Protecting your Biggest Investment on the Gulf Coast… Family and your home

Hurricane Season officially started June 1st in NW Florida and we need  to be prepared on the Gulf Coast. In protecting our biggest and most important investments, we need to have a plan.  Two keys to weather safely are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials.  These are essential pieces to protecting our families and our homes and communities.  Our gorgeous sugar sand beaches can feel some occasional weather.  Hard to believe, I know!  But, when and if it happens, we want our guests and families to be ready.  We have to gather important information.  Especially, Beachfront communities in Destin, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores. 

We have to know the evacuation plan.  Firstly, know if you live in an evacuation area.  Assess your risks and know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.  Next, plan and take action.  Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected.  Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes.  How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe?  Texting is a good tool to use as the phone lines might be saturated.  Furthermore, have a supply kit.  Put together a basic disaster supply kit and consider storage locations for different situations.  Help community members do the same.  That is what we do on the Susan Carleton Real Estate Team.  We prompt one another to do good and take care of one another in all areas of life.  Develop and document plans.  Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan.  Be sure to plan for locations away from home and business.  Business owner, Susan Carleton, survived  the massive hurricane 10 years ago and recalls the importance of the plan.  In all life scenarios, the plan is a guide. We hope we don’t have to use, but if you do, you find yourself responding and acting and taking care of one another.

When waiting out a storm, be careful.  The danger may not be over yet.  Be alert.  Wait until the area is declared safe before returning home.  Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.  The City of Pensacola has incredible resources for our visitors and residence from Alerts to traffic advisories to American Red Cross and additional preparedness.  Be safe!  Enjoy the City of Pensacola and surrounding areas.  

http://www.cityofpensacola.com

 

Strike Investment Property Gold In A Perdido Key Luxury Beach Condo

Perdido Key condo living is luxury living.  The beach lifestyle can be enjoyed all year round.  Dipping your toes in the sugar-white sand of Perdido Key is life at its best!

The gated community at Beach Colony Resort has gorgeous views of the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico.

The special amenities at Beach Colony include an indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, two outdoor swimming pools, and a fitness center. Plus, it’s all just steps away from the beach!

Beach Colony is comprised of three high-rise condominiums situated on the Gulf of Mexico.  Located on the Eastern end of Perdido Key, Florida, it is a hidden gem in our area. Each tower offers only Gulf front residences with large private balconies and security-coded elevators for access.  You can relax and enjoy the tranquil nature of the beautiful Gulf Coast and indulge in all the fine amenities that Perdido Key has to offer. Plus, when you invest in a Perdido Key condo, you can enjoy the income from owning a beach rental.

For more details about this or any other condos in the area, visit ForSaleontheGulfCoast.com for comprehensive information on Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Pensacola Beach, and more beachfront, waterfront, or riverfront units available in the area.

Our expert agents on the Susan Carleton team are happy to help you. Pointe South Real Estate Sales is a locally owned and operated powerhouse driven by a single goal: impeccable customer service.

Whether you are looking to rent, buy, or list your home, Pointe South is the company you trust in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama.

This Pensacola Home Was Built for Connecting With Friends, Family, and Nature

You’re going to feel at home from your first glimpse of 10071 Rookery Road. Located in the gated community of Heron’s Forest, this Pensacola home won’t be on the market long.

The show-stopping features of this home are its floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light, and large fenced-in back yard. Here, indoor/outdoor living is part of the home’s charm.

The back deck is covered for shaded barbecues year-round, and a paver-laid patio is the perfect place for an outdoor living space. Plus, the lawn is large enough to add a pool and spa. Not to mention, a trail system follows the Intracoastal Waterway for outdoor adventures, and the beaches of Perdido Key are minutes away. For the outdoors person, there’s no better location to call home than this

Inside, you’ll find five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and plenty of entertaining space. Invite friends and family over for weekly gatherings and special occasions. Host dinner parties in the formal dining room, with extra seating (did someone say “kids table”) in the breakfast nook. Let the party spill over into the formal living room or family room. And when impromptu dessert cravings strike, you’ll still be able to connect with your guests while whipping up a last-minute batch of goodies thanks to the home’s open floor plan.

