I am new to twitter and am now formally known as @albeachrealtor. I am having a bit of trouble separating the work side and the personal side of twitter. I want to remain objective, but sometimes it is just plain old fun to make fun of Charlie Sheen. I can’t help it.
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Additionally, I am struggling with getting my @albeachrealtor out there and getting followers to go to my website seamitchell.com and do any searching for properties.
Advice?
After a long summer of bad headlines and exaggerated press, you might think that it is all true. Newsflash: it isn’t.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Alabama’s Gulf Coast this summer, you missed out. It was one of the hottest, prettiest, summers ever. In addition to beautiful weather, we had some of the most blue clear water I have ever seen. Yes, there were occasional oil sightings, but thanks to our volunteers, government officials, and paid clean up workers, any oil spotted was cleaned up almost before you knew it was there.
What does this have to do with Real Estate? I am getting to that. It is certain that our tourism is off and the long-term effects of down tourism this summer are yet to be known. What I do know is that Real Estate ISN’T that far off. May was when the oil was first spotted in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Prices for condos on the beach in Orange Beach were up 43% over last May and sales were up from 12 last year to 20 this year! June took a bit of a dive, and was down by 13 sales and 30% from June last year. When July came and went, our sales were comparable to last year, and prices were up 67%.
If you look at the year cumulative for direct Gulf Front condos in Orange Beach, you will find that on average, condos are selling for only $8000 less than last year.
SO, you ask? If you were thinking about buying a great vacation place with excellent rental opportunities now is the time to buy. If you own a condo on the Gulf Coast and you can afford to keep it, chin up, I believe it will get better. Here in Orange Beach, we have some of the prettiest white sand and clear blue water. I was at the beach the other day and saw fish and sting rays swimming, people were shelling and splashing around. Surfers are coming back to the beach as well.
If you are interested in a specific market analysis on a property that you own, or are thinking about purchasing please contact me. Each building has its own market “personality.” Let me know how I can help you with your Real Estate needs.
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How many of you have heard nothing but negative comments about Real Estate lately? It seems like you can’t get away from it. I wish there was an annual NO-NEGATIVITY day. It would be great to turn on the news and hear about 5 people SURVIVING a bus crash, rather than about a bus crash that almost killed 5 people. Or how about a story about the people who heeded the flood warnings and got themselves and their animals out when they were warned and they are all safe now. In Real Estate news I would like to hear about all the good things that are happening. I would like for my fellow Realtors to talk positively about the market rather than cursing it. Folks, we are in sales. Sales go up and down and it is what you do during the down time that will make your up time better.
There are buyers out there! They are buying houses, condos and land. There are people making money. If you look at sales here on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, you will see it. We have had almost 1000 properties sell since the beginning of the year. Almost 1000!!! That is a little off from last year during the same period, but hey, properties are selling.
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard Realtors in the area talk to clients, or I over hear them on the phone, talking about how slow it is and how much prices are down. Hey, flip that around and lets tell them what IS selling and that prices being down are a good thing for buyers. Lets get people excited about Real Estate again. It is still a sound investment and buyers who buy now have a better shot at making more money in the long run.
LETS GET POSITIVE! IF WE ALL TELL OUR BUYERS WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW, WE WILL CHANGE WHAT IS GOING ON. LETS STOP LETTING THE NEWS RUN OUR MARKET AND DO WHAT WE ARE TRAINED TO DO WHICH IS SELL, SELL, SELL!
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe. I heard this quote tonight on TV and it made a lot of sense for us as Realtors. I moved to an area where I had no sphere of influence about 3 years ago. I have done my best to make connections with the “right” people. I have tried to meet the influential people in my area. As far as using what I have, I have nothing. I have only what I have earned myself. I don’t have anyone giving me anything. What I have is my ability to communicate with others and knowing that I treat my clients with the same respect that I was treated when I bought my FIRST house. Every purchase is like buying something for the first time. I am doing what I can with what I have where I am.
I am often asked by visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast for suggestions of good places to eat. My first question back to them is what kind of food do you enjoy? Most of the time the people will say that they are interested in sea food, being here on the coast and all. Here is my suggestion for sea food in Orange Beach. You can’t do much better than Geno’s Fresh Catch. It is located at Zeke’s Marina on Beach Road before you get to the Perdido Pass Bridge. They have a terrific selection of fish, all of which can be fried, grilled or blackened. Entrees are served with mashed potatos and steamed veggies. They have a wide selection of steaks and “Alabama Classics” like shrimp and grits. In addition to the wide selection on their menu, they have a pretty complete wine list and they also offer sushi and a raw bar. Geno’s has the “white table cloth” atmosphere with out being snobby. I eaten there in jeans and sneakers and also gone with a date wearing a tie and me in a dress.
Be prepared to shell out a little bit of money though as it is easy for 2 people drinking a glass o f wine to spend around $100, but know it is well worth it.
This past weekend I dared to leave the Orange Beach area and venture a little bit further away to try a restaurant that came highly recommended. It is called the Oar House in Pensacola that the Bahia Mar Marina. Sometimes it is good to stay home. The drive to the Oar House was not that bad although we did pass the turn the first time. Once at the restaurant we noticed the colorful decor (very beachy and nautical). After we got inside we took a seat at the bar because no one offered us a table. About 10 minutes in the bartender asked us what we wanted to drink and, being a Saturday afternoon, we ordered margaritas. Have you ever had a margarita that tastes like it was made with moldy mix? I can now say that I have. I had to ask for a menu and silverware and napkins. We finally decided to order an appetizer of fried pickles, the Combo Basket of fish and shrimp, and the Jezebel’s Grill. When I inquired about what kind of fish they were serving, I was told some kind that I had never heard of. It was likened to a grouper or catfish. I didn’t realize that grouper and catfish were that similar. The pickles were the highlight of the meal. The fish was mushy the asparagus was limp and the rice was under cooked. The french fries were fine, but it is hard to mess those up. We asked for to-go boxes, knowing we wouldn’t be eating the left overs, and the check. It came to around 50 dollars.
After paying, we left. As I walked out into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but think I had no desire to return.
Perhaps we caught them on a bad day.
I pay 50% referrals over 300k and 25% up to that. I am a full service Realtor and will surely take care of you or your clients.
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