Florence, AL

I appreciate anything that is a bargain...that's one of the reasons why I love to shop at TJ Maxx! Free stuff is even better, especially with our economy in the slumps and most people cutting back on spending. So, if you are looking for something to do that's FREE, here is a list of things to see and do in Florence Alabama and the Shoals area that won't cost you a penny:

Go for a hike: Shoal Creek Preserve (Florence), Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge (Florence), Cane Creek Canyon National Preserve (Tuscumbia), the TVA trails (Muscle Shoals) and Rock Spring Nature Trail (Cherokee)

Picnic and play at the parks: Deibert Park and River Heritage Park (Florence), Riverfront Park(Sheffield), Killen Park(Killen), Spring Park (Tuscumbia), Joe Wheeler State Park (Rogersville)...and there are many others to enjoy also!

Visit the lions. Leo III and Una are the University of North Alabama mascots and have a special home on the UNA campus in Florence.

Check out the art exhibits at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts (Florence). Rotating exhibits through the year showcase a variety of artists.

Watch the barges and other boats move through the Wilson Dam lock at the overlook on AL Hwy. 133. Unfortunately, tours of the lock were stopped after the 9-11 attacks.

Go back in time and imagine how it used to be at the Forks of Cypress plantation ruins (Florence). The only thing left of this stately mansion are the columns.

Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the water and light show choreographed to music at Spring Park in Tuscumbia. Every Fri.-Sun. nights starting in March, weather cooperating.

Visit historic LaGrange College Site Park and Pioneer Settlement (Leighton). This was the site of Alabama's first college and is now a "settlement" that recreates the pioneer lifestyle during the early 1800's.

Walk the old Railroad Bridge (Sheffield): The bridge takes you out over the Tennesse River and offers a great view!

Something that you probably won't see anywhere else...the Coon Dog Cemetary in western Colbert County. More than 185 coon dogs from across the United States are buried here.

If you are a skateboarder (or have one), check out the Florence Skate Park, also known as Cox Creek Park.

Go creek stomping! Pick a creek and follow it as far as you can go. Great for hot summer days! Bluewater Creek in Center Star has become our favorite creek stomping ground.

For more information and directions go to Explore the Shoals or Florence/Lauderdale Tourism. I'm sure I have missed some, so feel free to add to the list. Coming soon is list of FREE events, so be watching!

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL Realtor
The search for Florence AL Homes for Sale starts HERE!

First-time homebuyers...are you ready?? With the signing of the economic stimulus legislation (officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) by President Obama, if you are considering buying your first home in 2009, you have just received a nice bonus! Here is my understanding of the main things you need to know about the first time homebuyer tax credit:

1. Applies to homes purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before Dec. 1, 2009.

2. Credit amount = 10% of the purchase price or $8000, whichever is less.

3. Must be a first-time homebuyer (defined as not having owned a principal residence in the previous 3 yrs.)

4. Applies to any single family residence that will be used as a principal residence.

5. Full amount of credit available for individuals with modified adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 or $150,000 if married and filing joint return. The credit will phase out at higher income levels.

6. There is no repayment required unless the home is sold within 3 yrs. of the purchase, then the entire amount must be repaid.

7. The credit reduces (or can eliminate) your income tax liability. Any unused amount will be refunded to you.

This is great news for first-time buyers who might be considering homes for sale in Florence, AL! I would be glad to help you find that home, but I am not a tax professional or a CPA...so if you have any questions on how this might affect your taxes, please contact your tax advisor!

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL Realtor
The search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

"Low Rates Boost Housing", a recent article in the Florence, AL local newspaper, the Times Daily, noted that it's a perfect time for for buyers to buy and for sellers to sell...at least in our area. If you can buy right now, the interest rates are great! If you are thinking about selling, don't wait. The homes in the Shoals area are NOT declining in market value. As long as the property is priced right, it should sell.

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL Realtor
The search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Now that we are a couple of weeks into the New Year, how are you doing on your New Year's resolutions? We all have probably made them and possibly have already broken some. I usually only think of my own resolutions, but I just read this article from RISMedia that suggests a few great resolutions for buyers and sellers. The author, Robert Jenson, CEO of The Jenson Group located in Las Vegas states: "While tricks of the trade abound to give buyers and sellers a leg up on the competition, there are also a number of basic pitfalls buyers and sellers should be sure to avoid lest they commence their real estate venture on shaky ground."

With this in mind, Jenson offers these New Year's Real Estate Resolutions to help buyers and sellers avoid common blunders and get the deal done: (Read more...)

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL Realtor
Email: deidre@HomesOfTheShoals.com
Web: http://HomesOfTheShoals.com

The search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

It almost felt spring-like today in Florence, Alabama! I know I shouldn't even be complaining about our cold temperatures here because they don't even compare to those in the North. But it's all relative, right? We were at 7 degrees one morning last week...brrrr!!!! This time of year would normally average somewhere in the 30's. For those that think it never gets cold in the South, think again :)

This picture shows what my husband called "frozen fog" on our crepe myrtle tree. He may be pulling my leg...I've never heard of it (have you?), but I thought it looked really neat!

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL Realtor

The search for Florence, AL homes for sale starts HERE!