The Headline in Sunday's paper read something like this:   Watson Realty Welcomes Marjorie Taylor WAtson Realty Corporation is proud to announce that Marjorie Taylor has joined the award winning St. Augustine Beach office. Marjorie brings a wealth of knowledge with her to Watson.  Her varied real estate career experience spans over 27 years and around the world.  From working with Fortune 500 clients locating co-ops in Manhattan, NY to assisting embassy dignitaries find the ideal property in Rome, Italy.  Locally Marjorie has been instrumental in sales and development of some of the areas largest communities such as Marsh Creek Country Club, SeaGrove at St. Augustine Beach and Fleming Island Plantation. Having been a real estate broker since the 1980's she has in-depth knowledge of the ... 03/02/2009

As Spring approaches people seem to be making their moves.  I have seen some prices increase as well as an increase in the number of sales.  It is super exciting to watch some properties that have been around a while to start selling.  I know this is only the beginning of the upturn of the market.  There are bigger and better things out there and they are on their way here!  GET READY!!!!  02/27/2009

"If you could live in any state in the country, except the state you live in now, what state would you choose to live in?"   This question was asked by Harris Interactive® as they conducted a nationwide survey of 2,694 adults conducted online between August 7 and 13, 2007.  The result of this survey is known as the The Harris Poll®   Florida, ranking in the top 5, is one of the most popular places people would choose to live. Why is that? I know why I choose to live and work in St. Augustine Florida.  St. Augustine offers: Beautiful Beaches - St. Augustine and St. Johns County features forty-two miles of expansive beaches.  It's a natural playground for most every water enthusiast. Boating, surfing, fishing and jet-skiing are popular pastimes in St. Augustine. Fabulous weather - You can... 02/05/2009

                                                                                          Rob Demarest and Dustin Pari from the Sci-Fi hit show Ghost Hunters International are coming to the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida. Also, joining them will be Tiffany Johnson a well known psychic. Some lucky few were able to get tickets for the February 21, 2009 event as the ticket sold out quickly. It's going to be a jam pack night full of events starting with an hour Q&A session with Rob and Dustin. Then they will take a half hour going over the history of the Lighthouse. Then it's off to go catch some ghost in action from 9pm to 2am. Last time the Ghost Hunters were at the St. Augustine lighthouse they heard little girls voice and also caught a ghost looking down at them over the railing at... 02/03/2009

Here are the February events for Vilano Beach sorted first by date, then followed by on-going events. See you at the beach! Please call the phone number shown to verify any information. Let me know if you have an event you'd like posted. February 9, 5:45 p.m. SUNSET-MOONRISE AT TOP OF THE LIGHTHOUSE 5:45 pm Appetizers by The Reef Restaurant. Lighthouse fundraiser. Reservations required. 829-0745. $20 members & $25 non-members.   February 9, 6:45 p.m. WINE CLASS - Bubblies & Dessert Wines - How to Impress Your Date Without Breaking the Bank with matching appetizers. $30. Reservations required. The Reef Restaurant, 4100 Coastal Highway. 824-8008   February  9, 7 p.m. NSIA FORUM - DESIGNATION AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA - WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITY ·          A National Heritage Area (... 02/03/2009

With all the news about businesses laying off employees or simply closing their doors, it's refreshing to read that there are brave entrepreneurs here in St. Augustine opening new businesses.  Are you a dog lover?  Check out these two new ventures:  Good Dog Training offers a "K9z n Kids" program that helps teach children how to train their dog.   For more information visit: www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite  DogSTARspace is owned by a Golden Retriever named Pasha.  It a website designed for dog lovers who wish to share dog training tips, dog sports, dog food tips (recipes?) health tip and other doggie news.  This is a free site for all dog lovers, check it out at www.DogSTARspace.com Marjorie Taylor is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine.  ... 01/31/2009

Looking for something FUN to do this weekend?  I've got something GREAT for you to do!   A favorite among the many Saint Augustine events, Uptown Saturday Night tops the charts of things to do in Saint Augustine.   Like the First Fridays Art Walk, it truly is a party-like atmosphere, its fun and Free, and you know how much I like free. Make sure you mark your calendars.  The Uptown Saturday Night event, takes place from 5pm to 9m the last Saturday of every month in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District, St. Augustine.   That's tomorrow night my friends.Uptown Saturday Night, is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association, food is provided by the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association and the Mission of Nombre de Dios provides free parking. Visit art galleries, ant... 01/29/2009

