Bird's Eye View on Real Estate

Home Sales in Hoover Alabama April 2013

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:50:55 -0700

Home Sales in Hoover Alabama April 2013

Great News!

Home Sales in Hoover Alabama have increased in April 2013. Statistics from the Birmingham MLS show we had 130 closed sales – up from 111 in March. Of the 130 homes sold in Hoover, 6 were condos, 8 townhouses and the remainder single family. Twenty Three were new construction, with 12 coming from Ross Bridge, 8 from Lake Cyrus, 2 from Heritage Park and One from the Preserve. The median salesprice of all closed homes was $239,950 with individual prices ranging from $65,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 Bath condo at Patton Creek to $1,050,000 for a 6 bedroom 6 bath home in Greystone Legacy. If you take out the new construction numbers, the average days on the market was 141 with a list to salesprice ratio of 95.8%. Currently we have a 5 ½ month supply of Homes for Sale in Hoover, which is healthy.

If you have been waiting for the market to turn around, this may be the time to put your home on the market. Homes that are in excellent condition and priced right have buyers waiting for them. Contact me and we can discuss YOUR situation.

Home Sales in Homewood Alabama Picking Up

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:07:49 -0700

Home Sales in Homewood Alabama are HOT again!

I have a client who is looking for a home in close proximity to downtown Birmingham. The first suburb on the south side of the Magic City is Homewood. This is the place where you find these cute “cottage” style homes. Things were tough in Homewood for a couple of years, especially after Ross Bridge started out and people thought they wanted NEW instead of the old charm of the older homes built in the 1920-1940’s. However, after being "on the streets" as it were for the last couple of weeks, I believe things have really turned around.

Now you can look at the dry stats – comparing March 2012 with March 2013.

Home Sale in Homewood Alabama March 2013 vs March 2012

		2012	2013
Number of Sales	39	26
Total Sales Volume	6.2M	9.7M
Average List Price	247,000	264,000
Average Sale Price	238,000	250,000
Median Sale Price	225,000	217,000
Average Days on Market	135	72

From this we can definitely see that homes are sellling quicker and the average prices are increasing, but what these numbers DON’T tell you is that there are 21 homes officially in Pending Sale and another 57 that have just gone under contract. We have been looking at the cottages in the under 250 range and 3 of the ones we looked at have gone under contract – just in the last 10 days. Those contracts could be set to close in April OR May Or even June, but I wouldn’t be surprised if April 2013 numbers really top last year.

This is a good sign for Home Sales in Homewood Alabama. If you would like info about YOUR neighborhood, let me know.

Happy Anniversary

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:28:10 -0800

Fifteen Years ago today, I walked into my bosses office and turned in my notice. Her response was, "Where are you going and how much are they paying you". My answer - I'm going to sell Real Estate and I have no guaranteed salary.

I was a single Mom with no "safety net", but believed that if I worked hard I would be rewarded. She thought I was totally out of my mind!

Well it was a fantastic choice. Where else do you get to be your own boss, develop your own business, and work with clients that YOU choose. Sure there are great days and well, not so great days, but overall it's a fantastic way to make a living.

Thanks to my son Andrew who didn't have all the "stuff" the other kids in his class had, my husband who married me even though I keep crazy hours, my broker who was always there to answer questions, and all my wonderful clients who have made it possible.

Looking forward to many more years to come.

Get Something Special - A Dream Home with a View - Birmingham Alabama

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:50:35 -0800

Get Something Special - YOUR DREAM HOME WITH A VIEW in Birmingham Alabama

We keep hearing positive news about the economy. A few minutes ago I picked up an article that said housing sales rose in the 4^th quarter in all states except one. AND Alabama was not the one. We all know people are starting to buy things (because the trade deficit is increasing with China) - probably all those big screen TV's. I have also seen 8 people in MY neighborhood alone replace their roof in the last 6 months and at least 2 have replaced their kitchen countertops. The signs are there if you are willing to look for them.

Before Real Estate Sales in Birmingham, Alabama really start to take off, it's a great time to look for property that is a good deal. This is when people make money - by buying real estate when the cost is low. I am always looking for pieces of property that have something SPECIAL about them. For instance there are two homes for sale in my neighborhood that sit on a lake. THOSE are unique properties - and ones that would have been snapped up by now in a better economy.

This picture is the view from a property for sale in Jefferson County (no city taxes). It is tucked away between Homewood and Hoover - so you could incorporate if you wanted to. It is less than 10 miles to Birmingham City Center which makes it easy on the commute and easy on the pocketbook as gas prices continue to rise. It is raw land so the building possibilities are endless.

What would your Dream Home with a View look like? Imagine building a home with a HUGE porch to take advantage of nature and the fabulous view. Or perhaps a home with a wall of windows that lets the view in from all sides. You wouldn't just pull any home plan off the shelf, you would want an Architect for this project. I know just the architect who could design a plan for you AND site it perfectly on the property so your home would take advantage of the view. Tim has his own firm, Tim Barron Architect, Inc, which he founded in 1998. He takes great care to listen to what you want, preserve the trees on the lot, and to make sure you get a home that you are delighted with.

