Bellator Real Estate and Development

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

The best time to buy real estate was a year ago. The next best time is now. The real estate bottom has come and gone both on a national level as well as a local level, and for those out there still wanting to get into the market, there is no time to delay. 2012 produced not only significant volume increases in our market, but also resulted in price appreciation for the first time in years. Our economy still has challenges to face but we truly feel the real estate sector is going to be the shining light in our economic recovery with housing leading the way. Although we’ve already started on the way back up, there is still time to find a deal as values have plenty of room to continue their run back up the charts. Those who hesitate, though, are going to find themselves having missed out on quite possibly the greatest real estate buying opportunity of not only the last several decades, but also decades to follow.

2012 RECAP
2012 was another banner year for Bellator Real Estate & Development as we not only reached our goal…we doubled it. As we previously published, our goal was $75,000,000 in total closed volume heading into 2012, and thanks to a recovering market as well as a growing sales force, we are proud to report that we produced sales of $151,703,223 last year. Not only did these figures result in us becoming the #1 company on the Eastern Shore (see chart) and #2 in the entire county in closed volume as measured by Baldwin County MLS but even more importantly, it means our average production per an agent was in excess of $5.1 million. Bellator agents accomplished this feat by closing 497 transaction sides versus 348 the previous year for a 43% increase year over year.
We have no plans to rest on our laurels as we have big things planned for 2013 as well. We are ecstatic to announce that we are in the process of opening our first Mobile, AL office in February and have several things in the works in the southern part of Baldwin County that should result in multiple office locations in that market by April. Today we sit at a total of 53 full time sales professionals and are confident that number will continue to grow as we expand our footprint and continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing “Performance…Not Promises.” We have nothing but optimism for 2013 and again have elevated our production goal to $175,000,000 in anticipation of continued growth for our company as well as a rapidly improving market…

Click  the Report to Download Full pdf

Showing properties 1 - 43 of 43. See more Foreclosures.
(all data current as of 5/25/2013)

1. $529,900 : 10851 County Road 1, Fairhope
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,154 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,000 sqft

   Year built: 2007
2. $179,900 : 1491 Fairway Drive, Gulf Shores
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,100 sq ft

   Year built: 2006
3. $649,000 : 455 Beach Blvd ,Unit Ph1, Gulf Shores
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 2,397 sq ft

   Year built: 2006
4. $114,900 : 104 Bernard Circle, Daphne
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,780 sq ft

   Year built: 1982
5. $129,900 : 2624 Ashford Park Drive, Foley
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,076 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,400 sqft

   Year built: 2005
6. $119,900 : 1727 William Carey Rd, Eight Mile
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,155 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,821 sqft

   Year built: 1983
7. $124,500 : 101 Winnetk Ct, Daphne
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,933 sq ft

   Year built: 1979
8. $50,500 : 17450 County Road 83, Summerdale
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,680 sq ft

   Year built: 2004
9. $42,500 : 900 Pleasant, Bay Minette
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 12,500 sqft

   Year built: 1965
10. $124,000 : 3645 Ashton Court, Gulf Shores
    
    4 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,835 sq ft

    Year built: 2003
11. $224,900 : 1409 Yupon Dr, Gulf Shores
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,325 sq ft

    Year built: 1990
12. $89,900 : 22250 Wolf Creek Dr, Foley
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,120 sq ft

    Year built: 1981
13. $78,000 : 23376 Fountain Street, Robertsdale
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,450 sq ft

    Lot size: 15,450 sqft

    Year built: 1995
14. $339,000 : 7328 J V Cummings Drive, Fairhope
    
    4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 4,202 sq ft

    Lot size: 32,080 sqft

    Year built: 1998

    Parking spots: 4
15. $64,000 : 1531 Valencia Drive, Lillian
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,352 sq ft

    Lot size: 13,200 sqft

    Year built: 1992
16. $118,500 : 400 Plantation Road ,Unit 1147, Gulf Shores
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 735 sq ft

    Year built: 1985
17. $299,900 : 4541 Walker Key Blvd ,Unit D3, Orange Beach
    
    3 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 1,700 sq ft

    Year built: 1999
18. $59,900 : 26511 Schoen Road, Elberta
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 971 sq ft

