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.

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.

Congratulations, LaGay Fenters!

At Pointe South, our Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola real estate agents make it a goal to go above and beyond for clients. They are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to exceed their client’s expectation.

Truth be told, it is hard to find a more dedicated group of professional agents. Perhaps that is what makes Pointe South so unique. We’re a tight-knit brokerage with powerhouse capabilities, because of our agents that work here. Each one brings something unique to the table, making it next to impossible to determine an “Agent of the Month.”

That said, we are pleased to announce that even with such high expectations, LaGay Fenters has continuously raised the bar with her positive spirit, determination and overly impressive sales figures this past month. For this reason, we are proud to announce that LaGay is our February Agent of the Month.

Congratulations, LaGay! We are proud to say you call Pointe South Real Estate Sales home!

For more information on LaGay Fenters, and how she can help you buy or list your home, please contact her directly at 850-529-3093 or visit PensacolaMRP.com.

New Development at Lost Key!

Whether you vacation in Perdido Key, or live along these gorgeous waters, you without a doubt have heard of the Lost Key Golf & Beach Club. This fabulous 413-acre gated community is nestled between Gulf of Mexico waters and more than 300 acres of natural preserves, capturing every ounce of charm Perdido Key has to offer from sugar white sand and rolling dunes.

The opportunities to own, or rent, are diverse as the landscape. This masterfully planned community offers the very best of coastal living – condos and homes included. From the Arnold Palmer championship golf course to fine dining, pools and complimentary beach shuttles, Lost Key Golf & Beach Club offers a one-of-a-kind experience to residents and guests alike.

The newest community is no different. WCI’s Resort Villas at Lost Key will expand upon the site’s current offerings with an array of luxury villas. The villas for sale at Lost Key Golf & Beach Club are priced from the upper $300,000’s with contracts being accepted as early as March 26, 2016.

For more information, or to view the villas, please contact Pointe South Real Estate Sales at 850-492-1826.

Before You Buy a Vacation Home

Curious about buying a vacation home? At Pointe South Rentals and Real Estate, we love a good investment property. With great friends and even better property managers at our fingertips, we always like to encourage our clients to look at the possibilities and then decide what is best for them.

For some buyers it makes sense to invest in an Orange Beach vacation rental, for others it may not. We have a few questions you should ask yourself before buying a vacation rental.

Number one: Do you love the location? Nice weather year-round makes this question a no-brainer for us. The second question you should ask yourself is, how often can you get there? Commuting is a huge deciding factor. You have to determine how much time you can spend somewhere and is it worth the cost of owning and maintaining the property.

Lastly, could you rent the place? Again, for the Gulf Coast, this is not a problem. The important thing to remember here is to have an agent who knows the condo rules and renter’s interests.

Our Alabama real estate agents can do just that! Give us a call at 850.492.1826 to learn more!

Homes for Sale on Ono Island

The ultimate customized residence awaits. If you have been searching for homes for sale on Ono Island, our Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton has just the place for you! Recently listed and newly constructed, 30485 Ono Loop North sits on a large, canal front lot in Orange Beach, Alabama.

This five bedroom, four-and-half bathroom home comes with a variety of upgrades and enhancements. From hardwood floors, 10 foot ceilings, crown molding and high-end trim, it is safe to say that no detail has been overlooked when it comes to this incredible property. The rooms are spacious and open with neutral finishes that help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the 3,396 square foot residence. Outside, there is a beautiful 706 square back deck with a large brick fireplace with views overlooking the canal.

In addition to an incredible location and fabulous upgrades, this home comes with a new boat house with power and lift that holds up to 9,000 pounds.

For more information on this and other Orange Beach, Alabama real estate opportunities, contact Susan Carleton at 850.516.7238.

Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

So you are shopping for condos to buy in Pensacola Beach and found one that you think has it all. Now it is just a matter of negotiating the terms. More often than not, people overestimate their skills in this department. Negotiating is an art, which is usually why we recommend you work with someone who is well versed in this trade… ahem, a Pointe South Real Estate Sales agent.

Before you write the idea of hiring an agent off entirely, you should know that they bring a wealth of knowledge to the table that can make all the difference when rounding third and heading for home. Typically, a real estate agent will provide you with a detailed price analysis of local market conditions, comparable homes and recommendations so that you can decide on the best possible price.

Speaking of price, keep in mind that the end goal is to purchase your ideal home at an ideal price. You don’t want to get so caught up in the negotiation game that you lose out on a great deal. That is actually another reason to hire an agent – they can offer you an unbiased perspective based off the numbers alone.

Still thinking about buying or selling? Contact one of our Pensacola Beach real estate agents today to go over the details of your transaction. They will be more than happy to help you find the right deal at the right price!

Gulf Shores Named “Hot Spot” by HomeAway

Are you ready to take the plunge as a real estate investor, but still deciding on where, and what to buy? Well, usually our answer would be anywhere along Florida and Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Thankfully, HomeAway – an online vacation rental marketplace – has given us EVEN more reason to suggest buying a condo or home along these waters…

The group just released its “Hottest Spots for Spring Travel,” so visitors can start planning their vacation before spring has officially sprung. Of their six most sought-after destinations, Gulf Shores, Alabama ranks third.

But why does this mean you should buy beach homes for sale in Gulf Shores? Because the demand for inventory is not going anywhere any time soon. That answers the number one rule of buying an investment property – could you rent the property when you are not there? Sounds like if it is in Gulf Shores, Alabama you won’t have any problems.

Still have questions about buying real estate on the Gulf Coast? Or, are you interested in learning more about our property management services in Gulf Shores? Contact Pointe South today at 850.492.1826 for more details on how we can help!

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.

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!