Great News for Investors

by Debbie Williams | 2346 views Published: Wed, January 19, 2011 - 5:20 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, January 19, 2011 - 6:07 pm CST

GULF SHORES, Alabama - If you want to book a view for your summer vacation, be ready to pay full price.
"We raised rates for 2010 and we had to do a lot of discounting anywhere from 50 to 20 percent. For 2011, although we haven't raised our rates, it's the normal rack rate and people are having some sticker shock," says Marie Curran with Brett Robinson Resorts.

Gone are the discounts from 2010. This season expect to pay five to 600 dollars for a four night stay this spring. That same stay this summer will cost you anywhere from a thousand to 12 hundred dollars. "They're calling, having paid forty percent less then what we are quoting them now. So there is a lot of price point hesitation."

A lot is riding on this tourist season. Early indicators predict a good one but not a record breaker.

"We feel pretty good about it." Marketing director for Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Tourism Mike Foster says they hope to have a tourism season like 2009. "It was a solid year. We fell so far from '09 in 10 that if we get back to '09 levels that is a great accomplishment for us."

Meanwhile, the phones have started ringing, as many as 600 calls a day at Brett Robinson, a little behind what they are used to but a good sign says Curran. "We used to say what could happen? What could go wrong? and now we sort of know."

What they don't know is how many will be around this summer to enjoy the view.

Results from a tourism research project is expected in a couple of weeks that should indicate whether Alabama's coastal communities have turned the corner in terms of attitudes towards the beach.

 For condo listings or further information visit our web site www.seamitchell.com or just contact us at seamitchell@seamitchell.com

Sea you soon!

Turquoise Place Luxury Condo Sold in Orange Beach Alabama 

The Seamitchell Team with Remax Realty Centre specialize in luxury condos in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key Florida. There are 3 bedroom condos at 2301sq ft. and 4 bedroom condos at 3504sq ft. If you want more information on this property let us know.

A Louisiana couple paid $3.25 million in cash for a 6,000-square-foot penthouse unit at the gulffront Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, according to complex developer Larry Wireman. Judy Wireman of Caribe Realty represented the seller and Chad Mitchell of REMAX Realty Centre worked for the buyer.

See Full Artical

 We are a family team that can help your family find your second home or investment property. You can search for free all listings available on the alabama coast by visiting our web site www.seamitchell.com. If you have any questions please contact us at seamitchell@seamitchell.com

Talk to you soon!

 Gulf Shores And Orange Beach Condo sales

The beach market is showing signs of leveling off. There are still some great deals on condos but they are being picked up quickly. Sales for gulf front condos in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Ft. Morgan are up over last year so the time to buy is now. Feel free to search listings on our web site at www.seamitchell.com and let us know how we can help you.

Sea you soon,
Chad


Up Coming Events:

Vacation-Home Sales Make a Surprise Comeback

Published: Wednesday, 31 Mar 2010 | 4:49 PM ET Text Size  By: CNBC.com

The housing slump may be far from over, but vacation homes are suddenly hot again.

Vacation-home sales rose 7.9 percent in 2009 from a year earlier, to 553,000 units, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in its 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey.

Andy Truello

"It's a lessening of the fear factor," NAR spokesman Walter Molony said. "After three years of decline, we saw the activity picking up for the first time in November."

Most people are buying vacation property for personal use, not as an investment. Investment sales actually plunged 15.9 percent last year, to 940,000.

"The typical vacation-home buyer is making a lifestyle choice, with nine out of 10 saying they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat," NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, according to a press release.

Much of the buying was by people in their 30s and 40s who were earning more income. The typical vacation-home buyer in 2009 was 46 years old and had a median household income of $87,500.

Retirement plans may also be a factor. Some 26 percent of vacation-home buyers intend to use the property as a primary residence in the future.

The median transaction price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008.

"The higher vacation home price may reflect increased sales in higher priced markets, particularly in areas of Florida and California where prices became highly attractive for buyers over the past year," Yun said.

Half of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 21 percent in the West, 17 percent in the Midwest and 12 percent in the Northeast.  Seven out of 10 were detached single-family homes.

Vacation-home buyers plan to keep their property for a median of 16 years while investment buyers plan to hold their property for a median of 12 years.

