Ponte Vedra Focus Blog - Community Blog

Interior Designs Stores at the Beach

In need of a little spring refresh, a whole house redo or a present for a friend? These local shops, and the interior designers associated with them, are perfect for all three. 

J. Turner in  Sawgrass Village

J. Turner’s collection of organic materials is a natural fit for any coastal design. Driftwood coffee tables, framed sea fans, and fragrant candles in reusable wooden vessels all have unique textures. Either on their own or layered the pieces create a welcoming environment both in the store and at home.  The extremely personable staff are also available to help choose a beautiful home accessory or design entire spaces.   Visit J. Turner at 280 Village Main St #990, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.

Mrs. Howard/Max & Co in Jacksonville Beach

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5 Peaceful Places in Jacksonville to Visit

Written by Kyah Williams, 2023 Ponte Vedra Focus Blog Scholarship Winner

Life can get pretty busy, as we all know. Sometimes a break is just simply needed, somewhere to go in between meetings or on the weekends. Your body, and mind, need rest. It’s necessary to perform well at anything and everything you do. It’s natural, human, to need to find some sort of peacefulness in this busy world. 

Stop and take a moment for yourself so that you can get the rest that you deserve. The Northeast Jacksonville area has plenty of places where you can sneak away for a few hours with some peace and quiet. 

Neptune Beach

This may seem like an obvious one to some – but most forget that the most peaceful place is right in our backyards! Neptune Beach is the…

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Neighborhood Spotlight: TPC Sawgrass

by Jenn Heller

One of the most established and highly coveted communities in Ponte Vedra Beach is also home to THE PLAYERS Championship every spring. Sawgrass Players Club, lovingly known as TPC Sawgrass, is an established planned unit development that comes with a boatload of history.

TPC Sawgrass History

• Early 1970s: TPC Sawgrass was developed by Jimmy Stockton
  • Developer, Jimmy Stockton, toyed with names like Sea Spray and Dune Village before landing on Sawgrass
• 1974: The PGA Tour relocates from Washington DC to Ponte Vedra Beach
• 1984: Sawgrass Village was constructed in the mid 80's adding nearby local shopping and fine dining
• 1982: The PGA Tour hosts THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass for the first time
• …

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Mortgage Gift Funds: What You Need To Know

by Aaron Bacus

Gift funds have been a hot topic recently for those looking to buy a home. So what exactly is a gift fund and can a buyer accept funds from anyone? Let’s dive into the nitty gritty! Gift funds are funds given to someone buying a home by an acceptable donor to be used as a down payment, towards closing costs, or other fees.  They can only be used on a primary residence or second home and are not allowed to be used for an investment property. 

An acceptable donor can be a relative such as a spouse, child, dependent or other relative that is related by blood, marriage or adoption.  A non-relative can be considered as an acceptable donor if they share a “familial relationship” with the borrower such as a domestic partner, fiancé,…

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Top Real Estate Questions for 2023

Is the Market Crashing? 

No. The balance between supply and demand is what affects prices, and in the greater Jacksonville market, we are at 3 months of supply which still indicates a seller’s market (6 months is a balanced market). We expect inventory to rise some in the Spring, but supply will still remain relatively low. We don’t expect homes to appreciate at the pace it has for the last two years. For 2022, the greater Jacksonville real estate market median sale price saw an 18% increase over 2021, and 2021 was up 18% from 2020. Historical average appreciation nationally is 4%, while our area enjoys a slightly higher historical average of 6%. Keep in mind, Florida is still a tax friendly destination state so we should continue to reap the…

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Uncovering the Best Mortgage Possibilities

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.

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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To Sell or Pass Down a Family Vacation Home?

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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5 Tips for Moving an Aging Parent

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.

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?

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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Senior Living: 5 Things to Know About Senior Living Communities

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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