BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES EILEEN MORRISON

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Eileen Morrison to the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

“Please join me in welcoming Eileen Morrison to Florida Network Realty! Before becoming a Realtor, Eileen was the business owner of a logistics company in Jacksonville, and she has extensive business, sales, and contract experience that will translate well to the real estate world. I’m confident she’ll succeed here in the Fleming Island office,” shares Linda Benson, Broker/Manager of the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

For more information, Eileen can be reached by phone at 904.610.4440 or at Eileen.Morrison@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: EileenMorrison.com. The Fleming Island/Orange Park office is located at 3535 Highway 17, Suite 10, Fleming Island, FL 32003.

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES SHARON QUALLS

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Sharon Qualls to the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

Sharon is a successful local business owner, opening her coaching practice in 2009. Prior to this, Sharon founded and owned another small business, led a community-based nonprofit group serving women and children, facilitated healthy lifestyle education group for naval personnel, and collaborated on the production of life-changing workshops and training events across the U.S. and Canada.

With over thirty years of training and experience in communications, listening, self-awareness, individual and group process, and organizational psychology, Sharon is thrilled to use the skills and experience she’s gained to provide value to her clients’ experience of home purchase. When asked why she joined Florida Network Realty, Sharon states, “When looking for a company to begin my career as a Realtor, Florida Network Realty stood out immediately. They are a fine company, the value they place on service and developing relationships aligns completely with my own morals, goals, and desire for success.”

In her free time, Sharon enjoys volunteering with the local arts community, reading and studying human behavior, bicycling, the adventure of travel, the privilege of being a mother and grandmother, and being in nature with the ocean and the trees.

“Sharon makes a great addition to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty team! With her focus and dedication to her goals, she is sure to excel here. We are thrilled to welcome her aboard,” shares Don Cline, Assistant General Manager and Broker/Manager of the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

For more information, Sharon can be reached by phone at 904.327.4875 or at Sharon.Qualls@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: SharonQuallsRealtor.com. The Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office is located at 375-1 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233.

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES ANNE MARIE MCGOWAN

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Anne Marie McGowan the Metropolitan office with locations in Avondale and San Marco.

Anne Marie is a fourth generation Jacksonville native and grew up attending Jacksonville schools – graduating from Assumption Catholic School, and Bishop Kenny High School. At the University of Florida, Anne Marie graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and most recently worked for the St. Johns Classical Academy as an Educator.

When asked why she became a Realtor, Anne Marie states, “I know all areas of Jacksonville by land or water. As a Realtor, I’m excited to help my clients accomplish their dreams of homeownership, and to help them find a house in a community that they can call their home.”

What Anne Marie loves most about Northeast Florida is the access to the river, ocean, and the year-round warm weather. She loves getting outside and exploring nature, boating, traveling, sports, reading, real estate, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.

“I’m happy to welcome Anne Marie to the San Marco office. She is ready to jump right in with both feet in her new career as a Realtor, and with her drive and passion for helping others I’m sure she’ll succeed here at Florida Network Realty,” shares Josh Cohen, Broker/Manager of the Metropolitan office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty with locations in Avondale and San Marco.

For more information, Anne Marie McGowan can be reached by phone at 904.759.1647 or at AnneMarie.McGowan@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: AnneMarieSellsJax.com. The Metropolitan offices in Avondale and San Marco are located at 3627 St. Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205 and 1983 San Marco Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

9 Unique Things To Do In Northeast Florida

Know Your Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendments

General Election is Nov. 6, 2018

 When Floridians head to the polls in November, they will decide on candidates seeking seats in the U.S. Senate and House, the Florida Senate and House and the state executive branch, among others. They will also vote on 12 proposed constitutional amendments.

Three of the proposed amendments – Amendment 1, Amendment 2 and Amendment 5 – may impact property taxes. The amendments are written by lawyers and contain a lot of information that is not easy to decipher. Political observers say voters could get confused and even vote against their true preferences.

