A recent vote in Alabama by the House Constitution and Elections Committee was in favor of a bill that would divide Alabama’s electors proportionately.  In a 7-5 vote, a House committee approved the bill to scrap the current ‘winner-take-all- system’ that divides Alabama’s nine electors in presidential elections.  Though Democrats on the panel were in support of the bill as it would allow people voting for the losing candidate to feel like they are still part of the process, Republicans debate that this would only work if all states employed this system as well.  The bill will now be facing a decision at the House, and the bill will be further discussed pending approval or rejection.

For more on the latest news in Alabama, including Mobile and West Mobile, visit Al.com.

For more on buying or selling property in Mobile or West Mobile AL, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent Baldwin County News article, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami will be issuing watches and warnings for storms earlier than ever before.  With advancements in track forecasts, a greater lead time for costal storms is made possible starting this year; the estimated new lead time for watches and warnings will be issued 12 additional hours earlier than in previous years, making it possible for residents to prepare for what may be coming.

For more on the NHC’s new technology in watching tropical storms, visit Baldwin County Now.

For more information on buying or selling property in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, or Spanish Fort AL, contact your local, knowledgeable realtor Barbara Reeves.

There will be a few new changes to the beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast area for 2010.  These new policies include moving forward with the addition of more lifeguards and widening the area along the coast that they will patrol.  The key concerns for 2010 are improving beach operations through more focus on safety and cleanliness.  City officials also put forth a series of new beach policies that would regulate the use of personal watercrafts and limit where tents and heavy beach chairs can be positioned on the coast.

For more on beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast region, visit Press Register online.

For more on available property in Gulf Coast AL, including  Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The Orange Beach AL contest “Light up Orange Beach” will be held on December 21st this year.  The contest features two classifications to enter, one being residential and the other being commercial, condominium, and businesses.  There will be winners selected for each category with cash prizes for first, second and third place for residential and a first place award and certificate of merit for the commercial, condominium, and business category.  This annual contest will take place at the Orange Beach Garden Club and be judged in the evening of December 21st by members of the Garden Club; judges will consider overall appearance, creative use of decorations, condition of lighting and inflatable blow-ups, and effective use of space.

For information on how to enter the “Light up Orange Beach” contest visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate in Gulf Coast AL, including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

A recent City Council meeting unanimously approved a new budget for 2010 in Gulf Shores AL that is expected to reserve $1 million in funds.  For this 2010 budget, a reasonable increase in revenue is also anticipated and more control on expenses.  Also information about 2009 city revenue was given which showed revenues at about $24.6 million so far, which is higher than the predicted $23.5 million.  City officials hope that this coming year’s budget will pan out as expected allowing increased efficiency and less spending on the day-to-day costs.

For more information on economic conditions in Gulf Coast AL, visit Al.com.

For more information on real estate in Gulf Coast AL contact your friendly local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Holiday Events in Gulf Coast AL

The holiday calendar in Gulf Coast AL is packed with great entertainment for the entire family.  There will be a Christmas Tree Maze event starting on Dec. 3rd and running through Saturday, presented by the Daphne Optimist Club and Fish River Trees.  This family fun event located at the Chick-fil-A in Daphne AL will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day and give children an opportunity to explore the maze and donate a toy to charity.
And don’t miss the City of Gulf Shores Tree Lighting on Dec. 3rd beginning at 6 p.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.  At the Tree Lighting activity, refreshments and entertainment will be provided and expect a visit from Santa later in the evening.

Starting on Dec 12th is the Gulf Coast Ballet in Orange Beach’s production of “The Nutcracker.” This ballet performance will take place at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores and feature over 80 local dancers and begin at 7p.m. with tickets available for $10 per person with children 5 years of age or younger admitted for $5 per child.

