Light conversation amongst friends, about our beautiful Gulf Coast's Real Estate, current events, and anything else we decide to ramble about. Feel free to sit down, grab a sweet tea and join in!
If you head towards the Fort Morgan Peninsula in Gulf Shores Alabama, you will find The Beach Club condos and resort just 12 miles down, nearly to the Fort on the Gulf Side. The Beach Club at Fort Morgan is the only all inclusive type resor that Gulf Shores currently offers. With shopping, dining, swimming, tennis, a spa and more you would never need to leave the campus.
The further down Fort Morgan you go, the more obvious it will become that the area has not been fully developed. For a getaway that is off the beaten path, or secluded if you will, The Beach Club is just that.
The Beach Club's atmosphere is booming with things to do, but just adjacent and surrounding its property is the untouched version of the Gulf Coast. Just the way nature would have it; beautifully reminiscent of paradise.
What you will find at The Beach Club:
4 condominium buildings
private cottages
5 Outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs
Clubhouse with cabanas and poolside bar
8 lighted tennis courts & Racquet Club
multiple dining options- from upscale to casual
Gameroom
Spa
Salon
Boutique
Indoor Pool and jacuzzi
Childrens playground
Shuffleboard
Basketball goals
Wildlife preserve
There are multiple jacuzzi's scattered throughout the property as well, along with an indoor pool and hot tub.
Current 1 bedroom units are starting at $199k according to the Baldwin County MLS system. Investors, these 1 bedrooms typically sleep 6, and can bring a great rental return. If you are interested in learning about a Beach Club rental projection, don't hesitate to call me.
The MLS currently shows just over 50 Beach Club of Gulf Shores units actively on the market. 36 condos at The Beach Club have exchanged hands so far in 2011, let's make that 37!
The New iPhone App by Apple for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach might be just what you need if you are planning a trip to Alabamas beautiful Gulf Coast. Lets face it, for many people now our smart phone is an extension of our arms. If you sit quietly and just take a moment to people watch it should be no surprise, that most people that you see will be bustling about their day, but multi-tasking with that smart phone at the same time. If this is you, then read on!
A new iPhone App has been developed for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach areas. The app can be located at the iTunes store, and is a free download. The app has been out since September of this year and its newest version has area events, coupons, map to your location, find area eats and more!
No matter if you are local or a tourist to our area this new app from iPhone for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a must have! iPhone version Android download
The Bella Luna Condos in Orange Beach Alabama are just over the Alabama Point bridge you'll see the single tower gleaming on the north side of the scenic beach highway in Orange Beach Alabama. Just before the Florida border the beautiful glass semi-circle is conveniently located to both Perdido and Orange Beaches and attractions. Bella Luna Condominiums in Orange Beach sit a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Orange Beach's busy tourist row, but just far enough to watch the crowd from afar.
The views that Bella Luna in Orange Beach offer are unique because you get a taste of the Gulf as well as the area's Ole River that is salt and peppered with some of the coasts most beautiful and character filled homes. From within a unit at Bella Luna in Orange Beach the floor to ceiling glass lends expansive views of it all. Take your pick!
An owner or guest staying in a Bella Luna unit can expect nothing less than high end furnishings and upgrades throughout, from stainless steel, granite, wetbar, wine cooler, as well as the most modern fixtures sure to please even the most discriminating of individuals.
The Amenities that Bella Luna Condos in Orange Beach offer are plentiful. There are four swimming pools. One heated indoor and one heated outdoor pool. The fitness center is state of the art and includes a steam room and sauna. Let's not forget the indoor theatre with wetbar for entertaining! Boat slips are available on a first come first serve basis, and beach access is available directly across the street. It's safe to say you can have it all with a Bella Luna Condo in Orange Beach Alabama!
Lets talk prices... how much would it take to own one of these fabulous beach condos? Currently the inventory is very slim with 9 Active Bella Luna Condo Orange Beach units (2 of which are under contract) on the MLS. Prices are ranging from $399k for a low level 2 bedroom, to 1M for a Penthouse.
Although the closed prices have varied greatly over the last year, some of the best priced deals for 2011 Bella Luna Condos are as follows:
Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Travel and tourism brings in record revenues!
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach travel and tourism brings in record revenues! 2007 was the top revenue year for our Gulf Coast community, but not anymore!Gulf Shores and Orange Beach banded together to boost their travel and tourism efforts with marketing dollars and new campaigns to see that 2011 went over 2009’s top numbers.And it did! – The summer season has brought in 18% more than the 2007 precedent, and year to date numbers are in line to be a 17% increase overall.
Of course The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach travel and tourism numbers from 2010 were sagging due to the BP Gulf Oil spill.The 2011 numbers are towering over 2010 by an encouraging 51%!Without a doubt Gulf Shores and Orange Beach tourism would have seen an increase over last year with little effort.But to triumph over a record year (2007) after such a depressed previous year is something to shout about!We are back!
