Top 5 Things to Do in Pensacola for Mother’s Day

HAPPY (1)Mother’s Day usually comes with certain expectations: breakfast in bed, flowers, maybe even a dinner out on the town. All of which will probably thrill your mom, but this year we want to treat mom to something a little extra special, simply because she deserves it. So, here are the top 5 things to do in Pensacola on Mother’s Day:

(1) Surprise Mom with a vacation, or if you live around here, a stay-cation. Let’s face it, mom needs a break from cooking and cleaning. Nothing does the trick quite like a little salt and sand therapy. Lucky for you, May is a great time to find a deal on an Pensacola Beach vacation rental…

(2) Treat Mom to brunch. We all love a good Sunday Brunch, but not all of us are willing to fight the crowds (and the long wait) on Mother’s Day. Do yourself and mom a favor and make reservations early on at one of her favorite places. The Fish House in Pensacola is always a local’s favorite when it comes to Mother’s Day Brunch Specials…

(3) Take a walk down memory lane. Nothing beats a day spent reminiscing. Wherever you are, be sure to whip out the old photos and embarrassing home videos for a few good laughs…

(4) Unwind at the spa. At some point during the day, you and your Mom may need a little dose of “treat yo’self,” in which case, have the appointments made at a nearby spa in Pensacola for manicures, pedicures, facials, the whole nine yards…

(5) Schedule some beach time. Vitamin D and quality time with your family is all most mom’s need, and around here it’s pretty easy to find a beach to sit on, walk on or picnic by with the ones you love most…

Happy (we can’t live without) Mom’s Day!

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!

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!

Southern’s Black Friday Sale

jg 008You just purchased a Gulf Coast home, do you now have friends and family who want to come visit? Or, perhaps would you like to enjoy a beach vacation of your own to get to know the area? If so, shop Southern Vacation Rentals’ Black Friday sale!

Living near the beaches of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama is awesome. That is, until the numerous requests to stay with you in your brand new home, which may not even be fully unpacked, come rolling in. You want to see your friends and family, sure, but the rotating guest list can get pretty old pretty quick. In this case, try setting them up in a vacation condo or home on the beach instead!

Right now, our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals are gearing up for their biggest sale of the year and your loved ones can save a bundle while securing themselves a great view of the beach. To shop the sale, all they, or you, need to do is call in between 7am and 5pm CST on Friday, November 27, 2015. Book a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condo to save 20% or enjoy a larger condo or home and still save 10% on any 2016 reservation, excluding the week of the Fourth of July holiday.

If this sounds like a deal you or your loved ones want to capitalize on then shop Southern’s Florida and Alabama vacation rentals now and call early! Once a condo or home has booked during this sale, the discount is no longer available for that property.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy shopping!

Southern Named Best Property Management Company in Florida

FVRMA2-225x300If you’re interested in purchasing Gulf Coast real estate as an investment property, we have one tip to help you be successful – hire Southern as your property management company!

Okay, so of course we are going to recommend Southern, but our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals were also just recognized as the Best Property Management Company by the Florida Vacation Rental Management Company at their annual awards banquet in Orlando, Florida. Southern bested over 100 other property management companies from around the state to take home the prestigious award.

So, what makes Southern different? They provide both guests and owners with unparalleled service. Condo and vacation home rental owners also benefit from two dedicated managers, zero start-up costs and a robust marketing campaign. Guests enjoy access to 24/7 service, as well as Southern Perks, exclusive local discounts available only to southern guests. For your property management needs in Florida and Alabama, choose our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals.

Shop Southern’s Flash Sale!

Flash-Sale-Web-300x220Our friends over at Southern Vacation Rentals are holding a flash sale this week, and if you have friends and family who want to visit you at your new home purchase on the Gulf Coast, now is the time for them to book!

Many people think fall, especially November, would be too cold to even consider taking a trip to the beach. As a local to who owns Florida or Alabama real estate, you know that in fact it’s the perfect time to hit the sand. The temperatures are still in the 70’s, the crowds are minimal and there are still wonderful events to enjoy in each beach community.

Right now, when booked by Friday, October 30, 2015, Southern Vacation Rentals is offering 30% off stays between now and November 13, 2015. To book, simply call one of their expert Vacation Planners who will be happy to help you select the ideal condo or beach home, or book online at SouthernResorts.com using promo code FLASH.

Southern’s 20 Days of Giveaways!

As many of you already know, Southern Real Estate Sales is a proud member of the Southern family of companies. Not only are we here to offer buyers and sellers the chance to search condos for sale in Pensacola Beach, but to rent or even vacation in popular beach towns like Panama City Beach, Destin, Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope.

Speaking of vacation rentals, this year marks Southern Vacation Rentals’ 20th anniversary, and to celebrate the team is giving away free prizes for the next 20 days (well, starting November 1st). From dolphin cruises, segway tours and golf passes to a 3-night stay in the Gulf Coast vacation rental of your choice, you better be ready to act quickly because these prizes won’t last long!

To enter, all you have to do is “like” Southern’s Facebook page and follow the instructions. Everyone is eligible to win, but you must re-enter the contest daily to win that specific day’s gift.

What are you waiting for? Get a head start by liking Southern Vacation Rentals’ Facebook page today and keep an eye out for the amazing prizes to come!

New Listing at Seawind in Gulf Shores!

If you are on the hunt for a condo for sale in Gulf Shores, look no further! Our Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton has a new listing at the popular Seawind complex.

For those of you who do not know, Seawind is an upscale condominium complex situated directly on the sandy white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Within minutes of popular Orange Beach attractions, Seawind boasts dramatic views from floor-to-ceiling windows, classic finishes and variety of resort amenities which includes everything from a beachfront pool and fitness facility to a community barbecue area and spa.

Unit 1002 is no different. This beautifully appointed 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom offers incredible views and fabulous upgrades. The unite features stainless steel appliances, granite counters, Kohler fixtures and SO much more. If you are looking for an investment property, this is a great one to choose!

Contact Susan today for additional details on this and other Gulf Shores real estate opportunities. Just remember to reference MLS #488513.

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.

August Vacation Deals from Southern!

August SpecialIt’s almost time to head back to school, but there is still plenty of time to treat the kids, and yourself, to a last minute beach vacation. Or, staycation, as it were.

Even though you may own a Northwest Florida home or Coastal Alabama real estate, our friends at Southern Vacation Rentals want to help you stretch out your summer before the school bell rings!

Reserve a Gulf Coast condo or beach home for a stay any time this August and receive 25% off when you choose a Southern condo or home rental! Just select from one of our vacation rentals in Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, or Gulf Shores, such as the beautiful Summer Breeze home rental. You can also step out of your comfort zone and experience Panama City Beach, Destin, 30A or Fort Walton Beach!

Worried there won’t be anything going on this close to the summer ending? Well, things aren’t winding down along our shores any time soon. In fact, you will find plenty to do along the beaches throughout the fall despite the fact that school will soon be in swing. You can stop by Bands on the Beach in Pensacola Beach on Tuesday and enjoy various family friendly festivals in Orange Beach at The Wharf, Harborwalk Village in Destin and Baytowne Wharf in South Walton near 30A.

Call now or visit Southern online at SouthernResorts.com to book your back to school staycation in a Gulf Coast condo or home rental this August.