Money is sensitive subject. How much we earn and how much we owe is information we prefer to keep close to the vest. So, what do you do when you are ready to buy a condo in Perdido Key? And how much does your real estate agent really need to know?

The truth is there really is no need to worry. The client/agent relationship is vested in privacy, this includes the intimate details of your personal finances. Real estate agents don't expect you to disclose everything, and they don't need you to either. All they need is the bottom line, that is your overall situation to help you find a home within your budget.

An agent's job is to negotiate a home purchase on your behalf, covering everything from home values to neighborhood features. Home financing is a separate issue from the home search and rests in the hands of your mortgage lender. They are the ones who will need access to your recent pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. Your Realtor needs your lender-generated preapproval letter.

If you have more questions about buying a home, contact our real estate agents at Pointe South. Our professionals will be happy to help you navigate the process until you have found that perfect place to call home.

Have you recently visited the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce? If so, you have probably already seen the impressive 403-gallon aquarium floating around the Visitor's Center.

Well, that is the work of Animal Planet's bickering brother-in-laws. This past May, the cast of "Tanked" arrived in full force ready to design a state-of-the-art pirate-themed aquarium. Among the exotic fish, this ecosystem includes gold coins, a pirate ship and other items that pay homage to Perdido Key and the local area.

If you have not been able to see this tank first-hand, do not worry, now is your chance to do so and you do not even have to leave your home. You may just want to make sure that a television is nearby...

Friday, October 17, you can watch Brett and Wayde live in action as they create an "over-the-top bed tank that will make [you] want to sleep with the fishes." The show is set to air at 9pm central time, do not miss your chance to see this incredible display!

Ride the high seas to Perdido Key this October in time for the annual pirate festival! Whether you own real estate in Northwest Florida or are just visiting, we know you and your entire family will have a blast at this favorite local event!

The Pirates of the Lost Treasure, a local Mardi Gras Krewe, will descend upon Big Lagoon State Park October 25 and 26. Come out and enjoy pirate games, kids' activities and even a treasure hunt through the park. Find the pirates booty and you can enjoy a treasure trove of goodies including lodging and restaurant gift certificates, as well as deals on local attractions and activities.

This event will also mark and help celebrate the airing of the Pirate Ship Fish Tank, built and featured on Animal Planet's TANKED, which will air one week prior to the pirate event.

Fall is officially here and with it comes Halloween, Thanksgiving and a few other festive holidays that provide the perfect excuse to decorate your Perdido Key condo. Don't worry, we are not just talking about cobwebs and plastic ghouls to create a spooky vibe, we are thinking this is the year to take a more elegant approach to Halloween decor that can last the entire harvest season.

So, how do you decorate your home for the fall season? Consider bringing nature indoors. As the weather cools down and you spend more time inside, bring outdoor elements in to help represent the season. Branches, wheat sheaves and dried flowers are all elegant additions that you can buy at your local craft store.

You could also decorate with food elements such as, pumpkins, butternut squash and even curly-leaved greens. After all, just because your mother said not to play with your food does not mean you can't decorate with it...

Lastly, don't forget to have fun. No matter how you decorate your guests, trick-or-treaters, family and friends are bound to be impressed. For more household tips and tricks, from decorating and staging to real estate sales, contact our experts agents at Pointe South.

Now is 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 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 today and run through Sunday. The festival begins at 10am each day and lasts into the night, not shutting down until 10pm each night, except Sunday when it will end at 5pm.

This festival is four exciting days of live music and great food at the Gulf Shores public beach access. In addition to the delicious eats and awesome live music, you will also enjoy walking through the vendor booths as you take in the arts and crafts from local, regional and national artists. Kids activities will also be available each day.

Be sure to stop in and check out this free, family-friendly event in Gulf Shores this weekend!

One of the premier fall events on Pensacola Beach is just around the corner and Pointe South couldn't be more excited to be a sponsor! If you love art and wine, what better excuse is there to hit the beach than the 2014 Pensacola Beach art & Wine Festival?

The Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival will take place on Sunday, October 9 from 11am to 4pm, rain or shine. During this time you can wandered the event grounds at Portofino Boardwalk and shop the amazing creations of some of the Gulf Coast's most talented artists.

