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If you aren’t familiar with Alabama’s Gulf Coast (aka “The Best Kept Secret”), than now is the perfect time to see what the Coast has to offer.  Mobile, Alabama stands out as an area infiltrated with culture, natural beauty, and ongoing events for you and your family.  Come to Mobile AL this month and check out local artists in “A Brush with Compassion,” where over 60 local artists share their works with the public on the 30th; also for the art lovers, Missy Patrick’s oil paintings of remarkable places (also Nov 30th), Jody Depew Mcleane’s pastels (on Nov 28), and “Calling all Angels” (for angel-art themed work) will also be featured through the 4th of December.  For those that enjoy live music and entertainment, University of Mobile’s musicians will showcase their talents for the “Christmas Spectacular,” and Moliere’s Tartuffe will be shown at the University of South Alabama till the end of this week.

For more information on events in Mobile AL visit City of Mobile Alabama’s Events Calendar and plan your next trip to be in the beautiful Gulf Coast of Alabama.

For more information on available homes in Mobile or West Mobile AL contact your neighborhood realtor Barbara Reeves via email or by clicking on the “Talk Live” button on this page.

The October MLS statistics show that 41 homes have sold in the Downtown/ Midtown area of Mobile with an average sales price rising negligibly to $141,077. The median sales price was $126,000, a 9% loss. On the bright side, these homes were on the market on average only 59 days. This is very quick in this housing market.   19 homes have sold in the Municipal Park area of Mobile with an average sales price of $77,542, down 21% since September figures. The median sales price of $75,000 is down significantly as well. These homes were on the market for an average of 85 days prior to being sold, up 24 days over September’s quick pace.

The Springhill/USA area of Mobile has seen 9 homes sold with an average sales price of $199,333, down 22% after a 35% gain from August to September. The median sales price of $182,500 is down 5.5% compared to September. These homes are averaging 122 days on the market, 29 days longer than in September.  36 homes have sold in the Cottage Hill area of Mobile last month, with an average sales price of $151,518, down by 10% from September prices. The median sales price of $139,950 was down nearly 7%. These homes were on the market an average of only 61 days, 40 days more quickly than in September.

In October, 27 homes sold in the West Mobile area with an average sales price of $202,539 and a median price of $165,200, both up over September. These homes sold after an average of 85 days on the market.  October 2008 MLS statistics for the W. Mobile County area show 20 homes have sold in with an average sales price of $213,786 (up nearly 2%) and a median sales price of $229,614 (up 6%). These prices are overall very strong and the days on the market averaged a mere 47 days!

Mobile Alabama’s waterfront now has a new port container terminal, according to wkrg.com news.  The port is preparing for larger ships that are expected to travel through the expanded Panama Canal in 2014 and more container shipments.  The new container terminal was estimated to cost $300 million and covers 135 acres of Mobile Alabama’s waterfront area.  Operations at the terminal began in October at a rate of one ship a week with 1,000 containers per ship; however, the terminal officially opened this week with Gov. Bob Riley and local officials present.

Mobile Alabama has already seen benefits to the economy from this terminal with more warehouse business and dockside employment.

For information on living and buying a home in Mobile AL, contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves via email or the Talk Now featured on this page.

Although gas prices have gone down a little, easy public transportation in the city areas of Baldwin County and Mobile AL is still a great option to save money and the hassle of driving yourself.  In a recent meeting in Robertsdale, members of the Baldwin County Public Transit Coalition presented methods of trying to raise awareness of the mass transit option for residents and commuters by working with local businesses, the County Commission, and others to get the word out; the Coalition would like to improve public transportation such as getting a train service to run between Baldwin County and Mobile Alabama, but they need more support from residents that would utilize these cheaper means of transport.

So when should you use the Baylinc system? Whenever you want to avoid traveling through congested areas yourself, when you want to relieve yourself of the stress of parking in downtown Mobile, and when you want to save money and help the environment.  Check out Baylinc’s Routes from Baldwin County AL cities to Mobile AL and find out when you can utilize the convenience of the transit system.

For information on buying a home in the beautiful Gulf Coast of Alabama including Mobile, West Mobile, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, and Daphne, contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves via email or by clicking on the Talk Live button on the top right of this page.

Last year, approximately $51 million was awarded to Alabama and Mobile and Baldwin Counties to assist in offsetting the impact of oil and natural gas drilling.  The coastal counties of Mobile and Baldwin expected to be able to us some of the funds for recreational and water-access projects, but haven’t been able to do so as the Interior Department only authorized the use of the money with the exclusion of these projects.  However, Coastal Impact Assistance Program funds have given hope to these counties that they will be able to pursue water access improvements including Mobile County’s Big Creek Lake public access proposal and Baldwin County’s plans for public access at Hastie Lake and boating access on Perdido Bay.

Mobile and Baldwin County officials will find out whether certain planned projects are approved to be funded in the next few months.  For more information on Coastal Impact spending in Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama visit the Press Register online.

