Buying a place along the Gulf coast, the adventure begins

Pulling on snow boots and my bulky winter coat is not my idea of a good time. But, it's been my reality for as long as I can remember. The Mister and I grew up in Indiana with three beautiful seasons and one dreadful season called winter.

For many years we'd dreamed of owning a place along the coast but never thought it would be possible. Then the #Airbnb boom came along and we wondered, "could we make it work? Could we get a place that we'd rent out and it would pay for itself?"

We've had many friends talk about how great Gulf Shores is. We'd see pictures on social media of sugar-white beaches that didn't look too crowded. But Alabama? Are they really known for their beaches? We decided to check it out.




Before our very first trip to #GulfShores in September 2021 I reached out to a local real estate company and our friendship with Winford McGaster of EXIT Realty Gulf Shores began. 

During our first call I told him, "listen, we've never been to Gulf Shores so we may not even like it and this could be a huge waste of your time." 

"That's ok," he said. "I love to visit condos." 

He knew what I didn't, that Gulf Shores is indeed a wonderful place and that I would fall in love with it as soon as I stepped foot on the beach.

We looked at a handful of units during that first trip. Winford listened to us. He only showed and suggested units within our budget. Now there's an idea!

The Mister wanted to table the idea until the spring. I on the other hand, well, let's just say when I get something in my head it's over. I bugged him and bugged him. Winford took us on a few video tours and by October The Mister was on a plane to go look at a dozen or so units we'd picked out. By December we were closing on our very first vacation home. And, I was seeing it for the first time. 

Welcome to Gulf Shores Surf and Racquet Club. 







Location: Gulf Shores, AL, USA

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