Sugar Beach Condos at Orange Beach Good price??

[LaDonna]

Anyone ever stay here? How do you like it?

My dh family has chosen this place for us all to stay, now I'm trying to find the best deal. I did get one person(I'm thinking it must be a property management place, but she signs the emails by name only) email back about 2 properties and was willing to take 10% off the price. They were both 1 bedrooms, grand total after taxes etc. was 817 and the other 845
I didn't think that was bad for 4th of July week, of course my concern is the condo room itself not being clean, I've heard horror stories. Any other time we've been to the beach my mom has gotten the condo and I've just paid her what my budget was for that year, and she is much more picky and pays more for look ets, so this is my first time hunting for myself and I'm not picky, just want something clean but affordable.

 

[LaDonna]

now I"m nervous I got one guy that wrote me back this:

(The rate you are proposing is unacceptable for 4th of July week (the biggest week of the year) usually you can’t get a cheap motel off the beach for anything close to what you are offering, while we would love to have you as a guest, if it is more than you can afford I understand and perhaps you can consider a lesser amount of days or different dates. If someone offers you what appears to be a great deal please be careful as many condo units have gone into foreclosure and some guest have arrived only to find their cheap condo padlocked and now owned by the bank.)…..Art



While I realize my rate is low, that is just the budget I have to work around, didn't think it would hurt to ask......and actually I was only asking not even $150 off his normal rate......


Has anyone ever had the above scenario the the padlocked condos? Is there a way I could find out about this before final payment is due?


thanks for any help

 

[LaDonna]

Hmmm I emailed him asking if he knew how I could find out info on a condo to see if it is not in forclosure and this was his reply:

I don’t know how you can check, I do know that just a few weeks ago a unit at sugar beach was just sold by the bank for $92,500 all I can suggest is that you try to deal with a legitimate owner who is licensed by the state and town of orange beach, perhaps you can contact the town of orange beach or insist that the renter prove that they are licensed and actually do turn in the tax and not just keep it to supplement their cheap rates. Another way to protect yourself is to buy renters insurance…good luck….Art

Hmmm I know nothing about all this stuff, can I actually call orange beach and find out about a certain property?

 

[lastminutemom]

LaDonna

The reality may be that your budget may not work for that week at Orange Beach. The Gulf Coast is very busy that time of year and the 4th of July is unbelievably crowded, even in this economy. I am quite certain that isn't a week that you can negotiate on price, especially this far out.
VRBO is showing lots of choices for the resort you are looking for.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alabama/orange-beach/west#a8550


good luck.

 

[LaDonna]

yes I realize my rate is low, my family is having a reunion there that particular week so that is the only reason why I tried, I realized I may not be able to go.


But I've actually luckily already had 3 offers for my rate(I guess some figure $150 isn't too much of a loss, or maybe they are just being nice and want to help me out). I chose one, but this guy has made me nervous, since never renting a place like this before, by owner type of place I mean, so I'm just wondering if there is anyway I can check that it is legit and someone not trying to scam me out of my money or something......

 

[princessmom29]

WE grew up with a summer house at Orange beach. That rate is insanely low for orange beach over July 4th. Twice that would be a "good deal" for a week that time of year. I think you are getting scammed here and it is a unit in foreclosure. I don't think it is realistic to expcet to find something for that price that is legit.

 

[LaDonna]

Really? Is $150 off the asking price really that much where no one would make that offer? The condo that was chosen is I think one of if not the oldest on the beach, actually every listing for the 1 bedroom condos there run average of about 999 for a week for peek season. So I just don't see it being such an insanely crazy deal, I dunno, I'm starting to wonder now.

 

[princessmom29]

Really? Is $150 off the asking price really that much where no one would make that offer? The condo that was chosen is I think one of if not the oldest on the beach, actually every listing for the 1 bedroom condos there run average of about 999 for a week for peek season. So I just don't see it being such an insanely crazy deal, I dunno, I'm starting to wonder now.