“We know these initiatives are of the highest importance to every citizen,” said President and CEO Christy Budnick, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “Constitutional amendments play a pivotal role in the governance of our state. We encourage everyone to review all of the amendments so that you can make an informed decision on Election Day.”

To pass, each amendment must receive at least 60 percent approval by voters. The following are summaries of Amendments 1, 2 and 5, including the impact of a yes or no vote.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1 – Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption. Grants another $25,000 homestead exemption with the exception of school district taxes. Those with homes valued at $125,000 and above would receive the full $25,000 exemption. Those homes valued between $100,000 and $125,000 would receive a pro-rated benefit.

A YES vote on Amendment 1 would allow homeowners to deduct an additional $25,000 from the taxable value of a home worth more than $100,000, starting on Jan. 1, 2019. It would exclude local school taxes from the new exemption. It would likely result in cuts to services or higher local rates to make up for the revenue losses, or possibly both.

A NO vote on Amendment 1 would retain the current homestead tax exemptions, which total $50,000, and have no effect on the amount of tax revenue collected by city and county governments.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2 – Limitations on Property Tax Assessments. Makes permanent what is a temporary cap of 10 percent on annual property value increases for vacation homes, apartments and commercial property, effectively limiting increases on tax bills.

A YES vote on Amendment 2 would make permanent the 10 percent limit on increases in tax value for non-homestead property, thus reducing tax bills. It would continue to deny local governments (excluding school districts) tax revenue they would otherwise collect from rising property values.

A NO vote on Amendment 2 would end the practice of limiting tax increases on non-homestead property by limiting property-value increases to 10 percent. It could possibly lead to higher tax bills for non-homestead property, resulting in additional revenue to local governments of about $700 million, according to the state Revenue Estimating Conference.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 5 – Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize or Raise State Taxes or Fees. Requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to approve any new or increased taxes or fees, rather than a simple majority in a bill containing no other subjects.

A YES vote on Amendment 5 would require a two-thirds vote by the state House and Senate to increase existing taxes and fees or impose new ones. It would require that any new or increased taxes or fees be voted on in stand-alone bills, and would exclude local governments from any supermajority requirements if they choose to raise taxes or fees.

A NO vote on Amendment 5 would allow the Legislature to continue approving increased or new taxes and fees through a simple majority vote, and bundling tax and fee increases with bills that include other measures.

“It is our personal responsibility to weigh each of the amendments objectively before heading to the polls.” said Founder and Chairman Linda Sherrer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “Be informed by reviewing all amendments and then make your voice heard by voting on Nov. 6.”

For more information, visit www.BeReadyToVote.org/Constitutional-Amendments.

 

Artwork:

1. Clip Art
2. Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendments
3. BHHSFNR logo 

Copy of artwork image #2:

 

Three Proposed Amendments

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1

Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2

Limitations on Property Tax Assessments

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 5

Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize or Raise State Taxes or Fees

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

6 Reasons To Move To Jacksonville

 

Are you thinking about a move to Jacksonville? In this post, we’ll break down the favorite reasons people decide to relocate to Jacksonville, and why the locals love calling it home.

It’s filled with fun in the sun, great amenities, good people and is picturesque, as these Instagram accounts prove. Jacksonville is a large city and a regional business center, located where the St. John’s River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Popular recreational leisure activities include swimming, surfing, and golf. The later is solidified by the fact that the city is home to championship golf courses and the headquarters of the PGA Tour. It’s a relaxing yet fun city, and thousands of people from all walks of life are settling down in the area.

Here are six of the many reasons you should move to Jacksonville, Florida.

 

1. The weather is unbeatable.

 

The average temperature in Jacksonville are highs of 66 in January to highs of 92 in July, meaning it’s beautiful all year round. And it only rains about 32 inches per year.

A study from Stanford University states; “Sunshine provides the body with vitamin D, which is essential for bone development, as well as skin rejuvenation. It is through the vitamin D that the skin generates enough melanin to handle hot weather, and protect skin cells from UV light. The warm weather also makes work easier for body systems and functions, as the body does not have to strain to accomplish required tasks from within.”

