Best Orange Beach Condos
These are some of the better condominium choices in Orange Beach, Alabama:

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Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, Alabama Real Estate, Homes, and Condos
From the category archives:
These are some of the better condominium choices in Orange Beach, Alabama:

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Shore to Shore
Lake Lanier GA and AL Gulf Coast Real Estate News
January 12, 2009
In this Issue:
Our World: Interest is high, motivation is low.
Special Report: Look at your tax situation in 2010
Featured Article: Play the learning game, not the blame game
Recommended Resources: Financial Resolutions for the New Year
Interest is high, motivation is low.
Buyer interest is high but motivation continues to be low. Buyers know there are great values to be had but seem to be reluctant.
[click to continue…]

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If you are interested in owning a luxury condo on Alabama’s Gulf Coast and breathtaking views are a top priority, then your new address awaits at Bella Luna. I recently had the pleasure of touring the developers personal penthouse at Bella Luna and was immediately in awe at the panoramic landscape of coastline. The building itself is a contemporary masterpiece of architecture set on the edge of Ole River in Orange Beach, AL.
In addition to a world class design, Bella Luna offers its owners a more complete experience with deeded gulf beach access and on-site marina with boat slips available for sale. Avid fisherman are just minutes from the open gulf waters from the dock at Bella Luna. If playing in the surf and building sand castles with the kids is a favorite pastime, the beach awaits a short distance from the gates of the complex.
Jason Will
jasonwill@gulfshoreslife.com
www.gulfshoreslife.com/jasonwill
251-583-9728 Cell
251-928-9890 Office
251-990-4898 Fax

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As the busy summer vacation season begins to wind down with the advent of the new school year, the local real estate market along the Alabama Gulf Coast continues to flourish as a result of great deals. Sellers along the beach have found themselves at the mercy of what buyers are willing to pay in today’s market for a piece of paradise. A large Gulf-front unit in Phoenix 9 recently sold for $700,000, a mere half-million less than its original offer price.
For many beach agents, August has become their most active month to date, with many predicting even greater sales this fall. This surge in sales is the direct result of 35-45% discounts off of seller’s original asking price. The most active price range for condos is 200-400K, with sold price per square foot ranging from $260-$350.
High insurance costs have left some buyers on the fence in terms of pulling the trigger on a second home purchase, while others have turned their attention away from the traditional vacation destinations like Destin, FL due to coastal Alabama’s more competitive prices and lower property taxes.
Search for Gulf Shores Condos
Jason Will
jasonwill@gulfshoreslife.com
www.gulfshoreslife.com/jasonwill
251-583-9728 Cell
251-928-9890 Office
251-990-4898 Fax

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These low-cost loans offer a host of financial benefits from recession-weary homebuyers, from low down payments to great interest rates. Thousands of Americans, especially first-time buyers, are flocking to FHA loans.
In fact, the administration guaranteed almost 186,000 mortgages in June, establishing a new monthly record. The FHA has insured more than 34 million properties since its creation in 1934.
Financial flexibility is a major driving force behind the FHA loan’s surging popularity. There are no income restrictions for FHA loans, which require only a 3.5 percent down payment. Some borrowers can actually combine other loans with a standard FHA loan to eliminate the need for a down payment all together.
On top of that, FHA mortgages typically feature lower closing costs than conventional loans. For decades, these low-cost loans have appealed to first-time buyers and those with low and middle incomes. There are no credit score requirements to obtain an FHA loan, meaning prospective borrowers don’t need perfect credit. Even people who have declared bankruptcy or foreclosure can obtain an FHA loan. The administration will examine a borrower’s financial and employment history, along with a few other key indicators.
Many first-time buyers using FHA loans to truly capitalize on the federal government’s $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit. This unique tax credit can help defray closing costs or down payment expenses.
Borrowers can use an FHA loan to buy a single-family home, up to four-unit buildings (as long as one is owner-occupied) and condominiums. There are also specialized FHA loans for the purchase and rehabilitation of properties through the FHA’s 203k loan program.
Borrowers can prepay on their FHA loans or refinance at any time without financial penalty.
FHA loan recipients work with a price cap. The administration has loan limits that vary by geographic region. The current limit ranges from $271,050 to a maximum of $729,050 in high-cost parts of the country, such as California and New York.
For Baldwin County and the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area of Alabama, the FHA loan limits are $271050 for a single-family unit; $347,000 for a two-family unit; $419,425 for a three-family unit; and $521,250 for a four-family unit.
Post provided by Brandon Laughridge with MortgageLoanPlace.com

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From our friend Marc in Sarasota:
Have you ever wanted to own a condo on the beach? This could be the best time to buy one within the last 6 or 7 years. Prices have dropped dramatically compared to where they were in the market highs of 2005. There are plenty of options available for the person who has always wanted to live or own a vacation condo on the beach. Here are # tips to help you buy that beach front condo.
Experience does matter. Utilizing the services of a knowledgeable and professional agent can save you plenty of time and many headaches. A good agent could be the difference in whether you buy or not. Search around the internet or get a referral from a friend to find a good Realtor to work with. Don’t assume that the highest producer provides the best service to a buyer. Many of the highest producing agent are listing agents and do a poor job at representing buyers.
This goes hand in hand with learning the market. We all would like to buy a new condo on the beach with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,000+ square feet with breathtaking views of the ocean, concierge, swimming pool, 2 car garage, large terrace, granite countertops, crown molding and other high end amenities for $200,000 but it probably just won’t happen. In fact, Sarasota beachfront condo and Gulf Shores Condos like I just described would cost in the millions. The first step in establishing your expectations is to understand the market. Once you have found a good Realtor sit down with them or get on the phone and discuss what you want to see if it matches your budget. Most of the time people want more than what they can afford. So make a list of the essentials and non essentials. Try to match your budget with the realities of the market. You will probably have to give up on some essentials.
This is a crucial piece of the puzzle. The lending world has been turned upside down lately. Make sure you speak to a lender before you start this whole process. If you can pay cash that is ever better. It puts you in a better negotiating position
After some legwork you will probably pick a few of your favorite beachfront condo communities. If you don’t find the right condo make your Realtor set up on an automated email program for you. This way you will receive an email anytime a condo comes up for sale in you favorite buildings. It increases your chances of being the first one through the door.
So far you have found a Realtor to be represented well, established your expectations, arranged financing and have learned the market. There is not much more to it than that. Once you have found the right place make your offer to buy. Over the years of selling real estate I have realized that there is never a perfect property, regardless of the price range. Even those buying luxury properties in the millions have to bend a little bit. Don’t wait for perfection. You probably will never find it. However, following these steps and being an educated buyer with good representation will help you make a wise investment.
Thank you,
Marc Rasmussen | Michael Saunders & Company | 1801 Main Street | Sarasota, FL 34236 | Cell: 941-812-6272 | MarcRasmussen@michaelsaunders.com | www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com

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