October 2014 Monthly Market Reports

Recent reports released by the National Association of Realtors indicate that September home sales have reached a level higher than one year ago. This is the first time that real estate sales have surpassed numbers set in 2013.

The trend has not only carried through October but into the Pensacola and Perdido Key real estate markets. In a nutshell, October’s monthly activity in Pensacola Beach has resulted in 16 more home sales than in 2013, increasing from nine to twenty-five. Likewise Perdido Key saw a substantial increase of 8 more home sales than the previous year.

To better gauge where home sales stand in your local area, we have compiled data from the Pensacola Association of Realtors’ office. Please keep in mind that data has been taken by the MLS and deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

For more specific information about real estate trends and the value of your home, contact one of our Pointe South real estate agents. Their knowledge, resources and commitment will help you smoothly navigate the real estate process, whether you are in the market to buy or sell.

The Foo Foo Fest in Pensacola

Want to have a little fun near your home in Pensacola? Head out for the Foo Foo Fest! Not sure what this new event is all about? No problem.

Basically, the Foo Foo Fest is twelve days of fun as we celebrate the best ‘culturally creative’ happenings in Pensacola. There are over 20 events during this almost two week festival, ensuring there is something for every member of your family to enjoy. Events include the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow, “Divas” presented by the Pensacola Ballets, the Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival and more.

Needless to say, it is a great time to own Pensacola real estate or even to vacation in Pensacola Beach. The festival kicks off on November 6 and lasts until November 17. Choose your favorite event, whether that’s the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Pensacola Marathon, or Jerry Seinfeld at the Saenger Theatre, and we will see you out for Foo Foo Fest!

Welcome Home the Blue Angels!

The Blue Angels are an aerial treat that delights both visitors and residents of the Gulf Coast. And, next weekend, we welcome them home to Pensacola for their final shows of the 2014 season.

Make plans now to venture from your home in Pensacola, or other real estate on the Gulf Coast, to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation for the Blue Angels Homecoming Show. This event will take place November 7-9 and is fun for the entire family.

This free event will kickoff each day at 9am, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at about 2pm. There will be a variety of aircraft flying each day, as well as planes on the ground that can be toured and explored. The show will also feature a kids zone, food and beverages ensuring your family can spend the entire day enjoying the event.

Pack your chairs and blankets and head out for the show. We hope to see you out to welcome our favorite aerial demonstration team home!

Navy Federal to Create Jobs in Pensacola

The Pointe South real estate team recently toured Navy Federal in Pensacola and learned a lot about their available loan programs and of things to come in the future. This includes the creation of 5,000 jobs in the greater Pensacola area.

That is right, with less than a week left in a close election, Governor Rick Scott made an announcement that will affect the well-being on the entire Panhandle. Navy Federal Credit Union is investing $350 million to expand its operations and create 2,000 new jobs in Pensacola by 2016 and the additional 5,000 by the year 2020.

According to the Governor, “because of companies like Navy Federal, we have created 651,300 private sector jobs since December 2010, and we will continue working hard to create jobs…” This is the largest expansion Pensacola has seen thus far and it signifies the strength of the credit union. Currently, Navy Federal has 5.2 million plus members and over 3,800 employees, and as numbers continue to grow it is important to have well equipped players to provide the support each customer deserves.

This is promising news not only for the credit union, but for families and members of the community, as well as the Pensacola real estate market.

Halloween at The Hangout!

If you are craving a spooky experience this Halloween head over to The Hangout, located near your home in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. A tradition on the Gulf Coast, this is your destination for a scary good time!

Halloween tends to be a family-friendly event along the beaches of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama. This event is no different. Terror on the Gulf at The Hangout is a terrific experience for the entire family. The adults will enjoy creeping through the haunted house, while the kids will adore their toned down version.

Don’t be scared. Make your way out to Gulf Shores from your home on the Gulf Coast this Thursday or Friday to experience Cabin Fear, the theme of this year’s event. The haunted experience is open from 7-10pm and live music will entertain you from the Mermaid Stage as you wait for your chance to have a spook-tacular time. Happy Halloween!

