"They say the power of social media networking is amazing

but it is the power of the people who push it." RB

MEET THE PUSHERS.....

The above Facebook post was made by Rhonda on Monday at 2:09

At 3:52 Rhonda did a post to her blog "Just Brantley" titled "Homeless in Birmingham".

Monday, June 22, 2009

Homeless In Birmingham

On Thursday afternoon, we decided to head down to Orange Beach to stay with friends. The invite was a welcome respite and the plan was to listen to good music, soak up the rays and eat with the locals.

Another post will include more on the trip - it was the call I received just getting out of town that still disturbs me.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING POST

The following post was made on Facebook by Valerie Springer at 8:20 pm MONDAY

"If you were busy being kind, before you knew it, you would find you'd soon forget to think twas true that someone was unkind to you. If you were busy being glad and cheering people who are sad, although your heart might ache a bit, you'd soon forget to notice it. If you were busy being good and doing just the best you could you'd not have have time to blame some man who's doing just the best he can." THANKS VS!

RHONDA BRANTLEY

On Tuesday afternoon Rhonda had found a housing unit available and went downtown with the funds collected and paid a deposit for the home. The unit would not be available until Wednesday. The last I heard there were blow up mattresses being pulled out, and this happy family is enjoying hot dogs, hamburgers and icecream at Rhonda's home as they wait to take possession of their new home.

Funds are still being raised for utility deposits and a blog has been posted by Lori Sullivan with a list of items needed. Anita Latham at Re/Max First Choice in Pelham (corner of Hwy 31 & Amphitheater Road) has been kind enough to provide a room to be used as a drop off station for the small items.

Lori put up the Facebook request below Tuesday Night with a link to her blogpost with a list of needed items.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HOMELESS FAMILY

We are collecting money and househol goods for a homeless family that God put in our path this week. The family consists of a single mother and her three children ages 3, 7 and 14. She lost her IT job recently and the family had just begun sleeping in their car when we found out about them.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS POST AND SEE LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

When A Plan Comes Together

".......Meanwhile, the emails, blogs and Facebook pages were on fire. Just say it like it is, we were on fire for the Lord. It gave us pause to NOT think about our woes, crappy economy and losses. It allowed us to communicate again and to do what we all enjoy. Giving back and paying forward - we're women of faith, holding our families together, teaching our children by our actions and all the while the manic rush to make a difference for just somebody, just today, just because was a superlative arrangement."....Just Brantley

CLICK HERE TO READ COMPLETE POST

These sample posts are just a few examples of the social media mission to help this family. A good and deserving family that like so many people in this weakened economy are finding themselves in situations beyond their imagination. A time when many are skrimping to get by, pinching pennies and changing their lifestyles but when placed in the path of a need that can not be denied are stepping forward and pushing the envelope to get the results needed to help someone get back on their feet. As Rhonda mentioned in her post that she took the time to send out to all of the "helping hands"......"we were on fire for the Lord"!

From Homeless to Happy in 24 Hours

thanks to the Power of the Push, Social Media and God's Helping Hands!

ALL DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Debbie Hutchins a Certified Residential Specialist has been a licensed Realtor since 1987. Serving the Greater Birmingham Area and specializing in Shelby County Debbie is available to assist you with your real estate needs. We hope you have enjoyed reading and hope you will come back! You may also subscribe to "debs doodles" and have it delivered to your email! And as always, you are welcome to search the MLS through Debbies Re/Max website. All phone calls are welcome! You can reach Debbie via her cell phone at 205-368-2474

Real Estate markets are local. A lot of the media that you hear is National. The Birmingham Metro Area market is alive and thriving. Click the link below to read Broker report for May 2009.

Broker Report on May 2009 HOME SALES

Interest Rates are at historical low levels, Inventory is high which means you have a great selection and home prices are much lower than in the past which means you may qualify for more! Click the Memo link below to read more.

Did You Get The Memo?

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SHOP FOR A HOME AND BE IN BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.

