Fairhope offers a diverse real estate offering for its residents, from waterfront homes on Mobile Bay to elaborate golf course properties. You’ll find walkable neighborhoods scattered in and around the cheerful streets of our quaint downtown, as well as large custom built homes set among sprawling pecan orchards, for those in need of a little more social distance.
17062 Equestrian Lane is the later of the aforementioned. A beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 3,684 square foot home on 1.52 acres of Fairhope countryside. I am familiar with this landscape, having grown up a few miles east on the soft banks of Fish River. From our sellers front door, you’re close enough to be convenience to in-town necessities, yet far enough away to have a backyard that resembles a football field.
This particular real estate blog is going to be unique, in that it will feature both the “he said” and “she said” lifestyle and marketing lenses of our sellers, who are moving north at the beckoning of his dream job.
1. Of all the homes you could have purchased, why Equestrian? NO, really why that one over all others on the list?
He said: “We wanted a large, level lot with enough room for the kids to play outside on a quiet street where we wouldn’t have to worry about vehicle traffic. The view of the Pilot’s horse farm and having the church field behind our house, meant that there would not likely be any further developing of the area around our home. The church even allows us to play in the field, use their basket ball court, baseball field, and play ground whenever we want to. The home is big enough for the five kids to play inside without crowding each other. The property is located in unincorporated county, so that means lower property taxes. Being on the south side of Fairhope puts us closer to the beach, 45 min, but its still convenient to the town.”
She Said: “The sprawling yard situated in a mature pecan orchard (who doesn’t want to alternate between unlimited pecan pies and the wide open spaces to burn off those extra calories!), the rarity of a neighborhood with only a few houses all well maintained with large yards, the uncommon attention to detail such as a near artistic rendering of crown molding and travertine floors, the layout of the floor-plan which made it easy to gather in the common spaces and still find privacy and quiet in the periphery, the theater which came fully outfitted with surround sound speakers and a receiver and stadium seating for 8.”
2. What are the selling features that you expect buyers touring the home to appreciate most?
He Said: “The 1.5 acre lot, privacy and accompanying views. The floor plan design, high-end finishes and robust construction of the home. The massive interior and superior upkeep in maintenance and appearance. The theater. The kitchen. The over-sized garage.”
She Said: “In addition to those features that led us to choose Equestrian ourselves, buyers will also appreciate that BOTH the easily noticeable AND easily overlooked places have been extraordinarily well cared for.”
3. Have you made any improvements to the home?
He Said: “We added custom built in shelves to the office/bedroom; the laundry room; bulk item pantry; master bath all on the main level. Added peg board to the garage wall adjacent to the water heater for organized tool storage. Relocated the hot water heater from the attic to the garage (potential flooding problem alleviated) and upgraded it to a 50 gallon tank. Added heavy duty four station swing set to the back yard, commercial playground quality, comes with four swing belts, two baby swing seats, and one horizontal bar with handles. Removed broken projector and screen from the theater and replaced with an LG 70″ LED TV and wall mount, integrated into the home theater system, to include adding a power outlet behind the TV for seamless appearance. Added a cedar four position coat/backpack hanger to the kitchen wall, to be used in conjunction with a boot bench. Replaced ceiling fan in the living room and florescent light fixtures in the laundry and master closet. Repainted the entire house to a light gray interior. Removed the built in kitchen island to open up the kitchen allowing for a more spacious feel. Removed a pecan tree from the back yard that was hanging over the house. Added an LG 55″ LED TV and wall mount to the living room to complete the room.”
She Said: “We added a closet to the bonus room; new hot water heater relocated from attic to the garage to protect house from water leak issues; fresh neutral gray paint throughout; builder grade landscaping replaced by Master Gardener planned landscaping (gardenias, camellias, honeysuckle, irises, daylilies); beautiful custom shelving in office, master bath, and laundry room; 70″ mounted TV in theater room and 55″ mounted TV in living room.” 4. What are you going to miss most about the lifestyle your home provided to your family?
He Said: “The great neighbors, the privacy and the size of the yard. The beauty of the horse farm and the views of the pecan orchard. The country feel of the property without sacrificing the convenience of access to goods and services. Bonfires and camping in the back yard, having large groups over from church for acoustic worship, and having a house large enough to host family from out of town.”
She Said: “Outdoor space to do anything we could possibly dream of, the captivating view of rambling pastures and pristine equestrian fences, convenience to the beach which gave staycation a whole new meaning, FANTASTIC NEIGHBORS!”
5. What are you going to miss most about life in Fairhope?
He Said: “Our community relationships. The quaint feel of the town with the high quality of homes and upkeep. The special activities and events hosted here and the quality of those events. Fourth of July on the bay, new years fireworks, Mardi Gras, Christmas parades, etc. The school system, the climate, proximity to the beach. The views of the bay when commuting to work in Mobile. I don’t want to move.”
She Said: “The sweetness and serenity of living life in a quaint town that moves comfortably on a vacation pace, yet still within easy reach of cities that offer access to whatever resources you might need in order to live the good life.”