Condo owners in Gulf Shores are increasingly turning to a time tested way to find buyers for their Alabama Gulf Coast vaction properties: They're selling their condos at auction.
Sold! To the highest bidder
With 3,000 condominium units listed for sale on the Alabama Gulf Coast, some sellers are shedding the traditional approach in favor of auctioning their property to the highest bidder -- a process that speeds sales, but can come at the cost of a lower selling price.
Coastal Auction Co. sold three houses recently, and two had been on the market for at least six months. Two were in Terry Cove in Orange Beach -- one with two boat slips for $592,000 and one off the water for $367,000. The third property, an unfinished house in Martyn Woods in Gulf Shores, sold for $612,000.
One of Alabama Gulf Coast's busiest airports might soon be going commercial. Currently Jack Edwards Airport serves only private flights, but if the recommendations of an engineering study are approved the airport could be accepting commercial jet traffic within 5 years.
The airport currently has about 80,000 takeoffs and landings each year. Airport officials expect that number could double, and have proposed a plan to grow the airport in response to the increased demand by Gulf Shores vacation goers, conventioneers and other visitors.
Gulf Shores considers commercial jetliners
The story below rings true. It sounds exactly like what you can expect in a Gulf Shores vacation. Plenty of warm sunshine and relaxation. The kind of vacation you learn to love. The kind of vacation that doesn't wear you out, but rather rejuvenates you.
It's rare the Gulf Shores vacationer who doesn't come away wanting to return as soon as possible. It's rare the Gulf Shores vacationer who doesn't come back again and again. This easy-going, relax and get your life on the right track atmosphere is why the Gulf Coast has become one of the most popular vacation destinations today.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Having enjoyed a wonderful spring break a few years back at Gulf Shores, Ala., we longed to return.
When I received an e-mail about a couple that was looking to rent out their condo in Gulf Shores, our destination was assured.
...
We arrived at the third-floor condo - easy up, easy down. The Gulf of Mexico was just out back. The view from the balcony was magnificent.
Each day, my wife and kids swam in the Gulf while I read, went for a jog, toiled away on my laptop, and watched World Cup soccer games...
In the evenings, we tossed the Frisbee, played Kadima (two paddles and a ball) and played volleyball.
We shopped, ate at some nice places, watched TV, hunted around town for wireless Internet access and walked on the beach at night.
On the way back to Marion, we all agreed that this was one of our most relaxing vacations ever.
Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark is located at the entrance to Mobile Bay. The Fort Morgan site itself is not only in historically significant but also amazingly beautiful to see. The 500-acre Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark is at the end of a long narrow peninsula bounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Mobile Bay to the north. It is accessible via either a drive from Gulf Shores or a pleasant ferry ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay from Dauphin Island to the west.
Fort Morgan is generally regarded as of the most historically significant places in Alabama. The fort played key and decisive roles in the outcomes of both the war of 1812 and the Civil War.
Fort Morgan and the surrounding grounds are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. During the summer months, the Fort Morgan staff conducts living history programs daily and also holds candlelight tours.
How to get to and get more information about Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan is located 22 miles west of Gulf Shores on Ala. 180 West
51 Highway 180 West
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
Phone: 334-567-3002
Directions to and a map of Fort Morgan
Hours of operation:
Gates open to the public
June - September 8am to 7pm
October - February 8am to 5pm
March through May 8am to 6pm
The Fort Morgan Museum is open from 9am to 5pm every day of the week.
Admission:
Adults - $5
Children ages 6-18 - $3
Children under 6 - Free
Seniors - $4
Get ready for it. Whether you're just visiting Alabama's Gulf Coast, vacationing in a Gulf Shores condo for a week or looking to invest in a vacation rental property on the Gulf Coast, you'll be paying more - a lot more - for insurance.
Fewer and fewer companies remain in the market to sell Gulf Coast vacation property owners insurance for their condos or vacation homes. Those that do remain are charging much more to insure against storm damage.
With the prices of Gulf Shores real estate escalating as they are and the ever increasing demand from Alabama Gulf Coast vacationers the daily, weekly and monthly prices for vacation rentals is about to rise significantly.
Seafood and southern cooking is at its best along Alabama's Gulf Coast. The unfortunately reality is the really good places are just not big enough to handle the summer crush of vacationers and visitors looking for one of those tasty meals.
Gulf Shores and neighboring Orange Beach visitors and vacationers are finding long wait times for restaurant seating this summer. Be prepared. Either rearrange your dining schedule for an early or a later meal. If you show up during prime time you may end up having a later meal anyway.