Before You Buy a Vacation Home

AboutMeAt Southern Rentals and Real Estate, we love a good investment property. With great friends and even better property managers at our fingertips, we always like to encourage our clients to look at the possibilities and then decide what is best for them.

For some buyers it makes sense to invest in an Orange Beach vacation rental, for others it may not. We have a few questions you should ask yourself before buying a vacation rental.

Number one: Do you love the location? Nice weather year-round makes this question a no-brainer for us. The second question you should ask yourself is, how often can you get there? Commuting is a huge deciding factor. You have to determine how much time you can spend somewhere and is it worth the cost of owning and maintaining the property.

Lastly, could you rent the place? Again, for the Gulf Coast, this is not a problem. The important thing to remember here is to have an agent who knows the condo rules and renter’s interests.

Our Alabama real estate agents can do just that! Give us a call at 850.492.1826 to learn more!

Upcoming Running Events on the Gulf Coast

Running Shoes 2 webHave you recently purchased Gulf Coast real estate and made the beach your home? Well, if you love to run, we have several events you should get out and enjoy. Not only are they fun, they are sure to help your new town feel like home!

The first running event coming up is the Gulf Coast Half Marathon taking place on February 28, 2016 at 7AM. The event is hosted by LuLu’s restaurant, so it’s sure to be a blast. The event will begin there, follow a fun course and end just 50 yards away from where it starts, after 13.1 miles, of course. Not a runner? That’s okay. Walkers are welcome, too. Be sure to stay on for the Nearly World Famous Post Race Party hosted by LuLu’s, which will kick off as soon as the first runner crosses the finish line.

Can’t make this half marathon? Consider running the Pensacola Beach version on April 10, 2016 hosted by Running Wild. Also a walker friendly course, the race will begin at Casino Beach and the post race party will take place at Flounder’s in this case.

Speaking of Pensacola, if you have recently purchased real estate on Pensacola Beach or the surrounding area, consider exploring downtown via the McGuire’s 5K Prediction Run. Now it’s 39th year, this run asks participants to predict how long it will take them to complete the certified 5K course through town. Those who come closest to their predicted time, without the used of timing devices, win! That run will take place at 9AM on March 12, 2016 and registration is open. No matter the location or distance, we hope you have a great run along the Gulf Coast.

Homes for Sale on Ono Island

The ultimate customized residence awaits. If you have been searching for homes for sale on Ono Island, our Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton has just the place for you! Recently listed and newly constructed, 30485 Ono Loop North sits on a large, canal front lot in Orange Beach, Alabama.

This five bedroom, four-and-half bathroom home comes with a variety of upgrades and enhancements. From hardwood floors, 10 foot ceilings, crown molding and high-end trim, it is safe to say that no detail has been overlooked when it comes to this incredible property. The rooms are spacious and open with neutral finishes that help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the 3,396 square foot residence. Outside, there is a beautiful 706 square back deck with a large brick fireplace with views overlooking the canal.

In addition to an incredible location and fabulous upgrades, this home comes with a new boat house with power and lift that holds up to 9,000 pounds.

For more information on this and other Orange Beach, Alabama real estate opportunities, contact Susan Carleton at 850.516.7238.

Top Things to Do in Gulf Shores

FamBeach2014-0297 (1)If you have recently moved to the Gulf Coast or are thinking about buying real estate in Gulf Shores, you are undoubtedly itching to get out and see what the area has to offer. Allow us to help with our top things to do in Gulf Shores!

We know the first thing you will want to do in your new hometown is hit the beach, but it may still be a little chilly for that. If so, try hitting up a Gulf front restaurant instead. That way, you can enjoy the awesome beach views, as well as try out some local seafood. We recommend Bahama Bob’s or the Pink Pony Pub. Another great place to try is LuLu’s on Homeport Marina. Located off the beach, this fun restaurant is known for their great food, fun family activities and onsite attractions such as a ropes course and arcade.

Speaking of activities, if you love the outdoors, Gulf Shores offers your ideal attractions in the form of the local state park. Explore it from high above via a seven mile ziplining tour, or hike the available trails, including the popular birding trails. Once it warms up, grab your paddle board or kayak to explore the water ways. If fishing has caught your eye, head out to the state park’s fishing pier.

You may be thinking you want to steer clear of the tourist destinations now that you’re a local, but they are so much fun and spring is a perfect time to try them out before the summer crowds arrive. Our best bets include Waterville USA, the local water park, as well as the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Dolphin and boat tours are also a popular and fun activity the entire family will enjoy. And, of course, be sure to enjoy a sunset walk on the beautiful beaches as soon as it warms up!

Have a Tropical Re-union this Valentine’s Day!

Vow Renewal at LuLu's-1So, you have recently purchased real estate in Gulf Shores and Valentine’s Day is creeping up on you. Where should you go? Where do you take your sweetheart?

Well, you could choose from any number of wonderful restaurants in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores for an evening meal. You could even enjoy some dancing or catch the latest movie. But how is that different from any other date night?

How do we suggest making it extra special then? Visit LuLu’s on Homeport Marina! LuLu’s is a wonderful local restaurant that usually offers events that cater to kids or families. We highly suggest you check out their Easter, Christmas and Noon Year’s Eve events now that you live here. But, on Valentine’s Day, this restaurant is just for the big kids. The married ones, as they will be offering the opportunity to renew your vows in a group ceremony.

