Nocatee has become one of the most in-demand places to live in Northeast Florida. For a long time, though, buyers who wanted truly high-end new construction inside Nocatee had very few choices. That has changed in recent years.

I recently toured the Monica floor plan by ICI Homes in Coral Ridge at Seabrook, one of Nocatee's gated neighborhoods. It is a one-story, ranch-style home with luxury touches you rarely see as standard anywhere in Nocatee. Below, I'll walk you through the home room by room, share what it cost, and explain what luxury buyers need to know before they build something like it.

Quick Facts: The Monica by ICI Homes

  • Builder: ICI Homes

  • Style: One-story ranch with courtyard entry

  • Size: 3,488 square…

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ICI Homes just put almost $20 million into SilverLeaf. On paper, that sounds like a simple land deal. But when you line up the purchase with the actual lot map, a bigger story shows up. ICI appears to have bought every one of the biggest lots in the newest phase of Hidden Creek.

That tells us a lot about where the Johns Island side of SilverLeaf is headed. Here are the seven things we think buyers should understand, including the pros, the cons and one school detail that surprises a lot of families.

1. The Deal: 82 Homesites for $19.8 Million

The Jacksonville Daily Record's weekly list of top commercial sales shows Intervest Construction of Jax Inc. (ICI Homes' company name) paying $19,808,000 in a St. Johns County sale recorded Sept. 7 to…

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If your Jacksonville home's likely sale price is below your mortgage payoff, you have three main paths: bring cash to close the gap, negotiate a lender-approved short sale, or explore other loss-mitigation options. Each carries different risks for your credit, deficiency liability, and taxes, and the right choice depends on your specific loan, lien structure, and financial situation.

What happens if I sell my Jacksonville house for less than I owe?

If your expected sale price won't cover your full mortgage payoff plus closing costs, you have three realistic paths: bring cash to cover the shortfall, negotiate a lender-approved short sale, or pause and explore other loss-mitigation options. Any Jacksonville-focused guidance on underwater…

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Every Thursday night, Rachel and I dig through news stories, permits and county filings so you don't have to. This week's headline was a big one: a global research firm ranked Jacksonville No. 134 out of the 1,000 largest cities in the world. That puts us in roughly the top 13 percent.

But a ranking is just a headline. What matters to you as a buyer is what's actually getting built, what's opening and how it changes the places you might live. Here's everything we covered, fact-checked and updated with the latest details.

1. Jacksonville Ranks No. 134 Out of 1,000 Global Cities

Oxford Economics, an independent global research firm, released its 2026 Global Cities Index on Sept. 15. It scores the world's 1,000 largest cities in five…

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Ponte Vedra Beach offers three distinct waterfront experiences: Atlantic oceanfront along A1A, Intracoastal Waterway frontage with marina access, and lagoon or marsh views inside gated communities. Each comes with its own lifestyle, amenity set, and price tier, all within 30-35 minutes of Jacksonville.

What is waterfront living in Ponte Vedra Beach actually like?

Ponte Vedra Beach waterfront living means something different depending on which side of A1A you're on, and which body of water your home faces. You can wake up to Atlantic surf, watch the sun set over the Intracoastal Waterway from a private dock, or enjoy a quiet lagoon view framed by marsh grass and herons, all within the same zip code. The community you choose shapes…

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Del Webb Nocatee is one of the most talked-about 55+ communities in Northeast Florida. It has a resort-style clubhouse, an on-site restaurant, a private kayak launch, and a gated setting inside the larger Nocatee master-planned community in Ponte Vedra.

When I first toured it on camera in 2022, buyers could still pick a lot and build. That window has closed. Today, the only way in is to buy a home from a current owner. That changes how you shop, what you should inspect, and what you need to verify before you sign anything.




Here is what I want every 55+ buyer to understand before touring Del Webb Nocatee in 2026.

1. Del Webb Nocatee Is Not the Same as Del Webb Ponte Vedra

This is the most common mix-up I hear. Nocatee has three 55+ active adult…

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Two Duval County master-planned communities, two very different buyers. Here is how to tell which one is yours.

If you are moving to Jacksonville and you want new construction with walking trails, golf carts and a real neighborhood feel, two names will come up fast: Seven Pines and EverRange.

On paper, they look like twins. Both sit in Duval County. Both are master-planned communities. Both are building new homes right now. Both promise amenities, shopping and that feeling of living inside your own little town.

But after spending real time in both, one thing is clear: they are not built for the same buyer. The choice usually comes down to one simple question.

Do you want convenience now, or do you want more space and a shot at what this area…

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Most Jacksonville buyers don't need 20% down. Minimum requirements range from 0% (VA/USDA) to 3–3.5% (conventional/FHA), but you also need cash for closing costs. Local and state assistance programs can cover part or all of both, eligibility depends on income, loan type, and first-time buyer status.

How much down payment do you need to buy a house in Jacksonville, FL?

Most Jacksonville buyers don't need 20% down. Depending on your loan type, the minimum down payment ranges from 0% on VA and USDA loans to 3% on some conventional loans and 3.5% on FHA, but your total cash to close also includes closing costs, which are separate from the down payment. Local and state assistance programs can cover part or all of both, depending on your income,…

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St. Johns County had a busy week. County commissioners spent hours debating a new state law that fast-tracks big developments, denied one huge project and then reopened two others, and a separate lawsuit over a different piece of land kept moving through the courts. On the lighter side, SilverLeaf is getting a mini golf course, and there's a grocery rumor buzzing near World Golf Village.

If you own a home in Northeast Florida, are building new construction, or are thinking about relocating here, these decisions can affect your property, your schools, your roads, and your home's future value. Here's what happened, explained simply, and what it means for you.

1. What Is Florida's New "Agricultural Enclave" Law?

Florida's agricultural enclave…

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If you're thinking about a move to St. Johns County, Shearwater usually comes up fast. It's one of the biggest master-planned communities in the northwest part of the county, and it keeps growing. Here's what buyers should actually know before they visit a model home.


1. Where Shearwater Sits in St. Johns County

Shearwater is located off County Road 210 in northwest St. Johns County, between CR-210 and State Road 16. It sits west of Nocatee and east of the St. Johns River, close to the growing SilverLeaf community and not far from RiverTown.

The community first opened in 2016 and is still being built out today. Freehold Communities, the developer, has planned close to 2,800 homes across more than 1,500 acres of land.

Home totals and…

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