The Last Days of Disco
Yes, the market has slowed. Someone turned on the lights. It appears that the insane, real estate party days of the early millennium are fading like Studio 54 into a new era of moderation. Some realtors and short-term investors are seeing giant spiders as their systems flush from all the fast times, wild prices and what seemed to be an endless supply of buyers to party with. When it comes to the area?s real estate market, I think we?re all still a bit hungover, and it?s hard to smile when your head?s pounding and all you can remember about the last few years is making lots of money and a blurry recollection of a closing with a married advertising executive named Jim ? or was it John?
The straight-laced party poopers who stood on the walls and predicted a crash while the rest of us were getting down are feeling vindicated. Those of us who thought the party would never end are relieved that the heart pounding dance music was just replaced with something much slower, but still good for a romantic groove ? say from the Studio 54 version of ?If You Could Read My Mind? to the slower, but still somewhat danceable original by Gordon Lightfoot. As usual, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, neither crash nor booming market, neither up nor down. Just as the seventies generation moved from cocaine to Prozac, the area?s real estate market seems to have done the same - no longer the life of the party, but now at least responsible enough to hold down a steady job. Perhaps now, we can all get back to what life was like before the party, and if we have any brain cells left, we?ll remember that it was actually pretty damn good.
We?ll remember that real estate was a good long-term investment, not just financially, but an investment for our families to enjoy and build memories around year after year. We?ll remember that there was plenty of fresh seafood, great fishing, open air concerts and festivals to enjoy. We?ll remember that our beaches were among the most beautiful on the Gulf of Mexico and that water was as blue as any you?ll find north of the Caribbean. We?ll remember that dinner conversations didn?t totally revolve around soulless subjects like ?flipping? or ?simultaneous closings,? but about days at the beach and the books we?d finished reading and how clear the water is in October. We?ll remember that cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans were less than a day?s drive away. We?ll remember all of the unique and wonderful things that, unlike our car keys, we didn?t lose at the party. In short, we?ll remember all of the things that made all of us feel like partying to begin with, and I think that?s a very good thing.
Replies
77
Beach Fanatic
Rita, take your time and get it the way you want it and then give him h@## :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:Don't get me started on this broadbrush stroke!
I SO wish I had SJ and others way with words because I very much want to respond clearly to this statement.
We are fortunate enough to "have money" but grew up without money, so have lived both lives (with and without). What we value in life has not changed and we work to keep it that way so our daughter can remain a well-grounded "real" person without the materialistic wants which we see in some other teens.
I will have to WORK on a response, because I so want to state my case, but the words aren't there right now - only the irritation at such generalities! :roll: Later
Beach Fanatic
Careful all including SJ (someone who i owe a great deal of thanks), one would characterize some of your statements as generalizing me...who knows where i might live, I might be homeless; who knows whether or not i'm happy, I might be at peace; who knows about my life experience, I might have been around...As stated previously, I knew the post would be unpopular...that doesn't mean it may not be true...Boy, I sure am hearing a lot about "the money that hasn't changed us"...and please, keep it clean and take it easy on Capricious...i'm the "blah, blah, blah" one you want...Red
percy
Careful all including SJ (someone who i owe a great deal of thanks), one would characterize some of your statements as generalizing me...who knows where i might live, I might be homeless; who knows whether or not i'm happy, I might be at peace; who knows about my life experience, I might have been around...As stated previously, I knew the post would be unpopular...that doesn't mean it may not be true...Boy, I sure am hearing a lot about "the money that hasn't changed us"...and please, keep it clean and take it easy on Capricious...i'm the "blah, blah, blah" one you want...RedMan, I wish I could find the yawning smiley.
picky
Mermaid, sorry to disappoint you, but I am of the other gender.
KISH, we'd make you an honorary Queen but the pantyhose would kill ya. ;-)
Beach Fanatic
Coming from the outside, and having similar experiences in two other places, I can see Redfisher's point of view, as well as understand anyone's devotion to SoWal.
I have been blown away by the cost of a house here. (We're still looking.)
I also have been blown away by the unpretentious people, the incredible wildlife and the beauty of the seashore.
Lastly, I adored all three of Whit Stillman's movies, including the third:The Last Days of Disco.
I have been blown away by the cost of a house here. (We're still looking.)
I also have been blown away by the unpretentious people, the incredible wildlife and the beauty of the seashore.
Lastly, I adored all three of Whit Stillman's movies, including the third:The Last Days of Disco.
Beach Fanatic
KISH, we'd make you an honorary Queen but the pantyhose would kill ya. ;-)
I'm too old to start with the cross dressing thing now. Too set in my ways but thanks for the offer.
SoWal Insider
Careful all including SJ (someone who i owe a great deal of thanks), one would characterize some of your statements as generalizing me...who knows where i might live, I might be homeless; who knows whether or not i'm happy, I might be at peace; who knows about my life experience, I might have been around...As stated previously, I knew the post would be unpopular...that doesn't mean it may not be true...Boy, I sure am hearing a lot about "the money that hasn't changed us"...and please, keep it clean and take it easy on Capricious...i'm the "blah, blah, blah" one you want...Red
As you know nothing about those of us that were offended by your original post. Your truth, obviously doesn't apply across the board. So in the future perhaps you should follow your own advice. Careful, you are generalizing a group of folks that you really know nothing about. We all have one thing in common a deep love and respect for a beautiful gift.
