Military Move-In Special!

We have good news for all those searching long term rentals in Pensacola, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Fairhope and Mobile. Our Military move-in special is officially back in action! Starting today, all active duty military member and their families looking for homes in the area can apply for FREE!

That’s right, the standard $50 application fee has been waived on all rentals from now until May 31, 2015. To apply, all you have to do is search our rentals online, choose the home you are interested in and submit an application. We will take care of the rest.

And if you are looking for homes and rentals in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Crestview, don’t worry – the special applies there as well. Just head on over to SouthernResidentialLeasing.com to peruse the rest of our Northwest Florida long term rentals.

In the grand scheme of things, it is just a small way for our Gulf Coast property management team to give thanks and show our appreciation for the brave men and women who serve our country. For more information about our rentals, our team or our services, give us a call today at 850.492.2600.

Spring Concerts at The Wharf

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Owning Gulf Coast real estate near some of the biggest beach tourism destinations has it’s advantages. Yes, our beaches may be a little crowded, but the area also draws big names in entertainment, perfect to enjoy at our many venues this spring.

One such awesome venue is The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach. If you own real estate in Alabama be sure to catch one of these terrific shows. Coming to the stage this week is Boston who will be bringing special guests Kansas along to perform in this wonderful open air venue. On May 8, another classic performer will hit the stage – John Fogerty who is bringing his 1969 Tour!

If these shows are playing a little too imminently for you, be sure to check out those coming later this month such as Widespread Panic and May 22. If you rather sway to the sounds of something a little more beachy, then be sure to get tickets for May 23 when The Beach Boys & American take the stage for Memorial Day! Or, wait to get your tickets for Dave Matthews Band, appearing on June 2.

Want to make a weekend out of your concert experience? Call our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals and ask about condo deals near Orange Beach!

Moving Into Your New Place

iStock_000001559393LargeAfter waiting weeks for the keys to your new long term rental in Pensacola, you probably want to treat yourself (and your new home) to something nice. If that’s the case, here are some relatively quick home improvement tips that you’ll likely be happy with:

Tackle practical problems first. Before you ask: “Where’s the fun in that?” Well, think about the impact that little things such as leaky faucets, window treatments and appliances can have on your daily life.

Our Northwest Florida property managers at Pointe South by Southern also recommend detailing next. Your new space deserves a deep clean, and while done professionally before you move-in, why not take advantage of an empty space and hire someone to make it really shine?

Just starting the real estate shopping? Contact an agent or manager at Pointe South to help you find the right place.

For Sale at Grand Caribbean in Perdido Key

RearHave you vacationed with Pointe South by Southern Vacation Rentals before? What about in a Grand Caribbean condo in Perdido Key, Florida?

If so, we don’t doubt that your vacation left you wanting just a little bit more. How could it not? With incredible community amenities such as onsite pools, beach access and picnic areas the only question we have in mind is what’s taking you so long to pull the trigger?

If it’s because you haven’t found the right unit, look no further. We have just the place for you! Recently listed by Broker/Owner, Susan Carleton, unit 307 in Grand Caribbean West is ready and waiting. The one bedroom condo comes rental-ready with built-in bunks for additional sleeping. Not only is this the only one bedroom unit on the market, but it’s one of the few with Gulf Views.

Contact Susan today for more information on this and other Perdido Key real estate listings. Just make sure to reference MLS #480159.

Spring Vacation Rental Deals

Thinking of buying or selling real estate on the Gulf Coast? Take advantage of the condo and beach home specials from our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals and hit the beach for a little house shopping!

Whether you want to hit the beach to shop for your next home or investment property at the beach, or simple want to hit the sand for a few days, our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals can help. They run a variety of monthly specials and discounts for special events, as well as individual property deals, that can help you score an awesome rate on your weekend getaway or family trip this summer.

Right now, get away with Pointe South before the end of April and save up to 30% on a condo or beach home in Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and the Coastal Alabama communities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope. Rather hit the shores in May? We’ve got great deals on stays through May 22 allowing you 25% off select rentals.

Don’t miss these hot spring vacation rental deals. Call now to book your vacation to the shores of Northwest Florida and Alabama’s Gulf Coast!

Check Out a Blue Wahoos Game!

Blue WahoosIt’s spring and that means it’s time to head out to the Pensacola Bayfront Stadium and cheer on your Pensacola Blue Wahoos! If you own a home on the Gulf Coast, make the short drive to this stadium to enjoy a family-friendly fun day!

