Emerald Coast Real Estate and Community News

Aug. 17, 2026

3 Things Florida Condo Buyers Should Know Before Making an Offer

When buyers start looking at condos, it is easy to focus on the details you can see right away. The view. The location. The amenities. The finishes. The parking. The monthly HOA or condo association fee.

Those things matter, but they are only part of the decision.

When you buy a condo in Florida, you are not just buying the unit itself. You are also buying into the association’s financial health, the community’s rules and restrictions, the board’s decision-making style, and the long-term maintenance needs of the building. That means the right condo is not always the one with the best photos or the lowest monthly fee. It is the one where the full picture makes sense for your lifestyle, your budget, and your long-term plans.

This is especially important here on the Emerald Coast, where condos may be used as primary homes, vacation properties, military housing, or investment rentals. A condo that looks perfect on the surface may come with rental restrictions, pet rules, upcoming repairs, insurance-related fee increases, permitting requirements, or maintenance responsibilities that buyers need to understand before making an offer.

View More
Posted in Real Estate News
June 30, 2026

What $500,000 to $700,000 Can Buy in Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre

What $500,000 to $700,000 Can Buy in Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre

Last Updated: 6/30/2026

Buyers searching between $500,000 and $700,000 on the Emerald Coast have very different options depending on where they look. In Mary Esther, that budget can lean toward quiet residential living, Hurlburt Field convenience, and even waterfront land. In Fort Walton Beach, it can mean anything from a Gulf-front condo on Okaloosa Island to an updated pool home. In Navarre, buyers may find larger lots, newer homes, community amenities, and Sound-side lifestyle options.

Below are current examples from the live CoastalHomes850 search pages for homes and properties between $500,000 and $700,000 in Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre. Listings, prices, photos, and availability can change quickly, so buyers should always confirm the latest details with Melinda Vazquez of Coldwell Banker Realty.

View More
Posted in Buying a Home
June 15, 2026

Melinda Vazquez Serves as President of the Emerald Coast MLS

For buyers and sellers along the Emerald Coast, working with a REALTOR® who understands the local market is important. Working with one who also helps lead the systems behind that market brings an added level of insight.

Melinda Vazquez, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty in Niceville, is currently serving as President of the Emerald Coast MLS. In this leadership role, Melinda helps support the integrity, accuracy, and long-term strength of the MLS system that local real estate professionals rely on every day.

The Emerald Coast MLS plays a critical role in how homes are listed, marketed, searched, and analyzed across the region. For Melinda, serving as President is not only about leadership within the real estate industry. It is also about helping protect the trusted data and cooperative marketplace that buyers, sellers, REALTORS®, brokers, and local communities depend on.

Let’s dive into a Q&A with Melinda on her new role:

View More
Posted in Real Estate News
June 11, 2026

VA Loan Assumptions on the Emerald Coast: The Opportunity Most Buyers Misunderstand

Over the past few years, I’ve had more military buyers ask me about VA loan assumptions, and I completely understand why.

On paper, it can be a smart opportunity. Instead of applying for a loan at today’s higher interest rates, a buyer may be able to take a new loan with the seller’s existing VA loan details, including its current balance, terms, and possibly a lower interest rate.

For military buyers relocating to the Emerald Coast, especially near Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Navarre, Shalimar, Mary Esther, or Crestview, that possibility is worth understanding.

The key is knowing how the numbers work.

Let’s look at the full picture and see if it makes sense for you.

View More
Posted in Real Estate News
May 5, 2026

Celebrating 10 Years with Coldwell Banker: A Conversation with Melinda Vazquez

This year, Melinda Vazquez is celebrating a major professional milestone: 10 years with Coldwell Banker.

Over the past decade, Melinda has built a real estate career rooted in advocacy, problem-solving, negotiation, and trust. From helping buyers and sellers navigate complex transactions to serving in leadership roles within the real estate community, her journey reflects both professional growth and a deep commitment to the people she serves.

To celebrate this milestone, we asked Melinda to reflect on what first brought her into real estate, why Coldwell Banker has remained the right professional home, what she has learned along the way, and what she is looking forward to next.

View More
Posted in Real Estate News
April 24, 2026

Military Relocation on the Emerald Coast: How Melinda Vazquez Helps Eglin & Hurlburt Families Move with Confidence

Military families are often asked to make major life decisions on timelines they did not choose. A PCS move, deployment, overseas assignment, or short-notice transfer can quickly turn buying or selling a home into one more important piece of an already complicated transition.

Unlike a standard move, military relocation often comes with layers of logistics. Families may need to sell quickly before reporting to a new duty station. Buyers may be searching for a home in another state or even another country. Parents may be trying to line up school schedules, spouses may be coordinating employment changes, and everyone may be working around reporting dates, travel plans, and family needs.

That is why working with the right REALTOR® matters. Military families need more than market knowledge. They need someone who understands the pressure, flexibility, and resilience military life requires.

Melinda Vazquez is proud to serve military buyers and sellers throughout the Emerald Coast as a Military Relocation Professional. For families connected to Eglin Air Force Base or Hurlburt Field, her combination of local real estate knowledge and firsthand understanding of military life can help make the process feel more manageable from the very beginning.

Keep reading to learn how Melinda Vazquez helps Eglin & Hurlburt families move with confidence and what you need to know to get started.

View More
Posted in Real Estate News
March 11, 2026

Melinda Vazquez Wins RateMyAgent’s Fort Walton Beach Agent of the Year Award 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

March 11th, 2026

 

 

RateMyAgentthe global review and ratings platform for real estate agents – has announced Melinda Vazquez as the winner of the US Agent of the Year Award 2026.

The sixth annual awards results were released on March 11th, recognizing the nation’s top real estate agents and Realtors, celebrating their dedication to the highest standards of customer service.

View More
Posted in Community News
July 5, 2024

Farmers Market Near Me: Where to Find Locally Made & Grown Goods on the Emerald Coast

Searching for a "farmers market near me" on the Emerald Coast? You're in luck! This area boasts several vibrant markets where you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Whether you're a local or just visiting, these markets are a fantastic way to support local farmers and artisans while enjoying the community spirit of the Emerald Coast.

View More
Posted in Community News
May 16, 2024

Where to Go for Fort Walton Beach Pizza

Regarding food, few dishes are as universally beloved as pizza. If you're vacationing or living in Fort Walton Beach and searching for a good slice of pie, we've got plenty of choices. Whether you're in the mood for a Neopolitan style, a thin crust, decadent toppings, or the comfort of a quick meal, Fort Walton Beach pizza options are aplenty! You can enjoy a delivered pizza on the beach or deck, looking out at the white sands and shimmering blue water, or you can head into town to one of the gourmet joints serving up some of the finest pizzas in Florida. These top Fort Walton Beach pizza spots genuinely live up to the hype!

View More
Posted in Community News
April 17, 2024

Top Spots for Fort Walton Beach Breakfast

Fort Walton Beach offers a delightful array of breakfast spots that cater to every taste and preference. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty skillet or a light pastry alongside your morning coffee, these local favorites will ensure your day starts off just right. Here are five must-visit destinations for the best Fort Walton Beach breakfast experience.

View More
Posted in Community News