DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT LIFESTYLE & HOME ON 30A
BUYER’S GUIDE to 30A
COURTESY OF MORGAN PALMER
where coasal dreams come true...
Dear Future Neighbor,
Congratulations, you have found the ultimate paradise along the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida! Buying real estate is a rewarding adventure and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to bring your real estate dreams to life here.
In doing so, I aim to instill knowledge and confidence while helping you successfully navigate through every step of the process.
In this book, you will find an overview of our picturesque stretch of Highway 30A and each unique beach town plus an outline of everything you need to know about the buying process. My mission is to deliver world-class customer service and an unforgettable, positive experience.
I look forward to getting to know you and your real estate goals through this process.
Sincerely,
WHY 30A?
The Beach
The pristine shoreline with sugar white sand and crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico has to be the #1 draw to South Walton. The bright white sand is made almost entirely from tiny pieces of oval quartzite. This rare and striking beach composition comes from thousands of years of erosion and natural phenomena that carried the quartz from the Appalachian Mountains to our coastline. Pristine white sand contributes to the breathtaking light aquamarine color of the Gulf of Mexico, where the waves gently lap along the shoreline. There simply is no other beach quite like it in the world.
The Lifestyle
The laidback, yet energetic lifestyle on the Emerald Coast appeals to the slow-paced beach bums and active, entertainment-seekers alike. Spanning roughly 20 miles, Scenic Highway 30A is made up of 16 side by side communities, each ofering a unique vibe. There is a beach community for everyone on 30A and surrounding areas, whether you seek solitude, a full calendar of local events, art and music inspiration, golf, walking distance to cofee shops and boutiques, or views of the water.
Exceptional Homes
There is no shortage of character and charm in the homes you’ll fnd in South Walton. Home styles range from humble beach cotages to expansive Gulf front estates to traditional family homes. As a relatively new area in the country, new developments are doted all across the coast ofering a plethora of new construction opportunities in addition to existing properties.
Expanding Access
While the beaches of South Walton are within reasonable driving distance from many Southeast cities, we also have two airports. The orthwest lorida eaches nternational Airport is a minute drive to Panama City Beach and about a half-hour drive to Rosemary Beach. It has just seven gates, so the check in and security process is a bree e, and there are direct ights to various hubs across the nited States as well as international destinations. The estin ort Walton each Airport S is an approximately 40- to 50-minute drive to the west end of 30A and is also a small and easy travelling airport. S typically ofers around nonstop ights daily.
Not a High Rise in Sight
No high rises here! The residents of 30A are very protective of preserving its natural appeal, so in 2006, Walton County banned all high density towers. The building height restricted is limited to four stories or 50 feet. Not only are the views protected, but the overall denstiy of the area is kept down, making living and visiting here a much more special and distinctive experience.
Nature Preservation
Throughout South Walton County, there are long stretches of preservation and forest areas along with beautiful Florida State Parks. In fact, 40% of the land in South Walton County is dedicated to preservation and state forest areas. It preserves the natural beauty of the area, protects from future over development, and contributes to preserving strong property values for the local housing market. The beaches at these Gulf front state parks happen to be some of the absolute best spots!
Coastal Dune Lakes
Take a drive along 30A and you’ll see lots of lakes situated very close to the Gulf of Mexico, but these aren’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill lakes. They are globally rare Coastal Dune Lakes with unique and delicate ecosystems. Found in only four places throughout the world, these brackish lakes are fed by fresh water creeks and springs and when higher water levels occur, they often breach the barrier of the beach line and ow into the Gulf, and on occasion, the Gulf ows back into the lake created a truly spectacular sight. Walton County claims the honor of having the largest concentration of Dune Lakes in the world!
36 Hours: Florida Panhandle
This area has long been a beloved vacation spot for Southerners who drive each summer to swim in clear turquoise waters, play in powder-white sand and then slap a 30A bumper sticker on their cars. The appeal for many visitors is the pick your paradise aspect, with communities with scrufy charm like Grayton Beach just down the road from perfectly polished Seaside.
Scenic Highway 30A is a twenty-four-mile road running along the sugar-sand beaches of South Walton County in the Florida Panhandle. But it’s also an area—and, even more so, a vibe—anchored by a special slice of #beachlife across some sixteen coastal communities, from the boho artist enclave of Grayton Beach to the tony villas of Alys Beach.
ATTENTION & FUTURE GROWTH
Ho a n e n a ed re h o Hi h a e a e ne o Florida s Ho es en al ar e s
The area along Scenic Highway 30A has seen explosive growth over the past two decades, with the development of new communities with golf courses, bike trails, boutique stores, and high-end restaurants.
he l i a e uide o Florida s 3 he ou h s es e ea h e re
At frst, beachgoers landed on Scenic Highway A the same way sand setles on the seashore slowly and without much fanfare. But then a wave began to build and—bam!—all of a sudden, this unassuming stretch of roadway, just 24 miles long, was one of the most popular destinations in the South.