Admin
Let's not nitpick people out of expressing their opinions. Remember - everybody's got one and they often differ.
SoWal Expert
Let's not nitpick people out of expressing their opinions. Remember - everybody's got one and they often differ.
What is that old adage? "Opinions are like @ssholes, everybody has one."
Redfisher, and Cap, I know where you are coming from with your comments, but I think you may be talking about people other than the ones posting here. Perhaps there are quite lookers reading your posts that can more closely relate to your words. My only generalization about you guys is that it is obvious to me that you don't live here, unless you are one of the people to whom you refer. If you lived here and could experience the beauty, your thoughts may be much different. Most of my comments in this thread are about me, not other people, but I know many people who share my thoughts on this matter. Sure, I may sell my place for a million bucks, but I am not about to pack my bags and head to Atlanta. I am staying put for a while.
I happen to enjoy life at the beach, and am willing to do whatever is necessary to continue to be here for a while. I guess I get a little defensive not because you strike an accurate key with me, but because I think by your comments, you have no clue as to who I am. I am just trying to straighten you out. No harm, but be careful about your generalizations.
margarita brocolia
Let's not nitpick people out of expressing their opinions. Remember - everybody's got one and they often differ.
Who's nitpicking?
Funnkalicious
Who's nitpicking?The Hens! :funn: I'm sorry...that was kinda funny! :funn:
Meow
The Hens! :funn: I'm sorry...that was kinda funny! :funn:
No comment.
margarita brocolia
The Hens! :funn: I'm sorry...that was kinda funny! :funn::rofl:
Funnkalicious
No comment.I know. I know.
Miss Kitty...I'll do it for you.
I deserve it.Meow
I know. I know.
Miss Kitty...I'll do it for you.
Thank you dear. I am boycotting remember? Why would I waste my VALUABLE time trying to respond to a name calling, sad person (although I do feel a wee bit sorry for said person)? Leave my cackle out of it!!!
SoWal Insider
Careful all including SJ (someone who i owe a great deal of thanks), one would characterize some of your statements as generalizing me...who knows where i might live, I might be homeless; who knows whether or not i'm happy, I might be at peace; who knows about my life experience, I might have been around...As stated previously, I knew the post would be unpopular...that doesn't mean it may not be true...Boy, I sure am hearing a lot about "the money that hasn't changed us"...and please, keep it clean and take it easy on Capricious...i'm the "blah, blah, blah" one you want...Redredfisher, we need you now that Skier may be in foreclosure and Shelly is back on the meds.
Meow
redfisher, we need you now that Skier may be in foreclosure and Shelly is back on the meds.
Boycott is over...I LOVE MY BOB!
picky
Boycott is over...I LOVE MY BOB!
Was that just a cackle I heard, Miss Kitty? :funn:
Meow
Was that just a cackle I heard, Miss Kitty? :funn:
Nope...it was a PURR! Miss Kitty is very happy to hear from Bob!!!
SoWal Insider
mmmmmmm... Sowal goooooooood.....mundane existence in Orlando baaaaaaad!!!
Beach Lover
Real estate threads really cause a stir huh - everybody around here is so sensitive about it.
Meow
Real estate threads really cause a stir huh - everybody around here is so sensitive about it.
Welcome tylerT and Psssssssssssssssssssssssss! Are you from Texas perchance?
beats on hood
Whoa, what a thread! Unfortunately, I don't have time to read it all until after Thanksgiving.
Meow
Whoa, what a thread! Unfortunately, I don't have time to read it all until after Thanksgiving.
Oh yeah BR...this one was a real doozy! Might not help you digest a good meal though!!!
Beach Fanatic
It's not just a beach to most of the folks on this board. So never feel the need to speak for most of us here. It was never our intention to become "flippers". We did buy because we love it there. Point well taken that the beaches have taken a beating. However, you don't stop loving something you love beacause it's not as "pretty" as it used to be. Mother Nature takes away, and she gives back. I for one am willing to wait it out. I will continue to do what I can to contribute to the community and will take care of the beaches and dunes as if they were one of my children.
If you don't like and appreciate the beauty and the community, last I heard Delta is ready when you are. I'm sure we could take a collection to cover the airfare and a free ride to to the airport. Happy Trails to you!
Well put GTTBM, Sueshore, Mermaid and the rest of you....my hat is off to you!!! My family and I love Sowal and when we buy there in the next few years, it will be for US! We want to build memories there that can be passed down to our children's families. We will probably buy a smaller place at first, then sell to buy a bigger place. If we make a profit... fine. But the REAL reason for purchasing there in the first place is the LOVE of the beaches...of Sowal and the sense of community there. The place, The people!
Edited
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