Even with its stable market growth in population, residential expansion and retail development marked by the latest Chamber of Commerce and census figures, Amelia Island remains one of the better kept secrets among resort communities in the U.S.

Further diminishing any broader visibility in recent years has been the economic downturn, to which our historic barrier island and, indeed, greater Nassau County, have not been altogether immune.

Often times, however, two negative current realities can portend a quite positive omen for the days ahead. This, dear friends, is one of those times—in spades!

Just this week, Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller reported that prices fell from February to March in 18 of the metro areas tracked in its 20-city index. Further, prices in a dozen U.S. markets have reached their lowest points since the housing bubble burst in late 2006.

Want more perspective? Prices have now fallen further since the bubble burst than they did during the Great Depression. And many economists think prices nationally will drop at least 5 percent more by year's end.

Here in Nassau County, tucked neatly into the northeast corner of Florida just below the Georgia border, housing prices are at a new low. In fact, many home prices today are just half of what they were in 2005.

To prospective buyers, including an increasing number of Baby Boomers retiring each year, the news could not be more promising. Lower home prices, combined with attractive mortgage rates (recently quoted 30-year fixed averages of 4.5% - 4.875%) spell one thing: extraordinarily better value that positions them optimally for the future when prices rise again.

And what’s not to love about location, location, location?

Ideally situated to serve important domestic and international markets, Nassau County comprises 652 square miles and generally is divided into three areas: Hilliard to the northwest, Callahan to the west, and Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, and Yulee to the east of I-95.

The county is a rich blend of rural, wooded areas to the west and beautiful rivers, sounds, beaches and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

Amelia Island is a unique, 13.5-mile long barrier island perfectly suited to visiting and permanent or part-time living. Population is 20,000. Just 20-25 feet above mean sea level, the 18.2-square mile area is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Amelia River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Width varies from one-quarter mile to two miles.

At the north end of the island sits Fernandina Beach, a quaintly historic seaport that is the home of the modern shrimping industry. It encompasses seven square miles of Amelia Island, and its 50-block downtown district is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Population is just over 11,000, and it’s the only site in the U.S. ever to have been governed by eight flags of dominion: France, Spain, Britain, the Patriots, Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, Confederate, and the USA.

Weather-wise, the area offers all four seasons, but nine wonderful warm-weather months. Amelia Island boasts some of the best beaches in the country, four- and five-star hotels, charming B&B’s, and upscale resorts including the Ritz-Carlton and Amelia Island Plantation, with the resort side now operated by Omni Hotels. Residents and visitors alike enjoy numerous outdoor activities including biking, swimming, dock and deep sea fishing, boating, kayaking, golf at any of a number of public and private courses, and horseback riding along the white sandy beaches. Festivals dot the calendar throughout the year on both sides of Nassau County.

Coming and going is easy, too. Children of residents and other visitors have easy travel access through Jacksonville International Airport, just 26 miles southwest of Amelia Island. And the island is comfortably reachable in less than a day by car from cities like Charleston, SC (230 mi.), Raleigh, NC (440 mi.), Mobile, AL (430 mi.), Atlanta (360 mi.) and Miami (380 mi.).

The bottom line: It’s an exciting time in Nassau County. More people want to be here, and the timing couldn’t be better to purchase a property on or off Amelia Island. It truly is time to rethink your priorities; a time to move confidently forward while market conditions are in your favor.

Contact me at your convenience. I always take great pride to ensure that my work on behalf of every client exceeds their expectations. I’ll be glad to explain the competitive advantages that you can achieve as your agent of choice.