WaterSound Passages Luxury Home 8 Shingle Lane

Situated on one of the largest lots within the community of WaterSound beach, lies this stunning six bedroom, six bathroom masterpiece. With its own private pool and wonderful outdoor spaces, leaving the comforts of home will be hard to do. The interior of this house is uniquely appointed with reclaimed hardwood floors, limestone and marble countertops, and gourmet appliances.

When entering the house you are immediately greeted with a large open family style kitchen and a separate dining area. The chef kitchen includes Thermador appliances and a built in wet bar. The cathedral ceiling family room boasts an impressive fireplace, built in bookcases, and massive windows.

Of the six bedrooms, two are master suites, two are guest suites, and are two bunk rooms. With so many choices to choose from, you will be sure to please everyone in your family with their sleeping arrangements. Each bathroom has marble countertops, gorgeous fixtures and creative mirrors. Additionally, there is a carriage house with a full service kitchen. The game room and the lookout tower add to the unique flair of this house and provide additional space to either entertain or enjoy the house on your own accord. The well planned design of the house also includes an elevator, a two car garage, and electronic storage throughout. WaterSound Beach Club membership is available to convey with the purchase of this remarkable house. Listed at 3.495 million, this 6,000 sqft house is just waiting to be enjoyed!!

If you are interested in this luxury home in WaterSound Beach and would like to preview it or if you are interested in Team Baranowski listing your luxury property, please give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski at 850.259.1788 or email  us info@teambaranowski.com.

8 Shingle Lane in WaterSound Beach

WaterSound Homes for Sale

WaterSound Lots for Sale

WaterSound Beach Homes Market Analysis

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Most Expensive Homes Sold in Destin and Miramar Beach in 2011

#1 4756 Ocean Blvd Destin, FL 32451 Sold for $3,350,000

Well, this year the most expensive home sold in Destin goes to this beachfront home is Destiny By the Sea. It is a Gulf front dream home in Destin’s most prestigious beachfront gated community. With 7 bedrooms and 7 ½ bathrooms this home has plenty of room for large families and there friends. The home is 5,946 square feet with 3 stories of beachfront luxury in Destin. Projected rental income for this home is an astonishing $275k per year. The home was listed for $3,986,000 until finally negotiated to $3,350,000.

#2 627 Gulf Shore Dr. Destin, FL 32541 Sold for $3,300,000

This is not the most expensive that was sold in Destin, FL this year but was the largest by a long shot. This enormous 12,250 square foot home with 7 bedrooms and a whopping 11 ½ bathrooms is located on Destin’s prestigious Holiday Isle. The two 40 ft. boat slips, one with a lift, along with gulf views from the living, dining and all bedrooms make this property extremely rare. The large corner lot on Holiday Isle, offers expansive gulf views while the rear of the home overlooks the pool area and canal. The impressive two story entry draws immediate attention to the superb craftsmanship found throughout this home. The Dining Room comfortably seats 16 at two tables. Additional features include: A 4 car garage, 1 car garage for apartment, elevator, motorized chandelier for easy cleaning, laundry rooms on every level, generator, security system w/ surveillance cameras, 7 HVACs. The owners made a large price reduction from $5.9 million to $3.9 million and one lucky taker jumped at the opportunity and was able to settle at $3.3 million just one month later.

#3 4750 Ocean Blv Destin, FL 32451 Sold for $3,200,000

Destiny By the Sea rounds up the most expensive homes sold in Destin with this beachfront home coming in 3rd place and selling for $3,200,000. This home was a short sale and was listed for $7,500,000 before negotiating with the bank and having the home sell for $3.2 million. Marble floors, roof top sun deck, Wine Cellar, State of the Art Home Theater Room, Elevator & Gulf Front Pool make this another top luxury home in Destin.

Most Expensive Condos Sold in Destin and Miramar Beach 2011

#1 Grand Dunes South Unit 1820 in Miramar Beach, FL Sold for $3,000,000

This condo at Grand Dunes South on Scenic Gulf Dr is a 2 story penthouse in Miramar Beach’s premier luxury condo. The views from throughout this condo are breath taking and allow for Gulf and beach views and is situated perfectly for catching sunsets from the comfort of the condo or balcony. Wet Bar, “climate controlled” Wine Cellar, high speed elevator directly to your foyer, Two Master Suites and 3 bedrooms that face the gulf are some of the standout features. The Grand Dunes Condo has hot tub, lagoon style pool, tennis, conference room and owners lounge. This unit was listed for $3,300,000 and sold for $3,000,000.