Today's St. Augustine Record - Front Page News - "Home Sales Rebound".  What music to this agents ears!  Good news about the real estate market on the front page. The Record also reported "this recent activity comes from low mortgage rates and low home prices.  But David A. Denslow, a professor and economist with the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, offered another reason. He said square-foot prices for homes  in St. Augustine are selling for 60 percent of the national average." There are a few other factors that may explain our increase such as concerns about investing assets the unsettling stock market a very cold winter up north.  Here are some stats that were cited "total residential sales countywide amounted to 249 for a total of $76.5 million. In a... 01/25/2009

St. Augustine entrepreneurs are scoffing at the reports that retail sales are the weakest in four decades.  With the news that stores are closing their doors (Macy's New Year shocker!) the St. Augustine Record announced four new ventures!  Jade Tree, located on Anastasia Blvd. is a cool new flower shop but does not stop there.  It's not just about petals, local art, candles and chocolates are also available.   Tech'n'Tunes, a custom audio automobile business recently opened on Dobbs Road. Offering a unique combination of car repair and accessory installation, they sell Vibe products.  Gallery Café is a new specialty restaurant on King St.  No processed food here it's all cooked from scratch.  My kind of place!  Daily homemade soups and specials like Argentinean steak, French Reuben's, s... 01/12/2009

I am not so sure the title of this blog is an accurate statement, but there is a new movie now under production in the Nations Oldest City.  "Resurrection Ferns" stars a local teen playing a 12-year old girl from Milwaukee.  Hanna runs away to see the wild horses in Cumberland Island and has many mishaps along the way.  The spin is that it is a story about a "contemporary Little Red Riding Hood".      How many of you remember Neidermeyer in the movie "Animal House"?  I sure do, I loved that movie!!  Well, in this film his character is quite ... suspect, we are not sure if he is the good guy or a villainous stalker.  Actor, Mark Metcalf, also played The Master on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sorry to say I never caught that show, so I would not recognize him from there.  Residents, however,... 01/12/2009

For those of us who travel the Bridge of Lions between Anastasia Island and Downtown St. Augustine, please note there will be another detour.   The north end of Dolphin Dr. and its intersection with Anastasia Blvd. will be closed three days starting tomorrow January 8, 2009.  The closure is due to the paving of the south side of Anastasia Blvd. from Dolphin Dr. east to just past Gerado Street.  Traffic will be rerouted using Zorayda and Arricola Avenues.    Patience my friends, just think how GREAT this new Bridge of Lions will be when its completed. For more information go to the Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project website or call 904-825-3647.   Marjorie Taylor is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine.   She is passionate about helpi... 01/07/2009

Breaking News from St. Johns County (including St. Augustine)... Golf Carts have been approved for county Roads.    Last night, the St. Johns County Commission passed an ordinance that opens county roads to golf cart traffic.  St. John's County is one of the first counties in the state to have such an ordinance.  County engineers will have to evaluate each road to insure that they are eligible for golf cart traffic.  The approved roads will then be clearly marked for use with golf carts.  Here are the rules:  Operators must have a valid driver's license Vehicle cannot carry more than four people Vehicle cannot exceed 1,800 lbs (with passengers) Maximum speed limit is 25mph Although we won't see carts on the road this weekend, we know it will be soon.  What fun! Marjorie Taylor is a lice... 01/07/2009

I was honored to have been selected as the 2008 St. Augustine Women's Council of REALTORS® Businesswoman of the Year. The following is from a press release written by Heather Naughton, Public Relations Director with the Women's Council of REALTORS®: "This annual award recognizes a Realtor who is real estate industry leader; and who shares their time, talent and expertise with others in the profession and in the community. Amy Capo, 2008 president of the St. Augustine Regional Chapter of WCR describes Jenness as a community volunteer and activist. Jenness has held office as president and vice president seats with many business and community organizations. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors; Florida Association of Realtors; St Augustine and St. Johns County Board of R... 01/06/2009

