At The Beach Blog

Southwest Airline coming to the Panhandle on May 2010

2009-10-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

The St. Joe Company and Southwest Airlines announced a strategic alliance providing for the commencement of air service to Northwest Florida’s new international airport near Panama City Beach, Florida in May 2010.

The Bay County Tourism Development Council, Coastal Vision 300 and the South Walton Tourism Development Council have been working together with local groups to promote the opening of the Northwest Florida International Airport in Panama City.

Southwest Airlines is bringing low fares and excellent service to the Emerald Coast just in time for the 2010 summer vacation season! Southwest’s entry into the Panama City market will make it more accessible and affordable for people in other states to enjoy sugar-white-sand beaches, incredibly gentle blue waters, and an amazing variety of visitor accommodations that Northwest Florida has to offer. You can start booking your tickets on December 2009, there will be eight flights a day to and from four cities with a daily capacity of 2000 passengers. They have not yet announced specific schedules or which cities will be serviced by direct flights.

Bill Owen – Lead Planner in the Schedule Planning Department for Southwest Airlines said “If you’ve never visited the Panama City area, believe me, you have an incredible treat in store. I’m already planning my family’s vacation there next summer.”

Check out www.atthebeachfl.com for pictures and things to do in the South Walton area and www.atthebeachdestin.com for the Destin area

Panama City Airport Name Not Satisfactory

2009-10-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

There is a great deal of people unhappy with the name of the new airport opening May 2010 in Bay County.

“Several members of the Bay County Commission and the Panama City Beach City Council, along with Mayor Gayle Oberst, have expressed disappointment with the new name for the Panama City airport.”

The members of the Airport Authority may or may not reconsider changing the new name. I hope they do since it will be very confusing to have two airport with the name so similar.

“Greg Donovan, Director of Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Okaloosa County, said he would like the Panama City airport officials to readdress their name.

We have worked over a year in branding. We think it’s poor choice for them to have a name that so closely affiliates with a brand we are doing.”

I will let you know more about this issue on my blog.

Check out our website AtTheBeachDestin.com for more real estate and condo news and AtTheBeachFL.com for real estate on 30A

The Marina Developers Could Have Won Negotiations

2009-10-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Did the Marina Developers win?
A Destin’s residence thinks that the developers have won the approval for the construction of a 15-story Condo/Hotel building on Destin Harbor. The Marina Developers have been negotiating since February 2009 and it seems that they have won all the negotiations with more benefits.

1. Providing space on-site for one end of a U.S. 98 crossover.
2. Allowing the museum to build a 4,000 feet facility at the marina.
3. Making several changes to the fleet’s lease agreement at 206 Harbor Boulevard,
where the city plans to build Royal Melvin Heritage Park.

The city bought the land for $4.6 million in 2006, and is in line for a $2.3 million state grant to cover half the cost. Because part of the land goes to the fleet’s commercial use, the state could cut $600,000 out of the grant. City Manager Greg Kisela told the Planning Agency that reducing the fleet’s footprint improves the odds of getting all the money.

“I’m very comfortable they have provided an adequate public benefit,” Kisela said.

“It is a wonderful thing when we can contribute what we think is a wonderful (addition) to what goes into the community,” Marina attorney Mike Chesser said. “Nothing has been left to chance … we’re trying to make it chapter two or three of what the Destin Fishing Fleet has begun.”

Click here for more information on this article, I will keep you posted on more news in Destin.

Check out our website AtTheBeachDestin.com for more real estate and condo news and AtTheBeachFL.com for real estate on 30A

Destin Marina Condo

2009-10-08T07:24:00.001-07:00

I was reading on the Destin Log that the new 15-story Destin Harbor Hotel-Condo could help or destroy Destin’s Fishing Fleet. Destin’s Local Planning Agency is going to review the public benefits proposal from Destin Fishing Fleet to allow a construction of a building higher than 10 stories.

Under the city’s land-use code, developers can exceed the city’s limits on height and units per acre if they provide a suitable public benefit in return.

In February, marina representatives asked the council if their proposed benefits package — $879,000 to the harbor fund, burying overhead utilities, a five-foot wide harbor accessway, land for an amphitheater at neighboring Royal Melvin Heritage Park and relocating the History & Fishing Museum to the marina property — would be enough for a 160-foot tall, 480-unit development. A yes vote wouldn’t have guaranteed development approval, but it would have guaranteed that the height and unit density were acceptable.

For more public benefits on the revised proposal click here.

