Welcome to South Hampton Golf Community! We are very fortunate to have long time resident and Davidson Realty agent Ana Speziale take us on a tour of this beautiful St. Augustine golf course community conveniently located three miles from 1-95 on Country Road 210. South Hampton has more than 700 built-out homesites ranging from 1,880 square feet to 4,000 square feet, accommodating all kinds of lifestyles from empty nesters to growing families. Come along with us to explore the A+ amenities, 72-par golf course and social events happening at South Hampton Golf!

First, we stop by the South Hampton amenity center, which offers a lap pool, children’s pool, tennis courts, children’s playground, basketball courts and a multi-purpose field. To make full use of these exquisite amenities, South Hampton offers a plethora of activities for children and adults alike, including a swim team, pool parties, music by the pool, summer camp, back to school Olympics, music trivia night, etc.

Next, we make our way to The Golf Club at South Hampton. This semi-private, 72 par, executive course is family owned and operated by the DiStefano family. The Golf Club offers several membership plans to fit your needs and budget including a Senior Membership, Youth Membership, Players Advantage Plus Membership, Seasonal Memberships, Full Family Membership and more. Junior Golf clinics, camps and programs are also offered at the golf club.

If golf is not your game, you can still enjoy all the social events happening at South Hampton! Past events have included Comedy Night, Oktoberfest, Trivia Night, Dueling Pianos and Jazz on the Green.

Resale homes begin in the low $200,000s. To learn more about South Hampton, please give Ana Speziale a call at (904) 940-5000.

We have been rowing in the real estate market since 2007, but the wind is back and we are sailing again in 2013.

The market stats from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) for April show pending sales, closed sales, and prices all improving.

There were 49% more pending sales (contracts written) in April 2013 than in April 2012. With 2,432 pending sales in April we are very close to the 2,500 pending sales we experienced in the peak of the market in mid 2005.

The 1,840 closings in April are 26% more than last April and the year to date closings are 23% ahead of the same period last year. The lender-mediated closings were 38% of the total closings down from 42% last April. In our office for April, short sales were 25% of our closings and foreclosures were 2%. It is very nice to report that 32% of our closings were new construction.

The days a property is on the market until sale was 98 days in April which is down 15% from 115 days last April.

The median sales price of $152,000 is up 13% over last April and prices are up 14% year to date. The average sales price of $199,124 is up 11% over last April and 9% year to date.

The inventory of 7,869 homes for sale is down 32% from last April. One reason inventory continues to decline is the lender-mediated inventory is down 56% from last April. The non distressed inventory of homes is down 15%. That is a very positive sign.

Since we are seeing quicker sales and some escalation in pricing, many more homeowners are inclined to put their homes on the market. New listings are up 18% over last April. Digging a little deeper, lender-mediated new listings are down 3% and traditional listings are up 31%.

For anyone that is considering investing in real estate, I would like you to know there are still some incredible buys on condos. It is very difficult to get financing on most condos in our area so the price reflects the limited pool of buyers with cash in hand.

May is off to a great start. Jim and I just celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary and my family made my Mother’s Day very special. I hope you are enjoying this glorious weather and you are prospering with so much improvement in the local economy and the housing market.

Please give me a call if I can assist you with any of your real estate needs.

Amy grew up in Jacksonville. After serving as a jet engine mechanic in the Florida Air National Guard for more than six years, she pursued her passion in real estate.  She has amassed more than 10 years of experience as an agent and real estate marketing professional.  In that time, she sold properties, managed a foreclosure office, and partnered with real estate companies to develop marketing plans including print and digital collateral.

As an area native, Amy also prides herself on her comprehensive knowledge of the market. From north of the international airport to south of the Bridge of Lions, she is poised to help her clients find their dream property here on the First Coast.

Amy is a proud military wife (her husband is an active duty member of the Florida Army National Guard) and she loves to work with military families to achieve their buying and selling goals.

Amy and her husband enjoy quality family time with their son and three dogs.

• 6 Cups boiling water
• 1 ½  Cups quick grits (cook 5 minutes till done)
• ½  lb. butter
• 1 lb. Velveeta cheese (cut in chunks)
• 2 Teaspoons of Lowery’s season salt
• 2 Teaspoons garlic salt
• 2 Tablespoons parsley flakes
• 3 Slightly beaten eggs
• 1 Teaspoon oregano
• Tabasco to taste
• 1 ½ Tablespoons of minced garlic (jar type)

Mix all ingredients and bake at 325˚ in heavy covered crock for 1 1/2 hours. The will brown by themselves. Uncover, stir and serve. You will love the smell of them cooking.

Judy originates from Peoria, Illinois.  Prior to pursuing her passion in real estate, she was secretary to the Manager of Worldwide Market Development at Caterpillar Tractor Co., and she partnered with her husband to open and operate two gourmet coffee and tea specialty shops.  In fact, the larger shop is still open after 30 years in business.

The Suhomskes also worked together to plan and develop a 15-acre subdivision in Illinois.

The Suhomske family moved to Florida in 1995.  Judy earned her realtor license and GRI designation, and pursued a successful real estate career.  She is also a founding member of the Professional Development Committee, which helps realtors to earn designations by bringing in state and national educators to provide training locally.

Judy is an active Christian and loves spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.  She also enjoys the beach, various hobbies, real estate, and living in Florida.