Archive for the 'Pensacola Beach' Category
Pensacola Beach Water Quality Scores A Great Rating
August 2nd, 2008 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Beach
The Natural Resources Defense Council issued its 18th annual report on beach water quality, “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches.”
Overall, our nation’s beaches are not doing well, but the main swimming area of Pensacola Beach known as Casino Beach received a 3-star rating. This designates it as one of the cleanest beaches in the nation, as far as pollution and bacterial content in the water.
In the photo below, you can see the crystal clear beautiful waters of Pensacola Beach, looking west from the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier.
While a 5-star rating is possible, 5-star ratings are only given to beaches where the water is tested more than once per week. Casino Beach is tested weekly. And every test showed that the water on Pensacola Beach met EPA standards.
The full report can be viewed in PDF format at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Fortunately, there is no stormwater runoff, or sewage runoff into the waters of Pensacola Beach. Rain water generally just puddles on the beach and soaks in, or is drained from the roads into Santa Rosa Sound. This keeps the Gulf side of Pensacola Beach nice and clean.
However, Quietwater Beach wasn’t as clean as Casino Beach. There were nine weeks in 2007 when the water quality was so poor that beach advisories had to be issued.
This is unfortunate, especially for families. Many parents like to take their young children to Quietwater Beach to avoid the dangerous wave action of the gulf, hence the name Quietwater. You also see a lot more boats and jet skis around Quietwater Beach.
When comparing Pensacola to other areas of the country, we are doing quite well. The beaches on the California coast can be scary at times. I remember reading a report from local professional surfer Sterling Spencer that he was sick for days from surfing in the waters of California. We are truly blessed to have such beautiful, clean and uncrowded beaches.
Now if we could just get ECUA to get our water quality improved.
Related Articles On Pensacola Real Estate News:
Could Pensacola Beach Be Facing A Tourism Disaster?
The Crimson Tide Rolls Onto Pensacola Beach
Many thanks to the Pensacola Beach Blogger for bringing this story to my attention (along with many other great local stories)
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Pensacola Real Estate Beach Market Report For The First Half Of 2008
July 20th, 2008 Categories: Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Market Data, Perdido Key
Pensacola Market Data For Residential Properties
On Pensacola Beach And Perdido Key Florida
January – June 2008
The numbers in the table show the Pensacola real estate sales on the beaches for the first 6 months of 2008.
As of the writing of this report there are 11 Perdido Key Condo sales Pending and 6 Pensacola Beach Condo sales Pending. The total number of homes and condos for sale on the beach has not increased since January, so we are holding steady on inventory in the mid 700s.
The table above just gives a snapshot of the market at this time, which does not really tell a story. The table below is much more interesting.
Pensacola Market Data For Beach Homes and Condos
On Pensacola Beach And Perdido Key
For the First 6 Months Of Each Year
Be aware that the numbers showin in the table are only for the 1st 6 months of each of the years listed. This was the only way to make a good comparison to 2008. At the end of 2008 I can give you a full years worth of data on the beach real estate report.
What we can see in this table is the way the real estate markets on the beaches have moved since 2000. Here are some observations:
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If you purchased beach real estate from 2000 to 2004, you are doing well as far as the value of your investment
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2002-2004 were the hottest years as far as beach real estate sales volume. During this period, the beach homes and condos were much more affordable and we saw sales from 180 to almost 300 units.
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2005-2007 saw decreasing sales and increasing days on market as prices rose sharply.
Now in 2008 we see sales up just a little above the 2007 levels and prices holding steady. Many Pensacola real estate agents believe that prices on the beaches have pretty much bottomed out. I will provide future reports on the beaches and we’ll see if that is indeed true.
- The table shows real estate market data for Pensacola condos and residential homes on the beaches.
- Vacant land or lots are not included.
- The numbers above are created using data from the Pensacola MLS and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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Manatee on Pensacola Beach?
July 15th, 2008 Categories: Local Stories, Pensacola Beach
That’s what it looks like in the photos.
Apparently before the Blue Angels performed at Casino Beach, a very special event was taking place down on the east end of Pensacola Beach.
