Headlines tell us that foreclosures are dropping, and local real estate agents agree. According to RealtyTrac’s latest report, Alabama saw a 17% drop in foreclosure filings in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2010. The same report shows that the number of foreclosure filings in Alabama for the month of June 2011 was 1,458. This is 20.4% decrease from the same month last year. It is good news that the numbers of foreclosures are dropping in GulfShores and the rest of the state. This is certainly healthy for the real estate market.  However for those in the market to buy, my advice is to move quickly to take advantage of great bargains and wise investments. Many 3-year adjustable mortgages were given out in 2008 and these have resulted in some of the foreclosures ... 07/22/2011

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is great for many reasons – beach, beautiful gulf waters, and other natural beauty. Another benefit of this location is the opportunity to watch the incredible U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice overhead.  The U.S. Navy Flight Exhibition Team, the Blue Angels, is made up of 16 officers who voluntarily apply for this honor.  The officers typically serve for 3 years with the team. These pilots are career-oriented Navy and Marine Corp jet pilots with a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet-flight hours. The Commanding Officer, who flies the number 1 jet, is selected by the Chief of Naval Air Training. The “Boss”, the Blue Angels Commanding Officer, is required to have at least 3,000 tactical jet-flight hours and also have experience as a tactical jet squadron commande... 07/16/2011

Now that the fire no longer burns in Gulf State Park near Gulf Shores, one of the stories that emerges from the week is that of "saving mama gator and her babies".  During the wildfire a family of alligators took cover in a mud hole while the area around them burned to ash. When Conservation Officer, Roger Reetz, took his first walk around the grounds after the fire was extinguished, he didn't see signs of life until he spotted a mud hole almost dried up. Inside the mud hole was a mother alligator and at least nine babies. The Orange Beach Fire Department came to the alligator family's rescue and filled the mud hole with water to aid their survival. The Fire Department is filling the mud hole until the rains come and the family can get back to their natural living conditions. A series o... 07/07/2011

  Remember my GOOD NEWS FLASH about Turquoise Place earlier this spring? "BP inducements have allowed developer Larry Wireman to discount luxurious condominiums on the 13th floor and below to an unheard of $775,000 asking price. The 3 bedroom units originally started at 1.25 million. The BP inducement did catch buyers' attention - the Turquoise Condominiums are selling very quickly! Sales have been brisk! As of July 2, 2012, less than 50 three bedroom units are available for sale.Don't miss out on this opportunity. We don't know how long the BP inducements will continue to be offered. This short video about TurquoisePlace gives just a hint of the elegance and amenities. Turquoise Place sets a new standard for elegance along theAlabamaGulfCoast with its two towers, encased in shimmering ... 06/30/2011

Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd - - it's time to enjoy three fun baseball tournaments in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Alabama USSSA is an active state division of The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are enthusiastic hosts of three tournaments coming up in June and July. All of these tournaments are for youths and promise to be exciting to watch.  The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is the nation's largest multi-sport athletic association. It was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida. The association includes over 13 primary sports programs and was created to allow players of all levels to compete in national play. One of the largest of the sports programs, USSSA Baseball, h... 06/22/2011

It's totally unscientific research, but it does make sense.  In order to "measure" the numbers of tourists enjoying our beaches and hospitality, the tourism leaders count cars in the parking lots.  A check of license plates shows where visitors are from and how far they have traveled to Gulf Shores. According to AL.com, on June 15, 2011, the tourism group reported that parking lots have been full and all tourism indicators are looking very good.  In a Pleasure Island tourism report, it was stated that this past winter the lodging revenue was higher than it has ever been! The report on AL.com stated that this winter revenue reached $20.7 million. Prior to winter 2010-11, the highest lodging revenue reported occurred in the winter of 2007, and that amount was $17.5 million. USA Today repo... 06/16/2011

There are plenty of attractions in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and within an hour's drive this expands to include such notable stops as The National Museum of Naval Aviation.  This museum along with the chance to see The Blue Angels practice over the Naval Air Station Pensacola is a great way to spend a day in our area. The National Museum of Naval Aviation is the largest museum of its kind in the world and the admission is free.  The original museum opened in June 1963 in a renovated wood-frame building constructed during World War II.  Today, the museum has 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and the grounds cover 37 acres.  While visiting, you can see over 150 restored aircraft and 4000 artifacts.  In addition to the museum itself, you can enjoy shows on the giant movie screens in... 06/09/2011

