Watersound vs. Naturewalk vs. Wild Heron

I would like to alert you to the following two new threads regarding NatureWalk.

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=12308"]1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=12295"]2[/ame]

I am sorry for my ignorance about NatureWalk ... I understand the disappointment and frustration all of you must be feeling. But if the development is to move forward (against better judgement), I would still like positive/negative evalutions of the property ... along with WaterSound and Wild Heron.

Info on:
Prices (relative to value)
Sales movement
Amenities
HOA

Thank you soooo much!

I won't give you any stats, as that would prove difficult, since as of yesterday, NatureWalk had no properties under contract, nor closed sales, according the powers whom be.

What I can tell you is that each development is totally different. Wild Heron is trying to be high profile, with extremely limited access. It is located in Panama City Beach, and I think that is a negative compared to SoWal -- just my personal opinion. They do have a beach club, but it is at minimum, a 15 minute drive to get there from any lot in Wild Heron.

WaterSound, located in SoWal is boasting of nice ammenities to come. Some of the Golf course has been started, but they have cut back a few holes and are supposedly replacing them with park like amenities. WaterSound owners will also be allowed to join the Beach Club and Camp Creek at hefty discounts. I'm not positive, but I believe that WaterSound owners will be able to access the beach, even without being a BeachClub member, via WaterSound Beach. Don't quote me on that, but it is an easy phone call away if you need to know for sure. WaterSound may look like it is in the middle of nowhere right now, but they are planning for some major changes, including as much commercial space as currently exists in Destin Commons. :shock: They will be the anchor for that end of the WalCo. If the new road gets approved, their property or somewhere really close by, will be a direct access to the new Bay Co Airport.

As for NatureWalk, see the other threads. Minuses will be the Beach Club, lack of beach access, stuck riding the trolly to wait to access the beach or the beach club, if it even goes through. Sure it was approved, but according to the Code, it will be in violation if they do what is proprosed. Just my opinion. Resale might be something else to consider. I have stated that because of their actions of ramrodding the beach club through, I will never take a listing in there. Realtors remember things like that, as do other potential buyers.

In order, my rankings would be WaterSound, Wild Heron, ... well, I will stop there.

I won't give you any stats, as that would prove difficult, since as of yesterday, NatureWalk had no properties under contract, nor closed sales, according the powers whom be.

What I can tell you is that each development is totally different. Wild Heron is trying to be high profile, with extremely limited access. It is located in Panama City Beach, and I think that is a negative compared to SoWal -- just my personal opinion. They do have a beach club, but it is at minimum, a 15 minute drive to get there from any lot in Wild Heron.

WaterSound, located in SoWal is boasting of nice ammenities to come. Some of the Golf course has been started, but they have cut back a few holes and are supposedly replacing them with park like amenities. WaterSound owners will also be allowed to join the Beach Club and Camp Creek at hefty discounts. I'm not positive, but I believe that WaterSound owners will be able to access the beach, even without being a BeachClub member, via WaterSound Beach. Don't quote me on that, but it is an easy phone call away if you need to know for sure. WaterSound may look like it is in the middle of nowhere right now, but they are planning for some major changes, including as much commercial space as currently exists in Destin Commons. :shock: They will be the anchor for that end of the WalCo. If the new road gets approved, their property or somewhere really close by, will be a direct access to the new Bay Co Airport.

As for NatureWalk, see the other threads. Minuses will be the Beach Club, lack of beach access, stuck riding the trolly to wait to access the beach or the beach club, if it even goes through. Sure it was approved, but according to the Code, it will be in violation if they do what is proprosed. Just my opinion. Resale might be something else to consider. I have stated that because of their actions of ramrodding the beach club through, I will never take a listing in there. Realtors remember things like that, as do other potential buyers.

In order, my rankings would be WaterSound, Wild Heron, ... well, I will stop there.

The following would be my order:
WaterSound - Great location, beach and Beach Club. Close proximity to
restaurants and shopping on 30-A. This community looks
like Nantucket!
Wild Heron - Too secluded - Before purchasing in there, take a drive
through the development and count the cars you see....
looks deserted.....
Nature Walk - I would not purchase in here due to the buyout of the
Seagrove Villas. Just the thought of the landmark neon
purple/green Seagrove Villa sign gone makes me nauseous..
Before I'd purchase in there, I would buy in WaterColor.....
Great community, pools, direct beach access, work out
facilities, shopping, Cerulean's, Starbucks and tranquil settings.
Just my personal opinion......

Thank you for all your valuable input so far ...

Wild Heron - Too secluded - Before purchasing in there, take a drive
through the development and count the cars you see....
looks deserted.....

Very true, but they won't let you just drive through. Most Realtors don't want to jump through all of the hoops to show properties in Wild Heron -- something to remember about resale. However, if you are looking for seclusion, it might be your choice.

