Blue Angels are Back!

Blue-Angels-diamond-formatiIf you have recently purchased real estate in Pensacola then you should learn a little bit about what makes Pensacola famous. There are many different features that set Pensacola apart from other areas, but the biggest factor is the Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels bring locals and visitors to Pensacola Beach during the month of July to watch their spectacular air shows and practices. Although, in June, they suffered a fatal accident and needed a break to regroup before getting back in the air. Pensacola and its surrounding communities mourned the loss of Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, but were very excited to see the Blue Angels return to the sky!

This past weekend, on June 16, 2016, they gave Pensacola Beach a wonderful show. Their air shows in Pensacola are free and open to the public. They provide you and your family the opportunity to spend the day on the beach and see why the Blue Angels are so loved in our area. It is a treat to see them flying overhead, and what better way to do that than on the beach?

The airshows may be over, but the team continues to practice. Their practice schedule varies, but the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola Naval Air Station hosts viewing events on Wednesdays during their practice season. At these events you can watch the Blue Angels practice different techniques and members of the team will be available to sign autographs and answer questions.

The Blue Angels have been around since 1946 and aim “to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.” They continue to do this by showcasing their talent and bringing new technique to the air every year.

They do shows across the U.S., but Pensacola is lucky to be able to call them “Our Blues.” Catch a show to celebrate your new Pensacola real estate, and you can call them “Our Blues” too.

Gulf Coast Paddle Championship

IMG_7640 cropAre you a new owner of real estate in Pensacola and a fan of paddleboarding? If so, the Flora-Bama’s Gulf Coast Paddle Championship is an event you should be a part of!

The Gulf Coast Paddle Championship starts on July 24, 2016 and ends on July 26, 2016. It is hosted by the famous Flora-Bama Lounge and is the only race where you can say “You did it on the line and raced in 2 states!”

The event includes races for all ages and skill levels. The first day is for picking up your packet and enjoying a pre-race social at the Flora-Bama Ole River Bar. The real fun starts on day two with races such as 9 mile, 4 mile and 1 mile, as well as a race just for kids! The last day has sprint and relay races available, and a free kid’s clinic where your family can learn the proper way to paddle board.

The 1 mile and 4 mile races take place in the Pensacola River, but the 9 mile race takes you out into the Gulf of Mexico. The top few people in each race will be awarded cash prizes at the end of day two. People are signing up now to compete in their favorite race, so don’t miss your chance to register.

Spend the day on the beach watching the races or compete to win, either way this event is not one to miss. After purchasing your new Pensacola real estate, the Gulf Coast Paddle Championship is the perfect event for you and your family to get better acquainted with your new community.

 

Pensacola International Billfish Tournament

Fishing Pic 1Have you recently purchased new real estate in Pensacola? Then head down to the Palafox Pier and join in on the 45th annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament.

This fishing tournament has been a tradition in Pensacola since 1970 and over 22,000 anglers have participated in its lifetime. The event starts on June 29, 2016 and ends on July 3, 2016. The boats leave the docks at 4 PM on Thursday evening and return on Friday for the first round of weigh-ins at 5 PM. There will be another weigh-in on Saturday at 3 PM to end the tournament. If you are unable to hop on a boat and fish in the tournament, it is still exciting to see what the boats bring in. The weigh-ins are free and open to the public, so bring your family out to the docks to see the fish!

The tournament is hosted by the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club, and it has grown to be one of the biggest in our area.

Thousands of dollars in cash prizes will be given out during the tournament. The Vince Whibbs Big Blue Award, Top Small Boat, Top Friday Boat, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place payouts to the biggest Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo are just a few examples of the awards given during the tournament.

The Pensacola International Billfish Tournament is a great way to get better acquainted with your new home now that you own Pensacola real estate! Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club wants you to be a part of this great tradition.

Fun Things to do in Pensacola

jg 052Have you recently purchased Pensacola real estate? Spend some time with your family and enjoy these fun activities, guaranteed to introduce you to some of the best things to do near your new home!

One of the first things you must experience is the National Naval Aviation Museum. It is free to get in and you are guaranteed a great time. Your kids will love the museum because it has hands on activities, including climbing into the cockpit of the planes and pretending to fly! They have old planes, new planes, flight simulators, and of course, the Blue Angels aircrafts are there. The National Aviation Museum is one activity your family will love!

Adventures Unlimited is a great way to get outside and see a different side of Pensacola. Adventures Unlimited includes many different outdoor activities your whole family can enjoy, such as kayaking, camping, and paddle boarding. They also have a canopy zip line that takes you through the trees and lets you see the world from a different perspective.

Another great option is going downtown. Downtown Pensacola is perfect for shopping and enjoying delicious food during the day and continuing the fun into the night listening to live music. There are also a few different museums including the Museum of Commerce that will provide you and your family an educational experience.

Take advantage of these awesome family activities and things to do near your new real estate in Pensacola with your kids this summer!

 

Advantages of Housing Counseling

iStock_000020499093Medium-347x459You know now is a great time to purchase real estate in Pensacola, Perdido Key or Coastal Alabama. You desperately want to begin searching for a home with a Southern Real Estate Sale agent. But, you aren’t sure where to begin – or if you even can.

Don’t worry; your situation is totally normal, and if a first-time homebuyer, to be expected. While you may think getting a realtor and asking them all your questions is the place you need to begin, you’re a little ahead of the game. First, consider speaking with a free housing counselor.

