Birmingham Alabama Real Estate News & Listings Presented By RE/MAX Advantage

115 LAKE DAVIDSON LN, HELENA 35080

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:39:49 GMT

OLD TOWN HELENA IS KNOWN FOR ITS EASY GOING LIFESTYLE - CONVENIENT TO Shopping, Dining and your own park for Entertaining. This quaint Village with its Sidewalks and Street Lights and Carriage Style Homes allow you the feel of the good times that took place in this Historic Village with all the amenities for today's Lifestyle and Convenience. The view of the Water and Falls from the back of the home and the view of the Park and from the front can't be beat. This home allows you total Relaxation like a year round Vacation. This Immaculate home has a true Chef's Kitchen that includes a Gas Stove,New Microwave 2010, Kohler Deep Sink, upgraded Garbage Disposal just to name a few. Loaded with Hardwood Floors, Courtyard Patio, Balcony, Plantation Shutters, Beautiful Landscaping and the perfect neighborhood for those looking for charm, character and a wonderful lifestyle in Downtown Helena - A TRUE HIDDEN Gem!

1335 CHAPEL ST, HOOVER 35226

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:39:30 GMT

Incredible 4 Bedroom - 3 Full Bath - Full Brick Home on Premium Lot with TONS of Upgrades in one of the most enviable Hoover neighborhoods, Chapel Creek. This home boasts an Open Floor Plan which is perfect for entertaining or enjoying time with the family while cooking in your Gourmet Kitchen. The Kitchen features Gorgeous Granite Counters, Tile Backsplash, Huge Island w/ Pull-Out, Stainless Appliances including Gas Cooktop. Some of the many upgrades in this English-C plan include Hardwood Floors, Formal Dining Room, Detailed Crown Molding, Recessed Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Designer Paint Colors, Stone Fireplace, Two Car - Main Level Garage and Plenty of Storage. The large Master Suite w/ Luxury Bathroom, a Guest Bedroom, Full Bathroom and Laundry Room are all located on the Main Level. There are two Guest Bedrooms, Full Bathroom, and a Den located on the 2nd Floor of the home. This home has a Covered Patio and Gigantic Fenced Yard w/ room for Swing Set.

612 ROLLINGWOOD RD, BIRMINGHAM 35235

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:45:34 GMT

You have to see this charming, meticulously maintained one level gem situated in one of the best kept secrets in the Birmingham area. You will love the quiet tranquility of this Huffman home. The seller is willing to assist with closing costs, and all appliances remain, including washer and dryer! This home is ready for you to make it yours. Call TODAY to schedule a private tour.

1109 SHERWOOD FOREST DR, BIRMINGHAM 35235

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:45:34 GMT

Welcome to the prestigious, established, high demand Sherwood Forest community! This beautiful, full brick, one story retreat offers discerning home buyers all of the amenities of homes costing twice as much, yet is affordably priced. Step inside and you will feel the meaning of the old saying, "They sure don't make 'em like this any more!" From the recently refinished SPARKLING hardwood floors, to the masterfully maintained full bathroom, this home has it all. Expert building skills and craftsmanship are evident. Enter into the backyard, and you will feel as though you have been transported to the Garden of Eden. Beautiful landscaping, including a rock pond, and waterfall perfectly accentuate this private oasis of peace and serenity. A large covered patio area with rustic exposed wooden beams, provides a perfect back drop for family gatherings or upscale entertaining. You will be amazed at how much this home has to offer. Call today to schedule a private tour. You'll be glad you did!

1013 Belvedere Cove, Birmingham 35242

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:45:34 GMT

4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. Original owners (2006). Lots of extras. Main-level master. Granite/stainless kitchen. Plantation shutters. 9' ceilings. Arched openings. Screened porch. Fenced backyard. Walk to community pool. Lake across street. Home warranty.

4817 S 10TH CT, BIRMINGHAM 35222

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:45:34 GMT

Introducing this adorable, raised ranch home in this quiet established Crestwood community. Full brick exterior offers durability, plus low maintenance and energy efficiency. The home features some recent cosmetic updates, as well as beautiful hardwood floors throughout. The full basement offers additional living and relaxing area, and there is ample storage adjacent to the 1 car basement garage. Be sure to act fast before this one is gone.

