New Year’s Eve Celebrations on the Coast

Did 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.

A New Home For the Holidays

Is 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!

Pensacola Condo Values Rebound

If 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 Pointe South 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”

Are 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

If 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.

Buying an Income Property: What You Need to Know

Are you thinking about buying real estate in Pensacola? Well, if an income property is what you had in mind, congratulations! We can help you find a place and a property manager to help take care of your investment. There’s really only one catch. Buying an investment property is a big decision, and while it can be a great move financially, there are risks involved that you should be aware of.

For starters, we want you to know that investing in real estate is not (and should not be thought of as) a “get-rich scheme.” The only certainty in the market is uncertainty, so it is important to be realistic about the potential return on your investment. You should also be aware of what can and cannot be rented according to local zoning regulations. And, that maintenance workers – once you buy a property – will save your life.

Even though it sounds gloomy, the reward can be worth the risk. Especially if you have a knowledgeable agent by your side and a trust-worthy Pensacola property management company to help you handle the day-to-day. Contact an agent today find out if buying an income property is the right decision for you!

Pensacola Named Rising Star by TripAdvisor

You know that feeling you get when you’re a big fan of something before it takes off and gets really popular? That’s kind of how we feel about owning real estate in Pensacola Beach. Apparently, TripAdvisor’s FlipKey feels the same way.

The popular vacation rental booking engine shared a list of vacation rental destinations that are about to launch into the “stratosphere.” The data, based on web traffic in 2014 – 2015, highlights the places with 500% growth. And the good news is, Pensacola Beach is one of them.

With 700% growth, Pensacola Beach has edged out tens of thousands competing areas, simply because vacationing in Pensacola Beach is awesome. Take it from us (we live here) when we say that the activities are endless. From boating and fishing to dining and shopping, you can’t go wrong with a stay in this b-e-a-utiful area! Did you notice we didn’t even have to mention how incredibly gorgeous the water is and soft the sand is?

Ready to stay along our emerald shores? If you want to make your trip last longer than a week, give our agents a call. They’ll be happy to find you a beach home or condo for sale in Pensacola Beach!

Top Ten Things to Do in Pensacola, Florida

If you have just recently moved into a rental home in Florida, or purchased real estate in Pensacola, Florida, you may be wondering what there is to do and see in the area. Trust me when we tell you, there is plenty! Pensacola features a number of thrilling attractions, but it is also home to peaceful beaches and low-key restaurants. With a wide variety of venues, you will never run out of things to do. Topping the list of the top-ten things to do in Pensacola? Watch a Blue Wahoos baseball game, of course! Following that is making sure you stop by the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. With that in mind, be sure to catch one of the Blue Angels Flight Shows, which take place every year in July. You can’t forget to take a tour of historical downtown Pensacola. Walk along the streets yourself, partake in a retro bus tour or cruise along on a Segway with a tour guide from Emerald Coast Tours.

Next on the list? Visit the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum and take in the incredible view of white sandy beaches and bright blue waters. Spend the day on Johnson Beach or venture over to Santa Rosa Island, the locals’ favorite beach hangout. Pensacola is littered with specialty and gift shops that you will love to visit. One of the best-kept secrets of the area is Beyond the Grape, a wine bar located in Cordova Mall.

Check out the full list of popular things to do in Pensacola and add them to your to-do list after moving to the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Downtown Pensacola Events in August!

If the hunt for Gulf Coast real estate has planted you in downtown Pensacola, congratulations! We know you will love your new home, not to mention all the awesome upcoming events you now have access to, including many this August.

You will always find great weekly events taking place near your real estate in Pensacola, including the Palafox Market, but late summer and early fall really kick off some great ones. The first is Summer Restaurant Week, hosted by the Great Southern Restaurants. These local dining hot spots are ones you will get to know well while living in your new home and this is a great chance to explore them.

Summer Restaurant Week takes place August 4-8, 2015 and features awesome three course menus from three different restaurants, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Atlas Oyster House and The Fish House. Cost is just $33 per person, per restaurant and offers a delicious tour of what each local chef has to offer. Some of the options include lobster with mascarpone Alfredo sauce, panhandle paella and slow roasted ribeye, along with choice appetizers and desserts.

Don’t miss out on this delicious way to explore your new city! We hope to see you out for Summer Restaurant Week in downtown Pensacola this August.

Local Area Farmers’ Markets

There is a big trend in today’s world to shop local and handmade. And, if you have recently purchased Pensacola or Perdido Key real estate, you can easily get in on this fantastic movement at our local area markets.

If you own a home in downtown Pensacola, we highly encourage you to step out on Saturday morning and explore the Palafox Market. This local market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am-2pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox.

The Palafox Market offers a little something for every shopper, whether you’re looking for fresh produce or handmade goodies. Some items you can expect to see weekly are homegrown garden items, flowers, local meat and cheese, home goods and even antiques. You can even enjoy some music and munch on tasty morning treat from vendors.

If you happen to prefer real estate in Perdido Key, hit up their local farmers’ market before heading to your showings on Saturdays. Located at Baars Field on Gulf Beach Highway, this market opens at 8am and closed at 1pm. Here you will also find a wonderful variety of fresh produce, handmade goodies and treats to choose from, all from local makers and growers. We hope to see you out at these local markets this summer and fall!