Orange Beach & Fairhope Top Most Beautiful Towns List

Have you considered relocating to the great state of Alabama, but struggling to decide where? Well, “Only In Your State” has narrowed the list of Alabama’s “most beautiful, charming small towns,” down to ten. We’ve shortened it to two: Orange Beach and Fairhope.

Both towns are chart toppers for a variety of reasons, but our Alabama real estate agents still believe you have to see them to fully understand how beautiful these towns are.

Fairhope is situated on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and offers residents spacious parks, tree-lined neighborhoods and a thriving downtown area that attracts visitors from across the country. Orange Beach on the other hand offers a variety of family-friendly beach vacation opportunities and entertainment to boot. Both in Baldwin County, both uniquely beautiful. The choice really is up to you. Would you rather buy a condo for sale in Orange Beach, or a single-family home in Fairhope? Either way, the two are a short drive away from each other Gulf Coast attractions.

Interested in learning more about buying real estate in Alabama? Contact our expert agents at Pointe South Real Estate Sales today. They will be happy to help you find a place that is right for you!

Why You Should Hire a Buyer’s Agent

Are you thinking about buying a home or condo for sale in Gulf Shores? Better question, are you thinking about going it alone? With the Interent at your fingertips, how hard could it be? Technology has created a “DIY” mentality, but the truth is even with the tons of information provided, the internet is not always accurate. Now the question becomes, can you decipher the difference between what is and what isn’t? Keep in mind a significant chunk of change is on the table…

If you’re not already starting to reconsider enlisting the help of a buyer’s agent, here are a few more reasons to nudge you in the right direction.

For starters you may have noticed that they save you time. Not only that, but they have the insider’s scoop. This is because they are in contact with a professional network of agents and often know of properties before they hit the online listing sites. The benefits don’t stop there. From negotiations and paperwork to a list of service providers, agents can save you time, stress and costly mistakes.

Are you interested in learning more about how our team of Florida and Alabama real estate agents can assist you with your future home purchase? Call 850.492.1826 to get in touch with one today!

The Wharf Uncorked in Orange Beach

Take a break from shopping for real estate in Orange Beach and visit The Wharf for the second annual The Wharf Uncorked Wine and Culinary Event. This is a three-day event that helps raise money for Make-A-Wish Alabama.

The Make-A-Wish foundation grants wishes to children in Alabama suffering from life-threatening health conditions. The event begins with The Wharf Uncorked Kick Off Party at The Palms on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 6:30 PM. The night will be filled with live music and food and wine tasting. The event lasts two hours and offers cooking demos by famous local chefs, Peter D’Andrea and Chris Sherrill. On Friday, September 25, The Art of Food with Robert St. John and Wyatt Waters will be held at The Palms Demo Kitchen from 3:00-5:00 PM. This event is for lovers of food, featuring cooking demos and painting demonstrations by Wyatt Waters. There will, of course, be tastings of high-end wine, as well as a cook book signing, followed by premier wine dinners that evening.

On Saturday, there will be a food grand tasting throughout The Wharf Entertainment District from 4:00-8:00 PM. During this time frame, there will be numerous silent and live auctions taking place, followed by an awards ceremony in the Culinary Experience Tent, this is surely an event you will not want to miss!

Top Ten Things to Do in Pensacola, Florida

If you have just recently moved into a rental home in Florida, or purchased real estate in Pensacola, Florida, you may be wondering what there is to do and see in the area. Trust me when we tell you, there is plenty! Pensacola features a number of thrilling attractions, but it is also home to peaceful beaches and low-key restaurants. With a wide variety of venues, you will never run out of things to do. Topping the list of the top-ten things to do in Pensacola? Watch a Blue Wahoos baseball game, of course! Following that is making sure you stop by the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. With that in mind, be sure to catch one of the Blue Angels Flight Shows, which take place every year in July. You can’t forget to take a tour of historical downtown Pensacola. Walk along the streets yourself, partake in a retro bus tour or cruise along on a Segway with a tour guide from Emerald Coast Tours.

Next on the list? Visit the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum and take in the incredible view of white sandy beaches and bright blue waters. Spend the day on Johnson Beach or venture over to Santa Rosa Island, the locals’ favorite beach hangout. Pensacola is littered with specialty and gift shops that you will love to visit. One of the best-kept secrets of the area is Beyond the Grape, a wine bar located in Cordova Mall.

Check out the full list of popular things to do in Pensacola and add them to your to-do list after moving to the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Downtown Pensacola Events in August!

If the hunt for Gulf Coast real estate has planted you in downtown Pensacola, congratulations! We know you will love your new home, not to mention all the awesome upcoming events you now have access to, including many this August.

You will always find great weekly events taking place near your real estate in Pensacola, including the Palafox Market, but late summer and early fall really kick off some great ones. The first is Summer Restaurant Week, hosted by the Great Southern Restaurants. These local dining hot spots are ones you will get to know well while living in your new home and this is a great chance to explore them.

