About Us

With over 11 years of collective experience, we’re sure to help you find your dream home!

Our Team

Jessica Jennings

Jessica and her husband Gary moved to the Emerald Coast 10 years ago and have loved calling it home ever since. Originally from Buffalo, Jessica values the sense of community and strives to bring that same spirit to her clients. As the broker of By the Water Realty, a family-run brokerage based in Freeport, Florida, Jessica is supported by the dedicated professionals of The Jennings Team.

Family is incredibly important to Jessica, and as a mother of four, she understands the importance of creating a home where loved ones can thrive.

With extensive knowledge of the area, Jessica and her team provide expert real estate services across the entire Florida Panhandle, from the beaches of 30A and Navarre to the inland areas of DeFuniak Springs, Bonifay, and Ponce De Leon, all the way to Port Saint Joe, with Freeport at the heart of it all. With years of experience in real estate, Jessica has also worked closely with county and city departments in building, construction, and home renovation. Her mission is to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for clients, whether they’re buying, building, or selling their home.

Erika Tarr

A Floridian at heart since 12 and now a resident living my dream! I have an extensive background working with clients to achieve purposeful goals that I will now transfer to real estate. I am excited to work with you to achieve your goals of buying or selling in this beautiful little stretch of Florida.

Donna Jennings

Donna may be new to the world of real estate, but she is not new to helping people achieve their goals and produce positive outcomes. With over 34 years of experience in the nursing field, she brings a personal touch to the table to make your real estate encounter as stress-free and positive as possible.

Whether you prefer to give her a call, send a text, or drop an email, Donna is ready to assist you in any way she can. She is passionate about the beautiful part of Florida where she resides and considers it an added bonus to work in real estate in such a stunning location. Don’t hesitate to reach out to her – she can’t wait to hear from you!

Brad Clapp

Brad is a native of NC and relocated to Santa Rosa Beach recently from Atlanta, GA. His overall philosophy of always putting his customer’s needs first has resulted in over $100M in sales. He is a proven Real Estate Professional with over 15 years of experience. Brad has served as a General Sales Agent as well as an Onsite Agent. This included sales of 20+ communities of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. His sales are based upon creative and imaginary marketing techniques. He looks forward to the next phase of his career by serving his customers with the same level of dedication but in flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt!

Jake Templeton

Originally from West Virginia, I bring a blend of hospitality and sharp market insights to By the Water Realty. With a passion for connecting people to their perfect homes. approach is both personal and professional, ensuring each client finds the ideal property. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, Jacob’s dedication will allow for a smooth transaction.

Gary Jennings

Gary is still the proud owner of By the Water Realty, but now he is focusing on new home sales on site, sharpening his skills in new construction again. Born into a military family, Gary spent his formative years in Western New York before moving to Florida in 2004. With over 11 years of experience as a fully licensed real estate professional, he has had the pleasure of not only selling real estate but also residing in and owning some of the most desirable locations in the country.

Gary has enjoyed a diverse range of properties, including a favorite townhome situated just 400 feet from the beach in Grayton Beach, a stunning condo positioned right next to Old Florida Fish House on 30A, and a residence in the exciting new 80-acre development of Prominence on 30A. He has also resided in his very first home located in Naples, Florida, just three miles from downtown. Currently, Gary calls Freeport, Florida, home.

With intimate knowledge of these areas and having completed full renovations on each property, Gary is well-equipped to guide others through the often complicated and misunderstood world of real estate. He takes pride in having firsthand experience as a homeowner himself and is dedicated to providing the highest level of service possible to his clients.