Buy the Beach. Support Local!

WANT THE BEST DEAL AT THE BEACH? Deal with someone from Birmingham.

‍LAH REAL ESTATE, headquartered in Birmingham, has an office on 30A. Unlike the faceless international behemoths in the area, LAH offers its local family feel with a genuine interest and knowledge of the area.

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What Makes LAH Beneficial?

I have been with LAH since getting my license in 2007. The years that followed were a tough time to be in the real estate business. I had to grow and adapt both personally and professionally during those years. I also had the chance to watch LAH grow and adapt as a company. We are constantly monitoring the needs of the markets we are in, and the needs of our individual customers and clients.

I love working with a company that is large enough to rival any others in the market, but we still maintain a small family feel where everyone has a voice. It is no wonder that LAH is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. I can proudly say that we have brought that same feeling of family and care to our office in Santa Rosa Beach. Although this is a vastly different real estate market than Birmingham, our agents here still have the deep care and concern for their customers. The trust and care that LAH has provided Birmingham area residents for years is the same thing they can expect at the beach. Whether someone is buying or selling a property here for personal use or investment, they still need their agent to truly care about their needs. We want to earn our customer’s trust for a lifetime, not just one transaction.

By: Bryan Whitehead
Qualifying Broker - Florida Office
Cell 205-937-7784
Bwhitehead@lahrealestate.com

GRAYTON BEACH‍

$1,750,000
139 Banfill Street
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
743503
3 bed/2.5 Bath

This southern classic coastal home has several features that make it quite unique for Grayton Beach. It’s only one of three homes in Grayton that have backyard dock access to Western Lake and also commands enticing views of the Gulf of Mexico! The beach boardwalk is just across the quaint street in front of the house. It offers memorable inside-outside living, with generous wrap-around screened and open porches, shaded by overhangs keeping the sun off and breezes flowing in through the live oak trees and saw palmettos. Lots of windows let in fresh daylight and ceiling fans create a cool breeze throughout.

DESTIN‍

$1,350,000
4835 Ocean Boulevard
Destin, Florida 32541

5 bed/4.5 Bath

Private pool in gated community of Destiny by the Sea. Newly remodeled, fresh and clean vacation home with private pool close to the beach. This home is 3 floors of solid concrete & steel construction with travertine floors throughout the home. Each floor has a balcony or covered porch for outdoor enjoyment. There is even a two-car garage and additional storage closet. All of this in a gated community within steps of the beach and neighborhood amenities.

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FOUR TIPS FOR BUYING AT THE BEACH

1. KNOW WHY YOU ARE BUYING.

If you are looking for a quiet weekend getaway, your search may differ greatly from someone looking for an investment property to generate rental income. If you plan on transitioning to a full-time resident, that is a whole different thing all together.

2. KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO BUY.

There are many different choices here. For some, being beachfront is the only option. For others, being on the bay, or one of our many golf courses, may be the right fit.

3. RUN THE NUMBERS.

Talk to your financial advisor and/or lender. Paying cash may be your best bet. Maybe you can sell an investment property elsewhere and exchange those funds to buy a beach property. Also, lending parameters on a second home differ from a primary residence.

4. SEEK OUT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Of course, I think everyone should call an LAH agent. At the very least, talk to your friends who own or live here. Just like in Birmingham, real estate here is local. Property values and population density may differ street to street and season to season. We want you to be happy that you own a piece of paradise. Being prepared and informed is the first step.

DID YOU KNOW?

The white quartz sand found on the beaches of the Florida Panhandle traveled down from the Appalachian Mountains thousands and thousands of years ago.* ## The palm trees in 30a are not native to that part of Florida, they are actually from further Southeast.

Highway 30a is unlike any part of the country. Each town has characteristics and distinguishing features that separate it from the next. Architecture, nature, city design and landscape all combine to give each area its own unique feeling. From planned communities to older residential towns, 30a presents a multitude of experiences. However, despite these differences, 30a is a tight knit community. The energy and the locals flow from town to town, after all they are all connected by one simple road.