Henderson Park Inn today announced it has been recognized as a 2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winner for Top Hotels in the U.S. ranking 23 out of 25. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners exemplify travelers’ ultimate favorite, top one percent of hospitality businesses around the globe.

“Winners of the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well

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Weiss Analytics: Fla.’s Panhandle offers the best returns on vacation-home investments in the U.S., while Siesta Key and the Miami Beach metro also made the top 20 list.

NEW YORK – Real estate investors are scrutinizing second-home markets as they hunt for growth opportunities, even during the pandemic. After all, “travel doesn’t stop when the economy weakens – it changes where people travel,” a new report from rental management site Rented Inc. and Weiss Analytics notes.

“In 2020, travelers want to stay closer to home, and they are seeking genuine experiences. High on the list are Instagram-worthy, outdoor locations, and the highest returns come from homes that enhance the guest experience,” the report states.

Rented and Weiss note a

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The pandemic has caused consumers to re-examine the components that make up the “perfect home.” Many families are no longer comfortable with the locations and layouts of their existing homes. The allure of city life (more congested) seems to be giving way to either suburban or rural life (less congested). The fascination with an open floor plan seems to be fading as people are finding a need for more privacy while working from home.

Recently, news.com released a report that revealed how buyers’ views of listings are leaning heavily to more suburban and rural properties. Here are the year-over-year percentage increases in views per property type:

• Urban – 7%
• Suburban – 13%
• Rural – 16%

In the report, Javier Vivas, Director of

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We are beginning to see some of the weekly activities and events that we have all come to love during the summer season - sand castle building, movies in the amphitheatre, live music in the parks. We are also seeing announcements about larger annual events. Below is a list of annual events.

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC JUNE 17 TO JUNE 21
RED, WHITE & BAYTOWN JULY 4
SAN DESTIN 4TH OF JULY BBQ JULY 4
IWWF WORLD JUNIOR WATERSKI CHAMPIONSHIP  AUGUST 16 Below are links to weekly activities in different communities. 30A

SOUTH WALTON

BAYTOWN WHARF

DESTIN/FORT WALTON

NICEVILLE

It’s been roughly two months since the effects of  COVID-19 virus began in our area and our real estate market. In those two months, much has changed.  Stay-at-home orders have given way to the resumption of normal beach vacations.  Visiting restaurants, retail stores and even bowling alleys are now possible.  The real estate market has changed as well.  Thankfully, it is progressing as we anticipated back in March.  It’s great news for all of us who love the Emerald Coast.

Back in March when COVID was dramatically impacting the stock market and the level of real estate activity, we made the case this market slowdown was different than those in the past.  Real estate market fundamentals are and were stable, strong and more resilient.  Our opinion then

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With stay-at-home orders starting to gradually lift throughout parts of the country, data indicates homebuyers are jumping back into the market. After many families put their plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what we once called the busy spring real estate season is shifting into the summer. In 2020, summer is the new spring for real estate.

Joel Kan, Economist at The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) notes:

“Applications for home purchases continue to recover from April’s sizable drop and have now increased for five consecutive weeks…Government purchase applications, which include FHA, VA, and USDA loans, are now 5 percent higher than a year ago, which is an encouraging turnaround after the weakness seen over the past two

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May 2020 Market Snapshot

 

On May 19, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reinstated short-term vacation rentals for Walton Okaloosa, and Bay Counties. Per the Governor’s executive order, reservations for dates within the next 45 days may not be accepted for renters coming from COVID-19 hotspots which include Louisiana, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

For more information, click here.