The City of St. Augustine Beach continues to celebrate its birthday with music and exhibits in the city's Cultural Arts Center. The exhibit is part of an event called a Chautauqua. What is a Chautauqua? 
I had to Google that one and found that it was an "adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day." The first Chautauqua was held at a campsite on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in New York State.
How does that tie into St. Augustine Beach, I wondered. >>>MORE
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
View My Blog
Marjorie Taylor Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure
St. Augustine, Florida - October 13, 2009 - Marjoire Taylor of Watson Realty Corp in St. Augustine has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales. At a time when millions of homeowners are struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education accumulated by Taylor will help benefit St. Augustine area residents and communities.
Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.
Today, more than 13 percent of homeowners are delinquent on their mortgage or in the foreclosure process. This is occurring across all price ranges, and the fastest-growing category of homes in foreclosure is the luxury home market.
"The CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with homeowners and lenders on complicated short sales," said Taylor. "It is so rewarding to be able to help families save their homes in St. Augustine from foreclosure."
Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Distressed Property Institute in Austin, Texas, said that agents such as Marjorie Taylor with the CDPE Designation have valuable perspective on the market, and training in short sales that can offer homeowners real alternatives to foreclosure, which can be devastating to credit ratings.
"These experts better understand market conditions than the average agent, and can help sellers through the complications of foreclosure avoidance," he said.
The Distressed Property Institute provides live and online courses to train real estate professionals how to help homeowners in distress, with a particular emphasis on handling short sales.
"Our goal is to help as many homeowners as possible, by educating as many real estate professionals as possible," Charfen said. "Marjorie Taylor has demonstrated a commitment to the struggling homeowners, and will provide much-needed assistance in stabilizing the community."
For more information about how to save your home from foreclosure please click here.
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. In addition to the CDPE she holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
View My Blog
The St. Augustine Chapter of Women's Council of REALTORS held the first of four training classes to help take the confusion out of blogging and social networking.
Recognizing that many in our REALTOR community have difficulty understanding the ins and outs of Social Networking, WCR engaged local internet guru, coach and go-to instructor, Dave Hall of Listing Solutions to help us. During the series, Dave will share proven methods on how to increase search engine optimization by utilizing the power of blogging and Social Networking.
In today's interactive class, Dave discussed the advantages of an Active Rain Membership. I was surprised at how many in attendance were not involved with Active Rain, not realizing the google juice it offers. I think a lot of eyes were opened to not only the benefits of blogging but the power of AR membership. Specializing in selling homes in St. Augustine, I have seen the increase in my google rankings due to my Active Rain activities.
To help us help ourselves Dave gave us "Active Rain" homework. First he asked us to create an account on AR. For those of us who had accounts, Dave reminded us to make sure every item in our profile was completed to make sure we got the maximum points.
To get us familiar on how others are blogging, he recommended that we read other members blogs and comment on the ones that interest us. Our homework here is to comment on 5 blogs.
Next assignment, write our blog and post it on AR. To hold us accountable, Dave will read and comment on all of our blogs. He also encouraged us to comment our classmates' blogs as well. We can earn AR points while learning, that's effective coaching!
I am looking forward to our class next week where Dave will cover Social Bookmarking as well as networking. Thank you, Women's Council of Realtors, and Dave Hall, for offering such quality education for the local community.
If you would like more information about attending these or future classes, please contact me.
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
View My Blog
I love good food and I love to dine out, at least several times a week. I always make sure to have a handful of business cards with me. More times than not, I'll run into at least one prospective buyer or seller. I love to mix business with pleasure.
Since I am often out and about, clients ask for my restaurant recommendations. St. Augustine has hundreds of fabulous restaurants from which to choose. Where is a hungry patron to go?
Here are a few of my choices in the Downtown St. Augustine area:
A1A Ale Works is located downtown overlooking the Plaza and Bridge of Lions. Featuring New World Cuisine, handcrafted beer, and live music on weekends. A1A offers a blend of Caribbean, Cuban, and Floridian influences. Their specialties include Tavern Fried Shrimp and Fried Lobster Bites, to start, and Bistro Filet, Surf & Turf, Seared Tuna (my absolute favorite!), Grouper Oscar, and Grilled Seafood Paella. Dine inside or outside on the wraparound deck-both feature panoramic views of Matanzas Bay and the plaza. There are even banquet facilities for large parties up to 150 guests. Children's menu. Full bar. Open daily at 11 a.m., with live music Thurs.-Sat. evening
1 King St. 904.829.2977 www.A1AAleWorks.com
Barnacle Bill's a family-friendly establishment, is my go-to restaurant for some of the best Fried Shrimp in St. Augustine. You have to try the Shrimp Buster! In addition to the seafood-focused menu other items include steak, chicken, and gator tail. Barnacle Bills is known for their signature spicy Dat'l Do-It Shrimp and Dat'l Do-It Chicken Wings. Located across from the Visitors Information Center Parking Garage, Barnacle Bill's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Children's menu. Full bar. Group bookings available.
