What Does Toni Have To Say?

On May the 8th the homeowners at The Woods Townhomes met for their annual meeting.  The usual things were discussed such making sure everyone pays their dues and what the money goes for, people letting their pets have "accidents" in the common area where the children play, children leaving their toys unattended, cars speeding through the neighborhood, etc. 

This was a good group of people who care for each other and the value of their property.  Not everyone agreed on how to handle each item, but people were respectful of each other's views and decisions were made. One comment was made about the condition of the gazebo where the mail was delivered.  It was not really in that bad of shape, but a few spots needed painting and a board needed to be replaced.  Everyone agreed that this was a good opportunity for the neighbors to pitch in and together have a "painting party".  That next Saturday almost everyone at the meeting - and a few others - were there with scrapers, tarps and brushes all pitching it to make the gazebo look fresh and clean.  One lady brought biscuits, sausage and jelly for the early morning crew and a fantistic bar-be-que was enjoyed when the job was finished. 

What a great place to live!  If you'd like help finding a great neighborhood to live, too, let me know at www.ToniBird.com

In my blog earlier this week, I mentioned finishing the "honey do" list before putting your house on the market.  Well sometimes you need a little extra help or another set of eyes to help pinpoint what might be wrong with your house.

A Professional pre-sale inspection by a qualified home inspector is a great option.  They have a checklist that they use and can point out things that need attention. Most inspections cost less than $300. Many inspectors take pictures and can give you the detailed report online.

Professional inspections can identify problems that you can then fix before any potential buyer comes through the door. The inspection report will also help you talk to the handyman so you both will know what is being done to the house. And if there are no major problems, an inspection can publicize that fact to skittish buyers.

Placing the inspection (report) right on the counter during showings shows the buyers that the seller's got nothing to hide. If you place the repair receipts with the report, the buyers will know which items have been fixed.

Thinking about selling your home in Hoover, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham area?  I'd be happy to talk to you - just contact me at www.ToniBird.com

When driving down the street in a neighborhood, have you ever seen that red mulch made of recycled rubber sticking out at you?  Now I know we are trying to go "green" and recycle, however, we need to remember that curb appeal is critical to getting the most money for your home.  The red color is bad enough, but sometimes it even clashes with the color of the house and WOW. Also, because the eye is drawn to the colored mulch and not the plants, you totally loose the value of the hard work and money you have spent on planting flowers and shrubs. 

Stick to natural mulch, and take your color cues from the natural ground materials of the area in which you live.  Here in Hoover Alabama we use pine nuggets, or chewed-up pieces of pine bark, or pine straw. Landscapers will tell you that the landscaping is meant to do two things: one is to anchor the house to the land and the other is complement it. Mulch should not even be noticed but blend right in. 

Want more landscaping advice - check out this article from Msn.com.  If you want advice about selling your home in Hoover Alabama or the Greater Birmingham area, contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

So you're thinking about selling your home.  It's time to sit down and make a list of all those things that need to be done around the house. Houses ARE selling in Hoover and the Greater Birmingham area, but it is currently a buyer's market and the NEW owner is NOT going to want to take care of those things you haven't done over the last 5 years.  You know - some things have been bugging you for a year now and others you just don't even notice any more. Fix the rotten spot on the garage door, fix the doorbell that doesn't work, fix the screens, paint walls that are marred with fingerprints or crayon, repair damaged weather stripping, patch the cracks, paint the trim. Stuff that you've long since stopped noticing could be shouting "Deferred Maintenance!" to every potential buyer.

The cost is really not that bad.  If you can't do it yourself, bring in a handyman. Paying a handyman a few hundred dollars can save you THOUSANDS in the amount you will get for your house. Not to mention the fact that your house will just SIT THERE if it is not in tip top shape.

If you would like help getting your home ready to sell, contact me at www.ToniBird.com.  I've seen houses sell in three weeks and ones that sit for a year.

Yesterday was the 29th annnual Do Dah Day festival in Birmingham, Alabama. 

This event which is held in the Highland Park neighborhood, features a parade with floats and walkers - both human and animal, bands and booths.  This is the major yearly fund raiser for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and Friends of Cats and Dogs.

The parade was fun - as always, and the weather was fabulous.  Prizes are given for the best float, ugliest pet, best movie themed pet, best costume, best pet/human look alike and other stuff.  Stages were set up in Rhodes Park and Caldwell Park and several bands played to entertain the crowd. 

