The Gazebo (Plaza de la Constitucion)
Plan an event at the Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo in downtown St. Augustine. Find availability, permit fees, amenities, and event requirements.
Tag: #staugustinemortgagebroker
Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home
With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help…Most people who already made that leap would do it again.According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought their current home. Only a very small 3% of people regret it:And here’s a big reason why so many people feel it was worth...
Renovate or Relocate? What To Know Before You Decide To Age in Place
You’ve spent years making your house feel like home, celebrating milestones, making each room your own, and turning neighbors into friends. As you look ahead to the next chapter of your life, it’s natural to wonder if this is still the place you want to spend it.Whether you’re leaning toward staying in your house as you get older or moving to a 55+ community, the goal is the same: a home that fits the life you want, with more time for the people and things you love. So, here’s what to consider before you decide.What It Can Take To Stay PutWanting to stay in a house...
Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?
You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them.So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can still make a move that works. Let’s break it down.Why the Fed Is Raising RatesIt all comes back to...
Five Historic St. Augustine Hotels That Are Open for Visitors
Jean Claude Roy’s painting of the Casa Monica captures the landmark’s ornate facade beneath a bright Florida sky. Part of the 20th Annual Art Tour.
A hotel is supposed to be temporary. You check in, unpack your suitcase, sleep, check out, and leave the building behind. St. Augustine has a few hotels that make that idea feel incomplete. Some of the city’s grandest lodging houses have outlived their original guests by generations. Their rooms have been renovated, their interiors updated, and their surroundings look different than they did when the first travelers arrived.
You don’t have to be...
Road Closures for Events
Plan a street event or party in St. Augustine. Review permit requirements, application fees, road closures, and resident and business notifications.
What Higher Mortgage Rates Mean for Home Sellers
Higher mortgage rates don’t just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too.That’s because today’s buyers are paying close attention to affordability. And when rates rise, even a relatively small change can make a noticeable difference in their monthly payment. So, they’re looking for ways to make the numbers work. And in some markets, new construction is giving them exactly that.If you’re planning to sell, that doesn’t mean you can’t compete. But it does mean you need to understand what builders are doing to win over...
Hoping for (or Dreading) a Housing Crash? The Experts Just Weighed In.
Half the buyers out there are scared home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they will.A recent survey from Clever found 58% of Gen Z buyers are actually rooting for a crash, just so homeownership feels within reach.So, what do the forecasts actually say?Every quarter, Fannie Mae surveys more than 100 housing experts on where prices are headed. The newest results are in. And spoiler alert: they’re not calling for a crash – not even the pessimists.What the Newest Numbers Actually SayThe panel’s latest forecast has prices climbing every single year through at least...
The Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t Necessarily the One You’d Get.
You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that’s left you reluctant to buy a home, here’s what you need to remember… That’s not necessarily the number you’d get. It’s a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the same one you’d get when you buy. The truth is, mortgage rates shift often, and the rate you actually end up with can vary a lot from what you may see or hear about. What Determines Your Real Rate? Advertised rates and “real rates” aren’t always the...
Five Historic St. Augustine Homes With Remarkable Stories
A vintage postcard of the Peña-Peck House on St. George Street. Image courtesy of the Peña-Peck House website.
St. Augustine has never been great at keeping its eras separate. A colonial street can lead to a Victorian porch. A centuries-old coquina wall can sit beside architecture from a completely different century. The city is a blend of old, new, and unexpected buildings from many periods sharing the same few blocks.
Historic St. Augustine homes are where that mix becomes impossible to ignore. Spanish Colonial residences, Greek Revival estates, and Victorian homes all found a permanent...