This is a big weekend for all of us on Mobile Bay. Not only does this weekend mark the unofficial start of our Gulf Coast summer, but it’s also Memorial Day weekend! While you may have had your beach vacation booked for months or already planned out your weekend day by day, chances are most of us are still deciding how to celebrate this fantastic weekend. We’ve put together a list of some unique and memorable ways to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend. However you decide to spend this weekend, we hope that you spend it honoring our veterans past and present! So why not hang an American Flag on your front porch, attend one of the exciting events listed below, or simply tell a veteran thank you for everything they have done for us.
Happy Memorial Day Y’all!

FRIDAY
Baldwin Pops Memorial Day Concert
May 24^th at 7 p.m.
Heritage Park in Foley
Bring a chair or blanket and your favorite summers snacks! The kids will love the children’s march with flags after intermission and a Checkered Tablecloth Award for the most interesting picnic setup. The movie “A Dolphin Tale” will be shown after the concert

SATURDAY
Memorial Brick Pathway Dedication
May 25^th at 11 a.m.
Baldwin County Bicentennial Park’s Veterans War Memorial
(51233 Ala. 225, two miles north of Interstate 65 in Stockton)
The engraved memorial bricks along the Veterans Memorial Pathway are those purchased by citizens, family members and organizations to honor a U.S. military veteran (past or present), military unit, ship or group through the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park’s Memorial Brick Program. To buy a memorial brick, contact the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History at 251-580-1897.

Blakely Battle Reenactment
May 25^th
Historic Blakely State Park
Scattered activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An “attack on the Union” at 12:00 p.m.
Do find yourself watching hours of The History Channel or loading your Kindle with Civil War Books? If so then you will love this exciting look back into Mobile’s fascinating History. Liberty Guard Mess, a re-enactment group, will set up military camps and portray picketing and skirmishing that preceded the pitched Blakeley battle of April 9, 1865. Civil War impressions can be seen at various times and places in the park on Saturday and Sunday at regular admission prices of $3 for adults and $2 for children.

SUNDAY
Honor Guard Wreath Laying Ceremony
May 26^th
9:00 a.m. – ceremony at Pelican Reef restaurant
9:30 a.m. – ceremony at Rose of Lima
2:00 p.m. – ceremony at Fowl River Cemetery
With it being one of the only events on Sunday, this would be a great opportunity to pay homage to those who have fought and are still fighting for our freedom and our country. After the event, why not head down to Dauphin Island for an afternoon on the beach, we couldn’t think of a greater way to kick off summer! Sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 250 at 10950 Dauphin Island Parkway

MONDAY
Memorial Day Ceremony – Bay Minette
May 27^th at 10:00 a.m.
Under the front portico at 300 Faulkner Drive in Bay Minette.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Patrick H. Downing will be the keynote speaker. Four Old Hearts Quartet from the Pride of Mobile Men’s Chorus will sing the national anthem, which is sure to be absolutely beautiful. There will be a tolling of the bell for deceased veterans and a white rose ceremony for their families.
Sponsored by William F. Green State Veterans Home.

Memorial Day Ceremony – Satsuma
May 27^th at 9:00 a.m.
Satsuma City Hall – 5464 Old Highway 43
Special recognition will be given to the Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives in a helicopter crash and to Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Brown, who died in Afghanistan. The guest speaker will be Donald K. Kiper, a resident of Satsuma and distinguished U.S. Navy serviceman.

Gulf Shores Memorial Day Ceremony
May 27^th at 10:00 a.m.
Miller Memorial Cemetery on Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores.
The cemetery is between mile markers 17 and 16. The ceremony will honor deceased veterans from all branches of military service, especially those buried there, starting with Civil War veterans.

Memorial Motorcycle Ride
May 27^th at 8:00 a.m.
Start in Loxley at the Love’s Truck stop.
Riders may join in along the route at Robertsdale High School in Robertsdale, American Legion Post 99 in Foley or American Legion Post 44 in Gulf Shores. The ride will end at Miller Memorial Cemetery where veterans will hold a flag line as part of the memorial service. Following the service, an open house will be held at American Legion Post 44 on Ala. 59 in Gulf Shores between Baldwin County 6 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Baldwin County Legion Riders.