One of the most popular events in St. Augustine is the monthly First Friday Art Walk.  This trendy cultural event is held each month from 5 - 9pm.    Tonight marks the first Art Walk of 2009 and will be the place to be in St. Augustine.  Art Galleries of St. Augustine (AGOSA) represents the finest St Augustine galleries with more than 25 member galleries featuring local art, glass, pottery, jewelry and more.  More than 20 Galleries will be participating tonight offer their latest exhibits, music and refreshments.  You can also enjoy wonderful catered delights at many of the galleries sponsored by The St Augustine Independent Restaurant Association.   CLICK HERE for information on Show Openings and Artist Exhibits!  Stroll the streets of the Nations Oldest City or hop on a Sightseeing Tr... 01/01/2009

Barbara Jenness was selected as the 2008 REALTOR® of the Year for the St. Augustine Regional's chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORS®. This is the first year a separate award for REALTOR of the Year and Affiliate of the Year was done. Seymoine Schmidt, with Colonial Bank, was selected as the Affiliate of the Year. Neither award is by nomination, but simply by the members writing in the name of the person. Last year the chapter awarded a member of the year. Mitsu O'Riley was last year's member of the year. Barbara was the 2007 President of the Women's Council of REALTORS® and served on the board this year as immediate past president. Seymoine was Mixer Chair and continues in that role for 2009. Please visit the chapter's website at http://wcrstaugustine.org for more information abou... 12/31/2008

Ah, the good old days.....buy low, do a few fixes here and there and then sell for a nice profit.  Fix it and keep it is more like it now a days.  The National Association of Realtors reports that the typical first time home buyer plans to stay in that home for 10 years, up from seven years in 2007.  They also report that the number of first-time buyers is rising.  They now account for 41 percent of transactions.  This is up from 39 percent in last year's survey and 36 percent in 2006.  Based on this report, it appears that the FTB's (First Time Buyers) are an excellent target market for sellers in the St. Augustine real estate market.  What do these buyers expect?  Here are two things that I have discovered they are looking for, before they even walk through the front door.  Back to Ba... 12/20/2008

Christmas on Vilano was held on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Vilano Pier Pavilion in Vilano Beach, FL. The Church at Vilano hosted the event.  It brought the community together for a gathering to celebrate music and dance.  Betty Anne Schlegel and Eileen Holden were the co-directors. Betty Anne played keyboards while different people from the community performed. The Rev. Sam Schlegel welcomed the community and gave closing remarks. Herb Rippe served as the emcee. Bob Frohardt and Alicia Day led the community sings ("Everyone Sings") which was a lot of fun getting everyone involved. Alicia, a sophomore at FSU also performed a solo as did Kitty Parlin, Jennifer Levoy, a senior at St. Augustine High School, and Nana Gelashvili, a junior at St. Augustine High School. Crescent Beach Bap... 12/19/2008

A friend of mine is traveling (driving) north to spend Christmas with his family.  We spoke several times during the trip and he reported some gas stations offering regular gas under $1.50 a gallon.  Holey moley!  What a difference a few months makes!  (I traded in my gas guzzling Expedition for a fuel efficient Altima last summer when prices were over $4.00 a gallon.) I usually get gas at my corner station, out of convenience and habit.  However, after hearing the prices in other areas, I wondered what the lowest price was in the St. Augustine area.  I set out on my mission by searching Gasbuddy.com.  What a cool site.  Not only does it list the lowest prices in the area, but offers a pretty fab search tool for websites.  Sure wish I would have known about this site $2.50 a gallon ago.... 12/18/2008

When I am not busy selling Homes in St. Augustine, I am taking advantage of all the wonderful events that are offered in this wonderful city.  With the Holiday season in full swing, there are many activities planned in the St. Augustine area.   Here is a listing of what to do in the Nation's Oldest City this weekend. Friday, December 12th Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration Take the boat to Rattlesnake Island and experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas the 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine.   For More information call 904-471-0116 or visit www.nps.gov/forma Times 10:30 - 3:30   Sunset/Moonrise Tour Join us at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustin... 12/12/2008

When I first attended a WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF REALTORS function, their Annual Charity Golf Tournament, I had fun, a LOT of fun.  But I wasn't sure how my association with this group would benefit me in my business.  I had the classic WIIFM mentality, how will joining a club designed for women help me?  However, somehow I knew if I just did it, if I got involved, the benefits would come.   I looked at the other members (both MEN and women) and thought; if these smart professionals, whom I respect, are associated there must be a good reason. So I joined.   In fact, I jumped in with both feet and found the benefits of networking and forming relationships with other REALTORS® on a local and national level are enormous.  WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF REALTORS is a magnet for career-focused REALTORS® with ... 11/28/2008