30A sales transactions

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

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

How's the Market?

"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

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?

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

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.