When it’s time to call it a night, head to the master bedroom, where there will be no fighting over who gets to brush their teeth first thanks to double vanities. The en suite also boasts a glass walk-in shower and garden tub, plus plenty of storage space.

In the kids’ bedrooms, hardwood floors mean you won’t have to worry about messes and spills.

No matter where you look in this home, from its custom architectural accents to the stunning landscape, you’re going to want to schedule a viewing of 10071 Rookery Road today!

Here’s What Our Clients Are Saying

With rapidly changing technology, there’s one thing that stands the test of time: word-of-mouth advertising. That’s why at Pointe South Real Estate Sales, we value the feedback of our clients, agents, and partners above all else. It’s how we’ve earned the reputation as the most caring real estate team on the Gulf Coast.

Just look at what one of our recent homebuyers, Misty Busch, had to say about SRES Realtor LaGay Fenters. “LaGay was amazing to work with, and went above and beyond our expectations. She was extremely patient with us as we were very picky and wanted just the right home for our family. She was always punctual to every appointment and is an amazing and efficient communicator. We have purchased three homes now and she has been the best by far. She treats her clients like she would want to be treated and makes sure they are purchasing something they will be happy with…I can’t say enough good [things]. You will love her!”

Those are the kinds of reviews we get every day about our agents. Thanks to their dedication to providing a positive experience for every buyer and seller, we’re known as the community’s first choice for  real estate from Orange Beach to Pensacola.

Even agents in other walks of real estate, such as vacation rentals, rely on SRES as a trusted resource. Richard Lamar, Pointe South Rentals and Real Estate General Manager, said, “I appreciate the opportunity to be included in the information that the Pointe South agents provide their clients. It is always refreshing to partner with agents who truly provide the most honest and up-to-date information as it pertains to vacation rentals.”

After all, real estate is a team effort. From the agent to the broker, the client to the lender, it requires synergy and cooperation from a number of people to be successful. Consider this statement from a local financier.

Mortgage Trust, a locally owned and operated firm, praised SRES’ commitment to understanding clients’ exact needs. “It is such a delight to work with a team so dedicated to getting their clients the perfect deal on the perfect home,” they said.

That’s our goal, every time. If our clients cross the threshold into their new home with the confidence that it is a wise financial investment, in addition to a great move for their family, we’ve done our job.

Contact us today to learn how SRES can help you achieve your real estate goals.

Four Reasons You Should Already Be A Realtor At SRES

There are a dozen reasons to become a real estate agent. In fact, surveys show real estate is one of the best industries you can choose for a career. Of course we agree, and here’s why:

  1. Freedom to Choose

One of the primary reasons you love being a realtor is the freedom to set your own schedule and be your own boss. When to schedule meetings, make appointments, and pursue leads is up to you. Your profitability reflects your resourcefulness, not a timecard. At Pointe South Real Estate Sales, we value the autonomy of our agents. We understand real estate is not a conventional 9-5 job, and we honor your freedom to choose how, when, and where you work.

  1. Negotiable Commission Splits

Why wouldn’t you work with a brokerage that recognizes your value, literally? We offer negotiable commission splits based on your experience and performance. This means your commission split is more than fair, it’s personalized. You get paid what you’re worth, not a standard industry rate. You can even choose to negotiate a tiered commission structure, in which your commission split increases alongside your sales.

  1. A Network of Support

Working in real estate is as much about relationships as it is about commerce and control. Our agents have reached record breaking sales due to two things: their own initiative and our network of support.  Our internal sales agents provide qualified leads, and our in-house marketing team diversifies exposure across multiple platforms. Plus, our accountant ensures your fiscal data is easily accessible online, and even provides same-day payments.

  1. Multiple Office Locations

We now have offices in Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, and Daphne. Plus, you can choose to host appointments at any Pointe South office.  As a result, you have the choice to determine which office best suits your business and clientele. After all, convenience leads to closings.

To learn more about joining Pointe South Real Estate Sales, click here.

Realtors: How Creative Is Your Approach?

As a dedicated realtor in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama, you continuously evaluate your marketing strategy and approach. Making sure you reach clients and maximize exposure is all part of the job. But just how creative are you? Do you stick to cold calls and networking functions? Are ISAs your main source of leads?

