26.2 with Donna to Finish Breast Cancer - 11/27/11 09:34 AM
Two of my friends jumped from a perfectly good airplane yesterday as a fundraiser for the 26.2 with Donna to Finish Breast Cancer.
I watched from the ground (not really into jumping out of airplanes am I), and I have to say it was absolutely amazing to watch (once again, from the ground).
 
This is what the luxurious G6 looked like:

 Janice getting harnessed up:

 
 
And here is a video of the jump: … (12 comments)

Thanksgiving 2011 - 11/25/11 01:35 PM
I managed to get up to Pete's Bar yesterday, Neptune Beach, FL for the annual street celebration - Neptune Beach suspends their open container law, and you can purchase beverages at Sun Dog Diner, Pete's, Carribbe Key, and Lemon Bar.
Needless to say, with fabulous weather, there is no better way to start your Thanksgiving Day!
 
 

Turkey Man - some people get dressed for the occasion.

Love this hat! Need to get one for next year!

There are 5 kids in that car...not sure if they are related to the owners/drivers???

And, this is the … (5 comments)

Atlantic Beach, FL October 2011 Homes Sold - 11/23/11 01:34 PM
Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison -
 
2011
 
15 Homes Sold (September=15) Lowest price: $34,900 (September =$55,000) Highest price: $1,250,000 (September =$595,000) Shortest Days on Market: 5 (September =1) Longest Days on Market: 523 (September =379)  


2010
 
16 homes sold (September =18) Lowest price: $66,000 (September =$32,100) Highest price: $900,000 (September =$545,000) Shortest Days on Market: 3 (September =2) Longest Days on Market: 259 (September =208)  
Sales are flat month over month, and year over year, so the that’s good news. The lowest end of the market is down both month … (8 comments)

Thanksgiving Traditions, Atlantic, Neptune & Jacksonville Beach, FL - 11/23/11 09:30 AM
Having lived here for quite a few years, I've learned one time of the year you don't want to leave is Thanksgiving weekend.
Pete's, a local bar (and I mean bar: full bar & pool tables. Chips, cigarette machine, cash only place) which has been open since prohibition ended, has hosted a street party on Thanksgiving morning starting a 9am and running (officially) until 12 noon.
It's a huge gathering, and I invariably run into people I may not have seen in the past year or longer...so much fun!
More restaurants have started participating, which means more closed streets, and the … (3 comments)

Crazy Cat Lady - 11/23/11 08:33 AM
I have always had cats.  Usually multiples, but really have not truly been the Crazy Cat Lady.
Until now.
I somehow, for some unknown reason, agreed to foster 5 kittens last Friday morning for the next few weeks....I have an extra bedroom, they provide everything (including food, litter, kittens), so why not?  I'm helping First Coast No More Homeless Pets, which is a wonderful organization!
Who knew kittens would be the inspiration to learn how to use existing resources to create collages, and movies?
Funny how life sends you the teacher when you are ready for the lesson!  The collage is … (9 comments)

Jacksonville Beach to Mickler's Landing Bike Ride, 11/20/11 - 11/20/11 04:08 PM
Since I still have the Cannondale for test riding, I decided to ride from my area to Micklers Landing, a nice 20 mile loop this morning.
You would, at first glance, consider Jacksonville to not be very cyclist friendly, and the city is indeed working on that; I prefer to stick with either roads that have nice wide bike lanes (usually the newer or more recently improved roads), or, my beach routes where you have lower levels of automobiles, and you share the road with other cyclists, runners, etc.
Today, I took a route to to Ponte Vedra Boulevard, and that … (3 comments)

Jacksonville Beach, FL October 2011 Homes Sold - 11/19/11 06:33 PM
 
Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison -
 2011
 
16 Homes Sold (up 4 from September, or 25%) Lowest price: $125,000 (September=$83,900) Highest price: $570,000 (September=$374,000) Shortest Days on Market:6 (September=0) Longest Days on Market: 511 (September=299)  

2010
 
15 homes sold (September=21) Lowest price: $69,900 (September =$92,500) Highest price: $480,000 (September =$975,000) Shortest Days on Market: 0 (September =7) Longest Days on Market: 185 (September =732)  This is what I wish the local media would focus on: Sales are up 25% month over month, flat year over year. The lowest price home sold is … (5 comments)

