hardly, the market does fluctuate here but it's the most dire supply and demand market I've seen (other than some CA beach towns).

The cities we narrowed down to: Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Cypress, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, etc. 

Chris, the notion that you can become a millionaire while sipping pina coloda's on the beach isn't a reality.

From what I've gathered demand is down a bit and so if you are even further from the actual beaches I could see you not getting enough occupancy. 

Plus is the house first row, beach front?

The area is a harbor with a beautiful beach, seals, whales, otters and  lots of tourism and mixed uses.  

Also, with the new beach regulations in Okaloosa County, the beach section where the beach service for Destin West can be set up has been narrowed significantly and the Island Hotel amenities and beach area are no longer available to Destin West guests to use.

The building is near the beach and is about 40 years old.

For example, in an ocean market beach views and access have far higher demand than those without.

For those who’ve purchased their first vacation rental in the Destin or Panama City Beach area (or surrounding areas, too), what’s one thing you wish you’d known beforehand?