While an agent is well-versed in the mortgage and real estate buying process, the details of your financial situation can be better sorted out with a counselor, or at least a lender. A counselor can also advise you on all aspect of buying a Pensacola home or property along the Gulf Coast, including types of loans, credit scores, inspections, and other necessary steps.

Before you make the call to a counselor there are a few steps you will want to take. First, gather all your basic financial information such as debt payments, which include student loan paperwork, car payment amounts and documents for any current mortgage you might have. Also, talk honestly about your financial situation and what you know about the home buying process with your counselor so that they can adequately arm you with the needed information. Then, it’s time to begin looking for your home on the Gulf Coast with one of our experienced Southern agents!

 

Congratulations, Rhonda Landrum!

RhondaOur Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach real estate agents at Southern make it a goal to go above and beyond, not only to meet your buying and selling expectations, but to exceed them. Between the lot of them, it is stiff competition. Each brings something unique to the table. This month, however, we are pleased to announce that Rhonda Landrum has stood out from the pack with an overly impressive January, and for that reason she is our Agent of the Month to start the New Year!

Rhonda is originally from the greater Pensacola area, offering her clients a wide array of local knowledge. With twin boys to keep her in busy and in the loop, you can bet that Rhonda is very familiar with the school system and the role it plays in helping customers find a home that meets their needs. She serves her clients with honesty, integrity and attention to detail. We are so proud to say she calls Southern Real Estate Sales home!

For more information on Rhonda Landrum, and how she can help you buy or list your home for sale in Pensacola, please contact her directly at 850.206.9617.

Three Tips for a Quick Home Sale

6Did you know that 9 out of 10 buyers will begin their search for homes for sale in Pensacola online? In today’s hyper-connected world, you may be wondering how sellers can be just as savvy as the online house hunters.

When it comes time to selling your home fast, and for the right price, the best solution is to work with an agent who understands local market conditions. Sure, we all know that right now it is a seller’s market and that price gains are slowing. It is still important to look at local conditions, right down to the homes and condos that sold next door and down the street.

Another tip for a quick home sale is to focus on the first few weeks. Because there’s not necessarily an overwhelming amount of inventory to look over, buyers often become suspicious of homes that site.

Lastly, put yourself in a buyer’s frame of mind. Because 9 in 10 buyers search online, they know what features are standard in homes like yours. Before you list it is important to see how your home compares to the competition, and realistically think about repairs that would be worth while.

Are you interested to see what your home is worth? Check out this free property analysis tool that will compare your home or condo to others in the area!

Benefit for Vern Hunt

Vern Hunt Benefit_2015It has been a crazy couple of weeks at Southern Real Estate Sales, but we are pleased to announce that the benefit for former Pointe South real estate agent, Vern Hunt was a huge success!

Vern, a dear friend of many of our Pensacola real estate agents, suffered a stroke about 6 months ago. His health is improving, but naturally, it is a slow process. To help with medical bills, friends, families and members of the Perdido Key community all pitched in to hold a benefit this past Thursday in Vern’s honor.

There was a great turnout at the Lost Key Golf Club and over $5,000 raised for Vern and his family. This is of course, excluding the items that were auctioned off. Big ticket items included a three-night Gulf Coast vacation stay, a round of golf for four and sunset cruise. And though the benefit is over, our thoughts and prayers still go out to Vern and his beautiful family for a speedy recovery!

Click for additional updates on Vern Hunt.

Pointe South Welcomes New Realtors

Untitled-1Pointe South Real Estate is pleased to welcome two new agents to the team this month, adding to the already stellar group of professional real estate agents in Alabama and Florida. Stan Golanka and Rich McCord bring both years of experience and local knowledge to Pointe South and we are thrilled to have them on board.

Stan Golanka is originally from Poland and while he spends some time there every summer, he has transferred his roots to the beaches of the Gulf Coast, selling real estate in Pensacola and Perdido Key. An avid investor with a wealth of real estate knowledge, Stan comes to Pointe South first as an owner of a home on our long term rental program and now a licensed agent, ready to help you find the home or investment property of your dreams.

Rich McCord, a former Pointe South Property Manager, has transferred his license to the real estate division to help buyers and sellers in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope, Alabama. Prior to his ventures with Pointe South, Rich served in US Special Operations. Now he is a proud member of the National Association of Realtors and the Baldwin County Association of Realtors.

We are pleased to welcome both men to our team and look forward to what they will bring to the Pointe South family.

JUST SOLD in Pensacola!

Sold Pensacola HomeLocated in the prestigious “Chandelle” subdivision in Pensacola, Florida the residence at 1127 Naples Drive hadn’t been on the market long before Pointe South real estate agent, Ouida Jones helped the sellers find a bite.

Originally intened to become the seller’s forever home, a recent transfer forced the couple to list this magnificent piece of Pensacola, Florida real estate. From granite countertops and Travertine floors to the functional floor plan and covered lanai, no detail had been left untouched and no thought unfinished when it came to status this immaculate property.

And while the couple may be sad to leave, the new homeowners are anxiously awaiting the move-in day, and we can’t blame them! After all, the home is spectacular! But that doesn’t mean it sold itself… Ouida Jones, a seasoned Pointe South agent, worked closely with her clients throughout the process, helping to guide the couple from contract to closing.

Needless to say, if you want it sold – list with Pointe South! For more information on Ouida, and our other Gulf Coast real estate agents give us a call today at 850.492.1148.