Wow! Has the face of politics changed this year?  Yes!  It is hard to say who will be the best president, especially because none of them are worthy.  This may be a "spit in your face" blog, but in actuality, I am serious.  Which candidate will help our market?  We are in a strange situation with everything that is going on.  Insurance is still not steady, loans are hard to come by, and Texas just got hit by a hurricane.  What next?  I love the fact that I have the right, ability and smarts to vote.  I just wish there was a candidate I could stand behind.  Anyone feeling the same way?

With lenders tightening their belts and offering less money to buyers, it takes money to make money.  If you have money, I have some great opportunities for you in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.  If you can afford 20% down and a 7% interest rate (and lets face it rates are lower than that right now) I have some great beach front rentals that can positive cash flow after taxes and home owners dues are paid.  Too good to be true?  Ask me about it.  I want to see people make money this year!

In the past couple of weeks I have run across a good number of people at open houses, or in the elevator at our condo, or at the pool, that are asking buying questions.  They are asking questions like, how much per sq/ft? What was the last sold?  What is the market doing?  

These kind of questions indicate, to me at least, that people are turning into buyers and are no longer shoppers.  With these questions you have to be careful about your answers.  How much/sqft seems like it would require a straight answer, however, it can be much trickier.  Are they asking about a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom unit?  Are they asking about foreclosure, or short sale pricing?  The last sold price is an easy answer, but is usually is followed by the questions When did it close, and what was the one before that?  I am always careful when answering these questions as I don't want to give a buyer, or potential seller, a wrong answer.  

Now for my favorite question!  WHAT IS THE MARKET DOING DOWN HERE?  My answer...it is really picking up, it WAS slow but we are seeing things sell.  Sales are up, calls are up, business is good!  I don't add that I haven't had a pay check in over a year, and that sales are off slightly over last year.  I don't need to add this.  There are agents here that have made more money so far this year than the whole last year combined.  I would guess if you ask them, they are going to say things are good, and that is how I choose to answer. 

I think positive, I talk positive and I work positive!  I am absolutely positive that THE BUYERS ARE COMING!  THE BUYERS ARE COMING!  

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! 

Are you or your clients looking for a property or two to buy that will positive cash flow or come pretty close?  Do you know anyone who wants to have a place to come to on the beach with out worrying about out of pocket expenses each month?  Do they have 20% to put down?  If you answered yes to these questions, let me know.  I have done an extensive study of the beach front units in Orange Beach Alabama.  I have found about 10 units that will positive cash flow during year one, and should appreciate over time.  

Of course I can't say all this with out the caveat of...subject to credit approval, rates and availability may vary, not available in all areas, projections based on an 80% loan at 6.5% interest and kept in a rental program at 60% occupancy through our the year.

If you have not been to our area, we have beautiful white sandy beaches, blue water, great fishing and boating opportunities and is a very comfortable drive from Birmingham, Atlanta, New Orleans and even not too bad from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio.  

Just give me a call or shoot me an email referencing this blog and I will do whatever I can to help you or your clients find that perfect property.   

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 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.  

Thank you all for being so supportive. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuica, Happy Kwanza, or what ever other holiday you are preparing to celebrate.  I hope you all have more sales next year than this year and you have clients that are more fun to work with.  I still appreciate 'FUN" clients.  Best of luck in the new year!  

"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.  

Does it appear to anyone else that in this Buyers Market that our Buyers are becoming LESS loyal.  I would like to think that when they are the ones trying to find the right property and negotiate a deal they would want a qualified Realtor to be on their side.  Twice this week I have show property and then they have told me that the next day they are looking with someone else.  In Alabama we have a buyers agency agreement, but the buyers are only wanting to sign it on a property by property basis.  I have come up with a Mutual Agreement for Success and it is more of a way of making your client understand that you are working for them and that you need certain things from them.  It works a little bit better, but still, I don't feel there is any loyalty there.  Any Ideas?