About Duval County, FL

Avondale is a part of Jacksonville Florida. For those familiar with Jacksonville (Jax) you may recall that Jax is the largest city by land mass. Crazy stuff! So, how to not get lost on the I295 and the 9A? No problem----sort of! I recommend finding a place that you will enjoy!

And today that was The Brick in Avondale!

The Brick is a restaurant on St. Johns Blvd. Just in case you do not know how to get to this main street, one could take the I295 to Hwy 17 (north or south--look toward Jacksonville and follow the tall buildings!), then turn east onto St. Johns. Follow it around---really! Then find a place to park----!

Okay, back to The Brick. Today it was me, Ben, and Nick. We had to pick up our Jaguar tickets, find out when Christmas in Avondale is, and eat. I chose The Brick because, well--okay. The food is good, the bathrooms are clean, and there was not a wait! At 10:30am the boys and I got a table right away. Our waiter took our order promptly, and then returned with our food.

Our food: Amazing and fresh Huevos Rancheros (my personal favorite). Nick ordered, ready for this, an order of bacon, yogurt and fresh fruit, AND a blueberry muffin. The muffin fed both boys. The yogurt, in Nicks words, was yummier than cake! And the fruit was plentiful, fresh, and varietal for the season. Unbelievably plentiful. As in huge plate of fruit with all kinds of variety!

Overall, a time well spent together! And, by the way, for those who like a) specialty shoes; b) have super wide feet like me; c) enjoy styles you will not find everywhere---seek out Thompsons Fine Shoes. Really--it's worth the time!

Have a great weekend--and we'll see you at the Jags game tomorrow (for Ben's birthday).

Six new hotels - including two in Jacksonville Beach - were recently designated in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida Green Lodging program. With a total of 590 designated members, the Florida Green Lodging program and its designated facilities prove that green is the trend in travel.

According to the DEP director of sustainable initiatives Deas Bohn, "Designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging program are trendsetters in the lodging industry." "By implementing sustainable practices that are protective of Florida's natural resources, Green Lodging facilities offer their guests an eco friendly retreat."

To become a designated member of the voluntary program, lodging facilities adopt cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste.

The new designations locally are:

Northeast - Best Western Oceanfront and Quality Suites Oceanfront, both in Jacksonville Beach

The Florida Green Lodging program was launched in March 2004 and establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As a reward for designation, the state is recommending designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities.

This is fabulous news for Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach,as green lodging and living are become increasingly important to all tourists.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Source: The Beaches Leader, November 2009

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 17 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $46,000
• Highest price: $850,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 12
• Longest Days on Market: 453

2008

• 7 homes sold
• Lowest price: $190,000
• Highest price: $900,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 21
• Longest Days on Market: 194

Similar to Jacksonville Beach, lots of good news to report this month. The low end prices are not drastically different year to year, although it's still a 27% decrease which is exactly what we have been seeing pretty much across the board.

The year to year homes sold increased 142% which is fabulous.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

And, if you are a 1^st time homebuyer, act now, while interest rates are below 5%, and the $8K tax credit is still available - now is a smart time to buy!

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 5 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $195,601
• Highest price: $838,948
• Shortest Days on Market: 0
• Longest Days on Market: 246

This is two more homes than sold in September for a 66% increase month to month.

2008

• 2 homes sold
• Lowest price: $345,000
• Highest price: $850,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 111
• Longest Days on Market: 226

Neptune Beach is a very small market, hence, smaller numbers than the neighboring towns of Atlantic & Jacksonville Beach.

You can clearly see the year to year, and month to month increases - I just posted a link to a home this week, a duplex east of 3^rd Street in Neptune Beach priced below $350K - so it would seem we have reached the pricing bottom in most areas.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

And, if you are a 1^sttime homebuyer, act now, while interest rates are below 5%, and the $8K tax credit is still available.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net

Here are the October 2009 stats and 2008 for comparison -

2009

• 22 Homes Sold
• Lowest price: $124,900
• Highest price: $1,515,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 4
• Longest Days on Market: 534

This is 5 more homes than sold in September, which is a 29% increase month to month.

2008

• 8 homes sold
• Lowest price: $195,000
• Highest price: $3,500,000
• Shortest Days on Market: 43
• Longest Days on Market: 407

This is wonderful news, and demonstrates we are close to the bottom of the single family housing market, or possibly already at the bottom.

As you can see from the numbers, listings sold year to date has increased a whopping 175%, which is terrific news for both buyers and sellers. Buyers see the value in the market, and sellers have become more realistic in their list price.

The price ranges still show a decline in the market, however, without pulling more specific data, the low end range is most likely a short sale or foreclosure property. These prices do, in fact, all pricing, so they cannot simply be discounted.

If you are ready to list your home, call me for a comparable market analysis to see what price range you should list in, and to learn more about what sets myself and Prudential Network Realty apart from the competition.

Carol Zingone is a Broker Associate with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating in Jacksonville Beach, FL with Prudential Network Realty. She helps buyers and sellers throughout the Beaches, Intracoastal West and Greater Jacksonville, FL areas. She can be reached at 904/993-9048 or via email at carolzingone@clearwire.net