Here's the Latest
For those of you who closely follow the local real estate market, we just wanted to keep you up to date on the real estate market for Gulf Front, Gulf View, and other foreclosures in our area that you can always find on our website. Click the links below to view our updated list of foreclosures. Not looking for a foreclosure? Feel free to create a customized search, or browse our site to view all properties that are currently on the market.

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Home Improvement and Covid-19 |
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Are you joining the home improvement bandwagon in 2020? Big box home stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have seen a significant increase in demand for home enhancement supplies. Home Depot shares, with a market value of nearly $299 billion, have risen almost 27% since the start of the year. Lowe’s shares have gained 33% since January, making the stock’s market value to $120.7 billion. Those are amazing numbers!
Home Depot CEO Craig Menear claims: “Consumers likely will continue to do DIY projects over the long term as they get comfortable making repairs around the house and completing more projects on their own, like painting. Also, as people spend more time at home, that is leading to more wear and tear on appliances, which will then need to be replaced too.”
In a recent survey Wells Fargo discovered the 88% of the respondents said they expect to increase their retail spending in the second half of the year. Home improvement was the largest category for expected spending. Spending more time at home appears to be the motivating factor for these improvements. More than half reported they expect to work from home into 2021.
Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design, conducted a survey that questioned consumers on house projects. The most popular house projects during the pandemic are outdoor spaces: decks, patios, pools, and fences. Kitchen and bath remodels are popular, with a 40% jump in demand year-over-year.
Porch.com, another home remodeling website, found in their study that households are doing an average of five projects per household, and 44% said they plan to do more. Security cameras, smart lights, and smart doorbells are leading in tech improvements.
Do you have plans for making your nest better? We have done some new landscaping, upgraded fixtures, and worked on outdoor spaces. Still have lots to do!
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This beautifully renovated unit with stunning views is a must-see! Located on the 4th-floor, this unit exudes a light coastal vibe with features including wood-tile flooring, granite countertops, shiplap accent walls, beautiful coastal decor, and gorgeous views of the Gulf and East Pass. The large balcony can be accessed from the living area, guest room, and spacious master suite. The unit conveys with a storage unit and assigned parking space. East Pass Towers is a gated community offering owners a unique location with fabulous amenities including a private beach, pool, hot tub, and marina. You're just a quick boat ride away from Destin Harbor, Crab Island, or fishing out in the Gulf. This unit makes for the perfect getaway or investment property with rental projections up to $45k! |
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This premier location unit at Prominence on 30A is one you don't want to miss! The open Bahamas floor plan is designed for the whole family to enjoy. Luxurious finishings in the unit include wood tile flooring, 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, plentiful windows, and more! The deck can be accessed by two sets of french doors from the living area. The unit can easily sleep 10 as the guest rooms include queen beds and a sleeper sofa in the living room. Enjoy the resort-style pool, fitness center, and beach shuttle service. Prominence is home to The Hub - one of the hottest venues on 30A with boutiques, restaurants, Luke Bryan's shop Shore Thing Cigars, stage, amphitheater, salons, and more. Gross Rental Projections: $49k+! |
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How To Be A Better Listener |
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If you ask someone what makes a “bad listener,” they usually describe people distractedly looking at their phones or changing the topic mid-conversation. However, ask them what makes a good listener, and they might find the request a bit more challenging.
According to Kate Murphy, author of You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, most people have a tougher time describing the qualities of a solid ear.
Kate shares some ways to have meaningful and productive conversations:
Reframe your role in communicating. To make your conversations more valuable and less transactional (like you’re “waiting” for your turn), reframe your role. Ask yourself: What can I gather by paying attention? By listening, you’re learning and when you’re learning, you’re absorbing precious information.
Channel your inner child. We could learn a thing or two from toddlers. “Little kids are incredibly curious and they listen really well,” says Kate.
As we grow older, we naturally develop our own biases and it can become easier to lose that innate curiosity. But, if you’re open, non-judgemental, and willing to ask curious questions, you’ll likely be more engaged. “If there's one thing I've learned as a journalist, it's that everyone has a story. By virtue of asking the question, you’re invested in the answer,” explains Kate. “So really, you’re motivating yourself to listen.”
Know yourself. Doing a good job of listening to others means slowing down and listening to yourself first. “We all have vulnerabilities and assumptions that we make,” says Kate. “You really need to know your own personal sensitivities."
If you know that it’s a common tendency of yours to misinterpret, you can be a better listener by recognizing that “maybe I didn’t quite get that,” explains Kate. This further opens the door for you to ask questions such as, “tell me more about what you meant about that.”
Take note of the small things. Finally, a key part of listening is noticing, which means paying attention. Take stock of people’s body language and the way they look at you. This help for assess how open they are, gauges how deep you can go, and determines what kinds of questions you can ask. Ultimately, everyone has noticeable “little threads,” and if you can find a way to talk about them, you can start a beautiful quilt.
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