For ownership opportunities, contact the seasoned professionals at Sandestin Real Estate at 850-267-8100 or visit them on the web at www.SandestinRealEstate.com.  For information on Sandestin’s Long Term Rental Program, please contact Jason Green or Lynde Carlyle at 850-267-8100. Sandestin Real Estate was named finest real estate firm in the Northwest Florida Daily News’ Finest of the Emerald Coast contest.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has always been known as one of the top-of-the-line communities in which to live on the Emerald Coast.

This year, it just got better.

The accolades the family resort has garnered nationwide this year have caught the attention of the world.

The resort community was recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the 12 Best Private Golf Communities in the country.

Forbes states: “If value plays a role in golf community quality, then it is hard to beat Sandestin and there is virtually no place your vacation home dollars go further.”

No one would argue with that assessment.

Forbes goes on praising the 2,400-acre resort which contains 30 different sub-communities with thousands of homes and condos: Sandestin has won awards from Golf Magazine and Golf Digest for its four high-quality golf courses that include the Raven by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and the flagship Burnt Pine, an excellent Rees Jones design that winds through pristine coastal terrain and forest with extensive wooden boardwalks. There is a large tennis club, spa and health club, 98-slip marina, seven miles of beach and coastline, nearby shopping and restaurants, all accessible by golf cart. As large, affordable communities go (homes run as high as $5 million, but start under $200,000) the quantity and quality of golf, plus the myriad of other amenities at Sandestin cannot be beat, and the nearby white-sand beach, fishing and water sports are all superb, they state.

Forbes also recently named Destin as one of the 10 cities where housing costs are recession proof.

Other recent accolades come from National Geographic, which named the Emerald Coast as one of the Best Fall Trips for 2011.

And Good Morning America viewers recently voted Destin as one of the country’s most beautiful places.

With all the glowingly positive press the resort and this area are receiving, it’s no wonder home sales are experiencing a phenomenal year.

“We surpassed our 2010 numbers by mid-year this year with nearly $75 million in closed sales, which is more than 47 percent of the resorts total volume, with our nearest competitor at just under 5 percent,” said Tresha Brown, Sandestin Real Estate’s marketing director.

“Now is a very good time to buy or build,” said Brandon Huff, who has built between 600 and 700 homes on Sandestin property over the last 16 years.

“Lot prices in the up-and-coming Genoa neighborhood on the resort are now half what they were at the height of the market,” said Huff. “Fees have come way down and new home packages are starting at $720,000, which includes both house and lot.”

“It’s a proven entity from an investment standpoint,” Huff continued. “We feel the market is coming back, and as for price point, there are houses available for under $1 million. Plus, nothing can compare to Sandestin. No other place has all the amenities of Sandestin and it has come back quicker than other areas. They have a good clientele. I am buying all I can there. I feel really good about where Sandestin is headed. From the standpoint of second homes, it has always been a leader.”

Bruce and Kim Morris can attest to that.

Kim’s parents bought a second home at Sandestin in 1986 when Kim was 15.

“Because I grew up coming here, I always knew I wanted to live here,” she said. “I love the beach, its people, and the schools here. We can do everything without ever having to crank our car or leave the resort. Everything is accessible by golf cart or tram.”

The Morrises bought their first home on the resort in 2003 in the Crystal Lake community. They just sold it through Sandestin Real Estate and have bought another in Burnt Pine. They also own three condos there.

“The number of families with children living full time on the resort is growing,” said Kim. “Our kids started kindergarten here and we expect when they are old enough, they will also own a home here.”

The Morris family is just one of several families living on Sandestin property just down the street from their parents or their children.

Not only is the resort’s reputation solid, so is the reputation of Sandestin Real Estate.

The brokerage firm was voted Best Brokerage on the Emerald Coast by its peers, not just inside the gates of Sandestin, but outside as well.

“We have expanded our team and have also become very competitive in the real estate market outside the gates of Sandestin,” said Brown. “We have merged with ABEC Realty and increased our off-resort presence from Destin to Rosemary Beach.”

ABEC Realty was owned by Tom Becnel, who bought Sandestin last year.

“Sales activity in The Palms of Destin has been exceptional this year! There have already been 21 successful sales since January 2011. Ten additional condos are currently under contract in a contingent or pending status with closing dates anticipated during 2011.  This activity has drastically reduced the number of short sale and foreclosure properties available in the development and has shown a definite trend reflecting increased property values,” said Deborah Horaist, broker associate for Sandestin Real Estate at Silver Shells.

In addition to sales, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and The Palms of Destin offer long-term rentals.

“We have also successfully grown a profitable and demanding long-term rental division that continues to expand,” said Brown.