Tag Archives: schools

Evaluating neighborhood schools before you buy

17 Monday Feb 2025

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Even if you don’t have kids, school quality can impact home value. 

Schools are a contributing factor for anyone buying a home. Even if you don’t have kids yourself, your next buyer might, and they might base their decision to buy on the school district which serves your home.

The question remains: How do you evaluate schools? What’s the best approach for understanding if your local schools will score your property an “A” or relegate it to the land of “D-”?

Luckily, there are some excellent resources out there for vetting schools online. Here are a couple we’ve come across which provide a good place to start:

GreatSchools.org: A good search engine for researching schools, you can do zip code based searches and learn lots about the public and private institutions in the area.

ProjectAppleseed.org: A website dedicated to improving public schools, you can learn a lot here about the crucial elements of what makes a local school and excellent local school.

Finally, here are a handful of questions to ask yourself if you’re doing research:

How comprehensive is the school’s safety policy?

What social/support services are available at the school?

How does the school handle discipline?

Are people involved in a parent/teacher organization?

How healthy is the school district’s annual report?

Finally, be sure to ask your agent!

Looking for neighborhoods with great schools? We can help! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS – 904-515-2479 The Hanley Home Team – http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Protecting your college student’s possessions at school

15 Thursday Sep 2016

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If you have a son or daughter heading off to college, you’ve probably sent them along with most of their most prized possessions. Laptop, stereo, smartphone, mountain bike… it all adds up to several thousands of dollars of personal gear.

So what happens if they get robbed? Will you be stuck for the replacement costs, or are they covered on your homeowner’s insurance policy?

Believe it or not, the insurance policy on your home might just cover what your kid takes to school. But there’s a catch: Many policies only cover the student if they live in a dorm on campus. If they’re in an apartment or house on their own, you might not be covered.

One alternative to covering your student’s possessions while they’re away at school is renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance is a very affordable way to make sure you’re not out thousands if there’s a break-in. For as little as $15 – $20 a month you can have a bit of piece of mind you won’t find yourself in the Apple store again plunking down for a new Macbook Air.

A few notes:

1. Your student won’t be covered by their roommate’s policy. Policies are specific about covering a single policy holder.

2. A renter’s policy can also include liability coverage, much like your homeowner’s insurance.

3. Taking inventory of possessions and keeping detailed records (with photos and serial numbers) is essential. It provides helpful evidence of ownership in the case of a claim.

You’ll want to talk to your insurance agent about your specific situation, needs, and your policy. Don’t overlook this opportunity to protect your student and your wallet.

Need a referral to an insurance agent? We can help recommend a few we know and trust: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

BACK TO SCHOOL!

04 Thursday Aug 2016

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It’s that time of year we think of as the “Back to School” season. It’s not really Fall and it isn’t exactly Summer, either. Maybe the weather hasn’t changed yet, but the morning commute is definitely quite a bit busier.

Each year we help families get settled before the Back to School season starts. A lot of people choose to move in the summer months. It’s often easier on the kids to break in a new school with a new school year, too.

We think a lot about kids going into a new school in a new year, and we know it can be tough for them to find new friends and get used to new routines. Just the other day, we came across this quote, and we thought it was pretty good advice for kids and adults alike:

“The way to be happy is to like yourself and the way to like yourself is to do only things that make you proud.”

(Mark S. Lewis, clinical psychologist.)

It’s a pretty good maxim to live by, especially if you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings facing new challenges. It’s not so much what you would do to fit in, or what you think others would expect you to do… it’s doing what you know will make you proud that makes your way happier.

Our best to you and yours in this transitional season. Catch us up on your life when you have the time and please let us know how we can help you during your next transition.  Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTOR Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

10 Tips Before you Leave For Vacation

19 Thursday May 2016

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Before you leave town, we thought you might be interested in a few precautionary safety tips to keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re gone. Often in the run-up to a vacation, people neglect to take simple steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft or vandalism.

You’ve probably covered your bases, but just in case, here are 10 basic precautions you can take:

1. Have someone collect your mail and newspaper daily.

2. Leave shades and blinds in normal positions.

3. Put at least two lights and a radio on automatic timers.

4. Have someone leave trash at your curb on garbage collection day.

5. Have someone park a car in your driveway occasionally. If you leave your car outside, arrange to have it moved every so often.

6. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. Let the neighbor know where you are going and when you are expect to return, also leave them a way to get in contact with you in case of an emergency.

7. Lock all windows and doors before you go. Do not forget to double-check basement and garage doors.

8. On extended trips have someone to maintain your landscaping, (grass mowed, leaves raked, etc.)

9. Consider turning off your home’s water main to prevent damage from a burst pipe.

10. Be careful how much you check-in on social media while on vacation. If your privacy settings are incorrect you might reveal to strangers your home is vacant!

Be safe and have a HAPPY AND FUN SUMMER!  When you return, let’s talk about your real estate needs before the kids go back to school.  Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626

Evaluating Schools

18 Thursday Sep 2014

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The question remains: How do you evaluate schools? What’s the best approach for understanding if your local schools will score your property an “A” or relegate it to the land of “D-“?

Luckily, there are some excellent resources out there for vetting schools online. Here are a few I’ve come across which provide a good place to start:

Education.com: A major portal site for education everywhere, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the schools section, found here: http://www.education.com/topic/school-and-academics/

GreatSchools.org: A good search engine for researching schools, you can do zip code based searches and learn lots about the public and private institutions in the area.

ProjectAppleseed.org: A website dedicated to improving public schools, you can learn a lot here about the crucial elements of what makes a local school and excellent local school.

Finally, here are a handful of questions to ask yourself if you’re doing research:

How comprehensive is the school’s safety policy?
What social/support services are available at the school?
How does the school handle discipline?
Are people involved in a parent/teacher organization?
How healthy is the school district’s annual report?

Finally, be sure to ask your agent!

Looking for neighborhoods with great schools? We can help! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Tips for Evaluating Schools Before you Move

15 Sunday Sep 2013

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Schools are a contributing factor for anyone buying a home. Even if you donʼt have kids yourself, your next buyer might, and they might base their decision to buy on the school district which serves your home.

The question remains: How do you evaluate schools? Whatʼs the best approach for understanding if your local schools will score your property an “A” or relegate it to the land of “D-”?

Luckily, there are some excellent resources out there for vetting schools online. Here are a few weʼve come across which provide a good place to start:

HanleyHomeTeam.com: Our website has a link for Duval County parents who can enter their address (or potential new address) and find the school associated with that home. Quick link is http://www.kevinhanleyhomes.com/school_reports.shtml

Education.com: A major portal site for education everywhere, youʼll want to pay particular attention to the schools section, found here: http://www.education.com/topic/school-and-academics/

GreatSchools.org: A good search engine for researching schools, you can do zip code based searches and learn lots about the public and private institutions in the area.

ProjectAppleseed.com: A website dedicated to improving public schools, you can learn a lot here about the crucial elements of what makes a local school and excellent local school.

Finally, here are a handful of questions to ask yourself if youʼre doing research:

How comprehensive is the schoolʼs safety policy?
What social/support services are available at the school?
How does the school handle discipline?
Are people involved in a parent/teacher organization?
How healthy is the school districtʼs annual report?

Finally, be sure to ask your agent! Looking for neighborhoods with great schools? We can help! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com