Protecting your Biggest Investment on the Gulf Coast… Family and your home

Hurricane Season officially started June 1st in NW Florida and we need  to be prepared on the Gulf Coast. In protecting our biggest and most important investments, we need to have a plan.  Two keys to weather safely are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials.  These are essential pieces to protecting our families and our homes and communities.  Our gorgeous sugar sand beaches can feel some occasional weather.  Hard to believe, I know!  But, when and if it happens, we want our guests and families to be ready.  We have to gather important information.  Especially, Beachfront communities in Destin, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores. 

We have to know the evacuation plan.  Firstly, know if you live in an evacuation area.  Assess your risks and know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.  Next, plan and take action.  Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected.  Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes.  How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe?  Texting is a good tool to use as the phone lines might be saturated.  Furthermore, have a supply kit.  Put together a basic disaster supply kit and consider storage locations for different situations.  Help community members do the same.  That is what we do on the Susan Carleton Real Estate Team.  We prompt one another to do good and take care of one another in all areas of life.  Develop and document plans.  Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan.  Be sure to plan for locations away from home and business.  Business owner, Susan Carleton, survived  the massive hurricane 10 years ago and recalls the importance of the plan.  In all life scenarios, the plan is a guide. We hope we don’t have to use, but if you do, you find yourself responding and acting and taking care of one another.

When waiting out a storm, be careful.  The danger may not be over yet.  Be alert.  Wait until the area is declared safe before returning home.  Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.  The City of Pensacola has incredible resources for our visitors and residence from Alerts to traffic advisories to American Red Cross and additional preparedness.  Be safe!  Enjoy the City of Pensacola and surrounding areas.  

http://www.cityofpensacola.com

 

Strike Investment Property Gold In A Perdido Key Luxury Beach Condo

Perdido Key condo living is luxury living.  The beach lifestyle can be enjoyed all year round.  Dipping your toes in the sugar-white sand of Perdido Key is life at its best!

The gated community at Beach Colony Resort has gorgeous views of the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico.

The special amenities at Beach Colony include an indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, two outdoor swimming pools, and a fitness center. Plus, it’s all just steps away from the beach!

Beach Colony is comprised of three high-rise condominiums situated on the Gulf of Mexico.  Located on the Eastern end of Perdido Key, Florida, it is a hidden gem in our area. Each tower offers only Gulf front residences with large private balconies and security-coded elevators for access.  You can relax and enjoy the tranquil nature of the beautiful Gulf Coast and indulge in all the fine amenities that Perdido Key has to offer. Plus, when you invest in a Perdido Key condo, you can enjoy the income from owning a beach rental.

For more details about this or any other condos in the area, visit ForSaleontheGulfCoast.com for comprehensive information on Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Pensacola Beach, and more beachfront, waterfront, or riverfront units available in the area.

Our expert agents on the Susan Carleton team are happy to help you. Pointe South Real Estate Sales is a locally owned and operated powerhouse driven by a single goal: impeccable customer service.

Whether you are looking to rent, buy, or list your home, Pointe South is the company you trust in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama.

Benefits of a VA Loan

Realtors who specialize in selling real estate in Navarre, Pensacola and Perdido Key have to familiarize themselves with the VA loan. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. With such a strong military presence here, knowing the ins and outs of the program just comes with the territory. The irony of it though, lies in the fact that most of the military members who qualify for the benefits of a VA loan are usually unsure of its value.

A recent study conducted by Florida Realtors, found that only 36% of 2,000 IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) surveyed had applied for a VA home loan. When they were asked why, some felt that it was inferior to a conventional mortgage, which isn’t true. Plain and simple. So, to help, Pointe South Real Estate Sales agents have complied a list of two major benefits to applying for a VA loan.

1. Down Payment Advice Isn’t Equal: One of the biggest draws to a VA loan is the fact that the buyer doesn’t have to put any money down. This can be slight disadvantage if a property receives multiple offers mainly because most sellers will use a portion of the down payment as a deposit.

2. Low Rates: Even though mortgage rates are at historic lows, interest rates associated with VA loans tend to be among the lowest of them all.

Learn more about applying for a VA loan and finding a military realtor in Pensacola who can help you find the right home at the right price with the right loan.

