If I buy directly from a builder without a real estate agent, will the builder give me a better price?

Maybe in a particular negotiated deal, but don't assume that eliminating your agent means the builder will simply give you the money they might otherwise have paid toward buyer-agent compensation. Builder policies and incentives vary, and there can be a lot more value to having representation than buyers realize.

Let's say you have a house that, in its current condition, you believe is worth approximately $300,000.

The house needs some work. If that work were completed, maybe the property would be worth $350,000.

Then an investor comes along and offers the seller the full $300,000.

Sounds pretty good.

But here's something that makes me cautious:

I recently received another offer on a different property.

The sale price was $159,000, and once again, the buyer was willing to pay the full asking price.

Sounds good so far.

But then you start reading the financing terms.

I recently received an offer on one of my listings that is a good example of why sellers need to understand all the terms of an offer—not just the purchase price.

On the surface, the buyer was offering full price.

Could Amendment 3 finally give Florida property owners some meaningful relief from rising property taxes?

If Florida voters approve Amendment 3 in November 2026, it would substantially increase the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes and lower the annual assessment-growth cap on non-homestead properties. In my opinion, this could be one of the most important property-tax changes Floridians have considered in years.

Should the government decide the minimum amount an employer must pay an employee, and how high should that minimum be?

The United States has had a federal minimum wage for decades, and today it remains $7.25 per hour. Many states have established substantially higher minimum wages of their own.

I understand the reason for having a minimum wage. Workers should be protected from exploitation. But I also believe we need to ask what happens when government continually raises that minimum and whether those increases ultimately accomplish what we want them to accomplish.

Is a manufactured home or mobile home considered real property in Florida?

The short answer is: not automatically. A manufactured home can begin as separately titled property, similar in some ways to a vehicle. Under the right circumstances, however, it can become part of the real estate on which it is permanently located.

A Manufactured Home Can Have Its Own Title

Can you really get a better deal by purchasing a short sale?

Yes, sometimes you can. In my opinion, a short sale can offer a better buying opportunity than a foreclosure, but you need patience, flexibility, and a real estate agent who understands how the process works.

Short Sales Are a Small Part of the Jacksonville Market

At the time I wrote this, there were 8,598 homes for sale in the Jacksonville metropolitan area, and only 132 of those were short sales. That's roughly 1.5% of the available homes.

Can a dream given more than 2,500 years ago tell us something about the world we are living in today?

I recently watched a teaching by Alan Parr, who produces Bible-teaching videos on YouTube. I believe he is one of the best Bible teachers I have listened to when it comes to taking difficult subjects and explaining them in a way that ordinary people can understand.

One of his discussions dealt with the Book of Daniel and, in particular, the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2.

Should I buy a brand-new home, or am I better off buying a resale home?

There isn't one answer that's right for everybody. I like new construction for a lot of reasons, but I also see some real advantages to buying an established resale home. For me, one of the biggest deciding factors is location.

Are residential home prices in Jacksonville finally coming down?

The short answer is yes, in some areas and price ranges—but not across the board. Jacksonville has shifted into a market where buyers generally have more choices and negotiating power than they did a few years ago, but every neighborhood and every home is different

I started voting in 1978. As a young adult, voting was one of the most important responsibilities I felt I needed to take on. To me, it was one of my first opportunities to participate in this country as an adult and take seriously the responsibilities that come with being a U.S. citizen.

Why should I use a buying agent when I can simply call the listing agent on the house I want to see?

I've seen over the years that a lot of buyers believe they'll get a better deal if they go directly to the listing agent. On the surface, that may sound logical, but in reality, there may be very little advantage to the buyer.

What should I expect my real estate agent to do when selling my home?

A good real estate agent does much more than simply place a sign in your yard and put your home on the MLS. Selling a home successfully requires planning, preparation, marketing, communication, and experience. The better the preparation before your home goes on the market, the better the chances of attracting qualified buyers and obtaining the highest possible price.

Is now really the right time to buy your forever home, or should you wait for lower interest rates?

Short answer: If you're buying a home to live in for many years—not as an investment—the best time is often when you find the home that truly fits your family, your lifestyle, and your future. While no one can predict where interest rates or home prices are headed next, you can refinance a loan later. You can't always find that perfect home again.

Should you buy a home in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, or is a non-HOA community a better choice?

The answer depends on your lifestyle, your priorities, and what you expect from your neighborhood. Neither option is right for everyone, but understanding the advantages and disadvantages can help you make the best decision before you buy.

Yes. On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. That milestone should cause us to pause, remember, give thanks, and think seriously about the future of this country.

That's an interesting question because it can be answered from different perspectives—religious, philosophical, or psychological. If we're speaking from a Christian worldview, where the devil's goal is to separate people from God and from one another, then the strategy wouldn't necessarily be dramatic. It would likely be subtle.

If I were describing that perspective, I would say the "playbook" might look something like this:

This is one of the questions I hear most often from buyers and sellers. Many people assume everyone signs every document, but that's not how a Florida real estate transaction works. Different documents serve different purposes, and who signs each one depends on the transaction