This is a fabulous event at our very own Beaches Town Center. If you are new to the area, this town center is on the Atlantic Beach/Neptune Beach line/s, and is a great venue for our area families.    Come on out and have a great time!     Beaches Town Center Costume Contest and Parade Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 10 am to 1 pm on First Street in Neptune Beach   Including Fright for Sight, a special fundraiser for Vision Is Priceless   From 11 am to 3 pm in the Courtyard at 200 First Street   The Beaches Town Center Costume Contest and Parade is a free family event for children of all ages. Make your-own-crafts, games and refreshments provided. The Fletcher High School Interact Club and the Fletcher High School National Honor Society will be volunteering to assist children in th... 10/14/2013

I joined friends and went geo caching today for the first time. Mind you, I've wanted to do this for over a year, but today was the first day that our schedules aligned.  Geo caching is the world wide scavenger hunt hobby that anyone can do. As long as you have a GPS, you can download an app, or get a free account on this website: GeoCaching. We had a blast, and found 8 caches today, which our friends said was a record for them in a short outing (we started at 9:30am, and were at lunch by 12noon). You can Geo Cache anywhere apparently: locally, across the country or internationally. Today, at Dutton Island Preserve, we saw canoe/kayak launches, along with a bevy of custom birdhouses along the trail. It's a fabulous way to spend the day, and get outside! Here are a few pics from today:  ... 09/28/2013

Those of us who have worked at the beaches area know we love new construction, largely because it's been very hard to come by in a development of any significant size. Well, we have some new construction coming to Atlantic Beach, FL, on the site of the Selva Marina Country Club. This site had a proposed redevelopment a few years back that just didn't gain necessary traction. This is a new improved community plan, which will feature a brand new clubhouse, redeisgned golf course, and all the other amenities. The project will be called Atlantic Beach Country Club, and will feature under 200 homesites, all with golf and/or water views. The demolition of the current clubhouse is Novermber, with the project moving forward at full steam at that point.  For more information, you can visit their... 09/28/2013

  Here are the July homes sold in Atlantic Beach, FL. This report includes all single family homes, and do not include any condominiums.     July 2013  Homes Sold:                                              20 Highest Sold Price:                                    $1,875,000 Lowest Sold Price:                                     $81,800 Highest Sold Days On Market:                    240 Lowest Sold Days On Market:                     3     Average Index of Sold Price/List Price:        97% (7 of 20 sold for 100% or more) Here are the same statistics for July 2012, for comparison:    July 2012 Homes Sold:                                             19 Highest Sold Price:                                    $900,000 Lowest Sold Price:                                     $36,500 Highest ... 08/30/2013

    The Beaches Market Update Single Family Residential         June '11 June '12 June '13 June '13 vs June '12           New Listings 165  187  208 +11% Sold Listings 141  171  175   +2% Total Active 1034    782  626 - 20% Months Inventory 7.33  4.57  3.58  - 22%     The Beaches Market Update Condominium     June '11 June '12 June '13 June '13 vs June '12           New Listings    59    65   61  -6% Sold Listings    38     45    39    -13% Total Active  384  281  219   - 22% Months Inventory  10.11   6.24   5.62   - 10%   "The Beaches" market Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach. Defined by MLS areas 21-26 Residential & Condominium Information obtained from MLS July 13, 2013    07/15/2013

If you live in our area, and have traveled to Amelia Island, and the Fernandina Beach areas, you know from the beaches, it's best/easiest to take the Mayport River Ferry. The Mayport River Ferry takes out about 20 miles of the drive, and it's just fun to take the ferry from one side to the other; the key is to time it right, and to know what the operating hours, as well as estimated departure/arrival times are.  Typically, for large events (think Bausch & Lomb tennis, Shrimp Festival, and the Concours D'Elegance) the ferry hours are expanded, and you can expect long lines. For other weekends though, it's usually a smaller crowd. For July 4th & July 5th, the ferry will have limited hours as listed below, so please plan accordingly.  The St. Johns River Ferry will revert to weekend hours... 06/29/2013

        Here are the May homes sold in Atlantic Beach, FL. This report includes all single family homes, and do not include any condominiums.    May 2013    Homes Sold:                                              24 Highest Sold Price:                                    $1,945,000 Lowest Sold Price:                                     $52,000 Highest Sold Days On Market:                    217 Lowest Sold Days On Market:                     13     Average Index of Sold Price/List Price:        100%+ (14 of 24 sold for 100% or more) Here are the same statistics for May 2012, for comparison:    May 2012 Homes Sold:                                             24 Highest Sold Price:                                    $2,500,000 Lowest Sold Price:                                     $28,00... 06/29/2013

