With long-time resident and local real estate expert, George L. Ballou, II![]() When my wife Jamie and I moved to Nocatee back in 2009 there were about 500 homes in all of Nocatee spread out over 5 or 6 “neighborhoods”. Each community had their own demographics they were marketing to from condo buyers to single family homes with very specific price ranges they stayed in and one age restricted development. I think when we moved into Riverwood by Del Webb (now known as Del Webb Ponte Vedra) there were only 117 homes. There was no grocery store yet, the Splash Water Park was just beginning to be built, no gas stations, no banks, no real estate company offices, no doctor offices and just one restaurant. The original residents were “true believers” in what was to come down the road. Fast forward to 2018 and Nocatee has over 33 communities, just over 6,200 occupied homes (eventually there will be nearly 13,000) with a current population estimated in excess of 18,000. Del Webb Ponte Vedra where we still live has nearly 1,500 homes today and growing. We now have multiple banks, a great grocery store, offices going up everywhere, gas stations, over a dozen restaurants, storage facilities, apartments...we’re building something new every day! Did I mention that we have also built two new schools and probably need a third school already? Not only did the Splash Water Park get built but it exceeded everyone’s expectations…and Nocatee keeps on evolving! We have added a swim club, pickle ball & tennis courts, dog parks, a fire department, assisted living and independent living facilities, trail systems, fitness centers and numerous boutique shops. Our Farmer’s Market held once a month is now “Huge”! We are also a golf cart friendly community so we can go to the grocery the fun way! This coming summer our newest water amenity will be opening called the Spray Park, a four-story above ground interactive spray playground — the first and only of its kind in Northeast Florida. In addition, a kayak launch facility will also be opening on the intercoastal waterway just off of Crosswater Parkway in the newly opened southern section of Nocatee. Location! Location! Location! Nocatee is just 10+ minutes from the ocean & Ponte Vedra Beach shopping and restaurants. Looking down the road we will only be 10 minutes away from the Durbin Town Center being built just west of I-95. We will be close yet just far enough away to avoid the traffic. It will be twice the size of the Town Center in Jacksonville and the first phase The Pavillion will include Bass Pro Shops, Home Depot and a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Stop by the Nocatee Welcome Center located at the Splash Water Park where all of your questions can be answered. If you are looking for a real estate agent familiar with Nocatee new construction and re-sales call Watson’s Menton and Ballou Group, Watson’s Top Selling Team, at 904-436-1354 and ask for one of our Nocatee Certified Agents…We also live there!
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Meet the Dynamic Agents that Make the Menton & Ballou Real Estate Group one the Area's Best!5/31/2018 When Founders Lisa Menton and George L. Ballou, II created their real estate group they wanted diverse agents who would be able to meet the needs of buyers. Get to know the agents.Jamie Ballou (photo: front second from left) Resident of Del Webb Ponte Vedra in Nocatee George (Jamie’s husband and real estate partner) and Jamie have been married for 41 years.They have raised five children – two biological daughters and three adopted sons. She is organized and can wear many hats at once. Now they are blessed to have three precious granddaughters who light up their world. Jamie has owned, renovated and expanded several homes over the years. She has hired architects, GCs and supervised many residential and commercial projects. She has had the privilege of living in the city, on a farm, on an island off the coast of Maine and now LOVES calling Florida our home. Jamie has always been an involved community member, fundraiser and has served on several boards. Recently she served for three years on the newly formed Architectural Review Committee in Nocatee, and last year served as chairman. What a great way to learn about your community. Jamie’s latest passion is painting. Dave Kenyon (photo: back center) Resident of The Greens in Julington Creek Plantation Dave Kenyon has lived in Jacksonville for 19 years. He is an active member in the community and has contributed in it for 18 years. Dave has raised two children who attended the top rated Saint Johns County Schools. Dave has been in the customer service business for a career spanning 32 years. Dave has a warm personality, proven work ethics, and loyalty. These characteristics will make you to feel as if a trusted friend is assisting you in the most important financial decisions you will make. He is familiar with all of Jacksonville but concentrates with real estate in Saint Johns County. John McClure (photo: back left) Resident of The Cascades at World Golf Village Prior to becoming a realtor, John retired from the Department of Defense as a Regional Federal Manager in 2004 after 35 years of service. A career customer service advocate, John not only managed several customer services groups, he wrote and taught customer service classes across the United States and internationally. Born and raised in Western New York, John served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam war. His military service eventually took him to Southern California, where he spent 22 years. He then relocated with his family back to Western New York. Ten years later, his career progression afforded him the opportunity to work overseas, where he spent three years. He and his wife, Kathryn, then relocated to St. Augustine FL in 