The Pensacola Wahoos, which have been named in honor of the popular fish that deep sea anglers in our area are undoubtedly familiar with, is a minor league baseball team and a feeder of the Cincinnati Reds. The Wahoos have called the Gulf Coast home for a couple of years now, so if you have been too busy buying or selling Pensacola real estate to catch a game, be sure to check them out. It’s a blast and the temps are perfect in the spring.

While the Wahoos may be a minor league team, there is nothing minor league about the games! Community Maritime Park holds nearly 5,000 people meaning you can enjoy a big league event with a lot of small town charm, not to mention some delicious food and beverages, including locally brewed beer with your hot dog! Purchase your Pensacola Wahoos tickets and catch a game while living in Pensacola, Florida.

NARPM Pensacola Luncheon

iStock_000018477573MediumAt Pointe South by Southern, we try to give our owners, tenants, clients and guests the best of both worlds when it comes to small company service and attention and big company systems, technology and marketing.

Our team is dedicated to keeping current on market trends so that you can sit back and relax. In order to do so, our property management team at Southern attends different meetings, webinars on a national and communal level.

Most recently our residential leasing staff attended the National Association of Residential Property Managers luncehon in Pensacola. Hosted by Brian Birdy, our Gulf Coast property manager learned the importance of different marketing and advertising techniques to help keep your property rented and tenants happy.

Contact us today to learn more about our property management team, our long term leasing services and what all we can do for your Gulf Coast rental.

Real Estate Pricing Guide

Picture1 (2)If you are a real estate agent in Orange Beach, Perdido Key or Pensacola Beach you are likely asked, “How should I price my home?” That may sound silly to you and you may be thinking not too high, not too low, just right… Right?

Pricing a home is harder than it appears. There’s always a little more strategy to it than you would think, and one very big factor always comes into play: market conditions.

Home prices are up. Mortgage rates are low and housing supply is stretched thin. It’s safe to say we’re in a tight market. In this case, history tells us to price low and spark a bidding war, but REALTOR.com‘s recent study suggests pricing a home higher might end up selling even higher.

The study performed by the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization relates it to a physiological tendency called “anchoring.” For example, if we find jeans with an $80 price tag marked down 20%, we think it’s a steal even if another store sells jeans at $60.

It’s an interesting theory, with some caveats of course, but in the end up it’s to the seller.

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

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If you own a home in Foley or will be shopping real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast this May, be sure to stop in to the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival! Now in its’ eleventh year, this is a favorite festival for visitors and locals alike.

Stop in to the festival either Friday or Saturday evening beginning May 1, 2015 to head up, up and away – well, almost. Grab a bird’s eye view yourself or simple watch as the multitude of hot air balloons treat festival goers to tethered rides 25 feet in the air. There are a limited number of rides available so purchase yours early!

In addition to the tethered rides and aerial demonstrations that will take place all weekend, there will also be a wonderful carnival for adults and kids to enjoy. The weekend also features live entertainment each afternoon, as well as arts, crafts, delicious food and a petting zoo. Oh, and since it is crawfish season here on the Gulf Coast, you can also head over to the boil to purchase a plate of yummy crawfish! See you at the festival grounds near the Tanger Outlets the first weekend of May.

The Flora-Bama Mullet Toss in Perdido Key

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We are just two weeks from the annual Mullet Toss at the Flora-Bama Lounge, taking place near our Gulf Coast real estate sales office in Perdido Key. If you live in Orange Beach or along the shores of Northwest Florida, you know this is a must-attend event!

If you have recently purchased a home on the Gulf Coast and are not familiar with this fun event, let us tell you a little about it. First, it has nothing to do with that once-popular (and maybe still popular) bad hairstyle men in the South sometimes sport. It does have everything to do with throwing a slimy fish from the beaches of Florida across the state line into Alabama.

Yes, this is a fish throwing event. Grab your friends and head out to the Flora-Bama where you will find people not only tossing mullet, but also enjoying the ‘Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party’ which will feature live music, delicious food and great drinks. Dance and dine until it’s your turn to stand in the 10-foot circle and try your hand at throwing your dead fish the farthest!

So, while most of this event is just for fun and somewhat ridiculous, it also benefits great local charities throughout our community. In fact, a portion of the fish-tossing fees charged will be donated to local youth charities that support drug and alcohol education. The Flora-Bama Mullet Toss event kicks off on April 24 and goes each day throughout the weekend. We hope to see you out there and good luck flinging that fish!