Have you considered Watersound "West Beach," which is about 1 mile west of Watersound Beach? It should eventually be a nice little community, with a very nice community pool, beach access via a fairly long boardwalk, and access to the Watersound Beach Club and all the Watersound North amenities (when they exist).
I believe there a few resale lots there right now with some pretty motivated sellers. Could be you could get a lot there for not much more than you'd pay at the other communities you mentioned (I can't say that for sure). The big advantages would be being a little more "in the mix" of 30a, and also direct beach access (i.e., not having to take a shuttle to a beach club) which is a biggie for some people.
Also, St. Joe recently had a membership drive for the beach club and offered a discounted membership. Could be one or more of the resale lots joined, in which case the new buyer also gets that membership.
Just a thought.

if someone has a FSBO lot in Wsound West, please PM me w any info?

thanks

Actually, WaterSound Beach West is my FIRST CHOICE. The prices are higher ... and I am still exploring ALL my options. It is nice to hear that others feel positively about WBW.

PLEASE "PRIVATE MESSAGE" ME ALSO WITH FSBO INFORMATION ON RESALE LOTS IN WATERSOUND BEACH WEST. I am looking to purchase within the next 30-60 days (perhaps sooner). Please include as much info as possible ... I promise to respond asap.

Would you choose Watersound over Watercolor....if so why? I am dying to buy in Watercolor but don't know if it is worth all the $$$.

The Wild Heron golf course, Sharks Tooth, was just ranked #7 in the entire state of Florida by Golf Digest magazine. Wild Heron is secluded but the property is incredibly beautiful and many of the lots are large. If golf is your thing then this should be seriously considered. The golf course is outstanding and the community will fill in over time. I think it comes down to would you rather live on the beach and drive to golf or live on the golf course and drive to the beach.

RB ... you make a good point about golf and driving to the beach. I am not a golfer (disabled) and "golf community" in not a priority for me. Thanks for the info.

Jules ... I am nowhere even close to being an expert on Watersound vs. Watercolor. But, it seems to me that the prices are lower in WaterSound Beach West. And since the community is "younger" ... its seems to me that in WBW you have the opportunity to ride the appreciation (increase in property value) of future building? I will be curious as to what the "real experts" have to say though ...

Very true, but they won't let you just drive through. Most Realtors don't want to jump through all of the hoops to show properties in Wild Heron -- something to remember about resale. However, if you are looking for seclusion, it might be your choice.

Actually, since the sales office has ben sold there is no problem driving through. The guard ask where you are going but other than that no problem. It is a beautiful development, but would I buy in there, probably not because of the location, north of 98 and there are other developments for the comparable money that is closer to the beach. Yes I am a drive to the golf course not vice versus. Just my opinion.

Would you choose Watersound over Watercolor....if so why? I am dying to buy in Watercolor but don't know if it is worth all the $$$.

jules are you referring to the house/lot prices? There are great buys in Watercolor at this time. PM me and I will send you the best deals in WC.

RB ... you make a good point about golf and driving to the beach. I am not a golfer (disabled) and "golf community" in not a priority for me. Thanks for the info.

I would not consider Wild heron if you are not a golfer.

Jules ... I am nowhere even close to being an expert on Watersound vs. Watercolor. But, it seems to me that the prices are lower in WaterSound Beach West. And since the community is "younger" ... its seems to me that in WBW you have the opportunity to ride the appreciation (increase in property value) of future building? I will be curious as to what the "real experts" have to say though ...

The lot on the market in WSW is $200,000, sounds like a great price but the lot size is 75x36, what would you build on a lot that size? There are no sales in Nature Walk because they are reserved to buiders only and the developer has not made them close on the lots, probably because of the issues with the beach club. WSW is south of 30-A, WC is mostly north of 30-A but still closer to the beach than WSW if my figures are correct. When the market was at the lowest last year there were people still buying in Watercolor. Ok I would have to say Watecolor is my top choice. Take it away SJ.....😀

Just out of curiosity - it seems that many people that are thinking of buying in the area are focused on the bigger developments instead of a home off of 30A in a regular subdivision or street. Why is this? Do most people like and/or use the amenities of the bigger developments? I admit that I prefer having a house that isn't in a big development, but am trying to understand what buyers are looking for. At my house in Old Seagrove, I can still have a pool in the backyard, the beach is mere steps away, one of the developments that has shops/restaurants is within easy walking distance, so I figure, why pay the HOA fee? I'd love to hear your thoughts, pro and con.

If I were interested in buying in a big development and were going to rent out the house or live in it full time, I would buy in Watercolor. As others have said, Wild Heron is beautiful, but unless you golf, I don't know if it's worth living in Bay County. I don't know much about Watersound West.

I can only speak for me, but my attraction to a "larger development" is for the following reasons:
- Greater variety of ammenities (zero entry pool is great since I walk on crutches)
- Often are "easy access" to restaurants and shops
- Community maintained common areas ... less work for me
- Often the communities are gated
- Covenants protect property values (IMO)

franny, i also like watercolor better than the other 3.

franny, i also like watercolor better than the other 3.

Wonder why? ;-)

Wonder why? ;-)

Probably because they have "F" balcony there. ;-)