Moving to FAIRHOPE advice needed please!! (Point Clear, Section: real estate, lease, insurance)

[ttp82]

Hi! My husband and I are looking for land to build in Fairhope. Is anyone familiar with The Polo Ridge Sudivision? Also, I am so drawn to Point Clear area. Any advice as to what part of town to live in and what school district to be a part of would be so helpful. I was told j Larry newton has high praises. Any builders you guys can recommend. A realtor mentioned that building homes now has sky rocketed.

[Keeper]

Just remember Point Clear is right at sea level or is that bay level. You need to figure in HOI and flood insurance in the price of anything you buy or build.

We do have one member who knows Fairhope and I am sure she can help.

[humacaena]

Hello,

Polo Ridge subdivision is very nice but you need to know that many lots flood and I've seen it under water. BTW, there is a lot in front on the golf course (Point Clear Stables) that has been reduced quite a bit. (to 99k)

Also you might want to look at Song Grove...closer to town, and Summer Lake. They have lots in the 50k range and even though they are not in Point Clear, they are very nice in the Fairhope school district which is great.

I would be glad to refer some builders that we've worked with and are very good and reasonable. You can send a private message if you wish and need more info.

Fairhope is a wonderful town and you will soon find out why many people keep coming here. Good luck!

[brownbagg]

just remember you can't buy land in the city of fair hope, you can lease it. all land is owned by the city. but anywhere you can live in fair hope or around fair hope is nice, really nice

[humacaena]

brownbag,


Your information about owning land in Fairhope is not all correct. The area is divided in a strange manner, not following straight lines or location. For instance, I live west of US 98, 5 blocks from the heart of the city (Fairhope Av and Section St), and we own our land/lot. The neighbor to our side, going towards Fairhope Ave (divided by a gulley) is in that category of their lot belonging to the city.

At the same time, land way out east of town, where the WalMart is, is also in the city owned deal, and it is very difficult to understand how/why this was done. The only disadvantage is that if one purchases a home or land that is city owned, one goes into a meeting with them and you can live there for 99 years....so that does not create a problem.

I hope this helps!

[ttp82]

What about the elementary schools? JLN or Fairhope intermediate?

[sten4556]

I don't have as much advice on Point Clear subdivisions but I grew up in Fairhope, lived there a long time. I went to Fairhope Intermediate and it was good then. A normal school in which I felt safe. Most people I know went through Fairhope elementary, intermediate and high altogether, and JLN people had to " merge" in and get to know everyone else.
JLN is also very good, my best friend went there. You see mostly higher income people there. That's basically the only difference, Fairhope Intermediate is a melting pot of all types- upper, middle and lower class. That's in no way meant to be offensive to anyone. I had a great experience there. It just depends what you feel, really.

[ttp82]

Thank you for the reply sten4556! That was really helpful

[LarryHunter]

Originally Posted by brownbagg

just remember you can't buy land in the city of fair hope, you can lease it. all land is owned by the city. but anywhere you can live in fair hope or around fair hope is nice, really nice

It is true that Fairhope was started as a single tax colony community, in which the colony would own the property and lease it back to the home owners. Some portions of Fairhope is colony land, but most of it is owned by the home owner. You can contact the Fairhope Single Tax Colony in downtown Fairhope or talk to your real estate agent. I live close to downtown Fairhope and own the land our house is on.

[ttp82]

Is the tax usually cheaper if you are part of the FSTC? I was just reading about it but the information seems vague on their site.