The Beaches Single Family Home Figures 2011, 2012, 2013:       May '11 May '12 May '13 May '13 vs May '12           New Listings 169  194  221 +14% Sold Listings 108  131  178 +36% Total Active 1077    840  654 - 22% Months Inventory 9.97  6.41  3.67  - 44%    Residential Recap : May 2013 vs May 2012 (year over year)       Did you know...    In July 2005 many would have voiced the opinion the market was good. "The Beaches Market recorded 124 sales that month which is over fifty less than today's statistics. Noticing the active listings for sale, down near 200 units in the last 12 month cycle.  Months of inventory for the "Beaches market" under 4 months.       The Beaches Condominium Figures 2011, 2012, 2013:           May '11 May '12 May '13 May '13 vs May '12           New Listings    ... 06/28/2013

  As some of you may recall, I did my first Sprint triathlon in July 2011. I was inspired by a magazine article that I could drop two dress sizes doing the training and I was hooked. I recruited a friend to train with me (ironically, while on line for a flight to Texas, over the phone) and I started training that weekend. It was just under 12 weeks to the race, but I knew I could do it. The sprint triathlon features a 1/4 mile ocean swim, a 13-16 mile bike course, and a 3 mile run. In that order, and yes, all in the same morning.  I found friends in subdivisions with community pools I could start training at; since it had been years since I swam, I just had to get back in the water before I started paying for a pool.  I did spin class, since I didn't have a road bike; and then rented a ... 05/25/2013

  Fletcher High's All Class Reunion, 5/25/13, Jacksonville Beach, FL  The annual Fletcher High All Class Reunion is tomorrow night, 5/25/13. The annual event is an all class reunion where you run into people you haven't seen all year, or in a few years.  There are a few changes to this year's event: Typically the event is the Saturday night of TPC, and it's normally held at the Beaches Museum & History Park. Due to the Beaches Museum & History Park involvement with the HGTV SmartHome at Paradise Key, the staff and volunteers were unable to host the annual Fletcher High All Class Reunion. The reunion is a fundraiser for the museum, however, so is the SmartHome project, so there was a need to look elsewhere.  Then the PTSA stepped in, and offered to organize and host it, they did so with ... 05/24/2013

Above is a photo of The Dune House, Atlantic Beach, FL which was designed by a local architect, William Morgan. The house is actually a duplex constructed of gunite below the dune, with each side having about 1000 SF, a loft bedroom, and 1 bathroom. It's a very unique building, without a doubt. The architect, William Morgan, has been honored for his work recently: his work has been recognized by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, and the University of Florida. If you are interested in buying or selling in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach or Jacksonville Beach, FL , please visit my website for more information.  The full article with more pictures is here: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2013-05-20/story/university-florida-honors-architect-william-m... 05/19/2013

    Dancin' In The Streets, Atlantic Beach, FL  This is a wonderful annual summer event, held at Beaches Town Center, at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard & First Street, where Atlantic Beach & Neptune Beach meet.  I've attended this event for many years and have volunteered at the beer tent for several years (it's not easy work, you have to make sure the beer is cold at the top, middle & bottom of the cup!). Hundreds if not thousands of people come through our streets to enjoy the food, the live music, the vendors, the sunshine, and the incredible people watching.  It's an absolutely fabulous time with live entertainment throughout the day. Go enjoy if you are in the area and let me know what you think.    The 27th Annual “Dancin’ in the Street”™ is Saturday May 18, 2013. The fun... 05/14/2013

"The Beaches" *Market Update Residential Single Family Homes Units       Feb. '11 Feb. '12 Feb. '13 Feb. '13 vs Feb. '12           New Listings 226  201  205 +2% Sold Listings 105  115  107  -7% Total Active 1034    821  643 - 22% Months Inventory 9.85  7.14  6.01  - 16%         Residential Recap : February 2013 vs February 2012 (year over year)   Did you know...   Months of inventory for the "Beaches market" has been hovering around 6 months for the last year. Showing Stable inventory. Prior to this last year, it was October 2005 since the market maintained steady inventory at current levels.     "The Beaches" *Market Update Condominiums         Feb. '11 Feb. '12 Feb. '13 Feb. '13 vs Feb. '12           New Listings    82    42   55  +31% Sold Listings    48     45     43     -4% Total ... 03/21/2013

