First-Time Homebuyer Guide cover

First-Time Homebuyer Guide

8 cards
First-time buyer guidance for Jacksonville, St. Johns County, and the surrounding Northeast Florida market. This guide covers loan programs, closing costs, and starter-home areas from San Jose to Nocatee.
Down Payment Assistance Programs
floridahousing.org
Down Payment Assistance Programs

Florida Housing offers several down payment assistance programs that many first-time buyers in Jacksonville and St. Johns County don't know exist.

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Amanda Causey
Best Starter-Home Neighborhoods
homes.com
Best Starter-Home Neighborhoods

San Jose, Lakeshore, and parts of Fleming Island offer some of the strongest starter-home value in the area, with older housing stock priced well below newer St. Johns County construction.

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Amanda Causey
Understanding Closing Costs
nerdwallet.com
Understanding Closing Costs

Florida closing costs run 2% to 6% of the loan amount, with doc stamps and title insurance splits that vary by contract. Amanda breaks down what a buyer should budget for on a typical Jacksonville-area purchase.

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Amanda Causey
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification
nerdwallet.com
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification

Getting pre-approved, not just pre-qualified, makes a real difference in St. Johns County's competitive market, where multiple-offer situations are common on well-priced homes.

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Amanda Causey
Home Inspection Basics
nerdwallet.com
Home Inspection Basics

A home inspection in older Jacksonville neighborhoods like San Jose or Lakeshore often turns up different issues than a new build in Nocatee.

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Amanda Causey
First-Time Buyer Timeline
nerdwallet.com
First-Time Buyer Timeline

From pre-approval to closing day, a typical first-time purchase in the Jacksonville area takes 30–45 days once a contract is accepted.

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Amanda Causey
Working With a Buyer's Agent
nar.realtor
Working With a Buyer's Agent

An Accredited Buyer's Representative like Amanda represents the buyer's interests exclusively, which matters when negotiating price and repairs in a Jacksonville-area contract.

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Amanda Causey
HOA Considerations in St. Johns County
nocatee.com
HOA Considerations in St. Johns County

Nearly every new community in St. Johns County including Nocatee and Durbin Crossing comes with an HOA, and the fees and rules vary widely between them.

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Amanda Causey