For more upcoming events in Gulf Coast AL this holiday season, visit the Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate in Daphne, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Mobile and West Mobile AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent report in the Press-Register, the owners of Homeport Marina have requested that the City Council rezone approximately 25 acres of land on the Intracoastal Waterway in order to accommodate a hotel and conference center.  The plans for this Gulf Coast AL project include a 250-room hotel, a conference center at about 40,000 sq ft in size, three restaurants, three retail buildings, a 500-space parking deck and a ferry terminal.  In order to accommodate these massive plans, East 28th Avenue would have to be moved northward otherwise the east-west portion of this avenue would bisect the hotel’s planned space.  The Planning Commission already voted unanimously in favor of the original designs in June and the vote for zoning is expected to happen in the next month.
For more information on the Homeport Marina plans in Gulf Shores AL visit the Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Compared with July home sales in Daphne, September showed an increase in the number of transactions. 35 homes sold in September 2009, with the average sales price jumping from $204,421 to $253,199.  The average price per square foot rose from $92.43/sq ft to $97.98. Unfortunately, the average time on the market increased again from 118 up to 147 days .  There are 49 Daphne homes with pending contracts, averaging $95.45 per square foot, down from $103.28 in July. Those with currently listed homes are more optimistic, with the average price per foot at $113.87.

In Spanish Fort, there were 11 home sales in September. The average sales price decreased again from $277,989 (July) to $263,323. Price per square foot followed suit.  The sales that averaged $107.82 in July averaged $103.66 in September. Days on the market for these sold homes dropped from 134 in July to 116 in September. The inventory of homes available in Spanish Fort is 130, with an average list price of $349,074 or $120/square foot.

Down the highway in Fairhope, 16 homes sold in the month of September. Average sales price climbed a bit to $270,831 or $135.98/square foot. The days on the market for September home sales has dropped a bit to 142 from July’s 149.  While this is still longer than anyone would like to see, it is a vast improvement over the Spring, when activity was much more sluggish.  Fairhope has 30 pending contracts, averaging $124.56/ square foot. The 408 active home listings average $466,389 and $182.65 per square foot and they’ve been on the market an aveage of 162 days.  Barbara Reeves, REALTOR, is an expert in these communities and is able to assist you in taking advantage of this market to find your dream home. Visit her at http://www.barbarasellsdaphne.com.

image credit:sxc.hu

Plan your next visit to the gorgeous Gulf Coast of Alabama with ease when you use the Mobile Chamber of Commerce website.

At Mobile Chamber of Commerce, utilize the ‘Hotel Guide’ to find the perfect location and resort features available to you in the Mobile AL area.  And for great cuisine check out the ‘Restaurant Guide’ for everything from excellent seafood to a friendly café.
Make your visit memorable by going on a luxurious cruise on Mobile Bay and relax with friends and family.  The Carnival Holiday sets you on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera from the Cruise Terminal with state of the art security conveniently located in downtown Mobile.

Also enjoy fabulous beaches, shopping, and southern charm.  For more information on vacation or year round real estate in Mobile AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

Compared with June home sales in Daphne, July showed a significant decrease in the number of transactions. 27 homes sold in July 2009, compared with 38 in June. Average sales price decreased from $236,074 to $204,421, while the average price per square foot went from $98.15 to $92.43/sq ft. Fortunately, the average time on the market decreased from 145 days to 118.  There are 51 Daphne homes with pending contracts, averaging $103.28 per square foot.

In Spanish Fort, a mere 12 sales in June dropped to 9 in July. The average sales price decreased from  $305,800 to $277,989. Price per square foot, however, made a modest gain. The sales that averaged $106.16 in June climbed to $107.82 in July! Days on the market increased by only 7 days from 89 to 134 in July.

Down the highway in Fairhope, 15 transactions in June grew to 19 in July. Average sales price retreated to March numbers at $249,136. This translates to a price per foot of $103.19. The good news in Fairhope is that the days on the market for July home sales has receded to 149 from June’s 178.  While this is still longer than anyone would like to see, it is a vast improvement over the Spring.  Fairhope has 40 pending contracts, averaging $122.15/ square foot. The active home listings average $456,282 and $172.77 per square foot.  Barbara Reeves, REALTOR, is an expert in these communities and is able to assist you in taking advantage of this market to find your dream home. Visit her at http://www.barbarasellsdaphne.com.