Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Blog

A Senior Guide to House Hunting in Jacksonville

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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 […]

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The New Family Heirloom

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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 […]

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3 Steps to Data Protection

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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 […]

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4 Summer Mishaps & How to Avoid Them

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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 […]

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3 Tips for Cutting Home Expenses

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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 […]

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How Predictable is the Market?

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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 […]

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5 Steps for Senior Sellers

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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 […]

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5 Items Sellers Must Leave Behind

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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 […]

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4 Non-Negotiables for Buyers

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It is not uncommon for buyers to request a myriad of contingencies when offering to purchase a home.  Everything from floors to windows can be negotiated in a purchase agreement and it might be difficult to know when to quit with the contingencies.   The Aitken Home Team recommends four non-negotiable contingencies for optimum buyer protection:  […]

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9 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling

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It is not uncommon for sellers to question why their home isn’t selling.  Sometimes, the answer is unclear.  However, most scenarios suggest commonalities. The Aitken Home Team presents nine reasons why your house is not selling: 1. Poor Pics Perhaps you have elected to save money by photographing your home yourself.  While this might seem […]

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