Check out the pictures taken by the Barrier Island Girl on her blog; Manatee Pictures
I don’t think I would have had the patience to take pictures. I would have been running for the water just to see how close I could get.
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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A Cold Windy Day on Pensacola Beach
December 23rd, 2007 Categories: Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Pictures, Pensacola Real Estate News
December 23 was a cold and windy day on Pensacola Beach. I saw plenty of real estate for sale on Pensacola Beach as I drove towards Portofino Condos, but I doubt anyone was out looking at houses, lots or condos on the beach today. The wind was blowing hard from the north at around 20mph with gusts up to 25mph. Temperatures were around 48 degrees, with a windchill below 40 degrees. The water temp is around 65 degrees. Here are a few pictures of a Pensacola real estate agent at the beach on this cold windy day. The location was the parking lot in front of the Portofino condos.
This real estate agent was smart enough to know that the Portofino condos helped block some of that hard cold northerly wind. Notice how rough the Gulf Of Mexico looks in the background.
The Portofino Condos have 107 units listed for sale in the Pensacola MLS. Prices range from $455K up to $1.85 million. The average days on market for these condos is 290.
Properties on Pensacola Beach are moving slowly these days. There are currently 74 vacant lots for sale on Pensacola Beach. The average price per acre is $3.9 million. The average days on market is 391.
Obviously this down real estate market is having an effect on beach properties in Pensacola. That makes now the time to get some good bargains on properties on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. If you are interested in purchasing any properties in Pensacola Florida, including beach condos, Contact Me . I will answer any questions you may have and help you in any way I can. Hey, if I will go out in these types of conditions (Yes, that is me in the pictures), imagine how hard I will work for you in helping you find just the right home or condo in Pensacola.
Visit my Pensacola Market Update archives to get information on the Pensacola Real Estate Market, including condo and home sales on the beaches. OR, click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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Building A Hurricane Resistant Home Of The Future In Pensacola With ICF Will Save Money For Years To Come
October 26th, 2007 Categories: Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Real Estate News
If you plan to build a new home on the Gulf Coast, you should learn about ICF. ICF stands for Insulating Concrete Forms and is far superior to traditional construction methods in many ways.
According to the ICF industry, ICF is the wave of the future in building, both commercial and residential. It has been used in other countries for over 40 years, but is only now gaining popularity in the United States. Some of the benefits associated with ICF homes are especially applicable to Pensacola and the Gulf Coast. Here is a short list of some of the benefits: 
Energy Efficiency: I’ve seen different claims on the energy savings ranging from 30% up to 70%. Even the low end of the range can amount to significant savings during the hot Pensacola summers.
Termites Don’t Eat Concrete: ICF homes are highly pest resistant. If you have paid the price of termite treatment, you know this feature alone can save you a few thousand dollars. We all know termites love to feast on our Pensacola homes.
Peace and Quiet: The material is more insulating, so it results not only in energy savings, but also in a more sound proof home
Mold Is History: You are much less likely to have mold growth on concrete. After hurricane Ivan hit Pensacola, we could have all used more ICF and less mold growth.
Lower Home Insurance Premiums: ICF homes generally have lower premiums due to the fact they are more resistant to fire and storm elements. Speak to your homeowners insurance agent first if you are considering building an ICF home.
Thanks to one of my favorite real estate bloggers, Sellsius, for his great article. You can check it out at the Sellsius blog.
And since I didn’t have a picture of an ICF building, I included a picture of the Dome Home on Pensacola Beach. The owner weathered hurricane Ivan in this home. I wouldn’t have done that.
Here are more references for information about ICF homes.
Sources of ICF Information: ICFA, BuildersWebsource; ICF Builder; PCA;
Other Articles of Interest:
Concrete Homes are Energy Efficient (The San Diego Union Tribune)
How to Build a Fireproof House (This Old House)
Enlisting a Fortress to Battle the Elements (The New York Times)
For information on ICF Builders in the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, go to the ICF Builders web site.
Click on Pensacola Real Estate News for a list of articles indexed by category.
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