Relocate to St. Augustine with a plan, not a guess.
We're the Kim Devlin Team at FIV Realty Co. We help people move to St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Palm Coast through our Homebuyer Journey, a step-by-step process that turns an unfamiliar place into a confident decision.
We've both moved here ourselves. We know what it takes.
Moving to a place you've only visited is a different decision than buying across town. A week of beach days and downtown dinners shows you St. Augustine on vacation. It doesn't show you the grocery run, the drive to the doctor, or which streets hold water after a king tide.
That's why we built the Homebuyer Journey. We learn how you want to live, then give you an organized way to explore in a relocation mindset, not a vacation mindset, so the community you choose fits your everyday life.
See how the Homebuyer Journey works →Five steps from "where do we even start?" to "this is home."
Tell us how you want to live
You fill out our Homebuyer Journey form: where you're coming from, your timing, the home you picture and the places you'd use every day and every week.
We match you to communities
We walk you through the neighborhoods and communities that fit your criteria, and we're honest about the ones that won't.
You get a custom exploration map
We build a map just for you, with your shortlisted communities plus the grocery stores, beaches, dining, schools, gyms and other places that matter in your week.
You explore in a relocation mindset
Map in hand, you scout on your own terms, as a future resident rather than a vacationer, and notice what actually feels right.
Your feedback narrows the search
Tell us what you loved and what you didn't. We use it to tighten the search so showings are focused on homes that truly fit.
Buyers moving here, and sellers moving on
Relocating from out of state
A clear process, a custom map and a team that knows the area as residents.
Relocation →Retired or planning for retirement
Walkable city living, low-maintenance homes and 55+ communities compared honestly, fees included.
Learn more →Second-home buyers
Guidance on rental rules, HOA restrictions, insurance and managing a home from afar.
Learn more →Families relocating with schools as a priority
We map assigned schools for every home you consider and show you how to verify them with the district.
Learn more →Selling from out of state
We act as your local eyes and hands, from prep and photos to a remote closing.
Selling →Downsizing
Pricing, prep and timing your sale with your next home, so the move feels manageable.
Learn more →The City of St. Augustine, from people who live in it
From Lincolnville and Model Land to Davis Shores, Lighthouse Park, Uptown, North City and Madeira, we break the city down the way we'd explain it to a friend on the phone, including what to check before you buy.
Read the City of St. Augustine guideReal moves, real decisions
Selling in New York while building in St. Augustine
A downsizing move to a 55+ community near family, with the New York sale timed to the new home's closing.
Read the case study →
From South Florida to a marsh-front home in Madeira
New construction, 3,000+ square feet and a planned community, all close to downtown St. Augustine.
Read the case study →
A relocating family who had never been to St. Augustine
A newer one-story home in a mature neighborhood, found with a custom map, coffee and daily check-ins.
Read the case study →
Kim Devlin and Kristen Pytel
Together we bring more than 20 years of combined real estate experience and 130+ five-star Google reviews. Kristen moved here from Chicago, raised her family in St. Augustine, and brings a strong background in local schools, renovations and staging. We both relocated to St. Augustine and live in the city, and Kim still keeps her sailboat in Palm Coast, where she lives aboard part-time.
We treat buyers and sellers the way we'd treat friends and family, and we'd rather guide you to the best result than the most convenient one.
More about us →What our clients say
“This was our first time selling a home and buying another, and to make things even more challenging, we were selling our home in Maine while purchasing our new home in Florida. From the very beginning, Kim made the entire process feel easy and manageable. Even while we were still in Maine, she went above and beyond to help us find the right home… Thanks to Kim, we found a home and community that we absolutely love.”
“Kim excels as a buyers agent. She takes time to get to know her clients, does her research, and plans out a day of showings with great efficiency. We were shopping 55+ communities and found her very knowledgeable about each community we viewed. Her experience really shines during showings - she brings a balanced voice of reason that helps guide the decision-making process. Kim is also a strong buyer’s advocate throughout [negotiations]. We’d definitely use her again!”
“We couldn’t be more grateful for our experience with Kristen! She was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. Kristen was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and truly went above and beyond to make the entire home-buying process as smooth and stress-free as possible. She was always there to answer our questions, keep us informed, and make sure we felt confident every step of the way. You can tell she genuinely cares about her clients and wants the very best for them.”
“Coming to this area of Florida and not really knowing anything, they took the time to learn what we really wanted (FOR A WHILE) before recommending or showing us any homes. Kim and Kristen are also both very knowledgable of the area and were the perfect guides to help us find the right sub community within Ponte Vedra that we liked the most.”
Questions we hear from people moving here
Can I buy or sell a Florida home without being here for closing?
Yes. Florida allows remote online notarization, and many title companies also handle mail-away closings. You'll need a reliable internet connection, a webcam and a valid ID for identity checks. We can do the final walkthrough with you by video and hold the keys until you arrive.
What does it really cost to live here after moving to Florida?
Budget for property taxes, homeowners and flood insurance, and any HOA or CDD fees. Together they often surprise people moving from other states. Once you own and live in the home as of January 1, file for homestead exemption by March 1 to lower your taxable value and cap future assessment increases. Florida also gives new residents 30 days to get a Florida driver license. Our full cost guide walks through each one.
Why do I have to sign a buyer agreement before touring homes?
Since August 2024, MLS rules require a written buyer agreement before an agent tours homes with you. It spells out the agent's services and how the agent is paid. The form is standard, but terms like length and compensation can be discussed.
Ready to start your move?
Tell us how you want to live, and we'll build a custom map of the communities and everyday places that fit. Or grab 20 minutes on our calendar and talk it through.