Neptune Beach, FL October 2011 Homes Sold - 11/19/11 06:20 PM
 
Here are the 2011 stats and 2010 for comparison -
 2011
 
2 Homes Sold (September=3) Lowest price: $139,000 (September =$270,000) Highest price: $265,000 (September =$440,000) Shortest Days on Market: 13 (September =29) Longest Days on Market: 44 (September =428)  


2010
 3 homes sold (September =4)
Lowest price: $59,900 (September =$81,700 ) Highest price: $525,000 (September =$589,000) Shortest Days on Market: 16 (September =8) Longest Days on Market:1002 (September =170)  
Sales are down 66% month over month, which is exactly what we saw in the September report. This is very similar with the decreases we are … (2 comments)

Sunrise, Jacksonville Beach, 11/17/11 - 11/19/11 05:51 PM
I love taking sunrise shots on my way home from a 6am workout - this was a group workout which happens to focus on abs and gluts (aka guts and butts!).
This was not the best sunrise, however, I love the color and contrast, and the length of the beach - one of many reasons to visit Jacksonville Beach, FL!
 

… (6 comments)

Jacksonville Baldwin Rails To Trails Trail 11/19/11 - 11/19/11 01:46 PM
I test rode a Cannondale this morning with a friend on the Jax-Baldwin Rail Trail
I have never been to this trail before, and I have to say, I was amazed!
The trail is paved, so it's accessible for runners, cyclists, para-cyclists, and walkers.  A corridor is under development for both equestrians and mountain bikers.
A variety of wildlife, a wonderful sense of country  & Old Florida abounds along the trail.
The trail runs 14.5 miles, and we managed part of it, not all of it, due to a late start.
There are numerous rails to trails projects across the country.  … (2 comments)

Happy Birthday, Mickey! - 11/18/11 10:26 AM
I had no idea today was Mickey Mouse's 83rd Birthday! Happy Birthday to M-I-C-K-E-Y!
Maybe I'm not the only one?
I learned it via a Feng Shui email I get daily (yes, I do), and apparently, according to ancient Shui texts, the mouse or rate is associated with intelligence, street smarts, and survivability. Additionally, the rat symbol represents and activates both career and income fortune & luck...hmmm....
Here are some other links for more Mickey Birthday info:
Times Live
13 News
Mousetalagia



… (8 comments)

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Undergoing Massive Renovation, Amelia Island, FL - 11/18/11 07:38 AM
The revered Amelia Island Plantation was purchased out of bankruptcy last year by the group that owns Omni Hotels & Resorts.
This breathtaking oceanfront resort has over 1200 acres along 3.5 miles of the Atlantic coastline. With the acquisition, I think most of us in the area anticipated some changes, we just were not sure when Omni  would start on the work.
If you have not have the opportunity to visit the Plantation, and the Ritz Carlton also on Amelia, the holidays are a fabulous time to do so, with holiday lights and decorations, the annual gingerbread creation in the Ritz … (0 comments)

Are You Ready For Some Good News, Florida???? - 11/17/11 08:40 PM
Two major sources, Realtor.com and Trulia have made positive statements that some Florida markets are poised for a rebound.
Those of us in Florida, and other states with similar situations are very excited to hear virtually any positive news, since the media (local, regional, national) tend to focus on the negative, and I, for one, have had more then enough.
The complete article is here, courtesy of Florida Realtors daily news email. Congrats to the 7 Florida markets that are on the list - here's to some positive news for a change of pace.

… (7 comments)

Marsh Fest 2011, 11/19/11, Atlantic Beach, FL - 11/15/11 11:17 AM
Fabulous event this weekend!  Hosted by the Marsh Preservation Society, the City of Atlantic Beach & the City of Jacksonville, this free event features:
Live "Americana" music Kayak/canoe trips available Food for small donation Numerous exhibitions Raffle prizes Grand Prize drawing for a new kayak Donations help fund public access and passive amenities in the four east intracoastal parks which include
Dutton Island Dutton River Branch Tideviews Preserves Together, these parks comprise over 400 acres of salt marsh uplands which are now protected as parklands.
The acquisition of the River Branch Preserve (2009) the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, which spans … (4 comments)

History Lesson, 11/13/11, Northeast Florida & Our State Parks - 11/13/11 03:29 PM
I am constantly fascinated by the history just beneath our feet here in Northeast Florida - from St. Augustine being the oldest city in the nation, and now the UF archaeological group has found 6 graves in the Kingsley Plantation, potentially dating back to the 1800's.
You can read the full article here.
We have such a fabulous park system, and with the weather being so nice this time of year, it's a great day trip to any of the parks in our area.
And, just to make it easy, here is a full list of all the state parks so … (10 comments)

Builder Magazine Likes Jacksonville, FL - 11/09/11 07:55 AM
I always look for positive news about real estate, and this article was mentioned to me yesterday, and then I found in the FR Daily News.
The study projects the number of building permits to almost double from 2011 to 2012, which is fabulous news for the real estate and constructions industry, our local economy, and the builders in the area.
The study based their predictions on job growth, universities, military bases and strength of private business.
You can see the FR link here.

