How to Create an Inviting Atmosphere for Your Photo Shoot

Are You getting ready to list your home for sale or for rent? Here are some important steps you can take to ensure beautiful pictures during your photo shoot.

Clean and Declutter

Cleaning and decluttering is 100% the most important step. Make sure your home is clean and free of clutter. Organizing will make the space look larger and more attractive to potential buyers. When a home appears to look messy, it sets the tone that the property is not well-maintained, which can be a turn-off for potential buyers.

On the other hand, a clean and organized home can make a good impression and help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Nicely made beds, fresh matching bathroom towels, and sheer neutral curtains help create a warm and cozy look. Fans will be turned off for photos, so try to have those cleaned. We want to do everything we can to attract the most offers or potential renters. We can recommend some incredible cleaning vendors who can help you!  

Stage the Space for your Photo Shoot

In addition to decluttering and cleaning, it may also be helpful to stage the interior of the home. This involves rearranging the furniture and décor to create a cohesive and welcoming look. Staging can help showcase the full potential of a home and make it more appealing to buyers. Anything that could potentially prevent someone from envisioning themselves in the home should be stored away.  If there’s going to be a room off-limits for storage, let the photographer know. Sometimes it is a good idea to get a storage unit to store the items you do not need. This comes in handy when it is time to move!

Professional photographers recommend removing towels and toiletry from the bathroom countertops and showers. Removing robes from behind the bathroom door in case it’s closed. Your should put personal family photos away; a few are okay. Make sure anything with your personal information is put away, like baby name plates. These usually contain a child’s full name and birthday, which is unsuitable for internet display. Finally, consider things you don’t want in the pictures, like gun safes, extra TVs, and excessive clothing.

Make the Necessary Repairs Before Your Photo Shoot

Fix any broken or damaged items in the home. This will show buyers and renters that the house has been well-maintained and is in good condition. Ensure your front door has a fresh coat of paint and is free of any debris. This is the first impression of walking into the home. We want the front door to “pop” in the pictures.

Improve Curb Appeal

Make sure the outside of the home looks as good as the inside. This includes mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, fresh mulch, and planting flowers. In addition, if you have a large camper or an RV, consider moving it for the day to prevent shadows and make the space look bigger.

Make sure the pool is clean and free of leaves. A sparkling blue pool draws in buyers and renters! Your photographer can typically add green grass to exterior photos, but only if the home typically has green grass; we need to be truthful for the buyers. One uncommon idea that usually looks good is adding a couple of fake flowers to the hedges! No one can tell in the pictures!

Add Lighting

Make sure there is enough light in the home before your photo shoot. Turn on all the lights, open curtains and blinds, and consider adding additional lighting if necessary. Photographers recommend trying to have bright lighting that matches in hue (red/blue/yellow). We can help determine if more lighting is needed before picture day.

Timing of Photos

Morning or “golden hour” is the best time in general; it’s best to take photos when the sun is not directly shining on the front of the house. By doing so can create harsh shadows and make the colors look washed out. If the property faces east or west, it’s best to take photos in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not directly in front of the house. If the property faces north or south, the best time to take photos is around midday when the lighting is more even. It’s also a good idea to refrain from taking pictures on overcast or cloudy days, as the lighting can be flat and unappealing. We will work with the photographer to ensure we have the perfect timing.

Oversaturating or Over Sharpening Pictures

We want to make sure the photographer doesn’t over-edit the photos. Too heavily edited pictures make the home look unrealistic and misleading to potential buyers and renters.

Do Not Stress!!!

This list may seem like a lot, but we are 100% here to help! So please turn on the music and make it fun! Photo shoots can be fun and it is exciting to see professional pictures of your home.

Getting ready to list your home for sale or to rent? Give us a call, and we can help guide you through the process. We have trusted and talented professional photographers that we love to work with. [email protected] ~ 850.492.1148

 

 

 

POINTE SOUTH ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2022 

WOW! We could not be prouder of our amazing Pointe South Team!