Check out our website AtTheBeachDestin.com for more real estate and condo news and AtTheBeachFL.com for real estate on 30A

Panama City Bay County International Airport

2009-09-17T09:56:00.001-07:00

Panama City Bay County International Airport has been under construction since January 2008. This is the first airport built in the United States since 9/11. Northwest Florida is expecting the grand opening in late May 2010!

Airport authorities are brain storming for airport names and will decide on a name on September 22nd, when they meet again. They are asking members of the public for suggestions, email newpfn@gmail.com to present your ideas to the Board members.

The Panama City – Bay County International Airport Authority is going to have some of the latest equipment in security technology called The Checked Baggage Inspection System. This equipment is designed to enhance screening capabilities and airport safety and also facilitate customer service.

For more information about the new airport and the new baggage screening equipment go to http://newpcairport.com/

2009-03-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?from=email&bcpid=823503751&bclid=17197593001&bctid=17399337001

Real Estate Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This

2009-02-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

Can buying a Watercolor foreclosure or a Rosemary Beach Short Sale get any easier than The Moran Team's Name Your Price program?

Here's how Name Your Price works:

Simply use the form (click here for the form) to tell us if you are a buyer or a seller, what you would like to buy or sell and what you are willing to spend or take for a property.

For example: I'm a buyer looking for Grayton Beach Real Estate - a 3 bedroom house and I am willing to pay $800,000 - or - I am a seller who owns a two bedroom Seacrest Beach Florida condo and I would sell it for $350,000.

We will then go to work looking for sellers or buyers that meet your requirements.

Once we find a potential match, we will contact you to begin the negotiation process.

You end up with a successful deal, or we move on and continue looking for another buyer or seller.

Great Buys On Beach Front Condos In Florida!

2009-02-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

These are three properties that are Not Short Sales but will sell at a Short Sale prices.

1 Bedroom Condo At Sundestin

SUNDESTIN INTERNATIONAL CONDO, #1411, DESTIN, FL - $240,000.00

There have been (56) sales at of this floor plan at Sundestin since 2003 that were priced $240,000 or higher. The highest sold for $448,000 in 2004, the highest sales price for this stack was $420,000 in 2004. This is the lowest price unit above the 3rd floor (3rd and below have no view) and the last sale of this floor plan was Oct. of 2008 for 261,000. This is a good deal.

2 Bedroom Condo At Pelican Beach Resort

PELICAN BEACH RESORT CONDO, #813, DESTIN, FL - $330,000.00

There have been (28) sales of this floor plan in Pelican Beach since 2003 priced at $330,000 or higher. The highest sales price for this stack was $671,625 in 2005. The last sale of this stack was for $310,000 in Nov. of last year. Make an offer and you might be surprised what they will take.

2 Bedroom Condo At Majestic Sun

MAJESTIC SUN, #B213, MIRAMAR BEACH, FL - $318,900.00

There have been (50) sales of this floor plan in Majestic Sun since 2003 priced at $318,000 or higher. The highest sold for $690,500 in 2005. The highest sales price for this stack was $579,900 in 2004. This is the lowest price unit of this floor plan and the last sale of this floor plan was Dec. of 2008 for $359,000. This is a good deal.

Check these out and let me know what you think. To see other great deals take a look at our website AtTheBeachFl.com where you can see foreclosures and short sales for Sandestin Real Estate, Grayton Beach Real Estate, Santa Rosa Beach Real Estate, Watercolor Real Estate, Seaside Real Estate, Watersound Real Estate, Alys Beach Real Estate, Seacrest Real Estate and Rosemary Beach Real Estate.

Getting A Mortgage

2009-02-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

For the people out there that are considering buying Watersound Real Estate, an investment property in Seaside, a Sandestin condo or Seacrest Beach foreclosure and will be getting a mortgage you need to be aware of the changes to the mortgage industry.

Les Christie, a writer for CNN Money.com wrote a good article about what you need to consider when shopping for a home loan. He talks about Paying up-front points in order to reduce the mortgage's interest rate over the life of the loan. He talks about a down payment strategies with regard to how much you should put down. Finally, he talks about the value of locking in the mortgage rate. Click here to see the article

Whatever you decide to do there are many options with regard to mortgages and you should shop around. Like mortgage there are many options with regard to South Walton County Real Estate as well, if you would like to take a look at your options including foreclosures and short sales check out:

Sandestin Real Estate
Grayton Beach Real Estate
Watercolor Beach Real Estate Santa Rosa Beach Real Estate
Seaside Real Estate
Watersound Real Estate
Alys Beach Real Estate
Seacrest Beach Real Estate
Rosemary Beach Real Estate