If either of those rings true, consider the approach of Miami realtor Nick Quay, who is literally in over his head. Inman Real Estate News recently featured Quay for his unique approach to gathering leads: “dock knocking.”

Quay is a paddle-boarder who successfully branded himself in the Miami neighborhoods he wants to represent by paddle boarding right up to the docks. With year-round warm weather and community functions, Quay (and his dog) quickly became familiar faces and built a rapport with locals.

Of course, travel by bay isn’t Quay’s only unique approach. He also makes clients’ dinner reservations, picks them up from the airport, babysits, and as a former chef, even cooks for them. In an interview with Inman.com, Quay notes, “[I] go those extra miles before being asked and also upon request.”

And if you think he’s over the top—well, of course, he is, which is why he sets over-the-top goals: $20 million in sales this year.

Here in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama, our demographic varies from that of Miami, but we share several geographical and lifestyle similarities. These avenues (or should we say waterways) allow for a more creative approach. Not only can you amp up your visibility with local buyers and sellers, but as tourist season extends into the shoulder months, you have the opportunity to reach clients at every beach, restaurant, bookstore, and dog park, 365 days a year.

So what’s your niche? Where do you find yourself on your day off (insert raucous laughter here)? Are you at the gym? A concert? The movie theater? How are you marketing yourself even during “off hours?” Are you building relationships by branding yourself as a resource?

However far you decide to take your creativity, the transaction sides will follow. When you’re ready to join a team that maximizes creative approaches to real estate, call Pointe South Real Estate Sales.

Did You Know These Celebs Were From Here?

You already know Pensacola Beach and the surrounding areas are famous for world-class beaches. But did you know this area produces more than stunning sunsets and seafood? When you live in Pensacola,  your claim to fame goes further than geography. Check out these celebs who started right here:

  1. Carolyn Murphy—Supermodel

You’ve probably seen her in Estee Lauder’s latest social media campaign, flaunting those iconic blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones for the company’s newest skincare line, Unstoppable Youth. Or, maybe you remember her in that stunning red bikini on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 2005? Supermodel Carolyn Murphy’s career has spanned nearly three decades and there’s no sign of her slowing down.  She’s been named VH1’s Model of the Year and ranked on Forbes’s top-earning models list. And yet, she’s from right here in rural Florida. Born to a military family in Panama City, Murphy was discovered as a teenager by Mary Lou’s Models in Gulf Breeze.

  1. Trent Richardson—NFL Running Back

Trent was born in Pensacola and attended Escambia High School, home of the Gators.

Richardson was recruited by several colleges and gained national attention during his career at the University of Alabama. There, he was named an All-American. He was later drafted by the Cleveland Browns, and then traded to the Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s known for being explosive and powerful and is often compared to NFL back Adrian Peterson.

  1. Aaron Tippin—Country Music Star

When Aaron Tippin’s hit song “Kiss This” hit the airwaves in 2000, he solidified his reputation as one of country music’s rebel superstars. His music is a mix of unbridled patriotism and unapologetic rowdiness. In short, he doesn’t take any guff. Tippin’s been a celebrated musician for more than 25 years, and his roots are right here in the Panhandle.  Born in Pensacola, he later moved to a farm in South Carolina. Other hits include “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “That’s As Close As I’ll Get to Loving You,” and “Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagles Fly.”

Of course, our team at Southern Real Estate Sales is famous when it comes to helping you realize your real estate dreams. If you’re the next big thing in real estate, join us today!

