Destin Real Estate News and Blog - Tim Shepard - Broker

Beachfront Homes In Destin Florida

Two weeks ago, I got a call from a couple who were interested in beachfront homes for sale in Destin, FL. They had gotten my name from mutual friends who I had helped to find a home to a few years ago. After spending the last 40 years building their business, it was finally time to enjoy the rewards of their work. The level of thought that they had put into this was quite amazing. They shared many stories with me about how they would discuss, with each other, their ultimate dream of living on the beautiful white sands of Destin.

Now that dream is becoming reality!

Their general criteria were:

1. The home had to be direct beachfront. They had always wanted to spend evenings, under moonlight, listening to the waves wash ashore and wouldn’t…

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WaterColor Real Estate

While there are many great homes on 30A, WaterColor Real Estate is arguably the most highly sought after.  Demand for lots, homes, and condos all remained strong in 2013.  Natural beauty from coastal dune lakes, state forests, and the beaches of South Walton, surround WaterColor on all sides. Who wouldn't want to own a slice of this paradise.

WaterColor Homes

Homes sales in WaterColor increased for the third concecutive year. As expected, the average days on market for new listings decreased by 25%.  In other words, if you see something you like, dont wait. The higher priced luxury homes in WaterColor definitely made a comeback with the most expensive home selling for $4,550,000.

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Harbor Landing Condos - 2013 Update

There are eight Harbor Landing Condos for Sale right now, which is one less than the nine that sold in 2013. Located on Holiday Isle, condos in Harbor Landing are some of the most desirable on the harbor.  About 1/3 of the units have boat slips with lifts that accomodate center console fishing boats, cruisers, or deck boats. 

2013 year ending statistics for Harbor Landing as well as a comparison to the two previous years are found in the table below.

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Destin Homes for Every Lifestyle

Early visitors came to Destin to fish.  After all, we have plenty of snapper, grouper, amberjack, swordfish, tuna and other delicious species for everyone. I can only imagine these guys coming in from a long day of fishing, boxes full of fish, the turquoise waters glistening under their boat, and the beautiful and undisturbed white sandy beaches greeting them as they entered the East Pass. What a feeling that must have been!

Fast forward thirty years and we still have great fishing but the vacant sands have been filled with homes that are as diverse as its residents. We have beachfront homes in Destin, homes on golf courses, bayfront homes, homes with large lots, and patio homes just to name a few.

Holiday Isle

Beachfront homes are found on…

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Destin Public Beach Access

If you own a Destin condo or vacation home, you probably already have deeded access.  However, if you just visit us occasionally, you may be wondering where to find a public beach.

Fortunately, here are thirteen public beach access points in Destin. Eleven of these are owned by the city, one by the state, and one by the county. They are primarily located on Holiday Isle, Restaurant Row, and Crystal Beach.

Public Beach Access in Crystal Beach

There 7 public accesses in Crystal Beach and all are entered from Scenic Hwy 98 (AKA old Hwy 98).  The Pompano, Crystal Beach Drive, Shirah, Barracuda, and Tarpon accesses are located at the end of those named streets.  There is limited parking available on Scenic 98 but you have to look very closely to find…

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Luxury Destin Condo Update

Luxury condos in Destin, those priced above $700,000, saw an increase in units sold, average sales price, and a reduction in inventory in 2013.

1. 62 units sold
2. avg. sales price - $418/sf
3. average sales price - $972,974
4. median sales price of $829,000
5. 127 units are currently listed for sale. This is the lowest amount in 7 years.

Looking for a Destin Luxury Condo?

The most popular luxury condos in Destin are found at St. Maarten at Silver Shells, Silver Beach Towers, St. Thomas at Silver Shells, Villa Coyaba, and Dunes of Crystal Beach.

These condos typically feature superior amenities, finishes, and features such as:

1. Direct beachfront with panoramic and unobstructed views.
2. Covered and assigned parking.
3. Extra storage…

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Holiday Isle Homes in Destin, Florida

Search --> Holiday Isle Homes for Sale in Destin

A Boater's paradise, Holiday Isle in Destin is located within minutes of the East Pass and provide easy access to deep-water that holds big fish.  Holiday Isle represents a blend of human ingenuity and natural beauty.  This peninsula was uninhabited until a series of canals were dredged that allowed for the creation of boat docks and moorings.  In fact, most Holiday Isle Homes for sale are built on one of these canals.

True to its roots of a "fishing" village, most of the early homes built on Holiday Isle were simple structures that were used for fishing and had very little style or architectural detail.  However, as Destin developed into a premier beach destination, modern homes have included…

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Quickest Route To Destin from Atlanta or Birmingham

Many visitors to Destin start their vacations from Atlanta, Birmingham, and other cities that are North and East of us.  Unfortunately, google maps doesn't always provide the most direct route.  Based on comments from our many customers from these areas, below is an interactive map that shows the best route.  Try it and see how you like it!
View Larger Map

If you click on "View Larger Map" you can see the detailed, turn by turn directions.

The reverse directions are below for those that are leaving Destin and returning home.

View Larger Map

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Mediterranea Condo Destin - Sold!

The team at Destin Real Estate just sold this fantastic Mediterranea Condo in Destin, FL.  Located on the Southwest Corner of the building, unit A501 features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, over 1900 sf of heated and cooled space, and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the tropically landscaped pool. The open layout has three bedrooms that all have direct balcony access and on-suites.  The closing price was $700,000.

The Mediterranea Condo is located in Miramar Beach and is one of the areas most luxurious condominiums.  The project is located along Scenic hwy 98 and is directly across the road from the Gulf of Mexico.  Owners and Guest have exclusive access to the beach through a secure gate.  There is also a fitness room and tennis courts on…

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Destin Luxury Condos - Dunes of Crystal Beach #304 | Just Sold

When someone asks us to see luxury Destin condos for sale, the Dunes of Crystal Beach always makes our short list of properties to show.. Destin Real Estate just sold unit 304 to some happy buyers from Colorado who will be using the property for approximately 1 month each year and renting it out for the remainder. Condos at the Dunes of Crystal Beach, when priced right, normally contract quickly when listed. In fact, there are no condos at the Dunes of Crystal Beach for sale at this time. 

This spectacular condo was built in 2005, has 2215 square feet, and 3 bedrooms. There is also a bonus room that is sometimes used as a media,office, or bunk room. Buyers immediately get a feel for the quality of the property when they first approach the gated…

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