Have you recently purchased Pensacola real estate? Spend some time with your family and enjoy these fun activities, guaranteed to introduce you to some of the best things to do near your new home!

One of the first things you must experience is the National Naval Aviation Museum. It is free to get in and you are guaranteed a great time. Your kids will love the museum because it has hands on activities, including climbing into the cockpit of the planes and pretending to fly! They have old planes, new planes, flight simulators, and of course, the Blue Angels aircrafts are there. The National Aviation Museum is one activity your family will love!

Adventures Unlimited is a great way to get outside and see a different side of Pensacola. Adventures Unlimited includes many different outdoor activities your whole family can enjoy, such as kayaking, camping, and paddle boarding. They also have a canopy zip line that takes you through the trees and lets you see the world from a different perspective.

Another great option is going downtown. Downtown Pensacola is perfect for shopping and enjoying delicious food during the day and continuing the fun into the night listening to live music. There are also a few different museums including the Museum of Commerce that will provide you and your family an educational experience.

Take advantage of these awesome family activities and things to do near your new real estate in Pensacola with your kids this summer!

Independence Day is right around the corner. Because the Fourth of July falls on a Monday, there will be many terrific events to attend leading up to the big celebration. If you have recently purchased Alabama real estate in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, continue reading to find out where to enjoy fireworks and BBQ around your new hometown.

Seeing as it is summer along our beautiful shores, the first thing you are going to want to do is hit the beach. Just remember, this is one of the busiest, if not the busiest vacation weekends, so head out early and plan for traffic and parking. Also, pack bottled water and lots of sunscreen. Once you park, you won't want to give up that spot to go get snacks!

The Fourth of July fun really begins in the evenings. If you own Orange Beach real estate, the place to be for early fireworks is The Wharf. On July 2, 2016, head out at 5PM for their annual Independence Day Street Party and Fireworks. In addition to specials at each of the delicious restaurants for the adults, there will also be plenty of kids activities such as bounce houses, rock climbing walls, face painting and more. Fireworks will take place at 8:45PM followed promptly by the SPECTRA light show!

Looking for fireworks on the actual Fourth of July? Hit the beaches near the Gulf State Pier in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The event begins at 5:30PM and will feature a carnival-like atmosphere before the fireworks light up the night sky at 9PM. This is the biggest local celebration, so we recommend heading out early to get a great vantage point, enjoy some local fun and, well, park.

We hope you enjoy these fun celebrations near your new real estate purchase in Alabama this Fourth of July!

Ever heard of housing counseling? You know now is a great time to purchase real estate in Pensacola, Perdido Key or Coastal Alabama. You desperately want to begin searching for a home with a Pointe South Real Estate Sale agent. But, you aren't sure where to begin - or if you even can.

Don't worry; your situation is totally normal, and if a first-time homebuyer, to be expected. While you may think getting a realtor and asking them all your questions is the place you need to begin, you're a little ahead of the game. First, consider speaking with a free housing counselor.

While an agent is well-versed in the mortgage and real estate buying process, the details of your financial situation can be better sorted out with a counselor, or at least a lender. A counselor can also advise you on all aspect of buying a Pensacola home or property along the Gulf Coast, including types of loans, credit scores, inspections, and other necessary steps.

Before you make the call to a counselor there are a few steps you will want to take. First, gather all your basic financial information such as debt payments, which include student loan paperwork, car payment amounts and documents for any current mortgage you might have. Also, talk honestly about your financial situation and what you know about the home buying process with your counselor so that they can adequately arm you with the needed information. Then, it’s time to begin looking for your home on the Gulf Coast with one of our experienced Pointe South agents!

Have you recently purchased real estate in Pensacola and are looking for an event that will get you better acquainted with the area? The Palafox Market is the activity you are looking for!

The Palafox Market happens every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Pensacola wants you to join in on the fun and stock up on the many different items available for purchase at the market. There is something for everyone at this market! It is said to be the largest and the best market in our area, so come see what treats you can find. Products including local produce, meats, and dairy are available as well as handmade items such as jewelry, artwork, and baked goods.

The Palafox Market is a great event to bring your whole family to. Visit vendors such as Annie’s Naked Cookies, Andrew Rhodes Photography, and Blue Print Photography to see what their product is and find out their back ground or go towards the center of the market to hear great musicians entertain the crowd. Your Saturday will be well spent at the Palafox Market.

Vendors will be set up all along Palafox Street and the market will happen rain or shine. This is an event that you could spend all day doing or visit before continuing your day in downtown Pensacola. Either way you don’t want to miss out on the best Farmers’ Market in the area!

