​The pandemic changed real estate over the last few years. The needs of a buyer changed. The rates were at a historic low, and home values reached high levels of appreciation.  We need to set those years aside, in order to make sense of the present market. 

Comparing real estate from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market.  There are so many variables that can impact the circumstances and outcomes compared.  The last two years were unique and can not be used to compare.

Now things are getting back to normal.  Buyer demand is still strong, and appreciation has normalized.  We need to assist buyers and sellers in keeping the proper perspective.

The other important factor to remember is real estate is local and that is what we need to focus on, not on the national news.  Our inventory is low, sellers right now have a big advantage, but its key to list at a competitive list price and have the house “show ready”.  Using a stager for us is vital.  

We as real estate advisors want to assist sellers or buyers every step of the way, that is our passion.  Connect with one of US so you have the insights you need to make the best possible move today. 

One of the biggest reasons we moved to Engel and Vöelkers was because of the incredible technology offerings. One of the strongest features for me was the premise List Local - Sell Global. E&V has designed a back end program that shares our listings with not only the local/national websites we are all familiar with, but international sites which provide true global exposure for our sellers allowing them to have the most buyer views possible, resulting in the biggest success for them.
Examples of local/national sites would be Zillow and Realtor.com, as well as the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. There are several international sites also, Juwai.com for example serving the Asian markets.


This fact along with the possibility that a home listed for sale with us in St. Johns Golf and Country Club for example could show up in an E&V shop window in Aspen, Germany, Italy or Switzerland! Or on our own E & V Shop TV featured in all of our offices around the world. 


E&V offers very strong marketing assistance to us so we can focus on what’s truly important, making sure our customers are well cared for and strongly represented.


When a seller chooses Menton, Ballou and Tharp Group within E&V we like to leave no stone unturned, your home is featured on the local Home Connect TV, in massive post card mailers  for our New to Market listings blanketing the nearby area, often a buyer can be found just around the corner. Email blasts alerting local agents about new listings, in our social media posts, in the St. Johns Magazine where we have held the inside front cover for years, this publication alone reaches over 16,000 homes monthly. I am proud to say everything our Brand and our Team does is designed to achieve success for our customers. We are all dedicated full time Realtors. 


Buyers who select one of us to represent them will be in very good hands, we are all seasoned agents who are very familiar with the area, whether the buyer is looking for a brand new home or a resale home.  It is very important for both sellers and buyers to select a Realtor who is familiar with the current market trends. We feel very strongly that this is the best way to serve the customers who we are privileged to work with.

I have been in the residential real estate business for 37+ years and I never really gave much thought to being on a Team. About 7 years ago I decided, along with Lisa Menton and more recently with the addition of Angela Tharp, to give it a try.


I had come to realize over time that there is a tendency as an agent, especially a seasoned agent, to think you know everything you need to know to get the job done. Whether it’s getting listings, finding buyers or saving deals… you never know everything. Changing markets present different problems and opportunities which require different solutions than what I might have done in the past.


A select team of other agents working together helps maximize the benefit of years of different experiences which is useful to each of us as agents and especially beneficial to our clients. When we are together and sharing our thoughts the answer to every problem we face is in that very room. We learn from our collective successes and failures to continually evolve into a better, wiser more creative group of professionals. I find it very comforting to be able to call or be called by any of the agents of the Menton, Ballou & Tharp Group to discuss a situation that needs a different perspective, encouragement or a firm stance.  It works for me…
​

​As one of the top-ranked real estate groups in Northeast Florida, they possess a deep awareness of home trends in our region, and part of this is knowing details about the hottest communities in Northern St. Johns for buyers and sellers. In this issue, The Coastal Home Group is excited to share their insights with you about the local market, and some of the most popular communities that their buyers are falling in love with. 

Q. What are most buyers looking for in Northern St. Johns? 
A. Communities with amenities that offer events and opportunities for making friends and new connections. 


Q. Why is northern St. Johns such a sought-after area? 
A. I would say it is the proximity to the ocean, the river, and all the conveniences of a work-life-education balance. 


Q. Has inflation affected home prices? 
A. Absolutely it has. We are starting to see a more balanced, and “normalized market” where it is a more equalized playing field for sellers and buyers.  


Q. Would you say it is a buyer’s market or a seller’s market right now? 
A. Homes are selling in 30-60 days if priced, shown, and marketed professionally and accurately. The market is definitely becoming more balanced and “normal” as compared to last year. 

