Bruce Johnson on 30A

30A sales transactions

2012-02-01T16:30:00.000-06:00

Just to reiterate what I am seeing as a trend for our South Walton area, I wanted to post the graphic representation of the numbers provided by Metro Marketing Trends.

Looking at the average sales price for the last 3 years you won't see a big difference up or down which tells me the prices are finally stabilizing. Hovering around $480,000 the sales prices have been more stable in the last 3 years than in the last 9.

Looking at the transaction numbers, there is a pretty impressive move upward. That suggests a good appetite for the area and a reduction in the property available.

30A Real Estate Update

2012-01-19T12:07:00.000-06:00

RE: 2011 Real Estate South Walton Zip Codes 32459 & 32413

Our residential real estate market continues to recover. The last three years have shown increasing strength in sales with volume growing every year: 2010’s increase over 09 was 16% (with an oil spill in the middle) and 2011 numbers were up 26% over 2010. Prices have dropped over the same period, 7% in 2010 and just under 2% in 2011. With volume increasing and prices stabilizing, I predict that 2011 was the bottom of the market for prices, and I expect price to stabilize or increase marginally this year as inventory goes down. There are still a lot of financially distressed properties, (though down about 25% this year) and as these filter through the market we will continue to see some pressure on the prices.

South Walton and the 30A corridor are unique areas and so is the real estate market. People love this place as do I, and for the vast majority, the reason they are here is because they want to be and each year more and people find us. Another reason we are unique is geography. I’ll begin with the natural barriers that contain our area. To the south we have the Gulf and most of the property north of the 30A area is State forest (Point Washington State Forest) and further north across highway 98 is mostly state forest and then the Bay. Along 30A to Bay County there are five state parks and Walton County has 15 globally rare dune lakes along its beaches. Add the 50’ building height restrictions, naturally gorgeous beaches and world-class resort communities into the mix and you get a solid market foundation. Where are you going to find beach villages like Grayton Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach and Seagrove? Where else can you find so many great restaurants from the Red Bar to one of the newest eateries V (and everything in between)? We enjoy art galleries, music festivals, theater and best of all the panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico; a permanent mural ever changing under God’s direction.

South Walton’s "30A is where you want to be" ... I’m sure of it.

Bruce Johnson - 30A Listings - December on the Beach

Christmas on 30A Beaches

2011-12-21T13:35:00.000-06:00

How's the Market?

2011-12-06T13:45:00.001-06:00

"How's the market?" is the most common question I have gotten during the last few years. And other than during the oil spill, in 2010 and 2011 the 30A market has been pretty good. Properties that are priced right, well located and in good condition sell. Last week riding around, testing my new "30A Listings" app, it really looks like there is less for sale out there. It is beginning to be noticeable.

Go to our website www.30alistings.com , for the app links to either the Android or iphone store. Try our new Emerald Coast real estate app. It's very helpful. While you are in an Emerald Coast neighborhood and you see a property for sale that is listed on the mls, you will see it on the app map and get the information on the property. You will also see properties nearby so you can compare them. If you see something you would like to see it is easy to contact me and I'll set up and appointment to see the property. It is a terrific tool and we are happy to provide it to you for free.
And as always, www.30aListings.com aka www.bluewaveliving.com always has listings by 30A neighborhood.

New 30A bumper sticker

2011-11-29T08:39:00.003-06:00

Many 30A South Walton visitors and locals alike love bumper stickers. Being the official family beach car, Laurel's car is loaded with them. Yes it is a shameless promotional item but since we have such a cool logo, at least we think it is cool, we got our 30A listings bumper sticker too. What do you think? Let us know if you would like one and we will get one to you for your very own. We are happy to try and find you any of the 30A bumper stickers that promote our area, so if you saw one you like, just let us know.

Happy Days for 30A Real Estate?

2011-11-17T11:10:00.000-06:00

Are happy days here again along 30A? Looks like it. Tourism hit new records, and real estate sales are all up.