Our Pointe South professional Agents and Property Managers have surpassed their goals and expectations for 2022 ‼️

Check out these terrific stats:

Real Estate Achievements:

  • $145 Million
  • 270 Transactions

Property Management Achievements:

  • 108 NEW Properties added to our Property Management

We have been covering our Gulf Coast – From Alabama to Florida – From condos to homes and more. Our team sets out to find your perfect piece of land or sand. Above all, we have loved celebrating you this year, our amazing clients. We value your continued support and business, as none of this would be possible without YOU! We put in the work – a lot of work and even more heart. We exceeded professional goals, and our brokerage sales volume for the year at $145 million!

NOW WE CELEBRATE THE POINTE SOUTH DIFFERENCE $145M IN SALES, 270 TRANSACTIONS & 108 PROPERTIES ON OUR LONG-TERM LEASING PROGRAM!!!

achievements, pointe south

CHEERS to our hardworking, dedicated Team and the relationships they have made along the way.  Undoubtedly, we could not have done this without our unstoppable vendors.

Pointe South’s experience and passion bring great achievements! You can trust Pointe South to help you list your home and/or find your new perfect place to call home. Our Residential Leasing team is the best on the Gulf Coast! They can help you with all your rental needs and goals! Contact us today at [email protected] or visit us online at www.FORSALEONTHEGULFCOAST.com. We look forward to working with you!

Who Loves to Save Money?!?! How to Remove PMI Payments!

Who else LOVES to SAVE MONEY? You’ll love this real estate hack if you don’t already know.

No matter when you bought your house, if you did so with less than 20% down, your mortgage lender tacked on the extra cost of private mortgage insurance (PMI) as a standard precaution. ​​​​​​​​Removing PMI payments can be a significant way to save money in the long run. PMI is usually required when a homebuyer makes a down payment of less than 20% on their home purchase. Once the homeowner reaches 20% equity in their home through mortgage payments or home value appreciation, they can request the cancellation of PMI.

By eliminating PMI, homeowners can potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually. This extra money can be put towards paying off the mortgage faster, saving for future goals, or investing in other financial endeavors. It’s essential to stay updated on the value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage to determine when you’re eligible to remove PMI and start enjoying the financial benefits of doing so.

PMI, Remove pmi, mortgage

In addition, PMI typically only protects the lender in the event of a default. According to NerdWallet, PMI rates usually range from .58% to 1.86% of the original loan amount. So, for example, a $400,000 loan with 7.5% down would mean your PMI payment would be $305/month (with a 700-credit score).

Let’s Talk PMI

✔️ Confident that your house is worth more today than when you purchased it? ​​​​​​​​

✔️ Can I cancel PMI if my home value increases? ​​​​​​​​

✔️ When does PMI go away?​​​​​​​​

📝 Whether your individual mortgage qualifies for PMI removal will depend on factors like the current value of your home, the loan type, how much you still owe on the loan, and your payment history.​​​​​​​​ With the example above, it would take 8.66 years for the lender to remove this $300 monthly payment. So, you would be paying over $31,000! However, do not stress because there are ways to remove this sooner.  

How Can We Remove the PMI?

💰 In all honesty, the hot real estate market of 2021-2022 meant many homeowners saw their equity rise. Even though a market shift is underway as of late due to higher interest rates, many homeowners with mortgages will most likely be sitting on significant equity due to still-high home values. In Q2 2022, a report from CoreLogic shows that homeowners with mortgages saw an equity increase of nearly 27.8% year-over-year. CoreLogic forecasts an average rise in home prices of 4.3% between June 2022 and June 2023.​​​​​​​​

💼 As a result of this trend, NOW would be a good time for many borrowers to see if they qualify for private mortgage insurance cancellation. A higher equity stake in your home can lower the perceived risk of your mortgage and, in some cases, speed up the path to PMI removal.​​​​​​​​ See! We told you not to stress!

In addition, because PMI can add tens of thousands of dollars in housing costs over the life of a loan, it’s essential to consider taking steps to remove PMI as soon as you’re eligible.​​​​​​​​

Long story short… 😉… reach out to me anytime for a CMA! Our team would love to have coffee (or a margarita) with you to discuss it further.  Pointe South is always looking for ways to save our customers money!

