The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog

2ND Annual Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration

Sponsored by Jesse’s Restaurant

Jesse’s Restaurant proudly hosts the second
annual Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration on April 21, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will again celebrate our most abundant natural resource, local seafood, which not only is the best in the nation, but also fresh and abundant.
Come see for yourself!

The festival will feature culinary delights from the best area seafood restaurants, as well as fine wines and micro-brews, and live popular music – all in a park-like
setting, under ancient oak trees, near the heart of our charming village on the Magnolia River.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Preservation Fund for the 118-year-old Magnolia Springs Community Hall, located across the road from the site of the Seafood Celebration. Admission is $30.

Earlier on the same day the annual Magnolia Run, a 5K Run/Walk hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, will be held in Magnolia Springs,

  so participants may enjoy a full day of exercise, entertainment and fine dining.

For more information and updates go to Facebook: Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration

 Jesse’s Restaurant at www.jessesrestaurant.com

 or email Eddie Sue Winter at eddiesuewinter00@gmail.com or phone her at 251 747-0838.

The Homeowners Wind-and-Hail “Clarity Bill” passed out of the Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Mardi Gras Day.

This is a milestone. Baldwin Senator Trip Pittman, sponsor of the bill, steered it past opposition. It received unanimous approval. It now goes to the Senate floor where its progress will be more difficult.

Pittman and Sen. Ben Brooks garnered an increased number of co-sponsors for the bill this year — co-sponsors from both political parties. Democratic senators and house members joined Republicans as co-signers, and Democrat as well as the Repubican members of the committee voted for the bill.

Another milestone: one upstate senator co-sponsored the bill this year, too. The Department of Insurance has expressed conditional support.

The Clarity Bill would make Governor Bentley’s Department of Insurance reveal a 21-year history of Alabama fire, wind, and hail claims by zip code next January. Unidentified individuals or organizations have already circulated amendments that would eliminate the history of claims, and not make the information available for another two years — essentially eviscerating the bill of any value. None of the amendments have been officially introduced, yet.

If passed, the Clarity Bill would make it possible to compare the history of claims in north and south Alabama. Upstate Alabama has been hit by more than 500 tornadoes since Hurricane Ivan. Upstate was hit by more than 200 ”severe” hail storms last year  alone .

Coastal Alabama paid the state average for homeowners insurance prior 2006. Today the coast pays 300% more than the $900 state average. If the revealed data shows that coastal Alabama is no more costly than the rest of the state, Alabama law requires the Department of Insurance to prohibit premiums that are “unfairly discriminatory.”

Year-end residential sales figures are in and it’s now official, Alabama home sales in 2011 experienced growth of two percent from the prior year.

Provided quickly before the proverbial “so what”, the encouraging news is that the 2011 results snap a 5-year string of year-over-year declines in sales growth for Alabama’s residential real estate market.

Alabama home sales also outperformed the greater US market that registered sales growth of 1.7 percent in 2011 as reported by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR).

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said these are the early signs of what may be a sustained recovery. “The pattern of home sales in recent months demostrates a market in recovery”, he said. “Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.”

See ACRE infograph for visual display of our state’s trends associated with closed transactions by unit since 2007.

The 2011 sales results were also the first annual sales data that were not skewed by artificial federal stimulus as the most recent home buyer tax-incentive expired on June 30, 2010, which bolstered sales in the comparative years of 2009 and 2010.

Baldwin County led Alabama’s midsize market peer group in 2011 sales growth of 18 percent from last year with Lee County (up 17%) a very close runner up while Cherokee County (up 25%) and Selma (8%) led the rural markets. Post-disaster sales surged in Tuscaloosa (12%) and this market comfortably captured the sales title for the state’s metro markets with Mobile County (3%) in 2nd place.

Local Results: 14 out of the 25 local reporting associations (56%) reflect sales gains from the prior year. In 2011, sales in mid-size markets (up 6.4%) have outperformed both metro markets (up .01%) and rural areas (down .07%). Go here for detailed local figures.

Encouraging news from the Gulf Coast was the order of the day in 2011. Baldwin County condo sales in 2011 increased by 18% when compared to 2010.

As the Alabama real estate market transitions into 2012, statistical volatility is still anticipated. However, the volatility of data may begin to temper for the first time in several years, as there will be no home buying tax-incentives in play in either year (2011 or 2012) that in the recent past has skewed comparative annual figures.  For a complete report, click on the link for further information.

http://acre.cba.ua.edu/store/store_files/Baldwin_Residential_-_December_2011-1103.pdf

As always, my team and I are only a phone call or email away if you need us. Thank you for trusting us with your real estate needs! Judy

January has come and gone, can you believe it?  So much has passed since our last chat!  Hopefully your holidays were as delightful as ours.  As 2012 rolled in, our company has been extremely busy.   We typically see an increase in the market during this time of year, but this January’s activity has definitely been a very positive start to the year.  We believe this year is going to be similar to 2011 with showings, but the difference is going to be the Buyers are going to start taking advantage of the low interest rates and start buying.  The supply is down which will start leveling out market prices.

