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Tonya and her team will be dropping off pies starting Thursday, November 20th through Sunday the 23rd. Please let us know if you would like your pie dropped off at an earlier date or if you will be traveling and able to enjoy this sweet treat. Call Tonya at 904-445-0726. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving

By MARIANNE GARVEY, US REAL ESTATE REPORTER Published:  08:52 EDT, 4 October 2025 | Updated:  09:21 EDT, 4 October 2025 While many areas of Florida  are on the verge of a housing market crash , one city is not only surviving — it's actually thriving. Sales remain steady, home prices are holding, and inventory is moving faster than in other metros across the state. Experts attribute the city's resilience to a combination of relatively affordable housing, strong local job growth, and an influx of out-of-state buyers seeking more space without leaving Florida. During the pandemic, buyers from New York, New Jersey , California , and Chicago  poured in, drawn by low crime  rates, lower taxes, and neighborhoods with distinct personalities. Prices surged, though not as sharply as in other Florida hotspots — and homes continue to sell briskly. 'Years ago, Jacksonville was way behind the national average in terms of housing prices,' said local realtor Tonya O'Quinn.  'That changed during Covid, when people flooded in from out of state. But people still need to buy homes, and Jacksonville is still very affordable compared to the rest of the state and has has added charms.' Over recent years, Jacksonville has transformed into a destination for homebuyers searching for a hidden gem. Its combination of affordability, sunshine, and diverse neighborhoods — from riverfront historic districts to modern suburbs — has helped the city remain resilient even as other Florida markets struggle. Jacksonville, located along the St. Johns River in Northeast Florida, is also famously the birthplace of southern rock. Legendary bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, and Molly Hatchet got their start in the city, giving it a rich musical pedigree that locals celebrate through museums, festivals, and live venues. That cultural cache adds to the city’s unique appeal. With a population of around 977,267, Jacksonville offers homes that were once out of reach for buyers in Miami or West Palm Beach at a more reasonable price point, keeping the metro hot in an otherwise cooling Florida housing market. The median home price in the metro is $284,825, reports Zillow.Household incomes average around $72,564, and unemployment is under five percent. In fact, the job market in Jacksonville is booming, with Ameris Bancorp and Black Knight Financial Services headquartered there. The owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, Shad Khan, is the most well-known billionaire living in Jacksonville. He loves the area so much his Iguana Investments purchased a luxury hotel and is developing it in the city. The housing market varies, with some neighborhoods more affordable than others, said O'Quinn, and the luxury market, where homes sell for $1 million and up, has remained especially strong since Covid. Businesses followed, with Louis Vuitton, Chanel beauty, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co., Alo and Apple now located at St. Johns Town Center, an open air upscale shopping development popular with locals. One sign of the area's continuously strong housing market was the 2021 arrival of luxury design firm Restoration Hardware, which opened up a a 70,000-square-foot furniture gallery and the popular RH Rooftop Restaurant, where six pieces of lemon grilled shrimp will cost you $26. Jacksonville is also home to Riverside Avondale, an upscale neighborhood with trendy boutiques, bars, and antique shopping. The nearby River & Post is known by locals to have the rooftop with the best downtown skyline view of Jacksonville. The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly market held rain or shine under the Fuller Warren Bridge every Saturday and features local art, fresh produce, live music and food trucks lined up along the river. There is a world-class art collection at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and the area is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. It's often voted as one of the country's top 10 neighborhoods. O'Quinn said several of Jacksonville's hottest neighborhoods are also extremely desirable for their affordability and schools. In 2019, Deutsche Bank moved more than 2,000 jobs from New York City to Jacksonville, luring staff with the promise of a dramatically lower cost of living, affordable beachfront homes and the most exclusive private schools for their kids. Avondale is the artsy, walkable neighborhood that's got historic charm and is great for families. The average home value about $432,493. It's known locally to be the perfect city for first‑time buyers. Mandarin, a riverfront neighborhood filled with restaurants and boutiques, is more suburban with newer home developments. The average home there costs $507,156, and rose 2.3 percent from August 2024 to August 2025. San Marco is more affordable. Filled with historic homes and new riverfront builds, it has steadily attracted buyers. The average home price there is $362,100. Neptune Beach is centered on luxury beach living. The average home value there is $725,532 for a coastal home. Family‑friendly areas like Nocatee, Julington Creek Plantation, and the Beaches (which includes Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach) are sought after for good schools and a good quality of life near the beach. Besides out-of-staters discovering the city during Covid, Jacksonville also sees buyers from Florida fleeing more expensive or crowded metro areas like Miami and West Palm Beach. O'Quinn said the luxury market in Jacksonville is doing especially well, calling it 'resilient.' Some neighborhoods are holding value and even growing modestly, including Mandarin and Neptune Beach. Homes in lower demand areas or higher‑priced homes are staying listed a bit longer, and some sellers who won't negotiate may see longer waits. 'But if interest rates drop meaningfully, that could reawaken buyer demand even more,' O'Quinn said.

2ND ANNIVERSARY Two years ago this month I took a chance...on me. I left the comfort and security of a team I loved for over 10 years who were like family to me. I spread my little Realtor wings and went out on my own. There was no fanfare. No big announcements. I just quietly went about my business.  I slowly formed my own small team and grew a brand that represents me and how I want to run my business. I stayed close to my clients who are such good friends and I leaned into the things I know how to do very well.....care about people and deliver awesome service. The gamble was worth it. Two years later, The Tonya O'Quinn Group has grown into something I am so proud of. Jennifer Planson has been with me from the beginning. A former buyer, Jennifer serves as the team's Real Estate Coordinator. Jennifer was instrumental in helping me through the challenging first year on my own. She basically keeps us all on track these days!  Christina Money joined us in early 2025 as our Transaction Coordinator and Buyer's Agent. A licensed agent, she brings a unique perspective to the team with her architectural background. We all work as a tight knit group which has helped me to grow the business this year.  To all of my clients who supported me over the years in real estate - I truly appreciate you. None of this would have been possible without you. Especially the last two years.   Tonya