Janet, How's The Market?

"Janet, how’s the market in Daytona Beach Shores?"

Happy 2015! It’s time to look back and see how real estate performed in Daytona Beach Shores over the past 12 months.

When we last checked Annual Market Statistics for  2013-2014, we saw very positive growth as the market began to “come back”. Let me show you:

In the twelve month period of 2012, a total of 362 homes sold and the Days on Market averaged 160 days. An average 2 bedroom (BR) condominium home in Daytona Beach Shores sold for $154,412, while 3 BR homes sold for $304,820. 

In the same period of 2013 we saw 377 homes sold with an average Days on Market steady at 159 days. The average sales price for a 2 BR was up 9% ($14,505) and 3 BR were up 7% ($21,639). 

For 2014 things were still positive, but prices moderated. Between January 1, 2014 and 2015 we saw slower growth, but quicker sales. The average Days on Market were down to just 132 days, or a difference of one month! A total of 349 homes sold as supply went down. The average sales price for a 2 BR was $175,000 up only 3.6% from the previous year. The average sales price for a 3 BR was $326,639 up 7%.

For those of us who live in the area, we know that several older buildings like Oceans West, Oceans Two and Oceans Three were undergoing extensive concrete restorations and renovations. These buildings account for a significant amount of 2 BR condominium inventory. Now that renovations are in their final stages, it will be interesting to see how prices change in our part of the Daytona Beach Area for 2015!

 Creative Florida Living

Janet's Real Estate Site 

Captain Daddy’s Riverboat Restaurant – Escape without Leaving!

One of the wonderful things about living on the eastern Florida coast is the access to water – be it the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Our area offers many opportunities to dine, drink, and have fun near or on the water. Captain Daddy’s Riverboat Restaurant in Port Orange is one of the outstanding options!

At Captain Daddy’s (their motto is “Escape without leaving!”) you can have lunch or dinner on an old timey riverboat that is docked right on the Halifax River. You can either sit upstairs at the deck bar while enjoying views of our beautiful water wildlife. Or you can be protected from the elements by dining inside the boat.

Captain Daddy’s is known for down-home cooking with a New Orleans flair and offers affordable seafood, burgers, comfort food, and more. You will feel like you’re on vacation without having to pack a suitcase! 

These types of privately owned treasures are what make our area special. Make sure to go and enjoy what they have to offer so they will thrive and continue to serve you great food in a unique and beautiful setting! For more information explore Captain Daddy’s website: http://captaindaddys.com/

Janet's Real Estate Website 

Creative Florida Living 

All Our Good Intentions

If you are like everyone else, you made some sort of resolution for the New Year. The number 1 resolution is to lose weight. Getting fit and healthy comes in 5^th on the list of frequent resolutions. So how can you sustain this great plan past the first week of January? How about a gym!

What’s great about a gym?

A gym is open many hours of the day to accommodate even the busiest of schedules. Most gyms offer a large variety of activity options to suit your needs. Working out (in whatever capacity) regularly really does help make you fitter, slimmer, and happier (endorphins, Baby!). Not only 30-something svelte workout gods and goddesses go to the gym. You will see people of all ages (especially here in Florida), all sizes, all levels of fitness. So don’t worry about what others look like – focus on yourself.

What’s not great about a gym?

You do have to actually go. So dig deep, grab Motivation by the collar, and drag it into the light of day. If you go 3 times a week for a few weeks, it will become a habit.

Gyms cost money. This is, however, a worthwhile investment. Also, if you are loathe to toss money out the window, your monthly fee might add to your motivation to actually go. Do you know that gyms make the most money off of people who sign up and then DON’T go? Do you want to give them that satisfaction? I didn’t think so.

Gyms in Our Daytona Beach Area

 LA Fitness

This is a big chain-gym. They do want to make money off of you, but they also offer a lot of options. There is a spinning room, racquet ball court, yoga studio, workout machines, free weight area, treadmills, a large pool, a hot tub, a sauna (!), and a lot more! Once you are a member, you can participate in all classes and make use of all facilities they offer. LA Fitness membership is month to month and costs around $30 a month after you sign up. LA Fitness Website

The “Y”

The Port Orange YMCA gym is located in the Port Orange City Center next to Palmer Chiropractic College. The Y offers a myriad of programs through their gym, including many for youth and children. In addition, you can get a massage (at a very low rate for members), swim, lift weights, and participate in one of their many classes (dance, yoga, Zumba, and so much more). The Y has several different membership options: children, families, seniors, and individuals. Also, your membership fee will be determined based on your income. Lower income brackets pay around $30 and there is no joining fee. You can check out details here: YMCA Website

CrossFit Port Orange

CrossFit workouts are comprised of constantly changing movements (like pushing, pulling, squatting, lifting, running) executed at high intensity. Instead of using stationary equipment like at other gyms, CrossFit relies on moving the body and focuses on improving functional movements that are necessary and common in your daily activities. Trainer-run group classes are offered 4-5 times a day, the first being at 5:30am and last starting at 6pm. Classes last an hour and are always unique, so you will never get bored. CrossFit gyms generally cost between $130 and $200 per month. However, every workout includes a trainer who sees to your individual needs. CrossFit Website

Cherise’s Heavenly Fitness

Here you can experience an owner operated fitness club just steps from the ocean on Atlantic Avenue. They have an extensive bootcamp program that takes place outside, at the beach, on the pier, anywhere – just outside! You can also engage in all levels of yoga, suspension training, Zumba, spinning, and more! The monthly fee is $50 and includes all classes. $24 will buy you 26 bootcamp sessions that are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Find out more here: Heavenly Fitness Website

Outfitted with this handy information 

you have no more excuses! See you at the gym!

Janet's Real Estate Site 
Creative Florida Living 

The Jewel of New Smyrna Beach

In rain or shine and during all seasons, the New Smyrna Beach Farmer’s Market is a constant in our community. Run by the farmers and vendors, this market is a fount of locally produced foods and goods. Grab yourself a cup of locally roasted coffee and go for a stroll through this tiny, but mighty market. 

If you think organic produce is too expensive, you will find this is not the case at the New Smyrna Farmer’s Market. While shopping at the Green Flamingo stand or the Barefoot Farmer, you can purchase seasonal, local, organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, eggs, milk, honey, and more, for surprisingly little money.

Knowing your food was just picked that day, in your area, and by the person selling it to you is worth so much more than you pay. Packed full of vitamins and minerals from good soil, Florida sun, and complete absence of chemicals and genetic alterations, you get whole food at its best, right around the corner!  

The market doesn’t stop there, though. Many local artisans make everything from unique purses, stunningly beautiful wooden cutting boards, homemade jams, pickled eggs, knitted garments, jewelry, gourmet sauces and spreads, raw/vegan delicacies, alpaca wool, cheese made from raw milk, art, and on and on!

Your friends and family will love receiving one-of-a kind gifts made by local people who appreciate your business.

Keep it local, shop organic, enjoy this jewel of a market every Saturday from 7am – 12:30pm, located between Old Fort Park and City Hall on Sam Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Bring your dog!

New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market 

Janet's Real Estate Website 

Creative Florida Living