America’s First Settlement Found in Pensacola!

UWF-DeLuna-1Property 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.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations on the Coast

The-Wharf7-300x200Did you just purchase a home on the Gulf Coast? If so, you may be looking for the best New Year’s celebration near your new home. We’re happy to help!

If you own a home in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, reel in the New Year at The Wharf! The fun begins at 6pm. The beer garden, ice rink, Ferris Wheel and more will be available for family fun and the Marlin Drop will take place, along with fireworks, at midnight. Also near Orange Beach is the party at the Flora-Bama. Three stages, food, party favors and champagne will highlight this party before the countdown commences at midnight.

In Pensacola there is a little something known as the Pelican Drop. A favorite area tradition, this is a must-experience event when you live on the Gulf Coast. Hit the Little Pelican Party downtown, where you will enjoy family friendly games and entertainment, or party in downtown before the crystal Pelican drops to mark the beginning of 2016.

We’re Hiring an Inside Sales Agent

Untitled-1If you or someone you know is looking for jobs in Pensacola, Southern Real Estate Sales can help! We have a new opportunity available for someone who might want to transition into the world of real estate sales. The even better news is that no real estate license is required!

We have revamped our approach to qualifying and cultivating leads. With that in mind, we have decided to hire an Inside Sales Agent. This position will prospect and obtain new clients on a daily basis, using various inbound and outbound lead sources.

Maintaining client relationships is one of our top priorities here at Southern, and the Inside Sales Agent will be a key player in doing just that.

For more information on this position and other opportunities to become a part of the Southern Real Estate Sales team, please search our Career Opportunities. We are always looking for talented people to join our Florida and Alabama real estate sales team!

New Home For Sale in Pensacola!

PCOLA-RESAD-491744-1If shopping for real estate in Pensacola is on your holiday to-do list, then you may want to add 3406 Esplanade Drive to the top of your must-sees. Recently listed by Southern Real Estate Sales, Owner/Broker, this beautiful four bedroom, two bathroom home sits in the charming neighborhood of Cypress Gardens.

From the exterior’s curb appeal to the interior’s finishes, no detail of this classic Florida cottage has been overlooked.

Enter through the front door and find that this home has an open floor plan, beautiful laminate floors and a focal fireplace that is perfect for gathering around on those cooler winter evenings. Connected to the main living area and dining room is a large, galley-like kitchen with a built-in pantry and oversized refrigerator.The master bedroom has two spacious walk-in closets and an attached master bathroom suite. Outside is a well-maintained (fenced) backyard and cozy little patio.

All of this and a convenient location to boot! Cypress Gardens is a sought-after neighborhood in Pensacola, close to schools and just minutes away from the beautiful beaches of Perdido, and Pensacola Naval Air Station.

For more information on this and other homes for sale in Pensacola, please contact 850.492.1826. Just remember to reference MLS #491744.

A New Home For the Holidays

SOLDIs a new home for sale in Pensacola on your holiday wish list? If so, our agents have a few listings that might be up your alley. Recently listed (within the past 10 days) these properties each offer something unique to satisfy your individual buying needs.

If you are in the market for a condo with incredible views, our very own Jim Bomar can help. He added a six bedroom, three bathroom condo in Gulf Shores at the luxurious Bayshore Towers. In addition to spectacular views, this condo comes fully upgraded with incredible complex amenities to boot.

For those of you interested in buying a single-family home in the greater Pensacola area, Ouida Jones and Denise Kinne both added homes to the MLS this past week. The classic brick homes are located in the Emerald Shores community priced affordably within the $180,000 range.

Interested in seeing more of what our agents have to offer? Search the entire Baldwin County and Pensacola MLS today to find exactly what you are looking for!

Southern’s New Client Care Coordinator

887496_1017478484971568_7099547785788254996_oAt Southern Real Estate Sales, we pride ourselves on innovative tactics. We are always ready to try something new and stick with what works. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that we have revamped our approach to buying and selling real estate in Perdido Key, Pensacola, Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas, by hiring a Client Care Coordinator, Brandi Cowper.

In this role, Brandi has been put in charge of prospecting and servicing our large volume of leads. She works with them on an individual level to establish their needs and converts them into appointments for our agents.

