Davidson Realty, Inc.
Author: Mirtha Barzaga

For more than a decade, Mirtha Barzaga has consistently stood as a fixture in Northeast Florida real estate. She is recognized as a top contributing agent for Davidson Realty, Inc., specializing in homes throughout Jacksonville, St. Augustine and World Golf Village. She has earned recognition as Davidson's Top Sales Agent of the Year, Top Producing Agent of the Year, and Top Listing Agent of the Year. Mirtha is a trusted guide for clients throughout the buying and selling process, boasting designations as a Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified Distressed Property Expert and Nocatee Certified Agent. As a bilingual Realtor, Mirtha is pleased to assist Davidson’s Spanish-speaking clients. Learn more about Mirtha and see her listings by visiting her agent page or check out Mirtha's website BarzagaSells.com.

Knock out your springtime home maintenance before it gets too hot!

March 17, 2020

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Posted by in News

Spring officially starts on Thursday and now is the perfect time in Northeast Florida to take assessment and make sure your home is ready for the hotter months. Once daily temperatures hit the 90s and above, and hurricane season starts (June 1), you will want to have it all done.

 

This might not seem like much fun but waiting can ensure your current small issues will turn into big (expensive) problems later. Here is a simple checklist to make sure your home’s exterior is warm-weather-ready from top to bottom.

 

Start from the top

  • Roof – Inspect your roof for missing, loose or damaged shingles and leaks as well as chimney damage. You can either climb onto the roof yourself or stand across the street with a pair of binoculars and inspect each shingle. You may get funny looks doing the latter, but it’s much safer! If you see any issues, call a roofer to fix them right away.
  • Gutters – Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Make sure downspouts face away from the house and don’t collect rainwater at the bottom, which attracts mosquitos.

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Top 3 mistakes sellers make (and how to avoid them)

March 3, 2020

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Posted by in Agent Feature, News, Northeast Florida Market Trends, Top Agents

There is so much advice floating around about avoiding mistakes as a buyer that it’s easy to overlook the pitfalls and potential blunders of selling. There are a few that stand out to me as some of the most common mistakes that sellers fall into. Here they are, as well as ways you can avoid them.

 

Avoiding repairs and instead offering credit to buyers.

If your home needs repairs, upgrades or just some TLC before anyone will take notice, it can be easy to say, “Gosh, I’d rather just take less money, and they can worry about it after the house is theirs.” This can be a big mistake! The simple fact is that while you may not have the time to deal with it, neither do your buyers. “Time is money” may sound cliché but it certainly applies to everyone.

 

The effect is that potential buyers will likely bring extremely low offers. Instead, I often recommend to sellers to invest in the repairs and get the work done before you list your home to sell. Not only will your home sell more quickly, you are much more likely to benefit financially from the sale. There is nothing buyers love more than a turn-key home!

 

Ignoring initial offers.

It can be tempting to overlook the first offers that come in, but not taking these seriously can be another colossal misstep. While the first offer might not blow your socks off, potential first offers are often very motivated. Perhaps they are in a rush. Maybe they fell in love with your kitchen. It could be your home is near their aging parent’s home. You never know!

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Moving to Florida? What you need to know about CDD fees

February 19, 2020

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Posted by in Neighborhoods, News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

Many people to who move to the Sunshine State are taken aback when they are introduced to CDD (Community Development District) Fees. What are they and how are they different than HOA fees?

 

First, it’s helpful to know why CDDs exist. These fees were created and are used primarily in Florida to shift the burden of planning, building and maintaining roads, utility lines, water/sewer systems, conservation areas, and other conveniences in new communities away from local governments.

 

The many costs of installing infrastructure are financed by the community’s developer through tax-free municipal bonds that are issued when the community is built. These bonds also pay for amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, yoga lawns, dog parks, you name it!

 

Then the cost of the bond is passed onto homeowners who purchase a home in one of these communities. They pay the costs over a span of time—generally 15 to 30 years—through property taxes each year. If you have a mortgage, it’s amortized into your payment.

 

I know what you might be thinking: “But wait, that sounds a little like an HOA!” Believe it or not, there are differences between CDD fees and HOA fees.

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Considerations when buying a home with a pool

January 22, 2020

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Posted by in Agent Feature, News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

Thanks to the great climate here in Northeast Florida, the chances of seeing homes for sale with a pool are very good.

 

In addition to boosting the resale value of a home, owning a pool can offer lots of additional advantages. But owning a pool is not to be taken lightly. If you have ever owned a home with a pool, you already know the upsides and downsides. If not, consider these points before diving into swimming pool ownership.

 

Owning a pool is proven to benefit your health. Having a pool can offer big advantages for your physical and mental health. Swimming has proven itself to be perhaps the best form of exercise. It is low-impact with big cardiovascular benefits. And you don’t need to be a lap swimmer to reap the benefits of your pool! Light water aerobics or just wading around your pool can help you build mobility and endurance without the harsh impact on your joints. This is especially helpful in the hot summer months when you can stay cool in the water. In addition to offering a private place for exercise, your pool is a place for de-stressing and emotional relaxation.

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Seven reasons homebuyers love Northeast Florida

January 8, 2020

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Posted by in News

People give all kinds of reasons for moving to Florida from the great weather and beautiful beaches to job opportunities and abundant golfing.

 

But I like to dig a little deeper and let buyers know why Northeast Florida specifically is hands-down the best place to live in the Sunshine State.

 

 1.) Our price points are excellent by comparison. The Jacksonville metropolitan area (Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties) is known for price points that are much better than other parts of the state, making this a really affordable option for budget-minded buyers looking to enjoy living in Florida.

 

2.) We have fewer storms than many parts of Florida. Thanks to our unique geography, Northeast Florida is a little less hurricane-prone than most other parts of the state (and even many parts of the Carolinas). Nevertheless, you will want to seek out a home that meets Florida’s strict building codes in case of a storm. Also, strongly consider getting flood insurance if you buy in a flood zone.

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