Hoover Real Estate Market Statistics October 2007

I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant serving Hoover Alabama Real Estate, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Hoover Area to know the stats.

October 2007
Newly Listed Properties during October: 196
Average Price: $436,668
Price Range: $139,900-$2,195,000

October 2007
Sold Properties: 73
Average Price: $338,811
Price Range: $132,000-$860,000
Average Days on Market: 102

Currently Active as of 11/8/07
Active: 879Average Price: $457,454.77
Price Range: $135,000-$4,999,000
Average Days on Market: 122

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Hoover area just let me know, or if you would like to see statistics about other areas, don't hesitate to ask.You can find all the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate stats here on Greater Birmingham Real Estate Resources, on Your Guide To Living In Greater Birmingham, or on Birmingham Alabama Real Estate blog via ActiveRain.

*Note these stats are accurate as of 11/8/07 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as agents submit listed and sold properties into the MLS.

Alabama International Auto Show 2007

It's the time of year, to hop in your car and zoom down to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. It's time for the Alabama International Auto Show!

The show begins on Thursday, November 8, 2007, and will be here for four days until November 11, 2007.

Times for the show will be:

Thursday, November 8, from 12:00 PM-10:00PM,Friday, November 9, from 10:00 AM-10:00 PM,Saturday, November 10, from 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, andSunday, November 11, from 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

Price for admittance will be: $8 for Adults, $4 for children ages 6-11, and children 5 and under are FREE!

In case you are wondering about the Alabama International Auto Show, let me show you what they have to say, "It is a dazzling spectacular featuring the 2008 model year domestic and import cars, light trucks, SUV's, Hybrid vehicles of all sizes, and vans. Over 400 vehicles from 30 manufacturers covering 230,000 square feet, inside, and another 90,000 square feet of test driving GM vehicles at the GM Experience!. . . all this makes the 2008 Alabama International Auto Show simply the best. The Auto Show will cover all levels of the Civic Center, making it the largest consumer show in Alabama, EVER!"

For more information, visit the Alabama International Auto Show website. On the site you will be able to see pictures from past shows, show history, and even coupons for admission.
Here is just one more opportunity for you and your family to have some good times and make some good memories in Birmingham. It is a great place to live!

Homewood Real Estate Market Statistics October 2007

I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant serving Homewood Alabama Real Estate, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Homewood Area to know the stats.

October 2007
Newly Listed Properties during October: 66
Average Price: $378,839
Price Range: $169,900-$1,450,000

October 2007
Sold Properties: 15
Average Price: $251,030
Price Range: $136,000-$654,000
Average Days on Market: 83

Currently Active as of 11/8/07
Active: 246
Average Price: $386,307
Price Range: $139,900-$1,199,990
Average Days on Market: 103

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Homewood area just let me know, or if you would like to see statistics about other areas, don't hesitate to ask.You can find all the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate stats here on Greater Birmingham Real Estate Resources, on Your Guide To Living In Greater Birmingham, or on Birmingham Alabama Real Estate blog via ActiveRain.

*Note these stats are accurate as of 11/8/07 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as agents submit listed and sold properties into the MLS.

Yes, We Really Do Try To Listen

I got an email yesterday sharing this with me and thought there was something definitely to be learned from it.

An office was having a "going away" party for a lady in their office. Someone called a store (yes, I did omit the name) and ordered the cake. Here are his instructions:

"He told them to write: "Best Wishes Suzanne" and underneath that write "We will miss you"." You can tell from the picture that things didn't quite turn out as was intended.

What can we learn from this? Communication is key! I have always heard people say that you need to ask questions and listen.

But, it is not enough to just ask questions and listen to the answers. We need to be sure that we understand what they are saying. Otherwise we might find ourselves with a face full of cake.

Rest assured, that one of the things that we want to be sure that we are doing is listening to our clients and making sure that we have understanding. This helps us assist you more effectively and efficently so you can find your dream home.

When Home Inspections Find Housing Problems...

I was reading an article today from the National Association of Realtors, 6 Common Housing Problems that Spook Buyers, and found that there are some things that will make a buyer run from a potential property.

One of the important things the article pointed out was the importance of a home inspection and the need, if possible, for the buyer to be at the inspection. If you are at the home inspection you might have the opportunity to ask questions for clarification and understanding.

