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Watersound ("north") ...

caseyBeach Comber
6,546 views
We are from Atlanta ... and we will be visiting South Walton this summer for two weeks. We have had a long term dream to own a house near the beach as our 2nd home. But because of land/home prices, we have resigned ourselfs to the fact we cannot own beachfront.

Tis summer we want to look at land in a few communities. Primarily, we are interested in WaterSound "north" and WindMark Beach. We are attracted the the wide array of amenities at these properties. But, we have some concerns:
- seems nothing is selling at Watersound
- Watersound's access to the beach
- Windmark's beaches and ocean not as pretty as 30a

Does anyone have any recent info and/or opinions on these developments ... are they selling ... are they priced fairly ... is one a better investment that the other?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

Replies

31
TooFarTampa avatar
TooFarTampaSoWal Insider
#2
Casey, there is a BIG difference between WaterSound North and "beachfront." Lots and lots in between. Are you willing to share your budget and must-haves? If so, lots of people here would be willing to steer you toward things you probably don't know about. :welcome:
caseyBeach ComberAuthor
#3
Thank you for the quick reply. I am still learning how this board works, so I appreciate your guidance. Here are our decision making factors:

- budget = $250K for land
- build within 5 years
- nice amenities ... especially swimming pool
- good long term investment.

THANK YOU AGAIN!
egrpBeach Lover
#4
WSN mite be a good play for you...its within a couple of miles of the beach and access should be granted through WaterSound Beach club (granted u mite be expected to pay for that access). if you don't want to pay many public beaches or can park at seaside, greyton, whatever. will be a nice community at full buildout. very little selling in WSN, but then again very little selling anywhere...but pricing is pretty fair imho.

that being said...if you're budget for land is $250K, i'm not sure you couldn't find something pretty darn close to 30A right now. check some of the other threads but i think you are in the ballpark. check watersound west beach they have cottage lots for under 300k...will have a nice pool etc and has a loooong boardwalk access to the beach.

don't know much about windmark...the biggest dif i see is that windmark feels more isolated/rural. not that sowal is a booming metropolis but destin and pcb are close and plenty to do outside of WSN within sowal. don't think this is the case with windmark.

hope that helps

Edited

Babyblue avatar
BabyblueBeach Fanatic
#5
Thank you for the quick reply. I am still learning how this board works, so I appreciate your guidance. Here are our decision making factors:

- budget = $250K for land
- build within 5 years
- nice amenities ... especially swimming pool
- good long term investment.

THANK YOU AGAIN!

How about a lot in Seacrest Beach, next to Rosemary. No build out time. South of 98 and one big swimming pool all for 250k?
mfBanned
#6
How about a lot in Seacrest Beach, next to Rosemary. No build out time. South of 98 and one big swimming pool all for 250k?

WOW! that sounds like a great deal! where do i sign up?:shock:
Babyblue avatar
BabyblueBeach Fanatic
#7
WOW! that sounds like a great deal! where do i sign up?:shock:

Send me a PM and I can sign you up.
gardening1970 avatar
gardening1970Beach Fanatic
#8
Phase I of Windmark is directly on Port St Joe bay. I love Port St. Joe as I have family there and have spent much time there, but it doesn't have the same feel as the neighborhoods on 30A... very quiet. Windmark does have great access to Cape San Blas (which I LOVE), and the marina is close by. While there are big plans for the old paper mill site, I'm not sure that the nearby chemical plant is going any where soon (the town needs those jobs). I read that plans for the St. Joe Company development Bonfire Beach to be built in Mexico Beach near Tyndall have slowed considerably due to the market downturn. I think there are some locals on this board who live in or near St. Joe and who may be able to weigh-in on price and movement.

Good luck to you, and enjoy the hunt for just the right place!
PalmBeach avatar
PalmBeachBeach Lover
#9
I checked out some model homes at WSN last week. Good amenities and a lot of house for the price. Also good lot prices. They have several builders on board and some awsome prefab houses. Don't be fooled by the fact that they are prefab. They are VERY nice and priced right. They are marketing to permanent residents and true second home buyers rather than as a resort. So if you want to feel like part of a community it is a good choice. When you are close to the beach you may just have a different set of neighbors every week during the season and none the rest of the time.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#10
Phase I of Windmark is directly on Port St Joe bay. I love Port St. Joe as I have family there and have spent much time there, but it doesn't have the same feel as the neighborhoods on 30A... very quiet. Windmark does have great access to Cape San Blas (which I LOVE), and the marina is close by. While there are big plans for the old paper mill site, I'm not sure that the nearby chemical plant is going any where soon (the town needs those jobs). I read that plans for the St. Joe Company development Bonfire Beach to be built in Mexico Beach near Tyndall have slowed considerably due to the market downturn. I think there are some locals on this board who live in or near St. Joe and who may be able to weigh-in on price and movement.

Good luck to you, and enjoy the hunt for just the right place!
The last I heard about Bonfire Beach was that Tyndall AFB did not want it to be developed stating that there was potential for misguided drone planes to crash in that area. 😱 I'm serious.

WaterSound (formerly, North) has lots starting around $140K. Construction must begin within 4 years and has to be completed by year five. They are scrapping a few holes of golf which they had originally planned and are building a centrally located park with outdoor ampitheater similar to WaterColor's Cerulean Park. They will have a swimming pools as well. As Palmbeach stated, they are marketing WaterSound as a community for year-round residents. There are discounts on the BeachClub and Camp Creek memberships if you buy in WaterSound. I think WaterSound has some potential for a year round residence. Did I mention that they are also building retail stores at the western side of the entrance, which will be close to the same size as currently seen in Destin Commons?

