Huntsville Home Sales weakened during the last month of 2009 with 240 closings in December, a drop of -20% from their November 2009 highs, yet up 5.8% over the same period in 2008. However, for those of us that watch this market closely, this anomaly is not surprising and is even expected.
The following 4 year historical sales chart for the Huntsville Real Estate market illustrates Huntsville’s remarkable journey through the still on-going financial crisis. You will notice that sales lows occurred in a downward trend from 2006, 2007, to our most recent lows in 2008. The story from 2009 however, indicates that the local market has moved upward, off its low, into a stable and flat condition and this is for good reason.
Notice that the 2009 home sale highs, on the above chart, occurred in July and then again in November. The first seasonally common high in July. This was supported by last years BRAC relocation, which generally occur in the spring and summer months. Moreover there is little doubt that November’s high was due to the first time home buyer’s tax credit of 2009. I feel confident that Huntsville can look forward to more of the same in 2010.
Upbeat Market Outlook For 2010
Our market outlook for 2010 is an upbeat one for 2 primary reasons:
The tax credit has been broadened and extended until April 30, 2010. (You must be under contract by April 30th and close no later than June 30th).
BRAC relocations will resume and continue this spring and summer.
As always, we caution readers that specific price ranges and locations reflect different market conditions and are dynamic. If you have any questions regarding your own specific price range and area of interest, please don’t hesitate to give me a call! Easier yet email me and I would be happy to assist.
- Elizabeth
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
While driving my Mother to Nashville, I was in awe. The beauty of the ice covered trees was breath taking. They looked as if they had been dipped in crystals.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
With the BRAC move to Huntsville forecasted to bring 4,700 government jobs to Redstone Arsenal through 2011, where do we stand on the progress of this move? Huntsville job opportunites are looking up!
Joe Ritch chairman of the Tennessee Valley BRAC Committee stated in a recent Huntsville Times interview that, ‘All the new construction is on schedule," and "About 2,400 of the nearly 4,700 Army and other federal agency positions moving to Redstone Arsenal have already been filled."
Another interesting note from the interview was that 56% of the positions filled came from residents outside of the Tennessee Valley. Thus this relocation migration to the Huntsville area is well underway and will continue through the end of 2011. The Army Materiel Command (AMC) is actively recruiting to fill these positions and you can visit their career page for more information.
Recent Developments
In addition to the ongoing economic growth spurred by the Huntsville BRAC move, on January 7th, 2010 the US Army announced its decision to relocate the Headquarters of the Army Contracting Command (ACC) from Fort Belvoir, VA to Huntsville as well.
This move will bring 234 additional government civilian jobs to Redstone Arsenal along with supplementary military personnel. The good news about this announcement is that these jobs are in addition to the BRAC move already underway and it is also expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
Also announced this week was Boeing's selection of local Science Engineering Services to upgrade the Army's Apache helicopters which according to the Huntsville Times article will create an additional 70 new local jobs.
Relocation Package
We have had the privilege of assisting several families with their relocation, due to BRAC activity. We certainly look forward to helping others. If you are exploring a move to the Huntsville area and beginning your Huntsville Real Estate research from afar, you definitely want to take advantage of our website resources and relocation package. Our previous relocating buyers loved our search options! Why not get your relocation account setup today and best of all its completely free and without obligation.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
The earthquake that hit Haiti 6 days ago left behind it a path of destruction.According to official estimates, there are 330,000 Orphans in Haiti right now.Some of these kids are in the process of being adopted by parents from the United States and other countries.
Many of these orphanages are in dire need of food and water.Some of these babies are dying from dehydration as I’m writing these lines.The situation is desperate.These kids are dying while their adoptive parents are doing all they can to rescue them.
After several days of pleas, the US has finally granted Humanitarian Parole to some of these kids, but to my knowledge, only seven of them have made it out of Haiti so far.Soledad O’Brien has been sending out distress Tweets all day today.She is at orphanages with babies who are dying, many of whom are in the process of being adopted by American parents, but so far the airlift seems like a fantasy.
We need to get these kids out as soon as possible.We also need to get the rest of the orphans out before they perish.Please help!
With tears in my eyes, but hope in my heart, I humbly ask for your assistance.Please spread the word and contact your US Representatives about this crisis!Every hour counts…
Mirela
Here is an organization you can connnect with. They have specifics on what you can do to help:
While out showing, I stumbled upon this little gem in South Huntsville. With 1800 square feet, the price is only $129,900...that is just $72 per square foot! The current neighborhood average for Active listings in Autumn Ridge is $86 per square foot...I call that a deal!!!
At 14003 Sawyer Circle in Huntsville you will first get a glimpse of the large fenced yard located in a cul de sac. Not only does this home offer 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, but also a loft area that is perfect for a home office, or great area for the kids to hang out in their own space!
At only $129,900, I bet you are thinking this must be a "real fixer upper"? Well, think again! The owner has just put a new roof on this year, the heating and AC unit is only 3 years old and the siding has recently been replaced. Does it get any better than this?
The kitchen features new hardwood flooring, newer appliances and a new tiled back splash. You'll enjoy the two story great room with a fireplace.
As we all know, it's tough to find a deal on a home in this price range that doesn't need MAJOR repairs or improvements. Just bring your elbow grease, a little paint and I think you will find a home you will be proud to own!
The listing agent on this gem is Ashleigh Green. Her contact number is 256-527-0185.
Be sure to put 14003 Sawyer Circle on your list of "must see" homes. You'll be glad you did!
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden | Re/Max Huntsville-Madison | 256-425-1659
Postwood Court, Madison, AL
Screened in porch, Mountain views, steps to Indian Creek Greenway and Research Park.
Awesome open floor plan.
