Sharon's Blog

There are 15 Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales on the market as of July 29. Our of 55 Active Listings, 18% of Fleming Island Plantation homes are short sales.

Prices range from $169,900 for 1,809 sq. ft. home in the Woodlands to $369,900 for a 3,226 sq. ft. home on the golf course in the Links neighborhood.

The lowest price per square foot is $70.39 for a 2,827 sq. ft. home priced at $199,000 in the Woodlands.

What are Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales?

A short sale is when the home sells for less than the mortgage owed to the bank. Fleming Island Plantation has some sellers who must sell their home for less than they paid.  They can bring money to the closing or talking to the bank to sell the home for less than the mortgage.  Sellers in financial distress cannot make payments, so the home if often a pre-foreclosure and a short sale.

What is the timeline for buying Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales?

30-60 days for a response from the bank from the date of contract. This can be 90 days or more depending on the bank. The bank will do a BPO (appraisal) and assign the file to a negotiator. Think of it as getting a loan in reverse but lengthening the deadlines.

A short sale can possibly close in 60 days but be prepared for 90 to 120 days. Fleming Island short sale buyers must be patient.

Sometimes a Fleming Island Plantation Short Sale will be advertised as "approved." In our experience, this is a short sale that had a contract and somewhere during the process the deal fell apart but the bank had approved a sale price. Sometimes a new buyer can step in and buy the house, but it is not a 100% guarantee. Even if a sale is "approved" it will still take 30-60 days to close.

Where can I find information about Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales?

Please click on the link to see the Active Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales. It is important to select a real estate agent who is experienced in dealing with short sales. If you would like any further information, please give us a call at 904-673-2308 or email us at info@teamalters.com.

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Original Photography, All Rights Reserved *Fleming Island Plantation Short Sales*

There are 13 Eagle Harbor Short Sales on the market as of July 29. Out of 89 Active Listings, 14% of Eagle Harbor homes are short sales.

Prices range from $142,900 for 1,517 sq. ft. home in the Pine Lake neighborhood south of CR 220 to $699,900 for a 4,500 sq. ft. home in the estate community of Daniel's Landing.

The lowest price per square foot Eagle Harbor Short Sale is $170,000 for a 2,071 sq. ft. home at $81 per sq. ft. This home has been on the market over a year and a half.

What is an Eagle Harbor Short Sale?

A short sale is when the home is being marketed and sold for less than the mortgage owed to be bank. Eagle Harbor sellers who bought their homes between 2004-2008 may owe more than what their home is worth. They have the option of bringing money to the closing table (often in lost down payment money) or selling the home for less than what is owed. Sellers who are in financial distress may not be able to make payments, so the home may be a pre-foreclosure and a short sale.

What is the timeline for buying an Eagle Harbor Short Sale?

Buyers who want a great deal on a short sale in Eagle Harbor must know that a short sale should probably be named a 'long sale.' While there are homes that close within 60 days, a Buyer should be prepared to wait for a response from lender from 30 to 90 days or more. Think of it as getting a loan in reverse, only with the deadlines stretched way out.

There are rare occasions where an amount for an Eagle Harbor Short Sale has been approved - probably because a Buyer vacated the contract but the lender had approved or was very close to approving the dollar amount offered - and a Buyer can step in, qualify and buy the house. This is the exception rather than the rule.

Banks really do not want to go through the process of negotiating what they will accept until there is an actual contract. The time between any 'acceptance' and a bona fide contract may be long enough that the value of the house has declined enough to skew any appraisal so the time and negotiating and appraisal or BPO money were wasted. Banks are also selling loans - even in the middle of a contract negotiation - so what one investor will take may not work for the new investor.

Be prepared to wait at least 60 days, but 90 to 120 days isn't out of the ordinary from contract to close for an Eagle Harbor Short Sale. Some have taken even longer, especially with certain banks.

Where can I find information about Eagle Harbor Short Sales?

Please click on the link to see what are the Active Eagle Harbor Short Sales. It is important to select a real estate agent who is experienced in dealing with short sales. If you would like any further information, please give us a call at 904-673-2308 or email us at info@teamalters.com.

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Original Photography, All Rights Reserved *Eagle Harbor Short Sales*

There are several Orange Park Golf Communities to choose from if you're in the market for the lifestyle a golf community provides. Orange Park has golf communities located in every corner of town, so there is a good selection.

ORANGE PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Orange Park Golf & Country Club is the oldest one of the Orange Park Golf Communitiesand the only one that is gated. The 24-hour guard-gated community is located off Blanding Boulevard at Kingsley Avenue. It is 20 minutes to downtown Jacksonville and to Mandarin.

