What Does Toni Have To Say?

Russet Woods and its sister neighborhood Southwood are conveniently located 3 miles off I-459 at the HWY 150 exit. Students attend either South Shades Crest or Deer Valley Elementary, Bumpus Middle School and Hoover High.  It is about a 18 mile drive to downtown Birmingham city center and there are several ways to get there - so if the interstate is backed up, you are not trapped.

The numbers are in for July 2008.  Three homes sold and closed in this neighborhood.  Click here to view details (double click on the photo for inside shots).  If you would like information about YOUR neighborhood, let me know at www.ToniBird.com 

Home sales in Hoover, Alabama were down in July '08 to 95 closed sales. This was down from 132 in June 2008 which was a record month.  February, March and April saw 101 homes close.

 In the Hoover Alabama area, the average salesprice was $265,112 with prices ranging from $66,100 for a 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath at the Four Seasons Condos off of Lorna Rd., to $759,000 for a 4 bedroom 3.5 Bath on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge.  The median price was $285,000. Inventory of Homes for Sale in Hoover has steadily increased in 2008 and is now at 1057 homes on the market which represents an 11.12 month supply.

Hoover is a great place to live and Buy A Home. 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.

I have a Home for Sale in Hoover Alabama and the other day a prospective buyer was looking at it and wanted to know if she could put up a fence.  The property has a beautiful view and a wooded privacy fence would really ruin it.  Some people though, must have a fence.  Pets are a common reason for erecting a fence and the new electric fences have been a great addition to the fencing world. In this case the family has two dogs that they say WILL NOT stay in one of those electric fences.

The first thing to do before putting up a fence is to check with the restrictions of the subdivision.  If the subdivision has restrictions, chances are they will address the fence issue.  Many subdivisions require the placement and materials of the fence be approved by the architectural control committee.  This seems like a real pain and an infringement on your rights until someone in the neighborhood wants to put a pink chain link fence in their front yard.   In this case, since the property was on a lake, they required the fence to be wrought iron and the placement could not obstruct anyone else's view of the lake.  Other homes in the subdivision could have wood privacy fences so looking at what the other homes have does not always mean YOU can have it on your lot.  Chain link was not allowed.  Some subdivisions allow chain link but it has to be black.  Anyway the point is ALWAYS check before you make plans for a fence.

Some neighborhoods do not allow fences in the front yard, but others such as The Preserve have the turn of the century picket fences on several of the smaller homes.  This makes the front yard a more useable space because it is closed in.

Some fences are made of rock or stone pillars with wood or plants in between.  The materials are as endless as the imagination.

Some fence sections come pre-made and this makes the installation of the fence easier. Putting a fence up on a flat lot is a lot easier than putting one on a slope and the pre-made sections won't work here.  On a slope you need to make the position of the poles match the contour of the ground.  If you are thinking of installing a fence on a slope, you can find directions here.

Fencing, whatever the kind, can add value to your home when it comes time to sell.  If you would like information about selling a home in Hoover, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham area, I can help.  Send me an e-mail at www.ToniBird.com

WHEN I THINK OF A LIBRARY I THINK OF BOOKS. Now I like to read, so this is not a bad thought. But when I think of the HOOVER LIBRARY, I think of much, much more.

The Hoover Library is part of the Jefferson County library system, so they not only have all the books you will see on the shelves, but they can get you any book within the Jefferson County system.  They also have video tapes, so you can check out movies for FREE.  Free is a really good price.

During the summer the Hoover Library has a great children's reading program and they have entertainment on a regular basis so you have activities you can bring your children to for free - to keep them from being too bored.  During the year, they have weekly age appropriate storytelling so your preschoolers can get to enjoy reading at an early age. They also have computer classes for adults.

Below the floor that has all the books on it, you will find a theatre.  In the hallway leading up to the theatre there is art on exhibit.  The pieces on display are from local artists and the exhibits change monthly.

One Monday a month, they show a movie at 2:00 in the afternoon and 6:30 at night.  This is a great time to have an afternoon or night out with friends. The movie in August which will show on the 28^th is Field of Dreams.  Check out the full movie schedule here.

The state of the art theatre is comfortable and seats 250 people so all the seats are good.  The Hoover Library Theatre is in its 17^th season.  The 2008/2009 performance season has just been announced and tickets go on sale starting August 22, 2008.

Concerts for this year feature a wide range of genres from piano to comedy to bluegrass and more.  Performers and include:

 Marc Cohn

Jim Brickman

The Spencers

An Evening with Lucille Ball

Bryan White

Kevin Spiratas

Loudon Wainwright III

A Couple of Balaguards

Cherryholmes

Time for Three

 Click here for more information about the Hoover Library Theatre and the performers.  See you at the theatre!

My Husband and I went window shopping today in Hoover, Alabama.  Not the kind where you walk down the street and look at new clothes through the store window, but shopping FOR windows. My house was built in 1986 in Hoover, Alabama, and several of the windows are loosing their seals, not opening or closing well, and one has a crack.  So, we have decided it is time to replace them.