    Lot size: 2.40 ac

    Year built: 2001
19. $62,100 : 15271 Fleming Rd, Bay Minette
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,527 sq ft

    Lot size: 43,291 sqft

    Year built: 1979
20. $199,000 : 309 Albright ,Unit 2, Dauphin Island
    
    4 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,100 sq ft

    Year built: 2006
21. $199,000 : 309 Albright ,Unit 1, Dauphin Island
    
    4 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,100 sq ft

    Year built: 2006
22. $79,900 : 111 12th Street, Bay Minette
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,400 sq ft

    Year built: 1965
23. $639,900 : 375 Beach Club Trail ,Unit A1201, Gulf Shores
    
    4 beds, 4 full baths

    Home size: 2,231 sq ft

    Year built: 2001
24. $209,900 : 7032 Rocky Road Loop, Gulf Shores
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 2,090 sq ft

    Lot size: 11,280 sqft

    Year built: 2007
25. $379,000 : 14900 River Road ,Unit 203, Perdido Key
    
    3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,839 sq ft

    Lot size: 7.00 ac

    Year built: 2006
26. $399,900 : 24127 Bay View Drive West, Foley
    
    4 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,279 sq ft

    Lot size: 31,200 sqft

    Year built: 1989
27. $182,000 : 30358 Green Court, Daphne
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,692 sq ft

    Lot size: 2,915 sqft

    Year built: 1997
28. $90,000 : 8100 Sylvan Way, Theodore
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,738 sq ft

    Lot size: 21,060 sqft

    Year built: 1979
29. $138,000 : 117 Georgia Avenue, Daphne
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,701 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,400 sqft

    Year built: 1990
30. $115,000 : 16296 Silverhill Avenue, Silverhill
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,350 sq ft

    Lot size: 21,150 sqft

    Year built: 1960

    Parking spots: 4
31. $65,000 : 5625 Raybon Road, Theodore
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 2,144 sq ft

    Year built: 1990
32. $355,000 : 25777 Perdido Avenue ,Unit I, Orange Beach
    
    3 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,348 sq ft

    Year built: 2002

    Parking spots: 4
33. $220,500 : 1601 Bienville Avenue ,Unit 503, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
34. $199,000 : 1601 Bienville Avenue ,Unit 120, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
35. $249,000 : 1601 Bienville Avenue ,Unit 106, Dauphin Island
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,463 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
36. $220,500 : 1601 Bienville Avenue ,Unit 321, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
37. $220,500 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 420, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
38. $220,500 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 305, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
39. $268,800 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 209, Dauphin Island
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,463 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
40. $268,800 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 308, Dauphin Island
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,463 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
41. $271,950 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 517, Dauphin Island
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,463 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
42. $225,750 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 605, Dauphin Island
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,202 sq ft

    Year built: 2007
43. $278,250 : 1601 Bienville Blvd ,Unit 615, Dauphin Island
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,463 sq ft

    Year built: 2007

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Whitehouse Creek Plantation in Spanish Fort, Alabama

Located in the Spanish Fort school district less than 5 miles from the middle school and high school, lots and new homes in the new housing community of Whitehouse Creek Plantation are currently being built by Truland custom home builders. Hartley is very proud to represent home buyers looking to acquire a home or a lot and have received a number of inquiries and questions about the subdivision.  We would like to share some insight into the details that set this community apart.

Just north of the heart of Spanish Fort off of Bromley Road sits, on 614 acres of luscious coastal landscaping, the up and coming housing development of Whitehouse Creek Plantation. The neighborhood of forty-nine generously sized single family lots intrigue home owners upon entrance with a breathtaking memoir to the history of Spanish Fort; the working grist mill and waterfalls cascading into shimmering pools ignite a sense of nostalgia, pride, and comforting characteristic of an older way of life.

Although the community is situated in a historic battle ground site, the neighborhood does not lack luster or shine. Planners of this exciting new  sought out their visions and a specific market offering luxury, adventure, recreation, and convenience in one package. Equipped with walking trails, a canoe and fishing outpost, tennis courts, and acres of nature preserves, one is assured to enjoy life and daily adventures on the beautiful Gulf Coast. Fret not if the great outdoors aren’t exactly your thing and retail therapy suits your taste; the planners of this community chose home base near wonderful shopping at the Eastern Shore Shopping Center, the Tanger Outlet Malls, and the interstates for easy access to Mobile and Pensacola.

