When you're buying a home in Jacksonville, there is a lot to think about. Location, price, inspections, financing and closing dates can quickly fill your to-do list.
One item that deserves a spot near the top? Homeowners insurance.
In Florida, homeowners insurance can play an important role in both your monthly housing costs and your home-buying timeline. Understanding a few basics early can help you ask better questions, compare properties more confidently and avoid surprises as you get closer to closing.
Here are some important things Jacksonville home buyers should know.
1. Start Looking Into Insurance Early
You don't have to wait until closing is right around the corner to start thinking about homeowners insurance.
Once you are seriously considering a property, it can be helpful to speak with a licensed insurance professional and get an idea of what may be involved in insuring the home.
Insurance companies have their own underwriting guidelines, and factors involving both th. ...

 
 



 

If you’re looking for an excuse to spend a Saturday afternoon outside with good drinks, live music, great food, and some of your favorite people, I’ve got one for you. Even better, you can call it supporting the community, because technically, you are.
Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Fest is back Saturday, October 3, at Central Park in Fernandina Beach, and this year marks the festival’s sixth year. If you’ve been before, you already know it’s a good time. If you haven’t, this might be the year to change that.
Island Hop is Fernandina Beach Main Street’s largest annual fundraiser, so while we are all there sipping, eating, listening to music, and having a good time, the event is also raising money that goes right back into our downtown. Those funds help support local businesses, preservation, beautification, events, and the projects that help keep downtown Fernandina the place we all love.
So really, att ...

Older homes have a character that can be hard to replicate. Original architectural details, mature trees, established neighborhoods, unique floor plans and a sense of history can make them especially appealing to home buyers.
Across Northeast Florida, you can find homes representing many different decades and architectural styles. But with that character can come a few extra considerations.
If you are thinking about buying an older home in Jacksonville or the surrounding Northeast Florida area, here are some things worth paying attention to before making your move.
1. Start With the Roof
In Florida, the age and condition of a roof can be particularly important. Beyond the potential cost of replacement, roof condition can also factor into insurance considerations.
When looking at an older home, find out:


How old is the roof?


What type of roofing material was used?


Are there signs of leaks or previous water intrusion?


Have repairs or replacements been properly do. ...

Moving to Jacksonville, FL: The Complete Local Guide
Thinking about moving to Jacksonville, Florida? You’re not alone. With miles of coastline, the St. Johns River, a growing job market, diverse neighborhoods, outdoor recreation, and plenty of local personality, Jacksonville continues to attract people looking for a new place to call home.
But Jacksonville is big, and choosing where to live involves much more than finding a house you love. From the beaches to historic neighborhoods, suburban communities, new construction, and everything in between, each part of Northeast Florida offers something different.
As local real estate experts, EXIT 1 Stop Realty is here to help you get to know Jacksonville and make your move with confidence.
Where Is Jacksonville, Florida?
Jacksonville is located in Northeast Florida along the Atlantic Coast, just south of the Georgia state line. It is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States, which is one reason Jacksonville ...

 




 
I had been meaning to stop by Plantd Juicery since I first heard they opened, and I finally made it over there. I went expecting to grab a drink, look around for a few minutes, and head out.
That is not exactly what happened.
 
Plantd is tucked away at 5381 South Fletcher Avenue in Fernandina Beach, and if you have driven by without noticing it, you are probably not alone. It sits back from the road surrounded by plants and greenery, and once you pull in, you realize pretty quickly that you did not just find a juice shop.
 
Plantd opened in 2026 and is owned and run by a mother and daughter, with the owner’s best friend working right alongside them. Honestly, the three of them are part of the charm.
If you follow Plantd on Facebook, you may already recognize them. Their videos are cute, funny, and sometimes completely unserious, which makes them even better. After meeting them in person, I can tell you that what you see online is pretty m ...