The article listed six things, or issues, that seem to cause the most fear: (I have added my own commentary to their information.)

1. Water damage. After walking through a house nothing worries potential buyers more than water spots or clear water damage. It was noted in the article that "all water damage isn't serious." One of things you will want to know is whether the water damage or leak is major or minor. While major leaks can be be quite costly, some minor ones may only require a few hundred dollars or less. So, it might be worth your while to get an estimate from a professional who can let you know how serious it is and what it might take to remedy.

2. Missing permits. In today's HGTV world, there are a lot of do-it-yourself types out there working on their homes. Something they might neglect to do is get a permit to do the work. Before you completely mark this off the list, the article suggests that you "ask the home inspector if the work was done well and meets code requirements..." If it was done well and passes inspection it might be a nice addition.

3. Code violations. Sometimes you might hear an inspector utter those words. Find out what it would take to bring the situation up to code. Often, in older homes, you might find plumbing or electrical work that is out of date. Some code repairs might be as simple as replacing a plug outlet. So ask.

4. Cracks in the garage floor. I have been in many homes and seen cracks in the basement floor or driveway. From talking with some inspectors, most of these cracks are nothing more than settling and are not indicative of structural problems. Find out from the home inspector whether they are or not. If they do suggest a problem, find out what the problem is and what it might take to correct it.

5. Termites. Damage or a presence of termites can be seen in a large part of the country. Alabama does have them, like most of the south. If they are found, first, they need to be gotton rid of. Once they are gone, you will be able to see what kind of damage has been done and find out what it might take to fix it. If your home isn't protected, we would recommend you getting a bond and regular treatment to prevent further occupation or damage.

6. Foundation cracks and other foundation issues. Cracks can be found in the foundation of many dated homes. If you find any, I would do as the article suggests and "Get an expert to inspect the problem and estimate - what if anything - needs to be done."

Birmingham Alabama is Looking On The Bringht Side

Last week an article came out in the Birmingham News pointing out a drop in sales for the month of September. In BIG print it read, "Month's Sales Drop 15%..." Let's read on though, because things may not be as bad as it seems. Let's look on the bright side.

To be "fair and balanced" let's look at both sides of the equation though. Sales are down, it is true. There is no denying this because the numbers back it up. Comparing September 2006 against September 2007 you will see that sales were down from 1,523 in 2006 to 1,283 in 2007. For the year we are down as well from 14,473 in 2006 to 13,942 in 2007 so far. But, the median price is up. In September of 2006 the median sales price was $159,000 and it is now up to $164,200 in September of 2007. New home sales have fallen probably the most. Sales volume in September of 2006 was 7.8 months and is up to 9.2 months of September of 2007.

Now, let's look on the bright side. Last year, 2006, was a banner year for our area. We continue to do all of our comparisons based on our best year ever for sales. So far, we only behind last year by 3.7% which puts on pace to having the second best year ever. So, has the Birmingham real estate market been affected, yes, but are we crumbling as the media would have you think?

Absolutely not. As Gary Keller reminded us a while ago, all real estate is local.

Bathrooms and Preparing Your Home To Sell Part 4 of 4

Home Owners and Home Sellers, you may or may not realize this, but what you are doing right now in your home, whether it is on the market or not, will make an impact on how long it takes your home to sell, how much you will make on the sell of your home, and how difficult or easy the sell will be.

You will learn that when your home goes on the market that any semblance of privacy goes out the window. Your house becomes more of a display piece than a home.

Since we are taking a look in the bathroom, you will agree that there are some things (sights, smells, sounds, etc...) that buyers (visitors) will not want to experience while in that room.

So what do you do to prepare that bathroom for guests?

We have identified four things to do to prepare your bathroom for guests, and these are:
1. Clean
2. Fix
3. Sanitize
4. Finishing touch

Today, we want to discuss step 3, the Finishing Touches! Hopefully, you have cleaned, repaired, sanitzed, and are ready to wrap things up.

There are a number of ideas to keep in mind and this list is not exhaustive. For example, on the counter many agents suggest only having three items such as potpourri, a new soap dispenser and a plant. Also, keep things off the top of the toilet tank (in case prospective buyers and/or inspectors may want to sneak a peek).

