Open House at Two Great Properties

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Another County Wide Open House Event

As we go into our hot, Spring real estate market, this weekend will be a great opportunity for all potential buyers and sellers in St. Johns County to get out and see some homes for sale. The local St. Augustine & St. Johns County Board of Realtors and The St. Augustine Record have gotten together to plan another St. Johns County Open House Weekend! There should be lots of homes and condominiums open for viewing between Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st!

Buyers can check neighborhoods and properties they might be most interested in – and sellers, you can go check out your competition or find the property that will be your next home!

I will have two great offerings this weekend! So, stop by either property and see for yourself!

  • 3381 Kings Road South – is a new listing in the sought after community of Oakbrook! Large lots, mature trees and great amenities! This home is a 4BR/2-1/2BA all on one level and has some great touches!

Open Saturday, May 20th, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM.

For more details see: 3381 Kings Road South

  • 320 San Nicolas Way – is a great listing in gated Ocean Palms on Anastasia Island! This is a 3BR/2BA that has gorgeous lake views and a 3 car garage – not easy to find in this price point on the island!

Open Saturday, May 20th, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

For more details see: 320 San Nicolas Way

Open House Weekend – Two Island Homes

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Take advantage of the county wide open house this weekend — and, stop in and see me at these great island homes!

Open Houses on Saturday, April 29th – see me in Ocean Palms from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 320 San Nicolas Way and in Windswept Acres from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 5354 5th Street.

320 San Nicolas

Wow!  What a great opportunity for a light and bright concrete block home with gorgeous lake views and spacious three car garage – a rare find on the island! Close to the beach, restaurants and all your favorite places.

  • The spacious lanai, large sliding glass doors and windows really showcase the beautiful lake views and natural setting.
  • Relax and enjoy the yard — garden or add a pool for more lounging.
  • Tiled areas, updated stainless appliances, newer air conditioning unit and hot water heater.
  • Flowing floor plan that is bright throughout.
  • Kitchen laid out well with lots of cabinets, pantry closet and long breakfast counter that is great for entertaining.
  • Split bedroom design with two guest bedrooms and bath off family area.
  • Relax in your master suite retreat with beautiful views of the lake and access to the lanai. Two walk-in closets lead you to the bright master bath with soaking tub and separate shower.

All situated in the popular gated neighborhood of Ocean Palms. Enter through the nature preserve, enjoy the community amenities like the playground or lounge by the pool. Relax at the end of the day by viewing the sunset from the community pier and park. This isn’t just a neighborhood, but a community where the neighbors get together for cards, games, get togethers by the pier — what a great place to call home. For more details and directions see: 320 San Nicolas Way

5354 5th Street

Move-in ready, concrete block home that is walking or biking distance to the beach!

  • Great, roomy floorplan with spacious family room that is open to dining room and kitchen.
  • Third bedroom doubles as den with classic French door entry.
  • Freshly painted throughout with new laminate floors in living area and new carpet in bedrooms. Relax in your screened lanai overlooking large backyard with room for a pool!
  • Bright master retreat with master bath that has dual sinks, walk-in shower and spacious closet.
  • New roof in 2008, new exterior A/C compressor in 2017, new inside A/C handler motor in 2016, new sprinkler system pump in 2016, and new lanai carpet as well.

Great island location that is close to the beach, restaurants and Windswept Acres Park. Windswept Acres is a sought after neighborhood that is nestled between the ocean and the intracoastal waterway with no HOA or CDD fee. Just come, relax, and live the Florida lifestyle! For more details and directions see: 5354 5th Street.

Easter and Spring and Thoughts on Real Estate

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As we are leading up to Easter Sunday, and have really enjoyed some beautiful Spring days, my thoughts went to how this all relates to the real estate market. Yes, I had thoughts about the religious aspects of Easter, my family, those photos of my first Easter – but, let’s face it, I am writing this as a Realtor and should stick to what I know. You have others in your life who can cover the aspects of religion and family much better than I.

I couldn’t help think about how Easter renewal and Spring renewal can help us in our real estate decisions. Have you been thinking about downsizing? Maybe that can be a good thing and free you from some of the maintenance, costs, and time that a larger home may be taking. Maybe you are thinking you want to travel more, so you want to switch to a condo or patio home that will be more lock and leave. Have you been thinking that your growing family needs more room? Again, that can be a good to have more bedrooms, that office you need so you aren’t in the spare bedroom, a larger yard for the kids to run, or a pool or neighborhood pool for those warm summer days ahead. Maybe you have always wanted to live where you could walk to the beach – so, you can feel renewed each time you see the ocean. Maybe you feel that the salt air has been a harsh task master and you want to move just a bit farther inland so you don’t have the maintenance. Whatever it is, take just a minute and picture yourself in that new space – does it make you feel renewed? Then maybe, just maybe, it is time to make that move.  Call me and let’s get started!

