What Does Toni Have To Say?

It's that time of year in Hoover, Alabama where baby birds are leaving the nest.  There is a lot of squawking and parents are stressed.  I could be talking about Back To School, but that is a topic for another day.   

I looked out the window and saw a baby bird that was on the ground and could not fly.  Suddenly, one of the neighborhood kids who had been playing nearby appeared and lifted the baby bird to a tree limb while his brothers looked on.  I was so surprised and happy that these boys, who are normally very rough, were being so careful with the baby bird.  

Video games are SO POPULAR these days. If you talk to the parents of any boy and most girls, you will hear the woes of how hard it is to pry your children away from the TV set and the video controller.  Today's youth spend less time outside than any previous generation, depriving themselves of the emotional and physical benefits, and the opportunity to learn about the world around them.  These boys, who are ALWAYS outside obviously knew what to do in this situation to protect the baby bird.

Do you know children who you feel need to get more in tune with the outdoors? Here is a small activity you can do with a child to help introduce them to Mother Nature.  It focuses on what foods your backyard birds like best, by hosting a special buffet feast.  Get several bowls similar in shape (or if you have plastic jugs cut the bottoms off to make a flat bowl).  Get different kinds of seeds, unsalted nuts, dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, soft fruit like orange, banana or strawberries, water soaked oats, breadcrumbs and any other foods you'd like to try.

Locate a place in your yard that is close to bushes or overhanging trees that you can see from inside where YOU can stay cool on these hot July days or a place far enough away that you won't bother the birds.  Set the bowls in a row and place a different food in each one.  Watch your buffet line from your safe place and see what the birds like to eat.  It is fun to watch how different birds like different foods and some are picky and some are not - just like kids. 

Making your yard a bird friendly place by planting more trees, shrubs and flowers will help you build lots of memories for years to come. Bird friendly yards also help you sell your home when it is time.  If you would like any information about selling your home in Hoover Alabama, feel free to contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

School will be back in session next week in Hoover Alabama.  Many people are out of town taking advantage of this last week for a vacation.  With the beach only 4 hours away, and one of several large lakes 1-2 hours up the road, it is easy to "get out of town" for some R&R.

Earlier this summer, my husband and I went to Colorado and spent several days in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  The mountains are also a wonderful place to spend some quality down time (it is also a lot cooler there, too).

When spending time away, have you ever thought, "It would be great to OWN a vacation home".  It would certainly cut down on the cost of the vacation if you didn't have to pay the hotel or condo fees for the nights you were there.

 Did you know that vacation homes accounted for 12% of the homes purchased in 2007 (this is according to the Investment and Vacation Homes Survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors). If you add "investment property" to the mix the total of investment and vacation homes sold was 33% of total homes sold.  So you may be THINKING it but many others are actually DOING it.  Fifty Nine percent of vacation homes were single family detached homes, 29% were condos, 7% were townhouses and 5% were "other".  The number of properties sold for vacation purposes was 740,000 in 2007.  WOW.  The median price of the vacation home was $195,000. 

 Now all properties require maintenance, taxes and other expenses, however, many people have found that renting the property when you are not using it is a way to defer some if not all of the cost (renting the vacation home puts it into the investment category).  Also, property is an asset that appreciates over time - just as your stock portfolio does and you can sell it later to pay for other expenses in your retirement years.  Also, I would venture to say that the mountain home or beach condo would give you many more years of enjoyment with family and friends than your stock portfolio will!

Think about it.  Where will you spend your vacation next year?  If you would like information about vacation homes in ANY area, let me know.  I know realtors throughout the entire United States so we have all the vacation hot spots covered.  Just send me an e-mail to Toni@ToniBird.com and I'll find a professional to help you.

Every day when I turn on the radio, or look at the news on msn, I see bad news about the economy and the housing market.  Some of this bad news is not really true - it's just stuff that sells.  Everybody I talk to has this terrible picture of the housing market right now and a lot of what they think is just NOT TRUE. Home Sales in Hoover Alabama are good.

