Hubby just visited and fell in love with Biloxi (and its casinos!). I'm an investor as well as an agent in the Carolinas, so we're considering the possibility of buying something down there onthe Gulf Coast that we could visit as well as rent out. On Carolinas beaches that's pretty straightforward -- buy unit, get a property manager, make money. Has the vacation rental market returned in Biloxi and surrounding areas? Is it mostly weekly or monthly? Summer or snowbirds?

He was also surprised by the amount of ground-level construction. In the Carolinas, almost everything oceanfront is up on stilts. Even the hotels use ground level for parking, so any storm surges go through. Obviously in a Katrina-style storm, that makes little difference, but a coast brush-by can still bring lots of water onshore. Hurricanes don't scare us overly -- my first memory is of evacuating for one -- but we respect them and their power and believe in taking all the proper precautions! Anyone know if there's a reason behind this down-to-earth construction?

Anything we should be especially aware of as we start exploring the area for a potential purchase?

Carolina Songbird

Carolina, I know just the person you need to talk to. But first, two things: I love the Carolinas and spent several vacations in New Bern, near the Brice & Trent rivers, fishing off a pier. Secondly, my apologies for not responding sooner to your post. I am in the process of moving and either I did not get notification of the post or somehow overlooked it. I'll make sure neither happens again. Anyway, Gulf Coast agents prefer to hang in the other forums where agents from other states post because they get a lot more input there. We kinda, sorta use this forum for hurricane related issues, so as not to clutter the other forums when we have a scare which only impacts the Gulf Coast. Of course, Katrina and Rita impacted the entire country because of their severity.

The agent you need to talk to posts under "MS Gulf Coast". If you can't find her on here, let me know and I'll locate her for you. Many of her posts are in this thread. Also, if you have not already done so, you can go to the Agents and Brokers forum or any other forum you think may suit your needs, then ask for any Biloxi area agents to respond to your questions. But before you do, you can finish reading threads in this Forum, since a lot of area agents did post here. Any of them will be happy to help you. But the search forum, using "Biloxi" or similar search words, may produce some good info about the area--and those posts will be the agents who work in that area, usually.

My favorite memory of wonderful Biloxi was in the late 70's, when I spent some vacation time there. Pasadena (where I live) had a restaurant called Lum's, if I remember correctly. They served hot dogs steamed in beer. I wasn't a beer drinker, but those hot dogs was fantastic. It closed, and I thought they went out of business until I went to Biloxi and found one of the restaurants. I ate a lot of hot dogs during that vacation, but saved a lot of money. It's a wonderful area and it will take a lot more than one hurricane to crush the spirit of the people who live around there.

Thanks for the post, and again--sorry that it took so long to find your post and inform you that this forum is mostly inactive with the exception of hurricane info.

It's great that people like you are interested in helping restore, little by little, a part of our country that was taken from us in less than 10 hours. Hope you make a nice bit of money in your investing.

Excuse any typos. I'm knee deep in wrapping paper and have been at it all day.

Yikes, I should practice what I preach. I just checked your old posts and saw you have been posting in those forums I recommended for a while. Sorry--I can see where you thought this forum was the best for your question, but by now you are an ole' pro. Anyway, Gulf Winds is also a very active member, but can't remember what part of the Gulf.

BTW, if you ever want to invest in Galveston, let me know. I'll check a few things out for you and connect you with an agent down there. My broker is selling his beach house in Tiki Island, there are lots of other places on the west beach, and some very beautiful older homes just waiting for someone to restore them. Lots of opportunity down there. Galveston has a brand new bridge from the mainland and a very bright future.

I'll probably catch you on one of the other forums.

Darlene & CarolinaSongbird:

I'm over in Alabama (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach) along the Gulf of Mexico. We're located in between Mobile, AL & Pensacola, FL (about 45 minutes to either city).

I'm only 100 miles away from Biloxi & visit the casinos frequently. The Beau Rivage gets plently of my $$$! As a matter of fact, I just got a birthday card from them with a free night stay hotel voucher.

Our fellow forum member MS Gulf Coast, I believe, is located in Hattiesburg (just north of Biloxi) but she works in Biloxi as well.

As far as the vacation rental market, primarily the casinos are filling that void until other properties are rebuilt or repaired. I know that our rental market took a serious dive after Katrina damage. Many vacationers had no choice here and as a result, they discovered new places to stay. It's taken over a year to begin stabilizing.

The long-term rental market is VERY strong in Biloxi, Gulfport and surrounding areas. You can realize much higher than average rates due to supply and demand. Many are still renting until their insurance pays or are construction workers needing a place to live while they work in the area.