Who Wants to Live in Gardendale, Alabama? Well I don't really get that exact question, but people do ask "how are home sales in Gardendale?" so I thought I'd show rather than tell. As of today, February 20, 2013, it looks like a total of 21 people want to live in Gardendale, Alabama.  How do I know, well based on the chart below, there are currently 13 pending contracts and 8 active/contingent contracts, making that a possible 21 people or families that are currently interested in living in Gardendale, Alabama. These homes are a combination of older and newer homes ranging from 1949 to 2013.  Whether you like older or newer homes, it looks like Gardendale may be an option that you'll want to investigate and an option for you next home purchase. I'll tell you one good thing about Gardend... 02/20/2013

Have You Met Your New Neighbor Yet?  Pebble Creek Subdivision in Gardendale, Alabama 35071 06/08/2011

Gardendale (35071) and Fultondale (35068) Alabama Homes Sell Like Hotcakes With 19 pending contracts, I'd say that the Gardendale and Fultondale Alabama areas remain high on the list of where homebuyers want to live. Not only are there 19 homes in pending status, but it's just mid-March 2011 and this year to date, 33 homes have sold. 2010 was a great year for Gardendale and Fultondale, Alabama homes sells:  A whopping 319 homes sold in these two municipalities is 2010.  Two-hundred and forty of these homes were non-foreclosures. So, are you thinking what I'm thinking?  If you haven't considered purchasing a home in the Gardendale and Fultondale areas, now just might be the perfect time. Go ahead and pick up the phone and call me, Charita Cadenhead at 205-321-1200. There's a Gardendale o... 03/17/2011

RISMEDIA, October 18, 2010--There are so many things to understand as you embark on purchasing a home, especially if it's your first purchase. Learn the basics as you get started and understand everything you need to know as it relates to financing. Here are 10 tips about financing: 1. Before you start looking for a home, get pre-qualified for a loan. Banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers make home loans; mortgage brokers process them. The lenders will take an application, process the loan documents, and see the loan through to the funding stage. 2. If you have marginal or bad credit, consult your lender. You may be able to qualify for a loan depending on how long ago and what reason(s) caused the bad credit. A lender should be able to advise you on whether your credit history will... 10/18/2010

By Paige Tepping RISMEDIA, October 16, 2010--Many prospective homeowners find out the hard way the importance of a good credit score when they apply for a home mortgage, especially after the subprime loan crisis. If you are considering buying a home in the near future, it is a good idea to give your credit score a check-up and then take positive steps to improve your credit score if you find problems. Ideally, it is best to begin working on improving your credit score at least six months before you plan to start shopping for a home. According to the experts at Buy-and-Sell-House-Fast.com, the following tips will help you improve your credit and should be taken before you begin your home search. The first critical step in taking care of your credit is to check your credit report. Unfort... 10/17/2010

Need Another Reason to Buy a Home in Gardendale Alabama? How about no property taxes.  That's right, Gardendale is one of only a few municipalities in the Metropolitan Birmingham area that does not collect property taxes. A whopping 46% of Gardendale sales tax revenue is generated from the WalMart located right off of I-65. Gardendale is not alone according to an article in today's online version of the Birmingham News which states the following:  Smaller municipalities in Jefferson and Shelby counties without a property tax are Clay, Pinson, County Line, West Jefferson, Chelsea, Indian Springs Village and Westover. Here's a look at the home sales activity in Gardendale to date: Currently pending (as of 10/04/10):  10 pending home sales ranging with list prices ranging from $39k to $165... 10/04/2010

Poll: Nine in 10 U.S. Homeowners Concerned About Home Energy Efficiency RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010--Home energy efficiency is valued by the vast majority of American homeowners, with 89 percent of national survey respondents indicating that making their home more energy efficient is important to them personally. Key findings from the September 2010 national survey include: * Less than one in three homeowners believe their homes are "very" energy efficient * While the majority reported knowing "a lot" about how to make their homes energy efficient, they mistakenly identified "older windows" as the top energy-loss culprit * 90% said it is important to have a professional energy auditor who is "certified by an independent national organization" "These findings are a call to action to the... 09/29/2010

