Why is October a great time to own real estate on the Gulf Coast? We have no doubt our local residents of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama have been enjoying the great fall weather, but have you ventured out to any of the local events? If not, this is your weekend!

It's almost time for the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you own real estate in Orange Beach or other nearby communities, be sure to come out. This event will kick off Thursday, October 8 and will run through Sunday, October 11, 2015. The festival is free for everyone and takes place at the public beach access where Highway 59 ends and intersects with Highway 182.

The National Shrimp Festival features four fun-filled days of live music, great food and kid-friendly activities. In addition to the delicious eats and awesome live music, you will also enjoy walking through the vendor booths as you take in the art pieces from local, regional and national artists. The Children’s Activity Village offers exciting arts and crafts and other activities that the kids are sure to enjoy. If you weren’t already planning on stopping by, we highly recommend you spend a day…or four…at this premier festival. Who doesn’t love music, delicious food and an incredible view?

Have you been on the hunt to find a home or condo for sale in Orange Beach, Alabama? With so many incredible options to choose from it can be hard to make up your mind. That's where our property managers can help.

While you house hunt, choose to get to know the area in a long term rental with Pointe South. Whether you are on the hunt for a condo in Gulf Shores or a single-family home in Mobile, we have you covered. Some of our favorites include a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom brick home in Mobile. This residence offers the perfect combination of classic finishes and modern upgrades. Or, head towards Robertsdale and lease a popular ranch stule home with a large backyard perfect for your pets to play.

Saturday, September 19^th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and it’s no coincidence that the 3^rd annual Perdido Key Pirate Festival falls on that day. If you are the current owner or Perdido Key real estate or are looking into buying a home in that area, this is a family-friendly event that you won’t want to miss.  The event begins at 11:00 AM at Big Lagoon State Park and ends that night at 5:00.

All attendees are encouraged to wear their best pirate gear, and everyone will enjoy the tasty food, pirate costumes and incredible prizes. Pirate Captain Davy will teach all the young pirates some sea-shanties, magic tricks and so much more! In the park’s Amphitheater, there will be a reptile display by Reno’s Reptiles. Pensacola’s pirate ship, “Good Fortune,” will be out on the water, as well.

The kids will not only love these performances and displays, they will also adore the variety of arts and crafts station that local vendors will have set up throughout the Perdido Key Pirate Festival. All of the kids are encouraged to hunt for pirate coins, redeemable for thousands of dollars in prizes, and the child who finds the “Lost Key” will take home a grand-prize treasure chest! Don’t miss this fun-filled, family-friendly event along the beaches of Northwest Florida.

Whether you are from the Pensacola area or find yourself a regular tourist staying in a Perdido Key condo, you are undoubtedly familiar with the colorful collection of townhomes just over the bridge. For those of you who don't know, this community is called Banana Bay - a delightful area that offers residents a combination of condo-like amenities with an undeniable neighborhood charm.

Banana Bay Townhomes sits off the Intracoastal Waterway, just minutes from the world renowned beaches of Perdido Key. Community features include a man-made beach, pool, hot tub, fitness facility and club house used for get-togethers. Sounds pretty good so far, right?

Well head on over to 6074 Valhalla Avenue (just behind the pool area) and you will find that things only get better from here. This cozy townhome comes beautifully furnished and fully upgraded with granite counters and stainless steel appliances to boot. With three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, this residence is perfect for a primary residence or an investment property. Did we mention there's an additional bonus room upstairs?

Are you interested in exploring this Perdido Key real estate opportunity further? Contact our Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton today for more information on MLS #487258.

Are you thinking about buying real estate in Pensacola? Well, if an income property is what you had in mind, congratulations! We can help you find a place and a property manager to help take care of your investment. There's really only one catch. Buying an investment property is a big decision, and while it can be a great move financially, there are risks involved that you should be aware of.

For starters, we want you to know that investing in real estate is not (and should not be thought of as) a "get-rich scheme." The only certainty in the market is uncertainty, so it is important to be realistic about the potential return on your investment. You should also be aware of what can and cannot be rented according to local zoning regulations. And, that maintenance workers - once you buy a property - will save your life.

Even though it sounds gloomy, the reward can be worth the risk. Especially if you have a knowledgeable agent by your side and a trust-worthy Pensacola property management company to help you handle the day-to-day. Contact an agent today find out if buying an income property is the right decision for you!

