Nice subdivisions in Fairhope? (Mobile, Fairfield: insurance, new home, neighborhoods)

[Pamp81]

We are considering relocation to Mobile area, and would love some recommendations for nice subdivisions in the Fairhope area. What is the minimum price for a nice 3-4 BR house with 2-3 bathrooms and a 2 car garage? (We will be selling our midwest starter home for around $140,000 and would love to find a house around $200,000 but will consider going up to $225,000.
Thanks so much.
Peaches

[humacaena]

Pamp81,

In that price range, you can get an Adams home(to be built) in Huntington Woods, or a resale in places like Fairfield or Idlewild. All of these are nice. Keep in mind our property taxes are low, and insurance might be higher than most places up north. Good luck!

[Pamp81]

Thanks so much Humacaena. I appreciate the info. I think my husband and I will come down some time at the end of June to have a look around the neighborhoods. This is a huge move for us.
Thanks again.

[donjackw]

Quail Creek, off 181, below Fairhope Ave may have some, if you are retired, on one street, Club drive. These are smaller homes and 99% are retired on this street. I don't know the rules for this forum on posting links, but there are two good Multiple Listing Sites that will give all homes and prices. Size: 1400-1900 sq. ft. Half are on golf course.

The Willows, off Fairhope Ave, has many homes in your price range. Willows are new homes, one beautiful resale. A family community. I don't care for the builder, but the homes look nice and the location is fantastic.

Idylwild is a bit pricier and much older homes. Great location.

There are loads of subdivisions, all hurting with high inventory so a great time to buy.

I am quite current as we almost moved and had our home sold and then buyer and we mutually agreed to cancel contract as our prospective home did not work out at all and we were able to cancel contract.

Closer you get to the Bay the higher the price and old, old homes are still around $300k on average and they are often tiny homes with nice lots.

Fairhope is delightful and many have moved to here and away from Mobile. Things have not been great in Mobile following Katrina.

Oh, Spanish Fort is a bedroom community to Mobile, but I'm not familiar with the subdivisions. Try those realtor sites with all the listings.

Good luck and welcome!

[humacaena]

Peaches,

I also remembered Falls Creek SD, and Long Pines, where they are still building new homes for your price range. The Willows,(DR Horton), will soon start on their second phase and they will be in your price range. This SD is great, and phase one sold very quickly, even in a "bad market". Home in Phase one went for mid $220,000s to mid $330,000s. It is located very close to downtown Fairhope and the homes have great goodies like granite counters, ect. The 2nd phase will have very small lots, and should sell quickly also.

Hope you can find what you want here in beautiful Fairhope!

[ASJ2011]

Interesting information! (So... am I allowed to ask a question on Pamp81's thread? I hope so...if not, I do apologize for breaching forum etiquette!)

We will be looking to relocate in a couple of years. We are also considering Fairhope, amongst other places. Until I can get down there to visit next summer, I like to look around websites and do my research (ok, so really, it's daydreaming... but we'll label it research. Sounds much more useful that way!) Are there any subdivisions/neighborhoods with names directly in town? For example, I've heard of the "fruit and nut district". Any others? I think I've been told west of 98 is generally considered in town, but not sure how to go about looking at houses online... I know I am able to put in our max home price (prob about 450K), but I don't think I've encountered a realtors website yet that allows you to put in a designation like "in town" or "north/south/west/east of xx road"... though it is possible that I'm just not using their sites to the fullest potential. Wanting to look specifically for neighborhoods/subdivisions that are close enough to be able to walk to stuff in town...

Thanks for any info!

[humacaena]

ASJ2011,
There are no new subdivisions "intown" but some west of 98 that are older homes, where you might find resales. The area called "fruits and nuts" is not a subdivision, just an older area with homes of all prices, age, and style. The streets have fruit or nuts names, thus the name. But also many streets names for settlers, like Gaston, George, Nichols, ect are in this area. This is a lovely area but quite eclectic. You might have a million $ home(or more) next to a $200k fixer upper.

Besides this area, there is the Bluff...quite expensive older homes, with some new ones being built by individuals who either bought a lot, or tore down a house. Again, it is not considered a subdivision.

The best way to learn about Fairhope is to come down, as it is hard to describe. The realtor websites just give you homes in price ranges you look for, but it's hard to explain what the rest of the neighborhood is like, unless it's know subdivisions like Rock Creek, The Woodlands, ect. And within Rock Creek there are several subdivisions like Sandy Ford, Savannah Square, Augusta Court, ect.

With your budget, you will be able to find a home intown, but again, this is now. In two years, who knows. For sure it will buy you a great home in many "subdivisions". Hope this helps, although I know it sounds confusing. Fairhope is not like other towns, for sure. That's why we love it!

[Keeper]

I was amazed to find my grandmother's home on Gaston Ave still standing. It was so tiny but then she only paid $25K.. IIRC.

Fairhope is a lovely place..

[humacaena]

Keeper,

Gaston is one of the nicest streets in Fairhope. Those tiny cottages sell really well. Many people want to cut down in space, and remodel them. The ones in pretty streets are quite desirable. Yes, Fairhope is a gem!