New Year’s Eve Along the Gulf Coast

Owning real estate on the Gulf Coast has some pretty nice perks. In addition to living by some of the world’s best beaches, you are also within moments of some of the best celebrations around, especially for holiday events such as New Year’s Eve.

If you own property on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, you’re in luck! You will find several great places to celebrate, including local restaurants and city celebrations. These include the 8:30pm countdown for family’s in downtown Fairhope before they shoot off fireworks at midnight. But, one of the best places to ring in the New Year in Coastal Alabama is without a doubt The Wharf in Orange Beach. Here you can enjoy family games and activities before the Marlin Drop and fireworks at midnight.

If you happen to own a home in Northwest Florida, you will also have several New Year’s Eve celebrations to choose from. If you would like to stay close to your home in Perdido Key, hit up the annual beach party at the Flora-Bama. In downtown Pensacola, they will be dropping the glass Pelican per tradition, along with the annual street party. We hope everyone enjoys a fun, safe New Year celebration!

Real Estate Resolutions

Are you considering selling your home in 2015? If so, we have outlined a few New Year’s Resolutions to live by for success in the Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama real estate market.

1. Appeal to Mobile Buyers – Research indicates that the majority of home searches begin on a smartphone or table. If you want to attract the right kind of buyer activity, consider looking to an agency like Pointe South to help you optimize your listing for mobile usage.

2. Make the Best Online Impression – Regardless of source, the key thing to note is that most searches begin online. With the internet acting as a buyer’s first impression, it is important that your home is listed completely. This includes photos, a description and accurate data that will encourage them to inquire.

3. Don’t Hire Just Any Agent – Lastly, hire the best possible agent who will help maximize the exposure of your home and show buyer all of its potential. Keep in mind that the right agent is often the difference between a house that sells and a house that sits.

Our Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama real estate agents at Pointe South can help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar. Not only do they know the area, but they know the industry and how to cater to your needs.

Restaurants Open on Christmas near Pensacola

It’s almost Christmas which means cooking a big meal with friends and family, lots of dishes and a ton of leftovers, right? Well, if you would rather keep the kitchen of your Pensacola home or real estate in Perdido Key sparkling and let someone else cook, we are here to help.

We totally understand if doing another turkey, ham, pan of dressing and all the sides sounds less than appealing, especially since you undoubtedly cooked all that up less than a month ago for Thanksgiving. So, why not let someone else handle the cooking. How nice would it be to get open, open presents, go out for a great meal and then simple lounge around? No prep and no dishes, just joyous relaxation with your loved ones.

So, who will actually be serving Christmas dinner? Several restaurants in Pensacola will throw open their doors to welcome locals and visitors. These includes delicious options such as Jackson’s Steakhouse and The Fish House. Both will be open at 5pm and serving a delicious dinner. If you feel like throwing together on of your favorite sides, consider attending the potluck dinner at the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key. They will provide the meat and lunch begins at 1pm!

Pointe South Volunteers with Operation Homefront

The Pointe South Residential Leasing team enjoyed a wonderful day at Pensacola Naval Air Station on Tuesday, December 9th as part of Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive. Along with a few other volunteers, Pointe South helped to distribute toys to Military children in need.

Operation Homefront a national nonprofit that leads more than 2,500 volunteers who provide emergency and financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. From baby showers and food drives to fundraisers, the organization offers an array of events to help support our military and their family members.

For many, the toy drive helped make Christmas possible, a truly rewarding experience for our Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama property managers to witness. While at Pensacola NAS, the team helped greet, register and distribute toys to children of all ages.

All in all we would have to say it was a day well spent and thank each one of you for all your hard work representing Pointe South as well as you do. Looking forward to the next time!

Pointe South Long Term Rentals

Are you looking for a long term rental along the Gulf Coast, or are you interested in renting your property long term? You are in luck! Our experienced group of property managers will be happy to assist you.

The even better news is now you can officially search our long term rentals and property management services here as you peruse real estate and investment opportunities in Pensacola, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope. The rental management page can still be found online at PointeSouth.com, but now you have access to same information as you shop around, deciding whether you want to rent, buy or invest.

Pointe South Residential Leasing has the staff, resources and expertise to service your Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama long term rental needs. Whether you are a prospective tenant looking for the best property to suit your lifestyle or an owner looking for assistance to manage the day-to-day operations and increase your ROI, our Gulf Coast rental management team is happy to help.

