Tips on How to Invest in Real Estate

Investing in real estate can be an exciting and profitable endeavor. However, there are certain rules that need to be followed in order to ensure you’re successful. Along the Gulf Coast, there are a lot of opportunities to invest. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are some tips from our professional real estate agents in Orange Beach to help you get started.

Treat investing like a business. Investing is meant to be lucrative, so treat it as such. Know what your financial goals are, meet with a financial advisor, and develop a plan like you would for any business.

Shop around. Do your research, know what you want, and don’t settle for less. Know what price properties are selling for and how long they were on the market, learn the neighborhoods, and give yourself options.

Check your credit. More often than not, a buyer will need to take out a loan to buy property. If you have any negative marks on your credit at all, you will want to take care of that before you apply for a loan on any investment.

Understand the tax benefits. The government views most real estate investments as a business, and there are many tax benefits that can work in your favor. Be sure to work with a tax advisor to understand your deductions.

If you are considering investing in real estate along Coastal Alabama, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, contact one of our real estate agents in Orange Beach to help guide you!

The Pensacola Home & Product Expo

If you own a home or have a rental home and are thinking of making improvements, or you are just interested in real estate in Pensacola and the newest home trends, then you need to check out the 2016 Pensacola Home & Product Expo! Held at the Pensacola Bay Center, the very best products, information, and experts will be in attendance.  Also, admission is only $5 and parking is free!  Expo hours for 2016 are:

Friday, August 19th, 1pm-6pm
Saturday, August 20th, 10am-6pm
Sunday, August 21st, Noon-5pm

Over 100 vendors will have the latest energy saving ideas, home improvement products, and project tips available so you can explore your options. Taking on a new home improvement project can be overwhelming and you might not know all of the options you have.  Need the best equipment of landscaping project? Need to price some floor tiles? Want to install a new home theater? Then come to the Pensacola Home & Product Expo so you can discuss your needs with local professionals.

If you own real estate in Pensacola, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, then this expo is a great way to see what the newest developments are in home repair and improvement. Area experts will be available to you so you ask any questions you might have about your latest project or real estate on the Gulf Coast. We will certainly be there, so be sure to stop by our Booth and say hello!

Grand Caribbean East Condo for Sale in Perdido Key

If you have been searching for the perfect condo for sale in Perdido Key, then you are in luck, because you have found it! Conveniently located in the Grand Caribbean condo community in Perdido Key, this home is just a short walk to the sugar-white sand and sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This condo is also very close to NAS Pensacola, the National Seashore, great restaurants, and local shopping centers.

Two bedrooms and two full bathrooms are offered in this gorgeous 1,058-square-foot space. The living room leads to a private balcony, which overlooks the pristine pool area and offers views of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. This condo features an electric stove, a dishwasher, and a laundry area complete with a washer and dryer. This home is a great find for a single person looking to live on the beach, a couple, or a small family.

Grand Caribbean East is a luxurious gated community in Perdido Key. In addition to the fantastic location, many onsite amenities are offered in Grand Caribbean East, including a community pool, a hot tub, a picnic area, and a close proximity to the beach.

With a great location and price, this condo for sale in Perdido Key will not be on the market for long!  If you recently moved to the Gulf Coast and are looking for a home to buy in the area, do not hesitate to contact us and see the amazing homes we have available!

Pensacola’s Gallery Night

Have you recently purchased real estate in Pensacola and are looking for fun events in the area? Well, then you are in luck! Gallery Night in Pensacola is a great way to meet people, see the wonderful local art community, and have a blast downtown!

One Friday each month downtown Pensacola shuts down Palafox Street and the entire block fills up with musicians, artists, performers, and people! Several restaurant and bars line Palafox Street and many offer outdoor seating and special deals during Gallery Night. Along with live music, the aroma of delicious cuisine fills the air as restaurants, cafes, and food trucks offer their best menus on this night.