At Pointe South Rentals and Real Estate, our mission is to be the ultimate resource for all your real estate needs. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent a property in the beautiful Pensacola area, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service and helping you navigate the real estate market with ease. With our team of experienced professionals, extensive knowledge of the local market, and a commitment to client satisfaction, we strive to exceed your expectations.

We understand that buying or renting a property is a significant decision, and we are here to guide you every step of the way, offering personalized attention and expert advice. Trust Pointe South Rentals and Real Estate to be your trusted partner in achieving your real estate goals.

Here is to saving money in 2023!!!

[email protected] ~ 850.492.1148

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Celebrating 2019!

Wrapping up the 2019 year, we want to take time to recognize the achievements of our incredibly driven team. Our agents closed a whopping 213 transaction sides, totaling over $60 million in sales! Dedicated to serving the needs of buyers and sellers along the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast, our real estate agents are celebrating another successful season as we embark on the company’s 25th anniversary.

We have so much to be thankful for this past year. Traveling as a team for training’s and conferences, opportunities to volunteer in our community, the new relationships made with our buyers and sellers and much more!

The total number for 2019 comes in at $63,446,713.00 in Sales. A number that sets the basis for a vigorous year to come. Our agents already have 11 transactions set to close this month and training in Atlanta scheduled for the next. Your Pointe South team never stops; always ready to share and assist!

We could not be more pleased with the performance of our agents and look forward to another 25 years of excellence. For more information on the Pointe South Real Estate team and what we can do for you, call 850.492.1148.

Welcome Jennifer DuBose!

Southern Real Estate Sales is thrilled to welcome Jennifer DuBose to our team, adding to the already stellar group of professional real estate agents in Alabama and Florida. Jennifer specializes in selling and buying real estate in Pensacola, Perdido Key, Navarre and Gulf Breeze and surrounding areas. We could not be more excited to have her on board!

Prior to pursuing a career in real estate, Jennifer worked in finance for over 20 years. In 2018, she was ready for change. Jennifer was able to take her years of experience and apply it to her next endeavor, her true passion – real estate. Her eagerness and go-getter attitude are sure to please and prove her love for real estate.

Jennifer, now a Florida local, moved to Perdido Key from Laurel, Mississippi. Her family owned a vacation rental, which they now call home. “I love what this area has to offer…from the friendly people, to the beautiful white sandy beaches, and the endless festivals and events in Downtown Pensacola. I enjoy all the activities of coastal living such as boating, biking, and kayaking.” said Jennifer. “There is no place like home or the beach. I want to help each client feel at home wherever they choose!”

Interested in learning more about Jennifer and how she can help you find your forever home or the perfect place in the sand? Email her today at [email protected]. She’ll be happy to help you buy, sell or invest in the property of your dreams!

Passion into Profit with Pointe South

Turn your Passion into Profit with Pointe South.

The real estate profession has expanded and offers one of the widest career selections in the business world today. Helping people buy and sell residential homes, industrial property, vacation rentals, property management, land development, and real estate leasing are a few aspects of a career in real estate.

A real estate broker, real estate agent or realtor is a person who represents sellers or buyers of real estate or real property. While a broker may work independently, an agent usually works under a licensed broker to represent clients.

  • Advantages and Rewards of a Career in Real Estate  

A career in real estate provides flexibility and freedom to set your own pace. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no limits on what astute, hard-working men and women can earn. Successful people in real estate are goal-oriented, persevering, self-motivated, ambitious and people-oriented. The rewards of a real estate career are a potential for high earnings, status in the community, time freedom, helping people, the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction from those accomplishments.

Working in real estate allows for independence and choices of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm as a listed salesperson. With more experience and upon passing of an additional exam, becoming a real estate broker is t

he next step. Brokers can own their own businesses and employ other salespeople.

Entry into the real estate field depends on education, training and interests. Most people begin as sales agents under a well versed company such as Pointe South Real Estate.

  • Continuing Education in Real Estate 

Formal education is available while working in real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® and its Institutes, Societies and Councils sponsor continuing education programs for members, and award designations for specialty areas of real estate. Continuing education increases knowledge and skills, improving earnings potential and enhancing opportunities for success.

