Local business owners and mother-daughter team Jill and Sierra Flores talked for years about starting a family business. They were looking for one they could be passionate about that would also incorporate their talents and most importantly create a legacy for Sierra to carry on in the future. After doing a lot of research they discovered the ideal company in the Closet Factory. It was unique because it was a franchise with a reputation for excellence nationally and many of its local owners were legacies made up of families running the business together and passing it down. 

“There is something special about multi-generational family-owned businesses where parents work side-by-side with their children to create a legacy for future generations,” says Jill.

This mother-daughter team brings friendly enthusiasm and warmth to everything they do. With a long career in real estate and property management, Jill oversees the business side, while Sierra is the Lead Designer overseeing a team of eight. The business is rounded out by an in-house team of carpenters who custom-make all the wood pieces in their shop and installers who complete projects.

On Being a Woman-Owned Business
Jill and Sierra love owning a business, working together, and creating a legacy for their family. They are passionate about being a woman-owned enterprise. As a way to celebrate this, they are getting ready to launch a podcast called Closets and Cocktails where they will discuss what it is like to own a business as well as interior design tips and trends.


Giving Back
Jill and Sierra both agree giving back to the community is an essential part of their business and they were excited to share the news that the Closet Factory’s national non-profit called Closet Factory Cares is initiating a new program called Bags for Kids.  At no cost to clients, with each new project, they will donate a special bag for foster children in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay County. The high-quality travel bag is filled with items they can use to go to a new home. 

The ultimate goal for these ladies is to make life better for clients. When a project is complete, instead of a jumbled mess or a bland wall, the new space feels structured, stylish, and truly special with the power to replace stress with peace and function. Closet Factory Jacksonville has been in business since May of 2022. With Jill and Sierra Flores at the helm, they are well on the way to reaching their long-term goal of becoming the number-one name in quality custom closet design in North Florida. Both Sierra and Jill agree the sky is the limit when it comes to the future.

Phill and Rafaela Raposo, owners of River Stonework believe spending as much time as possible outside, enjoying the fresh air, cooking, entertaining, and being together with friends epitomizes the good life in northern St. Johns.  
     Their locally-owned company seeks to provide homeowners with the chance to create their own dream backyard oasis using a combination of paver patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, screen enclosures, and pergolas. They have also added concrete coating to their repertoire of services.
     Exquisite craftsmanship is visible in every aspect of a design by River Stonework. But what exactly goes into each project? In this issue, River Stonework offers our readers a birds-eye view of a project and the transformation of one backyard.
​

Phases of a Project


     They begin each project by visiting the home to see the space and listening closely to the client to learn their ideas. Phill and Rafaela then work with their team of certified outdoor living designers to create a 3d design to help the client envision what the space will look like when completed.  
     
     Once the client is satisfied with the design, installation begins. Everything is incorporated by River Stonework; design, installation, equipment, and materials including appliances, granite countertops, marble, and pavers. They have three in-house crews, each made up of one manager and three supervisors, and their installers. Throughout this process, the team is available to answer any questions and deal with unexpected issues.
​

Country Club Vibe


     The family wanted a stunning outdoor space makeover to complement a new pool installed by Breakwater Pools. The backyard is roughly sixteen-hundred square feet of living space.     
     The concept was country club meets outdoor living room, combined with an existing exterior kitchen and dining space. They wanted a place where the kids could congregate with friends, and they could enjoy cookouts, swimming, and entertaining with neighbors and family.
     The vibe they were going for was high-end, streamlined, light, and bright.  For their color scheme, they chose a lot of greenery, coupled with whites and pale silvery grays, 
     A full overhaul of the ground-level space was key to the project. Large gray-white Italian marble with seamless square edges and coping in the same stone was used for the decking. A beautiful stone fireplace anchors one corner with a backdrop of tall graceful palms. A turf grass accent surrounds the pool, underneath which is a drainage system. The brilliant blue tilework along the edge of the pool was also designed and installed by River Stonework. Plans are in place to add an aluminum pergola later.
     The project timeframe was two months to install the pool and a mere two weeks to install the decking.