3BR/2BA Single Family House
offered at $149,900
Year Built
Unspecified
Sq Footage
1,562
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2 full, 0 partial
Floors
1
Parking
Unspecified
Lot Size
7,503 sqft
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
OPEN SUNDAY AUGUST 30TH 2-4 PM You can have it all, and here it is! 229 Postwood Court in Madison Alabama.
This one owner home has been painstakingly maintained. From the gorgeous thick lawn to the freshly painted interior, this is worth seeing, I promise ;)
see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES
- Central A/C
- Central heat
- Fireplace
- Walk-in closet
- Family room
- Living room
- Dining room
- Dishwasher
- Stove/Oven
- Attic
- Laundry area - inside
- Yard
COMMUNITY FEATURES
- Garage parking
- Playground
OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES
- Playground and Picnic area at the Greenway
- 3 bedrooms all feature walk in closets
- New screened porch
- A privacy fenced yard you will be proud to call your own
- Hard to find one level ranch
- Wood burning fireplace
- Open floor plan with so many possibilities of living arrangements.
- Whirlpool tub and separate shower in Master retreat
- Island and large eat in bar in kitchen, which opens to the keeping room
Huntsville area foreclosure activity continues at its highest level on record for 3 three consecutive months now, with 1 out of every 807 Madison County Homes involved with some stage of the foreclosure process. Foreclosure activity is defined as the number of homes receiving foreclosure filings, default notices, auction notice, or bank repossession. No need to panic, however. We are FAR below the National level.
As illustrated in the following chart, the increased local activity began in March of 2009 with April and May following suite with a strong clear jump in foreclosure activity being reported each of the last 3 months.
To understand the various stages of the foreclosure process and evaluate whether you should consider purchasing a foreclosure and at what state be sure you read our previous post: Should You Consider Buying a Foreclosure?
While foreclosure opportunities do exist in our local market it must be stated that in general Alabama and Madison County still remain in very good shape when compared to the nation as a whole.
It must also be stated that the bulk of Alabama's home foreclosures are isolated to its major metropolitan areas as illustrated in the attached graphics.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
Everyday life is full of a multitude of responsibilities embedded within our many individual roles: Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, Family Member, Workmate, Schoolmate, Friends, Peers, Bosses, Employee, Teachers, ...and so many more.
It is so easy for everyone of us to lose perspective from time-to-time, perhaps much more than we would like. I found in the following photos and captions a moment of pause. I hope you enjoy and pass them along.
A special thank you to CPT Alison L. Crane, RN, MS Mental Health Nurse Observer-Trainer 7302nd Medical Training Support Battallion for sharing this with all of us. God Bless our troops.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
I ran across an interesting tidbit of information this week while cruising the Internet. I never knew that much of Huntsville's Historic District is said to be haunted by several ghosts. Yep I said ghosts. ...I know ...I know ...but bare with me for a moment because this is actually an interesting family outing you can do while you are visiting Huntsville this summer or fall.
Huntsville historian and award-winning author, Jacquelyn Procter Reeves, has researched at length the history of our very own historic district. What she has uncovered will likely surprise many of us locals who thought we knew it all. In fact what she has uncovered and documented within her books are little known facts, as well as historic rumors, of haunted places in our very own Old Town Historic District.
Ok, here is what we know so far: ...A ghost at the Court House is said to be angry at the men who lynched him in 1904, ghost children on Walker St sing about a the Spanish flu epidemic that killed several people in the area in 1918, A U.S. Senator for 1849-1853 apparently prowles around his former home on Pratt Ave, and there are former confederate soldiers on Randolph Ave that of course are still upset over the Civil War.
However the story gets a bit creepier and they have added a bit of history and fun to the mix. Jacquelyn has now teamed up with Kevin Thompson, a lead investigator with the Madison County Paranormal Research Society and not only have they toured with paranormal mediums that have embellished upon the tantalizing history, they have formed a weekly Huntsville Ghost Walk Tour for the pleasure of the touring public.
Thus Jacquelyn and Kevin have pooled their talents to put this tour together; for an interesting, historical, and entertaining evening consisting of researched stories of ghostly activity and of course Huntsville's own rich history. The tour begins Saturday evenings at 6:00pm through October 2009 from the Harrison Brother's Hardware Store in downtown Huntsville and tickets are $8.00 for adults $6.00 for children 12 and under and can be purchased at Harrison Brothers or Call (256) 509-3940 for more information.
With so many relocation clients in and out of town for house hunting trips this summer, I would definitely recommended this family outing not only for the local History and creepy family fun stuff, but I think you will really enjoy a stroll through all the Huntsville Historic District Homes for Sale and taking a first hand look at our Huntsville Historic District.
In fact I think I am going to try and schedule our own tour with Hubby and Daughters sometime before the end of the summer, ...I just love the homes in the Twickenham District adjacent to Old Town and family time is just so important, isn't it! Have fun!
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
You can have it all, here at 229 Postwood Court! Mountain views and the Indian Creek Greenway are all yours! Creekwood Subdivision is located literally seconds from Research Park.
229 Postwood Court has so much to offer. Location, condition and price. The open floor plan features 2 living areas. The formal living area would be a great home office, if needed! The keeping room off of the kitchen is the perfect place to hang out with family and friends.
All 3 bedrooms offer large walk in closets. New flooring has been installed in the kitchen and both full baths!
Courtesy of Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL Realtor (R)
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
I ran across an interesting tidbit of information this week while cruising the Internet. I never knew that much of Huntsville's Historic District is said to be haunted by several ghosts. Yep I said ghosts. ...I know ...I know ...but bare with me for a moment because this is actually an interesting family outing you can do while you are visiting Huntsville this summer or fall.
;)
;)
