The History of Navarre Florida

Navarre is a picturesque community located in the northwest part of Florida, known for its stunning, soft, white sandy beaches and rich history. The area has a long and diverse past, with influences from Native American tribes, Spanish explorers, and American settlers.

A Brief History of Navarre

The history of Navarre dates back to the early 16th century when Spanish explorers first arrived on its shores. They encountered the indigenous people, including the Creek and Choctaw tribes, who had already established settlements in the area. The Spanish colonized the region and built several forts, such as Santa Rosa and San Miguel, to protect their interests.

In the 19th century, Navarre became a popular area for settlers due to its fertile land and access to the Santa Rosa Sound. The community grew slowly but steadily, relying on agriculture, fishing, and lumbering as the primary sources of income. The construction of the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad in the late 19th century further facilitated growth and trade in the region.

Navarre witnessed significant development during the 20th century. In the 1920s, the creation of the Santa Rosa Sound Bridge, later replaced by the Navarre Bridge, improved connectivity with nearby cities and led to increased tourism. The region’s natural beauty and pristine beaches attracted visitors and spurred the growth of the tourism industry.

The Local Area, Today

Today, the local area is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 45,000 residents; renowned for its top-notch neighborhoods and excellent schools, making it an attractive place for families. Some of the notable neighborhoods include:

Holley by the Sea: Situated east of Navarre, this large subdivision offers various amenities like a community center, swimming pools, tennis courts, and access to the East Bay. It is known for its spacious homes and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Navarre Beach: Located on a barrier island, Navarre Beach is a sought-after neighborhood known for its pristine white sandy beaches and stunning waterfront properties. It offers a tranquil coastal lifestyle with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Whispering Pines: Situated near the Santa Rosa Sound, this neighborhood offers a mix of single-family homes and townhouses. It boasts a peaceful atmosphere and is known for its well-maintained properties and lush greenery.

Navarre also prides itself on its educational institutions. The community is served by several excellent schools, including:

Holley-Navarre Primary School: With under 1,000 students, Holley-Navarre Primary School is a highly-rated elementary school offering quality education to young students.
Holley-Navarre Intermediate School: Similar to Holley-Navarre Primary school, Holley-Navarre Intermediate School also has under 1,000 students. This school provides education to first to fifth-grade students and focuses on academic excellence and character development. The student to teacher ratio is estimated at 14:1.
Navarre High School: With under 2,500 students, Navarre High School ranks 2nd among 7 ranked high schools in the district. This school is a comprehensive school offering a wide range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and sports.

These schools, along with others in the area, prioritize providing students with a well-rounded education and preparing them for future success.

The local area has more to offer than just the white sandy beaches; it boasts a rich history and has grown into a thriving community. Its top neighborhoods offer diverse living options, from family-friendly subdivisions to coastal luxury properties. The excellent schools in Navarre emphasize quality education and help foster the growth and development of the community’s young minds.

Are you ready to make Navarre your home? Contact us today to begin your search for the perfect home for your family.

Real Estate Trends for Now & Beyond

Real estate is a hot topic these days, especially in the sunbelt where we are located. More and more people are discovering what we already knew – the southern part of the country is a great place to live.

While the sunbelt stretches from California to North Carolina, we all know how popular Florida is and always has been. The state has much to offer. The influx of people moving to the south from big cities north of the sunbelt could last several more years.

Virtual tours of homes became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue. Digital home buying, including 3D tours and drone views, are very popular now, and homes can be purchased without ever stepping foot in the actual home. This is useful if the buyer lives many, many miles away. Virtual tours have become beneficial for military members who are being transferred to one of the nearby bases.

You can also qualify and receive a mortgage online without having to go to an office. The online trends of financing and buying will continue into the future because of the simplicity.
Relocation to the area has increased the demand for single family homes. This, in turn, has caused increased home prices and a shortage of single family homes.

The market always has its ups and downs, but people will still need housing. Building will continue, as well as people relocating from one area to another and needing to buy or sell.
The best thing for a potential buyer or seller to do is to contact Navarre Real Estate Source and let a Realtor guide you through your sale or purchase.

What You Need to Know About the 2021 Market

2020 was a tough year for everyone. We found more and more people wanting to sell their homes and purchase homes with additional space. The market was booming, homes sold quickly and interest rates decreased. So, what can you expect in 2021?

Selling Quickly: Homes will continue to be listed and sold within days or just a few short weeks. What does this mean for you? Well, if you find a home you love, it will be time to move forward with your offer quickly. You may have to sacrifice wants over must-haves. Expanding your search radius will open up more options for you and your family. Be sure to get pre-approved prior to your search as it will help when it comes to making an offer and getting it accepted.As a seller, what does quick sales mean to you? Expect quick offers and multiple offers to come rolling in. Prepare for a fast-selling home; declutter and begin packing items you do not use daily shortly after listing your home.
Rising Prices: Rising real estate costs means multiple things. Homes within your budget may be limited, which means you may have to increase your budget or search radius to find the perfect home for you and your family. Needs, must-haves and wants will have to be prioritized.
- Commit no more than 25% of your monthly income to your mortgage payments.
- Save for a down payment. More of a down payment lowers your monthly payments and interest rates.
- Use a mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payments with an interest percentage and cost of a home.
- Plan for unexpected cost additions. A home inspection may bring up unnoticed fixes you will want done prior to moving in. This may be an out of pocket cost.
As a seller, what do the increased prices mean for you? First, a Navarre Real Estate agent will help you price your home to fit with the competition. You can lose out on money by under pricing your home or can have your home sitting on the market for longer than you’d prefer.
Interest Rates Remain Low: 2020 interest rates had lowered to an all-time low in recent time. This will help with lower monthly payments for home buyers.

If one of your 2021 goals is to buy or sell a home, look no further than Navarre Real Estate Source. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced in home-buying and selling. Call or text us today to begin your real estate journey, 850.987.HOME(4663).