South Mississippi is home to several very nice lakes, but often times, it is what is built around those lakes that really makes a community thrive. Windance and Lake Village Estates are built around 100-acre Adam’s Lake, a man-made lake back in the 1960′s that has an abundance of large-mouth bass and bluegill swimming around waiting to jump on the end of your fishing line.

While you won’t find any skiers on this lake as boats are limited to 25hp or less, you will find great fishing and an awesome view. There are a handful of very nice homes on the lake with great views, but if you seek something a little more unique to your tastes, there is 1 very nice property, a little over 2 acres, that is perfect for that serene drop for your new home. At $125k, it is a steal for this much property on this highly-desirable lake.

Call or email me and let’s talk about building your dream home on this lot or to inquire about existing homes in Windance or Lake Village Estates.

Palms overlooking the water at Harbor Landing

Harbor Landing Condos in Ocean Springs, MS is one of my favorite developments in the area currently for investment potential and positive appreciation potential over the coming years. When Harbor Landing Condos was originally developed, the units were pitched strongly to investors under Go Zone and other real estate investor benefits for the area. The problem at the onset was that with so many investors, it was hard to gain positive cash flow for the units. Compound that with the fact that many of these investors had very similar exit strategies, and it was a recipe for disaster.

The good news is that it is turning around at Harbor Landing Condos. While there are still foreclosures that are popping up here and there, and several short sales in the development, the prices are starting to edge upwards slightly. It is my professional opinion, that once these short sale and foreclosure units are done (probably another year, maybe two), this development will increase in appreciation very quickly.

View from Building C top Balcony

Now is the time to buy whether you are looking for a primary home, a second home, or an investment property capable of producing a good return on investment over 3-5 years. Over the past 6 months (October 2010 to date), there have been 9 sold units at Harbor Landing ranging from $35k to $86k (breakdown below, organized by closing price):
B13 listed on 10/11/10, sold 12/29/10 for $35k, pictures depict reasonable condition
F13 listed on 10/18/10, sold 12/16/10 for $35k, pictures depict reasonable condition
B5 listed on 6/8/10, sold 10/13/10 for $39,500, no photos, no description. This unit most likely set the precedence for the above two.
F8 listed on 11/9/10, sold 12/20/10 for $44,900, pictures depict reasonable condition
B11 listed on 4/2/10, sold 10/6/10 for $51,975, pictures depict reasonable condition, view of parking lot and Elk’s Lodge
F4 listed on 7/19/10, sold 3/16/11 for $52k, no photos, limited description
F10 listed on 7/23/10, sold 10/27/10 for $52,500, pictures depict reasonable condition
A21 listed on 11/4/10, sold 12/15/10 for $60,500, pictures depict reasonable condition
C3 listed on 2/15/11, sold 3/3/11 for $85,995, pictures depict reasonable condition

Another unit (foreclosure) was recently listed at $42,900 and put under contract within 5 days. While the listing agent could not comment on price, she was able to say it was “a great offer”. It is obvious that this development is seeing some increased prices over the past 6 months. While the occasional foreclosure will spring up, units are selling for more.  There are a few properties on the market now, starting at just under $53k that are subject to bank approval of a short sale. One in particular (that I have personally seen) at $52, 712 which is doubtful to be on the market much longer. It is my opinion that prices under $50k will be very few moving forward unless they are units with extremely poor views or are in need of repair.

Contact me if you have questions about Harbor Landing Condos or any other area on the Mississippi Coast. I diligently research the market to help my clients get the best deals and make sure they are as protected as possible when buying!

UPDATE (21 April 2011)

It seems Real Estate Agents are having an increasingly difficult time doing their job. When contacting two different agents that control 5 of the 7 units that were listed under $100k to gain access and preview for clients, I was told that all 5 of them are under contract – they just have not done their job and removed them from Active status in the MLS. That being said, there is one unit available at Harbor Landing and one that may be coming available in the next few days. One is listed at $52,712 and has a view of the bayou and small “doggie park”, the other is expected to come back on the market at $56,900 and is a marina facing unit that overlooks the marina.  The market is picking up VERY quickly out at Harbor Landing so let me know if you are ready to seriously look at either of these units. Both of these units are short sales and would be subject to final approval by lender. Cash offers will show much stronger and will typically be viewed as more favorable than financing, especially on the unit that is supposed to be coming back on the market soon.

Rated by Golf Digest as one of the top ten courses in Mississippi, The Oaks Golf Club offers a striking par-72 course that has played host to professional and amateur tournaments. Meandering paths and beautiful ancient oaks that line this course makes playing this course a delight.

