What Does Toni Have To Say?

Home sales in Helena (one of the top 100 places to live in America) have been pretty consistent throughout the year.  In October there were 28 home sales - down from 31 in September. The average salesprice was $193,661.  Prices range from $90,000 for a HUD foreclosure in Shelena Estates, to $350,000 for a new construction property in Long Leaf Lakes. The average days on the market for sold properties was 85.  Currently there are 263 properties on the market in Helena which represents a 9 month supply - fabulous in this economy!

Helena prides itself on its family friendly atmosphere. Are you looking for a new home?  Search for a home in Helena, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area at my website www.ToniBird.com.

Hoover, Alabama is a fabulous place to live.  Many home sites have fabulous views.  The fall leaves are beautiful this year and every trip to the grocery store is filled with color!

Home sales in the Hoover, Alabama area were down in October 2008 with 58 homes sold. This was the lowest number since January '08 (with 52 sales). Part of this is a seasonal slow down and part is a reflection of the poor economic news that hit at the end of September.

In the Hoover Alabama area, the average salesprice was $283,763 with prices ranging from $104,900 for a 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath at the Vestavia Knoll, to $769,900 for a 4 bedroom 2.5 Bath in the Lake Trace section of Trace Crossings.  Currently, there are 1029 homes on the market which means there are a lot of fabulous homes to choose from.

Activity has picked up after the election and the end of the year sales should drastically improve.  If you've been thinking about buying a new home, this is the time.  Rates are low and if you act quickly, you could be in that home of your dreams before Christmas. Shop on the internet at www.ToniBird.com/search.asp?

Home sales across the nation were down in October. Vestavia was no exception. In October Vestavia saw 25 home sell which was the lowest number since November of ‘07. Part of this is seasonal and part is based on the rough economic news (let's face it you couldn't hear anything on TV, radio, or internet that wasn't doom and gloom)!

Two of the 15 home sales were in Liberty Park.

The average salesprice was $318,665 with prices ranging from $87,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Montreat to $1.8 million for an estate overlooking the golf course in the Old Overton section of Liberty Park.  The average days on market for sold properties was 106.  Currently there are 439 properties on the market in Vestavia which represents a 17 month supply.

Since the election, activity has picked up. Are YOU Looking for a new home?  Search for a home in Liberty Park, Vestavia Hills Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area at my website www.ToniBird.com

The Real Estate market in Homewood was down a little from September '08, seeing its fewest number of sales this year. Part of this is seasonal and part is based on the rough economic news.  We show 15 homes closed in October ‘08 - also down from October '07 with 19 closings. The average salesprice was $217,366 with prices ranging from $108,500 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo at The Hermitage to $415,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a carriage house in Hollywood. Currently there are 317 Homes on the market which represents a 21.13 month supply.

If you would like any specific information about YOUR neighborhood, or to sign up for Hot Breaking News about new listings, call me at 205-821-3312 or send an e-mail to Toni@ToniBird.com.

There are several things to consider when buying a new home.  There are lots of Homes to Buy in Hoover, Alabama.  Some are new and others have been previously owned. Some people I work with only want to buy a newly constructed home.  I spoke to a teenager once whose parents had relocated several times and they ALWAYS bought a NEW house.  She was wigged out at the thought of moving to a home where someone had slept in her bedroom!!!  OKAY.......

New homes are really nice: everything is expected to work, the colors and decorating is "in style" and many home builders are offering incentives like paid for closing costs.

Previously used homes though can cost much less in the long run.  Construction costs are pretty high, so you get a lot more square footage for your $$ in an existing home.  Once you move into a new home, you need to get window coverings - at least blinds if not curtains or drapes and these can costs thousands.  Also, the yard on a new home is pretty basic and you'd be surprised how much a trip to buy flowers and shrubs will run you - the older homes will have a lot more mature landscaping and better curb appeal. Also, if you buy in a new neighborhood, it may be "under construction" for some time to come and there will be dust everywhere and noise to contend with. 

Existing homes may need new paint on the walls to suite your color scheme and you my need to budget for repairs a little sooner in and existing home, but the overall livability and costs COULD be better.  When making out your wish list for Buying A Home consider all the positives of the existing home.

If you'd like to search on line for a Home to Buy on line, check out my website, www.ToniBird.com/search.asp.  If you see a home that you would like to take a look at, let me know, I'd be happy to give you a personal tour.

