And no, this wasn’t written by AI lol

These are just my notes and my personal opinions on some of the best coffee shops in Jacksonville. I’m there all the time, I rotate between them depending on the day, and each one serves a different purpose for me.

Ink Factory Coffee Roasters

Ink Factory is sick. Straight up.

This place is way more than just coffee. You can grab a coffee, a beer, and a burger all in one stop, which already puts it in a different category than most coffee shops. I always love coming here because there is just a lot going on. They do concerts in the back, there are games to hang out and kill time, and the whole place feels like a mix of coffee shop, brewery, and creative space.

They also have really cool merch, which I’m a sucker for if I’m being honest.

If you go, definitely try the honeycomb latte. It’s my favorite drink there and I end up ordering it almost every time. Ink Factory is one of those spots where you can show up with no plan and end up staying way longer than expected.

Southern Grounds Coffee and Tea

Southern Grounds is just an absolute Jacksonville staple.

The food here is killer, and the coffee can honestly feel like candy in the best way possible. My fiance and I were just there and got a toasted marshmallow drink that was unreal. Stuff like that is why this place stays packed.

On top of that, the locations are hard to beat. On a nice day, sitting outside at Southern Grounds is about as good as it gets. Whether you’re meeting someone, hanging out, or just trying to enjoy good weather and good food, it always delivers.

This is one of those places that works for any time of day and any mood.

Roundbird Coffee

Roundbird is just reliable.

It might not be flashy, but it always does what it’s supposed to do. The coffee is solid, they have teas, and if you’re watching your figure, they have quick snacks like egg bites that are easy to grab without going overboard. Not saying I’m perfect, but sometimes you try to be a little disciplined, right.

The space itself is on the smaller side, so it can get cramped if you’re trying to sit and work for a long time. That’s probably the only downside. Still though, Roundbird is goated for what it is and always worth stopping by.

Sago Coffee

Sago is probably my least favorite if we’re talking strictly about food or coffee.

That said, I don’t usually come here for either of those things. I almost always come to Sago for the environment. It’s a great place to be around other young professionals, and the workspace setup is solid with plenty of room to spread out and get things done.

If I need to work, focus, and be around people doing the same thing, Sago makes a lot of sense. It serves a different purpose than the other spots, and for that reason alone, I still end up there pretty often.

Final Thoughts

Jacksonville has a legit coffee scene, and these spots all bring something different to the table. Some are better for food, some for drinks, some for work, and some just for hanging out.

There’s no single best coffee shop for every situation, but if you rotate between these four, you’re doing it right.

And again, no AI here lol. Just real opinions from someone who drinks way too much coffee around Jax.

As a Jacksonville Beach realtor and builder who lives and works in this market every day, I’m not surprised Jacksonville made NAR’s 2026 Housing Hot Spot list. I’ve seen the opportunity here firsthand — not just through clients, but through my own personal experience as a homeowner and investor.

I bought my first home in summer 2023, in what many people thought was an unpredictable or even “bad” time to buy. Rates were high, inventory was tight, and a lot of would-be buyers froze. But I saw something different — I saw pockets of Jacksonville where fundamentals still made sense: strong migration, stable demand, solid rental potential, and long-term appreciation drivers.

Now, as I prepare to close on the sale of that home in January 2026, I’ll be walking away with a significant amount of equity — even after navigating one of the strangest housing cycles we’ve seen in years.

This is exactly why Jacksonville being named a NAR Hot Spot matters.

A “hot spot” isn’t about hype — it’s about underlying strength, and Jacksonville has it:

• neighborhoods where prices still sit below long-term value

• areas where new infrastructure and development are expanding

• coastal pockets with limited future inventory

• zones where rental demand drives strong investor returns

• communities benefiting from job growth and inbound migration

When NAR names a market a Hot Spot, they’re signaling that these fundamentals are aligning — and that more buyers will recognize the opportunity heading into 2026.

My goal as a realtor and builder is to help people learn how to recognize these pockets the same way I did. It’s not about trying to time the market — it’s about understanding where the smart money is going, where families want to live, and where long-term value is being created.

Jacksonville is full of these pockets if you know where to look.

Whether a buyer wants:

• a beach house with long-term appreciation

• a starter home with equity upside

• a new construction play

• an investment property with stable returns

• or a relocation move into a high-growth city

I help clients find the areas where data, lifestyle, and long-term value line up — not just what looks good on Instagram or what gets the most showings.

