Fairhope, AL

I have not yet ventured into the land of owning a digital SLR camera, so my photos will not do this scene justice, as I simply can't capture the magic that comes with the lighting of the trees. We wait around all year here in Fairhope, for the lighting of the trees which takes place every year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The trees of the town will stay lit until Easter when they once again become trees, and trees alone. But from the Thursday before Thanksgiving until Easter, the trees are pure magic. We love them. Sadly, the old trees were replaced this year with new trees, and they are smaller than the mature Bradford Pears that were removed. But give them a year, and then another, and another and eventually they will be towering masses of light once more.

We come from all corners of town, strolling in just after dark, when the central streets are blocked off and it's safe to walk all around, waiting for the moment. Kids, grown-ups and four legged friends, all wandering, visiting, and waiting.

The Sugar Plum Fairies waiting, too.

A lovely lilac tree in a window

Before the lights

Same view after the lights come on - Fairhope Avenue

And now, its a magical wonderland until Easter. We do love our traditions.

The Stone Creek Subdivision is located along the east side of Alabama State Highway 181, approximately 2 miles south of Fairhope Avenue, and about 4 miles East Southeast from the town center of historical Fairhope, Alabama.

Stone Creek, Phase 1, Subdivision was developed on around 330 acres, formerly a hunting preserve. This first phase has 78 lots per record with about 18 common area & green belt parcels.The developer's concept is a village community with a lodge, rock water features, stocked lakes, swimming pool, tennis courts, village shopping center, walking trails and a wetland preserve.

The majority of the homes will range from 2,400+- square feet to 4,500+- square feet with primarily four bedrooms and three to four bathrooms. There are only a couple of homes having three bedrooms and one home having six bedrooms according to the online records.

The Average List Price is around $443,462 for the month of October 2009, down $54,624+- when compared to July 2009 having an Average List Price of $498,086.

The Average Sale Price is around $485,583 for the month of October 2009, down only $1,384+- when compared to July 2009 having an Average Sale Price of $486,967.

The Listing Price To Sales Price Ratio is now approximately 90.986% for the month of October 2009. The month of July 2009 the ratio was 98.02%.

The REALTOR online records indicates the Lowest Price Listing is now $381,500 for the month of October 2009 (July 2009 was $369,900.). The Highest Price Listing is now $573,500 (July 2009 was $795,000.).

The Stone Creek Months Of Housing Supply calculates to be around 11.94 months for the list to sale time period. Although, Stone Creek appears to have more stable property values when reviewing the calculated inventory analysis for the subdivision.

The above information was obtained from the Baldwin County Association of REALTORS, Albert M. Cheney, Certified & Approved FHA Appraiser, (251) 533-2424, is an associate member of this REALTORS' organization. (Appraisers Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Alabama)

Citing excellent stats such as median income levels, median home prices and availability of hospitals, our charming town of Fairhope, AL has topped the charts again as #14 of the Top 25 Places to Retire. I think the last time Fairhope made this list was in the 1990s and CNN Money was right again to add it back to the list!

Read the article for yourself here! I personally have my own list of why Fairhope is the best place to live/retire:

1) Sunshine year round

2) Local artists and retailers that are always smiling

3) Delicious restaurants

4) Sunsets sent from God

5) the new Publix Supermarket :)

6) the old Greer's Supermarket

7) Pelicans & Seagulls

8) Alligators seen from the bayway

What's on your list?

Fairhope Alabama # 14 in Places to Retire

The first thing I heard this morning was Fairhope Alabama # 14 in Places to Retire. Wahoo!

The SHOP'S

What makes Money Magazine place Fairhope Alabama #14 out of 25 in places to retire? Well it could as simple as the Quaint small town. Without even mentioning the all local galleries, antique shops galore, the many unique boutiques, and the beautiful Mobile Bay. I have to believe it all boils down to the people of Alabama and our culture.

Fairhope Alabama and its small town atmosphere offers many opportunities for its residence and the people who visit. Fishing, boating, golfing, shopping, bird watching, and the parks with walking and bike paths.

THE SUNSET

There is so much to do and see here in Alabama, no wonder we attract many retirees.

If your looking for a place to retire Fairhope Alabamaor any of its surrounding area's is an idea place to call home. Visit us if you get a chance Alabama is beautiful and has much to offer.

Want information on real estate call or email me! alice@unitedpros.com

www.alicelewis.net

WWW.UNITEDPROS.COM

The Castle House

FAIRHOPE ALABAMA # 14 IN PLACES TO RETIRE

Fairfield Pointe, a 2006-2007 new subdivision, is located only minutes from downtown Fairhope, Alabama on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and about 25+- minutes from historic downtown Mobile. This new residential community offers upscale homes within a village atmosphere. Fairfield Pointe has a reported total of 37 lots consisting of 20 townhome styles ranging from 2,682 to 2,967 square feet, 12 zero lot line homes ranging from 2,745 to 2,934 square feet and 5 single family homes having around 3,000+- square feet each.

These Creole style homes, designed by architect A. Hays Town, (will) feature homes with the highest quality building materials and energy efficient mechanical components. The architectural features of these homes, as described by the architect and developers, will be rich in the Deep South and the Garden District of New Orleans heritage. The homes have balconies, tall columns, classic windows adorned by plantation shutters and large porches to enjoy scenic community views.

The Fairfield Pointe homes have distinctive designs with asking prices ranging from $382,900 to $419,900 according to the online REALTORS' multiple listing service (MLS) records. To personally view these homes, take U. S. Highway 98 South, then left of Alabama Highway 44 (Twin Beech Road), travel about a ½ mile, left on Boothe Road and then take a immediate right into the Fairfield Pointe subdivision.

For further information on Fairfield Pointe, contact Jeff Devalk with Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties, 251-990-6622 (Office), 251-583-6125 (Mobile), or Jeff@JeffDevalk.com (Email).

For an Approved FHA Appraiser and Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, contact Albert Marshall Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services, 251-533-2424 (Business/Mobile), Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com (Email), or go to web links, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com & http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com for much more information.