Benefits of a VA Loan

Veterans Day 2014Realtors 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, Southern 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

887496_1017478484971568_7099547785788254996_oReal 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 Southern Real Estate Sales is different. Office space, training and leads are just three of the many things our boutique brokerage can offer you.

Southern 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 850-978-5057 for more information on Southern and how we can help you continue down a successful path in the real estate industry.

Congratulations, LaGay Fenters!

LaGay FenterAt Southern, 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 Southern 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 Southern Real Estate Sales home!

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

New Development at Lost Key!

Lost Key Golf and Beach Club, Perdido Key, FL, 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 Southern Real Estate Sales at 850-492-1826.

Before You Buy a Vacation Home

AboutMeAt Southern 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

ARI713-BeachSo you are shopping condos for sale 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 Southern 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

Gulf ShoresAre 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. Naturally, we aren’t surprised and we’re positive our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals can vouch for the rise in popularity amongst their Orange Beach and Gulf Shores condo rentals.

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 Southern today at 850.492.1826 for more details on how we can help!

Banner Year at Southern Real Estate Sales!

Untitled-1Great things are always happening at Southern Real Estate Sales! Our Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach real estate brokerage just received totals from last year, and we have to say the numbers look good! Our agents closed approximately 271 transaction sides in 2015, totaling over $60 million in sales.

Susan Carleton, Southern Real Estate Sales’ Owner/Broker was quotes saying “We knew the $50 million threshold would be crossed soon, but surpassing it and then some, just goes to show you how incredibly driven our agents are.”

2015 was a monumental year for Southern Real Estate Sales. The firm experience a name change from Pointe South to Southern and added an inside sales department to assist with increased call volume. Overall, we would have to say that these measures are working, because a 36% increase in year-over-year sales volume is nothing to sneeze at.

The total number for sales rings in at $60,198, 708 in sales. A number that has set the stage for a dynamic year to come. As it is, Southern Real Estate Sales agents have already listed four new homes for sale in Pensacola, sold thee properties and have an additional four units under contract despite the time of year.

Needless to say, if you are interested in buying or selling, choose the team with a proven track record.

Gulf Side Villa Condo For Sale

PCOLA-RESAD-491746-1What better way to ring in the New Year than with a new investment property bound to generate some peace (of mind) and prosperity? If that is what you are in the market for, you should consider adding this gulf front condo for sale in Perdido Key to the top of your shopping list.

Recently listed by our Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, this partially furnished condo is bound to sell quick. This two-story, two bedroom unit at Gulf Side Villas offers incredible views at an unbeatable price. Listed affordably at $297,500, deals like this are once in a lifetime.

The condo also comes partially furnished with updated kitchen features – this includes sleek, black granite countertops. On the first floor of this home, you will find the main living areas in addition to one bedroom and bath. The second floor boasts a large master bedroom suite with mesmerizing views and a spacious balcony to boot. In addition to a convenient location, this private beach retreat also comes with one covered parking space and a storage unit.

Contact Susan Carleton today to learn more about this and other Pensacola real estate opportunities.