#2 Southwinds Condo Sandestin Resort Unit 4549 sold for $1,959,000

Number 2 on the list is also a penthouse unit but this beauty is located at the top of Southwinds Condo in Sandestin. This unit occupies the entire 14th floor of the Saouthwinds II Condo, Sandestin’s non rental beachfront condo. The owners of this Southwinds unit actually combined 2 penthouses together to make this unit the biggest and best. Views encompass the Gulf of Mexico all the way around to the Choctawhatchee Bay. Listed at $2,395,000 and sold for $1,959,000.

#3 One Beach Club Dr #PH2 in Sandestin Resort Sold for $1,660,000

Sandestin Resort condo at One Beach Club Drive brings in the third most expensive condo sold in Destin and Miramar Beach in 2011. This penthouse is 2 stories and with 25 foot ceilings with the focal point being the custom iron hand made chandelier imported form England. Remote control shades to give added privacy or block the sunlight. Once Beach Club is also a non rental building making for more of a home feel. This unit was listed at $1,799,000 and sold for $1,660,000.

For more information on any of these properties or other luxury properties in the Destin and Miramar Beach area, please call Danny Margagliano @ 850-830-4747 or danny@teambaranowski.com.

30A and Destin Most Expensive Land Sold

The stretch of coastline along Scenic 30A and Destin is home of some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Land sales have increased from 2010 due to the depleted supply of new home inventory. New home construction is up significantly from 2009 and 2010. This years most expensive land list fell short of the ultra expensive lots sold in 2010 at Alys Beach and The Retreat. The top 5 most expensive lots sold is a mixed bag between WaterSound Beach, The Retreat and Destiny by The Sea in Destin. Absent from this list is Rosemary Beach and Seaside as there are no more gulf front lots available in these communities. With land prices at historically low levels, is now the time to buy your ultimate gulf front lot before they are gone? Absolutely!

#1 98 Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach Sold for $1,900,000 in April 2011

#2 98 South Watch Tower in WaterSound Beach Sold For $1,717,000 in April 2011

#3 Lot 27 Tortola Lane in The Retreat Sold for $1,525,000 November 2011

#4 Lot 109 Ocean Blvd in Destiny by The Sea Sold for $1,330,000 October 2011

#5 200 Coopersmith Lane in WaterSound Beach Sold for $1,250,000 September 2011

Most Expensive Gulf Front Lots for Sale

Scenic 30A Luxury Home Sales Skyrocketed in 2011!

Scenic 30A had a breakthrough year for Luxury Real Estate in 2011. There were 34 homes that sold for over $2 million and a staggering 7 homes selling over $4 million. The top 3 most expensive homes sold on Scenic 30A all were in Rosemary Beach and were $7 million and above. In fact, Rosemary Beach was hands down the clear winner for the most sales of ultra luxury homes on 30A with 11 homes sold over $2 million!

2011′s Most Expensive Luxury Homes list surpassed the Most Expensive Home List of 2009 and the Most Expensive Home List of 2010. The #2 and #3 homes of 2009 and 2010 would not have made the top ten list of 2011!

#1 Most Expensive Home Sold on 30A – 124 Hope Town Lane Rosemary Beach

124 Hope Town Lane was the most expensive transaction on 30A for 2011. This magnificent gulf front home in Rosemary Beach has an interesting history. The original home was built in 2001 and was purchased for $7.8 million in 2007. It was then torn down and a brand new home was constructed in 2009 and sold for $8.1 million in 2011! This gulf front icon in Rosemary Beach is 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths and 5,200sf.

#2 Most Expensive Home Sold on 30A – 78 South Green Turtle Rosemary Beach

78 South Green Turtle Lane was a “Southern Accents” featured home and our top luxury pick for July 2010. This amazing 5,484sf gulf front home sits on an estate sized lot in Rosemary Beach. The home was recently renovated in 2008 and is a designers show house. This Rosemary Beach home has 6 Bedrooms and 6.5 Baths and sold for $7.33 million.

#3 Most Expensive Home Sold on 30A – 24 Briland Lane Rosemary Beach

24 Briland Lane was the first gulf front home built in Rosemary Beach. Originally built on a founders lot on the southeast corner for the Eastern Green. This lot has 115 feet of gulf front and one of the largest lots in Rosemary Beach. Built in 1998, this luxury home is 4,520sf with 5 Bedrooms and 5 Baths. This gulf front home sold for $7.25 million in July 2011.

