Jacksonville Real Estate

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2009-04-02T19:37:00.001-07:00

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Do You Know the Score?

2008-07-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Your credit score, that is. Millions of Americans don’t realize that they can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars annually by maintaining a good credit score. With a high credit score you’ll qualify for lower interest rates on credit cards, auto loans, home equity loans and mortgages. Landlords and utility companies often check your scores as well to determine your credit worthiness. The savings from a good credit score can be substantial and may make the difference between being able to afford your dream home and having to continue renting.

Credit scores range from 200 to 800, with the top number representing a sterling rating. The closer you are to the bottom, the less chance you have of obtaining a loan at anything resembling a reasonable rate.

If you don’t know what condition your credit is in, you can request a free credit report from any one of three bureaus – Equifax Inc., TransUnion LLC or Experian Group. You’re entitled to one report from each of the three every year. The report will show your current loan and credit card standing. To learn your actual numerical score usually costs about $15. Log on to www.annualcreditreport.com to learn more or order a report.

There are a number of ways you can increase your credit score, according to Washington Mutual bank of Seattle:

-Avoid charging above your maximum limit on a credit card, or coming close to the limit. It’s best to stay at 50% or lower.

-Don’t open multiple new accounts at the same time

-Pay off your debt; don’t switch it to another card
-Pay down large credit card balances

-Don’t miss a monthly payment; pay the minimum if that’s all you can afford at the time

-On the other hand, don’t get into the habit of always paying the minimum

If your credit score isn’t all it should be, heeding any of the above steps should help. For more information and advice, contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at http://www.cccsatl.org/.

Florida Home Sales Picture a Little Brighter

2008-07-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Florida homeowners aren’t dancing in the streets just yet. But there is good news on the horizon. Overall, sales of existing homes were up for the third consecutive month in May, according to the Florida Association of REALTORS (FAR).

However, buyers are being very particular about neighborhoods. According to Jack Winston, a real estate analyst with Miami-based Goodkin Consulting, the rising cost of gas is stimulating activity in downtown areas and other locations close to work and amenities. This is good news for Dade county markets like Doral, Hialeah, North Miami and, in Broward, West Hollywood, Miramar and sections of Lauderhill. In Broward, about 651 houses and condos listed for less than $199,000 were bought and sold in May, a substantial increase from 2007.

Part of this activity is being spurred by lowered prices due to the many foreclosures in the area. Although financing regulations have tightened up, buyers who are “moving up” are often able to use the money from the sale of their lower-priced home as a substantial down payment for a foreclosure or home whose price has been lowered for a quick sale.
European and out-of-state investors may also be influencing the increase in sales, especially in markets like Miami Beach which experienced more sales in May than almost any other area in Miami-Dade. However, investors and speculators are generally looking for single property values and are not expected to ignite another real estate boom here as they did in the 90s and early 2000s.

The ABCs of CDDs

2008-05-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

Many of you have probably heard about CDDs—Community Development Districts—but may not understand exactly what they are. CDDs are boards that levy fees on homeowners in certain developments in order to build amenities such as pools, golf courses, club houses, etc, without having to raise the local tax rate. They are also used to construct roads and lay in utility lines that serve the homeowners who pay the CDD fees.

The good news about CDDs is that homeowners pay a certain amount every year, rather than being assessed for the entire fee up front. CDD fees are also tax deductible for the property owner, as opposed to HOA fees, which are not. They also enable builders to create upscale communities that wouldn’t be possible without the CDD fees, according to Florida state legislator Ken Littlefield.

However, Littlefield notes that buyers often don’t know the risks and aren’t told about all the things that can happen, such as fees going up or paying for amenities that don’t directly benefit the homeowners. Currently, Florida law only requires a sales contract to include a disclaimer stating that CDDs may be imposed on the property. Homeowners are often surprised to learn that the CDD fees may increase at the developer’s discretion, with no recourse available to them. This is because CDD boards are initially comprised of the developer’s associates and are not required to have any homeowner representation for up to the first six years of their existence.

My advice: if you’re purchasing a home in a self-contained community, be sure to ask your real estate agent, or the developer, if there is a CDD clause in the contract. As I stated earlier, CDDs have been the driving force behind many of the fabulous upscale communities that have been built in our area recently. But, as a homeowner, make sure that you are informed about any possible future financial effects of a CDD.

Is the Housing Crisis Over?

2008-05-13T13:48:00.002-07:00

I won’t jump the gun and say that all is well but, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, housing prices have been slowly, if steadily, declining since 2006. The author, Cyril Moulle-Berteaux, notes that in 2005 and 2006, the average home mortgage required 25% of a buyer’s monthly income. For first-time buyers, the numbers were more intimidating, with homes often commandeering up to 37% of the household income. Ouch!

Over the past two years, as more people have been unable to purchase or maintain their current homes, housing prices have fallen 10% - 15%, while income is steadily growing. Home prices now are on par with where they were in the 1990s and, consequently, more people are able to afford to buy. This is especially helpful to first time homebuyers.

Will this decline in housing prices lead to a dramatic drop in home value for people who already own homes? Not to worry, according to Mr. Moulle-Berteaux. As inventories of unsold homes decrease (due to increased affordability and people buying them), the market will start to swing upward again. This is a pattern that has occurred consistently in the U.S. housing market and there is no reason to expect that this time will be different. We can, however, hope that the growth will be slow and steady, and avoid the fireworks that led to drastic price increases, speculative loans and a rash of foreclosures.

If you’d like to see what is available in the Jacksonville area in your price range, give me a call.

Gina

Florida Home Sales on the Rise

2008-05-13T13:48:00.001-07:00

If you’ve been waiting to sell your Jacksonville area home, here’s some good news on the real estate front. The Florida Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales were up 10% from February to March of this year. That increase, along with Jacksonville’s ranking as #26 in the Forbes 100 Best Cities for Jobs in 2008, makes this a good time to put your house on the market.

The decision to sell your home is a complicated one that requires a lot of preparation and decision-making. As a long-time real estate agent in Jacksonville, I have many years of experience helping families price, market and showcase their homes. I have the marketing expertise and the know-how to make your home sell in the shortest possible time for the best possible price.

So, if you’re ready to sell, call me. Together we’ll take advantage of improving market conditions in the Jacksonville area to ensure the best possible home sale experience possible.

Gina

Jacksonville Real Estate Market Looking Good

2008-05-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Because Jacksonville and northeast Florida never went through the crazy real estate speculation boom that affected other U.S. regions, things are looking up for property owners in our area. In fact, Jacksonville was named number 8 in a list of Ten Best Cities for Bargain House Hunters compiled by Forbes magazine.

A recent report by the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic research estimates that real estate value in Duval County will climb by 3% in 2008, making it one of only two counties in the state (the other is Leon) that will sustain an increase in the housing market. More good news for Jacksonville house hunters—the city ranked 19th out of 100 markets in private sector job growth. Add to this the fact that Jacksonville’s inflation rate was below the nation’s average and we can consider ourselves fortunate to live in this lovely and stable community. (Plus, there’s that fabulous weather).

