The Saint Aug Blog

Today I embark on a new adventure!!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:40:00 GMT

Today I am heading for Palmilla, The one and Only Resort, in Mexico. I am going with The Tony Robbins Platinum Partners Group, that I joined while at a Business Mastery class in Fiji this summer. There are only 4 of these trips annually, and this one is my first.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Life on the Intracoastal Waterway in Saint Augustine Florida!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:38:00 GMT

In a sleepy little town named Saint Augustine Florida you will find some of the most beautiful stretches of the Intracoastal Waterway, anywhere in the state. Where our neighbors to the north and south of us narrow to small canals with homes peering over the edges at each other, Saint Augustine has broad sparkling waterways mostly bordered by marshes and other natural vegetation.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Life in the Reef!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:36:00 GMT

Pelican Reef is an exclusive waterfront community located just south west of Anastasia Island's famous Lighthouse. There will only be 125 homes to ever be built here on this pristine tract of land, bordered by the sparkling Intracoastal waterway to the west, and extensive marshlands filled with native birds of every size and color!

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

My First ActiveRain Contest!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:34:00 GMT

I am Activerain!! I find that since I have become a member of the Activerain family I hardly go on facebook or any of the other social media sites. There is just so much great information here. I learn something every day! Where else can you do that in such abundance. Also, the new friends. I feel like I already know some of you and am so grateful for all the help and friendship you have generously shared with me. This is my first contest!!!! Thank you! Thank you!!

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Cost of Living Raise for Realtors?

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:32:00 GMT

In this chaotic economic environment I find that there are sellers are looking to list with Realtors that will give them a "reduced rate commission". I for one do not accept those listings as I want to work with someone who Respects and Values what I do for a Living. Key phrase, I do this for a living!!! For as long as I can remember, commissions have been set at 6%. While the cost of gas, advertising and everything else has risen substantially, the Realtors fee of 6% has remained the same.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

It was a glorious Halloween Night In Pelican Reef!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:28:00 GMT

This year was an outstanding year to celebrate Halloween in our community. There were over 40 children participating. The neighbors organized a hay ride, bobbing for apples, and lots of covered pans of things for the children to reach in and grab like bat eyeballs and other horrid things. The children were darling and it was a safe and happy Halloween for all.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Let's be Nice!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:25:00 GMT

It is always a pleasure to work with someone who is nice. When searching for properties to show your buyers do you by chance take a look at who the listing agent is?? Sometimes it can determine whether or not the property actually gets shown!!

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Today I took a walk in the Rain....

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:21:00 GMT

Today I had a few extra minutes and decided to make myself more familiar with Activerain. Seeing as I am a somewhat new member, I thought that I would familiarize myself with the site. I found a home page that had all of the staff of Activerain. How impressive is this!!! I had no idea that it was such a huge, impressive group of folks! Now I know why it is so professional. I truly get how it runs so smoothly, and how you instantly are part of something new and wonderful when you join.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Where do we price our home in this market?? Low? High? In Between??

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:19:00 GMT

In this market it is very difficult for home owners to know where to price their homes. They are really in need of our services and expertise more than ever. In the beginning of this declining market I found that many agents were listing very high, well over what one could expect the offers to come in at, in order to make the buyers feel like they were getting a deal when they offered a much lower price that was then accepted. The philosophy behind this was that because the offers were so low, they had to price higher, just expecting this. I did not succumb to this pattern and am glad that I did not.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Are you on the Intracoastal in Saint Augustine??? The Dolphin are!!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:16:00 GMT

This Sunday was a pristine day in Saint Augustine Florida. While the temperatures were about 81 degrees, the air was cool and crisp like a fall day in the mountains. What a winning combination!! We decided to take our boat out for an hour or so and I just had to share with you a very small part of what we enjoyed.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Agents, Mother Teresa gives us words to live by!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:04:00 GMT

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give you best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them." - Mother Teresa

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Such a great condo, I just had to share it with you!!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:54:00 GMT

This fantastic condo is so awesome that I just had to share it with you!!! More like a 2 story town house, this 2 bedroom unit sits directly over the Intracoastal Waterway in Saint Augustine Florida! It is completely remodeled, comes to you fully furnished, and conveys with the boat slip for your beautiful jet skis or boat!! Take a look at this virtual tour.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Are you an Expert? Become one and Get the Job!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:39:00 GMT

When engaging an agent to list or purchase a home, what do you think that people are looking for? If you wanted to buy or sell in a particular community what would you want in an agent? Of course you would always look to hire someone who has a neat and clean appearance. Someone who presents them self well, with confidence. Someone who is polite and a good listener. But are they an expert in that community?

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Harley Joe Cocker is 10 years old!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:30:00 GMT

On October 1st, my little puppy turned 10 years old! He has been selling Real Estate with me for the past almost 10 years, since he was 2 months old. When I bought Harley he was so young and vulnerable that I hated to leave him home when I went to work. The children were all at school and he just looked so sad when I would get ready to leave the house! So...I began to take him to the office. The customers loved him and he began to accumulate a fan club. Who didn't love that adorable little guy with those big Cocker Spaniel eyes just dying to love, kiss and enjoy your company. Little tail wagging all the time!!!

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

The value of a clean car...

sellstjohn@aol.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:22:00 GMT

So you are meeting your customer for the first time out of the office and they are joining you in your car to look at properties. You are sharp, have your best outfit on, for the ladies, nails polished and hair nice and neat. Your paperwork is fantastic and you are well prepared. Very nice first impression. So now we walk to your car. What do they see and what does it cause them to think? Not every car has to be new, nor does it have to be a Mercedes Benz, but it does have to be clean, really! A first impression of your car is very important.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Open House...is this a thing of the past?

sellstjohn@aol.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:43:00 GMT

With the trends all heading toward social media, and the ability for consumers to see homes on line with virtual tours and massive amounts of photographs, is it really necessary to have open houses any more? My answer would be no.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

When customers become friends

sellstjohn@aol.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:36:00 GMT

I am saddened this morning as at 5am I received a phone call from my friend's sister that her husband passed away this morning. This friend was and still is a good customer of mine. She, through another Realtor many years ago, bought one of my listings. We got to know each other and years later she listed 2 of her properties with me. In the interim, we became great friends.

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Surrounding yourself with Outstanding Service Providers!

sellstjohn@aol.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:25:00 GMT

I truly believe that being all that you can be for a customer, buyer or seller, or even renter, is the way to go. But what happens when you do your job perfectly, find them that fantastic home, perfect location, great price and immaculate shape and then you begin to move to close and one of the many other professionals you must work with do not do their job??

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Ocean Front properties, whose is the Saltiest?

sellstjohn@aol.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:10:00 GMT

For all of you Realtors with Ocean Front Properties for sale here on the Atlantic Coast, did you know that our ocean is the saltiest Ocean in the world? It is true, our ocean has a greater salt content than any other. The Dead Sea is by far the saltiest body of water on Earth, but as far as Oceans go, the Atlantic takes the prize for being the most salty! What does that mean for our Ocean Front home owners????

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove

Taxes!! Should a REALTOR® be Incorporated?

sellstjohn@aol.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:33:00 GMT

Over the course of the last 12 years that I have been in the Real Estate Business I have had 3 different Accountants. I have never had any of them suggest that I incorporate. Recently while having a conversation with an Accountant, he was surprised to hear that I was not incorporated. I asked him why he thought that it was important and he gave me the following reasons:

Tags: Saint Augustine Real Estate,Saint Augustine Real Estate For Sale,real estate in St Augustine,Saint Augustine homes,Saint Augustine homes for sale,Marsh Creek,Sea Colony,SeaGrove