STEP 1 is to talk to a lender to determine what price range home that you can afford. I can put you in contact with a Mortgage Company to start the pre qualifing process. Or if you prefer just click on the link MORTGAGE COMPANIES to view a list of lenders on my Re/Max Website.

STEP 2 - LET YOUR MOUSE DO THE WALKING!

You will find my website an excellent resource. The site is continually updated with new and valuable information to aid in your decision making process.

The search feature allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. You can simply search for houses in a certain area and price range, or you can look for houses that fit your specific style. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you’re looking for. Most real estate websites don’t offer that degree of choice.

By signing up with the MY HOME FINDER, which is free, you have access to features that will help you find and organize the listings that best fit your needs:

• Saved Searches allow you to preserve your searches for reference at a later time. You can easily maintain lists of properties that match your criteria without having to re-enter any information, and there is no limit to the number of searches you can save.
  
• The Favorites Folder allows you to save the individual listings that you find appealing. You can save favorites from different searches into sub-folders, giving you the power to organize your favorite listings however you see fit. This is a great way to put in order those specific listings that interest you most. Again, you may save as many favorites as you wish.
  
• With the New Listing Notification service, you can be updated via e-mail as to new listings that match the criteria of any saved search. There is no need to check back for updates to your searches. All you have to do is decide whether you want daily, weekly, or bi-weekly notifications of the most recent listings.

I always strive to make the home-buying process as smooth as possible. With the MY HOME FINDER you have the tools at your fingertips that can get you started in the right direction.

STEP 3 Let's start looking! Finding the right home is a process of elimination. The beauty of the Internet is to narrow you choices down and then we physically start eliminating those down to the HOME of your dreams!

STEP 4 The negotiation process of coming to an acceptable agreement between both the Seller and the Buyer.

STEP 5 Start Packing! Remember we already did the Mortgage paperwork. All we have to do is give the lender the contract so that they can order an appraisal and prepare your mortgage for the closing. I highly recommend that you get a home inspection so we will meet with the Home Inspector one day to check out the house and then start looking forward to MOVING DAY!

So climb on down off that fence and let's go out and buy that new home with a fence of your own!

How does your garden grow?

with herbs and squash and pepper plants and Bonnie Bells all in a row!

Back in January while we were experiencing the doldrums of a bleak, cold gray winter I was tagged with a MeMe that asks you to share seven things about yourself and pass it on to seven of your friends that you would like to learn more about.

Below is an excerpt from my MeMe post where one of my seven things was that I love to garden

Got Broccoli? We have a wonderful backyard garden where I grow herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, broccoli and whatever strikes our fancy. One year we had so much broccoli we were giving it away everyday! I felt like Bubba Gump except instead of shrimp it was broccoli...broccoli casserole, broccoli soup, broccoli salad, broccoli with cheese.......but is was really yummy!

And so the story goes......

And now it is Hot Sunny Summertime....with Sticky Humid Sweaty Days blessed with occasional Summertime Rain Showers!

.......AND A BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMING VEGETABLE GARDEN!

As you can see this is NOT my first rodeo and over the years I have learned a few things that make this hobby a little easier and more enjoyable. My philosophy is that back yards are for enjoyment and that we should use them to the best of their ability. You do not have to own forty acres to have a very nice and productive home vegetable garden. And no tractors, plows or tillers are needed!

We designed a very eye appealing raised bed garden formed with retainer wall block and bottom filled with regular top soil and then topped off with some good gardening soil. The beds are about knee high so there is NO back breaking bending over necessary! And the climbing vine plants do great on the fence!

Don't you just L O V E my Garden Fairy! She is blowing magical fairy dust over my garden so that it will produce bountiful crops! And the potted plants on either side of her....MINT! One is chocolate mint great for deserts and frozen drinks and the other is regular mint......well that is for MOHITO'S of course! A Mohito basically is a drink made with limes, mint, simple syrup, Rum and club soda. If you have not had one of these they are very tasty and my friend has the best recipe...