Fall is definitely here.  The trees in Hoover Alabama are BEAUTIFUL. Soon it will be Thanksgiving which is only 5 weeks before the end of 2008.

During September and October the TV News was flooded with talk of ecomonic crisis!!  It was really hard to focus on all the GOOD Things happening in our economy. Back in July, the president signed a bill that gives First Time Home Buyers a TAX CREDIT.  The credit is worth up to 10% of the amount they pay for a home.  This means if you buy a home that costs $75,000 or more, you will receive a $7500 tax credit.   The maximum you can receive is $7500, but even if you pay a lot more than that, $7500 is still a nice little sum.

The housing bill (which is NOT the most recent Bail Out package) does a lot of things but the biggest and best for first time home buyers is this tax credit.  There is nothing you have to apply for - no big government red tape, just buy a home and when you file your 2008 taxes, you fill out a form to get the tax credit. Now, you will have to pay the credit back over the next 15 years, but it is the equivalent of an interest free loan. Starting with your tax return in 2010, an amount equal to 6.67% of the total credit you took will be added to the amount of tax you have to pay.  This is a little over $500.  You will pay the tax credit back a little at a time. There is no interest that will be added to it, so it is essentially an interest free loan, but you DO have to pay it back.

This tax credit is good for homes purchased through June 30, 2009, but why wait ‘till next year?  There are lots of great homes on the market now and if you shop NOW, you could be in a home before Christmas AND get a Tax Credit of up to $7500 with your 2008 return.

Contact a lender TODAY and get pre-approved for a loan.  They can also explain the details of the housing bill and answer any questions about what you can afford and how much your monthly payment would be. Interest Rates are really low and there is plenty of money available for qualified buyers.

Here are 4 houses that I have listed for Sale in the Greater Birmingham area.  These homes are priced between $82,000 and $190,000. All of these would qualify for the 1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. If you would like to buy one of these great homes, I can help. If you'd like something a little different - you can also shop for houses on line at my website www.ToniBird.com, and when you are ready, let me know - I'll help you find the home of your dreams.

There are two things I like about fall: the cooler temperatures and the colorful leaves.   Although today saw temperatures in the 70s' we have had several cold days in the last couple of weeks. Those cold temps (nights below 50 degrees) are what causes the leaves to turn their orange, yellow and red colors.

I drove from Hoover to Trussville Alabama yesterday to check out some property and the foliage was BEAUTIFUL.  Last month, I kept seeing the weather channel talk about "peak" in the northeast, and I think Alabama is seeing its peak this week.

I tried to capture some of the scenery - but I missed so much because you can't drive and take pictures at the same time!!  Also the camera just doesn't show the colors as vibrant as they are in person with the sun shining off the various leaves.

Alabama is really a beautiful state.  There are so many neighborhoods with beautiful views.  If you have any questions about Real Estate in Hoover Alabama or the Greater Birmingham area. Contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

What a beautiful fall.  There are so many beautiful trees here in Hoover Alabama.  I would love to be able to pull over and take pictues to share.  Of course I would never get anywhere if I did that! 

I was having lunch with my husband when I realized that Christmas music was playing over the restaurant's PA system.  Now this is not a re-post of some old blog; today is only November 3rd (one day before election day).  I love the Christmas season - the weather is cooler, I like Christmas music playing everywhere and the idea of giving and going to parties puts me in a good mood.

One other thing I like about the season is the aromas.  Oh, the smell of cookies and apple pie, and pumpkin pie and all the things we only bake at Christmas.  I wonder why we don't bake all those things in the summer - probably because it is too hot!

 Aroma is also an important aspect in Selling a Home.  Bad smells can turn off a buyer quicker than avocado or mauve carpet!!  Good smells though make a person feel right at home.  If your home is For Sale in Hoover Alabama, pay attention to the way your house smells.  I house that smells of citrus smells fresh.  Citrus is also supposed to make you feel energized and promote mental clarity.  Peppermint - another Christmas smell is refreshing, stimulating and helps with alertness.  And remember that old saying, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  I read the other day that the smells most attractive to men are pumpkin pie and anise.  So, it looks like Italian Sausages for dinner and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Have questions about selling Your Home?  I can help.   Give me a call at 205-821-3312 or shoot a question to Toni@ToniBird.com.