Destin Florida Living-Tips For Hurricane EvacuationLiving in paradise comes with a price. Those who reside around Destin Florida know to keep a close eye on the tropics from June-November. Living most of my life along Hurricane Alley (Texas, Louisiana, now Florida) evacuation can be an art. Here are some tips I picked up over the years...1) Keep a close eye on the weather-- Thanks to social media, there are a bunch of quality (and some not some much) tropical forecasting pages. If a storm forms off the coast of Africa you may have ten days to prep. Late season storms that build in the gulf may only allow 3-4 days so stay informed. 2) Decide what level of risk you are comfortable with-- How big does a storm need to get before you pick up and flee? That's a personal decision, your home's ... 10/10/2024

Places To Eat In Destin Florida- Thai DelightsSearching for something other than seafood while visiting Destin Florida? If you enjoy something spicy, Thai Delight should be on your must visit list. For a modest price, Destin Florida Area guests can select from a wide assortment of Thai dishes. Sometimes the best food comes from a modest space. Located in a shopping center near SuperTarget, this is an easy restaurant to drive right by. Let's take a look at why that would be a culinary mistake...Cruising the appetizer section finds a host of options. I normally go for the dumplings and they are served with this dark sauce. Locals will often select one of the soups as an appetizer. Speaking of which, go during the workweek and Thai Delights is FULL of regulars. In my experience that's gene... 10/09/2024

Destin Florida Real Estate Advice- Listing In The FallIs 2024 the year you elect to cash in equity and sell your Destin Florida area home? Perhaps your home real estate market is seasonal and you worry a Destin condo will linger on the market. Let's examine why autumn is a smart time to list on the Emerald Coast. Reasons Fall Is a Great Time To Sell Your Destin Florida Condo 1) Serious buyers will often skip the summer peak season-- Folks that have purchased along the Emerald Coast know how difficult peak season can be. Thanks to all the extra people enjoying summer in paradise, the commute from condo to condo can be extreme. Then if a vacation rental Saturday turnover (usually 11pm-1pmish) may be the only time. 2) Fall Lighting makes EXCELLENT marketing photos/video-- Yes, Destin is be... 10/08/2024

Places To Eat In Destin Florida-Moe's BBQAs a tourist who morphed into a local, I can attest to what I call "seafood fatigue". After several meals of WORLD CLASS FRESH SEAFOOD, visitors to Destin Florida start looking for some red meat. Take it from a now local, Moe's bbq has you covered! Upon arrival, guests quickly understand Moe's knows bbq. Everything from the decoration to how orders are processed centers around delivering a high quality product. During peak season expect a line even before the doors open. Rest assured, the fresh bbq is worth the wait. As a native Texan, I grew up with high quality bbq. Moe's product is as good as any meat I have purchased in Central Texas. Just look at those ribs! What separates "good" bbq from "great" are the sides. Many restaurants will have sid... 10/08/2024

3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Fl- Price reduced!Searching for a 3 bedroom home around Destin Florida? Need space, great location, but want to dodge those high HOA fees? If so, this 3 bedroom in a cul de sac should be on your must tour list!  3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida OverviewMapsPhotos $399,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 1,565 sqftLot: 0.17 acre(s)Year Built: 1996MLS #: 958370 Location 219 Misty CourtDestin, FL 32541USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings 3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida | $399,900 | Destin, FLCondominium | $449,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom Condo In Destin Florida | $749,... 10/07/2024

What Makes A House Have Value??Getting ready to sell your home in greater Destin Florida? One of the first things we do is determine to find the proper asking price. Let's examine some factors that contributes to a home's value...Factors that influence a home's value1) Location-- This is the granddaddy of them all. One thing you cannot change (without heavy equipment) is where the home sits. There can be a MASSIVE price distinction between a home on the beach verses one 1/2 mile away. 2) Features/amenities--A condo with deeded garage space or a boat slip will command more than a building missing those items. It's critical the agent's marketing puts these features  front and center. The buyers in this price range certainly know. Be cautious adding features though. Not everything (in fact... 10/04/2024

Places To Eat In Destin Florida- Dewey DestinsOne of the benefits to being the World's Luckiest Fishing Village is access to fresh seafood. Locals and visitors to Destin Florida keep returning to Dewey Destins for a reason. Let's have a look! Located on Destin Harbor, Deweys surprises guest with a neat outdoor waiting space. The crowds are real during peak season, but with these MASSIVE oak trees providing shade, the time passes in a hurry. Before long the host is escorting your party to the table and passing out menus. There a multitude of menu choices, I recommend sticking with one of their market fresh fish options. Usually there are snapper, tuna, redfish, and grouper selections. The above is a grouper filet with parmigiana crust. Served baked, the best term to describe this plate i... 10/04/2024

