Yvette Salley

Once you close on your Jacksonville home, this is the first money move: up to $50,000 off your assessed value plus the Save Our Homes cap limiting future increases to 3% a year. File with the Duval County Property Appraiser by March 1.

Duval County's online portal lets new homeowners file for homestead exemption without a trip downtown. Allow about 60 days after closing for the deed to process, then apply, ten minutes that saves you money every single year.

Search any Jacksonville property's assessed value, exemptions, and sales history before you make an offer. Smart buyers check the tax picture on a home in Riverside, Mandarin, or the Beaches before falling in love with it.

Free and low-cost homebuyer counseling from HUD-approved agencies across Northeast Florida, including the pre-purchase education course that programs like Hometown Heroes require. A smart first stop before your first mortgage application.

The best time to understand your safety net is before you need it. This CFPB guide explains every option available to Florida homeowners who hit a rough patch, from refinancing to repayment plans, knowledge worth having on day one of ownership.

Jacksonville homeowners 65 and older with limited income can stack additional exemptions on top of the standard homestead, and they now auto-renew each year. A meaningful saving for retirees buying in Northeast Florida.

The plain-English government explainer every Jacksonville homeowner should read first. It covers what a short sale actually is, plus the deficiency waiver you'll want in writing before closing, something an experienced short sale agent will insist on.

Behind on your mortgage in Duval County? This guide walks through every path: refinance, loan modification, selling, short sale, and deed-in-lieu, so you can compare before deciding. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid partners with the City of Jacksonville on a Foreclosure Intervention Program offering mortgage counseling, catch-up assistance, and legal support, and sometimes as little as $1,500 saves a family's home. Free help, right here in Duval County.

HUD-approved counselors give free or low-cost advice on foreclosure avoidance and short sales, and Jacksonville has a HUD field office right downtown on West Bay Street. Call (800) 569-4287 or search online for an agency near you.

A directory of HUD-certified nonprofits serving Jacksonville homeowners, including MMI's 24/7 foreclosure prevention line and GreenPath's financial counselors. One-on-one help reviewing your finances and building an action plan, at no cost.

Got a letter from your mortgage servicer full of terms like forbearance, hardship, and NPV? This decoder explains what each one means for Northeast Florida homeowners weighing a short sale against other loss mitigation options.

A guide to the average cost of living in Jacksonville Fl. From housing and travel costs, to currency and exchange rates. Use our calculator to see what the living cost in Jacksonville Fl might be.

Here's the real deal on what it costs to live in Jacksonville Florida. From food, to utilities, fun stuff and everything in between, this has you covered.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Jacksonville for families, with top schools, parks, and kid-friendly perks—plus tips to find your perfect apartment match.

Discover the top Jacksonville suburbs perfect for family living! Explore safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and family-friendly amenities.

What's it like living in the best Jacksonville neighborhoods? Explore Avondale, Riverside, San Marco, and more.

Ranking of best school districts in the Jacksonville Area based on stats, test scores, and school district ratings. Compare school districts near you.