If you’ve been waiting to look for a home, now would be a great time to start looking. Ditto if you’ve been thinking of moving up or downsizing. In my many years as a real estate agent in Jacksonville, I can honestly say that there has never been a better time to buy…or sell. Let me help you turn your real estate dreams into reality.

Gina

Relocating to Jacksonville

2008-01-30T21:08:00.001-08:00

Relocating to Jacksonville

Whether you’re moving to Jacksonville from another state, across town, or another country, Gina LaBarbera is ready to help make the process as easy as possible. Having made the move to Jacksonville almost 20 years ago, Gina knows the ins and outs of Palm Coast, the Beaches, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Hammock Beach and all the other communities surrounding Jacksonville.

Gina understands the hundreds of details that are involved in finding a new home and moving, especially long distance; that’s why she’s gathered everything you need to know about relocating to Jacksonville on this web site. You’ll find home listings, neighborhood profiles, school data and information about cultural and recreational activities.

Research your location here!

This link includes city reports, salary calculator, school reports and moving information!

She also knows that your time is at a premium, especially if you’re trying to balance work, a family and a move. That’s why Gina will help you find your Jacksonville area home through a virtual search, using the most technologically advanced tools in the real estate industry. She’ll listen carefully to your requirements and then work tirelessly to locate properties and neighborhoods that fill the bill. You’ll have the opportunity to view virtual tours on her web site and learn everything you need to know about the communities which interest you. When you’re ready to visit Jacksonville, she’ll plan your in-person home search to view only those homes that meet your criteria and make the most effective use of your time.

You can start the relocation to Jacksonville process right now, simply and easily. Just click the boxes below and Gina will be happy to send you the information you request.

The many different areas of Jacksonville

2008-01-30T20:58:00.000-08:00

THE BEACHES
Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach are contiguous coastal cities known for their lively pubs and good restaurants. Increasingly these low-key communities are attracting affluent homebuyers who are charmed by the laid-back and unpretentious ambiance.
"The Beaches," as locals refer to the area, are certainly tied to Jacksonville by geography, but they have steadfastly sought to maintain separate identities. When Jacksonville and Duval County adopted a consolidated government in 1968, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach insisted on retaining their own municipal charters and elected officials.
Starting from the north, here's a look at these once remote cities, which were settled by rugged pioneers and still attract people looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.
Mayport, at the mouth of the St. Johns, retains a gritty rough-and-tumble charm and is home to commercial fishing and shrimping operations as well as the huge Mayport Naval Station.
Locals enjoy traveling to Mayport via ferryboat, which departs from facilities on Hecksher Drive at the southernmost tip of Fort George Island.
The main attractions: dining at decrepit but delightful seafood eateries such as Singleton's, a local landmark, or chugging beers at any number of colorful drinking establishments along A1A, also called Mayport Road. Gambling cruises also depart from Mayport daily, and charter boats are available for deep-sea fishing excursions.
Mayport was originally known as Hazard because the large, dangerous sandbar at the mouth of the river made navigation tricky for ships. By the 1830s, it was a bustling little village in which most of the residents were employed by a sawmill.
By the 1870s Mayport had become a popular getaway for Jacksonvillians, many of whom built cottages along the ocean. In the 1880s construction of two huge jetties allowed ships to enter the channel safely and boosted Jacksonville's stature as a port city.
In 1899 Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway bought the defunct Jacksonville & Atlantic Railway, which ran from the Arlington area to Jacksonville Beach. Flagler, the legendary developer, then extended a northward line to Mayport, making all the Beaches communities more accessible.
In 1914 an heiress named Elizabeth Stark bought acreage around Ribault Bay and built an elaborate estate called Wonderwood-by-the-Sea, where several silent movies, including a handful starring Laurel and Hardy, were made during Jacksonville's filmmaking years. The U.S. Navy purchased the property during World War II.
Today the only historic buildings in Mayport are the Old St. Johns Lighthouse, a 145-year-old tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the nearby wood-frame Mayport Presbyterian Church. The eight-block downtown consists mainly of shabby seafood packing houses and a handful of funky restaurants.
Mayport proper, however, may be getting a facelift. Five years ago the city of Jacksonville and the city of Atlantic Beach joined forces to form the Mayport Waterfront Partnership, a multi-agency board seeking to revitalize the downtown area. Roads have been paved, sewer lines laid, and a proposal is pending to install sidewalks and period lighting.
There's also plenty of natural splendor for tourists. Just south of the Naval Station is the 450-acre Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, which boasts one and a half miles of beachfront, 300 campsites and 60 acres of stocked freshwater fishing lakes. And the Poles of Mayport, named for a dividing line of pilings that separate the Naval Station from the park, is renowned as the region's best surfing spot.
In contrast to its working-class neighbor to the north, Atlantic Beach began as a lavish playground for the wealthy. In 1899, when his rail line was complete, Flagler began to develop the area as a resort community, the centerpiece of which was the fabulous Continental Hotel.
The hotel, completed in 1901, was at the time one of the largest wooden buildings in the South: 447 feet long and 47 feet wide, with 186 rooms. But the community's resort heyday was short-lived; the Continental burned to the ground in 1919.
By then, Atlantic Beach was attracting year-round residents, thanks in large part to the 1910 opening of Atlantic Boulevard, which connected the Arlington area to the coastal communities.
Today, Atlantic Beach's tree-lined streets are primarily residential, with funky old beach cottages next to sprawling new mansions. Non-beachfront residents can access the sand and surf from many well-placed, well-maintained dune crossings.
Of course, there's plenty of action in Atlantic Beach. The area of Atlantic Boulevard between Third Street and the ocean, recently refurbished and dubbed Town Center, boasts some of Northeast Florida's liveliest nightspots. Among the most popular is Ragtime Tavern Seafood & Grille, Jacksonville's oldest brew pub, known for such foamy concoctions as Dolphin's Breath Lager, Red Brick Ale and A. Strange Stout.
Spunky Neptune Beach, the smallest of the Beaches communities, was originally part of Jacksonville Beach. It was incorporated as a separate entity following a 1931 "tax revolt" by residents who felt they were receiving short shrift on services such as street paving, fire and police protection and garbage collection.
As Beaches property values increase, Neptune Beach remains a place where diligent shoppers can still find a fixer-upper for around $250,000. Renters, who take up residence in garage flats and duplexes, also have plenty of affordable options.
Neptune Beach has at least one genuine landmark: Pete's Bar, a friendly hole-in-the-wall that was mentioned in the John Grisham bestseller The Brethren. Pete's, established in 1933, is said to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in Northeast Florida and attracts a loyal clientele with its everybody-knows-your-name ambiance and 25-cent billiard tables.
The largest, oldest and southernmost Beaches community is Jacksonville Beach, which was first known as Ruby, named for the daughter of a pioneering family who settled the area in the 1880s.
Jacksonville Beach has long offered an escape for harried inlanders, first with resort hotels, such as the 350-room Murray Hall in the 1890s, and later with an amusement park featuring a wooden roller coaster.
The city earned international recognition in 1922 when Lt. Jimmy Doolittle broke the transcontinental speed record by flying from Jacksonville Beach to San Diego in less than 24 hours.
But the community really started to grow when Beach Boulevard opened in 1949, supplying a second, more southerly route from Jacksonville to the coastal communities.
In 1998 a Mediterranean-style city hall was built, and four parks were acquired in 2000: Latham Plaza with the Sea Walk Pavilion, South Beach Park and a site for a new county pier between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Hurricane Floyd wrecked the old wooden pier in 1999, but its 1,300-foot-long replacement is made of concrete.
Jacksonville Beach is also known for its annual festivals, including Fiesta Playera, a celebration of Latin music and culture; Springing the Blues; Cajun Crawfish Festival; The Beaches Festival; Moonlight Movies; and the Key West Conch Festival.
Nightlife options abound. Among the hot spots: the Ocean Club, a noisy disco; the Freebird Café, which hosts live performances ranging from Dickey Betts to Blues Traveler to Willie Nelson; and Sneakers Sports Grille, a 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art sports bar boasting six 38-foot widescreen and five plasma televisions.
The lively lifestyle has helped fuel a condominium boom. Five multifamily developments have been built in the past two years; four are under construction and at least 20 others are on the drawing board. That's remarkable considering that no new complexes were built in Jacksonville Beach between 1987 and 2002. Now they can't be built fast enough to keep pace with demand.

DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE
On May 3, 1901, a family living in a shanty at the edge of downtown Jacksonville began to prepare a midday meal. An errant cinder leapt from the chimney of the stove and floated west, landing on a pile of moss in the yard of a mattress factory at Davis and Beaver streets.
That spark began a cataclysm that would remake this rough-and-tumble port city into a modern metropolis. The Great Fire of 1901, as it would come to be known, destroyed 2,368 buildings-most of downtown-and left 10,000 people homeless.
No sooner had the smoke cleared than a new Jacksonville rose, quite literally, from the ashes. Within five years, 1,500 new buildings went up, including several designed by nationally recognized architects energized at the prospect of helping to rebuild a major city.
In the decades that followed, Jacksonville has been characterized in turns as a resort destination, a movie capital, a golf mecca, a manufacturing center, a progressive business center and, as of February 2005, a Super Bowl city.
The world got a good look at downtown Jacksonville during Super Bowl XXXIX, when the Main Street Bridge was closed to traffic and recast as a promenade for events along the St. Johns River, and docked cruise ships provided lodging for visitors.
The international exposure provided a boost, but downtown was already on the rise. In addition to 5.6 miles of water frontage, Jacksonville's urban core boasts 256 acres of parks and public spaces, at least 90 eateries of every type imaginable and numerous galleries, museums and theaters.
Alltel Stadium has undergone more than $59 million worth of improvements, while the red-brick, AAA-eligible Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville has replaced 45-year-old Wolfson Park. And construction was completed in 2003 on Veterans Memorial Arena, which plays host to major concerts and sporting events.
Additional downtown projects include a federal courthouse at Hemming Plaza and a new replacement for the circa-1950s public library. Also in the works: a renovation and expansion of The Jacksonville Landing, a struggling riverfront entertainment and retail complex originally opened in 1987.
Mayor John Peyton reiterated the city's commitment to a more vibrant downtown when he told a women's business group he believes the city needs 8,000 to 10,000 housing units in the area. So far, more than 2,000 condominiums and rental apartments have come online, and about 4,600 have been proposed.
As of today, the number of residents in downtown proper is just 1,200. But 25 percent of those relocated within the past two years, according to Lyn Briggs, director of marketing at Downtown Vision, a business improvement and advocacy organization.
"We're becoming a residential community," says Briggs, who hopes downtown can reach a critical mass of 10,000 residents within nine years.
Briggs' group defines downtown using the following boundaries: On the Northbank, the boundaries are State Street to the north, A. Philip Randolph Avenue to the east, the St. Johns to the south and I-95 to McCoy's Creek on the west.
On the Southbank, the boundaries are the St. Johns to the north, Prudential Drive to the south, the Fuller Warren Bridge to the west and the Southside Generating Station to the east.
Perhaps the most publicized downtown development is a proposed 45-acre mixed-use complex on the site of the old Jacksonville Shipyards. Last year, following squabbles with the original developer, the Jacksonville City Council voted to turn the Shipyards project over to Jacksonville-based LandMar Group.
Over a period of years, LandMar will transform the vacant property into a $450 million complex of condominiums, town homes, offices, shops and hotels. Although final plans have not been released, the property could contain up to 662 residences, 100,000 square feet of commercial space, 1 million square feet of office space, 350 hotel rooms and one marina slip.
Says LandMar chief executive officer Ed Burr, "This project will lead us to greatness as a city."
A number of historic downtown buildings are also being rehabbed and converted to residential use.

MANDARIN
When Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the anti-slavery classic Uncle Tom's Cabin, settled rural Mandarin in the late 1870s, she was attracted by the area's natural beauty and its suitability for growing citrus.
Stowe certainly wouldn't recognize today's Mandarin, which contains some of Northeast Florida's most affluent riverfront developments as well as virtually every kind of business imaginable.
Stowe moved to Florida from Litchfield, Conn., in 1866 and purchased the old Laurel Grove plantation, near what is now Orange Park. The plantation had once been owned by Zephaniah Kingsley, a land baron who made his fortune in the slave trade.
The following year Stowe purchased 30 acres in Mandarin and built a large home overlooking the river. Assisted by other family members who followed, she became a small-scale citrus grower and established a school to educate former slaves.
Stowe later wrote about her life in Mandarin, which she termed "a tropical paradise," in the book Palmetto-Leaves. This modest series of sketches, which was widely read in the North, did much to promote Florida's charms and encourage relocation. In fact, Palmetto-Leaves is considered to be among the first, and certainly the most literary, of Florida's ubiquitous promotional brochures.
Despite more than a century of uninterrupted growth, the community's history has not been forgotten. In 1997 the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society completed restoration of the Walter Jones Store and Post Office, a circa-1911 structure that once served as the community's focal point. The building, which is still used for meetings and other functions, also displays artifacts of the region's original inhabitants, the Timucuan Indians.
A new facility for the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society has been completed at the Walter Jones Historical Park, a lush riverfront park that includes the restored Jones family home as well as outbuildings such as barns and storage sheds.
Also generally considered to be part of Mandarin is Loretto, nestled between San Jose Boulevard to the west and Philips Highway to the east. The community, formed by the Diocese of St. Augustine following the Civil War, was clustered around a convent and a school where nuns educated both residents and freed slaves.
Today Loretto is the site of new homes priced from the $250s to the $750s. Along bustling San Jose Boulevard, virtually every kind of restaurant and retail outlet can be found.