In addition to the wonderful food and music, Gallery Night brings in amazing artists from all over the Gulf Coast, and you can find some amazing finds during this event. Paintings, pottery, and handmade jewelry are just a few of the features that will be on display throughout the evening.

Are you ready for the best part? Admission to Gallery Night is free! The streets close down at 5pm and everyone is welcome to attend. The event wraps up at around 9pm, but many places keep the party going well into the night!

Downtown Pensacola also features a Historic Village, beautiful parks, and amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico. If you are thinking of moving to the Gulf Coast and have been looking for real estate in Pensacola or the surrounding area, downtown Pensacola is definitely somewhere you should check out.

Luxury Condos For Sale at Mediterranean in Perdido Key

Looking for luxury in all of the wrong places?  Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton can help.
Listed a few months ago is a STUNNING, four-bedroom, four-bathroom condo for sale at Mediterranean. Gorgeous on the inside and out, this impressive residence is the epitome of style, quality, and exclusivity.

Floor-to-ceiling windows line the condo offering unparalleled views of the beach, Ono Island in Orange Beach, and Ole River. Beautiful furniture and fine finishes only heighten the appeal. Enjoy a spacious, split floor plan, nicely appointed travertine floors, granite counters, and a 10-foot ceiling.

The kitchen is a chef’s dream and perfect for entertaining with its double ovens (one rotisserie), warming drawer, built-in microwave, sub-zero double-sided refrigerator, dual dishwashers, and full wet bar. Every room has something unique to offer and features you will have to see to believe.

The complex itself offers a covered parking spot for residents, an elevator to bring you to your own private foyer, and world-class amenities for your relaxation and enjoyment. This includes an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness room with sauna, parlor for reading, computing, or shooting a game of pool, storage units, and community center.

To further sweeten the deal, the price of this impressive beachfront condo for sale in Perdido Key was just reduced and the current owner will pay one year of association dues at closing. Did we mention there’s rental potential?

Contact Susan Carleton today for more details on this spectacular condo!

The Wharf in Orange Beach

If you have recently purchased real estate in Orange Beach, check out The Wharf for family fun, great food, and tons of entertainment options.

The Wharf is two stories full of shops for your whole family. Breath Athletic Wear, Seaside Shoes, and Shades Sunglasses are just a few examples of the stores you should visit at The Wharf. There is also a variety of dining options available, such as Driftwood Bar and Grille, Ronin Sushi Bar and Restaurant, and Montego’s Caribbean Café and Bar.

There is an endless amount of entertainment provided by The Wharf. The Wharf Putt Putt is a great option. Challenge your family to a friendly competition and treat whoever wins to a ride on the Ferris wheel! The Ferris wheel is one thing that makes this area famous. It is considered a landmark of Orange Beach and gives you the best view of the gulf. The SPECTRA Sound and Light Spectacular is a must while visiting The Wharf. During SPECTRA, Main Street is transformed into a magical stage where the palm trees come to life with color. The shows are unlike anything else and created with audiences of all ages in mind.

Another thing that makes The Wharf famous is the Amphitheater. Hundreds of concerts are held at the Amphitheater every year. Shinedown, Twenty One Pilots, Train and Miranda Lambert are all scheduled to play in August and September. From Chris Young to ZZ Top, The Wharf’s Amphitheater has seen it all!

After settling in your new Orange Beach real estate, head on over to The Wharf and enjoy some quality family time at one of the area’s best attractions.

Labor Day Events in Orange Beach, Alabama!

If you live in Coastal Alabama or have just invested in property for sale in Northwest Florida, it’s time to start making your plans for Labor Day weekend.

The unofficial end to summer, this is one of the best times to get out, enjoy some local events, and hit the sand before that fall feeling begins to set in. Whether you own investment property in Pensacola Beach or just purchased your first home in Orange Beach, you will find great events taking place the entire long weekend.

While you will find Labor Day events of one kind or another taking place in just about every beach community along the sand, one of the biggest and best will be happening all weekend long at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Here, you will find fantastic restaurants, many activities for the kids to enjoy, and a special celebration on September 4, 2016.

