Southern’s New Client Care Coordinator

887496_1017478484971568_7099547785788254996_oAt Southern Real Estate Sales, we pride ourselves on innovative tactics. We are always ready to try something new and stick with what works. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that we have revamped our approach to buying and selling real estate in Perdido Key, Pensacola, Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas, by hiring a Client Care Coordinator, Brandi Cowper.

In this role, Brandi has been put in charge of prospecting and servicing our large volume of leads. She works with them on an individual level to establish their needs and converts them into appointments for our agents.

Within the first week of implementing our Client Care Coordinator, we scheduled five new appointments and generated one contract. Needless to say, with Brandi’s help we have been able to create a system that converts prospects into qualified leads who are ready to buy. Now, we need agents to help these buyers find a home.

Leads are just the beginning of what Southern Real Estate Sales can offer you and your real estate career. Contact us today or view a list of our available jobs in Pensacola, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope.

Bellingrath Gardens’ Christmas in Lights

GardenOwning real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast comes with many perks. One of which is getting to enjoy festive holiday events in the evening after a day spent on our still-warm beaches.

One such event we highly encourage you to check out this Christmas takes place at Bellingrath Gardens. Their annual light display has been named by USA Today as one of the top public displays in the country. This year also promises to be extra special, as it is the events 20th anniversary!

If you are not familiar with Bellingrath Gardens, this 65-acre estate is located in Mobile, Alabama and features manicured lawns and abundant gardens. They offer several festivals throughout the year to mark the different seasons with Christmas in Lights being an annual favorite.

The event is currently taking place and will run nightly through January 2, 2016, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Years Day. Entrance to this walking event is $15 for adults and $7 for children. The lights twinkle to life at 5pm and stay lighted until 9pm. We hope to see you there!

Southern’s Black Friday Sale

jg 008You just purchased a Gulf Coast home, do you now have friends and family who want to come visit? Or, perhaps would you like to enjoy a beach vacation of your own to get to know the area? If so, shop Southern Vacation Rentals’ Black Friday sale!

Living near the beaches of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama is awesome. That is, until the numerous requests to stay with you in your brand new home, which may not even be fully unpacked, come rolling in. You want to see your friends and family, sure, but the rotating guest list can get pretty old pretty quick. In this case, try setting them up in a vacation condo or home on the beach instead!

Right now, our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals are gearing up for their biggest sale of the year and your loved ones can save a bundle while securing themselves a great view of the beach. To shop the sale, all they, or you, need to do is call in between 7am and 5pm CST on Friday, November 27, 2015. Book a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condo to save 20% or enjoy a larger condo or home and still save 10% on any 2016 reservation, excluding the week of the Fourth of July holiday.

If this sounds like a deal you or your loved ones want to capitalize on then shop Southern’s Florida and Alabama vacation rentals now and call early! Once a condo or home has booked during this sale, the discount is no longer available for that property.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy shopping!

HUD Eases FHA Condo Financing Rules

iStock_000018780863SmallGood news! The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced changes to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) condominium policies the other day at the National Association of Realtors convention in San Diego. This a game changer for those looking to buy condos for sale in Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

Effective today, the FHA will streamline the condominium recertification process and expand its definition of acceptable “owner occupied” units to include second homes not owned by investors. In short, this will qualify more condo complexes for FHA loans, and give more buyers access to FHA low-down payment mortgages.

This is great news for our condo heavy market. To this day, condos remain one of the most affordable option for home buyers, especially first time buyers. The ease of financing will only support homeownership in the area…

All these factors make it a great time to list. Contact a member of our team today to learn more about what we can do for you and your condo sale!

View the complete “HUD Eases FHA Condo Financing Rules” at FloridaRealtors.org

Southern Named Best Property Management Company in Florida

FVRMA2-225x300If you’re interested in purchasing Gulf Coast real estate as an investment property, we have one tip to help you be successful – hire Southern as your property management company!

Okay, so of course we are going to recommend Southern, but our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals were also just recognized as the Best Property Management Company by the Florida Vacation Rental Management Company at their annual awards banquet in Orlando, Florida. Southern bested over 100 other property management companies from around the state to take home the prestigious award.

So, what makes Southern different? They provide both guests and owners with unparalleled service. Condo and vacation home rental owners also benefit from two dedicated managers, zero start-up costs and a robust marketing campaign. Guests enjoy access to 24/7 service, as well as Southern Perks, exclusive local discounts available only to southern guests. For your property management needs in Florida and Alabama, choose our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals.

Susan Carleton Team: Now Offering 3D Model Tours!

