June 2013 Monthly Market Report

As the Real Estate market along the Florida Gulf Coast continues to change and flourish, our Team at Pointe South Real Estate Sales will keep you informed.

Of the 151 brokerages in the Pensacola MLS, Pointe South Real Estate was 10th for the month of June with over $6.5 million in sales!

Contact us for our  June 2013 Monthly Market Reports for additional information on Sold properties:

MLS Active Listing Count Monthly Market Report

Perdido Key Pensacola Beach MLS
1/2/2013 160 228 3214
2/4/2013 161 231 3227
3/1/2013 164 228 3205
4/1/2013 153 238 3321
5/1/2013 160 238 3253
5/31/2013 158 241 3336

Our door is always open to discuss property values, the current market and any questions you may have so stop by our office or contact us today.

A Final Home Inspection Walk Through is a Must!

A final home inspection walk through is the last step to purchasing your new home before going to the closing table.  The purpose of this walk through is to ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you agreed to purchase it.  Pointe South wants all of our buyers to be completely satisfied with their new home so we recommend making this a priority and setting the time aside, even in the rush and excitement of moving.

Prior to the final walk through a professional inspection should have been completed.  Once an inspection is complete, a report will be provided to the buyers with the inspectors recommendations.  At this time, all questions and request for repairs should be deliberated and resolved in a suitable time frame. There is no need to postpone repairs as they can interfere with the closing date.   A list of requested repairs should be brought to the final home inspection walk through to ensure the repairs were done.  This will allow the buyers to preview the home in move in condition.   Addressing all questions in advance will make closing day stress-free and anticipated by everyone.

There are times that last minute concerns or devastating problems will arise.   These circumstances are rare but are why a final home inspection is recommended whether the home is still full of stuff or has been vacant. Other than a devastating problem, last minute concerns will be immediately handled and closing will continue as scheduled.  If the home has been vacant, a very thorough walk through is needed to double check that all utilities and appliances work.  Natural elements, dormancy, and weather can cause deterioration in even the best built homes.  If the home has been occupied, it is equally important to conduct the walk through even though most buyers assume that all is working properly.  The ideal time for the final walk through is 24 hours before closing but in the event that the sellers are moving out last minute, a final walk through should be done just before closing.

Your new property will either be the home you live in for years to come or an investment that you will want to hold value for years to come.  Pointe South is here to represent your best interest and as your gulf coast realtor, a final home inspection walk through is a must!

May 2013 Monthly Market Report

As the Real Estate market along the Florida Gulf Coast continues to change and flourish, our Team at Pointe South Real Estate Sales will keep you informed.

MLS Active Listing Count Monthly Market Report

Perdido Key Pensacola Beach MLS
1/2/2013 160 228 3214
2/4/2013 161 231 3227
3/1/2013 164 228 3205
4/1/2013 153 238 3321
5/1/2013 160 238 3253

We would love to discuss property values, the current market and any questions you may have so contact us today.

Gulf Red Snapper Season

The time is here that Florida gulf coast residents and vacationers have been waiting for, Gulf Red Snapper season!  This season has been the talk of the area for the past few months and is awaited by many.  Local charter captains were scheduling and booking in advance and recreational divers said the reef fish were abundant.

The season started for both state and federal waters on June 1st.  The state water harvest will be open for 44 days through July 14th where the federal water harvest will only be open for 26 days through June 26th.  The Red Snapper must be a minimum of 16 inches in total length and only 2 snapper may be kept per person per day.

As the season is now mid-stream, anglers are showcasing their prize catches everywhere.  The world record for the Red Snapper is 50 lbs. 4 oz. and was caught in Belle Pass Marina, Louisiana.

For more information on fishing, boating, and licenses and permits for our Florida waters, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Considering Selling Your Own Home?

We all know the process selling a house, so are you considering selling your own home?  It’s easy, just buy a sign for the front yard and start advertising.  Well sometimes it is just not that easy.  Our day to day lives interfere with the time that we should be dedicating to marketing and maintaining our home.  And is the local market in our favor?

With an infinite amount of information on the internet and social media, we understand the temptation of giving it a try; however the National Association of Realtors reports that homes For Sale By Owner only made up 9% of home sales in 2012.  The most common marketing methods for these homes were putting up a yard sign followed by listing the home on the internet.   Realtors not only have their professional and referral network connections but they utilize the new technology along with the old.  And most importantly, your home is their priority.  Realtors dedicate their time to ensuring that your home has the largest reach of potential buyers.

After the decision has been made by owners to sale their own home, the next two concerns are the value of their home and the paperwork.  Realtors provide Comparable Market Analysis, based off current listings and sales in your area, to ensure an accurate value.  They also can offer you some simple staging tips and guide you in the right decision if you are pondering repairs or upgrades prior to putting your home on the market.

Mentioning repairs, these and other requests will be negotiated at the time of an offer.  Making changes to your home may not necessarily be in your favor so wait to see what type of interest you receive and what your potential buyers are looking for.  Your Realtor will inform you of common and acceptable requests of a buyer and review every aspect of a contract with you.  Every location and every home is different so the contracts and required document vary just the same.  Having a professional on your side will make this process smooth and timely.

Let an expert provide you the facts.  Your Realtor will offer you valuable information that will save you not only time, but give you the comfort of knowing you have made good decisions for your family and your investment.  With Realtors licensed in both Florida and Alabama, know our door is always open to discuss property values, the current market and any questions you may have about listing your home or investment property for sale!

Sinking of the LuLu

Traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway as the sun ascents over the horizon is only the beginning of the end to this journey.  Reaching its coordinates, 17 nautical miles south of Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, AL, the countdown has begun for the sinking of the 271-foot freighter, LuLu.