Great Artical... and if you need any information on Gulf Shores or Orange Beach Alabama Condos let us know.

seamitchell.com

Orange Beach/Gulf Shores auction with 30 condos to sell at absolute auction on July 25th. Seamitchell Team can help you with questions and details. The complex is designed with families in mind, owners may choose three bedroom units that sleep up to 10, two bedrooms that accommodate up to six and single bedroom units that sleep four.  Owners can look forward to an array of private amenities, including a beach side gazebo, boardwalk, indoor and outdoor pools and fitness room complete with sauna, steam room and spa. For photos of the resort amenities we can provide both indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, fitness center, sauna and steam room, an indoor activity area, a water playground and barbeque grills, and The Shores' treasured Landmark Gazebo. The solid concrete construction is designed to sustain minimal damage in the event of a hurricane. Call Today for auction units offered from the developer. Contact us to sign up and for additional information. e-mail us at www.seamitchell@seamitchell.com or visit our web site www.seamitchell.com

 More Details Click Below:

http://seamitchell1.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2570117

Escapes to The Shores, Orange Beach Auction 

30 Condos to sell at absolute auction.

Orange Beach/Gulf Shores auction with 30 condos to sell at absolute auction. Seamitchell Team can help you with questions and details. The complex is designed with families in mind, owners may choose three bedroom units that sleep up to 10, two bedrooms that accommodate up to six and single bedroom units that sleep four.  Owners can look forward to an array of private amenities, including a beach side gazebo, boardwalk, indoor and outdoor pools and fitness room complete with sauna, steam room and spa. For photos of the resort amenities we can provide both indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, fitness center, sauna and steam room, an indoor activity area, a water playground and barbeque grills, and The Shores' treasured Landmark Gazebo. The solid concrete construction is designed to sustain minimal damage in the event of a hurricane. Call Today for auction units offered from the developer. Contact us to sign up and for additional information. e-mail us at www.seamitchell@seamitchell.com or visit our web site at www.seamitchell.com

 http://seamitchell1.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2570117

Gulf Shores Condos and Orange Beach Condos in foreclosure are selling quick. I have had some luck getting great deals but these condos go quick. With this being a second home market we are not seeing the number of foreclosures you would see in metro areas so when they hit you need to be ready to sign. I have had properties we had written offers on the same day the unit was posted and it had already had multiple offers comming in. Well what do you expect Orange Beacch and Gulf Shores I think are the best places to be on the gulf coast. We can do the shopping for you and would be happy to send information.

 Sea you soon!

Seamitchell

The Caribe Condos in Orange Beach, Alabama are just amazing inside and out. Now is the time to buy with the incentives and great pricing available. Caribe is truly one-of-a-kind; superbly designed with full Jacuzzi brand master suites and gourmet kitchens, including stainless steel appliances and granite countertops set in European style cabinetry. Luxurious 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums, in four different floor plans, with between 1400-2400 heated and cooled square feet. Each unit comes complete with 20-inch porcelain tile flooring, 9 to 11-foot ceilings and tinted, floor to ceiling full-view windows and glass doors for the oversized, curvilinear balconies.This exclusive oasis includes two and three-tiered outdoor swimming pools, large indoor pools with jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, state-of-the-art fitness centers, tennis courts and a 10,000 square foot Tiff Eagle putting green. For more infomation contact seamitchell@seamitchell.com 

Orange Beach Alabama has one of the most beatiful complex on the Gulf Coast. When only the best will do for you or your husband you have found your calling. Listed below is just what's in the condo you will not belive what's in the complex. For more details and special financing available from the developer contact Seamitchell@seamitchell.com

Typical Interior Unit

  10'-0" Ceilings in Bedroom, Dining, and Family Room

 Units have tile floors, except in Bedrooms

 Wall-mounted flat screen TV over Gas Fireplace

 3cm Granite Countertops throughout

 Pre-wired for Sound System

  Sub-Zero / Wolf Kitchen appliances:

  *Gas Cooktop

  *Double Oven with Convection / Microwave

  *Warming Drawer

  *Counter-depth Refrigerator, Freezer

  Kitchen Aid appliances:

  *Front Loading Washer and Dryer

  *Soak Sink in Laundry Room

  *Diswasher in Kitchen

  Wet Bar:

  *Wine Cooler

  *Ice Maker

  Hot Tub and Gas Grill with Refrigerator on Balcony

 Net unit area will vary depending on structure

 Developer reserves the right to make changes

  Living - 2,430 s.f.

 Balcony - 430 s.f.

 Total - 2,833 s.f.

Hey,   I'm putting together the details on the auction for everyone we had that was interested in it. I'll go ahead a give you the snap shot. The penthouses went for 375K to 480K. The corner units (3/3 w/wet bars) went for as low as 200Ft. (315K w/out auction cost) interior 3/3 units went as low as 250k w/out auction cost. I'll send you the article. I think total units sold was 60+ units and I'm looking to see if I can get anymore from them. We had one family show up and got them the 3/3 corner unit. I have others now wanting to get in so if your interested let me know. 

  Talk to you soon,

Chad