St. Augustine is a fantastic location for a comfortable, medium-paced life along the Atlantic Ocean. Just a couple miles outside of the historic district is Anastasia Island - a much sought after peninsula because of its proximity to both the extended beaches and the Intercoastal Waterway. In the midpoint of this island, located on the east side is Sea Place - a small established community built in the 1980-1990's. The community has a distinct Mediterranean flair with red tile roofs and "pink" stucco over concrete block.
It was built in 4 phases: phase 1 comprises of 72 condos, many of which have ocean or pool views; phase 2 is 24 patio homes, many of which are located on an attractive lake; phase 3 is 34 estate homes which may have an individual pools or lake view; 10 ocean front townhomes.
Of course one of the best features of this community is the immediate deeded access to the beach access through private gate. Other ammentities include choice of 3 pools, indoor racquet ball courts, tennis courts, basketball court and clubhouse. Each of the phases has their own governing board reporting to the master board. This community is ideal for vacation home, retirement home, or short-term rental property.
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
Sea Colony is a one-of-a-kind coastal community built recently along the Atlantic ocean amongst high dunes, scrub grass, and sea oaks on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, FLorida. The neighborhood was initiated by McGarvey Residential Communities to include some 220 home sites and intended to preserve the natural beauty of it's surroundings. The community includes a mix of 28 custom luxury oceanfront homes, ocean villas, and estate homes on more than 115 acres.
Various and respected builders were individually selected to maintain the design styles that make this community unique. From Miami to North Carolina, you will be hard pressed to find a community that even touches the ambience that Sea Colony affords. The influence of Key West Victorian architecture lends to the numerous porches, coastal colors, hidden garages, metal roofing, and interesting angles offered in a grand, upscale and elegant Old Florida style.
Ammenities include a 24-hour manned security gate, clubhouse, outdoor kitchen pavilion, and heated oceanfront pool. 4 Beach walkovers extend out to about ½ mile of some of the finest beaches in the world. Nature trails stroll by lakes and meander thru the pristine and dedicated dune preserve lands never to be touched.
St. Augustine's historic district is only minutes away and the fabulous shopping meccas of Orlando, Jacksonville, and Daytona are all within a short ride.
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
SeaGrove Community
Sea Grove is a magical community where the ocean breezes meet the magnificent old trees just blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a new unique coastal village initiated in 2004 andlocated in historic St. Augustine, Florida. SeaGrove is a mixed use community composed of 284 single family homes, 40 Luxury Condominiums, and a five acre retail/office area in the "Town Center". It was designed to provide an old time feel of a friendly community neighborhood where one can easily walk to the post office, the library, the bank, eat out or shop leisurely at the Town Center. Condos and single family homes are available as well as vacant lots.
The neighborhood is enhanced by the natural features of the site including the salt marsh and tidal creek, several lakes, and majestic oaks. In addition to the natural features, the community is further enhanced by the quality of the architecture of the buildings. The designs for the homes and condominiums in SeaGrove will reflect the traditional styling of Florida vernacular coastal architecture with Key West styling, quaint porches, metal roofs and coastal colors.
Located in the heart of the Neighborhood is the Town Green, a place to picnic, play and relax. The SeaGrove Swim Club is only a short walk away and includes a swimming pool, an open air pavilion, bathrooms, and a boardwalk. The residents also share in the other amenities including walking trails, a boat ramp, and shaded parks.
Location, location, location is justified here because it is just minutes from Old St. Augustine with cobblestone streets and the historic houses of the nation's oldest city. SeaGrove is on Anastasia Island - a desirable location because of its proximity to the beach and Intercoastal Waterway. In addition, the City of Jacksonville, one of the east coast's busiest seaports is also an easy ride.
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
email:an.marshall@prudentialnetworkrealty.com
www.mcgarveycommunities.com
I recently met an appraiser at a sale I had in SeaGrove, St. Augustine, Florida. He mentioned that he enjoys meeting with different offices to share information in a talk he entitles "Appraisers are not the Enemy." We had him address our office meeting today. This professional was indicating that if there are enough sales in the subdivision, they are not supposed to leave that neighborhood for others. They need 3, of which can be a combination of pending and sold (altho the REALTOR has to be willing to share the price of the pending). If they don't have the number of comps in the neighborhood, they go back in time. They also need to use at least 2 actives and then a variance of list/sale ratio of what they will sell form.
