I have just set up a new Wordpress Blog for the Alabama Gulf Coast.  It has been great fun adding all of the great Plug Ins for wordpress that really enhance the site functionality and manageability.  One of the really great plugins is Lucia's Link Love.  It allows do-follow comments for my real estate networking friends.  If you are looking to build relevance for your site, you may want to drop by and leave a few comments.  Lucia's is set for 3 comments before going do follow.  Please leave thoughtful messages and if you want, I am receptive to posting articles for you that are real estate related but not location specific.  If you would like your article posted please do not exceed three hyperlinks including your credits.

Let me know what you think about the theme, layout, and functionality - www.mygulfcoastbeachteam.com !

Want to make a 3% commission on real estate sales that aren't even in your market?

The Maverick Group is bringing together investors to make volume purchases of properties that have great promise of positive cash flow.  They are working with developers and rental companies to come up with turn key investment homes with management companies in place to look after the details.  Do yourself a favor and click through to see how it works. 

If the investor is a "Qualified Real Estate Investor" then there is also potential for very positive cash flows using accelerated depreciation of 50% of the property value in the first year of ownership.  Real Estate agents can offset both active and passive income with this accelerated depreciation which includes a five year reach back period.  Regular "Qualified Real Estate Investors" (non real estate professionals) may be limited to offsetting only passive income.  All of this is brought to you through the GO ZONE Act better known as the Gulf Opportunity Zone legislation (be sure to seek counsel of your CPA on this).   Time is limited and the GO ZONE runs out at year end. 

This is worth checking into for you as agents, but most of you that read this will have an extensive database of investor clients that you can share this valuable information with.  If they buy, you get a handsome commission.  The e-mails you send out to your client base will include a discount code showing you as the procuring cause of the registrant and you will get a 3% commission on the gross sales price.  How sweet is that!

Agents, sign up here!  Continue below to see an example of what you will be doing.

Sign up and you will get occasional e-mails like this to send to forward to your client base (be sure to check out the links below and note that the discount codes on your e-mails will have your name):

EXCLUSIVE "GO-ZONE" BUYING OPPORTUNITY IN THE #1 GROWTH MARKET IN THE COUNTRY

Deal Overview:
http://maverickinvestorgroup.com/deals/charmont

(Access is by invitation only. You must RSVP with the discount code: "cal carter")

Chosen by Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine as an "Investor Pick" to "Generate Above Average Returns"
================================================

• Pre-Construction Single Family Homes Directly in the Path of Growth
• #1 Metropolitan Area for Projected Economic Growth 2008-2012 (Forbes and Moody's)
• No Property Taxes For Residents Over 65 (Major Incentive for Retiring Baby Boomers!)
• #1 Micropolitan Area for Population Growth 2000-2007 (US Census)
• Discounted Prices and Terms Not Available to the Public
• Positive Cash Flow Potential
• On-Site Property Management Available
• Lawn Care for Each Individual Home Included in HOA
• Only $5,000 to reserve the night of the call

Learn about the amazing tax incentives for Real Estate Professionals for Buying Property in the "GO-ZONE" (including a 50% first year bonus depreciation and a 5 year net operating loss carry back). Tune in to find out what YOU need to do to get in on the action!

This is the LAST opportunity to reserve new homes that can be completed before the end of 2008, which is a requirement to qualify for the GO-Zone Tax Benefits that expire at the end of 2008!

(Access is by Invitation Only. You must use the Discount Code: "cal carter")

DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in states where registration is required prior to any offer being made or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Real estate ownership involves risks which buyer assumes. Maverick Investor Group, LLC is referring potential buyers only and is not representing you in any capacity. Do your own due diligence. Read all documents and agreements before signing anything. Maverick Investor Group, LLC does not assume any responsibility for errors and omissions. You should consult with your legal professional or tax advisor regarding any real property transaction.

Sign up for this opportunity here!

