Your Guide to Living In Greater Birmingham

Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Eighth is the Pest Control Operator and Who Are All These Other People?

Something many of us do not know or realize is how many people are actually involved in the home buying process. It can be a bit overwhelming too.

You are out looking for your dream home, you find it, then, all of a sudden.... PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE!!!

There are a number of people involved in the home buying process.  We need to realize and understand that these professionals base their careers on helping you find your dream homes and purchase it. 

Today is the final installment of this series where we will be sharing some insights into what they are actually doing for you. Our hope is that this relieves some of the tension of having all these people around and helps you understand what they are doing for you.

The congregation we will be discussing will be the real estate consultant, lender, attorney, appraiser, surveyor, home inspector, and pest control. Truth is, you may not encounter them all. If you do, though, we want you to be prepared.

Today, on this final installment, we will be talking about the Pest Control Operator. Some lenders require that you have the home checked for wood-destroying pests - termites and ants are the typical villains.  These professionals poke around the attic, basement, walls, and grounds to ensure that these pests aren't squatters in your dream home. While some of these may be found by a home inspector, they may not. This would probably be something you would want done if you were purchasing a home in an area that was prone to these wood-destroying pests. From personal experience, most of my buyers thus far have relied solely on the home inspectors report and only gone this extra route if something makes them feel as though they might want to have it checked out. Remember, it is your home. You will want to choose how you want it inspected.

As a service we will be offering links in each post to the others. This way you are just one click away from learning about each person and their role. The introductory post was Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Who Are All These People? First, we discussed the Real Estate Consultant in Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: First is the Real Estate Consultant and Who Are All These Other People?, we talked about Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Second is the Lender and Who Are All These Other People? Third, we took a look the Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Third is the Attorney and Who Are All These Other People?  Fourth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fourth is the Title Company and Who Are All These Other People? Fifth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fifth is the Appraiser and Who Are All These Other People? Sixth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Sixth is the Surveyor and Who Are All These Other People? Seventh, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Seventh is the Home Inspector and Who Are All These Other People?

Please understand by talking about the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate market, we are also talking about all of the greater Birmingham area including, but not limited to, Hoover Real Estate, Homewood Real Estate, Trussville Real Estate, Vestavia Real Estate, Mountain Brook Real Estate, and any other areas surrounding them.

Hoover Alabama Job Market: One of the Nation's Strongest

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market in the Hoover-Birmingham metro area is one of the nations strongest. In July, the unemployment rate for the area was 3.6%. This score ranked Hoover-Birmingham area 6th out of 49 major metropolitan areas with at least one million people. (The leader was Richmond at 3.2%.)

Larry Holt, the director of research for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce said that, "It helps to have a very healthy economy and each of our job sectors in Birmingham is performing well... And the fact our housing market and economy throughout Alabama is holding up is a plus."

Roy Williams, a writer for the Birmingham News, noted that the reason for such a strong showing was due to the area having a diverse economy ranging from banking, to health care, to retailing, and to government.

An economics researcher from the University of Alabama, Ahmad Ijaz, stated that, "I think the job market in the area will continue to remain relatively strong through the fall..."

Alabama as a whole ranked well too. It rank ed 10th nationally with a rate of 3.7% in July. Some counties that strongly helped that ranking were Shelby County at 2.6%, Blount County at 3.1%, Chilton County at 3.4%, and St. Clair County at 3.5%.

The Hoover-Birmingham metropolitan area just gives one more reason for Alabama being a great place to live.

* Information gathered from "Birmingham, Hoover area one of U.S. Strongest" by Roy Williams in the Money section of the Birmingham News

Fountains Use Recycled Water: Alabama Drought 2007

Alabama has been in drought conditions all summer. Lawns are browning, trees are loosing leaves, flowers and shrubs are wilting and dying away. The Birmingham Water Works has issued a Stage 3 drought alert limiting what days you can water your lawn. They have also requested that you don't wash you cars, trucks, etc... until further notice. Fines are being issued and the public has been asked to asked to report those who are violating the rules.

This has brought about signs like this being seen everywhere from car washes, golf courses, and even shopping centers like the one where I took this photgraph.

I have to ask though. Doesn't water evaporate in extreme heat? Is the water there today the same that was there yesterday? Probably not... but as with anything else, I guess this is just a sign of the times.

Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Seventh is the Home Inspector and Who Are All These Other People?

Something many of us do not know or realize is how many people are actually involved in the home buying process. It can be a bit overwhelming too.

You are out looking for your dream home, you find it, then, all of a sudden.... PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE!!!

