Fort Walton Beach Florida Real Estate Search and Information
Are you considering investing in Florida real estate? If so then you should consider Fort Walton Beach. The city is located in southern Okaloosa County in the state of Florida and has an estimated population of about 22,000 (2016). Fort Walton Beach, otherwise known as Okaloosa Island, is located in between Destin Florida and Navarre Beach. It is a small stretch of an island with a stunning white sandy beach and absolutely beautiful emerald color Gulf of Mexico beachfront properties. It is a good option for those that do not want to be in the more crowded area of Destin. You’ll also find a Fort Walton Beach wall for a less expensive but equal in quality beachfront condo then its counterpart to the east. The next option to the West is Navarre Beach which is about 35 minutes away.
Fort Walton Beach condos quick MLS search
Fort Walton Beach homes quick MLS search
Benefits of Buying Property in Fort Walton Beach
There are several benefits of buying Fort Walton Beach Florida real estate including the following ones:
1. Vacation Spots
You don’t have to leave the state to visit one of its famous vacation spots. They include Disney World, Sea World, Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, and others. Consider the fact that many non-Floridians travel to the state for vacation. If you buy a Florida properly you’ll already be there so it will be easier to plan your Florida vacations.
2. Close to Other Popular Cities
Most of the people that travel to Fort Walton Beach are able to do so by car. Within about a 10-hour radius there are numerous large cities that are glad to make the drive to this beautiful area. Some of the top cities that come to Fort Walton Beach and their surrounding area is Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Houston, Dallas among others.
3. Population
While the city’s population has increased in recent years it’s still much lower than the state’s largest cities. So if you want to avoid the big population of cities like Miami then you should consider buying property in Fort Walton Beach. The city is large enough to have access to everything you need. However, the city is much smaller than the population cities like Miami at about 453,600 (2016).
4. Affordability
While the city has many luxury real estate units on sale you can also find ones that are under $300,000. This is a great feature for those people looking for affordable housing in Florida. They won’t have all the bells and whistles of luxury housing but can still provide excellent quality. The key is to do your homework to find affordable housing that still has all the features you’re looking for.
5. Climate
This is one of the main reasons to consider living in Florida. If you want to avoid cold and snowy winters then you should certainly consider buying property at Fort Walton Beach. You’ll have to deal with warm temperatures but it’s not as humid as South Florida, for example.
6. Beaches
If you want to live near the beach then you should definitely consider living in areas like Fort Walton Beach. Even if you don’t buy a beachfront home you can purchase real estate that’s relatively close to the beach. This makes it easier to enjoy one of the most popular types of geography in the state. You could consider a beach house, for example, to visit during the summer and holiday seasons.
7. Variety
You can pick from a wide variety real estate on the market at Fort Walton Beach. This includes different styles and prices of homes, amenities, and so on. That, in turn, gives you more options when purchasing real estate in the area. It’s certainly related to the general variety the state has to offer.
8. Luxury
If you’re looking for a luxury house you can also find it at Fort Walton Beach. For example, you can find many units that cost half a million dollars while others cost over $1M. These real estate options offer more amenities at higher price tags. If these types of homes are within your price range then you should certainly consider them if you’re shopping for real estate at Fort Walton Beach.
If you’re looking for a Florida city/town to buy property you should definitely consider Fort Walton Beach. The city has a rich history that dates back over 1,000‘s years and is still an excellent place to live in the state of Florida. Make sure to do your homework so you can find the right property for your needs. It’s definitely an excellent option whether you want affordable or luxury housing in the city. Some of the top beach communities that also draw people to purchase vacation and 2nd homes include Panama City Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Miramar Beach.
A brief history of Fort Walton Beach
Hundreds of years ago the natives became more tribal and built villages. They moved to regions like Fort Walton Beach based on the improvements in tech related to agriculture, fishing, and hunting. They also traded things like conch shells, freshwater pearls, and fish bones with non-Floridian tribes. In return, they received things like corn, iron, and copper.
Spanish exploration of the region started in the 1500s. This had various negative effects on several Florida tribes. The population of Native Americans in the region was much smaller when the Spanish explorers started exploring the modern areas of Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola.
A great period of growth at Fort Walton happened during the 1930s. That’s when a casino and cottage were constructed on the Gulf Shores. Other things constructed included the Beal Memorial Cemetery and Garden Club.
Fort Walton Beach was also a popular destination for Hollywood celebrities during the 1940s and 1950s. For example, the Glen Miller Band played there. In addition, President Harry Truman spent evenings at the city’s’ nightclub. Actor Gregory Peck also visited the city for a drink and smoke.
Another event worth noting was the sky-rocketing population of Fort Walton between 1940 and 1970. During that time the population exploded 700% and was one of the US’ fastest growing cities. Today the city still preserves its rich history and hopes to retain it for future generations.
An inspired Fort Walton Beach event to this day
Today the region has many popular yearly events like the Bill Bowlegs Pirate Festival. The event recreates the adventures of Billy Bowlegs. There’s been some debate about whether or not pirates lived in Fort Walton during the past. However, the legendary pirate named Captain Billy Bowles reportedly stole ships of the Spanish, British, and French during the 1700s and 1800s. It’s believed he stole a ton of gold and silver and buried it on the Gulf’s shores. The yearly event includes a staged duel and the mayor appears at the landing of the Fort Walton Beach.