On Sunday, September 4, 2016 head out for the Labor Day Street Party from 5 PM to 10 PM. Live music from Ty Bates will be rocking the stage beginning at 6 PM, and The Wharf will be packed with extra special kid’s activities, such as bounce houses, balloons, and street performers the whole family will love.

In addition to these fun activities, the SPECTRA Light Show will be on full display beginning at 8 PM and running 4 different shows, each beginning every half hour. Whether you own a home near the beach, or will just be visiting, don’t miss this fun Labor Day weekend event in Alabama.

What to Do With a Property That Won’t Sell

Do you have a property that’s not selling? Or, maybe you have a client looking to invest in Pensacola Beach real estate. Whatever it may be, there’s an easy way to earn an extra $500 on the transaction (or lack thereof).

Local Pensacola property managers, like our Residential Leasing, have designed a program exclusively for realtors in these situations. All the agent has to do is refer the client/property to Pointe South’s long-term rental management program and a $500 check is headed your way. It really is as simple as that.

To further sweeten the deal, you’ll also benefit from their unique “pay it forward promise” – a guarantee that they will send EVERY client referred back to you!

Pointe South Residential Leasing’s property managers will notify you 90 days before your client’s lease expires, help schedule showings, and even get the property move-in ready.

Not only are you $500 richer, but more likely to be contacted for a future sale with a happy homeowner who has generated some income rather than a disgruntled one upset with a long sale.

Contact us at 850.492.1148 for more details.

*All checks made payable to broker once the property is rented. Multi-property referral restrictions may apply.

Blue Angels are Back!

If you have recently purchased real estate in Pensacola then you should learn a little bit about what makes Pensacola famous. There are many different features that set Pensacola apart from other areas, but the biggest factor is the Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels bring locals and visitors to Pensacola Beach during the month of July to watch their spectacular air shows and practices. Although, in June, they suffered a fatal accident and needed a break to regroup before getting back in the air. Pensacola and its surrounding communities mourned the loss of Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, but were very excited to see the Blue Angels return to the sky!

This past weekend, on June 16, 2016, they gave Pensacola Beach a wonderful show. Their air shows in Pensacola are free and open to the public. They provide you and your family the opportunity to spend the day on the beach and see why the Blue Angels are so loved in our area. It is a treat to see them flying overhead, and what better way to do that than on the beach?

The airshows may be over, but the team continues to practice. Their practice schedule varies, but the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola Naval Air Station hosts viewing events on Wednesdays during their practice season. At these events you can watch the Blue Angels practice different techniques and members of the team will be available to sign autographs and answer questions.

The Blue Angels have been around since 1946 and aim “to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.” They continue to do this by showcasing their talent and bringing new techniques to the air every year.

They do shows across the U.S., but Pensacola is lucky to be able to call them “Our Blues.” Catch a show to celebrate your new Pensacola real estate, and you can call them “Our Blues” too.

Last Shot Club in Lillian, Alabama

Do you love spending time at the Last Shot Club in Lillian, Alabama? You are not the only one! Sporting Clays is one of the safest and fastest growing sports in the U.S., and the Last Shot Club is one of the only controlled facilities in the area. The well-managed club is a private retreat to say the least, and a place most Southerners would jump at to own.

Here’s your chance! Southern Real Estate Sales agent and local dive captain, Andy Ross, has the premier estate listed at $698,500. This price includes 20 acres of land, three fully operating shooting stations with nine various remote control launching systems, a fully stocked pond and a four bedroom, three bathroom home. The home itself spans 1,800 square feet and features extensive modifications throughout. From the screened porch to the metal roof, this home is perfect for friends and family looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Did we mention is comes fully furnished including appliances and kitchenware. All you need is a realtor and a suitcase and this place is yours…

Are you interested in learning more about this and other Lillian, Alabama real estate opportunities? Contact us  today at 850.492.1148.