Buy New Homes in St. Augustine With a Reverse Mortgage  I must admit, I don't know much about the Reverse Mortgage product, but found it very interesting that buyers over the age of 62 can use it to buy new homes in St. Augustine.   They way I understand it, in a regular mortgage, monthly payments are made to the lender.  In the REVERSE mortgage, you receive money from the lender and do not pay it back for as long as you live in the home. Additionally, if any equity remains in the home after the loan is repaid, the funds go to the homeowners or thier heirs.   That sounds like a fabulous way to buy new homes in St. Augustine! If you are considering a reverse mortgage to purchase your new homes in St. Augustine, watch this video by AARP.      The reverse mortgage is not a traditional mort... 02/09/2013

Are you searching for homes in St. Augustine for rent?  Are you innately neat and tidy? The VIP Staging Home Manager program may be just for you. Nice homes in St. Augustine for rent can be very expensive. VIP Staging's proven Home Manager Program is the perfect solution. By moving into one of our managed properties, which are typically homes worth $400,000 and up and maintaining it in "show ready" condition, you can save up to 50% off the going rental rates. VIP Staging's proven Home Manager Program is the perfect solution for professionals looking for nice homes in St. Augustine for rent. By moving into one of our managed properties, which are typically homes worth $400,000 and up and maintaining it in "show ready" condition, you'll get half off the rent. Everyday maintenance such as ... 02/08/2013

Home Managers Needed  - What is a Home Manager? Home Managers live in luxury homes that are currently on the market to sell and pay a fraction of "normal" rental rates. If you are looking for a short term living arrangement, saving for a home of your own, exploring different communities before you buy or looking for a long-term lifestyle, becoming a VIP Home Manager could be the solution for you. There are a few performance requirements, the program is not for everyone. Our Home managers must have good references and must own or be willing to purchase/rent attractive furnishings. Must be willing to have the home in 'show to sell' condition by appointment only. View our available properties. Enjoy living in one of our managed homes as if it were yours while it remains on the market for s... 02/08/2013

Celebrating Black History in St. Augustine Florida Many do not know that St. Augustine holds a unique place in the history of African-Americans in the United States.   It is the location of the first legally sanctioned free African-American town in North America.   From St. Augustine's earliest days through the turbulent 1960s, African-Americans have played key roles in the city's history and development.   Some of us can remember that St. Augustine gained national and international media attention in 1963 and 1964 with the Civil Rights demonstrations here and the violent attempts to stop them.  There is a commemorative plaque in  St. Augustine's Plaza de la Constitucion,  The Andrew Young Crossing, that memorializes  the June 9, 1964 Civil Rights march led by Young who tried, unsuccess... 01/31/2013

Looking for fun things to do while looking at new homes in St. Augustine? See original Picasso Art in St. Augustine. The PICASSO Art and Arena exhibit opens soon!  This exciting exhibition will showcase 39 of Pablo Picasso's are pieces.  It is an event to celebrate St. Augustine for the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon.  The series of 11 lithographs will be on display at the St. Augustine Visitor Center located at 10 W. Castillo Drive from Feb 1 to May 11, 2013, 9am to 5pm daily.       Photo Credit:  by Petr Kratochvil The exhibition is designed for families as well as the art connoisseur. The exhibition offers tours led by specially trained guides who interact with the audience. The show is presented in both English and Spanish. Ticket pricing include... 01/23/2013

Fun things to do while looking at homes in St. Augustine   Looking for something fun and unusual to do when you are looking for homes in St. Augustine? Here are a few options.   Check out the New Year's Rockin Trolley Tour!   - We saw this tour while we were downtown this past weekend, we even sang and danced to YMCA, something I’ve not done in years.  The tour features popular songs of each decade since the 1920's as the trolley drives through the historic St. Augustine amid the dazzling Nights of Lights holiday display.  You will recognize the Pink Lady hostess and leather-jacketed conductor, characters straight out of Grease as they lead guests in singing and dancing their way through musical history.  The 35-minute tours depart at 6 and 7 p.m. from St. Augustine Visitors Information... 01/22/2013