Within the first week of implementing our Client Care Coordinator, we scheduled five new appointments and generated one contract. Needless to say, with Brandi’s help we have been able to create a system that converts prospects into qualified leads who are ready to buy. Now, we need agents to help these buyers find a home.

Leads are just the beginning of what Southern Real Estate Sales can offer you and your real estate career. Contact us today or view a list of our available jobs in Pensacola, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope.

Save with Southern Residential Leasing!

If you’re not ready to buy a home for sale in Pensacola just yet, look to our friends at Southern Residential Leasing. With long term rentals in Mobile, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key and Pensacola, they can help you find a great place to call home.

Speaking of great things, now is GREAT time to apply for a home or condo in the area as Southern is running a month-long move-in special in honor of Veteran’s Day. This year, our team of property managers has decided to waive the standard $50 application fee as a way of thanking the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight to protect our nation. The discount applies to all rentals and fees will be waived for all active-duty, medical discharge, honorable discharge and former military members. If you are former military, you must be able to provide DD214.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s just a small way for us to say thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. If you have questions about Southern’s Veteran’s Day Special, or are interested in applying for a rental in the area, contact our property managers directly at 855.981.7516 or visit SouthernResidentialLeasing.com.

*Special Runs Through November 30, 2015.

Pensacola Condo Values Rebound

486638-1If you’ve been teetering with the decision of whether or not to sell your home or condo in Pensacola, a recent article released by the Pensacola News Journal might help you make up your mind. Long story short, years after the recession, condo values have officially rebounded.

According to real estate data from Zillow, median condo values in the United States are increasing at a 5.1 percent annual rate compared to single-family homes which are increasing at a 3.7 percent rate. Condos in Pensacola, however have increased in value at an 8.7 percent rate between September 2014 and September 2015 alone.

In general, the Gulf Coast condo market is hot and hot for a few reasons. First and foremost because of demand is exceeding supply. Additionally, condos are a better bargain now for first time home-buyers and foreclosures aren’t nearly as prominent as they were a few years ago.

If you were looking for a golden opportunity to list your home or condo, this is it. Contact one of our Southern Real Estate Sales’ agents today for more information how we can sell your property within your time frame!

Why You Should Reconsider “For Sale By Owner”

SOLDAre you thinking about listing your home “For Sale”? If so, we don’t doubt that the thought: “I could save money on closing costs if I forgo hiring a Pensacola real estate agent,” has crossed your mind.  You’re not the first to think so, but we think you should reconsider for a few reasons.

For starters, the rate of “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) homes has been decreasing steadily for decades. Why? Simply because the value that an agent brings to the table outweighs the commission paid. Last year alone, the typical for FSBO home sold for $208,700 while similar homes – listed by agents – sold for an average of $235,000. Six percent of $235,000 is $14,100. Assuming you covered all costs, that’s still $12,200 more than you would have made listing FSBO.

If that’s not reason enough to go out and hire an agent today, think about the resources and knowledge they can offer you. From marketing power and online tools, real estate agents can increase your property’s exposure and overall likelihood of selling. All this and the added benefit of having a built-in negotiator on your side so you can feel cool, calm, collected and confident when it comes time to close.

Are you interested in learning more about our agents and how we can help you sell your home? Give us a call today! We’ll be happy to walk you through the ins-and-outs of buying and selling a home.

Hidden Costs of Homeownership

Historic Home2If you have never owned or purchased a home for sale in Pensacola before, our real estate agents wanted to prepare you for some of the “hidden costs” ahead of time. That is right, there’s more than just a mortgage payment associated with this purchase…

For starters, property taxes come into play. Property taxes are based on the current value of your home and assessed yearly. The good news is that this fee can be paid yearly or divided into 12 payments over the course of the year and added to your mortgage payment.

Another thing to factor into the cost of owning a home is maintenance. When you live in a long term rental in Pensacola, most maintenance is performed by your property manager. However, home ownership means those costs fall upon you. Most people in the industry suggest you allocate 1% of your home’s worth for maintenance costs each year.

Mortgage insurance, supplemental insurance, landscaping, HOA fees, the list of hidden fees goes on. It is important to factor these things into your budget as you search for a home or condo for sale in Pensacola Beach.