Pelican Real Estate News Archives

Business Facilities Magazine has ranked Panama City #1 on its list of Top Metro Areas for Economic Growth Potential for communities with populations less than 200,000.  In their July/August issue,  the magazine states  “ in our small population sub-category, Panama City, FL remains front-and- center on our growth radar. As we detailed in our June cover feature [Editor’s Location Picks], it would be hard to find a better example of the seemingly overnight transformation of a region than the current activity on the Florida panhandle. One of the nation’s largest economic development initiatives is taking shape amidst the pine trees and pristine beaches in Northwest Florida near Panama City.”  The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and surrounding development were sited as contributors to the #1 ranking.  To read the article in it’s entirety : http://www.businessfacilities.com/Rankings/BFJulAug10_METRO_RANKINGS.PDF

Wal-Mart will be adding two locations in our local area.  The Niceville location is well on its way and the building is expected to be completed in September or October.  No opening date as been released for this John Sims Parkway location.  The site offers additional commercial parcels with no confirmed tenants announced.    The Santa Rosa Beach location is planned for the intersection of  U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road in Phase 1 of  Topsail West.  The project includes additional plans for for shops, restaurants and other businesses.  Estimated opening is at least a year away.    

Coastal Living’s July/August issue had a great list of reasons for loving the coast… At the beach, no one raises an eyebrow when adults act like kids…Lounging under an umbrella for nine straight hours is considered normal…Our best memories are made there-on vacation, on a sunset walk, on a dare on a surfboard…At get-togethers, the dress code is always “come as you are”…It’s where we seem to get our best night’s sleep…Food tastes better at the shore. In fact, you’re practically required to indulge. Ice cream before noon? But of course!…Dolphins smile…Pelicans dive…Crabs crawl sideways…When you are on “beach time”, everything is go with the flow. No schedules. No rushing. No stress…Cocktail hour is really a race between you and the melting ice…Everybody smiles bigger when they have a sun kissed glow on their cheeks! Yes, we do love living at the beach! Come join us and become our neighbor!

It is official!  Our Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is open for business.  Hundreds of visitors, state officials and dignitaries were on site to watch the first take off and landing Saturday.   Southwest will offer daily flights to and from Nashville, Baltimore, Houston and Orlando.  Delta will be flying daily to and from Atlanta and Memphis.  For additional information on the new airport, visit  http://www.iflybeaches.com.

Yes…It is finally here!  The most talked about event of the decade is happening this weekend on the Emerald Coast!  Our new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is opening in style!  Grand Opening events kick off Friday night with the sold out Green Tie Gala.  The Community Grand Opening  is scheduled for Saturday May 22nd from 9am – 4 pm.  This event is free and open to the public.    Tickets and parking passes are required.  Terminal tours, music, food and fun activities are planned throughout the day including aircraft take off/landings!   Commercial Service will begin on Sunday May 23rd.  Visit: http://northwestfloridabeaches.com/airport-grand-opening for ticket locations and additional event information.  Join in and celebrate this historical event!

The new television spot produced by Visit Florida shares the great news that Northwest Florida is open and ready for visitors.   The weather is great and the beaches are breathtaking!  Come down and relax for a while… Click on link to view the TV spot: http://birdwell.us/OFB2/. 

                                                         ArtsQuest Fine Arts Show is an annual Mother’s Day tradition here on the Emerald Coast.   This year’s event will be held in downtown Seaside returning to its original roots on 30-A.  This family friendly weekend offers something for everyone including over 120 national exhibiting artists, KidZone, Storytelling and live music. 

Pelican Real Estate will be offering clients the opportunity to reach dozens of prospective buyers in a single weekend as part of the Florida Open House Weekend sponsored by the 115,000-plus member Florida Realtors.  On Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, Pelican will conduct open houses at an estimated 100 homes in Northwest Florida. Blue balloons, featuring the Realtor “R” in white, will denote those homes that are part of the statewide open house campaign.  The Florida Open House Weekend comes just before the April 30, 2010, deadline for the federal homebuyer tax credit. Homes need to be under contract by April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30, 2010, to take advantage of up to $8,000 in tax credits.

Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast has been selected by Frommer’s Travel Guide as one of the top 12 destinations for 2010.  Frommer’s Travel Guide is one of the world’s best-selling travel guides with more than 75 million books sold.  Copenhagen,Denmark; Salta Province, Argentina; and Melbourne, Australia are other areas that made Frommer’s list.  Hawaii’s Big Island was the only other US location to make the list. 

 Frommer’s states:  The panhandle never gets the respect it deserves, Northwest Florida, in fact, contains some of the most diverse recreation choices along Florida’s drastically under-appreciated Gulf coast, and some of the best options for visitors seeking an affordable family vacation. From Destin to the west, where you can hire a fishing or sailing charter, to the smattering of National Seashores as you move east, there’s really something for everyone. Seaside’s planned community is so “perfect” it was the setting for the The Truman Show, yet you’ll also find old-school Florida towns with funky shops, tiny hotels, pristine beaches, and the perfect cottage to rent.

“Stunning beaches, nature trails … great restaurants, and a cozy, yet quirky, sense of community.” — Lesley Abravanel, author Frommer’s Florida