Lavish. Affluent. Exclusive. All are words used to describe the luxury real estate market. No matter how you describe it, the luxury market has been and always will be an integral part of the Gulf Coast real estate industry. From beachfront vacation condos to bay front estates, the Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key areas are home to a variety of “premier” property types. The question though, is what defines these properties as luxurious?

According Inman.com, the leading online source for real estate news, the $2 million to $5 million mark is the most popular price point for luxury properties on a national level, comprising 29% of the total respondents surveyed. With this as the criteria, only 1.2% of properties currently active in the greater Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key areas can be classified as “luxury.” However, Inman.com’s second defining range of $1 million to $2 million comprises 26% of the respondents on a national level and 8.5% of properties in the Pensacola MLS (multiple listing service).

With less than 10% of properties in the area being classified as “luxury,” it can be difficult to find the right buyer for luxury real estate in Pensacola Beach. More often than not, these buyers are few and far between, and in most cases, conservative with their spending and cautious with their risk-taking. Because they know what they want, it becomes increasingly important for sellers to highlight their property's value in terms of what motivates this group. On the Gulf Coast, proximity to water is key, in addition to neighborhood/complex amenities, privacy and comfort.

In short, high net-worth clients have high expectations. As any great luxury real estate broker in Pensacola Beach will tell you, the agent you choose and the strategy they employ is a key component of success to buying and selling high-end properties on the Gulf Coast.

Have you recently purchased real estate in Orange Beach and are looking for events to help you get better acquainted with the area? Look no further! Thursdays on Main is the event you are searching for.

Thursdays on Main are happening now every Thursday night at The Wharf in Orange Beach, and will continue throughout the 100 days of summer! The event has many different forms of entertainment, and each week is unique. It features street performers, face painting, and the SPECTRA Light Show!

There will be street music that begins at 5 PM and the restaurants along The Wharf will offer happy hour from 3 to 6 PM. There will be live music everywhere you turn. Music will be playing in Marlin Circle and also in a few restaurants along The Wharf. As you listen to great music, your kids can be entertained by activities such as laser tag and bounce houses.

The Wharf has scheduled a wonderful music line up with bands including Dancin with Roxie, According to Hoyle, and Crossfire. Different bands play each night, as will as different movies. Rango, Jurassic World, and Inside Out are just a few examples of the movies expected to play at City Park.

Each week has something new and exciting for you and your family to enjoy. Thursdays on Main is the perfect event for you to get to know your new hometown. There is not another event like this in the area, so be sure to spend your Thursday night at The Wharf!

One of the most popular options for buyers seeking to purchase real estate is an FHA, or Federal Housing Administration, loan. Requiring a small down payment, these are a wonderful consideration when thinking of buying real estate on the Gulf Coast.

So, what exactly is an FHA loan? This type of loan is insured by the FHA, which provides another level of security and guarantee to your lender. Basically, should you fail to be able to make the required payments to them, the FHA will step in and pay the lender instead.

For buyers, there are quite a few attractive features of these loans, as well. First, they require you to make a smaller down payment than most traditional loans, as small as 3.5%. It's also easier to use gifts, say money given to you buy family, toward that down payment of closing costs than with other loan types. Also, if you have recently come out of a bankruptcy situation, an FHA loan may be easier for you to acquire.

Speaking of acquiring such a loan, there are a few minimums to be met. These include basic income limits, of which there are none as long as you can show you have the means to repay the loan. Debt to income ratio requirements are applicable, as is a credit score rating of a certain amount. Think this may be a solution to buying your next home? Speak to a lender to qualify and then begin the hunt with Pointe South Real Estate Sales!

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.

Searching for beach condos for sale in Pensacola? How about ones under $250,000? If so, you might have noticed how limited inventory is at the moment, and how quickly properties going.

Lucky for you, you don't have to miss out on the condo of your dreams! Pointe South Real Estate Sales' Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, recently listed a one bedroom condo at Perdido Sun. This incredible ground-floor unit offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and is just steps (literally, steps) away from the world renowned Perdido Key beaches.

Unlike most one bedroom condos, this one is oversized and spacious enough to sleep up to four people. Easy-to-clean tile lines the floors of this 832 square foot showplace, connecting the main living areas together. Enjoy having access to an added half bathroom in the hallway, as well as convenient access to the onsite, gulf-front pool. Speaking of amenities, Perdido Sun offers homeowners and vacationers alike a wide array of things to do. From days spent on the beach to nights by the pool, Perdido Sun is the best of the best. The complex also features an indoor pool, fitness facility and community grill.

Upgrades, resort amenities and a $25,000/year rental potential. This condo has all of the makings for a great investment. Learn more about it and other Perdido Key real estate opportunities when you contact Susan Carleton at 850.516.7238

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!