I've been to Windmark and cannot say that I was wowed. I can think of too many other places where I would rather live
jimmyp5 avatar
jimmyp5Beach Lover
#11
Our fourth and final phase of WaterColor includes homesites starting at $161K (in the Summersweet Place neighborhood) and completed 3 BR/4 bath homes starting at $697,500 (in the Turtle Ridge neighborhood).

Phase 4 has its own pool, access to the WaterColor Beach Club and all other WaterColor amenities, and it's only a few blocks down the Hwy 395 bike path to the closest public beach access.

Please PM me if you'd like more info. I'm a sales associate at WaterColor.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#12
I posted the incorrect starting list price in WaterSound. They have several lots starting at $160K, not $140K.
robertsondaviesBeach Fanatic
#13
what do you folks think of Watersound Beach West? What is the buildout time? Do you have to go with one of Joe's approved and therefore ridiculously gauge happy builders?

How far is that "long boardwalk" to the beach? Does it spit you out right next to Deer Lake Park, or is that not quite accurate?
SHELLY avatar
SHELLYSoWal Insider
#14
Thank you for the quick reply. I am still learning how this board works, so I appreciate your guidance. Here are our decision making factors:

- budget = $250K for land
- build within 5 years
- nice amenities ... especially swimming pool
- good long term investment.

THANK YOU AGAIN!

How big of a lot are you looking for in your $250K price range? Keep in mind that what may appear as a bargain $250K lot "near the beach" can mean a "postage stamp-sized" lot with neighbors so close you'll only have space for a one-sided fence.


.

Edited

fisherBeach Fanatic
#15
We are from Atlanta ... and we will be visiting South Walton this summer for two weeks. We have had a long term dream to own a house near the beach as our 2nd home. But because of land/home prices, we have resigned ourselfs to the fact we cannot own beachfront.

Tis summer we want to look at land in a few communities. Primarily, we are interested in WaterSound "north" and WindMark Beach. We are attracted the the wide array of amenities at these properties. But, we have some concerns:
- seems nothing is selling at Watersound
- Watersound's access to the beach
- Windmark's beaches and ocean not as pretty as 30a

Does anyone have any recent info and/or opinions on these developments ... are they selling ... are they priced fairly ... is one a better investment that the other?





I think you have better choices than Watersound North in your price range. First of all, prices in Watercolor and Watersound Beach have been coming into your $250k price range over the last few months. A lot in WSB recently closed for $313k and a couple of lots in WC have closed at just under $250k with a couple of current listings at just over $250k (I would be willing to bet you could make an offer for under $250k and the owners would jump at the chance to sell). With the current downward trend in the prices of raw lots, you will likely see more lots in WC and WSB move below $250k. There are also two lots for sale in Rosemary for under $400k--above your range but who knows what a seller would ultimately take.

Although beach access in the Preserve and Cypress Dunes is not as good as in WC or WSB, you can get lots in these developments for well under $250k and be right on 30A. Another option would be Seacrest.

Finally, a cottage in Watercolor sold for around $650k last year and another sold recently for $775k. There are boatloads of houses for sale in Watercolor--several for under $1 million. I would expect to see prices fall further in mid to late summer if the market doesn't pick up considerably in the near future. There are lots of owners needing to exit the market and they will start getting "desperate" if another selling season goes by and their homes are still on the market.

Bottom line, look in these beach communities first and make some offers before "settling" for Watersound North. Also, do lots of homework on pricing before making offers. Prices have been falling for the last year and a half or so. Don't look at comps from 3, 6 or 9 months ago. They are outdated. Look at comps only from the last month or two when analyzing the market.

Good luck.

Edited

pk305 avatar
pk305Beach Fanatic
#16
Casey, You're getting some good advice on this thread.

We also had the "dream" and it FINALLY became a reality last year!

I would urge you to get as close to 30A & the beach(with access) as you can--- as it is your dream to have a "beach" 😀 2nd home. A previous poster mentioned The Preserve at Grayton Beach which would definitely be worth taking a look at, as it more than meets your criteria. I am partial, as I still own one Preserve lot that is currently listed below $230k. There are pros and cons to any development. I would be happy to share my views of The Preserve with you....if you want more info, please feel free to send me a private message....Good Luck!
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#17
This thread is very impressive with answers from just half a day. Thanks everyone! ;-)
caseyBeach ComberAuthor
#18
I am so thankful for everyone's input. You all have been so helpful. Although we have not started the "official home/land buying process" yet, I have done tons of research. Our hope is to find a:

- nice lot
- 5 year build time
- close to 30a
- in a development with nice amenities ... especially swimming pool

It sounds like my immediate budget of $250K for land is realistic? Can you provide info on other existing or upcoming developments that meet my criterea? Thank you again!
tistheseason avatar
tistheseasonBeach Fanatic
#19
Our hope is to find a:

- nice lot
- 5 year build time
- close to 30a
- in a development with nice amenities ... especially swimming pool

It sounds like my immediate budget of $250K for land is realistic? Can you provide info on other existing or upcoming developments that meet my criterea? Thank you again!


Seacrest Beach has you covered with the pool -- it's 12,000 sq feet. It's a nice community on the east end (I'm a little biased, since that's where we are!;-) ) sandwiched between Alys and Rosemary. There is also an incredible fountain. I don't think I can adequately describe the pool or the fountain. . . .so take a drive down that way the next time you are there. I've heard there are lots available in the 200's and the build out time has been dissolved.
supermom262 avatar
supermom262Beach Fanatic
#20
I believe I have the least expensive lot on the market South of 30A! It is a short walk to the public access (with bathrooms!) Close to restaurants,
75 x 102 (pretty large, considering some of the postage sized lots), no build out time and you can put in your own pool. You might have a Gulf view and Lake view of Draper Lake from a third floor!
You can pm me if interested!
Thanks!

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