Now is the time to do something special. Homebuilders who would have snatched this property up 5 years ago are very cautious now. That is why this Land For Sale is such a great find.

If you'd like more information about this property for sale, call today. I can help you with THIS or any other property in the Birmingham area. Make 2011 the year YOU get YOUR Dream Home with a View!

Does Your House Have Traffic Noise?

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:29:34 -0800

One of the great things about Hoover Alabama is its convenient location. Depending on where you are in town, it is 10-15 miles to downtown Birmingham City Center Business District and UAB. We also have the Galleria Shopping Center and the newer Patton Creek Shopping Center located at the intersection of I-65 and I-459. The Summit Shopping Center is located at the corner of US HWY 280 and I-459. One of the things that aids the convenience is the number of highways. Highways are great, however, they can create a lot of noise. If you live near a highway there are some things you can do.

To improve the noise INSIDE your house (especially in older homes), you can upgrade your windows. Windows have a STC rating. The higher the STC rating, the more noise resistant. Now would be a good time to upgrade your windows since you can get a tax credit for putting in energy efficient windows. Energy efficiency will also help with the noise.

If you live right ON TOP of the freeway (which most of us do not) you may want to check out sound proof windows. I don't know anyone who has needed them, however, if noise is a HUGE problem, you might want to check on these.

If you live in a new home, you may not be able to hear traffic noise INSIDE your home, but you can when you go outside. What should you do there? Sometimes a wall can help. The wall must be solid - no decorative holes. The noise you hear comes from the tires on the cars and trucks. So, your wall MUST be higher than the tire location to help. We have so many hills around Hoover, Alabama, you'd have to see where the road level actually IS to know if the wall will help. Trees help some, but not as much as a solid wall.

You can also use water features to block the traffic noise.

The water feature has to be fairly large and make a good amount of water noise itself (just one little trickle isn't going to work). I was in a house one time where the people had built an 8 foot wall across the back patio and had a water fall coming down the wall into a pool. The waterfall was beautiful and it totally blocked the traffic noise. The waterfall above was VERY soothing. You could leave the bedroom window open and hear the waterfall all night. If you have a big backyard, it might take more than one fountain in the backyard to work for you. You could just make a noise free zone where you sit or enjoy eating outside.

A well landscaped backyard that includes evergreen trees and one or two water features will go a long way toward making your backyard a pleasant place (and will help with resale value). Calling a landscape architect would help. They can really help your yard have a unified look

If you'd like to learn more about removing traffic noise from your home, check out my February newsletter.

Beautiful Day for the Mercedes Marathon Birmingham Alabama

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:44:17 -0800

Beautiful Day for the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham Alabama

Today was a beautiful day for the 9^th running of the Mercedes Marathon. Running the streets of Birmingham, Alabama for either the full or ½ marathon. Runners had to complete the course within 6 hours (4 for the ½). Fans were on hand in 5 points, Highlands , and Boutwell to cheer the runners on. READ what runners had to say about their experience.

The finish line, which was in front of Boutwell Auditorium, was a welcome site for the runners. The announcers called out each person as they crossed the finish line. A big after race party was held in Boutwell.

Local runner, Daniel Ellis was the winner of the Mercedes Marathon.

Last year the Mercedes Marathon raised $534,000 for local charities. Read more about the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama.

Homebuilder Rusty Fowler Finishes Another Home in The Preserve

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:27:19 -0800

Homebuilder Rusty Fowler Finishes Another Home in The Preserve

Another ecstatic Hoover, Alabama, homeowner has just moved into their new home in The Preserve. At the corner of Restoration Drive and Fameflower Street is the newest home in this fabulous community which features turn of the century architecture, wide front porches and upscale amenities.

Rusty Fowler began building homes in Lake Crest in 2004, and continued a successful homebuilding career here in Hoover before being invited to join the select group of builders in The Preserve in 2007. Throughout 2009, when many stopped construction, homebuilder Rusty Fowler could be found on the job site in The Preserve overseeing the construction of several custom homes.

Rusty's wife Vicki is responsible for the interior design and finishes found in the Fowler's Custom Homes. She chooses the colors and finishes in the SPEC homes and accompanies the future homeowner when choosing fixtures, granite, cabinets, flooring and all the other finishes throughout the home. This personal touch is invaluable when there are so many decisions to make.

The Fowler Custom Homes are designed by local architect Tim Barron, AIA who has designed many other homes in this Hoover, Alabama neighborhood. The Preserve attempts to recreate the feeling of small towns from the late 1800's and early 1900's, therefore, the home designs are governed by a strict set of guidelines. Tim's experience with designing period homes, coupled with his eye for beauty and attention to detail produces a home of which the owner can be really proud. Each home is unique (not a plan pulled off the shelf or ordered from a catalog) and reflects the lifestyle and desires of the owner.

One of MY clients chose the Fowlers and Tim Barron, AIA to create the new dream home in The Preserve that they moved into last June. What an exceptional experience! I would highly recommend these professionals to anyone interested in a beautiful custom home in the Preserve.

