Gerard Maher, CRS Gulfport, MS

The World's Largest Fishing Rodeo opened today in Biloxi, MS. Says the Sun Herald, "The event features saltwater categories ranging from amberjack to stingray with six additional categories in the freshwater division.

Toss in four shootouts and a kids fishing rodeo, and there's something for all.

Fisherman may preregister for free at www.mississippideepseafishingrodeo.com There will be an entry for the cobia,redfish, speckled trout and bass shootouts."

Also happening is a new opening in Gulfport. A Uniques Alternative called, "Vintage Station" is a wine bar on Courthouse Road in Gulfport, MS.

Reports the Sun Herald:

This is a place where people can sit and enjoy their wine and conversation. This is a place to Wind down, not wind up, say Don Halle one of the co-owners.

Jazz or standards plays in the background of the softly lit club, and the space is subtly divided into seating areas designed for conversation, like a living room or a lobby. A traditional bar area is also part of the decor, and one section can be closed off for gatherings or meetings...

"We also have a full-service bar, but our focus is on wine," Joyner(the other co-owner) said. "We have the higher end scotches and a few designer beers, but we're trying to be unique."

The wine list is 4 pages long.

In other events on the coast The Gulfport/Biloxi airport is expanding service. While other airlines are cutting back service in some areas, a fourth daily flight between Dallas/Ft.Worth and the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport is being added.

Also added within the last 4 months, added flights to St. Petersburg, Fl, and Tampa and Atlanta,GA and Jacksonville,Fl.

Look for more news and info about the economy and events on the Coast right here. And if you are thinking of relocating to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in any of its cities such as Gulfport, Bilxoi, Long Beach, Ocean Springs, D'Iberville, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis please call or email Gerard Maher with Gulf Coast Realty. Specializing in residential real estate for the Mississippi Gulf Coast

I did a brief overview of some of the areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast yesterday. Here are some of the interesting facts about Single Family Residential homes with a minimum of 2 Bedrooms/1 Bath that are not Mobile homes as of June 22, 2009:

Pass Christian has 135 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 4 homes sold with this criteria. in the last 90 days 11 homes sold.

Long Beach, MS has 152 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 4 homes sold with this criteria, in the last 90 days 20 homes sold.

Gulfport North has 423 active Listings. In the last 30 days 25 homes sold with this criteria, in the last 90 days 98 homes sold.

Gulfport SW has 76 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 2 homes sold with this criteria, in the last 90 days 18 homes sold.

Gulfport SE has 243 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 7 homes sold with this criteria, in the last 90 days 38 homes sold.

Biloxi has 182 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 5 homes sold with this criteria, in the last 90 days 22 homes sold.

Biloxi N has 109 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 5 homes sold with this criteria. In the last 90 days 23 homes sold.

D'Iberville has 92 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 9 homes sold with this criteria. In the last 90 days 21 homes sold.

St. Martin has 163 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 13 homes sold with this criteria. In the last 90 days 36 homes sold.

Ocean Springs has 467 Active Listings. In the last 30 days 20 homes sold with this criteria. In the last 90 days 72 homes sold.

I am printing these stats to show that we are still in a Buyer's market here on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Coupled with the $8000 tax credit for first time buyer's and the lower interest rates, there are alot of bargains to be found in today's market here.

If you are interested in finding out more information on Mississippi's Gulf Coast Real Estate, call Gerard or email him at CallGman@yahoo.com

Gerard Maher does residential real estate for the MS Gulf Coast. Specializing in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, D'Iberville, St. Martin, Pass Christian and Long Beach

Hellow All!

I am writing to say that I am back on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I started in real estate here in 1998. Worked for a New Home builder, and also Prudential and Century 21. Then I started my own company called Gulf Coast Realty in February of 2001. Grew the company over the next few years and then sold it in June of 2007 to move to San Diego, Ca.

In San Diego I did real estate for 2 years, but while writing up numerous offers, a great many never made it to closing because of lack of response on short sales by the banks.

