Ponte Vedra Focus Blog - real estate

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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Exclusive Ponte Vedra Beach Oceanfront Real Estate with Stunning Views

by Jennifer Heller

Experience the epitome of luxury Ponte Vedra Beach real estate with this exceptional oceanfront home located at 959 Ponte Vedra Boulevard. Spanning 200 feet along the Atlantic coastline and extending over 430 feet in depth, this exclusive estate offers unmatched privacy with a gated entrance and lush landscaping. Located near the prestigious beach clubs, this prime piece of Ponte Vedra Beach real estate provides the ultimate in coastal living.

This gorgeous oceanfront property features two pristine pools—one with unobstructed ocean views and another at the front for breezier days—along with a private tennis court. Designed for both relaxation and entertainment, the estate includes a grand main residence and an elegant guest…

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Luxurious Old Ponte Vedra Beach Living: Your Dream Home Awaits

Exquisite Custom Pool Home on the Prestigious Ponte Vedra Inn & Club's Ocean Course

Nestled in the heart of Old Ponte Vedra, one of Northeast Florida's most coveted communities, 340 San Juan Drive offers an unparalleled lifestyle of luxury and convenience. This exquisite custom pool home, perfectly positioned along the 6th hole of the prestigious Ponte Vedra Inn & Club's Ocean Course, presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of paradise.  Experience the beach and golf lifestyle with amazing sunsets in this elegant Old Ponte Vedra home.

Key Features:

• 5 Bedrooms, 5 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath
• 5132 SqFt
• Listed for $6,750,000
• MLS #2071391

Unrivaled Location and Lifestyle

Imagine waking up to breathtaking golf course views and…

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5 Benefits to Lock-and-Leave Living

by Jenn Heller

Imagine a lifestyle where your time is truly yours—no more weekends spent mowing the lawn, fixing a leaky faucet, or dealing with endless home tasks. A lock-and-leave home lets you close the front door and leave without worry, allowing for a hassle-free living experience in a low-maintenance community that handles all the chores homeowners dread doing. Whether it's traveling more often, picking up a new hobby, or a quick trip, lock-and-leave living provides the freedom to enjoy life without concerns about your home.

More Time for Travel

Forget about the stress of leaving your home unattended while you are gone for a day, a week, or even longer. Lock-and-leave living gives you the freedom to take spontaneous trips, albeit a…

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Elevate Your Space at Dash Home and Outdoor Living

by Jenn Heller

The Story Behind Dash Home and Outdoor Living

For home design enthusiasts, Dash Home and Outdoor Living offers a refreshing blend of curated style, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Founded by owner, Cindy Ware, out of a passion for home flipping and self-expression, the store is a reflection of the belief that every home should showcase unique, beautiful, and functional pieces that represent the owner's personal style.

Curating Quality and Craftsmanship

Dash Home and Outdoor Living focuses on providing high-quality furniture and décor that stand the test of time. Many of their offerings come from United States-based manufacturers, ensuring not only excellent craftsmanship but also supporting local production. This dedication…

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How the Election Might Impact the Real Estate Market

by Gwinn Volen

Regardless of political affiliation, the upcoming election has become a hot topic in real estate discussions. Some buyers feel anxious about making a purchase just before the election, opting to wait for the outcome rather than committing to a decision.  

While it is common to see a slight slowdown in real estate activity before the November presidential election, historically, elections have not significantly impacted the market.

Slight Home Sales Decline Leading Up to Elections

As you can see in the above chart, some buyers do choose to pause their home searches in anticipation of the election, though this trend has not been dramatic in the past. Additionally, this time of year typically sees a seasonal decline in…

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Is a Balanced Real Estate Market in Our Future?

The US housing market has been a seller's market for the past few years. But is that changing as inventory rises?

What Is a Balanced Market?

A real estate market is considered balanced when there is a supply of approximately five to seven months of homes for sale. In a balanced market, neither the seller nor the buyer has a clear upper hand. Prices tend to balance out as more choices become available. It's supply and demand.

Nationally, the year started with a three-month supply which has increased throughout the year to four months, a signal that the US housing market is moving closer to a balanced market.  And yet, even with the increase in housing inventory, we aren't seeing a glut of inventory which would signal a crash. 

The below chart…

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Are Recent Headlines Making You Scratch Your Head?

by Gwinn Volen

“‘Massive’ Housing Bubble About to Burst.” “The Housing Market Hit A Wall In May/June.” “Why Are Home Prices Still Rising?” “Home Prices Are Still Sky-High.”

Even the experts can’t figure it out. But the general consensus is that high interest rates are keeping supply low as existing homeowners are hesitant to swap a low-interest rate mortgage for a high interest rate mortgage. Despite high interest rates deterring some, many buyers still need to move for various personal reasons, which is sustaining current inventory prices.

Market Overview

As most of you savvy readers know, real estate is a “local” business. What is happening in the broader marketplace may not be happening in your local market.

So, here is what is…

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Why Bank Statement Loans Are a Game-Changer for Self-Employed Borrowers

by Aaron Bacus

As a mortgage broker, I understand the unique challenges that self-employed individuals face when trying to secure a mortgage. Traditional mortgage qualifications often rely heavily on W-2 forms and tax returns, which can be a significant hurdle for those who run their own businesses. However, there's an alternative solution for self-employed borrowers: bank statement loans. 

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What Are Bank Statement Loans?

Bank statement loans are a type of mortgage designed specifically for self-employed individuals who might not have the typical documentation required for a conventional loan. Instead of relying on tax returns and W-2s, these loans use the borrower's bank statements to determine their income. Lenders look at the deposits made…

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Jacksonville Home Prices in 2023 and 2024 Predictions

by Gwinn Volen

2023 was a year of home price course correction and normalization after 2 years of extreme appreciation. At a national level, 2023 saw the lowest number of home sales since 1995, yet prices still increased 1%, to a record high.

Quarterly Sales Price for Duval and St Johns County: 2019-2023

Duval and St. Johns County’s home prices closed out the year with a -0.1% decline. The above graph shows resale property home prices (single-family homes only) in Duval and St Johns County by quarter since 2019. Prices see-sawed from 2019-2021 but you then see the steady rise in prices we saw in 2021 and 2022. You can also see the flattening of prices in 2023, and though Q4 is a little down from Q3, overall prices are steady. Though the…

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