Snow Day in Hoover Alabama February 12 2010

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:56:44 -0800

It's finally here, SNOW! The flakes started falling abut 10:30 A.M. and were coming down good until 3:00. The last snow day we had was a NON-EVENT - very disappointing. But today it is just a tad below freezing and the flakes are falling and sticking to the trees and grass. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

I love the way the snow accentuates the shapes of the branches.

So this Hoover Alabama snow is NOTHING compared to what the folks in Washington and Pennsylvania have had, but it sure is beautiful!

Home Sales Pelham Alabama January 2010

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:20:02 -0800

Home Sales Pelham Alabama January 2010

I've just reviewed the reported home sales for Pelham Alabama for January. As of today, we had 11 homes close last month. That was down from a healthy 28 home sales in December 2009.

The average sales price was $141,038 which is the lowest it has been all year. Prices ranged from $102,500 for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhome in Chase Creek to $189,900 for a new home in Perthshire in Ballantrae. None of the more expensive homes in Ballantrae or Whetherly closed in December - thus a much lower average sales price. The average days on market for the sold homes was 114. Four of the 11 sold homes were foreclosures. Get more detailed information about the Home Sales in Pelham Alabama.

Now that 11 "sold homes" number, which drives the month's supply of inventory to 27 months could make one panic, HOWEVER, there ARE 24 homes in Pending Sale, the majority of which went under contract in January. List prices for the homes with contracts on them range from $99,900 to $369,900. February Home Sales for Pelham Alabama should well exceed January's number.

What is available for sale in Pelham? Currently there are 273 homes for sale in Pelham Alabama. Prices range from $49,900 for a manufactured home in Deer Springs to $779,900 for a lovely home in the Kilkerran section of Ballantrae. The median list price is $194,500. I get asked about foreclosures all the time - there are 19 foreclosures for sale in Pelham.

If you would like to search for active homes for sale, you can see all available listings on my website. Scroll down until you see Pelham under Location. All other homes in the Birmingham area can also be found here. If you see a home that interests you, let me know. As a realtor in Birmingham, I can make an appointment and show you any home. Let's make that dream of owning a new home a reality.

Home Sales Hoover Alabama January 2010

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:14:22 -0800

Home Sales Hoover Alabama January 2010

What was the real estate market like in Hoover Alabama in January 2010? Well, Home sales were better in Hoover than they were in other parts of Birmingham.

We saw 57 home sales in Hoover, Alabama in January. This was down from the 63 that sold in December, but up considerably from the 46 that sold this time last year. Prices ranged from $89,000 for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, condo in Patton Creek to $757,239 for a presale new construction in the Preserve. The Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home that was designed by local architect, Tim Barron, also sold in the Preserve for a purchase price of $717,500. Five homes sold in Trace Crossing, 5 homes sold in Lake Cyrus and 12 sold in Ross Bridge. The average sales price was $285,356 and the median was $282,000 with homes selling for and average of 97.86% of their list price.

Currently, there are 809 homes for sale in Hoover, Alabama. If you would like to see what is available, look on line at my website. You can see all the homes for sale in the greater Birmingham area - sorted by location. If you have any questions, or would like additional information about YOUR neighborhood, give me a call 205-821-3312.

Home Sales - Vestavia Alabama January 2010

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:28:46 -0800

Home Sales Vestavia Alabama January 2010

The numbers are in for January and we see that Home Sales in Vestavia Alabama were down from December 2009. In January we had 21 homes close - down from 43 in December. This was UP, however, from January of 2009 when there were 19 sales.

The average sales price was $370,547 and the median price was $286,000, with sale prices coming in at 94.24% of list. Homes ranged from $140,000 for a 5 Bedroom, 3 Bath in Vestridge to $868,000 for a 5 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath in Magnolia Ridge. Four homes sold in Liberty Park. The average days on market for SOLD homes was 107 days.

Many of the homes in Vestavia Hills have beautiful views like the one at the left. This home for sale in Vestavia is listed at $494,800 (click on picture below to see what the home looks like). Currently there are 399 homes for sale in Vestavia Alabama. Fifteen homes went under contract in January and are waiting for their closing date. Showing activity has picked up and we expect March to be a much better month.

Thinking about buying a home in Vestavia? If you would like to see ALL the homes for sale in the Birmingham area, you can find them at my website. Interested in Vestavia? In the location section, scroll down to locate Vestavia. If you see a home that piques your interest, let me know, I'd be happy to make an appointment to start you on that search for your next home.

Sold Homes Helena Alabama - January 2010

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:38:09 -0800

Sold Homes Helena Alabama January 2010

What is the real estate market like in Helena Alabama? We saw that 15 homes sold in Helena during January. This was down slightly from the 18 that sold in December and up one from the 14 that sold in January '09. Prices ranged from $65,225 for a 3 Bedroom 1 Bath home on HWY 13 that was a foreclosure to $327,000 for a 4 Bedroom 3 Bath home in Riverwoods. Three homes were new construction. Seven were foreclosed properties. All properties were single family detached houses - no townhomes sold in January.

