Whittington & Associates, LLC

North Florida Doctor (Sept. 2008)
Unique Architecture Sets Some Homes Apart in Crowded Market/p>

By R.P. Whittington

With so much housing inventory on the market, home sellers and realtors are doing all they can to differentiate their homes from all the other houses on the market.

Some sellers who have a home with a unique architectural say they didn't have them designed in a unique style to be more competitive, but they hope that difference will put them in a stronger position with potential buyers.

While early American architects often studied in France and drew more from those ideas in the past, contemporary designers still incorporate French-style features like French doors, tall second story windows arched at the top that breach the cornice and rise above the eaves.

Mark Dilworth, a realtor with Vanguard/GMAC, says some of those design elements should bring more potential buyers to a home he's currently listing located at 1024 Ponte Vedra Blvd. Dilworth says the 4,700-square-foot, two-story home, priced at $1.99 million, has the look of "a French Chateau that sets it apart from most of the homes in the area."

"The grand entrance doors really set off the front of the home," he said. "When you enter the first thing your eyes are drawn to is a beautiful chandelier and a stunning formal dining room. For those who enjoy wine and entertaining, the home also has a wine cellar and a wine chiller."

The French design elements are juxtaposed with the modern kitchen upgrades – stainless steel appliances, granite countertops – and a pool within a closed lanai that faces out on a secluded backyard.

"The style of the home and its uniqueness compared to others in the same area, plus its proximity to beach access at Mickler's Landing, help us attract more attention among potential buyers," he said.

On the other side of A1A, a couples' love of the Mediterranean-style type of architecture resulting in their custom-built 10,000-square-foot home in March Landing.

Listed with Prudential Network Realty Realtor Elizabeth Hudgins, this $4.895 million home was constructed in 2001 by the owner, Reza Fayazi (Fay-ya-zi), who is also president of the Service One Development Company. Reza's wife, Gity, coordinated most of the interior design work.

"We lived just north of Los Angeles before we moved to Jacksonville and that Mediterranean style is very popular there," Reza said. "We liked that design and wanted to incorporate that in our new home here."

Other touches include Saturnia marble flooring used for the entry steps to the home, inside the home and surrounding the pool located in the lanai, architectural ceiling details throughout the house, and custom cabinetry.

Gity says the ornate arches throughout the house are the strongest Mediterranean design element, though they did have to modify their original plans in keeping with the Florida environment.

"In California, most of these homes had the master bedroom on the second floor to take advantage of mountain views," Gity said. "With the water views in Marsh Landing, it made more sense to put the master on the first floor."

Outside, a fountain and reflecting pool greet visitors as they approach the estate. While the fountain is large, its size is in keeping with the expansive structure of the home – which encompasses a two-acre lot and 200 feet of waterfront on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The couple named the estate "Bella Vista," which means beautiful views in Italian.

"Most buyers in the high end market are looking for something special in their home, something that sets there home apart from the rest, so having unique architectural like that a Bella Vista puts you at a competitive advantage with that group of buyers," said Hudgins.

Dr. Ronald Shill, who moved to Florida from Arizona, wanted to re-create the southwestern design he had left behind when he arrived in Orange Park in 2001. He worked with custom builder J.A. Long, Inc. – which developed a totally new design in creating Shill's home.

"We had to mix the Arizona and Florida styles to a point, but it came out beautifully," said John A. Long, the owner of the firm who worked directly with Shill to come up with the final design.

The result is a beautiful, two-story home located at 1978 Rose Mallow Lane, featuring nearly 6,500 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and four full bathrooms. Realtor Ken Mong, who has the property listed at $1.625 million, says its unique design does attract potential buyers.

"When you have so many homes on the market right now that were built with a cookie-cutter approach, anything special stands out," Mong said.

While buyers in this market can be choosier, Mong says homes like these are set apart from the rest.

"It can be the design itself, or it can be the location…waterfront property, for example," he said. "With this house, it's not only the architecture, but the quality of the construction that I point out when I show the property."

Since custom designs like these put the homes in a league of their own, Mong adds that sellers who aren't in a hurry to move will probably hold out for the right price to come along.

"The Arizona design, the concrete block construction and other customized elements…these aren't features you can easily find at another home for sale down the road," he said. "While the owners have priced it where it needs to be in this market, knowing its unique among the other homes out there means they have a competitive advantage against the rest."

Mark Dilworth with The Dilworth Realty Group/Vanguard GMAC Real Estate can be reached at 904-591-6976, or visit www.thedilworthgroup.com,

Elizabeth Hudgins of Prudential Network Realty can be reached at 904-285-1800 or visit www.beacheshomes.com.

Realtor Ken Mong can be reached at 904-268-7355, or visit www.kenmong.com.

Media Contact: Ron Whittington (904-563-0402)