CURB APPEAL TO COASTAL LIFE
Buyers Are Aware
If you’re thinking of selling your home in St. Augustine, understanding what homebuyers are looking for today is essential. Real estate has changed—and in 2025, buyers are more selective, lifestyle-driven, and value-conscious than ever. In a destination city like St. Augustine, Florida, the expectations go beyond four walls. Buyers aren’t just shopping for a home—they’re investing in a lifestyle.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top trends influencing buyer behavior, from move-in ready homes to beachside living, so you can position your property to sell faster and for top dollar.
Living the Lifestyle
Today’s buyers are no longer focused solely on size or number of bedrooms. They’re prioritizing lifestyle-friendly homes, especially those that allow them to enjoy the unique charm of a place like St. Augustine.
In our area, that often means spaces that blend indoor and outdoor living. Buyers are looking for homes where they can sip coffee on a screened-in lanai, walk barefoot to the beach, or ride a bike to their favorite local café. Coastal living is not just a perk—it’s a priority.
Today’s buyers are no longer focused solely on size or number of bedrooms. They’re prioritizing lifestyle-friendly homes, especially those that allow them to enjoy the unique charm of a place like St. Augustine.
In our area, that often means spaces that blend indoor and outdoor living. Buyers are looking for homes where they can sip coffee on a screened-in lanai, walk barefoot to the beach, or ride a bike to their favorite local café. Coastal living is not just a perk—it’s a priority.
Homes with flexible layouts are also in high demand. Whether it’s a sunroom that doubles as an office, or a bonus room that can serve as a home gym or guest suite, buyers want to see potential in how the space supports their lifestyle.
Renovate or Ready
Whether buyers are relocating from out of state or moving across town, one thing remains consistent: they want move-in ready homes.
In a competitive market like St. Augustine—homes that are updated and low-maintenance attract significantly more attention. Most buyers are not looking to take on a project after moving across the country. They want a fresh start and a smooth transition.
Homes with neutral paint, updated fixtures, modern kitchens, and refreshed landscaping often stand out online and in person. Even simple touches—like replacing dated hardware or power-washing the driveway—can have a big impact on first impressions.
Smart, Sustainable and Subtle
St. Augustine’s coastal environment and green initiatives by several businesses and venues including our very own St. Augustine Amphitheatre, makes energy efficiency even more attractive to buyers. Features like impact-rated windows, smart thermostats, solar panels, and tankless water heaters aren’t just about convenience—they’re about long-term savings and comfort.
Buyers relocating from larger urban areas or colder climates are often drawn to Florida for its sunshine, but they still want their homes to be modern and efficient. In 2025, a smart home isn’t a futuristic luxury—it’s becoming a standard many buyers look for specifically.
Small additions like a video doorbell, app-based lighting, or a smart irrigation system can go a long way in boosting appeal—especially when marketed properly.
Outdoor Living is NOT Optional
In a beach town like St. Augustine, outdoor space is a major selling point. Whether it’s a fenced backyard, a shaded patio, or a breezy balcony with an ocean view, buyers want to envision themselves enjoying Florida’s year-round sunshine.
This is especially true for relocation buyers looking to escape cold winters or high-density urban life and investors hoping to rent out their home part time. Outdoor areas that feel like extensions of the home—complete with ceiling fans, string lights, and outdoor kitchens—are major draws. Outdoor living is four seasons long in northeast Florida. Having the right space to enjoy quiet moments makes all the difference.
Even if your home doesn’t have a large yard, staging the space you do have with stylish outdoor furniture and lush potted plants can help buyers picture the laid-back coastal lifestyle they’re seeking. Screened porches are a total bonus. While fans and the right plants can ward off some of our pesky flying friends, nothing will keep you bug free like a screened lanai.
Kitchens and Bathrooms and Closets, Oh My.
Even in paradise, kitchens and bathrooms remain key to winning over buyers. These rooms are seen as hubs of the home, emotional centers of the everyday, and buyers expect them to be functional, accessible, clean, and updated. Hosting dinner or game day is popular in many neighborhoods. Having an open floorplan and classic finishes will draw in buyers and inspire them to invite all their friends and family over for gatherings. Well thought out pantry organization will also showcase the storage, accessibility and options for both families and empty-nesters. Having space you can’t reach is like not having space at all.
(Photo by Bailey Alexander on Unsplash)
In St. Augustine, coastal-inspired finishes—like soft white or a natural wood finishes on cabinets, low quartz countertops, brushed gold fixtures, and sea-glass tile—can evoke the local beach vibe while still feeling timeless. If you’re planning any updates before selling, focus your efforts here. Even small changes like new light fixtures or cabinet hardware can refresh a dated space.
