Mass open house includes historic areas

A 1904, 5,000-square-foot fixer-upper is not typically showcased in an open house, but the mansion on Government Street was a good fit for the 84-home tour today from 1 to 4 p.m. in Midtown, downtown and the historic districts, according to Chris King of Roberts Brothers.

"We're reclaiming Government Street for residential," said King, who has listed the two-story house for $279,500.

"We want to let people know that this part of town is thriving and there are opportunities to renovate or buy a restored house."

What started as a handful of homes has snowballed into a massive tour involving 13 real estate companies. The areas are bordered on the west by Sage Avenue and Joachim Street on the east, between Beauregard Street and Washington Square.

The homes range from a one-

bedroom for $59,500 on Emogene Street to a five-bedroom, six-bath house on Church Street for $610,000. Most of the 84 homes are priced from the low $100,000s to the $250,000s.

The open house is tied to the Mobile Area Association of Realtors campaign, www.ThingsAreReallyMovingHere.com, according to the association.

Participating agencies include Alabama Realty, Assist-2-Sell, Dauphin Realty, Coldwell Banker Charles Hayes, ERA Platinum Properties, LLB&B Real Estate, Port City Realty, Praytor Realty, Prudential Cooper & Co., REMAX Partners, REMAX Realty Centre and Roberts Brothers.

There will be signs posted on major streets such as Government and Dauphin, and there will be a list of homes and maps at each open house, according to Dana Carter of Dauphin Realty.

An open house is a great way to bring attention to a house, according to Louise Houston of Dauphin Realty. She and fellow agent Kim Brennan hope it brings buyers to their listing on Selma Street — a restored circa 1927, three bedroom, three bath house for $279,900.

"Neighbors help pick their neighbors," Houston said, referring to the locals on the street who often tell their friends about an open house.

The Oakleigh Garden Historic District "is a neat, walkable area where people are friendly and know their neighbors," Brennan said. "You're buying a lifestyle."

/cut/2/cVICTOR CALHOUN/ Staff PhotographerLouise Houston, left, and Kim Brennan of Dauphin Realty will give tours of a 1927 three-bedroom, three-bath restored house on Selma Street in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District. The house is listed for $279,900 and has four fireplaces, a new kitchen and updated baths.