Jacksonville Real Estate Blog - Brad Officer

Common Features of Colonial Style Homes In Jacksonville

The true origins of Colonial Style homes are rooted in various parts of the world, but they first arrived on our shores in the 1600’s with the first British Colonialists. Eager to build houses on the land that would eventually become the United States, they sourced local materials such as wood, brick or stone, to recreate the familiar structures they had left behind in Great Britain. Later the Spanish, Dutch and French would settle in different regions along the eastern seaboard and the south, bringing their own distinctive architecture with them. 

Colonial homes were the most prominent and defining homes of the newly growing U.S. until roughly 1765-1783, the time of the American Revolution, when they were ditched in favor of the new architectural…

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St. Augustine Condo Buildings With Low HOA Dues

St. Augustine, Florida, is not only known for being the oldest city in the United States, but it is also one of the most sought-after destinations for those relocating to the state. Whether you’re purchasing your primary home or secondary getaway, St. Augustine is a prime location for a condo by the beach with easy access to bustling city life. While HOA dues are known for being costly, especially in such in-demand areas, there are still several condo buildings in St. Augustine with low HOA dues just waiting to be the perfect home for new residents. 

Grand Ravine 

Located only a few minutes away from Crescent Beach and St. Augustine Beach, Grand Ravine is a Mediterranean style private condominium community designed with the relaxed and…

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Jacksonville Neighborhoods With The Best Boutique Shops

Shopping at large department stores, national brands, and longstanding chains has its advantages. The prices are often cheaper, sales are more frequent, and many even have fancy tech that allows customers to accumulate points or some form of credit that eventually leads to even more savings. But what larger stores often lack is character, real expertise about a product, and the trill of finding a truly one-of-a-kind item that wasn’t mass produced. And if we’re being honest, there’s just something a little more satisfying about supporting local small businesses that help make a neighborhood feel like a community. So the next time you're out and about, swing by any of these Jacksonville neighborhoods to find some of the best boutique shopping anywhere…

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The Best Loft Buildings in Jacksonville

Large, open floor plans, high ceilings, and minimal interior walls are a few of the reasons that people are so drawn to loft-style condominiums. While traditional apartments offer a more standard interior layout with walls, doors, closets, loft-style spaces give residents the chance to truly make their space their own. Loft-style condos often feature large or floor-to-ceiling windows and tend to provide residents with more space, which can be used for living, storage, or for work. For Jacksonville residents who prefer a loft-style space to a more traditional apartment, there are several buildings that are worth consideration. Whether you’re an artist in search of a studio or simply seeking an open living space, Jacksonville has a loft-style building…

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St. Augustine Gated Communities With the Best Amenities

Living in St. Augustine means almost immediate access to an endless assortment of white sandy beaches as well as St. Augustine’s bustling downtown area. St. Augustine offers some of the most well-maintained and luxurious gated communities in the area, and for those deciding where in the city to put down roots, the options are all very enticing. One of the biggest deciding factors for many residents deciding on their new St. Augustine home is the unique assortment of amenities offered by each community.

Markland

Located on 314 sprawling acres in one of Florida’s most highly sought-after areas, Markland is a gated residential community that contains 355 single-family homes. Residents have access to a number of world-class amenities, including a…

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St. Augustine Condos That Allow Airbnb & Short Term Rentals

St. Augustine is one of the most sought-after destinations in Florida, largely for the combination of peaceful, slow beach living with easy access to the bustling city center of its downtown scene. For those looking to establish a secondary residence in St. Augustine, there are so many welcoming and luxurious condo communities just waiting to be called home. Best of all, many of these neighborhoods allow Airbnb or other short term rentals so you can make a profit on your investment when you’re out of town.

Summerhouse Beach & Racquet Club

Summerhouse Beach & Racquet Club provides residents with immediate access to the white sandy shores of Crescent beach. Poised on twenty-five acres of pristine, landscaped grounds, Summerhouse condos are perhaps…

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Jacksonville Communities With Pickleball Courts

Over the last several years, pickleball has become one of the most popular recreational sports enjoyed by adults and children alike. The sport can be played either indoors or outdoors, and by either two opposing players or two pairs of two players facing off against one another.

Essentially a hybrid of table tennis and standard tennis, pickleball is played on a court with paddles and a hollow ball. Many residents in the Jacksonville area have taken up pickleball, and as a result many of Jacksonville’s residential communities are home to private pickleball courts for residents to enjoy at their leisure.

Sweetwater by Del Webb

Sweetwater by Del Webb is a gated community of condominiums located only a few minutes drive away from the heart of…

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The Top New Construction Townhouse Communities in St. Augustine

The St. Augustine area has become one of the top relocation destinations in the country thanks to its pristine beaches, warm climate, and reasonable home prices. Regardless of the market, new construction is always among the most expensive property types, but here in St. Augustine, many newer construction townhouse communities offer amazing living spaces at prices that won’t break the bank. 

Bridgewater 

Whether it’s lots of living space you’re after, a terrific St. Johns County location that’s close to everything, or quality construction paired with upgraded interior finishes, D.R. Horton’s new Bridgewater townhouse community in St. Augustine has it all. Floor plans here include between 1,210 and 1,795 square feet of living space, and with…

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Jacksonville Neighborhoods With an Easy Commute To Downtown

As anyone who has experience purchasing a home already knows, there are countless factors you need to consider before making a final decision on where to buy. With the home itself, you’ll want to weigh things like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a property includes, what kind of bonus space is there for an at-home office or hobby, and does it have adequate garage space and extra storage. 

On top of that, characteristics relating to a home’s location are also a big deal to home buyers, especially when it comes to an area’s crime rate, proximity to local schools, and even your daily commute. And if quick access to downtown is truly a top priority in your search, here’s a closer look at just some of Jacksonville’s top neighborhoods with an easy…

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Jacksonville Neighborhoods With The Best Restaurants

As one of Florida’s most populated metropolitan areas, it makes sense that Jacksonville has both a diverse and celebrated dining scene. Thanks to being positioned right up against the Atlantic Ocean, seafood is of course something that isn’t lacking when it comes to Jacksonville’s restaurant landscape. But what many people don’t realize about the Northern part of Florida is that classic Southern barbecue and Soul food is also firmly established in the regional culture, providing locals with lots of mouthwatering options to consider for a night out on the town. So if you're looking for a great new restaurant or eatery to try, these Jacksonville neighborhoods offer the best flavors in town.

Springfield Historic District 

Jacksonville’s Springfield…

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