The Beaches Market Update - Single Family Homes         Jan. '11 Jan. '12 Jan. ' 13 Jan. '13 vs Jan. '12           New Listings 192 171 231 +35% Sold Listings  64  78 108 +38% Total Active 1000 765 615 - 20% Months Inventory 15.63 9.81 5.69 - 42          Residential Recap : January 2013 vs January 2012 (year over year)   Seasonal...let's talk    New listings up 35% year over year. Residential Sold Listings "the beaches" jumps 38% from one year ago! Homes available "The Beaches market" continues downward. Total Active Listings lower by 20% from same time last year. Supply...Months of Listing Inventory down 42% - 5.69 months!   Did you know... New listings to the "Beaches market" have not passed 230 units in any one month for the last three years. Active listings have not dipped below 620... 02/15/2013

I was fortunate enough to be a "Plus 1" at an event last night at One Ocean in Atlantic Beach, that included a night at the upscale property. For those of you have traveled here, One Ocean is the former Sea Turtle, and the renovation includes a wonderful spa, and a fabulous restaurant, Azurea. This was the sunrise this morning as I woke up at 6am in my oceanfront room!   02/08/2013

Residential Units    Dec. '10 Dec. '11 Dec. '12 Dec. '12 vs Dec. '11           New Listings  92 122 109 -11% Sold Listings 104 121 141 +17% Total Active 1048 814 615 - 24% Months Inventory 10.08 6.73 4.36 - 35%   Residential Recap: December 2012 vs December 2011 (year over year) Clear evidence of recovery Wow what a difference, we must continue to get the word out. We are fixing "The Beaches" market one house at a time. The trend continues, ending the year with strong local statistics, new listings down 11% year over year. Residential Sold Listings for "the beaches" market jumping 17% from one year ago! Homes available "The Beaches market" continues downward. Total Active Listings lower by 24% from same time last year. Supply...Months of Listing Inventory down 35% - now 4.36 months! Did... 01/19/2013

Our local Beaches area includes: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, & Ponte Vedra Beach in the greater Jacksonville, FL market area.  Our sales have rebounded this year wonderfully, to the point we are all looking for sellers who are prepared to price and present their homes correctly to sell in this market.   Here are the single family home figures, followed by the condo figures:     *Market Update Residential Units     Nov. '10 Nov. '11 Nov. '12 Nov. '12 vs Nov. '11           New Listings 118 106 135 + 27% Sold Listings 71  92 106 +15% Total Active 1095 853 666 - 22% Months Inventory 15.42 9.27 6.28 - 32%     Residential Recap: November 2012 vs November 2011 (year over year) Ending the year with strong local statistics, new listings up 27% year over year. Residential S... 12/16/2012

Atlantic Beach, FL Home Sales Update. Atlantic Beach, FL is just south of Mayport Naval Base in Mayport, FL and just north of Neptune Beach, FL and Jacksonville Beach, FL. Home prices are definitely lower over last year with a 27.8 decrease in the average price last year of $257,000. Prices are down to an average of $186,000, which is bucking the trend here on the island, as most areas have risen in price over last year. Days on the market down 5% from 129 to 122. Good news for sellers. The number of homes that were available went down 157 to 113, a 28% drop for the area. This area varies widely in types of homes from extremely affordable and even blighted areas to marsh front and oceanfront. The only public school in the area is Atlantic Beach Elementary and has a very high rating. The... 11/29/2012

I live about 5 miles from one of the most wonderful parks we have here in the Jacksonville, FL area. Its location is technically in Atlantic Beach, FL, which we still claim as Jacksonville. It is near the end of the island contiguous to Mayport Naval Base. It is 450 acres ON the oceanfront, with a really nice 1.5 mile beach to boot. In addition to the beachfront, the park also sports 47 benches, 4 bike racks, bike paths, 2 bleachers, 293 camping facilities, 178 parking spaces, 344 grills, a dock, 17 Picnic shelters and 192 Picnic tables. You think all of this is wonderful, and it is.  But wait, there's more... On the park grounds there is a 60-acre freshwater lake suitable for fishing, canoes, paddle boats and kayacking and some of the picnic tables and grills are lakeside. The area is ... 11/21/2012

  Here are the 2012 stats and 2011 for comparison - 2012 18 Homes Sold (March=25) Lowest price: $43,000 (March =$36,150) Highest price: $780,000 (March =$2,575,000) Shortest Days on Market:3 (March=0) Longest Days on Market: 360 (March =618)   2011 24 homes sold (March=12) Lowest price: $44,000 (March =$42,000) Highest price: $2.285,000 (March=$540,000) Shortest Days on Market:1 (March =12) Longest Days on Market: 461 (March=371)   Sales are down slightly month to month, and flat year over year. The lower end price point is actually fairly stable when looking at this data, vs. other areas where I’ve noted more improvement.   Days on market is showing major improvement; many times these days, any beach property that is well priced and presented is generating multiple offers in the first ... 07/26/2012