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!

2019 Foo Foo Fest in Pensacola, Florida

It has arrived!

The 6th Annual Foo Foo Festival has been scheduled from October 31 – November 11 in Pensacola, Fla. and offers an acclaimed array of internationally-recognized musicians and performance artists.

Foo Foo Fest is a highly anticipated arts and culture festival, which is one of the largest in the Southeast. Spanning an impressive 12 days, the exciting line-up has something for everyone and includes:

  • Classical piano virtuoso Garrick Ohlsson
  • Renowned jazz band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • Multi-Grammy nominated musician Marsha Ambrosius
  • Stomp Fest is based on a 125-year-old African American College Fraternity and Sorority Tradition of “Stepping”
  • “Skulptures” (a display of 3D printable skateable concrete structures)
  • Performance of The Savannah Sipping Society (a new play by The Golden Girls writers),
  • Fire and Rain (a sea of billowing holographic strands suspended above historic Intendencia Street)
  • Historic walking tours, a large farmer’s market, quaint shops, food trucks and brewery tours

Pensacola is the only city on the stretch of the Gulf Coast from Mobile, Ala. to Tampa, Fla. that boasts having the “big five,” an opera, ballet, symphony, theatre and museum. Foo Foo Festival’s roster of events celebrates art, music, dance, opera, theatre and cuisine with programming from grant recipients, throughout the city of Pensacola for nearly two weeks. The 2019 ACE grant recipients will host individual experiences specific to their craft throughout the festival. Strategically positioned in and around some of Pensacola’s most popular and longer-running events, the Foo Foo Fest encourages cultural tourists to make Pensacola an arts destination and enjoy other events those two weeks including The Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival, the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola Eggfest and the 34th Annual Frank Brown Songwriters Festival.

The 12-day event is chock full of inclusive, thought-provoking and mind-extending cultural happenings including:

  • Choral Society of Pensacola – Choir! Choir! Choir! an event that is equal parts singing, comedy and audience participation
  • Downtown Improvement Board/Artel Inc. – Fire and Rain, a suspended sea of billowing holographic strands ripples high over historic Intendencia Street like a quilt of sparkling diamonds
  • First City Arts Alliance – 3DPrintsacola, featuring professional American street skater Rodney Mullen, combines machine generative art with hands-on artmaking practices to create 3D printed skateable concrete “Skulptures”
  • Greater Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Inc – Legendary pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
  • Jazz Pensacola – Jazz Pensacola presents renowned Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a contemporary jazz & swing revival band from Southern California
  • Lamplighters, Inc. – StompFest 2019 will immerse the Gulf Coast in contemporary African-American art, dancing, and stepping blended with a mix of spoken word, live music, and visual artistry with special celebrity guests Marsha Ambrosius, Mannie Fresh and Steven Brown
  • Legal Services of North Florida – Jazz for Justice brings in well-known musicians and local artists for a unique jazz and blues festival in downtown Pensacola.
  • Pensacola Little Theatre – A performance of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” created by the same writers of The Golden Girls
  • Pensacola Museum of Art – A Journalist and Author Talk with Eleanor Randolph. The veteran journalist and author will return to Pensacola to share her experiences as a female journalist and details on her new book, The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg.”
  • The Pensacola Civic Band – The Pensacola Civic Band will be in concert with the world-famous Boston Brass at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. The concert entitled “Sketches of Spain” will highlight the music of Pensacola’s Spanish heritage including “Malaguena.”

In addition to the plethora of arts and cultural happenings during Foo Foo Fest, Pensacola offers year ‘round historic walking tours, a large farmer’s market, quaint shops, food trucks and brewery tours. Visitors can stroll along the bay, enjoy the beautiful beaches, experience the culinary arts scene, and take in historic sites all staged in the backdrop of relaxed elegance unique to this historic city on the Gulf Coast.

 

For more information about the 2019 Pensacola Foo Foo Festival visit www.FooFooFest.com.

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.