2001, where they enjoy the company of their two grown sons and three grandchildren. Melissa Naldzin (photo: back row second from right) Resident of Willowcove in Nocatee Born in Philadelphia and a native of Philly’s western suburbs (Valley Forge / King of Prussia), Melissa is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Her career started with HSN (Home Shopping Network) in St. Petersburg, FL as a buyers associate. With an added passion for photography, she then graduated from Moore College of Art with a degree in Digital Media / Web Design and started up her own photography business. Melissa has been a photographer since 2009. She enjoys learning new photo techniques and technologies, including aerial photography and flying a drone, which has brought a new marketing perspective to the Menton & Ballou Group. Melissa moved to Ponte Vedra / Nocatee in 2013. She has been the photographer and marketing coordinator for the Menton & Ballou Group since its inception and is also a licensed Realtor. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at the beach, swimming, playing pickleball, Crossfit, sewing and spending time with her Yorkie, Archie. Jody Steele
(photo: front row second from right) Resident of Palencia Jody is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and currently reside in St. Augustine, Florida. She has also lived in Amarillo, TX and in Charleston, SC where both of her children were born (Ella, 13 and Colby, 9). She has been married to John Steele for 15 years, an Air Force veteran of over 24 years who is currently with the Jacksonville Air National Guard. She loves living in St. Augustine and feels lucky to have the benefits of a big city so close and she appreciates the quaintness and historical significance of St. Augustine. She enjoys reading, the beach, fishing, monogramming, and decorating her home. Jody previously worked for Hallmark Marketing as well as in Pharmaceutical sales. She loves real estate and looks forward to helping buyers find a home to make their own memories, as well as helping sellers to bring out the best in their own home for potential buyers. I have bought, sold, and built several homes through the years and I have always enjoyed the process. I look forward to making it a fun and easy experience for my customers. Stella Alexander (photo: back first from right) Resident of St. Johns Golf & Country Club From the service to the end results, there truly can be so many things to consider with a real estate transaction. Early in her career as a real estate professional, Stella was told that no two transactions are alike, and she believes this to be true! She says everyone has different timelines, housing needs, financial considerations, etc. So, she makes every transaction is a customized for her clients. David Carter (Photo: back row, first from right) Resident of Del Webb Ponte Vedra in Nocatee Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, David Carter has been a long time resident of the North Florida area since 1985. His background includes more than twenty-five years in sales, sales management, and finance. David and his wife Pat, a teacher, reside in Nocatee, the third fastest growing planned community in the United States. It’s a great place to live! He prides himself on his vast knowledge of the new and resale properties in the Nocatee Communities. David and Pat have three children and two grandchilden. While attending Minnesota State University, David a longtime tennis player, was the 1976 Minnesota State Singles tennis champion. After college he moved to Rochester, New York, where he taught tennis and was the men’s tennis coach for the Rochester Institute of Technology for several years. Today, David still enjoys playing tennis and pickleball (played on a smaller tennis court). Alexis McDaniel (photo: first row, first from left) Resident of Palencia Alexis McDaniel moved to St. Augustine from West Virginia in 2009 and has been engaged in the community since then, with 8 years of volunteerism in the St. Johns County School District. She’s currently the president of the Allen D. Nease High School PTSO and recently served on the county’s calendar committee. Alexis offers great insight into what makes St. Johns County an A-rated school system and how important school selection is for new homeowners. With a degree in journalism, she started her career as a newspaper journalist and editor. A favorite time in her life was in broadcasting, where she was a news anchor, producer, and reporter. Being involved and plugged into the community has always been important. She was the chairman of a four-day town festival that brought 10,000 visitors to the small town in which she lived. For the past five years, she’s been active with the Palencia Charity Tennis Tournament, which benefits Camp Boggy Creek for disabled and seriously ill children. It’s raised $60,000 to date. Alexis owns AMAC, LLC, a rental property company that at one time had 22 units. She enjoys exploring the residential real estate market in St. Johns County. She resides in Palencia with her family, including two children, ages 16 and 18. In her free time, Alexis enjoys boating, reading, and traveling. Christina Kayser Resident of Durbin Crossing Christina is a fourth generation-born Jacksonville native, who has extensive knowledge of the Greater Jacksonville area. She graduated from Barry University, with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Christina has worked in several Jacksonville landmarks, such as Mayo Clinic and Brooks Rehabilitation. She brings over twenty-three years of customer service experience. Christina, and her husband Drew, have four children, all who attend St. Johns County schools. She is looking forward in assisting you with your real estate needs. |
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