What Does Toni Have To Say?

Get Something Special - YOUR DREAM HOME WITH A VIEW in Birmingham Alabama

We keep hearing positive news about the economy.  A few minutes ago I picked up an article that said housing sales rose in the 4^th quarter in all states except one.  AND Alabama was not the one.  We all know people are starting to buy things (because the trade deficit is increasing with China) - probably all those big screen TV's.  I have also seen 8 people in MY neighborhood alone replace their roof in the last 6 months and at least 2 have replaced their kitchen countertops.  The signs are there if you are willing to look for them.

Before Real Estate Sales in Birmingham, Alabama really start to take off, it's a great time to look for property that is a good deal. This is when people make money - by buying real estate when the cost is low.  I am always looking for pieces of property that have something SPECIAL about them.  For instance there are two homes for sale in my neighborhood that sit on a lake.  THOSE are unique properties - and ones that would have been snapped up by now in a better economy.

This picture is the view from a property for sale in Jefferson County (no city taxes).  It is tucked away between Homewood and Hoover - so you could incorporate if you wanted to.  It is less than 10 miles to Birmingham City Center which makes it easy on the commute and easy on the pocketbook as gas prices continue to rise.  It is raw land so the building possibilities are endless.

What would your Dream Home with a View look like? Imagine building a home with a HUGE porch to take advantage of nature and the fabulous view. Or perhaps a home with a wall of windows that lets the view in from all sides.  You wouldn't just pull any home plan off the shelf, you would want an Architect for this project. I know just the architect who could design a plan for you AND site it perfectly on the property so your home would take advantage of the view.  Tim has his own firm, Tim Barron Architect, Inc, which he founded in 1998. He takes great care to listen to what you want, preserve the trees on the lot, and to make sure you get a home that you are delighted with.

Now is the time to do something special.  Homebuilders who would have snatched this property up 5 years ago are very cautious now.  That is why this Land For Sale is such a great find.

If you'd like more information about this property for sale, call today.  I can help you with THIS or any other property in the Birmingham area. Make 2011 the year YOU get YOUR Dream Home with a View!

One of the great things about Hoover Alabama is its convenient location.  Depending on where you are in town, it is 10-15 miles to downtown Birmingham City Center Business District and UAB.  We also have the Galleria Shopping Center and the newer Patton Creek Shopping Center located at the intersection of I-65 and I-459. The Summit Shopping Center is located at the corner of US HWY 280 and I-459.  One of the things that aids the convenience is the number of highways.  Highways are great, however, they can create a lot of noise.   If you live near a highway there are some things you can do.

To improve the noise INSIDE your house (especially in older homes), you can upgrade your windows.  Windows have a STC rating.  The higher the STC rating, the more noise resistant.  Now would be a good time to upgrade your windows since you can get a tax credit for putting in energy efficient windows.  Energy efficiency will also help with the noise.

If you live right ON TOP of the freeway (which most of us do not) you may want to check out sound proof windows.  I don't know anyone who has needed them, however, if noise is a HUGE problem, you might want to check on these.

If you live in a new home, you may not be able to hear traffic noise INSIDE your home, but you can when you go outside.  What should you do there?  Sometimes a wall can help. The wall must be solid - no decorative holes. The noise you hear comes from the tires on the cars and trucks.  So, your wall MUST be higher than the tire location to help.  We have so many hills around Hoover, Alabama, you'd have to see where the road level actually IS to know if the wall will help. Trees help some, but not as much as a solid wall.

 You can also use water features to block the traffic noise.

 The water feature has to be fairly large and make a good amount of water noise itself (just one little trickle isn't going to work).  I was in a house one time where the people had built an 8 foot wall across the back patio and had a water fall coming down the wall into a pool.  The waterfall was beautiful and it totally blocked the traffic noise.  The waterfall above was VERY soothing.  You could leave the bedroom window open and hear the waterfall all night. If you have a big backyard, it might take more than one fountain in the backyard to work for you.  You could just make a noise free zone where you sit or enjoy eating outside.

