GULF SHORESSunday, May 04, 2008 By KATHY JUMPER Real Estate Editor GULF SHORES, Ala. A driving rainstorm didn't stop bidders from buying 44 condominium units for more than $13 million at an absolute auction that attracted more than 1,000 people to the Crystal Tower condo complex Saturday afternoon. Amid wall-to-wall umbrellas, more than 500 registered bidders from 20 states came to look for a deal or at least catch a glimpse of the condo-buying fever evident on West Beach in Baldwin County. The lowest unit sale prices were $275,000 and the highest purchase price was $350,000, which included the 10 percent buyer's premium added to the bid amount, according to the National Auction Co. based in Gadsden. "My brothers and I had not intended to go that low," said Collier Merrill, the develope... 05/04/2008

National Auction Group auctioned off over 30 units in the Crystal Tower complex in Gulf Shores today.  The units sold in the range between $250k and $315k.  Several of the highly desired top floor end units fetched prices in the upper range between $285k and $315k.  A large number of units sold for $250k.  The developer opted to end the auction after selling more than 30 units but less than the 60 available units.  Four units were removed from the available unit list prior to the start of the auction.  The 30 units represented the minimum number of units promoted to be released in the absolute auction format.The auction was heavily attended and presented a unique investment opportunity for investers in the Gulf Shores vacation rental market.  A ten percent buyers premium was to be inclu... 05/03/2008

Coastal insurance bill killed in senateMidfield senator blocks coastal insurance proposal Friday, May 02, 2008 By BRIAN LYMANCapital Bureau MONTGOMERY The state Senate killed a bill Thursday that supporters said would help address a coastal insurance crisis in Alabama by expanding the beach pool, but did revive and pass a ban on commercial gill nets. The Senate's actions leave both issues in the hands of the House of Representatives. The insurance bill that died Thursday was one of two Senate bills dealing with the topic sponsored by Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile. The Senate on Wednesday approved the other bill, which would allow so-called captive insurers to sell homeowners policies. Brooks said that expanding the number of people eligible for the Alabama Underwriting Insurance Association... 05/02/2008

$10 million to go to new projects; remainder represents refinancing of old debt Wednesday, April 30, 2008 By RYAN DEZEMBERStaff Reporter GULF SHORES Aiming to pay for a list of projects that includes the city's new tennis center at Johnnie Sims park, a new fire station and storm shelter near Jack Edwards Airport and the renovation of three public buildings, the City Council on Monday voted to issue $17 million in bonds. Of that total, about $7 million was raised to refinance existing debt from 1996 and 1998 bond issues, city officials said. In doing so, taxpayers will save about $436,000 over the life of the old debt, said Ken Funderburk, an executive vice president of Merchant Capital, the Montgomery-based investment bank that handled the bond sale. Gulf Shores hasn't extended how long... 04/30/2008

County's credit rating improvesTop agencies reclassify Baldwin in time for $24.6 million bond issue Sunday, April 27, 2008 By RYAN DEZEMBERStaff Reporter Baldwin County's credit rating, which dictates how much taxpayers shell out to borrow money for large projects, was boosted this month by the nation's top two ratings firms. Moody's and Standard & Poor's both announced that they had increased the county's creditworthiness to levels that few governments in Alabama can match. On the Moody's system the county went from Aa3 to Aa2, while on the Standard & Poor's scale the county jumped from AA to AA+. Those ratings are just below the highest possible score on both scales. The reclassifications come after a group of county officials traveled to New York to lobby for the change and just prio... 04/28/2008

Pleasure Island events plannedSunday, April 27, 2008 Submitted by Kimberly Shumack Pleasure Island's population swells every weekend as the promise of fun-filled summer afternoons at the beach draws near. However, one weekend outside the traditional summer season is said by organizers to offer more events than one could imagine, from athletics to festivals to concerts, during the first weekend in May. The 2008 Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon is set for Saturday at the Gulf State Park Pavilion in Gulf Shores. The competition begins early Saturday morning with a 1,000-yard swim in the Gulf and moves on to a 20-mile bike ride through the state park. Athletes will head for the finish line during the final leg a 5-mile run. This event holds two distinctions; it is the Alabama State ... 04/28/2008

The Hangout harks back to pre-condo days at GulfSunday, April 27, 2008 By KATHY JUMPERReal Estate Editor Developer Shaul Zislin wanted to bring back the beach the one before condominiums lined the Gulf, when one-piece swimsuits were sexy, the only beer served was root beer, burgers were 25 cents, the DJ was a jukebox and cars had muscles. His latest venture, The Hangout on the beach at Alabama 59 and 182, pays tribute to the original, open air Hangout that graced the Gulf Shores beach scene in the late 1950s and early 1960s. "You can't believe all the calls I've had from people who remember The Hangout," he said as he pointed to a worn, red buoy on the wall given to the restaurant by one of the original lifeguards. There's even a Hangout reunion scheduled there next weekend. The 17,000-... 04/27/2008

