As I've recently posted (I think) the Jacksonville Port Authority has recently decided to cease funding the Mayport Ferry, which provides ferry service between the historic fishing village of Mayport, and connects one side of scenic A1A to the other via the ferry service. It may not be much shorter than driving from a time perspective (the ferry runs every 30 minutes from one side to the next), it certainly is more fun than the extra drive, and is scenic to say the least. It's my favorite way to get to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. The funding is to end this coming September, and there are various efforts to find alternate funding/operational sources, and here is a meeting that could yield some solid information. If you live locally, you can also "like" Save the Mayport Ferry's Fa... 02/28/2012

I'm sure this has happened in many areas of Florida, probably more common on the coast or inland waterways. Mayport, Florida was hotly pursued as the next "It" area of Jacksonville. Located on the St. John's River, with ocean access just next door, land was gobbled up in anticipation of increasing land values and multi use land development that would bring buyers and retail stores by the dozens overnight. Now, with the current state of the economy, the plans have faltered, some mid-stream as the developers were caught amidst the changing tide of the real estate market. The Navy is planning on dredging to bring the channel to the appropriate depth for a nuclear carrier, there is again a casino cruise ship and plans remain to shift the cruise ship terminal from up the river to closer to M... 03/12/2011

We here at the beaches love our ferry, as it can save us time and money to get to Amelia Island, and Fernandina Beach.  The slowest month for ferry ridership is December, so the local Port Authority decided that was a good time for maintenance and improvements. It's also fun to ride the ferry vs. driving up 9A because of the great water views you get - sometimes, there is nothing like it.  You can read more here: http://jacksonville.com/community/arlington/2011-01-07/story/mayport-ferry-back-operation-after-month-closure   01/09/2011

Here are the January - June 2010 stats and 2009 for comparison - 2010 64 Homes Sold Lowest price: $25,000 Highest price: $1,000,000         Lowest Per Square Foot Sold:$25.51 Highest Per Square Foot Sold: $298.18    2009 43 homes sold Lowest price: $48,000 Highest price: $615,000 Lowest Per Square Foot Sold:$40.32 Highest Per Square Foot Sold: $226.77 I know most buyers want to hear more information about distressed sales (REO's/Bank Owned properties) and most sellers would prefer to ignore them - as they make up about 50% of our local Multiple Listing Service inventory, however, they are impossible to ignore, as they do have an impact on pricing, and value perception of the market. Foreclosure sales are up about 50% year to year, which is good, as the sooner we get the distressed inven... 07/05/2010

The Jacksonville HOMEBUYER reports that the Jacksonville area ranks No. 14 on a new list by Forbes of America's 40 "recession-proof" retirement cities. Forbes said it considered such factors as average income for seniors, current and expected home prices, job-growth predictions through 2014, the also ranked 13th for number of sunny days, eighth for income of residents 65 and older, 14th for median home price, 32nd for home price change predicted for 2009-2014, 13th for cost of living and 15th for median housing cost. Contact me if you are looking for a home in the Jacksonville area, any where from Amelia Island southward to Daytona Beach (which includes the greater Jacksonville area).   Richard www.ameliaislandresidences.com   11/02/2009

If you are like anyone today, you believe there are fabulous deals in real estate, and all you have to do is FIND them. Yes, Virginia, there are deals in real estate, especially if you have cash, and a terrific credit score. Let's look at the online auction in Jacksonville, since so many buyers believe auctions are where the REAL deals are. For the date of 6/9/09, there were a total of 40 auctions schedule on the online auction site: www.duval.realforeclose.com. Of these, 21 were canceled PRIOR to the auction, either by court order, the attorney, or the plaintiff.  So, over 50% of the available auction properties were canceled. That's a fairly high percentage, and as you can imagine, if you had your eyes on one particular home that was canceled, you'd be frustrated. When will that home ... 06/29/2009

This data is from March & April 2009, and details an improving real estate market. Pairing this with the recent news that California has seen 3 months of increasing sales, and the picture starts to look much better than what the doom & gloom media have been saying. Florida existing home sales rose in April for the eighth consecutive month.  Here are city by city numbers fo single family homes: City                                                 Percent increase April 08/April 09 Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater                11% Orlando                                           38% Fort Myers-Cape Coral                       81% Jacksonville                                     -5% Fort Lauderdale                                33% West Palm Beach-Boca Raton             3% Sarasota-Bradenton ... 06/28/2009

