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By Debbie James, July 22, 2010

Santa Rosa Beach made Travel+Leisure’s Best Little Beach Towns!!!!

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

This northwestern Florida beach town was once a turpentine mecca, back when you needed the distilled sap to build ships. Today, it prides itself on its hiking and biking trails, as well as its Caribbean-style artists’ colony.

Stay: Architect David Rockwell designed the airy-looking WaterColor Inn & Resort, where you get free use of bicycles, fishing gear, and kayaks that you can paddle around its on-site dune lake.

Eat: Stop in for a cappuccino, ice cream, an “outrageous cinnamon roll,” or even just a beer at Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor. If you don’t have anything to

pass along to Miss Lucille herself, you can just watch the beachgoers stroll by, or check your e-mail on one of her co

ffeehouse’s computers. —Katrina Brown Hunt

America’s Best Little Beach Towns

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By Debbie James, March 10, 2009

Heron Walk is located in Sandestin Resort. You have tons of privacy from the screened patio with beautiful views of the bay and preserve. Seller recently installed new wall-to-wall carpet and living room furniture. Upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile and corian countertops. Enjoy all the amenities: 4 championship golf courses, world class tennis, arina, beautiful beaches, shopping and dining at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, walking and biking trails, swimming and so much more!  All information and room dimensions should be verified by Buyer.

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By Debbie James, January 28, 2009

Looks like our piece of paradise is no longer a secret…this article was published in the January 21st edition of USA Today.

photo my Michael James

Second homes: The sweet life on a stretch of Florida’s ‘sugar sand’

By Larry Olmsted, Special for USA TODAY

Unlike densely populated South Florida or theme-park epicenter Orlando, the western panhandle of Florida has no big cities, and trendy nightclubs are few and far between. The region is not exactly sleepy, with plenty of golf courses and resort developments, but for many years it hasn’t drawn much attention from second-home buyers beyond nearby Louisiana, Texas and Alabama.

Not so any longer. Attracted by some of the best values in Florida (not to mention some of the state’s most acclaimed beaches), buyers from all over the USA and Canada are heading to south Walton County. A new international airport scheduled for 2010 may bring them from even farther.

The main selling point is sand, so soft and white locals call it “sugar sand.” The 26-mile stretch of coastline that constitutes the beaches of south Walton County has 14 towns or communities — including Seaside, the locale for the fictional picture-perfect town in the film The Truman Show. All 26 miles have been certified “Blue Wave Beaches,” an environmental seal of approval from the Clean Beaches Council.

Continue reading 'The Emerald Coast Goes National'»

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By Debbie James, October 27, 2008

Tomorrow’s an exciting day! I’m going to be featured on SoWalScene’s website! Yippee!!! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Real estate is local. What I mean by this is that there are some areas of our Country that have not been as effected by the down turn of the real estate market. Others have been hit extremely hard. South Florida being one of the areas hardest hit.

The Emerald Coast has taken a down turn, there’s not doubt. Prices have declined over the past couple of years. I thought prices in this area, were great last year. Prices this year are unbelievable. There is currently a gulf front condo listed for $240.88 per sq. ft!! Yes, this is gulf front! I sold a similar unit (different floor, same floor plan and square footage), last year for $465.11 per sq. ft! Check out this GULF FRONT, 2 bedroom / 2 bath, 1453 SF, listed for $350,000… Breakers East Condominium, Unit 806 This view can be yours! Continue reading 'The Pulse of Local Real Estate'»

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By Debbie James, October 9, 2008

If you have never been here, you won’t be disappointed! Did you know that Destin, Florida is the number two drive-to, vacation destination? Orlando is number one. Check out this short You Tube video I took the other day from a 10th floor condo…

The only thing missing is you!

For more information about real estate along the Emerald Coast visit my website.

Debbie James
850.450.2000

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By Debbie James, August 31, 2008

We made it thru Tropical Storm, Faye. Got lots of well needed rain and here comes Gustov. Looks like we dodged another bullet, though. It’s going to our neighbors to our west. According to The Weather Channel, Gustov is going to hit somewhere along the Louisanna coast or Texas coast. The center of the cone is just west of New Orleans. The Northeast quadrant of a hurricane is the worst place to be. And unfortunately for New Orleans, they might end up there. Thankfully, they are taking this seriously and doing a great job of evacuating everyone.

I wish I had a dollar for everyone that has asked me that question. (In 5 or so years from now, we will know). it is a fair question, though. Here are my thoughts…I think we are close to the bottom, in my area. Remember that real estate is localized. The area where I live is a resort destination. It’s not a “city” like New York, Atlanta, Houston or Los Angeles. I lived in Atlanta for 12 years and invested in houses. (I am very familiar with their market and I think they have a longer time frame before they hit bottom). Prices are back to 2002/2003 prices. Buyers are coming back and looking. Investors are buying again. There are a lot of cash transactions (sorry to all my lender friends out there). All great indications. Buyers who couldn’t afford to buy a couple of years ago, are now able to afford a condo or home. Even though lending has tightened, interest rates are still low.

Continue reading 'Have We Hit The Bottom?'»