Jacksonville isn’t just a great place to live.

It’s one of the most strategically positioned real estate markets in the country going into 2026.

And this recognition from NAR confirms what I’ve already experienced:

the opportunity here is real, and it’s growing.

If someone wants to understand where the next pockets of value are — whether that’s Jacksonville Beach, Jax Northside, Riverside, Hodges, or along the Intracoastal — I can break down the numbers, the trends, and the strategy that helped me build equity even in a volatile market.

This is the kind of insight that turns buyers into owners — and owners into long-term wealth builders.

The Unlikely Beginning: A Medical Emergency That Changed Everything

Most real estate careers begin with a license course, a mentor, or an interest in homes.
Drew Kazemba’s began in a hospital bed.

After a sudden appendicitis attack laid him up for weeks, he had nothing to do but scroll through real estate videos, wholesale breakdowns, and investment content. What started as a curiosity turned into obsession. Every night became a deep dive into how people were building wealth through houses, land, and smart buying.

That unexpected medical emergency cracked open a new direction — one that aligned with Drew’s competitive energy, his business instincts, and his desire for freedom over his income.

That moment changed everything.

Leaving Medical Sales for Real Estate — and Never Looking Back

Before launching into real estate full-time, Drew worked in medical sales. It paid well, but something was always missing: autonomy, upside, and creativity.

Once the real estate bug bit, he transitioned hard and fast.

He started in wholesaling, learning how to:

• evaluate distressed properties
• work with investors
• negotiate under pressure
• understand numbers better than 90 percent of beginners

But wholesaling wasn’t the final stop — it was the foundation.
The behind-the-scenes grind prepared him for a shift into licensed residential sales.

Finding His Place: Representation, Construction, and the Value of Building Smart

Once licensed, Drew realized something that most new agents never do:

People don’t just want a realtor — they want someone who actually understands houses.

That led him into the world of building and construction.
Working under Matt at Someday Homes, Drew learned:

• structural fundamentals
• cost of materials
• coastal building codes
• site planning and permitting
• how to budget a rehab vs. a full new build
• what adds value and what’s purely cosmetic

This put him in a different category from day one.

He wasn’t just unlocking doors.
He was guiding clients through equity, risk, and opportunity.

Why Buyers Choose Him: Clarity, Education, and Straightforward Strategy

Drew’s work now spans:

• first-time homebuyers
• beach investors
• long-term hold investors
• new construction buyers
• people relocating to Jacksonville Beach
• clients who want education more than sales pressure

His approach is simple:

Show clients where the real value is — not just what looks pretty.

He teaches clients how to:

• evaluate comps
• understand renovation budgets
• spot long-term equity plays
• compare cost to build vs. cost to buy
• avoid overpaying for “updated” homes that don’t justify the premium
• increase value through targeted upgrades

This educator-style approach has become one of the pillars of his brand.

The Someday Homes Influence: Building a Coastal Luxury Skill Set

Joining Someday Homes didn't just give Drew a brokerage — it gave him hands-on experience in design, construction, and land development.

He absorbed everything:

• how to walk a lot and understand setbacks
• how to assess structural integrity
• how to estimate materials and labor
• how to design for coastal conditions
• how to build homes that last

Now he blends construction knowledge with real estate strategy, making him a rare hybrid in the Jacksonville Beach market.

Clients don’t just get representation — they get a guide who understands the entire lifecycle of a home.

How He Uses AI to Run a Modern Real Estate Business

One of the unique elements of Drew’s business is how heavily he uses AI to stay structured, respond fast, and stay consistent.

He uses it for:

• CRM follow-up
• scripts
• scheduling
• training
• content planning
• marketing copy
• operational checklists
• real estate analysis

This gives him leverage.
This gives him consistency.
This gives clients a smoother experience.

In a field where most people still rely on memory and chaos, Drew’s workflow operates with clarity.

Helping Buyers and Sellers Think Long-Term, Not Trend-Based

With the Jacksonville market evolving quickly, many agents push buyers toward what photographs well.

Drew focuses on:

• structural quality
• long-term resale
• land value
• future development potential
• what a home will be worth after improvements

He often tells clients:

"Your house is both a lifestyle and a long-term financial decision. We should treat it like both."

That framing helps people make smarter decisions — especially in a coastal market where prices shift quickly.