Summer in Jacksonville is in full swing! Those in the community appreciate the safety and security of military personelle locally.  Jacksonville consists of two Naval bases and an attachment of the USCG Mayport Sector. Last week the Coast Guard set out to save four citizens when they received a stress call.  The Coast Guard Station in Mayport, FL were able to rescue the boaters both via helicoptor and a 47 foot rescue boat.  Upon their arrival, they discovered a fastly sinking 22 foot vessel 10 miles off of the coast.  Of course with the swimming season, the Coast Guard reminds boaters and swimmers alike to put safety first. For additional information reguarding Sea Safety visit: http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/Florida.html http://www.centralfl-redcross.org/ocean-safety.php... 06/17/2009

Here are some beaches area statistics by zip code for Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach.  This compares year ago 2008 with current year 2009 activity.   Zip Code 32233 - Atlantic Beach Average Sales Price = $398,700 which is off by .48% from 2008 (not significant) Total Homes Sold = 34, which is 17% higher than 2008. Average Days On Market = 120 List Price/Sold Price Index = 86.7% Zip Code 32250 - Jacksonville Beach Average Sales Price = $294,200 which is 27.54% down from 2008 Total Homes Sold = 48 which is 37% higher than 2008 Average Days On Market = 105 List Price/Sold Price Index = 93.9% Zip Code 32266 - Neptune Beach Average Sales Price = $584,100 which is 113% higher than 2008 Total Homes Sold = 11, which is 22% higher than 2008 Average Days On Market = 130 List Pr... 05/25/2009

The Player's Championship is back for this week, 5/4-5/10/09.  This awesome event features top golfers from all over the world and is held in Ponte Vedra. Tickets are still available for this event (visit http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r011/ to purchase tickets), or you can watch the golf on TV.  TV times are also on this website. Please keep in mind we have many tourists visiting our local area this week, so restaurants may have longer than usual waiting times, and we'll have more traffic. The primary traffic will be on A1A heading to the and from the tournament, so early in the morning and in the afternoon, you will want to budget extra time to get around. Have a great TPC week! Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL ... 05/04/2009

The annual Beaches Sandcastle Contest will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 , in Jacksonville Beach in front of the Seawalk Pavilion and the annual Beaches "Opening Day Parage" will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in downtown Jacksonville Beach. Both of these events can be enjoyed by the whole family, so make plans to be there!  Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty.  She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net 04/18/2009

This one day festival is a family friendly event held in the Beaches Town Center at the ocean end of Atlantic Blvd. A KIDS ZONE, sponsored by 200 FIRST STREET and several local schools, will offer lots of activities, games, rides and snacks in an alcohol-free area. An art show will feature local and regional artists with talents in painting, jewelry, handcrafted glass, pottery, wood cravings and more. Music starts at noon on the Ocean Stage. Local restaurants will have food booths set up for your enjoyment. Pets, skateboards, bikes and coolers will not be allowed in the festival area. For more information contact Patsy Bishop at 246-9133. Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty.  She helps buye... 04/18/2009

Recycling Community Waste to Make a Community That's Safe  The City of Jacksonville will have mobile household hazardous waste vehicles at the Atlantic Beach City Hall parking lot (next to Russell Park), 800 Seminole Road on Saturday, April 25th  from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Many materials used in the home and gardens are considered hazardous waste and must NOT be thrown into household trash.  These materials can cause serious safety and health problems.  Check the list below for types of products to take to the household hazardous waste collection on April 25th.   WILL BE ACCEPTED:   Paint, paint thinners & strippers                               Fertilizer                                       Computer monitors Rechargeable batteries                                Acids                   ... 04/18/2009

Enjoy nationally recognized blues music in Jacksonville Beach this weekend - at the SeaWalk Pavilion starting Friday 5pm, and running until 8pm Sunday. Food, BBQ, and seafood, as well as kids activities, arts and crafts.   For more information, visit the website at http://www.springingtheblues.com  Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty.  She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net 04/02/2009

As of this very moment, there are 21 bank owned properties, also called REO or foreclosures for sale in the Multiple Listing Service in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach. Here are the ones priced under $350,000: America's Cup Circle   3 BR/2 BA , 1188 SF $72,900 Penman Road  2 BR/2 BA ,1211 SF,  $99,900 Main Street, 3 BR/2 BA ,1352 SF,  $132,900 Sunrise Circle, 2 BR/2.5 BA,, 1472 SF,  $174,900 Magnolia Street, 3 BR/2 BA, 1286 SF,  $179,900 Tallwood Road, 3 BR/2.5 BA, 1966 SF,  $194,900 5th North, 3 BR/2 BA 1357 SF,  $235,000 Paradise Oaks Lane, 3 BR/2 BA, 1756 SF, $249,900 Margaret Street, 3 BR/2 BA, 2198 SF,  $275,000 Paradise Lane, 3 BR/2.5 BA,  1952 SF, $279,900 Palm Way, 4 BR/4 BA, 2796 SF , $309,900 23rd North, 3 BR/2 BA, 1898 SF, $325,000 Some of these homes a... 02/22/2009