4^th Annual Ernest Roy St. Memorial Day Flag Relay
May 27^th at 6:45 a.m.
National Cemetery at 1220 Virginia St. Mobile
or at the large city flag pole in Foley on Ala. 59 at 101 W. laurel St.
From Mobile, participants will run, jog or walk in one-mile legs to the Foley flag pole. Participants starting from the Foley flag pole, will run, jog or walk in one-mile legs to the Pensacola Naval Air Station Chapel flag pole. Volunteers are needed as flag carriers, section captains and safety monitors. Also, anyone with a U.S. flag or military services flag is welcome to volunteer its use. For more information or to register, 251-656-5053.

Memorial Day Ceremony – Dauphin Island Pkwy
May 27^th at 11:30 a.m.
American Legion Post No. 250 at 10950 Dauphin Island Pkwy
The program will include the raising of the national flag; the singing of the national anthem; a special tribute to each branch of the military; a talk by guest speaker Willis Frazier, a retired Army veteran, and a rifle volley by American Legion Post 250 Honor Guard, followed by “Taps.”

How do you plan to spend this Memorial Day Weekend?

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al.
www.prudentialcooper.com

Mobilian’s everywhere have one more thing to add to their list of bragging rights! Our very own beach community, Gulf Shores, AL, was named among the top 10 Best Beach Towns for Families in America in the June issue of Parents Magazine.

Here’s the full list for all you curious blog readers:

1. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
2. Coronado, California
3. St. Pete Beach, Florida
4. Flamouth, Massachusetts
5. Cape May, New Jersey
6. Amelia Island, Florida
7. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
8. Kamuela, Hawaii, The Big Island
9. Gulf Shores, Alabama
10. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Editors narrowed a nationwide list down to 100 beaches based on water quality, extensive recreational opportunities, affordable lodging, exciting entertainment & more! According to the news article, here are the reasons why Gulf Shores was given this prized spot on the lineup.

Oceanfront Fun On Gulf State Park’s guarded coastline, families can join in beanbag tosses or hula-hoop contests. “The beaches are clean and the sand is sugar-white,” says Sarah Barnhill, a mom of a 3-year-old in nearby Adger, Alabama.

Inland Hot Spots The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the perfect size for kids — you can get a good view of its 300-plus creatures and drop in for its summertime animal shows during a three-hour visit ($10 for adults, $7 for kids 3 to 12, free for younger kids.) Drop by Fort Morgan, where kids can see real cannons and learn about Civil War history. ($7 for adults, $4 for kids ages 6 to 12, younger kids are free). End a great day with dinner at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, which has a food-allergy menu and a beach-sand area to occupy kids.

Castles in the Sand Vacation rentals are abundant in Gulf Shores. A great pick: a condo at The Beach Club Gulf Shores; all units have full kitchens, access to pools, and a fitness center. (One-bedroom condos that sleep four start at $231 per night;) If you’d rather stay at a hotel, options a few miles from the beach include Staybridge Suites (rooms with two queen beds start at $139 per night; ) and Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms (rooms with two queen beds start at $89 per night;).

This latest shout out comes after an award-filled year for the city that includes recognition from readers of FamilyFun Magazine as a top 10 tourist town  in the U.S., and being named one of the top 5 “Best Gulf Coast Beaches” by the Travel Channel , SmarterTravel.com’s “10 places you should go while they’re still cheap” and Nashville Lifestyles’ “best luxury locations in the U.S. for discerning travelers.” Pleasure Island was picked by Country Roads magazine, a Baton Rouge-based cultural publication, as the “Best Place for a Family Escape.”

Tell us your reasons why Gulf Shores is your go-to vacation spot?

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile and Baldwin County, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

We all know that living in a neighborhood has it perks, but have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Downtown Mobile? What about only having a five-minute morning commute? Or being walking distance to restaurants, concerts and shopping?

This Sunday (May 19^th) from 2:00-5:00pm, why not head on down to Downtown Mobile for The Downtown Living Tour. This is a great opportunity for you to experience various forms of an urban lifestyle in one fun-filled afternoon. From trendy converted lofts, to elegant luxury townhomes, to graceful historic single family houses, living downtown offers more options than any other neighborhood in our area!