For example: Compare the real estate sales volume in 2009, which bottomed with 949 transaction in residential sales in the first 3 quarters to the 2011 volume which hit 1536 transactions the first 3 quarters. In 2010 there were 1142 transactions in the first 3 quarters so the trend continues to march upward.

Average sales: 2009 at $404,797, 2010 at $360,017 and 2011 coming in at $365,631 - so far.

This information reflects South Walton zip codes 32459 and 32413 and includes residential land, houses and condos and was found in Metro Market Trends, a respected industry source. I'm happy to supply the graph so you can have a look for yourself.

It’s all about the beaches in Walton County. Our beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches drive the economy here and as previously noted, South Walton has had a really, really good year. I can’t tell you what the global or national economy is going to do, but I can tell what a few lucky people on this earth are going to do, and that is be in South Walton, and there is only so much of it. So have a look at 30A property and come and get your slice.

Seagrove beach today

2011-11-11T14:10:00.000-06:00

Spending my afternoon at Villa Fiore in Seagrove Beach. Tough job but I'm up to it. Nice day for an open house. 30A and Live Oak, come by and visit.

Winter Gull at Blue Mountain Beach

2011-10-20T10:13:00.000-05:00

Fellow Beachcomber

Beachfront home - near Red Bar

2011-09-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a beach house in South Walton, you need to look at this one. It has a great location and spectacular views of Grayton Beach. Beautiful interior, perfect location, location, location. Let me take you for a tour...850-368-8326.

Bank Owned Watercolor

2011-09-12T09:17:00.000-05:00

New photo of the bank owned property in Watercolor. This house is a gem. Call Bruce now at 850-368-8326 to have a look at this beautful home at a beautiful location.

A Home in Watercolor, Florida

2011-07-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

We are happy to have this Watercolor property available to view this week on Thursday and Sunday. Tucked away and very private, 772 Western Lake is a good address to have. Call me at 850-368-8326 so I can get you the details as soon as they are available.

The pine stand at Watercolor has become an iconic image for the area. This community has all kinds of amenities that make it special.

We love the butterfly garden and the beach club is exceptional.

Going west on 30a...

2011-07-05T14:19:00.000-05:00

I love the high profile communities on the east side of 30A like Rosemary Beach with it's European styled streets, Alys Beach with it's stark white elegance, the bended scrub oaks in Seagrove Beach, bustling Seaside and colorful Watercolor. But it's always fun to introduce the villages on the west side of 30a to people who are not acquainted with them.

Towns like historic Grayton Beach, the "high country" of Blue Mountain Beach and sunny Dune Allen have grown up organically. Less planned they are a little sleepier and a little more quaint than their more famous neighboring beach villages to the east but no less lovely. These towns have established neighborhoods that have quietly hosted beach memories for countless generations of families; neighborhoods tucked up on high dunes with windy roads that lead to the beach; new neighborhoods with stunning views that look over the park unequaled along the corridor; neighborhoods where the rich and famous come to listen to the waves and rest up.

Call me to show you the special real estate on west side of 30A. Making that introduction is one of the reasons I love my job.

South Walton 30A Beaches are different...

2011-06-13T11:38:00.004-05:00

30A is a road that runs all along the Florida Panhandle beaches but the beaches 30a hugs when it dips into South Walton, look a lot different than the Destin or Panama City beaches on either side and the personality is also unique. While Destin and Panama City have towering condominiums, Walton County had the good sense to impose a 50 ft high building limit so while you can see some of the condo canyons of in the distance, you won't be shadowed by them here. And yes, some folks may push the limit building mansions for their very own, that 50 ft height limit has made all the difference. The 18mile stretch of beaches is comprised of a series of beach towns where biking and walking is encouraged. From Dune Allen Beach to Inlet Beach, you will find the pace is slower and, well, just cozier and maybe that is why real estate is selling at a good pace here.

It's always busy during the summer and this summer is no different. Let me know when you are coming to look at 30a property this summer so I can make the arrangements to get you in to have a look at our little slice of paradise.

