As one of World Golf Village‘s featured builders and a company that continues to innovate in home design, we were eager to learn more about local home builder Providence Homes.  Despite a challenging real estate market, Providence continues to keep moving forward.  In 2009, Providence ranked second in production of detached single-family homes in the Jacksonville area. Providence Homes are featured in the family-friendly enclave Grovewood in World Golf Village’s King and Bear. Last week we talked with Providence Homes’ Director of Marketing Mike Fox. 

The World Golf Village neighborhoods of Turnberry, Royal Pines and St. Andrews welcome “sneak peekers” on April 3rd with all the heralds of Spring, from blooming flowers to chirping birds and, of course, an array of lovely homes.  Treats will be served during the open house event from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and visitors may enter to win an brunch for two  at the Renaissance Resort in WGV.

Each of these family-oriented neighborhoods offers its own distinctive ambiance and advantages.  Turnberry features homes in the $200,000s and homesites that make the most of its beautiful lakes and nature preserves.  Families enjoy lots of “play” time at the neighborhood swimming pool, basketball court and gathering room.  At Royal Pines, handsome custom homes start in the $400,000s and feature distinctive architectural details and elegant designs. Royal Pines residents have access to all the amenities of World Golf Village, as well as their own neighborhood park with a turn-of-the-century crane fountain.  An intimate enclave of 64 patio homes, St. Andrews offers low-maintenance living without any sacrifices. Starting in the $200,000s, the homes at St. Andrews are idyllically situated around a lake and residents enjoy a lakeside pool.

Pastel Princess.  Dapper Dandy. Outrageous Bonnet. We want to see your most amazing, showstopping, unforgettable Easter outfit ever.  Man, woman or child.  No matter your age. Show us the one outfit you’re most proud of, or embarrassed by.  Everyone will get to vote for the best and the winner will receive a sweet extravaganza from Kilwin’s.  Watch for the call for photos coming soon!

Aaron and Kate McDaniel are the winners of our Happy Couple Photo Contest. The Heritage Landing residents won folks over with their lovely beach embrace photo, getting the most votes and great support from friends and family.  Davidson Realtor Lyn Sappington was the McDaniel’s Agent when they moved into Heritage Landing in January, 2009, and she was not surprised that they won the contest.  She said, “Kate and Aaron are a wonderful and loving couple that truly enjoy each other’s company, which makes them a pleasure to be around.” They look forward to a romantic dinner at Le Pavillon in St. Augustine (the grand prize) when Aaron returns from his Iraq tour of duty in May.  We wish them all the best!

Retirees and anyone nearing retirement age will not want to miss February’s Sneak Peek Saturday at The Cascades.  The popular active retirement community will host the Sneak Peek Saturday open house event on February 6 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Sneak Peek Saturday visitors may enter to win a flat screen television, perfect for watching The Super Bowl, by signing up at the open houses.

The Cascades offers an array of amenities, including a grand 22,000-square-feet clubhouse, fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, walking paths, tennis and bocce ball court.  Homes in The Cascades start in the $100,000s. The Sneak Peek Saturday series invites the public to tour open houses throughout the master-planned community on the first Saturday of each month.  Home shoppers enjoy an up-close look at World Golf Village home offerings in an inviting and casual atmosphere. Complimentary refreshments are served.

New construction is heating up in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village.  In fact, four new projects have either already started or are planned to start this quarter in The Crest, Laterra Links, GroveWood and The Cascades. The activity is good news not just for our own premier golf community, but for the entire North Florida real estate market. Says Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty, Inc., “We started seeing a recovery to the real estate market in mid 2009 and the trend continues.  In January 2009, there was not a single new construction project on the horizon, but we’re starting January 2010 with several different projects.”

Under construction in The Crest are two new custom homes.  The Crest is one of the exclusive neighborhoods of The Estates where home prices start in the $600,000s.  Homesites in The Estates are generously sized, dotted with ancient oaks and loblolly pines, and ideally situated nearby the King & Bear Clubhouse and the Swim & Tennis Center.

Scheduled to be completed in February 2010, a new spec home is being built by Providence Homes in GroveWood. The 2,559-square-foot home will have four bedrooms and three baths, and is priced in the mid-$300,000’s.  GroveWood is a family-oriented community where young children learn to ride their bikes along oak canopied sidewalks.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and, unfortunately tight budgets may be preventing you and your significant other from celebrating the romantic holiday. Well, we are definitely feeling the love at World Golf Village and want to ensure that residents of our St. Augustine golf community are excited about cupid’s pending arrival as well. To help get everyone in the spirit and give you the opportunity to win a romantic Valentine’s Day date night, we are hosting a Happy Couple Photo Contest for World Golf Village residents.  Send in your most romantic couple photo by Monday, February 1st.

We want to see how in love you are (or were, as the case may be) but please keep it G-rated! We’ll let our Facebook fans vote on the most “loving” couple.  Invite your friends and family to vote.  The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Le Pavillon restaurant in St. Augustine. This romantic restaurant is housed in a lovely historic Colonial Revival home on San Marco Avenue.

If you haven’t made it to one of the free Davidson Speaker Series events, you’re missing out on some great information and insight from local experts.  So grab a friend and join us at the Davidson Realty office, complete with complimentary wine and snacks, for the following upcoming sessions:

Thurs, Jan. 21 @ 7:00 pm: Health & Fitness with Doug Duggan

A former Olympic weightlifter, Duggan will cover a variety of fitness topics, including how to fit fitness into a busy lifestyle, and how to achieve a balanced physical fitness program. In addition to competing in weightlifting from 1955 to 2000, Duggan spent 11 years as a certified personal trainer and owner of a gym in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia.  His more than 150 personal training clients included six professional golfers. His areas of expertise include yoga, running and weightlifting. 

Nestled amidst World Golf Village‘s beautiful natural landscape, tucked under majestic oak trees and surrounded by a lush blanket of green space, GroveWood feels like a personal discovery. It’s that rare gem of neighborhoods: cozy, inviting and centered around family. It’s a place where quality family time is around-the-clock. A place where neighborly comes naturally. A place where bird songs and kids playing fill the air.  And a place where trees outnumber, well, most everything.

Kristen, her husband, Austin, and their daughters Audrey and Lauren moved to GroveWood from Jacksonville about two years ago, drawn by its “small town atmosphere” and “natural setting.”  They quickly realized they found home. Kristen loves the impromptu get-togethers with neighbors and Austin has found the winding drive through The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village to GroveWood helps him decompress and recharge after a long work day.

The Murray Family is the lucky winner of The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village Holiday Photo Contest. Little Sophia stole our hearts with her not-quite-focused stare.  We all have felt a little “cross-eyed” during the holidays! Too cute! Congratulations to Sophia and her family.  They will receive a $100 Visa gift card.  We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and got lots of funny snapshots to capture the memories for years to come.

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