How Real Estate Professionals Can LEGALLY Pay NO Income Tax in 2008
And Get a Refund for All Income Tax Paid in 2003-2007

FREE Training and Buying Opportunity via National Conference Call
Wednesday, September 17th, 6PM PST (9PM EST)

(Access is by invitation only. RSVP with the discount code: "gulfshoreslife")
GET THE CALL-IN NUMBER FOR FREE BY CLICKING HERE:
http://maverickinvestorgroup.com/deals/charmont

=============================================

Learn about the amazing incentives for Real Estate Professionals for Buying Property in the "GO-ZONE" (including a 50% first year bonus depreciation and a 5 year net operating loss carry back). Tune in to find out what YOU need to do to get in on the action!

The Call Also Includes a Private, Unlisted GO-Zone Buying Opportunity that was Chosen as an "Investor Pick" by Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine to generate "above average returns":

• Pre-Construction Single Family Homes Directly in the Path of Growth
• #1 Metropolitan Area for Projected Economic Growth 2008-2012 (Forbes and Moody's)
• No Property Taxes For Residents Over 65 (Major Incentive for Retiring Baby Boomers!)
• #1 Micropolitan Area for Population Growth 2000-2007 (US Census)
• Discounted Prices and Terms Not Available to the Public
• Positive Cash Flow Potential
• On-Site Property Management Available
• Lawn Care for Each Individual Home Included in HOA
• Only $5,000 to reserve the night of the call!

This is the LAST opportunity to reserve new homes that can be completed before the end of 2008, which is a requirement to qualify for the GO-Zone Tax Benefits that expire at the end of 2008!

Mark Your Calendar for Wednesday, September 17th at 6PM PST (9PM EST)
THERE IS LIMITED SPACE REMAINING ON THE CONFERENCE CALL.

(This Free Training and Buying Opportunity is by Invitation Only. You must use the Discount Code: "gulfshoreslife")

DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in states where registration is required prior to any offer being made or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Real estate ownership involves risks which buyer assumes. Maverick Investor Group, LLC is referring potential buyers only and is not representing you in any capacity. Do your own due diligence. Read all documents and agreements before signing anything. Maverick Investor Group, LLC does not assume any responsibility for errors and omissions. You should consult with your legal professional or tax advisor regarding any real property transaction.

It's been a while since I posted to my Active Rain blog.  I have been quite busy building a custom website and helping our office move from Orange Beach to Fairhope.

First I guess I will tell about our office move.  Keith Cook my former broker from Gainesville, GA was approached about taking over the Alabama Gulf Coast franchise.  He did his due diligence and effective May 1st he took control of the franchise as the new Operating Partner.  Keith has quite a lot of experience with Keller Williams operating multiple profitable Market Centers with more than 400 agents.  It was Keith's vision to strategically move the office to Fairhope to better serve all of our Baldwin County agents in a central location.  In addition this new location would better serve the anticipated high growth expected on the Eastern Shore driven by numerous recently anounced high impact industrial projects.  There will also be an additional benefit of serving a more stable market that is not as seasonal and cyclical as the beach resort market is.  Look for a business center to return to the beach soon! Check out our company site - Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast

If you are a Baldwin County agent and would like more information on Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast or to have Keith Cook contact you then visit this page - http://www.gulfshoreslife.com/join-keller-williams-realty-alabama-gulf-coast.php

The other thing I have been working on is the ramp up of my new custom website.  Finally, I can do a little programming on my own to make my site do lots more than the old site would.  Custom searches of all sorts now gives visitors the ability to rapidly narrow down their property searches to what they are really looking for.  I am proud of the new site and hope that some of you guys will give it a real work out.  This new site not only serves the Alabama Gulf Coast, but additionally serves the Eastern Shore Real Estate market on Mobile Bay.  For property searches of homes or condos in Spanish Fort, Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Point Clear, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or Fort Morgan, please visit www.gulfshoreslife.com .

