About Baldwin County, AL

Okay, most agents probably know about this scam, so this is not really for you. For those who aren't tuned in and especially if you use Craigslist to market your properties, you may need to know that your listing information may be hijacked (photos & description) and posted as a rental property. In my recent occurrence, they also provided a Yahoo email address that included the actual name of the homeowners, which they obviously got from the tax records. That seemed the most disturbing to me.

What they are doing is attempting to collect rent deposits, signing fake leases via electronic means, sending keys through the mail and then the 'renter' shows up at said property ready to move in only to find they have been scammed. Not a happy day if everything you own is in the moving truck in front of the house.

A couple of noteworthy things to mention. The monthly rental amount seems to be less than the market would actually warrant, which is a bit of a giveaway. Of course the 'renter' should be more cautious about sending large amounts of money to a strangers on mere trust, just because they seem legit.

Obviously the most harm are to those people looking for a place to live, but my seller was rather upset when a gentleman showed up at her door because he saw the rental ad and was interested. She felt a little victimized.

I have been told that the FBI has been involved in some of these cases, but I cannot confirm that. It is just another day in the life of being on this planet. I did my part and reported it, but perhaps I will disclose this to future sellers up front just in case. I do like to use Craigslist and I get showings from it and I like to post my open houses there.

January 2012 home sales were typically down from December 2011 sales, but pending sales are improved over last month and January of last year.

Homes going under contract in Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope stood at 170, while only 140 were under contract after the first week in December and only 146 this time last year.

Who are these buyers? My experience is that it’s a good mix of tranferees and renters who have been sitting on the fence for quite some time.

The average sales price remained largely unchanged. All good news for the real estate market on the Eastern Shore of the Mobile, Alabama metro area.

Here are the stats for the Eastern Shore:

Total houses for sale: 861

Homes for sale in Spanish Fort AL: 143

Homes for sale in Daphne AL: 281

Homes for sale in Fairhope AL: 437

Pending sales:

Total: 170

Spanish Fort: 22

Daphne: 90

Fairhope: 58

Closed sales for January 2012

Total: 63

Average sale price, $175,694, down from $176,013 in December, and $196,791 in November and $197,251 in October

Median sales price: $150,000 down from $160,000 in December, $163,100 in November.

List to sale percentage: 96.02% in January, an improvement over 94.66% in December

Spanish Fort: 8

Daphne: 35

Fairhope: 20

Turquoise Place Condos

Turquoise Place Condos is a large, upscale condo developement located near the resort towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores in beautiful coastal Alabama. Turquoise Place Condos sits on prime beach front real estate on the highly sought-after Perdido Beach peninsula. Turquoise Place Condos offers a whole new level of luxury condo living. Its twin turquoise glass towers soar over 25 stories, providing million-dollar views of those white, sandy beaches and aqua blue waters for which the Gulf of Mexico is known.

Financing NOW Available

Turquoise Place Condos now has a financing option available that was not traditionally available in the the past. PNC Mortgage is very excited to offer our Jumbo mortgage product to those interested in buying a unit at Turquoise Place Condos. Our Jumbo product opens doors for middle class buyers who might not be able to pay cash for a purchase of this nature.

To make your dream of buying at Turquoise Place Condos a reality, PNC offers traditional financing, with your choice of a 30-Year Fixed, 30-Year Fixed-Interest Only, 15-Year Fixed, and a 5-Year Arm. And for those of you eager to own a slice of paradise at Turquoise Place Condos, PNC requires a down payment of only 25%! Call me today for that beach front property you've always dreamed of owning!

Please contact Brad Troendle to apply or get preapproved to purchase at Turquoise Place Condos

Ole River, which overlooks Ono Island at Bayou St. John, will conjure up visions of adventure and romance when you spot it from your condo in Vista Bella in Orange Beach. Rent restriction requires a minimum 30 days of rental, to protect your investment in the beautiful condos here.

Vista Bella, which was built in 2007, has 14 stories, the first of which is for parking. Floors 2-13 have units with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. The corner units cover 2,591 sq. ft., and the interior units cover 2,217 sq. ft. The two penthouses on the top floor have 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths each, and cover a whopping 4,550 sq. ft. There is a marina on Ole River with some slips that are deeded, though not enough for each unit. There is also a limited number of assigned garages.

Your pet is welcome in these spacious units. They feature 9’ ceilings, 3 cm. granite countertops in the kitchen, a gas fireplace, and a gas grill on the balcony. The floors are tiled, except in the bedrooms. Flush-panel cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a full-size washer and dryer will streamline your life. You can relax in the jetted tub in the master bathroom, after a workout in the fitness room or a swim in either the indoor or outdoor pool.

In 2011, 5 units were sold at Bella Vista. Of the units sold, list prices ranged from $410,000 to $949,000, and sale prices ranged from $390,000 to $750,000. You can really negotiate these days!

I would like to be the agent to help you find the perfect place. I can assist you in looking for a condo at Vista Bella, and/or several other real estate options. I have extensive knowledge of the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area and enjoy living here. Give me a call today, Lance Steffek: 251-981-2225, or contact me online.

Seawind in Gulf Shores luxury condominiums will stun you with its view and atmosphere. This beautiful tower is located right on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and is within a short distance of a wide variety of Alabama landmarks and attractions.

Actually, Seawind consists of two buildings. The main tower has 20 floors, the first three of which are used for parking. In this tower, units begin on the 4^th floor, and continue to the 20^th. Most of the units have two bedrooms and two baths, as well as another room that doesn’t have a closet and can be used as a den, a study or a bunk room. These units come in two sizes. The units in the turn of the building, or the ‘04 stack are pie-shaped and cover 1,237 sq. ft. All the other two-bedroom units cover 1,130 sq. ft. On the top floor of the main tower are some three-bedroom/three-bathroom penthouse units.

A smaller building which is six stories high houses all the amenities. It has one unit on each of the 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th floors. These units have three bedrooms and three bathrooms covering 1,618 sq. ft. each.

The list of amenities is long. You will find a state-of-the-art fitness room, as well as an indoor/outdoor pool, with a ten-person hot tub close by. You can treat yourself to a number of spa services--have your hair styled, get a manicure and/or a pedicure, or enjoy a relaxing massage. Many other services are located nearby.

In 2011, 12 of these beautiful units were sold. The list prices ranged from $255,000 to $369,000. The selling prices ranged from $241,500 to $365,000. You can see that negotiation is worth a try.

I would like to be the agent to help you find the perfect place. I can assist you in looking for a condo at Seawind, and/or several other real estate options. I have extensive knowledge of theOrange Beach/Gulf Shoresarea and enjoy living here. Give me a call today,Lance Steffek: 251-981-2225, or contact me online.