This article was sent to me by Karen Way of Clear Title in Gulf Shores on March 3, 2009.  If you want a smooth closing, close with Karen!   03/04/2009

Programs offer help to prevent foreclosure Sunday, March 01, 2009 By KATHY JUMPER Real Estate Editor Help is on the way for homeowners facing foreclosure, starting Wednesday. The $75 billion federal Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is aimed at helping families restructure or refinance mortgages to avoid losing their homes. The plan also gives lenders incentives to modify mortgages for struggling homeowners, in turn reducing the foreclosure inventory. "I'm very hopeful and optimistic that this will work," Sandra Dunaway, director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mobile, said last week. She said her office is seeing 40 to 50 homeowners a month for foreclosure prevention help. "I'm hoping that consumers will come to us first," Dunaway said. "We don't want them to set them... 03/02/2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 By ROY HOFFMAN, VIRGINIA BRIDGES, CONNIE BAGGETT and JILLIAN KRAMER Staff Reporters As the first drums sounded along the parade route Tuesday morning, and masked riders appeared, the Carnival crowd knew Fat Tuesday 2009 was under way. Misty Davis, of Chatom, held her purple umbrella fashioned with a purple boa. Snowbirds Rocky and Barbara Rockwell, of Rochester, N.Y., wore funny hats they had purchased in town. Kathy Smith, from Chunchula, rocked granddaughter Rachel, 16 months, in her arms to the beat of the music. Some were first-timers, like the Rockwells, who had traveled to Mobile just to experience Mardi Gras because "it originated in Mobile." Others, like Kasie Irby and her circle of family and friends, were reliving a yearly ritual, having parked the... 02/25/2009

Mobile Mardi Gras 2009 comes to an end on a fine Fat Tuesday Posted by Dan Murtaugh -- Press-Register February 25, 2009 9:49 AM Categories: Mardi Gras Photo by Bill Starling / Press-Register Revelers press against the barricades as they scream for throws Tuesday while the Knights of Revelry parade winds through downtown Mobile on the final day of Mardi Gras 2009.On a warm, sunny Fat Tuesday, both sides of Mobile's Mardi Gras -- family friendliness and boozy bacchanalia -- were on display within throwing distance of each other. Beneath a canopy of sun-dappled oak trees in Bienville Square, children tossed footballs to each other while adults stood nearby, grilling barbecue chicken. Two blocks away, a short, bespectacled man wearing a University of Alabama T-shirt on his chest and a pair ... 02/25/2009

Fort Morgan Alabama is better known by its neighbor Gulf Shores Alabama. Actually, Fort Morgan Alabama IS Gulf Shores Alabama. This is not know by many out of towners but Fort Morgan all Fort Morgan residents have a Gulf Shores Alabama address. Curiously, I often get the question as to whether Fort Morgan is really on the beach or ocean. Well, if you look at a map you will see the Gulf of Mexico is on one side of Highway 180 and the Bay is on the other. Clearly, Fort Morgan has the exact same ocean as Gulf Shores!In fact, the beach itself is often wider in most areas. Fort Morgan is a popular spot for family oriented vacations. This area is less crowded and not overrun by spring break kids and t-shirt shops. There is a much more "local feel" when vacationing in the area. There are far m... 02/23/2009

by Tinsley Myrick, RE/MAX of Orange Beach, February 15, 2009 What the article below DOESN'T say is that there are only 785 Gulf Front condos listed in Baldwin MLS for Gulf Shores, Ft Morgan, and Orange Beach (as of today's date).  This paints a completely different picture....a more positive one for sellers trying to sell! 02/15/2009

Sunday, February 15, 2009 By KATHY JUMPER Real Estate Editor Beachfront units under $200 per square foot at San Carlos had everyone at last weekend's auction raising a hand to bid, said Chuck Norwood of REMAX of Gulf Shores. "Everything sells at a price," he said, "and when it's a deal, they fight over it." The auction took 62 units off the market and netted more than $20 million for the Los Angeles-based owners, Canyon Capital. The two- and three-bedroom units sold for an average $195 to $225 per square foot, which included a 10 percent buyer's premium, according to Norwood. The prices averaged $240,000 to the high $400s for the penthouses. What a difference a few months makes in price. Last May, 44 new units at Crystal Tower, across the street from the beach in Gulf Shores, sold for $... 02/15/2009

