Real Estate Market Analysis and Sales Data
Updated: October 17, 2008

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

WOW! We are busy at the beach. The phones are ringing and people are here looking every day - prospects seem to be considering real estate investments again. My latest review of this year's sales stats tells me that these prospects may be on to something!! All year, we have watched the prices fall and sales volume increase which have lead me to believe that stabilization might be occurring. If the prices continue to stabilize through the 4th quarter, we may be on the road to a healthy real estate market with normal appreciation and a BIG sigh of relief!!!

In the tables below, you will notice that the gulf front condo listing inventory and price per square foot averages both dropped since my last analysis in August. The closed sales analysis tables below show increased sales volume year to date over 2007 sales year to date. Increased sales volume has been a consistent trend that we have noticed each month and each quarter this year over last year. Our sales volume is currently up 17% over last year.

The most exciting segment of my analysis today is what I have found in my 2004 - 2008 gulf front condo sales quarterly analysis! The sales volume and the sale price data from the 3rd quarter of 2008 show us that our real estate market is showing signs of stabilization with prices flat lining and not dropping for the first time since the 1st quarter of 2006!! I can not tell you how good that line was to type!!!

Personally, I think that the 4th quarter of 2008 may bring more good news for the Alabama Gulf Coast and Perdido Key Real Estate Markets. There are excellent investment opportunities currently available! Many that qualify for the GoZone Act (accelerated depreciation that can equal to HUGE tax relief). The GoZone Act for our area will expire December 31, 2008 - as a result, I believe we will see a run on GoZone  properties over the next 2 months - this should stimulate sales during our typically quiet 4th quarter. Also, be sure not to let the high real estate inventory fool you! It may seem like there are unlimited choices, but once you begin to really analyze the current inventory...you will see that there are only a few really good deals that make sense either short term or long term.

Income producing gulf front condos that are priced correctly or aggressively and with a track record of high rentals are moving. A handful of these properties are within $1,000 of cash flowing with 20% down; heavy rentals; moderate HOA fees; among other factors. A bank just released a few GoZone qualifying direct gulf front units for $275/SF - these were built in 2006; have nice amenities and strong rentals - prefect investment property - not to mention, you can enjoy this investment choice yourself from time to time.

Luxury gulf and bay front condos are also moving very well! The Baldwin MLS shows that 42 area condos have sold this year at a price over $700,000 (11 of the units have sold over $1MIL). I think this is a great time to buy a luxury unit at a fantastic price and have an amazing TANGIBLE investment to enjoy with your family and friends. The luxury units are great long term investment properties.

Beach houses are really seeing some action this year!!! 13 gulf front houses have sold year to date, ranging in price from $641,500 to $3,150,000. This is up from ONLY 4 sales year to date in 2007!! THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!

Beach lot sales are up just slightly over last year, but I feel that we are going to see increases in sales volume on beach lots soon. There are a few beach lots available right now for fantastic prices (75' Gulf front lot in Gulf Shores for $995K). If you have ever dreamed of having a beach home then now is the time to do your shopping. When looking at beach lot and beach house data, you have to keep in mind that the beach property that currently exists is not increasing. We do not have many vacant beach lots left! This lack of supply will catch up with us at some point - may be several years, but it will happen.

Lagoon front lot sales are about the same as last year - there are some amazing buys on lagoon front and non waterfront lots right now! Sellers are reducing to get the lots sold - just another long term investment option to consider.

Bay front properties in Orange Beach and Ono Island are down from last year - the major reason why is this: sellers and their agents have not known where to price their bay front properties due to lack of sales. Without comps, pricing becomes a guessing game and can get quite frustrating. However, we are seeing price reductions on these properties, so my advice is to keep an eye on the activity. There are several bay front properties. These prices will not be around forever, so if you have ever wanted to be on our fabulous backwaters...now is the time to buy.

Be sure to review the actual data below that I have referenced in my analysis. Please email or call me with any questions that you have! I am happy to provide personalized analysis on any property - just ask! Also, email me if you want a list of my favorite investment properties currently available!

Please take a moment to look over our current listing inventory - we work very hard to price our listings correctly and we have some GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES!!

Click here to view The Helton Group Listings - Houses, Condos, Lots, Commercial!

All info herein obtained through the Baldwin County MLS System.
Info is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

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Updated: September 17,2008
The market has been extremely active over the last few months. There are definitely more buyers around than last year and the numbers below prove it. Gulf front condo sales are up more than 24% over last year. We believe the number one reason for the increased sales is correct pricing.

Our prices are now in line with 2004 prices...in 2004, we sold 5 times the number of condos that sold last year. The deals right now are outstanding. Some units come very close to a cash flow scenario with 20% down. All of this combined with falling insurance costs and a surge of activity are the reason sales are up - we are even beginning to see signs of price stabilizations - see more details in the graphs below.

Please call us to discuss any questions you have about the information found in the graphs below or a more detailed study on the current market conditions.

Please note that the analysis below includes only Gulf Front units in the Baldwin County MLS. We can easily run analyses on other types of area properties (homes, beach homes, bay front properties, individual condo developments, etc). Please just send us an email and tell us what you would like to know!!

Latest market stats and sales analysis!
The price is right: sales volume up 24% over last year as of 08/17/08!!!
Prices are still down, but they are up slightly from last month and this is the first time
we have seen an increase in sales volume since 2005!

The sales information below is based on all gulf front condos in our area. The numbers change as you get more specific with size, year built, bedrooms and baths, etc. For example, the average sales price for luxury type units (4 bedrooms+) in Perdido Key, Florida year to date is around $365/SF.

Take a look at the graph below to understand our area's market over the last four years through the second quarter of this year. We like the trend that we are seeing so far this year. We are up in sales volume each quarter (and each month as I have mentioned above) over the last two years, and we are beginning to see some signs of price stabilization!

All info herein obtained through the Baldwin County MLS System.
Info is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

Interested in the GoZone Act?
Tax incentives for investing along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Click here to request more info - including a DVD!
Read about the GoZone Act here!

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All info herein obtained through the Baldwin County MLS System.
Info is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed.