A Year Later, Gulf Coast Real Estate

When the Gulf Coast oil spill hit occurred in 2010, the potential effects of the tragedy were broadcast around the world.  One of the many areas to be hit by the spill was the real estate market along the Gulf Coast.  Analysts speculated that the real estate market would experience a prolonged slump as the oil slick moved steadily toward coastal shores, taking a deep environmental toll on the once prime vacation destinations.  This was important to note in the Vanderbilt prospect research shop, as we had to start considering the financial impact that the disaster may have on many of our donors with real estate in the Gulf Coast area.

I was recently researching articles on the current state of Gulf Coast real estate to find out how the market has fared in the aftermath of the oil spill and if analyst predictions had rang true.  Below are two articles that provide two opposing viewpoints, although one was published in Febraury 2011 and the other in July 2011.  I welcome you to read each article and submit your thoughts and any further findings that are pertinent. 

Gulf Housing One Year After the Oil Spill

Trulia, the real estate guru website, provides sales volume and median sales price changes in various locations on the Gulf coast.  They also report on foreclosure activity.

BP Oil Spill Triggers Major Home Value Loss

Posted on Housing Predictor.com, author Mike Colpitts reports that his research found the gulf oil spill to have an average of a 15% decrease in home values on the Gulf Coast along with an increase in foreclosures.

APRA MidSouth Call for Panel Members and Speaker

APRA-MidSouth is currently seeking a presenter and 2-3 panel participants for its half day workshop to be held on Friday, October 28^th, 2011, at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

We are looking for a presenter on one of the topics listed below.  Presentations are to be 1 hour long (45 minute presentation with 15 minutes for question and answer).  We welcome all levels of presenters!

1.       Stock Information:  What it means and how to use it

2.       I have the research, now how should I display it?  A presentation suggesting effective methods on how to format your prospect research.

3.       Planned Giving Vehicles:  Discuss the different types of planned giving options and how organizations can market them to donors.

4.       Grant-writing:  Discuss the critical elements of grant writing as well as creative ways to research grants.

We are hoping to offer a 45 minute panel discussion to end the workshop and promote further attendee collaboration.  We are looking for 2-3 APRA members to share information about and resources from their organizations.  We are hoping to have one participant who represents a small non-profit organization, one participant who represents development at an educational institution, and one participant who works at a larger non-profit organization.

If you are interested in being a speaker at our workshop or a panel participant, please submit the following information no later than August 19, 2011 to APRA MidSouth Vice President Rebecca Nies at rebecca.nies@vanderbilt.edu.   Please do not hesitate to include any questions that you may have!

-          Title and summary of presentation

-          Your name, title, place of employment, and contact information

-          Any travel details that will need to be considered

We look forward to working together with you!

2011 Member Interest Survey

Hello APRA MidSouth members and blog readers:

Below you will find a link to a brief survey about your experiences with our organization.  Here at APRA MidSouth, we are working hard on finding new ways to serve our members; your feedback is greatly appreciated.

To show our appreciation, if you complete this survey by July 19, you will be entered into a drawing for a $15 Target gift card.

Here’s the survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CR66ZCQ

Thanks in advance for your help!

The 2011 APRA MidSouth Board