by Aaron Bacus

Are you in the market for a new home but unsure of the best mortgage options for you? Let’s explore the different mortgage options available, discuss the benefits of each option, and provide tips for a smoother home buying process.

mortgage calculart

Introduction to Mortgage Options

When it comes to buying a home, there are many different mortgage options available. From fixed-rate mortgages, to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM), each option offers its own set of pros and cons.

Types of Mortgage Options

The most common type of mortgage is a fixed-rate mortgage. With this type of mortgage, the interest rate stays the same throughout the life of the loan. This makes it a great option if you’re looking for stability.

An adjustable-rate mortgage…

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By Gwinn Volen

My childhood memories of being in the country are vivid. Whippoorwills singing and frogs croaking in the pond at night. The smell of horses, cows and freshly bush hogged pastures. Sleepovers with cousins and friends, and even after-prom parties in high school. Once my kids were born, they too got to experience some of the joy I felt running in the woods, building forts, and fishing in the pond. ATV three wheelers were replaced with golf carts for them, but the sounds of the woods and idyllic South Carolina country life were still felt by them. My oldest son was nine when my mom decided to sell the "pond house" also referred to as "the country." My mom was 73. The upkeep was unmanageable. She no longer enjoyed going there. And the…

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by Jenn Heller

When it comes time to move a parent it can be stressful, whether moving to independent living, assisted living or any type of senior facility. It's a time filled with great emotion when they may be missing their younger days of great independence and the home they have grown accustomed to. Things like fear of aging, being alone and the prospect of not having friends can be taxing on not just your senior parent, but on you as well.

seniors at a computer

As a child, emotions of feeling you have failed your parent will kick in and guilt becomes an inevitable reaction. It's a natural human emotion that won't last forever. Honestly, the last thing you want to do is move a parent who essentially doesn't need to be moved just yet, but having a plan in place…

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What is a Homestead Exemption?

In the state of Florida, if you own a home that is your primary residence, you can file for a Homestead Exemption. This exemption places a maximum property tax increase on your home of just 3%. It's important to note that there are other exemptions you may be eligible for as well depending on your current situation.

If you purchased a home in 2024, the deadline to file for your Homestead Exemption is March 1, 2025. 

When do I need to file for Homestead Exemption?

The deadline for filing for Homestead is March 1. You need to be a Florida resident and reside in your new home by January 1 to take advantage of that Homestead Exemption for the upcoming year. Otherwise, Homestead will take effect the following year.…

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by Jenn Heller

Remember when your parents couldn't wait to be empty nesters, have the house all to themselves or maybe even downsize? As kids we rarely give thought to our parents aging and being less independent but realistically we know it's inevitable. The time will come when we need to take a long hard look at senior living for our aging parents.

There are many things to think about and consider when it comes time to face this reality and you will undoubtedly have an abundance of questions. Many times older adults will be thrilled with the vision of downsizing and moving to a community where they can interact with others their age while taking part in all the activities offered at senior communities. We should, however, be prepared for a parent…

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by Jenn Heller

Just north of Ponte Vedra Beach and Jacksonville Beach sits two quaint beach communities thriving in local hotspots featuring fantastic dining, entertainment, shopping and of course, some of the prettiest ocean frontage to grace the First Coast. The Beaches Town Center is not just a landmark to the locals looking for good food but vacationers as well who enjoy the oceanfront hotels including One Ocean and The Seahorse. What could be better than being located directly in the heart of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.

sunrise in atlantic beach florida

Residents and area beaches locals alike love to stroll the of the Town Center for the dining selections and locally owned shopping opportunities to include boutiques of all kinds. And there's so much to choose from!

…

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It's hard to believe this is the 5th year of the Ponte Vedra Focus Blog Scholarship! It's been amazing to be able to help our local students achieve great things when leaving high school and this year will be no different. The annual Blog Scholarship is sponsored by The Volen Group at Keller Williams Luxury International and Gwinn Volen. Gwinn Volen is a top real estate agent in Ponte Vedra Beach and the creator of the Ponte Vedra Focus Blog.

ponte vedra focus blog scholarship

All St. Johns County and Duval County graduating seniors who plan to continue their education in the college arena are eligible to participate in The Blog Scholarship. "Through the years, we've read some pretty amazing blogs created by high school seniors and we have loved including them on our blog as ways to…

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Ponte Vedra Beach is known for being a quaint resort town between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. History of this lovely area dates back to 1912 when it gained notoriety for minerals found along the dunes resulting in it being aptly named Mineral City. The titanium, rutile and zircon minerals located along the shorelines were vital in making steel for World War I.

But Mineral City was soon to find a new name. At the conclusion of WWI, local planners pulled together to begin the efforts of showcasing Mineral City as the incredible beach and resort town it is today. Named after Pontevedra, Galicia, a small town in northwest Spain, known for its hospitality, Ponte Vedra Beach made its place on the Northeast Florida coastline.

In 1928, the opening of…

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By Gwinn Volen

We are moving towards a balanced market in Ponte Vedra Beach and its nearby communities.

Real estate market health is best measured by months supply of homes. Months supply measures the number of months it would take to sell all the current homes on the market given the current sales pace. Six months of supply is considered a balanced market where home prices are appreciating at a moderate pace. Lower supply causes home prices to appreciate more rapidly (demand high, supply low). Months supply for single family homes in 32082 for September 2022 was 5.1 months, in August it was 3.6 months and in September '21 it was 1.7 months. 


months supply chart in 32082

As supply increases, appreciation is slowing. In the Beaches area, median home prices are up 22%…

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Are you a proud parent that has raised the kids, ushered them into adulthood and thought, what's next? Once the kids are out of the house many parents opt to downsize. Moving to a smaller place that is much more practical once the kids are grown and "adulting" on their own means new adventures for Mom & Dad. Hilarious "Empty Nester" photo shoots have even gone viral to commemorate the event of setting those baby birds off into the real world when Mom & Dad get to take their next step! Maybe it's time to free up some precious moments to do the things they love by selling large pool home to trade down to smaller living space that meets their needs. It also makes sure the kids don't try to move back in right?

empty nester couple

Statistically over 50% of empty-nesters…

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