Gulf Coast Holiday Events

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Whether you own Gulf Coast real estate or are just here visiting for the holidays, there are many Christmas events taking place in the area that you won’t want to miss.

One of the best, and easiest, places to get into the holiday spirit has to be at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Here you can visit with Santa, enjoy festive holiday light shows each evening at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm, and enjoy a horse and carriage ride throughout the shopping center. You can even partake in ice skating during your Alabama beach vacation!

Another great activity to enjoy during your vacation to Alabama’s Gulf Coast are our lighted parades. If you happen to own a home in Gulf Shores or will be on vacation near there on December 13, be sure to visit LuLu’s restaurant to watch as the local fishing fleet, with decks decked out for the season, sail through Homeport Marina. No matter where you choose to celebrate, we hope you are having a happy holiday season!

Reasons to Buy During the Holidays

christmas2Have you been in the market to buy a home for sale in Pensacola? Maybe a condo in Perdido Key is on your Christmas wishlist. Whatever it is you have been thinking about, now could be the perfect time to take action.

So, why should you add real estate shopping to your to you December to-do list? Well, for starters home prices in December are historically lower than in any other month. Additionally mortgage rates are hovering around the 4 percent range which is still significantly lower than in years past. And just to put this in perspective, did you know that if rates increase by a single percentage point, your purchasing power is reduced by more than 10 percent?

If you need another reason to buy this December, consider the tax savings. Closing before December 31st on a home is definitely one way to reduce your tax bill, build equity and save yourself a significant amount of money.

Are you convinced that now is the time to buy? Contact our Pointe South real estate agents today to find a home before the holidays!

New Development in Orange Beach

IMG_0024If you are looking for adventure, fun and relaxation, Orange Beach, Alabama is where you will find it. For years Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have remained a little-known vacation treasure, but more and more families are discovering the 32 miles of soft sandy white beaches lined with luxurious high and mid rise condominiums.

With that in mind, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival and proposal of the newest development to hit the area. Pushing for a January 12 presentation date, Nathan Cox of Bellator Real Estate and Development and architect, Forrest Daniell are waiting to submit complex details until some things are finalized and to make sure that everything is “buttoned up prior to moving forward” with their plans for Ascension and Grace Towers in Orange Beach.

The proposed towers are expected to be between 35 and 36 stories near the downtown area at the focal site of Orange Beach (at the end of 161 and 182) and contain a total of 278 new units.

So far there’s no plan as to whether or not it will be a hotel or condominum complex in Orange Beach, guess we will all have to wait and see come January. But don’t let that stop you from exploring our Orange Beach vacation rentals and real estate opportunities. There’s still plenty to choose from!

Listing Your Home Over the Holidays

StockingsThe holiday season from November through January is often considered the worst time to sell your home. But that does not mean you should scrap your plans for selling your home this year. The truth is that winter months can be just as productive as the summer months and even give your Perdido Key real estate a little bit of an edge over the competition.

The thought has always been that families are less inclined to move during the holidays. After all, the kids are settled and who really wants to dampen the spirit of the season with the stress of a move? However, a new winter listing is surrounded by a pool of serious buyers and less competition.

According to Zillow, buyers in the early winter months are even more motivated to find a home because there is less to be distracted by. So, let those current homeowners who believe the age-old adage hibernate and take advantage of a market with less inventory.

Ready to commit to the challenge? Look to the expertise of a Pointe South real estate agent who will go above and beyond to get your home sold so that you can enjoy the season.

Alabama Real Estate Opportunities

IMG_0024If you did not already know, Pointe South is licensed to sell real estate in Florida, as well as Alabama. Our furthermost west communities include, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Each community offers something truly distinct and we are firm believers that there is not a bad place to call home anywhere along the shores of the Gulf Coast.

Orange Beach is a popular favorite amongst visitors and locals alike. Whether it is the spectacular beach itself you seek, or a range of recreational activities, Orange Beach with its nearby neighbor, Gulf Shores, will have it all – real estate included. Properties for sale in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan range from high rise condominiums to detached single family homes and everything in between.

Head inland to Fairhope and the Greater Mobile Bay area and you will find an array of small, but quaint towns that offer a rich history and unique culture. These areas offer large homes on large parcels of land and a variety of historic Alabama homes full of original southern charm.

See all that Baldwin County has to offer and search our Alabama real estate listings today!

Wine Tasting at Pointe South

Wine Tasting at Pointe South Real Estate“Home is where the wine is,” well, this is not always true, but it was the case for the Pointe South Real Estate office this past week. No, it was not because the day had been particularly stressful, but merely because we wanted another excuse to spend some quality time with our clients and other Pensacola real estate agents.