State Farm Will No Longer Write Home Owner Policies In Florida

2009-01-31T11:10:00.000-08:00

On Jan. 27, 2009 State Farm Insurance announced that had filed plans to discontinue its property insurance lines in Florida. In a statement from Company President Jim Thompson, the plan includes insurance coverage for homeowners, renters, rental condominium unit-owners, rental dwellings, condominium unit-owners, personal liability umbrella, boats, personal articles, apartments, business, church, commercial inland marine, commercial liability umbrella, contractors, manufactured home and premises/personal liability.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm Mutual) and its affiliated companies will continue to provide automobile insurance, life insurance, health insurance and other financial products and services in Florida.

So Where Do You Go Now?

Of course if you own a vaction home or condo at the beach in South Walton County Florida, or any real estate At The Beach, you are going to need insurance and even though State Farm is no longer writing policies there are still companies that will. A company that we have recommended for a long time is Term Brokers Insurance. Term Brokers Insurance is an Independent Agency with over 18 years insurance experience and represent the highest ranked and most reliable "A rated admitted" insurance companies at the lowest rates in Florida.

Top 5 property insurers in Florida

Citizens Property*: 1.25-million
State Farm Florida: 1-million
Universal Property: 364,000
Allstate Floridian: 300,000
Nationwide: 205,000
* Run by the state

Source: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation

New Real Estate Blogs

2009-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Check out these real estate blogs to get some good in depth information regarding specific South Walton County Florida communities. These are the communities we have started and more will follow in the coming weeks.

Rosemary Beach Real Estate News Contains recap of 2008 real estate sales as well as Rosemary Beach real estate currently for sale and more.

Alys Beach Real Estate News Contains recap of 2008 real estate sales as well as Alys Beach real estate currently for sale and more.

Watersound Beach Real Estate News Contains recap of 2008 real estate sales as well as Watersound Beach real estate currently for sale and more.

As I said we will be adding more communities over the next couple of weeks. You can also check out foreclosures, short sales, great photo gallery, festivals and more our website: www.atthebeachfl.com.

Five Reasons Rosemary Beach is Unique and Special

2009-01-06T15:35:00.001-08:00

Rosemary Beach Florida is the kind of place where you simply can't be anything but easygoing and relaxed. There are no cars need, simply park, unpack, change into beach clothes and head to the beach - walk with the kids or ride a bike, it really doesn't matter because you will get there in a few minutes either way from almost anywhere in town. So what makes Rosemary Beach so specical?

The Architecture

The incredible architecture employed for both homes and businesses demands that you slow down and look around. The details of the design are proudly on display in the odd shapes, sloping angles and unexpected curves found on virtually every structure in town. You certainly do not have to be a student of architecture to understand that Rosemary Beach Florida is a very special place.

The Green Spaces

I challenge anyone walking past one of the green spaces not to stop and roll a game of Bocce Ball on the lawn, toss a football around with friends or simply watch time stand still as you wrestle with your kids in the soft grass.

The Dining

On the way back from the beach you may want to stop and get a quick snack at one of a number of great little eateries and food shops that fill out Main Street. Of course, don't eat too much because there are also some great fine dining places as well.

The Shopping

Stroll down Main Street and take in great shopping for yourself, the kids and even your home. There is something for everyone in Rosemary Beach Florida.

The Beach

Splash in the waves and build sand castles in the snow white sand with your kids at one the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Area Ranks As Top Beach Again

2008-12-29T06:51:00.000-08:00

Southern Living Magazine named the "Destin Area" as the Best Beach

The Readers' Choice Awards published in the January 2009 edition of Southern Living magazine names Destin, Florida as the Top Beach ahead of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama, Panama City Beach, Florida, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Pensacola, Florida, Sanibel Island, Florida, Outer Banks, North Carolina, Virginia Beach, Virginia and Isle of Palms, South Carolina rounding out the top ten.

The article is pretty good and gives short descriptions of the area highlights including Famous Natives & Frequent Visitors. Those named for our area are Danny Wuerffel, former quarterback of the University of Florida Gators and Heisman Trophy winner; Jerry Seinfield; John Grisham; Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

Should I Sell My Place At The Beach?

2008-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I was talking with a good client who wanted to sell a property At The Beach and was wondering if I thought it was a good idea to sell in this market or wait until prices come back.