May on Scenic HWY 30A

2011-05-26T10:05:00.004-05:00

I am happy and busy during this spring season. Getting out and about showing 30a houses and condos has been really easy because the weather is mild, the beaches are stunning, and the prices are excellent. I cannot get enough of this weather, and I am grateful every day.

There is plenty of good property to show so I invite you to have a look at 30A listings. Search the listings yourself or you can take advantage of looking at properties we have grouped by the specific villages along 30a because if you know 30a, you may have a favorite.

The beaches of South Walton are sometimes confused with Destin beaches because we share the beautiful Emerald Coast but the South Walton beaches along the 30a corridor have been developed very differently from our neighbors. Unlike Destin to the west and Panama City to the east, our beaches are not lined by tall condos. Our beach lifestyle is vibrant but not particularly hectic and that is just the way we like it.

PS If you will be here June 11, try to get to Digital Graffiti. It is really something to see.

If you like easy living, you will like the 30A corridor.

April on Scenic Highway 30A

2011-04-07T11:23:00.006-05:00

It's April on 30A and people who know 30A know April is all about 2 very important things: Fishing and real estate. On April 1st you can bet there will be a lot of boats on the water looking for Cobia, surf fishermen looking for Pompano and Florida real estate buyers looking at beach property. It's high season for both. There are great deals to be had but be assured the best catches in real estate go fast so get here and look around now. Buy beach real estate now and let's get you closed before summer.

30A real estate

2011-03-08T12:34:00.000-06:00

From recent activity (mine) and statistically speaking (Metro Marketing Trend statistics), the 30a market is steadily moving upward. Sales have increased in South Walton for the last two years with 2010 being the best year since 2005 even with the oil spill happening during our peak selling season. I don't predict a jump like the one we had during the 2002 to 2004 wild ride but the trend shows a steady move upward from 2008. Nothing wrong with steady as she goes when she's going steadily up.

Happy New Year 30A

2010-12-31T09:26:00.000-06:00

Here we are at the end of 2010, and what a year! I have to admit I was very concerned about our market, my livelihood, during the oil spill. Just as the market was looking better than it had in years and I was having a good spring, the spill came out of nowhere. Well that’s past us and my worst fears did not happen. So in a nutshell, our spring was good, our summer understandably slow, the fall remarkably good. Overall we had a good year with sales up, amazingly, from last year. Prices did drop, but the volume was definitely up.

All the 2010 closings will not be accounted for until we are into the first weeks of 2011 so I ran the numbers for South Walton mls areas east of Sandestin from 01/01/2009 up until Dec 15^th from the MLS and ran the numbers for the same time period in 2010 and here is what I found.

2009 Combined Residential

# Sold 702

$ Volume $366,610,573

Average Sale $600,374

Avg Days on Market 253

Median Price $377,500

2010 Combined Residential

# Sold 761

$ Volume $380,094,406

Average Sale $560,284

Avg Days on Market 241

Median Price $339,000

Sadly, I still have not found a crystal ball with which to predict the future but I am really optimistic. After this summer I am sure of one thing: People who vacation on 30A become very attached to the area and they are extremely loyal. You will run into South Walton and 30A bumper stickers on cars from all over the southeastern US and the 30A brand gets stronger all the time. You just can’t find this lifestyle and energy elsewhere. It’s like belonging to a club, kind of a secret club, and that gives our market a resiliency. I always advise people to buy what they love and this area is easy to love. If you are reading this blog, you understand that.

Happy 2011, Bruce Johnson, Broker Associate, Davis Properties of NW Florida

Vision Airlines offers direct Flights to NY

2010-12-20T15:02:00.000-06:00

This is big news for those of us who live on the Panhandle, especially if you have family in Canada. Flying to Niagara Falls, NY on a direct flight makes it easy to visit Ontario and that will get us on a plane again. Actually, it already did. Thank you Vision Airlines. We took the inaugural flight on Friday and had a terrific weekend with my Canadian family in Beamsville.