At no less than 2,400 square feet, the homes of the Whitehouse Creek Plantation truly have the potential for becoming your permanent home. Truland Homes is the custom showcase home builder responsible for creating the majestic works of homey, architectural bliss. Prices for homes in this community begin in the mid $200s, and buyers are guaranteed satisfaction with every detail while their expectations of a home are easily surpassed by these truly brilliant and hardworking designers. Whitehouse Creek Plantation, one of the new home developments in Spanish Fort, Alabama is a home development that offers opportunity to its citizens: opportunity for happiness in a blissful, historic coastal community, adventure in your own neighborhood, and comfort in an experience home builder and community.  To see these homes, learn more about building in Spanish Fort or find other home opportunities on the Eastern shore from one of the trusted home buying representatives of the Jacob Hartley real estate team contact us here.

Beginning March 1st, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin the process of allowing some home owners to cancel their underwater mortgage debt using a deed in lieu foreclosure alternative. If you are wondering how and if this applies to your home, read on.

If you have needed to move for job relocation, status changes, or reasons relating to illness or because of needs relating to military service, but couldn’t because of the inability to sell your home, you can benefit from this change. Deed-in-lieu transactions are being offered to struggling home owners who are current on their mortgage or less than 90 days late on their payments, although there are rules and consequences.

To qualify to turn over your home without penalty, you must have house payments that equate to equal or more than 55 percent of your monthly income and be able to show documented “hardship.” Your home must also be in good shape, meaning not damaged and relatively clean. The benefits of this option are that the decision making process can progress more quickly and simply, and that properties will remain in good condition helping neighborhoods improve, and in some cases, borrowers may even receive financial relocation assistance.

While this solution does not fit everyone’s needs (since it could require use of retirement funds to pay part of the loan balance) and is only valid for use on primary morgages, it definitely will be of help to some. Up to $6,000 can be used by mortgage lenders to negotiate loan release for borrowers. Find out more by clicking here.

In the last six years the housing market and mortgage lending professions have seen a lot of change. Click here to view Best Intentions: The Highs and Lows of the Home Affordable Modification Program, a report which outlines these historical events in the real estate market produced by the Consumer Federation of America.

What’s all the buzz about an MLS?

If you’ve ever ventured into the land of real estate, you’ve probably heard these three little magical letters: MLS. “MLS” is an acronym that is often found in the privileged real estate conqueror’s tool box. So what is it? MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, which is an information resource for buyers and sellers alike. The tool is primarily utilized by real estate agents to create an open, unilateral base of compensation by a respective listing agent. Commission rates are published within the property listings to provide agents with an straightforward understanding of compensation.

As a buyer, one may question the actual benefits of a tool that frankly displays your real estate guide’s earnings for each listing. In the hands of an experienced agent, the MLS provides an abundance of concrete information on property listings. Any qualified agent can assist you with all MLS listings. This database offers searching options to narrow results down by pricing envelopes, square footage, number of rooms, lifestyle preferences, neighborhoods, and school zones. Therefore, having access to an MLS is “key” to purchasing the perfect new home or the spacious warehouse for your expanding business.

Potential real estate buyers and sellers in the Fairhope area have worlds of opportunity to gain when utilizing the Fairhope MLS. The housing market in Fairhope is sometimes overwhelming and hard to digest for someone inexperienced in the real estate world; however, the MLS serves as a tool to dissect the giant and serve smaller portions of information that is relevant and significant to the potential venture. With new developments popping up all over town, the market seems to be expanding to fit the needs of any buyer.

Fairhope is a quiet little city that embraces its delicate charm and vibrant life that lies beating within its roots. In the comforts of the cozy and funky, the downtown area displays a love of arts, music, food, friends and culture. If the quaint historic charm of the Fruit and Nut District doesn’t suit your taste, buyers can opt for freshly built custom luxury homes in developments of Old Battles Village, Long Pines Estates, Steel Branch or River Station. The Baldwin County MLS listings for Fairhope,AL even have the new homes being built in these premier settings. From lushly groomed golf courses and state of the art tennis courts to pristinely landscaped yards and truly picturesque homes, these communities offer an endless supply of amenities in the perfect peaceful southern setting and details are easily researched with today’s real estate technology.