The marketing efforts of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Alabama Tourism Department should be praised; they got it right.Added events such as the Hangout Music Fest, along with the corporate sponsorship with the SEC and all of the great ads put together in conjunction with historic SEC coaches helped remind the Gulf’s target audience that the Gulf is still here and open for business! Our beaches are as white as ever, and our community still encourages a family atmosphere, we are the place to bring your family.
Thank you to the CVB and ATD for boosting the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Travel and Tourism back to where it belongs.
The Press Register reported that the City of Orange Beach has decided to raise condo owners business licenses. The price of the license hasn't seen a hoist since 2000, however, an Orange Beach and Gulf Shores travel and tourism report suggests that visitors to our area could hit 5M this year. Beach services and upkeep will need to be able to keep up with these numbers and raising the license fees will help add an additional $200k in revenue for the city.
The Baldwin county coast is in the lead for the gulf coast lodging/rentals market share according to recent Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureaus reports. These numbers are likely a result of the combination of recent advertising campaigns as well as the "urge to get back to the beach" - since many beach vacationers felt forced to skip their beach trip last year, due to the BP oil spill.
Either way, hopefully our area condo owners will see the increased fee returned in their overall annual rental income and then some!
There was an interesting article posted in the USA Today. In today's market, this seems like it is a great option for those that have the family resources available.
Turquoise Place Condos of Orange Beach Alabama | Now selling in the $700's!
Turquoise Place Condos of Orange Beach Alabama are the newest high rise condominiums to be erected along the gulf coast of Alabama. These luxury condominium units feature 3, 4, and 5 bedroom units boasting of only the highest quality materials and amenities. Construction started during our areas real estate market high, when million dollar condos were in high demand and selling quite easily- and reselling for even more... unfortunately for the project, its completion didn't happen quite soon enough, and as we all know the market took a tumble before many units could be sold.
Turquoise place condos of Orange Beach Owners of the pre-construction units found themselves holding beautiful condos that were priced between 1-2 million dollars at preconstruction rates-- Many of which likely purchased at these prices thinking they would be able to sell after completion at a higher rate... but most of them are probably still hanging on to their units (or lost them)...while current units are being sold by the developer at much different prices.
Price tags for the Turquoise Place Condos of Orange Beach are starting @ $ 725,000. Although according to tax records it may look like these units are still selling at $925,000. However, the $200,000 developer credit on the HUD is indicating a different number. In addition to this, the developer has recently released these incentives:
(PLEASE NOTE: The following information has been taken from Turquoise Place sales literature and all information should be verified).
Developer would pay up to $20,000 annually in holding costs anticipated as follows:
Association Dues & Phone/Cable/Internet Package: $11,028
Electricity: $1756
Contents/Liability Insurance: $1252
Real Property Taxes: $5787
Personal Property Taxes: $160
In Addition to:
One Year Limited Warranty
Fully Furnished, rent ready
Three annual payments of $20,000 if net rent proceeds are less than $20,000 annually
We are also going to offer on a trial basis on the “03”, “06”, “07” and “08” units on Floors 14 – 20 a $20,000 incentive towards COA dues, furniture package, electronics or other incentive. The purchase price will remain at $975,000.
Dive right into fun! Turquoise Place is home to two heated indoor pools, a seasonally-heated outdoor pool, as well as another outdoor pool with kiddie pool, plus a 450-foot lazy river. If that's not enough of a workout for you, hit the fitness center to get in a round on the cardio machines and weights while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The resort also boasts two tennis courts. Tennis rackets and balls are available at the Front Desk.
Resort Amenities
Four indoor hot tubs
Front Desk/Conceirge (limited hours)
In-room laundry facilities
Interim housekeeping services
Pool side activities and games
Parking garage
Personal chef services
Poolside Turquoise Tiki Bar and Grill
Two saunas
Two steam rooms
Swimming pool - children's
Swimming pool - two heated indoor pools
Swimming pool - lazy river
Swimming pool - zero-entry, seasonally-heated outdoor pool
Swimming pool - outdoor pool
The property also offers such services as: poolside activities, grocery delivery, peronal chef services, housekeeping and massage.
According to the Baldwin County MLS there are currently 21 Turquoise Place Condos of Orange Beach Units Active or Under Contract ranging from $889,000 to $4,850,000. There have been 60 closings since 2008, with 45 of them taking place in 2011. The lowest priced unit to close was a 3 bedroom for $850,000 in August of 2011. The highest priced unit to close according the our MLS, occured in 7/2010 when a unit that was listed at $5.9M exchanged hands at $3.25M.
With all of the added bonuses, and credits there has never been a better time to buy a Turquoise Place Condo of Orange Beach for your very own! If you are interested in finding out more, give me a call!