  • Careers in Residential Brokerage 

Helping people buy and sell homes is one of the most important and basic services a real estate agent performs. Agents are experts in the process of buying and selling property, financing, government programs, etc. The real estate agent’s expertise facilitates the transaction, saving clients time, trouble and money. Real estate professionals need to have a thorough knowledge of such areas as real estate law, local economics, fair housing laws, types of financing, mortgages and government programs.

In the competitive real estate market along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida and coastal Alabama, Pointe South real estate agents are posting impressive numbers, thanks in huge part to our dedicated team of internal sales agents. This year to date, the ISA department has already played an instrumental role in closing $ 8,972,823 in sales and has $5,565723 in pending sales with the help of our elite agents. Our highly skilled internal sales department is driven to support you, our realtors, to do what you do best—sell real estate!

Our ISA’s Team strategy to produce, scout new leads, arrange appointments with qualified buyers and sellers and the efficiency in this strategy has increased our agents average transactions per year, out selling other national agencies.

In addition to the benefits of an internal sales department, Pointe South is a full-service brokerage, with 18 select agents, locations in Northwest Florida and South Alabama, and more than 20 years of experience in the industry. We offer state-of-the-art technology to provide only the most relevant lead generations, ongoing training, and a time-tested business model that withstands market trends.

Learn more about joining the dynamic workplace of Pointe South, where the tight-knit attitude of a boutique firm meets the powerhouse capabilities of national franchises.

Real Estate Market Highlights

News Alert for Buyers and Sellers along the Gulf Coast!

RESIDENTIAL MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – JULY 2019

According to the Pensacola Associations of Realtors, Inc.

  • JULY Average Sold Price $256,604 with 2330 Homes on the Market
  • JULY Homes on the Market 2330
  • JULY Homes SOLD in the month 958
  • JULY Combined Days on Market Averaged 55 – which is 13 days less then this time last year
  • JULY Sales were up 10% compared to July 2018

With such good news, you may be considering your options.  Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, the real estate market is continuing to run hot.  The market is considered to be solid.

Southern Real Estate Sales has shared some best buys on the beach for your review.

Please know we are always ready to serve you, your family and friends, answer any questions or run a free market report for your home or condo.

The Pointe South “Why” for our Team

The Pointe South “Why” – why do we do what we do and it starts with our Broker, Susan Carleton.

What purpose do you fulfill by doing what you do?  What is the reason for which you do things?

To make the MOST out of everything you do, you need to know exactly why you do the things you get engaged with.

Real Estate sales transactions are intricate, have difficulties, challenges, include many vendors and a host of people working on ONE transaction and if you are an active sales agent or Broker, you are juggling multiple tasks in unison at once.

This is exactly the reason you need a WHY? There are lots of real estate agents in the field and people often ask if you really need a real estate agent or Realtor to assist? The answer is absolutely YES!

You wouldn’t allow just anyone but the BEST when you need medical attention or needs – the same is true when working with a professional with experience in real estate and knowing their “why”.  There is a statement that is used in life, that you are “a Jack of all trades; master of none”. You will have less than an extraordinary experience by working with an agent that lives that way.  Southern Real Estate Sales, Broker, Susan Carleton and her sales team of agents are Masters of One Field, Real Estate in Florida and Coastal Alabama.

Life is too short to have mishaps in a field where your purchasing or selling one of the largest financial investments of your lifetime and it is personal.  -SRES Client, shared her personal experience. *****5 STARS  “I’m generally not one to rave, but Susan and her team deserve a RAVE REVIEW! Saying you will go “above and beyond” and doing it are two different things.  Susan worked above and beyond in every aspect of listing and quickly selling our primary home, which we had spent several years and therefore had quite an emotional attachment.  The house was one of the nicest/largest homes and hence well above market of others in the area.  Susan was honest and direct while still being supportive and encouraging.  I truly feel that we could not have achieved the result we did with another realtor and team….

A full price offer which closed within 3 weeks of the offer is exceptional and I heartily recommend Susan and her team at Southern Real Estate Sales”.

