With the current state of our market in South Walton and a high demand for new homes, local builders such as Key Lime Construction have become a huge part of the sales momentum. Owner/Partner of Key Lime Construction, Brian Walsh is a long time resident of Northwest Florida and has a deep understanding and appreciation for the unique lifestyle as well as the expertise in local new construction. One of his current projects, Cottage Grove is a coastal community located in Santa Rosa Beach just over 1 mile from the Gulf of Mexico with stunning new homes ranging from 1,800 to 2,700 square feet. Key Lime Construction brings a unique look with classic design elements to this desirable 30A community.
How did you get into the building industry and how was Key Lime Construction established?
Key Lime Construction was founded in 1994 by my father-in-law and my current business partner Skip Miller. I moved to the area and started working for Key Lime in 2004. We have over 25 years of experience building in our area. Skip and I also own Coastal Brick and Stone in Niceville, Florida.
What questions do buyers most often ask you as the builder?
Buyer always ask about the cost to build per square foot. As we know, in our industry this is a difficult question to answer because of the variables involved from lot to lot and project to project. Even in a small community like Cottage Grove each lot has its own unique challenges that effect cost. This is one of the reasons that it is so important to choose a reputable, experienced builder to ensure your new home is built to last.
What design styles/trends do you find buyers are looking for?
I find that everyone wants a white painted house inside and out. We are incorporating different shades of white exteriors to keep the homes looking different in Cottage Grove while still achieving an all-white look that people love. Champagne bronze hardware and plumbing fixtures are very popular along with touch-less kitchen faucets and vanity accessories. Another common request is wallpaper and different wall materials such as ship lap, board and batten, and tongue and groove ceilings. We include many of these desirable finishes in each home to add character and offer a unique style compared to other new homes in the area.
What energy efficient features should buyers look for in a new home?
Open cell foam insulation is always a good starting point when making a home more energy efficient. Installed in the attic and walls, it is a great product that not only gives you better insulation but it makes your attic a usable storage space. The temperature in the attic should only vary 5-6 degrees from your house, essentially giving you climate controlled storage. We also put one A/C drop and return in our attics. I always suggest going with a variable speed HVAC system with a high efficiency gas furnace. Variable speed A/C systems are able to run their heating or cooling nearly continuously on lower speeds thus using less electricity. Single speed systems actually waste energy turning on and off more often. Their working capacity depends on the particular indoor temperature your home needs. In some instances, they are able to work on as low as 25% capacity. They are reducing the humidity in the house and therefore can run at lower speeds.
What makes the Cottage Grove neighborhood unique to the 30A area?
Cottage Grove is unique due to its small size with only 38 lots. This creates a nice sense of community and belonging. Other than the obvious proximity to 30A and our beautiful beaches, our biggest selling point is that all 38 lots are surrounded by state forest and preservation area. None of the homes will have a rear neighbor which is unique to our area and price point.
