My Blog

Over the next few days we are expected to have a tropical depression move across North Florida. I thought this might be a good opportunity to offer a few tips to help you be more prepared during Florida's storms.

First, to be more storm ready you will want to create a Home Emergency Plan. Make sure each member of your family is aware of the home emergency plan and review it often.

Here are a few things to consider when creating a home emergency plan.   

• How a severe storm could impact your home
• The location of exit points in the house
• Where to go if you need to evacuate
• How to stay in contact if you’re separated from each other
• Requirements for those with medical conditions or special needs
• What to do with any pets
• What to include in your Home Emergency Kit
• Whether your insurance is adequate and current

Secondly, you will want to put together a Home Emergency Kit. In your home emergency kit you'll want at least 3 days worth of supplies, all your paperwork, and the ability put together a 14 day supply whenever necessary. Click here for a basic supply list.

Lastly, you'll want to prepare your home. Make sure you do routine maintenance on your home and educate yourself.

General home maintenance

• Check your roof regularly to make sure it’s in good condition
• Keep gutters, downpipes and drains clear
• Remove tree branches that are close to your house
• Fix any corrosion, loose fittings and rotting or termite-affected timber
• Secure loose items around your property

General home safety preparations

• Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is adequate and current
• Identify the safest room in which to shelter during a storm
• Learn how to safely turn off your power, water and gas
• Keep water containers, a camping stove and fuel safely on-hand

For more information on hurricane preparedness visit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php 

Hope this helps.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

It can be exciting to build your new home and select all the flooring, countertops and paint colors. It is also easy to get caught up and forget about the things that are important. When you’re buying a new construction here are a few things you should know.

First, work with a realtor. I’m not just saying that because I’m a realtor. As a single agent I work for you and look out for your best interest. The salesperson in the model home you toured is essentially a single agent, but does not for you. The agent in the model home is a single agent for the seller. (The builder) Aside from that it won’t cost you anything to hire the realtor since the builder pays their fees.

Second, do your research. There are a lot of builders out there and some of them don’t offer quality that you would expect. A lot of times you don’t get what you see in the model home those are “upgrades” and those upgrades cost extra. It’s always better to research the company and research the home.

Next, read the fine print. Builders’ contracts don’t protect you they only protect the building company. Also find out when they plan to start construction. You don’t want to be locked into a deal for property in phase two when phase two doesn’t start for another year.

Lastly, get an inspection and do a walk through. Home inspections aren’t just for previously built homes. As a realtor I would recommend getting a home inspection regardless of whether the home was new or not. In areas like ours demand for housing is up. This makes it easier for overworked subcontractors and inspectors to potentially overlook issues. When the home is complete a walkthrough is critical. A walkthrough gives you the opportunity to point out cosmetic issues or any missing items included in the contract.

I hope this helps.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

Setting yourself apart from the competition is a goal of every business. Part of that separation is utilizing technology to your advantage and my company has done just that. 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty’s mobile real estate id program is a cutting edge tool that delivers a mobile site with high quality photos and property information in the palm of your hand 24/7

The tool's purpose is to give the home buyer and sellers a more productive experience. With this tool the home buyer simply texts "Network" to 85377 to receive an instant response text message. This message will include property details, photos, and my contact information. This technology is available for smartphones and tablets that utilize GPS. For the seller this tool allows buyers to have access to your homes information without the hassle of an information box.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

Many of you may not know of a special service that I can offer you as a real estate professional. Besides being able to help you with your local real estate needs, I can help you with your real estate needs anywhere in the world.

               Whenever you know people who are considering a move into or within our area, I hope you will think of me. All I’ll need is their name and number.

               Also I want you to think of me wherever you know of anyone who is moving anywhere in the world. As a member of the largest relocation networks, I can help anyone you may know. This process is done through me to connect your friends and family with a top agent that specializes in their area that I can guarantee is certified, experience and often personally recommended by me.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

Successful real estate agents get the bulk of their business through personal referrals. My own business is no exception; I succeed only because of people like you refer customers to me.

When you refer your friends, family, co-workers etc. to me you can always expect that I will provide the most favorable real estate experience. Not only can you expect it, but it is my mission for all my clients to receive exceptional customer service. With this guarantee you can have a peace of mind that your referrals are in good hands

Please contact me if you would like to have a stack of my business cards to give to all the people you want to refer to me.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

There are two primary agency relationships in the state of Florida. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Florida Network Realty believes that single agency provides the highest level of client service and

representation afforded by Florida Law. What are the difference and why should it matter to you?

I work as a single agent and as a single agent I enter a fiduciary relationship that owes complete

allegiance to the seller or buyer. I would work to achieve the best terms for you. Also as a single agent

you can expect Loyalty, Confidentiality, Obedience and Full Disclosure.

The other option is a transaction broker. This options is the default option in Florida. An agent working

as a transaction broker works as a neutral party to complete the sale of a home. A transaction broker is

only required to be honest and fair to both parties.

Simply put, as a single agent I will work to serve your best interest.

- Justin Petrucci, Realtor

I recently started with Florida Network Realty, a locally owned and operated founding member of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices affiliate, formerly known as Prudential Network Realty.

Our company holds us as agents to the highest standard whether you are buying or selling. Florida Network Realty takes their responsibility to uphold reliability, trust and results very seriously. When I put a yard sign at a listing or present my business card I represent an organization that provides the most positive client experience possible.

Not only am I with a company that is the most dedicated and respected realtors in the industry, our company has partnerships with both Gibraltar Title Services and Everbank. Gibraltar title service is profession title service dedicated to provide a smooth transaction and Everbank is our home financing partner.

I look forward to being your first choice in real estate.

-Justin Petrucci, Realtor