#4 Most Expensive Home Sold on 30A – 113 S. Founders Lane WaterSound Beach

113 South Founders in WaterSound Beach was touted as the most spectacular gulf front homes in Northwest Florida. This incredible home was originally listed for $12 million in 2008. This home was a top luxury pick in October 2009 when it was listed for $9.9 million. This WaterSound Luxury Home is perched high atop a dune structure with incredible 180 degree gulf views. At 6,619sf this home is massive with 7 Bedrooms, 7 Baths and 2 Half Baths. Built in 2009 this home sold for $5.7 million in November 2011.

#5 Most Expensive Home Sold on 30A – 20 Cartagena Lane Rosemary Beach

Another incredible home in Rosemary Beach. This custom designed home was built to comfortably accommodate a large family and take advantage of its incredible gulf views. This is the most expensive non-gulf front property to make our list. As with most of the big transactions in Rosemary Beach, there is a good story…the purchaser of this home was the seller of the #3 home on our list! Built in 2005, this 5,544sf home has 6 Bedrooms, 6 Baths and 1 Half Bath. 20 Cartagena Lane sold for $4.75mil in July 2011.

#6 2314 Hwy 30-A E in Seaside Sold for $4,538,475

#7 230 W Bermuda Drive in The Retreat Sold for $4,475,000

#8 139 New Providence Lane in Rosemary Beach Sold for $3,725,000

#9 105 St. Lucia Lane in The Retreat Sold for $3,700,000

#10 1924 East County Hwy 30-A in WaterColor Sold for $3,400,000

Most Expensive Short Sales and Foreclosures Sold on 30a for 2011

 Most Expensive Homes for Sale on 30A and Destin

If you would like any more information on these ultra luxury homes or would like a personal tour of a luxury home for sale give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850-259-4270 or Craig Baranowski a call at 850-259-1788 or email us at info@teambaranowski.com.

Nothing better than a surf day at the Beach!

If you live where it is cold and a storm front rolls in, you get a snow day…at the beach we get surf days. The Emerald Coast is known throughout the world for our sugar white sand beaches and emerald green waters in the Gulf of Mexico. But we fall short in the World’s Best Surf Spots category when compared t0 Austraila’s Gold Coast, California, Hawaii or Costa Rica. In fact, we are more famous for having pan-flat calm, clear water. As with every beach town we have some favorite surf spots that will churn up some good waves. The pier at Pier Park in Panama City Beach is is one of the popular spots where during the swell season we will get some decent waves. When the swell comes in, surfers come out to enjoy the surf.

Today was an office day for me and I ventured out on my deck to check out the Gulf and saw a bunch of surfers having a blast surfing the waves at Pier Park. It was 76 degrees, the sun was punching through the clouds and fog and I was itching for an excuse to take a break, so I grabbed my digital camera and my 500mm lens and headed out to take some photos of the surfing action. Ever since Danny Margagliano joined our Real Estate team, I have been wanting to do a blog post on the local surfing scene on our website. Danny was a professional surfer for 6 years and traveled the world surfing. My passion is cycling, and I spend all of my free time on a bike and thus my surfing knowledge does not go too far but I certainly can appreciate a good surf day.

CLICK HERE to view the full gallery of 500+ surf pics

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David Weekly Homes and Huff Homes Releases Homesites and House Plans at Breakfast Point

Breakfast Point in Panama City Beach is the area newest St. Joe master planned community. The development plan at Breakfast Point is for 1,000 homes and Phase I to began in early 2011 with an estimated 384 homesites. Although the initial projection of 384 lots in Phase I appears to have been reduced significantly, the timeline for breaking ground with builders is right on target.

With it’s convenient location to good schools, convenient shopping, recreational activities and medical facilities, Breakfast Point is targeting primary residents looking for a great community to raise their family. Breakfast Point is located close to shopping at Pier Park and Frank Brown Park for baseball, soccer, tennis and an aquatic center. In addition, there are miles of planned conversation trails at Breakfast Point and easy access to our sugar white sand beach via the numerous public beach accesses on Front Beach Road.

Adjacent to the community is Breakfast Point Academy, a K through 6 school which has maintained an A rating from the Florida Department of Education since opening in 2009. Nearby zoned schools include Surfside Middle School, located about four miles from Breakfast Point and J.R. Arnold High School which is less than two miles from the community.

The first two builders offering homes in Breakfast Point are Huff Homes and David Weekly Homes. Huff Homes plans range from 1,625sf to 2,688sf with a target price point starting in the $230,000 price range. David Weekly is offering 7 different Craftsman Style home plans ranging from 1,899sf to 2,913sf. The price points for David Weekly Homes in Breakfast Point are from the $230,000 to $310,000 and up.