Beginning at noon is the wine and culinary tasting event. Make your way from booth to booth as you sip and savor this year's wines, paired with a tasty creation prepared by local chefs. All of this fun will be set to the vocal styling of Shawna P., which you may know from The Voice. Want to simply attend and look at the art? Entrance into the event is free!

It has been an eventful year so far at Pointe South Real Estate Sales. Our staff has grown, our reach has expanded and we are looking forward to an exciting fourth quarter and finishing the year off as strong as we started.

At the helm of these accomplishments is Pointe South's Broker/Owner, Susan Carleton. A Pensacola native with over 18 years in the industry, Susan embodies and promotes everything that the Gulf Coast has to offer. And, we are not the only ones to notice that...

We are pleased to announce that Susan has recently been elected as a Director with the Pensacola Association of Realtors. Prior to this position, Susan served as a member on the Grievance Committee and Nominating Committee. Susan's impressive career accomplishments do not stop there. She was also nominated as "Best Real Estate Agent" in inweekly's "Best of the Coast" 2014 edition where she placed runner up.

We would like to congratulate Susan whose personal dedication, commitment and expertise continue to inspire not only her staff, but her community as well.

For more information on Susan and her Coastal Alabama and Greater Pensacola real estate listings, call 850.516.7238.

Have you treated yourself to a vacation lately? Perhaps a luxurious stay at Mediterranean condo in Perdido Key is in order.

If you have ever stayed in this lavish resort, then you already know how hard it can be to leave. Unmatched amenities, grand accommodations, miles of uninterrupted Gulf views - the list goes on and it is not long before you wish your vacation was a little bit more permanent. Well, consider your wish granted because the Pointe South team has two listings in this luxurious high rise that could be yours in no time.

Both units offer floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Gulf of Mexico, Ono Island and Ole River. These four bedroom, four and a half bathroom condos span an impressive 3,383 square feet and offer high-end finishes and a variety of individual details.

Not only does Mediterranean offer lavish condos, but a variety of onsite amenities such as a beach front pool, fitness facility and sauna. These factors combined with a premier location help to make Mediterranean a solid investment opportunity, whether you are looking for a primary residence or vacation rental. In fact, these units have a proven history with Pointe South Vacation Rentals.

For more information on these and other Perdido Key real estate opportunities, call 850.492.1826.

If you live in Fairhope, or own real estate on the Eastern Shore, get ready for one of the fall's biggest events. It's time once again for the Grand Art Festival, the premier fall outdoor show on the Gulf Coast.

The Grand Festival of Art will take place in Fairhope, Alabama on October 4 and 5. An all day event, plan to come out from 10-5 each day to the Eastern Shore Art Center. Here you can enjoy arts, crafts, food and music in the beautiful historic area of Fairhope, as the area is known for it’s charming downtown featuring unique dining, shopping and artist culture.

Dozens of artists will feature their original works throughout the grounds of the art center in Fairhope. Jewelry, pottery, wood, ceramics and much more will be on display. If shopping these wares, and exploring a wonderful little Gulf Coast community sounds like your perfect day, make your way to Fairhope October 4 and 5!

By now you know that fall means plenty of great events will soon be taking place on the Gulf Coast. And, if you own a home in Perdido Key, one of our favorites is coming up next weekend - Oktoberfest!

This is the fifth annual Oktoberfest in Perdido Key and it will take place October 3 and 4, beginning at 2pm on Friday and noon on Saturday. The festival has grown and is bigger and better than ever. This year the event will take place at the Perdido Key Visitors Center and feature some of your favorite authentic German traditions. This includes lots of wonderful food, which will be the specialty of this event, as well as a wide selection of delicious brews. Interactive games will keep kids of all ages entertained, including awesome kids' events in the root beer garden. You can also enter into, or simply cheer on other entrants, during the stein holding contest!

Entrance into this family-friendly fall festival in Perdido Key is free. To sample the brews, simply purchase tickets. Initial purchase is $15 for 6 tickets, with additional tickets costing $2 each.Don't miss this festive celebration!