I was showing houses to a client the other day. This is a buyer's market as we have heard so there are literally hundreds of homes for sale in her price range. Based on most of her specific requested items and through the use of the internet (pictures really help weed out the undesirable) we basically narrowed it down to 30 homes. Over a period of three trips we ventured out to personally view the top picks.
She had a couple of subdivision that she had friends living in already so we really wanted to explore those neighborhoods. Some of these were typical tract home developments. In these, many of the homes can look the same. So, what makes one home look better than the other? If you are the seller, what do you do to make YOUR home stand out?
Decorating of course is important and we have seen many instances where a nicely decorated home will sell it. She is also very interested in the yard. One home she is interested in has a patio and fountain in the back yard. It is absolutely beautiful - she referred to it as the Sanctuary.
Another item that she commented on over and over again was the use - or lack thereof of molding. Some homes had crown at the ceiling, but dinky molding along the floor. Crown molding and wider baseboards give the home a more finished look. Often times in tract homes, the builders will use small baseboards, no crown at the ceiling and no molding around the windows. I had a client a couple of years ago that was totally focused on crown molding. She bought a house without it, and had a contractor install molding and new hardwood floors before she would move in.
If you are trying to sell your home in a buyer's market and want your home to have a little edge on the others in the neighborhood, try installing some additional molding - especially in the living room and master bedroom. It will give YOUR home a little better appeal and could be what makes the sale.
If you would like some other tips about getting YOUR home ready to sell, check out the seller library at my website www.Tonibird.com.
Home sales in Helena (one of the top 100 places to live in America) increased to 19 in February. This doesn't sound great - but it was better than the 7 that sold in November 2008 and the 14 in January! The average salesprice was $207,886. Eight sales were in Old Cahaba, 4 in Riverwoods and the rest throughout the city. The highest price can be found on a 4 bedroom, 3 bath in Riverwoods. The average days on the market for sold properties was 132. Currently there are 256 properties on the market. 
Helena prides itself on its family friendly atmosphere. Are you looking for a new home? Search for a home in Helena, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area at my website www.ToniBird.com.
There were 15 home sales in Pelham Alabama in February 2009. This was down from a spike to 34 in December, but closer to the 18 that sold in November. The average salesprice was $161,895 which was down from $187,606 in January. Prices have come down in Pelham, but part of the reason for the drop in average salesprice is the fact that only one home over $250,000 sold in February. Typically we see more of the higher priced homes in Ballantrae sell and that brings the average price up. Sales ranged from $110,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome in Sommersby to $290,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 bath in the Laughlin section of Ballantrae. Currently there are 289 properties on the market in Pelham (down from 334 in September). Showing activity has really picked up in the last two weeks and contracts are being written. Pelham home sales in March should jump up. In March 2008 we saw 32 homes close in Pelham, I expect we will see March 2009's number close to that.
Looking for a new home? The internet is a great place to start. Search for a home in Pelham, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area at my website www.ToniBird.com.
Home sales numbers in Alabaster remained stable in February with 31 closed sales (up from 30 in January). The average sales price was $168,175 - up from 135,867 last month when we had a glut of foreclosures being purchased out of the market. Sales ranged from $65,000 for a 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath in Mountain View to $550,000 for a 5 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath new home at Sterling Gate. Currently there are 366 properties on the market. Building has all but stopped in the numerous new home subdivisions along HWY 119 near Veterans Park and there are some good deals that can be found there as builders try to shrink some of their standing inventory. Many subdivisions have the streets and sewer in but only 5 or 6 homes. This doesn't look good right now, but it reminds me of Plano Texas in the late 80's when we had the LAST housing crisis. I flew over Plano on the approach to DFW airport and I can remember seeing 1 house all by itself surrounded by miles of streets going nowhere. I flew over 2 years later and there were completed subdivisions everywhere. If you like these homes, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY. These neighborhoods WILL come back and be finished out sooner than you think.
Looking for a new home? Check out the inventory of completed homes in Alabaster, Alabama or the Greater Birmingham Area at my website www.ToniBird.com.
Boy, has it gotten busy lately or is it my imagination! I listed a home for sale in Helena, Alabama 3 weeks ago and we already received an offer. The seller had fixed it up and it looked GREAT. The person who is buying the home as never owned a home before and can take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit.
If you are a first time home buyer (and a 1st time home buyer is defined as someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years), then you can qualify for an $8,000 TAX CREDIT on your 2009 taxes. A tax credit which is good for homes purchased through December 1st 2009, is better than a deduction because it is subtracted directly from the amount of tax you owe. If you don't owe $8000, you get cash back!! Just buy a house and you can get a credit for 10% of the home's purchase price (up to $8000).
There is nothing that you have to apply for ahead of time. The credit will be claimed when you file your income tax return. Click Here to see a copy of the form that you file with your taxes. If you owe less than 8,000 in taxes, you will get CASH BACK to use on whatever you want. Check out the form for instructions and information about income limits and what to do if you sell the house before 3 years is up.
You keep hearing Now is the Time to Buy, well Now is the Time to Buy.
I told you about the house with the offer on it - well there is another one right down the street waiting for YOU. This home has 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths and a nice updated Kitchen. The owners have loved this house and NOW it is your turn. Take A Look at the Visual Tour.
If you haven't already done so, now is the time to contact a lender and get pre-approved for a loan. Click here to shop for houses on line at my website www.ToniBird.com, When you are ready, contact me and I'll set up appointments for you to see your top picks.
Are you looking for a Realtor who will listen to your wants and needs - someone who will take the time to explain what is going on in the home buying process, then I am the professional for You.
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