Posts Tagged ‘Huntsville Alabama Real Estate’

Here are the Huntsville, Alabama Real Estate Sales Statistics for the month of April 2009.  

 
April was a green month for Huntsville, Alabama real estate!  Lots of positive movement in most of the areas throughout both Madison and Huntsville was witnessed by home sellers.  Even though home prices have dropped over the past year in each area, it is nothing like most similarly sized cities throughout the US.  With the continuation of population growth and job opportunities, along with low mortgage rates, Huntsville, Alabama real estate is still seen as a great investment for families and an even better place to call home.   

When looking back to this time 3 years ago, for instance, the average Huntsville homes sale price was in the low $160K's!  When you compare this to areas in Florida or California, it's staggering to see how well our market is holding up during this difficult financial time; pricing in Florida and California have plummeted to prices that haven't been seen since the mid-80's!   Huntsville, Alabama real estate truly is holding strong!  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss the market with me or get a comparative market analysis of your current home.

If you have agreed to sell your Huntsville, Alabama home using a land contract, you should do your homework. When you sign a land contract you are allowing the buyer to purchase your home and creating an income for yourself at the same time. If you are going to consider this type of sale, you should make sure the buyer can purchase the home and safeguard the equity you have in your home.

The land contract sale will consist of an agreement between you, the seller, and the buyer. You will carry the financing for the buyer and they do not get the deed to the property until the land contract is fulfilled. Depending upon the state you live in, the seller has the right to foreclose on the property if the payments are not made. Protect yourself by following a few simple steps. A credit report on the buyer is necessary. This will allow you to know what his record has been when it comes to paying debts. Ask for a down payment of enough to see that the buyer is serious about buying the property.

A few more tips on selling with a land contract is to make sure the purchaser has a job that is sufficient to pay for the land. The longer he has been employed, the better chance of payments being made. Require that the payments be made by a certain date or they are subject to late charges the same as a regular mortgage. Get personal references which should include some family members. Request the buyer get homeowner’s insurance so you they will be the responsible party after the contract is signed. Last but not least, do not sign anything until you have read everything.

Are you contemplating selling your Huntsville, Alabama real estate and have thought of selling to someone using a land contract? This is one of the options available in today’s market. There are several methods of financing for buyers. This is up to you as to whether you will accept one method or another. The typical home sale involves the purchaser getting a loan through conventional methods, the bank or lending company cuts you a check and you relinquish the home to the purchaser. This is preferred if you are planning to buy another home.

If you already have another home and are selling this one to cut back, the urgency for the price you are asking is not as much as if you were in the market for a new home. Owner financing is another option you may consider when purchasing your next Huntsville, AL home. The prospects of this are appealing if you want to have income from the home. It is better than renting your home because if someone is purchasing it they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the home. If not, you are responsible.

A lease option is another type of sell that will give you’re the income you need and help the prospective buyer to save money for the purchase of the home. When the lease option expires the buyer either agrees to purchase the home or declines. Either way you are not out any expense because you have been receiving the lease money. Land contracts are another way to purchase your home if you can get the seller to agree.

Golf course communities are often sought after by families interested in purchasing Huntsville, Alabama real estate.  One of the more popular master-planned communities is Canebrake Golf Club in nearby Athens. 

Located less than a mile from I-65 and 15 minutes from the Huntsville International Airport, Canebrake Golf Club was designed by a team of professionals dedicated to recreational developments.  Hene, this community not only has 18 holes of championship golf, but also a swimming pool, six lighted clay tennis courts, and a 6,000 ft.² lodge with a golf pro shop. 

As of July 1, 2008, the lodge became a private facility and any guest will now be required to be accompanied by a Canebrake Member.  After recently being purchased by local investors, Canebrake Club is moving towards becoming a full-service private Club (currently it is semi-private).

There are currently several homes for sale within this Limestone County community.  Prices range from the mid-$100,000 for a three-bedroom, two bathroom patio/garden home, up to a mid-$700,000 estate home with over 5,000 square feet of living area, located on the 18th hole, with a see-through fireplace and lake views! 

If you are interested in learning more about the homes available within the Canebrake Golf Club community, or any other golf club community within the Huntsville, Alabama real estate area, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I am always here to help.

Steve A. Thomas
Realtor, Associate Broker, ABR
RE/MAX Huntsville/Madison
Cellular: (256) 694-HOME (4663)
Toll Free: (800) 239-4749 Ext. 4945
Fax: (256) 533-1555
E-mail: mail@SteveAThomas.com    
Web sites: http://HuntsvilleHomeSales.com
http://HuntsvilleHomeInfo.com

With the constant traffic coming to my Huntsville Alabama real estate website, it seems a trend is taking place lately that I thought I would share with you. 

Many individuals who once lived here are returning due to the attractive real estate market here compared to other areas of the country.  They may have raised their children here a few decades ago, and now are looking to retire and reinvest in a Huntsville home.  Huntsville certainly does offer a wealth of great selling points including more affordable housing costs, lower property taxes, utility rates and rising real estate values (with a median house price in July 2000 being $100,000, versus $175,000 now).  Check out my monthly Huntsville Alabama real estate market statistics while you’re here!

