Davidson Realty 2024 Gift Guide

December 13, 2024

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Posted by in News

Shop local for all your favorite people

The holiday season is upon us! And we here at Davidson Realty know that supporting our community is what helps us thrive as a community. You can make shopping even more special by supporting local businesses and artists, and it isn’t hard to do in Northeast Florida. Here in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, we have so many wonderful places to shop for everyone on your list — places that offer unique experiences, one-of-a-kind products and handmade items. With this gift guide, we make it easy to shop thoughtfully and to make a difference to our beloved small businesses.

 

For the host, hostess or person who has everything: Avondale Gift Boutique

A treasured gift shop open for over 40 years, Avondale Gift Boutique is an independent and family-owned establishment that specializes in unique gifts. Whether you’re buying for the friend who is always entertaining, for the family who loves games and puzzles or for the pet lover in your life, Avondale Gift Boutique truly has it all. Stationary and cards, housekeeping and kitchen products, beauty and wellness, candles, linens, jewelry and eyewear — and with free gift wrapping — you can cross off anyone and everyone on your list. Open Monday through Friday 10AM to 5PM and Saturday 10AM to 4PM. Shop at 3650 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205 and shop online at www.agbjax.com.

 

For the kiddos in your life: Heyday!

This super cute and fun-filled toy store offers something for every kiddo — whether it’s arts & crafts they’re into, creative and inspiring science and STEM, vehicles and trains, cozy plush stuffies, books, clothes and more. They have gifts for all ages, from newborns to teens. Heyday! has the best stocking stuffers too, like putty and slime, Playtab toys that develop fine motor skills, the most award-winning scooter around, the Micro Kickboard and many toys made in the USA. Open Monday through Friday 10AM to 6PM, Saturday 9:30AM to 6PM, and Sunday 11AM to 4PM. Shop at 2016 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida 32207 and order online for store pick up at heyday-toys.myshopify.com.

 

For the fitness buff or adventurer: Rock Climbing

Rocking climbing can be a fun thrill that boosts self-confidence and reduces stress. For the loved one in Jax, head to The Edge Rock Gym for gift cards redeemable for passes and memberships, rental equipment, classes and programs or retail purchases. Their gift cards are basically treated like cash! Day Passes are $19, and a one-month membership is $76. For those in the oldest city, head to Stone Climbing. A day pass is $22 and monthly memberships start at $87. Both gyms offer classes for yoga and climbing and have youth programs. Give the gift of climbing for an experience they’re guaranteed to enjoy.

 

For the beach bum, brewer or concert goer: ICEMULE Coolers

Known for quality, durability and portability, ICEMULE coolers are created to be carried on any adventure — and they’re based in St. Augustine! This hands-free cooler has a lifetime warranty and will quickly become the one you take anywhere and everywhere. With multiple sizes, in great colors and shapes, your food and drinks will stay chilled all day long. Shop online at icemulecoolers.com or find a local retailer at icemulecoolers.com/pages/where-to-buy.

 

For the home barkeep: St. Augustine Distillery

St. Augustine Distillery is a favorite for tourists and locals alike, making award-winning bourbon, rum, gin and vodka. Founded by local families and located in a historic ice plant in downtown St. Augustine, they offer free tastings and tours 7 days a week. Take a tour, have a tasting and do some holiday shopping at the bottle shop. They sell not only their delicious spirits but specialty mixers to create the perfect cocktail at home, like an Old Fashioned, Florida Mule or Bloody Mary — each made with real, quality ingredients. They have candles, apparel, pickles, BBQ sauce, and of course, the coolest barware. Stock the bar with copper mugs, tiki mugs, stainless steel double jiggers, Collins and rocks glasses, swivel spoons and so much more. Open every day from 10AM to 6PM. Shop at 112 Riberia St., St. Augustine, Florida 32084 or online at store.staugustinedistillery.com.

 

For the home chef, master griller or tea lover: The Spice & Tea Exchange

With three locations in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Spice & Tea has a plethora of spices and spice blends to amp up any dish. They even offer infused salts, specialty honeys and sweeteners and teas of all varieties. Gift boxes are available, with handpicked favorite gifts, that offer the best of the best. Shop online at www.spiceandtea.com or find your closest location at www.spiceandtea.com/pages/find-store.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Davidson Realty (and happy shopping)!

