Phase 2 offers Camp Watercolor, which is staffed with trained professionals and provides daily activities for children. Activities at camp include: arts and crafts, swimming, movies, board games and much more. There is a full size soccer field for games and events, nigh time movies, volleyball and actual soccer. There is a basketball court area There is a full size swimming pool that is heated year round with a lap pool lane for exercising. Phase 2 has easy access to Watercolor Crossings, which has Publix, a dry cleaners, UPS store, Liquor store, Yellowfin Sports shop, Pizza by the Sea and a Nail salon. Homes in phase 2 range from $750k – just under $3 million.
Listings in Phase Two
Karen Holder
Watercolor Home Listing
This Watercolor, FL cottage comes fully furnished and rental ready making for a great beach getaway. Perfectly located just steps from Camp WaterColor and all the wonderful amenities that both WaterColor and Seaside have to offer. A spacious porch welcomes you to an open entertaining, living space that features hardwood floors and tall sunlit windows. The dining area is adjacent to French doors that lead south onto the front porch. The kitchen features a gas stove, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a breakfast bar allowing for additional seating. The first floor also features three cheerful, private bedrooms complete with private bathrooms. And at the top of the stairs overlooking the living area is a wonderful open loft. –
Author: Karen Holder, Broker
The Red Bar – Best Bloody Mary’s on 30A
In this week’s edition of “The Best Bloody Mary’s On 30A” we will be taking you to one of the most iconic locations in the area – The Red Bar.
The Red Bar is located in Grayton Beach on Hotz Ave., the last street before you hit the sand of the beach. The location alone makes it a favorite of locals and beach goers alike. After spending a morning on the beach, it is nice to be able to walk right to a place that has great food, great drinks, and great music.
The Red Bar is owned by brothers Oli and Phillipe Petit. They are always very welcoming and fun to talk to. They have a short but varied menu that the servers will show to you on a chalk board. Even though there is only a handful of choices, there is something for everyone, and they execute each dish incredibly well.
Their world famous bar on the other hand is quite expansive. The bartenders are all experienced and friendly. They can make you anything you would like. For today’s purpose of course, I ordered the Bloody Mary.
The bartender who made mine was named Tylor, and he recommended I upgrade the vodka from the well to something more top shelf. I whole heartedly agreed and picked Absolut from the varied choices he gave me. He then whipped up an incredibly delicious concoction. The Bloody Mary base was savory, but not too spicy. I could drink a couple and not worry about my mouth being on fire. As you will see in the video it had quite an array of garnishes: Celery, olives, pickled green beans, pepperoncini, and some sort of exotic olive that I have never seen before. Topped off with some old bay seasoning and I was ready to go!
Now, I am sure you are thinking of visiting the Red Bar. I sure hope you are, because you will love it. Before you go, here are some pro tips from a local:
- 1) The Red Bar is cash or check only. They do have an ATM inside, but to avoid the hassle, be sure to grab some cash beforehand.
- 2) When there is live music there, which there is often, it will get packed with people. Bring your patience and leave the claustrophobia at home.
- 3) Parking: it is quite limited. Again, plan ahead and bring your patience. Don’t even think about trying to park on any of the side streets. If there is a sign that says no parking, they WILL tow your car. If you are planning on enjoying the bar side of the restaurant and some live music, I highly recommend taking a cab. You won’t have to worry about parking, and of course, you will have a safe way to get home.
- 4) Don’t drink and drive. Just don’t.
Stinky’s Fish Camp – Best Bloody Mary’s on 30A
So here is the scenario: You have been enjoying yourself on the beach all week. You have swam in the Gulf, soaked up some sun, seen some great live music, and have done this vacation thing up right. You wake up Sunday morning and are wanting brunch…and more specifically…a Bloody Mary. Let the locals here at Homes On 30A guide you to the best Bloody Mary of your life.
1) Starting at the West End of Scenic Highway 30A you will find a place called Stinky’s Fish Camp. Don’t let the name fool you, this place is an absolute gem. If a restaurant is constantly packed during the OFF season, you know it is going to be good. But let’s focus on the subject at hand – how is their Bloody Mary? This thing is AWESOME! And almost a meal in itself. Just the perfect amount of spice, and garnished with a big ol’ shrimp, pickled okra, pickled green beans, and a celery stick. Come for the bloody mary, stay for the great food.
2) The Red Bar. The name and the location are as iconic as their Bloody Mary. This bar and restaurant are a staple of Grayton Beach. They have a very small menu, but they do everything on it exceedingly well. You can catch some of the best live music the area has to offer here too. Their full bar and friendly bartenders constantly attract locals and tourists alike. Their Bloody Mary is outstanding. Their own special recipe, it is nice and spicy, enough vodka to make you happy, and of course an amazing array of garnishes on top.
3) Centrally located in Seaside, The Great Southern Café draws quite a crowd. And rightly so, their food, and especially their shrimp and grits, is beyond delicious. The Bloody Mary however, is legen-wait for it-dary. A dash of horseradish gives some nice heat. The skewer of spiced beans, pickled okra, olives, and a pepperoncini give it some nice flavor and variety.
4) Finally we arrive at the Eastern end of Scenic Highway 30A. And for our Bloody Mary we will be heading to The Pearl – Rosemary Beach. The area’s most luxurious hotel also has an incredible restaurant and bar. But just a standard Bloody Mary won’t do for The Pearl, they have a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar! They provide the vodka and Bloody Mary base, then let you create the Bloody Mary of your dreams using their spread of pretty much every garnish you could ever want. Go ahead, make a work of art.
And as always, never drink and drive. There is always a friend on 30A who will give you a ride home.
Walton County stats for Feb, 2015
Santa Rosa Beach and Surrounding areas – Real Estate Report
The Emerald Coast Association of Realtors real estate report for February, 2015 is out and there are some interesting observations to be made. January’s numbers were impressive and February’s numbers are looking even stronger with the total number of closings on single family dwellings (houses) up 31% over the same month last year. The total number of “pending” sales are up 14% over last year. The most interesting statistic I find is that the average sales price for a home is up 23% over last year. Growth and value increases like this are usually good news but a word of caution is needed here. The MLS here for our area is showing “cash sales” accounted for 47% of all sales. That is an extremely high number and bodes well for the level of demand in our market but this also means that we are seeing an unsustainable increase in prices due to the fact that almost half of these sales do not involve any financing and many with no appraisal contingencies. Cash sales are driving prices up due to transactions that do not require any “comps” being used because there are no appraisals being done on many of these sales. I believe we are going to see a bit of “blowback” by buyers who are getting a little nervous about these price increases and this will have a moderating effect on selling prices that seller’s are able to get. Overall, the market here is very strong but sustainable increases in property values of 3 to 5% a year, long term, would be a great scenario. Let’s see what the remaining Spring months bring us.
Watercolor, FL Art in the Park
Watercolor will be hosting the 10th annual “Art in the Park” on March 21st, 2015 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This event is held in the Town Center and Cerulean Park areas and free to all residents, guests and public. This is a great opportunity to get to know some of our local artists, photographers, jewelers, fashion designers and decorators.
This year there are over 80 artists scheduled for the event with live music from some of our most talented artists like Chris Alvarado, Boukou Groove and Dannica Lowery. Sit down at Chan’s Wine World and grab some wine and food while soaking in the sun and enjoying the music.
While looking at the wonderful art, take a little time and look at the artistic designs of Watercolor Real Estate