This has been a great summer for us on coastal Dauphin Island. Although sales continue to be slow, the home and residential lot market has stabilized with several new closed and pending transactions of homes and lots.

Home construction continues on all parts of the island and inquiries from 2nd home buyers, full timers and investers about local builders continues to grow.

With such a good vacation rental market and a growing residential market in Mobile the prognosis is for continued strengthening and a return to appreciation in the mid-term.

Publicity over our towns new West End public beach on Dauphin Island increases profile among nearby buyers who remain our principal source of home sales. The press about the billions ThyssenKrump and Northup Grmana/Airbus/EADS are now or plan to invest in our area also generates inquiries. Even the protest by Boeing generates headlines aound the world directing eyeballs to our little Gulf Coast jewel.

How are the coastal markets in your areas?

One of the most fundamental questions when considering purchasing Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate is whether to purchase a single family home or a condo. Although there are many factors to consider, the answer really lies in the buyer's preference and lifestyle.

A condo might be a good fit for those in search of a more urban, low-maintenance lifestyle. Condos typically resemble apartments with several units in the same building or complex sharing amenities (although they can also be duplexes, free-standing buildings, etc.). Although there are monthly maintenance fees involved with condo ownership, that also means that the owners are not responsible for any maintenance outside their own four walls. Because condos are a shared community, ownership is often limited to a specific space.

For many home-buyers, single-family homes offer more privacy and control. When purchasing a single-family home, the buyer owns the entire building as well as the land on which it sits. Likewise, this means the maintenance of the structure and the land is the owner's sole responsibility.

If you would like to learn more about owning Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com. Find Your Perfect Eastern Shore AL Home!

In my business, a lot of buyers are looking for the best deals on real estate in the past five or more years. In our area, now is the time to find such deals. A positive side-effect of the unfortunate mortgage collapse in our area is that there are more bank owned properties and foreclosures listed for sale than there have been in years. For buyers with cash or good credit - now is the time to make their fortune in real estate in Baldwin County.

To assist folks to that end, we have created two new pages on www.gulfshoreslife.com to help investors that are looking for opportunity in the current market. The pages are specific to foreclosures and bank owned property.

The listings on these pages are all tagged as "Bank Owned" in the MLS - http://www.gulfshoreslife.com/baldwin-county-reo.php

The listings on these pages are all tagged as Baldwin County Foreclosures in the MLS - http://www.gulfshoreslife.com/baldwin-county-foreclosures.php

Let us know if we can help you and be sure to forward to friends and family that may have an interest in opportunities to purchase discounted properties on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Terryl Reeves

Associate Broker

Kelliams Realty

251-209-7484

Terryl@TerrylReeves.com

http://www.huntsvillepr.com/huntsville-alabama/2008/07/huntsville-artnsoul-car-wash/

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		MLS#:	276794 Residential Status= A	LP:	$112,900
		Area:	(61) MAD CO NW	Type:	SF
		Addr:	170 WELCOME HOME VILLAGE ROAD
		City:	TONEY, AL	Zip:	35773
		Sub:	BEAVER RUN ESTATES
		Lot:	141X230	Lot#:	4
		Acre:	0.74 +/-	Block:	N/A
		Elem:	MADXRD	Middle:	SPAR-M
		High:	SPARK	Other:

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS!!!!!!! FOUR bedrooms or 3 & family room, appliances,carpet,vinyl, & HVAC all approx 3 years old, new hot water heater in April 2008,nice laundry room, fenced yard,2 FULL BATHS,NEAR TOYOTA PLANT BIG LOT. A MUST SEE!!!

For More Information Contact: ILYASHA ANDERSON Mobile Phone: (256) 426-0554 Office Phone: (256) 852-3350 ianderson08@bellsouth.net www.realestatehuntsville.biz

I went to the gas pump the other day in Hoover, Alabama, and it cost me $51 to fill up and I wasn't even on empty! I was appalled. Now, I don't have an SUV, I have a little car. This is absolutely outrageous. I don't understand why congress is wasting time debating drilling for oil off the coast in Alaska when that activity will not produce any oil for 10 years and it will only make the Rich oil companies and their CEOs RICHER. Don't get me started....

