Real Estate

Set on a Gulf to Bay barrier island property, this residence was requested by the owners to be a contemporary home that avoided the ubiquitous look of “the white modern boxes” that were proliferating along the island. The homeowners sought an architecture that blurred the boundary between nature and architecture, land and water, straight lines and curved forms. To this end, the architects proposed what was ultimately coined the “split-level hugger plan,” a hybrid plan that borrows from the American suburban split-level house type, joins it (loosely) with a modified courtyard model, and elevates the whole to respond to the Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain requirements and coastal resiliency standards of construction. The outcome is a response to the relationships inherent in building on a barrier island – on land that is bounded on the bay with its tea-colored brackish water and mangroves, rises gently toward the coastal strand that flourishes with native beach grasses and sea grape trees, and descends to the shallow beaches of the Gulf of Mexico (a veritable essay in Southwest Florida coastal habitats). The architectural response to this program and landscape relationship was one of sinuous lines, nonorthogonal form and inflection toward the Gulf and Bay. Materials like stucco, tabby, glass, wood and ground concrete floor slabs were chosen to endure the corrosive coastal environment. The landscape ground plane wraps around, up and under the home, suggesting that architecture and site are inseparable. The continuity of the architectural lines, hovering and tapering roof planes, and soffits that confine and release interior spaces, together speak a language that is neither rational nor unwelcome (in this context).

Newly released data for November shows that potential buyers and sellers in Bay County saw houses sell for lower than the previous month's median sale price of $369,957. The median home sold for $362,500, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows. That means November, the most recent month for which figures are available, was down 2% from October.

We have an update about a Panama City Beach condo, who said there were issues with the guardrails on many floors.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A local condo is working to make repairs that forced guests on all but two of its 23 floors to evacuate. In a press conference on Monday, Mark McWaters, building code administrator for Panama City Beach, gave an update on the evacuation order that was issued by the city to Calypso III on Friday. City officials were notified Thursday evening that the internal fastening system of some of the building's guardrails were compromised.

It's no secret that over the past couple of years, Florida home values have risen substantially. In fact, in December of 2023, Florida was named the second most valuable housing market in America, behind New York.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Bay Building Industries Association held its annual groundbreaking ceremony for their 2024 Scholarship Home. The BBIA builds one scholarship home every year with proceeds from the sale of the home going toward local scholarship opportunities. Southern Belle Construction leads the build this year with...

The median home in Bay County listed for $447,250 in January, down 0.6% from the previous month's $449,900, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows. Compared to January 2023, the median home list price increased 1.1% from $437,400. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale...

Centex has started presales for new single-family homes in The Strand at Cedar Grove, an intimate gated enclave of 244 attractively priced homes with private amenities and a desirable location in The Woodlands area of North Port. Interested homebuyers can inquire about becoming one of the first homeowners at The Strand by visiting our nearby community, Cedar Grove to learn about presales. Or visit us online at: www.Centex.com/TheStrand. Centex is also pleased to announce it has begun construction on model homes illustrating the national builder’s six innovative consumer-inspired floor plans. The Strand at Cedar Grove’s one- and two-story floor plans are created for modern lifestyles and a variety of budgets with open concept designs for families of all sizes, an emphasis on outdoor living and versatile spaces to meet today’s needs and those of tomorrow. Offering two to five bedrooms, two to four-and-a-half bathrooms, homes have 1,660 to over 3,400 square and two-car garages. Plan-specific flex rooms give buyers boundless opportunities for home offices, hobby rooms, dens, home gyms, additional bedrooms and more. Spacious main living areas blend gathering rooms, kitchens and casual dining areas for everyday living and entertaining and are balanced with private spaces for a secluded retreat. Well-appointed kitchens feature generous cabinetry and counterspace, center islands and walk-in pantries. The owners’ suites have walk-in closets and spa-inspired bathrooms with dual-sink vanities and glass-enclosed showers. Centex also offers opportunities for buyers to personalize their home by extending indoor rooms and garages, adding second-floor lofts and bedrooms, and elevating outdoor living with pools, spas, expanded lanais and zero-corner glass doors. The Strand’s private amenity campus will offer a neighborhood pool, covered poolside cabana, playground and half-court basketball. New-construction homes at The Strand at Cedar Grove start from the $320,000s. Located within the established, family-friendly master-planned community of The Woodlands in North Port, The Strand’s main gated entry is on Panacea Boulevard with a secondary entrance within Cedar Grove. The community is located four minutes east of the I-75 interchange at Toledo Blade Boulevard and 10 minutes north of U.S. 41. It’s also convenient to airports, well-rated schools, daily shopping needs, employment, healthcare, arts, entertainment and recreational activities, including Gulf of Mexico beaches, championship golf courses, parks and sports. For more information about The Strand at Cedar Grove by Centex, call or text 941-702-9358 or visit www.Centex.com/TheStrand.

Mortgage rates are pulling back from their dream-crushing highs of last year, but homeowners in 20 U.S. cities may want to brace for higher home prices, a new study found.

The median home in Bay County listed for $449,900 in December, slightly down from the previous month's $449,963, an analysis of data from Realtor.com shows. Compared to December 2022, the median home list price increased 2.3% from $435,000. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale...

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Northwest Florida is a growing region that folks are moving to more and more. “There are great places to live throughout the Panhandle,” said Henry Brigmond, realtor with KW Success Realty in Panama City Beach. Buying a home is one of the largest and...