Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Blog

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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Aitken’s Top 5 Spooky Haunts

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Jacksonville is gearing up for an especially scary Halloween for spooksters of all ages.  From simple trick-or-treating to ghoulish brew fests, Jacksonville is the place to be.   The Aitken Home Team is excited to share its top-secret list of five favorite spooky haunts for the Jacksonville newbie: 1. – Jacksonville Zoo The Spooktacular at the […]

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3 Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

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Everyone enjoys a good old-fashioned spook on Halloween, however, there is no room for such fright when it comes to the safety of trick-or-treaters. The Aitken Home Team recommends three safety tips in order to ensure a successful, SAFE trick-or-treat experience: 1. – Plan Your Route Perhaps your children are older, more seasoned trick-or-treaters and […]

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Lease Vs. Roommate Agreement

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Perhaps you are single and considering reducing living expenses by inviting a roommate to share your abode.  This proposition raises a myriad of questions in your mind and your most pressing is a concern is wondering whether roomie’s name will be on the lease, too?  Further questions regarding legal responsibilities and rent share also come […]

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VA Values Character Above Credit

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Unfortunately, many of our country’s troops return home injured so badly that the prospect of any sort of a career is unlikely.   In addition, the challenge of home ownership paired with a desire to stay put for a change seems unattainable for veterans with compromised credit scores. Shoddy credit and low bank balances do […]

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