“Sandy Oaks” is an older subdivision, about 14+ years, located along the east side of Celeste Road, just south of Radcliff Road, several miles west of U. S. Interstate Highway 65 and about 20-25 minutes northwest of Mobile, Alabama.

The majority of homes, about 70%, were built between 1997 and 2000. Around 25% of the homes were built between 2001 and 2006.

“Sandy Oaks” primarily has homes ranging from 1,800+- square feet to 3,187+- square feet as reported in the online tax records. Most homes, about 72%, will have gross living areas between 1,800 and 2,500 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Homes with over 2,500 square feet represent around 23% within “Sandy Oaks” and considered over-built for its neighborhood.

As for Saraland’s home values, it appears that median sale prices for homes (sampling size is around 46+ sales) having 1,650 to 2,250 square feet dropped 17% over a 12-month time period.

Home listings are increasing. Twelve months ago, calculations indicate around 17 active listings compared to around 43 active listings today–two and a half times higher! Having this significant increase in active home listings has increased the housing supply time period from 4.4 months to 12.9 months. This time period represents the absorption rate or, how long it will take a homeowner to sell their home if reasonably priced to sell. It now takes three (3) times longer to sell your home based on the available online MLS (multiple listing service) information!

Sales for 1,650 to 2,250 square feet homes has dropped around 43.5% based on inventory analysis calculations. The information indicated 23 closed home sales twelve (12) months ago compared to 10 home sales in the past three (3) months.

For homeowners in the Saraland, Alabama, the bottom line is, hold tight if you can for a few years and the home market should stabilize and maybe increase some but, don’t expect it to be like it was in the past. If you have to sell, consult a Certified Residential Appraiser first so you will have better insight into the property values surrounding your home. Pricing your home correctly will save you so much time. Remember, you are now competing with many other homeowners who are very motivated as well as appealing “short sale” and “foreclosure” offerings.

Al Cheney is a “Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser” who has over 35 years real estate experience within the Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama. You can write Al Cheney at Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com or visit http://www.AlabamaRealEstateAppraisals.com/, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com/ or http://www.CertifiedAppraiserNames.com/.

Al Cheney’s Comments and Opinions for 29 August 2010.

As a local, born and raised in the Mobile Bay Metro Area, I am sincerely happy that the bubbling crude has finally been capped after 90 days-after 90 days! It is worth repeating since this horrific ecological and environmental disaster should have never lasted this long if it wasn’t for the many faux pas by BP Oil and our own government. They say, the majority of the surface oil has dissipated and now can’t be found. Oh, really? The “on the surface” crude problem is only hiding in the depths of the sea-harming crustaceans, oysters and other seafood for years to come.

And, yes! I do realize that biological organisms will thrive on the raw crude and eventually remove it as a major threat but, this will take a very long time. The damage has already been done and its true damage is still hidden in the depths of the sea. Enormous amounts of crude, damaging dispersants, oil soaked wetlands and sea bottoms are here to stay for decades. A possible ecological disaster lurks beneath the sea and within the wetlands for years to come.

Furthermore, the inappropriate government overreach in shutting down oil rigs (overdramatic and very political), media sensationalism damaging our Gulf Coast tourism, and an already weaken real estate industry has created more negative affects upon Alabama and the other States along the Gulf Coast. Honestly, at this time, the affects of any significant real estate and tourism recoveries are unknown.

The fact is that, a fragile economy and a weakened real estate industry have been further exacerbated by the crude ecological and environmental disaster, and the crude politics of Washington. And, our tourism for this year has been damaged by irresponsible journalism by the media. Even so, the coastline of the Gulf States and its real estate will overcome this adversity and will eventually be less affected by the BP oil spill and the many missteps of Washington. The media needs to practice more responsible journalism and avoid the traps of sensationalism. Sensationalism is not journalism!

Well, our coastal properties along the beaches as well as other properties with gulf views and close to water tributaries will eventually improve over time. For now, the recent past spreading of crude through the Gulf of Mexico has resulted in a deeper real estate market slowdown affecting property values near and along the Gulf Coast. Whether legitimate, or not, many homes located well off water tributaries have also been affected to some degree. It is a real estate market slowdown caused by a fragile economy and the worse oil spill known in North America.