The 18-hole golf course was designed by Bobby Miller and is considered a driver's course according to the Club website. The setting, adjacent to the National Audobon Society Preserve, offers encounters with wildlife while playing the course. Bald Eagles have been known to fly by, and wild turkeys and other animals roam the area. The course was redesigned and lengthened to 7,048 yards in 2002 by former PGA Tour Pro and General Manager and Director of Golf, Charles Raulerson. The club website says it has the best greens in town.

Developed by Stokes Land Group and finished by Taylor Woodrow, there are 630 homes on the 800+ acres. The older community of Loch Rane is in the front of the community. Loch Rane was developed in the 1970s and features estate lots draped with majestic oaks.

All homes were built by custom builders, ranging from Gary McCumber, Sid Higginbotham, Barry Poimbeouf and Taylor Woodrow. The size of homes range from 1800 sq. ft. to over 6000 sq. ft. Prices range from the high $100,000s to $800,000. Click teamalters.com to search for Orange Park Golf & Country Club Golf Homes.

There are still a few vacant golf course lots to purchase. Prices are over $100,000 for these lots. Premiums for golf course homes range from $15,000 to over $25,000 depending on the lot, the view, and where it sits on the hole - tee box, fairway, green, on or off cart path.

EAGLE HARBOR

Eagle Harbor is one of the Orange Park Golf Communitiesthat forever changed the way Jacksonville area communities would be built.  Eagle Harbor is located on Fleming Island off US Highway 17 at County Road 220. It is 30 minutes to downtown Jacksonville and 15 minutes to Jacksonville NAS.

The 18-hole golf course was designed by renowned Golf architect Clyde Johnston. The course has won the Golf Digest's 4-Star Rating twice. The Dining Room is open daily with Dinner several evenings a week. Membership details are available here. Eagle Harbor residents age 14 and older are the only ones permitted to drive golf carts in their community in Clay County. There are many weekly events and groups for golfers, including Balding Eagles, Ladies 9 & 18 Holes, Couples Mixer, Bucket of Balls and Beer (seasonal) and Clubhouse and Social Activities.

Developed in the 1990s through 2009 by East West Partners, the concept of "why can't you live in a resort year round" took the idea of a golf community to a whole new level.

There are 2800 homes on over 3000 acres spread in several locations on Fleming Island. Home styles range from condominiums, townhouses, starter homes, move up homes and estate homes including some on navigable waterfront. Sizes range from 1700 sq. ft. to over 6000 sq. ft. Prices range from mid $100,000s to over $1,00,000. Click teamalters.com to search for Eagle Harbor Golf Homes.

Builders include local and national production builders including Providence, Cornerstone, D R Horton, Taylor Morrison, KingSouth, David Weekley, Standard Pacific, and custom builders Sid Higginbotham, Rosewood Homes, and J A Long.

There are no vacant golf course lots available. There are usually always golf course homes available for sale. Home sites may also include water and preserve views in addition to golf course. Premiums for golf course homes range from $15,000 to over $25,000 depending on the lot, view, and where it sits on the course.

FLEMING ISLAND PLANTATION

Fleming Island Plantation is one of the newer Orange Park Golf Communities.Fleming Island Plantation is located south of County Road 220 off of US Highway 17 on Fleming Island. Fleming Island Plantation is 30 minutes from downtown Jacksonville and 20 minutes from Jacksonville NAS.

The 18-hole golf course was designed by Bobby Weed. Fleming Island Plantation Golf Course wanders through the community. The Clubhouse offers dining opportunities and is open daily from 10-5.

Developed in the early 2000s to 2008 by Centex, Fleming Island adopted the concept of Eagle Harbor while expanding to include some commercial property within the community and a downtown area across from the High School.

There are 1680 acres and 2300 homes in the community. Home styles range from condominiums, townhouses, patio homes, starter homes, move up homes, to estate homes in a gated community surrounding the golf course. There are two gated attached housing communities and one single family home community with lawn service included. Click teamalters.com to search for Fleming Island Plantation Golf homes.

Builders include production - Centex and Lennar and custom - Rosewood Homes.

There are vacant golf course lots available. There are usually golf course homes available for sale. Home sites may also include other views - water and/or preserve. Premiums range from $15,000 to $25,000.

EAGLE LANDING

Eagle Landingis the newest of the Orange Park Golf Communities.It is located in the Oakleaf Plantation area off of Brananfield Chaffee Road. Eagle Landing is 35 minutes from downtown Jacksonville and 20 minutes from Cecil Field.

The 18-hole golf course was designed by Clyde Johnston, who also designed the Eagle Harbor course. Golfers love this course for the wide fairways that make their way through the neighborhoods. Johnston said his goal was to design classic holes such as the Redan Hole, the Eden and the Cardinal for this course.

Eagle Landing is still being developed by East West Partners. There are 14 neighborhoods planned for the 1400 acre community with prices ranging from $200,000 to over $1,000,000. There are only single family homes in Eagle Landing.