I put two houses on the market last week and one of them already has a contract on it.  In fact we had a second offer that we turned down and an agent called today and her client wants to write a backup offer (that way they can be first in line if the current contract falls through).

If the housing market were as bad as people say, this would NOT be happening. Granted your house has to be "Perfect" and Priced Right but it can sell in this market. Yes, Houses are Selling in Hoover Alabama

When people take it to heart and start believing the bad news, they start to feel powerless and don't want to take action is any direction.  I've heard several people say that "things will pick up after the election".  What difference does who the president is make to you in making a decision about YOU buying a house.  They are not going to live with you.  They are not going to make your payments go down or up.  They are not going to get you a raise in salary.  They are not going to help you spend more time with your family.

Buying a house, getting a new job, changing your lifestyle are all decisions YOU should be making for yourself, not letting some economist or newscaster tell you what to do with your personal life.

What are your big dreams and goals?  Turn off the TV and spend some time with paper and pen.  Dreams and goals are something that are born out of our hearts desire.  Think about what really thrills you.  What would you love to do, either for fun or for a living?  What would you love to accomplish?  What big thoughts move your heart into a sense of joy?  This is your time to dream and dream big.  Don't think of barriers, just think of the accomplishment.  Write everything down - big and small.

Once you've done this, make a list of those that are the most important to you - or put them all in order. Which ones do you think are the most easily attainable.

Here is the big picture:  Life is too short not to pursue your dreams.  Someday your life will be near its end.  What will you see when you look back?  Will you reflect with joy or regret?  Those people who are the most joyful are the ones who dream and who set goals for accomplishing those dreams and act on them.

Do your dreams include moving to a new home; perhaps one with a view or a killer game room so all the kids in the neighborhood will be at your house? Do you want a neighborhood that is easy to walk in and neighbor friendly?  Do you want to downsize so you can quit the job you hate and take a different one that pays less but that would be more fulfilling? Do you want to move closer to your job so you don't have to spend 1 ½ hours in traffic everyday? Perhaps you want a vacation home in the mountains (much cooler this time of year :-).

Whatever the dream, it is unique to you. Dreams ARE attainable.  No one can guaranty immediate gratification, and no one said it would be easy, but if you really want something, why not figure out a way to make it happen. Working toward your dream is part of the fun.

Are you ready to work on your dreams? 

If your dreams DO include a housing change, I would love to talk to you.  Send me a note at www.ToniBird.com.

I went to the gas pump the other day in Hoover, Alabama, and it cost me $51 to fill up and I wasn't even on empty!  I was appalled. Now, I don't have an SUV, I have a little car.  This is absolutely outrageous.  I don't understand why congress is wasting time debating drilling for oil off the coast in Alaska when that activity will not produce any oil for 10 years and it will only make the Rich oil companies and their CEOs RICHER.  Don't get me started....

Anyway, one thing it DID do was make me thankful that I live 4 miles from the High School where I drop my son off twice a day for Band Camp, and that I live 3 miles from my church and across the street from the grocery store and within 5 miles of any shopping that I SHOULD need.

Where you live is becoming increasingly important from an expense standpoint.  Not just the mortgage payment and maintenance but the cost of getting to work, school, church and to have FUN.

Today, I was driving through Chandalar in Pelham.  This neighborhood was built in the 70's and has that 70's look.  Many people won't even look at houses in this age bracket with this look, but as I was driving I was impressed by how well kept most of the houses were, how big the lots were and how the mature trees made the neighborhood cooler.  There is a neighborhood pool and many of these homes have been fixed up inside with granite, hardwood and other modern finishes.

If you are in the market for a new home, why not consider one of these older gems.  There are many 70's neighborhoods within 20 miles of downtown Birmingham and putting in newer finishes to update the home will easily outweigh the cost of gas to get to a neighborhood farther out. Not to mention the wear and tear on you from a driving standpoint.