​Here are The Coastal Home Groups Top 7 Communities, including some highlighted amenities, as per their client popularity in more detail…

​Trailmark

Want to go to the beach? Outlet shopping?  Or a night out on the town? Downtown St. Augustine is only a hop, skip, and jump away! Tara Lives in Trailmark, and prior to selling real estate, she was first a friend and client of Nikki-Lyn Holm.  Why did she choose Trailmark for her family? She says the outdoor vibes of living in a community, nestled away with beautiful old, oak trees, and amenities is a major draw.

Amenities
Zero gravity pool along a gorgeous lake
State-of-the-art fitness center  
Tennis and pickleball 
Basketball courts
Dog park 
Over ten miles of nature trails 
Kayak launch along Six-mile creek


“I love Trailmark because it’s a tucked away gem with an outdoor lifestyle.” 

Rivertown

We love Rivertown because of the serenity along the water, it makes you feel like you’re on vacation.  A gorgeous master-planned community along the St. Johns River. Centrally located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, with a boardwalk where you can kayak, fish, and catch some of the most amazing sunsets! 

Amenities
Infinity pool along the river
A private cafe
Waterfront amphitheater 
Game room 
Miles of trails 
Dog parks 
Many playgrounds are nestled within the community and more.


Beachwalk 

Known for its gorgeous crystal clear lagoon, spans over 14 acres. The lagoon is surrounded by a white sand beach where you can swim, kayak, paddle board, and have fun in the sun.  Beachwalk has a range of stylish homes from single-family to luxury villas. The location is great as it is close to 95, Ponte Vedra and Saint Augustine beaches, and much more!

Amenities
Waterslide
Swim-up bar 
Members-only Beach Club Restaurant
Fitness center
Tennis Courts
Tiny Putting Course 


Shearwater

Shearwater offers some of the best amenities around. Their fitness center is state of the art, it feels like a true health club. They offer a resort-style lagoon pool with a slide, as well as a multi-lane lap pool. The Lazy Bird River is the longest lazy river in Northeast Florida. The  Kayak Club is the heart of Shearwater with a central hub for recreation and relaxation. Plenty of comfortable seating and large televisions make it perfect for watching the big game, as well as areas for grilling, a board room, a snack shack, and more. 

Amenities
Community Gardens 
Lazy River 
Kayak Launch 
Yoga Lawn  
Tennis 
Oversized Fitness Center 
Free-Range playgrounds
2 Dog Parks

With over 13 miles of trails, it offers the perfect scenery for family bike rides, jogs, walks, and nature runs too. These green and shaded trails run through the entire community, connecting residents not just to nature but to each other.

Nikki-Lyn Holm has always been a wine and food enthusiast, so she couldn't be more excited to share some of  her team's favorite local Saint Johns County hot spots with our readers.


A fun fact about Nikki-Lyn, is although she has been in real estate for almost a decade now, she did dabble in culinary school for a short period of time.  Her brother is actually an owner of a restaurant in Daytona Beach, and they may be bringing one up here some day.  In the meantime, here are a few of The Coastal Home Groups FAVES and why:

1928 Cuban Bistro: They love the tropical vibes, friendly staff, fresh salads, and of course the cafe con leche.

Vito's Italian Restaurant: This hot spot in Fruit Cove  has been one of Nikki and her family's go-to restaurants for authentic Sicilian food, and family gatherings. The owner, Chef Guilio is so warm and friendly, and always checking on his patrons.  We especially love that they have live music in their bar area most weekend nights.  Nikki’s favorite meal  is Vito's Salad and the Chicken Ala Rosa.

Ember and Iron: We love our E & I. We have hosted brunch events on the patio, and wine gatherings at the Chef's Table. Their scratch kitchen  food is heavenly. Nikki’s favorite choice is their filet...all day.

Clean Juice:  From the time they opened, Nikki became addicted. She loves their Coffee One, Avocado Protein Toast, Cold-Pressed Juices, and patio vibes. From becoming such a regular raving fan, the owner invited Nikki to be a Juice Booster, and she has loved sharing the healthy offerings with clients, team members, and friends.

The Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room: Another great spot that offers everything these ladies love: atmosphere, location, great happy hour selections, wine, and oh let's talk about their Ahi Tuna Tartare or their Angus Sliders.  Such a wonderful place to celebrate with friends, have a client meeting, or simply catch up one-on-one.

The Coastal Home Group is a proud second year sponsor of the PEC Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Nocatee. Registration is open and the proceeds will benefit St. Johns Cares!


The Coastal Home Group will be hosting their annual Holiday Market and Photos With Santa  on December 3rd at Clean Juice in Nocatee from 11am-2pm. This event is open to the community, and will have live music and a few fun vendors to shop with.  (Follow them on social media for more information on their events)

The Coastal Home Group believes teamwork, authentic relationship building, and being invested in the community are the truest keys to their success.


