About Jay Johnson

Seagrove Beach, Florida

Jay Johnson’s story is deeply woven into the fabric of Florida’s 30A coastline, where he has established himself not just as a premier real estate agent but as a local authority on living and thriving in this picturesque region. Born in Opp, Alabama, just a county north of 30A, Jay’s connections to this idyllic coast stretch back generations, including a home built by his great Aunt Lola near Seaside, Florida, in 1954.

After earning a finance degree from Auburn University in 2003, Jay ventured further into academia at the Florida Coastal School of Law, where he obtained his law degree in 2006. His legal career spanned more than a decade, during which he served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 300 title company, a trial lawyer, and a representative for the State of Florida and various banks. In 2011, Jay transitioned his expertise and acumen to the 30A area to practice law, further cementing his ties to the region.

Jay’s journey into real estate began serendipitously in 2014 alongside his then-fiancée, now wife, Julia, as they studied for her real estate exam together. This new professional path allowed Jay to combine his sharp negotiation skills honed in the courtroom with his deep passion for 30A, helping clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling properties along this coveted coastline. His approach to real estate is characterized by a strong emphasis on connecting and building rapport, using his extensive social media network to add value and serve his clients’ needs effectively.
Jay is particularly adept at helping second homeowners find their ideal beach retreat, ensuring their dreams of a Floridian paradise become a reality. His “Friday Find” videos on social media have turned him into a local celebrity of sorts, with many clients seeking him out for selfies when they meet him in public for the first time. His promotional activities extend beyond mere postings; Jay embodies the spirit of 30A in his daily interactions and through his enthusiastic advocacy of the beach town lifestyle.

Outside of his professional life, Jay enjoys daily beach walks with Julia, playing golf at the WaterSound Club a few days a week, attending Northwestern University swim meets for his son Gip, and visiting Auburn University to see his son Hank, who studies industrial engineering. This blend of personal and professional fulfillment underscores Jay’s commitment to his family and community, making him a revered figure locally and in the broader real estate market.

Jay's 30A

30A is a small stretch of coastline with an outsized personality. Along roughly 24 miles of Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast, a series of beach communities sit side by side, each offering something completely different. Sugar-white sand, turquoise water and rare coastal dune lakes create the backdrop, but it’s the lifestyle that keeps people coming back.

Part of what makes 30A unique is the variety found within just a few miles. You can move from the old Florida character of Grayton Beach to the tree-lined streets of Seagrove, the amenities of WaterColor, the privacy of WaterSound and the distinctive architecture of Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach. Each community has its own rhythm, and finding the right one is often just as important as finding the right home.

Life here has a way of changing your priorities. Mornings start with a walk on the beach, afternoons might be spent on the golf course or out on the water, and evenings tend to end around a table with family and friends. It’s relaxed, but never boring - and for many of the people I work with, what starts as a vacation eventually becomes a much bigger part of their lives.

I’ve watched 30A grow and change, but the pull of this place remains the same. It’s more than a place to buy a beach house. It’s a lifestyle, a community and, for me, home.

Service Area

30A | Miramar Beach, FL | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Destin, FL | Panama City Beach, FL | Inlet Beach, FL | Pensacola, FL | Mexico Beach, FL | Port St. Joe, FL | St. George Island, FL