Just In: South Walton Real Estate Sales Summary for November 2010

[Em]

South Walton Real Estate Sales for November 2010

Typically, home sales in South Walton, Florida tend to fall off after the end of the busy summer. Last year surprised us with higher than usual sales in the fall, and this year is also shaping up nicely.



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[melscuba]

South Walton Real Estate Sales for November 2010

Typically, home sales in South Walton, Florida tend to fall off after the end of the busy summer. Last year surprised us with higher than usual sales in the fall, and this year is also shaping up nicely.



Read more

In reading the article further, it makes complete sense to me as a buyer. We are here, ready to buy. In fact, we've made a few passes with no deals being made. We haven't really been low balling, but coming in with the most recent comps for the neighborhoods we were looking in, and they wanted to quibble with us over little things. I guess for me, as someone who is ready to buy, and offering prices that are supported by comps, am feeling a bit frustrated with current sellers. They seem unrealistic, even when in trouble. HOW do we get on the same page here? I'm not trying to get a smokin' deal.... just one that makes sense based on history for the neighborhoods. Would a smokin' deal be GREAT?? of course.... but really, I just want our little piece of paradise, while trying to be smart here. Nobody can predict what's ahead of us price wise, but numbers sure aren't going up at the moment, as indicated here. AAGH!

 

[Kurt]

In reading the article further, it makes complete sense to me as a buyer. We are here, ready to buy. In fact, we've made a few passes with no deals being made. We haven't really been low balling, but coming in with the most recent comps for the neighborhoods we were looking in, and they wanted to quibble with us over little things. I guess for me, as someone who is ready to buy, and offering prices that are supported by comps, am feeling a bit frustrated with current sellers. They seem unrealistic, even when in trouble. HOW do we get on the same page here? I'm not trying to get a smokin' deal.... just one that makes sense based on history for the neighborhoods. Would a smokin' deal be GREAT?? of course.... but really, I just want our little piece of paradise, while trying to be smart here. Nobody can predict what's ahead of us price wise, but numbers sure aren't going up at the moment, as indicated here. AAGH!

Some sellers really don't need to sell and may have unrealistic prices. They may also be frustrated with "trollers". I can see you are frustrated. Patience is key. Hopefully you have a good realtor who is also patient and is submitting your offers in writing, not just trolling with a phone call or email to the listing agent or seller. There are deals to be made.

If you are not working with a realtor you should consider doing so. If you absolutely refuse then you could post what you are looking for and want to spend, and what development or neighborhood, etc. There is a very large contingent of willing sellers and bankers perusing these forums, as well as realtors with excellent deals in their pockets.

 

[30ashopper]

In reading the article further, it makes complete sense to me as a buyer. We are here, ready to buy. In fact, we've made a few passes with no deals being made. We haven't really been low balling, but coming in with the most recent comps for the neighborhoods we were looking in, and they wanted to quibble with us over little things. I guess for me, as someone who is ready to buy, and offering prices that are supported by comps, am feeling a bit frustrated with current sellers. They seem unrealistic, even when in trouble. HOW do we get on the same page here? I'm not trying to get a smokin' deal.... just one that makes sense based on history for the neighborhoods. Would a smokin' deal be GREAT?? of course.... but really, I just want our little piece of paradise, while trying to be smart here. Nobody can predict what's ahead of us price wise, but numbers sure aren't going up at the moment, as indicated here. AAGH!

As Kurt correctly points out patience is key. You have all the time in the world to shop. The size of the SoWal area is small, there isn't a lot of inventory, and prices aren't going to go shooting to the moon any day soon. I've been searching homes here going on three years on emeraldcoasthomesonline.com. I don't anticipate purchasing anything in the near future, but I am optimistic, there is a steady stream of reasonably priced, quality homes now. (Most of which are short sales or REOs.) With a steady stream of good property entering the market, define your criteria and wait for your dream house to show up. In an area as small as this, you're not likely to find exactly what you're looking for at the price you consider reasonable over a short time span.

With all the crazy home buying incentives done and the oil spill over, this spring should be interesting.

 

[30ashopper]

Here's where 30ashopper tilts his outlook:

I don't think median sale price averages will dip much further down. I believe we're finally reaching a bottom.

(Yes, I did say that.)

 

[Kurt]

Here's where 30ashopper tilts his outlook:



I don't think median sale price averages will dip much further down. I believe we're finally reaching a bottom.

(Yes, I did say that.)

:dothewave:

 

[melscuba]

Thanks for reminding me to stay patient. We have been watching the SoWal market since 2005, I can wait.;-) I think now the stars are aligning for us, and sometimes I get squirrely. It feels like it's been a long road of watching the market and waiting for our savings to be at the right place. I think the two have just about met up and my emotions can get the better of me. In fairness, our parameters do change a bit. We toggle between purchasing a lot in Watercolor and waiting to build, or just purchasing a single family home along 30-A. Our price point is the same at the moment for either... well actually around $300,000 for a home or $200,000 for a lot (don't ask "why?".... one is the big dream, one is a true workable number for a second home). We love Cottages of Camp Creek, in particular a home on the pool, and Magnolia Cottages by the Sea for the deeded beach access, pools, upkeep/quality of the neighborhoods, and access to the larger developments of 30-A.
Just thought I'd toss those tidbits out there. In the mean time, I'll do my daily perusing of the MLS. I have to say, that while I do feel frustrated at times, I am a believer that all things happen for a reason. The right home, at the right time will happen... I know.

I just found Murray's article intriguing as we have experienced it first hand, and are anxiously awaiting for some of these sellers to do some research on what is selling in their neighborhood and price accordingly.

 

[Paula]

Hi Melscuba:

We've spoken before, and I'm glad you said you love the Cottages at Camp Creek. As you (and a lot of people on the board know), we have two side-by-side one-story 3-bedroom cottages at the Cottages at Camp Creek and love them, absolutely love them and the community. It's a small and very well designed community. I believe you get a lot for your $ here in terms of lifestyle (simple easy living), beauty (quaint cottages with lovely beach and huge pool), big porches, easy care, low home-owner fees relative to other areas because the landscaping is native (which I also love, especially when I think of what the community will look like when the trees get big - it's already quite lush looking), and little traffic because we don't have restaurants, shops, etc., right near by (and the beach is quiet). I also love having Alys Beach 1/2 mile away (especially with the Fonville Press coffee shop, George's, Charlie's donut truck, Calyza restaurant) and Rosemary Beach with the restaurants and shops 1 mile away. We have an active and thoughtful homeowners association that's on top of what needs to be done but isn't intrusive, which is important. I very much like the other owners.

There are some cottages for sale now from what I can see. I think there are the small 3-bedrooms (about 1100 square feet, one story, which makes them quite easy to care for) available and the larger 2-3 story cottages available. They're selling for quite a bit less than what we bought ours for (though we're fine because we're keeping them for the long run). For whatever reason, families love the place, as do couples and snowbirds. I happily melt into complete relaxation whenever I walk through our cottage door and I never want to leave. We've created great memories and friendships here.

I hope it works out for you soon (and it would be great to have you as a neighbor at the Cottages at Camp Creek - or Magnolia or anywhere). I'll let you know if I hear anything about what's available at the Cottages.

 

[robertsondavies]

The Cottages and Camp Creek and Magnolia Cottages both rock, great for families or couples alike, and both are right where you want to be.... wedged in the middle of 30A, between Rosemary & Alys Beach on the one side, and on the other way is Seaside & Grayton.

Apparently Miley Cyrus agrees on the location on 30A.

When Alys Beach gets built out, and it will, the spillover effects are going to be tremendous for Seacrest IMHO.