NORTHSIDE
The Northside has been described as Duval County's last frontier for development. Its 850 square miles boast stunning scenery and such ecological wonders as Huguenot Memorial Park, Big Talbot and Little Talbot islands and the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.
Increasingly new subdivisions are cropping up-at least 80 projects in the past two years-spurred in part by plentiful, relatively affordable land and adjacency to Jacksonville International Airport. Consequently the Northside's population is expected to grow by 33 percent over the next 10 years, following a 23 percent gain between 1990 and 2000. Thus the Northside will eclipse the Southside as Jacksonville's fastest-growing sector.
Is the region ready for such a massive influx? In fact, officials have been expecting it. Two years ago the city completed a $500,000 study called the North Jacksonville Vision and Master Plan. The plan calls for development of seven village-center-style projects around which growth can cluster.
The first such center is the River City Marketplace, a $300 million project now under way at I-95 and Duval Road. The first phase, expected to open soon, will boast a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The 465-acre site will also encompass multifamily homes, a hotel and hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail and light-industrial space.
Industrial relocation is also driving population growth. For example, The Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is building a $200 million terminal on 158 acres at Dames Point. Mitsui officials and city representatives estimate 1,800 new jobs-at an average salary of $45,000-will be created by the project, which is slated to open in 2008.

ORTEGA
Ortega, tucked south of downtown Jacksonville on the Westbank, is a quintessential old-money enclave. The neighborhood is a peninsula that boasts stately old homes, a small retail district and two private clubs: the Florida Yacht Club and Timuquana Country Club.
How rich is Ortega? Worth magazine once ranked it among the 50 wealthiest neighborhoods in the country.
Drive along the tree-lined streets and that lofty assessment seems reasonable. The lovely old homes feature an eclectic mixture of architectural styles, and the neighborhood is dotted with parks, including Cortez Park, site of Ortega's annual Fall Festival.
Ortega Village, a charming shopping district, boasts a drugstore with an old-fashioned soda fountain. The 1920s Ortega River Bridge is one of the oldest functioning drawbridges in the state.
The neighborhood known as "Old Ortega" is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation came about as a result of efforts by the Ortega Preservation Society, which commissioned an architectural survey of the area.

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE
For a neighborhood steeped in history, Riverside/Avondale is bustling with activity. Posh new condominium and town home projects are taking shape along the St. Johns River, while architects and remodelers are carefully restoring some of the region's most beautiful old homes.
And with the opening of the $8 million Riverside Market Square retail center in 2002, residents can now walk to a new Publix Supermarket as well as to restaurants and shops. The project was built on the site of the demolished Riverside Hospital.
Designation of the area as a historic district six years ago signaled the dawning of a new golden age for Riverside/Avondale, which first blossomed at the turn of the century, when captains of industry began building signature showplaces along the St. Johns. Indeed, this three-mile swath of handsome homes, known as "The Row," was considered to be one of the most beautiful streets in the country.
In fact, Riverside was started after the Civil War by Northern real estate speculators who sought to transform the vast plantation acreage overlooking the St. Johns into a neighborhood for the elite. By the turn of the century, Riverside Avenue was the city's most elegant residential street.
Its first heyday lasted from about 1895 to 1929, when architects and builders sought to outdo one another with ever more impressive Colonial Revival, Georgian, Queen Anne and Tudor residences. Even proponents of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School found expression in Riverside.
In 1920 a group of investors bought property immediately south of the neighborhood and subdivided it into 720 lots. Avondale, as the development was called, at first boasted primarily Mediterranean-style homes influenced by architect Addison Mizner.
Eventually the two neighborhoods grew together and are now all but indistinguishable from one another. The Riverside/Avondale Preservation Group keeps careful watch over proposed new projects and renovations.
Although there's no land available for significant single-family home development, there are a handful of boutique multifamily projects either recently completed or under way.
Shopping and dining in Riverside/Avondale is also an adventure. The nearby Five Points retail district is one of the most eclectic in the Southeast, comprised of funky boutiques, ultra-hip nightspots and a musty, New York-style newsstand offering daily papers from around the world and a seemingly infinite assortment of magazines.
Other neighborhood retail areas include St. Johns Avenue in Avondale, the intersection of Park and King streets in Riverside and the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Post Street in Murray Hill. Riverside/Avondale is also home to several public parks, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and St. Vincent's Medical Center.

SAN MARCO
In the 1920s, developer Telfair Stockton and his family vacationed in Venice, Italy, where they visited the elegant Piazza San Marco. Fortunately for Northeast Floridians, Stockton was so enchanted by its quaint beauty that he sought to recreate it along the banks of the St. Johns.
Today, with its graceful homes and welcoming business district, San Marco is one of Jacksonville's neighborhood treasures.
When Stockton first began selling San Marco lots in 1925, he envisioned a community with a Mediterranean motif. That would have been a marked contrast to his successful Avondale project, which was notable for its array of housing styles.
But by the time San Marco began to blossom, public fascination with all things Mediterranean had faded. Although cigar magnates John Swisher and his son, Carl, built two magnificent Mediterranean-Revival mansions side by side on River Road, others adopted Tudor, Georgian and Colonial styles.
Likewise in the business district, which had been dubbed San Marco Square despite its triangular shape, a variety of architectural styles emerged. The 1930s Art Deco façade of the San Marco Theater and the neighboring Little Theater were decidedly avant-garde for the time.
San Marco also encompasses some of Jacksonville's most popular eateries, including romantic Matthew's, the city's only four-star, four-diamond restaurant. Daniel's has made a name for itself with tableside preparation of classic French dishes, while b.b.'s lures sweet-toothed patrons with obscenely proportioned desserts. Café Carmon offers casual outdoor dining, and more adventurous diners swear by Pom's Thai Bistro, where sea bass in green curry sauce is a favorite.
Several years ago, San Marco merchants, private donors and the city of Jacksonville spent more than $200,000 on a new fountain flanked by carved lions for the small triangular park at the center of San Marco Square.
More recently, the city began major improvements to Hendricks Avenue, the somewhat less upscale commercial corridor that provides an entry point to San Marco Square from the west. Utility lines will be buried, historic lighting will be installed, and trees will be planted. Likewise, the San Marco branch library has doubled in size.

