Get ready for the 2010 Mardi Gras Season in Mobile AL

The Mardi Gras season is coming for Mobile AL this new year.  The 2010 Carnival season will kick off with Krewe De La Dauphine’s parade in Dauphin Island AL on January 16 with the theme being “Games Children Play.”

This celebration in the Gulf Coast was first observed in Mobile AL in 1703 and has been a fabulous tradition ever since, marked by great regional treats and parades.  More activities are scheduled all across Mobile and Baldwin counties with new parade themes and celebrations.  Keep checking back at AL.com for more information on Mardi Gras activities this year.

For more information on property in Alabama’s Gulf coast, including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort, contact your friendly local agent Barbara Reeves today.

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.

Baldwin County AL Libraries Rank Highest in Country

In a new study conducted by the Library Journal, Baldwin County AL’s beaches have some of the best libraries nationwide.  Orange Beach library has earned its place at the top of the list with the magazine’s highest grade on record; just below Orange Beach is Gulf Shore AL’s Thomas B. Norton Public Library which appeared one notch under the highest rating.  The magazine features a brief write up on why these libraries scored so high with their study’s criteria including visits, circulation, program attendance, and public internet use.  The director of the Gulf Shores library, Wendy Congiardo reported that the draw of tourists to the beach areas also draws them to public libraries.  It can also be considered that the focus on community in these areas makes them top libraries for residents.

For more on what makes Baldwin County AL libraries top in the country, visit AL.com.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin County AL including Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

West Mobile/ Semmes is one of the largest areas of listings in Mobile County, with 525 current home listings. In November, 35 homes sold for an average price of $146,160 or $84.22/ square foot. These homes sold after an average 76 days on the market, which is relatively quick compared to the rest of Mobile/ Baldwin.  There are 82 contracts pending for an average price of $169,233 or $81.62/ square foot.

West Mobile County has 296 homes available and they have averaged 127 days on the market. The average list price is $247,928 or $103.20/ square foot. 28 homes sold in November for $152,315 and the 40 pending contracts average $227,916 or $94.31/ square foot.  Overall, West Mobile has a wonderful inventory and homes are moving in three months or less.  Your local real estate expert can assist you through every step of the home buying process.

With roughly 1000 active home listings between Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope, the Eastern Shore real estate inventory is excellent! This is the time to buy in this charming area, and your local agent Barbara S. Reeves is the one to assist you!

In November, 26 homes sold in Daphne for an average price of $173,103 or $84.29/ square foot. At 134 average days on the market, Daphne homes are among the slowest moving. There are 46 homes pending sale with an average of $235,226 or $93.81/ square foot.

Spanish Fort, with 140 homes on the market, saw just 5 homes sold in November, with the average sales price of $246,880 or $113.81/ square foot. Sixteen homes are pending sale with an average price of $276,700 or $118.82/ square foot. 

Down the highway in Fairhope, there are 411 homes active on the market, averaging $448,646 ($186.96/ sq foot). These homes have been on the market an an average of 176 days. Those 13 homes which sold in November did so after 92 days on the market. The average sales price of $182,115 ($94.07/ sq foot) is much lower than the average list price, not uncommon in the current housing environment.

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.

The economy is improving locally in Baldwin County AL, as Foley’s recent monthly report reveals.  For the month of October, the Building/Inspections Department issued 126 permits at a total evaluation of over $3.2 million, a new commercial permit was issued for Coastal Investment Medical Properties for a reported $980,000, and 381 inspections were performed.  Also adding to these developments were twelve single-family residences which received permits last month at a total construction valuation of over $1.6 million.  All of these permits are a sign of continued growth and economic stimulation for Baldwin County AL.

For more information on news in Baldwin County AL visit baldwincountynews.com.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin County AL including Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort Alabama, contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent article in the Press-Register, municipal financial planners in Gulf Shores AL are predicting an increase in revenue for 2010.  Over this year, city officials have been cutting expenses and the preliminary budget proposal for 2010 should allow the city to put away nearly $1.1 million in reserve.

Differences in the budget from 2009 to next year include a decrease in funds from $3.64 million to $150,000 for the Police Department, an increase of $43,000 for special events and programs, and cost savings from restructuring the administrative functions of City Hall; the latter restructuring process should eliminate positions that will be replaced for more efficiency and these changes are expected to save money in the long run.  This new 2010 budget is expected to get the city back on schedule with street resurfacing and putting away a significant amount by the end of the year.

For more news on the economy on Alabama’s Gulf Coast visit the Press Register online.

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