MarseillesSouthern Real Estate Sales Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, is pleased to announce she and her team can now can produce 3D model tours of their listings. The 3D Showcase, shot by our Transaction Coordinator, Amy Lamar, will engage prospective buyers with a rapid and innovative model tour of Susan’s homes and condos for sale in Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

“In an ever-changing, technological world, we’re always ready to try something new,” said Susan. “We are extremely excited to offer this as a resource to our clients.”

Demonstrated in one of Susan’s newest listings at Marseilles, you can see that this is one of the most realistic and immersive ways for a potential buyer to experience a property online. Don’t just take our word for it though, take the tour yourself by viewing the Perdido Key real estate listing.

Are you interested in learning more about Susan and the Susan Carleton Team? Call 850.516.7238 to speak with Susan directly about your buying or selling needs.

Thanksgiving Restaurants & Holiday Events

IMG_2745 photoshoppedThanksgiving is just two weeks away and the Christmas season around the corner. If you will be taking a break from shopping Gulf Coast real estate for sale to celebrate, be sure to check out these wonderful events along the beach!

First up, we have Thanksgiving. If you have just recently moved to the area or sold your home in Alabama or Florida, the idea of cooking may seem daunting. Skip it this year and enjoy a delicious meal cooked and cleaned up by someone else!

Restaurants open near your home in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach include Gilbey’s Seafood and Steak, as well as the Ginny Lane Bar at The Wharf. If you live in Perdido Key, try the Flora-Bama’s annual potluck. Or, for something a little more traditional, the Perdido Key Beach Resort. In Pensacola, head downtown to Jackson’s Steakhouse or the Fish House.

After the Turkey has been cleaned away, stick around a few days to watch the beaches light up for the holidays! Orange Beach will host their annual tree lighting on December 1, 2015, while Gulf Shores will get into the holiday spirit with the town parade on December 4, 2015.

Save with Southern Residential Leasing!

If you’re not ready to buy a home for sale in Pensacola just yet, look to our friends at Southern Residential Leasing. With long term rentals in Mobile, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key and Pensacola, they can help you find a great place to call home.

Speaking of great things, now is GREAT time to apply for a home or condo in the area as Southern is running a month-long move-in special in honor of Veteran’s Day. This year, our team of property managers has decided to waive the standard $50 application fee as a way of thanking the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight to protect our nation. The discount applies to all rentals and fees will be waived for all active-duty, medical discharge, honorable discharge and former military members. If you are former military, you must be able to provide DD214.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s just a small way for us to say thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. If you have questions about Southern’s Veteran’s Day Special, or are interested in applying for a rental in the area, contact our property managers directly at 855.981.7516 or visit SouthernResidentialLeasing.com.

*Special Runs Through November 30, 2015.

Pensacola Condo Values Rebound

486638-1If you’ve been teetering with the decision of whether or not to sell your home or condo in Pensacola, a recent article released by the Pensacola News Journal might help you make up your mind. Long story short, years after the recession, condo values have officially rebounded.

According to real estate data from Zillow, median condo values in the United States are increasing at a 5.1 percent annual rate compared to single-family homes which are increasing at a 3.7 percent rate. Condos in Pensacola, however have increased in value at an 8.7 percent rate between September 2014 and September 2015 alone.

In general, the Gulf Coast condo market is hot and hot for a few reasons. First and foremost because of demand is exceeding supply. Additionally, condos are a better bargain now for first time home-buyers and foreclosures aren’t nearly as prominent as they were a few years ago.

If you were looking for a golden opportunity to list your home or condo, this is it. Contact one of our Southern Real Estate Sales’ agents today for more information how we can sell your property within your time frame!

The Best Destinations for Owning a Vacation Rental

jg 008Are you considering purchasing Gulf Coast real estate as an investment property? You’re in luck. Tripadvisor just released their list of destinations with top earning potential and three Gulf Coast beaches made the short list!

Vacation rentals are an ideal investment and are more and more in demand, especially in beach communities like those here in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama. Tripadvisor compiled statics based on the 720,000 vacation homes available globally and narrowed down those destinations with top numbers.

If you will be shopping along the Gulf Coast, consider choosing Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama. A four bedroom rental in Orange Beach averages a weekly rate of over $2,000 and there is currently a supply and demand gap for vacation rentals in the area. According to Tripadvisor, there is 14 times the demand for Orange Beach. Gulf Shores currently has a gap of 29 times the demand versus supply and a four bedroom vacation rental in that area also averages over $2,000.

If you’re interested in a Gulf Coast investment property, we’re here to help. Contact us today so we can begin the search for your perfect vacation rental on the beach! Thinking about investing in Destin, another top earning destination along our beaches? Contact out friends at RE/MAX Southern.