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Bud & Alley’s Rooftop Bar
Amavida Cofee & Tea
Shops at Ruskin Square
Weekly Farmer’s Market
SEASIDE
It’s easy to see why Seaside was named “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure magazine. A central hub of South Walton, this iconic town is a pioneer of the New Urbanism movement and became a model for the de elopment of eni ighway i et fen es frame pastel- olored bea h o ages in this friendly town where locals and visitors gather for festivals, concerts, and fun.
WATERCOLOR
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Wine Bar
Perfect Pig
WaterColor Beach Club
Fish Out of Water
The relaxed coastal lifestyle of WaterColor is evident in its inviting Southern-style architecture with wide covered porches, classic metal roofs, and expansive entertaining spaces. Delivering the charm of smalltown life, fne dining, boutique shopping, and outstanding amenities all just steps away in this pedestrianfriendly community nestled along the shores of beautiful Western Lake.
SEAGROVE
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Cafe Thirty-A
Seagrove Village MarketCafé
New Shops and Restaurants at Greenway Station
Clay 30A Garden & Gifts
ne of the early se lements in outh alton, eagro e ea h has stood the test of time here its namesa e thi gro es of windswept trees still stand, you ll fnd a di erse mi of lassi bea h homes, lorida o ages, and bea hside ondominiums popular family destination, eagro e o ers shops, restaurants, and a wide array of recreational activities.
GRAYTON BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Grayton Beach State Park
The epitome of a cool beachside town, Grayton Beach is one of Scenic Highway 30A’s original establishments. Embrace a free-spirited, laid back vibe in this quaint, eclectic community sheltered by old oaks. A popular gathering spot for lo als, this bea h is the ideal pla e to gather for barbe ues and bea h bonfres and the only beach in Walton County that allows 4-wheel drive vehicles to drive on the beach - with a permit! One of the most popular state par s on , rayton ea h tate ar o ers a beautifully untou hed stret h of shoreline miles of trails, and access to the Coastal Dune Lake, Western Lake.
Red Bar
Black Bear Bread Co.
WATERSOUND BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
WaterSound Beach Club
Deer Lake State Park
The gulf front WaterSound Beach community features one the most breathtaking stretches of coastline along Scenic Highway 30A. Beautiful wooden boardwalks transport you to one of 30A’s most private and pristine bea hes oth sophisti ated and stylish, the gated ommunity o ers homeowners a lu urious, coastal lifestyle.
WATERSOUND ORIGINS
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Ambrosia 30A
Friends 30A Burger Bar
Weekly Farmer’s Market
Origins Golf Course
Lake Powell Access
The Watersound Origins® community is often described as a “Coastal Village,” a place where neighbors know each other’s names, kids ride bikes with friends, and dogs (and their owners) greet each other on evening walks. This master-planned community has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods for full-time residents and second home owners for its exceptional amenities, quiet location yet close proximity to 30A, and a welcoming atmosphere.
INLET BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Donut Hole
amici 30A Italian Kitchen
Shaka Sushi and Cocktails
Willow & Mercer
Camp Helen State Park
On the eastern end of 30A, Inlet Beach is nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell. This once sleepy beach community is being rejuvenated with new developments like the upscale shopping center 30Avenue and the Crossings at Inlet Beach. Discover the quaint, private community of Carillon Beach, just across the Bay County line, with its luxurious resort amenities and charming town center.
ROSEMARY BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Pescado
La Crema Tapas & Chocolate
Rosemary Beach Trading Co.
Sugar Shack
Pish Posh Patchouli’s
Rosemary Beach is a welcoming beach town designed to reunite the concepts of community and connectivity in a quaint town se ing esigned by iami-based uany later- yber and ompany, osemary ea h embraces the principles of traditional town planning with a pedestrian friendly design. With its brick-lined streets, harming town enter, unique shops and lo ally-owned afes, lo als and guests ali e delight in this pi turesque ommunity hether enjoying the wee ly farmers mar et, a li ely game of at h on the town green or dining alfresco under the stars, memories made here last a lifetime.
ALYS BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS: asting oom o le hop ummer tory ome urnishings on ille ress
Iconic white architecture and towering palms lead to the Gulf side paradise of Alys Beach. With its lush green lawns and stri ing editerranean in uen ed ourtyard-style homes, this stunning town s design is based on the prin iples of ew rbanism lys ea h raised the bar on he ommunity is the frst de elopment in orthwest lorida to be ertifed green by the lorida reen uilding oalition he lu uriant ero-entry ali a pool and its open-air restaurant are just two of the e lusi e amenities a ailable to lys ea h residents.
KAIYA BEACH RESORT
A new resort-style community designed with connection and comfort in mind, Kaiya brings a refreshing new e perien e to a lifestyle of feeling arefree and ared-for, from e pertly urated fne dining and re reational ad entures to the on ierge ser i e and benefts of the aiya lub aiya ea h esort nurtures balance with luxurious homes that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living and spacious oor plans balan e the e itement of family life with the quiet of pri ate moments
SEACREST
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
LaCo Mexican Fare
Lola Coastal Italian
Seacrest Beach Trading Company
Escape to the quiet beach community of Seacrest, nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, found both east and west of Alys Beach. Large sand dunes and dense coastal shrubbery frame the mix of homes, condominiums, and new developments. Camp Creek Lake, one of South Walton’s 15 coastal dune lakes, is one of the most sought- after locations for photographing the perfect 30A sunset.