Beach Condos for Sale in Pensacola

Searching for beach condos for sale in Pensacola? How about ones under $250,000? If so, you might have noticed how limited inventory is at the moment, and how quickly properties going.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to miss out on the condo of your dreams! Pointe South Real Estate Sales’ Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, recently listed a one bedroom condo at Perdido Sun. This incredible ground-floor unit offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and is just steps (literally, steps) away from the world renowned Perdido Key beaches.

Unlike most one bedroom condos, this one is oversized and spacious enough to sleep up to four people. Easy-to-clean tile lines the floors of this 832 square foot showplace, connecting the main living areas together. Enjoy having access to an added half bathroom in the hallway, as well as convenient access to the onsite, gulf-front pool. Speaking of amenities, Perdido Sun offers homeowners and vacationers alike a wide array of things to do. From days spent on the beach to nights by the pool, Perdido Sun is the best of the best. The complex also features an indoor pool, fitness facility and community grill.

Upgrades, resort amenities and a $25,000/year rental potential. This condo has all of the makings for a great investment. Learn more about it and other Perdido Key real estate opportunities when you contact Susan Carleton at 850.516.7238

Top 5 Things to Do in Pensacola for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day usually comes with certain expectations: breakfast in bed, flowers, maybe even a dinner out on the town. All of which will probably thrill your mom, but this year we want to treat mom to something a little extra special, simply because she deserves it. So, here are the top 5 things to do in Pensacola on Mother’s Day:

(1) Surprise Mom with a vacation, or if you live around here, a stay-cation. Let’s face it, mom needs a break from cooking and cleaning. Nothing does the trick quite like a little salt and sand therapy. Lucky for you, May is a great time to find a deal on an Pensacola Beach vacation rental…

(2) Treat Mom to brunch. We all love a good Sunday Brunch, but not all of us are willing to fight the crowds (and the long wait) on Mother’s Day. Do yourself and mom a favor and make reservations early on at one of her favorite places. The Fish House in Pensacola is always a local’s favorite when it comes to Mother’s Day Brunch Specials…

(3) Take a walk down memory lane. Nothing beats a day spent reminiscing. Wherever you are, be sure to whip out the old photos and embarrassing home videos for a few good laughs…

(4) Unwind at the spa. At some point during the day, you and your Mom may need a little dose of “treat yo’self,” in which case, have the appointments made at a nearby spa in Pensacola for manicures, pedicures, facials, the whole nine yards…

(5) Schedule some beach time. Vitamin D and quality time with your family is all most mom’s need, and around here it’s pretty easy to find a beach to sit on, walk on or picnic by with the ones you love most…

Happy (we can’t live without) Mom’s Day!

Andy Ross Sets Gulf Coast Lionfish Record

The annual Gulf Coast Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day is quickly approaching, and with that we could not be more proud to sponsor such an event. This year, we have even more reason to celebrate as Perdido Key real estate agent, tournament host and fishing captain, Andy Ross found himself with a record-breaking catch. Just last week, Andy caught a seventeen foot long lionfish off the shores of Pensacola Beach.

Andy is a captain with Nihui Dive Charters has been an active member of the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition for years. The fish was caught just in time for the group’s festivities, helping to hype the upcoming events and festival. With the festival, the Lionfish Coalition aims to educate the public on how to control the influx of the invasive species and further protect the Gulf Coast fishing industry.

On Friday, the Coalition will host a lionfish tasting at West Marine on Davis Highway in Pensacola. (Yes, you can eat these invasive boogers, and yes, they are delicious!) May 14 and 15 are considered the main event days, where the Coalition gathers with food and entertainment at the Plaza de Luna in Pensacola. Be there from 10:00 – 5:00 pm for a full day of fun, education and support. We will most definitely be there!

Real Estate Brokerage 101

Real estate is a very “relationship-oriented” business. Past clients, referrals – everything is related – including which brokerage you decide to hang your license at. When you’re deciding this, whether it’s the first time or one of many brokerage switches, you may be wondering what the benefit is to joining a local real estate company in Pensacola.

National chains try to brand themselves by offering new agents training and access to more experienced agents. But even with that, they do very little in the way of lead generation or support for new agents.That’s where Pointe South Real Estate Sales is different. Office space, training and leads are just three of the many things our boutique brokerage can offer you.

Pointe South utilizes a powerful lead generation software and an Inside Sales Department to field the incoming prospects. On top of that, we have marketing support, monthly training sessions, built-in property managers ready to offer rate analyses and ZERO upfront fees. We don’t want our agents worrying about anything other than listing homes for sale in Pensacola and writing contracts.

