Social Links Widget

Click here to edit the Social Media Links settings. This text will not be visible on the front end.

Palatka & Putnam County Insights La Cuisine, Worth The Drive To Ocala!   If you’re a serious “foodie”, then you have to visit La Cuisine in Ocala, Florida—a real gem of a place that’s got history, charm, and some downright fabulous food. Grab a seat, and let’s dig in! A Little History to Start La Cuisine French Restaurant opened its doors in 2009, right in the heart […]
Home Tips location location location Let’s talk about what’s driving your home’s value in Palatka, and it all starts with location—hands down the biggest piece of the puzzle. You can redo your kitchen or slap on a new roof, but you can’t pick up your house and move it somewhere else, right? In Putnam County, where you’re at really shapes […]
Navigating The Financing Waters Other Closing Costs Of Buying A House Besides The Mortgage Closing Costs: These are fees paid at the closing of the transaction to finalize the sale. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price and include: Loan Origination Fees: Charges from the lender for processing the mortgage. Appraisal Fee: Cost to assess the home’s value (usually $300–$500). Title Insurance: Protects against […]
Navigating The Financing Waters Improving Your Credit Score Improving your credit score is a manageable process if you focus on a few key strategies. Your credit score is a number that reflects your creditworthiness, based on your credit history, and lenders use it to assess your eligibility for credit and the interest rates you’ll receive. Here’s how you can boost your score effectively: […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights Visiting Putnam County, Part 2 Fall (September-November): The Budget-Friendly Sweet Spot Why Visit in Fall? Fall is Putnam County’s best-kept secret. Temps cool to the 70s and 80s, humidity drops, and the county’s natural beauty shines without the spring crowds. This is prime time for hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail at Rice Creek or biking the Palatka-to-Lake Butler Trail. […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights Visiting Putnam County, Part 1 The Best Time to Visit Putnam County, Florida: A Season-by-Season Guide Hey there, Richard, my Palatka real estate guru! Since you’re deep in the Putnam County scene, let’s craft an in-depth, friendly guide on the best times to visit this hidden gem along the St. Johns River. Putnam County, with its historic charm, natural beauty, […]
Home Tips Two More Important Inspections Alright, let’s keep the inspection momentum going and dive into the nitty-gritty of two more important ones: wind mitigation inspections and WDO inspections! These are two key home inspections, especially if you’re in a place like Florida where storms and critters can be a big deal. I’ll break each one down with plenty of detail, […]
Home Tips The Lowdown On Home Inspections The Lowdown on Home Inspections: What Palatka Buyers and Sellers Need to Know ________________________ Howdy! Richard here, your friendly Palatka neighborhood real estate agent, ready to dish out some wisdom about one of the most important steps in buying or selling a home: the home inspection. If you’re scratching your head wondering what it’s all […]
Don't Miss Our Next Post
Subscribe Now
Palatka & Putnam County Insights A Musician’s Guide To Palatka  Palatka’s a small town with a big heart, nestled along the St. Johns River, and while it might not be a bustling metropolis like Nashville or Austin, it’s got its own unique vibe going on. Let’s dive in! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Palatka’s music scene is kind of like that cozy local spot you stumble into—unpretentious, community-driven, and […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights Finding The Essentials In Palatka Groceries Palatka’s grocery lineup keeps you fed and happy. Publix (171 Town Drive, 7 AM to 10 PM) reigns supreme—locals adore it for its killer deli (subs and fried chicken), top-shelf meats, and a bakery that’s pure bliss (key lime pie, fresh rolls). Fresh produce, organic goodies, and a solid beer and wine selection round […]
Navigating The Financing Waters Understanding Reverse Mortgages, Part 1 What’s a Reverse Mortgage, Anyway? Picture this: you’re 62 or older, sitting on a goldmine of home equity, but your wallet’s feeling a bit light. A reverse mortgage is like a financial magic trick that lets you tap into that home equity without selling your house or making monthly payments. Instead of you paying the […]
Working With A Realtor How A Real Estate Agent Helps With Your Home Financing Process A real estate agent can be a valuable ally in your home financing process. While their primary role is to assist you in finding and purchasing a property, they also offer support and guidance that can make securing financing smoother and less overwhelming. Below are the key ways a real estate agent can help you […]
Navigating The Financing Waters A Breakdown Of “Closing Costs” Part 2 7. Attorney Fees (if applicable) What it is: In some states (like New York or Massachusetts), a real estate attorney is required to oversee closing. Cost: $500–$1,500, though it can climb higher for complicated deals. Details: The attorney might review contracts, handle title issues, or attend closing. Even in states where it’s optional, some buyers […]
Navigating The Financing Waters A Breakdown Of “Closing Costs” Part 1 This is the first of two posts diving into closing costs, which are a critical piece of the home-buying puzzle. These are the fees and expenses you pay at the closing table to finalize the purchase, separate from your down payment and mortgage principal. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase […]
Navigating The Financing Waters The Importance Of Getting Pre Approved In the previous post, we discussed the differences between being pre approved and being pre qualified. I want to use this follow up post the emphasize the importance of being pre approved.  Think of it this way; pre approval is definite in nature. A definite amount, a definite time frame. It lets you go forward […]
Navigating The Financing Waters Pre Approval Vs Pre Qualification All home buyers need to set a budget; you need to know what you can spend, what price range to look in and so on. Two tools that most buyers use are the pre approval letter, or the pre qualified letter. A very important concept to understand are the differences these. Although they sound similar; […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights Palatka Watering Holes, Something For Everyone If you need to quench your thirst, have a little fun, maybe grab a bite to eat and listen some tunes; here are some of the crowd favorite places for locals. Let’s dig a little deeper into these Palatka watering holes with some extra flavor—think of it like adding a splash of hot sauce to […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights The Blue Crab Festival Today’s post is about he upcoming Palatka Blue Crab Festival—it’s one of those events that just screams good times, good food, and a whole lot of fun. Picture this: a warm Memorial Day weekend, the St. Johns River shimmering in the background, and the smell of fresh blue crabs wafting through the air. Sounds like […]
Home Tips A Four Point Inspection vs. A “Regular” Home Inspection Richard Schwartz here again from Coldwell Banker Ben Bates in Palatka, Florida; the center of fabulous Putnam County. I often get asked about a four point inspection and how it differs from a “regular” home inspection; so here’s a quick rundown on the two. What’s a Four-Point Inspection, Anyway? Picture a four-point inspection as a […]
Palatka & Putnam County Insights Palatka, The Center of A Wheel        One of the reasons I love calling Palatka my new home is that while maintaining the wonderful charm and values of a small town, it is by no means, isolated.  Damn near anything you could look for, want to do, want to see and experience, or need to get is within a […]

Coldwell Banker - Ben Bates, Inc., Realtors

© 2025 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy

Accessibility Statement | Fair Housing Notice

© Coldwell Banker 2023 – 2025. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.