Ponte Vedra Focus Blog

What Luxury Buyers in Northeast Florida Really Want

Current Trends, Real Listings, and Smart Takeaways from The Volen Group

When conversations turn to real estate in Northeast Florida, the focus often lands on prices, market shifts, and sought-after neighborhoods like Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and the Intracoastal.

But behind every purchase decision is something more personal: a vision of how life could feel in the right home.

At The Volen Group, we help buyers turn that vision into reality—strategically, seamlessly, and with zero guesswork. Here's a closer look at what today’s high-expectation buyers are actually prioritizing, plus examples of how these preferences are showing up in real listings.

What’s Trending Now in Coastal Home Design

Whether relocating, upgrading,…

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Wire Fraud in Real Estate is on the Rise – How to Protect Yourself

by Karen Tyrrell

Buying a home is no question one of the largest financial decisions individuals and families will make. Unfortunately, it has also become a prime target for cybercriminals. In recent years, wire fraud in real estate transactions has skyrocketed, leaving many homebuyers and sellers devastated.

Scammers often pose as real estate agents, title company representatives, or lenders. They send fake emails or texts with fraudulent wiring instructions, tricking buyers into sending their down payment or closing funds to a criminal's bank account. Once the money is sent, it’s often impossible to recover.

How Wire Fraud Happens

Email hacking: Criminals hack into a real estate agent’s or title company’s email account and monitor…

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Marshfront Estate with Dual Water Access in Harbour Island, Ponte Vedra Beach

Dual Water Access. Elevated Living. Iconic Setting.

112 Newport Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

For boating enthusiasts, this is more than a home—it’s a waterfront lifestyle realized. Set on a private marshfront homesite overlooking Cabbage Creek, this Harbour Island estate offers two rare privileges: a brand-new private dock behind the home (completion expected September 2025) and a coveted 60-foot slip in the Harbour Island Marina. With direct access to the Intracoastal, your coastal adventures begin right at your doorstep.

The Residence

Spanning more than 6,700 square feet, this stately home blends architectural grace with modern comfort. Soaring ceilings, custom coffered details, and rich millwork create an atmosphere of timeless elegance,…

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Emotional Staging That Sells: How to Create a Home Buyers Fall in Love With

Selling your home is more than a financial transaction — it’s an emotional one. While square footage, location, and price matter, the decision to buy is often driven by how a home feels. Emotional staging taps into the senses and psychology of buyers, helping them connect on a deeper level. Done right, it can make your property stand out, sell faster, and even command a higher price.

Why Emotional Staging Matters

When buyers walk into a house, they’re not just evaluating walls and finishes — they’re imagining a life. Emotional staging creates subtle cues that spark feelings of warmth, comfort, and belonging. Studies show that buyers form an opinion within seconds of entering a home. A staged property that appeals to the heart as much as the eyes…

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Helping Kids Shine: Parisi Speed School in Ponte Vedra Beach

At the Parisi Speed School inside the PVB Performance Center, kids aren’t just learning how to run faster—they’re learning how to believe in themselves. This nationally known program has trained more than a million athletes, but here in Ponte Vedra Beach, it feels like family.

Take it from local parents Brittany and Billy Horschel, whose 8-year-old daughter Colbie has been training as part of Girl Power NFL Flag Football for almost a year: “She gets incredible coaching on nutrition, strength, speed, and even flag football technique. But honestly, the best thing she’s gained is self-confidence.”

A Community Built on Performance and Character

Parisi is open to kids from about age 7 through high school, with programs tailored to match where they…

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Jacksonville Golf & Country Club Announces $30 Million Upgrade Plan

by Jennifer Heller 

Jacksonville Golf & Country Club has issued a press release approving an exciting $30 million renovation project called the “Blueprint for Tomorrow.” Designed to enhance both the social and golf experiences for its members, the plan focuses on modernizing amenities while honoring the club’s longstanding reputation as one of the First Coast’s premier private communities.

A Fresh Take on the Clubhouse Experience

The renovation includes a story, 18,000-square-foot expansion of the clubhouse, featuring expanded indoor and outdoor dining areas, a new fitness center, and a resort-style pool with cabanas, lounging spaces, and a kids’ splash zone. These updates are aimed at creating a year-round destination for members and their…

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Jacksonville Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

By Gwinn Volen

Q1 2025 home sales in the Jacksonville area were down 7% from Q1 2024. Economic uncertainty, triggered by increasing mortgage rates and a volatile stock market, is suppressing buyer demand.

Housing and financial experts are starting to release their projections for the balance of the year.

Mortgage Rates Expected to Dip Slightly

While a major drop isn’t expected, forecasters call for a slight drop in rates in the months ahead as the economic outlook becomes more certain. Should rates drop, more buyers would likely enter the market.

Currently, 30-year mortgage rates are averaging 7% nationally. The chart below shows where 5 major real estate players predict mortgage rates will be by year-end 2025. Even a small decline would be…

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Maximize Your Florida Property Tax Savings: Homestead Exemption & Portability in St. Johns and Duval Counties

 By Jenn Heller

Purchasing a home in Northeast Florida isn’t just a lifestyle investment — it’s also an opportunity to tap into valuable property tax savings. Two powerful tools available to Florida homeowners are the Homestead Exemption and Portability benefits. If you're buying or already own a home in St. Johns or Duval County, understanding how these work can lead to significant, long-term financial advantages.

Homestead Exemption: Built-In Tax Relief for Florida Homeowners

Florida’s Homestead Exemption is a tax benefit designed to reduce the taxable value of your primary residence. When approved, it can lower the amount of property taxes you pay each year — starting with an initial $25,000 exemption off your home’s assessed value. An…

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Luxury Waterfront Living at Mira Vista at Harbortown

by Jennifer Heller

If you're searching for luxury waterfront condominiums in Jacksonville, Florida, look no further than Mira Vista at Harbortown. Located along the Intracoastal Waterway on Atlantic Boulevard, this gated community offers the serenity of waterfront living with the convenience of being just minutes from the beach, downtown Jacksonville, shopping, and dining options.

Introducing Unit 807: A Spacious End-Unit with Stunning Views

Set within this sought-after community, unit 807 in Mira Vista is a rare corner-unit opportunity offering expansive marsh and waterway views.  With 2,694 square feet of living space, this second-floor condo lives more like a single-family home while still offering the low-maintenance perks of condo life.

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Chasing Pavements in St. Augustine, Florida: A Guide to Running in the Nation’s Oldest City

By Graci Flaherty

Just when you think you have a place all figured out, it finds a way to surprise you.

Ponte Vedra’s most historically significant neighbor, St. Augustine brings to mind less sneakers and races, and more museums and forts. But look close enough and you’ll find a thriving running community, from the Flagler Cross Country team to the Ancient City Road Runners. Growing up in St. Johns County, I thought I knew the area like the back of my hand, but after spending the past 2 years falling in love with running, I can attest to the fact that St. Augustine feels entirely different when you experience it on foot So, download Strava, grab your Garmin watch, and start chasing pavements!

ROUTES

From Bridge to Bridge and Back (6.5 miles)

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