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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
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    <guid>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/hamptons-of-the-south-known-for-its-scenic-stretch-of-beaches-attracts-influx-of-homebuyers.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/hamptons-of-the-south-known-for-its-scenic-stretch-of-beaches-attracts-influx-of-homebuyers.html</link>
        <author>jacob@cireec.com (Blankenship | Watkins)</author>
        <title>'Hamptons of the South' known for its scenic stretch of beaches attracts influx of homebuyers</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
A stunning 26-mile stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast, known as 30A, has been dubbed the 'Hamptons of the South' as it attracts an influx of homebuyers.


The quiet slice of paradise has turned into America's latest luxury hotspot, attracting wealthy buyers from as far as Chicago and Montana.


The once-hidden gem strip of beaches, including picture-perfect towns like Rosemary Beach and Seaside, features Caribbean-like waters, powdery white sand, and classic Southern charm.


Local real estate agent Beau Blankenship emphasized the dramatic shift that's taken place in recent years.


'Now you're seeing people from the Northeast, people from the West, Salt Lake City, Utah, Colorado,' he told Business Insider.





 





 


In 2023, visitor spending during the peak summer season increased by $500 million compared to 2019, he explained. 


'A decade ago, those visitors were mostly from Southern cities within driving distance, like Atlanta and Nashville,' he added.' Now you're seeing people from the Northeast, people from the West, Salt Lake City, Utah, Colorado.'


The area's popularity has sent property prices skyrocketing as median home price soared from $1.1 million in 2019 to a jaw-dropping $3 million this year in Rosemary Beach.


Rosemary Beach is a popular high-end beach community with a European flair complete with plenty of dining and shopping options, that is situated off scenic highway 30A.








Luxury vacation rentals are also now asking for up to $2,500 per evening.


Kemp Stewart, a luxury rental owner, witnessed the transformation firsthand


'There'd be a few vacant lots, and then a house surrounded by trees and brush,' he told Business Insider. 'Then all of sudden, you'd see individual developments of monster homes being built on the beach.'


The pandemic accelerated the trend, with Florida's early reopening attracting those seeking sun-soaked locations from locked-down states.


Steward claims its appeal has stayed consistent.


'This is a place for families to go on vacation and connect with one another in one of the most beautiful environments in the world,' he said.


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/beau-blankenship-jacob-watkins-sign-onto-christies-real-estate.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/beau-blankenship-jacob-watkins-sign-onto-christies-real-estate.html</link>
        <author>jacob@cireec.com (Blankenship | Watkins)</author>
        <title>Beau Blankenship, Jacob Watkins sign onto Christie's Real Estate</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
 



The 2 top producers from Engel &amp; Völkers 30A Beaches and Corcoran Reverie have launched a new flagship location in northwest Florida: Christie's International Real Estate Emerald Coast:







Two of the top broker-owners located on Florida’s Emerald Coast have shed their former affiliations to join Christie’s International Real Estate, the firm has informed Inman.


Beau Blankenship, formerly of Engel &amp; Völkers 30A Beaches, and Jacob Watkins, formerly of Corcoran Reverie, are teaming up to found a new flagship location in northwest Florida called Christie’s International Real Estate Emerald Coast.


“Their tech platform, their luxury brand and just [all] they do I feel is a level up and is going to help us in our market,” Blankenship told Inman. “I think the Christie’s brand is synonymous with luxury and the auction house and everything — it is just a really, really good brand that spoke to us. And then their tech stack is phenomenal. So those two [paired] together just made for a very good partnership.”


At his previous firm, Blankenship led the Blankenship Group, the No. 1 team in Walton County. Engel &amp; Völkers 30A Beaches in 2024, while owned by Blankenship, was also ranked the No. 4 Engel &amp; Völkers affiliate across the country by RealTrends with $558.5 million in sales volume across 393 sides. Blankenship alone has closed more than $3 billion in career sales, a small feat given that he formally launched his real estate career in 2018 at the age of 27.


Watkins worked as an Ernst &amp; Young finance consultant before transitioning into real estate about 10 years ago. He launched a small firm, 30A Realty, which merged with Corcoran Reverie in 2020. In the less than five years that Watkins was affiliated with Corcoran Reverie, the firm closed about $4 billion in sales, about $870 million of which can be attributed to a team Watkins was on.


Together, Blankenship and Watkins will co-lead the new affiliate as equal partners. The company’s major markets will include neighborhoods stretching from Destin to Panama City, including Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seaside and Alys Beach, and will start off with around 130 agents.


The duo have also created a large team called the Blankenship Watkins Advisory Group, which is launching with a portfolio of more than $265 million in listings.