If you would like help finding an older Home For Sale in Birmingham Alabama, contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

As people age it is harder for them to get up and down stairs. Ths is just a fact. It is best to find a home with all the bedrooms on the same level.  Most homes today though, have the master on the main and the other bedrooms up.  If you DO find all the bedrooms on the same level you are in a garden home neighborhood with all the homes close together, no trees and no room for storage.

This home which is JUST LISTED FOR SALE IN HOOVER ALABAMA has all the rooms on one level PLUS has a FULL BASEMENT - great for storage, working on cars, or just puttering.  One of the bathrooms has already been converted to a roll in shower. The rooms are good sized. The new owner will want to choose paint and flooring of their liking, but with a few of your own touches this will be a great home to live in for years to come, enjoying your screened porch which overlooks a heavily wooded backyard.

If you know someone who might be interested in this home, give me a call at 821-3312.  I'll be happy to show it to them.  You can view all the Homes For Sale in Hoover Alabama at my website, www.ToniBIrd.com.

In today's Real Estate market with the use of the internet, many home buyers choose homes off the web, then go "window shopping" and drive by the houses for sale before they ever contact their realtor about making an appointment.  Will your house be crossed off the list before those prospective buyers ever get a chance to see the inside?  How your house looks from the curb creates an emotional desire to own your home and a desire to take the next step.

How do you have great curb appeal?  With lots of attention to detail.  Your house should stand out on the block (in a good way of course).

Detail #1  New Paint  There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to give your home that great first impression.  But make sure it is a quality job - don't just slather some new paint over the old.  Clean and prepare the old surfaces.  Replace rotten wood and caulk the gaps between boards so you will have a smooth surface. And for goodness sake, clean up after yourself!  You are painting the house, not the bushes and sidewalk. This gives an "I care" attitude to the prospective buyer.  Choose an up-to-date color that won't clash with the neighborhood.

Detail #2  New Landscaping  Well-manicured landscaping is the frame in which your home sits.  Trees, bushes and flowers should be tidy, simple, healthy and in proportion to your home.  Those overgrown azaleas need to GO!  From a practical sense, the plants and trees provide shade and control erosion.  They can also provide privacy from the house next door, especially if yours is a one story next to a two story.  But, don't let the branches hit people in the face on the way to your front door. Add bright flowers that welcome visitors to your home and make the prospective buyer feel welcome.

Detail #3  The Front Door  This is the place where the realtor and buyer will spend several minutes while the key is obtained from the lockbox. The area should be welcoming and free from cob-webs and peeling paint (see detail #1).  If the door and /or doorframe is tattered and/or rotten, then refinish it or replace it. Does the lock work easily? Is the doorbell property attached to the house, not tarnished and does it work? If there are steps up to the door, are they secure or in need of attention.

Detail #4  New Paving  New sidewalks, driveways and retaining walls help pave the way to curb appeal.  If the tree roots have caused the sidewalk to raise or crack, it's time to replace the sidewalk - not the tree. You don't want someone falling down on the way to the front door. There are many new decorative treatments for concrete such as cobblestone impressions, brick pavers, and more.  If this is out of your budget, then pressure wash the concrete and make it look clean and fresh.

Detail #5  The Roof  The roof is an important part of curb appeal.  Many buyers have walked away from a home because they perceive the cost of a new roof - right after they move in - will be more than they can handle.  First of all, do you need a new roof?  Has the roof leaked recently?  Are the shingles curved?  If the roof looks dirty and worn, but you are NOT having any issues with it, then it may just need to be cleaned by a roof cleaning company.  This perception can make or break a sale. If it IS time for a new roof, a new multidimensional roof can add contrasting textures and color to your home.  You can even get simulated slate and improve the look of your home - especially in a tract home neighborhood.

Curb appeal, the first impression of your home is just as important as that first hand shake.  Make a good impression and those buyers will want to know more about your house.

For more information and tips on getting your house ready to sell, ask for my special report: 29 Tips that Gets Homes Sold Fast and for Top Dollar. Order on line at www.ToniBird.com, and I'll be happy to send it out to you.

Have you ever tried to get a passport or been in line at the post office when some else is trying to get one.  What a nightmare.  It takes FOREVER and I awlays feel bad for the postal clerk who gets stuck trying to help the people.  I have yet to see one that runs smoothly.

