Sarah
Garrigues-Jones, REALTOR®

All of Gainesville and North Central Florida, but I spend most of my time in NW and SW Gainesville. I've lived here since 1970, so I can usually tell you what a neighborhood was like before the subdivision went in, and which roads back up at 5 p.m.

Start with my Schools page, a guide to Alachua County Schools, with links to each school's website and the district's information on enrollment, magnet programs and busing. The This Is Gainesville section of my homepage features communities like Haile Plantation, Town of Tioga, Pleasant Street and Oakmont, plus local landmarks and parks. For crime statistics, check with the Gainesville Police Department or the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. Curious about an area I didn't mention? Call me at 352.359.5600.

Not at all. Some of my favorite conversations happen a year or two before anyone packs a box. Knowing your options early takes the pressure off, and I'll never push a timeline on you.

Selling first gives you a clear budget and a stronger offer. Buying first means one move, but you may carry two homes for a while. Some sellers negotiate a short leaseback, staying in the home for a few weeks after closing, to bridge the gap. The right answer depends on your finances and how much juggling you're comfortable with, so let's talk it through.

Start with a free estimate on my home value page. For a real number, I'll walk through your home and compare it with what has actually sold nearby. Asking doesn't commit you to anything. I wrote about that in If I Call a Realtor, Is There a Sign in My Yard by Friday?

It depends on price, condition and timing. Homes that are priced well and show well move fastest, and spring and summer are busiest because so many moves follow the university calendar. Once you accept an offer, most closings take 30 to 45 days. Tell me about your home and your neighborhood, and I'll give you a realistic timeline, not a sales pitch.

Yes, and it's a big part of my work. I hold the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist®) designation. I help families through downsizing, inherited homes and the decisions that come with them, at whatever pace the family needs.

Yes. Since August 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. It spells out what I'll do for you and how I'm paid, and the terms are negotiable. I'll walk you through it in plain English before we look at a single house, and you can ask me anything.

Yes. Search Homes shows everything for sale in the area. If you tell me what you're looking for through my custom home search, new matches come straight to your inbox.

It's a look at four things: the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Many Florida insurers want one before they'll cover an older home, often 25 to 30 years or older. It isn't a full home inspection. If you're buying an older home, I'll suggest scheduling it early, because an insurance surprise the week before closing is nobody's idea of fun.

It documents the features that help a home stand up to wind, like roof straps, roof shape and impact-rated windows. Florida insurers are required to offer discounts for those features, and the savings can add up. The inspection usually doesn't cost much and can pay for itself in the first year.

If you own the home and it's your permanent residence as of January 1, apply through the Alachua County Property Appraiser by March 1. Homestead lowers your taxable value and caps how much your assessed value can rise each year. Put it on your calendar for your first year in the house. It's an easy one to miss and an expensive one to skip.

Maybe not as much as you fear. Florida's homestead portability can let you carry part of your tax savings to your next home. I explain how it works, with real numbers, in Will My Property Taxes Triple If I Move?

Yes. Whether it's your first home or a space for your business, I help clients buy and sell residential and commercial properties throughout Gainesville and North Central Florida, with the backing of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.