This is a very good question and one that sellers At The Beach in South Walton County Florida are wrestling with right now. As a top selling real estatat agent that studies the market prices and trends virtually every day I would offer this advise to him and those owners of vacation beach homes, investment condos or even vacant land At The Beach who are considering selling with the same concern:

I still believe real estate values in South Walton County and the surrounding areas will continue to drop because the real estate market fundamentals have not changed in favor of sellers. There are still:

too many properties for sale relative to the number of buyers in the marketplace.

there are still too many bank owned and short sale properties on (and coming on) the market further driving real estate prices down.

and banks are still closely holding their money rather than making loans to the real estate investment community which is such a big part of the South Walton County Florida real estate market – credit is very hard to get right now.

Until one if not all of these factors change to favor sellers then price deprecation is going to occur making it unrealistic for sellers to expect more favorable selling prices for their properties over the next 3- 5 years than if they sell at today’s prices.

So for sellers of vacation beach homes, investment condos or even vacant land At The Beach in South Walton County Florida who plan to sell anytime in the the next 3-5 years I would tell you to sell now - right now because the sound fundamental law of supply and demand tells us to.

For a FREE Evaluation of what your vacation beach home, investment condo or even vacant land At The Beach in South Walton County Florida is worth in today's marketplace simply call John Moran at 850-654-3325 or send me an email at john@themoranteam.com

Beach Real Estate Then and Now

2008-12-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

Real Estate In Grove By The Sea Florida

The old saying that nothing goes up forever is certainly true and by the same logic you can argue that nothing will stay down forever either. This point has been hammered home in South Walton County's Grove By The Sea neighborhood located in Seagrove Beach, Fl. Take a look at real estate sales for two sets of homes:

A 1,914 sq.ft. home on Cullman Ave. with 3 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths and sold in 2005 for $910,000! As of December 16, 2008 a very similar home on Cullman Ave. with 1,976 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths is currently listed for only $499,000! A significant drop from $910,000.
To show that this isn't a one time fluke take a look at the home on Andalusia that sold in 2005 for $750,000 - it had 1,560 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Now there is a home just down the street with 1,576 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms and 2 baths listed for sale at $475,000. Also a significant drop from the $750,000 sales price in 2005.

These examples tell me that there are tremendous deals for real estate at the beach right now. That combined with very low interest rates makes for a dream come true for buyers looking for second homes at the beach, vacation condos or even land to build a place down the road. The trick for buyers is not to get too greedy like many sellers did when it was their time because before you know it the tide will change and sellers will rule the day.

For more information about great deals for real estate at the beach or to see all the foreclosures and short sales in South Walton County go to the At The Beach website.

Any Foreclosures In Grayton Beach?

2008-12-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

So it seems like foreclosures and short sales are taking over the world and that prices for real estate At The Beach are tanking to levels never seen before ahhhhhhh!

Boy, there sure is a lot of bad news out there for people considering selling real estate At The Beach. As a realtor I study prices every day and I agree that prices are correcting and the trend seems to be that they will continue to drop for the next 12 to 18 months but in Grayton Beach Florida, as of December 11, there is only 1 property listed on the MLS as a foreclosure or short sale (it is shown in the picture). Click here to see the property. So if you are looking at foreclosures or short sales to get a deal on a beach house, a condo or a plot of land at Grayton Beach you are going to have to wait and see if more come on the market.

For those of you who are curious about the foreclosures and short sales of condos, houses and land sites in certain communities At The Beach in South Walton County simply click on the community of your choice: Sandestin Florida , Grayton Beach Florida, Santa Rosa Beach Florida, Watercolor Beach Florida, Seaside Florida, Watersound Beach Florida, Seacrest Beach Florida, and Rosemary Beach Florida.

$16,000,000 House For Sale

2008-12-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what the most expensive house is At The Beach in South Walton County Florida? Well, I can tell you that as of December 11, 2008 it is the estate located at 422 Harstvedt Rd. in Santa Rosa Plantation and it is listed for sale at a cool $16,000,000! The waterfront house built in 1997 is 5,000 sq.ft. and has 7 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and is located on a private 30 acre setting. Click here to read more about this property.

How About Prices In Specific Communities?

For those of you who are curious about the most expensive condos, houses and land sites for sale in South Walton County simply click Most and Least Expensive Property For Sale At The Beach FL. Click on each community At The Beach to see the most and least expensive homes in the community: Sandestin Florida , Grayton Beach Florida, Santa Rosa Beach Florida, Watercolor Beach Florida, Seaside Florida, Watersound Beach Florida, Seacrest Beach Florida, and Rosemary Beach Florida.

