8/28/26 - Interest Rates & Market Update

8/28/26 - Mortgage Rate Update

Staying informed about mortgage trends is an important part of making confident real estate decisions.

Below is the latest rate update from a trusted mortgage professional I have worked with for more than 20 years, Joey Parker.

Below is the most recent snapshot of purchase rates and some special programs. Mortgages today are not just conventional, FHA and VA; there are many different types, and we will help find the best one for you.

Purchase Rates

Weekend Purchase Rates — August 28, 2026

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Saddle Up! Flora-Bama Bulls on the Beach Returns Sept. 10–12, 2026

Saddle Up! Flora-Bama Bulls on the Beach Returns Sept. 10–12, 2026

Three nights of professional bull riding, kids’ contests, themed outfits, and that famous Flora-Bama energy — right on the Alabama–Florida line.

Hey locals and beach dreamers! If you’ve ever heard the roar from the Flora-Bama on a September weekend, you already know: Bulls on the Beach is one of the most anticipated events on the Gulf Coast calendar. This year it runs Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar on Perdido Key.

It’s loud, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly on Thursday, and a portion of proceeds goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It’s also the kind of event that fills hotels, condos, and…

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Alabama Coastal Cleanup 2026: Protect the Beaches We Love

Get the Trash Out of the Splash: Alabama Coastal Cleanup Is Sept. 19, 2026

Alabama’s largest volunteer event is back; and the beaches we sell, live on, and love depend on days like this.

Hey locals and beach dreamers! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19, 2026. The 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. along our beaches, bays, parks, streets, and storm drains. Admission is free. Volunteers who collect trash typically receive a t-shirt and cleanup supplies.

The slogan says it best: Get the Trash Out of the Splash. Litter doesn’t stay where it lands. It travels through storm drains, streams, and rivers and ends up in the bay and the Gulf. Picking it up protects the water, the wildlife, and the sugar-white…

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Orange Beach Freedom Fest Returns to The Wharf Sept. 19–20, 2026

Orange Beach Freedom Fest Returns to The Wharf Sept. 19–20, 2026

A free, red-white-and-blue weekend at The Wharf — classic cars, live music, kids’ fun, and America’s 250th birthday still in the air.

The City of Orange Beach is hosting the 6th Annual Freedom Fest on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 at The Wharf. It continues the community’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Hours:
Saturday, Sept. 19 — 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20 — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The festival and car show are free. Official details: orangebeachal.gov/429/Freedom-Fest.

What’s Happening

• Bama Coast Cruisin’ car show along Main Street and Wharf Parkway both days. Motto: “Bring…

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Gulf Shores Year-Round Lifeguards: Safer Beaches, Stronger Demand

Gulf Shores Year-Round Lifeguards: Safer Beaches, Stronger Demand

WKRG put it simply: the beach doesn’t have an off-season. Gulf Shores just made sure the lifeguards don’t either.

In mid-August, WKRG reported that Gulf Shores is expanding lifeguard coverage beyond the old spring-to-fall tourism window. Beach Safety Chief Joethan Phillips said guards are now on the sand year-round so they’re already there when something happens — not coming from a station after a call.

“It’s still warm all the way through December at least. Any time the weather is warm, people are wanting to come to the beach and enjoy it, so it’s going to be busy throughout the year,” Phillips told WKRG.

A follow-up from FOX10 noted the city doubled full-time, year-round…

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Orange Beach’s First Beachfront Rooftop Lounge Coming to AC Hotel

Orange Beach’s First Beachfront Rooftop Lounge Coming to AC Hotel

Alabama’s Gulf Coast has long been known for its iconic beachfront spots — the Flora-Bama, The Hangout, Pink Pony Pub, and newer favorites like Coastal Orange Beach and The Gulf. What it has never had, until now, is a true rooftop lounge overlooking the sugar-white sand and emerald water.

That is about to change.

The AC Hotel Orange Beach, a six-story, 100-room Marriott property planned for 23370 Perdido Beach Boulevard, will feature a 3,500-square-foot rooftop lounge when it opens in the second quarter of 2028. The lounge will be open to both hotel guests and the public — making it the first of its kind on Alabama’s beachfront.

Zach Hoyt, president of Gulf Shores-based A&R…

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Big Things Happening in Mobile – And Why It’s Great News for Our Gulf Coast Real Estate Market

Big Things Happening in Mobile – And Why It’s Great News for Our Gulf Coast Real Estate Market

The energy around Mobile right now is impossible to ignore. Downtown is on the cusp of some major transformations that could reshape the entire area, drawing more visitors, businesses, and residents to the Gulf Coast. As someone deeply rooted in this region and passionate about real estate, I’m excited to share what’s unfolding and how it could create new opportunities for buyers and investors.

Mobile’s leaders are reimagining the waterfront along the Mobile River. For generations it has been defined by industry, busy ports, cargo, and ships, but there’s a fresh vision to make it more inviting for everyday enjoyment. The goal is a walkable stretch with…

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S’mores on the Shore Returns August 6 in Gulf Shores!

S’mores on the Shore Returns August 6 in Gulf Shores!

Summer nights on the Alabama coast just got sweeter. Mark your calendars for S’mores on the Shore on Thursday, August 6, 2026 — a beloved free community event that’s been bringing locals and visitors together since 2010.

This family-friendly gathering kicks off at 6 p.m. at Gulf Place (101 Gulf Shores Parkway) on our beautiful white sand public beach. Think crackling campfires, live music with a DJ, gooey s’mores packets, and more. Bring blankets and chairs, gather your crew, and enjoy a relaxed evening under the stars.

What’s Happening at S’mores on the Shore?

• Free treats & activities: S’mores kits, watermelon, balloon art, face painting, and live DJ vibes.
• Local vendors &…

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Foley Lights the Night: America 250 – Patriotic Laser Show at OWA!

Foley Lights the Night: America 250 – Free Patriotic Laser Show at OWA

Hey Gulf Shores and Orange Beach families! Get ready for a dazzling patriotic celebration as Foley Lights the Night: America 250 lights up the sky on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at OWA in Foley.

Starting at 8:30 PM, this free event is part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Expect a spectacular patriotic laser show featuring vibrant red, white, and blue lasers — a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will love!

This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some good old-fashioned patriotic fun close to home. Bring the kids, grab a spot, and celebrate our nation’s milestone under the stars with an unforgettable light show.

Admission: Completely Free!

…

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New Video: Inside The Ridge – Gulf Shores’ Best-Kept Secret for Relaxed Coastal Living

Video Tour: The Ridge in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Step inside this peaceful, spacious neighborhood offering homes with beautiful open floor plans, gourmet kitchens, private backyards, a sparkling community pool, and scenic nature trails, all just 1.5 miles from the sugar-white beaches. The Ridge delivers the perfect blend of tranquility and coastal convenience!

Ready to experience it in person? Contact Lorraine Gatti today to schedule your private tour. Call Lorraine: 251-233-9790

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