Destin Real Estate News and Blog

The Complete Spring Cleaning Checklist

Get these chores taken care of in May, then when the kids are off you can spend your spare time  enjoying the summer. It's easy to have small issues build up, take care of them little by little and your home will always be well maintained. If you're considering selling your home, you'll be half way there.

Indoor Checklist

1. Kitchen & Bath

Examine any areas that could be susceptible to water damage and re-grout, beef up the caulking, or repair leaky faucets. Make sure you check inside the shower at the tops of tiles, near windows, or along the edges of a shower insert. If you have tile in showers or backsplashes, this is a great time to quickly reseal the grout.

2. Safety Detectors

Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors…

985 Views, 0 Comments

Breaking Ground at Landmark Center, Fort Walton Beach

It looks like the proposed Landmark Center in Downtown Fort Walton Beach will finally be a reality. Preliminary permits have been issued to begin construction on the foundation. Currently a 2.1 acre, empty field at Miracle Strip Parkway and Perry Avenue, this project has been in the planning stages since 2006 and is arriving with mixed reviews. Some say that this is only adding to the congestion of an already busy intersection. Others are happy for the new life it will bring to downtown Fort Walton Beach.

Landmark Center Quick Facts

The development will measure 144,000 square feet and be divided into three separate buildings that will include:

• 112-room Hilton Hotel
• 24 Loft-style condos
• Conference Center
• Retail and Dining Space
…

1669 Views, 0 Comments

How to Get Accepted for a Mortgage

You Could be Rewarded for Good Behavior

If you're planning on a real estate purchase in the near or distant future, it might be worth taking a look at your bill-paying habits. You might be rewarded for your good behavior. When it comes to credit, are you a "transactor" or a "revolver?"

With upcoming changes to the mortgage credit report by Fannie Mae, these terms could mean the difference between getting accepted for a mortgage, or not.

A transactor is someone who pays their credit card bills in full each month, or pays on time and exceeds the minimum requirement.

A revolver is the person who only makes the minimum payment, allowing balances to constantly roll over to the next month. They may also have several accounts on the go.

This…

794 Views, 0 Comments

Buyer's Tip: Realtors Make Great Matchmakers

Part of our service as realtors is to play matchmaker for our clients. Once we have a good idea of the type of home or condo a buyer is looking for, then we use our knowledge of the area and the local market to find the perfect match.

In the example below, a client has sent us a request with very specific parameters for a Destin harbor condo, and we've responded with some equally specific listing ideas.

Tim,

My husband and I are interested in a condo as a second home (and then primary after we retire) and preferably in the Destin Harbor area. We have vacationed to the Emerald Coast many times and so, fairly familiar with the area. Ideally, the property would fit within the following parameters:

1. $600K - $750K
2. Bedrooms: 3-4
3. …

831 Views, 0 Comments

Buyers Tips: Ellen Degeneres Shares Her Real Estate Tips

Helpful tips for home buying doesn't always come from a realtor. Friends, relatives, or anyone who wants to share their past experiences can be helpful. Celebrity and real estate aficionado, Ellen Degeneres shares some of her tried and true tips for buying a home in the following video.

704 Views, 1 Comments

Destin is Headed for the Kentucky Derby

Probably the most publicized leg of the Triple Crown is the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky. This year our fair city is riding on the coat tails of one of the entries - "Destin."

The horse is owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stables in Versailles, Kentucky and used Destin (the city) as inspiration when naming the colt. The mother's name is "Dream of Summer" and as explained by one of the owners, Randy Gullatt, who has visited our beautiful white beaches; "Destin is a great place to dream of summer."

In addition, the name "Destin" also means fate or destiny. So does Destin have a shot at this thing? Well, he's in the top 10, with 15-1 odds at the time of this writing.

According to Jockey Javier Castellano, ""He could be destined to win it — who…

731 Views, 0 Comments

Seller's Tip: Does Your Realtor Do Half the Job?

During peak seasons, including spring break and April, experienced Destin Realtors understand that vacation homes and condos must be shown to buyers between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. This time frame, called the "turnover", is when the property is vacant as last weeks guest leave and next week's new renters arrive.

Last week, I had a serious buyer in town that was interested in looking at seven condos in the Destin area. We were able to schedule five viewings without any difficulty. However, two agents were unwilling to work Saturday, so their clients missed an opportunity to sell. 

One agent sent me a text that said "Can not do it this weekend, or Monday morning. Plan on an open house on Wednesday. Maybe that will work."

While the other agent said "I…

665 Views, 0 Comments

Destin Beachfront Condos Under $400,000

Destin beachfront condos are surprising affordable. You'll find plenty of quality listings to choose from in today's market. By starting your search with a beachfront property, you're going to get the best return for your money. These are, by far the most sought after types of real estate on the Emerald Coast.

Here are a few of our favorite choices for Destin beachfront condos under $400,000:

Summerwind West: 8573 Gulf Blvd. 702, Navarre, FL - $395,000 - MLS# 742323

This Navarre condominium in Summerwind West is truly a hidden gem. Just minutes from the excitement of Destin, your beachfront condo is a sanctuary that you can return to each day. Take the private walkway to the quiet, uncrowded beach or spend an afternoon fishing, or wildlife…

2636 Views, 0 Comments

Get in on Pre-Construction Condo Opportunities in Destin FL

Occasionally a new Destin condo opportunity comes along that allows buyers to take advantage of pre-construction pricing. Getting in early also gives buyers the chance to pick their own colors and features, and personalize their new condominium. New construction also means condos are built according to the latest wind, structural and environmental codes. One final benefit, a new build can take anywhere from 1-3 years, which may give buyers a bit of leeway with their financial plan or budget.

Here are three such condos along the Scenic 30A.

Blu Condominiums, Fort Walton Beach

Location: Santa Rosa Boulevard & Scallop Court, Okaloosa Island

Just when you thought there was no room for another condo on Okaloosa Island, along comes Blu…

2107 Views, 0 Comments

Resort-Style Townhouse Living in Destin

The Brownstones at Kelly Plantation & 125 Crystal Beach Drive

For anyone seeking a low maintenance lifestyle in a resort setting, have we got news for you. Two exciting new Destin townhome developments are are now available - 125 Crystal Beach Drive and The Brownstones at Kelly Plantation. These are also ideal for anyone looking for a ground floor investment opportunity. 

125 Crystal Beach Drive

125 Crystal Beach Drive is a resort-style townhome located in the Gulf front community of Crystal Beach. The townhomes are situated 3 blocks from the water, but walking distance to local shops and restaurants. Panera Bread, Starbucks or the AMC Movie Theater are all just a short walk. Pricing starts at $309,000.

Choose from two floor plans:

Sea…

1135 Views, 0 Comments