The timing of Blankenship’s reaching out to Wong was perfect, the CEO said, as a contract the company had with a previous affiliate on the Emerald Coast was expiring. He also knew of Blankenship’s reputation as a top-performer in the market.


“So when Beau called, it was just a fantastic surprise, because if you were to ask me prior to him reaching out, if I would have had one person to fly the Christie’s flag, it would have been Beau,” Wong told Inman. “And adding Jacob to it is huge, considering the number of deals they’ve done over $10 million there.”


Together, Blankenship and Watkins have closed 21 transactions above $10 million. They are currently marketing the highest-priced listing in northwest Florida, which is asking $26.5 million.


Blankenship said that he and Watkins had been friends for the last decade, getting to know one another as fellow top-performers and business owners in the same market, and eventually vacationing together since they both have young families.


  



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:42:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/entertaining-on-30a.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/entertaining-on-30a.html</link>
        <author>jacob@cireec.com (Blankenship | Watkins)</author>
        <title>Entertaining on 30A</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We are in the full heat of summer on 30A and we’re looking for any reason to keep it cool Who’s with us? Sometimes the best way to beat the heat is to bring the party in and entertain at home. So we’ve composed a list of our 5 favorite ‘entertaining on 30A’ Happy Hour Essentials


 


1. Wine and Mixers from Modica Market It’s never a party without spirits right? So first we recommend stopping into Modica Market located on the Seaside Square for your wine, mixers, and garnishes. If you happen to have a sweet tooth while you’re there, be sure to grab a slice of their orange dreamsicle cake, it’s to die for


 2. Cheese from The Wine Bar Paired with your wine and summer refreshments, it would be courtesy to offer  your guests a bite to eat to hold them over until dinner. Besides, you can’t go wrong with cheese So we recommend sourcing your cheese and crackers from The Wine Bar located in Watercolor, Florida. They have a quaint pop-in specialty food shop with over 20 artisan cheeses to choose from. While you’re at it, possibly stay a while and take advantage of their happy hour which is from 11am-6pm—one carafe of wine for the price of a glass 


 


3. Shrimp from 30A Ice house Don’t forget to complete your spread with a little seafood After all, you’re at the beach, so shrimp cocktails are a must. Head over to the 30A Ice house for all of your seafood needs. If it’s not steamed shrimp, indulge in some of their homemade pimento cheese or smoked tuna dip.


 


 4. Grazing Board from Shop Outpost When you’ve gathered all of your grab- and – go appetizers (which we do suggest while you’re on vacation,) you will need a pretty board to display all of your delicious eats on. Our favorite home décor boutique is Shop Outpost, located in the 30Avenue—go in once and you’ll see why They have a unique selection of cheese boards, cocktail glasses, plates and other entertainment pieces for you to choose from. 





5. Florals from Seaside Farmers Market Finally, you will want to complete your look with some fresh florals. We like to source our flowers from the Seaside Farmer’s Market which is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am-1pm. Another option is to step outside and clip some palmetto palms or fresh rosemary from our native plants—they’re everywhere and make great center pieces


 


With these 5 local entertainment essentials, you will have yourself a cool and refreshing beach happy hour in no time—you can take our word for it
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 16 Aug 2019 10:11:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/seaside-4th-of-july-parade.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.30arealty.com/blog/seaside-4th-of-july-parade.html</link>
        <author>jacob@cireec.com (Blankenship | Watkins)</author>
        <title>Seaside 4th Of July Parade</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
 


 


Every year thousands stand and gather to partake in Seaside’s 4th of July parade, located right in the heart of 30A. “The parade predates Seaside, making its inaugural debut in 1976 when a band of Seagrove locals charted a course from Hickory Street, south to Highway 30A, through the dunes and onto the beach for a day and night of revelry. Hickory Street sits three blocks east of Robert’s Way, the eastern entrance of Seaside” 30A Realty had the honor of participating, in the 43rd annual ride At 30A Realty, we believe no holiday is too small to celebrate so there is no doubt we like to go all out on Independence Day. We kicked off the morning at sunrise with mimosas and muffins, and then set out for our red, white, and blue adventure. We even brought our golden retriever, Edi This year, If you were on the sidelines, you may have spotted us in a hunter green 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser. This is our owner, Jacob Watkins’ prized beach vehicle that also conveniently doubles as the 30A Realty mascot As everyone cheerfully watched and applauded, we had a heck of a time throwing out 30A Realty branded hand fans, koozies, sunglasses, and everyone’s favorite…candy The parade is a not to miss event every year, not only on 30A but across the south entirely It truly is the all American epitome. The parade begins every year at 8am with the first car to leave from the Seagrove Plaza and ending at the Seaside Square. In 2020 if you happen to find your way to 30A for the fourth, we look forward to seeing you on the sidelines



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jul 2019 10:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
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