• Zoning Before you move ahead with any land purchase, it is vital that you first check with the city or county in which the land is located to determine the zoning ordinances associated with the land because they may determine what you can and cannot do with it. In addition, if there is an abundance of acreage near the land you want to purchase, ask the local authorities about zoning ordinances for that land, too, as you dont likely want to build your dream home next to a shopping mall.
• Surroundings The land you want to purchase may be lovely, but the surrounding land may have its downfalls. For example, is it near a farm that could produce unfavorable smells? Does it sit below a direct route for airplanes to get to the city airport? Sights, sounds and smells of any kind should always be taken into consideration.
• Water One of the most concerning considerations for buyers of land is the issue of water. If the land is located near a body of water, or if the land was once a swamp, you will need to consider a raised foundation or, at the very least, flood insurance. It is also very helpful to hire the services of a soil tester to determine the condition of the land.
• Utilities Utilities are one of the most important considerations for land, yet they are often forgotten until obtaining them becomes a problem. In particular, it is always a good idea to find out how easy or difficult it may be to get utilities to the land and how expensive it may be to do so.

Here are some of the reasons home loan applicants are denied:

• Not enough down payment funds Todays lenders are decidedly more stringent when it comes to down payments, so many of todays home loan applicants are being turned away for simply not having enough money saved for a considerable down payment. Many of the home loan programs of today require about 20 percent down, and closing costs may range between three and five percent of the cost of the home loan, so take both of these factors into consideration when saving for a home.
• Not enough income A lender will typically use a formula to determine if you have enough money to purchase a home. Many times, it may simply be a matter of reassessing what you can afford in order to get approved for a home loan.
• Too much debt Dont let your debt get in the way of owning a home. If your debt-to-income ratio exceeds a certain percentage set forth by the lender, you will likely be denied a home loan. Ask the lender about their qualifying guidelines regarding debt and, if you have too much debt, work on paying it down before applying for a home loan.
• Low credit score You may have a solid job and a hefty down payment, but if your credit score falls below standards set forth by the lender, you will likely be denied a home loan. It is always best to order a copy of your credit report before applying for a home loan so you can review it and make changes, if necessary.

Establishing a xeriscape with slow-growing, drought-tolerant native plants is the best way to save water and create a waste-efficient landscape. A xeriscape can also add significant value to your St. Johns County real estate, and they are quite attractive. Heres how to get started with xeriscaping the lawn of your home:

• Create zones The best way to lay out your xeriscape is to group plants according to their watering requirements. That way you can efficiently water your xeriscape without wasting any water.
• Talk to your local nursery about drought-tolerant native plants The best way to create a hardy xeriscape is to use native plants. Plants that are native to Florida will usually require little water and will be quite hardy during Floridas harsh summers. Plus, native plants are almost always less expensive than their exotic counterparts.
• Install the proper turf Just like native plants, native turf will grow during periods of significant rain and become dormant but not die when rain is not plentiful. Some great grasses to use on Florida turfs include: Bahia grass, Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass.
• Consider areas of decorative rock and pebbles If you can reduce the amount of turf in your landscape, you can reduce the amount of water your landscape requires. A great way to do this is to create areas of decorative stone, such as walkways and sitting areas.
• Finish it off with plenty of mulch Mulch accomplishes three things for your landscape: it looks great, it protects your plants, and it conserves water. Mulch reduces evaporation, which allows your plants to stay moist longer after each watering, thereby reducing waste and keeping your plants healthy.

If you are considering sprucing up your home and you love the idea of using antiquities or old architectural items in your design, consider heading to your local architectural salvage yard, vintage store or flea market and see why everything old can be new again!

Fireplaces One of the newest trends in fireplace designs is the use of antique fireplace surrounds. If you want to add immediate interest to your fireplace, consider using an old fireplace with beautiful wood or stonework.

