Birmingham-Hoover Real Estate

The River Highlands Hoover AL community is located in north Shelby County and features 43 lots and 32 homes with 11 remaining to be developed.  The community features homes with very large lots with an average of nearly one full acre.  It is rare to find homes with this much outdoor space in Hoov...

The Birmingham mortgage market, like the rest of the nation, shows rates continuing to hover in a tight range over the last few weeks due mostly to subpar economic data.  Last week, the Fed held the Fed Funds rate steady and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed no real threat of inflation.  Also...

SB 170 titled the Alabama Uniform Residential Mortgage Satisfaction Act has made its way through the Senate but still must get through the House Banking Committee to get closer to becoming law.  This bill, which applies ONLY to residential real estate in Alabama, is timely in the current environm...

Acquiring a home in the Hoover AL Country Club Highlands community currently represents a great value for those seeking a mature area with larger lots and convenience to shopping and downtown.  With the announcement last week that Hoover Country Club was commencing a comprehensive renovation plan...

The Fair Park Sports Complex at Five Points continued to gain momentum this week as the Birmingham City Council approved a contract yesterday with the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) to lease the new, under-construction facility on a 5-year deal worth $1 million. The viability of...

Next month, FHA financing will see a couple of major changes that will significantly impact buyer borrowers.  Effective April 5th (next month), the upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) will increase from 1.75% to 2.25% which increases the loan amount, and as a result the monthly payment.  Add...

This week's mortgage market update, provided by Jimmy Kernan of Regions Mortgage, shows that rates were relatively unchanged, hovering near 5% for conventional 30 year loans.  Weaker than expected economic reports, which drive rates down, were offset on Friday by stronger than expected employment...

Preliminary Birmingham MLS market statistics through February, 2010 are disappointing at best for sellers and realtors but continue to support the notion that this is clearly still a buyer's market with great opportunities and bargains throughout the area.  As a qualifier, these MLS market statis...

The National Association of Realtors recently published its 10 Home Features Buyers Want.  I thought it was meaningful and helpful so I am including it here (not necessarily in order).  1.  Large kitchens with islands. 2.  Two-car garages with three-car garages even more desirable. 3.  Home offic...

Cristina McBreairty of RE / MAX Allied in Windham, ME wrote a great piece on home staging that I am reposting here for my local readers.  In this market, NOT staging isn't really an option with all the choices that buyers have with inventory levels high, especially above $300,000.  For my take o...