I, with the help of a great friend (and my in-house loan officer) managed to rent a very nice high end road bike today for a training run for my upcoming sprint triathlon (two weeks away!) from Champion Cycling & Fitness in Jacksonville Beach. I have not been on road bike in, um, many years.  So, to say I was nervous would be a bit of an understatement. For those of you who know beach cruisers, and mountain bikes, those are like the draft horses, and hunter/jumpers, and the road bike is the thoroughbred race horse: a bit more finicky, not as stable feeling, and did I mention super skinny tires? I got the feel of it over the first 4-5 miles, and got much more comfortable; it's definitely an adjustment. If you get the chance, give it a try; they help you get to your destination SO much fa... 06/25/2011

  Here are the questions we had for our Beaches NEFAR meeting this morning, for our panel of appraisers, and my notes as to their answers - thought you might enjoy reading! 1.      How do you find comps when there are no recent sales? Are you allowed to go outside the age of the sale and distance from the subject property? Answer: typically they are required to find 2 comparable properties within 90 days and 1 mile.  This is underwriter driven, and the appraisers on our panel preferred to go back further in time than to deviate outside the distance. 2.      I’ve heard there are several pockets where appraisals are coming back with Inclining Market – can you give us some sample areas? In our immediate area, the Beaches and other areas have been coming back inclining market; the appraiser... 06/23/2011

I know you Jax Beach visitors don't REALLY want to hear this, but better now so you can plan in advance! The renourishment project, handled by the Army Corps of Engineers will start on Friday 7/1/11 (I KNOW!), at the 16th Avenue South public entrance. Right now, that area is already congested with equipment, and shut off to public parking. The project will work it's way north, ending in Atlantic Beach. This is to help our shorelines compensate for natural erosion, which as we know, is a lot less erosion than our neighbor to the south, Ponte Vedra Beach. Why now, you ask? The 2009 plans were scrapped due to budget cutbacks (our beaches are typically restored every 5 years), and the Army Corps like to do the project when the ocean is relatively calm, which happens to be summer.   06/20/2011

Back on 4/29/11, I decided I was going to do a sprint triathlon on 7/9/11 with a friend. I have never done anything like this before, despite being a tomboy growing up , and having played basketball, tennis, soccer, horseback riding, softball, swimming, gymnastics - all of these having occured substantial years ago. I started slow, with jog/walk intervals, and dropping in on spinning classes, and laps. Today, I did 30 minutes spin and then jogged/walked 2.5 miles.  Pool wise, I've completed 36 laps (with rests) which is 748 yards in one session. Eight weeks ago, I don't know that I would have thought I would be able to state I had done all this! So, here is what I have learned: Every goal needs a plan that makes small, attainable steps towards the goal. Everyone needs to be dedicated to... 06/15/2011

As our first 100 degree day is upon us here in Jacksonville Beach, I have many people asking me HOW I've managed to not turn my AC on yet. For me, it's easier than it may be for others. Why? Because I leave windows open during the day on 3 sides, meaning the air inside is moved around, and fresh air (even if it is slightly warm and smoky!) is the air coming in. When I get home, I can open my front door, and the door to my rear porch, and have relatively quick air movement, and the fresher air moves the staler air out the back. I use my ceiling fans when I'm in the room, and turn them off when I'm not. Why? Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. I'm sleeping at night with the ceiling fan over my bed on high and I've been fine - not one sleepless night! My utility bill was $66 last month, p... 06/14/2011

Our local recyling provider, Southland Waste Systems has recently started the Recyclebank program in Jacksonville Beach. Being a Jacksonville Beach resident, I have tried to sign up and have not yet completed it; seems my address does not show I have service (which is ironic as I do currently recycle), but that will get fixed. The basic goal is to increase recycling in Jax Beach, and offers discounts from business as the reward portion. There are other states using a similar system, and as someone who has recycled almost her entire life, any initiative to help improve recycling is fabulous!       06/14/2011

Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison - 2011 22 Homes Sold Lowest price: $62,000 Highest price: $500,000 Shortest Days on Market: 20 Longest Days on Market: 562 2010 19 homes sold Lowest price: $140,000 Highest price: $495,000 Shortest Days on Market: 1 Longest Days on Market: 210 This market report completely is in line with the increase we are experiencing all over the market!  Year to year, sales are up 3 homes which is 15% increase! The great thing about Jacksonville Beach, however, when compared to Atlantic & Neptune Beach is that we are a larger community with more diverse housing and therefore, we are more consistent with sales per month than other communities. Days on market is an anomaly here; the longest days on market at 562 was a short sale pool home, closed to th... 06/10/2011

As some of you may be aware, in order to challenge myself, I decided on 4/29 as I went through security at my local airport in Jacksonville, FL, to persuade a friend to do a sprint triathlon with me on 7/9/11. I have been doing pretty well with my training, working out almost every day, and doing the "brick" workouts, which are cycling followed by running. I biked to the gym yesterday (about 2 miles each way) and ran/walked at the gym for about 30 minutes. Today is a pool day, and that has been the toughest part, as I don't have my own pool and I'm being frugal, so I'm "discreetly" swimming at friend's community pools during the day - hopefully, the Fletcher school pool will be open next week, and I will also start ocean swimming one day a week as part of the training. With 5 weeks left... 05/31/2011

There are 90 homes for sale in the Jacksonville Beaches area of Florida !  This includes: Atlantic Beach Neptune Beach Jacksonville Beach The low end of the price range starts at $34,900 and continues up to $200K. Some are short sales, some are foreclosures, and some are standard re-sales. If you have been looking for a home at the beach for under $200K, now is a great time to look and find your slice of paradise.  Mortgage rates are at their lowest level of the year, and you could well purchase for less than you are currently renting. 05/27/2011

This is decade anniversary for Moonlight Movies in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Movies are shown at the SeaWalk Pavilion, oceanside, and under the stars. Spider-Man is the second fil of the summer series this Friday night. Upcoming Dates & Movies: 5/27/11 - Spider Man 6/3/11 - A Knight's Tale   Free movies, the films start at 9pm. Viewers are encourage to bring a picnic and beach chairs as well as blankets to sit on; vendors will be selling food and beverages. Parking, of course, is limited, so you could consider riding your bicycle!           05/25/2011

Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison - 2011 25 Homes Sold Lowest price: $72,000 Highest price: $525,000 Shortest Days on Market: 0 Longest Days on Market: 804 2010 15 homes sold Lowest price: $94,500 Highest price: $1,000,000 Shortest Days on Market: 10 Longest Days on Market: 650 This market report completely is in line with the increase we are experiencing all over the market!  Year to year, sales are up 10 homes which is 40% increase! The great thing about Jacksonville Beach, however, when compared to Atlantic & Neptune Beach is that we are a larger community with more diverse housing and therefore, we are more consistent with sales per month than other communities. Days on market has decreased as well, which is another indicator of proper pricing. Properly priced and prop... 05/16/2011

  Jacksonville Beach is hosting a hazardous waste and electronic waste disposal/collection event Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm. Collection site is the Jax Beach Public Works Department at 1460 Shetter Avenue. Beaches residents can avoid the long drive "over the ditch" and bring the following items to be disposed of: Paint Paint Thinners Rechargeable or lead acid batteris Thermometers Drain cleaners Pool, garden, and photographic chemicals Aerosol cans Antifreeze Fertilizer and pesticides Acids Gunpowder, ammunition and fireworks Household Electronics For more info, you can call (904) 630-2489     05/13/2011

As some of you know, I have decided to challenge myself with a sprint triathlon in July (a mere 8 weeks from this Saturday, and 2 weeks shorter than the 12 week timeframe I'm following). Sunday I bought "real" running shoes, something I've never had before as I don't really like running.  Also on Sunday, I cycled for an hour (yes on the beach, and yes on a beach cruiser, but still, it was a solid 60 minutes of pedaling, no real "cruising" here!). Yesterday, I went running at the gym. Or, tried to. The car, fresh back from the mechanic's for almost two whole weeks, decided to re-enact the bad behavior, and died on me 3 times on the way to the gym. Rather than be deterred, I pushed it into a parking lot (easier than I thought, possibly due to a slight dip - I needed more muscle once I got... 05/10/2011

