Family game night, my annual pumpkin patch, and what that TRIM notice in your mailbox actually means.
Home & Beyond
Shanon Bond
Shanon Bond · Life, Home & Community in Northeast Florida
OCTOBER 2026
From Me to You

I love this time of year.

The weather finally starts to cool off, and seeing the pumpkin patches around town always takes me back to when my boys were little and we would take them to all the fall events.

It's also the time of year when I start thinking about how quickly another year has gone by and reflecting on what I'm grateful for and what I want to make more time for next year.

With the boys getting older, I really appreciate the times when everyone is home and we're all around the table together. Ian has been trying out new recipes and cooking dinner for us lately, which has made those nights even better.

What is something you're grateful for this year? Hit reply and tell me. I'd love to hear it.

Shanon Bond, REALTOR
 
One of My Favorite Things
Family Game Night
Family game night  

We recently started family game night at our house and have been playing Trivial Pursuit Generations. You can choose questions from the Greatest Generation through Gen Z, so my parents, Matthew, Evan, Ian and I can all play together.

There's usually plenty of laughing and competition, and I love having several generations of our family around one table.

 
The Block Jax
Worth a Visit
The Block Jax

The Block is walking distance from my house, and I've been a few times now with Matthew and friends. It's such a fun place to grab something to eat, listen to live music or watch a game on one of their huge screens.

There are several food options, a kids' play area and even a dog park, so there's a little something for everyone. They also host private parties and business events, and their online calendar is a great place to see what music and events are coming up. Definitely worth checking out!

Explore The Block Jax
 
Shanon holding a pumpkin at a previous Pumpkin Patch event
What's Happening Around Town
You're Invited to My 8th Annual Pumpkin Patch!

I started hosting my annual Pumpkin Patch as a way to stay connected with the people I've had the opportunity to know and work with over the years. I love getting to catch up, see your families grow and hopefully grab a hug or two. It's become a special way for me to be a small part of your fall each year.

Stop by anytime between 11 and 2 and pick out some pumpkins on me. There's a maze, plenty of great photo spots throughout the patch, and a professional photographer will be there to capture photos for you. I'll email those to you about a week later.

Bring the family, come with a friend or just come say hi. I hope you can make it. I'd love to see you!

Saturday, October 17  |  11 AM–2 PM
Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church
7860 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville

Call or text me at 904-962-7329 to RSVP by October 15. 

Get Directions
 
Good to Know
That Property Tax Notice Is Not Your Bill

If you own property in Florida, you probably recently received your TRIM notice from your county Property Appraiser's office.

TRIM stands for Truth in Millage and shows your property's assessed value, exemptions and proposed property taxes. It is not your property tax bill.

Your final tax bill comes later in the year. If your taxes are paid through your mortgage escrow account, your mortgage company will typically handle the payment. If you don't escrow, you'll pay the bill directly.

Before you file your TRIM notice away, take a minute to review your assessed value and exemptions. If you recently purchased a home, make sure you've filed for Homestead Exemption if you qualify.

If you sold a Florida primary residence and purchased another, you may also be able to transfer some of your previous property tax benefit through portability. Depending on changes in your circumstances, you may also qualify for additional exemptions.

Have questions about your notice or exemptions?

If you recently purchased a home or have questions about Homestead, portability or other exemptions, reach out to me. I can help you with the next steps.

Ask Me About My Exemptions
 
Resource Highlight
Living Green Tree Service LLC  |  Malachi Dragus, Owner

I recently had a large dead oak in my backyard, along with a smaller tree that had died. After getting a few quotes that were much higher than I expected, my longtime pool person recommended Malachi after having a great experience with him herself.

Malachi and his team removed both trees, ground the stumps and cleaned everything up so well you could barely tell the trees had been there. They brought in some pretty large equipment and were extremely careful with my yard, fence and pool. His pricing was also the best of the quotes I received.

I could not have been more pleased with the job they did.

904-536-9684   |   livinggreentreeservices.com

Looking for a local resource?

My Home & Beyond Resource Guide has some of the local businesses and professionals I recommend. Keep it handy for the next time you need someone.

View the Resource Guide

Prefer a printed copy? Email me and I'll get one to you.

 
Real Estate, Locally
What I'm Seeing in the Market

Lately, I'm seeing people make more intentional decisions about where and how they want to live based on what's happening in their lives.

A new baby may mean needing more space. Parents and grandparents are moving closer to their children and grandchildren. Adult children are staying home longer or moving back, and more families are considering multigenerational living.

The numbers tell an interesting story too:

45% of buyers and 55% of sellers are Boomers

A large share of today’s moves are happening later in life.

19% of Gen X buyers purchased multigenerational homes

Families are thinking differently about who their home needs to accommodate.

41 is the average age of a first-time buyer, compared with 30 in 2008

The timeline for buying a first home has shifted considerably.

Every real estate decision is personal, and I'm seeing just how much life is shaping those decisions.

 

Until next month…

 

I'm so grateful that so much of my business comes from referrals and introductions from people I've had the opportunity to know and work with over the years. If you're thinking about buying or selling, or if someone you care about could use my help, I'd love for you to reach out or connect us.

Thank you for continuing to think of me when real estate comes up. It truly means a lot to me.

Shanon Bond

Shanon Bond, REALTOR®

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty

(904) 962-7329  ·  shanon@agentbondrealtor.com

agentbondrealtor.com

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Shanon Bond, REALTOR — Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty

9726 Touchton Rd, Ste 101, Jacksonville, FL 32246  ·  (904) 962-7329

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