Bye, bye April and hello May.  WELCOME to our beautiful sunsets.  Our  Fairhope streets are lined with seasonal plants.  Did you know Fairhope has their own nursery.  Flowers are changed regularly which adds beautiful color throughout the city.  Around 5:30 each morning the water truck comes and waters all the flower beds.  For the locals, if they can time the replanting, they can get some of the old plants and replenish their gardens.

Another tip, around the Fairhope Pier is a beautiful rose garden.  In its prime, the city will come a cut roses so that new growth can continue to prosper.   If you can hit the right day you can get a beautiful bouquet.

Go visit the Fairhope Pier which is open 24 hours a day.  At all times of the day, you will see people fishing and enjoying life.  At sunset, you will see plenty of people just sitting on park benches watching life going by.

Next Friday is Art Walk.  Come join the festivities.

So many times, our schedules get so full that we do not take to time to enjoy our children, grandchildren.  Recently I spent a long week-end in Park City, Utah with four of my eight grandkids and how special it was.  As you know I have a blended family, so being with two of my grown children plus a son in law and four of their children was just special.  We took hikes in the mountains, skied, snow-boarded and just loved being together.  Each night, my bed was full of two of my granddaughters–tight but special.  Each day is so special–take the time and enjoy.

Our little town opens to Arts and Crafts this Friday, March 17th – 19th.  Our streets are closed to all the vendors.  It is a great opportunity to see juried artist to the simple craft vendors.  Over 100 booths line our streets.  Whether you like to watch people or purchase goods or art, it is a delight to attend.  Take time to visit.  If you are walking the streets, stop in at Ashurst and Niemeyer office located on Section Street to receive brochures, balloons and a welcome smile.  Have a great week-end.

Yes, our little town of Fairhope is in the middle of Mardi Gras.  Let the Good Times Role, but how did Mardi Gras get it’s name.  Believe it or not Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”.  The definition goes on to say that it refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Days and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.  “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras day reflects the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before you begin fasting of the Lenten season.  Bottom line, let the parades go, balls flow, and people toast before Ash Wednesday.  It is a great time to enjoy and be Merry.

What can I say, Mardi Gras is here.  Our little city streets  shine during this season with magical lights and magical floats.  February 18th was the Mystic Mutts of Revelry (even the dogs get in the action) in the afternoon and at night were The Knights of Ecor Rouge.  On February 24th, the Maids of Jubilee will parade at 6:45 pm.  On the 25th the Krewe of Mullet Mares will take stage on County Road 1 at 2 pm.  Then on the 27th the Order of Mystic Magnolias will be on the streets of Fairhope at 6:45.  Celebration will end on the 28th which is Mardi Gras Day.

Tonight, our sky was in glow with vivid colors of red, gold, and cream and a back ground of beautiful clouds.  I couldn’t resist getting a photo to share with you.  As I sat at the Fairhope Yacht Club Marina, watching the glory of the sky, a sailboat was pulling through the channel.  What a wonderful way to end a Monday.

I don’t know about you, but it is like a jigsaw.  One day we are in the 70’s and the next day we are in the 40’s.  Our flowers do not know whether it is winter, spring, or fall.  Our azaleas are in full bloom.  Who knows what it will be like when we finally reach Spring.  Japanese Maples are incredible now and extremely happy.  But wait, tonight our temperatures will be in the 30’s and tomorrow back in the 60’s.  The winter coat is still in my closet.  Welcome to Fairhope.  If you do not like the weather today, wait till tomorrow and it will be totally different.  The good news, the sun is shining and the stars are bright in the sky.

Is it Winter, Spring, or Fall–no one knows and especially our azaleas, Japanese  Magnolias, and so many flowers.  Today is the middle of Winter but the temperature does not resemble it.  Someone told me that winter means a winter coat and winter clothes but with temperatures being 70º, it is hard to do.  Who knows what our little flowers will do when it is officially Spring.  Although this week-end, we should have some cooler temperatures.

Last night, walking to a friendly restaurant, I just set in awe looking at the beautiful lights.  Fairhope always lights our streets beginning the Thursday before Thanksgiving and they stay lit until after Mardi Gras.  Our little city sets a wonderful stage of beautiful flowers throughout and nice charm.   This Friday will be Art Walk which everyone comes out and visits our Art Gallery as well as other galleries that are open.

2017 rolled in with cold weather and overcast skies, but, slowly, the sun popped out and now it feels like Spring.  Not only has the weather been a roller coaster, so has our market.  Who knows what we will see in the remainder of the year.

The predictions are that the future may see a lot of changes.  We probably will see an increase in interest rates, but I predict that it will be slow.  Builder costs are increasing which will help homes that have some age on them to sell.  I hope that the number one change is that buyers will realize that they can  pick up a paint brush, change out appliances, update bathrooms and quit looking at homes with tunnel vision.  The common phase of today’s buyer is, “The house requires too much work.”

Presently, we have 773 active homes on the market from Spanish Fort to Point Clear with 278 under contract.  28 homes have closed since January 1, 2017.  Summarizing 2016, our MLS reports 1,892 homes closed at an average price of $280,730.  These homes closed at an average of 97% of their listed price.  Our highest reported sale last year  was a bay front home listed for $2,450,000 and sold for $2,225,000. 

Overall, we feel very bullish about 2017.  I feel higher-end homes will sell better this year.  Hold onto your hats and let’s get started!  I know how frustrating a market can be.  Lucy and I live it every day.  Any questions that you might have, please give us a ring.