About Lauderdale County, AL

There are still quite a few homes for sale on the Tennessee River along Wilson Lake in Florence and Muscle Shoals, Al. You can find just about anything you may be looking for whether it be a small cabin for weekend getaways, or that luxury home you have always dreamed of.

You will find homes available on the Florence Al side of the Tennessee River in Lauderdale County varying in price from $200's up to $2,000,000.

And homes available on the Muscle Shoals side of the Tennessee River in Colbert County prices are in the same range.

Life on the water has become quite popular and you won't find a more beautiful, affordable place than right here in Northwest Alabama.

It's that time of year again for the SHBA Shoals Home Builders Association annual Parade of Homes. If you have never attended tha Parade of Homes you are in for a treat. Get ready to see some of the best builders from Florence Al and Muscle Shoals Al display some of their best work. These builders are all members of the Shoals Home Builders Association. Most of these homes were built with the Parade of Homes in mind. The homes are located in some of the newest, most popular subdivision developments in Florence and Muscle Shoals. What this means to you is, whether you are in the market to purchase a new home, or just want to get some redorating ideas, you don't want to miss this.

Also included in this list of homes, are select homes that will also be held open on Sunday October 17th.

The Parade of Homes schedule is Saturday Oct 10 & 17, 10-5, and Sunday Oct 11 & 18, 1-5. Two weekends so you can be sure to see them all. For more information you can check with the Shoals Home Builders Association. If you would like a map of the Parade of Homes click here. Or you can download it directly from the SHBA website.

Be sure to come by the homes on Koger St in Killen on Saturday the 10th and Crescent Drive in Muscle Shoals on Sunday the 11th. Hope to see you there.

There are some great Horse Farms for Sale in Northwest Alabama-Florence-Muscle Shoals-Russellville. If you are looking for a place you can Bring the Horses with you, I'm sure we can find just what you are looking for!

CLICK HERE to see all available Horse Farms for sale in our area. The virtual tour below is just a sample of the kind of horse farms you will find here, and is located at 20 Grayland Drive, Russellville, 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!