After retiring December 31, 1995, thought I would spend time on the beach in Naples Florida. Fishing a little, golfing a little, but did a lot of nothing." I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”. Philippians 4:11. My namesake wrote this from prison 2000 years ago. I ain’t got it yet!
Deciding that I better get out of the stock market in 2000. I looked for the best place to live and invest in, at the same time. FOUND IT! I discovered the Gulf Shores area and fell in love with the small town feel, and the most beautiful beaches in the world. Unlike the gray sand of the west coast and the shell sand of southwest Florida, the sugar white sand of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama are among the most beautiful in the world. The emerald blue-green crystal clear waters, that lap the beaches, will take your breath away. I have seen dolphins’ coral bate fish and drive them into the beach for their Friday night fish fry. Paradise found. After their dinner they jump completely out of the water doing back flips and chatter with delight.
My priorities were, to purchase condos directly on the beach, end units, between the 4th and 8th floors, large wrap balconies and the most open side of the building. I decided to live in Windward Pointe # 601. Then purchased Tidewater #801, what a fantastic place. I then fell in love with the openness and panoramic view of Silver Beach #401. Almost feels like it’s your own private ocean. Thought this is it, finally the place I could be content. After I bought it, Buzz called, “you gota see The Enclave#401”. The same as Silver Beach but a third bigger. Think I’ll live there. Then I discovered the popularity of ground floor units and decided to invest in a couple of them. I then fell for Romar Place 801, it has a panoramic view of the beach and also the city. I like to spend time there. My plan is to manage these 7 properties for 5 to 7 years, then retire again............. Plans change, got together with my neighbor in The Enclave 301 and after much discussion, she sold it to me. On Feb 1, 2004 a small, no name storm washed out most of the beach in front of Silver Beach. What happened is this, the gulf did not reclaim the sand, it just moved it west. I had several negative comments about the problem. The beaches of Orange Beach are going to be nourished starting in the fall of 2004. But, I didn't think it fair that my renters in Silver Beach would not have a beach at high tide. With much trepidation I sold Sliver Beach. Around that same time my neighbor in Romar Place 406 called me, thinking of selling. Short, I did buy and had a blast redecorating, went wild, painting colors like, smooth coral, ocean aqua, spring lilac, and then painted the trim fall salmon. For sure the most fun decorating I've had to date.
The reason I do not require a security deposit is simple. I find the great majority of people know the value and respect the property. If renters, like college kids, are going to do damage, $200 is not going to come close to covering that damage. I try my best not to rent to people who don’t care and want their moneys worth, by using up the asset. To the responsible people, not charging a deposit leads to more trust and responsibility.
Regarding rental agencies, if you think there is a possibility that you will have to cancel, rent through them. They have much less motivation to re-rent a place, leaving the owner hanging. I just can’t rent like a motel or like some rental agencies, with late cancellations . I require full payment 30 before occupancy. Cancellation with in the 30 days, I will put it back on the market. If it rents, you get the money up to what you paid, if not and the unit stays empty you will receive a refund of tax and cleaning.
Regarding hurricanes. Trip insurance is optional, “CSA TRAVEL PROTECTION”, trip insurance, covering financial losses you may incur due to, illness, injuries or mandatory hurricane evacuations. Please understand if you are forced to evacuate, because of weather, and you don't have this insurance, you will not get a refund. Details are available online or 800.661.6860 www.CSATravelProtection.com. I do not receive a commission or have any authority over this insurance, but what you absolutely should know is, in case of forced evacuation the only way you will receive a refund is if you purchase this insurance, and that refund does not come from me, rather it comes directly to you from CSA Travel Protection.
Many people email me about the condition of the Gulf Shores area after the hurricane, "IVAN" the terrible in Sept of 2004. Everything is back in order and we have a new 300 foot wide beach. Old timers tell me the beach is back to the size it was in 1950. Hurricanes "Katrina" and "Rita" missed us in 2005.
I do all my own pictures, video and site construction. Can’t believe all I have learned at this advanced age, but it is exciting and rewarding. Send me an email phuseby@aol.com with suggestions or critique.
Only
great minds
can read this..!!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny
iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The
rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is
bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a
wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt, and I'm
ginog to laren my garnd kdis the smae
Paul Huseby 10/19/07