Oh, and here is that picture of my first Easter!

Your Story Matters!

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I was recently driving past a local bank and on the sign outside it said, “Your Story Matters!”  That is so true in life,
and in the world of Real Estate.  Your story does matter!  As a Realtor, I am here to help you write just a part of your story.  I want to find you that home or second home that you can make memories in and will always be part of your story.  If part of that story is that the second home has to make some income to support it, that can be possible.  Maybe you are at the beginning of your story, looking for your first home – that’s great!  Maybe you are more in the middle of your story, and the home you are in was great for raising your children, but they are all in stories of their own now and you need to downsize – I can help you figure all of that out.  Maybe your story took a turn you didn’t expect – not so much a surprise ending as a turning point that took you by surprise – that, too, can be figured out. Or maybe you are even farther along in your story, and even your small home or condo is not working any longer and it is time to move to assisted living – I can help with that too.  Our stories are our lives being played out with all of our friends, family, neighbors – all being part of that story.  If you, or anyone in your story, needs the help of a Realtor – just let me know!  I would love to be a part of your story – and I will never forget that it is YOUR story.

Related: Why I do What I do

Toughest Spring in Years

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I get an email newsletter update every day from the Florida Realtors.  Great information about all things real estate and other news as well.  Yesterday, it mentioned a Wall Street Journal article that this may be the toughest Spring in years – and they didn’t mean all those nasty Spring storms that have been brewing all across the country, although that makes for a very tough Spring!  It was referring to a tough Spring market for buyers in the real estate market nationwide.  It can be felt here, in St. Augustine, as well.  While prices and mortgage rates will increase, inventory of homes for sale can be tight or decreasing – especially for first time home buyers. That will be tough for buyers, but equally tough for sellers, who may have a difficult time finding the replacement home as they want to downsize or upsize and place their current home on the market.

What can you do?  As a buyer, make sure you have your mortgage pre-approval.  That way, when you do find the right home, at the right price, you can show the seller that you are ready to buy and there shouldn’t be any hiccups in the process.  Make sure you are communicating everything you are looking for, but don’t be afraid to look in areas you may not have thought of or for home styles you may not have considered – that may help increase the number of homes available to you.  And, remember, you may not find the perfect home – it may not have all the bells and whistles that you thought you wanted.  Can you make some small adjustments after closing to make it the perfect home?  In a tight inventory market, you may have to be a little more flexible. You can start your search for a home here: MyStAugustineHome.com.

As a seller, you may think that low inventory means you don’t have to do your due diligence.  You still need to get your home ready for the market by decluttering, repairing, and making sure you have great curb appeal.  Just because the inventory is tight, does not ensure that your home will be one to sell in two days or get multiple offers.  It still needs to be appealing to the buyers in the market and be listed for the right price.  Also, depending on the price point of your home, there could be more or less inventory, demand, etc., so keep that in mind.  You will want to have your plan in place for where you are going after the sale.  Be looking for your next home prior to listing so that you have an idea of neighborhoods and home styles you like.  You may not be in the financial position to purchase your next home prior to selling your current one, but have a plan for either the next purchase, or for a short term rental until you can find that next home.

Let me know how I can be of help finding your first home, your next home or in getting your home ready for the Spring selling season!  I am just a call, text, or email away!

Playing Tourist in My Own Town

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My oldest brother and his wife visited a couple of weekends ago and I offered to take a day off and go with them, ifthey wanted. They were only going to be here a couple of days on their way to other parts of Florida. It was their first time here too, even though I have been here 17 years or so, but that is another story and I think they now realize the error in their ways. The main reason I offered, was so I could play tourist in my own town . . . and to spend time with them, of course. We first visited the Fountain of Youth park. I hadn’t been there in a few years. Actually, it may have been since my youngest was in the 4th grade on a field trip, since that is the year they learn State history. I remembered the Navigator’s Planetarium and the Discovery Globe, and, of course, the peacocks roaming around, but they had additional exhibits and demonstrations that were very enjoyable. Then we went to the Castillo de San Marcos, or, as most people say, The Fort. We were on the top deck and the Spanish soldiers were making their way up the steps to perform a cannon firing. My brother turned and said to me, “How many times have you already seen this? Don’t you get tired of it?” I answered pretty quickly – not how many times, because who knows? But, I did say that I never get tired of it. I have visited a lot of our tourist areas with friends and family over the years – the Lighthouse, the Alligator Farm, downtown, The Fort, and others, and each time I learn something new and each time I really enjoy the sights and sounds of history. I feel very fortunate that I get to live in such a beautiful town with so much history to experience and learn every day, and, when family and friends come to visit.