​Seeing is Believing


     River Stonework’s artistry speaks for itself as reflected by this amazing project.  Homeowners who wish to upgrade their backyard for their own enjoyment and to increase their home’s value should consider choosing a company like River Stonework with an impeccable reputation for excellence, and a quality guarantee. They have received numerous accolades, including being chosen twice as the favorite hardscape company by Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorites, and have been nominated as one of the best outdoor living companies in Florida. 
     Phill says River Stonework has built everything on its craftsmanship and its reputation. “We do not subcontract our workers. We are 100% reliable and accountable for any project that holds our signature. We are one of the only companies in this industry that gives a 5-year warranty on paver installation and 3 years on screen enclosure installation as well as pergolas and gazebos.”
     As the saying goes, ‘Seeing is Believing’. To learn more about River Stonework and to view additional projects visit www.riverstonework.com or visit their Facebook or Instagram.
​

As Spring begins and people return to the open air, many St. Johns Homeowners are inspired to spruce up their outdoor space with more than flowers. A paver project offers that one-of-a-kind wow factor that transforms a property, increasing its beauty and adding value at the same time.


Jeff Salch, owner of Atlas Pavers enjoys seeing how his designs and installations benefit homeowners. Atlas Pavers is a family-owned Northern St. Johns small business specializing in helping people create inspired outdoor sanctuaries and remodels with stunning, lasting paving projects. 

Jeff started the business in 2005 but his knowledge and experience extend even further, having been in the industry since he was sixteen years old. Jeff grew up in Vernon, NJ, and at age sixteen he started working for a Landscape company. He moved to Boca Raton, Florida at eighteen and started working for a marble company setting tile and pavers. He worked his way up and got an opportunity in Jacksonville to oversee operations at a paver company. He eventually branched off in 2005 and started Atlas Pavers in St. Johns. Today, Jeff and his wife Andrea, and their three children live in St. Johns. They love raising their children here and running the business together. 


For Jeff, each project goes beyond the nuts and bolts of design and installation.  What he likes most about owning his company is the long-term impact he makes in people’s lives.  “I get to create outdoor living spaces for families to enjoy and make memories for years to come. Creating a space where they can relax, entertain and enjoy being outdoors.” 


Atlas Pavers specializes in paving projects of every size and style. Your existing pool deck or driveway may need re-working; perhaps you want to add a perfectly placed retaining wall with a built-in stone bench and fire pit for enjoying summer evenings; perhaps you wish to replace your concrete walkway or patio with elegant pavers. Choosing a design is sometimes overwhelming but Jeff and his team are there to help explore design options that best fit your project and also stay within your budget.


A key aspect of business ownership Jeff appreciates is making connections. He says he enjoys working and meeting all kinds of people and hearing their stories and where they are from. He loves it when a client gives him their trust and allows him to jump in and do what he is best at - designing a custom-made outdoor sanctuary.


What makes Atlas Pavers unique is that Jeff has always stuck with what he is good at and never added additional trades to his company. Essentially, he has become a trusted expert in his field but remains connected. “I meet with every client myself, I am on every job, I even get dirty and help my crew when needed. I’m all hands in with every job for my customers.”


Jeff and Andrea both feel passionate about giving back to the community. Over the years, they have donated to their church, and children’s preschool/schools, and most recently have been a sponsor for their sports. Jeff says, “I hope we can continue to help families make memories while giving back to our youth even after our children are grown.” 


For a chance to see more high-quality projects and inspired sanctuaries by Atlas Pavers, including before and after images, please look for them online at www.facebook.com/atlasmtpPavers  or www.jacksonvillebrickpavers.com or call Jeff and Andrea Salch at (904) 226-3477.

There is an artistry to well-designed stonework and this is clear when you lay your eyes on a project from River Stonework. Owners Phill and Rafaela Raposo specialize in creating beautiful outdoor spaces where family and friends can relax and enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns. River Stonework will transform your backyard space with a gorgeous paver patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or stunning pergola with harmony, quality, and a unique aesthetic.


The couple brings warmth and passion to their work and is truly living the American dream. Phill and Rafaela are both originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil known for friendly people, beautiful beaches, and a culture of celebration. They met in college in California, fell in love, and started a successful stone business in San Diego in 2007.  In 2015, they relocated to Miami Florida but their love of nature brought them north to St. Johns. Today, the family, including their 10-year-old son, lives in Rivertown in northern St. Johns, where they enjoy the sense of community, natural setting, and great schools.


Phill loves what he does as it incorporates his passion for beauty and his philosophy of enjoying life. He says his own family spends as much time as possible outside enjoying the fresh air, cooking, dining, and entertaining friends.  He believes being outside offers a kind of positive cultural shift, and is a game changer for people, especially if they have come from northern climates.