In addition, the tour will allow you to see first-hand the joys of a walkable neighborhood. Upon starting this walking tour, you will be given a tour booklet, tour map and refreshments along the way. Start out at historic Cathedral Square to pick up a map and gather any needed information. Get ready to visit twelve to fifteen properties that will be showcased on the tour! Examples include: O’Gwynn Building, St. Louis Lofts, Carriage Works Townhome & Condos, and St. Francis Place Condos.

Plus, when the tour has ended, enjoy an after-party at Draft Picks complete with hors d’oeuvres, live band and fabulous prizes! Across the country, young professions, empty nesters and the external “cool kids” increasingly prefer to live downtown. This trend is likely to escalate as Mobile becomes even more of an international city and popular tourist destination. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this exciting event to showcase Downtown Living!

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

As we round out Thursday, the weekend is right around the corner (excuse us while we do a little happy dance). While some of us may have made Mother’s Day plans weeks ago, most of us are just now deciding how we are going to celebrate this special day. Worry not blog readers, Mobile Bay is packed full of exciting, different and affordable activities to help Mom celebrate her special day.

Why not attend the 6^th Annual Mother’s Day Concert at Mobile’s own Bellingrath Gardens. Head on over Sunday afternoon and enjoy the Gardens and Home throughout the afternoon. Then mosey down to the Live Oak Plaza at 5:30 for the big event. Break out the ice cream, sit back and listen to the soothing sounds of The Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra. The free concert is included in your admission to Bellingrath Gardens. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Mother’s Day, admission will be reduced to $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 5-12. Children under the age of 5 are always admitted free. Follow this link for more information, a complete menu selection and to make your table or dinner reservations.

We all know that the last thing Mom wants to do on Mother’s Day is cook. We suggest you get her to dress up in her favorite outfit, have her put down the spatula and head on down to the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, the newly renovated Mobile Marriot or Mobile’s own The Battle House Hotel for a delicious brunch sure to lead to full stomachs and happy hearts! Can you say Eggs Benedict, crab bisque and tangerine-cherry glazed ham? Our mouths are literally watering just thinking about it!

Itching to spend some time in the great outdoors this beautiful spring weekend? Pick up Mom for a day of fun-filled memories, Mobile style! Drive on down to Dauphin Island where Mom will love beachcombing for nautical treasures on the white sandy beaches or strolling through the quiet Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Head on over to one of our great public parks and spend the afternoon walking the trails, feeding the ducks, or enjoying a quiet picnic in this fabulous spring weather. Or spend the day exploring downtown Mobile while soaking in the stunning architecture of our hometown, popping in-and-out of our unique museums, or sharing a bag of peanuts with the squirrels in Bienville Square.

We hope these simple and fun ideas have sparked an idea to help this be the most special Mother’s Day yet. How do you plan to spend this Mother’s Day?

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

When you think of Prudential Cooper & Co., what do you think of? Maybe it’s our fabulous Realtors or our blue “rock” sign in a front yard. Whatever it may be, chances are it’s not timber! Yes, you heard us right, timber!

Southern Timberlands is one of the most unique divisions of Prudential Cooper & Co.  Their highly trained and motivated Sales Professions don’t just buy and sell land. They specialize in large acreages such as rural land, country properties, recreational tracts, farmland, timberland, forest, investment tracts, industrial properties, property developers and 1031 exchange property locators.

For several years, Southern Timberlands has been serving people in the South and has proudly helped many of your neighbors find that ideal piece of property! Whether you are looking for a place to hunt deer, duck, turkey or quail; interested in a Fishing Camp or Weekend Retreat; if you want waterfront property or just a great looking Family Vacation Home, Southern Timberlands is the Real Estate Company for you!

Southern Timberland’s greatest assets are their people! With their team of trustworthy professionals working for you, we are confident that their commitment to service to you is second to none!

Southern Timberlands currently has land for sale in Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Dallas, Escambia, Geneva, Jefferson, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Washington & Wilcox County, Alabama; Jackson, Harrison, George & Green County, Mississippi.

Visit their website to search hundreds of unique listings in
Alabama and Mississippi.
If you don’t see what you are looking for, they can help find it for you.
Give them a call at 251-341-1110
or visit them at www.southerntimberlands.com

Today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its interior. This couldn’t be truer for Mobile & Baldwin County homebuyers! Locals are known to spend hours upon hours in the spring, summer and fall in backyards! Whether it’s a Spring Crawfish Boil, Summer Cookout or Gameday BBQ, Mobilians are enjoying the outdoors! Savvy agents, like those at Prudential Cooper, understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors.