The Tropical Re-Union will take place on February 13, 2016 at 2PM. The ceremony will be performed by Hurricane Jane, a local Parrot Head and ordained minister. Couples are encouraged to register online to ensure LuLu’s has enough flowers, cake and champagne on hand for everyone to celebrate. Couples will even be presented with a commemorative certificate of vow renewal.

So, make this Valentine’s Day extra special by attending the vow renewal at LuLu’s! Want to add an extra special element? Surprise your sweetie with a beach stay. Southern Vacation Rentals is currently offering 30% off condos and beach homes that weekend.

Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

ARI713-BeachSo you are shopping condos for sale in Pensacola Beach and found one that you think has it all. Now it is just a matter of negotiating the terms. More often than not, people overestimate their skills in this department. Negotiating is an art, which is usually why we recommend you work with someone who is well versed in this trade… ahem, a Southern Real Estate Sales agent.

Before you write the idea of hiring an agent off entirely, you should know that they bring a wealth of knowledge to the table that can make all the difference when rounding third and heading for home. Typically, a real estate agent will provide you with a detailed price analysis of local market conditions, comparable homes and recommendations so that you can decide on the best possible price.

Speaking of price, keep in mind that the end goal is to purchase your ideal home at an ideal price. You don’t want to get so caught up in the negotiation game that you lose out on a great deal. That is actually another reason to hire an agent – they can offer you an unbiased perspective based off the numbers alone.

Still thinking about buying or selling? Contact one of our Pensacola Beach real estate agents today to go over the details of your transaction. They will be more than happy to help you find the right deal at the right price!

 

Gulf Shores Named “Hot Spot” by HomeAway

Gulf ShoresAre you ready to take the plunge as a real estate investor, but still deciding on where, and what to buy? Well, usually our answer would be anywhere along Florida and Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Thankfully, HomeAway – an online vacation rental marketplace – has given us EVEN more reason to suggest buying a condo or home along these waters…

The group just released its “Hottest Spots for Spring Travel,” so visitors can start planning their vacation before spring has officially sprung. Of their six most sought-after destinations, Gulf Shores, Alabama ranks third. Naturally, we aren’t surprised and we’re positive our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals can vouch for the rise in popularity amongst their Orange Beach and Gulf Shores condo rentals.

But why does this mean you should buy beach homes for sale in Gulf Shores? Because the demand for inventory is not going anywhere any time soon. That answers the number one rule of buying an investment property – could you rent the property when you are not there? Sounds like if it is in Gulf Shores, Alabama you won’t have any problems.

Still have questions about buying real estate on the Gulf Coast? Or, are you interested in learning more about our property management services in Gulf Shores? Contact Southern today at 850.492.1826 for more details on how we can help!

Congratulations, Rhonda Landrum!

RhondaOur Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach real estate agents at Southern make it a goal to go above and beyond, not only to meet your buying and selling expectations, but to exceed them. Between the lot of them, it is stiff competition. Each brings something unique to the table. This month, however, we are pleased to announce that Rhonda Landrum has stood out from the pack with an overly impressive January, and for that reason she is our Agent of the Month to start the New Year!

Rhonda is originally from the greater Pensacola area, offering her clients a wide array of local knowledge. With twin boys to keep her in busy and in the loop, you can bet that Rhonda is very familiar with the school system and the role it plays in helping customers find a home that meets their needs. She serves her clients with honesty, integrity and attention to detail. We are so proud to say she calls Southern Real Estate Sales home!

For more information on Rhonda Landrum, and how she can help you buy or list your home for sale in Pensacola, please contact her directly at 850.206.9617.

The Big Beach Marathon in Gulf Shores

Running Shoes 2 webLove to run? Grab your sneakers! If you have recently invested in Gulf Shores real estate and are looking to enjoying running events on the Gulf Coast, this is one you don’t want to miss.

The Big Beach Marathon will take place on January 31, 2016 at 8AM at The Hangout, a favorite Gulf Shores restaurant and event venue. This half and full marathon course is a Boston qualifier and follows the paved pathways of Gulf State Park for the majority of the route. The last three miles, however, follow three scenic miles of Beach Boulevard and lead you to the finish line with the sites and sounds of the Gulf of Mexico.

On the Saturday before the race, head to The Hangout for the kick off party and race expo at noon. At the conclusion of that event at 6PM, grab a seat with your race buddies and carb load for the big day during the pasta buffet dinner. The Hangout will also host the awards and post-race party on Sunday from 11AM-4PM. You won’t want to miss out on the food, beer, music and fun – after all, you’ve earned it with those 26.2 miles!

Registration for this event is still open. Signup today and good luck!

Banner Year at Southern Real Estate Sales!

Untitled-1Great things are always happening at Southern Real Estate Sales! Our Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach real estate brokerage just received totals from last year, and we have to say the numbers look good! Our agents closed approximately 271 transaction sides in 2015, totaling over $60 million in sales.

Susan Carleton, Southern Real Estate Sales’ Owner/Broker was quotes saying “We knew the $50 million threshold would be crossed soon, but surpassing it and then some, just goes to show you how incredibly driven our agents are.”

2015 was a monumental year for Southern Real Estate Sales. The firm experience a name change from Pointe South to Southern and added an inside sales department to assist with increased call volume. Overall, we would have to say that these measures are working, because a 36% increase in year-over-year sales volume is nothing to sneeze at.

The total number for sales rings in at $60,198, 708 in sales. A number that has set the stage for a dynamic year to come. As it is, Southern Real Estate Sales agents have already listed four new homes for sale in Pensacola, sold thee properties and have an additional four units under contract despite the time of year.

Needless to say, if you are interested in buying or selling, choose the team with a proven track record.