The Price Is Right

When Ginger Powers graduated from the University of Florida, she decided to move back to her hometown of Ponte Vedra Beach. Unfortunately, with home prices continuing to rise, it can be difficult to find the right abode at an affordable price for powers and other home buyers.

In fact, the market's median existing home price rose 15 percent to $208,700 from May 2005 to May 2006; in 2005 it was $181,700, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. Nationally, sales prices for single-family homes are up 4.3 percent to $222,700.

"I've always lived at the beach, and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else," Powers said.

Luckily for her, she was able to find a two-bedroom, two-bath condominium just minutes from the beach. She is now selling her home for $227,000 while she performs volunteer work in South America.

Although median home prices continue to rise, there are still a variety of homes in diverse areas throughout Jacksonville for less than $300,000.

The Beaches

Powers is selling her condominium with help from Realtor Wanda Petersen, who, along with her business partner, Realtor Kelly Whitaker-Payne, specializes in beach properties.

With the hurricane season expected to be less severe this year, buying a property at the Beaches is becoming increasingly more appealing. And although it may seem unrealistic to believe an affordable property is available at such a desirable locale, there are several condominiums in the area below $300,000.

"You have to be open-minded, especially for first-time home buyers," said Petersen, whose main client base for this price bracket is young professionals.

Many of these homes under $300,000 are pre-existing condominiums, many of which are conversions, Petersen said. However, many of these structures offer great incentives and amenities to make them even more appealing.

Some properties, such as Summer House in Ponte Vedra Beach, provide five-star amenities such as tee and beach times and concierge services. Others are desirable because of their proximity to the beach. For example, Jardin De Mer in Jacksonville Beach is just five blocks away from the ocean, great for public beach access and is priced around $230,000.

This attractive two-story Avondale home, at 1408 Rensselaer Ave., is priced at $259,300.

While young professionals are moving to the Beaches for relaxation, many are choosing to live closer to the city for proximity to work, and they are finding many affordable homes to purchase.

"I really believe this area is going to be insulated from a lot of other areas around town," said Broker Gunilla Craven of Oak Street Realty, who lives and works in the Riverside/Avondale area. "We are so close to downtown and to a lot of other things, and with gas prices going up it's a no-brainer."

Many of the homes available are historic masterpieces that can't be duplicated, such as the home at 1408 Rensselaer Ave. in Avondale. This home features stainless steel appliances, a slate fireplace and hardwood floors for $259,900. Other homes under $300,000 include bungalows at 2855 Post St. in Riverside and at 731 Acosta St. for just $199,900.

"This is an area where you can walk down the street, sit on your front porch and invite people to come and join you for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine Ð it's a real neighborhood," Craven said.

Fleming Island Plantation offers numerous affordable homes, such as this one at 1763 Chatham Village Drive, listed at $289,900.

Family-focused Jacksonville residents are relocating in droves to Clay County for its affordable homes and A-rated schools.

"You can get a beautiful home in Clay County for $300,000," said Broker Associate Linda Hackbardt, who was the top agent for Watson in 2005 and sold $12 million in real estate last year.

Besides their allure, many of these homes under $300,000 have more than 2,000 square feet, making them some of the most cost-efficient homes on the market in Jacksonville.

Many of the homes available are in master-planned communities such as OakLeaf Plantation, Eagle Harbor and Fleming Island Plantation. Many of these neighborhoods even offer residents supreme amenities, such as water parks and golf courses.