Monday, September 25, 2017

Historic Magnolia Tree Makes this Home Famous!!


Built in the 1930's, this home is often overlooked because of the iconic centuries old Magnolia Tree that is believed to be one of the oldest trees to exist in the county. This tree has been featured on postcards in gift shops in the Foley area and is as important a landmark as there is for the history of old Foley. The current owner Mrs. Billie Parker literally took me on a walk through history as we toured the 3.5 acres that surround the home.  I couldn't help but notice the old barn and the blueberry and fig trees throughout the property.  You can get lost in the abundance of plant life while taking a stroll around the land or the chirping of different birds flying overhead and landing on the many tree branches throughout. 


Now step inside and find yourself in a home that has respect for the history of the home while also providing some modern charm that is appealing to any age of prospective buyer that wants to call this place their home!! The original home has an open ceiling with exposed beams that gives it a rustic, yet unique style different from anything else in the area.  Continue on to see the original three bedrooms and bathroom that have been updated yet still maintain a historic reference to the many memories that have been shared in the past.  When you enter the kitchen, you'll fall in love with the bright, open design complete with granite counter tops, a large dining area, and popular white cabinets that are the choice of any modern designer.  With large windows overlooking the back yard, you can drink coffee while encountering any number of popular animals that often appear out of the woods.  The upstairs comes with a large master bedroom and bathroom as well as a private balcony with an electric awning to provide shade for those hot summer days in South Alabama.  From there, is a unique loft area where grand kids have celebrated many holidays opening presents and laughing as they challenge each other to friendly games and contests!!

With so many options for restaurants and shopping in Foley, this home keeps you away from the hustle and bustle of crowds yet has you close enough to enjoy all that the area has to offer.  Don't forget to stop into Lambert's Cafe and enjoy some throwed rolls or visit the brand new OWA theme Park for exciting thrills on all the rides!! Tanger Outlets will provide all of your shopping needs and Friday nights at Foley high school in the Fall is a great place to enjoy football where iconic figures such as University of Alabama and current Atlanta Falcon Julio Jones and Hall of Fame Quarterback Kenny Stabler began to ooh and ahh the fans years ago!!

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Modern Meets Retro

Excited to highlight this classic home in the Spanish Fort Estates Subdivision for numerous reasons!!  I first met with the owner back in March and we had discussed a plan to do a total home makeover!!  It is a challenge in today's market to get your clients to understand what helps make a home marketable and sought after.  I worked with her and a designer named Delia Pierce from Lemongrass Custom Home and Designs to come up with a plan to bring this house into the 21st century.  What happened during that 3 month period is nothing short of amazing!!

Working closely with Delia, we got them set up on the Strengthen Alabama Homes grant program to get a new roof put on the home.  Within a week, they had the process going and ended up within about 6 weeks with a bronze fortified 30 year roof.    The focus then shifted to the kitchen where it was completely gutted and then rebuilt with white cabinets, new granite counter tops, modern vent hood, and new stainless steel appliances!!  The home had all the old carpet replaced and the split brick in the foyer was refinished as well.  From there was new paint, new light fixtures, and the back porch was redone with a rebuilt cover and electric wiring replaced.  They did leave a few bathrooms that remind you of another era but have tastefully changed a few things to flow with the modern touch of the rest of the home!!
What I love the most about this home would be the abundance of fruit trees and privacy that you get at the end of a cul-de-sac in the neighborhood.  This home is large enough for a big family with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and is located in one of the best school districts in the state of Alabama.  If you are big into the outdoors, you are a 10 minute ride to 5 Rivers Delta to explore the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers as well as 10 minutes away from shopping and an abundance of great restaurants!!  I personally encourage you to come view this property and help make your own memories in a great neighborhood!!

Pristine Home in Bay Branch Villas

When deciding on a place to live, the owners had viewed several homes in the Daphne and Spanish Fort area.  They knew that finding the right home would take some time because there were so many choices. " The challenge in the home buying search is like choosing your favorite perfume; after a while your senses can't tell the difference".  But, when they walked into 11128 Chablis Lane, the open floor plan immediately grabbed their attention.  With square footage at almost 1900 square feet, they couldn't believe how big it felt on the inside.  "We knew right away that we had found our home", said the owners.  

