So you’ve decided to upgrade your entertaining space, and not a moment too soon with the holiday season almost upon us. But, where to begin? One of the most exciting and practical is the addition of a fabulous home bar. Of course there are many options to choose from when designing the perfect gathering place for friends and family.

Modern design home bar

1. It's All About the Style

The first place to start is by choosing the overall style and the actual bar surface and furniture. Whether you want to devote an entire wall, or just an alcove or corner, there is a style that will pull it all together. A rustic bar looks great with wood beams and surfaces accented by stone counters and simple bar stools. With subway tiles, metal fixtures, and quartz countertops, your bar…

3728 Views, 3 Comments

Read Full Post

Every year leading up to Halloween people are looking for spooky fun. Whether it's a campfire ghost story or a seriously scary haunting, Northwest Florida has some impressive haunted places to offer. From the expected vintage homes to the unexpected administration building, here are the top ten eerie places to explore in the Florida Panhandle.

Martin house hauntings1. Martin House - Panama City, Florida

Infamous among locals for being the haunted location for the murder of an entire family, Martin House is now owned by Rock-Tenn paper mill and the lower level is used occasionally for meetings. The beautiful white turn of the century farmhouse exterior hides a malevolent haunting said to result from the murder-suicide of an entire family.

After hanging a servant, the…

13806 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

118 Sugar Sand Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 - $599,000 - SOLD!

This cheerful beach house is located in the Village of Sugar Beach in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The location is ideal, just 2 short blocks from the Gulf. Perfect for a primary residence or lucrative rental, with three ensuites and a loft, there is enough room for a large family, and then some. An additional perk, the seller is offering 1% closing cost assistance to the buyer. 

Quick Facts

  • 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2,236 square feet
  • Lot size: 50'x135'
  • 3 floors (top floor loft)
  • Metal roof, Hardie Board Siding, Sprinkler System
  • Home is sold unfurnished

front of home at 118 Sugar Sand Lane

Living Room

The second floor living room is bright, open and spacious, leading out to an expansive…

2415 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Interviewing a property manager

How to Select the Ideal Property Management Company

So, you’ve purchased your Destin investment rental and have decided that you need to hire a property management company in order to have a well-managed investment. After all, your goal is to sit back and enjoy a passive income stream from your property. There are plenty of companies to choose from, but how do you know they're trustworthy? How do you know if they'll do what they've committed to? 

Ideally, a recommendation from a friend or colleague for a company they've employed is a good place to start. But, no matter how you choose that first candidate, you shouldn't make your final decision until having a personal interview. There are questions you can ask to ensure you’re hiring an…

3996 Views, 1 Comments

Read Full Post

Florida property management

Do You Really Need a Property Manager?

Now that you’ve bought your first, or additional Destin investment rental you have some questions to ask yourself and decisions to make. One of the biggest decisions is whether to manage the property yourself, or to hire a property management company. This all depends on what stage you are at in life and how involved you want to be.

A large part of the decision begins by asking yourself:

  • How experienced am I with the variety of skills necessary to manage the property?
  • How much time do I have available, or want, to devote to the management of the property?
  • Would I enjoy being on call 24/7/365 days of the year to deal with any issues that may arise?

If you answered “very little” to any of…

1659 Views, 1 Comments

Read Full Post

Living the Dream on the Emerald Coast

Are dreams of luxury coastal living dancing in your head? Have you always wanted to live near some of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S.? Some of the most luxurious, and opulent, homes on the Emerald Coast are in the Destin area. Here are the three most expensive homes sold in Destin and surrounding 30A, this year. Each residence epitomizes the elegance and beauty to be found in our luxury, coastal home communities.

Most Expensive Homes Sold This Year in Destin & 30A

1. Selling Price: $10,750,000 - Seagrove Beach, FL

A glorious beachfront home in Seagrove Beach, measures 6,462 sq. ft., 3 stories, and has 7 bedrooms, and 10 bathrooms on a quarter-acre lot. This beauty is conveniently located to area…

5408 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Destin Condos are Flying off the Shelves!

There's nothing like a quick sale to take the tension out of selling a home or condo. You can be sure the owners of these three Destin condos are relaxed and happy to get on with their lives after selling in under a week!

Destin condo sales

Tides of Destin
830 Gulf Shore Drive UNIT 5032, Destin, FL 32541

Both condos in Tides of Destin, listed in the $700,000 range, were 3-bedrooms with incredible views of the Gulf. The Tides of Destin pretty much sells itself as a desirable beachfront property with almost 400 feet of private beach access and a huge array of amenities. They sold in 3 and 6 days, respectively.

View all listings in Tides of Destin

Waterview Towers
240 Gulf Shore Drive UNIT 631, Destin, FL 32541

The…

1530 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

beachfront condos in Destin, Florida

Top Beachfront Investment Rentals in Destin & the 30A - January - September 2018

Probably one of the first questions a prospective renter asks is "how close is it to the beach?" There is no doubt that beachfront rentals are among the most lucrative choices for investment real estate in Destin and the Emerald Coast.  Homes, condos and townhomes sitting directly on the beach with the Gulf of Mexico laid out before them, are often rental machines. The following blog post will explain:

  • What Are the Top Beachfront Investment Condos in Destin & the 30A
  • Links to Top Selling Investment Condos
  • What Are the Top Beachfront Investment Areas for Single-Family Homes
  • Links to Top Selling Areas for Beachfront Investment Homes
  • How to Find…

5292 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The past few months have been steady for real estate in Destin, the 30A and surrounding Miramar Beach, Sandestin Resort, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. We haven't seen the usual slow-downs that normally accompany the summer season. New listings for homes, condos and townhomes are all up, including the sales stats. Properties in Destin and the 30A have been selling for about 97% of their list price in a reasonable amount of time. Recently, we had a condo go under contract after only 6 days on the market.

See below for:

  • Top Destin & 30A Condo Sales by Volume
  • Top Destin & 30A Condo Price Increases by Area
  • Top Destin & 30A Home Sales by Volume
  • Top Destin & 30A Home Price Increases by Area

The numbers below reflect single-family home…

1221 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

830 Gulf Shore Drive UNIT 5032, Destin, FL 32541 - $719,722 - SOLD!

The Tides of Destin is a premier beachfront condo in Destin, Florida. Set back from the road, this is a huge property with almost 400 feet of beach frontage. Laden with amenities, everything you could want is at your doorstep, and just down the road are the great restaurants, shopping and recreational activities that Destin is famous for. 

Quick Facts

  • 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2,353 square feet
  • 12 stories, 76 residences
  • Vacant and ready for immediate occupancy
  • No Short Term Rentals
  • 24-hour security
  • Gated community
  • Pets allowed

This 3-bedroom, 3 bath condo for sale is a stunner. Floor to ceiling windows basically cover the back walls in the living and…

3487 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post