5 Hidden Gem Neighborhoods in Northeast Florida Worth Visiting

May 17, 2021

 | 

No matter where you explore in Northeast Florida you are bound to find beauty and interest. “Northeast Florida is richly diverse and provides residents a wide variety of activities, restaurants, and sites to enjoy and make wonderful memories. Each neighborhood has a unique culture that truly enriches the First Coast,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. We’re sharing some new, some old, and some neighborhoods you may have forgotten about in Northeast Florida you need to check out! 

 

San Marco

Take a stroll along tree-lined San Marco Square and you’ll see there is no shortage of incredible dining, boutiques, and art galleries. The Mediterranean-influenced neighborhood which is just a few minutes from Downtown Jacksonville is a perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring. A few of our favorite spots to visit in historic San Marco are Grape and Grain Exchange, Aardwolf Brewing Company, Stellers Gallery, and Heyday!

 

Springfield

As the oldest neighborhood in Jacksonville, Springfield offers residents a historic and eclectic experience. Established in 1869, Springfield, located just north of Downtown Jacksonville, was home to the city’s wealthiest residents. Today, the neighborhood is filled with restored mansions, hip restaurants, and locally-owned shops. Springfield also hosts popular festivals including Porchfest. Be sure to make a pit stop at Strings Sports Brewery while touring Springfield. 

 

Riverside/Avondale

Antique meets modern in charming, historic Riverside and Avondale! Home to the world-class Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, you won’t want to miss the charm and culture that Riverside and Avondale provide. Drive around the area and you’ll see gorgeous million dollar waterfront homes, locally-owned restaurants, and beautiful parks. Memorial Park, Pinegrove Market and Deli, and Kickback’s Gastropub are definitely places to visit in the area. Oh, and for dessert Whit’s Frozen Custard

 

Ponte Vedra Beach

If you have visited Ponte Vedra Beach before, you likely only skimmed the surface of what this stunning resort town has to offer. Prior to becoming a prominent luxury town with world-class golf courses, Ponte Vedra was a pristine wilderness home to valuable minerals giving it the nickname “Mineral City.” Discover Northeast Florida’s natural beauty with a hike at the GTM Reserve or play at TPC Sawgrass, one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Head to Ponte Vedra for date night and try LuLu’s Waterfront Grille or 3 Palms Grille.

 

Nocatee

Perhaps one of the newest go-to areas in Northeast Florida is Nocatee. Although this master-planned community hasn’t been around long, it’s definitely worth visiting! Enjoy lunch at Treylor Park (we suggest the Ahi Tuna Flatbread or the Treylor Park Nachos Grande!) or Timoti’s Seafood Shak before heading to Makk Fashions or Really Good Beer Stop. With new businesses popping up all around Nocatee, you’ll likely have more places to try each time you visit. 

 

Although all these neighborhoods have their own unique flair, one thing reigns true whether you call St. Augustine, Jacksonville, The Beaches, or anywhere in between home… Northeast Florida is the PERFECT place to live! 

4 Ways to Sweeten the Deal When Buying a Home

May 5, 2021

 | 

The real estate market is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Inventory is low, demand is high, and homes are flying off the market! “With the current market conditions, listings are receiving multiple offers and buyers need to be ready to act fast with their best offer when they see a listing they love,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. In such an intensely competitive market, trust the real estate experts at Davidson Realty to help you put your best foot forward with these strategies. 

 

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

The first thing you should do when you decide to purchase a home is obtain a pre-approval letter. A pre-approval letter not only states what a lender is willing to lend to you but shows the seller you are serious and prepared to purchase a home. A pre-approval letter shows legitimacy and a sign of good faith that they can afford to buy the home. Sellers are more likely to select an offer that is pre-approved than one that is not. 

 

Eliminate Contingencies

A clean offer is extremely attractive to sellers. “Any contingencies you have in your offer could be a negative to the seller. Sellers want a low risk and speedy closing,” shares Sherry. Appraisals are often a major cause of home sales falling through. Eliminating this step allows for a smooth sale process with minimal chance of things going wrong. As the buyer, you are effectively taking the risk off the home seller and putting it on to yourself. 

 

Make an All-Cash Offer

All-Cash offers provide the unique opportunity of keeping the sale primarily between the buyer and the seller. Cash offers tend to be stronger than offers utilizing traditional financing because they are less risky for the seller. With a cash sale, no appraisal is necessary since there is no mortgage lender involved. The absence of a mortgage lender also allows for a quicker closing. A fast timeline is advantageous for sellers because the sooner they close, the sooner they get paid.  

 

Be Flexible

Including a flexible timeline in your offer can go a long way with sellers. Depending on the sellers’ situation they may need more or less time in the home than the traditional 30-day closing period. If you are not in a hurry to move, being as adaptable as possible will be to your advantage as the sellers will then be able to decide what works best for them. This can go a long way, especially if competing offers come with strict deadlines. 

 

If you are ready to begin the search for your next home, call Davidson Realty today to help you get started. 

DOING GOOD – WATSON CIVIL SUPPORTS DAVIDSON CARES CLAY DAY

March 29, 2021

 | 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is not only an event that supports worthy causes, but unites people and organizations that believe that doing good makes a big difference. For the last four years, Watson Civil has generously supported Davidson Cares Clay Day as a sponsor and brought their enthusiasm to the event that helps so many. 

 

John Watson, President and CEO of Watson Civil, first met the Davidsons in 1996 when construction began on World Golf Village. “Whenever I was driving customers around the dirt roads to show off the development, John would always make sure I could get around the equipment and not get stuck. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship!,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. 