You know that feeling you get when you're a big fan of something before it takes off and gets really popular? That's kind of how we feel about owning real estate in Pensacola Beach. Apparently, TripAdvisor's FlipKey feels the same way.

The popular vacation rental booking engine shared a list of vacation rental destinations that are about to launch into the "stratosphere." The data, based on web traffic in 2014 - 2015, highlights the places with 500% growth. And the good news is, Pensacola Beach is one of them.

With 700% growth, Pensacola Beach has edged out tens of thousands competing areas, simply because vacationing in Pensacola Beach is awesome. Take it from us (we live here) when we say that the activities are endless. From boating and fishing to dining and shopping, you can't go wrong with a stay in this b-e-a-utiful area! Did you notice we didn't even have to mention how incredibly gorgeous the water is and soft the sand is?

Ready to stay along our emerald shores? If you want to make your trip last longer than a week, give our agents a call. They'll be happy to find you a beach home or condo for sale in Pensacola Beach!

Do you need another excuse to buy real estate near Pensacola Beach? This is an incredible event and you will want to be near all the action!

Taste of the Beach is an annual event that welcomes chefs, many you know from television, to our shores for demonstrations, seminars, and of course, plenty of food tastings! It doesn't matter what type of cuisine you prefer, this event offers a little something for everyone.

Seafood, steak and good southern eats will all be available in abundance, as well as much more. And, during the Pensacola Beach Taste of the Beach event, you get the opportunity to taste the best of what this delicious community has to offer, fresh from our local chefs.

This annual event will take place September 18-19 at Casino Beach and feature our best local chef’s and restaurants. Enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef, John Besh.

Your search for the perfect beach condo is over. This beautifully furnished, well-appointed residence at Marseilles offers incredible views from every room. Enticed?

Recently listed by Owner/Broker, Susan Carleton, the Perdido Key condo listing offers four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and a world of upgrades. In like new condition, interior features include everything from custom cabinetry and window treatments to beautiful tile floors and a spacious balcony that offers sweeping views of the Gulf.

Interior upgrades are only eclipsed by the complex's lavish on-site amenities. With a reputation for luxury, the gated community of Marseilles only offers 28 residences and 2 buildings. Amenities include a gulf-front outdoor pool and spa, indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room and fitness facility. Rental restrictions only add to the condo's high-end and exclusive feel.

Ready to explore the possibilities of ownership? Contact Susan Carleton today for more information on this gorgeous residence, or to sell condos for sale in Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach or the surrounding areas.

Have you considered relocating to the great state of Alabama, but struggling to decide where? Well, "Only In Your State" has narrowed the list of Alabama's "most beautiful, charming small towns," down to ten. We've shortened it to two: Orange Beach and Fairhope.

Both towns are chart toppers for a variety of reasons, but our Alabama real estate agents still believe you have to see them to fully understand how beautiful these towns are.

Fairhope is situated on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and offers residents spacious parks, tree-lined neighborhoods and a thriving downtown area that attracts visitors from across the country. Orange Beach on the other hand offers a variety of family-friendly beach vacation opportunities and entertainment to boot. Both in Baldwin County, both uniquely beautiful. The choice really is up to you. Would you rather buy a condo for sale in Orange Beach, or a single-family home in Fairhope? Either way, the two are a short drive away from each other Gulf Coast attractions.

Interested in learning more about buying real estate in Alabama? Contact our expert agents at Pointe South Real Estate Sales today. They will be happy to help you find a place that is right for you!

Are you thinking about buying a home or condo for sale in Gulf Shores? Better question, are you thinking about going it alone? With the Interent at your fingertips, how hard could it be? Technology has created a "DIY" mentality, but the truth is even with the tons of information provided, the internet is not always accurate. Now the question becomes, can you decipher the difference between what is and what isn't? Keep in mind a significant chunk of change is on the table...

If you're not already starting to reconsider enlisting the help of a buyer's agent, here are a few more reasons to nudge you in the right direction.

For starters you may have noticed that they save you time. Not only that, but they have the insider's scoop. This is because they are in contact with a professional network of agents and often know of properties before they hit the online listing sites. The benefits don't stop there. From negotiations and paperwork to a list of service providers, agents can save you time, stress and costly mistakes.

Are you interested in learning more about how our team of Florida and Alabama real estate agents can assist you with your future home purchase? Call 850.492.1826 to get in touch with one today!