While I don't buy and build commerical propeties in Al. I can tell you that building your place from ground up has many more advantages than buying one allready built. Without the land cost look for construction to be around 125-175.00 a square foot. I just finished a 22500 sq ft Shop for a customer and they were highly pleased. We installed a geo thermal heat system for the floors. Don't overlook the tax benifits for any alternative energy programs. Some states even have grant money or low interest loans.

Sun Apr 27 2008, 13:23

Hello Jenny,

You and your husband might want to consider buying a piece of commercial zoned land in the Spanish Fort-Daphne-Fairhope area which is adequate for a building for his practice and med spa, plus additional space for other healthcare professionals. (There is a shortage of good commercial space in the "Eastern Shore" area.) Building your own building would allow you to plan your space to fit both your current and future needs. The residential growth in Baldwin County is leading to a need for more health services of all kinds. The return on commercial rental property will be much better than on residential rentals and the management will also be simpler. There are some excellent choices for high schools in the area. I would recommend that you investigate Bayside Academy in Daphne. It is a college prep school with a great reputation. I have two children who graduated from Bayside and highly recommend that you make a visit and check it out for yourself!

Wishing your family all the best in your move!

Dan - Fairhope, AL

Sun Apr 20 2008, 22:44

Yes, there is definitely a market for another med/spa and physician with an affiliated practice. Believe me, I am a customer of the one you mentioned, and the answer is yes, yes, yes! As for leasing, because we expect great appreciation here over the next few years-all over the eastern shore-you would probably do better to go ahead and buy or build. Usually building is more expensive than remodeling a property to suit your needs. The med spa in Fairhope is rather plush, so if you are considering that to be competition then you would need to look at what you want to do, and what the remodeling costs would be vs. building. There are also several aesthetic cosmetician offices in the area. You are putting your son in a great high school, by the way, if he's going to be in Spanish Fort High School. Great principal. As for rental property, you would probable do better to rent on the Eastern Shore-Fairhope, Daphne, or Spanish Fort, rather than in Mobile. The reason for that is that we are predominantly a buyer's market at this time, and our prices are somewhat down. Mobile has had a more stable market situation than we have over the last 2 years, and there are deals to be had here now. You're certainly buying at the right time. Also, have you considered looking at any beach property? Beach rentals are usually pretty steady for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and that isn't too far away for you to manage. In addition, prices for condos and houses are way, way down-with a lot of foreclosures on the market. I am closing a sale on West Beach Blvd. tomorrow in Gulf Shores-the owners bought in 2004 for 440,000. Tomorrow it is being sold for $165,000! The rental market there is still fine, though, and lots of smart investors are snapping these things up. After all, the beach is still the beach, and folks will always come back to the beach-to buy and to rent. The only downside is somewhat higher insurance rates, but I know one company in particular that has much lower rates than the others. I work the entire Baldwin County area, as well as Mobile, and would be happy to answer any questions if you want to call me at 251-367-3602(cell) or 251-990-6622 (office). Also, you can e-mail me at elihoff@bellsouth.net. Look at my profile if you want any further info about me. I hope to be talking with you-Liz Hoffman, Associate Broker, Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties, Inc.

Tue Apr 15 2008, 15:29

I looked up commercial property for sale in the Spanish Fort area and found some in the 400 to 500 thousand price range. Commercial land starts at 85 thousand in the I-10 Commerce Center. It runs about the same in Mobile. I also found a couple of nice ones there. You can see from these prices what it would cost to buy ready built. It hard to say how much it would cost to build without talking to a builder.
I look up rental property in the Spanish Fort and Mobile area. I picked like properties in Spanish Fort and Mobile. The property tax for the Spanish fort house was $998 and the Mobile was $1625. The Spanish Fort rented for $1600 amonth and the Mobile one for $1332 a month. I also compared 1800-2000sqft in both areas and Spanish Fort was between 165 and 240 thousand. In Mobile there is a wider range in price for the same sqft 100-250 thousand.
Baldwin County schools have a lot to offer.
I can send you the properties that I pulled.
I know that I didnt really answer your question I just gave you the facts that i found so that you could judge for yourself.

Tue Apr 15 2008, 13:32