What does loosing its seal mean?  We have double pane windows.  That means we have two panes of glass with argon gas in between.  This gas adds additional insulation so the heat stays out - or in - depending on what time of year it is.  When the seal begins to deteriorate, moisture will form on the inside of the window and it will eventually scar the window so it appears foggy.  At first it resembles a dirty window, but if it won't come clean, that is a sign that your seals are broken. The windows still work, but they don't look as good and they are not as energy efficient as they once were.

Many of my windows do not open and close well.  When I moved in, most of my windows were painted shut so I had to pry them apart with a knife. I think that is how I broke the window (by beating on it to get it loose).... Anyway, the part of the window on the side is made of some kind of aluminum stuff that just looks cheap and the windows don't glide up and down very well. I also have double hung windows which means there is a top window and a bottom window and both move up and down. Sometimes when I try to raise the bottom window, the top window comes down and I don't want it to do that.  I don't need windows with a mind of their own!! Since I like fresh air, and would like the windows to open and close properly, I would like this part of the window fixed as well.

One thing I DO NOT have is rotten windows.  I see a LOT of rotten windows in this business, but mine are in good shape.  That could be because I really keep an eye on my windows and make sure they are primed and painted all the time.

What I learned today is that you don't have to buy a whole new window to fix these problems.  The sashes (that is the window glass and the wood directly around it) can be replaced independently from the rest of the window.  So if you have glazed windows (broken seals) you only need to replace the sashes. Also, the part on the sides where the sashes slide up and down can be replaced independently.  The trim and the sills on the outside can be left in place.

One thing to look for is the energy efficiency rating on the windows.  The lower the U Value rating the more efficient and the less heat that will pass through the window. If the window is exposed to direct sunlight, look at the solar heat gain coefficient and the lower the number the less heat will come through the glass.  You might want to look for windows with the Energy Star which means the windows have passed certain guidelines.  Also, if you have a lot of noise, such as traffic, you want a higher STC rated window to help block out the noise. Check out my August Newsletter for tips on cutting noise in your home. 

 Windows used to be made out of wood, which I mentioned earlier can rot.  Windows also come in vinyl, which doesn't rot.  They don't look as good as wood windows (in my opinion).  There is a new option worth looking at; Cellular PVC.  These windows look like wood and can be painted just like wood.  I saw them today and I thought they looked really good and are an excellent choice for my replacement windows.

Wanting to make your home more "green" or environmental friendly? Look at replacing your windows.  There may even be a tax credit available.  Talk to your friendly accountant.

If you are thinking about fixing your home up to sell, look for any window issues before putting the home on the market.  Home Inspectors are really good at pointing out those broken seals in their inspection reports.  You should be proactive and replace the defective windows prior to putting the home on the market, or have some estimates made on replacement windows so you are ready with a plan should the buyer ask you to replace the windows.

Have any Real Estate Questions, let me know at www.ToniBird.com.

 TAX CREDIT EQUALS MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

New housing bill gives First Time Home Buyers a TAX CREDIT of 10% of the purchase price for a home they purchase.  This means if you buy a home in Hoover, Alabama 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.  And, get this, a 1^st Time Homebuyer is defined as someone who hasn't owned a house in the last 3 years.

What a great time to Buy A Home in Hoover, Alabama.  The new housing bill does a lot of things but the biggest and best for first time home buyers is this 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.

If you were waiting for something great to happen THIS IS IT.  The Tax Credit is good for homes that close between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Interest rates are still low and now you get a credit - Not a deduction, so you will pay up to $7500 in less tax.  If you only owe $4000 in tax, then you will get all your tax back PLUS an EXTRA $3500.

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to contact a lender and get pre-approved for a loan.  They can also explain the details of the new housing bill. You can shop for houses on line at my website www.ToniBird.com,  When you are ready, contact me and I'll help you find the home of your dreams.

IT CAN'T HURT TO TRY - OR CAN IT?

Everyday you read articles about how it is "A Buyer's Market".  What does that mean ANYWAY?

1. There are more houses on the market to choose from

2. Prices have stopped escalating so they are more reasonable - some areas of the country have seen pricing drops but the Birmingham area for the most part has just flattened out.

3. You don't have to rush to buy for fear someone will come in and buy your dream home if you wait over night. I said over night not weeks and weeks.

4. Some sellers are more motivated to sell and are willing to look at offers that are not full price.  They are also willing to leave items such as the refrigerator to make the home purchase work.

I was reading one of those many articles that was talking about a buyer's market, and it mentioned that buyers should offer as much as 20% less on the property than the sellers were asking.  This IS NOT the case here in Hoover Alabama - or the greater Birmingham area.

I have had several low offers presented in the last 6 months.  Several of them caused the buyer to either loose the house - or end up paying more for it than they would have if they had made a reasonable offer.  Now you probably want me to define reasonable.  This is where the experience of the Realtor comes in.

Hiring a realtor is a great investment.  I am a realtor, but when I went to sell my mother's house in a different market, the first thing I did was interview 3 realtors and get their professional opinion of what the property should sell for. Everyone has access to houses through the internet, however, realtors have access to other information.  