by Cheré Coen of The Times of Acadian   Photo by Cheré CoenLulu's at Homeport Marina Who ever thought that when Jimmy Buffett sang Cheeseburger in Paradise, about a dieting Caribbean traveler enjoying the comfort of "a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat" at port, that the legendary Buffett meal would turn green? And we're not talking envy. Lulu's at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores serves up the famous Cheeseburger in Paradise, mostly because Lucy (Lulu) Anne Buffett is Jimmy's sister. But even though this menu appeals to America's "carnivorous habits," it was time to join the green revolution and enlighten restaurant visitors at the same time, said General Manager Johnny Fisher. Lulu's cheeseburgers are now created from grass-fed beef raised at nearby Boutwell Farms in Dothan, Ala. Bec... 02/12/2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009, By JEFF DUTE, Outdoors Editor. Unfavorable sea conditions and high winds throughout winter have pushed back the expected completion of the Gulf State Park Pier to at least the first of May, a park official said Tuesday. The state parks department issued a press release in December stating that the 1,520-foot, $17 million pier at Gulf Shores would be finished as planned in March. But Trey Myers, assistant superintendent at the park, said the contractor, LCI Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., has not been able to work as many days as anticipated. "They've only been able to get their crane barge out there to work three or four times in the past month-and-a-half," he said. "Even when they get it set up, they've been limited to two or three days by rough seas or high wind.... 02/12/2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 By RYAN DEZEMBER, Staff Reporter with Mobile Press Register Wachovia Bank has won a $20.4 million judgment against the developers of Bon Secour Village, who consented in advance to the ruling and have joined the lender in trying to sell about 900 acres of the Gulf Shores property to clear the debt. "There was no reason to have a trial because we know what we borrowed and we know what we owe," said David Anderson, a Birmingham-based lawyer who represents Bon Secour Village LLC and two of its principals. "We don't dispute the debt." Ending the federal foreclosure case, Anderson said, allows the bank and the developers to concentrate on selling the property, once pegged to be home to a $500 million town-within-a-town development. U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBo... 02/12/2009

Tinsley Myrick, RE/MAX of Orange Beach, AL, February 10, 2009 I attended our monthly sales meeting this morning led by broker/owner, Patrick Daily.  Here are the some of the highlights we discussed: ARE WE THERE YET? Patrick feels that we will see banks and lenders freeing up funds by this summer.  How do the banks make money?  They make money by lending it.  The closer we get to a real estate "bottom," the more comfortable they will feel in loosening their standards because of less risk for the buyers and the bank. Interesting point:  Once we see the banks loosen the funds, we've already missed the bottom! Real estate sales are up 37% in California and Nevada.  They are up 17% in Florida.  A large majority of these sales are foreclosures and short sales.  It doesn't really matter what ... 02/10/2009

By Tinsley Myrick, RE/MAX of Orange Beach, February 9, 2009 I attended the auction at San Carlos in Gulf Shores on Sat, February 7, 2009.  It was held in a tent in the parking lot by the National Auction Group, the same company that handled the auctions at Crystal Tower and Emerald Greens, both in Gulf Shores.  An investment company was holding somewhere around 75 San Carlos condos that had never been occupied.  Most bidders in the auction got some good deals ..... but others got some REALLY GREAT deals.  The best deals to be had were on the interior 3 bedrooms.  5 sold at $250,000 + the buyer's premium = $275,000.  These units are 1419 sq ft so that means they got them for $193 per sq ft for a Gulf Front condo!  Incredible.  When someone wins a bid, the auctioneer will ask if anyone el... 02/09/2009

The proof of pent up demand for gulf front condos was evident yesterday in Gulf Shores, Alabama were over 30 unit at San Carlos were auctioned off.  There must have been over 250 bidders and well over 1000 people in attendance. Keep in mind these are cash buyers or non Fannie/Freddie borrowers.  Many closed the deal on auction day. Buyers paid anywhere from $215-279 a sqfoot for 2-4 bedroom condos at San Carlos.  The condos were built in 2006 and the units auctioned where owned by an financier out of CA.   video link to crowd before auction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79dPulTmZZM 02/08/2009