Grand opening day approaches for The HangoutRestaurant at public beach to open May 2 Monday, April 21, 2008 By RYAN DEZEMBERStaff Reporter GULF SHORES -- A year ago the privately owned land at the city's public beach, called Gulf Place, was a vacant plot cordoned by a chain-link fence -- looking much as it had since the last wind-blown buildings, tattered by 2004's Hurricane Ivan, were demolished. As recently as January, all that marked the property were a few frayed palms and dozens of round wooden pilings. Now, however, there is a swarm of activity as workers put the finishing touches on a 17,833-square-foot restaurant in advance of its planned May 2 opening. Outside, palms and shrubs are being planted, a 6-foot-tall bamboo fence is going up around the perimeter, someone is heading up... 04/21/2008

Gulf resorts post record for lodgingsBy Garry MitchellThe Associated Press GULF SHORES -- Alabama beach resorts posted record visitor spending on lodgings last year, bouncing back three years after Hurricane Ivan left widespread wreckage on the coast. Tourism officials hope high gas prices and a slide in the national economy won't reverse those gains. Next month heralds spring break and the kickoff of get-to-the-beach tourism. Gasoline prices likely will be a factor in the area's continued recovery. Last year, the average price for regular unleaded in Alabama was $2.05 at the end of January, soaring to $3.08 on Memorial Day. It was $2.91 last month, said AAA-Alabama spokesman Clay Ingram, who could not predict this year's Memorial Day high. "We're starting a lot higher than last year," ... 02/26/2008

Tourism numbers up in '07Good year expected in 2008 despite economic problems in other areas Tuesday, February 12, 2008 By GUY BUSBYStaff Reporter Despite a weak national economy, some tourism numbers are up and Gulf Coast officials expect a good year for visitors in 2008. In 2007, taxable lodging rentals reached about $237 million, up $39 million from 2006, according to Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau reports. Even with gasoline prices higher than a year ago, residents expect that upward trend to continue, said Herb Malone, bureau president. "Overall, 2007 was a record year and we're expecting a good year in 2008," Malone said. "Historically, what we've seen in that area is that when things slow down in the national economy, we still have people. They're still going t... 02/12/2008

Mobile no. 1 Friday, February 01, 2008 By JEFF AMYBusiness Reporter Mobile County will have the fastest growing economy over the next five years among all 363 American metropolitan areas, according to a new forecast by Moody's Economy.com, growing 34.31 percent from 2007 through 2012. Forbes.com highlighted that projection in a story published Wednesday. The Web site arm of the business magazine credited the $3.7 billion ThyssenKrupp AG steel mill, Austal USA's continued growth in shipbuilding, and the possible Northrop Grumman/EADS airplane assembly plants as among Mobile's strengths. Forbes also cited the city's port and highway access as positives. Such an extended boom could outstrip the prosperity Mobile saw through the early and middle 1990s. The area's most dramatic growth in th... 02/01/2008

 Relax in this Gulf Front Condo at The Beach Club! - Doral 402 - 1 Bedroom/1.5 Bath - Sleeps 6Gulf Front condo on the 4th floor - directly facing the Gulf and beach, overlooking the pool.  Freshly painted Nov 2007, new 20" diagonal tile throughout condo, new bedding and decor.  High speed internet access, full kitchen, sleeps up to 6.  Sleeping accommodations:  King bed in the master bedroom, full sized bunks in the hallway, sofa sleeper.  Check out this view!  The Beach Club has all the amenities you could hope for! Availability Calendar    Rates    Virtual Tour    Email Me!      The Alabama Gulf Coast is more than you may realize.  It is more than just a beautiful place, more than just the friendly people who live and work here.  It is more than sand and sun and waves rolling onto 32 ... 01/14/2008

Home at 16 Marsh Pt in the Peninsula - 3 bed/2.5 bath - 2135 sq ft - $399,000Beautiful home in gated, golf community overlooking the #5 fairway of the Lakes Course.  Beautiful home overlooking the 5th fairway! Granite, stainless steel appliances, tile, security system, 2 car garage, bamboo floors, carpeted bedrooms, wet bar (granite, ice maker), whirlpool tub, separate shower, walk-in closet, 10' ceilings, recessed lighting, crown molding, fireplace, plantation shutters. Cultured marble in the master bath. Sold unfurnished, washer/dryer convey.  Peninsula is an 820 acre community - quietly nestled in its own corner of Gulf Shores!  Community includes 27 holes of championship golf, 400 acre nature preserve and walkover to Cabana Beach, private beach on beautiful Bon Secour Bay, wide vari... 01/04/2008

