Are you considering purchasing Gulf Coast real estate as an investment property? You're in luck. Tripadvisor just released their list of destinations with top earning potential and three Gulf Coast beaches made the short list!

Vacation rentals are an ideal investment and are more and more in demand, especially in beach communities like those here in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama. Tripadvisor compiled statics based on the 720,000 vacation homes available globally and narrowed down those destinations with top numbers.

If you will be shopping along the Gulf Coast, consider choosing Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama. A four bedroom rental in Orange Beach averages a weekly rate of over $2,000 and there is currently a supply and demand gap for vacation rentals in the area. According to Tripadvisor, there is 14 times the demand for Orange Beach. Gulf Shores currently has a gap of 29 times the demand versus supply and a four bedroom vacation rental in that area also averages over $2,000.

If you're interested in a Gulf Coast investment property, we're here to help. Contact us today so we can begin the search for your perfect vacation rental on the beach! Thinking about investing in Destin, another top earning destination along our beaches? Contact us today at 850.492.1148.

Are you thinking about listing your home "For Sale"? If so, we don't doubt that the thought: "I could save money on closing costs if I forgo hiring a Pensacola real estate agent," has crossed your mind.  You're not the first to think so, but we think you should reconsider for a few reasons.

For starters, the rate of "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) homes has been decreasing steadily for decades. Why? Simply because the value that an agent brings to the table outweighs the commission paid. Last year alone, the typical for FSBO home sold for $208,700 while similar homes - listed by agents - sold for an average of $235,000. Six percent of $235,000 is $14,100. Assuming you covered all costs, that's still $12,200 more than you would have made listing FSBO.

If that's not reason enough to go out and hire an agent today, think about the resources and knowledge they can offer you. From marketing power and online tools, real estate agents can increase your property's exposure and overall likelihood of selling. All this and the added benefit of having a built-in negotiator on your side so you can feel cool, calm, collected and confident when it comes time to close.

Are you interested in learning more about our agents and how we can help you sell your home? Give us a call today! We'll be happy to walk you through the ins-and-outs of buying and selling a home.

Ghouls and girls, get your costumes ready! Halloween is just around the corner and we know you will have a spooktacular time at these fun events along the beach.

If you own a home in Orange Beach The Wharf is your best bet Halloween family fun. This favorite Alabama shopping destination will host Trunk or Treat at The Wharf on Halloween evening from 6-8pm. Wander down Main Street as the kids choose candy from the decorated trunks of a long line of cars. Also available during the event is face painting, inflatables, free Ferris wheel rides and a variety of other family activities.

If you're looking for more adult fun near your Perdido Key real estate, don your best costume for the annual Flora-Bama content. Over $2,000 in cash and prizes will be available. The contest kicks off at 9pm. For a truly scary experience, those who live in Fairhope, Alabama will want to tour the Nightmare Chambers near downtown. The haunt is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Halloween night.

No matter how you celebrate, we hope you have a ghoulishly good time this Halloween!

One of the premier fall events along the beautiful beaches of Pensacola Beach takes place in just a few days and we couldn't be more excited! If you love art and wine, what better excuse is there to hit the beach than the 2015 Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival?

The Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival will take place on Sunday, October 18 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During this time, you can stroll through the event grounds at Portofino Boardwalk and shop the amazing creations of some of the Gulf Coast's most talented artists.

The wine and culinary tasting event kicks off at no one on Sunday. Make your way from booth to booth as you sip and savor over sixty wine selections, paired with a tasty creation prepared by local chefs. Enjoy live music as you breathe in the crisp, fall air along the beaches of Northwest Florida. Purchase your tasting tickets now for just $35 or $60 for two. Want to simply attend and look at the art? Entrance into the event is free!

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.

If you own or are thinking about purchasing real estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, head over to the Hangout for the 2015 Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Festival. This event kicks off on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 6:00 PM. Enjoy samples of over 60 craft beers, live music and demos from brewmasters.

The Oyster Cook-Off begins at 11:00AM on Sunday, November 7, 2015 with chef demos until 5:15PM. Don’t miss the awards ceremony immediately following these chef workshops. Sample recipes prepared by these talented chefs while following their workshops. Enjoy live music, SEC football, cold beverages and, of course, delicious oysters all day long.

The Hangout overlooks the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, allowing you to savor the scenery during this weekend activity. This is sure to be an incredible event that you won’t want to miss. Tickets for the Craft Beer Festival Friday night at $40.00 and only $30.00 for the designated drivers. General Admissions tickets for the Oyster Cook-Off on Saturday are $10.00 per person and the tasting ticket booklet price is $25.00. VIP tickets are available for the event on Saturday. Purchase your tickets for the Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Beer Festival today.

If 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.

Did you know that 9 out of 10 buyers will begin their search for homes for sale in Pensacola online? In today's hyper-connected world, you may be wondering how sellers can be just as savvy as the online house hunters.

When it comes time to selling your home fast, and for the right price, the best solution is to work with an agent who understands local market conditions. Sure, we all know that right now it is a seller's market and that price gains are slowing. It is still important to look at local conditions, right down to the homes and condos that sold next door and down the street.

Another tip for a quick home sale is to focus on the first few weeks. Because there's not necessarily an overwhelming amount of inventory to look over, buyers often become suspicious of homes that site.

Lastly, put yourself in a buyer's frame of mind. Because 9 in 10 buyers search online, they know what features are standard in homes like yours. Before you list it is important to see how your home compares to the competition, and realistically think about repairs that would be worth while.

Are you interested to see what your home is worth? Check out this free property analysis tool that will compare your home or condo to others in the area!

One of our favorite fall events is coming up next month. And, it's an especially great festival to attend if you own real estate in Northwest Florida or a Coastal Alabama home, because this event lasts a full eleven days!

We are speaking, of course, of the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival. This musical event is easy to enjoy no matter where you live along the Gulf Coast. While the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key may act as the central hub of the festival, performance venues include locations in Pensacola Beach, downtown Pensacola, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

The songwriters' festival welcomes acclaimed writers, many Grammy winners who have penned some of your favorite tunes over the years. You will also have the chance to preview future hit-makers as they perform on the various stages of the Gulf Coast venues. Come out and help celebrate the 31st anniversary of this wonderful local event, taking place November 5-15, 2015!

Sweet home Alabama never rang more true, at least according to a recent article released by Realtor.com. Large homes, affordable prices - who wouldn't want to own real estate in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fairhope or any of the neighboring cities in the great state of Alabama?

Well, that's not the only reason real estate is "looking rosy in Mobile." Job creation is a huge draw. The Airbus Factory is projected to create 4,000 jobs, and according to the New York Times the "plane maker has received more than 18,000 applications," already.

"If manufacturing continues to grow, Mobile may just become a destination for people looking for an affordable place to live," said the author Lisa Davis. Affordable is an understatement when you compare market prices to similar areas around the Gulf Coast. The average home price in Mobile is $125,000. The average sold price is $119,000 - $190,640 less than the national average.

It's an exciting time, and we're happy to be here on the ground floor. If you're thinking about buying a home for sale in Mobile, Alabama, now is the time to do it! Contact one of our real estate agents for advice and tips and area information.