Analysis: One-Third of Americans Highly Unlikely to Qualify for a Mortgage Today RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010--Nearly one-third of Americans are unlikely to qualify for a mortgage because their credit scores are too low, making homeownership out of reach for many. This is according to an analysis of more than 25,000 loan quotes and purchase requests on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace during the first half of September. Borrowers with credit scores under 620 who requested purchase loan quotes for 30-year fixed, conventional loans were unlikely to receive even one loan quote on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, even if they offered a relatively high down payment of 15 to 25 percent. Nearly one-third of Americans, or 29.3 percent, has a credit score this low, according to data provided by myFICO.co... 09/28/2010

For Your Clients: The Right Decisions Can Save Money During a Move By Gregory Karp RISMEDIA, September 25, 2010--(MCT)--Moving a residence is often fraught with high emotions and involves a to-do list a mile long. So, it's tempting to give only passing attention to hiring a mover and the related incidental costs. That could be a mistake — for your wallet and your peace of mind. Moving can be quite expensive. A typical full-service interstate move costs about $4,300, while the same in-state move might cost about $2,500, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. And while the moving industry has many fine companies, it is notorious for fraud and dirty tactics by so-called rogue movers. Here are tips on making your move with lower costs and less hassle. CHOOSE A TYPE OF MOVE:... 09/27/2010

For Your Clients: 8 Tips to Getting Your Loan Modification Application Reviewed RISMEDIA, September 25, 2010--Many homeowners seeking a loan modification to lower their monthly mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure continue to find the application process a complex web, often causing them to give up before their application is ever reviewed by their mortgage company. Certified housing counselors for CredAbility, a national nonprofit credit counseling and education agency, speak daily with hundreds of homeowners seeking a loan modification or other solutions to keep their homes. The organization has several tips for people that will help them increase the chances that their application is reviewed as quickly as possible. "A homeowner needs to collect and send several documents that tel... 09/27/2010

For Your Clients: How to Build Your Castle By Noah Matthews RISMEDIA, September 22, 2010--(MCT)--My modest neighborhood is changing. Where once there were one-story stucco houses, now every other house is a mcmansion. All are two stories, with enough balconies to fill an opera house. Judging by the architecture, the builder bought one set of plans and has been using them ever since, with minor alterations. Now you, too, can build your dream house, with an inexpensive program called Turbo Floor Plan Home and Landscape Pro. It's easy to use, lets you change your mind a thousand times without annoying your expensive architect, and the results are realistic enough that you can take a virtual walk-through each time to try a new theme, change your floor plan or try a new shade of paint. There... 09/23/2010

RISMEDIA, September 21, 2010--Trees are often overlooked during the summer when it comes to watering. Yet, when trees go dormant for autumn and winter – meaning active root growth comes to a standstill – and deciduous trees lose their leaves, they make up for deficits and absorb as much water and nutrients as they can hold. Enter fall's first rains, windstorms and freezes, and homeowners are guaranteed a dose of trouble. Homeowners are advised to follow seven guidelines this fall to avoid tree problems year round. #1 Hydrate Trees with deep root systems typically do not need extra water, while trees with shallow roots do. Your tree is thirsty if it is brown in places, or if some of its branches are dead or brittle. If needed, place mulch at the base of the tree to help the soil retain ... 09/21/2010

School Performance Can Increase Home Values, Buyer Interest RISMEDIA, September 18, 2010--While millions throughout the nation prepare for traditional back to school activities, some families are searching for affordable housing based on local schools or desirable school districts. In some cases, proximity to quality schools is so important buyers may choose to rent close to a preferred school until the right home becomes available, especially if they're running out of time before the first day of school. "I recently worked with clients that were moving to the Northwest Chicago suburbs from out of state," said Nina Rocus, a Realtor® in Schaumburg, Illinois. "They originally looked for homes close to particular school districts, and wanted to move in before the school year started so th... 09/18/2010