The average sale price was $182,318 and the median price was $160,952. Homes Sold for an average of 97.06% of list. This was the highest list to sale ratio since August and very strong compared to other parts of the city. So the next time someone says you should bid LOW on a property - you can say NOT in Helena Alabama because the sold homes are going for 3% below list - not 20%!

Inventory remains consistent with 221 properties on the market as of today. Given the 15 homes sold in January, this reflects a fourteen month supply of homes. Homes range in price from 93,700 for a townhome in Rocky Ridge to $995,000 for an estate on 7 acres on the Cahaba River. Wow, what a property located in Environs Park.

Thinking about Buying A Home in Helena, Alabama? Begin your search on the web at my website. You can see all available listings in the Birmingham area. Scroll down until you see Helena under Location. Or check out another part of town - all other homes in the Birmingham area can also be found here. If you see a home that interests you, let me know. As a realtor in Birmingham, I can make an appointment and show you any home. When you are ready give me a call.

Create Your Own RED BOX For Moving Day

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:17:52 -0800

Create Your Own RED BOX for Moving Day.

So, you've decided to buy a house. You've worked through all the closing activities and the home is YOURS. Now the WORK begins, THE MOVE.

If you are using movers to pack you, they will typically take 2 days to pack, and one day to load. You need to be ready BEFORE they get there. If you are like me, you'll want to make the best use of the boxes and discard unwanted items BEFORE it gets packed. If you haven't finished the "cleaning out" before moving day, you are too late. When the movers get there EVERYTHING gets PACKED. EVEN THE TRASH so be ready!

The night before you will want to:

Empty the trash cans and clean if necessary,

Make sure the garage door openers and the appliance manuals (and anything else you need to leave for the buyer) are in a place where the mover will NOT pack them.

If you are taking the refrigerator, have a plan for how you are going to transport any food and CLEAN the refrigerator.

If you have agreed to leave a certain mirror for the buyer make sure you put a big sign on it so the movers will NOT take it.

In the morning if you are a coffee drinker, make sure you empty and clean the coffee pot immediately after pouring that cup of coffee. If you are a HUGE coffee drinker, you will want to put the coffee pot, coffee and whatever else you need in your RED BOX.

What is a red box? Everyone should create your own "red box" which contains those must have items. On moving Day, this is the last box loaded and the first one off the truck.

Some suggestions for the red box would be pens, notepad, tape, screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, soap, paper towels, toilet tissue, tissue, snacks, and if you have a pet, a water bowl and treats. If you are a huge coffee drinker, the coffee pot should go in here so you can have that cup of joe on moving day.

If you'd like more tips for removing stress on moving day, check out my November newsletter. Moving day can be a lot less stressful if you are prepared and you remember your "Red Box".

If you'd like to receive helped real estate advice on a monthly basis, let me know and I'll put you on my monthly on-line newsletter list. Just contact me at Toni@ToniBird.com

Can You Buy A Foreclosure AND Use the Homebuyer Tax Credit?

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:27:40 -0800

Can You Buy A Foreclosure AND Use the Homebuyer Tax Credit?

You hear all about the great deals people are getting on foreclosed homes lately. There are several on the market. The home on the left is for sale in Pelham, Alabama. THIS ONE is a Great Buy at $299,900. Some are good deals and others are a nightmare. Remember, foreclosed homes - which are homes that have been taken away from people who bought them and then didn't pay for them are sold AS IS. Most are sold by banks and they just won't do repairs - that is why you get such a good price.

Many foreclosed homes are purchased by investors who fix them up to sell. Since they don't meet the rules for the Home Buyers Tax Credit, they would not get the credit. But, anyone who meets the home ownership/occupancy rules can certainly take the credit.

If the investor buys the home first, and fixes it up, then turns around and sells it to YOU, then you can take the Home Buyer Tax Credit - as long and you meet the other ownership rules.

What are the ownership rules you say!!

First off, you need to live in the house for at least 3 years or you will have to pay the credit back.

Next there are 2 types of Home Buyer Tax Credits, either one will work with a foreclosed home.

#1 A tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $8000 is available for first time home buyers who buy a home between 1/1/2009 and 4/30/2010 (if a home purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 the buyer has until 6/30/2010 to close). A First Time Home Buyer is defined as someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years.

#2 A Tax Credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $6500 is available for repeat homeowners who have owned and resided in a home for 5 consecutive years out of the last eight. This repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit applies to home sales between 11/6/2009 to 4/30/2010 (if a purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 they have until 6/30/2010 to close). If you own more than one house when you buy the new house you don't qualify.

So, there are lots of foreclosed homes out there to choose from (like the home on the right which is listed for $145,000) AND the Home Buyer Tax Credit is YOURS if you qualify. You apply fo the tax credit when you file your tax return - no up front application. Just make sure you meet the requirements of the program and BUY that foreclosure BEFORE April 30, 2010.

Both of the homes you see here are foreclosed homes and are move in ready. Click on the picture of the front of the house for additional pictures. If you would like to look at these or any other foreclosed home, let me know at Toni@ToniBird.com.