MOHITO'S with MOJO!

1 Lime cut in 1/2 then 1/2 again

Muddle in glass with 3 - 4 sprigs of fresh mint

Add a splash of pineapple juice, 2 packs of Splenda, 1 Jigger of Bicardi Lemon Rum, 1 splash of Apple Pucker

Fill glass with ice and top off with club soda

Now if that don't get your MoJo on nothing will!

Garden....what garden.....Oh that's right we were discussing the garden!

And here we are in the midst of June smiling as our first blossoms began to show the fruits of our labor! The tomato bushes are becoming thick with luscious green tomatoes. Oh my! Do we wait for them to ripen and enjoy those fabulous down south juicy tomato sandwiches or pick them quick and slice them up, dip in egg and flour and fry them in the skillet for those "Fried Green Tomatoes" that made the Whistle Stop Cafe famous?

Other items of natures bounty included in our garden this year are strawberries, crookneck summer squash, eggplant, zucchini squash, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers and the herb garden with rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, chives and cilantro.

Are you an avid gardener? Have you had those little thoughts of tilling the soil and planting the seed and watching a plant grow into a beautiful leafy plant loaded with veggies? So what are you waiting for? Get on out there and get started. It is not too late to get something going this year. It is not an expensive hobby and you actually SAVE money on your grocery bill! And the taste sensation is beyond compare....you will be amazed at how much better veggies taste straight out of the garden.

There are lots of good books on the subject and you can find answers to anything on the Internet these days. See the attached Planting Guide For Home Gardening In Alabama with a complete Alabama Vegetable Garden Planting Chart published by The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) that offers educational programs in horticulture.

Another great service available to Alabamians is the Jones Valley Urban Farm a community-based non-profit organization in Birmingham, Alabama. Utilizing over 3 acres of vacant downtown property, JVUF grows organic produce and flowers, educates the community about healthy food, and helps make Birmingham a vibrant community.

This Saturday June 20 they are sponsoring the southern slow food fair and Summer Solstice Celebration.

"Our visitors will experience first-hand where their food comes from, how it is prepared, and how it tastes giving them a true hands-on experience," says Jones Valley Urban Farm Director, Edwin Marty. Attendees will taste their way through the farm on locally brewed beer, barbecue, bread, cheese, coffee, and more while enjoying cooking, composting, and craft demonstrations while enjoying MUSE OF FIRE's Shakespearean minstrel acts as you go.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC-TV, MyFoxAL.com) - Jeh Jeh's checking out where you can catch some tasty Southern home cooking. The Jones Valley Urban Farm will hold their Southern Slow Food Fair and Summer Solstice Celebration on June 20, 2009. For more information, visit their website at http://www.jvuf.org/events.html

Jeh Jeh Live: Southern
Food Fair

CLICK LINK ABOVE TO VIEW JEH JEH

Or maybe you just have someone in your family that has experience and can give you some pointers. I have one of those....just ask and he knows! Yep they are pretty handy folks to have around!

So join me in this fulfilling hobby of gardening and be sure to stop back by and share with me YOUR stories of success and failure (oh yes there is some of that too!). Two years ago I had broccoli coming out of my ears and last year it did not make at all.

And I did not even get to the cooking part.....but I guess that is another story in itself.

So stay tuned for the

"JOYS OF COOKING HOMEGROWN!"

Did I hear someone mention that they don't have a backyard? Well I guess I can help you with that too!

My specialty when I am not gardening is selling houses with backyards!

Give me a call! I would love to help you!

About the Author

Debbie Hutchins a Certified Residential Specialist has been a licensed Realtor since 1987. Serving the Greater Birmingham Area and specializing in Shelby County Debbie is available to assist you with your real estate needs. We hope you have enjoyed reading and hope you will come back! You may also subscribe to "debs doodles" and have it delivered to your email! And as always, you are welcome to search the MLS through Debbie's Re/Max website. All phone calls are welcome! You can reach Debbie via her cell phone at 205-368-2474

All data contained within is deemed correct however, RE/MAX First Choice and/or its Sales Associates are not responsible for errors and/or omissions. Prices are subject to change without notice.

