An Entertaining Little Guy Was Outside My Window.....   I got to my office bright and early Friday so I could check emails and spend a little time on ActiveRain and Facebook before settling in to make some phone calls later in the morning.  Sitting at my desk I have a great view of all that is going on outside.  This busy little squirrel was a lot of fun to watch as he dug for nuts and enjoyed some playtime and breakfast.   I took these pictures through a dirty window, and think most of them turned out pretty decent anyway.  Since I had to move the blinds to take pictures, he heard me and seemed nervous at first and would run up the tree, but he seemed to get used to me after a while.  Maybe he will come back and visit next week!                 Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-PRO®, SRES, AS... 01/23/2010

This Lake Cyrus real estate market report is a continuation in a series of blogs about the performance of some of the larger neighborhoods in Hoover, AL to assist buyers and sellers in assessing their negotiating position.  I should disclose that I am a resident of this neighborhood and have lived here for the past three years.  Let's take a look at sales and inventory history for the last three months of 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008 by referring to the chart below:      As shown in the chart at left, improvements in sales (both units and volume) and average days on market would suggest a relatively strong neighborhood relative to supply and demand.  However, there is weakness in the average list and sale prices and, while pretty strong in December, months inventory app... 01/21/2010

Home Sales - Hoover Alabama Hoover, Alabama - had lots to cheer about as the Hoover High football team took the 6A State Championship in December 2009.  And, that same weekend we got a dusting of SNOW!! What was the Real Estate market like in December 2009?  Well with all that football, snow, and shopping for Christmas, home sales were a little on the slow side.  There were 63 homes that SOLD in December 2009.  This was down from the 91 that sold in November, but above the 51 that sold in December of 2008.  The average sales price of Sold Homes was $260,694 with homes selling for an average of 97.60% of list.  Prices ranged from $107,000 for a townhome in Ridge Park - off of Rocky Ridge Rd, to $629,900 for a 5 Bedroom 3.5 Bath on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge. Nine sales were townhomes or... 01/19/2010

This Trace Crossings real estate market report is the first in a series of neighborhoods I will be reviewing in the Hoover area.  As they say, "every market is different" and markets can be defined many ways (e.g., county, city, zip code, etc....) but the neighborhood level is probably the smallest, most local way to view market activity.  As most of you know, Trace Crossings is in an ideal location with Hoover High School and Regions Park sitting within the subdivision itself.  Take a look at the chart below:     As shown in the real estate market report at left for Trace Crossings, the neighborhood is performing considerably better now than in the last quarter of 2008 in a number of categories.  The number of homes sold is higher (up 233%!) and the months of inventory is lower (down 5... 01/15/2010

In evaluating the Hoover real estate market, it is clear that this segment is performing better than the greater metro Birmingham market overall.  Take a look at the chart below for Hoover conventional single family (Jefferson and Shelby Counties):      A couple of things to note about the Hoover real estate market during last three months of 2009 vs. the last three months of 2008.  Unit sales for the fourth quarter are up 41%!  In terms of dollars, sales are up 19%!  The 90-day moving average of months inventory (see explanation above) for the past two months is down from the prior year.  There are a few negatives for the Hoover real estate market.  The average price for homes sold is down almost 8%.  Inventory levels continue to be high but the good news for sellers is that homes are ... 01/14/2010

Home Sales in Russet Woods and Southwood, Hoover Alabama 2009  The numbers are in for 2009. Russet Woods and Southwood are wonderful neighborhoods just off South Shades Crest Road in Hoover, Alabama.  Students attend either South Shades Crest or Deer Valley Elementary School, Bumpus Middle and Hoover High.  Home construction started in the mid 80's with the majority of the homes being built in the 90's.  A small section of homes in Southwood Highlands has been completed in the last three of years.   All lots are large with mature trees and a variety of home styles can be found to accommodate most tastes.  Many homeowners have updated their homes to include modern amenities such as granite countertops and hardwood floors.  In 2009, 49 homes sold and closed in Russet Woods and Southwood. ... 01/13/2010

