Just Sold | Bayou Village | Unit 639 | Sandestin, FL

2 Bed  |  2 bath  |  1,404 Square Feet  |  Selling Price: $305,000

We managed to sneak in one last closing for the year! Our listing at Bayou Village in Sandestin is a wonderful little place, whether a rental unit or second home, and was a pleasure to get sold for our client. What a great way to end 2017!

Feel the relaxation as you enter this renovated 2 bedroom end unit in Bayou Village. Plentiful windows and glass sliders allow natural light to wash over you as you flow from room to room. Exit to one of the patios to take in the sunrise or sunset, or enjoy from inside the bonus room with its floor to ceiling windows. The gorgeous kitchen, dining, and living areas all flow together: a great space to have the family all in one place. A bunk room allows for extra sleeping arrangements in addition to the master and guest suites both with attached full baths. Paradise! 

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers 4 golf courses, marina, tennis, pools, hot tubs, spa, over 30 restaurants, shops, daily live entertainment, tram, beach access, and so much more. 

Check out the various methods we used to market this property to get it sold. 

Email flyer sent to our database of investors, as well as an agent version for maximum exposure. 

Facebook post featuring a video tour of the property. We also post to YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest. In addition, we wrote a blog for this property.

Professional photos highlight each spectacular feature of the property.

We featured Sandestin amenities and the surrounding lifestyle which included four championship golf courses, marina, tennis, pools, hot tubs, spas, over 30 restaurants, shops, daily live entertainment, tram, beach access, and so much more. 

Click here to see more units for sale at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort!

November Sales Market Highlights

Following the previous months, November was quite a busy month as well! Rolling right through fall and into winter, we continue to stay busy with both buyers and sellers. Our area never ceases to provide a favorite place for young and old, all year round. Destin and the surrounding areas are an especially wonderful place to spend the holidays with family. For many who own here, it's proven to be a smart and satisfying move to purchase an investment property or second home here. We're looking forward to what 2018 will bring!     
Our team had an active share in the November market. We assisted our wonderful buyers in the sales of the following properties:

Ariel Dunes II | Unit 604
Hidden Dunes | Unit 640

We worked with our sellers to get these listings sold in the month of November:

Tropical Isle | Unit 208
Noblat Townhomes | Unit 128 

We also worked with sellers to get these properties on the market:

6 Lakeshore Drive
Calypso | Unit E2304

In addition, we were able to get several more properties under contract. We'll have all the details in the December Market Report.

The activity this year has been exciting and we're hustling our way right into the new year. We love staying in touch to keep both our buyers and sellers prepared for the rest of this year, the new year, and beyond. This is a great time to perform some due diligence regarding purchasing property. Spring will be here before you know it – and keeping on top of the market will ensure that you don't miss any deals. We are getting a new influx of inventory daily and there are some great opportunities out there right now. The daily hot sheet has new listings hitting the market every day, so let us know if you would like to receive updates on the market! 

Check out the area sales highlights for the month of November:  

The highest priced condo sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, and 30A was:  

La Terraza | Unit A

Destin

$2,649,000

7 Bed | 7.5 Bath

4,620 Square Feet  

The highest priced home sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, and 30A was:  

114 Watchtower Lane | Watersound

30A East

$5,950,000

6 Bed | 6.5 Bath

5,024 Square Feet 

It's a Team Effort

Listing a new property is an exciting time for our team, but we always need the sellers to be part of our team. Yes, we handle the "heavy lifting" and will be a source of information and comfort. Sellers, you play an integral part of the selling process.

Here is what we need from you:

1. Git 'er done!  If you have some maintenance concerns or just some aesthetic eyesores, take care of these prior to listing. During the pre-listing period, we will work with you to address issues that might devalue the property or diminish your buyer pool. 

2. It's not personal.  You may absolutely love your home and its décor, but it is YOUR home. Buyers come with varying tastes and vision. This is why prior to listing we will help you stage the property to showcase its best assets. And, don't be offended by negative buyer feedback – it's part of the game!

3. Honesty is the best policy.  Part of the seller's responsibility is to complete the property disclosure. Please disclose any problems you have had or any ongoing issues. Our knowledge of any issues will help us maneuver the sale process better. 

4. Get REAL!  We will provide you with a snapshot of the market related to your property: sales, active listings, and pending contracts. Comparing and contrasting these will give us a price range. Buyers have access to the same information, and contemporary buyers are very savvy about the market. 

5. Spic-and-Span.  With every showing your property should be sparkling clean. Neat. Fresh-smelling. De-cluttered. 

6. Patience is a virtue.  Benjamin Franklin said, " He that can have patience can have what he will." The listing and selling process can be trying and sometimes long. We will be there, always, to take the stress out! 

