To buy or not?

If you are looking for an undeveloped lot, it's better by the day.

I think the real answer lies in what you buy, where it's at and the amount you pay. There is still a lot of overpriced property out there and some underpriced as well- with a whole lot in between. With some research and due diligence it is not that difficult to differentiate the "deals." Experience tell's us that if you are waiting to purchase at that perfect time you'll certainly miss some great buy's available in the current market. Put another way if you wait for the same thing everyone else is waiting for- you will probably get the same thing they are getting. If you can afford to- now is a great time to buy in.

An argument can be made for turning back the clock at least 12 to 15 months...find comparable sales during this time period...for an idea of what 'good value' might be today. For 'deals'...maybe 18 months or more.

Bob,

Why do you say undeveloped lots are looking more attractive by the day? Because they are undervalued or too much supply not enough demand and people need out?

I think there are some serious deals out there on lots. From what I've seen, many are priced at what comps sold for 12-18 months ago.

Bottom line is anything a short walk to the gulf, in a good location on 30A and with a Gulf View will be a great investment for years to come.

Bob,

Why do you say undeveloped lots are looking more attractive by the day? Because they are undervalued or too much supply not enough demand and people need out?

I think there are some serious deals out there on lots. From what I've seen, many are priced at what comps sold for 12-18 months ago.

Bottom line is anything a short walk to the gulf, in a good location on 30A and with a Gulf View will be a great investment for years to come.

I totally agree. The supply is growing. For a buyer, now, the scenario is getting better. My feeling is anything near 30A is a fantastic deal now or even later. Excess supply is going to drive prices backwards a bit for the short term. Long term, as long as you can afford to carry your investment, it does not matter if you slightly overpay. Time will remedy all. This spring many sellers who withdrew there listings will flood the market. Good times for buyers.

I think the place to buy right now (and into the future) is on the Eastern end of 30A.

You've got 3 high end communities Rosemary, Seacrest Beach, and now Alys Beach all coming together, plus Camp Creek Golf Course.


I think once Alys Beach continues to show substantial progress (maybe by end of 2006), people with big big money are going to flock there from all over the place.

There are some great lot deals just west of the entrance to Alys Beach with Gulf views. Prime opportunity to get in before Alys Beach becomes a household name. Like the architecture or not, it's unique and people like uniqueness. Uniqueness sells and gets publicity!

Imagine what they'll be worth when Alys is complete and you'll be able to walk to the ammenitities of Alys Beach, Seacrest Beach, the Villlages of South Walton, and Rosemary Beach.

What else could you ask for?

...Alys Beach....Like the architecture or not, it's unique and people like uniqueness. Uniqueness sells and gets publicity!

Are you sure about your statement of uniqueness???
The house below is in Pensacola and it certainly is unique, but I think Kurt can tell you that you don't see many of these (no demand- hence uniqueness does not always equate to sales). If Alys Beach becomes a household name, it will not be because of uniqueness alone.

You do have a point, but that thing stands out like a sore thumb. Master Planning is a good idea for a reason.

SJ,
The difference I would see between that one unique home in Pcola is just that. It is one. Alys Beach is a development, which it seems would make it more appealing to more people in the "uniqueness" category.

SJ,
The difference I would see between that one unique home in Pcola is just that. It is one. Alys Beach is a development, which it seems would make it more appealing to more people in the "uniqueness" category.

Just showing that the idea presented, that uniqueness sells, is not universal. If it did, everyone would be building unique homes (like everyone else). Reminds me of the college state of mind -- I want to be different like everybody else.

Let's not beat this unique versus not unique thing into the ground.

The point of my post was the investment potential on the Eastern end of 30A, not a debate on architectural preferences or the human psyche.

I'm noticing the majority of these posts get twisted and turned in a direction very far away from the original topics. A post that starts with a topic on Seaside ends up talking about Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches not too long after a few people get through with it.

Let's not beat this unique versus not unique thing into the ground.

The point of my post was the investment potential on the west end of 30A, not a debate on architectural preferences or the human psyche.

I'm noticing the majority of these posts get twisted and turned in a direction very far away from the original topics. A post that starts with a topic on Seaside ends up talking about Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches not too long after a few people get through with it.

You got that straight. This place is the tangental twilight zone. However, the conversations that twist around are very often the most interesting to follow.

We noticed that the eastern end of 30-A is hopping when we were looking for condos in the summer. The prices are leaping like crazy down there--the price per square foot is higher than it is in the older parts of 30-A.

I hear some cackling from the NORTH!!!!

MIDWEST, MISS KITTY! Sheesh. I'm going to have to start giving out Northstar navigators pretty soon.

Great apologies to Dave for the coffee klatching going on (we really do try to improve our minds and our investments).

You're right, I got so confused by the tangled tangent that I myself even forgot I was supposed to be pumping up the investment potential of the East end of 30A (not the West as my latter post indicated).

East End of 30A forever!

GreenWaveDave, join us in the Lounge any time. :clap_1: :clap_1:

Dave said "Let's not beat this unique versus not unique thing into the ground. The point of my post was the investment potential on the Eastern end of 30A, not a debate on architectural preferences or the human psyche.
I'm noticing the majority of these posts get twisted and turned in a direction very far away from the original topics. A post that starts with a topic on Seaside ends up talking about Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches not too long after a few people get through with it."


:roll: Geeze, Dave, You were complaining about a tangent on this thread before there even was one!
Hang in there - you'll get one, and you won't even have to look that hard!
;-)

Sooo....is this a good time to buy on 30-A ?

Buy and live - absolutely.
Buy and hold - absolutley.
Buy and sell - it depends but this time of year things don't move much.

Buy and live - absolutely.
Buy and hold - absolutley.
Buy and sell - it depends but this time of year things don't move much.

:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

My thoughts exactly. I think now is a great time to buy and a bad time to sell -- both because the available buyers are relatively few right now and because if you have 5 or 10 years to hang on, you will be happy you did.

We own a house in Seacrest Beach North with another couple. It is a pain to manage and worry over -- especially since we don't get to go up there that often. But we see Rosemary Beach to the east, Paradise by the Sea (high-end, low density, $$$$$$) across the street and Alys Beach going up to our west, and we feel pretty good about our investment.

Our lot in Seagrove -- which we bought just in time to be able to buy and hold indefinitely -- is just ours. No plans to build anytime soon, but that's our retirement. As long as people dream of retiring to SoWal, any property there will be a great long-term investment.

Buy now!

A wise man once told me "When all the other fish are swimming upstream, I know it's time to start swimming downstream".

For whatever reason(s) our market has slowed, it is only a temporary thing. Take advantage of the opportunity. Rates are still relatively low.

Don't wait to buy until things heat up again (and they will- 30A is too amazing of a place to not become a premier destination for people from all over). The deals are there for the taking now. You'll regret waiting.

East end of 30A has tremendous growth/appreciation potential. That's what smart buys are made of. Getting in at the potential stage, not the already proven stage.

I own a lot in Watersound that I bought in Dec of 2002, so I have alot of wiggle room. We are going to build a home as soon as our architectural plans are approved by the DRB. One thing concerning me though is all the talk about building and material costs going up because of Katrina and Rita. My builder says not to worry because costs have come down to where they were prior to the big hurricanes.....but I am still worried. Any thoughts or comments??? I have to build ( and want to build ) because I am bumping up against the buildout deadline. We figure we will get the go ahead by early February. I have a primo lot and am really looking forward to spending time there. It is so beautiful.

I own a lot in Watersound that I bought in Dec of 2002, so I have alot of wiggle room. We are going to build a home as soon as our architectural plans are approved by the DRB. One thing concerning me though is all the talk about building and material costs going up because of Katrina and Rita. My builder says not to worry because costs have come down to where they were prior to the big hurricanes.....but I am still worried. Any thoughts or comments??? I have to build ( and want to build ) because I am bumping up against the buildout deadline. We figure we will get the go ahead by early February. I have a primo lot and am really looking forward to spending time there. It is so beautiful.

Seems to me that if you are bumping up against a buildout time then the time to order all your materials is a month or two before hurricane season starts. By that time the market should not be regulated by hype/hysteria but true supply and demand. Hopefully the concrete shortage will have eased by then too.

GreenWaveDave:

Are you a realtor or a developer/property owner with property on the eastern end of 30A? I live on the eastern end of 30A and I don't think there are any "deals." I have been watching lot prices very closely. On the eastern end of 30A there are a bunch of stubborn vacant lot owners who haven't lowered their prices since the Spring. That is, the prices don't reflect the "slow" summer/fall that we've had and it is obvious that the owners are more interested in getting an inflated price than in selling. If you want deals, go to WaterSound where you can get a lot for the same or less as lots in Sea Breeze.

I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone buy on this end of 30A without some heavy negotiation in price.

Katie Blue has a lot for sale that is reasonable, but there are very few other "good deals" in this area right now.

I am an owner at Seacrest Beach.

I have seen large lots west of Alys Beach with ask prices in the $500's with gulfviews and less than 100 yards walk to the sand.

Considering 12-18 months ago people we're buying these in the $600's and $700's I would call that a deal. No?

Thanks, CCK.
True, we have a pretty 100x142' lot that backs up to the Camp Creek golf course with deeded beach access down the street, for sale at a very, very reasonable price. It's listing right now for 399K but we're willing to negotiate considerably in order to get out of the monthly payments. (took some major financial hits this year to home and health, and need to tighten our belt, quickly.) Nearby lots are $550K, $499 and the adjacent lot $700K. It's a good deal, by all accounts.

Now that's a Deal!