What a strange trip this has been. All of us piled up in this stationwagon taking in the sights at CNN and the morning news.   Oh look, it's an up day on Wall Street. Uh oh, it's down again.  There, over on the left  ... it's another report of unemployment rising.  Stop, put the brakes on. The Fed has spoken and bailed out Bear Stearns!  Everyone in the car keeps asking if we're there yet. Is this bottom?  It's times like these that make me wish I could present these figures in a grid format and let you take from them what you will.   But why break with tradition? So here's my view of what's happening in this real estate market.  ■ Sales in the first quarter of 2008 are down 33% compared to the first quarter of 2007. Last year, I could point to some 180 houses under contract as a hopefu... 04/12/2008

Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath home proves that you can get a great value in Fairhope!  Custom-built in 1998, it has Chicago split brick floors in all the living areas.  Greatroom has smooth, 9 ft. ceilings with recessed lighting and a handsome fireplace.  Cherry kitchen with breakfast bar opens to dining area.  Bedrooms are generously sized, including a 16x14 master with two walk-in closets and a linen closet, plus another 12.5x16 bedroom witha walk-in closet.  Outside, you'll find a delightful sitting area, covered deck and fenced backyard.  There is a metal car shelter for your boat or toys, in addition to a 2-car garage.  This home is extremely convenient to Fairhope shopping, dining and Thomas Hospital.  To see this home please call Janet English, Realtor, Re/Max By The Bay, 251.591.2411  03/03/2008

Exquisite custom home in fabulous subdivision, Summerlake, in Fairhope, Alabama.  This custom design has 4 bedrooms, plus an office, plus a guest suite/bonus area and 4.5 baths with a 3 car garage. New Haven Homes, LLC pays attention to detail with the Stone Veneer front and the ten and twelve foot ceilings along with the eight foot doors.  Spectacular covered patio to view the wonderful trees from your back yard. Tumbled marble, travertine, class five porcelain tile and maple hardwood floors with carpet in bedrooms, granite in the kitchen, laundry & all guest baths, AND double convection ovens and gas range with GE Monogram appliances.  Offered at $529,777!! Where peace and tranquility collide... Summerlake subdivision is full of lakes with magnificent trees cascading over the water.  ... 02/29/2008

Luxurious Fairhope, Al Community & SubdivisionThis prestigious development is one you won't want to miss!! With huge lakes and heavily wooded lots, The Waters at Fairhope is paradise for all alike.  Fishing, canoing or kayaking in your private lake, just a few feet away from your custom built luxury home, makes The Waters at Fairhope AL a most desirable place to live.  With custom home builders, like New Haven Homes, LLC, and this magnificent development, you can live like you are on vacation all year round.  The fragrant smell of flowers and spectacular trees make your lake views from home a breath of fresh air.  For information on this spectacular 5177 sq foot home all on one level with a 4 car garage, contact me, Heather Augustin.Luxury homes currently under construction range from $... 02/29/2008

Rock Creek-Luxurious Fairhope, Al Community& SubdivisionRock Creek is a beautiful golf course community in Fairhope, Alabama with many trees for shade and sidewalks on which to walk or run.  Rock Creek is a very sought after subdivision on the Eastern Shore for custom luxury Fairhope real estate.  It is conveniently located to schools, stores, physicians, the hospital and much more of Baldwin County!  This neighborly community offers much to do for all ages.The community pool is quite refreshing and a great place to relax! Swim lessons are available and summer swim teams are quite enjoyable.  Or you could brush up on your tennis serve on one of the many tennis courts.  With over 7 tennis courts available, Rock Creek is able to hold many tennis tournaments for much of Baldwin County.  Th... 02/29/2008

The Fairhope AL Perspective & DemographicsBased on the US 2000 Census data, Fairhope's population was 12,480.  The median age for Fairhope, AL residents was 44.5 with families representing 66.9% of the population.  Fairhope's medain household income was $52, 576.Education, family, arts and crafts, biking, kayaking, music, and just simply walking and enjoying the waters of Mobile Bay is what matters to people here in Fairhope, Alabama. As a client once said, "even though the cars are fancy, the people aren't" and "we love being able to enjoy the beauty of the beach and the friendly downtown businesses all in the same walk".  Those interested in Fairhope AL Real Estate should also know that downtown Fairhope is the location of many music festivals, art walks, and fine dining restaurants w... 02/29/2008