What Sets Him Apart in Jacksonville Beach

Today, Drew’s brand sits at the intersection of:

• coastal lifestyle
• fitness and health
• beach culture
• golden retrievers
• surfing
• construction and development
• luxury home design
• high-performance routines
• authentic personal branding

He’s not trying to fit into the traditional realtor mold.
He’s building something modern, youthful, and informed.

People recognize him for his:

• consistency
• transparency
• numbers-driven approach
• construction knowledge
• authentic online presence

This combination is rare — and it’s becoming the backbone of his long-term brand.

Conclusion: A Realtor Who Builds, Teaches, and Guides

Drew Kazemba is not just an agent — he’s a hybrid:

• part educator
• part builder
• part strategist
• part marketer
• part lifestyle creator

His transition from medical sales to real estate wasn’t planned, but it was right.
Now he continues to grow a brand centered on knowledge, design, construction, and helping clients build real wealth in Jacksonville Beach.

This is only the beginning.

The 2026 Housing Market: What Buyers and Sellers in Jacksonville & The Beaches Should Expect

The 2026 housing market is already taking shape, and buyers and homeowners across Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach are all asking the same question:

Is it finally going to get easier to make a move?

National forecasts from NAR, Realtor.com, and Zillow suggest a slow but meaningful improvement in affordability, inventory, and overall market balance. We aren’t headed for a dramatic reset—but conditions in 2026 are expected to be more manageable than the last few years.

Below is what experts expect, and how it affects your plans here in Jacksonville and the Beaches.

Sales Activity: Slow Improvement, Not a Surge

All major forecasts show more home sales in 2026 as affordability improves and pent-up demand releases.

What national experts predict:

• NAR: 14 percent increase in home sales
• Zillow: 4.3 percent increase to about 4.26M sales
• Realtor.com: 1.7 percent increase, held back by the “locked-in rate” effect
(four out of five homeowners still have mortgage rates below six percent)

What this means in Jacksonville:
Watch how quickly new listings go under contract. When homes start selling faster in neighborhoods like Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Southside, that’s your clearest real-time signal that demand is heating up.

Home Prices: Still Rising, But With More Breathing Room

Experts agree on one thing: home prices are still climbing—just not at pandemic speed.

Forecasts show:

• Prices rising between 1.2 percent (Zillow) and 4 percent (NAR)
• Fewer markets experiencing price declines
• The number of large markets with drops shrinking from 24 → 12 (Zillow)

What this means locally:
Jacksonville sellers should still see strong resale value and continued equity growth.
Buyers may finally get a little more negotiating room—especially on homes that have been sitting on the market in the Beaches or Intracoastal areas.

Mortgage Rates: Better Than 2025, But Not Returning to 3 Percent

Across the board, forecasts agree: 6 percent+ mortgage rates are the new normal.

Experts expect:

• 2026 average mortgage rate around 6.3 percent
• Gradual easing of payments
• More buyers reentering as affordability improves

For Jacksonville buyers:
Getting pre-approved early matters. Understanding your payment range now will help you act fast when the right home hits the market.

Inventory: More Choices, But Still Below Normal

After years of historic lows, inventory is slowly rebuilding.

National trends show:

• 8.9 percent increase in existing home inventory
• 4.6 months of supply—close to a balanced market
• New-construction builders continuing incentives and rate buydowns

For Jacksonville:
More inventory in areas like Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach means buyers will have more opportunities—but sellers will still have strong demand behind them.

Affordability: Finally Moving in a Better Direction

2026 is the first time in years that affordability metrics are improving.

National trends show:

• Average payment-to-income ratio dropping to 29.3 percent
• More first-time buyers qualifying
• Rent affordability improving, allowing renters to save more quickly

What this means locally:
If you’re renting in Jacksonville or the Beaches, 2026 could be the moment to start preparing for homeownership.

What This Means If You Want to Buy in 2026

Small improvements add up. Buyers in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach can expect:

• Slightly better borrowing conditions
• More homes to choose from
• Less intense competition than recent years

Getting clear on your price range and timeline early will position you to win when the right property becomes available.

What This Means If You Want to Sell in 2026

Sellers across the Beaches and Jacksonville remain in a favorable position thanks to strong equity, healthy buyer demand, and rising prices.

Your advantages include:

• Strong resale values
• A larger pool of qualified buyers
• The ability to leverage equity into a stronger next purchase

Pricing accurately is becoming more important as buyers stay payment-focused.
Homes priced strategically—rather than emotionally—continue to sell fastest.

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