Northeast Florida Market Stats | October 2024

November 26, 2024

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“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” – Cynthia Ozick

 

I do not take for granted all of you that have supported and encouraged me for years. Thank you!

The October 2024 market review from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) shows continued price stability, closings and pending sales are down and inventory of available homes is up.

The median sales price for all types of homes in all 6 counties is $345,125. The median price has hovered slightly above or below $350,000 for many months. It is down 1.4% from last year and up 0.9% from last month.

 

There were 2,026 closed sales, which is down 5% from last year and down 5.7% from last month. Some homebuyers began looking at homes when rates dipped in September, but did not lock in an interest rate and the rates increased and now, they are looking at rates closer to 7% than 6%.

 

Some homebuyers got cold feet due to mortgage interest rates, economic uncertainty, and election jitters gripped the country; nationally roughly 53,000 home purchases were canceled in October, equal to 15.5% of homes that went under contract last month. That’s the highest percentage in nearly a year.

 

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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is Here: Nights of Lights!

November 8, 2024

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Posted by in News

 

For over 30 years, St. Augustine has kicked off the holiday season with a dazzling festival of lights: Nights of Lights. Every year, the historic town strings millions of tiny sparkling white lights on lamp posts, building tops, around towering oak trees and over the Bridge of Lions. Lights will adorn the city throughout approximately 20 blocks, turning the already picturesque town into a magical wonderland. The tradition started in 1993, and is loosely inspired by a Spanish Christmas tradition of placing white candles on window sills. The idea in St. Augustine was set into motion in the early 1990s by then Mayor Len Weeks and former City Councilman William Lennon. The two sought a way to lighten up the dark months of the year, as a way for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the city and to promote local businesses during the holidays. With a grant from the City of St. Augustine and contributions from locals, Nights of Lights began as a partnership – and it continues strong today, with joint funding from the City and St. Johns Tourist Development Council. Angels in the Architecture have put up and maintained all 3 million lights for the past 26 years, and, of course, residents and businesses join in on decorating the town as well.

 

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SilverLeaf Community

November 4, 2024

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Nature meets fun at SilverLeaf! This master-planned community is a family-friendly neighborhood with the amenities of a four-star resort. Located in St. Johns County, SilverLeaf is nestled between County Road 210 and State Road 16 at St. Johns Parkway, just west of Interstate 95. Encompassing more than 11,000 acres, SilverLeaf boasts over 4,350 acres of natural conservation land. This sprawling community offers single- and multi-family houses designed by the region’s top builders, with close to 150 floor plans available. Housing options include everything from cozy townhomes to luxurious waterfront estates. Many homesites offer preserve and lake views, with a calming sense of privacy. The best part about SilverLeaf? Absolutely $0 CDD fees and the lowest property tax rate in the Northeast Florida region.

 

SilverLeaf is comprised of the following neighborhoods: Aspire, Brandon Lakes, Brook Forest, Elm Creek, Holly Forest, Johns Island, Silver Falls, Silver Landing, Silver Meadows, SilverLeaf Village and Waterford Lakes. This includes an apartment complex and a 55+ gated community. SilverLeaf is also zoned for mixed and commercial space, so you won’t have to travel far for your necessities. Manicured shopping spaces are filled with options for shopping, medical services, dining, kid’s activities, gyms and other services.

 

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Northeast Florida Market Stats | September 2024

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“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
— Mother Teresa

 

We all need to spread a little extra love right now with the hurricane damage and the election craziness. It is wonderful to see all the people helping each other.

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) market review for September shows our home prices continue to be stable. The median sales price for all types of properties in all 6 counties is $349,000 which is down 0.3% from last year and last month. The median price in August was $350,000.

 

There were 2,027 closed sales in September which is down 9.8% from last year and down 15% from last month. Pending sales in September of 1,500 are down 24.8% from last year and 31.7% from last month.

The mortgage interest rate dropped some in mid-September but has increased slightly since. The market is still looking for some stability in rates.

 

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