Artistic beauty stretches as far as the eye can see on St. George Island. While Mother Nature has the landscape covered, the Sea Oats Gallery takes care of the inside. A sophisticated little gallery, the building found at 128 E. Pine Street creates a haven for local artists and those with inspiring talents. Showcasing one of the biggest establishments of artwork alongside the Forgotten Coast a peek inside is definitely refreshing.

A variety of works created by artists and craftsmen living in St. George Island and nearby are expertly displayed. The talent upwards of eighty individuals are highlighted. Friendly faces and a casual atmosphere greet visitors as they come through the door. Many pieces focus on the allure of the sea and shadows of the sand. The ocean shares her bounty and several artists make their living energized by her offerings of sea glass, wood and other objects.

Artists Living in St. George Island Find Inspiration All Around

The St. George Island property provides an excellent venue for artists to display and sell their work. Selections vary from vibrant scenes to subtle offerings. There is something to appealing to everyone. Treasures lurk around each corner and vary from paintings large and small to pottery and sculpture. Favorite faces draw folks in to see the latest creations. Whimsical watercolors by Joe Kortzman earn plenty of smiles. Glorious glassworks are formed by Susan Frisbee and Carol Nahoom. Talent comes through when working with wood and expert carver Joe Hutchinson’s birds are the talk of the town. Soothing seascapes are captured in acrylic and oils by Denise Choppin and Joy Estes. Brilliant photography by Drew Brass is even more captivating when placed in a reclaimed wood frame. Learn a little more about these talented individuals here.

Workshops fill the calendar at the Sea Oats Gallery. Classes encourage creativity in all types of media. Painters learn various techniques in watercolor, oils, acrylics and collage. Crafting skills shared can feature sculpture, glass work, pottery and more. Take some time to embrace your inventive side. A visit to the gallery motivates and inspires.

Eastpoint real estate provides a haven for local wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Located at 108 Island Drive, visitors can get a glimpse into the wonderful workings of nature untouched.

Explore the land and the waterways. Nine miles of Hiking trails are easily traversed and rejuvenate weary spirits. Local pups are welcome to cruise alongside owners as long as they remain leashed. Favorite spots to traverse include the West Pass Trail, Island Ridge Trail and Sike’s Cut Trail. The onsite nature center boardwalks provide another area to wander through admiring the scenery. Paddling trails are invigorating as well. As part of the massive Circumnavigational Trail encompassing more than 1,600 miles, 9 miles of trails wind through the waters of Chipley Creek and Van Horn Slough. Those wanting to delve deeper and truly commune with nature opt for overnight camping. Multiple primitive campsites keep it real. Availability is on a first come first serve basis and spots are open year round.

Birds of a Feather Flock to Eastpoint Property

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is a great place to view local wildlife. Bird watchers enthusiastically search for bald eagles, white and brown pelicans and other wading birds. A wonderful asset, the Nature Center  awaits. The doors are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various cultural and educational displays showcase the amazing resources provided at the reserve and focus on the watershed, estuary, bay and Gulf. Tanks contain aquatic wildlife and plants flourishing in the Eastpoint real estate region. Guests of the center can meander through the building at their leisure basking in a quiet ambiance. Public events are held throughout the year bringing the community close together. A favorite happening, National Estuary Day occurs in September with fun filled family activities and games on the grounds. Educational programs are also frequently in the works for both youth and adults.

Residents living on Eastpoint property live alongside nature with ease admiring and appreciating the serene beauty of the land surrounding them. Regular trips to the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is a good way to stay true to form and be one with Mother Earth.

Anytime is the perfect time to indulge on St. George Island property. Residents spend plenty of time soaking up the scenery and savoring the tastiness of frosty treats from Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream. Traditional cones compliment any type of weather and are sure to bring a smile or two. Known for the “biggest scoops on the beach and the friendliest service in town” Aunt Ebby’s is the place to go to spoil yourself or someone else. Located at 147 East Gulf Beach Drive, the colorful decor welcomes one in. Lively tunes fill the St. George Island property keeping the mood energetic.

Kids of All Ages Scream for Ice Cream on St. George Island Real Estate

Helpings are piled high and tower over with deliciousness. There’s no scrimping here. Crisp cake cones mix perfectly with creamy smooth scoops. Waffle cones are weaved with sweetness. Flavors are plentiful, fanciful, traditional and whimsical. The classics are well represented with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Rave reviews stack up for banana pudding. Celebrate any old day with birthday cake. Butterfinger pairs perfectly with candy loving indulgers. Mocha almond fudge, pistachio almond and pecan praline cause lines to form. Many enjoy their scrumptious dessert out on the patio overlooking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the lighthouse. Having been a locally run and favorite business for over twenty years families visiting St. George Island real estate make Aunt Ebby’s an annual stop.

Those preferring options other than cones shall not be disappointed. Shakes are thick and rich and sundaes overflows with nuts, whipped cream, gummies and sprinkles. Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream is the perfect destination to end a day kayaking the waters or hiking and biking the trails. Doors are open afternoons and evenings from 1 to 8 p.m. Hours are seasonal and may change periodically. After one bite kids of all ages will beg for more and one trip in guarantees a return visit.

Receive the Latest Local Market Stats

Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

Get Local Market Reports Sent Directly to You

You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.

The media has been full of stories about the housing market – and although this kind of market normalization is commonplace in the real estate industry, there is no question that here on the Forgotten Coast, houses are currently on the market longer and there is more competition for buyers.