  House Catches Fire and Burns in Riverchase Community of Hoover AL   On Saturday evening, January 9th, a home on Tulip Poplar Drive in the Riverchase community of Hoover AL caught fire and burned.   A friend of mine lives on the street below and behind this house.  He had been out to dinner, returning to find his neighbors' home in flames and water pouring down the hill between their homes as the firemen worked to extinguish the fire.  By this time it had been burning about an hour.  When the fire started, a couple of neighbors heard an explosion and then noticed flames shooting up from under the back deck (where there is a gas grill).  The owner did not hear it, but looked out to see the deck engulfed in flames.  He quickly got his family out of the house with no one getting hurt, but... 01/13/2010

What's on everyone's mind - Buffalo Chicken Dip for the Big Game! The big day has finally arrived, the BCS Championship game in Pasadena California.  The Alabama Crimson Tide against the Texas Longhorns.  Here in Hoover, Alabama football is EVERYTHING.  The Hoover High Bucs won the 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP this year and now one of the state's largest universities is going for the National Championship. Two big news items for today are the game AND the snow we were SUPPOSED to have.  So the big concern for today has been whether or not the cable/satellite will go down and people will not be able to see the big game.  Parties have been planned for weeks and people make plans to tackle the elements as they venture out to watch the big game with family and friends. Of course my husband and I p... 01/07/2010

Change the feel of Your Home with New Light Fixtures Today we installed New Light Fixtures and it has given our home a totally new feel.  It is Amazing. It has a totally new look.  I am SO PUMPED. When we bought our home a little over a year ago, a developer had purchased the home from the previous owner.  This developer had neutralized the walls, switched most of the brass hardware for brushed nickel and "updated" the light fixtures in the dining room, breakfast area and foyer.  Typically this is an improvement, because replacing the light fixtures can make the house look more up to date, HOWEVER, the fixtures were WAY undersized for the space and were a real turn off.  We knew when we bought the house that they HAD TO GO.   First we shopped all over town and when we thought we were cl... 01/06/2010

  Baby It's COLD Outside!  BRRRRRR!   In Birmingham we don't usually have below freezing temperatures for days on end.  There are those days every once in a while when we have to be careful about icy patches on the roads and interstate bridges, but these often melt as the sun comes out or the temperature rises during the daytime.  We've been freezing our butts off this week!   The fountain at the Chase Corporate Center (where my office is located) has been frozen like this since at least Monday.........that was the day I took this photo and so far I've seen no signs of it melting.  The sun was out yesterday and again today, but at noon it is still only 29 degrees.   We have snow in the forecast for tomorrow!  Not just flurries, but maybe we will have some accumulation since the ground i... 01/06/2010

    2009 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in The Preserve, Hoover AL (Year To Date) Single Family Residences   Units Sold: 16 Average List Price:  $516,254 Average Sold Price: $503,067 Average Days on Market:  190         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you! Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244   © 2010 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for t... 01/02/2010

Now is the time to trade up and get the home of your dreams. Do you need more space, want to live in a neighborhood were your kid's friends are a short walk down the block, want a fabulous view, or want a one level so you don't have to climb those stairs anymore? If so, then NOW is the time to capitalize on this unique real estate market. Now is the time to buy a home in Hoover, Alabama.  Prices are down in Hoover and the greater Birmingham area.  In many cases properties are selling for 2004 prices.  If you want to put the negative spin on it, yes you are not going to get as much for your current house as you would have 3 years ago.  And it's hard for a lot for people to stomach the fact that their neighbor got 10K or 30K or more for THEIR house than you could get for yours today.  How... 01/02/2010

    2009 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Caldwell Crossings, Hoover AL (Year To Date) ~ Single Family Residences   Units Sold:  22 Average List Price:  $325,297 Average Sold Price:  $321,736 Average Days on Market: 94         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you! Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244   © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been grant... 12/30/2009

