Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Blog

Florida in Top 10 for Beach Homes

August+homewardbound 2

Most sun-loving Americans equate summer months with tans, beaches, and coastlines.  The east and west coasts are desirable vacation spots for eager travelers, some of whom are searching out premium beachfront property in markets that boast a stronger return on investment than others. With factors such as cap rate, buying opportunity, and median home cost, […]

Read More…

Should the “Kids” Pay Rent?

August+homewardbound 2

Times have changed in the last fifty years and one of the most notable changes is that we have now entered the era of “helicopter parenting” which often results in “boomerang children”.  A boomerang child is an adult child who leaves home for a period of time only to return to live with Mom and […]

Read More…

A Senior Guide to House Hunting in Jacksonville

August+homewardbound 2

Buying a new house in Jacksonville can be exciting, especially if the purchase launches a new chapter in your retirement adventure. But finding the right home to support independence and quality of life in later years can be daunting, which is one reason to work with an experienced real estate agent. Here are four things […]

Read More…

The New Family Heirloom

August+homewardbound 2

According to a recent study performed by the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans are not as transient as in past years.  In fact, only 4.2 percent of the nation’s population relocated over the past year.  That is almost half of the number of moves which took place thirty years ago.   Eighty-six percent of homeowners have no […]

Read More…

3 Steps to Data Protection

August+homewardbound 2

First American Financial Corp. recently and accidentally exposed nearly 900 million mortgage-related documents due to a website design flaw.   These confidential documents included bank account numbers and statements, social security numbers, and images of driver’s licenses as well as other personal info.  Needless to say, homebuyers are a bit edgy regarding whom they may […]

Read More…

4 Summer Mishaps & How to Avoid Them

August+homewardbound 2

Summer is here!  Let the fun begin!  Fill your calendar with weekend barbecues and evening swims and don’t forget to schedule those trips to the beach!   Amidst all your planning and socializing it can be easy to make some serious mistakes that are sure to dampen your otherwise hot summer.  The Aitken Home Team has […]

Read More…

3 Tips for Cutting Home Expenses

August+homewardbound 2

Want help cutting home expenses? Whether you are a seasoned homeowner or have just purchased your first one, you likely know that expenses can quickly get expensive. In this post, the Phil Aitken Home Team will share three tips to help you cut costs and keep more cash in your pocket. 1. Review your monthly expenses […]

Read More…

How Predictable is the Market?

August+homewardbound 2

Both rookies and seasoned real estate investors believe the real estate market to be cyclical in both pricing and predictability and that the market can be “timed.” Experts say there are two cycles, annual and multi-year, which drive the market. Annual cycles are based on seasonal home sales and seem to be somewhat predictable. Multi-year […]

Read More…

5 Steps for Senior Sellers

August+homewardbound 2

Having lived in your home for most of your life, the decision to sell your house does not come easily.  The prospect of purging years of mementos and collections and retaining an experienced realtor whom you deem trustworthy is no less than overwhelming.   While The Aitken Home Team is fiercely protective of all clients, seniors […]

Read More…

5 Items Sellers Must Leave Behind

August+homewardbound 2 (1)

The real estate business gets pretty interesting from time to time.  Especially when sellers remove the most unusual items from the home.  Door knobs, shrubbery, and toilet paper holders are just a few of the most unusual things some sellers have elected to take with them upon the sale of their homes.  This leaves buyers […]

Read More…