The MLS shows Spanish Fort had 125 homes on the market in September. The average list price of $353,183 is down by 2% from the August data. The median price of $319,900 is unchanged from last month. These homes have been on the market for an average of 143 days, one week longer than in August. In September, 10 homes  sold in Spanish Fort with an average sales price of $249,470, down 2% from August. The median sales price of $216,000 is down substantially. Homes are also moving much more slowly, with the average days on the market rising from 107 days in August to 138 days in September. There were 17 homes under contract with an average sales price of $359,924, a 2% increase over August. The median price point of $298,900 is basically unchanged since last month. These homes stayed on the market an average of 142 days, 3 weeks shorter than in August.  With a strong inventory of lovely homes, this is a prime time to buy.  To find a beautiful dream home in Spanish Fort, visit http://barbarareevesrealtor.com.

The September 2008 data for Spanish Fort has 125 homes on the market. The average list price of $353,183 is down by 2% from the August data. The median price of $319,900 is unchanged from last month. These homes have been on the market for an average of 143 days, one week longer than in August.  10 homes have sold in Spanish Fort with an average sales price of $249,470, down 2% from August. The median sales price of $216,000 is down substantially. Homes are also moving much more slowly, with the average days on the market rising from 107 days in August to 138 days in September. The number of homes that are presently under contract in Spanish Fort is 17 with an average sales price of $359,924, a 2% increase over August. The median price point of $298,900 is basically unchanged since last month. These homes stayed on the market an average of 142 days, 3 weeks shorter than in August..  With a large inventory of lovely homes, this is a prime time to choose a home in beautiful Spanish Fort, AL.  To find your dream home in Spanish Fort, visit http://barbarareevesrealtor.com.

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.

The topic of discussion today at Daphne Alabama’s Public Library was focused on the construction of Baldwin County Bicentennial Park.  This park will include 367 acres of land near Stockton on Highway 225 and will commemorate the area’s 200th anniversary as well as be a pull for tourists.   

Included in the park will be a number of entertaining and educational draws for residents and visitors alike.  There will be cultural and native American exhibits, architectural collections, a reproduction of a 19th century village, beautifully landscaped walkways and gardens at the entrance, 19th century working farm reproduction, and old-style area cuisine as well as a memorial area to honor those that served in the armed forces in history.  Walter Overton’s art collection will also be a welcomed addition to the park, including various watercolor paintings featuring the Gulf Coast of Alabama.  

The park will cost an estimated $6 million and is expected to attract about 300,000 visitors yearly.  This will help boost the local economy as it will bring in more job opportunities for local residents and bring income from tourists for the park as well as local lodging and dining.  The park project is expected to be completed within three to five years.

image credit: sxc.hu

At a recent Daphne Alabama Utilities Board meeting, North Winding Brook residents voiced their opinions regarding the board’s plans to develop a portion of the 19 acres of savanna that borders the east side of Village Drive.  The proposed plans are to take four acres to build three home sites, leaving the remaining 15 acres to be preserved as wetlands.  However, local residents are opposed to any development, pointing out at least two major outcomes if even the proposed portion of the land was to be developed; these two outcomes include possible flooding to neighboring watersheds or yards, and a negative effect on the area’s ecosystem.

The Daphne Utilities Board are giving the decision some more time to become better aware of possible effects and to gain input from local residents.

The rich culture of southern living will be showcased this weekend in Daphne Alabama, as the 20th annual Jubilee Festival commences.  On Saturday and Sunday, September 27th and 28th, nearly 100 artists will be displaying their works in this Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce sponsored event.  Artist’s will have booths along Main Street, while children’s activities will be in Centennial Park; kids will have the opportunity to hang their own art on the Park fence which will remain up for display even after the event is over.  There will also be live music, dance performances, and awards given for select winners of the art shows.

This Jubilee Festival has been an Eastern Shore Daphne Alabama tradition for years and draws in both tourists as well as local residents to join in the fun, history, and festivities.  

Click here and see what Daphne Alabama has to offer in great southern living and real estate.

Foley Alabama’s latest crime rating report revealed that their effort to increase police presence has caused crime rates to decrease.  The report compared the crime rates for the area last year during the first half of 2007 to the first half of this year for 2008, which reflected a 31 percent drop.

Foley Alabama officials attribute this 31 percent decline in crime rates for their city to be due to an increase in police coverage, police officers on the streets, police strategy, and patrol strategies.  Also adding to the safer environment are residents and other authorities that keep a close eye on their areas to help reduce crime rates.  

To continue their record of a safer city, Foley Alabama’s Police department has recently hired a fourth group of new officers to aid in the work.

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

The Defense Department announced this week their recent decision to cancel the current tanker contract competition for now and allow the next administration to take it over.  The Pentagon will be holding another competition next year for the same $35 billion contract which would involve the construction of new refueling tankers for the US Air Force.

Although Northrop Grumman’s Mobile Alabama location won the initial competition, Boeing claimed unfair treatment and requested that a new competition be held; though a new competition was granted, it will now be postponed until next year.  Both Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman released a statement on the canceling of the current competition, with Northrop Grumman presenting concern about the delay in helping the U.S. Air Force with these new refueling tankers.

Read more about reactions to the Defense Department’s decision at wkrg.com.

image credit: sxc.hu