  Gulf Shores Plantation - Popular Beach Resort Gulf Shores Plantation was selected as one of the top 25 hotels in the state of Alabama, according to Business Alabama magazine. Gulf Shores Plantation certainly stands out among the list because Gulf Shores Plantation is not a hotel, but a condominium resort. When subscribers of the magazine selected the Gulf Shores Plantation in the top 25, not only were they thinking about it being a wonderful place to conduct a corporate meeting; but also a place where the family could come along and enjoy a vacation! Search Gulf Shores Plantation Condos for Sale in Gulf Shores, AL Gulf Shores Plantation is located on Fort Morgan Peninsula in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The property features condominiums with one to five bedrooms as well as beach cottages. O... 06/07/2011

  The 7th annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held June 17-19 at the Foley Sportspark (about 12 miles north of Gulf Shores on Highway 98). The weekend is filled with colorful hot air balloons, music, special events in The Children’s Village, and shows performed by the Disc-Connected K-9’s World Famous Frisbee Dogs.  The weekend kicks off with Tanger Outlet’s pre-festival family fun and music at 3:00 p.m. and display of hot air balloons and children’s entertainment at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16. Children will receive free glow necklaces and bracelets. The festival grounds open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 17. The Balloon Glow and flight into the festival grounds will take place at dusk on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18. Competition flights into the festival gro... 06/03/2011

Although Memorial Weekend may be the undeclared "first weekend of summer", and brings more visitors and vacationers to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it is important to remember WHY we have this long weekend to relax and enjoy the events.  Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May which is May 30th this year. Although the day was originally known as Decoration Day and honored soldiers who died in the Civil War, the day now honors all who have died while in military service. The LuLu Palooza  Free Memorial Weekend Festival will kick off on Saturday, May 28th with the Soul Rebels Brass Band.  It is said that this band just doesn’t fit into a “category” with its sounds of Mardi Gras funk, soft rock and reggae. The night will move on with Johhny Sketch and the Dirt... 05/25/2011

  In years past, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores may have been the recipients of aid when dealing with the effects of hurricanes or the oil spill.  Residents and visitors alike rallied to come to the aid of Alabama neighbors dealing with the devastation of the April 27 tornadoes. The generosity of people in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is shown in their immediate response to the needs of those in affected areas as well as their creativity in finding ways to help. The founder of the Hangout Music Festival, and owner of the Hangout Restaurant, Shaul Zislin, turned his popular concert series, "Road to the Hangout Festival" into "Road to Relief" and collected over 6 bus loads of relief supplies and delivered them to the disaster areas. He also owns several SurfStyle retail stores and donated $... 05/19/2011

Oceans Park, Gulf Shores, AL   It's coming! A year round indoor water park, Oceans Park, set to be built next year on 17 acres on Ala.59 and Baldwin County 6 East.Owners, Dennis Thomas and Clyde Weir, plan to build a year-round park featuring saltwater attractions where visitors can dive into a 30-foot-deep aquarium to swim with sea life and explore a shipwreck.   Search Alabama Gulf Coast Condos for Sale in Gulf Shores, AL   The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, designed by Dennis Thomas, is also scheduled to be built close-by on land donated by the Weir family, which owned Souvenir City in Gulf Shores.   MORE LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS: 3404 Moffett Road has been leased by Waterfront Rescue Mission. Plans are to convert the 25,000 sf warehouse building into a recycling/donation center. Coldwell Ba... 05/17/2011

A beach house that was donated to the City of Gulf Shores after Hurricane Fredrick now serves as the local Gulf Shores Museum. The museum has a collection of artifacts from the early fishing and shrimping industries in Gulf Shores including a permanent exhibit of life in some of the earliest settlements along Little Lagoon.  On tours of the Gulf Shores Museum “beach cottage”, visitors listen to “A Shrimper’s Story” and the sounds of hurricane hunters flying through a storm. The celebration of Gulf Shores 50th anniversary is portrayed in a permanent exhibit entitled, “Drawing a Line in the Sand”. The Gulf Shores Museum has a major focus on hurricanes and how they have impacted the local area. Along with general information about hurricanes, there is extensive information specifically on ... 05/12/2011

