$47,500.00 80 PARADISE GROVE, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 Beds: 0 Rooms: 0 Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 0 Garage: 0 Built: 0   47 thousand for a lot in GATED Community!! Hurry priced to sell fast for a charity. Lots will not be this low again! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Michael Harbin Michael Harbin 850-231-5030 www.discountfloridaproperties.com     Visit this listing at Here

$12,750,000.00 Old Ferry Road Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Beds: 0 Rooms: 0 Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 0 Garage: 0 Built: 0   New Subdivsion only 10 minutes from the beach!!! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Michael Harbin Michael Harbin 850-231-5030 www.discountfloridaproperties.com     Visit this listing at Here

There are a lot of folks down here in South Walton looking around for deals and the deals are out there. Lot of people have heard of this area but do not know a lot about it. If you are one of those folks feel free to ask a question on this site and I will try and answer it. If I do not know the answer I am sure someone does who views this Blog. 5000 views a month on this Blog so I am sure we can get your questions answered! Chow!

For those who are looking for a deal in Florida real estate I have that deal for you. There is a new development called Emerald Glenn that I have posted about earlier that the developer is allowing me to offer the first 100 buyers a heavy discount on the property. This development will have 240 estate lots that will be between 4-6 acers. These lots recently appraised for $300k each. For the first 100 buyers you can purchase these lots for $179K! You cannot buy a grain of sand down here for that price. Contact me for all the details. But hurry 22 are already sold.

$1,550,000.00 406 Eastern Lake Road. Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Beds: 5.0 Rooms: 5 Baths: 4.00 Sq. Ft.: 2500.00 Garage: 0 Built: 1992   Great year round beach home or vacation home!! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Michael Harbin Michael Harbin 850-231-5030 www.discountfloridaproperties.com     Visit this listing at Here

A horse-lover’s

A new equestrian-themed planned community will span almost 2,000 acres in the Freeport area

By ANN McQUEEN Daily News Contributing Writer



    FREEPORT — Think “Florida master-planned community” and images of seaside villages, golf towns, and family-friendly vacation destinations come to mind. Planned communities have sprouted up around the state to meet the market’s demand for lifestyle. Walton County, a development hot spot, has followed suit with its plethora of choices of golf communities, beachside mini-towns, family-oriented megasubdivisions and second-home communities. But a new planned community that offers home and property buyers a unique option is under way. Emerald Glenn, an Equestrian Community at Black Creek

    The 1,734-acre master-planned community is designed for horse lovers. It is located near Freeport between County Road 3280 and Black Creek. The design, created by the world-renowned architect and town planning firm Looney Ricks Kiss, includes 740 residential units, a multi-million dollar equestrian center with a 47-stall barn, pastures and turnouts, arenas and seating areas, storage, and nearly 20 miles of trails.

    Plans also include a river lodge with a riverfront promenade and walking pier, a 50-unit dry dock and boat storage facility, and canoe and boat launches. Emerald Glenn’s master plan includes a total of 435 acres of preservation land.

    The mix of residential lots includes 240 four- to sixacre equestrian estates; 387 single-family home sites; and 113 one-acre riverfront lots.

    Although architectural guidelines are still in planning, an architectural review board will be established to ensure homes are designed with a Southern-style hybrid that emphasizes porches, rail fences, and other Southern flairs. Landscape guidelines stress conservation; lots are wooded, and landscape buffers must be preserved.

    Utilities are underground; water and sewer service is provided by the City of Freeport. Conceptual plans were approved by the Walton Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 28.

Location, location, location

    Emerald Glenn is the centerpiece of 4,000 acres designated for development at Black Creek. The BCC also approved a 100-acre commercial town center for development by Atlanta-based North American Investments at the Aug. 28 meeting. The town center will include 302,000 square feet of commercial space.

    An outstanding attribute of the community is its ideal location in central Walton County. By car, Emerald Glenn is about a 15 minutes from the Beaches of South Walton, the attractions of County Road 30A, and shopping and dining. It is also about 15 minutes from the planned Bay County International Airport.

    Although Emerald Glenn is close to these conveniences, it is surrounded almost entirely by the 53,000-acre Nokuse Plantation, a private conservation project established by environmental visionaries M.C. Davis and Sam Shine.

    Nokuse links Eglin Air Force Base-owned land on the west with state-owned conservation tracts to the east. Plans are under way for a multi-million dollar conservation exhibit and learning center at Nokuse called the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center.

    Named after the Alabamaborn entomologist and environmental philosopher, the Biophilia Center is envisioned to awaken children’s love of nature and offer education and handson engagement with the area’s history, environmental wealth, and complex ecosystems. Nokuse Plantation will remain in conservation in perpetuity.

Why horses?

    “We wanted to embrace the efforts of Nokuse and come up with something compatible,” said Lloyd Blue, a local attorney and developer who is coordinating the project. “The equestrian lifestyle lends itself to open spaces and large tracts of conservation and preservation land. This lifestyle also lends itself to extremely low densities. The parcel is zoned for 7,000 units; our plan has 740. And, it’s an alternative that is not readily available in the Panhandle.”

The players

    To bring the vision to fruition, Blue and Emerald Glenn Development LLC assembled a team of highly specialized designers, consultants, and planners.

    Rick Borst, an executive manager with extensive experience in business development and organizational management, is serving as project manager and marketing coordinator.

    EquestriSol, a full service research and marketing company based in California, helped conduct market research and assist with developing the equestrian lifestyle.