Pop Corn Ceiling May Contain Asbestos

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:19:52 -0800

On Tuesday I posted about removing Pop Corn Ceiling to make your house look more up to date. I received some comments warning that pop corn ceiling could have asbestos in it. So, I thought I'd find some helpful info dealing with the subject.

Here is a site about asbestos ceilings you should read - and act on if necessary - before you tackle that pop corn ceiling project.

Just like lead paint in homes built prior to 1978, you need to be careful if you are dealing with toxins.

I have not known anyone personally who has had asbestos in their pop corn ceiling, however I HAVE heard of several people with it in their floor tiles. The link has an address where you can send off a sample of your pop corn to get tested for asbestos before you begin your project. Better to be safe than SICK.

Selling Your Home - Remove those Popcorn Ceilings

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:34:16 -0800

OK, I have had three conversations about popcorn ceilings in the last week. It is a SIGN that I should post about Pop Corn Ceilings.

Here in Hoover, Alabama, Pop Corn ceilings were really popular in the 70's and 80's. The texture hid a LOT of sins. If the ceilings get wet - from a roof leak, overflowing bathroom on the floor above, or excessive moisture on the bathroom ceiling from a really hot shower, the popcorn will start to bubble. Then when you touch or try to paint over it to cover the stain, it falls off in clumps. When you try to fix it, it is next to impossible to match the same texture. It can be a real mess.

Many people have chosen to REMOVE the popcorn ceiling and paint it back smooth. This gets rid of the blotchy look and updates the home. No new homes have popcorn ceilings.

I have a home for sale in Hoover, Alabama that was shown the other day and the buyer crossed it off their list because they didn't like the popcorn ceiling. The house had been updated with granite countertop, hardwood floors, neutral colors, but got booted off the list because of popcorn!

Now you CAN remove the popcorn ceiling. Getting it off is not very HARD - especially if you have the basic 8 foot ceiling. It is not HARD, but it is MESSY. To remove the popcorn, you wet it by spraying a mist of water on it, then scrape it off with a scraper. WARNING cover EVERYTHING including the carpet because the ceiling mess will fall everywhere.

Once the popcorn is off, you will see the bare sheetrock. If you gouged the sheetrock with the scraper, or if the person who installed the ceiling did a poor tape job, or you have additional water damage to the sheetrock, you need to fix those things - that is the hard part. If you are not good with sheetrock mud on walls, then you will definitely NOT want to tackle the ceiling. Every imperfection that was covered up with the popcorn will now be obvious.

The sheetrock repair is something a good painter should be able to do. So you can save a little money by removing the old popcorn ceiling and THEN have the painter come in and prep and paint the ceiling. If you have a vaulted ceiling, it will definitely take you a lot more time. I would have a couple of painters come in and give you an estimate BEFORE you start the project. Get the bid with and without the popcorn removal, just in case you decide after the first room that you've had enough. I have a friend who got an estimate to have all the popcorn in her house removed. It was $2500 to remove, fix and paint. Now her house is not your house so get your own estimate.

Have a DIY spirit? Try a small room, like the bathroom first. If that works you can move on to something bigger. The removal is easy - you'll have it down in ½ an hour and if yours was a mess to start with you will be SO happy when it's gone.

The removal of the popcorn plus the freshly painted ceiling WILL make your house look better and is a good thing to consider if you are going to sell your home.

If you want additional tips on selling your house in Hoover Alabama, I'll be happy to help. Give me a call.

It's A Blue Sky Day in Birmingham Alabama

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:45 -0800

Selling A House in Birmingham Alabama, take your pictures on a Blue Sky Day.

Pictures are key when selling a house in Birmingham Alabama. How the pictures look will determine if the prospective buyer wants to take that next step and get INSDIE the property that is For Sale. Yesterday was one of those BLUE SKY days. I LOVE to take pictures of houses for sale when the sky is blue.

I was able to shoot this listing in Moody, Alabama. Look at it, compared to the picture I took just one week earlier when the sun wasn't shining and the one the day after Christmas when the sun wasn't shining either. Same house, same camera, same photographer.

If you were a buyer, which one would YOU want to look at?

If you are selling a house in Birmingham Alabama and would like a realtor that pays attention to details - how the pictures look, give me a call. You can view my other houses for sale on my website.

I look forward to showing houses for sale on the NEXT Blue Sky Day.

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Income Limits

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:44:36 -0800

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Income Limits

I was talking to a client the other day. She lives in what we in Hoover, Alabama would call an "upper bracket" neighborhood. Now I realize what is considered Upper Bracket in California or NYC or Washington D.C., pricewise is not the same as the greater Birmingham, Alabama area, but this neighborhood and her house are VERY NICE. She's been thinking about downsizing, part because she doesn't need quite so much space and part because she wants to reduce her monthly payments. We were discussing if this would be a good time to list HER HOME for Sale.