14 Castillo Dr. 904.824.3663 www.BarnacleBillsOnline.com
Café Alcazar This was one of my Father's favorite restaurants. He would always comment about dining at the bottom of a swimming pool. Here you may enjoy international favorites in the spacious elegance of what was once the world's largest indoor swimming pool - truly a unique setting. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner Museum), Café Alcazar offers fine dining in a casually elegant setting. Lunch is served lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Enjoy sautéed specialties such a Shrimp Giovanni, the delicious Crêpes Alcazar, sandwiches, paninis, salads, and homemade soups and fabulous desserts. Serving wine and beer; all major credit cards accepted.
25 Granada St. 904.824.7813 www.cafe-alcazar.com
The Cellar Upstairs is FUN! Here you will enjoy live jazz and a selection of San Sebastian wines, imported beers, and gourmet appetizers at St. Augustine's finest jazz hideaway. Located atop San Sebastian Winery, I love to come here to relax to music and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Sebastian River and St. Augustine's skyline. Open weekends (weather permitting); call for details. Banquet facilities on the third floor include two open-air decks for more than 7,500 sq. ft. for private functions. Seasonal special events include Winefest in February, Fine Art & Jazz Show in May, Annual Harvest Festival in August, and Holiday Open House in November; call for info.
157 King St. 904.826.1594 www.SanSebastianWinery.com
The Collage - I have to warn you, when dining at Collage, be prepared for a first-class experience. Here the focus is on fresh local seafood and a variety of flavors from around the world-including steaks, lamb, veal, and more-Collage was voted Best Global Cuisine in the 2008 Best of St. Augustine awards and I can tell you that this honor is well deserved! Serving dinner nightly Wed - Mon from 5:30 p.m. along with a global assortment of fine wines (one of the best selections I've seen in St. Augustine) and beer. Available for group luncheons. Serving Lunch Thur - Sun. 11:30am-2:30pm,
60 Hypolita St. 904.829.0055 www.CollageStAug.com
Cortesses Bistro This European style bistro is located in a quaint circa 1880s home and offers a menu of incomparable cuisine such as seafood, veal, chicken and beef. Enjoy Light Fare Menu of salads, pastas, burgers, and sandwiches in the courtyard and Flamingo Room. They also serve the best Espresso Martini's I've ever had. Voted Best Outdoor Dining and Most Romantic Atmosphere by Jacksonville Magazine and Marjorie Taylor! I love to go to the Flamingo Room to enjoy live music on Friday, Sat., and Sun. Happy Hour daily from 4-7 p.m. Full-service catering for large and small events.
172 San Marco Ave. 904.825.6775 www.CortessesBistroandFlamingoRoom.com
Florida Cracker Café For a true taste of St. Augustine, Florida Cracker Cafe has been a St. George Street favorite for 19 years. This colorful cafe features indoor and outdoor patio seating and specialties include fresh regional seafood with favorites such as stuffed shrimp, blackened scallops, oysters, fresh catch, and fried gator tail. Grilled steaks, chicken, burgers, pasta, entrée salads, specialty sandwiches such as the Oyster Po' Boy, and yummy desserts round out the selections. Serving lunch daily from 11 a.m.; dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. Serving wine and beer; daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Kids menu. Private parties and catering available.
81 St. George St. 904.829.0397 www.FloridaCrackerCafe.com
Harry's Enjoy authentic New Orleans-style seafood favorites such as étouffée, jambalaya, fried shrimp, and blackened specialties and the Red Beans and Rice are Mmm-Mmm Good! The menu also features fresh seafood, grilled steaks and chicken, burgers, po' boy sandwiches, and garden-fresh salads. Full bar features Harry's famous specialty drinks such as the Hurricane or Ragin' Cajun Bloody Mary as well as fine wines by the glass and a wide selection of imported and domestic beer. Dine inside or outside in St. Augustine's finest brick courtyard setting, featuring live music daily. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full Children's Menu available.
46 Avenida Menendez 904.824.7765 www.HookedOnHarrys.com
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
View My Blog
Locals have all seen the bumper stickers -- St. Augustine a Sleepy Fishing Village.... but St. Augustine Beach, incorporated in 1959, was never really a fishing village and anything but sleepy. Long-time residents recall that the beach was quite the exciting place to be. The hard packed sand was wide enough for planes to land and cars to race on. There were even polo games with autos in lieu of ponies.
Today the only planes you will see are in the sky and beach polo has been replaced with Frisbee tossing and paddle tennis. Additionally, The St. Augustine Beach Pier Park, located directly across from Seaside at Anastasia Resort Condominiums, offers a variety of fun activities such as the Wed. Farmers Market, Music by the Sea Concerts, fishing on the pier, Volleyball, and a new Splash Park for the kiddies.
As St. Augustine Beach celebrates its 50th birthday this year more and more visitors are discovering why so many of us have decided to call this home. The reasonable prices of Homes in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach, top rated public school systems and tropical climate are enticing. That is why I moved here in 1978 and why I am living here today. I love St. Augustine, fishing village or not.
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
904-591-9121
www.TheBestAgentInStAugustine.com
Marjorie@MarjorieTaylor.net
View My Blog
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I specialize in homes in St. Augustine Florida. My goal is to match every client with a neighborhood that suits their heart and a home that suits their budget.
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