Building on your Reputation

When it comes to helping homes buyers, your name matters. That is why we stake our reputation on helping you enhance yours.  All our customers, whether buying or selling, are provided a clear journey and an inspired path where your dreams come true!  That is how reputation is built at Southern Real Estate Sales.  One Exceptional Experience at a time.

Southern Real Estate Sales is a full-service real estate brokerage firm serving the Gulf Coast of Florida and southern Alabama; which covers Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and team coverage to Destin and Fairhope.

Southern Agents offer relocation counsel, personal attention and market expertise to all of our customers, family and friends. Our team specializes in the marketing of premiere residence in condominiums and single family homes in Florida and Alabama including new construction.

We want to be the first to WELCOME YOU and assist you with your real estate needs. We understand! We live here with the sugar white sands, temperatures averaging 60 degrees, even in the winter – many want to invest, retire, or relocate permanently. Your Southern Team has you covered. Our goal is to add value to every customers transaction by helping each and every customer to get the information they need to make the best decision for your situation. We are Southern and our Mission is: To Be the Most Caring Company along the Gulf Coast.

We have a close team that works together in every aspect of your need and we want you to have a sweet Southern experience with us!

Thanks & Giving !

Thanksgiving, like many of the holidays around this time of the year, is time to reflect and remain thankful for what you have. We take the time to appreciate the friends and family that we are surrounded by, as they are the most important to us all. These days of thanks we reflect on the challenges and focus our attention on what really matters. Share your joy and peace.

In the midst of celebrating Thanksgiving, real estate agents, entrepreneurs, business owners and co-workers alike need to build and establish our relationships in one another and give thanks to all of our clients and customers. With out them we would not be successful. Southern Real Estate Sales extends this thankful greeting to all of our customers. We appreciate you, your friends and family that you entrust and refer us too.

We are thinking of you all and our entire team. Building our rapport is imperative. This simple gesture is not enough to share the impact that you have on our lives and we hope we reciprocate to you as well. The Southern Real Estate Team works extremely hard to provide the absolute best service to all of our customers and we are grateful to you. We aim high for our clients, customers and prospects. We strive to be your choice when in need of any real estate needs. The entire season is ripe with opportunity to take advantage to share and care. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years before us, we focus on the positive atmosphere of life and business generating professionalism, knowledge, experience, market awareness and building on our desire to provide you with the exceptional service you deserve.

OUR MISSION: To exceed our Customers’ and Owners’ expectations by providing the highest quality experience and service along the Gulf Coast.

OUR VISION: to be the most caring company along the Gulf Coast.
These are our CORE Values. The team is strongly committed to helping you achieve your dreams of playing, staying and investing along the Gulf Coast.

Many THANKS to you all !

Easy Home Improvements that boost home values

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the SPRING buying season, for that reason many home owners will be making that decision now and wanting to bump their value with some easy home improvements. But, where do you begin and what improvements really boost the return on your investment into your pocket? Well, here you go.

Some easy ways to boost the value of homes by 12% or more according to FloridaRealtor.org is to invest in a few pre-listing repairs. For example, based on a median home price at $205,000. the potential gain is $24,500. Now, that seems worth your time and attention.

Not that we are all listening, let’s see what all this entails in order to gain the most return on investment that you desire.
Some of the fixes that are ranked as most important are also encouraged by our expert Southern Real Estate Sales Agents. Our agents share their expert advise and this is why we schedule listing appointments at your home. Our Agents will advise you with specific details to help your selling process in order to expedite the sale of property.

#1 DECLUTTER will be at the top of the list. The cost is 0 if you do it and have the entire family chip in. This activity alone will produce a 3-5% return and it is a must do! When potential buyers preview your home that you are SELLING, they truly want to be able to see themselves living there. You have to allow them to visualize themselves there. You can help achieve that by storing some of the family pics and personal items that you cherish in Tupperware. This also helps you start the process of moving. Two birds with one stone as they say!

