Are Jacksonville home prices expected to drop further?

Nobody can honestly promise a specific direction. Prices are down modestly year over year, not falling sharply, and the market is described as balanced to slightly seller-favoring by most current reporting — not a buyer's market in the way the term usually implies.

How many days does it actually take to buy a house in Jacksonville right now?

It depends heavily on the specific home. Current data shows a real split: well-priced homes in strong areas can go under contract in under two weeks, while others sit for three months or more. The citywide average sits somewhere in between and can be misleading on its own.

Is Jacksonville still a buyer's market or a seller's market?

Most current data puts it close to balanced, with a slight lean toward sellers overall — but this varies meaningfully by neighborhood and price point, which is why a citywide label only tells part of the story.

Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying?

That's a real financial trade-off, not a simple yes or no — rates have actually trended up, not down, through this fall. A monthly-payment conversation based on your actual numbers is more useful than a guess about where rates go next.

217 MERCHANT Avenue, St. Johns, FL 32259 (MLS# 2118177)

217 MERCHANT Avenue, St. Johns, FL 32259

$653,492

Property Type: Residential Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 3 Square Footage: 2,506 Status: Closed

Current Price: $653,492 List Date: 11/16/2025 Last Modified: 4/30/2026

Overview

Description

Lot 128 - The Lucia offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and functionality for those who enjoy both relaxation and entertaining. A Study in lieu of a Flex Room creates an ideal space for focus or creativity. The Chef Kitchen, centered around a generous island, opens to the Great Room and dining area, keeping everyone connected. Sunlight fills the home through expansive windows and the large lanai, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow for gatherings or peaceful mornings. A two-bedroom suite provides a welcoming retreat for guests, while the primary suite features a Super Shower and a serene setting tucked at the rear, just steps from the lanai. WATERSONG, an exclusive gated 55+ neighborhood within RiverTown, connects residents to nature with parks, lakes, preserves, miles of trails, and resort-style amenities designed for fitness, fun, and community.

Listing Details MLS# 2118177

General Property Information

Bedrooms Total: 3
Bathrooms Full: 2
Bathrooms Half: Yes
Bathrooms Total: 3
Living Area: 2506
Living Area Source: Plans
Year Built: 2025
Accessory Dwelling Unit Y/N: No
Homestead YN: No
Association YN: Yes
Association Fee: 211
Association Fee Frequency: Monthly
CDD Fee YN: Yes
CDD Fee Amount: 2883
Accessibility Features YN: No
New Construction YN: Yes
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-05-16
Garage YN: Yes
Garage Spaces: 2
Carport YN: No
Pool Private YN: No
Water Body Access YN: No
Waterfront YN: No
Stories: Yes
Senior Community YN: Yes
Direction Faces: Northwest
Directions: From I-95, Exit 329 for CR 210 toward Green Cove Springs, West onto CR 210, continue straight onto Greenbriar Rd, turn left on Longleaf Pine Pkwy. Turn right on Keystone Corners Blvd. Turn left on Mistflower Drive. Turn left on Pelton Place, then left on Hedgerow Street - Sales Center parking will be immediately on your right.
Public Remarks: Lot 128 - The Lucia offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and functionality for those who enjoy both relaxation and entertaining. A Study in lieu of a Flex Room creates an ideal space for focus or creativity. The Chef Kitchen, centered around a generous island, opens to the Great Room and dining area, keeping everyone connected. Sunlight fills the home through expansive windows and the large lanai, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow for gatherings or peaceful mornings. A two-bedroom suite provides a welcoming retreat for guests, while the primary suite features a Super Shower and a serene setting tucked at the rear, just steps from the lanai. WATERSONG, an exclusive gated 55+ neighborhood within RiverTown, connects residents to nature with parks, lakes, preserves, miles of trails, and resort-style amenities designed for fitness, fun, and community.
List Price/SqFt: 259.38
Sold Price/SqFt: 260.77

Property Features

Property Condition: Under Construction Appliances: Dishwasher; Disposal; Double Oven; Dryer; Freezer; Gas Cooktop; Microwave; Plumbed For Ice Maker; Refrigerator; Tankless Water Heater; Washer Interior Features: Breakfast Bar; Entrance Foyer; Kitchen Island; Open Floorplan; Pantry; Primary Bathroom - Shower No Tub; Smart Thermostat; Walk-In Closet(s) Laundry Features: Electric Dryer Hookup; Gas Dryer Hookup; Washer Hookup Utilities: Electricity Connected; Sewer Connected; Water Connected Cooling: Central Air Heating: Central Water Source: Public Sewer: Public Sewer Smart Home Features: Carbon Monoxide Detector; Programmable Thermostat; Smoke Detector Security Features: Security Gate; Smoke Detector(s) Construction Materials: Fiber Cement; Frame Patio And Porch Features: Covered; Patio Roof: Shingle Parking Features: Attached; Garage; Garage Door Opener Lot Features: Sprinklers In Front; Sprinklers In Rear View: Protected Preserve; Trees/Woods Current Use: Residential Association Amenities: Basketball Court; Clubhouse; Community Pool; Dog Park; Fitness Center; Jogging Path; Park; Pickleball; Playground; Spa/Hot Tub; Tennis Court(s) Possession: Close Of Escrow Listing Terms: Cash; Conventional; FHA; VA Loan; Other

Contract Information

Property Sub Type: Single Family Residence
Property Attached YN: No
Listing Contract Date: 2025-11-16

Location Tax and Legal

Street Number: 217
Street Name: MERCHANT
Street Suffix: Avenue
County: St. Johns
State: FL
Postal Code: 32259
MLS Area Major: 302-Orangedale Area
Subdivision Name: Watersong At Rivertown

Status Change Information

Major Change Timestamp: 2026-04-06T15:37:28Z
Major Change Type: Status Change
Price Change Timestamp: 2026-01-15T22:38:45Z
Purchase Contract Date: 2026-01-18
Close Date: 2026-04-02
Close Price: 653492

DPR Eligible

DPR Eligible: No

More Information

Listing Office: MATTAMY REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Last Updated: April - 30 - 2026

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.