 

Watson Civil is a horizontal contractor that specializes in large site infrastructure, underground, and road and bridgework. Equipped with experienced staff, Watson Civil ensures projects are safe, run on time, and remain on budget. Watson Civil’s clients range from state and local governments to private developers and national home builders. 

 

Watson Civil is currently working on several projects in Florida. Most notably, Watson Civil is constructing Northeast Florida’s first diverging diamond at the intersection of J. Turner Butler Boulevard and San Pablo Road in Jacksonville, Florida. The project, which is expected to be complete in the spring of 2022, will cost $12 million dollars and is predicted to cut the number of collisions in the area by half. 

 

“Watson Civil has a remarkable reputation. John Watson has a vibrant energy and tackles everything that comes his way head-on,” shares Sherry. “John Watson always supports us as a sponsor and purchases raffle tickets. This year, John was the winner of the Cooler and Cocktail raffle prize.”

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is proud to have the support and sponsorship from Watson Civil as they continue to give back in Northeast Florida. To learn more about Watson Civil Construction visit their website at www.watsoncivil.com or call (904) 297-1800.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

 

The 5th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 29, 2020, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. Davidson Cares Clay Day included two-sport shooting events, beginner skeet, and sporting clay. Individuals and teams from beginner to expert levels were invited to participate and enjoy a safe shooting experience with no group gatherings. 

 

In association with the event, there was also a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors.

 

The $40,500 raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), and Investing in Kids (INK!) in equal sums.

 

Visit DavidsonCares.com to learn more about these organizations and donate to support their causes.

First-Time Homebuyer? Call Davidson Realty. 

March 12, 2021

 | 

Life is full of firsts. First car. First job. First child. First home. They are all memorable milestones that come with time and planning at various stages in life. Each first is unique and special in its own way. If buying your first home is a goal for you this year, Davidson Realty will be there. 

 

Like any first, you rely on the support and experience of friends, family, and industry experts. The same is true when buying a new home, especially with the current state of the real estate market, it is essential that a trusted real estate expert is by your side to help you navigate the process of buying a home. Davidson Realty has a team of real estate experts ready to educate and prepare you for what is to come. Davidson Realty Agents have the support and network that will give you a leg up when searching for your first home and sealing the deal. “With Davidson Realty, you have an ally in your corner and a real estate advisor for life to help and offer suggestions, repair vendors, community resources, and anything you need along your homeowners journey,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. 

 

Preparation is key in the real estate market. “Buyers have to be ready to make an offer quickly in this market. Establishing a budget, type of loan you will use, how much of a down payment you are prepared for, and how much escrow deposit you have available is critical when you begin looking for a home,” continues Sherry. The state of the real estate market may present some advantages to home buyers as interest rates are some of the lowest seen in years which means lower monthly mortgage payments and bigger home-buying budgets. However, low interest rates have created a fiercely competitive market. “Buyers must be prepared to make aggressive offers within days of the home hitting the market. Sellers are receiving multiple offers often at list price or above. It’s a seller’s market, buyers need to be ready to bring their best offer to the table,” shares Sherry. 

 

With the market this competitive, it’s important to not only know what you can afford but what features and areas you are looking for. Whether you are looking for a starter home or your forever home, spending time deciding what is on your wishlist is critical so when a home that fits your criteria comes on the market you can act quickly. “Davidson Realty’s knowledge of the Northeast Florida communities, builders, schools, and entertainment options are invaluable.  Your Davidson Realtor ®  will take the time to understand the needs of your family and what you need in a home,” continues Sherry.  

 

Whether your first home is your one and only or the first of many, Davidson Realty will be your real estate partner for life. If you are ready to purchase your first home, call the real estate experts at Davidson Realty at (904) 940-5000.

Davidson Realty Welcomes New Agent Bonnie Weinstein

March 8, 2021

 | 

Bonnie Weinstein knows all about making dreams come true. Growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania, Bonnie always dreamed of moving to Florida. Six years ago, she made her dream a reality by making Northeast Florida her new home. Now, Bonnie has joined the Davidson Realty team and is ready to help her clients’ dreams come true, too! 

 

Bonnie comes to Davidson Realty with an extensive background in both business and real estate. Her knowledge of the market, perseverance, and customer service skills make her a true joy to work with. “I believe my clients appreciate my flexibility, low-pressure sales, patience, and ability to hear what they want,” shares Bonnie. 

 

“Davidson Realty is very excited to have Bonnie on our team. Bonnie is a knowledgeable resource to her customers and truly takes the time to understand their needs. Bonnie is professional and we are proud to have her represent the Davidson Realty brand,” shares Andrea Gallagher, Davidson Realty Sales and Training Manager.

 

“Choosing Davidson Realty was easy. They have the same values and work ethic that I follow. Davidson Realty always puts people and relationships first. The support they provide is unparalleled which allows agents to fully focus on our clients and their needs. I’m so grateful to be part of a team that has a caring heart,” shares Bonnie. Bonnie is a Nocatee Certified Agent and looks forward to helping clients “love where they live” with Davidson Realty. 

 

When Bonnie isn’t helping her clients find their dream home, you can find her enjoying the beautiful beaches in Northeast Florida.  Bonnie, who recently celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary, loves spending time with her family, especially her two daughters and Shih Tzu named Hamilton. 

 

If you are ready to make your real estate dreams a reality, call Bonnie Weinstein at (570) 690-4432 or email her at bweinstein@davidsonrealtyinc.com.

« Newer Posts   Older Posts »

Davidson Realty