Navy Federal to Create Jobs in Pensacola

Palafox Pier smallThe 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!

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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

Wine Tasting at Pointe South Real Estate“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. If you are interested in upcoming news, events and promotions like this one, sign up for our email blast on Pointe South Facebook page.

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

iStock_000020499093Medium-347x459Money 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.

Thanksgiving Vacation Deals from Pointe South

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Are you wondering where you are going to put your in-laws and other family members when they visit you in your new Gulf Coast home this Thanksgiving? Let Pointe South help!

Our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals just released a wonderful sale that will be your salvation this holiday season. No more nieces and nephews running through your halls or well-meaning in-laws storming your kitchen. Send them all to the beach!

No, really. When you reserve five nights in a 4+ bedroom vacation rental for Thanksgiving, Pointe South will give you two more nights FREE! If you don’t need that much space, don’t worry. You can still save. Their 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms condos are 15% off for that week, too. Call now and reserve your family’s perfect holiday getaway to the beaches of Northwest Florida or Coastal Alabama!

Visit the Gulf Coast & Save!

Take a break from your everyday and hit the beaches this October. If you have stepped outside your home in Northwest Florida or recently purchased real estate in southern Alabama, then you know how wonderful the weather is these days.

You might be saying “But, I don’t live at the beach!” No problem! Our friends over at Pointe South Vacation Rentals want to help you enjoy a terrific stay-cation in one of their beautiful Gulf Coast condo or home rentals with their latest sale. Book an October getaway and enjoy up to 25% off your stay!

Get the family together, leave the homework at home and enjoy a couple of days back on the sand, splashing in the emerald waters of the Gulf. Be sure to check out the Gulf Coast event calendar and partake in the family-friendly events coming up, as well. These include the Perdido Key Pirate Festival, the Alabama Festival of Flavor and more. See you on the beach!

Perdido Key Gets “Tanked!”

Perdido Key2Have 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 Perdido Key vacation rental. 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!

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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. If you do not already live in Perdido Key or nearby Orange Beach, consider a condo rental from Pointe South Vacation Rentals and don’t miss this exciting festival on the Gulf Coast!

Fall Decorations for Your Home

PumpkinFall is officially here and with it comes Halloween, Thanksgiving and a few other festive holidays that provide the perfect excuse to decorate your Perdido Key condo. Don’t worry, we are not just talking about cobwebs and plastic ghouls to create a spooky vibe, we are thinking this is the year to take a more elegant approach to Halloween decor that can last the entire harvest season.

So, how do you decorate your home for the fall season? Consider bringing nature indoors. As the weather cools down and you spend more time inside, bring outdoor elements in to help represent the season. Branches, wheat sheaves and dried flowers are all elegant additions that you can buy at your local craft store.

You could also decorate with food elements such as, pumpkins, butternut squash and even curly-leaved greens. After all, just because your mother said not to play with your food does not mean you can’t decorate with it…

Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. No matter how you decorate your guests, trick-or-treaters, family and friends are bound to be impressed. For more household tips and tricks, from decorating and staging to real estate sales, contact our experts agents at Pointe South.