Nikki has been here for 15 years, and absolutely loves everything about Saint Johns County. She loves what she does, who she gets to work with, and utilizes her gifts of  making and sharing connections  with friends, family, and clients. Whether they are connecting with clients, showing homes, or negotiating a deal, Nikki leads with her heart, great enthusiasm, and is an inspiration to those around her. Through the years she has surrounded herself with loyal, caring women  who also happen to be mothers who share her vision. The five women who make up this team at the Coastal Home group have a true love of their families and for helping people in general.


The Director of  Operations Jennifer Bolognese provides internal support for Nikki and fellow agents, Jenna Barley, Tara Masters,
and Sherri Fay, ensuring every client enjoys the ultimate customer service experience.


What truly sets them apart is their market knowledge, genuine warmth, and ability to treat their clients as they would want to be treated. “Navigating clients from a Platinum Rule mindset is the biggest difference,” says Nikki.
The Coastal Home Group strives to really get to know their client’s tastes and preferences and customizes their home search or selling experience to reflect this. The entire team is thankful to live, work, and raise their families in St. Johns Florida with its amazing weather, top rated-schools, and high quality of life.


The ladies of TCHG  love hosting client and community events, and they often meet at local coffee shops and restaurants where they collaborate on how to best serve their clients. The team thought it would be fun to share their favorites with St. Johns Magazine readers.

​Shearwater, the new master-planned residential community on County Road 210, officially opened its newest amenity, the Kayak Launch and Outpost. The new waterfront amenity will provide residents with easy access to a variety of recreational activities along Trout Creek, which connects to the St. Johns River.

“At Shearwater, we’re committed to connecting our residents to nature and promoting healthy living through world-class amenities and unique lifestyle programming,” said Suzanne Maddalon, Senior Vice President, Marketing for Freehold Communities. “We are thrilled to open the Kayak Launch and Outpost, which takes advantage of Florida’s natural beauty while providing exciting opportunities for our residents to spend time outdoors with their families and neighbors.” 

Close to the Kayak Launch is the new Outpost featuring a wraparound porch with a screened-in, open-air gathering space and a 30' stone fireplace. Adjacent to the Outpost is a large playground area with Kompan® Swings, an embankment slide and double zip line. The Outpost is the perfect outdoor oasis for families and neighbors to get together after a fun day on the water. 

The new Kayak Launch and Outpost is the latest example of Shearwater’s mission to provide residents with a vibrant neighborhood focused on healthy living, community engagement and a connection to the outdoors. The Kayak Launch joins Shearwater’s robust system of amenities including 15 miles of nature trails that run throughout the community, the Kayak Club amenity center, oversized fitness lodge, The Perch Waterslide Tower, Lazy Bird River, illuminated Har-Tru tennis courts and KOMPAN free-range playgrounds. 

Shearwater is located at 100 Kayak Way, St. Augustine, FL 32092. To learn more about Shearwater, please visit www.shearwaterliving.com. 

About Freehold Communities
Freehold Communities is currently developing over 23,000 residential units within mixed-use and master-planned communities in Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, and California. Freehold creates Vital Communities® that embrace healthy living, engagement, connectivity, stewardship, and distinctive home design. As it evaluates opportunities, the company focuses on the right planning, the right properties and the right partners. Beginning with comprehensive research to gain insight into the unique needs, trends and preferences in the local market, Freehold carefully considers each property to determine how to best maintain its beauty and character to create a Vital Community by partnering with quality, creative builders who share Freehold’s philosophy of offering niche solutions and unique, timeless designs. To learn more, visit FreeholdCommunities.com.  

Realtor Nikki-Lyn Holm, owner of The Coastal Home Group is a creative powerhouse in the exciting world of Real Estate in Northern Saint Johns and beyond.
​
Anyone who has ever met Nikki knows she leads with her heart, and with her warm and inviting nature she is able to connect with people instantly. In some ways, this is her superpower and it often prompts clients to say she makes them feel as if they are “lifelong friends”. This combined with her skills as a keen negotiator who listens to her client’s needs has created a signature style that sets her apart.


Nikki's Beginnings
Nikki has lived in Northern Saint Johns for fourteen years, where she has raised her family and where her career in real estate began. Originally from Connecticut, Nikki studied at St. Petersburg College in theTampa Bay area. She worked for Continental Airlines while attending college and this is where she says she learned the true art of customer care.  While living and going to school in Tampa Bay, she dabbled in acting for a time and even worked briefly in real estate with a commercial real estate company. She later served as a Health Club manager where her relationship-building skills blossomed.
​
Real estate was a perfect choice and next step for Nikki, as it allowed her to combine her many talents and creativity.  Whether meeting with clients, showing homes, or negotiating a deal, Nikki is in her element. Recently, Nikki was honored to be chosen as part of the Leadership Academy for the NE Florida Association of Realtors where she plans to expand her knowledge to help better serve her clients and community.