#2 KITCHEN is King! The kitchen was rated as the most important to have in top shape before selling. Focus on the minor repairs that center on the kitchens function should be first. Fix leaky faucets, loose light fixtures and counter top cleanliness. Not only washed up, but putting away the large kitchen

appliances that hide all the counter space. Put those away or store those in a Tupperware in the garage. Then, enhancements are next. Painting walls, updating cabinet hardware and adding new curtains or light fixtures and an organized pantry shows care and all the space that is available.

#3 BATHROOM freshness is next! This 2-3% return is simple and an easy improvement with fresh caulking of the shower and tub and floor seams. Updating fixtures and fresh paint will brighten the space. Updating the mirror and lighting can also give a bigger return.

#4 PAINT makes a big impact as the buyer thinks of it as one less step that they would have to do and it shows good overall maintenance of the home. Interior painting is an important part of bringing about a sale of the home. But, as the seller, you likely don’t need to paint the entire home – a refresh of the main rooms curbs big costs in painting the entire interior. Three prime rooms are the kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Be sure to select a neutral tones. Paint with whites or off-whites, grays or beiges as studies show that this helps the buyer focus on the home’s features. Bright colors tend to distract buyers and prompt in immediate cost to them to update.

#5 Lastly, CURB APPEAL and the WELCOMING feeling. With a 2-5% return, concentrate on basic maintenance with lawn care, trimming of shrubs and adding fresh mulch. A good way to see the home with different eyes, is to go stand across the street and look at the home from your neighbors perspective. This always shows you things that you may not have seen before and see if the change is cost effective to you. Additionally, a good pressure washing will instantly brighten your home and increase the “welcome home” feeling. A new mat at the front door with a fresh flower invites your new guests or buyers and this has the lasting effect on them as they are more then likely looking at several homes in one day. Be the stand out – in a good way! This helps you go from FOR SALE to UNDER CONTRACT to CLOSED! If you are thinking of selling, Southern Real Estate Sales would love to help you get it done.

CALL | TEXT | EMAIL to find out what your home is worth today! 850.492.1148 FORSALEONTHEGULFCOAST.COM    [email protected].

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 

Upcoming Events on the Gulf Coast !

What’s Happening on the Gulf Coast!
Celebrate the unique combination of food, history, art, music and beaches that can all be found in and around our city. From the smaller arts and crafts festivals to the larger music festival, these outdoor parties are fun for the whole family! Don’t just take our word for it! Come see Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Destin, Orange Beach, or Gulf Shores. Find your perfect place on the Gulf Coast whether you are coming to play, stay or invest, Southern Rentals & Real Estate can help to make your sweet Southern experience memorable!

Our Calendar of Events has some of the fun for the Fall Season!

October
Blue Angels practice : Pensacola
Flora Bama Oktoberfest :
Humane Society’s Barktoberfest : Pensacola
13-15 Annual Shrimp Festival : Gulf Shores
13-15 58th Greek Festival : Pensacola
14-Bridge to Bridge Run 5K : Pensacola
17 UWF Symphonic Band Concert Band : Pensacola
18 Fishing Rodeo : Destin
28 Spooky Movie on the Lawn at The Wharf : Orange Beach
22 Art & Wine Festival : Pensacola Beach
24 Bands on the Beach : consecutive Tuesdays : Pensacola Beach
20 Gallery Night Downtown : Pensacola
28 Boo at the Zoo : Gulf Breeze
28 Halloween at Naval Museum: Pensacola
28 Wahooloween : Blue Wahoo Stadium: Pensacola

November
Ice Flyers Hockey is back.
38th Annual Toys for Tots Run :
02 Foo Foo Festival : Pensacola
03 Umbrella Sky Project : downtown Pensacola
03 Annual Oyster Cook Off at The Hangout : Gulf Shores
04 Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival : Harbor Walk Village : Destin
08 Magic Men Live at Saenger Theatre : downtown Pensacola
09 Elf – the musical at Saenger Theatre : downtown Pensacola
17 Ice Skating at The Wharf : Orange Beach
10 An Evening with Guitarist, Gene Bertoncini: Pensacola
10 Emerald Coast Theatre Co.-Disney Aristocrats Kids show : Destin
10-11 Blue Angel Homecoming Air Show : Pensacola
11 Repti Day – Reptile and Exotic Animals Expr : Navarre
12 Annual Marathon : Pensacola
16 Palafox Market, recurring weekly : downtown Pensacola
18-19 UTR Tennis Tournament : Orange Beach
24 Magic Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home opens for the month : AL
24 Elf Parade : downtown Pensacola
27-28 Annual Tree Lighting : Orange Beach