… (7 comments)

Great Chowder Debate, St. Augustine, FL 11/7/11 12n-4p - 11/06/11 08:01 AM
This fabulous event is TODAY!
Local restaurants compete with their entries for all sorts of different chowders at the Conch House. I went last year, and it was so much fun. You can buy taste tickets and try all the chowder you can handle; with today's weather being chilly and damp, this is a perfect day for chowder!
You might want to get there early; parking by the Conch House is tight (and the event is in the Conch House parking lot), and there is satellite parking with shuttles at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.
More details here.
 

… (11 comments)

Daylight Savings Times Means New Irrigation Rules, Jacksonville, FL - 11/06/11 07:46 AM
Daylight Savings Time means so many different things to different people. For me, it means being able to maintain getting up at my early hour (5:15am is when the alarm goes off, it is not always when I get up), and it's not pitch black.  Of course, we essentially lose that hour on the back half, as it will be darker when we get home.
Here in Jacksonville, FL it also means we have different irrigation rules to work with; we can now only water once a week, and the day is dependent upon your address.  Odd numbers water on Saturday, … (5 comments)

Managing Seller Expectations - 11/05/11 09:24 AM
I recently blogged about Managing Buyer's Expectations (you can read that post HERE).
As we have all experienced, there are different situations during a purchase or sale of a home, and due to different personalities, and escalating emotions, it can be a challenge to navigate.
Sellers need guidance from their listing agents about what to expect during the offer and contract time line, and I have some suggestions below:
Don't take any offer personally!  I know this is your home, and I know you have attachments to it, but the buyer merely sees a house, and does not have all the … (8 comments)

Marathon Surfer, Jacksonville Beach, FL - 11/05/11 08:47 AM
A good friend of mine, Kurtis Loftus, recently decided on a unique way to raise both awareness and funds for the 26.2 With Donna Breast Cancer Marathon.
He decided to surf for 30 hours in an effort to set the surfing world record, of course, with Guinness World Record  reps on hand. That was 30 continuous hours, meaning he started at 1pm, and surfed for 30 hours - he did get 5 minutes of rest for each hour in the water, and took his "breaks" every 3 hours in 15 minute increments.
Did he achieve his goal? Hell, yes - you … (5 comments)

Mobile Hazardous Waste Collection, Duval & St. John's Counties, FL - 11/03/11 08:12 AM
Getting ready to move, or list the home for sale? You probably have paint cans, batteries, and other stuff you don't plan to  move with you, such as old tv's or computer and you would like to dispose of them correctly.
St. John's County Solid Waste Management is hosting a community collection day from 8am until 12 noon today, 11/3/11, at Murray Middle School, 150 N. Holmes Blvd. in St. Augustine.
Keep Jacksonville Beautiful and Solid Waste Division are partnering from 9a-3pm on 11/12/11 for a hazardous waste collection at Normany Park, 1728 Lindsey Road. Cell phones/chargers & iPods will be … (2 comments)

Who Is Really Your "Friend" on Facebook? Have You MET Them? - 11/02/11 11:20 AM
I, as do many others, use a variety of social networks.
I have a tendency to use them more for business purposes, such as promoting new listings, or sales, price changes, my most recent blog, items of that nature.
I do get chastised occasionally from actual friends who want to see more of my non-work life, however!
A recent incident, however, made me re-think some of what I have been publishing, per se, and what information is available about me on the web.
I had a prospect contact me via a social network last year, and inquired about real estate. … (39 comments)

 
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Carol Zingone, Beaches Expert, Northeast FL

Jacksonville Beach, FL

More about me…

Prudential Network Realty

Address: 375 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, FL, 32233

Office Phone: (904) 241-2417

Cell Phone: (904) 993-9048

Email Me

Helping Buyers & Sellers in: Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Ponte Vedra, Intracoastal West, Jacksonville, Southside, San Marco, San Jose, Mandarin, Arlington, Regency, Downtown, as a Broker Associate with 100% customer satisfaction rating.

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