From my standpoint, the negative value affects for homes located off the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico should be negligible as time leads us into the future. When looking back in time, I believe, this catastrophe will reflect “a blip on the radar screen” when focusing only on the 90-day oil spill disaster. Then, there could be the possibility of a more normal level and slight positive return of property values; if a more normal level can be equated with a fragile economy under severe stress.

The fragile economy with high unemployment (9.5% but does not include the people who have given up) and uncertainty will be much more of a future problem for Gulf Coast property values than the BP oil spill. As time leads us into the end of 2010 and into the beginning of 2011, an even more fragile economy and real estate industry might be the result when continuing to implement recessive programs and tactics by the government while banks, entrepreneurs and small businesses mostly sit on the sidelines, “digging in their heels” or “going out of business” sales. Only deregulation and lowering taxes, the cessation of large government spending, small business incentives (get the oil riggers, shrimpers and other parts of the Gulf Coast seafood industry back to work) as well as “just plain honest positive talk” from the current Administration and our government representatives (most of them forget that they work for us) will improve the real estate industry– part of the backbone of America!

The neighborhood name Spring Hill was originally an early 19th century Spanish land grant settlement. Spring Hill is one of Mobile, Alabama’s oldest neighborhoods. Over 150 years ago, Spring Hill gained its prominence when Mobilians built summer homes to seek refuge from the semi-tropical heat of the city and the Yellow Fever epidemic carried by mosquitoes.

Spring Hill has a sense of community with good neighbors and wonderful neighborhoods with antebellum and majestic oaks covering many of the streets, such as, The Cedars, Dilston Lane, Tuthill Lane and Wimbledon Drive. Spring Hill is also an active area with many individuals and groups of friends cycling, jogging, walking and expressing their patronage for the local businesses along McGregor Avenue and Old Shell Road as well as other adjoining streets.

The Country Club of Mobile is located in Spring Hill and provides its members with fine Southern dining, swimming pool, tennis courts, 18-hole golf course and a short 9-hole course. In nearby Langan Municipal Park, Mobilians and its visitors can enjoy the various lake views, walking paths and the wonderful lakefront Mobile Museum of Arts which maintains a fine permanent collection as well as hosting prestigious temporary exhibitions throughout each year. And, just minutes west from the museum, you can enjoy the Azalea City Golf Course ($16 to $39 depending on time of day, cart or walking), the Botanical Gardens and the Mobile Tennis Center, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Since 1930, Spring Hill College, the oldest school of higher learning in Alabama, has been serving the Mobile Bay Metro Area with a beautiful 18-hole golf course (available without membership) from $32 to $39 each, depending on mornings and afternoons, includes a cart, or Mondays and Wednesdays which also includes a lunch.

Spring Hill‘s retail area includes an active branch of the public library, dentists, doctors, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, women’s & children’s clothing stores, and other professional services. Mary B. Austin, one of Mobile’s oldest public elementary schools, is located along Provident Lane, north side of Old Shell Road. St. Paul’s Episcopal and St. Ignatius schools located nearby provide parochial private education.

Springhill Memorial Hospital, physician’s offices and a fitness center are located along the south side of Dauphin Street, near Interstate U. S. Highway 65, and across from many restaurant facilities and retail shops, such as, Alabama Outdoors, Ann Taylor Loft, Atlanta Bread Company, Ballins, Claude Moore, Coldwater Creek, J. Jill, Jimmy Johns, Jos. A. Bank, Legacy Village at Spring Hill, Metzger’s, Talbots, The Wine Loft, Tropical Smoothie Café, True Restaurant and Zoe’s Kitchen.

In a tough economic climate, the property values within Spring Hill have done better than most other areas in the city of Mobile due to its desirability. With this stated, individuals and families can find many choices for housing, from a small condominium to a spacious home on a large lot. Currently, there are approximately 231 active listings from $44,850 to $3,300,000 asking prices. Recent housing sales, about 70 sold records, for the past six months ranges from $37,500 for a one bedroom, one bath condo to $950,000 for an over 6,000 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and four bathrooms near the Country Club of Mobile. Therefore, Spring Hill has housing price offerings to fit any budget!

