Get your hands dirty to get a great deal on your next home - 11/27/08 09:45 AM

Via James Wexler, Scottsdale AZ Luxury Homes (Coldwell Banker):
There is a lot written about this being a buyer's market.  In fact, every person you meet is looking for a "deal". And, it's true, opportunities abound. Many bloggers have been offering advice on how to get a 'deal of a lifetime'.
I write an outside  outside (of Active Rain) blog about Phoenix AZ and Scottsdale AZ real estate. My blog is called Wexzilla , primarily written by me. I also have a contributing author named Jim Boyer from Morristown New Jersey.
This post is directed at the home buyer who wants to get a … (10 comments)

Top 10 things "flippers" should do - 11/25/08 06:47 AM
Beth has some great advice for investors:
Via Beth Forbes Your 24/7 loan officer:
Property investment for resale has been glorified in shows like "Flip that House", in the ultimate sellers market a few years ago people with very little experience were making big bucks doing this.
Things have changed a little since the days when you could buy a house, throw some paint on it and sell it for a big profit. The good news is that with all the bank owned properties and short sales on the market, good deals are everywhere. Now the investor is taking advantage of the market … (9 comments)

TOP 10 HOME SAFETY TIPS - 11/24/08 11:21 AM
Yvette always has good information!  This article about Home Safety Tips is especially helpful......
Via YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE:
Top 10 HOME SAFETY TIPS You can never have too many home safety tips.  So, here's a really cool tool!  You can take a safety tour through a virtual home.   On the tour, you'll go to each room and learn about leading home dangers and how to keep your family safe.   MySafeHome.org features state-of-the-art digital motion graphics animation, bringing home safety to life. I've listed the TOP 10 Home Safety Tips: 1. Install smoke … (4 comments)

My Granddogs Want To Say Hello! - 11/18/08 05:12 PM
 
Here they are…..aren’t they cute?
 
 
This is Baxter!



 
 
 
 
 
This is Zoe!
 

 
 
 
 
Baxter and Zoe share a home with my daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Richard, and my grandkids, Molly and Richard.  They think they are big bad guard dogs....they go crazy with excitement when anything is going on outside.  There's no sneaking up on those two!
 
 
 
 

Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP
BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE
205.902.4868
Keller Williams
One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150
Hoover, AL  35244
… (21 comments)

Finding Your Dream Home in Birmingham AL (or any great city in the USA)......Why This Market Can Be A Golden Opportunity....... - 11/17/08 07:51 PM
 
 
SO…..you would like to buy a bigger, more expensive home…..
 
but you think you will wait because you can’t bear to sell your current home for a lower price in this market?
 

 
There’s a bigger picture to consider….just look at this example:
 
You feel like your home should sell for $200,000  (and a year ago it might have), but the reality is market value is down (for this example let’s use 10%) and you can only get $180,000 for it. 
 
That’s a loss of $20,000…..OUCH!
 
But, you want to buy a … (13 comments)

How I Managed to Receive Leads from ActiveRain, Twitter and Facebook! - 11/16/08 06:10 PM
 
The social networking sites can be a lot of fun for connecting with friends, but do you ever wonder if they can be beneficial to your business?  I have recently joined Facebook, Twitter (you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AnnAllen1957), and LinkedIn.  I'm still trying to figure out these out!
This article, written by Jason Crouch, encouraged me to branch out and give these sites a try.  I'm finding them to be a lot of fun....maybe you will too!
 
Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate:
I don't consider myself to be a social marketing guru (yet), … (4 comments)

A Gallon of Gas for $1.99 in Helena AL! - 11/16/08 12:42 PM
 
 
Today I filled up my gas-guzzling SUV for $31.22!
 

It was cold and windy out there, but I couldn't resist these prices!
Only $31.22 to fill up my tank and my low gas light has been on for about 20 miles!
 
These great prices were found at the Kangaroo Convenience Store
on Highway 95 in Helena AL
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP
BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE
205.902.4868
Keller Williams
One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150
Hoover, AL  35244
Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com
 
… (4 comments)

Holiday plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs - 11/13/08 10:08 AM
My friend Russel has written a great article about the dangers that certain holiday plants can present to pets.  PLEASE READ!
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector:
 
As the holiday season starts to ramp up, I'm reminded by my little Zoey the cool cat that many pets at this time of year are injured and killed by various holiday plants, so Zoey the cool cat has some words of advice. 
RUSSEL'S
GARDENING
HANDBOOK
 
 
 
 

 
 

From Zoey the cool cat:
Many of our traditional holiday plants are poisonous to pets, especially inquisitive dogs and cats: … (8 comments)

Create Your Own Gingerbread House.....At the Pelham Public Library - 11/10/08 07:09 PM
 
The Pelham Public Library is getting ready for one of their most popular holiday activities!
 
