$$$$ NINE. HUNDRED. THOUSAND. DOLLAR$.

[trof]

This is insane.

Background;
Since Hurricane Ivan, two new phenoms have emerged on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
"Bailing from the Beach", and "Waterfront at ANY Price".

Owners of million dollar condos and single family homes have had it with the beach and hurricanes. They got insurance money and developer money.
LOTS of it.

Developers are buying up the single family stuff at HUGE prices. To raze them and build more condos. Individuals who have never been through a hurricane are snapping up the vacated condos.
At HUGE prices.

Former beach people STILL want to be on the water, just NOT on the beach anymore. Somewhere more protected. That's us, on a bay about 15 miles north of the beach. Still access to the Gulf of Mexico, about 20-30 minutes, depending on boat speed.

Now...
Our house isn't on the market. Not for sale...except...
A realtor friend called last night. "Could I show your house to some prospective buyers? They want waterfront, and they REALLY want your neighborhood."

"Mary, our house isn't for sale."
"I know, I know. But if they want it, what would you take? Is there a price that you WOULD be willing to sell it for?"
"I dunno. Never thought about it. How much money we talking about?"
"I think around $900,000. Keep it just under the million mark. Two waterfront homes in your neighborhood sold for $1,100,000 in the last two weeks. They were a little bigger and newer."

Holy shit.
9 hundred grand?
We paid about $225,000 12 years ago.

"OK, Mary, bring 'em on."
Greed is an irresistible motivator.

[GOPisEvil]

1. Man...that's some serious coin.

Hard to pass up. If someone offered me 4-5 times what I paid for this place, I'd take it. Then I'd call the mental health department, but after the check clears. ;)

[trof]

6. Scarey. I might do it.

We've done our "waterfront" time.
Always wanted it, and had to move to coastal Alabama to finally afford it.
But I hadn't had the boat down off the lift in three years prior to Ivan. Just kinda "been there, done that".
Ivan wiped out the boat. Uninsured, because we hadn't used it in three years.

I'd like to stay in the 'hood, but inland.
It is very tempting.

[Hobarticus]

2. Cha-ching!

Not too shabby return on an investment! Hope it pays out for ya!

[DS1]

3. Best of luck either way you go with it

[Straight Shooter]

4. I would sell just so I wouldn't be surrounded by bush's base.

The best part of living in a locale is your neighbors, and of course the scenery counts, too. But if all your neighbors are wealthy elites who probably support bush, hell, yes, I'd take the money and run run run until I could find someplace secluded but close to progressives.

[trof]

8. We have the most amazing neighbor support system.

Weddings, funerals, births, whatever.
Everybody rallies 'round.
I wouldn't want to leave the area.
But I could build/buy a helluva house a block or so inland and have NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT!
Plus some cash left over?
sweet

[matcom]

5. guess your moving

i know WE would

:toast: to YOU!

i'm jealous

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Consider this - your property tax is gonan skyrocket

now that everything in the neighborhood is a million dollar home.

This is what happens to price retired people out of their homes which they bought and paid for, but suddenly, they're worth so much they can't afford the taxes and the insurance just because a bunch of younger yuppie fuckin' scum moved into the neighborhood and skyrocketed the property values.

Fuckers.

[trof]

9. Absolutely correct.

In '93, when we moved here, out R.E. taxes were $450 PER YEAR!
Now they're over $1200.
Still cheap, but Alabama's R.E. tax system is really f*cked up.
The tax system, in general, is really bad for low income and retirees.

[XemaSab]

10. Can't say no to that

I say BRING IT ON!

[trof]

11. I think I say same.

There's an old saying that everything's for sale. It just depends on the price. But what's going on with waterfront homes is is just INSANE.

[trof]

12. Now I can buy that Hummer I've always wanted.

:-)

[matcom]

13. i hear

you only need about $50 downtown :P

[XemaSab]

15. Gee, I heard 20 in old town....

n/t

[matcom]

16. Bush* has RUINED this country

now they are OUTSOURCING!! x(

up to $50 if'n you want 'Murican

fucking repukes

[MissB]

14. Do it.

I don't know how you could resist. Just do it. Take the cash, buy a cheaper home and enjoy the profits.

[Bunny]

17. Wow trof, that is great news for you and the miz t!

Take it - there's no question I would do the same in your shoes. :toast: Are you still thinking of moving north?