For more information about Spring Hill or any other neighborhood in the city of Mobile, contact Albert Marshall Cheney, Certified FHA Approved Real Estate Appraiser, by calling (251) 533-2424 or visit the web site, http://CheneyAppraisalServices.com/. Al Cheney covers all of Baldwin County and Mobile County in The Mobile Bay Metro Area of Alabama.

Over the past several years in Saraland, Celeste Road has been a popular area for home builders due to the availability of beautiful wooded land with interesting terrain (topography). Charleston Ridge is one of these newer residential subdivisions located along the northeastern side of Celeste Road, about 3.2 miles from U. S. Interstate Highway 65.

Charleston Ridge was developed with 38 residential building lots about 2 years ago. At the time of this writing, Gooden Homes, Inc. has built five Craftsman style homes. Residential lot values will generally run, in the opinion of Certified Appraiser, Albert Cheney, between $55,000 and $65,000 depending on its location within the development. There are about 60% of the lots available to purchase and build your dream home.

The most recent sale prices within Charleston Ridge range from $279,900 to $290,400 with most of the gross living areas around 2,800 square feet (minimum requirements) to 3,027 square feet. There is a two car attached garage requirement for the subdivision and an architectural review of all plans & specs. before building your home.

Call Albert Cheney, Certified FHA Approved Residential Appraiser, Cheney Appraisal Services, (251) 533-2424, for more information about real estate appraising in Baldwin County and Mobile County of Albama. Click these web-links for even more information about Albert Cheney and the Mobile Bay Metro Area: http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/ or http://www.RealtyLeaders.biz/. Albert is ready to answer your questions!

Charleston Oaks subdivision is located in West Mobile, along the east side of Sollie Road (city limits boundary) and just south of Cottage Hill Road.

The Charleston Oaks neighborhood is a popular city residential area with most home sizes ranging from 4,100+ square feet to 7,600+ square feet.

There have been around five home sales since the beginning of 2007 according to online multiple listing records. The sale prices ranged from $420,000 to $1,300,000.

Currently, as of this writing, the multiple listing service indicates five active listings: $449,900; $489,569; $546,000; $679,000; $799,999.

If you are interested in more detailed information about Charleston Oaks or any other neighborhood in the Mobile Bay Metro Area, call Al Cheney at (251) 533-2424. Click here, http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/, for other information.

Greg Easter Appraisals is located in Birmingham, Alabama. Greg Easter, Certified FHA Approved Real Estate Appraiser, covers five (5) counties: Jefferson County (cities: Birmingham, Bessemer, Hoover & other county towns), Shelby County (cities: Alabaster, Helena, Pelham, Montevallo & other county towns), Blount County (cities: Warrior, Hayden, Locust Fork & Palmerdale), St. Clair County (cities: Springville, Moody, Odenville & Branchville), and Walker County (cities: Dora & Sumiton).

Some of Greg Easter‘s services include FHA Residential Appraisal Reports, HVCC Compliant Reports, USDA Reports, Residential Appraisal Reports for Conventional & Secondary Mortgages, Refinance Reasons, PMI Removal as well as homeowners needing assistance with a market value estimate to determine their asking price.

Certified Real Estate Appraiser Greg Easter has the training and experience which makes him one of the leading Birmingham real estate market resources for many Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) and mortgage lenders across the United States. With 19+ years experience, Greg Easter has a proven track record of reducing a lender’s timeframe by turning most appraisal reports within a 24 hour period.

Click the web-link and find out more about Greg Easter Appraisals, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. You may also call Greg at (205) 979-3226 or email him at geaster22@bellsouth.net. His mailing address is:

Greg Easter Appraisals, LLC
P.O. Box 360685
Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35236

The Sanibel Condominiums are located at 1524 West Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542.

The directions are U. S. Highway 59 from Foley, Alabama, traveling south by car, entering Gulf Shores, Alabama, and ending at West Beach Boulevard. Then, take a right onto West Beach Boulevard (Highway 182) and travel west about 2+ miles. The Sanibel Condominiums complex is located on the right (near Little Lagoon).

The Sanibel Condominiums project, 17 stories, was built in 2007 according to available multiple listing service (mls) records. There are 108 units which have access to the general grounds, open & underneath parking spaces, exercise room, private balcony patios, barbeque grills, outdoor swimming pool, elevators, access to the white sandy Alabama beaches & the Gulf of Mexico, recreation areas, etc. are most of the primary common elements.