Hire a Professional
If you want to sell your home within a reasonable time frame, now is the time you need a qualified real estate professional. You want to make sure that your home gets the maximum exposure and the best marketing strategy. When you work with me, a Realtor with Prudential Shimmering Sands Realty, your home will be listed on high traffic website as well as in the MLS database that other real estate professionals and the public can access. In addition, you get the benefit of an established company, an experienced marketer and a negotiator who is familiar with real estate issues in the Forgotten Coast area.

Price It Right
A house priced at fair market value piques the interest of real estate professionals and buyers, while overpricing chases them away. With the current level of inventory, if you price your home too high, interested buyers may never even consider your listing since they have so many to choose from.  Study the competing listings, get advice from an experienced Realtor and make sure to look at your house and price it objectively. 

Get Your Home In Show-Condition
Get your home in tip-top shape before any potential buyer views it.  Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get rid of the clutter. Touch up the paint where needed. Clean the carpet. Consider having your home inspected, and make any recommended repairs. (If there are any repairs you decide not to fix, inform the buyers about the condition of your home and discount the repair cost from the selling price).

Curb Appeal
Don’t overlook the outside of your property. You don’t want a buyer to rule out your home based on the outside appearance. The front of the house needs a clean, fresh appearance. Sprucing up the landscaping is crucial and well worth attention. There are so many properties for Buyers to choose from if they drive up and the home doesn't look appealing from the outside, there's a chance they may pass on seeing it and move on to the next. Curb appeal is imperative!

Offer Incentives
Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs to select your property over others. You may want to consider offering a decorating allowance. You could pay for a professional home inspection or a home warranty – and, depending on your market and budget, offer to pay some of the closing costs.  Owner financing is also a way to make your house stand out. 

Don’t be discouraged if there are competing homes for sale in your area. Making the right moves in your home selling process can give you the upper-hand you’ll need in today’s competitive market.  And if I can help you please give me a call; I’d love to hear from you!

There has been so much written and spoken on this topic but picking a Realtor really boils down to six things:

Pick a REALTOR who…

• Is known by you or someone you know to be RELIABLE and HONEST.
• Works as a FULL TIME Realtor.  It is extremely difficult to be good at what you do if you only work at it some of the time.
• Is GENUINELY INTERESTED in your well-being and will speak up and give you proper advice, even if it means putting the brakes on a sale.
• Who works hard at MARKETING regardless of whether the market is UP or DOWN.
• Who is CONNECTED and always networking therefore someone who is able to get information out to a large audience quickly.
• Is someone you are COMPATIBLE with and feel comfortable communicating your questions or concerns whether you are a buyer or a seller.  An exceptional REALTOR will make you feel like a ‘PARTNER’ in the search to buy property or in an effort to sell it.

I would love for you to contact me if you are looking for a Realtor who fits the above description!  I have a large foundation of past and present clients who could speak with you about my strong work ethic and knowledge of our local real estate market.  Give me a call; I'd love to hear from you.

As a Realtor I am frequently asked about square footage cost of building coastal homes.  Often buyers compare the cost of buying an existing home to the cost of buying a lot and building their dream home on it.

Coastal areas are generally more expensive to build in because of stricter building codes, but even more impactful  are the features built in to the home and how the cost is calculated.  When someone says " I built my home for $110 per square foot" and you are standing in their stainless and granite gourmet kitchen with a fireplace and 12' bay window in it, it might be worth asking how that was calculated!

Some important distinctions are heated and cooled space vs. decks and porches, open underhouse vs. partially or fully enclosed, high end building materials vs. average, and then there are the architectual features like roof angles, window sizing and frequency, and wall configuarations.

When a square footage cost is listed in a home description two immediate things to question are whether the number includes the land cost and whether the enclosed areas are accounted for seperately from the open areas.

It pays to dig into square footage cost a little just to make sure oranges aren't being compared to apples!

November 29 "BLACK FRIDAY" Open Houses by Kara:

320 Patton Street:  Canal Front Fixer Upper with Boat Launch and Enclosed Downstairs.  Easy Bay and Gulf access with gorgeous sunset views.

949 West Bayshore:  1600 Sq. Feet Inside, 1700 decks and enlcosed porches.  Outdoor living at it's best.  Attractive and rustic home nestled in the woods of St. George Island!

Both homes open from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.  Stop by for refreshments and see these two wonderful homes.

There will be several other Prudential Shimmering Sands open houses around the island on "Black Friday" so it should be a great day to get out and see some Prudential Offerings. 

Stop by the Prudential office on West Gulf Beach Drive and pick up an open house packet with maps, keep an eye out for the Open House signs and come see us!

Canal Front Fixer Upper With Easy Bay and Gulf Access

List Price: $289,000

Boat Launch, Deep Water Canal with quick bay and gulf access.  Downstairs is enclosed with a seperate entrance.  1200 sq. feet + 400 sq. feet of decks.  Year round sunset views.  All that is needed here is a little TLC and minor renovation.

Give me a call or shoot me an email.  I would love to show this great waterfront opportunity to you!

Open Houses this week! Come See Me at the following...

Thursday 9/29 from 1 - 4 at "Sassy Seagull" located at 1041 W. Gulf Beach Dr.

Friday 9/30 from 1 - 4 at "Beach Baby" located at 509 W. Gulf Beach Dr.

Saturday 10/1 from 1 - 4 at "Island Sand Dollar" located at 857 E. Gorrie Dr.

These properties have loads of character and have great rental following! Come by to see them if you can or email me at kara@beachdreamsnow if you'd like for me to send you some pictures or a video tour.