SPRINGFIELD
Along Springfield's 12-block Main Street, local trendsetters dine and drink at Boomtown, while enthusiastic crowds listen to live jazz at the Epicurean Market and Café. At Henrietta's restaurant, there's a permanent art gallery and a theater that screens offbeat films.
Springfield, north of downtown's central business district, is emerging as the city's new arts hub as well as a residential neighborhood where the future is bright and home values are likely to rise as gentrification takes hold.
Still, few would have thought such revitalization was likely just a decade ago. This once prosperous expanse of 1,800 stately homes and its 22-block commercial district had become a slum, and there was little reason to believe that change was in the offing.
But Springfield through the years has been resilient. Today, those who were savvy enough to buy before the start of the comeback have seen their properties double and triple in value.
In fact, according to the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, more than one-third of the historic neighborhood's homes have now been renovated or restored.
City government, private investors and individual homeowners, assisted by civic organizations such as SPAR, are ensuring Springfield's future by resurrecting its past. Last year the city rebuilt Main Street between First and Fourth streets, installing a tree-filled median with antique-style streetlamps and brick crosswalks.
Funding for the project was provided through the Better Jacksonville Plan, which voters approved in 2000 with a half-cent sales tax hike for infrastructure and other improvements.
Now, thanks to a $2.5 million allocation from the state Department of Transportation, the Main Street project will be continued through 12th Street. The work will likely take at least a year to complete, according to city officials, but when it's done the neighborhood's entire primary thoroughfare will have been transformed into a beautiful, landscaped boulevard.
Partly as a ripple effect of the Main Street project, 80,000 square feet of retail and condominium space are slated for construction on the southeast, northeast and northwest corners of Eighth and Pearl streets. And more new businesses are expected to move into now vacant Main Street storefronts as road improvements are completed.
On the residential side, private investors have spent some $20 million over the past year buying and renovating property in Springfield.
This recent activity marks the latest and most hopeful chapter in Springfield's roller-coaster history. First settled in the 1820s, the subdivision of Springfield was platted in 1882. But it came into its own following the Great Fire of 1901, which wiped out much of downtown Jacksonville but spared Springfield thanks to Hogan's Creek, which acted as a natural firebreak.
Many downtown dwellers who had been burned out of their homes sought to rebuild their lives in Springfield. And because many of the relocators were well-to-do, the homes they built reflected an array of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School.
In fact, one of Springfield's most notable buildings is Main Street's Klutho Apartments, designed and built in 1913 by architect Henry J. Klutho, a Wright disciple. The building has been restored largely through the efforts of developer David Lee, whose one-year volunteer commitment to the project stretched into five years.
But beginning in the 1950s, Springfield, like other urban neighborhoods, fell victim to the growing popularity of suburbs. Neglected homes were purchased by slumlords, crime increased, and blight set in.
"I think we have a critical mass of buyers now who are interested in living downtown," says Myrtice Craig of Prudential Network Realty. "They love these old homes and they love the atmosphere. They don't have preconceived ideas based on what Springfield has been. They see it for what it can be."
An opportune time to see Springfield at its most appealing is during the neighborhood's annual holiday home tour, during which horse-drawn carriages rumble past restored homes.

SOUTHSIDE
Want to see a movie, grab dinner or go shopping? If so, you're likely to end up on the Southside, which is generally considered to lie north of J. Turner Butler Boulevard, south of Atlantic Boulevard, east of University Boulevard and west of St. Johns Bluff Road.
The Cinemark Tinseltown, a movie megacomplex with huge screens and comfy, stadium-style seating, has established itself as one of the most popular draws in Northeast Florida, bringing crowds to Southside Boulevard to catch a flick and enjoy the nightlife.
New on the Southside is The St. Johns Town Center, an open-air mall at J. Turner Butler Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road. Ben Carter Properties of Atlanta and Simon Property Group of Indianapolis developed the 1.5 million-square-foot plaza, which opened in March.
Among the tenants are Dillards, Dick's Sporting Goods, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Sephora, Old Navy, Staples, Design of the Interior, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Guess, Ann Taylor Loft and Sharper Image.
This burgeoning where-the-action-is ambiance has kicked the Southside's residential appeal up a notch, especially for younger people, many of whom work at nearby office parks. In fact, about 27 percent of Southside residents are between the ages of 25 and 34.
Among these buyers, condominiums are particularly hot, with multifamily offerings ranging from affordable apartment conversions to upscale, amenity-rich new construction. The nearby campuses of the University of North Florida and Florida Community College at Jacksonville are added draws.
But the Southside also encompasses plenty of old and new single-family developments in a variety of price ranges. You can spend $1 million for a home in Deerwood Country Club, first developed 30 years ago, or you can pick up a new home from $300,000 or more in several newer neighborhoods.
The new interchange connecting I-95 and I-295 with the Florida 9A beltway should help ease the Southside traffic situation.

ARLINGTON/INTRACOASTAL WEST
Arlington is home to Jacksonville University and some of Northeast Florida's most precious environmental and historical landmarks.
It's also a center for commerce, encompassing Regency Square Mall and vast expanses of shopping centers, restaurants and office buildings. Downtown is just a short drive over the Mathews Bridge, and the Beaches are just 20 minutes away via Atlantic Boulevard.
Although much of Arlington was developed in the 1950s and '60s, its history goes back much further. French explorer Jean Ribault came ashore here in 1562, preparing the way for a second French expedition to start a colony called La Caroline two years later. The centerpiece of the settlement was an earth-and-wood fort built on the banks of the St. Johns, which was then called the River of May.
The Spanish, led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, later routed the French and captured Fort Caroline. Remains of the fort and the meadow on which it stood were swallowed when the river was dredged. But in 1964 a replica of the triangular structure was built and stands today in the 680-acre Fort Caroline National Memorial.
Arlington was also central to Jacksonville's brief heyday as a film capital in the 1920s. At the urging of an organization called Old Arlington Inc., the city bought and is attempting to restore four of five buildings that made up the Norman Film Studios complex on Arlington Road. During the 1920s, producer Richard E. Norman made silent films here starring African-American actors.
Homes in Arlington range in price from just under $100,000 to well over $1 million along the water, but the typical price is in the low to mid-$200s. More and more young families are calling Arlington home, with nearly half the residents between 18 and 25 years of age and another quarter between 35 and 44.
Although most closer-in Arlington property has been built out, there's considerable buzz about a new project, Kendall Town Center, developed by GL National, part of Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum Company.

The 300-acre office, residential townhome and retail center is under way north of Regency Square Mall and south of Merrill Road, bordered by Monument Road, Florida 9A and the Southside Connector. The project's anchor, a Wal-Mart Supercenter has been open for more than a year, and other big-box stores are coming, along with an array of boutiques.
Kendale Town Center was approved for up to 1,800 homes, 480,000 square feet of retail space, 360,000 square feet of office space and 280 hotel rooms.
Much of Arlington's growth is occurring in the area informally known as Intracoastal West, once a no-man's land, where the Intracoastal Waterway marks the traditional dividing line between Jacksonville proper and its coastal communities. There, new multifamily projects are springing up wherever land is available.
Intracoastal West residents are just a short drive from employment centers, but the main attraction for homebuyers appears to be adjacency to the Intracoastal Waterway, easy access to the ocean and expansive marsh views.

WESTSIDE
Perhaps Jacksonville's most affordable housing can be found on the Westside, a vast expanse that encompasses Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Herlong Airport as well as dozens of older subdivisions and shopping centers.
In addition to numerous neighborhoods, the Westside includes four small incorporated cities: Baldwin, Marietta, Maxville and Whitehouse.
Much of the land surrounding these cities remains rural, offering opportunities for hunting, boating and fishing. Baldwin, in fact, marks the terminus of the 14.5-mile Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, which runs between Imeson Road and C.R. 121. The trail follows abandoned railroad lines and is frequented by cyclists, inline skaters, walkers and horseback riders.
Another Westside treasure is the 509-acre Westside Regional Park, with a nature center, outdoor classrooms, picnic areas, biking trails and an elevated platform from which to view the expansive wetlands.
Much of the commercial development is in the Wesconnett neighborhood, particularly along Blanding Boulevard, Timuquana Road and 103rd Street. The city's only remaining drive-in, Playtime Family Drive-In and Flea Market, is on Blanding Boulevard.
A new Sleiman Enterprises project is breathing some new life along Roosevelt Boulevard just north of Roosevelt Square. The company is redeveloping the former St. Johns Theatre site near Avondale into a two-building retail center flanking both sides of St. Johns Avenue along Roosevelt Boulevard. The 40,000-square-foot project, called Roosevelt Plaza, will feature two restaurants including a Crispers, which is already open, and seven or eight

Things to do in Jacksonville

2008-01-30T20:52:00.001-08:00

Things to do in Jacksonville

From antique shopping to zoo visits, whatever your passion, you’ll find it here in Jacksonville. As the 14^th largest city in the U.S., Jacksonville has an abundance of things to do including professional sports, fabulous shopping, museums, theater, myriad recreational opportunities, water sports, concerts, dining and, of course, miles of magnificent beaches. With all these activities to choose from, you’ll never run out of things to do in Jacksonville.