 By Peyton PoseyIn March, Condo Owner spoke with Dr. Semoon Chang, professor of economics and director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and asked his opinion on the current status of the market on the gulf coast. Now, eight months later, we wanted Chang's take on the market today and what he believes will happen down the road."The absence of major hurricanes this season is undoubtedly going to be good for the area, but unfortunately, some things have remained the same. I still think it's a buyers' market. What I said [in the spring] still holds true: yes, sales are slow, but people need to be patient and let the market return slowly," Chang said.In terms of the inventory of condo units, the Baldwin County Association of Realt... 12/06/2007

Enclave at Oak Hill D404 1430 Regency Rd, Gulf Shores, Alabama  365422 bedroom/2 bath - 1239 sq ft - $229,000Best view in complex! Don't miss this view from the 4th floor of bike path, trees, & buildings on West Beach! Upscale condo in Downtown Gulf Shores! Grade 5 granite in baths/kitchen. 10' ceilings, 8' doors, upgraded carpet, custom cabinets, recessed lighting, stainless steel appliances, 10x10 Italian tile, hardiplank exterior. Great amenity package in a natural setting!  Charming clubhouse with fitness center and outdoor pool!  Monthly dues are only $289 a month and include Association Management, Satellite TV, Internet, Phone, recreational facilities, and more!  Email me about this listing!  11/12/2007

Consumers have grown ever more Web-savvy and online applications continue to evolve, many in the industry are experimenting with blogs and YouTube videos to promote their properties.  That's just one more way to try to create some buzz with your property. If there's one more way you can make your listing stand out from the masses, you might as well do it. Create your videos then distribute them to several places online, including the wildly popular video-sharing site YouTube. Mediterra 201-E is a second floor unit with exquisite furnishings, though comfortable and accommodating. With four bedrooms and four and a half baths, this condo can accommodate a large family or multiple families. Unparalleled Gulf Front views and sandy white beaches make indoor and outdoor living merge for consta... 11/02/2007

The Alabama Gulf Coast is more than you may realize.  It is more than just a beautiful place, more than just the friendly people who live and work here.  It is more than sand and sun and waves rolling onto 32 miles of sugar-white beach.  The Alabama Gulf Coast is all these things and more.  Taken together, these unique attributes create a region with a welcoming sense of place, perfect for families, investors, retirees and growing businesses. The Alabama Gulf Coast has been a family destination for many generations.  Ask both visitors and residents, and you'll find that most folks down here have memories of the Alabama Gulf Coast that stretch back to childhood.  Many parents recall visiting area beaches with their parents.  Now they want to share that same fun with their children.  As t... 10/23/2007

The Beach Club in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a fabulous condominium resort located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, offering premium Gulf Front condos and resort amenities!  Just 12 miles down Fort Morgan Rd from Hwy 59 & Downtown Gulf Shores, Alabama, The Beach Club is perfect for those looking to get away from the hustle & bustle of every day life.  All that you need is right at the resort, including a 1/4 mile of private, pristine beach.  Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are just a short drive away! Here are 3 new listings.... These are decorated by the same person and are beautiful...  See more pictures of The Beach Club in Gulf Shores Alabama below....Avalon 310 - 3 bed/3.5 bath - $629,000Avalon 1110 - 3 bed/3.5 bath - $639,000Avalon 809 - 2 bed/2.5 bath - $439,000            10/18/2007

She didn't complain of headaches or any other of the more common carbon monoxide poisioning symptoms. She was just crazy. She acted like she'd a few too many, but it was too early in the day for that.I almost dismissed her as another loopy homeowner until I saw the gray stains on the cabinets and the cookware in the pantry. That was my first hint... Then, in the cabinet below, the black color on the under side of the pantry shelf was another hint. And here's the culprit... a flue hood that doesn't quite fit over the exhaust opening atop the water heater.  It's enough to exhaust CO into the house. Wow!  It's enough to make someone loopy!Did she have a working CO detector?  NO!Did she have a working smoke detector? "Of course," she said. "What idiot wouldn't have a smoke detector?"Of cour... 10/13/2007

Fall is in the air down here in the Deep South! That mean cool mornings (65 degrees) and moderate days (80 degrees).I started this morning atop an airplane hanger in Gulf Shores, Alabama as part of my due diligence inspection for a client. It's a tough life. What a beautiful day! Now for the quiz...What's this?It was sitting outside of the hanger. Here's another clue...I'll post the answer shortly.Have a great fall. Tom SinclairAbout the House - Home InspectionsFairhope, Alabama251-990-3169www.InspectTestAnalyze.com 10/09/2007