A well landscaped backyard that includes evergreen trees and one or two water features will go a long way toward making your backyard a pleasant place (and will help with resale value).  Calling a landscape architect would help.  They can really help your yard have a unified look

If you'd like to learn more about removing traffic noise from your home, check out my February newsletter.

Homebuilder Rusty Fowler Finishes Another Home in The Preserve

Another ecstatic Hoover, Alabama, homeowner has just moved into their new home in The Preserve. At the corner of Restoration Drive and Fameflower Street is the newest home in this fabulous community which features turn of the century architecture, wide front porches and upscale amenities.

Rusty Fowler began building homes in Lake Crest in 2004, and continued a successful homebuilding career here in Hoover before being invited to join the select group of builders in The Preserve in 2007.  Throughout 2009, when many stopped construction, homebuilder Rusty Fowler could be found on the job site in The Preserve overseeing the construction of several custom homes. 

Rusty's wife Vicki is responsible for the interior design and finishes found in the Fowler's Custom Homes.  She chooses the colors and finishes in the SPEC homes and accompanies the future homeowner when choosing fixtures, granite, cabinets, flooring and all the other finishes throughout the home.  This personal touch is invaluable when there are so many decisions to make.

The Fowler Custom Homes are designed by local architect Tim Barron, AIA who has designed many other homes in this Hoover, Alabama neighborhood.  The Preserve attempts to recreate the feeling of small towns from the late 1800's and early 1900's, therefore, the home designs are governed by a strict set of guidelines.  Tim's experience with designing period homes, coupled with his eye for beauty and attention to detail produces a home of which the owner can be really proud.  Each home is unique (not a plan pulled off the shelf or ordered from a catalog) and reflects the lifestyle and desires of the owner.

One of MY clients chose the Fowlers and Tim Barron, AIA to create the new dream home in The Preserve that they moved into last June.  What an exceptional experience!  I would highly recommend these professionals to anyone interested in a beautiful custom home in the Preserve.

It's finally here, SNOW!  The flakes started falling abut 10:30 A.M. and were coming down good until 3:00.  The last snow day we had was a NON-EVENT - very disappointing.  But today it is just a tad below freezing and the flakes are falling and sticking to the trees and grass.  Here are some pictures to enjoy.

I love the way the snow accentuates the shapes of the branches. 

So this Hoover Alabama snow is NOTHING compared to what the folks in Washington and Pennsylvania have had, but it sure is beautiful!

Home Sales Hoover Alabama January 2010

What was the real estate market like in Hoover Alabama in January 2010?  Well, Home sales were better in Hoover than they were in other parts of Birmingham.

We saw 57 home sales in Hoover, Alabama in January.  This was down from the 63 that sold in December, but up considerably from the 46 that sold this time last year. Prices ranged from $89,000 for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, condo in Patton Creek to $757,239 for a presale new construction in the Preserve.  The Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home that was designed by local architect, Tim Barron, also sold in the Preserve for a purchase price of $717,500.  Five homes sold in Trace Crossing, 5 homes sold in Lake Cyrus and 12 sold in Ross Bridge. The average sales price was $285,356 and the median was $282,000 with homes selling for and average of 97.86% of their list price.

Currently, there are 809 homes for sale in Hoover, Alabama.  If you would like to see what is available, look on line at my website.  You can see all the homes for sale in the greater Birmingham area - sorted by location. If you have any questions, or would like additional information about YOUR neighborhood, give me a call 205-821-3312.

Create Your Own RED BOX for Moving Day.

So, you've decided to buy a house. You've worked through all the closing activities and the home is YOURS.  Now the WORK begins, THE MOVE.

If you are using movers to pack you, they will typically take 2 days to pack, and one day to load.  You need to be ready BEFORE they get there.  If you are like me, you'll want to make the best use of the boxes and discard unwanted items BEFORE it gets packed. If you haven't finished the "cleaning out" before moving day, you are too late. When the movers get there EVERYTHING gets PACKED.   EVEN THE TRASH so be ready!