The couple travels all over the world for inspiration for their work in places like Brazil, Italy, Spain, and France, integrating foreign design trends they find into what they bring to people’s homes here.


Rafaela has a masterful eye for design. Her father was an engineer and she later worked in the stone business for many years, having worked on thousands of diverse projects.

“We begin with an empty space and a dream”, says Phill when describing their process. Then Rafaela comes in to show homeowners the possibilities of what they can do with that space. A 3-D digital model is created to help visualize how the design will look in a particular backyard.


Installation is completed by River Stonework’s own crew, many of whom are bi or tri-lingual immigrants who value what it means to have the opportunity for success here. Many have come from humble beginnings and challenging situations, and as a result, they have a strong passion and determination. This philosophy is the cornerstone of their business model.


“America was built on an immigrant mentality. It is not just a country but an idea. When you embrace the culture, learn the language, respect the values and principles, you become American.”


Each completed project is a unique work of art. Phill says that many factors come into play to please his customers, not only the work itself but the ability to communicate, to pay attention to small details, a sense of morals, high integrity, and hard work.  “If you do that and go above and beyond every day, that is what it takes”.


River Stonework is also a full-service company, that will take you from design to installation, to the finishing  touches all under one roof so that homeowners do not have to worry about what they may need after the installation such as a screen enclosure or a beautiful pergola.


The company has recently expanded its business model to include offices in Daytona, Palm Coast, St. Petersburg,  and Sarasota where they are helping others to live the American dream.


At the end of a week of work, you can find Phill and Rafaela relaxing with friends in their own backyard  oasis under the stars, visiting the beach, or having drinks and dinner in beautiful St. Augustine.

​by Nikki-Lyn Holm & 
The Coastal Home Group
904-327-2797

St. Johns County - North 
Statistics for January 2020: 

$328
The median sales price year to date is $328,000 which is up 7.4%,
this means homes are selling at a higher price point from last year.

84
Homes are sitting for an average of 84 days.

345
The Northern region of Saint Johns boasted 345 new listings in January,
which was an increase of 12% from last year.

178
Northern Saint Johns closed 178 transactions, which was up 11.9% from last year.
This means more properties are closing in 2020! 



Nocatee Market Statistics 
for January 2020: 

$430
The median sales price for Nocatee is $430,000 which is up 12.9% from last year. 

78
Houses are spending 78 days on the market, which has dropped by 7.8%.
Homes are selling a bit faster than this time last year. 

88
Nocatee had 88 new listings in January, which is up 6%.

53
There were 53 closings as well; homes are selling 26.2% more than a year ago. 

Nocatee is one of the fastest growing communities in Florida
with top rated schools of the Saint Johns school district. 


Whether you are looking to buy or sell in Northern Saint Johns county or Nocatee,
​please reach out to the local experts to get the job done with a five-star experience!

What are your local real estate goals? 

Are you in St. Johns Country or Nocatee and thinking of selling your home?
​Give The Coastal Home Group a call! 904-327-2797

​by George L. Ballou, II
Broker Associate & Private Office Advisor
Menton & Ballou Group
Engel and Voelkers
904.687.6140 / George.Ballou@evusa.com

When my Jamie and I moved to Nocatee over 10+ years ago we moved into the 55+ age restricted Del Webb Ponte Vedra community. The move to Nocatee seemed like a leap of faith in many ways. As midwest transplants, Florida always conjured up images of broken promises made by builders
and developers.

For those of you unfamiliar with Nocatee let me give you the big picture; over 13,000 acres less than 10+ minutes to the ocean and PVBeach shopping and clubs with 65% of the total land mass dedicated to preserve and protected areas! We are between I-95 and A1A and are serviced by the Nocatee Parkway which is also a primary evacuation route during severe storms…we are not in the hurricane zone!

Going back to our arrival in 2009, Nocatee as well as the rest of the country was in the beginning stages of the recession. There were no grocery stores, banks or gas stations and the iconic Splash Water Park was barely off the drawing board. I believe there were only about 500 homes in Nocatee at that time spread out between 5 different developments. Del Webb which was slated to have 1900+ homes when finished only had 117 homes at that point with no owner’s club…we all just hung out in the Discovery Center which was also the sales office.

Today we look back at what has happened since those days and it is shockingly impressive! Promises made turned out to be promises kept! The Parc Group who are the master developers of Nocatee have made sure that our community is constantly evolving.