California is a wonderful place. It has mountains, deserts, the Ocean, and alot of great qualities. But...there is no subsitute for the network of friends that I have in Mississippi. I am glad to be back, and yes, I have joined my old company, Gulf Coast Realty.

I look forward to helping all my old friends with their real estate needs, and in meeting new friends.

If you are looking for help in real estate give me a call, or email me at CallGman@yahoo.com

Gerard Maher (G-Man) does residential real estate on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, from Ocean Springs to Bay St Louis, Biloxi and Gulfport, Pass Christian and Long Beach.

Hi all,

I am Now working with Zip Realty here in San Diego. It is a truly GREAT company.

For the Buyer it offers a really superior web site experience. While most real estate companies have listings from the mls, Zip goes further, having all sorts of info at the buyers fingertips without having to leave the site. Offer Evaluators, letting you know what other properties in the area have sold for compared to listed at in the last 1 month, 2 month, etc. This helps the buyer get a good feel for the market when they are looking around on the internet. Comps for sold properties, Driving directions from more than One location. Multiple ways to search for properties. Making appointments to see the properties right from the website, Initiating offers from the website. So many features, so much to see, yet all very easy to do, not overwhelming.

Then for sellers, Zip has such a LARGE database of buyers looking on their website. (For a company of only around 4000 agents, they have surpassed in number of people searching for homes the Re/Max website). New listings are alerted to buyers within that area and criteria. In addition, the commission structure is sweet, with the Seller getting Full Service, including virtual tours, open houses, MLS listings, and getting the property sold for a commission structure that is going to make it hard on the competition to top.

For Agents, with the wide amount of new people searching online, there are tons of leads coming in to the agents each month. Agents are given continous training, online university, Most, if not all, of your expenses taken care of by the company, and plenty of work to keep you busy. While Zip has only been around for 10 years, it is on the cutting edge of being a giant on the internet, and... is just now starting to focus more heavily on the listing side. In its earlier days, the main emphasis was on just buyers, but there is now a balance coming where both the buying and listing side are being emphasised. That's good news for agents, and clients.

Now everyone will see how good the agents of Zip are. (We set an industry high standard with a 95% approval rating of our agents from closed clients, versus the industry standard of around 75%

So, whether you are interested in Buying, Selling or you are an agent, checkout ZipRealty.com and play on the site a little and see if you don't agree, that there is nothing to compare to what Zip Realty has.

Gerard Maher (G-Man) is A Broker/Associate with Zip Realty in the San Diego area, specializing in Residential Real Estate in Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo and Poway, but serving all of San Diego county.

Hi ALL,

I have been reading and seeing all sorts of stats and talking heads telling me how real estate is not going to get better in 2009. I am not sure my local experience agrees with that.

First, I have so many more buyers out looking for homes than I have had in the last 18 months.

Second, My company Zip Realty, for San Diego had a Record Breaking month of December in sales.

Third, Inventory levels for homes on the market have dropped in the last year here in San Diego.

and Finally, because the value of homes has declined from 10-40% here in San Diego, more people are finding good buys out there that they can't pass up. In fact, I was contacted by 2 people from Arizona, saying they are originally from San Diego, but moved because they could more easily afford to buy a home in Arizona then San Diego. But, now they are looking back in the San Diego market, because homes are now in their price range.

So, like I constantly say, real estate is local, and you have to see what is happening in not just a market, but sometimes in a neighborhood to really see what is happening. And... Most of our statistics, tell news that is 30-60 days old, and may not be reflecting the CURRENT trend yet. So, if you are thinking of buying or selling, do the homework for your area, for your particular neighborhood. That will give you a better understanding of what the housing trend is for your area.

And by the way...Everyone have a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year!

Gerard Maher (G-Man) is a REALTOR in the San Diego area, specializing in residential homes in Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Mira Mesa, Poway and Rancho Bernardo.