Sports

Whether you prefer to cheer from the sidelines or get into the action, you have plenty of choices. With an average of 320 days of sunshine each year, and the coolest summers in the state, Jacksonville is a year-round outdoor paradise.

The Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL take to the field at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The stadium was the site for Super Bowl XXXIX and also hosts the annual Florida/Georgia match-up (billed as the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party!) and the Toyota Gator Bowl. (www.jaguars.com)

Enjoy minor league baseball up close and personal at the Jacksonville Suns’ red brick ballpark in the heart of downtown. The Suns are the Double-A affiliate team of the Los Angeles Dodgers. (www.jaxsuns.com)

Jacksonville has a minor league hockey team, the Barracudas, which is part of the Southern Professional Hockey League. www.jaxcudas.com

The Bausch and Lomb Women’s Professional Tennis Tournament is held each spring on nearby Amelia Island, attracting the best players from around the globe. (www.blchamps.com)

If you like to play tennis, Jacksonville has 134 municipal courts in addition to numerous private clubs. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is headquartered here and sponsors two tournaments each year. (www.atptennis.com)

Ranked one of the best cities for runners by Runner’s World magazine, Jacksonville hosts the Gate River Run, the official USA 15K National Championship each year in March, attracting nearly 8,000 runners who compete for the $10,000 first prize. www.gate-riverrun.com

From the St. Johns River (the longest river contained entirely within the state) to the Intracoastal Waterway to the miles of beaches, Jacksonville has opportunities galore for water sports including boating, sailing, kayaking, surfing, canoeing or fishing. Urban ponds are scattered throughout the city and feature bank fishing for freshwater fish like bream, bass and catfish. Nassau Sound Pier is a great spot for salt-water fishing. www.floridastateparks.org/nassausound/default.cfm

Boating and Fishing

Jacksonville has miles of waterways on which to enjoy your favorite water sports, whether it’s boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing or fishing. The city maintains 22 boat ramps and 9 canoe/kayak launch sites.
The Metropolitan Park Marina has 78 boat slips that hold vessels up to 80 feet LOA along with a few very large yachts. The slips are available to the public on a first-come, first served basis. Reservations are not required except during special events such as Jaguar and college football games at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium or concerts and festivals in Metropolitan Park.

Jacksonville is an angler’s paradise with a great variety of places to hook the big one. Urban ponds are scattered throughout the city and feature bank fishing for freshwater fish like bream, bass and catfish. For salt-water fishing, the Nassau Sound Pier is a great spot. The world record flounder, 20-pounds, 9-ounces, was caught on the pier.

For deep sea fishing, charters are available at Fernandina, Mayport and St. Augustine, as well as from some marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway and the St. Johns River. Charters make it easy to enjoy offshore fishing—the boat, captain, license, tackle and bait are part of the package. Cast your line for grouper, snapper, amberjack, cobia, beeliners and sea bass.

Fishermen from throughout the region gather during the annual BellSouth Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament held at Sisters Creek Park in July, along with a Seafood and Music Festival.

Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-347-4356 for details about fishing licenses. All licenses are available from the county tax collectors’ offices as well as at many tackle shops, fish camps, hardware stores and sporting goods stores.

Cultural Activities

Jacksonville offers a vast collection of cultural venues. Browse the galleries and museums, take in a show, enjoy a classical or rock concert, or attend a dance performance.

Performing Arts

The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts attracts thousands of theater and music fans every month. Located on the St. Johns River, the complex has three halls and is the home of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Community College at Jacksonville Artist Series. www.jaxevents.com/timesunioncenter

Famous for its classic architectural design, the Florida Theatre books 200 performances every year including ballet, opera, contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues. The theater opened in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. www.floridatheatre.com

The Ritz Theatre and La Villa Museum is a center of African American culture and heritage. Built in 1929, the renovated theater seats 400 and boasts a large stage for a variety of movie, music, dance and theatrical productions. Next door, the LaVilla Museum features a mix of African and African American cultural exhibits.

The University of North Florida Fine Arts Center brings a wide variety of entertainment to its arena and two stages. Offerings include children’s theater, opera, country western performances, classical concerts and ice shows. www.unf.edu/fineartscenter

Community theater groups throughout Northeast Florida perform plays and musicals year-round. They include the Alhambra Dinner Theater, Amelia Community Theater, Limelight Theater in St. Augustine, Orange Park Community Theater and Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco, among others.

Nestled on 27 riverfront acres, Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Park serves as a setting for the Starry Night symphony series, Shakespeare at the Met and the annual Jazz Festival. www.coj.net/Departments/Parks+and+Recreation/Special+Events/Metropolitan+Park/default.htm

Nature and Outdoors

Jacksonville has the largest urban park system in the U.S.—and that represents just one facet of the many outdoor opportunities in the metro area. There are over 100 miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails. The St. Johns River and the inland waterways are ideal for fishing, boating and kayaking and there are marshes galore in which you can find wildlife in its natural habitat.

A short drive from Jacksonville, Amelia Island State Park is over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia Island. In addition to its beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests, it is the only state park in Florida to offer horseback riding on the beach.

Located on one of Northeast Florida’s unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is a favorite location for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. Centuries of wind and water have eroded the exposed shoreline coast, creating a 20-foot bluff along the shore. The park’s famous boneyard beach is covered with the skeletons of oak and cedar trees that once grew near the ocean.

Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today’s visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. A key attraction is the recently restored Ribault Club. Once an exclusive resort, it is now a visitor center with meeting space available for special functions. Behind the club, small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters.

The 2006-acre Julington-Durbin Preserve occupies a peninsula formed at the confluence of Julington and Durbin creeks. Along its nine miles of shoreline, you may spot bald eagles, osprey, gopher tortoises, bobcats, turkeys, deer and numerous species of wading and song birds. Manatees swim seasonally in both creeks.

Golf

Golf is a passion here in Jacksonville. With almost 60 courses and 1,100 holes in the seven-county area, the region is a golfer’s paradise.

Every May, the biggest stars in the sport show up for the annual Tournament Players Championship, (known as the Players,) held at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Not only do golf legends live and play here, they’ve designed some of the courses as well, including Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who together designed the King & Bear course at World Golf Village. For a look back at the sport’s history, visit the village’s World Golf Hall of Fame.