This Sunday, Mother's Day, treat your Mom to an afternoon and evening filled with music by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra oceanfront at the SeaWalk Pavilion. Music from movies, Broadway shows, and opera will be featured in this Sunday's program. The event starts at 7:30pm, and the public is welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable - you can get settled at 5pm. There will be soft drinks, water, wine and beer for purchase as well as food. 05/05/2011

I'm on vacation this week, visiting great friends in Texas, and as I was searching for a blog topic this morning, it occurred to me: how do others handle their business when they are on vacation? I have another associate who handles my business when I'm out, and I back him up when he's out. We've agreed how we will handled everything from getting buyers into contract, to supervising inspections. It's a fabulous arrangement for both of us, and we both update our buyers and sellers prior to leaving town so there are no surprises. I used to change my voicemail and email, and still do on some trips, but didn't on this one, because while I'm out of town, I can use the morning hours to handle small details, and still feel like I'm getting my vacation time in. How do you handle your business w... 04/30/2011

 Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison - 2011 44  Homes Sold Lowest price: $29,900 Highest price: $1,825,000 Shortest Days on Market: 0 Longest Days on Market: 764 2010 40 homes sold Lowest price: $79,900 Highest price: $699,000 Shortest Days on Market: 2 Longest Days on Market: 534 So, year to year, things appear from a movement perspective fairly flat, with 4 more homes being sold in 1st Quarter 2011, which equates to a 10% increase, which may or may not be statistically significant (if you read my posts, however, you are aware I would be in caps and bold if this was an increase year over year!). The great thing about Jacksonville Beach, however, when compared to Atlantic & Neptune Beach is that we are a larger community with more diverse housing and therefore, we are more c... 04/26/2011

My day started with the now ubiquitous car trouble, and a flatbed visit with Roscoe to the dealership, so I imagine there is someone ELSE out there who could use a smile at the end of a not-so-smooth day.  My car will be fixed tomorrow, I do have the dollars to pay for it, and all will be better moving forward. As Tara said "I'll think about it tomorrow"! 04/20/2011

For those of you who are not aware the weather has warmed up here in Jacksonville Beach, FL, we have the "official" Opening Of The Beaches parade tomorrow. The parade starts at 2pm tomorrow, and will wind it's way down the parade route, on First Street, where people will set up their chairs to watch the fun and festivities. One of the floats in this year's parade will feature In The Pink, a local outfit that provides resources and support for women living with cancer. And, the Beaches Trolley is FREE on Sunday, so you can park somewhere other than Jacksonville Beach, and take the trolley! Enjoy! 04/16/2011

As much as we talk about how we are the experts, and yet, people think they can buy and sell on their own (and, as a matter of fact, they do, and sometimes, successfully) I have been having car issues, and have been reluctant to go the dealer. Why? My car is 10 years old!  My theory has always been to take the car to the dealer for the "appropriate" things: those items covered under warranty; when you get a loaner car; when it's due for the 90,000 mile service - those kinds of things. And, I bought my car used, from an auto broker, so there is no dealer relationship. And, the dealer for this car, a Volvo, is CLEAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN! So, in order to find an answer to a consistently inconsistent issue, I tried a different mechanic while I was in Tallahassee this week, and they cam... 04/15/2011

Last night was our graduation night for those of us that completed the 12 week Citizen's Police Academy here in Jacksonville Beach, FL, and it was a very nice ceremony. There were 27 of the original 32 that actually graduated, and not everyone was in attendance last night, but we still had a full room of graduates, family and other CPAA (Citizen's Police Academy Alumni). The officers from the force reiterated once again we were now part of the Jax Beach Police Department "family", and we are welcome to go on ridealongs any time we want, and we can help out with special events as being part of the alumni, which is fantastic. Now, I just have to figure out what I'm doing on my Thursday nights from now on!   04/08/2011