Light fixtures Some of the most beautiful light fixtures, from chandeliers to wall sconces, can be found at architectural salvage stores. If you want to add a beautiful focal point to your master bedroom, for example, consider locating a glass chandelier for your room. You may, however, want to get the wiring checked out by a licensed electrician before installing it, as older fixtures may not be up to code and may need to be rewired.

Mirrors Mirrors can be quite expensive when purchased new, and their frames arent as remotely interesting as antique mirrors, so this may be a smart purchase to make at antique store. Consider grouping antique mirrors of various sizes on one wall to create a dramatic focal point!

Drawer pulls and knobs Many flea markets and architectural salvage yards have boxes and boxes of old drawer and cabinet hardware and some of its can be quite interesting and beautiful. If you cant find a full set of matching knobs or drawer pulls, consider mixing and matching like ones for an eye-catching and striking alternative to boring pulls and knobs.

• Before you make the decision to purchase a second home, take a good look at your disposable income and your retirement goals. If you have the money to invest into a second home, make sure you also have the disposable income each month to maintain the home. Many people use the services of a trusted financial advisor when considering the purchase of a second home. Although a financial advisor isnt a necessity when purchasing a second home, it pays to really examine your finances and your financial goals before heading down the road to owning a second home.
• Once you have established your ability to purchase a second home, you will want to consider where you want this St. Johns County real estate to be located. Will it be located at your favorite summer resort, or an exotic location? Owning a home out of the country will present a number of challenges, as will a home that is located a far distance from your primary residence. One of the most important things to consider when deciding on the location of your second home is how difficult or expensive it will be to travel back and forth between your vacation home and your primary residence.
• It is important consider financing when purchasing a second home. If you cant pay for the second home in full, you will need to secure financing, which is often more difficult than securing financing for a primary residence. It is also important to consider the cost of carrying homeowners insurance and the cost of paying a company to manage the property if you plan to rent it out.

Here is what you can expect:

• Your lender will run a credit check.

Before the loan process gets underway, the lender will likely pull your credit report and take a look at your credit score. This is because without a strong credit score, your chances of being approved for a home loan are slim. In other words, it doesnt make sense to go any further if your credit will not support a home loan.

• Your lender will ask for financial information.

Just some of the information requested by lenders includes: pay stubs, W-2 forms, recent bank statements, tax returns, proof of additional income, and a completed and signed application for the home loan. After completion, you can expect the lender to inform you of your approval status within a week or two. In an attempt to facilitate the process, it is wise to ask the lender ahead of time which documents you will need to bring with you when you apply for the home loan.

• Your lender will pre-qualify you for a home loan.

Even before you find a home and apply for a home loan you will apply for home loan preapproval. A preapproval letter from a home loan lender accomplishes a number of things: it shows sellers you are serious and financially able to purchase a home; it gives you a good idea of how much home you can afford; and it facilitates the home loan process once you have located a home. A home loan preapproval letter is like a commitment letter to you from the lender, detailing how much you will likely be able to borrow. Because of this, many home buyers choose a loan preapproval as their first step when purchasing Jacksonville real estate.

• Talk about its access to transportation The ability to get from Point A to Point B is of the utmost importance for todays home buyers, so why not highlight your homes location and its access to transportation? Access to transportation, in particular, is a great home feature for condo properties and properties located near areas of business, as many professionals choose to take public transportation to and from work. Detail the location of the home in terms of public transportation, bus stops, park and rides, etc.
• Talk about its great schools if you are selling a home in a family neighborhood, it pays to mention the school district to potential home buyers. In short, a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors show that the school district influenced the neighborhood choice of nearly 27 percent of home buyers. If the local schools are academically sound, it makes sense to highlight this to potential home buyers.
• Talk about the neighborhoods amenities Todays home buyers want to be close to shopping malls, grocery stores, movie theaters and restaurants, so why not provide details regarding the nearby amenities when marketing your home? Consider informing home buyers about practical amenities, such as dry cleaners, gas stations and grocery stores, as well as other attractive amenities such as shopping centers and cultural attractions.
• Talk about the neighborhoods reputation A neighborhoods reputation can do wonders for Sawgrass homes for sale and higher sale prices. In other words, if you live in a hot and happening neighborhood, chances are your homes value will increase and buyers will become more interested in your home. If you live in a neighborhood that has become a hip or upcoming area, or one that is known for its high quality of life, take advantage of these things when marketing your home.