There are now 44 different “neighborhoods” in Nocatee of which 18 are already totally built out…only resales in those areas. Total occupied homes now approaches 8,500 with a population estimated to be over 25,000. We now have one of the largest Publix in NE Florida which is currently opening their 25,000 sft Greenwise store just across the road. Ben & Jerry’s is opening this summer, Panera Bread just opened, we have banks, gas stations, numerous restaurants like Dick’s Wings, South Kitchen, MShack,
the Loop, Coastal Wine, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Wendy’s and many more coming.

Other enhancements to the Nocatee Life-Style are two gorgeous K-8 schools as well as pre-school facilities like Primrose, the Starling Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities, apartments like the Reserve, new and fun amenities called the Spray Park, our own Amphitheatre, athletic facilities for soccer, tennis and pickleball, fenced dog park with their own pond, a swim club, storage facilities, a county kayak launch into the intracoastal waterway and bike and golf cart trails throughout Nocatee!

We have fitness centers and major commitments to Nocatee’s medical services by Baptist and Flagler Medical Centers including a YMCA, as well as urgent care and emergency response facilities keeping us healthy, active and happy!

If Nocatee sounds exciting, come take a look! Stop by the Nocatee Welcome Center located at the Splash Water Park and Town Center Offices…tell them George sent you!

If you have any questions or you need a Realtor who knows Nocatee new construction, resales or rentals please feel free to give me a call.

​Finding the perfect home comes with plenty of exciting decisions for your family to make. Shearwater, a master-planned community, was meticulously designed for today’s way of life with every family in mind. As one of the fastest-growing communities in St. Johns County, Shearwater continues to meet the needs of current and future residents, while remaining true to its vision of fostering healthy living, community engagement and a connection to the outdoors. So, why make the move?

Premium Location
Just 20 minutes from Florida’s Historic Coast, Shearwater is located in the heart of St. Johns County within close proximity to everyday conveniences such as grocery stores and schools, as well as a variety of cultural, sport and entertainment opportunities in two major cities: Jacksonville and St. Augustine.  

Shearwater is just down the road from Johns Creek Center and another growing retail shopping center, the Pavilion at Durbin Park. Shearwater residents can easily access these commercial retail centers which includes numerous well-known stores such as Walmart, Home Depot and Publix. The area continues to grow even more with lifestyle retailers, restaurants and entertainment options. 

Jacksonville is a metropolis where you can cheer on sports teams like the Jaguars and the Icemen or enjoy world-class entertainment at venues like the Florida Theatre, Daily’s Place, Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Area or the Jacksonville Symphony Hall. And experience the arts at the Cummer Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s a dynamic city with major employment hubs, international transportation and logistics, 22 miles of beaches and a burgeoning culinary scene.

​St. Augustine is a seaside community that blends historic ambiance with thoroughly modern shops, restaurants and more. At this staycation destination, just down the road from Shearwater, residents are able to visit iconic monuments and museums while experiencing recreation at some of Northeast Florida’s favorite culinary spots, attractions and world-class golf courses.

Better Schools,
Better Future
School is back in session and Shearwater’s students will continue to access excellent schools. St. Johns County was recently rated by Niche as the #1 Best School District in Florida according to Niche’s 2020 Best School Districts. Shearwater’s youngest residents are zoned for the following schools: Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle School, and Bartram Trail High School. 

Timberlin Creek Elementary, is located within the Shearwater community – just a short walk away for residents and their children. 

Switzerland Point Middle School serves grades 6-8 and seeks to empower all students with a passion for learning and deep empathy for others.
 
Bartram Trail High School offers students the choice between a curriculum or specialized training tailored to each student’s interests and aptitudes.

Resort-Style Amenities
Shearwater is committed to providing its residents with the very best in world-class amenities.  The Kayak Club, Shearwater’s amenities epicenter, includes a large clubhouse, an expansive Fitness Lodge, lap pool, resort-style pool, the longest lazy river in Northeast Florida, “The Perch” 3-story waterslide tower, playground, sports fields and four illuminated Har-Tru tennis courts. 

Residents can begin their days running or jogging the 15 miles of trails throughout Shearwater before heading over to The Hub, a Wi-Fi café within the Kayak Club. The Hub serves grab-n-go food items as well as provides a gathering space for residents to spend time with neighbors. 