THIS 4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH WITH LARGE FENCED YARD AND JUST UNDER 2000 SQUARE FEET IN BEAUTIFUL FAIRHOPE ALABAMA, IS JUST $185,000! ALL ON ONE LEVEL WITH A 2 CAR GARAGE AND JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARKS.  NICE FIREPLACE AND SPACIOUS GREAT ROOM AND COVERED BACK PORCH.  GREAT HOME IF YOU LOVE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.   FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS GREAT HOME, CONTACT HEATHER AUGUSTIN AT 251-370-7309 OR VISIT MY WEBSITE AT WWW.HEATHERAUGUSTIN.COM  02/29/2008

CHECK OUT THIS LAKE VIEW!! GORGEOUS HOME WITH 4 BEDROOMS, 3.5 BATHS IN SPECTACULAR ROCK CREEK, FAIRHOPE ALABAMA GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY.  THIS HOME IS DECKED OUT AND HAS A SENSATIONAL PRICE.  THIS HOME SITS UP HIGH, OVERLOOKS A LAKE AND IS ON A CORNER LOT! PLANTATION SHUTTERS IN EVERY ROOM WITH A WINDOW IN THIS 3202 SQUARE FOOT HOME.  2 MEDIA ROOMS WITH SURROUND SOUND-ALL SPEAKERS STAY! CONVECTION OVEN, STAINLESS STEELE APPLIANCES WITH REFRIGERATOR AND TUMBLED MARBLE BACKSPLASH! MASTER BEDROOM IS DOWN, VAULTED CEILINGS, COVERED FRONT PORCH AND A DECK OFF OF THE KITCHEN.  GORGEOUS WOOD FLOORS AND OPEN, SPACIOUS KITCHEN.  ALL PRICED AT $479,000!!    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EXCEPTIONAL HOME, CONTACT HEATHER AUGUSTIN AT 251-370-7309, OR FOR MORE PICTURES, VISIT MY WEBSITE AT WWW.HEATHERA... 02/29/2008

Discounts on Lots Extended - Only one Water-Front Lot left!!This project has really taken off.  In our current market, we couldn't be happier with the response that we've gotten on this gorgeous development.  It goes to show that when times are tough, the extra money, effort and thought put into these projects really pays dividends.  Again, every lot here comes with a deeded boat slip and common ownership in over 300' of waterfront on the most beautiful and tranquil part of Fish River.  Lots starting at just $95,000 make this the best value - by far - for insurable, water-front/river-access property along Baldwin Counties scenic and pristine Fish River.   Here are a few photos:  Honestly, these photo's don't come close to doing this place justice.  It is a beautiful place and really mus... 02/12/2008

This is a beauty!! 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, media room prewired for surround sound upstairs and downstairs! Gas range, double convection ovens, 3 CM GRANITE IN ALL 4.5 BATHROOMS!! Chiseled travertine around fireplace, 10-12 foot ceilings, 8 foot doors throughout-Even 3 cm granite on laundry counter top!! Real custom cabinets-not just saying custom...These are really custom and are in just about every room!! Enjoy...     For true Alabama quality construction from builders that listen and care, visit us at www.newhavenhomesllc.comAt New Haven Homes, LLC, we build "Homes", not just houses!!This property is subject to release of purchase agreement. 01/31/2008

Check out this stunning 4 bedroom/2.5 bath in the heart of Fairhope Alabama.  Home is on a cul de sac with a spectacular sparkling pool.  Great for living, vacationing or as an investment property to rent.  Almost 2500 square feet for $285,000 and just a few steps from Mobile Bay and the shops of downtown Fairhope real estate.       For more information on this tropical oasis in Fairhope Alabama, contact Heather Augustin at 251-370-7309 or at http://www.heatheraugustin.com.   01/08/2008

     Wet. Cold. Hot. That was the weather as we moved into 2008. In other words, shifting.     That's what we'll see with the market in the first half of 2008 and the indicators are already out there.   Mortgages: Interest rates remain competitive, generally floating between a low of 5.5% (which they hit Jan. 7 locally) to 6.25%. Some lenders who escaped the subprime slime will come out with creative packages to lure buyers.    Financial markets: No predictions here except to say the gyrating stock market may scare some investors. There is a possibility that some will turn to real estate as a better bet for their money. It's happened before.    Media coverage of the housing market. Watch it gradually decrease as the presidential primaries dominate the news. Good for the real estate mar... 01/08/2008

 This is a great house in the quiet, tranquil neighborhood of Fairwood - just a short walk from shops and dining in downtown Fairhope.  Beautifully maintained creole cottage with four bedrooms and 2.5 baths.  New paint, tile and carpet flooring, Trane A/C's and pool liner.  This home is a must see.  The yard is completely fenced and the back porch and 16X36 pool are completely screened.  Give me a call and I'll be gald to schedule a tour.Call Terryl Reeves at (251)209-7484 or visit my site at www.TerrylReeves.com 01/07/2008