5552 Hunters Hill Road 35210

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:40:17 GMT

WOW!! You are going to think you stepped into a NEW HOME!!! Welcome to the OPEN FLOOR PLAN you have been looking for! The moment you arrive it just feels right. MINUTES FROM MAJOR HIGHWAYS, just OUTSIDE MOUNTAIN BROOK WITHOUT THE TAXES and a quaint and WELL KEPT NEIGHBORHOOD! LARGE FLAT YARD & LOVELY COTTAGE STYLE EXTERIOR complete with your own swing. Enter your FOYER to BRIGHT AND OPEN SPACES - HARDWOOD FLOORS,GREAT DINING ROOM, HUGE FAMILY ROOM with HIGH CEILINGS and an awesome STONE FIREPLACE. Your KITCHEN IS COMPLETELY NEW and amazing AND OPEN TO THE FAMILY ROOM for entertaining. The MASTER SUITE IS LARGE, beautiful and SPA-LIKE! TWO MORE BEDROOMS ON THE MAIN LEVEL give you perfect family living. The basement area is vast and fun with a HUGE DEN OR MAN-CAVE and a BUILT IN BAR, BEDROOM AND BATH. The back yard is flat, a natural oasis with a creek running through and your own bridge. Lots of privacy, fenced with large deck! Life is good here!! Entertain or just indulge yourself!

2920 Overton Road, Mountain Brook 35223

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:40:17 GMT

Reduced $164k! Possible 4th bedroom downstairs. Upgrade to this breathtaking home! This beautiful range-style home was totally renovated into a very Open Modern Floor Plan! This captivating home sits on a 2 acre lot, complete with a Gourmet Kitchen that easily flows into a sunken den, master suite complete with Full Body Shower heads & fireplace. The spectacular living space allows this home to be an entertainer's delight including a full house sound system, wet bar, wall of windows, and a full finished basement with a two car garage. This community is perfect for your family! Move in and never leave!

2105 CAHABA CREST DR, HOOVER 35242

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:38:25 GMT

TERRIFIC SHORT SALE OPPORTUNITY IN ONE OF MOST SOUGHT AFTER NEIGHBORHOODS IN HOOVER'S SPAIN PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT! Awesome easy flow floor plan offers Main Level Master Suite w/ adjoining master Bathroom, Large Eat-in Kitchen, Formal Dining Room w/ Wainscoting, Living room and Great Room w/Brick Fireplace. Upstairs there are 3 Oversized Bedrooms and 2 Full Bathrooms. This Home features: Beautiful Wood Floors, Granite Counters & Tile Backsplash in Kitchen, Gas Cooktop in Island, Detailed Molding / Trim & Designer Fixtures. Hardwood Floors are in the Living Room, Dining Room, Foyer and Great Room. Home is PERFECT if you love to Entertain! French Doors open from the Great Room to HUGE Deck. This home sits in a Fantastic Neighborhood and is on a Cul-De-Sac Street. Don't Forget about the Award Winning Hoover Schools. This is a Short Sale and All Offers Subject to Seller's Lenders Approval. Welcome Home!

1817 JACOBS LN, VESTAVIA HILLS 35216

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:39:54 GMT

Rare Private Custom Built Retreat w/ Country Charm in the Heart of Vestavia Hills Under 300k! This Move-in Ready 3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom - One Level Home is in an Amazing location in the Jacobs Road area of Vestavia Hills. This home features Detailed Molding, Popular Open Floor Plan, Designer Paint Colors, High Ceilings, and Recessed Lighting. The Kitchen, Great Room & adjacent Sunroom are the Soul of this Home & have provided the current owners years of memories with the entire family. The Kitchen has Gas Stove, Lots of Cabinets & Counter Space, Breakfast Bar & Cabinet Pantry Storage. The Master Suite has so much Room for all of your furniture, His/Hers Walk-in Closets, & Master Bathroom w/ Dual Copper Bowl Vanity & Custom Tile Shower. The 2 Over-sized Guestrooms have large closets and the back Bedroom has French Doors to the Deck. The Covered Front Porch overlooks the Flat landscaped yard that even has a wooden swing for you to watch the kids play. Welcome Home.

Senate May Extend First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:31:00 GMT

The United States Senate has reached a tentative deal that would extend the tax credit for First Time Home Buyers and will actually add a $6500 tax credit for anyone who has lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years. The Government is going to stimulate the economy with money that it doesn't have. Is this a good idea? What are your thoughts? Here is a link to the story from FoxNews.com.

Money Magazine Names Birmingham Among 7 Best Recovery Cities

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

CNNMoney.com recently posted some awesome news that highlighted Birmingham Alabama as one of the 7 best cities to recover from the housing slump quickly. The article posted on October 29, 2009 stated that one of the major factors in the Birmingham Real Estate markets ability to recover so quickly is that, "Birmingham, like most Southern metro areas, is marked by a "high elasticity of supply," said Mark Fleming, chief economist for First American CoreLogic. Developers are relatively unrestrained in building, and these markets tend to be far less volatile than places like San Francisco or Portland, where development is restricted either by government policies, in Portland's case, or geography, in San Francisco's."