With all of the perks of an MLS, it is hard to imagine entering the real estate realm without access to such a limitless tool. You shouldn’t have to settle for the perfect home in the wrong community when you can find your dream home in an ideal location; more, you shouldn’t be limited to mediocre advertising of your real estate gem when employing the power of the MLS can guarantee a fairer chance of selling. Happy Listing!

The Jubilee Festival and Olde Town Daphne: From the view of a new Daphne, AL Home Owner

                The Jubilee Festival, presented by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce , enters its quarter century mark this year.  This festival is a true celebration of community and life  through art, local music, and a “jubilee” of eastern shore delicacies to quench any craving.  Any eastern shore local will tell you this event is one to look forward to each year. With Kids Art in the Park–a hands-on arts and games fun zone for kids of all ages,  dancers, arts and crafts, a variety of music shows, and even plenty of football coverage to keep your sports fans happy, this festival provides entertainment for every member of the family.

Conveniently located to the interstates, to Mobile, and to the beaches, Olde Town Daphne is no stranger to numerous visitors; however, this historic little  town has not lost its charm or its laid back way of life throughout the years.  This quiet  bay side town shares gasp-worthy views, serene walking trails, and handsome live oaks with all of its guests, reminding each of them that life is more peaceful on  the eastern shore. From shabby chic boutiques and “mom n pop” eateries to beautiful antique buildings adorned with local artists’ love, Olde Town Daphne offers a perfect setting for the annual Jubilee Festival and makes a fine home stead for any family looking for a culturally rich community steeped in the arts and a richness of life.

The spirit of life on the eastern shore and in Olde Town Daphne is nourished  by the merriment of culture and tradition, not only in our festivals, but also through our daily lives. Some may say it takes a special kind of person to live on the eastern shore, and  I agree one hundred percent. Young couples, families, and retirees alike seem to find their niche in the pleasant sea community. Visitors of the tranquil Olde Town often become residents, and these residents often never leave.  I can speak for this phenomenon first hand, as I too have fallen head over heels in love with the charm of the eastern shore. The art, the ease of life, the music, the beaches, and the irresistible food all won me over. With the purchase of my very first home in July 2012, I have decided to make this area my forever home- and whose to say an arts and crafts festival didn’t have some kind of influence in that decision?

If your interested in seeing the homes that are available in Daphne, AL please see our daphne listings here.  We have been so happy to have the help of Hartley Real Estate in our home search and are blessed to be living in a community and home that exceeds our expectations every day!

If you thought you no longer qualified for tax savings on improvements done in 2011 or 2012, you’ve had a reprieve. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended residential energy tax credits for existing energy efficient homes retroactively, meaning that certain improvements made on your home since the former expiration date of 2011 now can be applied.

In fact, the extension actually gives you an extra year if you are still working on a project or would like to start one, since the wording has been changed requiring that the improvement must be started by December, 31, 2013 to qualify.  Not all energy-efficient measures and appliances are approved, so if you installed or are thinking of installing a biomass stove, HVAC system, insulation or roofing, non-solar water heater, or windows, doors, and skylights in your home in 2011, 2012, or 2013, you should take a more detailed look at the credit outlined in the Taxpayer Relief Act.

Residential tax credit information is found on the Internal Revenue Service form 5695 relating to items that qualify for a 10% credit of up to a lifetime limit of $500. Please note that window replacement in your home can only represent up to $200 of that credit. If you purchase or purchased a geothermal heat pump, solar energy system, wind energy system, or fuel cell, you may be entitled to credits of up to 30% of their cost until 2016, as well.

In addition, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 also extended contractors of non-manufactured energy efficient new homes a $2,000 credit and a $1,000 credit for manufactured energy efficient new homes, providing incentive for more energy-efficient homes to continue to be built.

As always, please consult with a qualified tax consultant for details on how these extension can affect you and your home or visit energy.gov for updates.

If you have been considering a short sale for your home, you’ll be excited to know that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 was extended through the end of 2013.