The Falls neighborhood recently debuted several new amenities, including Falls Park; the Falls loop trail that enhances the community’s already robust trail network; Shearwater’s first dog park, which includes one fenced park for large dogs and one for smaller dogs; and a community garden for residents to plant flowers, herbs and vegetables year-round. 

Falls Park, Shearwater’s newest and most expansive park, is centrally located in the heart of Shearwater and offers four-acres worth of outdoor opportunities including a lake overlook pavilion, shaded picnic pavilion, a tot lot, an event lawn and multi-purpose paved pathways.

Total Lifestyle 
Experience 
The Shearwater lifestyle is more than just great amenities, it’s about bringing those amenities to life by integrating them with a variety of activities that bring neighbors closer together. As the full-time Lifestyle Director for Shearwater, Dylan Read leads the community’s unique approach to lifestyle programming and activities. From day one, Read works with Shearwater families directly to develop events and activities that fit their interests, ranging from casual coffee dates and specific fitness classes to community concerts and holiday events. 
  

Find the Home for You
    Finding a home that meets your family’s unique preferences, lifestyle and budget can be challenging, which is why Shearwater, the master-planned community in St. Johns County, was meticulously designed for today’s way of life. In addition to its resort-style amenities, robust social calendar and connection to the outdoors, Shearwater offers a variety of innovative home designs to satisfy the needs of your modern family – whether you are empty nesters, a growing family or living in a multi-generational home.



Multi-Generational Homes
    Pew Research Center released a report in 2018 showing almost 1 in every 5 Americans lives in an environment with multiple generations. As lifestyle trends have shifted toward keeping multiple generations under one roof, Shearwater shifted with them, prioritizing function without sacrificing form.

    The beauty of multi-generational homes is the flexibility each family is afforded. This is a great option for families with children who just graduated from school yet need time before venturing off on their own. Aging family members who can no longer live on their own can also move in without feeling burdensome or invasive. Living with more family members may just be the best financial option for some, or perhaps this lifestyle is a cultural tradition.

No matter your family’s unique makeup, Shearwater offers diverse home sizes. Homes range from 1,637 square feet to over 4,000 square feet, with three to six bedrooms, and one- and two-story models. Varying home designs and prices are offered in each of Shearwater’s distinct neighborhoods: The Cove, North Creek, The Trails, The Falls and The Woodlands, Shearwater’s gated community.
    In addition to homes, Shearwater recently opened the Cove, its first neighborhood of one and two-story townhomes

Townhomes
    The Cove features David Weekly Homes townhomes that were designed with both the individual and the family in mind. Future homeowners have the option between three different floor-plans ranging in size from approx. 1,574 – 1,817 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 2-2½ baths. One and two-story plans are available. Each home includes a 2-car garage, 9-10 feet high ceilings, private entry and open-concept living spaces throughout. The goal with each of these townhomes is to create a no maintenance lifestyle, perfect for active families.
    The first and smallest option is The Barnes, a single-story townhome with an open living room, dining room and kitchen featuring extra windows. This plan is perfect for individuals with aging family members who may not be able to tackle the stairs every day, but still want to be included in daily festivities.
    The Alton is the largest of the three plans. It is a two-story townhome with an open living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor and two bedrooms, a bathroom, the laundry room and the owner’s retreat on the second floor. This plan will keep all family activities downstairs and is best for families who enjoy having guests over for dinner and social events.
    Finally, The Megan embraces some of the finest features from both the Barnes and Alton plans. It is a two-story townhome with an open great room on the first floor and the kitchen with owner’s retreat on the second floor, featuring optional balconies.
    These designs are just a sample of the possibilities you have with Shearwater. Whether you are living as a single professional, downsizing, or you are purchasing a home to raise your children, picture yourself spending time on hiking the trails, attending community events or floating down our lazy river. The house is just one piece of what makes Shearwater home!  

by Christine Durkin

​Commercial Development

SJM: Looking at the exponential growth in the area’s residential communities these past couple of years, can we expect similar expansion in retail and commercial?

MELISSA: Whenever a residential market experiences this level of growth, the commercial side of things will inevitably follow. What’s been happening is typical in that commerce gauges critical mass, counting “rooftops” if you will, to determine and anticipate demand. What we see now is the commercial side really coming online, as well as the infrastructure to support it.

SJM: Can you tell us about some of the highlights of incoming commercial development?