Production builders include - Providence, Cornerstone, Standard Pacific and Stylecraft. Custom builders include - Sid Higginbotham, J A Long, Barry Poimbeouf, and Rosewood Homes.

There are vacant golf course lots available. If you are interested in pricing for a vacant lot or existing home, please email teamalters.com for information.

We are longtime residents of the Orange Park area and would be happy to introduce you to the Orange Park Golf Communities, which are tucked away yet close to everything Jacksonville has to offer. Please give us a call or email us atteamalters.com to let us know how we can help you find your dream golf home!

Residents and nonresidents can enjoy an Eagle Harbor Golf Membership with competitive rates at Fleming Island's Eagle Harbor. The Eagle Harbor Golf Course was designed by renowned golf architect Clyde Johnston and is a two-time Golf Digest 4-Star Golf Course Winner.

Eagle Harbor Golf Membership Information

Initiation Fee $1000 (subject to change)

Single           $215 + tax

Family           $233 + tax

Senior Single $151 + tax

Senior Family $171 + tax

Cart Fees:

9 Holes - $11.21 + tax

18 Holes $18.69 + tax

1/2 Trail Fee (Annual)

Single $400

Family $600

(Per Play)

$5.60 9 Holes

$11.21 18 Holes

Guest rates are Available

Some of the advantages of an Eagle Harbor Golf Membership are:

14-day advance tee-time reservations

Walking Monday-Thursday anytime; Friday-Sunday after twilight

Patrons may use own cart (extra fees)

10% discount on Merchandise in Golf Shop and Food at Talons Restaurant

Reciprocity with local golf courses and 10 Hampton Golf Courses

Golf and Clubhouse Socials

Weekly events including Balding Eagles, 9 & 18 Hole Ladies, Couples Mixers, and Monday Men's League

Quarterly Patron Appreciation Clinics

If you are interested in an Eagle Harbor Golf Membership, contact Erica Washkill at 904-269-9300.

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Interested in living in a Golf Course Community? Call us at 904-673-2308 or email us at info@teamalters.com. We can help you find your dream home on the golf course!

Frank and Sharon Alters /Watson Realty/904-673-2308

691 Cherry Grove Road, Orange Park Florida

Guard-Gated Golf Community Estate Home

Year Built:                                2004

Square Footage                       5,300

Bedrooms                                      4

Bathrooms                                     3

Half Baths                                      2

Stories                                           2

Parking                          3-car garage

Lot Size            Double Lot, 1/2+ acre

HOA                               $942 Annual

This luxurious pool home in Orange Park Country Club was just reduced $90,000! Owners are motivated. This executive home is constructed of the finest materials - concrete block construction, extensive hardwood flooring, travertine flooring, gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances, travertine fireplace in family room, and more. Soaring living room and family room, library/study with built-in bookshelves and library ladder, master suite with sitting area and fireplace, marble counters, jetted tub in master bath, 300-gallon bow-front saltwater aquarium, media/bonus room w/ 100" projection TV, summer kitchen with outside pool bath, pool and spa overlooking pond, playhouse/potting shed on extra lot.

Enjoy Orange Park Country Club living in this home built for the success you have achieved in your life. Take part in the vibrant social life here or relax in the privacy and protection afforded by a guard-gated community.

PROPERTY FEATURES

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- Concrete Block Construction                                           - Library/Study with Built-in Bookshelves and Library Ladder            

- Safe Room                                                                    - Master Suite with Coffered Ceiling and Columns

- Cherry Flooring                                                             - Master Suite with Double-sided Fireplace and Sitting Area

- Handscraped Maple Flooring                                           - Master Bath w/ jetted tub, marble counters and travertine sinks                             

- Marble Flooring                                                             - Media/Bonus Room with 100" Rear Projection TV

- Travertine Flooring                                                        - Ensuite Bedroom with Balcony overlooking pool and pond

- 300 Gallon Salt Water Bow-                                           - Spacious Lanai with Summer Kitchen and Pool Bath
Front Aquarium

- Radius Walls in Living Room and Nook                            - Pool with Therapeutic Spa overlooking spring-fed pond

- Travertine Fireplace in Family Room                               - Three-car garage

- Double Lot                                                                   - Potting Shed and Playhouse

COMMUNITY FEATURES

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- Guard-gated Community                                                - Community Playground

- One entrance                                                                - Golf Memberships

- Social Country Club Memberships

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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Please contact us at sharon@teamalters.com or 904-673-2308 for more information on this opportunity to live in luxury in Orange Park Country Club in Orange Park Florida.

Eating is a popular activity here in Fleming Island - at least if you look at the number of restaurants. Mellow Mushroom is one of our favorites.

