Destin Real Estate Company reports that, according to data gathered from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (ECAR MLS), it ended 2008 as the third highest volume-producing real estate office on the Emerald Coast. Its 13 agents produced just over $90 million in sales for 2008, for an average sales volume of nearly $7 million per agent, the highest per-agent sales volume among general real estate offices on the Emerald Coast, according to data gathered from the ECAR MLS. The two offices ranked ahead of the luxury real estate boutique on 30A boast between 40 and 100 agents each.

"We are especially proud and excited to rank among them with comparatively fewer agents," said Blake Morar, owner and sales associate of Destin Real Estate Company. "Our office experienced a more productive than usual fourth quarter and closed several great deals before year?s end."

Those fourth quarter sales included a Gulf-front home in The Retreat, originally offered at $5,495,000, a Bay-front home in the guard-gated, country club neighborhood of Burnt Pine on the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, originally offered at $1,499,000, a second-tier home in Santa Rosa Beach, originally offered at $1,998,000, as well as a Gulf-front home in Vizcaya at Dune Allen, originally offered at $2,975,000 and four homes in WaterColor.

Owner and Sales Associate Blake Morar was responsible for selling another Gulf-front home in The Retreat earlier in 2008 that fetched the high sales price for the year. Morar represented both the buyers and sellers in that transaction. The stunning, Tom Christ-designed home with vintage Palm Beach-inspired interiors by Susan Massey was originally offered at $6,950,000.

In addition, Morar ranked as the top volume-producing agent in re-sales on the Emerald Coast according to data gathered from the ECAR MLS. Re-sales exclude developer-released product. Morar closed nearly $47 million in sales for 2008, out-pacing the next highest agent by just over $11 million.

Destin Real Estate Company has achieved its success this past year in part by finding buyers for properties listed by colleague agents. A Gulf-front home in Vizcaya at Dune Allen, listed with Blake Morar was sold by fellow agent Kelly Hill. A lake and Gulf-view home near Grayton Beach and another in WaterSound listed with Morar were sold by fellow agent Nina McCaslin-Horn. A second-tier home in Santa Rosa Beach, mentioned earlier, listed with Pat Carlyle was sold by fellow agent Mark Stroop.

"We have always prided ourselves on our ability to work as a team," said Morar. ?There is a healthy degree of personal competition that keeps us motivated. No one is too proud to ask for help or advice, and we would like to think that makes us pretty special.

Our company was recently joined by Allen Adams and Renae Baylard. The addition of these two robust agents to our group of top producers will help set the stage for what we believe will be a very productive new year."