The Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP)

If you're looking for up-to-date information on the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) then, hopefully, the following details will give you a better indication of what's involved.

The majority of military homes have suffered in the US housing market downturn in recent times and are caught in the negative equity trap due to the decline in the value of real estate.

The Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) is a facility to help military personnel and defense employees sell their homes and avoid foreclosure. It was originally set up in 1966 and was updated in 2009 and called The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) with new provisions put in place, making it easier for people to sell their homes in the current economic climate.

This new option added to the HAP in 2009 and managed by the defense department, is to help ease the financial burden, which has faced the majority of military personnel and their families in trying to sell their homes, which was only previously available to related people who were forced to move due to base realignment and closure (BRAC).

How can the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) help me sell my home?

This new reimbursement scheme was set up and passed by Congress through the Obama government with approximately $1 billion set aside to help with this ongoing problem. The new procedures have been put in place to allow military people and Department of Defense employees to help pay part of their outstanding financial deficit on their homes through government financial assistance or the program can offer financial guidance to help clear the debt or any outstanding balance left on your home after the sale.

Who qualifies for the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP)?

All military personnel including wounded or injured people, Department of Defense (DoD) employees, surviving spouses of ex-military people, and Coast Guard employees.

If you think that you might be entitled to financial assistance through the Homeowners Assistance Program then, you've certainly come to the right place.

If you need more information about the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) program or need to sell your home please give me a call.

Robert Schwabe - (904) 403-2429

Are you looking for relevant information on doing short sales in Orange Park, Fleming Island, or Jacksonville, Florida? Well, hopefully, the following details will give you a better indication of what's required.

Short sales are an alternative to the dreaded foreclosure and offer an alternative means with which to sell a property. Usually, the amount won't be enough to clear the outstanding debt against the property, but both the debtor and creditor enter into a short sale agreement. Any unpaid amounts are known as deficiencies and sometimes they can be completely wiped off, so please check with a real estate attorney prior to signing up for any short sale.

What advantages does a short sale have?

It is a better way to get your property sold if you're struggling to keep up with payments and avoids going down the foreclosure route and all the stress that it brings with unwanted additional fees and costs.

Who should you approach about a short sale?

It's important to use a  Realtor who is qualified to act as an intermediary between the buyer and seller and who will get the best and quickest deal for your property. Make sure the Realtor and business are registered with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and can be accurately verified to carry out the tasks you require.

If you're based in Orange Park, Fleming Island, or Jacksonville, Florida, and find yourself in this position then, hopefully, you will find some form of comfort in me where I can give you an accurate value for your home and get the amount agreed with your creditors at the earliest opportunity in order to get the deal done and allow you to move on with your life.

Trust is everything and by using my services, you'll be letting a local person who knows the area really well take care of the negotiations with your creditors. Gaining the required knowledge of how these companies operate and what their expectations are for the agreement of prices for specific properties in Orange Park is my specialty and this, in turn, creates a smoother path between you the buyer, and the creditor.

If you're looking for a Realtor expert in short sales from Orange Park, Fleming Island,  or Jacksonville, Florida then, you've certainly arrived at the right place for professionalism and quality service.

Call me today to set up a time for a  free no-obligation confidential consultation.

Robert Schwabe

Orange Park FL Short Sale Specialist

(904) 403-2429

NAS Jacksonville Air Show 2011 November 5th-6th 

If you are going to be around NAS Jacksonville off HWY. 17 you might notice that the airfield is going to be busy. There will be plenty of aircraft practicing for this upcoming air show. It's going to be a lot of planes flying around when the Blue Angels arrive.
It's going to be a great show this year with a great performance lineup. There will be military performances done by the A-10 East Demonstration Team, AF Heritage Flight, including A-10, F-4, and P-51, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers jump team just to name a few. There will also be civilian performances by Super Shockwave Jet Truck, Patty Wagstaff, Skip Stewart, John Mohr, and many more. Of course, the main event is when the Blue Angels take the runway. This year the Blue Angels will have "FAT ALBERT" with them it's a C-130T Hercules that is used to carry spare parts, equipment, and support personnel.

Between performing acts, there will be plenty of aircraft on display from all branches of our military forces and there will even be civilian aircraft on display.

Saturday, November 5th, and Sunday, November 6th 

Gates open up at 9 am

The show starts at 10 am.

This show and parking are free to the public and there will be a Kid's Zone with games and fun for all ages. There will be plenty of aircraft on display. There will be plenty of food and drink booths to make purchases from.

The town of Orange Park FL is holding its 29th annual fall festival on October 15th and 16th 2011. This is an arts and crafts festival that will be held at Town Hall Park located at the corner of Kingsley Ave. and Highway 17. This year the festival should be the biggest one ever with 50 new booths added to the festival. There will be crafts, food, fun, vendors, and plenty of entertainment. The fall festival is free for everyone to enjoy and there will be local vendors with concessions available to purchase.