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010--Fannie Mae's (OTC: FNMA) (BULLETIN BOARD: FNMA) latest national housing survey finds that most Americans believe the housing market has reached bottom, but they are more cautious about owning a home. Respondents to the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey believe that home prices will hold steady (47 percent) or increase (31 percent) over the next year, and that rental prices will stay the same (46 percent) or go up (39 percent). Across the general population, the average expected rise in rental prices is four times that of home prices (3.6 percent versus 0.9 percent). Seventy percent of Americans think it is a good time to buy a house, compared with 64 percent in a similar survey conducted in January 2010. But 33 percent -- up from 30 percent -- of all resp... 09/17/2010

7 in 10 Americans Optimistic About the Future of Household Finances RISMEDIA,--Despite the economy's sluggish recovery, a new national survey from Weber Shandwick with KRC Research found that nearly seven in 10 Americans (69 percent) have an optimistic outlook about their household finances for the next two years. Nearly one quarter (23 percent) are very optimistic. Since the downturn two years ago, the vast majority of Americans (81 percent) say they are more responsible with their household's money today than two years ago, with nearly half (46 percent) considering themselves much more responsible. Many indicated they've changed their financial habits, including buying items on sale (80 percent), becoming more concerned about saving money (78 percent) and learning how to budget better... 09/16/2010

By Paige Tepping RISMEDIA, September 11, 2010--Finding the home that is right for you can be a time-consuming process. The experts at Move.com offer the following tips to help make sure you don’t just settle for a home, but instead find the home that is perfect for you. Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods where you would like to live, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remind you which features are absolute requirements and which amenities you'd like to have if possible. When narrowing down your home search, consider: -Types of homes -Home purchase considerations -Home comparison chart -What to do when you’ve found the right home for you Types of homes In addition to single family homes (one home per lot), there are other forms of home ownership ... 09/16/2010

By Paige Tepping RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010--In today’s market, it takes more than painting and trimming the bushes to get noticed, to stand out, to make your home memorable. While home sellers across the country are resorting to dropping the price in order to make their home more attractive, it leads to one crucial question: what can I do differently to make my home stand out? Larry Nusbaum, Resolution Assistance Contractor for the FDIC, offers the following tips for home sellers looking to differentiate their homes from the numerous homes that are on the market today. 1. Get lighted signage that’s illuminated even after dark. This will give prospective buyers extra time to see your home as they don’t have to depend on sunlight. 2. If you or your agent are hosting an open house, be s... 09/16/2010

Refinancing Mortgage Might Have its Drawbacks By Kara McGuire RISMEDIA, September 14, 2010--(MCT)--Mark your calendars. The Van Ripers have moved up the date of their mortgage-burning party. When the couple purchased their St. Paul, Minn., home in 2005, they locked in a 6 percent interest rate for 30 years. But with mortgage rates at jaw-dropping lows, they were able to refinance into a 4.125 percent, 15-year mortgage that will save them more than $100,000 in interest and allow them to pay off the mortgage by the time their 3-year-old son is in college. All this for a $100 increase in their monthly mortgage payment. Shorter-term mortgages are deliciously low. Last week, the average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.83 percent with an average 0.6 point (a point equals 1 percen... 09/14/2010

The word 'foreclosure' doesn't always mean a good deal. The definition of a good deal is a home that you love selling super low price that you love even more! Deals come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes sell quickly. Other times, there are deals that are waiting for that unique buyer to see their value. Below are five of the greatest deals in Gardendale!        220 Iris Drive      $99,900 How hard is it to find a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home with a main level garage in the middle of Gardendale? Well, right now, that is not a tall order! It even has a back deck and a fireplace! Not in bad condition, either! The seller of this home is even throwing in a home warranty! Great looking house for a great looking price!              2744 North Road      $128,900 A large family home with 3 be... 02/19/2009

To celebrate the opening of our new, much larger office in Gardendale, we had an open house yesterday! The Chamber of Commerce was there to 'cut the ribbon'. The shrimp was fabulous and so were the people! We had a great time and I am sure everyone left with a full tummy and excitement about where ERA is going in Northern Jefferson County! Here are more pictures! Ribbon Cutting and Open House 11/13/2008