Help Is On The Way to Hoover Alabama

On July 26, 2008, from 9-2 at the Hoover Post Office in Riverchase, the "Passport Team" will be there to process passports.  You will still have to send away for the passport and pay and extra fee if you want it expidited, but knowledgeable people should be there to make the process easier. The application forms will be there to fill out also or you can get on ahead of time to be ready.

You will need to bring the following:

Proof of US Citizenship

Proof of identity

Two Identical color passport photos (they will take your picture for a fee there if you don't have them)

Both parents or legal gardian must accompany a child under 16

To get more information and the costs associated with obtaining a passport, go to www.usps.com/passport. Good Luck!

Home sales in the Hoover, Alabama were up in June 2008 with 132 homes sold. This was up from 111 homes closing in the month of May and the best number since August of ‘07.

In the Hoover Alabama area, the average salesprice was $267,307 with prices ranging from $61,000 for a 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath at the Four Seasons Condos off of Lorna Rd., to $839,000 for a 5 bedroom 4.5 Bath on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge.  There was also a 5 BR,4.5 Bath on the lake in Southlake that closed for 788,000. Currently there are 954 homes on the market which represents an 7.28 month supply.

If you would like any specific information about YOUR neighborhood, or to sign up for Hot Breaking News on New Listings, contact me at www.ToniBird.com.

Last month I showed a house to some clients who were looking to Buy a Home in Hoover Alabama.  The house had a good floor plan, good colors, and a great backyard, but it was filthy.  Dirt on the baseboards, dirty oven, dirty windows, mildew in the shower (the grout needed to be redone) - and yes the lady was living there with her 2 small children.  The house had been on the market for 6 months and had just been "reduced". This is a common sight in this business.

When getting your house ready to sell a home, you have got to clean like you have never cleaned before.  If you are not physically able, or just plain don't want to, then hire someone.  I don't mean the dust it and wipe it kind of clean, I mean the scrub down to the bone kind of clean. Clean like a fiend. Scrub all the fingerprints off the switch plates and walls, scrub bathrooms ‘till they shine.  If the tile is cracked and the grout won't come clean, have the bathroom fixed by a professional.  No one wants to get in someone else's dirt and grime. The Kitchen - same thing.  Look at the air filter on the fan on the stove and the oven. Clean cabinets, the refrigerator and that means even the junk drawer. You should be able to eat off the kitchen floor and the bathroom floor.

You'll need to banish suspect smells as well; you don't want your house to become known in real-estate circles as "the cat pee place." If your pets have had one too many accidents, you may need to replace the affected carpet and padding and have the underlying floor sealed. I got out of a Sales Contract years ago because the woman had cats with "kidney issues".  When I first looked at the house, the candles were burning and I didn't notice it but every time I went back that smell was there.  I even had a friend come with me to make sure it wasn't my imagination. If you're not sure how your place smells, get your least tactful friend to take a few whiffs and tell you the honest truth.

If you'd like additional information about selling a home in Hoover, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area, I'd love to talk to you, just contact me at www.ToniBird.com

The Beatlads, Birmingham's Beatles Tribute Band, will play tonight at Discovery UMC.

Anyone who attends is in for a treat.

Discovery UMC is located in Trace Crossings, across the street from Hoover, Alabama's Region's Park (formerly called the Hoover Met) which is the baseball stadium where the Birmingham Barons play.  Every year at the 4th of July game they have a fabulous fireworks display.  Over the years the church's parking lot has been a teriffic vantage point from which to watch the display.  Many church members bring ice cream for the visitors and fellow church members to share.  The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

This year there will be a special treat as the Beatlads have agreed to come and entertain the crowd. Check out their website at www.thebeatlads.net.

 I have heard the Beatlads on many occations and they are one of Birmingham's best kept secrets.

I know it's only the 3rd, not the 4th but the Barons are not playing tomorrow. So, come out tonight and enjoy the great music, ice cream and fireworks!