When the U.S. Treasury was given the authority to spend $700 billion to stabilize the U.S. economy, Congress created a Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) to "review the current state of financial markets and the regulatory system."

In December 2008 I did a post titled

ACCOUNTABILITY - What will the U.S. Treasury do with $700 billion?

where I encouraged everyone with a story to tell to go to the website and let their voice be heard. (Please click on the link above to read previous post)

The COP (Congressional Oversight Panel) has kept their website up to date with all of the Reports, Press Releases, Hearings & Testimony and the Stories from the public.

Below is one story posted to the website

Dreams of Retirement Slipping Away

Molly S. from Emerald Isle, North Carolina is a home owner grappling with the grief of losing her husband and fighting for her home. She shared her story with us:

My husband died about 5 months ago. My income was cut about $1700 per month. I have not missed a payment or ever been late with one, yet [my bank] will not renegotiate my mortgage or help me determine a way to make the present one workable for me. I am 66 years old and have been handicapped since age 22, following a stroke. I manage quite well considering my disabilities, but my husband's death and this financial crisis collided to cause me to have to sell my home. I do not want to move and do not know if the housing market will even rally enough for me to find a buyer. I would prefer to refinance and continue paying my bills and living in the retirement home that my husband and I enjoyed.

Please CLICK HERE to read more stories and if YOU have a story to tell please use the link below:

Tell Us Your Story Or Ask a Question

One of the reports dated March 6, 2009 titled "Foreclosure Crisis:Working Toward a Solution" is a very detailed report on how serious the foreclosure crisis actually is and the Need for a Comprehensive Foreclosure Plan and a Checklist for Successful Loan Modifications.

Checklist for Mortgage Mitigation Program

1. Will the plan result in modifications that create affordable monthly payments?
2. Does the plan deal with negative equity?
3. Does the plan address junior mortgages?
4. Does the plan overcome obstacles in existing pooling and servicing agreements that may
prevent modifications?
5. Does the plan counteract mortgage servicer incentives not to engage in modifications?
6. Does the plan provide adequate outreach to homeowners?
7. Can the plan be scaled up quickly to deal with millions of mortgages?
8. Will the plan have widespread participation by lenders and servicers?

In the video below, Chairwoman Elizabeth Warren of the TARP Congressional Oversight Panel introduces the COP June Report: Stress Testing and Shoring Up Bank Capital. The full report is available at

Stress Testing and Shoring Up Bank Capital.

PLEASE STAY INVOLVED IN THIS CRITICAL TIME THAT CAN HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY!

YOU ARE THE VOICE OF AMERICA!

About the Author

Debbie Hutchins a Certified Residential Specialist has been a licensed Realtor since 1987. Serving the Greater Birmingham Area and specializing in Shelby County Debbie is available to assist you with your real estate needs. We hope you have enjoyed reading and hope you will come back! You may also subscribe to "debs doodles" and have it delivered to your email! And as always, you are welcome to search the MLS through Debbies Re/Max website. All phone calls are welcome! You can reach Debbie via her cell phone at 205-368-2474

All data contained within is deemed correct however, RE/MAX First Choice and/or its Sales Associates are not responsible for errors and/or omissions. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Broker Report on May 2009 HOME SALES

Some encouraging news…Birmingham area home sales in 2009 continue to increase each month!

January 564

February 725

March 854

April 887

May 959

Some more encouraging news…median prices have increased each month, indicating that a wider price range of homes are now being sold in the Birmingham Area MLS. Fewer foreclosures each month may also be having an effect. Note that average prices are also on the increase (February was higher than March & April):

Jan Average Price: $151,584 Jan Median Price: $129,900

Feb Average Price: 171,062 Feb Median Price: $130,000

Mar Average Price: $160,929 Mar Median Price: $138,000

Apr Average Price: $165,540 Apr Median Price: $141,000

May Average Price: $185,713 May Median Price: $156,000

Foreclosure sales were down in May: The 278 foreclosures sold in May represented only 29% of the total. The 305 foreclosure sales in April represented 38% of the total. This compares to 40% of the total in March and 39% of the total in February and 45% of the total for January.