Real Estate Sales Advice-Preview Property!!I'm a slow learner (took algebra one twice in college at the invitation of the dean). Real estate lessons can come at a cost. We mess up a deal or miss an opportunity and then the lesson is implanted. Won't do that again! Early on I noticed an odd trend. I would show a home to a buyer (and goodness it was mostly buyers back then), they would pass and go in a different direction. But on a regular basis I would end up selling the first property to a different buyer. But why? It wasn't my company's listing (would be a while before I had my own inventory) so why was the home on my radar? Simple, because I had spent 15-25 minutes touring it. That made me the expert. When a new buyer reached out, I could reference that home in great detail. Come to f... 10/04/2024

Things To Do In Destin Florida-Seablaster SpeedboatSearching for something fun to do around Destin Florida? Tired of shopping and want something on the water instead? If so, the Seablaster should be on your must be on your Emerald Coast experience list. Let's take a closer look!Located along Destin Harbor, the Seablast is in the thick of the action. A ticket on the Seablaster allows the guest to explore the harbor, Jetties, then offshore weather permitting. The day we toured the gulf was in a mood. No worries, the captain took us under the bridge, around crab island and into Choctawhatchee Bay. The first segment featured a laid back tour of the harbor. When passing a popular establishment, the captain would offer a courtesy honk. This resulted in waves and shouts from the crowd onshore.... 10/02/2024

2025 Shall Be The Year Of ActiveRain!When I joined Activerain, the Covid Crisis was still a decade away (do the math on that). In those early Years Activerain was a terrific resource. At the time the big box broker training was way behind the times (sound familiar). Like many members, I drifted away over the years. Why? Because I knew everything of course! When I started working my new market I came back. Boy I'm happy I did! Here are some ways I see Activerain helping in 2025. 1) We can learn from others-- How did I learn about short sales back in the day? By using the search feature on AR. Presto! a multitude of free training on the subject. By doing so I was MiLES ahead of the local agent learning curve. 2) ActiveRain allows a better understanding of the national real estate market--... 10/02/2024

2 Bedroom Destin Florida Condo Under Contract-Sandpiper CoveEven in the face of high interest rates, plenty of local competition, and an uncertain political landscape, this two bedroom Destin Florida condo found a buyer in less than five days. Let's take a look at what made this Sandpiper Cove Canal unit so popular.  2 Bedroom Condo In Destin Florida OverviewMapsPhotos $495,000 Condominium Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsInterior: 1,108 sqftYear Built: 1998MLS #: 958929 Location 775 Gulf Shore Drive4111Destin, FL 32541USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings Condominium | $449,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida | $430,000 | Destin,... 10/01/2024

Real Estate Updates That Typically Don't Bring ValueWhen prepping their Destin Florida area home for market, sellers are often surprised that not all improvements add value. Although every property is unique, here are somethings I've notice that didn't return value at sale. 1) Above Ground Swimming pools- Heck, even nice in ground pools struggle to bring a positive cash return. For every buyer that wants a pool, another says no thanks. Above ground pools guarantee nothing but a dead grass circle once the plastic shell is finally removed. 2) Solar Panels-- This is especially true for units that are financed. Guess what, the new buyer will need to be approved to take over the payments. And most contracts limit the number of times said loan can be transferred. 3) Permanent Paint-- This was... 09/27/2024

2 Bedroom Condo For Sale In Destin Florida- 195 DurangoSearching for a 2 bedroom condo near all the action in Destin Florida. Need harbor access, but not the high price that usually tags along? If so, 195 Durango should be on your must tour list. Let's see what this Destin Florida condo has to offer.  Condominium for sale in Destin, FL OverviewMapsPhotos $449,000 Condominium Main Features 2 Bedrooms1 Full Bathroom1 Half BathroomInterior: 900 sqftYear Built: 1982MLS #: 959771 Location 195 Durango RoadUnit 3EDestin, FL 32541USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings Condominium | $449,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida | $430,000 | Destin, FL3... 09/26/2024

