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!

Pensacola-Perdido Key, Florida sees new GROWTH!

Since Don Carlos Siguenza first found the 16-mile long island in 1693 by accident when his ship blew off course, which bore the name “Perdido Key” which is Spanish for “Lost Island”. Today, much of the island and Pensacola in general is remarkably similar to then.  Nature has helped shape and reshape the barrier island which extends 16 miles between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway.  Tucked beautifully between Florida and Alabama, Perdido Key escaped the explosion of beach development and was left to appreciative locals who enjoyed the remoteness…as well as the fishing, swimming and sugar-sand white beaches.

But as Florida became more and more developed – especially after the US Navy sold off portions of the now Lost Key Golf & Beach Club in early 1950’s for as little as $3000 an acre, Federal and State agencies bought much of the land and now more than 60 percent of Perdido Key is off limits to development.

With large agreement between the county and federal government, they are allowed to issue permits for development of a limited number of acres on Perdido Key in 5 year intervals.  Escambia County leaders have worked for years to overcome hurdles to develop on the barrier island and are happy with the recent growth.  “There is quite a bit of construction out there now and that’s a good thing,” said Escambia County Commission Chairman Doug Underhill, who applauded developers for working with the county and following the strict guidelines outlined in the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan.

“The developers are doing good work out there and the plan is working the way it was intended to work,” he said. Tim Day, Escambia County’s environmental director, pointed to the Lost Key Resort townhome development as one example of the permitting process working as it was intended to work.  The gated community, which is under construction on the key, includes a golf course, club, pool, and fitness center.  Another project planned on the key is the Meridian, a 41-unit upscale condominium tower.  The 64-unit Vista Del Mar development opened this summer.

Since 2015, Day said 57 permits have been issued under the county’s habitat conservation plan.  The permits account for six of the 11 acres available under the five-year allotment of development permits on the key.  Additional permits for new acreage will be available in November of 2019, he said.

Although a strict permitting process is in place, it protects the beach mouse as well as threatened sea turtles and shore birds.  Monetary requirements fund to protect these species as well as the steady growth of the area.

Southern Real Estate Sales has been serving the area since 1995 and understands the sanctity of the area and how special a place Perdido Key is in addition to Pensacola with the uniqueness of downtown Pensacola, home of the US Navy Blue Angels, it’s closeness to Alabama, Pensacola Beach Pier, amazing fishing, and the most beautiful sugar sand beaches.  Our agents sell both Florida and Alabama real estate and will enjoy showing you the area.  Don’t just take my word for it, let us know when you are coming to stay for a day or stay for a lifetime! pointesouth.com 

20% Off Labor Day Vacations!

Labor-Day-300x220

Though you may just be starting to get the kids ready for school, or better yet, enjoying summer, you will be shocked to know that it’s also time to start thinking about that end of summer vacation to the beach. Yes, Labor Day is right around the corner!

It’s true, it’s time to plan your end of summer beach stay, but we are making it easy with a great sale from our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals! Book now and you will receive 20% off condos and beach homes on the Gulf Coast!

If you have recently purchased real estate in Perdido Key, or elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, you may not know that Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the busy summer season. It also acts as the beginning of “local’s vacation season” so take advantage of this deal and enjoy your beaches!

So, how do you claim this great offer? Well, two things need to happen. First, book online using promo code LABORDAY. And, second, do it before July 29, 2014. That’s it. Otherwise, all you need to do is to start shopping! We hope to see you along the sands this Labor Day!

25% Savings on Easter Vacations!

Easter-SpecialThere will be many Easter celebrations taking place along the beaches of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama this weekend. And, if you are considering a refreshing getaway, or even Gulf Coast real estate buying trip, there is no better time to visit!

In addition to the incredible spring weather along the beach, we also have some terrific savings to offer you this Easter weekend. Choose from a mulitude of available condo rentals from Pointe South and enjoy savings of 25%!

There are no restrictions on where you can stay. Plan a vacation in Pensacola Beach or breeze in to a Navarre Beach condo. If you prefer to spend your vacation in Perdido Key we’ve got you covered. And, of course, we have plenty of vacation rentals in Gulf Shores and condos in Orange Beach.

Check out the lineup of Gulf Coast Easter events and then call today to book your condo or beach home. Prefer to book online? Just enter code EASTER to receive your discount. See you on the beach this weekend!