            The following tips will help make sure that your backyard is as distinctive at your home itself. 

• ·         Make your Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture. The area needn’t be elaborate; just two chairs pulled close together with a table between can make even the most basic concrete patio special. Just the idea that an outdoor eating option is possible makes a property more inviting. Adding accessories like a small table, an inexpensive outdoor rug or a few pots filled with flowers will make the area even more attractive.
• ·         Remember the Kids: If you have an old tree house, fix it up and paint it bright colors or add sporty designs that will make other kids fall in love with it. Just make sure the tree house is safe. Add a tire swing to a tree and keep an orderly basket of balls, flying disks and a jump rope so kids dragged along on the showing can play in the yard. Swing sets that are old and unsightly should be removed or refurbished to look new.
• ·         Fire is Hot: There’s nothing like sitting around a fire and enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, which explains the growing popularity of fire pits and outdoor hearths. Few home improvements create the “wow” factor that a backyard fireplace will, and many homeowners are adding a fireplace to their outdoor landscape to recreate all the appeal of their home’s interior outside in the backyard.
• ·         Simple Fixes: You needn’t go overboard with the changes in your yard. Sometimes, the easiest fixes will create a look that people will remember. Do a thorough inspection and replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, stain and sealant if the finish requires it. You should also weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color.

         Creating a backyard sanctuary is one of the smartest things you can do to make your home stand out, so make your outdoor space a destination to remember and place homebuyers want to enjoy.

Visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

… Yep, you guessed it, The National Association of Realtors Nationwide Open House Weekend? This weekend (April 20-21) you can get a jump on the spring buying season and visit tons of open houses in the Mobile and Baldwin county area!
Stop on by one of our great open houses this weekend! Open house gives buyers a chance to get an idea of what they can afford in the market and get a feel for what they want and need in a home. Also, our Realtors will be ready to answer any questions about homeownership and provide insight about the local housing market and the home buying process!

Here are two fabulous homes open this Sunday (April 21) for Nationwide Open House Weekend. Be sure to stop by and check them out in person!

6321 South Muir Woods Dr
Mobile, AL 36693
OPEN 2:00 – 4:00pm
Absolutely gorgeous 5br/3.5ba home in Cottage Hill’s Muir Woods. 3,705sf. Office. Formal LR + Den. Double garage. Fence. Pool! Rich hardwood. Simply stunning!
MLS# 248541

258 Crenshaw St.
Mobile, AL 36606
OPEN 1:30 – 3:00pm
Adorable and classic Midtown Cottage! Hardwood floors. Sun Room. Large deck with gazebo. Fence. New heating and air! An absolute doll house!
MLS# 244047

Click here to see all of our open houses for this weekend!

Don’t forget to stay in the loop during Nationwide Open House Weekend! Here are three ways to say current on social media this weekend.

1. NAR’s official Twitter page
2. NAR’s official Facebook page
3. NOHW official hashtag: #NOHW2013

Visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

We are proud to announce two of our very own Prudential Cooper agents have received awards from Prudential National for the fourth quarter of two thousand and twelve. Can I get a drum roll please? No really… I need that drum roll! Congratulations to both Sheree Dees and Don Foster from our Azalea Road office!

Don Foster placed third in Alabama for Residential Units!
Sheree Dees placed third in Alabama for Residential GCI, or total income earned in Residential Sales.
We couldn’t be more proud of Sheree and Don and are honored to call them part of our Prudential Cooper family! Congrats Don & Sheree, keep up the hard word and dedication!

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

Even though that famed underground often incorrect rodent (the groundhog of course) predicted an early Spring, it feels like mid-winter here on the Gulf Coast! Nevertheless, Spring is on its way! For us in Mobile, the spring season brings us flowering Azalea bushes, afternoons at the t-ball park, weekends of Spring Cleaning and the perfect time to put our homes on the market!

Whether you spend your weekends Spring Cleaning or preparing to list your home on the real estate market, it’s important to remember that flooring is a major part of a house — and its real estate value!

Carpet, tile, marble, or hardwood it doesn’t matter, the flooring of the home serves as an important financial and practical asset. Quality flooring can increase the home’s value, and it’s vital to take proper care of it!