They are offering four sessions where you can bring your ideas and design your own Gingerbread House to take home and enjoy.
 
 

 
 
Register for one of these times:
 
Thursday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
 Monday, December 8 at 4:00 p.m.
 
The cost is $5 if paid in advance or $6 at the door.
 
 
For more information or to register call the Pelham Public Library at 620-6465.
… (9 comments)

Iron Bowl Blood Drive....PLEASE DONATE.....in Pelham AL - 11/09/08 03:05 PM
 
Give the Gift of Life by Donating Blood!
 

 
25th Anniversary
IRON BOWL BLOOD DRIVE
When?
Friday, November 14, 2008
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm
Where?
Holiday Inn Express
Highway 119
Pelham, AL
 
Ms. Cel Etheredge has organized this blood drive for the past 25 years! 
Cel is a veteran of the American Red Cross, a much loved member of the community, and at a very young 90-something years of age, she is passionate about inspiring everyone to donate blood!
Come donate blood and register for many prizes, including a pair of Alabama-Auburn tickets!
Support … (7 comments)

Stroke Screening Clinic in Birmingham AL....What Can You Do To Prevent A Stroke? - 11/07/08 09:31 PM
 
What do you need to know?
80% of stroke victims had no apparent warning signs Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability Ultrasound screenings can help prevent a stroke Screenings are affordable and painless What can you do?
Life Line Screening will be in Birmingham Thursday, December 18, 2008 to provide screening for:
Stroke/Carotid Artery Heart Rhythm (Atrial Fibrillation) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Peripheral Arterial Disease Osteoporosis
Pre-registration is required - call 1-800-324-1841 and mention Source Code ISC6323
Screenings will be performed in Birmingham at the Homewood Senior Center for a reasonable package price of $149.

… (7 comments)

Would You Hire These Agents? - 11/07/08 05:14 PM
I recently represented a couple in the purchase of a home.  They had the patience of saints, and were absolutely wonderful clients.  I wanted to share our experience........


 
Initially everything was smooth and easy......until:
The listing agents forgot to notify the seller that the home inspection was scheduled.  As a result, two children came home from school to find strangers in their house.  Um......not good.
The listing agents took other jobs to make ends meet.  Understandable, their real estate business had slowed to nearly nothing and they had bills to pay.  The problem was that you could not … (18 comments)

To Have No Regrets! - 11/06/08 11:57 AM
 
Here is a great post that discusses some of the fears that hold us back.....
 
Via Coach Patti Kouri:
Recently I asked a group of people over 65, "If you could live your life over, what would you do differently?" There were three answers:
I’d take the time to stop and ask the big questions. I’d be more courageous and take more risks in work and in love. I’d try to live with purpose - to make a difference.” What if there was no such thing as fear, what would you be doing today? How would you be living – … (11 comments)

I Heard The Explosion When The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham AL was Bombed! - 11/05/08 03:05 PM
 
I was 5 years old and in my Sunday School room.  There are only two city blocks that separate the two churches, and at that time our church was constructing a new education building and our classes were being held temporarily in the old Alabama Power building (which is located between 17th and 18th streets).
I remember hearing the explosion and being quickly led from the building.  As children, we had no idea what was happening.  Neither did the adults, but with the racial tension in the city, they were terrified at what could have happened.  We were so close … (12 comments)

How Long Did You Wait In Line To Vote? - 11/04/08 06:48 AM
 
As I watch the early morning news, they are reporting on the lines that are forming as voters head to the polls.
I can't remember when I had to stand in a line to vote unless I arrived before the doors opened, but now I'm trying to plan my day around when I vote.

I wonder how long I will have to stand in line?
How long did you have to stand in line?
 
 

Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP
BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE
205.902.4868
Keller Williams
One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150
Hoover, AL  … (18 comments)

Don't Forget To Fall Back! - 11/01/08 10:42 AM
 
Before you go to bed tonight (Saturday, November 1st) remember to turn all your clocks and watches back one hour.  We get an extra hour of sleep this weekend as we come off Daylight Savings Time.
 


Now is good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors......and change them again in the Spring when we revert back to Daylight Savings Time.
 
 

 
Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP
BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE
205.902.4868
Keller Williams
One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150
Hoover, AL  35244
Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com
 
© 2008 Ann Allen, All rights … (11 comments)

 
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Ann Allen CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO REALTOR® ~ Hoover AL Homes for Sale

Hoover, AL

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E21 Realty

Address: E21 Realty, 100 Concourse Parkway, Suite 135, Hoover, AL, 35244

Office Phone: (205) 989-7215

Cell Phone: (205) 902-4868

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