Summer Restaurant Week takes place August 4-8, 2015 and features awesome three course menus from three different restaurants, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Atlas Oyster House and The Fish House. Cost is just $33 per person, per restaurant and offers a delicious tour of what each local chef has to offer. Some of the options include lobster with mascarpone Alfredo sauce, panhandle paella and slow roasted ribeye, along with choice appetizers and desserts.

Don’t miss out on this delicious way to explore your new city! We hope to see you out for Summer Restaurant Week in downtown Pensacola this August.

Upcoming Events at The Wharf

Owning Orange Beach or Gulf Shores real estate provides you ample opportunities for fun. This comes in the form of the beach family festivals, and of course, events at favorite area event venues such as the Wharf!

The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama is a great destination for shopping, dining and festivals, as well as concerts at the amphitheater. This late summer and very early fall there are several awesome events taking place, with one or two sure to make your ‘must-attend’ list.

The first is the Top of the Hops Beer Festival on August 15, 2015. This event will take place on the Marina Lawn and will feature over 150 craft brews located in various beer gardens. In addition to the tasting event, you will find educational seminars such as Cooking with Beer, Food Pairings and How to Brew Beer. There will also be live music and exciting games. Tickets are on sale now for $35.

Upcoming events at The Wharf Amphitheater include concerts from Alabama Shakes, with special guests  the Drive by Truckers on August 22, 2015. Tickets are still on sale for this show, as well as for the September 6 show from the legendary Alabama! If you own property in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, don’t let these nearby events pass you by. Get your tickets today!

Local Area Farmers’ Markets

There is a big trend in today’s world to shop local and handmade. And, if you have recently purchased Pensacola or Perdido Key real estate, you can easily get in on this fantastic movement at our local area markets.

If you own a home in downtown Pensacola, we highly encourage you to step out on Saturday morning and explore the Palafox Market. This local market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am-2pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox.

The Palafox Market offers a little something for every shopper, whether you’re looking for fresh produce or handmade goodies. Some items you can expect to see weekly are homegrown garden items, flowers, local meat and cheese, home goods and even antiques. You can even enjoy some music and munch on tasty morning treat from vendors.

If you happen to prefer real estate in Perdido Key, hit up their local farmers’ market before heading to your showings on Saturdays. Located at Baars Field on Gulf Beach Highway, this market opens at 8am and closed at 1pm. Here you will also find a wonderful variety of fresh produce, handmade goodies and treats to choose from, all from local makers and growers. We hope to see you out at these local markets this summer and fall!

Blue Marlin Championship this Weekend!

While you could take a break from shopping for Florida or Alabama real estate to hit up the Pensacola Beach Air show this weekend, some people prefer the sea over the air. If this sounds like you, head for Orange Beach and their biggest fishing tournament of the year!

The Blue Marlin Grand Championship has fast become known as one of the “greatest shows in sportfishing.” This is because it is a weekend packed with great events on land and at sea. Even if you don’t plan to or like to fish, you will still find a ton to do at The Wharf. In addition to great tournament events, you will also be near awesome shopping and dining at The Wharf.

Captain and crew events kick off today, July 7, with the official kickoff party taking place on July 8 at Bimini Bob’s. For those fishing, get ready to set sail on July 9 at noon with a special flare launch! Most trips are overnight, so those staying on land won’t get to enjoy the spectacular weigh-ins until Friday and Saturday evening at 7pm. This is arguably the most exciting portion of any tournament. Watch as boats come to shore and offload their amazing catches!

Don’t miss this fun Gulf Coast fishing tournament of the awesome Blue Marlin, Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo catches that each crew is sure to bring to shore. See you on the docks of The Wharf!

Have a Safe & Happy 4th!

Today is the day! On behalf of our Northwest Florida and Alabama real estate agents at Pointe South, we would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! Your plans are already set, and your days are sure to  be filled with good food, good fun and good company.

If at some point though, those plans involve fireworks and sparklers, we’d like to encourage you to review the National Council on Fireworks safety tips.

For starters, it is important to obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks. And if you plan to light some of your own, it is imperative that you read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting a flame.

While on the subject of creating your own display, remember not to experiment with homemade products and be mindful of your surroundings. Fireworks should only be used outdoors in a clear area, away from buildings, vehicles and homes in your neighborhood.

Blue Angels Air Show in Pensacola Beach

If you haven’t made plans to hit the sand on July 11 for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, forget about shopping for Pensacola Real Estate and hit the beach! If you have made plans to head out to Pensacola Beach for the show, let us give you a few tips on how to make the most of your day.

Our biggest tip is to go early! Not only does the beach get packed hours in advance of the 11am and 2pm shows, but parking is precious on this day. If you don’t score a parking spot at Casino Beach, the best viewing spot for the show, we also recommend parking at the east or west end of Santa Rosa Island and taking the trolley.

Another great tip is that you don’t necessarily have to be on the beach Saturday to catch a wonderful air show. If you simply can’t cancel that Perdido Key real estate showing, but want to see the boys in blue in action, just look up in the sky any time during the week. On July 8, after Breakfast with the Blues, the team will take to the skies to prep. On July 9 and 10, practice demonstrations will take place over the beach at 2pm.

No matter when you catch their beachfront aerial show, we hope to see you out supporting our hometown Blue Angels this July!