Wine Tasting at Pointe South

“Home is where the wine is,” well, this is not always true, but it was the case for the Pointe South Real Estate office this past week. No, it was not because the day had been particularly stressful, but merely because we wanted another excuse to spend some quality time with our clients and other Pensacola real estate agents.

At Pointe South we are fortunate to have an incredible group of realtors that work hard to exceed our clients’ and associates’ expectations. It is not simply a matter of helping you find or list your home, but rather building a relationship so that we can provide you and your property with the best possible service.

So this past week we invited our realtors, friends and business associates over to our main office location in Perdido Key for a one-of-a-kind, wine tasting event hosted by Cellar 54. For those of you who don’t know, Cellar 54 specializes in personalized and custom designed wine labels as well as personalized boutique and estate wines from all over the world. Our rep provided over 22 different wines for our family and friends to taste as we gathered around the office.

We had a blast and want to thank everyone who was able to join us.

Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Fest

One of our favorite fall events is coming up soon. And, it’s an especially great festival to attend if you own real estate in Northwest Florida or a Coastal Alabama home as it lasts 11 days.

We are speaking, of course, of the Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival. This musical event is easy to enjoy no matter where you live along the Gulf Coast. While the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key may act as the central hub of the festival, performance venues include locations in Pensacola Beach, downtown Pensacola, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

The songwriters’ festival welcomes acclaimed writers, many Grammy winners who have penned some of your favorite tunes over the years. You will also have the chance to preview future hit-makers as they perform on the various stages of the Gulf Coast venues. Come out and help celebrate the 30th anniversary of this wonderful local event, taking place November 6-16, 2014!

Real Estate Agents and Finances

Money is sensitive subject. How much we earn and how much we owe is information we prefer to keep close to the vest. So, what do you do when you are ready to buy a condo in Perdido Key? And how much does your real estate agent really need to know?

The truth is there really is no need to worry. The client/agent relationship is vested in privacy, this includes the intimate details of your personal finances. Real estate agents don’t expect you to disclose everything, and they don’t need you to either. All they need is the bottom line, that is your overall situation to help you find a home within your budget.

An agent’s job is to negotiate a home purchase on your behalf, covering everything from home values to neighborhood features. Home financing is a separate issue from the home search and rests in the hands of your mortgage lender. They are the ones who will need access to your recent pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. Your Realtor needs your lender-generated preapproval letter.

If you have more questions about buying a home, contact our real estate agents at Pointe South. Our professionals will be happy to help you navigate the process until you have found that perfect place to call home.

Perdido Key Gets “Tanked!”

Have you recently visited the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce? If so, you have probably already seen the impressive 403-gallon aquarium floating around the Visitor’s Center.

Well, that is the work of Animal Planet’s bickering brother-in-laws. This past May, the cast of “Tanked” arrived in full force ready to design a state-of-the-art pirate-themed aquarium. Among the exotic fish, this ecosystem includes gold coins, a pirate ship and other items that pay homage to Perdido Key and the local area.

If you have not been able to see this tank first-hand, do not worry, now is your chance to do so and you do not even have to leave your home. You may just want to make sure that a television is nearby…

Friday, October 17, you can watch Brett and Wayde live in action as they create an “over-the-top bed tank that will make [you] want to sleep with the fishes.” The show is set to air at 9pm central time, do not miss your chance to see this incredible display!

Perdido Key Pirate Fest!

Ride the high seas to Perdido Key this October in time for the annual pirate festival! Whether you own real estate in Northwest Florida or are just visiting, we know you and your entire family will have a blast at this favorite local event!

The Pirates of the Lost Treasure, a local Mardi Gras Krewe, will descend upon Big Lagoon State Park October 25 and 26. Come out and enjoy pirate games, kids’ activities and even a treasure hunt through the park. Find the pirates booty and you can enjoy a treasure trove of goodies including lodging and restaurant gift certificates, as well as deals on local attractions and activities.

This event will also mark and help celebrate the airing of the Pirate Ship Fish Tank, built and featured on Animal Planet’s TANKED, which will air one week prior to the pirate event.