In my experience, the ones advertising those prices are either shady, or they are not beach front. Read the listings very carefully. If they are listed as beach access, they are not beachfront condos. You will have to cross a major highway to get to the beach at minimum, or walk more than a mile in the worst case.

 

[princessmom29]

I did some looking. Meyer real estate is a reputible company that deals in vacation rentals in the area. If you are willing to go to Fort Morgan rather that Orange Beach (15 min drive), then you can get a nice place for about $1000 at Gulf Shores Plantation through them. We have stayed here and the units are really well maintained. There is a staff on site and standards the units must meet. It is a large complex with several pools and it is on the beach. This is the only place I personally have experience with that comes close to that the week of the 4th.

 

[hercamore]

Why don't you try seeing what's available in Perdido Key a few miles east of orange beach on the Florida side.

I like that area better than orange beach. You'd stillbe close to family.

 

[LaDonna]

My husbands family have chosen that particular week and this condo for everyone to try and stay at so we can all be together (I tried to advise a different week with no luck ) http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alabama/orange-beach/west/sugar-beach It is right on the beach, but most do not have front beach views, so that also may be why they are so much cheaper. It actually got good reviews as far as location goes, but of course most reviews said it was outdated. I'm not really worried about looks, just want to be on the beach with the family I think they chose it because they do have the cheapest prices I couldn't find any cheaper

 

[princessmom29]

Meyer has listings for this complex as well at about $900 for the week. I owuld go through them if you could. They will be on hand to help if there is a problem. I know where this complex is, and location is why it is so cheap. Iti s several miles from any sort of entertainment, so if you want ot go out to eat, ect, you will need to drive into Gulf Shores or the Warf to do so.

 

[LaDonna]

thanks for the heads up on Meyer Reality, so you've booked thru them before? Do you know if they ever off any kind of discounts?

 

[mommytobug]

I am very very picky about my beach condo. My favorite is the Beach Club in Fort MOrgan. It is more of a private beach area beacuse it is not on the drag with all the hotels there are in gulf shores, orange beach. It is family oriented. They will have activities for July 4th. They have a pizza place, grocery, nice restaurant, etc. I just love that place. You can rent direct or through Meyer Real Estate and i also love dealing with them. We have stayed at the Lighthouse and while i love how it sits so close to beach and the rooms are great, it still doesn't live up to the Beach Club.

 

[mommytobug]

I also agree with above poster about Gulf Shores Plantation. It is not as nice as Beach Club but it is really a great place. I have rented through Meyer off and on for years.

 

[LaDonna]

Meyers seems great, but still gonna go about $200 over budget because of all the fees they have to charge
I guess I'll just take my chances with the one I"ve picked
I did see that there is a Publix, restaurants etc. only 3 miles down the road

 

[mommytobug]

They are very upfront about their fees, most condos charge a clean up fee and they may not list it with your quote so be careful. I guess i am different, 200 would be nothing if it meant my knowing i was getting what i paid for. They do have specials at times if you subscribe to their email list.

 

[princessmom29]

I love the Beach Club too, but it is pricey. I agree, if your price doesn't include a cleaning fee, you can count on being charged another $100 at least for that. I ahve used Meyer and they are very upfront about thier fees, while some others don't disclose them until AFTER they have your deposit.

 

[princessmom29]

Meyers seems great, but still gonna go about $200 over budget because of all the fees they have to charge
I guess I'll just take my chances with the one I"ve picked
I did see that there is a Publix, restaurants etc. only 3 miles down the road

yes, but by restaurants, they mean fast food or casual dining like a Dennys type place, the "better" restaurants are several more miles.

 

[JusbKoz]

Hi, I have used Meyer Realty and have no complaints. I have also used kaiser realty and Brett robinson realty. I am going thru VRBO this year for my condo rental. Good luck and it is a beautiful place but will be crazy busy when you go..sometimes the traffic is backed up on the roads leading to the main road during this time and the restaurants will be jammed packed just expect long waits at them. I know all of these realty company run "specials" but I don't know if they would be any cheaper than what you are getting.