Ponte Vedra Focus Blog - Community Blog

Juice Bars at the Beach

by Jenn Heller

Have you noticed Juice Bars seem to be the growing trend around town?  There are many health benefits to juicing including the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, boosting your immune system, aid in digestion and weight loss.  When fueling your body with large amounts of fruits and vegetables (as in juicing) your liver and kidneys work hard to remove toxins as well as build newer, healthier tissues.  

If you’re like me, you may have snubbed your nose at the green drinks your friends have offered but the old saying is “don’t knock it ‘til you tried it” … so I did.  Suddenly I was a huge fan!  And the more ginger, the better!

Some juice bars serve more than just juice though. A few have quite the unexpected menu! Here’s what you…

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Coffee Shops at the Beach

by Jenn Heller

Having worked in Ponte Vedra Beach since 2004, I can say I'm pretty familiar with the coffee shops at the beach. It wasn't until 2022 that there was an actual "coffee shop" in Ponte Vedra Beach that was cute and kind of trendy. Think Friends, "Central Perk," sans Gunther, the goofy barista in love with Rachel. Those are the places I love and where now, I enjoy working remotely when the opportunity presents itself. Here's my 5 favorite coffee shops at the beach where you can do your best remote work, enjoy the atmosphere and grab an amazing coffee or light breakfast!

Foxtail Coffee Co. in Ponte Vedra Beach

Foxtail Coffee  | 260 Front Street, Ponte Vedra Beach | (904) 834-7290

Coffee enthusiasts in Ponte Vedra Beach…

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McFlamingos – Real Food in Ponte Vedra Beach

by Willow Logue

Do you dream about hummus? Crave chips? Then you have probably been lucky enough to dine at McFlamingo.

Their delicious and healthy menu includes signature salads, sandwiches, snacks, and beach boxes. Almost every item has a unique flavor combination: grapes with sweet potatoes or blueberries with salmon and avocado to name a few.  Those willing to trust the chef will be rewarded with a tasty mix of savory and sweet that will have you licking the bottom of the eco-friendly plate.

For larger parties, McFlamingo also offers catering. Pro-tip: get the pickled tomatoes as part of the crudite platter. Your guests will be raving for months if they can manage to walk away from the dish. Another winner is the beach boxes. These are…

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January 2021 Real Estate Stats Show More of the Same: Low Inventory and Frenzied Buyers

By Gwinn Volen

January's real estate statistics are in, and our market continues to see incredibly low inventory, creating a frenzy when a home hits the market.

News reports show that more than 1,000 new residents are moving to Florida daily. This is evident in the multiple offer situations we are seeing, at every price point, including the luxury market. Take a look at the recent under contract homes in Old Ponte Vedra, as an example. Both of these properties went under contract in under two days.

Ponte Vedra Beach housing inventory continues to linger at 1.5 months, down 67% from last January. Nocatee has only .5 months worth of inventory. Blink and any new listings are under contract. Six months of inventory is considered a balanced market, so…

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Beach Real Estate Market Continues On the Same Trend: Low Inventory, Hungry Buyers

By Gwinn Volen

The December real estate statistics show more of the same for Ponte Vedra Beach and its surrounding communities. Low inventory, low days on the market and a high volume in showings.

Inventory dropped further. Days on the market dropped to just 34 days on the market.  And showings per listing were up over 100%.

What Does this Mean for Sellers?

Saturday, I went by an open house in TPC Sawgrass. There were over 20 cars parked out front in the first 10 minutes. Relocating buyers, currently in rentals, were out in force to see what is out there.

Mortgage rates started the year at yet another historic low, which gives these buyers more purchase power.

If you want to sell, this is an opportune time. If priced appropriately or…

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Investment Property Loans: Q&A with Brad King

by Brad King, Lender

The beach communities of Jacksonville are known for their perfect vacation get-a-way opportunities.  Those looking to escape the cold winters up north make a tradition of coming south to our cozy resort towns in search of warm sunshine, the beach, and golf, which makes our area a prime opportunity for an investment property.  If purchasing a home or condo has been on your mind, here are some important things you should know about a mortgage for your investment property compliments of Brad King, Mortgage Lender.

What is the rate difference between a Conventional Loan and a loan on an investment property?

There are three loan types: FHA, VA, and Conventional.   For investment property, a conventional loan is necessary since…

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New Year's Resolutions - Tips to Keep Them Once and For All

by Jenn Heller

Every year we make them and no doubt we hate ourselves a few days later when we break them.  Studies show that 94% of people keep their resolutions for just ONE MONTH.  New Years Eve is always the time when we reflect on the past and begin planning for the future.  We commit to change with fierce determination to do better.  Whether it be better eating, exercise, saving money, quit smoking, less drinking, you name it …  we all somehow make them.  

Let’s face it, 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year!  It came in with a bang, we were determined to rise above whatever 2019 dealt us and conquer our resolutions.  Cut to March, COVID-19 hit and 2020 took a complete dumpster dive.  By November I personally was ready to light 2020…

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Polar Plunge - A Chilling History

by Jenn Heller

Every year on January 1st people flock to the coldest of waterways (or even swimming pools) to bring in the new year with a chilly polar plunge.   This tradition dates back to 1904 in Boston where the first recorded plunge into icy water took place on New Year’s Day.

Here on the First Coast, residents from the Beaches and surrounding Jacksonville area run out into the frigid Atlantic Ocean off
Jacksonville Beach to continue this tradition at the annual Polar Plunge hosted by Wavemaster Society at the SeaWalk Pavilion.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced Wavemasters to cancel this annual event that normally sees about 2,500 people run into the numbing water hovering at a wintry 65 degrees. 

Why Plunge?

Many love to start the…

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Building at the Beach: A Conversation with Interior Designer Kelly Cook

By Karen Tyrrell

Today we delve into the mind of an interior designer! When my husband and I started on this home building project, we knew we needed someone with a skill set that involved architecture and the ability to put what we were envisioning and describing on paper. We needed a design firm that could take the plans and elevate them in CAD so we had a visual of each space. Do I wish I had looped in the firm much sooner in this process? Yes. Yes, I do.

So I introduce you to Kelly Cook with Orangerie Home in Jacksonville Beach. Kelly and Brian Conover have been such lifesavers in so many aspects – they are creative talents, visionaries, problem solvers, and they are also part-time therapists. I have a problem with commitment. (I may have…

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Housing Inventory Drops Again. Is a Bubble in Our Future?

By Gwinn Volen

Real estate inventory in Ponte Vedra Beach dropped yet again in November with only 1.9 months of inventory, down 63% from November 2019 and down 17% from last month.  The median sale price is up 34% from November 2019. Here's a look at November to November statistics for 32082:

Seeing home prices increase like this certainly begs the question, are we entering a real estate bubble? Here are a few things to consider to keep things in perspective.

Pandemic's Impact on the Real Estate Market

COVID-19 has caused many sellers to hold off on listing their properties, which means the housing inventory is incredibly low. Low inventory means sellers have the upper-hand which drives up prices. The month over month increases are a…

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