A cozy outdoor eating area wraps around the front. Even when it's warm outside, patio fans give customers a cool breeze while waiting for their food or watching one of several TVs. When it's chilly, there are warmers every few feet. So the patio is a year-round event at Mellow Mushroom.

Evenings find live music onstage, morphing the eatery into a hot spot for entertainment on the Island. Its casual outdoors atmosphere is oh so Florida.

The indoors is a treat - right out of the 1970s decor. You might find Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix on a poster portrait painted by local artist Howie Green. It's very psychedelic and fun.


The food is excellent, ranging from the expected pizza to salads and sandwiches you build yourself and other fare. There are over 30 beers on tap, something for everyone.

1800 Towne Center Parkway
Fleming Island Florida 32003
904-541-1999

What a surprise to find an old Atlanta favorite going up here on Fleming Island! Of course, Mellow has come a long way from its original days on Peachtree Street in Buckhead. The palate of the 21st century American has advanced way beyond pepperoni pizza and calzones (although their calzones are amazing!).

Drop by some afternoon or evening when the band is playing after you've been to the movie. We think you'll like what you see and eat.

FIREWORKS CELEBRATION IN ORANGE PARK FLORIDA

The July 4th Fireworks Show in Orange Park Florida, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orange Park, is held on the banks of the St. Johns River in front of Moosehaven Retirement Community on River Road.

The atmosphere is festive, with booths displaying crafts and food, and there is lots of room to spread out blankets and chairs on the lawn leading down to the river.

A barge in the river, loaded with fireworks, started shooting off right on time. The sky and water were ablaze with color.

If you want to get a 'front row' seat, you need to be there by 6 pm or earlier. Bring a blanket and chairs and drinks and snacks to enjoy the breezes from the River. While you wait, you can visit the craft booths to see if there's something you can't resist. Glow-in-the-dark necklaces were seen on many people.

There were thousands of people on the ground and thousands more on boats, anchored out in the St Johns River to see the festivities. The lights in the photo represent the hundreds of boats lined all across the two-mile wide river waiting for the show. Fireworks were shooting off all over the place in celebration of our Independence Day.

The show started at 9:30 pm. The Finale was spectacular, as always, and the show was over 30 minutes long.

IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GOING NEXT YEAR, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:

Don't forget to be there by 6 pm or earlier. Bring blankets, chairs, and drinks and snacks if you don't want to buy food from the Rotary Club.

There is plenty of parking, but be prepared to wait when you leave. Honestly, we waited longer to get out of there than we do at a Jaguars game. I think next year I will park in the lot in front of Moosehaven because that moved faster. We parked on a side street off Kingsley behind the Presbyterian Church and that was a total bottleneck. All the turn lanes up and down Hwy 17 were blocked, so if you want to to south, you have to go north of I-295 (Collins Rd.) before a chance to turn around. If you want to go south, it would be faster to park on the other side of Highway 17 across from Moosehaven.

If you're thinking of a move in the Orange Park Florida area, we would love to help you. Please email us at sharon@teamalters.com or call 904-673-2308.

Hibernia Plantation

4 Active

0 Short Sales

0 Bank Owned

Hibernia Plantation is located in the SE part of Fleming Island and includes riverfront properties.

Homes for sale at present range from $359,000 to $799,000. No waterfront properties are active. There are no amenities in Hibernia Plantation, but the oak-lined streets with larger lots are very appealing to many buyers. This community affords the true feel of 'old Florida' and is probably part of the original land grant to the Fleming family. Hibernia is the Gallic name for Ireland and is what George Fleming named his home.

Frank and I are Fleming Island residents. We moved to old Orange Park in 1989 to be close to Frank's family and have lived here ever since except a few years in Orlando. Frank moved to Jacksonville when he was 11, so he has lived here most of his life.

If you are interested in purchasing a home on Fleming Island, we are ready to help you. We have the latest information on the best values on Fleming Island. Please email or call us at 904-673-2308.

Original Photography, All Rights Reserved. *Hibernia Plantation Homes for Sale July 4, 2009*

Pace Island

18 Active

 3 Short Sales

 0 Bank Owned

16% of the homes on the market are Short Sales.

Pace Island is a guard-gated community about a half-mile south of the bridge coming over Doctor's Lake on Highway 17. Amenities include two community pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, gazebo and day dock. Homes include frontage on Doctor's Lake.

Active homes range from $139,000 to $1,950,000.

Frank and I are Fleming Island residents. We moved to old Orange Park in 1989 to be close to Frank's family and have lived here ever since except a few years in Orlando. Frank moved to Jacksonville when he was 11, so he has lived here most of his life.

If you are interested in purchasing a home on Fleming Island, we are ready to help you. We have the latest information on the best values on Fleming Island. Please email or call us at 904-673-2308.

Original Photography, All Rights Reserved. *Pace Island Homes for Sale July 4, 2009*