Got to see mum, my daughter, my grandaughter and son-in-law. Just enough time to be exciting, just enough snow to make it pleasantly white, just enough cold to remind me why I live in the south. I love it up there. My daughter's tea parlour is just terrific, good food, excellent service of course and seeing everyone was absolutely terrific.

The airline also has a direct flight from Ft Walton Beach to Miami and we expect announcements of more flights to come.

Two Homes with Gulf Views

2010-12-14T11:42:00.000-06:00

2 more pictures of beach homes I sold this year along the Northwest Florida Scenic 30A corridor.

One in Grayton Beach, just behind the Red Bar; a stunning home with beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.

This is the common area at a condominium home in our hometown of Blue Mountain Beach. The condo at Sanctuary at Redfish I sold was a terrific value with plenty of room and beautiful grounds. I love the pool area with the sweet cabanas.

People from the southeast part of the country have always known how beautiful this area is but the word is getting out. There are several musicians with homes here as well as political figures. With Mike Huckabee building a home here in Blue Mountain Beach, we expect some headlines.

House on Oyster Lake

2010-12-10T16:40:00.000-06:00

I love this house. This house has personality. It's one of those houses that catches your eye. Drive through Dune Allen Beach along 30a and I bet you'll see it too. It sits pretty on Oyster Lake. You can walk along the boardwalk to the beach access, you can watch the YOLO board races from the deck or from your kayak, you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and moonlight from your deck. A gem this one. Check out more photos at: http://111lakecauseway.blogspot.com/

What is selling in Walton County

2010-11-16T15:51:00.000-06:00

Rather than to give you stats, here are photos of some of the property I have sold in 2010. There was a lull of activity during the oil spill of course but people are buying now. The combination of prices easing a wee bit and pent-up demand results in sales activity. Fortunately, the beaches look great so buyers have a lot to be happy about.

After the Oil Spill News

2010-08-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

I don't have to check the stats show that over the summer real estate sales were down. Oil spills don’t do much for beach real estate. Some buyers decided on a wait and see approach. However, our portion of the Emerald Coast has faired well and offers are being made again on homes along the 30A corridor. I can tell you that the beach views are still beautiful. I have been very busy lately scoping out the best water view property to show my customers.

We are moving into Fall and that is my favorite time of the year in Northwest Florida. Come visit and I’ll show you some property. Check out my website for 30A bank owned property. There are some great buys there but there are also great buys that aren't bank owned and you can search properties by neighborhood at my site. It makes looking for beaches of South Walton property a little easier. We can find you something you will enjoy for many years.

Everyday that goes by I realize how important it is to enjoy each and every day. Have a good one.

Real Estate Sales on 30A

2010-06-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

When the Deepwater Horizon spill happened, as a realtor, I expected to see a lot of contracts fall out. That seemed reasonable. However that has not been the case. It's because the value is really good right now and the Beaches of South Walton will fix, clean-up and provide restoration whatever happens.

I don't know what the future will bring but we are in it for the long haul. This is the best place I have ever lived and we wouldn't live anywhere else. Laurel and I go every day to the beach and so far we have not personally seen any issues. I just went for a swim about an hour ago.

Don't rely on the "news" channels. Keep in touch with us at 850-368-8326 or bruce@bluewaveliving.com. We will tell you what's really going on.

South Walton Today

2010-05-17T15:31:00.000-05:00

I admit it. My favorite daily exercise is to walk the dog in the State Forest. It's like having our own park. I share it with horseback riders, bicyclists, runners and other walkers but not very many. The Point Washington State Forest is a treasure. But of course, the beach is the big draw for visitors; it's what drew me here to begin with, the place most everyone goes to relax and rebalance. So today I share with you what is on everyone's mind. Here is what the beach looks like. Lots of visitors are out there enjoying the sun, the surf is perfect, the colors rich.

It's a beautiful day on the Beaches of South Walton.

Call me with any questions about what's selling, what's not, what's listed or what's happening at the beach itself. I have the pleasure of enjoying it, and the State Forest everyday.