Frequently someone asks: "Where is all the money coming from to buy these high-priced houses? You can't tell me we've got a bunch of people making $300,000 a year."   No, I don't know what these people earn.  But I can tell you where the money is coming from, what the risks are and why change is an inevitable but frequently ignored factor in home buying.  High-end home buyers generally have several sources of money, if they are not making a gazillion dollars to start with.  Inheritance: These buyers often don't come from what we'd think of as moneyed families. They simply have inherited a family property that was paid for - maybe their parents' modest $100,000 ranch-style home -- and they use the proceeds to purchase their next home.  Savvy home investors: These are the folks who regard... 10/21/2007

I bet you want to know if the sky is really falling. It sure seems like it if you watch the national news.  You have your subprime mortgage meltdown. Your housing market meltdown. Your global market meltdown.  So what's it like on the Eastern Shore?  The number of homes sold since the first of 2007 is down 10% compared with the first nine months of 2006. And the first nine months of 2006 were down 20% over the same period in 2005. (But don't forget that ‘05 and ‘06 were energetic years for our Eastern Shore market as hurricane-wary buyers looked to inland areas of the coast.)  Average sales price crept up 2% during the first nine months of this year to $292,932. In the third quarter, it was up about 1.5% to $292,433, compared to the third quarter of 2006.  The number of homes sold betwe... 10/21/2007

See what Coastal Living magazine has to say about this beautiful, lush gulf coast area, Fairhope, Alabama...http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/article/0,14587,1570947-2,00.htmlI never thought I would like Alabama after leaving here 13 years ago, but I have found that the south truly is a beautiful place to be and we should be VERY thankful for our taxes!! I've been out west and up northeast and although our taxes have just increased, they are NOTHING compared to what my clients from other areas tell me they pay.  I would, however, like for them to be better utilized!! 10/21/2007

Exquisite custom luxury home in Fairhope, AL by New Haven Homes, LLC.  This 5 bedroom 3 full bath and 2 half bath quality built home has 5177 sq feet of heated and cooled space PLUS a 4 car garage!! In prestigious subdivision, The Waters at Fairhope, this luxury home will boast with media room, recreation room, mud room, outdoor kitchen, extra large bedrooms and walk in closets, sheltered by beautiful oak trees and just a few feet from the lake where you can kayak or canoe to view the peaceful waterfall! Call now to pick out your interior color schemes, 251-370-7309. WWW.NEWHAVENHOMESLLC.COM OR WWW.HEATHERAUGUSTIN.COM  10/18/2007

Exquisite custom luxury home in Fairhope, AL by New Haven Homes, LLC.  This 5 bedroom 3 full bath and 2 half bath quality built home has 5177 sq feet of heated and cooled space PLUS a 4 car garage!! In prestigious subdivision, The Waters at Fairhope, this luxury home will boast with media room, recreation room, mud room, outdoor kitchen, extra large bedrooms and walk in closets, sheltered by beautiful oak trees and just a few feet from the lake where you can kayak or canoe to view the peaceful waterfall! Call now to pick out your interior color schemes, 251-370-7309.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CHRISTIAN AUGUSTIN AT 251-379-0657 OR VISIT WWW.NEWHAVENHOMESLLC.COM FOR MORE PICTURES. 10/18/2007

This spectacular home has all the upgrades you can imagine.  There is no cultured marble or ceramic in this quality new construction!! Only class 5 porcelain tile, 3 cm granite and travertine-tumbled & chiseled, in this 5 star home!! With 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, plus an office, plus a media room plus a 3 car garage and 2 double convection ovens with GE monogram appliances and gas range, this home will be your favorite!! All bedrooms on one level with only the quality that New Haven Homes delivers in the Baldwin county, Alabama area!For more information, please contact Heather Augustin at 251-370-7309 or visit www.heatheraugustin.com  10/18/2007

Some call me "picky." Others call me a "pain in the a**." One guys said he'd heard I was "The Home Inspector from Hell." Common thread here is that these folks are on the "selling" side of the real estate transaction.Buyers say thing like, "He saved us from making a big mistake." Or "He saved our marriage," Or "He invented the Internet." (Just teasing on that last one. That was Al Gore, of course.)Bottom line is, as a home inspector, I am an advocate for my client, the buyer. No offense to the selling agent, the listing agent and the home seller, but I don't care about the sale. I CAN'T care about the sale AND do my best job for my client, the buyer. I'm a hired gun... My 100% allegiance is to my boss, my client.In 12 years of home inspecting sometimes its tempting to take shortcuts, no... 10/14/2007