It takes 6-7 hours of work to do an appraisal (sound familiar?). The appraisers are, as of May 1 2009, rotated in a pool of appraisers. This appraiser said that he has spent years building up relationships with lenders, customers, and vendors and now any newbee appraiser can be arbitrarily "assigned" to the job. Appraisers are no longer even able to communicate with lenders.
If the neighborhood has a lot of foreclosures and short sales, they will need to be included. If there are not a lot, they are to eliminate those as well as "flips". The price of an appraisal is about $350 altho that fee increases if the property is on navigable water, over $1 mil, or is a very unique home. He also indicated that about 25% of appraisals are currently being done for sales (this is increase from 5% same time last year). All in all, the cost approach has far less weight than the comparative market value, even though this value is usually less than the comparative market approach.
He requested that REALTORs include in the MLS data sheet what is in the back yard (patio, screened lanai, fence) and also what the view is and include photos. An interesting note is regarding GLA - gross living area is not so much if it has heat or AC, but if it conforms to the rest of the home. For example an added Florida room with aluminum roof unlike the rest of the house but has a wall AC unit would not be considered in the total square footage. Hope this is helpful to someone.
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
email:an.marshall@prudentialnetworkrealty.com
www.accreditedappraislassociates.com
I enjoy generating and organizing big events that make a difference. I usually do at least one Open House each weekend in an effort to create exposure for a house I have listed and attract buyers. Frequently, though, these are poorly attended and I am disappointed. Could I combine my goal to market a home with my enjoyment for event planning? I thought of the community open houses, where different real estate brokerages collaborate to hold open the various listings in a neighborhood which can add to the traffic.
The community I wanted to hold open is SeaGrove on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, FL. It is a unique and beautiful coastal community built by McGarvey Communities initiated in 2004. It has condominiums, single family residences and a Town Center complete with library, post office, specialty stores, and eatery. Built in the primie of the market and because of its unique concept, it was very attractive to investors. For the first couple years, many of the homes sat vacant or were rented out, often to college kids. The 2 builders of "production homes" continued to sell and build on their lots. As they have been nearing their project completion, the prices have become very competitive along with the marketc condiitons. Some of the investors/owners have gone into the foreclosure process. The neighborhood was in need of a "makeover".
My thinking was to showcase the neighborhood by collaborating with all the businesses and other real estate agencies to hold a giant community event on a Saturday, Valentines Day 2009. SeaGrove - A Community with a Heart showcased activities that related to pamper, health, and passion. Several months of planning and preparation created a day of demonstrations - yoga, painting, belly dance, skin analysis. The library held a book store, wine tastings at the wine store, fun run and blood pressure readings tied into the Valentine Day theme. There were also pet adoptions and various other venues. 
We had a d.j. highlighting the various hourly activities and raffles to donate money to the Boys & Girls Club and a pet rescue outfit, Goliath & Bebe's.
My goal was five hundred people coming into the neighborhood. Altho the day started off with a pouring rain, in the end, the weather turned out well. We raised several hundred dollars for our charities, we had 13 open houses with attendance of more than 40 people signing in at any one of them, and all in all, more than three hundred people attended. Although I did not sell a home that day, I don't know that one of the other brokerages didn't. The result I achieved, was the ability to list a home because of the marketing of the event and that one has already sold!
Now, I am looking for the next idea.....
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
email:an.marshall@prudentialnetworkrealty.com
I have an extraordinary commitment to making a difference in your life. To me real estate is not about buying and selling homes - it is a vehicle in which to actualize your dreams! There is no place more important than HOME; that magical little world where you find happiness, renewal, connection, and comfort. My assistance might come in the form of helping you sell your current home in Northeast Florida so you can relocate to a new area and the next chapter of your life. Or it might be to find the perfect home in St Augustine and surrounding St. John's County that meets your every need. You can expect success as I put my love of knowledge into daily action on your behalf.
If anyone should have a need of a real estate agent I do not think they could find a more personable, hardworking, knowledgable, honest and helpful person than An Marshall.
During our recent dealings with trying to find a home for some of our family members An has gone way above and beyond what I would have expected of any agent. An has made sure all needs were met as well as going above and beyond in helping our family through all the red tape of financing and making every effort to cover all needs.
Not only is An diligent in her efforts but would meet me late evenings and weekends as well as answer any amount of calls made to her no matter how trivial the question. I would highly recommend An to anyone I know as a great person and she will go out of her way to help in any way she can.
Sincerly,
Frances Sikes
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