Ultimately, being in better weather helps our brains and our bodies become healthier, which in turn makes us happier.

 

2. It’s all about the location (and the beaches).

 

Jacksonville is filled with beaches, making it the tropical paradise you always dreamed of living in. This means there’s no shortage of great place to call home.

Some of the popular beaches are:

• American Beach, a historical spot located in Amelia Island.
• Atlantic Beach, a charming coastal community.
• Fernandina Beach at the Northern tip of the Florida coast.  
• Neptune Beach, boasting crystal clear waters.
• Jacksonville Beach, where you can fish on the pier.

Jacksonville is also central to the Southeast, making it easy to road trip to other places from Jacksonville. The amenities in the city offer residents everything they could need and want out of a home base.

Jacksonville scored an A+ in regards to amenities, including grocery stores, schools, and public transit. If you’re a fan of hitting the gym or are planning on working on your fitness regime, there are many places to get fit in the area.

 

3. There’s so much to do in Jacksonville.

 

The dining and entertainment in Jacksonville are in a league of their own. From concert venues to recognized restaurants, there’s something for everyone. With an eclectic food scene and delicious, with new must-try restaurants popping up all the time, it’s no wonder people love calling this place home.

 

Favorite attractions include the Mandarin Museum, the Museum of Science and History, the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, and Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. If you’re into golf, there’s the Bent Creek Golf Course, Panther Creek Golf Club, and Hyde Park Golf Club. And the parks in the area are plentiful, like Jesse Ball Dupont Park, Pope Duval Park, and Crystal Springs Park.

 

4. The city is growing.

 

From a population and employment standpoint, Jacksonville is growing at a rapid rate. The population growth is at 1.76%, job growth at 2.55%, and wage growth coming it at 2.18%. The housing market is healthy, with many neighborhoods continuing to develop throughout the year. Many new builds and communities are coming to fruition in the area, which is good news for homebuyers.  

According to the Census Bureau, Jacksonville is continually attracting new residents. There are 11,169 more residents in the city than there was a year earlier. Jacksonville is now ranked 13th on the list of the 15 large U.S. cities with the largest numerical population increases during that period.

 

5. Jacksonville boasts a low cost of living.

 

The cost of living in Jacksonville is low, making it a safe bet economically. In the state of Florida, the taxes are favorable too; there is no state income tax, no estate tax, and no inheritance tax. Social Security retirement benefits, pension income, and income from an IRA or a 401(k) are all untaxed. When it comes to property and sales tax rates, they’re on par with the national averages.

Living in Jacksonville is cheaper than the United States average. Saving money on rent, mortgage payments, and on your taxes is reason enough to pack up your bags and settle down in Jacksonville.

 

6. It’s a great place for people of all ages.  

 

From kids to retirees, Jacksonville is home to people from all walks of life. Regardless of age, the city is welcoming and offers everything you would want for your children along with everything you would need during your retirement years.

It’s a family-friendly city, with many seasonal activities parents and children can both enjoy. If you’ve recently graduated from college, there are many neighborhoods in the city for you to choose from to begin the next chapter in your life. Young professionals are moving into numerous suburbs throughout Jacksonville, due to the growth within the city’s job market. When it comes to retiring, Northeast Florida is one of the most beautiful places in the world to relax and enjoy your stress-free years. A lot of neighborhoods in the city are ideal for retirees.  

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

STOP. THINK. CONNECT – Security Awareness Tip: Think Before You Click

Cyber security risks are real, whether you are traveling new or far. Familiarize yourself with these simple tips to stay safe online.

Think before you click.

• Use caution when downloading or clicking on any unknown links.
• Delete emails that are suspicious or are from unknown sources.
• Review and understand the details of an application before installing.

Guard your mobile device.

• To prevent theft and unauthorized access or loss of sensitive information, never leave your mobile devices–including any USB or external storage devices–unattended in a public place.

Keep your devices secured in taxis, at airports, on airplanes, and in your hotel room.

https://ift.tt/1fEO8HN