That is one of the great features about this home in the Bay Branch Villas subdivision.  The moment you walk in, you are blown away by the space and the flow of the floor plan.  What highlights this aspect now are brand new floors that continue to expand the feel of the house.  Along with that is new paint, a split bedroom floor plan, and a kitchen big enough to share with family on Thanksgiving and other family gatherings!!  They added a deck in the back yard and an 8x12 fully powered workshop that is ideal for any home project!!
As a bonus, once the owners family began to grow, they realized they had settled into one of the best school districts in the state and have become intertwined with the Spanish Fort community.  Both owners love the area and rave about the convenience to schools, shopping, and restaurants.   One of the highlights for the Joe was the many golf courses that are withing 15 minutes of his home.  Plus, Saturday's at their house in the Fall were full of laughter and excitement while enjoying another Alabama football game with neighbors and friends.  Take the time to come view this home and continue the memories that this growing family has started!!

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Historic Mobile Home with a Modern Touch!!

Welcome home and enjoy a piece of history in Historic Midtown Mobile!!  Built in 1926, this amazing house has only had 2 owners since it was built by the architect William March.  March is responsible for designing and building a number of historic homes and churches in the historic Mobile district. With over an acre of property directly on Government St, you will not have the opportunity to own a lot of this size in the Midtown area.  The original home consisted of three bedrooms and 2 baths and has seen a major transformation since the current owners bought the property in 1976.  Some of the additions include a den and balcony overlooking the gunite pool with a 12 foot deep end and outdoor entertaining space perfect for any Mardi Gras celebration or other popular Mobile events.  A kitchen perfect for any culinary challenge awaits you with a full sized butler galley and all top of the line appliances, counter tops, and cabinets sets this home apart from it's historic neighbors.  A finished basement with a full kitchen and bathroom and living room can be a guest suite or a great entertaining space as well as the converted garage where many games of poker were enjoyed in the evenings!!
 The property isn't the only feature that makes it a desirable place to call home.  When I talked to the owner, he raved about the numerous restaurants that he and his wife frequented and reminisced about evening walks to enjoy local theaters and made memories enjoying multiple performances.  His wife was a playwright for the area and her passion for the stage was shared with him and their children.  The live oak that sits in the back yard is as old as the home and has been a part of their life and the previous owners since the home was built.  With the rich history of Mardi Gras and the parades that pass in front of their home, you can enjoy a passion and experience that has made Mobile and this house a great place to call home.  Click on the link below to take a tour of the home below with our 4D virtual tour presented by our agency to get a glimpse into history!!

1563 Government Street 4D Virtual Tour



Monday, June 19, 2017

Wildlife Refuge Home for Sale in Creola, Alabama!!

Welcome Home to this Water Oasis Full of Plant and Wildlife!!

Welcome to this hidden gem located in Creola, AL!!  When these owners decided to put this home up for sale, they had a hard time telling me all of the incredible memories they have created here. One of their favorite hobbies is to take their boat down Gunnison Creek for about 5 miles to the Alabama Management Land.  Talking about the ecosystem, the owners raved about the numerous experiences they had witnessed with the wildlife.  From watching baby turtles hatch in the sand by their home to checking in on the progress of the otters and beavers who were slowly building up their homes, there wasn't much you couldn't experience within 5 miles of their house.  During my visit to meet them, they handed me some bread and we began to throw small pieces in the water off their deck.  Witnessing over 30 fish swim up to me was enough to say someone is going to love this place!!

Talking to them about the home, I received a list of upgrades they had spent time working on to make the home feel brand new.  The house comes with brand new paint throughout, tile flooring, a new HVAC system, and they converted their garage into a man cave that would make any college football fan beg the new owners to host every Saturday get-together with a full wet bar and custom build cedar cabinets.  Out back is a brand new double tier deck leading down to their private beach and bulkhead.  What makes this home so unique is its access to a large river system feeding into the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta system.  Yet, it is so quiet and peaceful and you rarely hear the engine of other boats that are close by.


Why would anyone leave a private paradise like this?  Well, that is where the story gets interesting and is a big reason why I have such a connection with this couple.  The husband is a disable combat veteran and they are moving to Central Florida to be closer to some top notch facilities with the VA to help him in his recovery from his injuries.  As a veteran myself, I have a unique understanding for the sacrifices he has made as well as his wife.  Once they leave the only home they've had since they met in San Diego while he was stationed there, they plan to reconnect with her family who is also moving to Florida with them.  They will miss their little piece of paradise but are excited to see the next family pick up where they have left off making some many incredible memories!!