For a list of the public, private and semi-private golf courses in and around Jacksonville, click here: www.thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/FL/Jacksonville.htm

Attractions/Events

From the music and dancing of the Irish Festival to the literary allure of the Amelia Island Book Festival to the excitement of the PRCA Pro Rodeo, Jacksonville has activities to suit every taste. Click here www.jaxevents.com/calendar.html to see what’s happening throughout the year.

Museums

Situated in a converted 1930s Art Deco building, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville features modern and contemporary art exhibitions which rotate every four months. It is also home to ArtExplorium Loft, a hands-on, interactive center and a permanent collection of 800 works. www.mocajacksonville.org

The largest museum in Northeast Florida, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is renowned for its collection of more than 6,000 American and European masterworks. The museum is set on two acres of beautiful, European style gardens just minutes from downtown. www.cummer.org

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) has the area’s only planetarium, a science theater, aqua expo and an award-winning Northeast Florida history exhibit. A special KidSpace gallery is designed especially for the five and under set. www.themosh.org

The Alexander Brest Museum and Gallery on the campus of Jacksonville University (JU) houses outstanding collections of Steuben glass, Pre-Columbian objects, Chinese porcelain and cloisonné, Tiffany glass and ivory. www.inusa.com/tour/fl/jacksonv/brest.htm

Nocatee

2008-01-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and an easy drive to Jacksonville, the planned community of Nocatee offers neighborhoods and home styles to suit every preference. Each of the community’s neighborhoods has its own personality and amenities. Choose from single-family homes, luxury estate homes, condominiums and townhomes constructed by some of Florida’s finest builders.

Riverwood is an age restricted, gated and private resort-style community for active adults. At Coastal Oaks, sweeping oak trees and peaceful preserves provide the setting for luxurious single-family estate homes, neo-traditional homes, townhomes and village homes. A quaint community of single-family homes and townhomes, The Palms features tree-shaded streets, scenic ponds, and peaceful wetlands preserves. In Tidewater, there are spacious condominiums designed with Florida living in mind. And Willowcove is targeted to active families.

Following the philosophy of “Smart Growth,” Nocatee is integrated into the natural beauty of the land. Village-like neighborhoods with their own gathering places and amenities are connected via bike paths, trails and roadways to the Town Center.

Residents meet at the Town Center to eat and shop. Nocatee also has more than 300 acres of parks with biking and walking trails. The Nocatee Preserve encompasses 2,400 acres of land fronting a 3.5-mile stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway known as the Tolomato River. A planned aquatics park will include recreational pools and a junior Olympic pool for competitions. The Community Center is a great place for get-togethers and has a spacious party room for private events.

Nocatee is a brand new town being developed in south Jacksonville Florida. The Town of Nocatee is currently under construction. New roads are being built, luxury homes, condos and a single upscale apartment complex are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2007.

Shopping
Delightfully close at hand are the vast shopping, dining, schools, parks and recreational delights of The Town of Nocatee.

Recreation
The Nocatee Community Park features an aquatics center, complete with a lazy river and 53 foot water slide, ball fields and tennis courts, nature and jogging trails, and much more to entertain hours of outdoor fun.

Transportation
By car, by train, by boat or by train! The proximity to Jacksonville makes Nocatee approximately 40 miles from The Jacksonville International Airport, easily accessible.

Medical Facilities
Baptist Medical Center South, Mayo Clinic, Flagler Hospital

Schools

District: St. Johns County School District
	Allen D. Nease	High School
	Landrum	Middle School
	Ocean Palms	Elementary

New Construction

2008-01-30T12:54:00.000-08:00

Moving into a brand new home is one of life’s true pleasures. You don’t have to live with the previous owner’s decorating scheme, the walls are newly painted, the appliances are sparkling clean and the carpet is free of dog hair and grime. You also have the opportunity to select a floor plan that suits your lifestyle, choose the tile and cabinets and convert that extra bedroom into a study or crafts room. In other words, your new home is truly an extension of your personality.

If you’re in the market for a new home, there are many exciting developments springing up in the Jacksonville, Florida area. You may be tempted to purchase one of these new homes without using a real estate agent, but I strongly advise against doing that. Read on to find out why.

10 reasons why you should use Gina LaBarbera when purchasing a newly-built home

1. Many people think they’re going to save the agent’s commission if they buy directly from the builder, but it’s not true—you may even spend more money! Builders have already figured in the cost of an agent’s commission in the price of the home. Without a professional real estate agent like Gina looking out for you, you are at the mercy of the on-site agent, who is working to make the most money for the builder.

2. The friendly on-site agent is not your financial friend. He or she works for the builder and does not care whether your floor plan, site location or amenities are the ones that best meet your needs.

3. Gina understands what you want in a home and she’ll make sure your home suits you. She’ll help you select the right home in the right area, with the floor plan and the upgrades best suited for you.

4. Gina will advise you as to which styles, amenities, upgrades and extras have the most resale value.

5. Through her years of real estate experience in the Jacksonville area, Gina is familiar with the different builders and can recommend the ones who have the best reputation for quality, timeliness and customer service.

6. Gina will negotiate and review the sales agreement to ensure that all your requests are met at the best possible price.

7. Gina will recommend an independent building inspector who will make sure that everything is built to code and no corners are cut.

8. Gina will represent you during any disputes that may arise with the builder.

9. At closing, Gina will review the contract to make sure that everything that was promised is delivered.

10. Gina’s goal is not to just sell you a home—it’s to find you the right home!

Beautiful new communities to consider:

-St. Johns Forest - Featuring builders: David Weekley Homes; ICI Homes; Toll Brothers; Morrison Homes; American Home Builders; Kemick Homes; and Vintage Group. St. Johns Forest is a master-planned community offering large home sites, with lot and home prices ranging from the $300s to over $1 million. The community features a community activity center, pool complex, state-of-the-art fitness center, playing fields and basketball courts. In 2006 St. Johns Forest received the Best in American Living award.

-South Hampton - Featuring builders: ICI Homes; Beazer Homes; Providence Homes. South Hampton residents can take advantage of a variety of recreational amenities including an 18 hole Mark McCumber Golf Course and clubhouse, aquatics center, tennis courts, community clubhouse, social membership and full golf membership with every new property purchase. Homes at South Hampton are available in a variety of styles with prices starting in the 400s.

-St. Johns Golf & Country Club - St. Johns Golf and Country Club is located in the northwest corner of St. Johns County. Developed by renowned builder, St. Joe, the community offers a variety of home styles in a location that’s close to great schools, shopping and restaurants and is an easy commute to downtown Jacksonville.

-World Golf Village - Golfers come from all over the world to visit and play at World Golf Village in historic St. Augustine. The Village, just 20 minutes south of Jacksonville, also has residential communities, known collectively as The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village. The Neighborhoods offer residences that range from single-family homes to coach homes, patio homes and condominiums. Prices begin in the $200s.

-Palencia - Palencia is located along two miles of the scenic Intracoastal Waterway and Marshall Creek. The community offers 2,642 residential homes, 300,000 square feet of retail space and 600,000 square feet of office space. Amenities include an athletic park, a swim and fitness center, an 18-hole Arthur Hill championship golf course, a 10-court tennis center, a golf clubhouse and more than 30 acres of parks with walking, biking and jogging trails.