However, you may be worried about your privacy—or lack thereof—during this time. Before opening your front door to a host of strangers, it is best to take the following privacy measures:

• Make sure your real estate agent understands that he or she is to walk through the home with all potential buyers. In other words, convey to your agent that you dont want people walking through your home, unattended, at any time. During an open house, it may be a good idea to ask your agent to bring an assistant to help with crowd control when showing your Ponte Vedra Beach real estate.
• Dont allow more than one set of home buyers in at any given time. Many thefts happen during showings because a group of people enter the home and, while one or two people in the group distract the agent, the others take off with valuables and personal belongings.
• Invest in a safe where you can store all small valuables during open houses and showings. Some things to consider storing in a safe include: iPods, iPads, cameras, cell phones, jewelry, medication, credit cards and checkbooks.
• File away all personal paperwork, including health insurance bills, pay stubs, bills, bank statements and investment statements. Dont every leave anything out in the open that may have personal information on it, including your name, account numbers, your date of birth or your social security number. It may also be a good idea to remove other types of personal belongings, including diplomas, receipts and ATM receipts.

In addition to understanding each agents individual strengths and qualifications, there are a few things that every realtor should bring to the table. In other words, there are a number of things every buyer should expect from a buyers agent:

• Patience Patience should be a prerequisite for the job of a Ponte Vedra real estate agent. Patience is of the utmost importance for most buyers, especially first-time buyers who are new to the real estate market. As a buyer, you will likely have many questions regarding the home buying process, and you therefore need a realtor who will have the patience to answer these questions.
• Guidance A buyers agent should provide a buyer with guidance during the home buying process. In other words, a buyers agent should be able to educate, inform and guide a buyer about the home buying process so that the buyer can make the most informed decisions regarding purchasing a home.
• Industry Knowledge A qualified realtor should have a good deal of knowledge of the real estate industry. A buyers agent should understand the local market conditions and the inventory of homes for sale so that he or she can best help a buyer find the home that best fits his or her needs, wants and budget.
• A Proven Track Record When searching for a buyers agent, make sure the agent you choose has a proven track record in the local real estate market. Ask potential realtors about their experience in the local real estate market and about the number of clients they have worked with in the past year.

• More bedrooms More bedrooms is likely one of the most important considerations when looking for a home for your growing family. But bedroom size may be important, as well, particularly if you envision your children may be sharing bedrooms.
• More bathrooms One of the biggest concerns for growing families is the number of bathrooms, for obvious reasons. But bathroom placement may also be a consideration. For example, a jack-and-jill bathroom may be ideal when your children are smaller, but may limit their privacy as they grow. In addition, you may want the privacy of an en suite master bathroom and another bathroom to accommodate your children.
• Larger and/or safer lot Although a larger lot may be ideal for a growing family, the safety of the lot may be more important. For example, you may want to make sure the lot is away from other homes or traffic or that it features a fenced backyard for your small children. In addition, you may also want to consider the work needed for the upkeep of a large lot.
• Location For many families with children, the location of Ponte Vedra homes is of the utmost importance. Some considerations to consider include: the location of the home from the areas schools; the location of the home from the bus stop; the street your children would have to walk to get to the bus stop or school; and the transportation time from the home to the school.
• Home safety The layout of the home is often a concern for families of small children. Some of the things to consider may include: steep staircases, open loft spaces, and open living spaces that baby gates cannot accommodate. Baby-proofing a home can be difficult for some types of home designs, so consider the ability to effectively protect your small children as you look at different homes for sale.