MAY 2018 | ISSUE 101

Condominium Owners’ Associations: The Nuts and Bolts 

A condominium is multiple-unit complex where the units are individually owned, and each owner owns the space within the unit, including the drywall. All owners share in joint ownership and maintenance of any common elements

If you are a condo owner, you can expect the requisite fees to cover common expenses. Typically these fees cover insurance on the building, maintenance of common areas & amenities, water & sewer, cable, Internet, staff & management, reserves, garbage, and other possible items. The more common areas and amenities, the more your fees will be. The board of directors plans the budget every year based on projected and real expenses.  

Considering condo ownership? Make sure you understand the fees and what they cover. Equally important are documents that administrate the condo. Part of your due diligence is to review these associated documents: 

  • Declaration of Condominium
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Bylaws & Rules
  • Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
  • Condo Governance Form
  • Most Recent Meeting Minutes
  • Latest Annual Financial Report

Condo sales account for over half of what the Sold in Paradise Team sells. We know the condo market well—from Okaloosa Island through Scenic Highway 30A. Considering buying? We would love to help you navigate the purchase of a condo. Considering selling or just interested in knowing your condo value? We will help you accomplish your goal.

The spring selling & buying season is in full bloom!
Explore Our Featured Properties

Located in Miramar Beach and nestled between Destin and 30A, Seascape Resort is a true family friendly resort featuring a variety of condos and villas to make your own. Spanning 330 acres, Seascape offers an abundance of amenities and recreational activities sure to please every member of the family including: 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and pro shop, basketball court, five pools, fresh water lakes, walkover to the beach where you can enjoy 2,000 feet of beach frontage and optional beach service, Whale's Tail Restaurant on the beach, bike rentals, Towne Centre, and more. Take a look at these villas that are on the market!
This unit has a flowing floor plan and all the comforts for the perfect second home or rental unit including: updated galley kitchen, vaulted ceilings, and spacious balcony overlooking amazing views of the golf course, lake, and Gulf. 

Located on the 6th floor, this unit offers spectacular panoramic views. This unit is turn-key and furnished coastal cozy. Glass sliders lead from both the living area and master suite to your large private balcony to take in the views of the Gulf of Mexico and miles of coastline.

What Does Jay Say? 

For those of you who closely follow the local real estate market, I 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.




It's no secret – Florida is a world-leading travel destination. It was estimated that a record 116.5 million visitors traveled to Florida in 2017, an increase of 3.6 percent over the previous year. With its famed theme parks, expansive resort hotels, and a coast lined with blissful beaches, Florida is especially popular during Spring Break. 

According to the world's largest vacation rental search engine – HomeToGo.com – data showed that Panama City Beach and Destin were ranked as the top two most popular Florida destinations for Spring Break. Panama City Beach saw over $27 million spent weekly on vacation rentals during spring break, while Destin saw over $17 million.

So besides the gorgeous beaches, what makes Destin and the surrounding areas so popular? While spring break brings the few weeks we get the influx of exuberant college students, the year-round draw extends far beyond that. It's the families also looking to make the most of school vacations, empty-nesters looking to reclaim their time and reconnect, others simply searching for some much-needed warmth after the chilly winter period, and even locals opting to "stay-cation" instead of travel abroad. No matter who you are, you can't help but become smitten with Destin’s charms. It's impossible to resist the friendly small-town vibe and world-class outdoor activities such as swimming, golfing, and fishing. Whether you book a dolphin cruise, dig into fresh seafood dinners or sample the vibrant nightlife, Destin is sure to dazzle. 

Looking for a vacation rental investment property? Give us a call and we'll help you find paradise!
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
May 1st - October 31st

Sea turtles play important roles in marine ecosystems. Whether by grazing on seagrass, controlling sponge distribution, feasting on jellyfish, transporting nutrients or supporting other marine life, sea turtles play vital roles in maintaining the health of the oceans.

Thanks to the many volunteers and education spread about sea turtles South Walton Turtle Watch was kept very busy in the 2017 season. Nest numbers usually hover around 50, but in 2017 they had 127 nests! There are so many ways to be involved in helping sea turtles thrive, including these few mindful tips.

Remove all beach furniture before you leave and dispose of any broken items in the trash bins on the beach. This will help minimize obstacles and entanglement risks for wildlife, including nesting female sea turtles and emerging hatchlings. Both Walton County and Okaloosa County have ordinances in place that any items left on the beach at night will be removed.

Pick up trash before you leave the beach and be sure to recycle any plastic, glass, or aluminum. Say no to plastic straws. Participate in beach cleans ups whenever you can to help prevent beach waste from entering the ocean.

After a fun day of digging holes and building sand castles, please fill in holes and return the sand to a level surface before you leave the beach. Deep holes can become death traps for nesting females and hatchlings and large sand structures can frighten nesting females causing them to abandon their nesting attempt.

Ensure that lights from beachfront homes, condos, and businesses do not illuminate the beach at night and no source of light can be seen from the beach. Artificial lights disturb nesting female turtles and can disorient hatchlings that are trying to find their way to the water. Shield, redirect, or turn off lights at beachfront properties from May through October. Do not shine flashlights or use flash photography on the beach at night. If you need a flashlight for safety, be sure to use only red LEDs or apply a red film over your flashlight to reduce the disturbance to sea turtles.

Do not bring fireworks to the beach. It is illegal to possess fireworks on the beach. In addition to creating large amounts of trash on the beach, exploding fireworks frighten nesting sea turtles and can prevent them from laying their eggs.

For more information or if you would like to donate or volunteer visit: www.southwaltonturtlewatch.org
On May 18th the iconic white walls of Alys Beach are transformed into a spectacular vision of stunning digital art. Said to be a one-of-a-kind art festval – artists from around the globe gather to celebrate and showcase their unique talents.

“Alys Beach becomes their blank canvas,” said Kelli Siler, Alys Beach Director of Events. “Digital Graffiti explores how design, technology and architecture can intertwine to create entirely new art forms. For one evening, Alys Beach opens its doors, courtyards and pedestrian paths to innovative companies and ground-breaking artists who fuse these three components to transform our entire town into a living work of art.”

To purchase tickets and a full schedule of events visit: www.digitalgraffiti.com/tickets/