This Blog contains up to date news, statistics, data, and other information relevant to the Destin, Florida Real Estate Market and current trends. 

Emerald Coast SchoolsWe're really fortunate here along the Emerald Coast to have access to excellent schools in both Okaloosa and Walton Counties. There are some hurdles, such as the need for new schools due to increased population, and the constant retrofitting of older buildings, especially in Okaloosa County. There is a big demand for new teachers, with fewer and fewer choosing the profession each year.

The new state law allows parents to choose which school their children will attend, even if it's not in their zoning, or even in their county. Okaloosa County is just one of three "A" rated districts in the entire state, as a result their schools are especially attractive. It's a bit of a balancing act, accounting for a growing local population and the out-of-county…

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Santa Rosa Beach is an unincorporated community that encompasses several smaller communities between Choctawhatchee Bay in the north and the Gulf of Mexico in the south. Point Washington and Grayton Beach act as eastern borders, and Miramar Beach borders to the west.

Real estate in Santa Rosa Beach includes a nice cross-section of bayou or bayfront homes in the north and beachfront treasures in the small Gulf towns along the Scenic 30A Highway in south Santa Rosa Beach.

The stats below represent total sales for June 2016 of Santa Rosa Beach homes, condos and other property types. Notice that single-family homes numbers are quite high, this property type dominates especially in the northern communities close to the bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay.

 

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Destin beachfrontRecently Walton commissioners voted to remove signs, ropes and any obstructions from the beach. This meant that homeowners with "private property" or "no trespassing" signs on their beachfront lots would face penalties if they didn't take them down.

Well, it wasn't long before homeowners started to push back. A federal lawsuit was filed on Monday by Edward and DeLanie Goodwin, claiming that this action was violating their First Amendment rights to display signs on their private property.

According to report in the NWF Daily News, the Goodwins, who have owned their home since 1978, are entitled to its use down to the mean high water line. There are several times in the past when strangers have trespassed on their property and even entered their home…

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This Destin real estate update gives you a snapshot of home, condo and land sales in Destin FL and the surrounding Emerald Coast areas for June, 2016.

Destin Home Sales

Destin real estate updateAlthough slightly down from May, Destin home sales in June 2016 reflected an active market with almost $23,000,000 in sales volume. The average price was $658,345 and houses closed at an impressive 93% of asking price. 708 single family homes were sold in the Emerald Coast area for a total volume of $285,426,540. The average sale price was $403,145 with homes selling an average 98% of their asking price.

Luxury homes were hot along Scenic 30A with the highest median home price at $2,475,000 in Alys Beach, followed by $1,522,500 in Rosemary Beach and $860,000 in Watersound.

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Congratulations to these happy new home owners in Destin and Santa Rosa Beach. It was a pleasure working with you.

Silver Beach Towers condosSold: 06/10/2016 $1,495,000 | MLS #752153
1048 E HWY 98 1706, Destin, FL 32541
Two stories of floor-to-ceiling windows and 3 huge terraces in this Silver Beach Towers condo. Owners will enjoy Gulf views as far as the eye can see.

Sold: 06/16/2016 $1,267,500 | MLS #752162
504 Bayview Street, Destin, FL 32541
This luxury waterfront home on Joe's Bayou boasts 100' of deep waterfront and a 2-boat dock with lift. Built for outdoor living, the new owners are sure to spend hours on their 900 sq.ft. lanai with fireplace, bar and summer kitchen.

Sold: $1,175,000 | MLS #749298
950 E. Highway 98 6052, Destin, FL 32541
Newly renovated with…

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Watersound Village CommonsNew homes are coming to the upscale development of Watersound Origins. This sought after South Walton community in Watersound FL will be adding 107 new lots that are expected to be available next summer. Situated next to the activity center and close to parks and the Village Commons.

Part of this new development means re-routing the Watersound Trail so that it passes through the new phase. Unfortunately, the trail will be closed until 2017 when construction is complete. The five-mile trail begins at Watersound Origins Village Commons, and connects to Gayle's Trails in Panama City Beach.

Currently homes can be purchased in Watersound Origins starting in the mid $400,000s.

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Destin waterfront properties

From beach to bay, Destin serves up waterfront living in many different forms. These four featured properties all offer beachside or bayside living, but in a slightly different way. From a sought after Gulf front home in Destin Pointe, a fully furnished luxury Okaloosa Island beachfront condominium, a resort-style, Miramar Beach low rise beachfront condo, to a Miramar Beach bayside house with private dock and boat slips; choose the Destin waterfront property that suits your style.

3583 Rosalie Dr., Destin - $1,450,000

This gorgeous beachside home in sought after Destin Pointe features an open design with over 4,500 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms and 3 suites. There's plenty of space here with an oversized, enclosed garage and two driveways. The community…

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Congratulations to 7 new home owners in Destin and Panama City Beach. It was a pleasure working with you all.

Destin Towers condoSold: 05/10/2016 $425,000 | MLS #751262
1008 Highway 98 UNIT 21, Destin, FL 32541
Destin Towers, Gulf front, completely updated and amazing with huge potential for rental income.
DOM: 4!

Sold: 5/20/16 $240,000| MLS #747346
502 Gulf Shore Drive 501, Destin FL 32541
Beautiful Gulf views at Islander Condo with excellent rental potential. Fully furnished and rental ready.
DOM: 48

Sold: 5/20/16 $172,000 | MLS #744328
4207 Indian Bayou Trail #2913, Destin, FL 32541
This covered 9th floor unit in the Palms of Destin overlooks the swimming pool and has awesome gulf views.
DOM: 94

Sold: 05/24/2016 $259,000 | MLS #739617
16819 Front Beach Road UNIT…

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Beachfront homesThe debate over customary vs private beach access in Destin and properties along the Emerald Coast is becoming more and more heated. Walton and Okaloosa Counties have miles of beach and how much of this should be designated public or "customary use" needs to be determined. For years, Destin beachfront property has been developed into magnificent resorts, homes, and condos, but now it's time to decide how much of that land is for private use only, and how much can be open to the public.

For city officials, this is a sensitive area where enforcement is not a straightforward task. As a result, they've employed the services of a law firm to decide whether a claim of customary use in Walton County will stand up. However, this type of research takes time,…

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This Destin real estate update gives you a snapshot of home, condo and land sales in Destin FL and the surrounding Emerald Coast areas for May, 2016.

Destin Home Sales

Destin real estate updateDestin home sales in May 2016 reflected an active market with almost $30,000,000 in sales volume. The average price was $596,972 and houses closed at an impressive 94% of selling price. Sales of luxury homes on 30A have been red hot with median prices approaching $2,000,000 in both Rosemary Beach and Seaside. WaterColor was extremely popular with 55 homes sold at a median price of $1,275,000. WaterSound came in at a close fourth with 37 sales averaging only 97 days on the market and closing at 98% of the asking price. 

North of 30A, Niceville sold 80 homes at 98% of the list price…

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