Here are some of the best ways to maintain your floors:

Tile: Many homes on the Gulf Coast have tile in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. It’s important to maintain them. Particularly in high traffic places such as kitchens — regular maintenance is essential.

One way to maintain tile quality is to mix baking soda and water as a make-at-home cleaning option, or simply find a cleaner with a very neutral pH level.

With tile, it’s crucial to avoid harsh and abrasive chemicals. They can alter the polish and stain the tile, and wouldn’t that just be terrible!

Carpet: If you have carpet in your house, make sure to keep up on the cleaning. This floor material is very dependent on the environment of the house. Do you have pets? Do you have children? Is your kitchen table on carpet?

There are so many factors that this category will naturally be subjective, but the principle is the same: Stay up to date, regardless of how often it’s required.

Carpet in nice condition not only makes a house more comfortable, but helps hold the value of the house together!

Marble: Due to its permeability, marble doesn’t react well to acid, the care of marble floor is extremely important in holding not only value, but appearance. Stained marble is very noticeable and unattractive in a house.

It’s best to mop with strictly warm water. With marble flooring, it’s even more imperative to regularly clean, as dirt can — and will — scratch the surface.

Inside each door, make sure to have a mat. These small practices can go a long way in maintaining the surface and increasing longevity.

Hardwood floor: Similar to marble, it’s important to maintain hardwood floors. If this type of material isn’t regularly and correctly cleaned, seals break and cleaning then becomes detrimental as water seeps in the cracks.

This is a very common floor material option for homes in our area, and it’s easy to tell when an area of wood floor is cared for. A neutral product is best when mopping and make sure to sweep the floor before cleaning to avoid dragging sediments around the finish.

The flooring of a house covers the entire walkable surface, and it’s important to keep it clean. Flooring is an expensive and significant part of a property, and it should carefully be looked after. Don’t underestimate how well-maintained flooring can help home owners maintain their home’s value during resale.

What are your floor care tips?

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al. Search every home, listed by every agent, with every real estate company!
That’s one powerful tool, find it at
www.prudentialcooper.com

Source: Tim Richmond, guest contributor to Realtor.org
March 11, 2013

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am the mother of two wonderful children, Lauren and Caleb. Lauren attends Springhill College and Caleb attends St. Mary’s Catholic School. I come from a family of five children, with two sisters and two brothers there was never a dull moment growing up! Both of my brothers are attorneys, one sister is a doctor and the other is a CPA.  I graduated from Davidson High School in 1978, then attended the University of South Alabama to pursue a degree in physical education and business. I’ve always had a career in sales, and absolutely love it! My husband, John, is a licensed home remodeler. We make a great team! He remodels houses and I sell them!

What’s your favorite thing about the Mobile area?
I would have to say the location and being so close to the beach is my absolute favorite thing. Our fabulous weather and Mardi Gras are close seconds!

How long have you been in real estate?
I’ve been in real estate for five years, and what I ride it has been!

What’s your favorite food?
Being part Italian, I would have to say all Italian food!

The funniest thing that ever happened to me while showing a house was…
I was at an open house in Grand Bay. I had already opened the house up and was awaiting prospective buyers. I opened the back door and there standing the back yard, was a goat eating grass! I was so startled I shut the door as quickly as I could! Unfortunately, the only person though my open house was that darn goat!

What’s your favorite thing about selling real estate?
Meeting new people! Some of my clients have become my best friends and vice versa. It’s a great career.

What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Good question! I’ll have to think on that one…

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing homebuyers today?
I would say the top challenge is buyers getting preapproved for loans due to the new guidelines. Also, narrowing down the houses they want to buy, there are so many great buys on the market today it can be overwhelming for so many buyers.

Guilty pleasure? We all have one, what’s yours?
Cupcakes! I love them and could eat one every single day.

What made you choose Prudential Cooper & Co.?
I chose Prudential because of their family oriented and focus on the agents as individuals! I’m an extremely family oriented person too, it seemed like a perfect fit!

If you have any further questions or would like to talk to Angela about buying or selling a home, feel free to contact Angela Locklier directly at 251-423-2616 or 251-639-4006 or visit her website at www.angelasellshomestoday.com.

Don’t forget to visit our website to search thousands of homes for sale in Mobile, Al.
www.prudentialcooper.com