As part of the overall picture, I mentioned the Home Buyer Tax credit that was put in place in November to help stimulate the economy. This Home Buyer Tax Credit will be ending on April 30, 2010. Should we consider a $6500 tax credit a motivator for someone to buy a home - let's say is WELL ABOVE the median for the area. Well, $6,500 is $6,500 and anyone could use money in their pocket. This would be a terrific time to Buy A House and I would say a good time to Sell A House in Hoover, Alabama.

There are SOME limitations, though.

The maximum sales price on a house that qualifies for the tax credit is $800,000. Now, that probably limits a lot of properties in California, but here, at this very moment, there are 12,326 homes for sale in Birmingham, Alabama. Of those, 12,015 are under $800,000. Now THAT is a LOT of inventory to choose from. Here is an example of a home in Homewood that could be YOURS for under 800K. Click on the picture for additional photos.

The other limitations are Income Limitations. When the new Home Buyer Tax Credit went into effect in November, the income limitations were raised. If you are single and make up to $125,000 (modified adjusted gross income on your tax return) you qualify for the tax credit. Married couples filing jointly can make up to $225,000 (MAGI). You can get a partial credit if you make between 125,000-145,000 (single) and 225,000-245,000 (couple).

You would want to verify this with your lender - or if you don't have one give Chuck Binzel at Hometown Mortgage a call - because everyone's situation is different, however, if you make $125,000 per year, by my calculations, if you didn't have a lot of debt, you should be able to qualify for OVER 500K of house with today's interest rates. If you put 20% or more down you will raise that amount considerably. That is just a single person - a married couple could afford a lot more.

If you'd like to know more about the Home Buyer Tax Credits, there is good information on the National Homebuilder's website.

Any Home with a Sales Price up to $800,000 will qualify for the Home Buyer's Tax Credit. A Home is defined as a single family detached residence, townhome, condo, manufactured housing, and houseboat - hummmm houseboat that's an interesting thought.

If you would like to see the homes for sale in Birmingham Al, you can see all available properties on my website. Last time I looked there were NO houseboats.

Home Buyer Tax Credit – Who Can Qualify

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:05:41 -0800

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Who Can Qualify

I've spoken to several people lately about the Home Buyer Tax Credit. Most people think it is ONLY for first time home buyers, and that WAS the case up until 11/6/2009 when they expanded it to include people who currently own a house and want a new one.

A Tax Credit of up to $6500 is available for homeowners who have owned and resided in a home for 5 consecutive years out of the last eight. This repeat buyer Tax Credit is good if you buy a new house by 4/30/2010 (if the new house is under contract by 4/30/2010, you have until 6/30/2010 to close). If you own more than one house when you buy the new house you don't qualify.

So, if you have lived in your current house for the last 5 years, you qualify for the Tax Credit. You can buy the new house by April 30 without selling the house you are currently in. You can buy a more expensive house or a less expensive one - it is up to you. As I mentioned in my January Newsletter, You DO NOT have to buy a more expensive home.

Also, if you changed cities for job purposes or whatever, and are renting out the old house until it sells, you can qualify to buy a new house as long you moved within the last 3 years AND you lived there for 5 consecutive years before you moved.

If you sold your house within the last 3 years (and lived there 5 years before you sold it) and didn't net enough money to buy a new one and decided to rent for a while to save money for a down payment, then NOW is the time to buy a new house.

If you sold your house within the last 3 years and lived in the old one for 5 years prior to that and had credit issues that kept you from getting a new home after selling the old one, then you might want to talk to a lender and see if you can qualify for a new home now. Credit standards are tighter than they were, but a year or two can make a big difference if you've been working to improve your credit.

If you are one of those lucky people who gets transferred every two-three years and buys and sells a house - you are out of luck. If you bought a house 4 years ago and want to buy a new house now, that is wonderful, but you will not be able to get the tax credit.

If you haven't owned a house at all in the last 3 years, you can qualify for the first time home buyers tax credit which is even better because it is 10% of the purchase price of the property up to $8,000 instead of $6,500.

If you've recently gotten married - read the rules. Both of you have to meet the test in order to collect the credit.

If you'd like to know more about the Home Buyer Tax Credits, there is good information on the National Homebuilder's website.

So, prices in Birmingham Alabama are EXCELLENT, and with the prospect of a little extra money in your pocket to do a little remodeling on that new home, you might be thinking it is time to start looking around at what is available. You can begin your home search on my website, where you'll find all the houses for sale in the greater Birmingham area. Remember, you MUST be under contract on the new house by 4/30/10. When you see something you like, let me help you buy the home of your dreams. I can be reached at Toni@ToniBird.com

Home For Sale Moody Alabama

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:32:20 -0800

This Absolutely Stunning Home in Creel's Crossing is waiting for you!

$253,050.00

1010 Creel Drive is 3 years young and looks like BRAND NEW!

Extra wide foyer stairs ascend to present an amazing space which includes gleaming hardwoods floors, soaring ceilings, arched doorways, and oil rubbed bronze fixtures.

The Kitchen is totally open to the Great Room and features all the bells and whistles - stainless appliances, granite countertops with island, under mount sink and upgraded cabinets.

Off the Great Room is the screened Deck which overlooks the huge level backyard. The deck has a ceiling fan.

