What Does Toni Have To Say?

I have been working with a client for several weeks now.  We have looked at Homes ALL OVER the Birmingham, Al area.  We have finally narrowed it down to a neighborhood and really like one house the best so it's time to put an offer on paper.  The client sends an e-mail and says they heard bad news on the radio this morning and they are not sure it is time to buy.

Well, we have been hearing bad news almost every day for over a year now.  Bad news sells, good news doesn't and every time the media gets a chance to spout something bad they do....  Funny thing, though the day before I got the e-mail about not wanting to write an offer because of things being so bad in Real Estate, I got 2 offers in on 2 different pieces of property.  One house had only been on the market 3 weeks and it was our 3^rd offer. If things were so bad, I would not be getting 2 offers in. 

If people would stop being so scared to make a move, just a few more closings would move the news from bad to good.  Now is the time to get off the fence and buy.  There are great bargains out there and sellers are more realistic about the prices they put on their property.  Builders have some inventory that they are wanting to move and the time to get a deal is here. As soon as property starts really moving again, those deals will be gone. I'm not saying make a ridiculously low offer - no, look at the home's value and make a good offer.  Now is the time to get off the fence and Buy A Home in Hoover Alabama, or the Greater Birmingham area.

I'd be happy to help you find a Home to Buy in Hoover, Al or the greater Birmingham area, sesarch for properties and let me know which ones you would like to see in person at http://www.tonibird.com/.

I see it over and over again.  Home maintenance items that are not taken care of for years costing sellers thousands when it is time to sell.  One of the biggest ones I see is windows.   The paint starts to wear off of the window sills and the corners of the window - especially on the west side of the house where the sun is strongest.  If you catch this immediately and put some primer on the window, then paint it, that takes care of the problem.  If you let it go, the window sill rots and soon you have to replace the whole window.  If it is a special order window, it can cost thousands.

Another issue is door sills.  This is so simple - the sills need to be caulked or water gets up under the floor.  This is especially a problem where you don't have an overhang over the door and the water hits the door and runs down.  It is a problem for the doorframe as well.  Keep the sill caulked, the door primed and painted or you will see the floor on the other side (the inside) of the floor rots from underneath. Then you need to replace both the subfloor, sometimes the sill plate that runs around the foundation AND the floor.

These are just a couple of items to look for. Don't know if you have a problem; call a home inspector and have him check out your house.  They go through a checklist and write up items they see that have already failed and items that you need to watch out for. 

Since I am a relator in Hoover, Alabama, I have worked with several and can give you some names.  Remember a few hundred dollars spent today can save you thousands down the road. Contact me at www.ToniBird.com with any questions.

Moving day can be very hectic, especially if you are moving out of town ‘cause when the moving truck pulls away - you're gone.  Friends are coming by and things with the movers don't always go as planned.  Here are a few of things to think about ahead of time:

Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.

Get copies of children's school records for transfer.

Have a special backpack or suitcase with your children's special items. Let them pack it themselves, if age appropriate.

Consider special car needs for pets when traveling. A crate keeps pets safe in case you need to stop or have an accident.

Let a friend or relative know your route.

Empty your safety deposit box.

Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you're moving in cold weather.

Have a professional scheduled to come in and clean behind you.  Moving day will wear you out and you may not have the energy to clean those horrible places like behind the washer and dryer.

Good Luck with your move.

If you need any help with selling a home in Hoover, Alabama, I'd be happy to help.  Let me know at http://www.tonibird.com/