    Hayward Design, headed up by Lorri Hayward of Lafayette, Ga., offers 20 years of experience in planning and designing equestrian facilities.

    Mauricio Castro, director of Florida Planning for Looney Ricks Kiss, is in charge of project design. He spent eight years with Duany Plater-Zyberk, the famous town designers of Seaside and Rosemary Beach. Looney Ricks Kiss operates offices nationwide in Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas as well as a local office in Rosemary Beach.

    DeGregorio Design of Santa Rosa Beach is handling Emerald Glenn’s graphic design. Financing and individually structured loans are available through Farm Credit of Northwest Florida for qualified buyers.

Price points, build-out

Phase I

    Phase I of Emerald Glenn includes 99 four- to six-acre estate sites and the equestrian center. These home sites are sufficient in size to accommodate personal barns for serious equestrians. They are situated around the equestrian center, a professionally managed facility with upscale services including training, schooling, lessons, and events. Trail rides will be available as well.

    The estate sites are listed at an introductory price of $199,900. Reservations and deposits are currently underway. The developer is offering special incentives to the first 50 buyers who are ready to build.

    Project officials expect construction of the equestrian center to begin in the first quarter of 2008 and to be complete by the end of that year.

Phases II-VII

    Phase II is currently planned to include 37 equestrian lots and the first of several single-family home villages, with smaller lot sizes for buyers who wish to enjoy the lifestyle without the upkeep of personal barns and acreage. This village will consist of 59 homes. Phase III includes another 40 equestrian lots and a second village of 60 units. Phase IV includes 38 equestrian lots and a third village of 50 units.

    Phase V will include an offering of the final 26 equestrian lots and a fourth village of 60 single-family homes. During this phase, the first 53 one-acre riverfront lots will be offered and construction on the river lodge will begin.

    Phase VI includes a 58-home village and the remaining 60 riverfront lots; Phase VII will include a 100 single-family home village.

    Each separate village will have its own amenities, although homeowners will have access to the equestrian facilities, the river lodge, and the other lifestyle attractions. Pricing information and build-out on future phases is not yet determined, however, Borst said that home sites in Emerald Glenn appeal to a wide range of incomes and demographics. The larger equestrian estates and river front lots are more expensive, while the single-family home villages offer options for young or single-income families and retirees. About 30 percent of the development is dedicated to equestrian estates; the remaining 70 percent is dedicated to a variety of people in pursuit of the lifestyle.

One last word

    “(Emerald Glenn) is a huge asset to Walton County,” said Scott Brannon, county commissioner for District 1, which includes the Freeport area.

    “It’s a wonderful example of how responsible development can contribute to our quality of life. The lower density compliments the conservation efforts at Nokuse. This is a project we can all be very proud of.”

A 47-stall barn is part of a plan for a muli-million dollar equestrian center near Freeport.






Guidelines for home design are still in the works.



One of the planned features at Emerald Glenn is the multimillion dollar equestrian center with a 47-stall barn, pastures and turnouts, arenas and seating areas, storage, and nearly 20 miles of trails.

Well the ground breaking ceremony took place today for the new international airport. About 1000 folks attended the event. What this will do for the local economy will be spectacular. Within hours of the event the phones started to ring at our office with buyers looking for large tracks of land near the airport. UPS closed on 40 acres yesterday next to the airport which will be UPS largest hub in the US. Also it has been reported that Disney has set it's eyes on 50 thousand acres north of the airport. The area is about to boom beyond belief. Stay tuned for more.

The ground breaking ceremony will be held Thursday November 1st and 9:30 a.m. on County road 388. This is the news everyone has been waiting for. The Panhandle will truly be open for business!

Wow, the Fed surprised us all today with a 50 basis point cut, the first in 4 years, on the Fed funds rate. The real estate market needed a shot in the arm and it got it today. It will take 6 months to see the total effect of this but it will be positive and more rate reductions will take place. This was needed and over due. The credit markets have dropped at an unbelievable rate just in a matter of weeks. Countrywide etc. Time to buy is fast approaching since ,yesterday, on my last blog. New International Airport is coming, www.pcairport.com , rates are dropping and folks are selling. Call or email me for deals that are out there!!

$90,000.00 80 PARADISE GROVE, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL 32413 Beds: 0 Rooms: 0 Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 0 Garage: 0 Built: 0   90 thousand for a lot in GATED Community!! Hurry priced to sell fast!! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Michael Harbin 30-A Realty Michael Harbin 334-233-2362 www.discountfloridaproperties.com     Visit this listing at Here

Sales are up 14% over the same period last year in all types of property. Percent to sale price sold remains high, around 93% of the list price. Have we reached the bottom? Maybe. Price cutting remains low on unsold inventory. Best play now would be to make that offer and see were you end up. More later..

$1,850,000.00 1 Eastern Lake Rd Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Beds: 0 Rooms: 0 Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 0 Garage: 0 Built: 0   No better deal in this area! A true Discounted Florida Property! Now even Better!!! This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google™ Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Michael Harbin 30-A Realty 334-233-2362 www.discountfloridaproperties.com     Visit my wesite at www.discountfloridaproperties.com

The market appears to be holding its own here in South Walton. The deep price cutting has slowed and million dollar homes have closed in recent weeks. Our office closed a home for 2.9 million with a back up offer for 3 million two weeks ago. Prices have rolled back on some properties to 2003-2004 levels. Property prices that seem high the sellers are taking a lot less in some cases. So having said that it would be a great time to put that "Toe" in the water and test the market if you want purchase or sell.