For more information regarding Breakfast Point and viewing the models offered by Huff Homes and David Weekly Homes, please call Craig Baranowski 850.259.1788 or info@teambaranowski.com.

Breakfast Point Homes for Sale

Breakfast Point Community Map in pdf

Compass Point Unit 408 in WaterSound Beach is the Ultimate Luxury Condo!

The longer I live in Northwest Florida, the more I appreciate the natural beauty surrounding me at every corner. I can honestly say I never get tired talking about the coastal dune lakes and the sunsets to those visiting our area for the first time. With so many beach “towns” along 30-A, it can be difficult to pinpoint a favorite. For me however, WaterSound has always held a special place in my heart. WaterSound has truly it’s own unique personality along 30-A and the Compass Point condos are an excellent example of taking advantage of the natural beauty of NorthWest Florida.

Compass Point Unit 408 in WaterSound Beach is simply stunning. The circular floor to ceiling windows are the focal point of the condo, allowing the individual unobstructed views of the dunes and the Gulf for miles on end. The dunes surrounding Compass Point are truly special and not to be under-appreciated. With it’s open floor plan and generous size, this gulf front condo represents the best of coastal living. This unbelievable residence encapsulates truly exquisite and awe-inspiring Gulf Front living in WaterSound. Unlike any other condo you have seen before, you will know you have found perfection the moment you step inside. Each of the three guest suites offer unsurpassed views of the Gulf with their own private en suite bath. Gorgeous heart of pine wood floors, spacious balconies, and a spectacular chefs kitchen are just a few of the upgrades in this residence. This is how WaterSound has defined elegant beach living and I for one think they have done an excellent job.

If you are interested in this luxury condo in WaterSound Beach and would like to preview it or if you are interested in Team Baranowski listing your luxury property, please give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski at 850.259.1788 or email us info@teambaranowski.com.

Most Expensive Condos on 30A and Destin

WaterSound Gulf Front Condos for Sale

WaterSound Homes for Sale

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229 Seacrest Beach Boulevard in 30A’s Seacrest Beach for 379K!

Seacrest Beach is a very popular subdivision on the Eastern end of Scenic 30A next to Rosemary Beach. It’s location on 30A and beachy coastal vibe make this a hot area for second homes and vacation rentals. During the peak market, lots in Seacrest Beach were selling for over $500K and homes were in the $900K to $1.2mil price range. There are currently on two homes in Seacrest Beach under $400K and they both are brand new construction! At an offer price of $379,000, 229 Seacrest Beach Boulevard is an excellent value, and the most aggressively priced home in Seacrest Beach. This is a brand new home built in 2011 under the latest Florida building codes and comes with a builders warranty.

Construction has been completed and this home will not last long on the market. If you are interested in 229 Seacrest Beach Boulevard or would like more information please call Tracy Baranowski 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski 850.259.1788 or info@teambaranowski.com.

Seacrest Beach Homes for Sale

30A Homes for Sale Under 400K

Seacrest Beach Market Analysis

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Grayton Beach Gulf Front “S’il Vous Play” 270 Garfield Street Top Luxury Pick

For the locals of 30-A, historic Grayton Beach has always held a special place in our hearts. Being able to drive on the beach, shore fishing with your Jeep at your back, and the eclectic atmosphere of the Red Bar are just a few of the things that make Grayton uniquely its own. 270 Garfield Street, a home custom designed by architect Jeff Floyd, is an extraordinary example of Gulf front living in Grayton Beach.

This 4-story house has five bedrooms & five baths, with sweeping, unobstructed vistas across State owned dunes. Each bedroom is its own private retreat, with serene furnishings and amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico. With a southwest exposure, you are sure to enjoy year-round sunsets from numerous angles throughout the house. This house has all the bells and whistles you would be looking for in a quality beach house. Heated private pool, double-glazed, low-E glass impact resistant windows and doors, custom finished elevator, private baths adjoined to each bedroom, master bedroom with his and hers closets, including an office area with views of Western Lake, wide-plank Hickory floors throughout, deep porches on every floor, tankless water heating system and a spacious gourmet kitchen are just to name a few! Speaking of the kitchen…this kitchen was truly designed for ease of use. The kitchen includes granite breakfast bar, stainless GE Monogram appliances throughout: 2 refrigerators, 2 dishwashers, 2 washers, 2 dryers, a gas cooktop, convection oven, microwave, ice maker, and a wine cooler. With fireplace and porches galore, why would you ever want to leave this coastal haven. On the off chance that you find yourself needing to “get out”, the beach is just a stones throw away.

