Real estate agents in Bay County say now is the best time in nearly three decades to purchase beachside property.

"What a buyer asks us a lot of times is what did this property sell for at the height of the market or when it last sold," says Jo Ann Revell, Managing Broker with Coldwell Real Estate in Panama City Beach.

The figures are showing a much larger range of prices than they used to. Revell said, “We are seeing some at 45% of the value during the height of the market, and we've seen some close to 100%."

This includes not only condominiums but houses and cottages too.

"Mainly for condos since the inventory for condos is so much greater, but we are seeing fantastic prices right now for single family homes and attached town homes," says Revell.

Brokers say that if you've been waiting for the market to bottom out so you can get the best deal, it's not going to get any better than this. Once the market bounces back, so do the prices.

"The economists say that now is the best time to buy property in any kind of real estate probably since the 1970's is what they're saying', this type of market fluxuation won't happen again for a very long time." said Revell

Realtors say more property is becoming available at better rates because of increased for closures, not because insurance companies won't insure them. If you already own a beach home and are looking for cheaper rates, there is something you can do.

"A wind mitigation inspection is what they should be getting before they purchase, and if they already own property here they need to go ahead and get those wind mitigation inspections done, this can lower their premiums," according to Revell.

Experts stress that you need to act quickly on your offers because property is selling faster than ever.

When looking for property it is a good idea to make a list beforehand of the amenities