MELISSA: Durbin Park, on Racetrack Road and St. Johns Parkway, is the largest commercial development underway at this time. Walmart opened there late last fall, and Home Depot is expected to open in March. There are another twenty retail stores slated to open later this year, including a Cinemark movie theater. 
There will also be a commercial component in tandem with the continued residential expansion at Beachwalk. More than 1 million square feet is being designated for retail and even some industrial development. (This area is also close to announcing a new grocery store, but has not yet formally announced any retailers or commercial tenants in the development as of the time of this writing.)
Earth Fare grocery store will anchor the coming development on the NW corner of CR 210, and St. Johns Parkway, across from Publix.  Sleiman Brothers is building the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway. They expect construction to be underway this spring, and anticipate opening by end of 2019. 
Another development, The Forum at Greenbrier, on CR210 has recently cleared property on the south side of CR 210, East of St. Johns Parkway, on the opposite corner of The Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway. 

Infrastructure

SJM: Can you talk about some of these infrastructure initiatives, such as roadways underway to support the ongoing expansion? 

MELISSA: We’ve seen roadways being modified and expanded to support not only our internal transportation needs, but to ensure more fluidity in entering and exiting the area via I-95 and other major thoroughfares. 
A case in point is the area where 9B joins St. Johns Parkway, heading south. The roadway currently dead ends at CR 210, but will ultimately connect with SR 16.That next segment is already underway and is expected to open this year.

​Schools

SJM: What about schools?

MELISSA: St. Johns County is proud to offer the best schools in the state, and more schools are on the way. According to the St. Johns County School District, “with the approval of the ½ cent sales tax in 2015 dedicated to our school district, three schools were proposed to be constructed with those funds. They have since opened all three, including two in northern St. Johns County.”
 
The St. Johns County School Board opened two new K-8 schools in northern St. Johns County for the 2018-2019 school year. Palm Valley Academy is located in Nocatee at 2135 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida 32081 and Freedom Crossing Academy is in Aberdeen located at 1365 Shetland Drive, Saint Johns, Florida 32259. The new schools will relieve overcrowding for kindergarten through eighth grades in northern St. Johns 
County. For more information, visit http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/newschools/info//


Health Care

SJM: The availability of quality healthcare is also a concern in areas of such rapid residential growth. What is underway or planned to help ensure area families have easy access to healthcare?

MELISSA: According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, Flagler Hospital recently purchased 4 acres for their Flagler Health Village at Nocatee. This facility will include a 30,000 square foot building encompassing family practice, pediatrics, specialty care, women’s health care and other community services. Construction is slated to begin this spring, with an opening date planned for summer 2020.Flagler has a similar development under construction in Murabella due to open in 2019.
Also in late 2018, Baptist Health purchased 12 acres in Nocatee for a healthcare campus and groundbreaking is planned for early 2019. According to the Florida Times-Union, as part of the new development, Baptist plans relocate its primary care office in Nocatee Town Center to the new location about two miles away. They also plan to offer extended hours and expanded team of caregivers at this location. 

by Nikki Lyn Holm, The Coastal Home Group (Keller Williams Jacksonville)

Speaking of good investments, as an agent who loves, lives in, and assists many people in buying and selling their homes in St. Johns County, I would agree: This market is hot!  The number one driver for people moving here is the well known and respected school system of St. Johns. Check this site out for more information:  https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/
In our county last year, we had 6,709 total closed sales in 2018, and over 30% were a result of the new home construction boom. Almost 20% of these sales were condos and townhomes. The new home construction  market is receiving 98.4% of their original list price. Clearly a sign of strength, demand, and market confidence.
Four "Fun Facts” for future buyers and sellers:

1. Homes sold for 95.1% of their list price on resales last year, and are currently receiving 95.6%.
2. In NE St. Johns County the median sales price in St. Johns County is  $426,618. Last year it was 345,000. Wow!
3. The average days on market is up a little, at about 88 days.
4. Over 10% of the properties have received over the listed price.

Although buyer enthusiasm has slowed down a bit through the winter months, our biggest challenge as a housing market, is to clarify the misperception that buying now is potentially the "height of the market.” The spikes and drops from the Federal Reserve have left many consumers more cautious and concerned. However, in reality, if lenders continue to act on the conservative and responsible side, we should see more homes becoming available. Ultimately, there should be a leveling out in our marketplace, which would result in a more balanced market shift. If the economy continued to thrive, and rates can hold firm, we will see consumer confidence and activity improve for 2019.


*Statistics derived from NEFAR