The Sold in Paradise Team will be totally focused on taking care of you during the listing and transaction process. We are your partners in fulfilling your real estate selling goal. 

Just Sold | Gulf Crest | Unit 1506B | Panama City Beach, FL

2 Bedroom  |  2 Bath  |  1,310 Square Feet  | Selling Price: $355,000

Our buyers were looking to find an ideal investment property along the Emerald Coast. Their desire was to purchase a Gulf front condo to utilize as a rental unit in the peak season, but also wanted an escape to enjoy for themselves in the winter. We're happy to say we assisted them in finding their perfect paradise at Gulf Crest in Panama City Beach! 

This beautifully decorated gulf front unit is a two bedroom, two bath, with a bunk area. Featuring 9-foot ceilings and large glass windows in the living room, dining room, and master bedroom so you can soak in every gorgeous view. Situated on the 14th floor the views are just breathtaking, especially sitting out on the 40-foot gulf front balcony! The kitchen includes GE profile appliances, solid surface counter tops, and refrigerator, dishwasher, built in microwave and self-cleaning drop in range and oven. The bathrooms have custom raised panel cabinets, custom tubs with glass enclosures, and cultured marble vanity tubs with integral bowls.  

Gulf Crest features tropical landscaping, assigned covered parking, three high-speed elevators, two large outdoor pools (one heated seasonally), two hot tubs and a kiddy pool. They also have a Tiki Bar serving food and beverages, poolside wireless internet access, gazebo, two grills, fitness room, game room, direct access to beach. In addition, an on-site rental and management office is staffed seven days a week, and 24-hour security is provided. A wonderful community to own paradise!

    Looking for your perfect paradise? Give us a call!

4 Things to Consider When Deciding to Upgrade Your Property

So how do you know when it's time to upgrade your home or investment property? Here are four thoughts to consider when making your decision. 

You've Outgrown It. Most first time home buyers and investors start small. You might compromise your want for more square footage for something smaller that's priced right instead; or maybe you chose the condo with just a partial water view or in close vicinity to the beach instead of that beachfront condo that you first had your sights set on. At the time, it was the right way to go. But consider, are you in a position to sell your current property and upgrade for those original ideals? If so, it might be time to move on to a property better suited for you. 

Change In Lifestyle. Maybe you work from home now, or have retired? Do you now have children, or grandchildren? Are you taking time to travel more frequently? These are exciting lifestyle changes and can bring a new perspective to what you want and need in a home or investment property. You might require the extra room, or maybe you're contemplating using that second home as a rental property. Now is the time to evaluate the benefits of upgrading your property to better fit your lifestyle changes. 

Remodeling Won't Yield a High Return. Every community has a limit to how high prices can go. If your home or condo is in need of the upgrades of a remodel, it's possible the return just won't be worth it. It may be time to assess if it's in your best interest to let it go and move on. 

You Can Afford to Sell and Have a Flexible Time Frame. With property values on the rise in the last few years it may make more sense to take advantage of an appreciating market and leverage your equity into your next property. 

If these four tips have you thinking it's time to upgrade your property, give us a call. We're always here to help you.

Just Listed | Calypso Resort | Unit E2304 | Panama City Beach, FL

2 Bed  |  2 Bath  |  1,223 Square Feet  |  Priced At: $449,000

Nestled on the edge of paradise you'll find Calypso Resort - a Gulf front beach resort featuring panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. 

This 23rd floor unit boasts an open floor plan with views of the beach from the living, dining and kitchen areas. Glass sliders lead you to the spacious balcony accessed from both the living area and master suite. The generous master suite includes a walk in closet and private bath. With a guest suite and bunk room this unit comfortably sleeps 8. 

Calypso Resort amenities include: Two Gulf front pools, tiki-bar, fitness room, parking garage with walk-over, and within walking distance of Pier Park and all the activities of Panama City Beach. Calypso Resort has everything needed for the perfect beach experience, making this a fantastic investment opportunity. Paradise! 

Check out the video tour we did for this unit! 

Click here to see more info!

Evaluating a Vacation Rental Management Company

So, you are purchasing a short-term rental property and have to decide if you are going to manage the property yourself or have a professional company take care of it. It's not an easy decision. If the property is currently managed and is doing well, you might want to consider staying with that company – at least for the next few months. If is it underachieving, you might want to consider making a change. The Sold in Paradise Team is constantly assisting investors in purchasing properties, and as a result we interact with many vacation rental companies. We have discovered that there are six key inquiries to make as part of your due diligence: 

1. Ask for recommendations.  Ask other owners in the community, real estate professionals, and locals. You can google the company and see what consumers are saying.