If you are interested in this luxury home in Grayton Beach and would like to preview it or if you are interested in Team Baranowski listing your luxury property, please give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski at 850.259.1788 or email  us info@teambaranowski.com.

Grayton Beach Homes for Sale

30A Gulf Front Homes for Sale

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Schildknecht and Jacobs Set New Course Records at IronMan Florida!

November 5, 2011 – IronMan Florida in Panama City Beach is an awesome event. Nearly 3,000 athletes from across the globe compete in this late season IronMan consisting of a 2.4 mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 112 bike and a 26.2 mile run. IronMan has become a yearly event for our family as many of our friends compete in this event. It is a great race to watch as the sunrises over the beach for the early morning start and the eventual sunset over the gulf as the race continues through the evening.

Last year’s champion, Jessica Jacobs was back to defend her title, and proved to be the strongest women of the day shattering the course record with a finishing time of 8:55:10. Jacobs was second heading into the T2 trailing Bree Wee by 4 minutes. Jacobs took over the race lead around the four mile mark and set a very fast pace. Half way through her marathon she had over a ten minute lead over second place.

IronMan Florida Panama City Beach 2011 Race Results

The women’s top 10:

1. Jessica Jacobs (Green Bay, WI) – 8:55:10

2. Mackenzie Madison (Eugene, OR) – 9:10:21

3. Sofie Groos (Belgium) – 9:22:21

4. Kim Loeffler (Colchester, VT) – 9:29:07

5. Stephanie Jones (Dulles, VA) – 9:33:45

6. Bree Wee (Kailua-Kona, HI) – 9:34:4

7. Heidi Jesberger (Germany) – 9:37:08

8. Eimear Mullan (Ireland) – 9:41:58

9. Rachel Wigton (Jamestown, RI) – 9:57:22*

10. Licia Oliveira (Brazil) – 10:05:03*

*denotes competing as an age-group athlete.

Ronnie Schildknecht of Switzerland shatter the IronMan Florida course record with a 7:59:42. His winning time is the only sub 8 hour IronMan in a North American race. His bike split was 4:19:37 which is a blazing fast 25.85 average speed for 112 miles.

The men’s top 10:

1. Ronnie Schildknecht (Switzerland) – 7:59:42

2. Maxim Kriat (Clermont, FL/Ukraine) – 8:10:43

3. Justin Daerr (Boulder, CO) – 8:18:02

4. Mads Vittrup (Denmark) – 8:21:31

5. Frank Vytrisal (Germany) – 8:21:48

6. Eduardo Sturla (Brazil) – 8:23:08

7. Christopher Bastie (France) – 8:24:32

8. Scott Defilippis (Normandy Beach, NJ) – 8:27:13

9. James Bonney (Austin, TX) – 8:29:56

10. Felix Schumann (Germany) – 8:35:08

Panama City locals had some impressive times with David Shearon finishing at a blazing fast 9:45:31 and placing 5th overall in his division. John Hensz, US Air Force, finished in 10:05:41 and placing 11th in a very competitive division.

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68 Creek Bridge Way in WaterSound is our Top Luxury Home Pick

This recently built custom lake front beauty is located in the gated community of WaterSound. Designed by Daniel Martin, 68 Creek Bride Way is one of a kind. With its idyllic setting, this WaterSound waterfront home provides endless opportunities for coastal bliss. The main floor is comprised of all open living space: chefs kitchen, formal dining, open living space with a beautiful fireplace, and decks surrounding the exterior. Countless windows, means views from every angle. Whether it is the coastal dune lake, the Gulf of Mexico, or your own private swimming pool, there are water views at every turn. There are several master suites in this five bedroom, five bath house and a super bunk room that can easily sleep eight. Additionally, there is a nanny suite for all of your childcare needs. Crisp colors and clean lines make this WaterSound house simply chic. Whether you love to entertain, have a large extended family, or just enjoy a plethora of living space, this is the house for you. No detail has gone unnoticed and for an asking price of $2.5 million this masterpiece can be yours.

If you are interested in this luxury home in WaterSound Beach and would like to preview it or if you are interested in Team Baranowski listing your luxury property, please give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski at 850.259.1788 or email  us info@teambaranowski.com.

