Baldwin County has so many second home and retirement destination options, especially at the beach! We are also fortunate to have several top rated golf course communities in Gulf Shores, to include Craft Farms, The Peninsula and Kiva Dunes. If you are looking for the ultimate in low maintenance living with a panoramic coastal view, our beaches are lined with condo options to choose from from boat access to gulf front. The Fort Morgan Peninsula is more of a secluded residential beach community, with a handful of highrise condominium developments and a much slower pace. Surfside Shores is one of the most popular communities in the Fort Morgan area, offering affordable homes with deeded gulf beach access. Our team at Jason Will Real Estate just recently listed a great buy for anyone looking for a second home, rental investment or retirement living in paradise, located at 852 Surfside Drive in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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I asked our sellers to help our blog readers and potential buyers self-discover what owning a second home on the Fort Morgan Peninsula has been like for them over the years, by answering the questions below in detail. We believe in harnessing as much of the sellers intimate knowledge of the property, the community and the lifestyle and bring it to those who might have something to gain from their experience. Please take a moment to read the text below and if you have additional questions about the property or think you might want to go a step further and set an appointment to tour the property in person, you can reach our sales staff by dialing 251-866-6464.
Jason: “What were the deciding factors that led you to build this home?”
Seller: We had always dreamed about having a place to vacation, relax, and get away from the rigors of life as a firefighter/Chief/Paramedic and were also looking for a good investment. The partnership with my spouse in the the selection of “our” special vacation spot, brought us both a lot of joy. We looked at lots all over Baldwin County and decided on the Ft Morgan area, particularly Surfside Shores because of its quiet and peaceful, as well as the neighborhood being well maintained.
Jason: “How did you know that the floor plan you selected would be the right fit for you and your family?
Seller: I previously did the electrical wiring on this house plan for a friend from Birmingham that built in Orange beach. He had built this plan for himself. He was a determined person who was very sick and about to receive his 2nd kidney transplant within the month. He and his sons selected and framed his house plan because it was a simple floor plan that provided much room. As I worked on their house I decided the floor plan was perfect for my family and friends, as we like to get together often and needed a functional space. I increased the floor plan to provide more square footage than the original plan. We changed a few other details from the original plans, such as adding the column dividing the living area from the kitchen and providing space for entertainment equipment, books, dvd’s, and extra storage. We also changed the deck ceiling, front and back, to include sunning space. I sit on the back sunning area and watch the beautiful sunsets in the evening and the birds feeding and nesting around the lagoon. The front deck is my morning coffee and reading space!
Jason: “Was the original emotion you felt for the house plan and the location validated after the completion of the home?”
Seller: Yes, it was a feeling of great accomplishment and pride and provided much needed getaways for relaxation. I have continued positive emotion attached to this home beginning from the selection of the lot, the hours of personally clearing it to create our “haven at the beach”, and the investment of thought, planning, time, and energy, to create our peaceful nest.
Jason: Where do you find yourself spending the most time in and/or around the home and why?
Seller: I enjoy watching sunsets on the back deck and watching the Blue Angels practicing on Thursday mornings over the Gulf of Mexico from our front deck. We also see many varieties of birds from the back deck. At one time I fished a lot and conveniently kept my boat on the concrete pad beside the house. Also, we sit under the house in the coolness of shade and utilize it as another seating area where children can play. Often we walk through the neighborhood and ride bicycles. This all, of course, in addition to beach time! Our beach is so private that we leave our chairs, sand pails, etc. on the beach overnight and never have anything disturbed.
Jason: “What improvements have you made to the property since the purchase?”
Seller: We added a Metal roof and poured an extended parking pad at the end of the house. Originally we had plans to build a boat house and upstairs bedrooms on that concrete area. We changed the kitchen flooring to heavy duty tile. We added a sprinkler system to the yard and pumped water from the lagoon to water the yard by timer. Most recently we connected it to water faucets. Several times we’ve changed the landscaping, beginning with a tree filled lot, downing the trees, planting blooming shrubs along the western side of the house to provide privacy when we sit under the house in the coolness watching the kids play or ride scooters.
Jason: What would you say are your top 5 or 10 selling features of the home?
Seller: The house has been very well taken care of over the years. It was built by us, owners who oversaw each step and performed much of the building, hand selecting each tradesman that performed any work during the building. The cabinetry is custom oak and bathroom area has large bonus storage above tub/shower area. Extra high ceilings and Wide Crown Molding throughout. There is specialized lighting throughout the house, outside, and under house security motion-sensing lighting. Extra large enclosed outdoor shower. The house has a roughed in 3rd bathroom plumbing under house and raised concrete area under the house in preparation for an additional bedroom/apartment. Septic tank system which means no sewerage bills or pump to maintain. Large whirlpool tub. Exemplary great views from decks, especially sunset views from back deck, two parking spaces under the house and private sitting area. There is also a herb/garden window in the kitchen.
Jason: Any interests or hobbies you enjoy on and near the property?
Seller: We enjoy fishing for Reds at Dixie Bar off Ft. Morgan beach and the pier located there. We like to keep flowers in bloom during spring and summer, as well as tomatoes, and peppers in pots on the decks and use the veggies in the preparing a meal of the fresh caufht redfish! Riding the ferry to Dolphin Island, feeding seagulls on the trip, and touring Sea Lab next to the ferry landing is one of our favorite things to do, especially with the grand-kids. Beach combing for treasures is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. Swimming in the Gulf, sunbathing and reading on the beach are the most relaxing of our vacation activities. Walking through Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the bird banding event is really neat as well. Shrimp Festival is on our annual “must do” list.
Jason: Average utility costs in summer and winter?
Seller: $80- $120 dollars a month.
Jason: “What will you miss most about vacation time in the Ft. Morgan area?”
Seller: We will miss so many things, like the beautiful white sandy beaches, great sunsets, Low country Boils on the back porch with local friends and visiting family. Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for grand-kids and walking to the beach for a picnic. Laying on the floor watching movies with them after a long day at the beach. The refreshing air, cool breezes, and peaceful tranquility that infiltrates us while we are here. Walks on the beach with the ones we love, and of course our wonderful neighbors.
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