Lisa Barton

Good news for our local real estate market...it looks like 2012 will be a better year. The market is showing many signs of improvement, although the recovery will likely be sluggish.

• In Northeast Florida, home prices are slowly starting to turn a corner and average sale price is slightly up from last year! The Median Sales Price increased 4.8% to $130,000. Days on Market was down 3.9% to 119 days. 
• Absorption rates improved as Months Supply of Inventory was down 36.1% to 6.5 months. The real estate industry would consider this inventory level to be a balanced market. At the market's worst, we had almost a 14 month supply of homes on the market.
• The Housing Affordability Index continues to be very high, making homes in the Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beaches areas attractive to new home buyers.
• Interest rates continue to be historically low and lenders are easing up on their requirements, particularly with jumbo applications. Luxury home sales have begun to rebound because buyers are once again able to secure of jumbo mortgage.
• The number of distressed sales are down for the first quarter. This may change over the summer months if banks release foreclosed properties that they have been holding onto the market.
• The biggest increase in sales so far this year has been in the luxury market. There are currently 140 homes for sale in the $1 million plus category at the beaches. Fifteen luxury properties have sold year-to-date in the Jacksonville Beaches or Ponte Vedra Beach areas, including Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. 

Hurricane season is rapidly approaching, unfortunately. It’s always a good idea to prepare early. Here are some resources that can help you with your planning and preparation if you live in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Beaches, or Ponte Vedra Beach.

• The Northeast Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross – Check out this site for a short, informative video on how to prepare an emergency kit. 
• The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center – Use this website to track the status and path of storms. 
• Duval County Emergency Preparedness Department - This site allows you to register individuals with special needs in the event of emergency. Special needs residents in St. Johns County can find more information here. 
• St. Johns County Emergency Management Department and Duval County Emergency Preparedness Department - These sites contain various tips and links for residents living in St. Johns and Duval Counties.
• The St. Johns Country Emergency Management site can also be used to determine your evacuation zone. All you need to do is enter your address here. Duval County offers an interactive map to help you determine the same information. 

The 2012 Parade of Homes will continue through this weekend, April 22, 2012. During this event, you'll find 64 brand new homes and 41 move-in ready homes in communities such as Ponte Vedra Beach and Nocatee, among others. This is a great time to see what is available on the market and collect many home decorating ideas. For more information, including a map of participating homes, please click here.

This weekend is the second annual Marsh Landing Country Club Fun Run. The event is sponsored by the Marsh Landing Home Owners Association and is open to all Marsh Landing Country Club residents and their guest. The 3K run starts at the Marsh Landing Country Club and winds along the golf course and through the beautiful neighborhood.  The finish line is at the park, where participants can claim their t-shirts and enjoy refreshments. If running is not your style, there will also be a walking route. Either way, the event will be an nice way to see this beautiful community and meet your neighbors! 

Here's a quick summary of the Long Cove neighborhood in Sawgrass Country Club. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

• Neighborhood: Long Cove
• Nearest Major Intersection:  A1A and TPC Parkway
• Gated: Yes
• Clubhouse: The Sawgrass Country Club has tennis, a pool, golf, and dining. You must be a member or a member guest to access these facilities.  However, club membership is not required to reside in the neighborhood. A variety of membership options are available, so you can choose an option that best fits your lifestyle.
• How Many Homes: Long Cove has 25 single family homes.
• Size Range: Most homes in this neighborhood range in size from 2,500 – 5,000 square feet.
• Pedestrian-Friendly: Yes, very.
• Recreation:  Several communities in Sawgrass Country Club have their own pools and playgrounds. Neighborhoods are very golf cart friendly.
• Nearest Grocery Store: Publix, Winn Dixie, and Fresh Market are all close.
• LB’s Favorite Neighborhood Feature:  TheLong Cove neighborhood is very close to the beach! Some of the homes have nice lake views.
• Fun Fact: Long Cove is a great option for someone in Sawgrass who wants a moderately sized home.

Congratulations, Jacksonville! Jacksonville was recently featured in the USA TODAY segment known as The Pop Traveler. This week's article highlights 7 great reasons to visit Jacksonville and includes the wonderful outdoor recreation activities, THE PLAYERS Championship in Sawgrass, and some of our more noteworthy musicians among others. Read all 7 fabulous reasons to love Jacksonville here.

Congratulations, Jacksonville! Jacksonville was recently featured in the USA TODAY segment known as The Pop Traveler. This week's article highlights seven great reasons to visit Jacksonville and includes the wonderful outdoor recreation activities, THE PLAYERS Championship in Sawgrass, and some of our more noteworthy musicians among others. Read all seven fabulous reasons to love Jacksonville here.

Join us for a spring Open House at 412 Big Tree Road in Odom's Mill on Sat., March 31st from 1-4p.m. This beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach home has a gourmet kitchen, two master bathrooms, and lovely preserve and lagoon views. Your customers won't want to miss the wonderful outdoor living space including a heated pool, screened lanai, and summer kitchen!

Here's a quick summary of the Lighthouse Bend neighborhood in Sawgrass Country Club. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

• Neighborhood: Lighthouse Bend
• Nearest Major Intersection:  A1A and TPC Parkway
• Gated: Yes
• Clubhouse: The Sawgrass Country Club has tennis, a pool, golf, and dining. You must be a member or a member guest to access these facilities.  However, club membership is not required to reside in the neighborhood. A variety of membership options are available, so you can choose an option that best fits your lifestyle.
• How Many Homes: Lighthouse Bend has 55 single family homes.
• Size Range: Most homes in this neighborhood range in size from 2,500 – 5,000 square feet.
• Pedestrian-Friendly: Yes, very.
• Recreation:  Several communities in Sawgrass Country Club have their own pools and playgrounds. Neighborhoods are very golf cart friendly.
• Nearest Grocery Store: Publix, Winn Dixie, and Fresh Market are all close.
• LB’s Favorite Neighborhood Feature:  Lighthouse Bend homes sit on large lots and have wonderful views of the water or golf course.
• Fun Fact: I once saw a bald eagle in this neighborhood!

Take a look at this beautiful yard at 821 Penman Road in Neptune Beach, winner of numerous "Yard of the Month" awards! This enticing display of azaleas leads to a cottage-style home perfectly situated only a few blocks from the beach with incredible outdoor living space. Inside you'll find two living rooms, formal dining room, and family room in addition to 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. You won't want to miss this beach oasis with a great new price!