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act extends mortgage cancellation relief for home owners and sellers through disallowing taxes on the portion of their mortgage debt forgiven by their lender.

As short sales have represented a large sector in the housing market of late, the extension is seen by many as key to a continued recovering housing market. According to the U.S. Foreclosure & Short Sales Report™ complied by RealtyTrac, the last quarter of 2012, showed short sales as representing 19 percent of residential home sales in the United States. See the full report by clicking here.

According to RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist, the increase in short sales and distressed properties showed that “both lenders and at-risk homeowners are realizing that short sales are often a better alternative than foreclosure.” Blomquist went on to explain that had the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act expired, homeowners would have seen their income tax increase since the unpaid loan balance created by the short sale would have been considered taxable income for many home sellers.

With this recent extension, if you are a home owner interested in a short sale for your home, you now have until December 31, 2013 to benefit from the reduced taxes provided by Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act.

A quick look over the last few years has more than a few homeowners concerned about natural disasters and power outages. With cold weather quickly approaching (and some predicting an impending end to the world), it is important to take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your home, in any situation.

One way of doing so is to secure adequate power for your home in the event of an emergency. Purchasing a fixed or portable gas-powered generator can bring peace of mind for many of the instances mentioned above, and particularly so if you run a small business from your home.

When purchasing a generator for your home and home office, you’ll find many choices making a little research necessary. For example, pricing factors may have you decide to purchase an 8000 watt generator knowing that you’ll need to adjust breakers for certain appliances, rather than a 10,000 watt generator that could cover your full needs. Generators can cost anywhere between $300 and $2,000 (and more) so consider asking a professional for advice or installation on this project and following these guidelines from FEMA.  Also, be sure to check the manufacturer model number and date to avoid purchasing a recalled machine.

• First, Determine Your Needs – Evaluate what essential appliances and electronics you will need to run if power is lost. Likely you’ll need to consult with an expert to determine the wattage or amperage needed to keep you powered in style (or at least a state of survival), but you can also check online to find calculators to determine the wattage you need. In addition to the generator, you will need heavy-duty extension cords (not those seen with typical household use) or a special switch and backup panel that allows for power transfers.
• Next, Determine Storage & Use Location Near Your Home – Your generator should be kept between ten and fifteen feet from the house to reduce any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, however zoning specific to your area and manufacturer warnings should be heeded, as well.   A generator should ALWAYS be used outdoors, away from enclosed areas or areas near home ventilation.
• Lastly, Don’t Wait to Test – Once you have set up your generator, make sure it works properly BEFORE an emergency. Try out various appliances and see how well your power lasts. Checking the generator beforehand should also give you an idea of how quickly it uses fuel, allowing you to plan accordingly for the needs of your home. Once you are sure it works correctly and that you understand how to use it, prepare your generator for storage using the manufacturer’s guidelines and place a calendar reminder so that you remember to test it on a regular basis.

Have you been wondering what changes and developments in the 2013 housing market will mean for your home? If so, you’re not alone.

A series of  predictions  published on December 10, 2012 by Frank Nothaft, Vice President and Chief Economist of Freddie Mac may provide some clarity.

Review the bullet points below or watch the video focusing on five housing features outlined by Mr. Nothaft on expectations Freddie Mac holds in regards to the housing market and your home in 2013.

5 Freddie Mac Expectations For Your Home in 2013

• Mortgage Rates – Freddie Mac expects to see rates below 4 percent throughout 2013, making purchasing your home easier for most buyers.
• Home Values – Freddie Mac believes there will be an average increase in the value of your home between 2.5 and 3 percent over 2013, with some neighborhoods outperforming this estimate and others underperforming, creating a national average increase.
• Growing Number of Households – Freddie Mac predicts that an additional 1.25 million households (net household formations) will be created in 2013, providing more demand for your home.
• Decreased Vacancy – As new households are formed, more properties will be filled, allowing for a natural decline in the vacancy rate.
• Less Refinancing for SFR – Though rates will continue to be low throughout 2013, Freddie Mac suggests that single family residences will be doing less of the refinancing while a substantial increase will be seen in multi-family lending, resulting from accelerated building of apartment and multi-family investment properties.