Active Listings presently on the market from Spanish Fort to Point Clear are 856 with 157 under contract.  The great news is 1139 listings have closed since January 1, 2011.  Finally, we are seeing a shift in numbers.  Average sales price was $210,349 which is 95% of the listed price.  Average days on the market are still high but improving of 174.  Spring will bring more listings to the market, but hopefully demand will balance the market.

As you might know, our team has grown.  Nancy Weltlich joined us in December with many years of real estate experience.  Anne Hall, who previously worked as our listing coordinator is now full time in real estate.  We are very excited to welcome both of the agents as this strengthens our team efforts to meet the ultimate goal which is to sell your property.

We are very encouraged about the overall market.  This year is going to still have some of the similar ups and downs of 2011, but we will experience a more steady and controlled market.    If you ever need anything, please let me know.

In this confusing market, the decisions you make about your real estate investments are critical. On any given street, you will find homeowners going through short sales or foreclosures, as well as those reveling in the joy of a new home they bought at a substantial discount. You will also find people incredibly concerned with what to do next with their property.

That is why you need to go to lunch with your realtor. We’ve been studying the market every day throughout this drama. That’s how we make our living. We HAVE to know what is selling, who is buying, how to negotiate with a lender, when to hold and when to fold. Your property is unique, as is your financial situation. To make sound decisions about your real estate, you have to look at all the aspects of the market.

Our advice will come from several directions. We want to make sure selling or buying is your best option. For some of our clients, now is the time to get out and downsize. For others, we are negotiating upgrades. But for some we are saying, “sit tight and wait this out”. Until we sit down and look closely at your specific situation, it is all guesswork. So give is a call. Let’s have a discussion about where you are and where you want to be.

Happy Holidays from beautiful Fairhope, Alabama! I sincerely hope that your holiday has been memorable and that the upcoming New Year brings the best to you and your family.  Please be sure to check out my latest podcast at

http://www.talkrealty.com/judyniemeyer  This month’s edition covers the Mobile and Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then we’ll discuss how recent market activity and low interest rates are bringing stability to one of the best real estate markets in recent history! As always, I’m just a phone call away if you have questions concerning any of our properties; whether you’re considering buying, selling, or renting, our professional and knowledable team is ready to assist you. Best wishes for a safe and wonderful New Year!

Seasons Greetings to you and yours! Did you know that Santa is coming to Ashurst and Niemeyer?
I’d like to invite you to join us this Thursday, December 22 from 2 – 4 pm, be sure to bring your children, grandchildren and camera to capture that special moment with Jolly old St. Nick! They’ll be sweets for the little ones and lots of merriment for all!

From the Ashurst and Niemeyer family to yours, the Happiest of Holiday Seasons! Come join us this Thursday!

Did you get a chance to venture to downtown Fairhope last weekend? The Christmas parade was a festive success and the turnout was fantastic! There was also a meet-and-greet book signing with noted author Glen Beck, these two events meant standing room only in Fairhope’s French Quarter and surrounding areas. This week promises to be just as busy, starting on Thursday, December 8 at 2 pm with “Tea for Two” at the Fairhope Museum of History. This week’s featured speaker is Bobby Green of Green Nurseries, who tells about growing up 100% Fairhope, his nursery business and about being a nationally recognized Heritage Camellia specialist. A $2 donation is suggested, garden enthusiasts should not miss this one. Saturday, December 10 is “Fairhope Santa Saturday”; Santa will be in front of the Fairhope Welcome Center in downtown Fairhope from 10:00 – 12:00 pm. Children are welcome to visit and parents may bring their cameras to take pictures. Live entertainment will be provided; for more information, call 251-929-1466.
How does a true Farmhouse with fabulous lake views and rolling land privacy sound?
I’ve got just the home for you, with 4 beds, 5 baths and a half bath too! This rustic but formal home features heart pine floors, 5 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen with morning area, oversized front and back porches, even a gunite pool! Enjoy the breezes and marvel at the sunsets! Please call me for more details, this is a truly special and unforgettable home.

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Perhaps you’ve shifted into “Christmas time” gear by now, decorated your tree and started your shopping. All that running around can leave even the most seasoned holiday elf frazzled so why not take some time to enjoy an ‘artistic weekend’ in Fairhope? Festivities get underway 6-8 p.m. Thursday with the ESAC Members’ Christmas Party and Reception of the Members’ Open Show. Make sure to find your “spot” downtown Friday night for the
Fairhope Magical Christmas Parade, which starts at 7 p.m. The fun continues from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, when the Art Center hosts Mobile Ballet Eastern Shore’s “Nutcracker Tea” with storytelling by Connie Cozart. Holiday beverages, treats and hors d’oeuvres will be served, but seating is limited. Tickets are $25 and available at the Art Center or by calling 928-2228 Ext. 107 or 626-8932. The weekend concludes with a special holiday recital featuring the Mobile Symphony String Quartet from 2 to 4 p.m. on December 4. Tickets are $15, call the Art Center at 928-2228 ext. 107 for more information. The magic of the Holiday Season is upon us, take time to enjoy everything that our lovely area has to offer!