Hours of the Festival:

Saturday the 15th 9:00am – 6:00pm

Sunday the 16th 9:00am – 6:00pm

Orange Park Homes For Sale

A look at Orange Park FL home sales July 2011 equity sales vs. short sales & foreclosures

Orange Park, FL home sales are looking up this year with 92 homes sold in July, as compared to the same time frame as last year when only 70 homes sold in Orange Park FL. Below is a chart showing a breakdown of equity sales vs short sales vs foreclosures. Looking at the numbers, it seems that buyers are more interested in buying homes that are a traditional sale. With short sales being known to take a longer time to purchase, buyers are starting to steer away from them due to waiting in frustration to get an answer from the bank on their offer. Also, with foreclosures, buyers usually get a quicker response from the bank letting them know if their offer was accepted. With foreclosures and short sales homes are usually sold “as is” with no repairs being made so, it is in the best interest that the buyer gets a home inspection as they should do anytime they are looking to purchase a home.

Orange Park Homes For Sale

Here is a look at the current breakdown of active listings in Orange Park. As you can see traditional sales make up a large portion of the homes for sale in Orange Park, Florida

Orange Park Homes For Sale

Want to know everything about Orange Park FL or anywhere in North FL? Get the market insider where you view home market analysis, price trends, community information, local Clay County schools, and just about everything else in Orange Park FL.

Search Orange Park Homes For Sale

Contact Robert Schwabe at 904 403-2429 – Orange Park Short Buyer's Specialist and Real Estate Agent in Florida. HELPING HOMEOWNERS

Helping home buyers find homes in Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, and all of Jacksonville Florida

See All Available MLS Properties and Homes for Sale in Orange Park, Florida at Search Orange Park Homes For Sale

Click here for the 2012-2013 Clay County school supplies list

The 2011 - 2012 Clay County school year will be starting on Aug 16, 2011. Many stores are stocked up with all the school supplies that are needed for this year. If you are having trouble finding the recommended list of supplies that are needed for the upcoming 2011 - 2012 school year. Below are links to each school's recommended supply lists.

Click here for the 2011-2012 Clay County school district student calendar.

Below is the list of Clay County schools and links to their recommended school supplies list.

Orange Park                                              Middleburg

Argyle Elementary 

Discovery Oaks                                    Coppergate Elementary

W.E. Cherry Elementary                            Doctors Inlet Elementary

Grove Park Elementary                              Middleburg Elementary

S. Bryan Jennings Elementary                   RideOut Elementary

Lakeside Elementary                                 Swimming Pen Elementary

Montclair Elementary                                 Tynes Elementary

Oakleaf Village Elementary                        Wilkinson Elementary

Orange Park Elementary

Plantation Oaks Elementary                         Green Cove Springs

Ridgeview Elementary                                Charles E. Bennett Elementary

Lake Asbury Elementary                             Shadowlawn Elementary

Fleming Island                                         Spring Park Elementary

Fleming Island Elementary                             Keystone Heights
Thunderbolt Elementary                                McRae Elementary

Patterson Elementary                                      Keystone Heights Elementary

After much debate, Orange Park FL is planning to have its 11th Annual American Pie 4th of July event. In the beginning, the town of Orange Park did not have enough money in its budget to hold the fireworks event. Some local businesses came forward and helped sponsor the event.  Well, after they obtained sponsorship there has been a lack of rain in the area and the county has a burn ban until July 8th, 2011. The last two weeks have been good to us and we have received rain about every day. So it looks like the fireworks show will go on.

The Apple Pie Celebration 4th of July starts at 11:00 am. It’s a free family event for all to enjoy. The event will be held along River Rd. in Orange Park FL and will run from Orange Park Kennel Club to Moosehaven. There will be plenty of free rides and games for children, a pie-baking contest, and an event of a pie-throwing contest at the local elected. It’s going to be a fun-filled day with plenty of events on schedule starting with the parade. There will be local music throughout the day with Molly Hatchet being the last to perform from 8:20 – to 9:30 just before the fireworks display.

No coolers will be allowed but, there will be plenty of vendors with ice-cold drinks and plenty of food to keep you well hydrated and not left feeling hungry throughout the day.

Thanks to the great sponsors and the Town of Orange Park for putting this great event together.

• Orange Park Rotary Club
• WOKV 690 AM 106.5 FM
• VyStar Credit Union
• Southern Chevy Dealers

Looking for things to do in Orange Park FL for the kids?

Check out Jump Zone located at 1035 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park FL. in the shopping center directly across from Hagan Ace Hardware.

Jump Zone currently has 8 inflatables which include a Fire Truck, Alligator, Batman, Atlantis, Sponge Bob to name a few. There is even a toddler town for ages 1-2 yrs. with a mini jump house.

Jump Zone is for ages 1-12 yrs. of age and is a great place to book a birthday party. For more information on booking a birthday party, you can call them at  (904) 328-2227  or visit them on the web at www.jumpzoneparty.com

There will be open play almost every day during the summer months when school is out for children from 1-12 years of age. The cost is around $8.00 a session which can run anywhere from 3 to 8 hours. Check the calendar for open play times.  Open play calendar