The night before you will want to:

Empty the trash cans and clean if necessary,

Make sure the garage door openers and the appliance manuals (and anything else you need to leave for the buyer) are in a place where the mover will NOT pack them. 

If you are taking the refrigerator, have a plan for how you are going to transport any food and CLEAN the refrigerator.

If you have agreed to leave a certain mirror for the buyer make sure you put a big sign on it so the movers will NOT take it.

In the morning if you are a coffee drinker, make sure you empty and clean the coffee pot immediately after pouring that cup of coffee.  If you are a HUGE coffee drinker, you will want to put the coffee pot, coffee and whatever else you need in your RED BOX.

What is a red box? Everyone should create your own "red box" which contains those must have items.  On moving Day, this is the last box loaded and the first one off the truck.

 Some suggestions for the red box would be pens, notepad, tape, screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, soap, paper towels, toilet tissue, tissue, snacks, and if you have a pet, a water bowl and treats.  If you are a huge coffee drinker, the coffee pot should go in here so you can have that cup of joe on moving day.

If you'd like more tips for removing stress on moving day, check out my November newsletter.  Moving day can be a lot less stressful if you are prepared and you remember your "Red Box". 

If you'd like to receive helped real estate advice on a monthly basis, let me know and I'll put you on my monthly on-line newsletter list. Just contact me at Toni@ToniBird.com

Can You Buy A Foreclosure AND Use the Homebuyer Tax Credit?

You hear all about the great deals people are getting on foreclosed homes lately.  There are several on the market.  The home on the left is for sale in Pelham, Alabama.  THIS ONE is a Great Buy at $299,900. Some are good deals and others are a nightmare.  Remember, foreclosed homes - which are homes that have been taken away from people who bought them and then didn't pay for them are sold AS IS.  Most are sold by banks and they just won't do repairs - that is why you get such a good price.

Many foreclosed homes are purchased by investors who fix them up to sell.  Since they don't meet the rules for the Home Buyers Tax Credit, they would not get the credit. But, anyone who meets the home ownership/occupancy rules can certainly take the credit.

If the investor buys the home first, and fixes it up, then turns around and sells it to YOU, then you can take the Home Buyer Tax Credit - as long and you meet the other ownership rules.

What are the ownership rules you say!! 

First off, you need to live in the house for at least 3 years or you will have to pay the credit back.

Next there are 2 types of Home Buyer Tax Credits, either one will work with a foreclosed home.

#1  A tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $8000 is available for first time home buyers who buy a home between 1/1/2009 and 4/30/2010 (if a home purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 the buyer has until 6/30/2010 to close).  A First Time Home Buyer is defined as someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years. 

#2  A Tax Credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $6500 is available for repeat homeowners who have owned and resided in a home for 5 consecutive years out of the last eight.  This repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit applies to home sales between 11/6/2009 to 4/30/2010 (if a purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 they have until 6/30/2010 to close). If you own more than one house when you buy the new house you don't qualify. 

So, there are lots of foreclosed homes out there to choose from (like the home on the right which is listed for $145,000) AND the Home Buyer Tax Credit is YOURS if you qualify.  You apply fo the tax credit when you file your tax return - no up front application.  Just make sure you meet the requirements of the program and BUY that foreclosure BEFORE April 30, 2010.

Both of the homes you see here are foreclosed homes and are move in ready. Click on the picture of the front of the house for additional pictures.  If you would like to look at these or any other foreclosed home, let me know at Toni@ToniBird.com.

On Tuesday I posted about removing Pop Corn Ceiling to make your house look more up to date.  I received some comments warning that pop corn ceiling could have asbestos in it. So, I thought I'd find some helpful info dealing with the subject.

Here is a site about asbestos ceilings you should read - and act on if necessary - before you tackle that pop corn ceiling project.