Something else we need to remember is maintenance. We need to maintain the clean scent and fresh appearance of the bathroom. This means keeping away the clutter and dust and grime that seems to show up. Clutter, by the way, can be seen as toothbrushes, hair brushes, hair blowers, make-up, etc... I think you get the picture. For the staging benefit, you might want to be sure that a clean set of towels and or robe can be on display as well. After the big clean-up and repair job in the bathroom, it is important to maintain the fresh smell and appearance each day the house is on the market.

Hopefully this will help create the kind of bathroom that someone can imagine moving in to.

Bathrooms and Preparing Your Home To Sell Part 3 of 4

Home Owners and Home Sellers, you may or may not realize this, but what you are doing right now in your home, whether it is on the market or not, will make an impact on how long it takes your home to sell, how much you will make on the sell of your home, and how difficult or easy the sell will be.

You will learn that when your home goes on the market that any semblance of privacy goes out the window. Your house becomes more of a display piece than a home.

Since we are taking a look in the bathroom, you will agree that there are some things (sights, smells, sounds, etc...) that buyers (visitors) will not want to experience while in that room.

So what do you do to prepare that bathroom for guests?

We have identified four things to do to prepare your bathroom for guests, and these are:
1. Clean
2. Fix
3. Sanitize
4. Finishing touch

Today, we want to discuss step 3, Sanitize! Some may wonder why this isn't the same as step 1. Sanitizing and cleaning are closely related, but, let's be honest. Most of us don't really sanitize when we clean. We throw away, wipe off, and reorganize.

I am assuming that you have already cleaned and fixed and re-cleaned after you made a mess fixing things. Now, what you need to do is look around the walls, ceilings, crevices in the shower, around the tub, in the sink, and around the toilet. You are looking for all the mold, mildew, and just general grime that normally doesn't come up with just the bathroom cleaner. We want it looking like new.

I know this was short, but it needs to be reminded of and remembered. Next, we will look at the finishing touches.

5th Annual Jewish Food Festival

This weekend, on November 4, 2007, will be the 5th Annual Jewish Food Festival at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

What a great opportunity to see, experience, and taste some different things from a culture that may not be your own!

This years festival will have shopping, entertainment, and food to enjoy. You can check the menu in advance to plan ahead.

Birmingham, Alabama has a lot of different food festivals that give us many opportunites to see, taste, and learn about the different cultures that make Birmingham such a rich and diverse area.

To get more information please visit thier site about the Jewish Food Festival.

For directions please see the map below.

View Larger Map

Bathrooms and Preparing Your Home To Sell Part 2 of 4

Home Owners and Home Sellers, you may or may not realize this, but what you are doing right now in your home, whether it is on the market or not, will make an impact on how long it takes your home to sell, how much you will make on the sell of your home, and how difficult or easy the sell will be.

You will learn that when your home goes on the market that any semblance of privacy goes out the window. Your house becomes more of a display piece than a home.

Since we are taking a look in the bathroom, you will agree that there are some things (sights, smells, sounds, etc...) that buyers (visitors) will not want to experience while in that room.
So what do you do to prepare that bathroom for guests?

We have identified four things to do to prepare your bathroom for guests, and these are:
1. Clean
2. Fix
3. Sanitize
4. Finishing touch

Today, we want to discuss step 2. Step two is to fix. Fixing our bathroom can involve a large number of things. They can be from the easy, "You can do it!" type of stuff to the "You had better call a professional!" type of stuff. (Or as my wife says, "You had better not try that!" type of stuff.)

Some of the things will be discovered as you are working on cleaning (step 1). You might notice while cleaning out from under the sink that there is a leak. If it is a leaky faucet, you might have to change a washer. Look inside the toilet bowl and see if it fills up all the way. While cleaning the shower you may discover chipped or cracked tile that needs to be regrouted or replaced.

This short list is just to get you thinking. It may not be a bad idea to have a plumber come out and check out some of these items like the shower, toilet, and sink. Either way, it is entirely up to you.

Like I said last time, this list is far from totally inclusive. It is to be a starting point. By the time you have completed steps 1 and 2 you will probably already be addressing step 3 or at least making a list for it. It is time to Sanitize it!