December
02 Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks : Pensacola Beach
03 Visit with Santa at the Harbor Walk : Destin
08 Christmas on the Coast : Pensacola Children’s Chorus : downtown Pensacola
09 Christmas Parade : Destin
01-17 Horse and Carriage Riders at The Wharf : Orange Beach
09 Flora Bama Santa Drop
15 Nutcracker at the Saenger Theatre : Pensacola
31 Pelican Drop Celebration – downtown Pensacola

With so much to do around town, whether you are looking to stay for a day or make the move of a lifetime, Southern is dedicated to helping you find the perfect place. Stop by one of our office today.  Southern Rentals and Real Estate

Have a sweet Southern experience !

The Land of the Free

The Southern Rentals and Real Estate Team salutes and honors those that lost their lives on 9.11 – 16 years ago.

We are the land of the free and the home of the brave!  Our hearts were unimaginably broken which forced us to be in great unity from that moment we will all never forget.  In that same spirit of unity, we remember those that we lost, pray for their families, support the ones who constantly run into harms way to seek and to save those in need of help.

On that day, more than 3000 lives were lost – and so many more affected in ways only they can express.  We also remember those in Houston, affected by Hurricane Harvey and the people in the path of Hurricane Irma.

May we always remember what brings us together – our relationships, our family, our love for one another and our love for our country! Our endurance and power will strengthen us, even if it takes some time at first – we will never forget.  But, our strength together is all we need.  We need each other!

The tribute light that beams through the NY sky on 9.11 beams through each and every day from our hearts.  We know their names, we know their children, we remember that day, just as we recall where we were on that September morning.  We also remember how the storms approach that attempt to destroy and are destructive to our surroundings. But, we endure together.

We all know the time continues to tick, so love one another deeply. Laugh often. Work hard and enjoy the simple things in life.  Sing loudly. Smile – you are loved.  Take time to listen. Be there when asked and stay their when your not asked.  Be one another’s best advocate and encourage those in your circle.  Get the flowers.  Smell the roses. Eat the cake. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Do your very best and don’t wait-do it!

Find your place at the beach and dip your toes in the sand.

Pensacola Beach hosts record crowd for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels drew a record crowd to the sugar-white sand and turquoise water of the Gulf Coast earlier in July. The “Blues” annual Homecoming Air Show in Pensacola Beach which has a reputation as a tourist destination is rivaled only by its military heritage. The Blue Angels are hometown heroes to the locals and this amazing elite, high-flying team with their aerial maneuvers and laser point precision is a spectacular show for all ages. Naval Air Station Pensacola is located just west of the city’s downtown and has trained generations of airmen and the home base for the Blue Angels. Pensacola is a city with such deep military roots, few things arouse more pride than the sight of the Blues soaring high above the Gulf Coast.

With record crowds, Southern Rentals and Real Estate has the most productive agents and team to host guests to the area. With multiple offices from Orange Beach, Alabama to Perdido Key, Florida and the Blue Angels back yard of Pensacola Beach, Florida; Southern Rentals and Real Estate is a leading full-service Real Estate Brokerage, Residential Leasing and Vacation Rentals and management Company. Stay with us in a beautiful home, cottage, condo or a resort; we have something for every taste and budget. Whether you are looking to stay for the next Naval Air Show, a weekend retreat, or to make the move of a lifetime, Southern Real Estate Sales is the brokerage for you. Contact Susan Carleton, Broker/Owner today for more information about available properties, the areas we represent and how we can help you find your perfect place at the beach! 850.492.1148