As of this writing, there are fifteen (15) active listings (2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths; 3 bedrooms, 3 baths; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths; 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths) found within the Sanibel Condominiums. Most of these fifteen active condo listings have asking prices from $265,000 to $479,900 depending on interior amenities, gross living area and location within the project.

The multiple listing service (mls) indicates around eleven (11) condo sales ranging from $209,000 to $355,000 within the past year. Also, most of the monthly condo fees will range from $443 to $508. Even though the Sanibel Condominiums project is located across the road from the beaches, many of the condominium units have panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, southern views, and Little Lagoon, northern views.

Contact Al Cheney at (251) 533-2424 if you require more real estate related information about The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama.

Try these web-links for additional information: http://www.CertifiedAppraiserNames.com/, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com/, http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/, http://www.RealtyLeaders.biz/.

The Gulf Tower Condominiums are located at 1051 West Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542-6225.

The directions are U. S. Highway 59 from Foley, Alabama, traveling south by car, entering Gulf Shores, Alabama, and ending at West Beach Boulevard. Then, take a right onto West Beach Boulevard (Highway 182) and travel about 1.4+ miles. The Gulf Tower Condominiums complex is located on the left (beachside).

The Gulf Tower Condominiums project was built in 1984 according to available records. There are 49 units which have access to the general grounds, open & underneath parking spaces, exercise room, private balcony patios, barbeque grills, beach walkway, a beachside outdoor swimming pool, elevators, a white sandy beach & Gulf of Mexico views, recreation areas, etc. are most of the primary common elements.

As of this writing, there are three active listings found within the Gulf Tower Condominiums. All three condo units have around 1,000+- square feet of living area with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The asking prices range from $235,000 to $285,000.

Most of the recent condo sales (two bedrooms, two bathrooms) have ranged from $199,000 to $249,000 within the past year.

Contact Al Cheney at (251) 533-2424 if you require more real estate related information about The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama.

Try these web-links for additional information: http://www.CertifiedAppraiserNames.com/, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com/, http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/, http://www.RealtyLeaders.biz/.

Alabama Port 36523, Axis 36505, Bayou La Batre 36509, Belle Fountaine 36582, Bucks 36505, Calvert 36513, Celeste 36522, Chickasaw 36611, Chunchula 36521, Citronelle 36522, Coden 36523, Creola 36525, Dauphin Island 36528, Dawes 36619, Earlville 36522, Eight Mile 36613, Fairview 36587, Georgetown 36521, Grand Bay 36541, Gulfcrest 36521, Hollingers Island 36605, 36582, Indian Hills 36613, Irvington 36544, Kushla 36613, LeMoyne 36505, Lott 36575, Magazine 36610, Mauvilla 36613, Millertown 36613, Mobile 36608 (and all other zip codes), Moffett 36587, Mon Louis 36523, Mount Vernon 36560, Oak Grove 36613, Prichard 36610, Saint Elmo 36544, Salco 36505, Saraland 36571, Satsuma 36572, Semmes 36575, Theodore 36582, Tillman’s Corner 36619, Toulminville 36617, Turnerville 36521, Whistler 36612

Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services, (251) 533-2424, can handle all of your Mobile County, Alabama real estate property appraiser needs. Cheney Appraisal Services supplies only the highest quality Mobile County, Alabama real estate appraisals. The Mobile County appraisal district is an area where we can satisfy all of your home appraisal needs. Our real estate property appraiser is “certified residential” and “fully licensed” in Alabama. Al Cheney is a real estate appraiser fully qualified to handle your home appraisal, appraisal when settling an estate, tax appraisal and any other appraisal need, such as, vacant land and legal reasons. Al Cheney is also a ”FHA Approved” Appraiser.

Certified & FHA Home Appraisals start at $295 per report!