The average foreclosure price was higher in May at $80,376. This compares with the average foreclosure price in April which was $76,085, the March foreclosure price of $66,959, the February foreclosure price of $78,044, and the January foreclosure price of $75,697.

When comparing May 2009 sales with May 2008, sales were down by 25% but the average price in May 2009 was only 9.5% behind the average one year ago and the median price was down only 9.5% from last year. In previous months the average price has been as much as 15% to 21% behind the same reporting period from the previous year.

May Home Sales Numbers:

MAY 2009 MAY 2008

Total Traditional (Non-Foreclosure Sales): 681

Total Foreclosure Sales: 278

TOTAL Residential Sales: 959 1,277

Average Sales Price, Non-Foreclosure Sales: $228,714

Average Sales Price, Total Foreclosure Sales: $ 80,376

Average Sales Price, Total Residential Sales: $185,713 $205,371

Median Price, Total Residential Sales: $156,000 $172,400

Days on Market: 109 100

Inventory 10,782 12,458

YEAR-TO-DATE HOME SALES REPORT

2009 Total Sales: 3,989

2008 Total Sales: 5,449

This represents a 27% decrease

2009 Average Price: $166,965

2008 Average Price: $193,562

This represents a 14% decrease

2009 Median Price: $139,000

2008 Median Price: $158,600

This represents a 12% decrease

2009 Days on Market: 112* adjusted to exclude new sales

2008 Days on Market: 105* adjusted to exclude new sales

POSITIVE FACTS

Mortgage rates remain at record lows; the lowest since the 1950’s.

Home affordability is at the highest in Alabama in 16 years: The Alabama Center for Real Estate, ACRE, calculates that affordability is better as a result of falling interest rates, a drop in median home prices and an increase in median income for Alabama residents. For details go to:http://acre.cba.ua.edu/affordability_index.php

The First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs: FHA-approved lenders have received the go-ahead from HUD to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront. FHA-approved lenders can develop bridge loans that home buyers can use to help cover their closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3.5 percent. The loans can't be used to cover the minimum 3.5 percent. This means buyers applying for FHA-backed financing with an FHA-approved lender that offers a bridge-loan program can get a bridge loan to bring down the upfront costs of buying a home, but would still have to come up with the minimum 3.5 percent downpayment (information source: www.realtor.org).

The statistics in this report compare total residential sales as compiled by the Birmingham Area Multiple Listing Service, Inc. of the Birmingham Association of Realtors®.

These statistics cover the 4-county area of Jefferson, Shelby, Blount and St. Clair counties.

Neither the Birmingham Association of Realtors® nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Any market data maintained by the Association or its MLS does not necessarily include information on listings not published at the request of the seller, listings of brokers who are not members of the Association or MLS, unlisted properties, rental properties, etc.

Many thanks to the Birmingham Association of Realtors for the great support, information, educational training and data reports that they provide. The Birmingham Alabama Metro Area is a great place to live, work and play!

Debbie Hutchins a Certified Residential Specialist has been a licensed Realtor since 1987. Serving the Greater Birmingham Area and specializing in Shelby County Debbie is available to assist you with your real estate needs. We hope you have enjoyed reading and hope you will come back! You may also subscribe to "debs doodles" and have it delivered to your email! And as always, you are welcome to search the MLS through Debbie's Re/Max website. All phone calls are welcome! You can reach Debbie via her cell phone at 205-368-2474

All data contained within is deemed correct however, RE/MAX First Choice and/or its Sales Associates are not responsible for errors and/or omissions. Prices are subject to change without notice.