As a realtor working in the South Walton area of Northwest Florida—also home to Seaside, Seagrove, WaterColor, WaterSound, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach and many other quaint beachside communities—I’m often asked about local real estate. Our second-home market is mostly driven by buyers within a nine-hour driving radius, including the Nashville area, and even other parts of Florida.
The beaches here aren’t the work of man, but the work of Mother Nature. They’re made of the whitest sand I’ve ever seen, which comes from the lightest pieces of quartz, washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over millions of years. The sand squeaks little reminders of the natural beauty found here as your toes stretch with each step. With approximately 40 percent of the land in South Walton being state owned, including parks, beaches and forests, nature and relaxation remains the focus in South Walton—as opposed to the high rises and big-box stores that dot the coastline of our neighboring cities Destin and Panama City Beach. Our emerald green waters will wash your troubles away, and the stars shine so brightly here that you can almost see Heaven in the distance.
Amongst the tourists, you’ll find plenty of locals who used to be tourists. They’ve reinvented themselves to enjoy a slower pace of life, and they’ve traded in their dress shoes and high heels for flip-flops and sunglasses. Don’t worry if you’re still only a tourist yourself, because today’s tourists are tomorrow’s owners and residents. Give it time and the beaches of South Walton will grow on you.
Most of the visitors I meet ask with enthusiasm if I’m a local and what I do. I can see the wheels in their mind rolling with thoughts of giving up the rat race to enjoy a daily walk on the beach, or paddling a kayak across one of the 15 rare coastal dune lakes that flow to the Gulf of Mexico.
Visitors often think all the local properties are priced well out of their range, but the truth is that we have real estate priced for almost any target range, whether you’re looking for a completely distinctive home with some of the best views in the world or a small cottage within a few miles of the beach. Perhaps you aren’t ready to own a house or condo at the beach, but you want to retire here one day. We have very affordable residential lots and home-sites in close proximity to the beach and the bay, which you might purchase today, while prices are greatly slumped. Dreams do become reality if your focus is on listening to your heart and passions.
Ownership in South Walton starts with a visit to its beaches. With exciting prices for properties in South Walton, we’re seeing buyers begin to jump back into the market. Not unlike other areas across the country, the South Walton market is seeing 50-70 percent off the peak prices set back in 2005 and 2006, and some are selling very quickly. As some homes are selling below the costs required to build, it’s no wonder they’re still outselling condos, townhomes and lots. It’s uncertain how long that will last, so serious buyers aren’t waiting around. If they like the property and budget allows, they’re buying.
Most people agree that timing the market is virtually impossible, so they choose to buy while the prices are historically low. If you’d like more information on real estate in South Walton, please allow me to assist you. Together, we’ll make your dreams a reality. To begin your property search, go to dreamBIGproperties.com.
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In addition to being a realtor with Coldwell Banker United, Realtors, Murray Balkcom is an artist, musician and photographer, as well as an avid outdoorsman who leads kayak and nature guides on the coastal dune lakes of South Walton and through the trails of the surrounding state forests and state parks.