The homes surrounding this course start in the $300k range, are on larger lots than many other golf course communities, and offer a wonderful view of fantastic ancient oak trees throughout the community. The Oaks of Pass Christian, in many respects, is the perfect community. Any given day, it is possible to drive through the community and see people working in their yards, walking the dog, or jogging down through the community.

Home prices have maintained fairly steadily despite the economic downturn that has effected much of the rest of the country, but days on the market (the time it takes to sell a home) has increased considerably making it possible to find really great deals on fabulous homes in this community.

Pass Christian is a very quiet area and has other amenities such as parks, a beautifully redone harbor with kids area and a family-friendly fishing pier where the trout are plentiful under the lights at night during the late Spring through late Fall. The Oaks community and golf club is located within a short drive to 5 other courses that are challenging to all skill levels – one at Timber Ridge, Windance, Two courses at Diamondhead, and The Bridges. It is also located within a short drive to the casinos, beach/harbor, great shopping at Gulfport (Crossroads Shopping Center and Factory Outlets) as well as many entertainment and dining venues.

Please contact me for more information on this or any other community on the MS Coast. Whether you are buying or selling, I look forward to putting my expertise to work for you.

I started enjoying golf a few years ago but never really got full swing into it before a dirt-bike accident tore all the ligaments in my shoulder making it very painful for me to swing a club. Luckily it does not effect my ability to reel in large fish

Even though I never got heavy into golf, there is no denying that St Andrews Golf Club is an outstanding course and an absolute gorgeous course to look at. With a 119 slope rating and 69.7 USGA rating, it is an excellent course to play – especially with 4 sets of tees for different experience levels. The pro-shop is fully stocked and also offers a lounge  & grill, club repair, and lessons.

The St Andrews on the Gulf Community is built around this course and offers a golfing community with price-points of homes very reasonable up to higher end homes that you would expect to see lining the greens.

New Construction is also making its way in with some new Adams Homes (well priced, well built, and have shown a knack for building highly appreciable homes).The South Pointe community at St Andrews has very nice homes starting in the $140k range.

If you are considering a golf community, St Andrews offers a great real estate living experience. Gulf Hills is another popular Ocean Springs golfing community. Contact me for more information about buying or selling a home and let me put my expertise to work for you.

While I have always been more partial to salt or brackish water (larger bodies of water and better fishing), I can enjoy fishing for bass or bream off of any of the beautifully maintained lakes in South Mississippi.

Lakefront living is a great way to enjoy the water without as much threat from flooding of hurricanes, etc. Living on any of the south Mississippi lakes is just as serene as living on an open bayou, typically with less gnats. There are many great lakes to choose from including Adam’s Lake (Windance, Lake Village Estates), Swan Lake Estates, Robinwood, McGill Lake, Rogers Lake/Silver Run, Landon Lake, and many more.

A home on the lake is offers many of the same enjoyments as other waterfront properties, but you do have to be careful that your needs are met. For instance, some lakes do not allow gas-powered boats so if you wanted to utilize your lakefront home for skiing or getting across the lake fast, you may want to make sure.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers but I do a lot of research and know the questions to ask because I love waterfront properties just as much, if not more than you do. Contact me if you are considering buying or selling a property on the MS Coast.

There is just something about living on the water that nothing else seems to match in terms of quality of life. Sitting on your deck in the early evening, looking over the open water or bayous, sipping an evening cocktail while enjoying the company of a loved one or close friend, or even sitting out in your back yard, fishing pole in hand, chatting with your kids. There is simply so much to enjoy from waterfront living and there is a reason the waterfront properties sell at a premium.

I spend a lot of time researching and viewing waterfront properties, and even more-so on the Biloxi Bay and the navigable waterways in the area. Due to Katrina, an anomaly by any standard, there are a lot of great deals still to be found on waterfront properties on and around the Biloxi Bay. Whether you are looking for the convenience and low maintenance of a condo at Anatole Bay or Bay Cove, or you are looking to build an upscale home at Langley Point – I can help if you contact me.

There are currently numerous lots on the Biloxi Bay, starting around the $100k+/- range, and there are more protected waterfront communities within minutes by boat to the bay starting in the $60k+/- range. May of these communities have many like-minded individuals that will share your enthusiasm for the water and fun and some have community use items such as pools and clubhouses.

Contact me to help you sell, buy or build your home on or around the water!