Yes, it is definitely that time of year again! The temperature has dropped, the heat kicks on and we wake up in the morning with that feeling of...."Brrrrrr It is too COLD outside to show houses, or work on the signage, or go on caravan to preview homes!"
It seems like a good day to just keep your jammies on and curl up by the fire and read a book, and get a big pot of hot chili cooking on the stove. Or you think "I guess I really should get some work done, so I can just stay in where it is warm and work on a blog to post on Active Rain".
Yeah, that's a great idea!
So you begin to think about all of the other things that come along with this cold weather and what the coming days have in store.
And you are quickly reminded of a VERY important time that is approaching quickly.........a time that you stop and take note and remember all of the wonderful things in your life that you have to be thankful for. A time of families gathering together to enjoy a bountiful meal and share these notes of thankfulness. For some it is an annual event of the only time they have together....and for others that live nearby to one another it is a reason to take the time and listen to that story that Uncle Ned tells every year, watch the little ones play and eat Mom's famous pecan pie!
OK so your starting to feel a little bit better that it has to be so o o o cold.
So...you head off the the kitchen to make a nice steaming hot cup of cocoa with yummy melting marsh mellows floating on top and proceed to think
"Well, I guess this time of year isn't so bad".
And then your excitement starts to build as you think to yourself......Gee I better get started with the Christmas decorations! There is really not that much time left before the spirit of Christmas is at our door and the lights begin to twinkle and Christmas carols are sung.
Oh yes...the rush is on...to the decorating and the shopping and the wrapping paper and bows, to the baking and the sharing and the parties to go to!
Oh h h h h h....I just LOVE Christmas!
And as you reflect on all of the wonderful feelings of Christmas you think to yourself..."When it is all over there will be nothing left to do but to clean up the wrapping paper and the boxes, take down the tree, dismantle the lights and....oh my goodness...I almost forgot!"
Oh yes, that momentous occasion that we cap off the end of one year and the beginning of a NEW YEAR. For some a dressy affair with sparkling decor and fancy attire or for the quieter ones, watching the ball drop on TV and some money in your hand. But most always for all a bottle of bubbly and a kiss from someone you love!
And as you are sitting there and daydreaming about all the wonderful and exciting things that this COLD winter has in store for you and how much you actually really love it .......there is a magically ringing in the distance.....and you snap out of your dream and answer the phone.
"What? you said that you need to find a home and be in before Christmas?"
..............and you put on your nice warm coat and gloves and are out the door!
DO YOU NEED IN A HOME BY CHRISTMAS?................. My coat is hanging by the door!
HAPPY WINTER TO ALL!
About the Author: DEBBIE HUTCHINS is a Certified Residential Specialist
with RE/MAX FIRST CHOICE in Pelham, Alabama serving Shelby County
and the Greater Birmingham Area.
Give DEBBIE a call to help you with your REAL ESTATE needs.
You may also search the MLS at

Riverwoods in Helena, Alabama is truly a Place To Come Home To!
Preserving the beauty of the natural terrain, you will take pleasure in the gently rolling
hills, wooded home sites, private lakes, walking trails, playgrounds and community pool!
Don't hesitate! Look over the list of homes available below and
Come Home to Riverwoods!
| Street# | StreetName | Style | #Bedrooms | #TotalBaths | #GarageSpaces | Year Description | YearBuilt | ListPrice |
| 467 | RIVER OAKS LN | 1.5Story | 4 | 2 | 2 | NewComplete | 2007 | 249900 |
| 415 | RIVER OAKS LN | 1.5Story | 4 | 3 | 2 | NewComplete | 2007 | 249900 |
| 229 | PARK LAKE TRC | 1.5Story | 4 | 2 | 2 | Existing | 2003 | 260000 |
| 419 | RIVER OAKS LN | 2Story | 4 | 3 | 2 | NewComplete | 2007 | 269900 |
| 205 | CREEKWOOD CT | 1.5Story | 4 | 4 | 2 | Existing | 2002 | 279900 |
| 147 | PARK LAKE TRC | 1.5Story | 4 | 4 | 2 | Existing | 2005 | 289900 |
| 200 | PINEY WOODS LN | Splitfoy | 3 | 2 | 2 | Existing | 2004 | 289900 |
| 150 | PARK LAKE TRC | 1.5Story | 5 | 3 | 2 | Existing | 2003 | 298900 |
| 459 | RIVER OAKS LN | Splitfoy | 3 | 2 | 2 | NewComplete | 2007 | 299900 |
| 100 | RIVER VALLEY RD | 1.5Story | 4 | 4 | 2 | Existing | 2004 | 309900 |
| 1004 | BROOK DR | Splitfoy | 4 | 3 | 3 | Existing | 2006 | 310000 |
| 128 | RIVER VALLEY RD | Splitfoy | 4 | 3 | 3 | Existing | 2005 | 389900 |
| 204 | BRIDGEWATER TERR | 1.5Story | 4 | 5 | 2 | Existing | 2005 | 399900 |
| 159 | RIVER OAKS DR | 1.5Story | 4 | 4 | 3 | UnderConstruction | 2008 | 399900 |
| 308 | CAMP FORREST TRL | 1.5Story | 4 | 3 | 2 | NewComplete | 2007 | 469900 |
| 151 | RIVER VALLEY RD | 1.5Story | 4 | 4 | 4 | UnderConstruction | 2007 | 489900 |
| 305 | CAMP FORREST TRL | 1.5Story | 6 | 6 | 4 | NewComplete | 2008 | 799900 |
Information on this report is not guaranteed. There is no express or implied warranty by MLS of the accuracy of information which should be independently verified.--Copyright: 2008 by the Birmingham Area MLS, Inc.
Prepared by DEBBIE HUTCHINS of RE/MAX FIRST CHOICE on 11/14/2008 1:15:36 PM
DEBBIE HUTCHINS WITH RE/MAX FIRST CHOICE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR SELECTION OF A NEW HOME! GIVE DEBBIE A CALL TODAY!