The Indies Condos in Fort Morgan are nestled within a quaint neighborhood on the beach. The Indies is a beach side resort, meaning there is no major road to cross. The walk to the beach is only a couple hundred yards. There is also an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and kiddie pool, roof top terrace, fitness center, business center and private beach access. Do you like boating as well? The Fort Morgan Marina is literally across the street. You can rent a wet slip for the week or take a charter for a fishing excursion of a lifetime. The Indies has the best of both worlds. There is so much to offer at VERY affordable rental prices at the Indies in Fort Morgan Alabama. Winter Rates are as low as $99 a night Spring Weekly Rates are as low as $950 a week Summer Weekly Rates are as low as $1340 ... 02/03/2009

  We have tons of beach homes available for rent in Fort Morgan Alabama.  We have beachfront homes and beachside homes. We have HUGE homes as large as 10 bedrooms and smaller homes with 3 bedrooms. Many of our homes have community pools and hot tubs. We have luxury Fort Morgan Alabama beach homes available for rent so please visit our website www.FortMorganVacationRentals.Net   Here is a picture of "Four Fun" which is our 10 bedroom beach home. This house is almost completely booked but we are building a similar house called "Sandy Feat" that will be available summer 2009!!! You can view Sandy Feat Beach home rental information at  www.FortMorganVacationRentals.Net   Prickett Properties LLC Tamala Prickett   01/23/2009

Prickett Properties has launched a new vacation rental website for "Just Beachy" located in Morgantown subdivision. Http://www.FortMorganBeachHomes.Com Just Beachy is located in the quiet, family beach community of Morgantown. The house is located right beside the community pool and only 200 feet (approximatly 1 block) to the beautiful secluded Fort Morgan beaches and boardwalk. You can experience the convenience of the pool and the beach. Just Beachy is a family-friendly house with an open living/dining area with comfortable seating. The master bedroom has a king bed and private bathroom. The second bedroom has two twin beds and the third bedroom as a queen bed; these two bedrooms share a full bathroom. The den offers a sleeper sofa for additional guests. Relax on the open front deck w... 01/21/2009

GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic set for Gulf Shores, Ala., Feb. 1-3 The 59th Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) National Championship and Golf Classic presented in partnership with The Toro Co., comes to Gulf Shores, Ala., Feb. 1-3. Few golf competitions can match the number of participants attracted by this golf event for GCSAA members. Nearly 400 GCSAA members will compete for top honors at four world-class Gulf Shores golf courses, while staying at the Perdido Beach Resort. The GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic are held in conjunction with the GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 2-7) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 5-7), at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. Accomplished golfers will test themselves against GCSAA's finest in the Natio... 01/21/2009

San Carlos condos Thirty new, Gulf-front condominium units at the 20-story San Carlos at 365 E. Beach Blvd. in Gulf Shores will be offered for sale at absolute auction at 1 p.m. Feb. 7, according to The National Auc tion Group in Gadsden. Last August, 35 units in the 142-unit building were to be auctioned by Sheldon Good & Co ., based in Chicago, but the auction was canceled several days before the event. Call Daniel Prickett at Prickett Properties LLC to Register: 251-209-0074   Prickett Properties LLC Http://www.GoToTheGulfCoast.com 01/16/2009

www.IndiesBeachRentals.com The Indies is a family oriented Beachside Resort in the Fort Morgan area. The deeded beach access is only a couple hundred yards from the condominium plus there is no road to cross to get to the beach!     The Indies is renowned for uncrowded beaches and uncommercialized location. It sits at the Tip of the Fort Morgan Peninsula and is encompassed by the gulf and the bay. The balcony features expansive ocean front views while the bay is just across the street. You can even enjoy an evening stroll to Tacky Jacks for a relaxed bay front dinner. Tacky Jacks is located at the Gulf Shores Marina where you can enjoy a fishing charter or launch your own boat for a small fee.     Don't be fooled by the Indies remote location, because there is plenty to do on and off th... 01/13/2009

SANDY FEAT 8 bedroom Beach Home in Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan Alabama Prickett Properties is constructing an 8 bedroom 6 bath vacation home. The home is set for completion in late May of 2009. The home was modeled after our "Four Fun Beach Home" due to the high rental demand of Four Fun Sandy Feat is a duplex with 4 bedroom and 3 baths per side. The home is convertible to a n 8 bedroom beach home by a large six foot opening in the living area. This is the perfect retreat for large groups to enjoy staying in one location while having separate kitchens and laundry areas. Sandy Feat is located within the Dunes Subdivision (a beachside neighborhood) and only about 100 yards to the Ocean. The porches of Sandy Feat feature a fabulous gulf view and the community pool is only about 100 feet from t... 01/10/2009