A Barn of Your Own on Nearly 2.4 Acres Above Porter Pond
$236,928
Chipley sits in Washington County, in the piney flatwoods of the Florida Panhandle — 2.39 private acres of homestead land set above Porter Pond.
This is more than the studio the listing headline suggests. Inside, a vaulted ceiling opens the living space up over an open kitchen, dining, and living area with hardwood-look floors, and a staircase climbs to a loft-style primary bedroom upstairs — comfortable, finished, and ready to move into. Down the drive stands a genuinely separate building: a 64-by-35 barn with a rolling door, flanked by open-sided lean-tos on both sides — real covered space for equipment, a workshop, or storage, distinct from the house itself. The land slopes gently down toward Porter Pond, giving the property a quiet, elevated view over the water. 1 bd / 1 ba, 1,234 sq ft, built 2003, on 2.39 acres.
Listed at $236,928. Listing courtesy of Sharon Gavin, Elite Realty.
Homestead Potential
Water & Infrastructure
Worth being clear-eyed about the water here: Porter Pond sits down and across an open, sloping field from the house rather than right at the door, so this is a peaceful lake view rather than direct frontage — no dock is visible in the listing photos. The near shoreline shows a noticeable band of exposed sandy lakebed, so it's worth asking the agent how much the water level swings seasonally before counting on it for regular fishing or paddling access. The home will be on a private well and septic typical of rural Washington County; confirm both. The view itself, especially at sunrise, is still a genuine daily pleasure — just go in knowing it's a view lot, not a waterfront one.
Crop & Income Potential
At 2.39 acres, this is homestead-scale rather than farm-scale — plenty of room for a garden, a coop, or fruit trees on the open, gently sloping ground. The real productive asset here is the barn: 64 by 35 feet of covered space plus open lean-tos on either side gives you genuine room for equipment, a workshop, hay or feed storage, or a small hobby operation, well beyond what the modest home alone would suggest. Washington County's piney flatwoods and generous Panhandle rainfall support a long growing season for a homestead garden.
Sustainability
The barn is the quiet superpower of this property — real covered storage and workshop space that most listings this size simply don't have, giving you room to build out a self-sufficient setup at your own pace: tools, a small flock, a workshop, or a rainwater catchment system under the lean-tos. The home itself is efficiently sized and already comfortably finished, with vaulted ceilings that help with natural light and airflow. Between the barn's flexibility and the home's low-maintenance footprint, this is an easy property to make more self-reliant over time without a big renovation to start.
The Boundaries
A few things worth confirming given the setting. Ask specifically about Porter Pond's seasonal water level and whether any of the exposed lakebed area is part of the deeded lot or a separate easement, since that affects how close to the water you can actually get. Get a current survey to mark the 2.39-acre lines and confirm the barn sits fully within them. Have the well, septic, and the barn's structural condition and any wiring inspected — the listing doesn't specify whether the barn has power, so ask directly. None of this dims the appeal; it's simply the homework a property with two distinct structures and a pond view calls for.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
Chipley is the seat of Washington County, a small, friendly town in the Florida Panhandle just off I-10, about 45 minutes to an hour from Panama City Beach. It's genuinely rural Panhandle character — piney woods, small farms, and a slower pace than the coast, while still being close enough for a beach day or a Gulf sunset whenever you want one. The town itself has a classic small Southern downtown and a real sense of community.
Agricultural Resources & Neighbor Networks
UF/IFAS Extension keeps a Washington County office in Chipley, with soil testing, Master Gardener training, and small-acreage and livestock guidance suited to a Panhandle homestead. This is timber, cattle, and peanut country, so feed stores, large-animal vets, and agricultural suppliers are all within easy reach. The extension office is also a good first call on questions about pond and water-level management, given the property's setting above Porter Pond.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
The Panhandle's natural attractions are close by. Falling Waters State Park, home to Florida's highest waterfall, is just outside Chipley, and the spring-fed Econfina Creek — a favorite for canoeing and kayaking — is a short drive away. Deer Point Lake and the Chipola River add more paddling and fishing options, and the white-sand beaches of Panama City Beach and the Gulf are under an hour out. Between the pond view at home and everything nearby, there's outdoor recreation in every direction.
Listed on Zillow
Pastures & Porches is not a real estate agency and does not represent any property or agency. Pastures & Porches is an informational blog based on our own point of view. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Pastures & Porches is not responsible for any misinformation, including but not limited to price, status or condition. All information shared by Pastures & Porches must be independently verified. Comments and opinions posted by Pastures & Porches does not represent the listing, property owners or agents.
Links to other websites:
Pastures & Porches includes links from other websites. These sites have separate and independent privacy policies. Pastures & Porches does not guarantee and have no liability for their content, information and privacy policies when accessed via our website’s link.
Google Advertising provides a positive experience for users. Google AdSense Advertising is placed on our website in order to place ads regarding users’ historical visits on our and other websites. Data is collected and used for advertising purposes. Find more about Google AdSense privacy policy on the link https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/1348695?hl=en
We analyze data via Google Analytics. Cookies are used as a way of gathering information in order to create reports. It’s a matter of your own choice to accept or decline cookies when they pop up on our website. All browsers have instructions for enabling and disabling cookies. Stored personal information on the website may have correlation to the stored information in cookies. In general, cookies do not have data for user’s personal identification. Click on the link for Google Analytics’ privacy policy https://policies.google.com/privacy