Ponte Vedra Focus Blog - Community Blog

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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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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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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5 Easy Tips to Help Create Your Home Wellness Space

by Jennifer Heller

It's not always easy to carve out a little peace and serenity within your own home, yet it has never been more important. That’s why more people are turning to dedicated wellness spaces—a small, cozy space designed to focus on both body and mind. Whether you have a love for yoga, need a space for daily meditation, or simply want a quiet corner to unplug and breathe, a home wellness space can provide the tools needed to slow down and reconnect.

A wellness room is a deeply personal space in your home. It doesn’t have to follow any specific plan or blueprint—it’s all about what makes you feel calm, centered, and ideally, relaxed. Maybe that’s a yoga mat in front of a sunny window, a small art studio if painting or drawing is more of…

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Filling the Gaps: The Beaches Homeless Coalition's Unique Approach

by Ellen Glasser
President, Beaches Homeless Coalition Inc.

Working with many volunteers and several churches over the last two years,  the Beaches Homeless Coalition (BHC) recently became “official” as a 501c(3) non-profit organization.  It is our unwavering mission at the BHC to serve the homeless people of the beaches by meeting them "where they are" in life and providing services to them through a robust network of community partners who are dedicated to treating them with dignity and compassion.  

Formed as a corporation, the BHC is a secular organization that assists host organizations and volunteers to provide food, meals, temporary shelter, clothing, hygiene services, transportation, and other assistance to homeless people at the…

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THE PLAYERS Championship Info and FAQ

Every March, Ponte Vedra Beach becomes center stage in the golfing realm as THE PLAYERS Championship brings golfers, fans and media to our coastal town.  Welcoming this annual tradition is nothing new to residents of Ponte Vedra Beach as the PGA Tour has called Ponte Vedra Beach home to this tournament since 1974.  This event brings hundreds of thousands of fans to our community annually for this world class golf event. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, it's not too late! We've got you covered with ticket information, newer fan experiences and some important Frequently Asked Questions, so you know before you go.

TICKETS

Stadium Pass - A Stadium Pass ticket is for general grounds access and all public areas of the Tournament.  Tuesday’s…

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Increases in Traffic in Ponte Vedra Beach: Is It Commuter Traffic? Cut-Through Traffic? Population Increase?

by Gwinn Volen

Is it cut-through traffic that clogs Palm Valley Road? Has construction in Nocatee and St Johns County caused increased commuter congestion on A1A?

The Citizens Traffic Task Force in Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley commissioned a study to understand where traffic originates for some of our more congested roads. Since I moved here in 2006, traffic has definitely picked up, and yet, having lived in large cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and DC, the traffic still feels pretty minimal to me, albeit sometimes annoying.

Using Streetlight data, which pulls from cellular carriers, car movement and where the car came from can be tracked.  Here's a link to the report, and here are the key findings on where the traffic comes…

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Downsizing Options in Ponte Vedra Beach

By Gwinn Volen

With just one kid left in the house, the 'empty nest' is on the horizon, and with it, thoughts of downsizing are starting to creep in. Honestly, the idea of maintaining a large home as we get older isn't exactly thrilling. Who needs the hassle of a pool, with its monthly upkeep, not to mention the inevitable (and expensive!) pump replacements and the need to re-surface it every decade or so. There's also the constant exterior maintenance – the yard, the never-ending list of repairs, the inevitable "Oh no, what's that sound?" moments as yet another system decides to give out. Maybe it's not even about the work; maybe it's the desire for a simpler life, the freedom to travel more. Whatever the reason, the time feels right for a change. But…

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7 Benefits of Independent Living Communities

by Jenn Heller

Retirement is an exciting new chapter, and independent living communities offer the perfect environment to embrace it. These communities are designed to provide the ideal balance of freedom and support, allowing seniors to maintain an active, engaged lifestyle without the hassles of home maintenance. With thoughtfully planned amenities, secure living spaces, and opportunities to connect with like-minded neighbors, independent living allows residents to fully enjoy their golden years in comfort and style.

From chef-prepared dining to social clubs and safety features, independent living is about enhancing your quality of life. Imagine where your day could include a morning swim, an afternoon art class, and dinner with friends at the…

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Discover the Capybara Café: St. Augustine’s Newest Attraction for Animal Enthusiasts

by Jenn Heller

Rediscovering My Inner Child (and a Love for Wildlife!)

Growing up on Long Island, my exposure to wildlife was...limited, to say the least. Aside from the occasional backyard squirrel or a rogue snake slithering onto the patio—let’s just say my daddy handled that situation in a way snake enthusiasts wouldn’t approve of—our “wildlife” was mostly our family dogs. No cats, no hamsters, no guinea pigs. Just loyal, four-legged friends.

Fast forward to raising my own kids, and history repeated itself. Except for a brief two-hour stint with a turtle (which quickly found its way back to the pond), we kept it simple: two dogs.

Now, at the youthful yet ornery age of 56, I seem to be channeling my inner Benjamin Button and revisiting the…

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