Suzi Gravenstuk, REALTOR®, Broker

A client of a client of mine is an investor planning to get her real estate license soon. She is not going the Career REALTOR or corporate route, rather licensee/investor route. So, we were wondering if anyone at Active Rain in the Houston Area would have suggestions for a broker match. . Of course a broker strong in investing would be a good start.

Utilities for these communities: Avondale, Janus Road, Deer Creek Road, Quail Creek Cove and Quail Creek Circle (and other nearby communities represented by other agents):

Coast Electric: 228-388-3109 It will run you $290 between deposit and meter fee to get turned on. I have heard from residents that electric is running around $80 mo in the townhome and varying from $110 to $250 for the duplex.

D'Iberville Water: 228-392-2310 (Investors/Out of Area Owners talk to Shelia).Water and Sewer are billed together. After paying your initial deposit of approx $150. This bill averages $30 according to the customer service department.

Advantage Disposal: This service is contracted by Harrison County and billed with the Owner's taxes. New residents simply call and request your trash bin to be delivered. (For non-dumpster type communities).

Now, for a bit of site seeing:

The above from the Trail walk at the College, Long Beach

Quail Creek Cove Townhome Kitchen.

Avondale/Patel Townhome Kitchen

The other side of an Avondale/Patel Townhome

Typical upgrade kitchen found in the Deer Creek/Janus Rd Duplex-Flats.

All CAL managed properties come with a Stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. All come with washer/dryer space-hook ups . Many will include a washer and dryer.

Now,

Hope to see you soon!

Call or text me: 228-806-5568

Nightlife here in the MGC can be very noisy. Its the birds! Here it is almost 12AM and the birds are having a wild Fiesta. Of course I could close my doors and windows... Just think. If my air conditioner were working and I lived in a climate controlled home I would not have realized the birds were having a slumber party. Actually, my husband thinks it is mainly one Mocking Bird. This one bird manages to sound like a flock of different species of birds.

It is obviously a very happy bird. At least the Magnolia residing Woodpecker hasn't joined the party.

Every once in awhile I catch myself almost complaining about something--the noisy birds, the train. Usually I stop myself in time as I remember when I walked the silent streets of Long Beach remarking to my family how eery the quiet was. Simultaneously--we realized what was missing. Birds, frogs, the train.

Thinking of that time brings back remembrances of the horrible devastation from Katrina. It will be four years this August. Great strides and advances have taken place. I will never forget the volunteers and the amazing way they endured conditions worse than some residents. They worked so hard and with such devotion. At the same time in some sectors, there was mild resentment--from those who could have been doing the work for pay.

Its amazing how many things we are starting to take for granted again, that I didn't think we would. Simple things like Internet, all communication devices, produce, stores.

Fast forward to today and what I do now. As A CAL Realty Group employee, I work with a wide variety of people ranging from Go Zone Investors to low income renters. There are people I can't help who can't qualify for low income housing.

Sometimes I hear people say, "if they would just lower their rent..." At the same time, this same group is not paying for insurance, nor did they bear the cost of extreme price increases of building materials.

It does not cost the same to live here as it did Pre-Katrina,although the MGC was starting to wake up and realize its own potential in the summer of 2005. This is partially evidenced by the following discovery I made when reserching Deer Creek Road, D'Iberville.

Pre-Katrina side by side duplex/flat

$167,500 3/07/2005 06/01/2005

$167,500 3/09/2005 06/01/2005

5/27/07 $199,900 12/11/07 $189,900 (Cash)

1/23/09 $172,500 04/12/09 $165,000 (Conventional)

Incidentally, there are 6 other sets of duplexes on the same street ranging from $172, 500 to $195,000. The most recent sale this year sold at $165,000.

So, if we allow for depreciation from 2005 until now we would be almost even, no appreciation, no declining price. Agree, or disagree. I just couldn't help noticing that. You are allowed a shot at re-educating me if you think I am interpreting data in an unconventional way.

Rather than reinvent the wheel I have left the reporting to those who do it well. Please remember to regularly check in with local news sources. Some, but not all are: the Sunherald, Gulf Coast News, WLOX . It seems the consensus for open date for the Promenade is late October.

2009 Progress Update by the SunHerald.

2008 Promenade Introduction by the Gulf Coast News

The Promenade IS a Big Deal.

Interesting location as the Sangani Shopping area is directly across the highway. Reaching either shopping area is a simple "exit 46B" from the Interstate. Both Shopping areas have Fuel Stops and Hotels.

I know that some Gulf Coast Residents are eagerly looking forward to Target especially--for shopping. What about jobs? Can we fill them all from the Coast? Will we attract some new residents? Maybe we will interest some pre-Katrina residents in returning.

The construction personnel would not let me in for closer photos, but I think you get the picture for now.

If you are returning to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, or if you are relocating here--you can decrease your stress immediately by giving me a call. Many new communities developed around North Highway 15. Students in these communities attend D'Iberville Schools and are bussed by Harrison County. These areas have a North Biloxi zip code but seem closer to D'Iberville than Biloxi. These communities that are close to the Intersection of Lamie Bridge and N. Highway 15 still have that "country feel", yet conveniently located for entertainment, shopping, and major employers. The CAL Realty Group currently manages properties for investors in Long Beach, Gulfport, and Biloxi (throughout Harrison County). We have new and slightly used 3 bedroom 2 bath duplex flats, and 2 and 3 bedroom town homes. Please see our website for descriptions. Of course yours truly shows homes and consults with prospective relocating folks by appointment.

Late hours are slipping up on me. Gotta Go for now. Feel comfortable contacting me by text/cell: 228-806-5568 or email.

*Update: The Promenade is progressing nicely. It is exciting. Several of the stores are now placing recruitment ads. See the Sunherald classifieds.

If you start a real estate rent to own conversation--you will likely get a variety of reactions. Some people have already been burned by a rent to own company, some people assume that the buyer/renter still have to come up with a big down payment.

All I can say is--for this one time in your life; don't make assumptions. Visit yourself. Get the truth first hand regarding the CAL Group's portable and non-portable rent to own concepts. Learn how you could end up paying an effective rent of 0 while re-building your credit, or while you are staying in a CAL Group Rental while your new single family home is being built.

The CAL Group regularly holds Rent To Own/Build Wealth seminars at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi. Usually, this is on a Tuesday evening at 7PM.

The actual meeting spot is in a quiet room you find by walking through the Vibe. The restaurant is closed at this time. You will find the Vibe on the 2nd Floor. Ask any casino employee for directions to the Vibe; and/or for the location of the CAL Group's meeting. Call the office or visit the website for specific meeting times.

I find it hard to resist a photo opportunity. This shot is from the Second Floor of the parking garage at the Hard Rock Casino.

We usually haved a table at the door and will be there to greet you. The meeting room is straight through to the left.