Pensacola Named Rising Star by TripAdvisor

You PB-Paradise-IIknow that feeling you get when you’re a big fan of something before it takes off and gets really popular? That’s kind of how we feel about owning real estate in Pensacola Beach. Apparently, TripAdvisor’s FlipKey feels the same way.

The popular vacation rental booking engine shared a list of vacation rental destinations that are about to launch into the “stratosphere.” The data, based on web traffic in 2014 – 2015, highlights the places with 500% growth. And the good news is, Pensacola Beach is one of them.

With 700% growth, Pensacola Beach has edged out tens of thousands competing areas, simply because vacationing in Pensacola Beach is awesome. Take it from us (we live here) when we say that the activities are endless. From boating and fishing to dining and shopping, you can’t go wrong with a stay in this b-e-a-utiful area! Did you notice we didn’t even have to mention how incredibly gorgeous the water is and soft the sand is?

Ready to stay along our emerald shores? Southern Vacation Rentals can help you find the perfect little beach house of your dreams to stay and play for the week. If you want to make your trip last longer than a week, give our agents a call. They’ll be happy to find you a beach home or condo for sale in Pensacola Beach!

Taste of the Beach in Pensacola!

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Even if you already own real estate near Pensacola Beach, call us today and book yourself a little stay-cation in a Gulf Coast condo or home rental for Taste of the Beach weekend. This is an incredible event and you will want to be near all the action!

Taste of the Beach is an annual event that welcomes chefs, many you know from television, to our shores for demonstrations, seminars, and of course, plenty of food tastings! It doesn’t matter what type of cuisine you prefer, this event offers a little something for everyone.

Seafood, steak and good southern eats will all be available in abundance, as well as much more. And, during the Pensacola Beach Taste of the Beach event, you get the opportunity to taste the best of what this delicious community has to offer, fresh from our local chefs.

This annual event will take place September 18-19 at Casino Beach and feature our best local chef’s and restaurants. Enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef, John Besh. Plan your vacation in Pensacola Beach now and we will see you at Taste of the Beach!

New Listing in Perdido Key at Marseilles

486638-1Your search for the perfect beach condo is over. This beautifully furnished, well-appointed residence at Marseilles offers incredible views from every room. Enticed?

Recently listed by Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, the Perdido Key condo listing offers four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and a world of upgrades. In like new condition, interior features include everything from custom cabinetry and window treatments to beautiful tile floors and a spacious balcony that offers sweeping views of the Gulf.

Interior upgrades are only eclipsed by the complex’s lavish on-site amenities. With a reputation for luxury, the gated community of Marseilles only offers 28 residences and 2 buildings. Amenities include a gulf-front outdoor pool and spa, indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room and fitness facility. Rental restrictions only add to the condo’s high-end and exclusive feel.

Ready to explore the possibilities of ownership? Contact Susan Carleton today for more information on this gorgeous residence, or to sell condos for sale in Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach or the surrounding areas.

Orange Beach & Fairhope Top Most Beautiful Towns List

Untitled-1Have 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 Southern 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

iStock_000020499093Medium-347x459Are 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!

Apply to be Our Real Estate Sales Manager!

Untitled-11Great things are happening at Southern Real Estate Sales! Our phones are ringing off the hook and our agents are listing homes and condos for sale in Perdido Key, Pensacola, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores daily. There’s so much to do, we have decided to create a position to oversee our operations here, and with our friends over at RE/MAX Southern and Southern Real Estate in the east.

In addition to hiring agents, we’re looking for a Real Estate Sales Manager to join the Southern Family of Companies. He or she will be managing the day-to-day operations within our real estate division with a primary focus in establishing our TigerLead teams.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, check out our “Career Opportunities” page for information on available positions and how to apply. Keep in mind, we’re always looking for quality people to join our team. Call 850.269.5600 today to see how we can advance your career in real estate!

Southern Management Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.

The Wharf Uncorked in Orange Beach

uncorkedlogoTake 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. Whether you are staying in a Gulf Coast vacation rental or are a resident of the area, this is surely an event you will not want to miss!

For more information about the event visit The Wharf Uncorked website.

PRICE REDUCED: Mediterranean in Perdido Key

FrontAre you a savvy real estate investor looking for a new condo or home in the area? If so, you may want to add this incredible, gulf front condo for sale in Perdido Key to your shopping list.

Currently on program with leading Gulf Coast vacation rental management company, Southern Vacation Rentals, this four bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom condo is truly spectacular to say the least. From the lavish furnishings to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer incredible views of Ono Island, Ole River and the Gulf of Mexico, this condo is perfect for investors and guests alike.

The floor plan is spacious, open and lined with beautiful travertine floors. Throughout the space, take note of the elegant finishes that help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. This includes the granite counters in the kitchen, stoned tile shower and 10-foot ceilings. One the greatest features of this condo is the 1400 square foot balcony that overlooks the Gulf – an absolute must-see!

Building on the unit’s incredible interior features are fabulous resort amenities including an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness room and parlor.

Ready to make this unit yours? Contact Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton today for more information on this recently reduced condo at Mediterranean in Perdido Key!

Top Ten Things to Do in Pensacola, Florida

Wahoo StadiumIf 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.

Tax Free Weekend in Florida & Alabama

It’s that time of year again! The summer season is coming to an end and that means you have to head home and get the kids ready for the start of another school year. We know what you’re thinking – it’s going to be hard to leave the incredible views of your Orange Beach vacation rental to shop for school supplies – but there is some good news. This weekend is a tax-free holiday in Florida and Alabama!

Are you ready to hit the stores, now? Before you do, here’s what you need to know:

FLORIDA: The 2015 back-to-school tax holiday will begin on Friday, August 7 and last will last until Sunday, August 16. Tax-free items include clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less per item, and certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item. See a complete list of tax-free items during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday in Florida.

ALABAMA: The 10th annual sales tax holiday kicks off on Friday, August 7 and ends at midnight on Sunday, August 9. Similar to Florida, clothing items must be under $100, but certain school supplies under $50 are potentially exempt. See a complete list of tax-free items during the August Sales Tax Holiday in Alabama.

For more information on each state’s tax free week/end(s), visit the individual state revenue websites.