Kick-off the weekend Friday, Feb. 17 at Fat Tuesday with a delicious Crawfish Boil starting at 4 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 18 from 12-4 p.m. guests will enjoy
live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe, family activities & the best gumbo cook-off on the Gulf Coast.

CRAWFISH BOIL KICK-OFF PARTY AT FAT TUESDAY’S
Friday, February 17th starting at 4 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our official kickoff for the Sandestin Gumbo Festival at Fat Tuesday’s from 4pm- 6pm. $5 per plate!
 
THE MAIN EVENT
Saturday, February 18th starting at 12 p.m.
This winter festival favorite is back for the 28th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival.  Sample a variety of gumbo and vote your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner! Dark or light roux? Chicken, sausage or seafood? Celebrity judges will name the “Area’s Best.” Gulf Coast restaurants will be featured along with live music and children’s activities.  
​
EVENT WILL HAPPEN RAIN OR SHINE.
 
Tickets
http://www.sandestingumbofestival.com/sandestin-gumbo-festival/#27
 

Miramar Beach, Florida  -  Homes & Cond
Miramar Beach Beachfront & Waterfront HOMES
→Miramar Beach Homes $0- $250,000
→Miramar Beach Homes $250,000 - $500,000
→Miramar Beach Homes $500,000 - $1,000,000
→Miramar Beach Homes over $1,000,000
 
Miramar Beach Beachfront & Waterfront Condos
 →Miramar Beach Condos $0 - $250,000
→Miramar Beach Condos $250,000 - $500,000
→Miramar Beach Condos $500,000 - $1,000,000
→Miramar Beach Condos over $1,000,000 ​

Alphabetical order by name of neighborhood or condo: 
Alerio | Amalfi | Ariel Dunes | Avalon Beach Estates  |  Avalon Dunes
 
Bay Bridge Landing | Bay Manor  |  Bayou Pines  | Bayshore Gardens 
 
Bayshore Pines  |  Bayside  |  Baywalk Landing  | Beach House
 
Beach Resort | Beach Retreat  | Blue Fish  | Blue Surf  |  Bon Villas 
 
Bradley Park | Captiva at Tops'l  |  Caribe  | Ciboney  | Coco Park
 
Colony Park | Compass Rose  | Costa Del Sol  | Costa Vista
 
Cottages of Miramar  | Crescent | Crystal Village  |  Delos at Frangista Beach
 
Destin Surfside | Dorothy Bowen Estates | Driftwood Estates | Edgewater
 
Emerald Bay | Emerald Dunes  | Emerald Haven  | Emerald Shores
 
Emerald Waters | Empress | Fisherman's Village  | Flamingo Beach
 
Florida Lakes | Flounder Beach | Four Mile Village  |  Frangista Beach
 
Grand Dunes | Grandview  |  Gulf Pines | Gulfside  | Gulfview  | Gulf Whisper
 
Gulf Winds | Hidden Dunes | Hidden Harbor Estates  | Hidden Villas
 
High Pines | Holiday Shores Estates | Huntington by the Sea
 
Kona Kai Gardens | Legion Park Landing | Le Soleil  |  Leeward Key
 
Leisure Bay  |  Mainsail | Majestic Sun | Malibu Gardens  |  Maravilla
 
Mediterranea  | Miramar Beach | Miramar Palms  | Misty Cove 
 
Nonesuch Way  | Olde Florida Lakes | Paradise Retreat  | Pavilion Palms
 
Poinciana Place  | Point of View  | Ponce de Leon  | Port of Call
 
Richards A E   |  Riley's Bayview  | Royal Seaesta | Saint Tropez
 
Sanddollar  | Sandpiper Beach  |  Sandprints  | Sandspur
 
Seaborn  | Sea Cabins  | Seacove  |  Seascape  | Seaspray  | Seawinds
 
Shipwatch | Shopes  | Sierra Dunes at Tops'l  |  Snowdrift  | Spyglass
 
Summer Breeze | Summer Haven  | Summerhouse  | Summerlake
 
Summerspell | Summit at Tops'l | Sunburst on the Bay  | Sunchase
 
Surfsong  | Tang-o-Mar  | Tides at Tops'l  |  Tops'l
 
Townes  | Tradewind  | Treasure Sands  | Treetops at Bayside
 
The View | Villa Burago  | Walton Way | Warren Heights
 
Whispering Oaks  | Windancer  | Woodland Shores
 

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida
 
Bayside - WEST:
Augusta  | Bayou Village | Bayside  |  Cove on the Bay 
The Fairways  |  Golfview  |  Grand Harbour  |  Harbour Point
Heron Walk  | L'Atrium |  Linkside |  Magnolia Village 
Northshore  |  Players Club  | Sandestin Estates  |  Sandpiper Village
Vantage Point
 