Light fills the awesome two story Dining Room which opens to the foyer via an arched wall.

The master suite boasts trey ceiling, enormous walk-in closet, bath w/double vanity, separate shower & a REAL Jacuzzi tub!

The laundry room is on the main level near the Master Bedroom. On the other side of the home, you'll find 2 BR w/large closets & a bath.

Downstairs you will find THE BEST walk-out basement - large rec room w/double trey ceiling finished, ceiling fan, large 4^th BR, Full Bath, Huge storage closet plus 2 car garage w/additional storage/work area.

All this located on a 100 X 150 lot in Creel's Crossing, a quiet neighborhood just 5 miles from I-20 & a short commute to downtown Birmingham.

There will be an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday 1/31/2010 from 2-4, Come by and take a look, or call me for a personal showing.

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Can I Sell the Homestead to My Children

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:28:56 -0800

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Can I Sell the Homestead to My Children

In the last year I have run into several parents who want to see their grown children, especially those just getting out of college, take advantage of the tax credit. I have helped several clients buy their first new house. It has been an exciting time and I have really enjoyed that. Sometimes parents want to get "creative" so to speak and many times I have deferred to the advice of my client's accountant or financial planner. If you have complex family financial issues, please talk it over with the appropriate professional (which is NOT me). I sell houses.

The other day I ran into some folks who basically wanted to "trade houses" with their parents - since their parents were getting older, they were thinking about getting a one level, and the kids had a "starter home" that the parents liked and knew had been well maintained. What a great idea - trade houses AND take advantage of the Home Buyers Tax Credit!! NOT SO FAST.

There are some rules you need to follow and the instructions for the IRS Form 5405 is a good place to look.

When dealing with family members - Here are a few things to know:

Buyers who are claimed as dependants on someone else's tax return will NOT be able to take the Home Buyer's Tax Credit. This can be an issue if the parents are still paying for tuition.

Home buyers must be at least 18 years old. So you can't buy a home in your kid's name in order to get the tax credit.

Home purchases from relatives of the buyer or the buyer's spouse do not qualify for the Home Buyer's Tax Credit. According to the IRS, a relative is an ancestor such as a parent or grandparent, lineal descendants such as child or grandchild, and spouses. So, you can't sell your house to your son and get a tax credit, or pass down the family farm and get a tax credit.

To claim the Home Buyer's Tax Credit, you fill out IRS Form 5405 and send that form, along with the HUD-1 Settlement Statement which you get at closing, in with your return. You cannot e-file if you are claiming this credit. If you purchase the home in 2010 and you haven't filed your 2009 return yet, you can send it in then, or if you have already filed, you can file an amended return. You can go to the IRS website to get the form, instructions and other useful information.

Home Buyer Tax Credit - What Is It?

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:38:55 -0800

Home Buyer Tax Credit - What Is It?

We've been hearing about "the home buyer's tax credit" for a while and those of us in the housing industry are pretty familiar with it, however, if you don't deal with it every day, you may not know. If you're thinking about buying a home you DEFINITELY want to take advantage of this TAX CREDIT.

A tax credit means you take whatever the amount of taxes your owe for the year and you SUBTRACT the amount of the credit from the taxes you owe. So, if you owe $8000 in taxes and you qualify for the $8000 tax credit, you will owe NO tax for the year. If taxes have been taken out of your paycheck, then you get it all back - a big fat check from Uncle Sam. If you only owe $5000, you would get an extra $3000 back.

There are 2 different credits: the 1^st Time Home Buyer and the Repeat Homeowner.

A tax credit of up to $8000 is available for 1^st time home buyers who buy a home between 1/1/2009 and 4/30/2010 (if a home purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 the buyer has until 6/30/2010 to close). A 1^st Time Home Buyer is defined as someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years.

A Tax Credit of up to $6500 is available for repeat homeowners who have owned and resided in a home for 5 consecutive years out of the last eight. This repeat Tax Credit applies to home sales between 11/6/2009 to 4/30/2010 (if a purchase is under contract by 4/30/2010 they have until 6/30/2010 to close). If you own more than one house when you buy the new house you don't qualify.

If you'd like to know more about the Home Buyer Tax Credits, there is good information on the National Homebuilder's website.

If you think you're ready to Buy A Home, you can begin your home search on my website. You can find all the houses for sale in the greater Birmingham area. If you see something you like, let me help you buy the home of your dreams.

Buying A Home - Where Should I Live?

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:18:06 -0800

Buying A Home - Where Should I Live

So you've heard all the hype about the 1st Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit - $8000 in your pocket - and you've decided that it IS a good time to buy a home. But WHERE? You may have heard the saying Location, Location, Location. With over a million people in the Greater Birmingham, Alabama area there are so many choices. Do I get a loft downtown, or perhaps move to Hoover, Helena, Alabaster, to the south, or McCalla to the west, or Trussville to the east? How in the world do you decide where to buy a home.

First, where do you work and how far away do you want to be? Traffic is getting worse by the day and 15 miles can mean an hour commute - one way. You might not mind that because it lets you unwind from the day, but some people.....well 2 hours in the car = road rage!!!!!!