68 Creek Bridge Way WaterSound Beach

WaterSound Homes for Sale

WaterSound Lots for Sale

WaterSound Beach Homes Market Analysis

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Arkon Group sets the standard for luxury home building on Scenic 30A

Our Team spends a lot of time previewing properties up and down the coast. We look at both ends of the spectrum, from extreme distressed properties to the pinnacle of luxury real estate. There are very few builders that leave a distinct impression on us and give an instant “WOW” factor when you walk through their homes…Arkon Group is one of those very few builders that will amaze you with their craftsmanship.

The Arkon Group has left its amazing signature of quality and craftsmanship across 30A for over 9 years. Their primary focus is client satisfaction and they achieve this through the use of in-house craftsman to assure quality from start to finish. Arkon Group has built numerous projects including WaterColor Amenities, The V Restaurant, the Pizza Bar in Seaside,  and numerous award winning homes in Seaside Florida.

Arkon Group works very closely with their clients and their architects to ensure their vision is carefully crafted into a master piece. Many of Arkon Group’s projects are the most highly visible projects on the beach including the exquisite 7,000sf custom gulf front home in Seaside next to the popular Pizza Bar. This home is due to be finished in a few weeks and it is spectacular!

The Arkon Group can be reached at 850-231-6900 or www.arkongroup.com

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WaterSound Bridges 177 Tidal Bridge Way is a Great Buy!

Under Contract November 3rd, 2011

WaterSound Beach has had an excellent year with luxury homes selling. Most of the distressed inventory in WaterSound Beach has been sold. I have been watching 177 Tidal Bridge Way for a long time and it has been reduced to a very competitive price point. Right now it is at the magic number. There are only two homes in WaterSound Beach under $1mil and only one has an outstanding location and views to die for…and that is 177 Tidal Bridge Way. This home is a great buy!

This Cape Cod Style WaterSound home was custom built by Chase Building Group and has one of the best views in WaterSound. The second-floor kitchen and great room offer views of the pristine Camp Creek Coastal Dune Lake and the Emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This nearly 3,000-square-foot home has four bedrooms including two masters and four and a half baths.  177 Tidal Bridge Way features rich 110-year-old Heart Pine floors throughout, honed black granite countertops, exposed architectural wood beams and the essential Viking appliances.

The location of the custom home in WaterSound is excellent. It is conveniently  located across the street from the Bridges pool, which offers an expansive sun deck and clubhouse. From the pool you can stoll down to the beach through one of the most breathtaking private beach accesses on the coast and enjoy WaterSound’s pristine white sand beaches.

If you are interested in this luxury home in WaterSound Beach and would like to preview it or if you are interested in Team Baranowski listing your luxury property, please give Tracy Baranowski a call at 850.259.4270 or Craig Baranowski at 850.259.1788 or email  us info@teambaranowski.com.

177 Tidal Bridge Way WaterSound Beach

WaterSound Homes for Sale

WaterSound Lots for Sale

WaterSound Beach Homes Market Analysis

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Halloween is Tracy’s favorite time of year. For some reason she loves the entire Halloween season and event beginning with the change of season, fall leaves, haunted houses, Halloween candy, hot apple cider, pumpkins, crazy costumes, candy apples, and etc. Since we are Realtors and passionate about Real Estate, we are going to review the most haunted houses in America.

Most of the homes look like really nice mansions from the outside and do not convey a sense of Spookiness. I have seen some really creepy looking homes on back country roads that would definitely at the top of my list. However, it is what is inside that makes these haunted houses so haunting.

We grew up in Silicone Valley and the most famous of haunted houses is the Winchester Mystery House. The most haunting part of the entire home was the horrific floor plan…or an extreme example of construction gone wild. The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans has a long history of haunting…but Nicolas Cage loosing the home to foreclosure is the most haunting. I guess his home did not qualify under the Home Affordability Foreclosure Alternative Plan. We hope you enjoy the haunted houses.

The full story can be seen from our friends at Zillow.com

America’s Most Haunted Houses

Winchester House (above)
Location: San Jose, CA
Ghost: Sarah Winchester

Whether or not the Winchester House is haunted, it definitely tops the list for bizarre real estate. The house was designed by Sarah Winchester, pictured at left,  the widow of William Winchester, founder of Winchester rifles. According to stories, Sarah was deeply distressed by the death of her daughter Annie in 1866 and her husband in 1881, so she consulted a medium to deal with her grief. The medium told Sarah to move west and build a house to ward off the spirits.

