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Over the past months, there’s been a lot said about the fact that first time buyers could have trouble getting financing for a home purchase and even more said about falling prices and foreclosures. For those savvy would be buyers who are looking into buying a home in one of Florida’s coastal communities - in areas like Jacksonville Beach, for example - there is some good news. Those who are looking for the opportunity to buy a home of their own - provided they’ve been saving for that purchase - are going to find that there are plenty of great options out there.

First time buyers simply need to be aware of the process. They need to be sure of where to look for available homes, they need to be saving for a down payment and showing that they’re able to budget (something that lenders are going to judge based on your credit report). They also need to be sure that they aren’t trying to overspend on a property and that they have taken taxes and savings into consideration before acting.

Choosing a great condo in one of Florida’s coastal communities is going to help you to start building equity - especially if you are willing and able to take the time to look for a great deal. The more that you understand the buying process, the more you’re going to see just how many options you really have.

While it’s likely that those who live in Jacksonville and surrounding areas like Daytona Beach and Jacksonville Beach are suffering from a little bit of election coverage overload, now that the presidential campaign is over and the polls around the country have started to close, it’s time to look forward. For those who are passionate about the Florida arts, that means that the time is right to start thinking about the monthly first Wednesday Jacksonville art walk:

(source)First Wednesday Art Walk by Downtown Vision, 5-9 p.m., Cultural institutions and businesses. Includes an Art Walk fifth anniversary celebration with cake and live entertainment at Hemming Plaza; free guided boat tours and The Art of Fashion at The Jacksonville Landing; and book signings, live entertainment and hors d’oeuvres at other venues. (904) 634-0303, ext. 230.

No matter what your interests are, there’s going to be something that’s going on at the monthly art walk that appeals to you. Whether you’re an artist and want to see what others are doing or you just care about the creative process - for that matter, if you are just looking into creativity as a diversion from the political campaigning - Jacksonville’s first Wednesday art walk is a great chance to take a break and have a great time.

Even if you’ve never been to Jacksonville, there’s a chance that you’ve seen the city. Jacksonville’s got a certain appeal to it and if you’ve ever driven down I-95 deep into Florida you will have driven through; the draw of the city - from the skyline views to close-ups from within the city - has brought movie makers for the big and small screen to the city.

As you might expect, therefore, entertainment is important to Jacksonville. Not only will you find plenty of great spots to watch a movie, but you’ll also find a variety of music venues, comedy clubs and spots to catch live theater. Mix in art galleries and museums and it won’t take long to see that the Jacksonville area has a little bit of something for everyone who is passionate about the arts.

But it’s also sports fan, outdoor lovers, those who love going out for a great meal or who want to find themselves to just wanting to kick back, to relax and maybe even get out for a great round of golf or a day of soaking up the sun and surf won’t have to spend much time finding something about the Jacksonville area that draws them in.

One of the things that you’re going to find with the current real estate market is that if you have always wanted to live in Florida, there are some great opportunities out there. Whether you are looking for a home in Jacksonville Beach or in St. Augustine, whether you’re looking for a condo on Amelia Island or a townhouse in Ponce Inlet or a home within Jacksonville’s city limits, you’re going to find that there are great deals that are there waiting to be discovered.

One of the biggest benefits that you’ll discover about the current real estate market is that for those who have been planning ahead and looking at their goals, those who have been saving and are prepared, is that prices are down. In some cases, you’re going to find that it’s possible to buy a brand new condo for less than it cost the developer to get it standing.

With deals like this, living in Florida isn’t something that you’ll have to just dream about any more - it’s something that you are going to be able to turn into your own reality. So what are you waiting for? Take the time, look at your options and see just how great they are.

If you live near Jacksonville Beach or in any of the nearby communities and you are looking for the chance to make a difference and raise awareness, then you may want to pencil an event onto your calendar for this coming Saturday morning. On November 1, starting at 8am from the Sea Walk Pavilion, you will be able to participate in an awareness walk:

(source)By walking in the 2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walks to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), you will be walking with thousands of people nationwide to raise money for AFSP’s vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, and assist survivors of suicide loss.

Whether you or someone who you have known has struggled with depression, whether you personally have lost someone to suicide or you want to merely show your support for a cause that rarely gets enough attention - especially given the number of suicides that have taken place by those soldiers who have returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - participating in the Darkness Community Walks will help to make a difference.

