Is Your Home a Retreat or a Full-Time Nest?

Vacation Home or Full-Time Residence?: Positioning Your Home for the Right Buyer in the Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast is more than just a pretty place on the map—it’s where beach dreams and everyday life meet. As someone who’s helped countless clients buy and sell homes along our beautiful stretch of Florida coastline, I can tell you this: knowing who your buyer is makes all the difference.

And before you ask—yes, you absolutely can have too many throw pillows that say “Beach, Please.” (Don’t shoot the messenger. )

But seriously, whether your home is perfect for vacationers chasing sunsets or for a family putting down roots, the way you position it will shape how fast it sells—and for how much. Let’s break it down, Emerald Coast style.

1. Understand Your Home’s “Vibe”
Some homes practically scream, “I belong on Airbnb!” Others are ready to host Thanksgiving dinner for twelve with kids running down the hall.

Ask yourself:

✓ Is this home a getaway or a stay-a-while?
✓ Is it within walking distance to the beach or tucked into a peaceful neighborhood near schools?
✓ Do you have bunk beds and sand-friendly flooring, or a mudroom and a pantry bigger than my first apartment?

Heather’s two cents: If you’re not sure, ask your Realtor. We can help you read between the lines and see what type of buyer your home is naturally calling out to.

2. Step Into the Buyer’s Flip-Flops (or Work Shoes)
I’ve worked with both kinds of buyers—those looking for a second home and those relocating for a fresh start. They walk through a home with different eyes.

Vacation buyers want:
✓ A view that’ll stop their scrolling
✓ Easy upkeep (nobody wants to mow a lawn on vacation)
✓ That Instagram-worthy coastal aesthetic
✓ Bonus: Short-term rental income potential

Full-time buyers want:
✓A floor plan that makes daily life flow
✓Storage space (because yes, real people have stuff)
✓ Proximity to jobs, schools, and church
✓ A community they can grow roots in

Heather’s advice: Your home doesn’t have to be everything to everyone. Lean into what it is—and let go of what it’s not.


3. Stage It with a Story in Mind
Staging is more than fluffing pillows (though we’ll do that too). It’s about helping buyers picture their future life in your space.

For vacation homes:
✓ Roll up a beach towel, pour a mocktail, and light a sea salt candle
✓ Show off patios, decks, and anything that says “Relax here.”
✓ Keep it breezy and uncluttered—let the space breathe

For full-time residences:
✓Set the dining table like family’s coming over
✓Add touches like a reading nook or a work-from-home station
✓Highlight storage, laundry space, and real-life functionality

Heather’s real talk: If your dining table’s been doubling as a Lego station for six months—same, friend. But let’s tidy it up for showings.

4. Market with Purpose
Your home’s online presence is often its first showing. Your photos, description, and vibe need to whisper (or shout) the right message.

Vacation-minded copy sounds like:
“Steps from the Gulf, fully furnished, and turnkey-ready for your next getaway or income-generating rental.”

Primary residence copy sounds like:
“Spacious, thoughtfully designed, and nestled in a community where you’ll feel right at home year-round.”

Heather’s tip: Words matter. So do photos. And yes, drone shots of the beach view are always a good idea. Let’s paint the picture, not just post the square footage.

5. Partner with Someone Who Gets This Coast
I’ve lived it, worked it, prayed through it, and laughed about it—the good, the wild, and the wonderful of real estate on the Emerald Coast.

Whether you’re selling a condo in Destin or a family home in Navarre, you need a local agent who knows both markets: the short-term sunshine seekers and the long-term locals.

Heather’s bottom line: The right buyer is out there. Your job is to prepare the home. My job is to help you position it—and trust God with the results.

Final Thoughts from Heather
Every home has a story, and every buyer is looking for the next chapter in theirs. Your job as a seller is to make that story clear. Is your place a peaceful full-time retreat or a weekend escape for salty-haired adventurers?

Whichever it is, own it—and market it with purpose. I’ll be right here cheering you on (and staging your space with a little humor and a whole lot of heart).

Want help positioning your Emerald Coast home for the perfect buyer?
Let’s chat—flip-flops or not.