Pierce Keeps Up with Growing Residential Market
"Where Florida Begins"

Phil Pierce, one of the top residential producers for Prudential Network Realty, says Jacksonville and its surrounding beaches represent one of northeast Florida’s best kept secrets – but not for much longer.

"From Amelia Island to Ponte Vedra Beach, many buyers are finding that this is not only a beautiful place to live, it also remains affordable compared to other coastal cities in Florida," Pierce said. "And with all the new condo and residential developments under way, there are a variety of housing choices out there to choose from."

In Jacksonville Beach, tucked away on a barrier island about 15 miles east of Jacksonville on Florida’s famous A1A, there are still miles of un-crowded white sandy beaches and lots to do. With the Intracoastal Waterway, St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean to choose from, the beaches offer lots of opportunities whether you are a fisherman, a golfer, or a family looking for good clean fun.

"Most of the beaches condominium projects are located in Jacksonville Beach, which is flanked by the cities of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach on the north end and Ponte Vedra Beach to the south, which offer a more traditional, residential feel," Pierce said. "While golfers may tend to look in the Ponte Vedra area, nationally known for Sawgrass Country Club and The Players Championship, there are many golf courses throughout the First Coast – whether you live at the beaches or not."

Atlantic Beach was a small seaside community around 1900 when Henry Flagler, builder of the Florida East Coast Railway, built the Mayport branch of the railway and erected a station just north of the former Atlantic Beach City Hall. The Town of Atlantic Beach was incorporated in 1926. Today, Atlantic Beach is a mostly residential community with nearly 14,000 citizens enjoying an enviable quality of life.

Its neighbor, Neptune Beach, became its own city in 1931 – when residents chose to secede from Jacksonville Beach over a tax issue.

"In Atlantic and Neptune Beaches, the residential housing – even between A1A and the beaches, remains very affordable," Pierce said. "There are still great buying opportunities out there for both homebuyers and investors."

When talking to potential buyers who are interested in the Jacksonville area, Pierce also likes to include Amelia Island, a 13.5-mile barrier island to the north, in the discussions.

"For local residents, Amelia may seem far away, but the truth is that it’s only about 30 minutes from downtown Jacksonville and a few minutes away from Jacksonville International Airport," Pierce said. "That can be an ideal location for a resident who is traveling a lot with their business."

Named by Oglethorpe in honor of Princess Amelia, the daughter of English King George II, Amelia Island is located in Nassau County in the northernmost corner of Florida – about 32 miles northeast of Jacksonville.

To its south, the City of Fernandina Beach encompasses seven square miles in the north-central portion of the island – and is the only site in the United States to have been under eight flags: France; Spain; Britain; Patriots; Green Cross of Florida; Mexico; Confederate; and USA.

"The entire First Coast area is really rich in history, in scenic beauty and offers a great quality of life," Pierce said. "That’s why it’s an exciting for me to work in this area as a realtor."

Pierce, who is known for his expansive knowledge of the First Coast market among developers and realtors, also works with some of the most prestigious condo developments around – including Marina San Pablo and Ocean 932 at the beaches and the Peninsula, located on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville.

"Penthouse living was very limited here just a few years ago, but there are now some wonderful properties available offering some fabulous vistas for buyers," he said. "The market is really changing in Jacksonville and that’s offering more diverse housing options for buyers."

For more information, contact Phil Pierce with Prudential Network Realty at 904-241-2417 or visit www.firstcoastluxuryhomes.com

Media Contact: Ron Whittington (904-563-0402)