Albert Marshall Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, P. O. Box 8888, Mobile, Alabama 36689-0888, accepts residential real estate appraisal assignments within The Mobile Bay Metro Area and the Mobile County communities and towns listed above. Click on the available hyper-links for more information on these Mobile County, Alabama communities and towns. Also, here are most of the appraisal report services with fees provided by Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services:

• Condominium Appraisal Report, $295 & $325
• Single Family Residential Appraisal Report, detailed information, $295 & $325
• Limited 2055 “Interior” Appraisal Report, $275 & $300
• Limited 2055 “Exterior” Appraisal Report, $225 & $250
• Complex Or Waterfront Residential Appraisal Report, $400-$500+
• “Certified” FHA Single Family (Home) Residential Appraisals for Baldwin County, Alabama and Mobile County, Alabama, $295 & $325
• Desk Review Report, $100
• Relocation (RELO) Appraisal Report, $450
• Acreage Or Lot (Land) Appraisal Report, $200 & $250
• Recertification of “Value Opinion”, $75
• Field Review “Exterior” Appraisal Reports, $200 & $250
• Construction Draw Or Final Inspections, $75 & $100
• Duplex, Triplex Or Other Assignments More Distant, Quote

The above list covers many appraisal report services provided by Cheney Appraisal Services within Mobile County and The Mobile Bay Metro Area of southwest Alabama.

If you do not see your appraisal report requirement listed above, contact Albert Cheney, (251) 533-2424 or email, Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com, with your home or residential appraisal orders and or questions. The business facsimile is (251) 252-7737.

Barnwell 36532, Bay Minette 36507, Belforest 36526, Bon Secour 36511, Crossroads 36507, Daphne 36526, Elberta 36530, Elsanor 36567, Fairhope 36532, Foley 36535, Fort Morgan 36542, Gulf Shores 36542,Josephine 36530, Lillian 36549,Little River 36550, Loxley 36551,Malbis 36526, Magnolia Springs 36555, Marlow 36580, Miflin 36530, Montrose 36559, Mullet Point 36532, Ono Island 36561, Orange Beach 36561, Oyster Bay 36542, Perdido Beach 36561, Perdido 36562, Pinegrove 36507, Point Clear 36564,Rabun (Rabon) 36507, Robertsdale 36567, Seminole 36574, Silverhill 36576, Spanish Cove 36549, Spanish Fort 36527, Stapleton 36578, Stockton 36579, Styx River 36578, Summerdale 36580, Tensaw 36507, Whitehouse Forks 36507, Wolf Bay 36530, 36535

BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA
Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services, (251) 533-2424, can handle all of your Baldwin County, Alabama real estate property appraiser needs. Cheney Appraisal Services supplies only the highest quality Baldwin County, Alabama real estate appraisals. The Baldwin County appraisal district is an area where we can satisfy all of your home appraisal needs. Our real estate property appraiser is “certified residential” and “fully licensed” in Alabama. Al Cheney is a real estate appraiser fully qualified to handle your home appraisal, appraisal when settling an estate, tax appraisal and any other appraisal need, such as, vacant land and legal reasons. Al Cheney is also a ”FHA Approved” Appraiser.

Certified & FHA Home Appraisals start at $295 per report!

Albert Marshall Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, P. O. Box 7907, Spanish Fort, Alabama 36577-7907, accepts residential real estate appraisal assignments within The Mobile Bay Metro Area and the Baldwin County communities and towns listed above. Click on the available hyper-links for more information on these Baldwin County, Alabama communities and towns. Also, here are most of the appraisal report services with fees provided by Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services:

• Condominium Appraisal Report $295 & $325 
• Single Family Residential Appraisal Report, detailed information $295 & $325
• Limited 2055 “Interior” Appraisal Report $275 & $300
• Limited 2055 “Exterior” Appraisal Report $225 & $250
• Complex Or Waterfront Residential Appraisal Report $400-$500+
• “Certified” FHA Single Family (Home) Residential Appraisals for Baldwin County, Alabama and Mobile County, Alabama $295 & $325
• Desk Review Report $100
• Relocation (RELO) Appraisal Report $450
• Acreage Or Lot (Land) Appraisal Report $200 & $250
• Recertification of “Value Opinion” $75
• Field Review “Exterior” Appraisal Reports $200 & $250
• Construction Draw Or Final Inspections $75 & $100
• Duplex, Triplex Or Other Assignments More Distant Quote

The above list covers many appraisal report services provided by Cheney Appraisal Services within Baldwin County and The Mobile Bay Metro Area of southwest Alabama.

If you do not see your appraisal report requirement listed above, contact Albert Cheney, (251) 533-2424 or email,Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com, with your home or residential appraisal orders and or questions. The business facsimile is (251) 252-7737.