Wake Up Lenders! Rant!!! - 01/31/09 04:41 PM
The Short Sale sagas continue. Over and over and over.  Like a car, careening out of control with no brakes..it continues and WILL continue. 
I have read too many posts about the sour practices of these banks when handling our Short Sales...the one that really got my attention was written by Missy Caulk today.  What it showed me was that yes, they CAN get the job done if wanted.  The first processor to handle her short sale did her job AND kept her updated on the file.   Read her post to hear the rest of the story.
The lending institutions need to … (16 comments)

Iveys Restaurant, Madison Alabama - 01/29/09 05:41 PM
Since moving to Madison Alabama, I have been searching high and low for a good family restaurant.  I finally found it.  Iveys Restaurant was so darn good!  Good old home cooking.  A "Meat and 3", as I like to call it.  The way I define "good old home cooking" is "Clog your arteries" good.  "Guaranteed triple bypass if you eat there too much" good.  Let's face it.  Good Southern food is by all accounts just not that healthy but it's my favorite:)  Iveys DOES have plenty of healthy choices, I just prefer the less than healthy myself.                    
                                                                                                                                        
Our family went … (13 comments)

Huntsville First Time Home Buyers - 01/27/09 04:33 PM
Given the recent upheaval in the financial system many Huntsville First Time Home Buyers may feel they have been shut out of the market. In today's Real Estate Market the first step of any potential home buyer must be to get pre-qualified for a mortgage.
With a $7500 tax credit available to first time home buyers, now is the time to move forward!  Read all about it: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/  I have been told you CAN write it off this year, if you purchase a home before you file your 2008 tax returns.  Exciting news!
The first of the year is a very … (7 comments)

Harrison Brothers Hardware, Huntsville Alabama A step back in time. - 01/24/09 10:04 PM
Harrison Brothers Hardware in Huntsville Alabama is a true must see destination!  I had my first visit last week and was in awe.                           Harrison Brothers Hardware is Huntsville's oldest operating hardware store, founded in 1879 by brothers James and Daniel Harrison.  Following the death of the last Harrison (Daniels son John)  in 1983, the Historic Huntsville Foundation purchased the property to carry on the tradition.  They have done a fabulous job of preserving the store!
 
 
 
When I first stepped in to Harrison Brothers Hardware, I immediately took in the smells of the old hardwood flooring, enjoying the sounds of … (14 comments)

Need an attitude adjustment? Gary Wotal can help! - 01/23/09 10:55 AM
Do you ever have those mornings when you just KNOW it's going to be a crappy day?  We've all had them, and I woke up with an attitude.  I also know we can choose how our day is going to be.  Some days are so easy to change, mentally, while others are just ....well, not so easy.  I'm wise enough to know, however, that they CAN be changed, with just a bit of attitude adjustment!

 
 
Today was just one of those days.  The sky seemed gloomy, the few leaves on the trees are brown and just plain ugly.  … (13 comments)

144 Bridgefield Road, Madison Alabama - 01/18/09 09:57 PM
… (5 comments)

The City of Madison Alabama "Access Madison". Our elected officials ARE keeping their promises! - 01/18/09 08:14 PM
The City of Madison Alabama unveils the new "Access Madison" Initiative.  Mayor Paul Finley and members of the Madison City Council are gearing up for Access Madison.  The new initiative is designed to improve communication, increase accessibility and encourage proactive interaction between Madison residents and our city leadership.  We all heard promises during the election last year about "bringing our city government closer to the people it serves".  Well, the promise has been kept!  
Mayor Finley believes that by involving members of our fine community in our city government, the stronger and more effective our city will be.  That makes perfect sense … (3 comments)

Madison Alabama gals, let's learn to kick some butt! - 01/17/09 10:03 PM
 
Madison Alabama gals, let's learn to kick some butt!  The Madison Alabama Police Department is now offering Rape Aggression Defense Systems Physical Defense Courses.  They will be offering 2 classes in the spring and 2 in the fall.  The spring class dates are March 9-13 and April 13-17th.
                                                   
The classes are FREE!  They are limited to only 20 participants so be sure to sign up quickly if you are interested.  This would be a great class to bring your teen daughter.  Minimum age is 12.  Classes are held 5 nights, Monday-Friday and will last approximately one hour each night.  … (6 comments)

Golf in your own back yard at The Canebrake Club in Athens Alabama - 01/17/09 09:29 PM
Golf in your own back yard at The Canebrake Club in Athens Alabama.  Tennis anyone?  The Canebrake Club is perfect for an active lifestyle!
                               
If one or more of your family members are Golfing or tennis enthusiasts, then The Canebrake Club located in the Athens Alabama area, just east of Interstate-65, is a must visit neighborhood.
The 18 hole championship course, Home of the 2007 Alabama Open, spans 850 acres of meticulously groomed scenery with tree lined fairways and Piney Creek meandering in and out of several holes. The course was designed by Ron Garl, who travels the world … (0 comments)

Hunter Homes says NO to sex offenders! - 01/14/09 09:00 PM
Hunter Homes of Huntsville Alabama says NO to sex offenders!
While reading over a local home builders contract for a buyer, I was shocked, then thrilled, to read Hunter Homes policy about selling to Register Sex Offenders.  What a breath of fresh air!  Hunter Homes builds a whole lot of house, for a little price and they target first time home buyers.   What a great start to home ownership.
In a nutshell the contract states that Hunter Homes has a policy AGAINST selling homes to be occupied by persons who are registered Sex Offenders.  This means ALL states, not just Alabama.  The … (12 comments)

Bridge Street Town Centre What's happening? Huntsville Alabama - 01/04/09 10:12 PM
Bridge Street Town Centre - What's Happening?
                                                                    There can be little doubt that the Bridge Street Town Centre development has made a significant impact on city/neighborhood life in Huntsville Alabama. We have done several posts (Westin Residences, Connors, Monaco Theater, etc) on the various businesses located at Bridge Street and since Bridge Street has impacted local family life to such a great degree, especially ours, we want to keep you, our readers, updated.
Since we last updated our readers on the Bridge Street Development there has been a lot of discussion in the public domain about where Bridge Street's … (6 comments)

B and B Crossroads Restaraunt, Off the beaten path in Madison Alabama - 01/03/09 09:52 AM
B&B Crossroads Restaurant is off the beaten path in Madison Alabama, but definitely worth finding!  What began as a store, is now a gathering place for the locals of Madison and Limestone County.  B&B has been in business since 1945.                                        
B&B Crossroads was originally opened to service the Burgreen Gin, which is now known as the Burgreen and Black Gin.  This has been a long standing tradition for local cotton farmers.
                 
The founders were Lloyd and Dewanda Black.  Their vision was to provide good food at a good price for people in the area.  They retired in 1996. 
… (12 comments)

Use a 6 month gift from a relative to buy a home, thanks to the Tax Credit - 01/01/09 09:37 PM
Leave it to my friend and Mortgage Lender, Jeff Belonger, to deliver a knock out with this post about the new Tax Credit.  I work with many first time buyers and Jeff's post should help you understand the process, much more thoroughly.  Jeff leaves no stone unturned here.  NOW is the time to buy.   Take advantage of the Tax Credit, Historically low Interest rates and a high inventory of homes.  Add these 3 together and you have the PERFECT time to buy your first home! 

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home … (1 comments)

What You Focus On Expands! Making your goals for 2009 - 01/01/09 06:01 PM
What you focus on expands.  It's true!  If you can see it, if you can believe it, it's yours.  I BELIEVE this to be true.  I KNOW this from the bottom of my heart.  I am quite certain that the majority of us have encountered a few bumps in the road in 2008.  As with anything in life, bumps are good. They keep us focused.  My goals for 2009 are quite simple. They will work for anyone. 
                                                
Dream-an aspiration; goal; aim
Dedicate-to devote wholly and earnestly
Dare-to have the necessary courage or boldness
Live-to experience or enjoy life
Love-affectionate concern for the well-being of … (48 comments)