Southern Holiday Homes, an exclusive full-service vacation rental agency on Highway 30A, has announced their property, SEA-ing Stars, is likely the top earning rental property in the area boasting over $1 million in guest reservation revenue in both 2023 and 2024 consecutively.
Located in Seagrove, SEA-ing Stars, the company’s flagship, short-term rental home, features 10 bedrooms and over 7,700 square feet. The home is located directly on the sugar white sand shores of the Gulf of Mexico. This luxurious property has hosted a variety of guests ranging from country music stars and influencers to celebrities and large families. The property features four levels of living space, a theatre room, suspended wine enclosure, glass elevator, multiple wet bars, and a broad range of amenities that Southern Holiday Homes is known for, including bikes, private beach access, and a resort-style pool and hot tub overlooking the Gulf.
“This property has become the jewel of 30A,” said Southern Holiday Homes owner, Brandon Youngs. “From top-of-the-line finishes and design to luxury amenities that are included with your stay, this home provides the exclusive beach vacation experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the Panhandle.”
Southern Holiday Homes was founded in 2020 by Ashley and Brandon Youngs. After vacationing to the area for decades, the Youngs’ decided to escape the bitter Chicago winters and purchase a home in Blue Mountain Beach, which they would rent out during the summer. Once they saw the success of their rental, along with the continued draw to the area from visitors around the country, the Youngs’ began adding more rental homes to their management portfolio. After job changes in 2020 during the pandemic, the couple decided to combine Ashley’s master’s degree in accounting and background in real estate with Brandon’s expertise in hospitality and marketing and launch Southern Holiday Homes. Today, they have a portfolio of 115 luxury homes along 30A, an office in Blue Mountain Beach, over 25 employees, and robust benefit offerings.
“Southern Holiday Homes was founded on the basis of relationships,” said Youngs. “From our staff to our owners, to our guests, we treat everyone like family and treat each client like a true partner.”
This mindset has fostered a company culture with long-standing employees, vendors, and homeowners that sets Southern Holiday Homes apart from other vacation rental agencies in the area.
“We offer a personalized touch that is hard to come by,” said Ashley Youngs. “Brandon and I take great pride in knowing our employees, owners, and their families. We also take this same approach with our guests and try to go the extra mile for them to provide custom services and experiences during their stays with us.”
All 115 of Southern Holiday Homes’ rental properties are now also featured on Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, a curated collection of premium and luxury whole home rentals located in 800 plus prime destinations around the world. Each home is professionally managed and meets the Marriott Bonvoy’s design, cleanliness, safety and amenity standards. This award-winning travel program by Marriott Bonvoy, enables members to earn and redeem points for all stays. Before being accepted to the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, Southern Holiday Homes’ rental properties were audited and reviewed by Marriott International to meet their high standards for regulation, design and amenities.
Most recently, 15 plus of the company’s newest properties were among the first from the Florida Panhandle chosen to be listed on Airbnb Luxe, making Southern Holiday Homes the largest provider of Luxe listings to Airbnb in the area. Airbnb Luxe is the luxury tier of Airbnb, made for travelers looking for more unique, high-end stays with top-notch services. Every property on Luxe must go through a strict selection process to meet high standards in quality, location, and features, often boasting designer interiors, stunning views, and premium amenities.
“We are honored to be recognized by leading hospitality companies like Marriott and Airbnb,” said Brandon Youngs. “I think it speaks to the value our owners are providing guests and the quality of homes within our portfolio.”
SEA-ing Stars is projected to continue its upward trajectory and earn $1.2 million in rental revenue in 2025, and only has a few open weeks left available for guests to book. The company ended the year with 115 homes in its portfolio valued at $350 million in assets under management and is projecting to manage 150 homes by the end of next year.
“We have a carefully curated collection of high-end inventory that we want to continue to grow in the right way and foster a luxury product that fits within our brand and meets our high standards” said Youngs.