The Other Water At The Beach

2008-12-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

Coastal Dune Lakes
View more coastal lake pictures

When people think of water at the beach in South Walton County Florida the Gulf of Mexico generally is what comes to mind, or maybe Choctawahatachee Bay may pop up once in a while but here on scenic highway 30A coastal dune lakes provide scenery that often rivals the Gulf for pristine beauty.

There are 15 coastal dune lakes between Blue Mountain Beach and Rosemary Beach insuring that scenic highway 30A lives up to it's name as you wind along the coast through hamlets such as Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor Beach, Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watersound Beach, Alys Beach, Seacrest Beach and finally right on through Rosemary Beach.

The 15 named Coastal Dune Lakes in South Walton County (listed below) are rare, natural systems . Similar ecosystems can only be found in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the Northwest Pacific Coast of the United States.

WALTON COUNTY CURRENTLY RECOGNIZES 15 COASTAL DUNE LAKES:• Fuller• Morris• Campbell• Stallworth• Allen• Oyster• Draper• Big Red Fish• Little Red Fish• Alligator• Western (Grayton)• Eastern• Deer• Camp Creek• Powell

If you would like to explore the many great real estate opportunities for property near or next to these wonderful coastal lakes or Florida state forest or simply got to www.atthebeachfl.com

Be sure to check out the foreclosures and short sale properties as well at www.atthebeachfl.com

Soaring Along In Grayton Beach Florida

2008-12-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Gryaton Beach Florida is a magical place and if you would like to see more pictures check out the At The Beach Florida Photo Gallery

I was wondering what Grayton Beach Florida is like in December. Would there be any people around? What would the beach look like? Well, I had the chance to stop by Sunday afternoon at sunset and I can tell you - it's a very pretty, very relaxing place that is great for friends to hang out, families to enjoytime together and fisherman to consider one last cast of the line before the sun droped into the Gulf of Mexico.

If you would like to explore the many great real estate opportunities in Grayton Beach Florida such as foreclosures and short sales, or simply see what the most or least expensive properties are in Grayton Beach go to the At The Beach Florida web site.

Half Price Sale On Beach Real Estate

2008-12-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what has happened to the value of property At The Beach here in South Walton County, Florida. Prices are off across the board and on some condos they have dropped more than 50% from their peak in 2005.

For example, the average sell price of a one bedroom condo at Majestic Sun in 2005 was $523,356. Fast forward to 2008 and the recent sales prices for one bedroom condos in the building have dropped to $200,000!

This is definately bad news for people looking to sell, but it is great news for those who were priced out of the market a couple of years ago. To see the many great deals to be had on real estate at the beach including short sales and foreclosures, go to the At The Beach Florida web site.

The Moran Team
Keller Williams Realty Emerald Coast
http://www.atthebeachfl.com/

Ice Skating At The Beach In Florida

2008-12-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

There are all kinds of things to do at the beach but ice skating? View more pictures of Ice Skating at the Beach

Who knew? At Sandestin Resort in Destin Florida there is a small ice rink set up and for $10.00 you get a pair of skates and all the fun you can handle. For a guy that grew up in skating outside in North Dakota, it was a real treat to be able to show my kids, who have never even seen snow, how to skate. Now this "arena" is not going to host the Olympics but for fun and a chance to ice skate outdoors At The Beach in sunny Florida you can't beat it.

The Moran Team
Keller Williams Realty Emerald Coast
http://www.atthebeachfl.com/

New Aiport Will Have An Economic Advantage

2008-12-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

The new Bay County airport will have an economic advantage over other airports when it is built, according to economists.

The article at the Northwest Florida Daily news provides some great insights to questions currently being asked about the Bay County Aiport.

View the article at: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/jenkins_11999___article.html/airport_international.html

For more information on South Walton County Beaches, and area information, go to the At The Beach Florida South Walton County website.

Seeing Red Wine Festival At The Beach

2008-12-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

There are more things to do At The Beach then play in the surf and get a tan at any one of the great beaches in South Walton County Florida. There are also great festivals that are fun for the whole family and festivals intended for the grown up kids as well. The recent Seeing Red Wine festival is a great example. It was a great event, showcasing hundreds of wines from around the country.

The event was part of the branding of The Beach, an effort to build awareness of Northwest Florida, both nationally and internationally.

Check out the video:

For more South Walton County Beach events and festivals, go to At The Beach Florida.

At The Beach Website

2008-11-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome