How a Walk Score Rating Increases Real Estate Values

in Cincinnati Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate, Real Estate Development

You already know that walking is good for your health. And you probably already know that neighborhoods with lots of foot traffic support a better quality of life for the people who live, work and play in those communities.

But do you know whether your home is rated as a “Walkers Paradise” or “Car Dependent”? Do you know how each of those ratings increases or decreases your home value?

Walk Score rates locations based on how walkable they are. They take into consideration walking distance from a specific address to services, art galleries and museums, clubs and nightspots, shopping, restaurants and delis, everything you need to live without a car.

So, What’s your Walk Score?

To take advantage of the information about a location’s walkability, just enter a street address on the Walk Score website. The site will populate a map of venues within walking distance on a map, and rate the walkability of the location. The Walk Score ratings are:

90-100 Walker’s Paradise – Daily errands do not require a car.

70-89 Very Walkable – Most errands can be accomplished on foot.

50-69 Somewhat Walkable – Some amenities within walking distance.

25-49 Car-Dependent – A few amenities within walking distance.

0-48 Car-Dependent – Almost all errands require a car.

According to Walk Score, the following characteristics make a community walkable: Read more →


Cranewoods featured in Engineering News Record (ENR)

in Cincinnati Real Estate Development, Construction Management, Florida Real Estate, Jacksonville Real Estate, Real Estate Consulting, Real Estate Debt Workout, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Loans, Real Estate Market News, Real Estate Receiver

In the November 3rd 2010 edition of the Engineering News Record (ENR), Andrew Howe of Cranewoods Development is spotlighted in an article called “Consensus Is Reached: Nowhere To Go but Up” for his take on how real estate developers have dealt with the economic crisis and how they see a way forward in an environment of tighter credit and slower growth.

ENR is the leading news magazine for engineers in the construction industry in America and they rightly point out, “For developers able to roll with the recession’s punches, some new activity in markets this fall has owners and lenders finally mustering some optimism and cautiously returning to the fray.”

The article points out that Cranewoods rolled with the punches by realizing their expertise in construction and real estate development financing was needed by troubled investors, lenders and borrowers. Cranewoods began consulting long before the world’s economic troubles but their unique knowledge was in greater demand when so many projects and loans had to adjust to the changing economic conditions.

Read more →


Florida Developer Announces Sellout of Award Winning Jacksonville Historic District Loft Project

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Press Releases

Florida real estate Developer Cranewoods Development announced that the remaining lofts in its award winning Riverside Historic District loft project in Jacksonville, The Chelse Lofts, were sold to a South Floida investment group. The Chelsea has won awards for historically compatable construction and design.

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) March 25, 2010 — Florida real estate developer Cranewoods Development announced the sellout of their award winning loft project, The Chelsea, in the Riverside Historic District of Jacksonville Florida.

The Chelsea was the first of its kind in the area, combining classic exterior architecture with cutting edge contemporary interiors. Located in a highly walkable neighborhood, with cutting edge urban loft details like wide open spaces, stained concrete floors, quartz countertops in contemporary kitchens and artistic details like glazed tile entry walls; The Chelsea Lofts only reveal themselves when inside the classic turn of the century Florida styled exterior. The project was the recipient of four design and construction awards including recognition for the best architecturally compatible new construction by the Jacksonville Historical Society.

“We felt the Jacksonville market really wanted an ultra contemporary urban loft option, and Riverside, with its convenience and walkability, was the perfect location,” said Andrew Howe of Cranewoods. “To sell out the lofts in these tough economic times, shows we were right.” Read more →


$8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Explained

in Cincinnati Real Estate Development, Cincinnati Real Estate Development News, Cincinnati Real Estate News, Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Florida Real Estate News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Ohio Real Estate Development News, Real Estate Loans, Real Estate Taxes

The first-time homebuyer credit is a new tax credit included in the recently enacted Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

For homes purchased in 2008, the credit operates like an interest-free loan because it must be repaid over a 15-year period.

The credit was expanded in 2009 for homes purchased in 2009, increasing the amount of the credit and eliminating the requirement to repay the credit, unless the home ceases to be your principal residence within the 36-month period beginning on the purchase date.

Q. How much is the credit?

A. The credit is 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $7,500 ($8,000 if you purchased your home in 2009) for either a single taxpayer or a married couple filing a joint return, but only half of that amount for married persons filing separate returns. The full credit is available for homes costing $75,000 or more.