For the next 38 years — until her death in 1922 — Sarah oversaw construction of the San Jose house, holding nightly séances to get guidance from ghosts in the design. The result was a maze-like residence full of twisting and turning hallways, dead-ends and secret panels. There was also  a window built into a floor, staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open to walls, upside-down columns, and rooms built, then intentionally closed off  — all to ward off and confuse evil spirits. Or even some living souls, too.

Flickr user: dbking

Lizzie Borden House (above)
Located: Fall River, MA
Ghosts: Andrew and Abby Borden

You’ve heard the song about Lizzie Borden taking an ax. Before there was a creepy nursery-rhyme like chant, there was the Lizzie Borden trial — one of the biggest trials of the 19^th century. It centered on the Aug. 4, 1892 murder of Andrew and Abby Borden. Andrew’s daughter and Abby’s step-daughter, Lizzie Borden, (pictured at left) was the prime suspect, but acquitted by the jury.

By many accounts, the Bordens were not a happy family and Andrew’s daughters, Lizzie and Emma Lenora, feared that Andrew was going to bequeath his assets to their step-mother. After her acquittal, Lizzie and Emma moved to a different house on French Street. The home of the murder still stands in Fall River and operates as a bed-and-breakfast, where guests report that Andrew and Abby can be seen wandering about.

LaLaurie Mansion (above)
Location: New Orleans, LA
Ghosts: Victims of Madame LaLaurie

The former New Orleans home of Nicolas Cage, the LaLaurie Mansion, has to rank as the most gruesome in the history of the haunted houses. The New Orleans home was the where Madame LaLaurie reportedly abused and tortured her slaves. Rumors of cruelty were confirmed to be the truth when a fire broke out in the home and more than a dozen of slaves were discovered in various horrible states of torture. An angry mob descended on the home but Madame LaLaurie escaped, never to be seen again.

Soon after, flickering lights, unearthly screams were reported throughout the home and, over the next several years, the French Quarter home changed hands several times. It was run as a music conservatory, a school for young girls, a bar and furniture store. Finally, a retired New Orleans physician purchased the home and restored it to a single-family dwelling before selling it to Nicolas Cage. The actor recently lost the home to foreclosure. A sign of the ghosts at work, perhaps?

Flickr user: Southerntabitha

Franklin Castle (above)
Location: Cleveland, OH
Ghosts: Babies crying

Depending on who is telling this ghost story, the one-time owner of Franklin Castle, Hannes Tiedemann, pictured, was an evil tyrant who had a hand in several mysterious deaths at the Castle. Or, he was the victim of unfortunate circumstances?

Either way, as far as haunted houses go, the Franklin Castle fits the bill as a creep palace, complete with a stone tower and turrets, gargoyles, wrought-iron fixings and wrought-iron fencing. Built in 1864, the home was sold August 26 on the Cleveland real estate market for $260,000. That was after the latest calamity to strike: A fire that gutted plans to turn the place into a bed and breakfast. We’ll have to wait and see if the new owners hear the same sounds of footsteps, babies crying, and doors slamming often reported in the home.

Flickr user: Cranston Historical Society

Sprague Mansion (above)
Location: Cranston, RI
Ghosts: Amasa Sprague, Charlie the butler

The Spragues were a prosperous family in Cranston, RI in the 1800s and owned the Cranston Print Works, a textile mill that helped pioneer chemical bleaching. When the Print Works patriarch, William Sprague, died, he passed the business on to his two sons: Amasa (photo left) and William II. Amasa concentrated on the family business while William II focused on politics, serving as a U.S. Representative, Governor and United States Senator. On Dec. 31, 1843, Amasa was found near the home, beaten and shot. A man was hung for the crime, but was later revealed to be innocent. Following the murder, the Sprague family fortune dwindled and the home fell into disrepair. Cranston Historical Society saved the home from demolition in 1967.

Wikipedia Commons

Myrtles Plantation (above)
Location: St. Francisville, LA
Ghosts: Chloe, Sara and her children, William Winter

Jealousy led to hauntings of this antebellum home in St. Francisville, LA. In 1808, Clark Woodruff took over the plantation from his deceased father-in-law, General David Bradford. Clark lived in the house with his wife Sara and three children. Legend has it that Clark took a liking to a slave named Chloe, who became jealous of Sara and the kids. The story goes that Chloe baked a birthday cake filled with poisonous oleander leaves that killed Sara and two of the three children. Although Chloe confessed to the crime, fellow slaves retaliated. Chloe was hanged to death and her body was dumped in the Mississippi River.