There are a number of people involved in the home buying process.  We need to realize and understand that these professionals base their careers on helping you find your dream homes and purchase it. 

Over the next few days, we will be sharing some insights into what they are actually doing for you. Our hope is that this relieves some of the tension of having all these people around and helps you understand what they are doing for you.

The congregation we will be discussing will be the real estate consultant, lender, attorney, appraiser, surveyor, home inspector, and pest control. Truth is, you may not encounter them all. If you do, though, we want you to be prepared.

Today, we will be talking about the Home Inspector. The Home Inspector checks the working condition of electrical, mechanical, structural, and plumbing systems in the home. Upon completion of the home inspection the inspection company should give you a copy of the home inspection report within a day or two. You will need to be sure that your buyer’s agent gets a copy as well. Upon previewing the home inspection report, you will need to decide whether or not you want to proceed with the purchase of the home. If you do so choose to proceed with the purchase of the home, you will need to communicate with your buyer’s agent what you want the seller’s to fix if anything at all so that they can communicate it back with the seller’s and their agent.

As a service we will be offering links in each post to the others. This way you are just one click away from learning about each person and their role. The introductory post was Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Who Are All These People? First, we discussed the Real Estate Consultant in Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: First is the Real Estate Consultant and Who Are All These Other People?, we talked about Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Second is the Lender and Who Are All These Other People? Third, we took a look the Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Third is the Attorney and Who Are All These Other People?  Fourth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fourth is the Title Company and Who Are All These Other People? Fifth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fifth is the Appraiser and Who Are All These Other People? Sixth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Sixth is the Surveyor and Who Are All These Other People?

Please understand by talking about the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate market, we are also talking about all of the greater

Birmingham

area including, but not limited to, Hoover Real Estate, Homewood Real Estate, Trussville Real Estate, Vestavia Real Estate, Mountain Brook Real Estate, and any other areas surrounding them.

Buyers, You Have Spoken

I was reading my email today and I found that buyers, you have spoken. So I said to myself, "Let's put on our listening ears and see what they said."

The National Association of Realtors has released the "2007 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences," and our buyers have indicated what their top preferences are when looking for a home. Buyers indicated that #1 preference they have is extra garage spaces. According to the study says that 57% of buyers want an oversized garage and 56% of buyers reported that they would have paid more for one.

The report from NAR also indicated some other home features buyers are placing a higher priority on. Among these features are energy efficiency, cable/satellite ready, hardwood floors, granite countertops, a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and air conditioning.

I hope our builders and remodelers are listening too. To be efficient and effective I need to always be in the mode of listening and delivering, and that is what I intend to do.

Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Sixth is the Surveyor and Who Are All These Other People?

Something many of us do not know or realize is how many people are actually involved in the home buying process. It can be a bit overwhelming too.

You are out looking for your dream home, you find it, then, all of a sudden.... PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE!!!

There are a number of people involved in the home buying process.  We need to realize and understand that these professionals base their careers on helping you find your dream homes and purchase it. 

Over the next few days, we will be sharing some insights into what they are actually doing for you. Our hope is that this relieves some of the tension of having all these people around and helps you understand what they are doing for you.

The congregation we will be discussing will be the real estate consultant, lender, attorney, appraiser, surveyor, home inspector, and pest control. Truth is, you may not encounter them all. If you do, though, we want you to be prepared.

Today, we will be talking about the surveyor. The Surveyor checks the boundaries of the property to ensure that the home is ONLY on it's property - and the ONLY home on it's property. I know, there is not a lot to say about them, but this is what they do.

As a service we will be offering links in each post to the others. This way you are just one click away from learning about each person and their role. The introductory post was Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Who Are All These People? First, we discussed the Real Estate Consultant in Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: First is the Real Estate Consultant and Who Are All These Other People?, we talked about Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Second is the Lender and Who Are All These Other People? Third, we took a look the Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Third is the Attorney and Who Are All These Other People?  Fourth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fourth is the Title Company and Who Are All These Other People? Fifth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fifth is the Appraiser and Who Are All These Other People?

Please understand by talking about the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate market, we are also talking about all of the greater Birmingham area including, but not limited to, Hoover Real Estate, Homewood Real Estate, Trussville Real Estate, Vestavia Real Estate, Mountain Brook Real Estate, and any other areas surrounding them.

Trussville Alabama Real Estate Market Statistics August 2007 vs August 2006: Now and Then

I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Trussville Alabama Area to know the stats.

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, I want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next.

