We live at the beach in Jacksonville Beach and crab cakes are a staple for people in our area. I have experienced this wonderful food all over the world and believe I am a qualified judge of good crab cakes. Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach (home of the Shrimp Festival) and Palatka (Home of the Blue Crab Festival) all produce crab cakes of different textures and flavors. Ask twenty people their favorite and they will give you twenty answers.

In my opinion, you must consider two things when evaluating crab cakes. One, the size and quality of the crab used and two, the amount of filler (e.g breadcrumbs). I have found the best crab cake I have ever eaten in, of all places, suburban Philadelphia. Don’t get me wrong, Philadelphia and its suburbs are a mecca of good food. Remember Philly Cheese Steaks, soft pretzels, Tastycakes and scrapple (oops the jury is still out on that). However, may I introduce you to Springhouse Tavern which has a rich history and very rich crab cakes.

The Springhouse Tavern crab cakes have pieces of crabmeat that compare to the size of lobster pieces in a lobster roll. I must digress and mention that you can get a top notch genuine maine lobster roll in Jacksonville Beach. Call us if you are interested. Anyway, how much filler is in their crab cakes? None. Imagine a crab cake that has a hard crust and a soft rich center filled with huge crab pieces. If you have the time, spend a dime and visit historic Philadelphia with a side trip to Gwynedd for an unforgetable crab cake.

If you are relocating to or from the Philadelphia area please call or email Mary Beth and I so we can find you the perfect house here in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Ponte Vedra. You can also check out our website www.TwoBeachNuts.com . Do not worry, we still have some of the finest crab cakes here at the Beach, but I will let you be the judge.

Posted by:  Frank Wright

One group that has benefited from the downturn in the Real Estate market has been spiders. This is due to all the homes that have been left empty and unattended. Yes, many spiders have been able to upgrade to larger homes and upscale neighborhoods and are resolved to attack any intruders in their new homes.

Here in Northern Florida I have seen a number of REALTORS and some customers that have been bitten when showing or being shown property. Some of these bites have become very serious with the onset of post bite infections. The pictures illustrate the progression of these bites. Spider bites are many times mistaken for infections such as staph and mrsa and doctors many times disagree on their diagnosis.

Be on alert when going into vacant houses and walking in dense undergrowth where spiders make their homes. Meet the spider family by going to the following site: (http://www.termite.com/spider-identification-chart.html). This chart will help you identify the good guys and the bad guys. If you feel a bite and it starts getting colorful, go see your doctor.

Mary Beth and I (www.TwoBeachNuts.com ) know it’s a jungle out there in Real Estate (sometimes literally) and will help you through your next transaction whether you are Buying or Selling property. We will even bring the bug repellent!

Posted by:  Frank Wright

The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club meets all the criteria of paradise. Sugar white beaches, Tennis Club, Pools and Spa. Oceanfront Fine Dining and wrapping through the landscape the fabulously Ocean side Golf Course. 8 San Juan Circle is a treasure overlooking the fairway and 11th hole. This home is on one of the largest lots in this prestige’s community. It is a short stroll to the ocean and the PV Inn and Club. And if you must pull yourself away from paradise, the location of this home at the northern end of St Johns Countymakes it a short, traffic free trip to J. Turner Butler Blvd for easy access to shopping at the St Johns Town Center, JAX international airport, Downtown, Jaguar Games and other events. This home underwent a total remodel which included addition of living wings and a new oversize garage and garden room. The area is blessed with one of the finest school systems in Florida, St Johns County School System with the wonderful new Ponte Vedra High School., Alice B Landrum and Ponte Vedra Rawlings Elementary School, and the newly created, Palmer Academy As I said, Life can not be better!

Posted by:  Janet Palmer

Access to J Turner Butler Blvd, AKA JTB or Route 202, has now been improved for traffic off of A1A. This makes my listings at 27 32nd Ave South and 8 San Juan Cir in Ponte Vedra even more accessible to trips into the city, the JAX airport or St Johns Town Center.

These two homes already are blessed with easy access to the Beaches of Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra. And our beautiful golf courses at the TPC, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and Sawgrass. So these homes are now a perfect location for work and play.

Posted by:  Janet Palmer

Prices have been coming down in many areas; however, on the the plus side, Buyers have been exposed to some unbelievable deals. I recently contracted one of my Buyers to a unit in the Cottages of Stoney Creek located in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Fernandina and Amelia Island are fabulous places with the charming downtown area of Fernandina that has a very rich history. More info available at the Chamber of Commerce website.

Cottages at Stoney Creek was a Vestcor development whose timing was not the best during our economic slide. National Land Partners who purchase good properties at good prices, and market them to sell, purchased 160 of the 224 units in 2007. These are virtually new units (2007) which have never been occupied. There are four models, two are single-level and two are two-story. Vestcor builds a quality product and the fact that Stoney Creek LLC has reportedly already sold 100 of the 160 units is testament to that quality albeit the price helps also.

These are great units for those that are looking to save a lot of money and live in a top quality unit close to shopping, beaches, downtown Fernandina and Jacksonville International Airport. Great for local residents and also for our Northern Snowbirds. They do have excellent financing available wiith a local bank if you are a non-cash buyer.

Mary Beth and I would love to give you more information on these great bargains. You can reach us through our website (www.TwoBeachNuts.com). Stop looking and start living!!