Second, what do you do for entertainment. Where do your friends live? Do you go out a lot and if so where? Is your church a big part of your weekly activities? Are you looking for a community that will encourage interaction with neighbors - so you can meet new friends?

Third, do you want to stay near OR far away from family? If it's a 20 minute or more drive to someone's house, you will see them less!

Forth, look at what you want your neighborhood to look like. Do you want sidewalks and activities that encourage you to be with neighbors? Do you want a neighborhood pool? Do you want huge lots and a big backyard or lots of privacy? Perhaps you want as little yard to mow as possible so you can spend the weekend at the golf course.

Fifth, consider schools. If you have children, the school they attend is very important. You may want to stay in the same school district or get a fresh start. Visit schools and see if you like the administration and the feel of the school.

Sixth, consider style. What do you want the house to look like? Most newer neighborhoods have a "look". You many want an older home with lots of "charm" or a newer home with a big bathroom.

No answer is right or wrong. There is a home for every taste, but deciding what you want and don't want up front will save you a LOT of time and effort when looking for the perfect home.

You can search for homes on the web to get an idea of what is out there. Make a list of what you like and drive around to check out the locations. Then work with a realtor - like me to see the inside of your favorite picks. If you have any questions, or you would like help finding a home, please contact me at Toni@ToniBird.com.

Home Sales - Hoover Alabama

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:15:10 -0800

Home Sales - Hoover Alabama

Hoover, Alabama - had lots to cheer about as the Hoover High football team took the 6A State Championship in December 2009. And, that same weekend we got a dusting of SNOW!!

What was the Real Estate market like in December 2009? Well with all that football, snow, and shopping for Christmas, home sales were a little on the slow side. There were 63 homes that SOLD in December 2009. This was down from the 91 that sold in November, but above the 51 that sold in December of 2008. The average sales price of Sold Homes was $260,694 with homes selling for an average of 97.60% of list. Prices ranged from $107,000 for a townhome in Ridge Park - off of Rocky Ridge Rd, to $629,900 for a 5 Bedroom 3.5 Bath on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge. Nine sales were townhomes or condos, 8 homes sold in Trace Crossings, 8 sold in Lake Cyrus and 10 sold in Ross Bridge. Sold homes were on the market an average of 131 days.

How did 2009 compare with 2008?

988 homes SOLD in 2009 vs 1071 in 2008

Total Dollar Volume in 2009 was $258,662,297 vs $299,374,202 in 2008

Average Sales Price was $261,803 in 2009 vs 279,527 in 2008

Median price was 241,555 in 2009 vs 253,000 in 2008

Average Days on Market for Sold Homes was 105 in 2009 vs 72 in 2008

Numbers for 2009 were down from 2008, however, if we look at monthly sales for the last 3 months of the year, we'll see, more homes sold in the 4^th quarter of 2009 than the 4^th qtr of 2008 - this means, things are picking up. Pending Sales numbers are strong and I expect January numbers to look much better than Januarry of '09.

October 2008 - 58 October 2009 - 81

November 2008 - 33 November 2009 - 91

December 2008 - 51 December 2009 - 63

If you would like to see what is available for sale in Hoover, Alabama, click on my website. By checking Hoover under "Location" you can see everything Hoover has to offer.

Home Sale Activity - Oak Mountain Area

Toni Bird (Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:48:10 -0800

The Oak Mountain area is located in North Shelby County, bordered by Oak Mountain and Double Oak Mountain on the south and the Cahaba River on the North. Many homes have fabulous views and Oak Mountain State park borders many of the properties. The older neighborhoods have large trees and this valley in my opinion is one of the prettiest parts of the state.

What was the Real Estate Market like in Oak Mountain area during December? There were 64 home sales in December '09. This was UP slightly from the 57 that closed in November. Prices ranged from $119,200 for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath townhome in Riverwoods to $791,536 for a 5 Bedroom 5.5 Bath in Brook Highland (no million + homes this month). Seven Homes sold in Edenton with prices ranging from $219,000 to $279,500. Six homes sold in Greystone Legacy with prices from $321,500 to $740,000. The average sales price was $327,750 (up from $301,573 in November) with sold properties getting an average of 94.91% of list (this is lower than other parts of Birmingham metro). Median price came in at $277,565 (up from $250,617 in November). The average days on the market for sold homes at 131.

How did 2009 compare with 2008?

706 homes SOLD in 2009 vs 823 in 2008

The Dollar Volume of Homes Sold was 20.9M in 2009 vs 21.9M in 2008

The Average Sale Price was $311,940 in 2009 vs $366,292 in 2008

The Median Price was $267,662 in 2009 vs $289,000 in 2008

The Average Days on the Market for Sold Homes was 82 in 2009 vs 110 in 2008

Currently you will find 681 homes for sale in the North Shelby County. If you are looking for a home, the selection is good and prices in the upper bracket have come down considerably. If you would like to take a look at Homes available For Sale click here. Under Location look for North Shelby County. You will see all the homes that are For Sale - Real Time. Let me know if you have any questions.