  Just about 8 minutes to the beach and about the same distance to the Historic District of St. Augustine, Kings Trace is close to everything!  Retail and grocery shopping centers are nearby all of our new homes, there is even a Walmart, Planet Fitness Center and great restaurants.   The excellent medical facilities and A-Rated  St. Johns County School System, help make King's Trace an unexpected value within a live-work-play lifestyle location.  If you are looking for new homes in St. Augustine, make sure Kings Trace is on your list. King's Trace is one of St. Augustine's desirable new home neighborhoods without any CDD fees! Uniquely designed and masterfully crafted homes starting in the $160's.   01/19/2013

Cathedral Festival 2013 - Insider Tips! When: February 22-24 2013Hours: Fri 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm, Sat. Noon - 10:30 pm  Sun. Noon - 9:00 pmWhere: Prince of Peace Grounds, at the Mission of Nombre de Dios off San Marco Avenue, near the Giant Cross the address is 101 San Marco Avenue.Who: Everyone and AnyoneTickets: FREE admission Ride Ticket Info belowContact Information: caseyandpete@comcast.net     Cathedral Festival St. Augustine’s Premier Carnival  It's back! Just like they have been doing for the last 28 years, the best carnival, Annual Cathedral Festival will be held in February this year.  St. Augustine and the greater North Florida area  will once again be gathering on the grounds of the Mission of Nombre de Dios for wild rides and crazy games A fireworks show will light up the sky... 01/14/2013

Join Us! Help Celebrate the First Year Anniversary of as one of our premiere Town Center businesses! Monday Ribbon Cutting 12 pm til 6 pm Food * Wine * Cakes * Drawings * Prize Baskets * and More!   3 pm WINE TASTING - new arrivals a plenty! JOIN US ! I can't believe it has been a year since Publix came to our wonderful Vilano Beach community! The Publix people in the Vilano store are absolutely the nicest! Come join us today at 55 Ava Way. Yeah, I know---where's that? From downtown historic St. Augustine follow A1A signs north. Go east on May Street and take the Vilano Bridge to Vilano Beach (you can't help but see the Publix on your right). At our one traffic light, take a right onto Coastal Highway and then a quick right onto Poplar Ave and left into the parking lot. There will be d... 01/13/2013

Leroy’s Café, Best Breakfast in St. Augustine Where: 2555 US 1 South            Saint Augustine, Florida 32086Hours: Mon - Thurs, Sat: 6 am - 3 pm          Friday: 6 am - 8 pm          Sunday: 7 am - 2 pmWhat: Serving breakfast and lunch, seven days a week,Cost: click here for menu and pricesContact Phone: 904-217-4624  |  f. 904-217-7462 Specializing in home cooked meals with a southern flare.  Leroy’s Café has been my go-to breakfast restaurant since they opened in 2010.   Leroy's Cafe is the best breakfast in St. Augustine.  The atmosphere is as homey as their menu and the staff is just so friendly.   I love omelets and Leroy’s will certainly not disappoint as they offer a great variety.    Last time I went with a friend who had the biscuits and gravy and he just raved about it.  Sai... 01/13/2013

I'm very excited - it is my first day at Landon Homes at the brand spanking new home Model in Kings Trace.  This beautiful model, with all the lovely upgrades, is now available for sale as a LEASE-BACK! Priced at $219,990 this home is perfect to buy a new home now and move in next year.  Meanwhile, we will keep it in model home condition and pay the buyer a monthly fee!  With prices and interest rates in St. Augustine raising how great is that?   Check out this amazing kitchen, I could really get into entertaining in this new home! Just about 8 minutes to the beach and about the same distance to the Historic District of St. Augustine, Kings Trace is close to everything!  Retail and grocery shopping centers are nearby all of our new homes, there is even a Walmart, Planet Fitness Center a... 01/05/2013

      We spent the majority of the day at the boathouse: breakfast included grits, eggs, bacon, and fresh from the tree orange juice (there is nothing better then truly fresh squeezed fruit juice!), and since the Jaguars kicked off at 1pm, we decided to stay for the game (although why debatable).  Gametime included grilled chicken wings, and of course, more oysters, and before we knew it, there it was sunset again.  The picture above shows the approximately 600 SF boathhouse, with 2 bedrooms, a jack and jill bath, full kitchen (with apartment sized appliances) and living room.  12/30/2012