Bayside - EAST:
Anchorage  |  Baypine Cottages |  Baytowne Ave |  Bungalos  
Burnt Pine | Crystal Cove | Crystal Lake  |  Deerwood
Delmar  |  Fountains  |  Genoa  | Inspiration 
Inspiration - Fractional |  Island Green | Laurel Grove | Legend Creek 
Magnolia Bay | Prestwick  |  St. Andrews  |  Troon Drive
Turnberry  |  Tuscana  | Villa Lago   | Vineyards
 
The Village of Baytowne Wharf:
Bahia  |  Elation   | Fishermans Village | Grand Sandestin  |  Lasata 
LeJardin | Market Street Inn | Observation Point | Pilot House
 
Beachside:
Beachside I & II | Beachwalk  | Island Estates  |  Luau I & II
One Beach Club | Pine Ridge | Sandestin Beach Villas
Southwinds I,  II,  III  | Tivoli by the Sea
Tivoli Ridge  | Tivoli Terrace   | Westwinds 
 ​

The area is also home to one of the largest longleaf pine forests in the world. With more than 40 percent of Walton County’s total acreage dedicated to preservation, hikers and bicyclists can explore hundreds of acres of forests with breathtaking views of unspoiled natural vegetation, rare coastal dune lakes and some of the nation’s most endangered bird species. The area’s four state parks and state forest are included in the Great Florida Birding Trail.
State park and state forest fees may vary so please visit the following websites for current information.
Florida State Parks - www.floridastateparks.org
Florida Division of Forestry - www.fl-dof.com
Great Florida Birding Guide - www.floridaconservation.org
Florida Trail – www.floridatrail.org
​
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS — Pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
KEEP RIGHT AND PASS ON LEFT — The trail is like a roadway.
KEEP THE TRAIL CLEAN — Make sure you leave the trail pristine by removing all trash and personal items you brought with you.
BE SAFE AT NIGHT— Cyclists must use head and tail lights after dark.
 
KEEP PETS UNDER CONTROL — Be sure to check if dogs are allowed on the trail/park before beginning to hike or bike. If dogs are allowed, be sure to keep them on a short leash, walk them on the right-hand shoulder and clean pet waste from the trail. No dogs on the beach, except residents with a valid permit during approved hours.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS — It’s the law that a bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a helmet and bicyclists are not allowed to wear headphones at any time.

The Beaches of South Walton, affectionately known as "30A" by locals and regular visitors alike, is a quiet, old Florida styled stretch of beaches located between Destin and Panama City Beach.  Scenic 30A boasts some of the most beautiful natural scenery of any area here on the Emerald Coast of Florida.  Surrounded by thousands of acres of natural preserve. Scenic 30A is a nature lover's paradise.  

Master planned communities such as Seaside, Watercolor, WaterSound Beach, Rosemary Beach, WaterSound West Beach, and NatureWalk at Seagrove set the standards on Scenic 30A and exemplify classic "Southern Living" at its finest!  If you prefer something more "Old Florida Cottage" styled, check out homes for sale in Seagrove Beach, Blue Mountain Beach or Grayton Beach.  These classics never go out of style! Gulf front homes and condos are also available on Scenic 30A.  

Be a Local, 30A  beaches include Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Seaside, Watercolor, Seagrove Beach, WaterSound Beach, Seacrest Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach.  With the preferred method of travel being bikes and the preferred footwear being flip flops, Scenic 30A offers owners and visitors alike a beach experience like no other.  
 Come play in the sand with us on Scenic 30A! 

We have seen 5 and plan our 6th this year. LOVE IT !!!!!

USA Today called The REP’s Every Christmas Story Ever Told one of America’s “WACKIEST, TACKIEST, AND HAPPIEST HOLIDAY EVENT(S)!”
​
Why go out to see another Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, and watch It's a Wonderful Life on TV when you can see all 3 (and many more) in one 90 minute show? The REP's 7 year smash hit Every Christmas Story Ever Told returns with all of your favorite "Beloved Holiday Classics" crammed into a night full of high-energy jolly, frivolity, and hilarity. 3 REP actors, armed with a bazillion props and costumes, send up everything from Charles Dickens to Dr. Seuss, Jimmy Stewart to Chewbacca in this ever-evolving REP holiday favorite. It’s the perfect way to get ready for the season, beat the festive fatigue, and share some holiday cheer!