Purchasing Investment Properties In Destin FloridaJust as certainly as tourist get sunburns, visitors will consider buying investment properties in Destin Florida. Thanks to the area's natural beauty guests come here year around. Combine this with the strong military footprint (home to the largest Air Force base on Earth) Destin becomes an attractive location for investment dollars. Let's look at some potential property revenue streams.1) Short Term Vacation Rentals--A drive down hwy 98 attest to the popularity of rental condos. These buildings will have long rental histories and repeat guests who return once or twice a year. The rentals can be seasonal, but owners will often do 2-3 month "long term" rentals to the snowbirds during off season. Care must be taken when seeking a condo loa... 09/25/2024

The Perils Of A Home Lingering On The MarketPlanning on selling your Destin Florida area home in 2024? If so, it's important to understand the need to price right from the start. Considering "testing the market" with an inflated price? Let's examine some of the potential pitfalls. Potentials challenges when keeping the home on the market too long1) The first offer is normally the BEST offer-- I've heard it many times over the years, "Let's turn down this offer and wait for a better one." 120 days later we are sitting around the closing table looking at a deal that nets the sellers LESS than the original bid. 2) More time on market means more monthly holding costs-- How much does it cost to keep your home every thirty days? Mortgage costs, hoa fees, taxes, insurance, utility bills. This ... 09/24/2024

3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin FloridaSearching for a 3 bedroom home in Destin Florida? Want a GREAT location but not the expense of a home owners' association? If so, 219 Misty Court should be on your must tour list. This Emerald Coast home would make a super long term rental or single family primary home.  3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida OverviewMapsPhotos $430,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 1,565 sqftLot: 0.17 acre(s)Year Built: 1996MLS #: 958370 Location 219 Misty CourtDestin, FL 32541USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Coastal Properties Our recent listings 3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida | $430,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom... 09/23/2024

Destin Florida Real Estate-Prepping For A HurricaneOne of the perils of beach life is the need to be hurricane vigilant six months out of the year. Let's take a look at some things Destin Florida area residents can do when the storm threatens. Things to Do When a Hurricane Approaches 1) Have a plan in place prior to Hurricane season- A simple checklist (prescription meds, electronic devices, snacks for the evacuation, and a place to go away from the coast). 2) Food/water-- Again, it helps to stock prior to storm season. A supply of bottled water (get 3x what you think you will need), canned food (have a manual can opener), "wind up radio" and batteries. 3) Prep Your Property-- When the wind starts howling, the furniture starts flying. Safely store any outside plants, bbq grills, furnitu... 09/23/2024

Real Estate Practice-The Power of The Mastermind GroupWith agents working from home or spending the bulk of their time in the field, real estate sales can be isolating. Merge this with the pace of regulatory change and things can get overwhelming. One of the things that helped me early on was having a group of fellow agents to learn from. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of an agent mastermind. 1) Mistakes can be expensive, it's cheaper to learn from others--Can't count how many times someone in the group made a mistake, then shared the experience with the rest of us. 2) The group can get you out of your comfort zone--It's easier to do scary things (and harder to chicken out) when in a group. Nervous about phone prospecting, join a Zoom group! 3) The members become great referr... 09/20/2024

Why are Waterfront Homes More Expensive?Getting ready to purchase a home around Destin Florida. One of the first things would be buyers notice is the premium homes on the water command. If EVERYTHING in Destin is ten minutes from saltwater, why does the price rise so much? Let's take a closer look.Why water makes the price rise1)The spectacular views-- Imagine waking up with a cup of coffee and watching the boat traffic. Now envision waking up to the tail end of a Super Walmart. Folks will pay a premium for beauty. 2) Water Access--The home in the photo has an assigned boat dock. The lucky owners can go do stairs, fire up the diesels, and head to the fishing grounds. Imagine a landlocked owner trying to navigate those streets during peak season! 3) Increased holding costs-- Properties t... 09/20/2024

Destin Florida Real Estate Market Update- Sept 2024Getting ready to sell your home in the greater Destin Florida area? Or perhaps 2024 is the year you turn the dream of owning along the Emerald Coast into reality. Either way, local real estate market knowledge is important. Let's take a look at how the Greater Destin Florida real estate industry is performing in August/September 2024. The Greater Destin Florida Condo Report September 2024For the purpose of this report we will examine condo transactions from Fort Walton Beach over to Inlet Beach Florida. There are currently 1,400 condos for sale within this geographic span. During this time range 96 condos successfully closed escrow. Units that sold in August averaged 128 days on the market. With an average sales price of 777,984 dollars... 09/18/2024