30A First Quarter Sales

2010-04-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

Spring is here and 30A is loaded with visitors. The folks in the rental agencies tell me they are booked solid and I can believe that.

With the summer season approaching the South Walton 30A real estate market has gotten really hot. First quarter residential sales in 2009: 116. During the same time period 2010: 160. Houses are selling at a steady pace; people are feeling comfortable making offers and offers are being accepted. Activity breeds activity so everyone in town is busy.

REO and Short sales are everywhere but most Sellers overall are being reasonable in their sales price so don't limit yourself to only bank-owned properties. Decide on a criteria and look at everything that meets it in the price range you are comfortable with.

TIP of the day: If you are planning on looking at property while you are on vacation, be aware that many of the properties you will want to see are on a rental program and it can be a challenge to get you into see them. Turnover day is usually Saturday and often there is a limited time to get you into the properties. Schedule yourself some time on Saturday for house hunting before you travel home and your Realtor can make arrangements accordingly.

Call me at 850-368-8326 or email me at bruce@bluewaveliving.com

February SoWal RE Transactions match January

2010-03-11T13:29:00.000-06:00

First of all, being Canadian/American I have to journal my extreme pride in the North American Hockey teams, male and female, during the 2010 Olympics. What amazing hockey that was to see!

Checking the statistics for West Walton to East Walton, South of the Bay, the 2010 sales transaction stats at 81 are really close to what they were in 2009 at 70. With January 2010 at 80, winter transactions leveled for the first 2 months of this year. If the trend continues, we should see the traditional increase in sales volume starting in March. I can tell you I have been very busy. Just sold this beautiful Seagrove vacation home and I have another two houses and one condo currently under contract. All of my recent transactions have been south of 30A.

It appears people are getting ready for the Summer Fun that can be had on South Walton beaches.

Sales Transaction Stats on January

2010-02-19T16:31:00.000-06:00

HOW ABOUT THOSE SAINTS?

More Good News for the shiny and bright Gulf Coast!

Sales transactions for January 2010 higher than ytd 2009:

2010-37 Sold

2009-24 Sold

2010-70 Pending

2009-40 Pending

I’m pleased to say my statistics are reflected in those January stats. I was honored to sell a beautiful Grayton Beach home close by the Red Bar with spectacular views of Grayton Beach and currently have 4 houses under contract.

Who dat?

South Walton 30A 4th Quarter Stats

2010-01-08T10:03:00.000-06:00

The year 2010 ended with combined residential sales for the last quarter at 320 transactions compared to 158 for the last quarter of 2008. In December 2009 there were 76 sales compared to 38 in 2008. Wow. I know it has been a busy last quarter because aside from taking the day off for Christmas, I have been busier than I can remember. If you are thinking about buying 30A, do it soon. It's a buyers market but the cream of the crop goes first. Call me for more information on the specific statistics you are interested in, I'd be happy to share them with you.

Take a look at http://www.bluewaveliving.com/mls/mls_pre.html for bank owned property but don't stop at that. My website http://www.bluewaveliving.com/ has the different beach towns presorted so that you can pick the area or areas of 30A that you are looking at. We've added Point Washington into the sort as well.

There are lots of good deals to choose from in South Walton, you just need to call me at 850-368-8326 to get the best picks.

Happy New Year.

Three Days before New Years and...

2009-12-28T12:20:00.000-06:00

30A is really busy. Seaside is as busy today as any day during high season summer. People are discovering the year-round activities available. Even when it's chilly, the beach is fun here.

