Prices On The Way Up In Vail

In 2006, the average Vail Valley Condo sales price climbed 21% to $884,164. Properties priced over $2 million were 10% of the transactions and 39% of total sales volumes.

Cordillera had a 37% increase in sales volumes over 2005, after having been designated the top residential golf community in Colorado.

The average Eagle County prices in 2006 were $1,210,790 for a single family home, $822,364 for a multi-family home, and $434,989 for vacant land.

The Nest Egg Index ranks the top 500 communities in the USA based on residents’ savings and investing behaviors. Edwards, home to Cordillera, ranked number 10. Edwards was selected in another 2006 study as the number 7 best small town in America.

Submitted by Joe Johns, Agent in the Vail Valley Area. Joe is a Condos and Resorts trusted partner.

Alabama Lake Developers Profit From Inland Flight

I know this quotes me but it was written by a friend, scouts honor.

A 50-ish couple driving a silver Lexus SUV with Florida plates parked by the Emerald Point on Smith Lake sign. The husband strolled the proposed Smith Lake condo construction site while the wife copied down information from the sign.Closing her notebook, she joined him to survey the lake view stretching out before them.

“It seems strange to see the opposite shore,” she said, “but I like the trees. You don’t get that at the beach.”

“No hurricanes here,” he replied simply. The two lingered a moment more before turning back to their SUV. “You got the information?”

She nodded, turned back for one last look at the deep green water and closed her door. Slowly they drove up the road, taking in the scenery of their possible future home. Behind them a black Mercedes with Mobile County plates parked at the Emerald Point sign.

The above scene is becoming more common at developments around north Alabama’s Smith Lake, a 21,000-acre impoundment located between Birmingham and Huntsville. Hidden from view since its construction in the late 50’s, the deepwater giant is generating interest across the nation as an alternative to the hurricane-plagued coastline. Real-estate types around Smith Lake even have a name for it: Inland flight.

“We get many inquiries every day from beach condo owners looking to get away from the hurricanes, taxes and insurance rates,” said Melinda Edwards, co-developer of Emerald Point on Smith Lake Condominium, a proposed development looking to entice an upscale buyer who loves the waterfront condo lifestyle, but not the mess left by big winds and salt water.

“Right now we are in pre-construction sale of our first phase,” Edwards said.“Over half of these 54 units could be transplants from the coast. But it’s more than just wanting to get away from the hurricanes. This area has a lot to offer.”

What Smith Lake has to offer, according to its proponents, is very simply “The Good Life.” Alabama taxes are the lowest in the nation while its economy is the fastest growing. Property values along the lake are steadily climbing, with some lots on Ryans Creek reaching the $2,500 per foot of shoreline mark.

“Alabama is on the front end of an economic explosion , “ said radio talk show host and Alabama state Senator Hank Erwin. “People around the country are just now finding out what we’ve known all along. Alabama is the place to be.”

Rapid construction and existing home purchases which defy national trends seem to bear out Erwin’s optimism, especially for areas surrounding Smith Lake. Some local officials in Cullman, Walker and Winston Counties believe their could be an influx of 100,000 or more over the next five years due to development of some large waterfront tracts as well as condominiums which have a higher population density.

Interest in the lake isn’t limited to domestic property seekers, according to Bryan Pearl, creator of condosandresorts.com and internet real-estate marketing expert. “We’ve generated thousands of leads from practically every continent on earth,” Pearl said. “The interest is there and it has an increasingly international flavor, especially from investors who see the long-term potential of the lake.”

Some developers of Smith Lake’s 500 miles of shoreline point to more intangible factors attracting transplants. “I’ve lived here since birth,” said Dewayne Campbell, Edwards brother and co-developer of Emerald Point Condo. “There’s something about the people, a stability and sureness of values that makes this feel like home no matter how long you’ve lived here. People connect with that and they want to be near it.”

The lake’s transformation from weekend retreat for Birmingham and Huntsville to something approaching a destination for water recreation enthusiasts from across the country has been easily accepted by locals, according to Kris Burleson of Jasper-based Lawson Real Estate. Burleson’s firm has represented some of the biggest developments on the lake, including Emerald Point.

“The develpments we see now take great pains to construct an environment that is pleasing to everyone, including the people who don’t necessarily live in a condo or a million-dollar lake house,” Burleson said. “The days of cutting a trail through the woods to open up a trailer park are gone. Everyone sees the benefits Smith Lake represents both economically and to the local tax base. There’s very little to oppose.”

More information regarding developments and properties on Smith Lake may be obtained by calling Lawson Real Estate at 205-221-0999. Further information may be found online at www.condosandresorts.com. Information on the Emerald Point Condo project may be viewed at www.emeraldpointcondo.com.

Huntsville alabama real estateHuntsville Homes for sale

Emerald Point Condominiums LLC Announces Official Sale Date for Phase One

Developers of the proposed Emerald Point on Smith Lake Condos have announced the official pre-construction sale date will be April 28, 2007 for the $30-million phase one.

"Sale date will be held on the proposed site at 525 County Road 189 in Crane Hill," said Melinda Edwards, co-developer with her brother, Dewayne Campbell. "We’ve had an avalanche of inquiries about when folks would be able to buy their units. The time is now."

Buyers will be able to request documents and sales agreements prior to the April 28 date, Edwards said. "There’s no doubt many, if not most of the units will be taken before April 28. That’s why it’s so important to contact Lawson Real Estate and request a buyer’s package plus documents. Whoever returns the completed documents and down payment first reserves their preferred unit."

Edwards pointed to a number of factors generating the competitive interest in the upscale project on Ryans Creek, "The project concept of excellence first and foremost has really struck a chord with our target buyer. They understand this will be a premium product brought into reality by a ‘dream team’ of professionals."

Well-known Birmingham general contractor Brasfield and Gorrie will construct the
project based on a design by Mountain Brook’s Lewis McKinney of Horizon Design, LLC. Civil Engineering duties are being handled by Dale Bright of St. John & Associates, a well-known Cullman firm.

"There are a number of other contributing factors which Emerald Point the right project at the right time," Edwards mused. "Prohibitive insurance and tax rates on the Gulf, the success of other projects locally and the simple beauty of Smith Lake make Emerald Point Condo a value that’s hard to pass up for the savvy buyer. There’s the quality of life aspect, too. Alabama is just a good place to live."

Fifty four units will be offered for pre-construction sale in the proposed first phase. Developers say construction could start as early as August 2007. Up to three more phases are planned with a total price tag of over $100 million.

"We invite everyone to our pre-construction sale event to tour the property, have a bite to eat with us and enjoy a day on the most beautiful lake in America," Edwards said. "I’m pretty sure no one will want to leave."

Interested parties should consult the Emerald Point web site at www.emeraldpointcondo.com for more information on the pre-construction sale. Information packets and condominium documents may be requested by contacting Lawson Real Estate.