If that wasn’t enough of an eerie history, another one of the owners, William Winter, was shot and killed while standing on the front porch. Rumor has it that the home was also built on an American Indian burial ground and the home was ransacked by Union soldiers during the Civil War.  The home operates now as a bed-and-breakfast, serving up sightings of William Winter, Sara and her children as well as the ghost of Chloe outside, tending to her oleander plants.

Chambers Mansion (above)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Ghost: Claudia

Perched in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, this prime piece of San Francisco real estate was built by silver mine tycoon Richard Chambers. The story goes that Richard moved into the home with his two nieces, bringing with him a host of demons and ghosts with him. When Chambers died in 1901, the nieces inherited the home; one moved next door and one, Claudia, stayed in the home.

Claudia was discovered nearly cut in half one day. The family passed it off as a “farm implementation accident” but ghost expert Jim Fassbinder, who conducts haunted house tours in San Francisco, claims an insane family member who was kept in the attic of the Chambers home was the culprit. Recently a bed-and-breakfast, the home sold in 2009 for $3,400,800.

Flickr user: snabby

Whaley House (above)
Location: San Diego, CA
Ghost: “Yankee Jim” Robinson

California’s other notorious haunted home was built by Thomas Whaley, who moved to San Diego to start a general store business. The entrepreneurial Whaley also started a brick-making business and started a granary. He built the Greek-Revival style house in 1857 on where the gallows once stood.

Shortly after Whaley moved in, he reported hearing heavy footsteps “by the boots of a heavy man” throughout the home. Whaley concluded it was “Yankee Jim” Robinson (photo left) — the last man to hang on the property. Two centuries later, the Whaley home is a designated historic landmark and open to public tours where guests are invited to listen for the steps of “Yankee Jim.”

Flickr: Black.Doll

McPike Mansion (above)
Located: Alton, IL
Ghosts: Unknown woman

The town of Alton, IL is deemed the “most haunted” city in America and has no shortage of ghostly homes. The McPike Mansion has especially active ghosts. Although there doesn’t seem to be any set reason why the home is so eerie, visitors report being hugged by an unseen woman thought to be Sarah Wells — one of the former occupants. So vivid is her presence, she is said to be smelling of fresh lilacs. There’s also the laughter of children, and mysterious mists and orbs of light.

Built in 1869 for the McPike family, the house has also operated as a college and boarding house. The home is currently owned by George and Sharyn Luedke, who run tours for anyone who wants to experience the spooks first hand.

The Victorian (above)
Located: Gardner, MA
Ghost: Servant girl

The S.K. Pierce Mansion, or “The Victorian,” has been “certified haunted” by mediums and paranormal experts. The home, located in Gardner, MA, was built by chair manufacturer S.K. Pierce in 1875. The most active ghost reported in the home is a 19-year-old woman, thought to be one of Pierce’s servants. Other spirits include a man who perished in 1963 in a fire, and a small boy.

The home not only has a ghostly past, but a history of Gilded Age elite dropping by from New York on their way to Vermont and New Hampshire. Guests included President Calvin Coolidge, Norman Rockwell, and P.T. Barnum.

76 Eastern Lake Court in the Cottages at Eastern Lake $274,900!

UPDATE: Under Contract November 13, 2011

The most desirable price point for a vacation homes on Scenic 30A is a 3 bedroom 2 bath vacation home at the $350K and under price point. A brand new home south of Scenic 30A under $300K is extremely rare. 76 Eastern Lake Court in the quaint Cottages at Eastern Lake is a few weeks away from completion and it is a gorgeous cottage! Not only is this cottage amazing, it is the ONLY brand new home South of 30A for under $300K!

Situated in the poplar Lakewood Area south of Scenic 30A, the Cottages at Eastern Lake subdivision offers a relaxed beach lifestyle with cobbled roads, well manicured landscaping, a private secluded pool and low HOA fees. It is the perfect combination to own your dream second home, vacation rental or investment property.

76 Eastern Lake Court is spec’ed with Jeld Wen Hurricane Impact Glass windows and doors, travertine natural stone floors, granite counter tops in kitchen and master bath, stainless steel appliances, custom crafted maple cabinets, a jacuzzi tub and a vaulted ceiling in the great room.

Team Baranowski has put together an investor analysis worksheet for 76 Eastern Lake Court and can be downloaded here.

For more information on this quaint cottage in The Cottages at Eastern Lake or to schedule a private tour of the home, please call  Craig @ 850-259-1788 or Tracy at 850-259-4270 or email @ info@teambaranowski.com.

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76 Eastern Lake Court in Cottages at Eastern Lake