The trend of dropping sales volumes that we were focused on in June 2014 took a pause in July. We have noticed that our sales volume has decreased by 19% over what it was in 2013 as well as a 19% decrease for the same time period in 2012. From January through July of 2014, we have sold 397 gulf front condominiums. That is compared to the sale of 475 condominiums during the same time period in 2013 as well as 476 condominiums in 2012. We are entering a new market where we see the volume of sales for 2014 has declined. Inventory has become scarce as pricing increases over that of a year ago. Are condos selling? Yes they are, just at a slower pace.

Breaking down the data

During the first five months of 2014 our sales volume was 17% lower than in 2013 and 14% lower than the same time period in 2012. We sold 277 gulf-front condominiums between January and May of this year. In 2013, during the same time period, we sold 336 and 322 in 2012. We can now see a clear trend for 2014 with absorption falling off as prices increase. This was bound to happen. With no remaining preconstruction buildings to convey and distressed sales winding down, sales volumes were destined to drop.

Long Beach condominium remodel

Buyers frequently purchase condos and engage in top-to-bottom remodels, but only rarely do you see a completed remodeling project that is truly impressive in scope and final results. Long Beach is one of the few condominiums in the area with a one-bedroom layout that has the master bedroom overlooking the waterfront instead of being buried at the back of the unit with no water views. The entire building has also recently undergone a complete restoration. This condo was purchased for $155,000 in January 2014, and the before and after photos shown here document the remarkable changes that have been made to this unit.

During the first quarter of 2014, our sales volume was about 5% lower than it was during the first quarters of 2012 and 2013. We sold 164 gulf-front condominiums during January, February, and March of this year, 173 during the first quarter of 2013, and 173 during the first three months of 2012.

In March 2014, we sold 58 Panama City Beach condos. In March 2013, we sold 63 such units, which means that this year's March sales decreased 7.9%. One reason for the decline is that condo prices are going up; meanwhile, distressed sales are becoming less common. Condos are selling at those increased rates -- indeed, some of the units that we've sold in 2014 have brought significantly higher prices than we've seen in recent years -- but the absorption rate is lower.