If you’re looking for more information, you will be able to find it at: www.outofthedarkness.org.

When it comes to those who are living in Jacksonville and other areas on Florida’s First Coast, if you’re a football fan, then there is some likelihood that you are going to pay attention to the Jacksonville Jaguars. And, if you are Jaguars fan, the news that Walker has been hospitalized is likely to come as a major disappointment - just as it has for the team:

(source) Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Walker has been hospitalized with an infection in his right knee, coach Jack Del Rio announced Monday.

Walker, who suffered the injury in an October 5 game against Pittsburgh, has 12 catches for 161 yards this season.

Del Rio also said Walker was hospitalized to receive antibiotics in hopes of reducing any chance of infection.

“He’s going to miss next week for sure,” Del Rio said. “It could be a couple of weeks.”

Whenever the team that you cheer for suffers an injury, getting the news feels a bit like a personal affront. Even when you’re just a fan of the sport, hearing about an injury like this one is going to have an effect on you - after all, a great player is out of the game. Still, the news is optimistic - here’s hoping that Jaguars fans don’t have to wait long to see Walker back on the field.

One of the things that you are going to want to take a look at when you are trying to find a great community in Jacksonville Beach, you’re going to want to take the time to find the place that’s ideal for your needs.

In other words, you’re going to want to make sure that you are not just thinking about who you’re going to be living near, but also about where in Jacksonville Beach you are going to be living (after all, what’s the point of choosing a home in Jacksonville Beach if you are not even going to be able to see the beach from your home). You are going to want to be sure that you are choosing a community in Jacksonville Beach that offers the features that you want your home to have - whether it’s the number of bedrooms, the layout or the style of home.

By looking at your interests, by taking the time to identify what you want to have in a home and by exploring what community means to you, one of the things that you are going to discover is that the right Jacksonville Beach community is out there just waiting to be discovered.

One of the best things that you’ll find when you live in the Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach area is that it’s a lot easier to be drawn into the arts. Not only will you find that you are able to start getting involved in the arts, but you will also find that there are a number of great opportunities for those who are looking to get involved in their communities. And there’s also the opportunity to do both.

If you’re thinking that it would be great to volunteer and to get more exposure to the arts should know that The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Jacksonville is looking for new volunteers who will be able to lead tours. If you’re interested in learning more about the collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art or you’ve got an interest in art and art history, training classes starts on September 22, and will be running each Monday morning for the next eight weeks. If it sounds like something that interests you, be sure to get in touch with the museum to learn more about how to get involved - with the museum and with your community.

Tropical Storm Hanna which First Coast residents like those in Jacksonville Beach were given the head’s up to watch out for seems to have missed the area after all. However, that doesn’t mean that the risk of storms is over for the season.

Still, even as Ike makes its way to toward the East Coast of Florida, it is fast approaching the weekend. If you’re living in Jacksonville Beach, you’re going to find that it’s still a good time to get out, to spend time with family members and friends, to head out to the movies, to the mall or to make a plan to connect to watch the Jaguars game come Sunday.

Spending time out with others is a great way to get over the stress of the weather. Taking time to kick back at home may be just what the doctor ordered to get everything back into perspective. Hey, we all deserve a break once in a while - for those who live in Jacksonville Beach, sometimes the best place to take a break is at home.

When it comes to spending time in Jacksonville Beach - whether you live in the area or you are just planning a visit - one of the things that you’re going to find is that there are a number of great opportunities to get out there and to spend time being active. One great option that many discover is the chance to play tennis:

(source)The Jacksonville Beach Tennis Center is located at Huguenot Park, one block from the ocean. A 7-court facility (6 lit, 1 unlit) will now include one new unlit hitting backboard, and a pro shop and lounge. This facility offers league play for men, women, mixed, and juniors at all levels. Tennis court reservations are recommended two days in advance. Group and private lessons are available.

In other words, when you’re living in Jacksonville Beach and you want to be sure that you’re able to focus on getting out and staying fit, you’ll find that the Jacksonville Beach Tennis Center provides a great opportunity - whether you want to participate in a league or not. You’ll also find that it’s possible to spend time on the beach and to just get out there.

When you’re able to have a great time hanging out near the shore at Jacksonville Beach, in other words, what you’re ultimately going to find is that you are able to have fun in the sun in a number of different ways.