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From the Publisher

News You Can Use
We take a lot of pride in how much information is packed into every issue of Jacksonville Homebuyer. But we may have outdone ourselves this time.

For example, we’ve selected the region’s top new-home communities in an informative feature called “Where to Buy in ‘08.”? The communities, selected by our editors in consultation with industry pros, were evaluated based upon a number of criteria, including planning, theming, amenities, variety and value.

If you’re interested in the kind of lifestyle offered by master-planned communities, then you’ll want to refer to this first-time feature when deciding where to look.

But also in this issue, we present, for the third year, our annual “Five Star Realtor” compilation. In case you haven’t seen this feature before, it’s the results of a survey of thousands of recent Northeast Florida homebuyers. In it, we asked recipients to rate the level of service they received from their Realtor.

Only Realtors who rate the highest in customer satisfaction can call themselves Five Star Realtors. And the list appears in this issue. Why is this important to you? If you’re buying a home in today’s confusing market, it’s more important than ever that you seek the assistance of a seasoned real estate pro—someone who knows the industry and can help you make smart choices.

The Five Star Realtors are the best of the best. And that’s not just our opinion. It’s the opinion of the people who really matter—their customers. So if you’re looking for a new home, this list will be a priceless resource for you.

In the spirit of the holidays, we asked several of the region’s top design pros to offer tips on decorating the entryways of our homes. And we examine the burgeoning green building trend, offering a consumer’s guide to environmentally friendly homebuiding.

Finally, you’ll meet Larry Murr, a local remodeler who has emerged as a national leader in the industry through an emphasis on professionalism and education. I’m certainly proud that in Jacksonville, the remodeling industry has Larry and others like him setting the standard.

As always, we’ve got the most complete community listings to be found anywhere, in print or online. And the public and private school directory that so many homebuyers refer to. And the neighborhood grand tour.

There’s even more, of course, but like a family of five in a one-bedroom apartment, I’ve run out of space. Enjoy this issue—and more important, use it.

—Penelope Geismar, Publisher
penelopeg@florida-homebuyer.com