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 recovery and tourism is 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 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. Then, 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!

Over the past 12 months (13 June 2009 to 13 June 2010), there has been a reduction of 63% in sales (88 sales in the past 12 months), resulting in an over 20 months absorption rate (115+ active listings at this posting).

The active listings and housing sales primarily range from $29,900+ to $999,000+, including manufactured homes, colonial, contemporary, cottage, ranch, and other accepted local styles.

The median sale price percentage is 92.616% to 94.299% when comparing to asking list prices. Properties will move quicker if asking prices are competitive. So, unless competitively priced, be patient, a rising absorption rate will result in longer times when selling your home within Lillian, Alabama.

Contact Cheney Appraisal Services for additional information by telephoning (251) 533-2424 or email your comments and questions to Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com.

Now, we’re twenty-eight (28) days and counting down to a potentially life changing event for Alabamians. We are all wondering about our beautiful Alabama beaches, our coastal waters, our wildlife and our livelihood. How severe will this oil spill affect our lives in Alabama? Are we counting down to an impending threat to the Alabama coastline? Will it be a disaster negatively affecting the Alabama coastline for decades to come? How will Alabama coastal properties be affected by this catastrophe? Will the marketability of coastal Alabama real estate be affected and labeled with the stigma as “oil spill property,” whether true or false? Will your property be worth more or less after the oil spill reaches the shores of Alabama? I think you already know the answer for many of these questions.

If your coastal real estate becomes affected from this oil spill, contact a qualified attorney for advice and remember Cheney Appraisal Services, Albert M. Cheney, (251) 533-2424, as your Certified Residential Appraiser.

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 Alabama. Click these web-links for even more information about Albert Cheney and the Mobile Bay Metro Area: http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com/ or http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com. Albert is ready to answer your questions!

Charleston Oaks

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.CheneyAppraisalServices.com, for other information.

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 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, most of the condo units have panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico (south) and Little Lagoon (north).

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

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 with blue-green Gulf waters).

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 two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The asking prices range from $235,000 to $285,000.

Most of the recent condo sales (2 bedrooms, 2 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/.