 Just like lead paint in homes built prior to 1978, you need to be careful if you are dealing with toxins.

I have not known anyone personally who has had asbestos in their pop corn ceiling, however I HAVE heard of several people with it in their floor tiles. The link has an address where you can send off a sample of your pop corn to get tested for asbestos before you begin your project.  Better to be safe than SICK.

OK, I have had three conversations about popcorn ceilings in the last week.  It is a SIGN that I should post about Pop Corn Ceilings.

Here in Hoover, Alabama, Pop Corn ceilings were really popular in the 70's and 80's.  The texture hid a LOT of sins.  If the ceilings get wet - from a roof leak, overflowing bathroom on the floor above, or excessive moisture on the bathroom ceiling from a really hot shower, the popcorn will start to bubble.  Then when you touch or try to paint over it to cover the stain, it falls off in clumps.  When you try to fix it, it is next to impossible to match the same texture.  It can be a real mess.

Many people have chosen to REMOVE the popcorn ceiling and paint it back smooth.  This gets rid of the blotchy look and updates the home.  No new homes have popcorn ceilings. 

I have a home for sale in Hoover, Alabama that was shown the other day and the buyer crossed it off their list because they didn't like the popcorn ceiling.  The house had been updated with granite countertop, hardwood floors, neutral colors, but got booted off the list because of popcorn!

Now you CAN remove the popcorn ceiling.  Getting it off is not very HARD - especially if you have the basic 8 foot ceiling. It is not HARD, but it is MESSY.  To remove the popcorn, you wet it by spraying a mist of water on it, then scrape it off with a scraper.  WARNING cover EVERYTHING including the carpet because the ceiling mess will fall everywhere.

Once the popcorn is off, you will see the bare sheetrock.  If you gouged the sheetrock with the scraper, or if the person who installed the ceiling did a poor tape job, or you have additional water damage to the sheetrock, you need to fix those things - that is the hard part.  If you are not good with sheetrock mud on walls, then you will definitely NOT want to tackle the ceiling.  Every imperfection that was covered up with the popcorn will now be obvious.

The sheetrock repair is something a good painter should be able to do.  So you can save a little money by removing the old popcorn ceiling and THEN have the painter come in and prep and paint the ceiling.  If you have a vaulted ceiling, it will definitely take you a lot more time. I would have a couple of painters come in and give you an estimate BEFORE you start the project.  Get the bid with and without the popcorn removal, just in case you decide after the first room that you've had enough.  I have a friend who got an estimate to have all the popcorn in her house removed.  It was $2500 to remove, fix and paint.  Now her house is not your house so get your own estimate.

 Have a DIY spirit? Try a small room, like the bathroom first.  If that works you can move on to something bigger. The removal is easy - you'll have it down in ½ an hour and if yours was a mess to start with you will be SO happy when it's gone.

The removal of the popcorn plus the freshly painted ceiling WILL make your house look better and is a good thing to consider if you are going to sell your home.

If you want additional tips on selling your house in Hoover Alabama, I'll be happy to help.  Give me a call.

Selling A House in Birmingham Alabama, take your pictures on a Blue Sky Day.

Pictures are key when selling a house in Birmingham Alabama.  How the pictures look will determine if the prospective buyer wants to take that next step and get INSDIE the property that is For Sale. Yesterday was one of those BLUE SKY days.  I LOVE to take pictures of houses for sale when the sky is blue.

I was able to shoot this listing in Moody, Alabama.  Look at it, compared to the picture I took just one week earlier when the sun wasn't shining and the one the day after Christmas when the sun wasn't shining either.  Same house, same camera, same photographer.

If you were a buyer, which one would YOU want to look at?

If you are selling a house in Birmingham Alabama and would like a realtor that pays attention to details - how the pictures look, give me a call.  You can view my other houses for sale on my website. 

I look forward to showing houses for sale on the NEXT Blue Sky Day.