2. What is their level of expertise?  How long have they been in business and how knowledgeable are they of the local communities? Experience is essential.

   

3. Who will be handling the account?  The boots-on-the-ground contact person can really make a difference-and so can the culture of the company.

4. What is the cost of management?  Make sure you review the entire contract and pay attention to the small print-especially credit card fees, housekeeping, maintenance, travel agent discounts, etc.

5. What is included in the management fee?  Determine what specific services are included in this fee.

6. What is the company's marketing plan?  It's important that the company promotes their vacation rentals via various platforms: mailers, web sites, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Check out their web site; it has to be user-friendly. The pictures should look professional and should look better than the real thing!  Make sure the site has local and community information.   

These are just a few things to consider when selecting a rental management company. It is worth taking the time to get all the answers up front. We are always here to help you if you need anything.

October Sales Market Highlights

Following the previous months, October was quite a busy month as well! Rolling right through fall, we continue to stay busy with both buyers and sellers. Our area never ceases to provide a favorite place for young and old, all year round. It's proven to be a smart and satisfying move to purchase an investment property or second home here. We're looking forward to what the rest of fall will bring!     

Our team had an active share in the October market. We assisted our wonderful buyers in the sales of the following properties:

313 Mattie Kelly Boulevard
Villas At Suncrest | Unit O202

We worked with our sellers to get these listings sold in the month of October:

2801 Ping Lane
Gulf Place Towncenter East | Unit 220
Waterscape Resort | Unit B610
Ariel Dunes II | Unit 1105

In addition, we we able to get several more properties under contract. We'll have all the details in the November Market Report! 

The activity this year is exciting and we're hustling our way right through fall. We love staying in touch to keep both our buyers and sellers prepared for the rest of the fall market. This is a great time to perform some due diligence regarding purchasing property. We are getting a new influx of inventory daily and there are some great opportunities out there right now. The daily hot sheet has new listings hitting the market every day, so let us know if you would like to receive updates on the market! 

Check out the area sales highlights for the month of October:

The highest priced condo sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, and 30A was: 

Sanctuary By the Sea | Unit 2128

30A West

$2,500,000

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 2 Half Bath

4,003 Square Feet 


The highest priced home sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, and 30A was: 

Lot 3 | Bluffs At Sandy Shores

30A East

$8,560,000

7 Bed | 7 Bath | 2 Half Bath

7,726 Square Feet 

Just Sold | Hidden Dunes Grand Villas | Unit 640 | Miramar Beach, FL

3 Bedroom  |  3 Bath  |  2,005 Square Feet  | Selling Price: $1,145,000

We've worked with these buyers since 2012 to find the perfect unit at Hidden Dunes Grand Villas. As soon as this gorgeous  unit came on the market we knew it was the one they had been looking for. It's no surprise that as soon as they saw it they fell in love, so we assisted them in quickly closing the deal. We're so thrilled we could assist our clients in finding their perfect paradise! 

Experience luxurious Gulf front living in this exquisitely furnished and elegantly appointed residence at Grand Villas in Hidden Dunes! Enjoy supreme views of the Gulf of Mexico's aquamarine waters, astonishing sunsets, night lights and majestic marine wildlife. You will love the serene outdoor living on the huge gulf front balcony wile cooking on the private built in gas grill. Upgrades were completed in February 2017. Renovations included plank tiled flooring, crown molding, new doors and stylish barn doors, new lighting, bath and plumbing fixtures, updated chef's kitchen with center island granite counter tops, tiled back splash, custom cabinetry with under mount lighting, Monogram stainless steel appliances and gas stove. The lovely Master Suite is comfortably inviting, stylishly modernized, and boasts more astounding views of the Gulf with access to the balcony. The connecting bath features a spacious walk in closet, relaxing modern tub, beautifully tiled shower with dual showerheads, granite countertops and double vanities. There are two guest bedrooms, one of which provides a private en suite bath. This is truly quality at its finest! 



Grand Villas is rental restricted building providing privacy and security with a separate security gate and amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness room and covered parking. Hidden Dunes is a gated community and offers a professional tennis facility with optional membership and pro shop. The manicured 27 acre site is not a dense property and has an abundance of manicured natural vegetation, walkways, pools, security (24 hours), a tram service, basketball court, exercise room and much more. Come and discover the many treasures of Hidden Dunes.

Click here to see more properties for sale in Hidden Dunes!

Just Sold | Ariel Dunes II | Unit 604 | Miramar Beach, FL

2 Bed  |  2 bath  |  1,175 Square Feet  |  Selling Price: $305,000

After we assisted him in the sale of his investment properties our client asked us to assist him in the purchase of this unit at Ariel Dunes. A prime location, fantastic amenities, Gulf views and beachfront make this an ideal investment opportunity!