Vestavia's Newest Neighborhood
A Planned community of 26 New Family Homes
Priced in the mid $400's to mid $500's
Conveniently located
Close to I-459 & Hwy 280
and the Summit

Homes include Basements or Slab
Some Main level Garages
Natural Stones and Hardwoods
4+ Bedrooms
Gourmet Kitchens
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL DEBBIE TODAY 205-368-2474


WELCOME TO SHELBY COUNTIES NEWEST ESTATE LOT COMMUNITY
THAT IS LOCATED IN THE HOOVER CITY LIMITS!
A "STONE'S" THROW FROM ALL THE ACTIVITY OF A BUSY CITY LIFE
WITH THE PEACEFUL QUIET SERENITY OF PRIVATE WOODED BEAUTY.
YOUR OWN NATURE WONDERLAND WITH 3 - 5 ACRE HOME SITES
PRICED FROM THE $170'S TO THE $190'S
PURCHASE YOUR'S AND BEGIN YOUR DREAM HOME!
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO

RIVERWOODS located in the City of Helena
Helena, located in North Shelby County, is synonymous with rapid but controlled growth. The pace at which we are developing has allowed us to maintain our small town charm, yet gives us the resources necessary to provide the services that our citizens and businesses need and deserve. Helena has grown into a city that offers a lot of the conveniences of larger cities yet still maintains its family-oriented atmosphere. There are many pointes of interest in the City of Helena. Enjoy summer concerts, sundown cinemas, Kids fest, the Buck Creek Festival and 4th of July celebration at the Helena Amphitheater in Old Town Helena. At Joe Tucker Park there are walking paths around the lake, tennis courts and picnic areas. Cahaba Lily Park offers a playground, picnic pavilions, walking trails and swing sets. There is also a state of the art Sports Plex offering all of the league sports activities. And don't forget to come out for the Christmas Parade or on Christmas Eve when Santa rides through every neighborhood on the fire truck!
RIVERWOODS homeowners are provided with Helena City Services such as Fire and Police protection, Water, Sewer and Garbage Services and the Shelby County Jane B. Holmes Public Library. Other utilities are provided by Alabama Power, ALAGASCO and Bell South. Charter Cable is available in most areas and is provided in all Sectors as built.
RIVERWOODS is in the Shelby County school system and served by Helena Elementary, Helena Intermediate, Riverchase Middle and Pelham High School. There is a NEW Helena Middle School.
RIVERWOODS property tax is assessed by Shelby County with the Helena millage rate of 4.9 per hundred thousand. With homes priced from $250's to $700's estimated taxes would be in the approximate range of $1300 - $3900 per year. (Example Sales price $250,000 x 10% = 25000 x 4.9 = $1225 per year or $102 per month)
With new construction property can be assessed with a class 2 rate the first year and would adjust after homestead is claimed.
RIVERWOODS Homeowners Association Dues are currently $360 per year and are used to maintain the common areas such as the pool, parks, entrances, walking trails and lakes. The Clubhouse will be deeded to the Homeowners Association in the future.
RIVERWOODS located only minutes to...
I-459 only 6 miles I-65 at Valleydale Road only 8 miles
I-65 and Hwy 52 (Exit 242) only 6 miles Riverchase Galleria only 10 miles
Colonial Promenade only 7 miles Birmingham International Airport 30 miles

View the Riverwoods website at www.riverwoodsal.com
View New Home Listings at www.debbiehutchins.com
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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