 

Open House Event this Weekend!

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What a great opportunity for all potential buyers and sellers in St. Johns County this weekend. The local St. Augustine & St. Johns County Board of Realtors and The St. Augustine Record have gotten together to plan a St. Johns County Open House Weekend! There should be lots of homes and condominiums open for viewing between Saturday, Marsh 25th and Sunday, March 26th.

For buyers; it will be easy to go check out some of the neighborhoods you may be most interested in and view some of the homes you have been watching on the online sites – but you get to see them in person!

For sellers; if you are currently listed with a local Realtor, you have the opportunity to have your home be seen by a lot of potential purchasers. What a great opportunity indeed!

If you are just thinking of marketing your home for sale, you can take this opportunity to view some of the properties that you may be competing with in the marketplace and get an idea of how you will want to present your home when you are ready to list.

So, get out there, enjoy the weekend, and see a lot of great homes throughout the County. While you are out there, make sure to stop by and see me at the great home in Ocean Palms that I will be holding open on Saturday from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM. See you there!

For property details and directions: 320 San Nicolas Way, St. Augustine, FL 32080 

Is Spanish Moss Really Spanish?

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On my recent visit to the Fountain of Youth, there was some discussion about the Spanish Moss that you see hanging from trees all over the southern United States and specifically here, in beautiful St. Augustine. One of the prettiest streets is Magnolia Avenue leading into the Fountain of Youth. The tree lined street leads to a canopy of branches dripping with Spanish Moss. However, we know that the stuff dripping from the trees isn’t moss and it isn’t Spanish.

If you research it, the true name is usneoides which means “resembling Usnea” and upon further research, Useana is also known as beard lichen. However, the plant isn’t either of those things either – moss or lichen. It is technically a flowering plant (angiosperm) in the family Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) which grows hanging from tree branches in full sun through partial shade. Read  more: Florida Plant Encyclopedia

So, how did it get its name? Lots of stories are out there. The Native Americans, including our local Timucuan Indians, called it “tree hair,” which, it does resemble hair growing on the trees. The first explorers encountered it as something different and had to come up with a name as well. Since they didn’t tend to like each other, the French called it “Spanish beard” while the Spanish called the plant “French hair.” However, even though our area has dominant Spanish roots, the name that has stuck for the plant is Spanish Moss. The site I found most interesting was 10 Things You Should Know About Spanish Moss.

So, next time someone comments on the Spanish Moss hanging from the tree – -you can mention this little tidbit! And, if you want to find your own home in the St. Augustine area and have your own tree with Spanish Moss, just give me a call!

Magnolia Avenue

Irish for a Day in the Old City

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If you will be in St. Augustine for St. Patrick’s Day, you have a great opportunity for some good food and fun. I wanted to see where someone who wants to be Irish for a day would go – and Trip Advisor gave me the Top 5 Irish Restaurants (Pubs, right?) in St. Augustine.

What is great is that anywhere you are in St. Johns County, you won’t be too far from an Irish Pub and some great food!
Meehan’s Irish Pub, Barley Republic Public House and Ann O’Malley’s Deli & Pub are all located within and around the historic downtown area. You can get great views of the Bayfront from Meehan’s along with your food. Ann O’Malley’s is on the north side of downtown, so close to the parking garage, if that makes it easier for you to get there. Barley Republic is on Spanish Street and always puts up a tent with great music, food and drinks!

If you don’t want to venture downtown, you are not out of luck! For those on or near Anastasia Island, O’Loughlin Pub is located at 6975 A1A South just south of the intersection of A1A and SR 206. Of course, you can pop in to the party at the World Famous Oasis as well, since they always put up a tent, even if they are not technically an Irish Pub!

North of town isn’t left out either, since you have Donovan’s Irish Pub located at 7440 US Highway 1 North, right by Palencia!
So, you can go out and be Irish for the day and get some great food, great drinks – and great friendships with those enjoying right beside you!

Time to Spring Forward

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It is that time of year again — Daylight Savings Time officially begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 12th!  I don’t plan on staying up for it — I’ll just wake up for it in the morning.  It will provide us with a little bit more light at the end of the day to, well, enjoy our day!  What can you do with the extra light at the end of the day?  Take a walk, run or bike ride?  Enjoy the beach for a little longer?  Stroll around downtown? Work in your garden?  Make an appointment to see that home you have been wanting to see? Or, make an appointment to have your favorite realtor over to list your home for sale? Great ideas!! Me? It will be easier to get in a walk with the dog!  How about you?