There were thousands of very well behaved dogs in the park. 

I also saw a turtle, parrot, and snake.  Didn't see any cats :-).  I'm sure there were a few there somewhere.  Several pet adoption agencies were there and I saw a cute dogs with an "Adopt Me" bandana on.  I saw him later with a girl who had a big smile.  I bet both of them are happy today. 

Boy this has been a hectic week!  I don't think I have been in bed before 11:00 any night this week - which for me is WAY too late!   So, for all those folks who think the Real Estate market is slow right now I say WHAT are you thinking!!

All this week, though, next to my porch between the driveway and entrance has been this beautiful rose.  Every day as I pass by with my laptop and files in hand, I am reminded to "Stop and Smell the Roses".  This has helped me to take a deep breath and appreciate what I have in life.  Too often we get wrapped up in work and the problems we have, but this rose really points out that there is intense beauty if we are willing to stop and look for it. 

And speaking of the brisk housing market in Hoover, Alabama, if you are considering buying a home, click here to look at all the Homes for Sale in Birmingham, Alabama. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to see one at www.ToniBird.com.

When you get ready to buy that new home, you'll need to get a homeowner's insurance poilcy on it.   There are hundreds of insurance companies in the Hoover, Alabama and greater Birmingham area, and different tyes of coverages. When you are shopping, make sure you are comparing like policies and getting the coverage you need. Talk to your prospective agent and find one that will explain things to you.  Here are some things to ask questions about.

•1.          Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately. If you live on a huge hill, you may not need flood insurance so pay only for those things you feel you need.

•2.          Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

•3.          Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you'll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you'll only receive $150,000.

•4.          Understand actual cash value. If you choose not to replace your home when it's destroyed, you'll receive replacement cost, less depreciation. This is called actual cash value. Keep in mind if you live in a subdivision with restrictions or have a mortgage on the property these documents may require you to rebuild.

•5.          Understand liability. Generally your homeowners insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it's sufficient if you have significant assets.

It's good to shop for insurance as soon as you sign that contract so you'll have plenty of time to review what each agent has to offer.  That way you can make an informed decision. 

I sell Real Estate in Hoover Alabama and the Greater Birmingham area. If you'd like to know more about the home buying process, feel free to contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

These questions will help you decide whether you're ready for a home that's larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it's a sign that you may be ready to move.

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don't build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, and some extra appreciation that people saw in 2005 and early 2006 has withered away, but if you've owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you're making more money, and have some money put away in savings, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. 

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you'd like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.  With gas prices on the rise, those neighborhoods closer in are getting more and more attractive.

4. Are there reasons why you can't remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. If you would like to explore this possibility, contact an architect, such as Tim Barron and discuss the possibilities. But if your property isn't large enough, your municipality doesn't allow it, or you're simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?  Since our market is slower right now, finding a buyer may take longer than it did 2 years ago and you will need to be more particular about getting your house ready for prospective buyers to view, but you'll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.

6. Are interest rates attractive? Rate today are lower than they have been in years. A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

The Word Is Out!! Birmingham is a great place to Buy Real Estate. 

According to CNNMoney.com, Birmingham was #3 in its list of the 10 Fastest Growing Markets in the US.  Birmingham is expected to see appreciation of approximately 2.7% over the next year - as opposed to a decrease in prices as predicted in other markets.  Isn't it great to hear some GOOD NEWS for a change. Birmingham is a Great Place to Live and Buy Real Estate.

If you would like to search for a home to buy in the Greater Birmingham area, visit my website at www.ToniBird.com.

Home sales in the Hoover, Alabama area were down just slightly in April with 96 closed sales - There were 100 closings in March and 101 in February (up from 51 in January).

In the Hoover Alabama area, the average salesprice was $283,100 with prices ranging from $83,100 for a 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath condo in Running Brook to $850,000 for a 5 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge. Nineteen closed sales were condo/townhomes and 48 closed sales were new construction. Currently there are 916 homes on the market which represents a 9.54 month supply. Showing activity in Hoover has been Brisk over the last 2 weeks and I expect May and June's numbers to be greatly improved.

If you would like any information about home sales in YOUR neighborhood, contact me at www.ToniBird.com