This 6th floor two bedroom unit at Ariel Dunes offers great views of the Gulf, lake, and the night lights of Destin and features: 9 foot ceilings, relaxed beach cottage décor, ceramic tile in all areas except the bedrooms making it great for rental maintenance, granite kitchen counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and an outside storage unit. Glass sliders lead to the balcony from both the living area and master suite allowing you to enjoy beautiful Gulf views. This is a knockout two bedroom with the rental figures to prove it, grossing nearly $30,000 in 2016 rentals. Our buyer made a great investment move! 

Click here to view other units for sale in Ariel Dunes!

Seascape amenities and the surrounding lifestyle include 4 pools totaling 24,000 square feet with seasonally heated areas, on-site restaurant: Cabana Cafe, 18-hole golf course and pro shop, eight tennis courts, basketball courts, beach front restaurant: Whale's Tail, new Towne Centre full of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, 2,000 feet of beautiful deeded beachfront, and more. Paradise!

Thinking of selling or buying? Give us a call!

Just Listed | 6 Lakeshore Drive | Shalimar, FL

4 Bed  |  2 Bath  |  2,340 Square Feet  |  Priced At: $340,000

This wonderful home located in the desirable Lake Lorraine Estates is a must see. 

In need of some updating, but the potential is palpable. Upon entering you're welcomed by a spacious living space featuring tile floors, vaulted ceiling, and a stone fireplace. A large formal dining room and the kitchen are just off the living area with touches including pillar accents, granite countertops, and plentiful cabinet space. Head down the hall to find 3 guest bedrooms, a hall bath, and the master suite with attached bath and large walk-in closet. Cozy hardwood floors are found in each bedroom. A lovely sunroom can be accessed from both the living area and master suite. The large fenced-in backyard oasis includes a pergola, pool, deck, sprawling trees, and even fruit trees. Paradise! 

Check out the video tour we did for this unit! 

Click here to see more info!

Just Sold | Noblat Townhomes | Unit 128 | Mary Esther, FL

2 Bedroom | 2.5 Bath | 1,238 Square Feet | Selling Price: $116,900

We just sold the last of the five Noblat Townhomes we had listed! We reached our goal to have these units under contact by September. That gave us 90 days to work with so we rushed into action and made it happen. 

This lovely 2 story townhome is located in a quiet neighborhood in Mary Esther. The living, kitchen, and dining areas are open and flowing. Glass sliders lead you to the private fenced in deck and yard. Each of the two bedrooms feature their own bathroom and ample closet space. The laundry and half bath are located off the entry hallway. A one car garage provides additional storage or parking. Just minutes from beaches, shopping, schools, and only 6 miles from Hurlburt Field makes this a prime location. Noblat Townhomes make wonderful investment properties!

We marketed this property using various methods including email campaigns, a blog, and posts to social media sites including Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest. We also feature the properties on the following websites:

www.Destin30ABeaches.com

www.SoldInParadise.com

www.Trulia.com 

www.Zillow.com 

www.Realtor.com 

www.EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com

www.FloridaLivingNetwork.com

Email flyer sent to our database of investors, as well as an agent version for maximum exposure.

Looking to sell your property? Give us a call!

Just Sold | Tropical Isle | Unit 208 | Okaloosa Island

2 Bed  |  2 bath  |  812 Square Feet  |  Selling Price: $195,000

Another listing sold! 
We've worked with our long-time clients for over four years, and have worked together on a total of 11 property sales! As residents of Illinois, they enjoy owning here and love taking time to visit paradise. Always a pleasure, we love working with them!   

Quiet island living is defined with this adorable condo at Tropical Isle on Okaloosa Island. The main living area is bright and airy featuring vaulted ceilings and plantation shutters. The kitchen boasts new granite countertops and trendy metal backsplash. Make your way down the hall to the full bath and spacious bedroom complete with a balcony where you can enjoy Gulf views and the sea breeze. Upstairs is a great loft bedroom and full bath. The beach access is just a few steps on the south side of the building, or enjoy the refreshing private pool. This unit makes for a great rental investment! Okaloosa Island is a perennial favorite close to shopping, entertainment, and restaurants including the latest hot spot: The Gulf. A great little paradise! 

Check out the various marketing methods that we used to create a cohesive brand for this great unit. 

Email flyer sent to our database of investors, as well as an agent version for maximum exposure. 

Facebook post featuring a video tour of the property. We also post to YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.

We placed a flyer in the unit for renters who may be potential buyers.

As mentioned in our previous blog, professional photography matters! And this case was no exception.  

Professional photos highlight each spectacular feature of the property.

Thinking of selling? Give us a call!