Southern’s selling strategy is imperative, focused on target marketing, utilizing extensive search engine techniques and requires a team who is focused on all the details.  Executing our “WHY” daily to have results, recommendations and referrals from our customers is our “WHY”!

At the end of the day, developing a successful real estate business that starts with our leadership from Southern’s Broker, Susan Carleton, takes effort and time.  SRES strategies are worth all our efforts.  Success does not come from random acts of work without planning; instead it comes from developing and following a plan and always helping people first!  #SouthernSells #sweetSouthernMoments #GoSouthern  Work with the Best – Work with Southern.

email: [email protected]    call 850.492.1148

New Construction, Existing Home, Condo, Investment or 2nd Home – that’s the question

New Construction, Existing Home, Condo, Investment, or Family Vacation Home: Some questions need answers

When you move or invest in NW Florida or Coastal Alabama, you have some decisions to make. Some questions need answers.

Will you move downtown, Pensacola, neighborhood, beach home or condo? Will you choose Pensacola, Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, Alabama?

And, of course, budget, HOA fees, taxes, and if an investment property, what’s the rental potential or projection?

Each of these decisions comes down to personal preferences and Southern Real Estate Sales Agents listen to your needs and wants. But, one step further, Southern Rentals & Real Estate is a custom boutique brokerage that allows you one stop shopping. Something like a big box department store where you can have all your needs taken care of under one umbrella providing the best customer service and a seamless transition and support to you.

Our team understands the process of real estate and will advise you the best route for your needs, working with our Vacation Rental department or Residential Leasing team; Southern’s extensive knowledge of each industry gives you, our customer, the edge and the best service.

So, now what!

Once you identify and answer the initial questions or if you need assistance of a team to work through those questions, we are always available to you.

START HERE !  Click below to connect with us.

Southern Real Estate Sales | [email protected] | call  850.492.1148

Inquire or Preview Available Properties at  ForSaleontheGulfCoast.com

Coming or Going – It’s Time to Plan for Coastal Fun

Whether you are selling a property or buying/investing in the area, your 2 most valuable assets are FAMILY and HOME and we serve them both.

The Southern Team helps buyers and sellers every day and we are always available to assist you, but first before we hit the road looking and planning, we need to plan some time to enjoy the plethora of local events along the Gulf Coast.

NW Florida and Coastal Alabama is Chuck full of event line-ups! The area brings people together to enjoy being together. We welcome you and know it’s time to plan some fun with live music, festivals, sports – celebrations that all folks enjoy make this area even more special from Destin, Pensacola Beach, to Perdido Key and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. These areas have beach front properties that are affordable and exclusive to the Million Dollar Penthouses, Executive Homes, Pool Homes, Condos, Town Homes or Single Family Homes to raise the family, Farm Life, Beach Life, quaint downtown Life; we call it HOME LIFE.

From live music and night life events in Pensacola Beach, major head line music tours singing loud and proud in Pensacola Arena or The Wharf Amphitheatre in Orange Beach, sports fun with the Blue Wahoos Baseball team, organized races and family races, paddle boarding and bike fun. If that isn’t your thing, how about all the exquisite food and drink flavors from Greek, Smokin BBQ in the Square, Emerald Coast Beer and Seafood Festivals your belly is full with home town hospitality and good eats.

For the Art enthusiast, the Gulf Coast has tremendously talented artists on display at local markets, shows, and even exceptional performing arts shows at the theatre, designers, and Broadway events, comedy fun, and local rising artists playing at Vinyl downtown venue and fun street bands. Having fun here is easy. No Exceptions! Ladies nights, Street Parades, Good Eats, Sports, Fishing, did I mention Sugar Sand Beaches and U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Shows and that is just a few of the tops.

It’s always fun to visit, even better to play, stay and invest. Southern draws upon decades of real estate expertise in the area, in the events, in it all and we offer an asset-based approach to your NW Florida or Coastal Alabama real estate options – licensed in Florida and Alabama because we know your most 2 valuable assets are YOUR FAMILY and YOUR HOME – We Serve them both.
Destination – HOME!