Old Seagrove

Drivers of Value in This Community

Location

Old Seagrove is located from Cypress Street and Dogwood Street to Gardenia Street and North to East Grove east of 395 and Canal west of 395.
Seagrove 1st Addition 1939

Many might argue about what is actually Old Seagrove and how much it actually includes.
The Seagrove First Addition was platted in 1939 and it is truly the oldest of Old Seagrove.

Note the names of the streets just for fun.
30-A that we know and love is actually Park Ave.   Nightcap, that is still struggling to become a true completed road, was originally called Magnolia.   Over time, Pine Street gave way to Thyme.

Seagrove was subsequently added to in a 2nd through 7th addition resulting in the boundaries we know today as Old Seagrove or Seagrove Beach.  By 1945 the Seagrove Second Addition identified a new State Road that would become 30-A.  In 1950 Seagrove Third Addition was added, and included lots east of State Road 395 and along Grove and to the south.  It included all the beach front lots.




Beach Access

This area is one of the best walking areas around.  Beach access points are abundant.  There is one at Dogwood and Thyme, Hickory,  Live Oak, Nightcap, 395, Holly Street and Gardenia.

The beach here is never over crowded.  There are always areas of the beach where there is no one, and sometimes areas that get maybe one deep on a busy day.   West of 395 before Seaside, the beaches remain more relaxed.  All access points are public.  None are handicap accessible.

Amenities

The amenities of Old Seagrove are found in the quiet streets on the West side.  East of 395 suffers from increasing local cut through traffic and is becoming a difficulty that some there do not fully realize yet.   The traffic patterns west of 395 are much easier.

Seaside is "our town" too.  It is an easy walk from either side of 395, and in Seaside you can enjoy it all without having to try to find a parking space.  Then you can leave it all behind.

The Shops of Old Seagrove and Whiskey Bravo are great for those on the Eastern side of Old Seagrove.  While it remains a staple today, Seagrove Village MarketCafe is soon to give way to a new green space that will support the luxury condominium development above The V Restaurant.

This will significantly improve the west corner of 395 and 30-A extending to West Grove.   This is sure to spur relative value increases for those owning property in the 2nd Addition of Old Seagrove particularly between West Grove and Nightcap and north to Forest and east back to 395.

Restrictions

The restrictions are from those that live around you and common sense and your own sense of history.  Be a good neighbor.  Some there, however, do like it the way it is.  If you cut down a tree you might hear from a few folks.  Trees are, however, sure to come down as land prices are reaching a point where even the longest standing residents of the area have to take notice.  There is no active Home Owners Association in Seagrove at the moment, but efforts are underway to form a voluntary association.



Buying In this Community

Land

Lots in Old Seagrove do not become available that often.  Some lots are better than others, but that is  beauty in the eye of the beholder opinion to be sure.   The area has a ridge running through it that elevates many lots along parts South of Seagrove Village Drive into Forest west of 395 then turning a bit more south to pick up lots at Nightcap and Grove.  A few more lots along West Grove towards Dogwood and then back north towards Forest and Thyme allow creative thinkers to get more than just a glimpse water view.  Everything north of Forest falls quickly to the Western Lake creek bed.

From some of the elevated lots even as far back as Forest and South Yaupon (I know because I am building on it) you can get water and Seaside roof top views from a properly designed deck structure.  Any lot with any view is a premium.

Obviously lots in the first block north of 30-A are all generally good lots, but few come on the market.  More often than not when they do come on the market they are sometimes at prices that are hard to understand.

Existing Homes

The homes in Old Seagrove range from 1940's cottages that offer interesting accommodations to brand new multi million dollar homes as far north as Seagrove Village Drive and along Forest.  Many homes realistically will yield to tear down rebuild buyers in time.  We will have to lose some of the trees as that occurs.   A good older home that throws off some rentals can be a good investment in a future home site.  Consider the value of land to evaluate the incremental cost of the older existing structure.  Eventually, after reasonable cash flows, the older home can come down for a new one to take its place in history.

Rental Possibilities

Rental depends on many factors.  The newer homes where renters feel that they have all the amenities of their own homes do best.  Larger ranges, built in refrigerators, fine surfaces and decor and king beds in every room make vacationers feel they gave up nothing of luxury while on vacation.  These homes do best generally.  Add a location near Seaside and you can do well.  The market has fewer good 1 bedroom rentals so smaller new homes can do well if structured properly. Homes that can sleep 12-16 rent well.  In fact there are some homes that are already booked out a year in advance and consistently do 42 weeks per year.  This is not the norm, but it does happen.  This particularly can be seen West of 395 but not East.

Building In this Community

Can You Contract Yourself?

Old Seagrove has no architectural review committee or board.  There is no requirement to use approved architects or builders.  You can get your own permit as a home owner and contract with the various trades to build your own home.

While it is a significant task, with proper advice and understanding the savings can amount to as much as 40% in this market.  To be sure, only the very few can actually accomplish this kind of build.  It is possible, but takes more time than you might think.   More on that later.   There are many good builders in the area, and since no particular builder is required you can pick the BEST.  The best are not always the ones who are building in the restricted communities by the way!

Restrictions Influencing Cost To Build

There are no special build requirements other than the county regulations and the 2014 Florida Building Codes.   In some communities you have to use certain types of windows and roofs which can significantly increase cost.  In Old Seagrove you can build whatever you wish with materials approved for use in Florida where applicable so long as Planning and Building departments accept your plans.  The height of a structure is limited to 4 stories and 50 feet at the mean roof line.  Good Taste is always important!



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