Built in the Netherlands in 1972, LuLu, formally called Yokamu, had been retired in Miami, FL and was up for sale.  LuLu caught the attention of David Walter of Reef Makers in Orange Beach ,AL and was shortly after purchased and towed to his business, resting in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Knowing the estimated cost of $500,000 to sink the ship as an artificial reef, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce then formed a committee, the Gulf Coast Reef and Restoration Foundation, to raise the money.  The committee raised $650,000 of which $250,000 was donated by Mac McAleer of LuLu’s, granting him the honor of renaming the ship.

After months of raising donations, sponsorships and planning, the time had arrived.  The event kicked off with a Friday afternoon celebration at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Orange Beach and carried through the weekend.  On Sunday, May 26th the ship was towed out into the Gulf of Mexico, by a barge hosting a live band, and at last LuLu had reached her destination.  With only a few last minute finalizations, the LuLu began taking on water and was set to rest on the ocean floor.

As time passes, LuLu will become home to various types of fish and marine species providing growth to all marine life and habitats.  This ship will also prove as a new recreational scuba diving destination attracting more visitors to our spectacular gulf coast.  The diving opportunities for Northwest Florida and Alabama are continuously growing and catching the attention of many.  The LuLu was the first large, fully intact ship to be intentionally sunk in the Alabama gulf coast however, we are sure that LuLu won’t be the last!

 Lu Lu [loo-loo]

noun

Slang. any remarkable or outstanding person or thing

(+29° 59′ 50″ / -87° 33′ 00″)

Pointe South is a proud sponsor of the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation’s “Sinking of the LuLu.”

Coastal Water Conditions & Currents

Everyone loves the beach!  Some make Florida their annual vacation destination, and others make it a permanent home.  Regardless of how we get here or how long we stay, the pristine beaches, warm weather, and coastal lifestyle make Florida and the emerald shores of the gulf coast an oasis for all of us.

What we all enjoy most is the sand between our toes while walking down the beach or on our way through the refreshing salt water for a swim or paddle.  And although we always see the coastal flags and signs, many of us walk or drive by dismissing their meanings.  When planning a day or event at the beach we all need to be aware of the tide conditions, currents, and marine life.  These conditions can change throughout the day, however, being aware will help you plan your events and keep everyone safe.

Normally at the entrance of every state park, is a colored flag, accompanying the United States flag, which provides the current water hazard level.  These flags are also displayed on some public beach access areas and other coastal areas with high traffic.  This flag is your first indication of the water conditions and can be seen from a distance.  The medium hazard flags are often dismissed but just about everyone takes notice of the double red flag or the purple flag.  We associate these two with the opportunity to see massive swells or exciting marine life.

Rip currents are extremely powerful and there are not any signs to indicate their current conditions or force however signs are frequently displayed along the Florida shores to create awareness.  Rip currents are narrow channels of rapidly moving water rushing from the shore towards the open water.  There is no simulation for this type of strength and fighting a current is not an option.  In order to get a better understanding of rip currents and how to properly respond, please see the signs displayed in your area and become familiar with their normal course.

Taking the time to recognize these signs and becoming aware of the local water conditions will only make your time spent on the beach more enjoyable and desired by everyone.  This is even more important when vacationing on the gulf coast or purchasing a waterfront home.  Check with your Realtor to receive additional information on the Gulf of Mexico and local waterways.

Memorial Day

In remembrance of our fallen heroes and those serving this One Nation Under God, we dedicate this day, Memorial Day, to you for your continued devotion to our county.  It is not without endless love and sacrifice that our nation maintains its freedom and provides Liberty and Justice for All.

Thank you!

April 2013 Monthly Market Report

April brought about a little surprise to the Realtors in Perdido Key, Florida as the active inventory for Perdido Key real estate decreased 7% in the last month.  This is a 4% decrease year to date with 153 active listings.  On the up side, the Perdido Key average sales price increased 16% to $386,109 bringing the average price per square foot to $213.

Although the Perdido Key market is continuing to grow and change, this is not the case for all of the surrounding communities along the gulf coast.  The inventory for Pensacola, and Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach are holding steady.  The average sales price for Pensacola Beach this April was $449,161 with an average of $258 per square foot.

MLS Active Listing Count

Perdido Key Pensacola Beach MLS
1/2/2013 160 228 3214
2/4/2013 161 231 3227
3/1/2013 164 228 3205
04/1/2013 153 228 3204

Big Lagoon State Park

Even though Florida is primarily known for its remarkable beaches, Florida state parks are a treasure of their own.  Big Lagoon State Park is located on the mainland, just North of Perdido Key, separated by the Intracoastal Waterway.  The park is 655 acres of natural beauty filled with flourishing vegetation, all sizes of wildlife and outdoor activities for everyone.

For ease of exploring, the park is navigated with boardwalks and nature trails, surrounded by mature pine and oak trees, saw palmettos, and saltwater marsh.  An observation tower at the East Beach provides a stunning view overlooking Big Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway and across to the Gulf Island National Seashore.  Along the way, you will see various types of wildlife.  Osprey and many other birds migrate through the park and rumor has it that an alligator has moved into Long Pond.

With a one of a kind amphitheater and multiple pavilions throughout, Big Lagoon State Park makes for a great outdoor location for family gatherings and larger events.  The amphitheater will accommodate a few hundred guests and provides a stage and lighting while the pavilions are ideal for picnics, relaxation and shade.  Play grounds and additional facilities are situated so that regardless of age, everyone will enjoy their day!

Big Lagoon State Park has become a hotspot for fishing and canoeing as the park has prime access to the Intracoastal and the hidden waterway that connects to Grand Lagoon.  This Park has it all, camping facilities, boat ramp, extra amenities, and all of the outdoor adventure you could ask for.  The enjoyment at Big Lagoon State Park will be endless!