Three days of favorite bands performing on the white sand beach with beautiful ocean waves and salty breezes. It's Hangout Music Fest at Gulf Shores! The only festival of its kind will take place again this year from May 20-22. Attendees can soak up the sunshine, sip their favorite beverage and hear the array of tunes floating by while relaxing on a beach blanket. The three-day lineup will include so many eclectic, favorite bands that it is best to check the full schedule at the Hangout website. This year there will also be a Thursday pre-fest party with more music and fun and two late-night shows on Friday and Saturday.In addition to enjoying music, attendees can practice their yoga on Gulf Shores beautiful beach. Renowned yoga teacher, Kelly Morris, whose students include Sting, Russe... 04/27/2011

Although white sand, emerald water, fishing, and beach sports may be on top of your "to do" list in Gulf Shores, there are some "inland' activities worth checking out. One of these is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo located just a few blocks from the beach on Gulf Shores Parkway (Highway 59). The zoo is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.  Originally founded as a private enterprise of Joey Ward of Gulf Shores, the zoo became part of the not-for-profit Zoo Foundation of the Ward's in 1991 and was expanded by 17 acres. Currently the zoo is home to over 290 animals including lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, reptiles, and birds. Activities also include a petting zoo, and daily animal shows in the summer.The Alabama Gulf Coast Z... 04/20/2011

Get ready, get set, GO - - head for the 15th annual Mullet Man Triathlon on Saturday, April 16th along with 450 participants. This Orange Beach event always promises a great course, many awards, and a super post-race party with food and fun. The triathlon is held in conjunction with the wacky festival known as the "Mullet Toss" and gives the athletes a chance to run and celebrate in two states at once.The first part of this Orange Beach event, a quarter-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, will kick off at 7:30 a.m. The swim will be followed by a bike race of 15 miles which will begin at the Flora-Bama Lounge heading to the Alabama State Park and back. The third section will be a 4-mile run from the Flora-Bama Lounge heading under the Perdido Pass Bridge and back.The Flora-Bama Lounge, a be... 04/13/2011

Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores, Alabama was an important part of our history during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and both World Wars. Today it also serves an important role in the study of migrating birds. In fact, the Fort Morgan State Historical Park has been named one of the "Hundred Globally Important Bird Areas" by the American Bird Conservancy.This year the Spring Bird Banding Session will be held from April 2-14. Banding is done from dawn to mid-afternoon each day. Banding sessions are open not only to trained volunteers, but also the general public. Taking part in banding is free, but there is an admission fee to the park of $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 6-12. Children under 6 are admitted free. This truly is a unique opportunity to watch as thousands of migrating ... 04/07/2011

An elegant condominium, fantastic views of the Gulf, outdoor lazy river, and white sand beaches stretching for miles - all at a $200,000 discount! Orange Beach developer Larry Wireman has discounted 10 of these luxurious condominiums on the 13th floor and below to a $725,000 asking price.  Turquoise Place sets a new standard for elegance along the Alabama Gulf Coast with its two towers, encased in shimmering turquoise glass, housing condominiums that range from 2,300-5,900 square feet. Each unit is complete with gourmet kitchen, high-end appliances, Jacuzzi hot tub, HD digital television mounted above a gas fireplace, and outdoor kitchen on the balcony. Every unit is equipped with wireless internet, and over 100 cable TV channels including HD and movie. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls ... 04/02/2011

Tha Alabama Gulf Coast continues to make national headlines from the fall-out over last springs oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Thankfully, the press has positive news to report on the topic these days, as the tar balls have been efficiently removed from our fine, white sand and our beaches are open for business just in time for speak season tourist traffic.  As the our Snow Birds pack up and head north, Spring Breakers flock to our coast and the occupation of beach lovers from all over the nation will remain until dusk settles on the Labor Day holiday weekend. Search New Gulf Front Condo Listings for Sale on the Alabama Gulf Coast A recent online editorial by CNN, reported that BP clean up operations have been concluded in Gulf Shores, AL.  The article explains that our powder-white... 03/18/2011

Many, many things welcome you to Gulf Shores including - - wonderful climate, white-sand beaches, sparkling emerald waters, fantastic fishing, great golf, and southern hospitality. After discussions at a recent Gulf Shores city council meeting, the "welcoming signs" may also include welcome signs! As Councilman Steve Jones said in BaldwinCountyNow.com on March 3, 2011, ". . . there was mounting interest to improve the welcoming points into the city . . . I think we need to find a way to do some things to make the entrances to our city more special, and there have been some recommendations from our beautification board that I would like to see us take more seriously." Judy Smith, Chairperson of the Beautification Board, commented that, "Our recommendations included signage coming into t... 03/16/2011