Four Things Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Succeed

Ask any number of successful real estate agents what it takes to get to the top and they’ll likely tell you the same thing: you can’t do it alone. Real Estate is a dynamic market, ever changing due to consumer trends, interest rates, and legislative action.  To successfully compete, a real estate agent needs a brokerage with proven experience in four vital areas:
  1. Training
Even after licensing, you have to stay current on the latest real estate tools and tendencies. Pointe South Real Estate Sales offers monthly training sessions designed to keep you in the know about economic movement, competitor’s practices, and the latest software and technology.
  1. Inside Sales Agents
If you want to increase closings, you want to work with an agency that utilizes inside sales agents. ISAs are often referred to as “call crushers” or “phone animals” because they spend the majority of their time following leads and setting appointments so you can focus on clients and listings.
  1. Customized Websites
Our customizable agent site allows you to build content touting your expertise and sends lead captures directly to you. On the other end, our company website drives leads by providing more than MLS listings.  It features area highlights to showcase the benefits of living, retiring, or owning investment property in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama. We provide clients with free home evaluations and area information because we understand that every lead is one great agent away from a transaction.
  1. Teamwork
For more than twenty years, teamwork has been the key to Pointe South Real Estate Sales’ success. After back-to-back years of surpassing the $50 million mark, we’re looking for outstanding real estate agents (who are driven to reach the top) to join our team. In Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, we aim to be the go-to authority when people think of buying or selling property. Learn how to join the Pointe South Real Estate Sales team today, and see just how successful you can be with the right brokerage.

Realtors and ISAs: The Dynamic Duo That’s A Game-changer

Whatever you call Internal Sales Agents (ISA)—phone animals, call crushers— just let them do the calling. In the competitive real estate market along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida and South Alabama, Pointe South Real Estate Sales agents are posting impressive numbers, thanks in huge part to our dedicated team of internal sales agents. This year to date, the ISA department has already played an instrumental role in closing $3,034,053 in sales and has $1,695,553 in pending sales with the help of our elite agents. Our highly skilled internal sales department is driven to support you, our realtors, to do what you do best—sell real estate!

In-house, our ISAs spend the majority of their time, up to 90%, on the phone scouting new leads and arranging appointments with qualified prospects. Their strategies produce such streamlined efficiency, in fact, that Pointe South agents averaged nine transaction sides per year in 2015, outselling national names like ERA, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway, Century21, Better Homes and Gardens, Keller Williams, and Sotheby’s.

Utilizing the ISA’s phone prowess allows realtors to be in the field with buyers and sellers, rather than worrying about administrative tasks.

So what exactly does the ISA do and how does that help you, the realtor?

The internal sales agents focus on three main goals:

  1. To seek new leads
  2. To follow up on leads from internet sources
  3. To convert leads into appointments

In addition to the benefits of an internal sales department, Pointe South Real Estate Sales is a full-service brokerage, with 23 select agents, five locations in Northwest Florida and South Alabama, and more than 20 years of experience in the industry. We offer state-of-the-art technology to provide only the most relevant lead generations, ongoing training, and a time-tested business model that withstands market trends.

Learn more about joining the dynamic workplace of Pointe South Real Estate Sales, where the tight-knit attitude of a boutique firm meets the powerhouse capabilities of national franchises.

A New Orleans State of Mind in an Orange Beach Condo

New Orleans is more than a city—it’s a state of mind.  If you’re heart belongs to the sights and sounds of Canal Street, then check out this Orange Beach condo on Canal.

Located in Bayshore Towers on Canal Road, this Orange Beach condo is a water lover’s dream. To the East is Terry Cove—a perfect place to watch the sunrise. The bay lies to the North, and the stunning waters of the Gulf are to the South. If it’s sun and saltwater you want, welcome to paradise. Not to mention, the boat slip and marina are just outside of your front door.

Walk, boat, or paddle over to the beach, where you can check out hot spots like Tacky Jack’s.  You’ll find all the staples of a good time—food, fun, and fantastic views!

When it’s time to rest your sea-legs, take on a game of tennis or racquetball at the private courts, or get your pump on in the fitness room. And we didn’t forget about the dog, this condo is pet-friendly and has picnic areas where you and Fido can play fetch.

Later, anchor down and bring the party back to your Canal Road condo. There’s plenty of space to keep the good times rolling. Enjoy three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and ample room to entertain (including poolside). Of course, entertaining isn’t complete without the perfect cocktail. Mix up a batch of the original New Orleans spirit, the Sazerac, at the wet bar. Ironically, the Sazerac was the first cocktail in America. Leave it to New Orleans to take a good thing and make it better. Oh, and if you’re glass is running low, the market is less than five minutes away. Then settle in for the evening as you cozy up to the fireplace or unwind on the patio.

With Mardi Gras just around the corner, the living is easy—Big Easy. On Alabama’s Gulf Coast, it doesn’t get any easier than this fully furnished condo with amenities to boot.