Terry Wilmot
Top-Notch Remodelers
Just a few years ago, many home renovation projects were undertaken to enhance resale value and "flipping" a home for a tidy profit was the mark of a savvy operator.
Certainly, return on investment remains a crucial consideration when making remodeling decisions. But as the market has changed, record numbers of people are remodeling their homes simply because they want to remain in them for the long haul.
That’s especially true in Jacksonville, which has the advantage of a huge inventory of older homes in desirable neighborhoods such as San Marco, Riverside/Avondale and San Jose, among other prestigious addresses.
Indeed, no other major Florida city has such an impressive and eclectic collection of vintage charmers just waiting to be restored to their Gilded Age glory. And many of those ubiquitous Mediterranean-style subdivisions built in the 1980s are now starting to show their age, creating yet more opportunities for remodelers to ply their trade.
In this issue of
Jacksonville Homebuyer, we celebrate the remodeling industry by spotlighting the winners of the recent First Coast Remodeling Awards. The participants, all members of the Remodelers Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, are the best of the best, and I think you’ll enjoy seeing their work. Plus, we’ve got tips you can use when planning your own remodeling project.Also in this issue you’ll find our annual "Best of the First Coast" compilation. We don’t claim that our opinions are indisputable, but this feature is always fun and informative and spotlights some terrific communities and the things that make them special.
We’ve got all that, plus a spotlight on Jim and Sherry Davidson of World Golf Village and our usual neighborhood roundups, school directories and community listings. Whatever you need to know about buying a home in Northeast Florida you’ll find between these glossy covers.
Enjoy it. And better yet, use it.
—Penelope Geismar, Publisher