850 The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida
February-March 2014
Special Report by Jason Dehart

Balcony view from Grand Harbor
by Ed and Terri Smith

Realtors in Okaloosa and Walton counties soon might be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Although recovery from the recent recession has been sluggish, things are starting to actually look up. In terms of home sales, distressed property sales, improved values and a bustling commercial market, the Emerald Coast is busting out of the “Great Recession” in good order.

“Destin is poised for a strong recovery,” said Mary Ann Windes, broker/owner of Real Estate Professionals of Destin Inc. and 2013 chair of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Windes says her popular resort town has always been resilient when other economies were suffering, but this recession in particular has been tougher than most and hit the local economy pretty hard. However, compared to the start of the housing decline five years ago, things are really looking up today. Read more about Real Estate Recovery Mode