      2009 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Bluff Park, Hoover AL (Year To Date) ~ Single Family Residences   Units Sold: 70 Average List Price:  $204,701 Average Sold Price:  $196,459 Average Days on Market: 80         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you! Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244   © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for ... 12/29/2009

Christmas is over and if you are like most of us, there is a Lot of food in the refrigerator.  Thanksgiving is the BIG day for turkey, but Christmas is a close second.  But you can only eat so many turkey sandwiches!! I usually make turkey enchilada casserole with my turkey leftovers and my family really looks forward to this treat.  Here is how I do it; You will need: Turkey - the more the better ‘cause I like it chunky.  Use at least 4 cups of chopped up white or dark meat and as much as 6 cups.  1 medium onion, chopped into small pieces 2 tlb butter 1 can of cream of mushroom soup 1 can of cream of chicken soup 1 can of leftover gravy (if you don't have any, use 1 cup of chicken broth) 1 4 oz can of chopped green chilies Corn tortilla cut in quarters (buy a small package - there are ... 12/26/2009

The Oak Mountain area of Birmingham, Alabama, is located in North Shelby County including Greystone, Brook Highland and the area between HWY 280 and I-65.  Oak Mountain State Park is the south border and the Cahaba River and Jefferson County line is the north border.  This valley boasts beautiful large oak trees and in my opinion is one of the prettiest parts of the state.  Students are serviced by both Hoover City Schools or Shelby County (Oak Mt High School) depending on where you live. This area is located only 10 miles from downtown Birmingham, but because of the popularity of the area, the commute (which you share with THOUSANDS of your neighbors) can be a challenge.  What was the Real Estate Market like in Oak Mountain area during November? There were 57 home sales in November '09... 12/26/2009

  I got a call today from an Activerain associate and it seems that the property flyers that were create through the Birmingham MLS system was causing everyone’s computers to freeze up. Unless of coarse you are a member of the Birmingham MLS and you were logged into the system. That being said I have removed all the blog post property flyers that were created from the Birmingham MLS system. I do apologize for the scare and any inconveniences this may have caused.     If you are a member of the Birmingham MLS please use caution when using the property flyer tool which is located in the MLS there is a html code in the script that does not work well with active rain and it also doesn’t work for e-mail Marketing.   The Activerain associate Brad told me that Postlets and vFlyer does work cre... 12/22/2009

    2009 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Riverchase, Hoover AL (Year To Date) ~ Single Family Residences   Units Sold:  41 Average List Price:  $345,300 Average Sold Price:  $327,215 Average Days on Market:  98         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you! Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244   © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for ... 12/22/2009

Is this Your Marketing Plan I will give you one of my ideas if you give me one of yours. Tired of looking online to find a solid new Idea for marketing your Listing or finding a New Buyer .  Well I'll tell you what send me a new idea to my e-mail address and I will send you one.  In good faith I will post one here. 1. After your next closing throw a party- Tell your buyer you want to give them a house warming party that you will host- You will need all of their friends names and addresses- Throw a great party and you now have a new cirlce of clients- all the while your new buyer is talking about how good you done for them- my last party I had 1 new listiing and 2 buyers and 17 new families for my direct marketing data base. 2. My next tip is even better so send me an e-mail at miller.re... 12/21/2009

Last month's issue of Forbes magazine ranked the Birmingham-Hoover metro area 28th among 100 U.S. "Best Bang for your Buck" housing markets.  That's not the cheapest, but the best deal.  To make the list, cities were evaluated in: housing affordability, travel time and unemployment rates.  Birmingham ranked highest in low real estate taxes (3rd) and strong job forecasts (7th). We are lucky to live in such a great city where our ups and down are not as drastic as other parts of the country.  As we hear good news daily about the economy we look around to see what is happening here.  Birmingham tends to lag behind the nation as a whole - we were still doing well in 2007 when Florida was crying.  But, when we look at OUR numbers we see that in November 2009, our residential sales increased ... 12/21/2009