-Nocatee - Just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and an easy drive to Jacksonville, the planned community of Nocatee offers neighborhoods and home styles to suit every preference. Each of the community’s neighborhoods has its own personality and amenities. Choose from single-family homes, luxury estate homes, condominiums and townhomes constructed by some of Florida’s finest builders. Most of the neighborhood villages will have an elementary school within walking or biking distance. Nocatee has allocated land for six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Construction for the high school has already begun, and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. Following the philosophy of “Smart Growth,” Nocatee is integrated into the natural beauty of the land. Village-like neighborhoods with their own gathering places and amenities are connected via bike paths, trails and roadways to the Town Center.

Do Home Improvement Projects Increase the Resale Value of My Home?

2008-01-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

Some remodeling projects will add to the value your home, but some won't. For example, on kitchen remodeling projects and bathroom additions you can get back up to 90 percent or more of the cost. However, finishing a basement usually pays back less than 50 percent of the money you've invested.

Home Advisor at MSN.com has a chart of costs and average paybacks for typical home improvement projects. For example, adding a new heating or air conditioning system can cost between $2,000 to $4,500 with an average payback of 100% for heating; 75% for air conditioning. Whereas building a pool can cost $10,000 and up with an average payback of 44%.

The local real estate market and current property values are what determine if your remodeling project will increase the value of your home. If the market is slow, you'll see less of a payback than you would in a fast market. Also, if you remodel your house until it's twice as big as the other homes on the block, it won't necessarily double in value.

The price of home improvements fluctuates depending on economic conditions and region. If remodeling costs are particularly high, or home sale prices particularly low, you may not recover as much of your investment as you would if costs were proportionate with sales prices.

Below are some web sites you might find useful if you are thinking about making home improvements:

· Improve Net gives design ideas and helps you plan your project.
· Michigan State University Extension offers an online encyclopedia of topics related to home maintenance.
· The Federal Trade Commission has warnings and advice on how to find a contractor.
· The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers tips on obtaining financing.

You can call me any time, to talk about which projects will pay off best when you decide to sell your home.

NOW is THE time to BUY!!

2008-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

30-Year Rate Falls to 2-Year Low

Associated Press Saturday, January 12, 2008; Page G04

Rising worries about a weak economy pushed rates on 30-year mortgages below the 6 percent mark for only the second time in more than two years.
The mortgage finance company Freddie Mac reported Thursday week. that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.87 percent this
That was down from 6.07 percent last week and was the lowest level for 30-year mortgages in more than two years. Only once during that time had rates fallen below 6 percent, dipping to 5.96 percent for one week in December.
Analysts attributed this week's decline to the most recent employment report, which showed the jobless rate jumping to 5 percent in December from 4.7 percent in November.
It was the highest unemployment rate in two years and the biggest one-month increase since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The weak employment picture has heightened fears that the steep slump in housing and a credit crisis that hit in August could be pushing the country into a recession.
However, economists believe that further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and a possible economic stimulus package of tax cuts from the administration could still ward off a full-blown downturn.
Frank E. Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac, said that because mortgage rates have dropped by more than a quarter-point in the past two weeks, there has been an increase in the number of people refinancing mortgages to more attractive rates, a development that should help spur the economy.
Other types of mortgages also showed rate declines this week.
Rates on 15-year mortgages, a popular choice for refinancing, dropped to 5.43 percent this week from 5.68 percent.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages declined to 5.63 percent from 5.78 percent last week, and the average rate on one-year ARMs fell to 5.37 percent from 5.47 percent.
The mortgage rates do not include add-on fees known as points.
Thirty-year, 15-year and one-year mortgages each carried a nationwide average fee of 0.4 point. Five-year mortgages had a fee of 0.5 point.
A year ago, 30-year mortgages stood at 6.21 percent. Rates on 15-year mortgages were at 5.96 percent, while five-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 6.03 percent and one-year ARMs were at 5.44 percent.

**There is talk that rates may drop again this week - January 31st! If you have been thinking about purchasing a new home this year, now may be the time to start looking! Please let me know how I may help you! Call Gina today! 904-866-1182

Florida Real Estate

2007-10-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville Florida Real Estate for sale by Chris LaBarbera

San Marco | Jacksonville Historic District

2007-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

San Marco is a neigborhood if Jacksonville, Florida and is located on the south bank of the river. Development in this area started in 1921 when the Saint John's River bridge was built. The area was based on the design of Piazza San Marco in Venice Italy and hence took on a European look and feel. This area is unlike any other section of Jacksonville. It is very scenic and quiet, yet close to downtown. It is filled with botique shops and great restaurants such as Matthews of San Marco. The area has a governing body called the San Marco Preservation society which helps maintain the historic look of the area.

Search for homes in San Maco using the website link below:
http://www.sunshinestatesales.com/san-marco.php

I just Joined Twitter

2007-10-13T04:30:00.001-07:00

I just joined Twitter to begin mini-blogging. This is a really neat concept. It is like a blog only smaller. Check out my twitter blog.

Just Joined Technorati

2007-10-11T15:32:00.001-07:00

Technorati Profile

2007-10-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Nocatee Homes For Sale

Most of the neighborhood villages will have an elementary school within walking or biking distance. Nocatee has allocated land for six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Construction for the high school has already begun, and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
Following the philosophy of “Smart Growth,” Nocatee is integrated into the natural beauty of the land. Village-like neighborhoods with their own gathering places and amenities are connected via bike paths, trails and roadways to the Town Center.

Residents meet at the Town Center to eat and shop. Nocatee also has more than 300 acres of parks with biking and walking trails. The Nocatee Preserve encompasses 2,400 acres of land fronting a 3.5-mile stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway known as the Tolomato River. A planned aquatics park will include recreational pools and a junior Olympic pool for competitions. The Community Center is a great place for get-togethers and has a spacious party room for private events.

Nocatee is a brand new town being developed in south Jacksonville Florida. The Town of Nocatee is currently under construction. New roads are being built, luxury homes, condos and a single upscale apartment complex are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2007.

Blog Action Day

2007-10-10T12:22:00.001-07:00

Palm Coast Homes are a great bargain

2007-10-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

The number of homes on the market in Palm Coast is down from June. With the falling interest rates and the Winter season around the corner, the homes are being bought up.

Palm Coast Real Estate - Trulia

The Map below shows some really hot properties for sale in Palm Coast, florida.

New Blog Location

2007-10-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

My blog moved to the new URL this evening.

My blog can be found at http://www.blog.ginalabarbera.com

Jacksonville Florida Area Information

2007-10-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville has a variety of homes and neighborhoods to suit every taste and budget. Jacksonville feels like home no matter where you live: in a home on the river, a condominium at the beach, an apartment, or a townhouse in a quiet neighborhood. Take a look at a brief description of Jacksonville's communities, neighborhood by neighborhood on the right.

Jacksonville Florida

2007-09-06T20:48:00.001-07:00

Website Redesigned

2007-09-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

My website www.sunshinestatesales.com was recently redesigned to help my customers find their homes in a more efficient manner.