	Listed  Properties	Average Price	Price Range	Average Days  on Market
August 2006	87	$268,386	$24,000 - $873,000
August 2007	83	$289,031	$109,900 -$850,000
	Sold     Properties	Average Price	Price Range	Average Days  on Market
August 2006	60	$255,378	$72,200-$739,900	88
August 2007	41	$304,103	$82,500-$750,000	106

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Trussville area just let me know, or if you would like to see statistics about other areas, don't hesitate to ask.

*Note these stats are accurate as of 9/15/07 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as agents submit listed and sold properties into the MLS.

Living By the Water: The Good and Not-So-Good

With the Real Estate Market still being a little funky there are some real deals to be found living by water. I found a story from Newsday by Laura Koss-Feder on living by the water that I found quite interesting since it relates to this fact. In the article Richard Swerdlow, chief executive of Miami's Condo.com, stated that, "The desire to look out your window and see water will always be there and will always be an added incentive for someone to purchase a home."

The article went on to explain the pros and cons of living by the water.

Let's start with the cons. I always like to end on a good note.

1. Home maintenance can be high due to the effect of all the moisture in the air
2. Insurance rates can be higher (even higher if in a flood plain)
3. Property prices are usually a premium.

Next, let's end on a good note with the pros. The author of Bubble Proof: Real Estate Strategies That Work in Any Market,Tonja Dermoff lists these five reasons:

1. "Ocean properties are in high demand and are often a great investment either for resale or rental income.
2. Fewer mosquitoes and insects as the ocean breezes push the critters westward.
3. Wonderful environment for children, away from the pollution of the city and a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Great exercise potential for people of all ages, be it swimming or walking along the shore or coast.
5. Ocean breezes make the hottest summer day feel cooler."

Hoover Alabama Real Estate Market Statistics August 2007 vs August 2006: Now and Then

I think it's important as a Real Estate Consultant, as a resident, or a future home buyer or seller in the Hoover Alabama Area to know the stats.

With so much media coverage about "the state of the real estate market" being broadcast, I want to start doing a now and then segment to show how the market has changed from one year to the next.

	Listed  Properties	Average Price	Price Range	Average Days  on Market
August 2006	206	$359,536	$140,500 - $1,399,000
August 2007	211	$374,588	$129,900 - $1,550,000
	Sold     Properties	Average Price	Price Range	Average Days  on Market
August 2006	157	$347,784	$130,000 - $1,011,525	69
August 2007	156	$328,863	$134,900 - $1,421,000	79

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Hoover area just let me know, or if you would like to see statistics about other areas, don't hesitate to ask.

*Note these stats are accurate as of 9/15/07 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as agents submit listed and sold properties into the MLS.

Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fifth is the Appraiser and Who Are All These Other People?

Something many of us do not know or realize is how many people are actually involved in the home buying process. It can be a bit overwhelming too.

You are out looking for your dream home, you find it, then, all of a sudden.... PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE!!!

There are a number of people involved in the home buying process.  We need to realize and understand that these professionals base their careers on helping you find your dream homes and purchase it. 

Over the next few days, we will be sharing some insights into what they are actually doing for you. Our hope is that this relieves some of the tension of having all these people around and helps you understand what they are doing for you.

The congregation we will be discussing will be the real estate consultant, lender, attorney, appraiser, surveyor, home inspector, and pest control. Truth is, you may not encounter them all. If you do, though, we want you to be prepared.

Today, we will be talking about the appraiser. The Appraiser, who is usually state-certified, is frequently involved in the pricing of the home, before you even begin your search.  They examine the appearance, condition, size, and quality of the home - then estimate the home's value based on other sales in the neighborhood or area. They are usually found by the mortgage company or lender to verify that the amount of the loan fits the actual value of the house.

As a service we will be offering links in each post to the others. This way you are just one click away from learning about each person and their role. The introductory post was Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Who Are All These People? First, we discussed the Real Estate Consultant in Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: First is the Real Estate Consultant and Who Are All These Other People?, we talked about Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Second is the Lender and Who Are All These Other People? Third, we took a look the Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Process: Third is the Attorney and Who Are All These Other People?  Fourth, Birmingham Alabama Home Buying Proces: Fourth is the Title Company and Who Are All These Other People?

Please understand by talking about the Birmingham Alabama Real Estate market, we are also talking about all of the greater Birmingham area including, but not limited to, Hoover Real Estate, Homewood Real Estate, Trussville Real Estate, Vestavia Real Estate, Mountain Brook Real Estate, and any other areas surrounding them.