For Dates and Times Click Here  and Tickets Click Here. 

​While Fannie Mae has streamlined the process by which condo developments can obtain approval, the reality is that very few projects are approved. To see if a condo you’ve got your eye on is eligible for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing, you can find a list online. Don’t be surprised, however, if your state has just a handful (or even zero) of condos listed.

If you’re financing a condominium purchase, plan on a little longer processing time. Lenders have to assemble a lot of paperwork before submitting a package to approve projects for mortgages. It can add some days to your closing, and this should be considered when you’re deciding to lock in an interest rate. 

What does the lender require from the HOA or Condominium manager? 
All Lenders will require the HOA to fill out their condo questionnaire, there are two types Full (Long form for max financing) or short form (limited review) limited review does require on average for the borrower to put more money as down payment. 

1. Lender Condo Questionaire 
2. Copy of the Annual HOA Budget for the current year
 An acceptable Budget  will include the following:
• Line item expense for Reserve account, separate from the Operating account.
• Line item expense for the insurance premium and deductible
• The name of the HOA must be shown on the budget
 3. Insurance Company Information:
Copy of the Condominium Project’s Certificate of Insurance for Property and Liability; Fidelity Bond Coverage (Employee Dishonesty), if over 20 units, and Flood Insurance, if applicable. 
More lenders are requiring all pages of the policy for review. 
4. Required Documentation for New Projects or New Conversions:
 Copy of HOA’s Declarations (CC&Rs) that have been signed, stamped and filed.
 Copy of all recorded addendums to the Declarations
 Copy of HOA by-laws and addendums
 
A full review is required for max finacing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed loans this means loan can have smaller down payment and can be a 30 year fixed for primary, second and investment propeties. The loan amount is limited to a max 417k (soon to be 424K)  5% down as a primary and 10% down for second homes. 
The guidelines of a full review are:

• 51 percent of units are owner occupied or second homes
• No single entity owns more than 10 percent
• Maximum commercial space is 20 percent
• No construction defect litigation. All other litigation will need to be reviewed.
• Budget–line item for reserve with at least 10 percent of assessments/income being collected
• No more than 15 percent of association dues delinquent more than 30 days
• Condominium rentals are not advertised with daily rentals or other hotel type amenities (minimum three-day rental period)
• Insurance coverage must be sufficient (hazard, flood, liability, fidelity and HO6 if required)
• Review of condo docs to address:

        a. Compliance with laws
        b. Limitations on ability to sell or first right of refusal
        c. Amendments to docs
        d. Rights of mortgagees and guarantors
        e. First mortgagees rights
        f. Unpaid dues
        g. Minimum square footage of unit is 400 square feet
        Limited and full project reviews have duration of 180 days.

 A limited review is conducted by the lender – it’s just a questionnaire that’s completed by the property manager or head of the homeowner’s association. To be eligible for a limited review, you must put down at least 20 percent for a primary residence or 30 percent down for a second home. Has the same loan amount limits as above. 

Limited review criteria are:

• Commercial space can comprise no more than 25 percent of the square footage
• At least 10 percent of association dues must be allocated to reserves
• Fewer than 15 percent of units must be in arrears with their dues
• More than half of the units must be owner-occupied
• Insurance must meet GSE guidelines
• There can be no lawsuits over safety, structural soundness, habitability or functional use
• No single entity can own more than 10 percent of the units unless there are five to 20 units; in that case, a single entity can own two units
• Minimum square footage per unit is 400 square feet
• Condominium rentals are not advertised with daily rentals or other hotel type amenities.

Q. What is a “Condotel”?
Gena:  We’re using the term “condotel” to include a broad group of properties which typically have one or more “Hotel” type characteristics. Typical features could include an onsite rental office; onsite commercial space(s) such as restaurants, day spas, convenience stores, etc.; PBX phone system; high-level guest services such as 24-hour check-in, daily maid service, concierge, valet parking, etc.
 
Q. Why is my choice of a lender to finance my condo purchase so important?
Gena: It’s important because in my years of selling condos in the financing attempts through inexperienced lenders have caused more problems than any other single factor, resulting in loan denials most of the time. This is also important because it is the easiest problem to prevent.
 
Q. Why can’t I just find the best residential mortgage loan program and use it to finance my purchase of a resort condotel?
Gena: Financing is often property-specific and certain loan programs will not work for certain properties regardless of the strength of the borrower. This concept is alien to some lenders. The reasons for this have nothing to do with the quality or location of the property.
 
