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Name:	dagwood -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 4:59:50 PM

Hello, everyone. I'm new here but have been enjoying your forum for some time now. I live in Florida but consider myself an Alabamian and will be looking for property for my wife and I to retire on soon. Lake Martin seems so nice I'm going to check it out. My problem is I'm not going to be able to spend $750k for a waterfront home so I'm looking at waterview or just off water lots. I also would like to explore leasing from APCO but don't know who to contact or what the deal is. If anyone can point me in the right direction or give advice, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks!

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 5:18:14 PM

Contact Candy Hays or Chessley Neeley at APCO (205-755-4420). They'll explain the biddding process to you. Deeded interior lots are dirt cheap all over the lake. You can get lots in Still Waters that are very nice interior lots for around $10K (I think)

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 5:38:11 PM

I used to make individual recommendations (not that anyone believed my recommendations anyway), but that day has come and gone except to family members. Check the site index at the bottom of this page for realtors. They should be able to help you. Good Luck. Lake Martin is one of the greatest places if you can manage not only to afford it but find the kind of place you want on it. If you want $1.5 million and above, you will find it. If you want your price; you will be very lucky to find something at that price and have to add $3/4 million to build what you want.

Sorry , no one is going to point you to the kind of deal you are seeking unless you have connections or lucky.

All the deals are gone, and in my opinion depending upon what you are looking for could be well over a million. Check out building cost. Most wealthy folks want what they want and not some chopped up old cabin.

We need to stop the wishful hoping and be honest about Lake Martin Value.

You maybe on the right course for leased property, but try to contact the winner of the lease before construction.

No one is going to want to believe me, so I will go hide again.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Sounds like a man building...
Date:	7/21/2006 6:35:24 PM

a house. FEB, you're going to scare off people. You need to come see what I've done with an APCO lease lot. I did it for a whole lot less than the numbers you talk about. I agree with you on one point--don't believe the prices you're quoted by subs up here. They're smart and they're just looking for a greenhorn with too much money.

Name:	LifeTime Laker -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 6:54:31 PM

Don't let Feb scare you off. There are still MANY places to be had for half of the 750K you quoted, unless of course you must have a mini-mansion on "big water". Look at places in the creeks and you will find some bargains still. The house 2 doors down from me can be bought for under 400k. Nice house built in early 90's but needs yard work and decluttered.

I was on big water till 2000 when I bought in Manoy creek and now wouldn't go back to big water. The peace and tranquillity here is fabulous.

Name:	JIM -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 6:58:08 PM

You act like 400 K is pocket change.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	You Better go Hide Again Feb
Date:	7/21/2006 7:21:35 PM

As Flash is looking for you to give you a good old southern a$$ whooping (as Cat would say)

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 7:26:46 PM

OK, I am wrong. i am greenhorn. I have no idea what I am talking about. What do you think building cost is per sq. ff. these days. You experts tell me.

I will go hide again. Want hear from me again. I will laugh and enjoy my life.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Bld Cost These Days
Date:	7/21/2006 7:34:43 PM

$125++ depending on amenities, decks, porches, sewer etc. (excluding seawall and docks, etc) is what I am hearing, basically the same as Bham costs.

But like someone else stated be careful as right now certain builders at the lake are not hungry, as the demand exceeds the supply. However, there are numerous builders whom I am sure would quote you a reasonable price, if you just ask around for referrals, etc.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Building Costs
Date:	7/21/2006 7:42:59 PM

FEB. building costs are what you want them to be. You are a long distance owner which means you probably have contracted with a builder to construct your home. If you listen to him and he is a typical
Lake Martin guy he has told you that your house will cost $175.00 to $250.00/sq ft. depending on finish w/o lot.. The Ridge has houses LISTED for $400.00+/sq ft. w/lot.

With all due respect, you are an out of towner, from Virginia, and you are at the mercy of the local guys. You probably made a deal with a contractor that gave you a 'warm, fuzzy feeling' and you're happy--that's great and I'm sure you'll be happy forever more----but that does NOT make you an authority on building or building cost on the Lake. Neither am I, but I have built and acted as general contractor; therefore, I do have some experience and I have observed what happens here.

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Peek-A-Boo
Date:	7/21/2006 9:08:46 PM

My building cost are well below what was stated by Maverick and his estimate of BHam cost. It also includes a huge wrap around porch with a screened porch section. It includes driveway, fireplace, bookshelves in two rooms, granite counter tops, kitchen island with sink, walk-ways and an entire emergency generator kick-in for the home. All the extra portico, overhang and decking is included in the cost but not the sq. ft average of the cost. I guess you could put sq. ft. cost at close to $110 or less a sq. ft., but what does a green horn like me know compared to a "Life Time Laker".

I think you have to compare the size of a place as to whether you want it descrided as a Cabin or a Lake House/home. Most will want a much larger place to include larger closets, bath rooms, kitchen area, pantries and etc for a full time home.

Osms is correct there are a lot of things to consider for a new place to include pier, boat house and sea walls. None of those are cheap and will add up in a hurry. None of these are included in my above mentioned cost; althought some are already present.

Sometimes an established place is significantly less expensive in comparisson to a new construction if you can find what you like.

Unless you are willing to compromise from your real dream, you will have to build or significantly change a current piece of property. Also, do not forget architectual cost and your personal running around and soul searching.

Am I making a little more sense to some now?

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/21/2006 9:24:35 PM

Hey JIM, About the cost of a his and her mint 63 Spit Windows or maybe an all original 57 Fuelie. (I am probably way off base on the low cost estimate of the 57).

Hard to imagine but all so true.

Cat will name his next boat "Pocket Change". (name probably aready taken).

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Peek-A-Boo
Date:	7/21/2006 9:26:42 PM

Feb didnt you mean OSMS???

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Feb...
Date:	7/21/2006 9:59:01 PM

I think I remembered that you have a brother that lives here that has built houses on APCO lots before, which I'm sure will be invaluable to you in your construction project and the sq ft price reflects that. Go back and read your first post on this thread and compare it to the one I'm responding to above--sounds like two different people. You must be really trying to scare "dagwood."

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Feb...
Date:	7/21/2006 11:01:10 PM

You could be correct Osms. My intention was or is not to scare. I think there is big differences on the Lake as to what might (?) be available, what is deired, and the cost in each catgory.

No one should enter this market with a false illusion.

I tied to make two different point at two different time in the past ten years.

My first post was for the nay-sayer who have been harping of the Forum as to how things are going to tumble and they will enjoy a great Lake place for the price of a house in the country. For years now they have dreamed they would own one on Lake Matin. The second post is for those that can and hope to do so with a lot of dreams and finanical investment ability in the future.

I have aso tried to point out the difference between a weekend cabin during the prime season and an all year round living home.

They can be converted from part time to full time but the investment remains high.

I have possibly confused things even more, but it was not my intent.

Name:	dagwood -	Reply
Subject:	APCO Leases
Date:	7/24/2006 9:52:02 AM

Thanks for all the information. It has been very helpful. I rode up your way Saturday just to look around. I've never been to Lake Martin but you have a beautiful piece of water there and should be proud of it. People selling waterfront are definitely proud of theirs. The interior lots in Stillwaters were very nice and cheap, too. I'm still looking.

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