1. They have sale information through the MLS (realtor database) and tax records.

2. They have been in a lot of homes that compare to the ones you are looking at.

3. They have a network of other professionals that can help with question they may have.

4. They have the experience of working with other buyers to know how the house YOU are looking at rates against those other homes on the market.

With all this information, your Buyer's Agent can help you formulate an appropriate offer that can be well received by the seller, and get YOU the best price for the property.  They should be able to give you an opinion, and back it up with facts.  This will start the negotiation process off on the right foot.

There are many Homes for Sale in Hoover, Alabama that are priced right and some that are not.  Buyers should look at what houses have SOLD for in the last 6 months and make an offer based on the fair market value of the property they are wanting. I have seen more than one offer this year that was totally rejected by the seller, and the buyer lost the house.  I have seen buyers decide that they weren't going to pay more for the house in "this market" even though the house was priced properly, just because it was a buyer's market and another buyer came along and bought the house while they were waiting around for the seller to come to their senses!

Are you ready to make a move or buy and investment property. There are many Homes For Sale in Hoover, Alabama and the greater Birmingham area. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you navigate the current "buyer's market", just let me know at www.ToniBird.com.

Grilling Vegetables

Two things are for sure in the summer here is Hoover, Alabama - Hot Muggy Days and Bar-B-Que. Grilling Out is a great way to get together with family and friends, and football season is right around the corner which is grilling out on the road (or from your tailgate).  Alabama is famous for Bar-B-Que, especially pork.  That is one of the things I really miss when I travel is GOOD Bar-B-Que, and the ribs, Oh My Gosh!!!  I received an e-mail yesterday asking me to vote for the best bar-b-que ribs in Birmingham and it was really HARD because we have so many great rib places (I would have to say Dreamland is my favorite). My son invited us over for "ribs" a few weeks ago and they were really good - I was SO proud!

 With the Bar-B-Que comes all the fixins like the beans and potato salad and slaw.  Now, I am not a huge fan of these typical items.  Guess that is because I'm not "from the south".  Beans are fine, just about any way you cook them, but I don't like slaw at all and I'm pretty picky about my potato salad.  There are as many ways to make potato salad as there are people and I've never been a huge mayonnaise fan - and in the heat of the summer .......

 Recently I've developed a real liking for grilled vegetables.  They are healthier than your typical fixins.  I wasn't sure what to do with them so I started experimenting with different combinations and different seasonings.  I had some fennel at a friend's house so now I buy fennel whenever I'm at the grocery store.  My family laughs at me because I am all about fennel, but it is different and has a really good taste.  I even used the leaves to season pork chops the other day. You can make a tray out of tin foil, or get one of those grilling trays like in the picture above (I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond) for under $10.  You cut the vegetables into pieces and marinate them ahead of time - or not, and place the tin on the grill while you are cooking the meat.  To marinate them, I place the vegetables in a zip lock bag so you can get them coated really well then dump them in the tray. Check out this grilling guide for cooking times and recipes.

One of the home features buyers are looking for these days is outdoor kitchens.  If you love the outdoors and your current home doesn't have the right space for cooking out, perhaps you'd like to Shop for a New Home.  If that is the case, I can help.  Let me know at www.ToniBird.com.

Happy Eating

When looking at buying A Home, one of the biggest yes or no items in the buyer's mind is the BATHROOM.  I have seen people turn down great backyards, super dens and even updated kitchens with the latest bells and whistles because the bathroom is too small, or the tile is the wrong color.

Buyers should know that fixing up the bathroom is NOT that hard.  If the room is too small, many times you can take in a nearby closet space or take out part of another room.  These are easy fixes that a contractor can do fairly easily and don't add square footage (and additional cost) to the house. 

Wallpaper, well it is not permanent!  It CAN be taken down and a fresh coat of paint will really make a HUGE difference.

That outdated colored tile can be replaced - or painted.  Don't just slather on regular paint, there is a special paint that a professional can use.  I had my mother's BRIGHT PINK bathroom painted white and it had a totally new look - the cost $400. 

Light fixtures are not that expensive.  I bought one for over the sink for $29.95.  Some are a lot higher, but check the clearance isle at Lowe's or Home Depot and you can find some really nice ones.

Faucets and other fixtures are also a pretty easy fix.  The houses we see from the 80's have a lot of brass fixtures that are so outdated.  These can all be replaced with brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. 

Those old mirrors that were just stuck to the wall are outdated as well, but they can be removed and a framed mirror hung in its place.  Or, you may need some additional storage space and can place a storage cabinet with a mirror in it over the sink.

If you'd like a few more ideas about fixing up the bath check out my newsletter. Be creative, look at magazines and shop around.  We bought several fixtures and faucets at the day after Thanksgiving Sale - and the big boxes are not nearly as crowded as the mall!

Don't let a dated bath scare you away from an otherwise great home.  If you would like some tips about Buying a Home in Hoover, Alabama, let me know at www.ToniBird.com.