At Pointe South we are fortunate to have an incredible group of realtors that work hard to exceed our clients’ and associates’ expectations. It is not simply a matter of helping you find or list your home, but rather building a relationship so that we can provide you and your property with the best possible service.

So this past week we invited our realtors, friends and business associates over to our main office location in Perdido Key for a one-of-a-kind, wine tasting event hosted by Cellar 54. For those of you who don’t know, Cellar 54 specializes in personalized and custom designed wine labels as well as personalized boutique and estate wines from all over the world. Our rep provided over 22 different wines for our family and friends to taste as we gathered around the office.

We had a blast and want to thank everyone who was able to join us. If you are interested in upcoming news, events and promotions like this one, sign up for our email blast on Pointe South Facebook page.

Real Estate Agents and Finances

iStock_000020499093Medium-347x459Money is sensitive subject. How much we earn and how much we owe is information we prefer to keep close to the vest. So, what do you do when you are ready to buy a condo in Perdido Key? And how much does your real estate agent really need to know?

The truth is there really is no need to worry. The client/agent relationship is vested in privacy, this includes the intimate details of your personal finances. Real estate agents don’t expect you to disclose everything, and they don’t need you to either. All they need is the bottom line, that is your overall situation to help you find a home within your budget.

An agent’s job is to negotiate a home purchase on your behalf, covering everything from home values to neighborhood features. Home financing is a separate issue from the home search and rests in the hands of your mortgage lender. They are the ones who will need access to your recent pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. Your Realtor needs your lender-generated preapproval letter.

If you have more questions about buying a home, contact our real estate agents at Pointe South. Our professionals will be happy to help you navigate the process until you have found that perfect place to call home.

Fall Decorations for Your Home

PumpkinFall is officially here and with it comes Halloween, Thanksgiving and a few other festive holidays that provide the perfect excuse to decorate your Perdido Key condo. Don’t worry, we are not just talking about cobwebs and plastic ghouls to create a spooky vibe, we are thinking this is the year to take a more elegant approach to Halloween decor that can last the entire harvest season.

So, how do you decorate your home for the fall season? Consider bringing nature indoors. As the weather cools down and you spend more time inside, bring outdoor elements in to help represent the season. Branches, wheat sheaves and dried flowers are all elegant additions that you can buy at your local craft store.

You could also decorate with food elements such as, pumpkins, butternut squash and even curly-leaved greens. After all, just because your mother said not to play with your food does not mean you can’t decorate with it…

Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. No matter how you decorate your guests, trick-or-treaters, family and friends are bound to be impressed. For more household tips and tricks, from decorating and staging to real estate sales, contact our experts agents at Pointe South.

Congratulations, Susan!

Susan Carleton ImageIt has been an eventful year so far at Pointe South Real Estate Sales. Our staff has grown, our reach has expanded and we are looking forward to exciting fourth quarter and finishing the year off as strong as we started.

At the helm of these accomplishments is Pointe South’s Broker/Owner, Susan Carleton. A Pensacola native with over 18 years in the industry, Susan embodies and promotes everything that the Gulf Coast has to offer. And, we are not the only ones to notice that…

We are pleased to announce that Susan has recently been elected as a Director with the Pensacola Association of Realtors. Prior to this position, Susan served as a member on the Grievance Committee and Nominating Committee. Susan’s impressive career accomplishments do not stop there. She was also nominated as “Best Real Estate Agent” in inweekly’s “Best of the Coast” 2014 edition where she placed runner up.

We would like to congratulate Susan whose personal dedication, commitment and expertise continue to inspire not only her staff, but her community as well.

For more information on Susan and her Coastal Alabama and Greater Pensacola real estate listings, call 850.361.4154.

Condos for Sale in Perdido Key

FrontHave you treated yourself to a vacation lately? Perhaps a luxurious stay at Mediterranean condo in Perdido Key is in order.

If you have ever stayed in this lavish resort, then you already know how hard it can be to leave. Unmatched amenities, grand accommodations, miles of uninterrupted Gulf views – the list goes on and it is not long before you wish your vacation was a little bit more permanent. Well, consider your wish granted because the Pointe South team has two listings in this luxurious high rise that could be yours in no time.

Both units offer floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Gulf of Mexico, Ono Island and Ole River. These four bedroom, four and a half bathroom condos span an impressive 3,383 square feet and offer high-end finishes and a variety of individual details.

Not only does Mediterranean offer lavish condos, but a variety of onsite amenities such as a beach front pool, fitness facility and sauna. These factors combined with a premier location help to make Mediterranean a solid investment opportunity, whether you are looking for a primary residence or vacation rental. In fact, these units have a proven history with Pointe South Vacation Rentals.

For more information on these and other Perdido Key real estate opportunities, call 850.492.1826.