Anchoring Inland

Living in Florida, there’s no hotter commodity than beachfront property. But it’ll cost you to live Gulf-side. 

Walton County, including coastal towns from Miramar Beach to Inlet Beach and north to Freeport and DeFuniak Springs, spans a diverse portfolio of real estate, ranging from high-end luxury communities and Gulf-front properties to rural ranch-style homes and two-bedroom single families. Homes along the 30A corridor are currently listed as high as $12 million, $16 million, and up to $20 million. But the median sale price in Walton County in January 2024 was $780,970.

In Freeport, the year-end market report showed an average home sale price of $429,584 for landlocked properties and $1.15 million for bayfront properties. Meanwhile, the 2024 sales price average for luxury homes along 30A came in well over $5 million.

This disparity of price points has pushed would-be beach house buyers inland.

“Most of our buyers are in search of affordability, and new construction can be a great option in the face of elevated insurance costs for living along the coastlines,” says Hilarie Pearson, marketing coordinator for D.R. Horton.

Historically, the Emerald Coast’s most attractive amenities for residents and tourists alike have remained along the coastline. But as demands for tourism increase in areas like Santa Rosa Beach, including the Scenic Highway 30A corridor, a push inland has encouraged real estate expansion in areas like Freeport. 

“Anchor here, grow here,” reads the City of Freeport’s slogan across its social media and website. The inland community has long been a pass-through town. But population reports show that families are in fact stopping to smell the rural roses. Anchoring down indeed, and growth is projected to continue.

“We have seen tremendous growth in the Freeport area with multiple new home communities being developed and new shopping plazas anticipated,” Pearson says.

Freeport increased from a population of just 1,787 in 2010 to 6,021 in 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. The 2024 population is estimated at 7,234. 

“This growth is largely driven by major residential developments like Hammock Bay and Natureview,” says Brandy Brown, broker and owner of Southern Choice Properties in DeFuniak Springs. “And it has prompted significant infrastructure investment, including a $1 million state allocation for a new wastewater treatment facility and road improvements to support the influx of new homes and businesses.”

Courtesy of Walton County Tourism

With dwindling land left to expand upon along 30A, it makes sense that Freeport, just over the Highway 331 Bridge, is primed for expansion. 

“These communities offer a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling 30A coastal corridor, while still providing convenient access to beaches, job centers, and major roadways like U.S. Highway 331 and I-10,” Brown says. “Buyers are drawn to the larger lot sizes, lower property taxes, and newer construction options.”

With new homes cropping up in the rural small town, Pearson says that more residents are considering the bayside neighborhoods and rolling pasture plots of Freeport. 

“Our D.R. Horton communities in these areas offer a quiet place to live where the commute is simple, while offering residents a hometown feel with ease of access to both shopping and beaches,” she says. 

D.R. Horton alone has built and sold over 2,000 new homes in Walton County since January 2020. The national homebuilding brand is to credit for 35 communities from Destin to Santa Rosa Beach. In Freeport, the company currently has eight active new home communities.   

Freeport resident Natalie Grice says the 20- to 30-minute commute to the beach is worth it for the atmosphere at home. 

“We both work in Santa Rosa Beach and Miramar Beach, and it’s a great escape away from the everyday hustle and bustle,” Grice says. “It’s pretty normal day-to-day traffic. We are away from all the tourists—you go the opposite way of where everyone wants to.”   

Pearson says that buyers are attracted to having that small separation between tourism and everyday life. 

“It may be that the price point is more attractive in North Walton; however, we are seeing that some homebuyers that purchased with us back in 2020 now prefer to be further away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches but still be close enough to access them,” she says. 

Owl’s Head Farms, a 1,000-acre master-planned community, is just 30 minutes from the beaches of 30A. D.R. Horton began construction at the new housing and lifestyle development in 2021. The first phase brought 660 single-family homes, and expansions include an apartment complex, townhouses, and a senior living center. Amenities for residents include community pools, a lazy river, pickleball and basketball courts, and a playground.

Pearson notes that, while 30A homes have the beach, North Walton offers buyers something 30A can no longer compete with—space. 

“People are generally looking for more space, so a yard for sure,” she says. “Many potential homebuyers also prioritize being next to public parks or neighborhoods with amenities.”

Photo by Jack Gardner

Grice, a longtime local, says her family of four was eager to settle somewhere a little more spacious. 

“We were outgrowing our current home, with recently just having twin girls,” Grice says. “We wanted something we all could grow into and a great area to raise our daughters.”  

After considering other area home communities like Hammock Bay, Grice and husband Jeremy bought a home at Owl’s Head Farms in October 2024. The area’s potential, Grice says, is what got her attention. 

“There were lots of land for development, so we thought, over time, this area would soon grow into a bigger and better community. We wanted a fresh start from where we were staying and just fell in love with the Owl’s Head community. A fresh new start, in a fresh new house.” 

So, anchor they did. And in recent years, Grice says, much has changed for rural Freeport. 

“We have seen quite a bit of growth,” she says. “New shopping centers, Publix, dining and fast food, parks and boating, car washes, and gas stations.”   

Rarely does she find herself having to venture into Santa Rosa Beach or Miramar Beach for weekly needs. And Owl’s Head Farms helps create an active lifestyle for her, Jeremy, and their kids. 

“Our new community features a lazy river pool with zero-entry and an outdoor kitchen,” she says. “Grady Brown Park is about a 10-minute drive where you can fish, boat, picnic. We are also in close proximity to nature trails.”    

As the Freeport area continues to grow, Grice hopes to see the city expand on community-based experiences such as local markets, art festivals, live music, and holiday celebrations. In the meantime, she doesn’t mind the commute to 30A, Miramar Beach, and Destin, where happenings are always at play. 

For Grice, there’s plenty of time for growth. With a clean slate and happy lifestyle at Owl’s Head Farms, life …

“It’s just getting started.”