Q. Which home purchases qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?

A. Any home purchased as the taxpayer’s principal residence and located in the United States qualifies. You must buy the home after April 8, 2008, and before Dec. 1, 2009, to qualify for the credit. For a home that you construct, the purchase date is considered to be the first date you occupy the home. Taxpayers (including spouse, if married) who owned a principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase are not eligible for the credit. This means that you can qualify for the credit if you (and your spouse, if married) have not owned a home in the three years prior to a purchase. If you make an eligible purchase in 2008, you claim the first-time homebuyer credit on your 2008 tax return. For an eligible purchase in 2009, you can choose to claim the credit on either your 2008 or 2009 income tax return.

Q. Can I apply for the credit if I bought a vacation home or rental property?

A. No. Vacation homes and rental property do not qualify for this credit.

Q. Who is considered to be a first-time homebuyer?

A. Taxpayers who have not owned another principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase.

Q. How do I apply for the credit? Read more →


Groups Investing in Real Estate

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Jacksonville Real Estate, Real Estate Loans, Real Estate Management

One of the developing trends in real estate is investing as a group in real estate.

Some of the best investments can be found in oceanfront homes, beachfront and oceanfront condominiums and contemporay lofts.

The advantages of investing in real estate as a group include:

  • Spreading the investment between several people to minimize cash outlay
  • Opportunity to use the property for vacations
  • Income potential for waterfront rentals
  • Immediate equity by purchasing property at a discount from the developer

Cranewoods” properties are perfect candidates for group investors. In addition to providing great values, unique projects and fantastic locations, Cranewoods can assist the groups in structuring their relationship through referral to attorneys and accountants that are familiar with that area of practice. The result is a painless method for group investing.


Florida Property Tax Portability Explained

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Florida Real Estate News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Real Estate Taxes

For those who have made a home in Florida and are considering a move to a new Florida home, one of the most important things to be aware of is the newly enacted Property Tax Portability Amendment.

So just what is Property Tax Portability?

A new Florida law allows residents that are moving from one primary residence to another to bring the built-up property tax benefits on the assessed value of their existing home along with them to their new home. This can mean up to a $500,000 decrease in the taxable value of the new home, and a huge annual property tax savings.

Florida primary residences are protected to a maximum percent increase in the assessed value each year by legislation known as “Save Our Homes”.

Without the portability provision, if you moved you lost all of the assessed value savings created by Save Our Homes and your new home was assessed at current market value. The Portability Amendment literally made that tax savings “portable” so you can now transfer up to $500,000 of your accrued Save Our Homes benefit to your new home.

EXAMPLE: You sell your current Florida Homestead that has an Assessed Value of $200,000 and a Just (Market) Value of $350,000. $350,000 – $200,000 = $150,000 in Tax Benefit. You buy a new home for $400,000. The $150,000 SOH tax benefit is applied to the new homes Just (Market) Value to creates a lower Assessed Value.

So if you own a home in Florida and are looking into downsizing to a condo or if you have been living inland and want to take advantage of the great waterfront property prices on the coast, a dramatic change in property taxes may not be something to worry about. Those homeowners who sell one home in order to move into another full time, will find that the taxes on their new property are adjusted to reflect the savings from their old home.


Investing in Real Estate through 1031 Exchange

in Cincinnati Real Estate Consulting, Cincinnati Real Estate Development, Cincinnati Real Estate News, Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Florida Real Estate News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Ohio Real Estate Development News, Real Estate Consulting, Real Estate Taxes

Keeping Your Real Estate Equity In Tact During a Sale With 1031 Exchanges presents a wide variety of opportunities from taking advantage of the 1031 exchange technique provided by the real estate code.

In a 1031 tax free exchange a real estate investor can sell an appreciated property and invest the sale proceeds in a like kind property. By investing the real estate profits in a new property purchase, the taxes on the gain are deferred. A financial institution that is knowledgeable in 131 tax free exchanges should handle the transaction to make certain that all regulations are complied with. This is a valuable tool for the preservation of cash and equity in the appreciated real estate.

Real estate investors will find oceanfront condos, downtown lofts, apartment projects, apartment conversion candidates and office buildings, all worthy of considering for the reinvestment of 1031 proceeds.

Condos provide supply and demand upsides and a wide variety of potential future buyers including homeowners, vacation homeowners and investors.

Downtown lofts offer unique loft designs, proximity to  downtown business districts and lively downtown neighborhoods.

Apartment buildings and offices, particularly in high demand areas like historic districts, present the opportunity for positive cash flow and future equity appreciation.