Buying beach Real Estate is much more than statistics. It's about feeling good and really liking where you live. It's about the mild weather, about getting outdoors and enjoying informal social activities. You have to go to Pensacola for opera but all kinds of other live music is plentiful on "the A". Symphonic, roots, rock n' roll, blues, blue grass or a hybrid mixed from all the above, live music is a big part of why we enjoy living along the Emerald Coast. Orchestral groups often perform in beachside outdoor amphitheaters and village greens; many talented singer songwriters (some famous and/or infamous), perform every night in local bars and eateries. Music festivals have a robust history along the northwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Now we have another one to be happy about. The 30A Songwriters Conference. It's to be held January 15-17 in venues up and down Florida's scenic highway 30a. With headliners that include Emily Sailers and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Jeffrey Steele, Shawn Mullins, Rodney Crowell and Sam Bush, this will be a great event and you can bet we will be there. Get tickets and information at: http://www.30asongwritersfestival.com.

Southwest Announces Panhandle Fllights

2009-12-16T19:29:00.000-06:00

We are thrilled to hear the news that on May 23, 2010, Southwest Airlines, www.southwest.com, will begin nonstop service to/from Orlando, Houston, Nashville, and Baltimore/Washington into the new international airport in Panama City Beach.

REO’s share the Sales in Northwest Florida

2009-12-08T17:04:00.000-06:00

The Florida real estate sales momentum along the 30A corridor in South Walton continues. SoWal sales of combined residential real estate (homes, condos and town homes), from the Gulf of Mexico to Hwy 98 have increased in the three months from Sept 1 to November 30, 2009 by 78% compared to the same period in 2008: 166 sales in 2009 compared to 93 in 2008.

Of the 166 sales, in this recent three month period, 73 can be considered as distress sales (short sales or REO-bank owned sales), accounting for 43% of the transactions. This compares to 24% of sales were that were distressed in the same period in 2008.

Florida real estate buyers, primarily second home buyers, bought more for less as the median sales price for detached single family homes dropped from $565,000 during 9/01/2008 to 11/30/2008 to $450,000 during the same time period this year.

Residential land sales for the same period this year show 76 sales compared to 27 sales last year over the three months, an increase of 181% with 52% of the sales listed as distressed. Median price for land was $110,000 this period compared $135,000 last year at the same time, again favoring the BUYER looking for a good deal.

I am also seeing an increase in what I call top-of-the-food-chain sales and interest: very high-end homes and Gulf front properties. This is usually the first segment of the market to stop buying and the first to start buying.

Adding to the great news this fall that South West Airlines will be flying into the new airport in Panama City Beach in May, we have learned that December 1st Frommer’s Travel recognized the lifestyle and natural beauty of the Florida Panhandle beaches as a top 10 destination for 2010, the only continental US destination included in Frommer’s list of Top Destinations.

http://www.frommers.com/articles/6469.html

It looks like it's over...

2009-11-19T15:01:00.000-06:00

IT, the dreaded real estate slump, is not over 'til it's over but around here IT sure looks like IT's over.

South Walton is going way beyond the regional numbers noted in a recent National Association of Realtors article http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/rise_eight that shows stats for the Southern region of the country homesales "increased 4.9 percent to an index of 109.7 and is 22.8 percent above September 2008."

Two days ago I looked up the Emerald Coast MLS numbers of residential sales (homes=condos-town homes-land) from September 1, 2008 to November 17, 2008 and compared them with the same criteria for 2009 and the numbers show a huge increase. Sales in 2008 during that period were 105, this year they are 217, more than double last year. These are break-out numbers because they follow an upward trend that can be tracked by comparing January 1 - November 17 in 2009 to January 1 - November 17 in 2008. Here's how it looked:
2008 Combined Residential - 393 listed sold with a median price of $585,000
2008 Residential Land - 130 listed sold with a median price of $220,450

2009 Combined Residential - 509 listed sold with a median price of $455,000
2009 Residential Land - 199 sold with a median price of $150,000

With the decrease in median price, a full 100% increase in transactions last month, (compared to the same period last year), the pace of sales transactions seems to indicate to me that Buyers are satisfied that the prices along the 30A corridor have leveled to what they perceive to be fair. And they are showing that satisfaction with some serious action.

Please call me at 850-368-8326 for more info now because although there is plenty of inventory, once you add your personal preferences and criteria, the inventory doesn't look quite as big. In other words, like in any market, the best property moves fast.