Some Eastern Shore subdivisions buck trend

The popular Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay has been as sluggish as the resort market at the Gulf in the last couple of years — particularly in the $400,000 to $600,000 price range, according to Realtors and builders. There is an abundance of new homes, and lots geared to that price point are sitting idle on the market. Builders and developers have shopped for buyers to unload lots and acreage, but it’s difficult to recoup their investments when prices have tumbled by 25 percent, 35 percent or more.

While Baldwin County’s economy is showing significant growth, the hot market is for homes costing $200,000 or less, according to Don Epley, director of the Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of South Alabama. “The workers are getting good wages; however, they cannot afford a half-a-million-dollar house,” he said. “It also depends very much on location.”

Some Eastern Shore subdivisions buck trend