When zoned CRO, which allows a building to be used for residential, commercial or office purposes, apartment building have the additional value of being able to be converted to offices. Small apartment buildings zoned CRO in historic neighborhoods are prime candidates and highly sought after by real estate investors looking for 1031 exchanges.

A 1031 exchange can save a real estate investor a great deal of cash.


Short Sale Pricing on Six St. Augustine Florida Waterfront Lots Pending Bank Foreclosure Announced By Cranewoods Realty

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Press Releases

 6 pristine St Augustine Florida waterfront lots zoned multi-family are now available at short sale pricing dramatically below the outstanding bank loan. Working with the lender and developer, Cranewoods Realty has now listed these AAA located parcels at less than 25% of the actual cash invested in the lots due to a pending bank foreclosure. These are prime Florida waterfront lots with dramatic St Augustine Inlet views and within walking distance to the historic district.

St Augustine, FL (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 — Drastically reduced St. Augustine Florida Waterfront Lots are now available from Florida real estate developer  Cranewoods Development. The new Short Sale Pricing of $1.1 million for all six lots is $3.4 million less than the actual cash invested in the real estate due to a Pending Foreclosure. 

Permits, engineering and approvals are in place for this Florida development property, located in the private Davis Shores community and within walking distance to scenic Old St. Augustine, restaurants, deep-water marinas, shopping and more. This unique site offers fantastic long-range views of the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by the waters of Salt Run, the Matanzas River and St. Augustine Inlet. 

“This is a rare opportunity to gain entry into the St Augustine Florida waterfront market at a rock bottom price,” said Cranewoods Realty’s Kristin Fanning. “This property is particularly unusual because of the number of exit strategies it has without the need for rezoning. The lots can be sold off individually, or used as they are assembled”. The lots are zoned multi-family, which gives them an additional height allowance allowing three stories. Options for the property include single family homesites, duplex sites, townhome and condominium developments.  Read more →


Cranewoods Realty Announces Bank-Owned Ocean View Condos in Jacksonville Beach Released at Deep Discounts to Previous List Prices

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Press Releases, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Market News

Andrew Howe, president of Cranewoods Development announces the availability of bank owned condominiums in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Bank Owned Condos offer great values for those looking for Florida Real Estate. Serena Point in Jacksovnille Beach, Florida offers ocean view condos that are now released below appraised values. These newly released Bank Owned Ocean View Condos are selling at more than a 20% discount to the original Sales Prices.

Jacksonville Beach, FL (PRWEB) May 26, 2009 — Discounts of nearly 20 percent from original sales prices are now available on newly released bank owned condominiums. Jacksonville Beach Florida real estate developer Cranewoods Realty announced the new pricing in tandem with its release of five of the new North Florida ocean view condos in Jacksonville Beach. The recently announced prices are below February 2008 appraised values. 

Located near the oceanfront at the northern end of Jacksonville Beach near the Neptune Beach city limit, Serena Point includes just 17 residences in a seven-story, architecturally distinctive community. Residents enjoy direct beach access and ocean views from every window. Serena Point amenities include a fitness center, gracious two-story lobby, garage parking under the building, bike storage room and climate-controlled storage units for each residence. Read more →


Jacksonville Lofts Now Released at Bank Approved Short Sale Pricing by Florida Real Estate Developer Cranewoods Development

in Florida Real Estate, Florida Real Estate Development, Florida Real Estate Development News, Jackonville Real Estate News, Jacksonville Real Estate, Press Releases, Real Estate Development

Florida Real Estate Developer Andrew Howe, president of Cranewoods Development announces short sale pricing on Jacksonville loft residences in Jacksonville’s Riverside/Avondale historic district.

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 — Jacksonville lofts are now available at bank-approved Short Sale pricing at The Chelsea Lofts in Jacksonville’s storied Riverside/Avondale historic district. Winner of four design awards for historically compatible design and construction, The Chelsea Lofts’ price per square foot is nearly $100 less than other residences in the area, and two lofts have been sold between December 2008 and February 2009. Only a select few residences remain. New price reductions are anticipated to clear out the short sale inventory within the next couple of months. The Developer has also released a hand full of lofts now available for rent. 

The project, priced below developer construction costs, was recently completed by Jacksonville-based HCM Construction, the winner of numerous awards for its distinctive condominium and hotel projects. 

These North Florida condominiums are in the heart of one of Jacksonville’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Residents in the area enjoy easy access to unique shopping districts, museums and galleries, and some of the city’s most popular restaurants, clubs and nightspots. The neighborhood is just a short drive to business centers and recreation in downtown Jacksonville.  Read more →