Stop by one of our offices today or call 850.492.2600 to begin the process of letting us work for you.

Gulf Coast Holiday Events

Whether you own Gulf Coast real estate or are just here visiting for the holidays, there are many Christmas events taking place in the area that you won’t want to miss.

One of the best, and easiest, places to get into the holiday spirit has to be at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Here you can visit with Santa, enjoy festive holiday light shows each evening at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm, and enjoy a horse and carriage ride throughout the shopping center. You can even partake in ice skating during your Alabama beach vacation!

Another great activity to enjoy during your vacation to Alabama’s Gulf Coast are our lighted parades. If you happen to own a home in Gulf Shores or will be on vacation near there on December 13, be sure to visit LuLu’s restaurant to watch as the local fishing fleet, with decks decked out for the season, sail through Homeport Marina. No matter where you choose to celebrate, we hope you are having a happy holiday season!

Reasons to Buy During the Holidays

Have you been in the market to buy a home for sale in Pensacola? Maybe a condo in Perdido Key is on your Christmas wishlist. Whatever it is you have been thinking about, now could be the perfect time to take action.

So, why should you add real estate shopping to your to you December to-do list? Well, for starters home prices in December are historically lower than in any other month. Additionally mortgage rates are hovering around the 4 percent range which is still significantly lower than in years past. And just to put this in perspective, did you know that if rates increase by a single percentage point, your purchasing power is reduced by more than 10 percent?

If you need another reason to buy this December, consider the tax savings. Closing before December 31st on a home is definitely one way to reduce your tax bill, build equity and save yourself a significant amount of money.

Are you convinced that now is the time to buy? Contact our Pointe South real estate agents today to find a home before the holidays!

New Development in Orange Beach

If you are looking for adventure, fun and relaxation, Orange Beach, Alabama is where you will find it. For years Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have remained a little-known vacation treasure, but more and more families are discovering the 32 miles of soft sandy white beaches lined with luxurious high and mid rise condominiums.

With that in mind, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival and proposal of the newest development to hit the area. Pushing for a January 12 presentation date, Nathan Cox of Bellator Real Estate and Development and architect, Forrest Daniell are waiting to submit complex details until some things are finalized and to make sure that everything is “buttoned up prior to moving forward” with their plans for Ascension and Grace Towers in Orange Beach.

The proposed towers are expected to be between 35 and 36 stories near the downtown area at the focal site of Orange Beach (at the end of 161 and 182) and contain a total of 278 new units.

So far there’s no plan as to whether or not it will be a hotel or condominum complex in Orange Beach, guess we will all have to wait and see come January. But don’t let that stop you from exploring our Orange Beach vacation rentals and real estate opportunities. There’s still plenty to choose from!

Ice Skating at The Wharf in Orange Beach

Just because you are now living in a Gulf Coast home or have retreated to the beach for your holiday vacation doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite traditions.

Some family favorites are out of the question, such as skiing and building snowman. Ice skating? That we can help you with! Just make your way over to The Wharf in Orange Beach.

The Wharf rink is now open and will welcome guests until the middle of January. Pack your skates or get yours free. They are included with the $10 skate fee, which earns you two hours looping around the ice. The rink is open everyday from 10am to midnight.

Want to get a sky high view of the area on the Ferris Wheel while there? It’s just $2 more when you skate. Grab your friends and family, and a good pair of mittens, and hit the skating rink at The Wharf in Orange Beach this winter!

Listing Your Home Over the Holidays

The holiday season from November through January is often considered the worst time to sell your home. But that does not mean you should scrap your plans for selling your home this year. The truth is that winter months can be just as productive as the summer months and even give your Perdido Key real estate a little bit of an edge over the competition.

The thought has always been that families are less inclined to move during the holidays. After all, the kids are settled and who really wants to dampen the spirit of the season with the stress of a move? However, a new winter listing is surrounded by a pool of serious buyers and less competition.

According to Zillow, buyers in the early winter months are even more motivated to find a home because there is less to be distracted by. So, let those current homeowners who believe the age-old adage hibernate and take advantage of a market with less inventory.

Ready to commit to the challenge? Look to the expertise of a Pointe South real estate agent who will go above and beyond to get your home sold so that you can enjoy the season.