If you have any specific real estate questions regarding Alabama’s Gulf Coast, including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope AL, contact local agent Barbara Reeves by email or visit MyMobileRealEstate.net

The recent Mobile Alabama annexation vote this past Tuesday brought two out of four possible areas outside of Mobile into the city.  The two areas include Theodore, which is just south of the city’s boundaries, and the Windmill Place subdivision slightly west of Cody Road.  This vote was the most recent of the three main efforts toward possible annexations of surrounding areas into the city of Mobile Alabama in the past year.  Previous areas that voted to be added to the city’s jurisdiction include Mobile Terrace residents with some retail laden portions of Airport Boulevard and Schillinger Road and the Mobile Regional Airport.

As a result of the annexation, residents of Theodore and Windmill place will enjoy free city garbage and trash pickup as well as city funded street lighting; Theodore is also expected to have a fire station and a police mini-precinct, as well as a park.  As far as economic impacts, Theodore will have a higher sales tax in their stores (i.e. from 7.5 percent to 9 percent) and property taxes are expected to increase once a five-year grace period is complete.

For information on real estate in Mobile or West Mobile Alabama contact your neighborhood realtor, Barbara Reeves by email or visit BarbaraReevesRealtor.com.

Real estate activity in Mobile County was strong in September, as prices held steady or grew and inventory moved more quickly than in Baldwin County. For activity and data in specific areas of Mobile County, here is a breakdown:

The Downtown/Midtown area of Mobile:  In September, 47 homes have sold in the Downtown/ Midtown area of Mobile with an average sales price of $149,922, up nearly 9%. The median sales price was $140,000, an 11% rise. These homes were on the market an average of 77 days.

The Municipal Park area of Mobile:  In September, 20 homes sold with an average sales price of $98,561, regaining 2.5% after an 8% drop in August. The median sales price of $105,000 is up as well. These homes were on the market for an average of 61 days prior to being sold, a relatively quick pace in the current market.

The Springhill/USA area of Mobile:   15 homes have sold in September with an average sales price of $255,457, up significantly by 35%. This regains and bypasses August losses. The median sales price of $182,500 is up 2.5% and the homes are averaging 93 days on the market

The Cottage Hill area of Mobile:  41 homes have sold in the Cottage Hill area of Mobile last month with an average sales price of $168,821, down by 9% from August prices. The median sales price of $150,000 up 4.5%. These homes were on the market an average of 102 days, nearly a month longer than in August.

West Mobile:  In September, 30 homes sold in the West Mobile area with an average sales price of $202,539 and a median price of $165,200, both up over August. These homes sold after an average of 85 days on the market.

West Mobile County:   42 homes have sold in September throughout W. Mobile County with an average sales price of $217,907 (up nearly 4%) and a median sales price of $216,250 (up 7%). These prices are overall very strong and the days on the market averaged 89 days.

In a recent article from WKRG.com, a local Mobile Alabama woman tells her tale of a gas bill to the amount of nearly a thousand dollars; the woman’s dismay at this bill would me much like our own when faced with an energy bill so outrageous.  But even with the rising energy costs, there are some things you can do as a Mobile Alabama homeowner to ensure a lower energy bill.

1.     Be sure your gas meter is working properly.  A malfunctioning gas meter will be a bane to you no matter what you do, so see that it is in good working condition.
2.    Check your water heater.  If you have a leak in your hot water line, your water heater will cause water to run through continuously as fresh water must constantly be coming into the tank and be reheated, thus racking up a higher bill.
3.    Use insulated curtains on your windows and check for drafts from doors and windows.  Much of a home’s heat can be lost through windows and doors; be sure to make any repairs needed on your home before breezier weather comes.

You should also check into using budget plans from your energy provider.  A budget plan keeps you on a steady budget which is usually adjusted every few months; this can help you keep track of your spending each month to budget all your necessary payments, particularly your mortgage.

This September 20th marks the 21st annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup where volunteers will work to clean up the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.  The cleanup will take place at various locations along the Alabama Gulf Coast, specifically on the water with kayaks and canoes.  

The reported tally of garbage removed since the annual event started is 951, 987 pounds of trash over 2,847 miles of Alabama’s coastlines.  This beautifying of Alabama’s Coast line attracts volunteers from all over the state to improve the appearance and ecosystem of this naturally gorgeous gulf coast area.  There will be cleanup zones in multiple counties, including Baldwin and Mobile County Alabama, where Alabama residents can find out how they can help.  

This annual event helps increase awareness in retaining the natural beauty of the area and thus allows visitors and prospective homebuyers to see just why Alabama’s Gulf Coast living is so inviting.
If you have any Mobile Alabama or other Gulf Coast real estate question don’t hesitate to contact local realtor Barbara Reeves.

On Tuesday, September 30th, the Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile Alabama will be holding an event to discuss local economic growth.  The event, entitled Coastal Economic Outlook, will have five speakers presenting their findings from their analysis of facts on the Gulf Coast’s local economy.  

The purpose of this public event is to take a look at how development efforts have affected the economy, thus providing the statistics for what has been accomplished for the year; in some cases this data has influenced the financial choices of individual residents as well as businesses on the whole. There will be a Coastal Economic Outlook reference book assembled from the conference to provide anyone with interest in the Coastal region’s economy a firsthand look at the year in growth.

For more information on attending this unique event visit the University of South Alabama’s Center for Real Estate Studies.  For more information on the speakers and purpose of the conference visit baldwincountynow.com