Jessica Duncan: Just My Opinion

 Is your dog like a member of your family?  In this episode of "Just My Opinion," Jessica Duncan shares her top tips, advice, and insights for creating a truly dog-friendly home. Learn how to customize your living space, from house hunting considerations to luxury dog amenities, making it more enjoyable for both you and your four-legged family member. From smart flooring choices, custom crates, to elaborate dog washing st...

"How's the market?" It's a loaded question, but Jessica's breaking it down for you! This episode provides a detailed 2025 real estate market update focusing on single-family residential homes in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Discover the latest trends in sales, list price vs. sales price, and crucial "days on market" data. From shifts in new construction and resale home prices, pinpointing the...

Considering passing on your dream home because it's a part of an HOA? Jessica debunks common myths and dives deep into everything you need to know about Homeowners Associations. Discover what HOAs are for, how your fees are used, and how to find the right HOA fit for your lifestyle. We'll cover architectural review committees, how to handle HOA fines (and avoid costly mistakes!), understanding variances, and what to look ...

Today, Jessica is unlocking the secrets to minimizing your Florida property taxes. First, she'll provide an in-depth review of various deductions, including the popular Homestead Exemption, and then she shares a lesser-known tax break that she just found out about! Not only is she uncovering deductions, she also covers the process for appealing a high assessment, and crucial deadlines for applying for deductions. From understa...

Are you truly ready for hurricane season? Jessica uses her years of knowledge as a Florida resident to bring you this essential episode goes beyond the basics, offering critical tips for home safety, generator maintenance, and stocking your emergency kit. Learn how to harden your home against hurricane damage, understand the nuances of insurance coverage, and what to do after the storm hits, including navigating insurance claims.  ...

Thinking about buying or selling a luxury home in the Pensacola area? Jessica breaks down what defines luxury in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County markets (Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre), looking at the long-term selling and buying trends, market stats, and what today's discerning buyers really want.

Jessica leans into her experience to share the must-have features current luxury clients are looking for, the differences in t...

Are you dreaming of owning a waterfront home in the Florida Panhandle? Don't make a costly mistake! Jessica shares essential advice on how to buy the right waterfront property, whether it's a house or condo. Learn what you must consider before buying waterfront real estate in Florida, including: water activities, location, maintenance costs, insurance considerations, and MORE.

Whether you're dreaming of a Gulf view or...

Have you ever been told you need to buy property to build wealth, but have never understood why? Jessica is joined by Rob Benson, a Mortgage Loan Advisor from Legacy Mutual Mortgage, to delve into the financial intricacies of real estate investments, specifically focusing on key tax strategies for property owners. They discuss the importance of creating a clear plan for clients, understanding the benefits of investment  properties ...

Think you have no options when facing foreclosure? While it may be intimidating, Jessica can help you navigate this challenging situation. She'll focus on what foreclosure means, how to identify when you're in the process, and the importance of acting quickly. From short-term financial setbacks to long-term changes, Jessica shares specific strategies to negotiate with your bank or leverage your home's equity. 

Is your home no longer meeting your needs but the thought of moving twice is holding you back? Jessica Duncan addresses this issue by discussing how to right-size your home without the double hassle. She introduces the concept of a simultaneous close, sharing her key steps including setting realistic expectations, evaluating current home value, exploring financing options, and negotiating contracts. Jessica also covers challenges r...

Have you ever wondered about the story behind Jessica's real estate career? Holly Lovett, owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Main Street Properties, interviews Jessica, delving into the personal journey that shaped her success. Together they uncover  insights on building genuine client relationships, understanding their true needs, and providing continuous support long after closing.

From her strategies for cust...

Whether your new construction is spec built, custom built, or semi-custom Jessica is going to tell you WHY you still need to work with a real estate agent. She highlights the value agents bring, such as ensuring home inspections, and negotiating with builders. 

From understanding and managing closing costs, and advising on both pre and post-closing activities Jessica is debunking the false information you may have been given.

Home Ha...

Title expert, Shawn McCorkle, Director of Florida Operations and owner of Foundation Title and Escrow discusses with Jessica the intricacies of title insurance, and the role of title insurance companies.

Shawn's extensive experience with first selling properties and then moving to the title insurance side of the transaction allows her insight into what buyers may be questioning or confused by, and shapes the guidance ...

No one wants the alarming experience of receiving a home insurance cancellation notice, but if it happens, do you know what to do? Jessica provides in-depth insights on common reasons for cancellations, while sharing crucial preventative measures by highlighting the importance of informing insurance companies about home upgrades like new roofs or windows. From forced policies, to home equity lines of credit, and updating crucial do...

Joined by her trusted home inspector, Taylor Smith of Taylor-Made Home Inspections LLC, Jessica dives into the nuances of home inspections, sharing tips on what to look for in a qualified inspector, the importance of experience, what  four-point inspection is, and communicating effectively. Taylor shares personal stories from his years in the field, including bizarre and memorable inspection scenarios and the importance of performi...

When was the last time you dusted your walls? Or adjusted your sprinkler heads? Today, Jessica shares her essential spring cleaning tips, focusing on often-overlooked tasks that ensure a thorough home refresh. 

She provides practical advice on cleaning appliances, dusting neglected areas, and organizing storage spaces. From decluttering closets and pantries to detailed kitchen and laundry room maintenance, Jessica emphasizes the imp...

Have you ever looked up your home on Zillow and had sticker shock at the Zestimate? Jessica debunks those numbers and tells you what Zillow may, or may not know about your property. 

From sales histories to property features like pools and square footage, Jessica highlights nuances that Zillow's automated systems may overlook and the importance of getting a professional comparative market analysis (CMA) and appraisals for deter...

What will happen to your assets when you die? Not everyone spends as much time thinking about this as Jessica and her guest, Managing Attorney Amanda Lynch Elliott at My Pink Lawyer®. From the significance of having a will or a trust, the probate process in Florida, and how to prevent complications that may arise when one partner becomes incapacitated Amanda explains various aspects of estate planning. 

Home Hack: Setting Up Yo...

The script is flipped as Jessica find herself in the hotseat ready to tackle questions from her guest, Laura Griffin, about the real estate market in Pensacola and trends for 2025.

Home Hack: Williams Sonoma Sponges

Produced by:  Emily Rodriguez Virtual Services LLC

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There’s no handbook to owning a home. That’s why Jessica Duncan with Scenic Sotheby's Int...