Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace. The name’s origin is due to the hope the founders of Orange Park had to become fruit growers. But, their crops were destroyed in the Great Freeze of 1894-1895. Orange Park was incorporated in 1879 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Today this popular Jacksonville suburb has plenty of residential developments including Eagle Harbor, Loch Rane Estates, Orange Park Golf and Country Club, Eagle Landing Golf and Country Club, Laurel Grove Plantation, Stonebridge and more.

If you’re looking to move out of or into any of the communities and developments in Orange Park Florida, you can trust the reliable Jacksonville movers for professional moving services at an affordable price.

Judy Garland’s Old House On the Market

If you want a little bit of old Hollywood glamour along with your real estate, then you want Judy Garland’s old house in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. The 5,513 square feet home, designed by architect Wallace Neff, is being sold by a philanthropist who bought it last year and has made some updates to the famous actress’ home. It has five bedrooms and five baths as well as a pool and a writer’s cabin. All My Sons of Jacksonville found out that the listing price is now at $7.1 million.
The Wizard of Oz actress moved into this home with her mother, sister and grandmother and lived there until 1944. Rumor has it that Judy Garland is not the only celebrity that has called the Stone Canyon Drive her home sweet home. The local Jacksonville moving specialists found out that record producer Quincy Jones, singer Marvin Gaye and business executive Jerry Magnin also lived there.
If the million dollars mansion is a little too much, and a house in Jacksonville is more what you’re looking for, then hire the local Jacksonville movers to help you on moving day. Our local professional moving services will have you settled in no time.