As times change, so do condominium loans in Panama City Beach. The reason is because most buyers are people who purchase these properties as secondary residences or investment properties. The type of loans that banks grant for secondary residences are different from those offered for primary residences especially after the mortgage meltdown of 2008. Before the mortgage crisis, most lenders sold their condominium loans to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and any other bank or financial institution that was willing to take them on the secondary market.

Market Crash, Correction, or Stability?

Some buildings and floor plans have remained stable, showing no signs of pricing stress or reduction. Other buildings are experiencing a significant price drop, with values falling back to 2021 levels.  The average price per square foot tries to balance a very segmented market, but it can be misleading.  Here are a few examples:

• Shores of Panama is selling at $400 per square foot
• Treasure Island is selling at $434 per square foot
• Ocean Villa is selling at $458 per square foot
• Long Beach Condominium is selling at $460 per square foot
• Gulf Crest Condominium is selling at $550 per square foot
• Calypso Condominium is selling at $630 per square foot

Market Crash, Correction, or Stability?

A Few Buildings Have Crashed

Market downturns are characterized by a significant decline in property values, often exceeding a 20% drop from peak prices within a year. In Panama City Beach, a handful of condominium buildings have experienced such downturns, primarily because of a series of questionable decisions made by their associations in previous years that are now impacting those particular properties.  The Shores of Panama stands out as a notable example, with several articles highlighting ongoing issues for over five years.

Condo pricing is 1.9% lower for the year. Even with Covid, the condo market is holding its own. A decade of strict lending requirements created a market of financially sound owners. Panama City Beach will navigate 2020 with ease, but don’t expect average values to be significantly higher this year.