SANTA ROSA BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Gulf Place Town Center
Blue Mountain Creamery
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
tin y s ish amp
The west end of 30A encompasses the communities of Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen, and bayside properties in North Santa Rosa Beach and Point Washington. Each area has distinctive o erings united by the easy-going and wel oming atmosphere found throughout outh alton rom bea h to bay, dis o er area s hools, unique shops, gorgeous par s, and lo al restaurants
MIRAMAR BEACH
MY
FAVORITE
SPOTS:
Grand Boulevard
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Silver Sands Outlet Mall
With an abundance of high-rise condominiums, beachside homes, premier shopping centers, and mouthwatering restaurants, there’s always something to do in Miramar Beach and the neighboring andestin olf and ea h esort eptional shopping e perien es, unforge able oastlines, and some of the freshest seafood around makes this destination a tried-and-true favorite.
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
Marina Cafe
The Henderson Spa
Crab Island
Henderson Beach State Park
Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Destin Commons
DESTIN
nown as the orld s u iest ishing illage, estin began as a li le sleepy fshing town and has grown into a bustling tourist destination with something for everyone from high-rise, harbor-side condominiums to gated, amenity-ri h neighborhoods estin is famous not only for its majesti sugar-sand oastline, but also for its award-winning golf courses, delicious and lively restaurants, and family friendly activities.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
MY FAVORITE SPOTS:
With 27 miles of beaches, a vast array of waterfront properties, and exciting new developments, Panama City Beach is one of the Gulf Coast’s most vibrant destinations. Proudly sharing its pristine beaches, a calendar full of renowned concerts and musical events, an international airport, and competitively priced bea hfront a ommodations with residents and guests ali e, it s a outhern ity with its own a or
Pier Park
Shell Island
Gulf World Marine Park
The Grand Marlin Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market
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o t
MORGAN PALMER
30A Real Estate Specialist
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share with you the unique charm and opportunities that the 30A area has to offer. With my 20 years of experience in this vibrant community, I’ve developed a deep understanding of its lifestyle and values.
My goal is to establish a trusted relationship with you, tailored to fit your individual needs. Whether you’re interested in buying, selling, or simply exploring the area, I’m here to offer personalized guidance and support. I value a personal approach, focusing on understanding and meeting your specific preferences and objectives.
I hope this guide has been useful in providing you with insights and information about 30A. I am committed to being a reliable and comforting resource, ensuring you feel informed and at ease throughout your real estate journey, without any pressure.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or for more detailed information. I’m here to assist you in a way that aligns with your unique circumstances and helps you navigate the 30A real estate market with confidence.
Looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and help you discover the perfect fit in this exceptional community, at a pace that suits you best.
Let’s connect soon!
(850) 699-3401
morganpalmer@bpfla.com morganon30a.com
Not only did you make us feel that we were important clients, you made us feel that we were your only clients in the way you responded to emails and phone calls so quickly. Honestly, I don’t think we could have had a better team caring for us. Thank you so very much.
AExceptionally knowledgeable, supremely helpful, and genuinely fun. Morgan went above and beyond on locating our dream property. We cannot recommend her more highly.
I’ve never worked with a more professional agent. I especially liked that she got us around to see so many places. She knows the Panhandle. We could see where the Panhandle knows her. She’s from down there. That history is important.
6 WAYS I CAN ADD VALUE TO YOUR BUYING PROCESS
My goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and I would behonored to have that opportunity.
Buying a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and fnancial documents. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know what’s required in your market, helping you avoid delays and costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
ACT AS AN EXPERT GUIDE
A great real estate agent will guide you through the home search with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget. I can also a great source when you have questions about local amenities, utilities, zoning rules, contractors, and more.
OFFER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS
You want access to the full range of opportunities. Using a cooperative system called the multiple listing service, I can help you evaluate all active listings that meet your criteria, alert you to listings soon to come on the market, and provide data on recent sales. I can also save you time by helping you winnow away properties that are still appearing on public sites but are no longer on the market. 03.
EXPANDED SEARCH POWER
There are many factors up for discussion in any real estate transaction—from price to repairs to possession date. As a real estate professional who’s representing you, I will look at the transaction from your perspective, helping you negotiate a purchase agreement that meets your needs and allows you to do due diligence before you’re bound to the purchase.
STAND IN YOUR CORNER DURING NEGOTIATIONS
E S RE A P TO ATE E PERIE E
A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most buyers, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you when emotions threaten to sink an otherwise sound transaction.
Most people buy only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years between purchases. Even if you’ve bought a home before, laws and regulations change. My experience handling many transactions over the course of my career can put you at ease. 06.
BE YOUR ROCK DURING EMOTIONAL MOMENTS