If you are looking for Beach Property on the Gulf Coast, visit www.mygulfcoastbeachteam.com  .  This site is a joint effort by multiple Keller Williams agents at multiple offices in the Beach communities of Biloxi MS, Fort Morgan AL, Gulf Shores AL, Orange Beach AL, Pensacola FL, Navarre Beach FL, Destin FL, and Panama City Beach FL.

If you are a buyer looking for property or an agent with clients looking for Gulf Coast Real Estate, then we are your source for information.  All of these offices have extensive options for vacation and retirement properties on the beaches, bays, and canals of the Gulf of Mexico.  There are also many options in boating and yachting properties for the recreational boater and fisherman. 

For those of you who have friends, family, or clients looking for a great condo or home on the beach, be sure to visit www.gulfshoreslife.com .  We cover Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan Beach, Bay, and Canal properties.  Please note that there is new Tax Legislation that lets qualified investors  buying qualified "new" properties in the Hurricane damaged areas of AL, MS, LA, and parts of TX take a whopping first year depreciation of 50%.  See our GO Zone page for more info from the Internal Revenue Service .  Do your due diligence in regards to the Go Zone and seek the advice of your tax advisor.

We have white sandy beaches, fishing, great food, and lots of good music with no cover charges.  It is the old stomping ground of Jimmy Buffett and home of his sisters restaurant "Lulu's at Homeport Marina ".  It is rumored that "Margaritaville" was penned at Pirates Cove Marina  (maybe a legend, maybe true).  Back to the music, we host the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival featuring a large number of free music shows all over the areas many night spots.  The new entertainment facility at The Wharf  will feature it's season opening concert with ZZ Top this coming month.  And don't forget the world famous beachside roadhouse bar the Florabama for more good vibes.

I have utilized Point2Agent real estate websites for about 3 years on two different sites, one for Lake Lanier Real Estate and a new one for Gulf Shores Real Estate. Both of those sites started out as the basic free point2agent site and have become very successful.  It is easy to use, there are online tutorials, online help, really nice display of listings, listings can be handshaked with other point2agent sites (your listings on their sites with their contact information and their listings showing on your site with your contact information), and your listings can be syndicated to about 7 national real estate related sites where you are the contact with the check of a box. Additionaly, your listings show up on point2agents sister site point2homes with your contact information and there is a back office where you can manage online prospects and an automated Drip E-mail system ready for you to activate. Oh, and don't forget the yahoo maps and google earth links for your listings and the handshake listings displayed on your site. Oh, even more, when you enter your listings for the website, you have instant listing brochures in .pdf format ready to e-mail to clients and agents, downlioad from the website listing for visitors, or print for other agents mailboxes and your flyer boxes.  One more - you can provide your sellers a login to their listing and they can see the notes you have typed in as to what you have done marketing wise and a graph of webtraffic to their home showing vists from your site, handshake sites, and syndicated sites.

I have been recommending these sites to friends for quite a while and simply fill in about six pieces of information, click submit, and they are in business.   If you want to pass one along to your friend so you can handshake listings, you will have a BIO (By Invitation Only) section in your back office where you can send sites personalized and branded to their franchise in seconds.

I would have a hard time describing all the free features in this package.

I am a user, I have had very good experience with the member forums, the tech support, and the almost constant roll out of new features.  In summary, I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money or time reinventing a wheel when there is one right around the corner with custom aluminium rims and wide sticky high performance tires that your neighbor is giving away.  Try it and then if you don't like it, then get bids and try to describe to your developer all of these features he is going to need to build in to be comparable (I bet it's gonna be expensive).

You can read more about the free point2agent sites community here -  http://www.gulfshoreslife.com/For_Agents_Only/page_1738671.html

If you like what you read you can fill out your name, broker, franchise affiliate, phone number, and e-mail address here and have a fully functional site in the click of a button ready for you to leave as simple or make as complex as you want - http://www.gulfshoreslife.com/ForAgentsRegistration.aspx?in=QVUTBF

Why pay for a custom site that you think is snazzy looking when you can get a free one that actually helps you market listings and find buyer prospects. 

Thats my two cents!