Q. Why do lenders resell loans and why does this make a difference?
Gena:  The secondary loan market is set up for residential properties for primary residences, second homes, and investment-and there are guidelines to determine what properties qualify. If a property doesn’t qualify, the lender cannot sell the loan through one of the agency entities (Fannie Mae – Freddie Mac).  Lenders can still make money on loans they can’t sell (such as they do on commercial loans). However, since they tie up assets for potentially long time periods, the returns (interest rates) generally must be higher to justify these.
 
Problems arise with inexperienced lenders because many resort like condos are somewhat commercial in nature. They have onsite rental desks, daily maid service (like a hotel), onsite restaurants, etc. These are considered by many buyers and most visiting vacationers to be positive factors. Unfortunately, secondary loan market guidelines cause these type properties to be categorized as a “condotel” and therefore ineligible for the secondary loan market. This is what typically causes a residential loan on a condotel through an out-of-area lender to be denied at the last minute.
 
Q. Does this mean there’s nothing really wrong with a condotel?
Gena: There is nothing wrong with condotels just as there is nothing wrong with restaurants, hotels, office buildings or any other properties that could typically be described as “commercial” in nature. As previously stated, many of their characteristics actually may make them more desirable to a second home owner than a detached house.
 
 Q. Are the same loan programs available for all condotel buildings?
Gena: No. Available loan programs can vary significantly from one building to the next. Relevant factors may include the service level and the precise location of the rental desk (inside the building or not, for example), the size and configuration of the individual condominiums and whether or not there are timeshare units in the complex, just to name a few. Also, if a buyer already owns another property along the coast this could affect the loan. As noted, interpretations also vary over time and from lender to lender.
 
Q. Are terms and interest rates the same for condotel loans as they are for primary residence loans?
Gena:  Interest rates are sometimes slightly higher than rates for primary home loans and a larger down payment is sometimes required. Also, 30-year fixed rate financing is typically not available. The reason is that lenders consider these to be riskier loans than those for primary residences. If a borrower experiences financial difficulties, they will stop paying on their second home or investment loan before they stop paying for the roof over their head. Even more importantly, since these loans are typically not sold, any profit the lender makes is based on the “spread” between the interest rate charged to the borrower and the interest rate available to the lender. And since this is the case for the life of the loan, lenders want the rates to be able to adjust as prevailing interest rates change.
 
Q. Are condotel loans risky for the lenders that specialize in them?
 Gena:  In our area at least, these loans have historically had very low default rates. Most of the Buyers are relatively affluent with strong assets and reserves. They also typically have good credit scores which they will go to great lengths to protect. Of course during times of hardship such as the recent recession, defaults increase as they do with other types of mortgages.
 
Q. Does it matter which of the local lenders I choose to finance my resort condo purchase?
Gena: Yes, not all of our local lenders can provide financing for all properties. Lenders, like most service providers, often specialize and some do not have programs for condominiums.
 
Q. Condos are obviously not as easy to finance as detached houses. Should I be worried that there won’t be available financing when and if I try to sell my condo?
Gena:  Through the year’s working with condos, there has always been reasonable financing available for qualified buyers although the lineup of the “best” local lenders has changed frequently. This is a lucrative market for lenders and with baby boomers expected to buy millions of second homes in the coming years; it is unthinkable that no lenders would choose to take advantage of that opportunity.
 
Q. Is it ever OK to use a lender who does not have resort condo experience?
Gena:  Yes of course, a “Signature” Loan- In other words, your position with the lender is so strong that your signature will get you a loan regardless of why you’re borrowing the money. The lender is treating this as a ‘portfolio” loan which it does not intend to sell.  Commercial Loan- Some buyers put down more money and structure these as commercial loans. There still could be problems if the lender is not familiar with our market.
 
Q. What if I carefully consider all factors and still decide I don’t want Condotel financing terms?
Gena:  The easy answer is to simply buy in a property (Condo) that is eligible for conventional financing (Warrantable Condo it meets Fannie Mae guidelines). There are plenty in our area. Ask me to help you find these properties. The rules are confusing and the list of eligible properties changes frequently as rules are periodically changed or as interpretations change.  The other solution is to pay “cash”. This is not necessarily as difficult as it sounds. Many “cash” buyers actually just borrow against some other asset which gives them more favorable terms. Home equity loans, leveraged stock portfolios, etc.
 
Q. This sounds so complicated—how will I learn all this?
Gena:  Good news you don’t have to. Your experienced agent who works with condos can help you.  Experienced condo agents constantly monitor the local competition so that they can help their clients connect with some local lenders that can service their needs.