WaterSound Beach

probably the "nicest" (watersound beach...watersound is different) on 30A...pretty exclusive...ROI has been great unless you bought in 05 and are trying to sale now...probably some pretty good deals in there.

Brooks!

As a WaterSound Beach owner, I would strongly suggest buying only a lot or home that has a Beach Club membership that will be conveyed at closing (membership runs with the home, not the owner). The Beach Club has been hotly debated here (search previous threads), but is at present highly desireable, both for current use and for added resale value.

If you buy a lot or home that does not currently have a Beach Club membership, your property has no ability to join in the future, for any amount of money. While St. Joe has been known the change policies, the company has held to this rule against much uproar from those who have wanted to join the Club since the February, 2006 deadline.

Some Realtors in the area are still not aware of this and do not alert buyers that the absense of a Beach Club membership may adversely affect the value of the property, now and in the future.:shock:

That said, you will love WaterSound Beach!

Brooks

WaterSound Beach is one of the prettiest pieces of property on the planet, and adjoins Deer Lake State Park so it will always have that going for it. The developer is the St. Joe Company - www.joe.com.

I live in Atlanta and looking to buy in WaterSound Beach. Can anyone give me insight into this development? Amenities, Developer, long term return on investment etc.

No one in WaterSound Beach can give you accurate information on the "long term return on investment" (unless you count your terms in months vs years).


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WaterSound Beach is one of the prettiest pieces of property on the planet, and adjoins Deer Lake State Park so it will always have that going for it. The developer is the St. Joe Company - www.joe.com.

I so agree with this, but look out for what the HOA fees are or will become. From what I've heard they are on the extreme end.

there seems to be a lot for sale in WaterSound Beach. I know there is a lot for sale all over the panhandle, but does anyone have any idea it will take before they have the majoriy of homes build? Also, is this a good place for kids?

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Mr. SHELLY, your name should be Mr. SUNSHINE.
No one in WaterSound Beach can give you accurate information on the "long term return on investment" This is true, it is also true even if you buy gold,stocks, bonds, currency,pork bellies,are a load of crap. I can think of no other place better than the WaterSound Beach area. We have a nice lot across the lake from WaterSound ( Unless Mr. SUNSHINE has a better place for you to put your Money ) maby under a matress, in to Euros, or rent somthing you realy dont want to so you have no risk, or buy some land around the New International Airport thats never comming like I did.

Faith is believing in things yet unseen!!!

00seer00

Mr. SHELLY, your name should be Mr. SUNSHINE.
No one in WaterSound Beach can give you accurate information on the "long term return on investment" This is true, it is also true even if you buy gold,stocks, bonds, currency,pork bellies,are a load of crap. I can think of no other place better than the WaterSound Beach area. We have a nice lot across the lake from WaterSound ( Unless Mr. SUNSHINE has a better place for you to put your Money ) maby under a matress, in to Euros, or rent somthing you realy dont want to so you have no risk, or buy some land around the New International Airport thats never comming like I did.

Faith is believing in things yet unseen!!!

00seer00

Amenn.

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WaterSound Beach is beautiful. We own a house there and bought after researching many coastal locations/island along the Atlantic and Gulf. I would do the following:

- If you're looking at a lot, ask the Agent specifically what the build-out time frame is so you understand that aspect. If you buy a lot, press to have the build-out language (if it's not already) removed and be firm about it. ASK PLENTY OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. 2007 is very different than 2002 relative to this subject.
- Compare what you REALLY get with the Beach Club vs. what you get that is included as part of your HOA fees. Visit the Beach Club during January and during July and see what's open, what's closed, etc. If you buy a house with a Beach Club membership realize that you will have mandatory fees for both the Club and the HOA.
- If St. Joe commits something verbally to you, get it in writing in the Sales Contract.

- If St. Joe commits something verbally to you, get it in writing in the Sales Contract.

Amenn

Amenn

Amenn and then good luck!

Not sure if it will influence your decision or not, but construction commence dates are currently a hot topic with possible extensions (or not) to be determined by joe soon... Fyi

Not sure if it will influence your decision or not, but construction commence dates are currently a hot topic with possible extensions (or not) to be determined by joe soon... Fyi

Didn't JOE ditch those?.... or are they going to reinstate the fines again now that few lot owners can sell (and realize a profit) at lower prices than JOE?


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It's a bit of a mess. Hard to sell a lot when you're required to have DRB approved custom plans and builder lined up in 0-12 months (depending on start date). The end result would be firesale on the lots of which most people (if not the original owner) paid premiums. The dates expedite the completion of the neighborhood of which I personally cannot wait to see. However, given current real estate climate and inventory levels, another extension may be appropriate...or perhaps options to purchase extensions at some reasonable cost (not $2,500 per month!).

We should know soon enough...

Didn't JOE ditch those?.... or are they going to reinstate the fines again now that few lot owners can sell (and realize a profit) at lower prices than JOE?

I think JOE pushed them back a couple of years, not ditching them completely. If I'm not mistaken, that clock will soon begin ticking again, unless JOE changes their minds again.

As some of you know we have just completed our new home in Watersound and even though getting through the DRB was a big headache and heartache.....we are thrilled with our location and all of our amenities. We bought the lot almost five years ago and bought for the long term, we plan on living there full time in about three years. I have been coming to 30-A my whole life and yes it is different than it used to be but still a very special place.

Brooks, what are you looking for? What are the things you desire in a second home? One of the things we love about Watersound is we are off of 30-A and the noise and traffic. We have a home in Seagrove we have been in for six years and it was getting pretty hectic to get in out and of our driveway in season. We are on The Beaches part of Watersound behind the main gate house and love it. My seven year old nephew came to visit and couple of weeks ago and wore us out riding his bike on all of the boardwalks and running around trying to decide what he wanted to do next...the puttering park....the yacht pond....the Dunesider Pool....the beachclub (yes, we are members) or the beach!

Who knows for sure what the long term will be. I do know that sales in Watercolor and Watersound have been much better than most places in 2007. As always, our theory is don't get in over your head. Do what you can AFFORD to do. Who wants to struggle to make ends meet?

If you want come visit us sometime. Let me know and we will make a plan.

It's a bit of a mess. Hard to sell a lot when you're required to have DRB approved custom plans and builder lined up in 0-12 months (depending on start date). The end result would be firesale on the lots of which most people (if not the original owner) paid premiums. The dates expedite the completion of the neighborhood of which I personally cannot wait to see. However, given current real estate climate and inventory levels, another extension may be appropriate...or perhaps options to purchase extensions at some reasonable cost (not $2,500 per month!).

We should know soon enough...

Given St JOE's declining revenue and profits, in addition to its negative cashflow over the past year, it wouldn't surprise me if they start charging for the extentions again.

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St. Joe ought to pay Beachbummett to be the Watersound spokeswoman. She always makes such a fabulous place seem even better!

St. Joe has extended the buildout dates twice, but they still exist!

Amenn

Absolutely agree. I was told multiple untruths / half truths by agent at WaterSound. I would be very cautious with this group. Watch out!

Absolutely agree. I was told multiple untruths / half truths by agent at WaterSound. I would be very cautious with this group. Watch out!

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It's known in the biz (RE & legal) as "puffery"


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