Contact 850-492-1826 for more information on Pointe South and how we can help you continue down a successful path in the real estate industry.

Upcoming Running Events on the Gulf Coast

Have you recently purchased Gulf Coast real estate and made the beach your home? Well, if you love to run, we have several events you should get out and enjoy. Not only are they fun, they are sure to help your new town feel like home!

The first running event coming up is the Gulf Coast Half Marathon taking place on February 28, 2016 at 7AM. The event is hosted by LuLu’s restaurant, so it’s sure to be a blast. The event will begin there, follow a fun course and end just 50 yards away from where it starts, after 13.1 miles, of course. Not a runner? That’s okay. Walkers are welcome, too. Be sure to stay on for the Nearly World Famous Post Race Party hosted by LuLu’s, which will kick off as soon as the first runner crosses the finish line.

Can’t make this half marathon? Consider running the Pensacola Beach version on April 10, 2016 hosted by Running Wild. Also a walker friendly course, the race will begin at Casino Beach and the post race party will take place at Flounder’s in this case.

Speaking of Pensacola, if you have recently purchased real estate on Pensacola Beach or the surrounding area, consider exploring downtown via the McGuire’s 5K Prediction Run. Now it’s 39th year, this run asks participants to predict how long it will take them to complete the certified 5K course through town. Those who come closest to their predicted time, without the used of timing devices, win! That run will take place at 9AM on March 12, 2016 and registration is open. No matter the location or distance, we hope you have a great run along the Gulf Coast.

Top 5 Pensacola Restaurants

So, you’ve just purchased real estate in Pensacola. Congrats! Now that you’re all moved in, and totally over pizza delivery, it’s time to start exploring your new city. Let’s start with all the good eats in town – and there are many!

We could literally go on and on about the various restaurants in Pensacola. Between downtown and Pensacola Beach, you will never go hungry here. But, we decided to narrow the field to the top five. It was very difficult, but here we go.

#5: Five Sisters Blues Cafe – Offering classic southern creations, this is the place to acquaint yourself with area favorites such as fried chicken, fried okra and fried green tomatoes. Yes, everything is better fried. The nightly jazz band is an added bonus.

#4: The Great Southern Restaurants – We’re cheating here. The Great Southern Restaurants are actually three restaurants: Atlas Oyster House, Jackson’s Steakhouse and The Fish House. Their names say it all and you won’t be disappointed, no matter which one you choose!

#3: Pot Roast & Pinot – The Tripadvisor reviews say it all, a “gem of a place with a twist.” Step inside to find a sleek interior, food made from scratch and an incredible wine selection. For added fun, have a seat at the bar to watch your food prepared.

#2: Joe Patti’s Seafood – While their is only a small area to sit down to eat, this lands on our list for being the best fresh seafood market in town, hands down. Even if you order your seafood and take it home to eat, you will still consider this one of your best meals. But, whatever you do, don’t forget to order beignets.

#1: McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery – Delicious food, beer brewed in-house and years of tradition literally stapled to the wall, this is the impression you will leave with after a visit to McGuire’s. Head on over, order an Irish Red and an order of reuben eggrolls – a personal favorite – and don’t forget to leave a dollar bill on the wall (or kiss the moose!).

America’s First Settlement Found in Pensacola!

Property values in Pensacola may have just risen in the East Pensacola Heights neighborhood. Trending in today’s news is the fact that University of West Florida archaeologists discovered the site of the de Luna settlement.

The location of de Luna settlement has been a mystery for centuries – since 1559 to be exact. That is when the first multi-year European settlement was established somewhere in the Southeast. Well, it is a mystery no longer.

Archaeologists from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, “discovered and can support the statement that the land settlement of site Tristan de Luna has been located within the city limits of Pensacola, Florida.” That is according to University President, Dr. Judy Bense.

The unearthing began in early October when Pensacola native, Tom Garner uncovered Spanish colonial and Native American artifacts at a privately owned residential lot in Pensacola. Since then, and with the cooperation of residents and property owners, UWF began to text excavations at the site and recovered remaining artifacts. The team will continue to examine the neighborhood to determine the extent and organization of the site.

We should know more within the next few weeks what all these archaeologists dig up! For more details on America’s first settlement and the excavation in Pensacola, visit uwf.edu/luna.