Are you thinking of selling your home?   It takes a village these days to sell your home.  You are invited to a FREE educational brunch to find out ways that you can get top dollar for your home.     The event is on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00 at the Holiday Isles Oceanfront Resort at 860 A1A Beach Blvd in St. Augustine Beach.    Why attend? 1. Receive a free step-by-step approach to looking at what you can do to get the highest return for your home and avoid those costly upgrades that won't net your money back. 2. Chance to win a great door prize! 3. Connect with a seller's agent representing your fudiciary interests as a single agent to sell your home for top dollar.   Door prizes include: $150 Staging Consultation with VIP Staging & Home Management LLC $50 Landscaping Consult... 12/29/2012

Originally discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon almost 500 years ago, Palencia is situated on 2,350 acres along the peaceful Intracoastal Waterway in St. Augustine, Florida. The community was developed by Hines and offers its residents natural surroundings, shaded marshland and a rich history. Not to mention, an unbeatable location and community elementary school Join us as we tour the natural beauty of Palencia with Broker-Associate at Palencia Realty, LLC., Pud English. For our first video on the community, Pud shows us the variety of homes available in Palencia. Buyers have their choice of condominiums, town homes, single family homes and homesites, custom homes and homesites, developer lots and even unique live/work units. Lot sizes range from 100 feet wide up to 2.5 acres. After Pud s... 12/25/2012

Homes in St Augustine FL - December 2012 from http://www.searchhomesstaugustine.com There are currently 710 active homes for sale in St Augustine FL. The average listing price for Property in St Augustine FL during the month of December is $338,819. The median list price in December for single family residential and condo/town home properties in St Augustine FL is $255,990. The typical home for sale during the month of December in St Augustine FL is a 3.47 bedroom, 2.50 bath home built in 2005. To break down pricing further we can look at price by bedrooms in St Augustine FL. During the month of December a 3 bedroom homes average for sale price is $269,363 while a 4 bedroom homes average for sale price is $391,232. The 5 bedroom homes are listing for an average of $505,525. All market d... 12/17/2012

National Geographic recommends St Augustine as top 10 places to see in the world for Christmas/Holiday Lights. Check out more from St Augustine Record our local newspaper. While visiting beautiful St Augustine give me a call if you think St Augustine might be the perfect town for you to call home. 12/03/2012

At this time of year when so many of us are overwhelmed by family obligations, work, shopping for gifts, holiday cooking and baking, house guests and requests for charitable contributions it is not always easy to make the time to do even more. Even so, as you are out and about this month please consider purchasing food to donate to your local Food Pantry.   In our area and much of the country Food Pantries are experiencing a critically low supply of food for families in need. A local Food Pantry in St. Augustine, FL has a sign on their door saying that the pantry is closed awaiting donations. This same pantry provided food to nearly 1,000 people last year and serves an average of 380 hot meals each day through its Soup Kitchen. Without food to stock the pantry shelves, many families wil... 12/02/2012

WildWood, located in the World Golf Village’s King & Bear community, is known for its natural pristine beauty. Davidson Realty Realtor Jennifer Todd was kind enough to show us around the neighborhood and highlight some of the outstanding features like the picturesque forested conservation land engulfing the homesites and the neighborhood’s discreet, family friendly cul-de-sacs. WildWood is wrapped on all sides with the largest single stand of forested conservation lands in the King & Bear community.  As you enter the neighborhood, the view before you is a 1,100’ long vista through a park, over a lake to the backdrop of the preserve land where you are likely to see wild turkey, bird life and native deer.   WildWood’s natural settings are only one of the many alluring features of this ne... 11/29/2012

 A St. Augustine community favorite, the Festival of Trees at World Golf Village is festive display of holiday trees and wreaths decorated by businesses, organizations, families and friends from the local community.  Vote for your favorite tree for $1 per vote, or bid on one of the tress in the silent auction.Proceedes to benefit two local charities.   St. Augustine is in for another eventful treat....Preformers of the St. Augustine Ballet will join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. The exhibit will be open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Johns County Convention Center, 500 S. Legacy Trail at the World Golf Village, through December 9.   This is a great event to gather some wonderful Holiday decorating ideas, and maybe pick up a completed tree. ... 11/28/2012

Has your family experienced the St. Augustine, FL Night of Lights? From mid-November through January 2013 the historic district is aglow with over 2 million lights, leading National Geographic magazine to include St. Augustine on its list of the Top 10 Places To See Holiday Lights. St. Augustine is a great walking city, but for a real treat you may want to view the Night of Lights on a Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley. These tours run nightly, stop at various points throughout the city, and include a visit with Santa, cider and cookies, and caroling.  11/28/2012