Anyway, one thing it DID do was make me thankful that I live 3 miles from the High School where I drop my son off twice a day for Band Camp, and that I live 2 miles from my church and across the street from the grocery store and within 5 miles of any shopping that I SHOULD need.

Where you live is becoming increasingly important from an expense standpoint. Not just the mortgage payment and maintenance but the cost of getting to work, school, church and to have FUN.

Today, I was driving through Chandalar in Pelham. This neighborhood was built in the 70's and has that 70's look. Many people won't even look at houses in this age bracket with this look, but as I was driving I was impressed by how well kept most of the houses were, how big the lots were and how the mature trees made the neighborhood cooler. There is a neighborhood pool and many of these homes have been fixed up inside with granite, hardwood and other modern finishes.

If you are in the market for a new home, why not consider one of these older gems. There are many 70's neighborhoods within 20 miles of downtown Birmingham and putting in newer finishes to update the home will easily outweigh the cost of gas to get to a neighborhood farther out. Not to mention the wear and tear on you from a driving standpoint.

If you would like help finding an older Home For Sale in Birmingham Alabama, contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

Stone Creek....."It's all about lifestyle."

Stone Creek is a unique community on 330 Acres within Fairhope, Alabama that combines modern-day conveniences within a scenic, natural setting. Located approximately 12 miles south of I-10 on Highway 181, Stone Creek is only a few minutes drive to downtown Fairhope. However, when considering the mixed-use master plan of the development, one will hardly ever have to leave...at most you will be able to simply hop on your bike or get in your golf cart to head to the village center! The community will not only merge homes, villas and town homes, but also retail and service-oriented business oriented to have frontage on Highway 181.

The developers actually traveled the Southeast to look at what other builders were doing in traditional neighborhoods....and now they're working to bring that back here. Rear alleyways, nature trails and sidewalks provide easy access and friendly walkways; abundant open spaces are ornamented with hand-hewn arbors, large boulders and native plants and grasses; tree-lined streets and boulevards are enhanced with surrounding water features such as cascading waterfalls, a stocked lake and a beautiful community swimming pool.

The homes within the neighborhood are each designed and constructed with great care by a Builder's Guild of 17 Builders, each a member of the Baldwin County Home Builders Association. Home designs combine Coastal elements with Southern architectural charm and are reviewed by a professional architecture board at various stages of construction.

This development is unlike anything I've seen in the area and I must say that I'm quite proud to work with Rance Reehl, one of the developers. This community draws people from all stages of life and all backgrounds. Having lived in dense, urban cities, I personally have never quite thought of myself as the "rural" type, but Stone Creek changes my thoughts on that. When all phases are completed, I could easily see myself sitting on my expansive porch...waving to the neighbors as they walk their dogs or stroll their children....wasting away the afternoon OR for a little more spice I would probably jump on my (electric!) golf cart, head up to the village market, grab a cool beverage and some dinner, and head back home for a pot-luck dinner with friends....it really is all about lifestyle.

The Stone Creek Lodge is open every afternoon (and weekend mornings as well) for viewing.

For more information about Stone Creek, log on to www.stonecreekfairhope.com

I know we're all talking about it. I know we're all nervous about it. Some may even welcome it!

Being a newbie in Auburn, AL to Real Estate I have not quite learned all the techniques for working through a slower market. But if you like a busy schedule like me, you may find yourself looking for a few extra things to do to help your business.

How about a little extra education???

You can go to NAR's web site and become an E-PRO! This online course helps you learn to navigate through the online world and become tech savvy. After successfully completing this course you will be EPRO certified and have a better understanding of internet marketing.

How about starting your GRI or ABR?

Check with your state board to find classes near you or maybe near the beach???

Or just take time to navigate the web and learn about some of the new marketing options the web offers. Sites like Facebook and Myspaceare creating networking opportunities for Realtors by creating "groups" where like-minded people can share ideas and stories.