Hmm and hmm...
I am by NO means 100% sure of this, but it sounds to me like you are indeed looking at the townhomes/condos in Baytowne Wharf itself.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is HUGE. There are miles of upscale houses, garden homes, beach cottages, etc., not to mention world-class golf courses. But I think from what you said that you are talking about the units in Baytowne Wharf itself.
If so, rest assured they are very nice, and brand new. They are purchased by people who use them and rent them out thru the property office there.
On one visit there, we got a wild hair and asked if we could see one, and they said, "Sure!" So, we looked one over all by ourselves. Very, very nice. It had a wrap-around balcony and was furnished very tastefully. Full kitchen, full everything. These are not apartments, they are places to live.
The townhomes are on a side street off the shops and restaurants, so noise is not an issue. The pool area is not obvious and many visitors have no idea there even is one. If you want privacy, you don't have to worry about being in the thick of things. On the other hand, you are a two-minute walk from where the action is.
If you are into things tea, be sure to visit Magnolia & Ivy. Great teas, china, Victorian hats/scraves, etc. They even have a formal tea which you can dress up for (they supply the clothing, my wife, daughter and mother-in-law did it and loved it).
Also, it is the Sandestin Hilton that is Gulf side. Everything else is bay side, on Choctawhatchee Bay. Not as pretty as the Gulf, but a LOT calmer and kid-friendly when the waves get big and the seaweed comes in there.
Parking is not a problem, they have a parking garage for residents and guests, plus shuttle service.
I hope this helps.
P.S. If you do wind up in Ft. Walton Beach, there's a great, reasonably priced seafood place underneath Brooks Bridge called The Original Crab Shack. They have a wrap around dock right on the Sound.
Upscale in the opposite direction, in the Grayton Beach area is Criolla's. It is world class with fantastic food, but you will pay for it. Postions are not real big, either, but maybe you're not a chow hound like me.
I think I better stop with a few links below before this becomes a book-length feature!
http://www.sandestin.com/
http://www.experiencesandestin.com/