A close second to the kitchen and bathroom is the closet layout, particularly in the primary bedroom. Adding a custom closet system (as opposed to the wire shelves) is one more touch that buyers will love and leave a lasting impression.
Buyers Want to Belong
Location has always mattered, but in 2025, buyers are actively seeking out neighborhoods that reflect their values and lifestyle. In St. Augustine, that could mean walkability, historic charm, and proximity to the water are more valuable than ever. For families, it means the right school district, amenities and sidewalks for bike and scooters.
Whether it’s the cobblestone streets of the Historic District, the vibrant surf culture in St. Augustine Beach, or the family-friendly feel of neighborhoods like Palencia or Murabella, buyers are asking:
- Can I bike to a coffee shop?
- Is there beach access nearby?
- Are there walking trails, marinas, or live music venues close by?
As a seller, be sure to highlight local lifestyle benefits in your listing description. Sometimes, buyers fall in love with the location before they even see the home.
Storage, Simplicity, and Systems
Buyers moving to St. Augustine—especially from larger cities—often prioritize simplicity and low-maintenance living. They want to spend their weekends kayaking, paddleboarding, or strolling through downtown—not mowing the lawn or repairing outdated systems, whether that’s irrigation, pool pumps or air conditioning units. Before you list, be sure everything is maintained by professionals and in perfect working order.
Storage is also top of mind. Whether it’s a spacious pantry, a clean garage, or built-in shelving, buyers want to feel like there’s room for their hobbies and seasonal gear (think: surfboards, fishing rods, beach chairs and bikes). Remember, buyers moving from up north are used to attics and basements, a rare if not impossible find in Florida. Creating usable space that makes sense, is accessible and maximizes storage without being intrusive will only help a home stand apart.
Finally, and as mentioned in previous posts, when preparing your home for sale, remove visual clutter and emphasize how easy the home is to maintain. Think “vacation home vibes”—even if it’s a primary residence. Selling your home is selling the lifestyle it offers. You’re moving anyway, it’s a perfect time to start packing up some of the sentimental and personal items that have great meaning to you and your family, but may not register with buyers during showings. Less is more, more or less.
Value Wins Over Vibes Alone
While lifestyle is a top motivator, price remains a key factor—especially in a market like St. Augustine, where prices have risen steadily over the past few years. Buyers are evaluating homes carefully, expecting modern features and solid value for the asking price.
Relocation buyers often have strong budgets, but they still expect homes to be priced fairly and presented well. If a home feels overpriced for its condition or location, it may get overlooked in favor of one that’s more polished and move-in ready. Over pricing your home with high hopes will only miss the mark when making first impressions. Even future price reductions will not recover initial interest and excitement like the first few weeks of a listing.
Pricing strategically—paired with proper marketing—is critical in today’s environment.
Zillow Doesn’t know the Tide Schedule: From Beaches to Back Roads—Insider Knowledge Wins.
In a market as unique and diverse as St. Augustine, working with a local real estate agent who truly knows the area is a game-changer. As a future transplant, a buyer may not know an area or its value, and that is a prime reason to have a real estate agent who has resided in the area for a long time in order to provide the most accurate and up to date information about each neighborhood. The same can be said for utilizing a seller’s agent when you’re ready to list your home to be sure it is priced correctly, competitively, and confidently. Lastly, a local agent will be able to market it effectively and accurately to draw in the right buyer for each individual property.
Relocation buyers, in particular, rely heavily on local insight to make confident decisions. From recommending trusted inspectors and lenders to guiding them through flood zones, school districts, and short-term rental laws, an established local agent provides peace of mind that no online search can match.
Selling your home isn’t just a transaction—it’s a transition. And having the right guide by your side makes all the difference.
Home Truly is Where the Heart Is.
Selling your home in St. Augustine means more than putting a sign in the yard. It means understanding that today’s buyers are looking for more than four walls—they’re looking for a lifestyle, a sense of place, and a fresh start in one of Florida’s most beloved coastal cities.
If your home supports the way buyers want to live—close to the beach, full of natural light, updated, and well-maintained—it’s positioned to stand out in a very good way. The new owners are waiting. Let’s welcome them home. As always, shoes optional.
Ready to sell your St. Augustine home?
As someone who has lived in the St. Augustine area for many years, I understand the nuances of each neighborhood—from the tide schedules in Davis Shores to the best hidden-gem coffee spots in Lincolnville. I know what buyers are asking, what they expect, and how to highlight the features that matter most in this coastal lifestyle market.
Let’s talk about how to position your property to appeal to what buyers want right now. From pricing to prep to marketing, I’ll walk you through every step with confidence and local expertise.
St. Augustine In Focus 
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