​
Clients know they are in good hands with The Coastal Home Group
With experience, knowledge, warmth, and collaboration, Nikki and her team are committed to their clients having an amazing experience.  She recognizes that each person’s needs are unique and strives to really get to know them, their tastes, preferences, and customizes their home search or selling experience to reflect this.  One challenge she said many agents have faced recently is how to help clients navigate an extreme seller’s market.  She says the best approach depends on whether you are a buyer or a seller.  For buyers, the key is deciding what you can afford and introducing them to the best properties within their budget, as well as showing them ways their offer can set them apart.

She has also created a relocation guide for buyers coming to northern Saint Johns.  For sellers, she goes a step beyond simply listing their home, using an aggressive marketing plan that includes the use of a visual coordinator, professional photography, video, and extensive social media.  ​

 

Nikki’s Value Added 
Nikki juggles many roles, not only as a Realtor but as a Mom who manages the online forum Saint Johns Moms Connect and as the founder of Sisterhood: A Legacy of Love, a local foundation supporting those affected by the fight against breast cancer.

The Story: Saint Johns Moms Connect
As a busy Mom of four who is actively involved in the community and owns her own business, Nikki saw a need to create an online forum where positive-minded women could come together to share information about business ownership, local schools, family-oriented events, much needed mom time, healthcare, and more. With this idea in mind, the Facebook group Saint Johns Moms Connect was born.  The group goes beyond the online forum to include local events supporting women such as the recent Galentine’s event held in February at Clean Juice, as well as their newest Brunch Club that meets at Ember and Iron.

The Story: Sisterhood
The foundation Sisterhood: A Legacy of Love helps cancer patients feel beautiful through hope, faith, strength, and prayers. They aspire to shower women who are undergoing chemotherapy with encouraging pieces of sparkle and bling. They also help families in need financially.

In her free time, Nikki enjoys spending time with her family out and about in Saint Johns, wine nights with other mom friends,  creative writing, and travel. She is especially thankful to live, work, and raise her family in Saint. Johns Florida with its amazing weather, top rated-schools, and high quality of life.

By Nikki-Lyn Holm
The Coastal Home Group
Slate Real Estate
​

Weather can be hard to predict sometimes....so can this real estate market!  In addition to all the rain we had this summer, it has been a super sizzlin' summer of sales!  Not only am I talking about the weather, but this crazy HOT housing market too.

In this industry a “Hot” market can mean different things to different people. For example: Have you been thinking about selling?  (Yes, this is a hot market) If yes, now is the time. This is most definitely what we all refer to as a “Sellers’ Market.”

Do you need or want to purchase a home? (Amazingly low interest rates)

Although it is a sellers’ market in general, the plus side for buyers is taking advantage of these incredibly low interest rates.  Consumers are finding that they have gained more buying power, as the mortgage payments typically end up being less than expected, and this tends to surprise people with how much they really can afford.

Looking back to mid-summer in July, our market had less than a month of housing inventory. What IS inventory, you may be wondering?  It is the number of homes available for buyers to choose from.  Compared to exactly a year ago, where we had almost 3 months worth of Inventory in the North Saint Johns County area. To put this in perspective though, a healthy and balanced market typically has about 6 months’ worth of inventory or homes for sale.

​
​Our current hot market is awesome for sellers, though, not all buyers. You remember High school economics class, right? Low inventory/high demand. This drives up the competition. It also results in multiple offers, bidding wars, and people willing to pay OVER asking in many scenarios.

According to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors July Market Stats, 59.2% of the listed homes sold for over list price. This is a 314% jump from last year, as in 2020 it was a mere 14.3% that would close over asking price. In June, throughout the northern Saint Johns and Nocatee/Ponte Vedra area 606 homes were sold.  In July, in the same area
547 homes were sold.

The two hottest questions that many sellers today are often wondering are:

What is my home worth?
What could MY home sell for?

I would be happy to discuss the difference between these two questions at any time.  We have at least two to three more months of Florida heat, but how many more months do we have of a hot market?  My thoughts? It’s here to stay for a while.


Stay cool!

Shearwater, the new master-planned residential community on County Road 210, officially opened its newest amenity, the The Outpost: Shearwater’s new adventure park. The new waterfront amenity will provide residents with easy access to a variety of recreational activities along Trout Creek, which connects to the St. Johns River.