We have explained to our clients, for a while now, that the fundmentals of home sales in Birmingham is relatively strong. Prices of non-distressed homes have remained pretty steady while distressed properties continue to drive the average selling price lower.

See the article here.

Inspirational "Monday Morning Coffee" on Thursday!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I was reviewing our weekly "Monday Morning Coffee" series that is posted weekly on our website and I thought this weeks message was so timely for many of us that I decided I would post it here as well. If want Monday Morning Coffee emailed to you every week just let me know. Enjoy!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have known, and are about to step out into darkness,
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen - there will be something to stand on,
or you will be taught how to fly."

- "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach

LEARNING TO FLY!

In the 1930's and 1940's, there were numerous women's magazines. Ladies' Home Journal and Good Housekeeping were two of them. They showed women in the role of the day - housekeeping. They suggested the number of times per week the home should be dusted, scrubbed, organized, and otherwise kept spotless. They suggested ways to look good when the "man of the house" arrived home from a tough day at the office. In short, those magazines and their publishers set up an impossible regimen of expectations for their readers.

Many of us know women who have spent much of their lives trying to live up to the model housewife role prescribed by those magazines. The trouble is, many of them have (or had) dreams of their own, like wanting to write, or to travel, or to participate in the freedoms only men then enjoyed.

Today, any of us can achieve our dreams. All too often, however, we are still denied our destiny by the expectations set by others. We are bombarded by radio, TV, CD, DVD, and WWW messages that insist we follow their example, their guidelines, or their models. We allow our dreams to wither and die - waiting in line for their turn to blossom - never receiving the water of encouragement needed to grow and bloom.

What about your dreams? Need some encouragement to help you "think outside the box?" Begin by spending time with others who have already achieved their dreams. Leave your nay-sayer acquaintances behind. Read inspiring biographies. Pick up a copy of "Think & Grow Rich" or "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." If you haven't yet learned to "fly," pick up "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" or "Illusions" by Richard Bach.

As Jonathan says in the book, "Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly!"

How to Claim The First Time Home Buyers IRS Tax Credit

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Our industry and our team is extremely grateful for all of those Birmingham area homeowners that have decided to purchase a home this year because of the first time homebuyers $8000 tax credit. Their decision to purchase a home has kept the real estate market rolling through a very sluggish economy.

If you have already closed on your home in 2009, you have two options to claim the credit and to get that $8000. You can file an Amended Return for your 2008 tax filing or you may claim the credit on your 2009 tax filing that will be due by April 15, 2010. If you are claiming the tax credit via an Amended 2008 tax return, you will file the normal amended return documents along with IRS FORM 5405.

A few points for owners of first time purchasers of Birmingham Real Estate to remember about this tax credit.

1. You must close on your home on or before November 30, 2009. (Hurry!)

2. You must live in the home for three years or you will have to repay some of the credit.

If you want to see an awesome summary of the program from the IRS visit here.

What is a Short Sale and is it Working in Birmingham?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

A short sale can be an excellent solution for Birmingham homeowners who need to sell, and who owe more on their homes than they are worth. In the past, it was rare for a bank or lender to accept a short sale in the Birmingham Real Estate market. Today, however, due to overwhelming market changes, Birmingham banks and lenders have become much more negotiable when it comes to these transactions. Recent changes in corporate policy and the Obama administration have also improved the chances of getting a short sale approved.

But to be technical, here's a more official definition:

A homeowner is 'short' when the amount owed on his/her property is higher than current market value.
A short sale occurs when a negotiation is entered into with the homeowner's mortgage company (or companies) to accept less than the full balance of the loan at closing. A buyer closes on the property, and the property is then 'sold short' of the total value of the mortgage.

For Birmingham homeowners to qualify for a short sale, they must fall into any or all of the following circumstances:

Financial Hardship – There is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage.
Monthly Income Shortfall – In other words: "You have more month than money." A lender will want to see that you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.
Insolvency – The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage.

This seems simple enough, but it is a complicated process that takes the expertise of experienced professionals. I hold the CDPE® Designation and am ready to identify all possible options and, when possible, assist in the quick execution of a short sale transaction.

If you have questions or feel you may qualify for a short sale, please contact The Mega Agent Real Estate Team and Collier Swecker for a free Hassle-Free consultation.

Should I Buy a Home Now?

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:53:00 GMT

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.