Posted by:  Frank Wright

What a terrific Atlantic Beach house on a corner lot with an over-sized screen porch, green belt, and english tea garden backyard. The 4 bedroom and 2 Bath configuration with vaulted ceilings makes the 1386 square feet seem much bigger. This great home is nestled in the Cypress Cove subdivision within close proximity to the Navy PX. Two-car garage and private well pump for lawn irrigation are extras that make this house a real bargain.

For details contact Frank or MaryBeth at www.TwoBeachNuts.com.

Posted by:  Frank Wright

Many of the houses we deal with in Jacksonville Beach that were built before 1970 have only one bathroom. Many of us grew up with only one bathroom in our house (some even had no bathrooms-oops showing my age). However, bathrooms rule nowdays with larger young families moving into the area.

This is a great concrete block home that provides 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths priced at only $214,900 ($116.79 price per square ft). The 1840 square feet of space is optimized with a full living room and family room. The kitchen which normally serves as the heart of the house is central to all rooms.

If you are looking for a great deal that will give you both the space you need at a first time buyers cost, please check out this house at our website: (www.TwoBeachNuts.com). Mary Beth and I will be happy to show it to you at your convenience.

Posted by:  Frank Wright

Northeast Florida is a great place to live for people who appreciate the open road with a motorcyle or scooter. This is a picture of Mary Beth and I next to my Suzuki Burgman 400. This is a new line of “Super” scooters that can cruise all day at highway speeds. When we have spare time between helping our real estate customers, we really enjoy exploring the First Coast from Fernandina to St Augustine. Living in the Jacksonville area you can enjoy riding year-round. I think our favorite routes are from the Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach or Atlantiic Beach to Fernandina Beach via the Mayport Ferry and the ride down San Jose Blvd to Palatka that follows the St. Johns River. Here is a good website that provides routes and ratings on rides in North Florida.

Note: Bike Week in Daytona Beach is coming up March 4, 2011. Take the time to go the long way and visit the First Coast (Fernandina Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra and St Augustine). You may end up staying for good. If you want to look at properties, you can can contact Mary Beth and I through our website www.TwoBeachNuts.com.

Posted by:  Frank Wright

e-PRO, LMC , CDPE

Atlantic Beach Office
1117 Atlantic Boulevard
Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Office: (904) 853-2001
Mobile: (904) 534-7655
Email: frankwright@watsonrealtycorp.com

• Jacksonville University Graduate Marketing/Psychology
• U.S. Army Veteran
• 25 years Pricing experience with Delta Air Lines
• Full Time REALTOR with TwoBeachNut.com teammate Mary Beth Lonergan

Frank Wright is but half of the successful TwoBeachNuts Team that markets properties not only at the Beaches but also throughout the Jacksonville Area.  With partner Mary Beth Lonergan, they make sure their customers can always reach at least one of them virtually 24/7.

Frank is no stranger to North Florida. A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of Jacksonville University with a degree in Marketing and Psychology, he has been a Jacksonville Beach resident on and off since 1973. Through a 30-year marketing career with Delta Air Lines, he bounced around the globe; however, his heart always brings him back to the beach. His years at Delta provided him with extensive experience in pricing, sales, negotiation and customer service. 

Frank will provide you with a completely painless experience during your next real estate transaction. About his passion for selling the coastal lifestyle, Frank says, “Living at the beach since 1973, I am dedicated to the beach lifestyle. I enjoy all the benefits of a coastal community such as bicycling, swimming, aqua sports, fishing and boating. I have seen the world in my previous career in the airline business and fully appreciate the benefits of North Florida coastal living.”

Regarding Frank’s e-PRO and LMC designations:

e-PRO is the real estate industry’s first comprehensive technology certification. The National Association of Realtors® awards this designation to candidates who have completed an online training program that helps them become proficient with the latest internet techniques and services for home buying and selling.

LMC (Loss Mitigation Certification) is recognized by NAR (National Assoc. of Realtors) as the premier educational tool for Realtors involved in complex short sale, auction, foreclosure and REO property transactions.

CDPE- Certified Distressed Property Expert

Check out my beaches Blog at: TwoBeachNuts.blogspot.com

“You (Frank) and Mary Beth are a great team. I wish you both the best. Thank you soooo much for all your hard work and all you have done for me. I appreciate all you did to make my dream of home ownership a reality.”

Atlantic Beach Office
1117 Atlantic Boulevard
Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Office: (904) 853-2040
Mobile: (904) 545-8830
Email: janetpalmer@watsonrealtycorp.com
Website: JanetPalmer.WatsonRealtyCorp.com

• Received awards for Manager of the Year; Special Service Award; Multimillion Dollar Producer
• Janet has been a leader in the Jacksonville Real Estate Market for the past 32 years.
• Member of National Association of Realtors
• Past President of Jacksonville Beach Association of Realtors
• Currently partners with Patrick Palmer, REALTOR. Together they provide real estate expertise to buyers & sellers in the North Florida Island Beaches Communities.
• 32 Years with Watson Realty Corp.
• Member of Northeast Florida Association of Realtors
• Licensed Florida Real Estate Instructor
• Expect the highest level of service from the Palmer Marketing Group.
• Past Manager of the Atlantic Beach, South Beach and Ponte Vedra Watson offices. Served as Watson Realty Corp. New Homes Division Director.

Janet Palmer has been in the real estate business with Watson Realty since 1978.