“At Shearwater, we’re committed to connecting our residents to nature and promoting healthy living through world-class amenities and unique lifestyle programming,” said Suzanne Maddalon, Vice President, Marketing, Freehold Communities.
​

Close to the Adventure Park is the new Outpost. The Outpost is the perfect outdoor oasis for families and neighbors to get together. Featuring a screened in pavillion for gatherings, with a wraparound porch, open-air gathering space and a 30’ stone fireplace. Adjacent to the Outpost is a large playground area with Kompan® Swings, an embankment slide and double zip line. And Expected to open later this year, is the Kayak Launch. The Outpost is the perfect outdoor oasis for families and neighbors to get together after a fun day on the water.

The new Adventure Park and Outpost is the latest example of Shearwater’s mission to provide residents with a vibrant neighborhood focused on healthy living, community engagement and a connection to the outdoors. The Adventure Park joins Shearwater’s robust system of amenities including 15 miles of nature trails that run throughout the community, the Kayak Club amenity center, oversized fitness lodge, The Perch Waterslide Tower, Lazy Bird River, illuminated Har-Tru tennis courts and KOMPAN free-range playgrounds.

Shearwater is located at 206 Shearwater Parkway, St. Augustine, FL 32092. To learn more about Shearwater, visit www.shearwaterliving.com. ​

by Nikki-Lyn Holm
​The Coastal Home Group

You want a smoother, smarter, and safer experience when buying or selling your biggest investment.   

In today’s market of North East Florida, and especially Saint Johns County, we are currently in a Sellers Market with a shortage of home inventory.  This makes the job of a Realtor very challenging, whether the agent is a buyers agent or a listing agent.  

Please allow me to explain the difference.  The buyers agent is frantically sorting through homes for their buyers with only 1.5 months worth of inventory, when there is typically six months in a healthy market.   Now imagine there are almost 11k agents hunting through, showing, and attempting to find and sell homes. They are submitting countless offers amongst a sea of multiple offer scenarios. 

If you are a buyer, you may be questioning if  you truly need an agent. After all, there are Mega-platforms such as Zillow, Realtor.com and so forth which make it so easy for you to find a house.  So why should you contact an agent when you can just contact the listing agent?  

Here are 3 reasons why you SHOULD have your own agent: 

No cost to you: They work for you for FREE! That’s right, other than a potential, nominal  brokerage transaction fee of a few hundred dollars which is only paid at closing, you have someone dedicated to working for you. The seller pays for their service, so why not have an extra set of eyes looking for you? Did you know Realtors who have access to MLS are privy to a Coming Soon List? Even before Zillow gets it. Strong and serious agents also network well and may have an inside scoop on homes coming on the market.        

Navigational 
Expertise: Buyer's Agents are there to negotiate, advise, guide and suggest ways to make your offer be the lucky one to be chosen.  If you contact the seller's agents who do you think their allegiance is to? The listing agent may very well practice single agency, in which case they cannot represent both parties. 
 
North East Florida Networkers:  Buyer's agents can and should build relationships with the listing agent. Perhaps there is already a relationship? The greater agents are going to ask the important questions and try to create a win-win for all. If they are experienced and work for a reputable broker, they may also have some “tricks of the trade” up their sleeves and will share good guidance with you for making your offer as strong as possible. 

Now let’s evaluate the flip side. Maybe you have had thoughts of selling your home on your own. For Sale By Owner? Here are 3 reasons why we feel you should reconsider:

Safety: Do you know who is coming to preview your home? When agents schedule through other agents on a listed home, there is a vetting process. Pre-Approvals. Consultations. And of course, agents who have licenses to ensure the people in your home are credible and qualified. 

Systems: Your Professional listing agent may have a proven systematic selling strategy. Knowing the market, this agent should have a plan to get your home sold for top dollar and fast.  Please do not rely on the Zestimate for your home value. The best way to assess what is going to appraise or sell for a phenomenal contract price and negotiation, is having your professional agent do the work. Someone with access to trusted reports and data who can provide a relevant CMA. (Comparative Market Analysis) 

Service:  Are you ready to advertise your home For Sale By Owner? Are you ready to give up your privacy, your nights and weekends, as well as need to track all the calls, emails, texts and questions? Your listing agent will handle all of that for you and keep you in compliance. They also  ensure all the documents needed to close are included, and handle your marketing, and contract to close deadlines.  

If you read these tips above and questioned whether you really do need a human, professional, real estate agent or team, please....do not hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with a reputable full time realtor, team or group. 

Time is money. Money is time. And if you treasure your time, and want the best value when buying or selling your home? Contact The Coastal Home Group or a professional expert you