With BRAC and the many area technology industries, the Huntsville job market is also an attractive piece of the puzzle.  Also, some retirees from the military who, for example, worked at Redstone Arsenal years ago, may be returning due to their wanting to be closer to their children who are now working there or at one of the other area’s technology companies.

So with this said, I am finding many of my online clients are either very familiar with the Huntsville Alabama Real Estate area (as they once lived here before) or are relocating here for one of the above-mentioned reasons.  What they are looking for often is a Huntsville home that can accommodate their future needs, including handicapped designed interiors and exteriors.  They are also attracted to full brick homes, slab foundation, and single-story, patio and town houses with little to no maintenance. 

I would be happy to discuss your Huntsville Alabama real estate needs with you – give me a call and I’ll show you what is available within your personal needs.  I can be reached around-the-clock at 256-694-4663.

Depending on what you read and who has written it, the length of time the current housing crisis will last varies greatly.  Before you move ahead in buying your next Huntsville Alabama real estate property, here's some things you may want to take into consideration:

Truth #1:

Rock Bottom Cannot Be Timed

If the bottom of the real estate market could be timed, there would be a whole lot of very rich people and be real estate industry would be would be filled with extreme highs and extreme lows.  It is a given that eventually the real estate market will begin to climb and will turn into a seller's market again, however, this is the best market that buyers at scene in about two decades, what with the amount of Huntsville homes for sale and the mortgage rates so low.  Find a home and put your Realtor’s negotiation skills to the test.

Truth #2:

Good Schools Always Rise To The Top

Not only within the Huntsville Alabama real estate market but throughout all 50 states, people are getting and taking advantage of great deals.  But one thing you must always remember is that you're not only buying the house you're buying into the neighborhood, and the schools that go along with it.  Huntsville homes within excellent school districts fare better in all markets, then those that are within non A rated schools.  Make sure you check out the school districts of the home you are most interested in whether you have children or not.  You never know who your Huntsville homes next owner will be.

Truth #3

Mortgage Rates Will Not Parallel Huntsville Alabama Prices

Even though there are plenty of Huntsville homes currently to choose from at a great price, it is anticipated that mortgage rates will go up with the inflation.  So what you may be able to buy now for a $1500 per month mortgage payment, may cost you $100 or so more a year from now, even with the house prices remaining the same (or going down slightly within the next year).

If you are interested in learning more about the Huntsville Alabama real estate market, whether you are a buyer or a seller please contact me at your convenience.  I would be happy to talk to you and learn more about your personal real estate needs.

It’s Official!   
Huntsville Alabama real estate makes an excellent investment according to the 2008 results provided by Relocate-America.com.  Huntsville, AL not only made its name known in the top 100, but all the way to the 9th highest ranking! 

Relocate-America.com is a community information and real estate resource site for individuals and families who are relocating throughout the US.  Each year, the site ranks the top 100 places to live in the country.  Areas need to be nominated on the site in order to be eligible for the list, and more than 2,000 were nominated this year, including a vast number for our hometown Huntsville, aiding in it being ranked so high!

A city's growth, educational and employment opportunities, crime rates and housing options are also taken into account before gaining a position in the top 100.  Cities being noted for their environmental standings also play a role, including points for good air and water quality and/or the extent of its efforts in recycling.

Home price appreciation within the Huntsville real estate market (and all other cities) also gets considered when being ranked, however it doesn't make or break it - cities with desirable climates, such as California and Florida also are taken into consideration, which explains why these two cities are also noted in the Top 100 (but are failing miserably in the appreciation department of the real estate market currently). 

If you would like to learn why purchasing Huntsville Alabama real estate is such a great choice and investment, please contact me today - I love to talk about the city that I am proud to call "Home".  You can also visit my website to view all Huntsville AL real estate currently available for sale.

Originally priced at $159,900, this Huntsville AL real estate gem is truly priced to SELL ~ now at only $153,250!

There are magnificent vaulted ceilings in the great room and trey ceilings in both the dining room and master bedroom. Wonderful finishing touches include crown molding & chair rail within the interior of this spectacular home. The kitchen is bright and open. There is a new garage door, new stove & dishwasher, new ceramic tile in the kitchen, baths, laundry and breakfast area!

The master chef in your family will enjoy the new kitchen countertops and tile backsplash. There is new hardwood flooring in the great room, hallways and foyer too. The interior has just recently been painted plus the garage and garage floor.

The backyard is fully fenced for the children's safety and/or the pets containment. There is a patio for weekend and evening enjoyment in the spring and summer months. The storage building in the backyard is also to remain.

This Ranch home is a winner! This truly is an amazing home in the much sought after Madison County area. For a personal viewing of this home, please contact me at 256-694-4663 TODAY! You can also check out my Huntsville AL real estate website for all other Huntsville real estate for sale.

Whether you are buying your first home within the Huntsville Alabama real estate market, or purchasing your seventeenth, buying a home no matter where you are is a pivotal step in life for anyone.  So when the time comes to buy your first home, you need to shop just as vigilantly for a Realtor as you do for your new home.

The person who you choose to be your Realtor should be something you embark on only once you have done your research, since this person is going to help you make one of the most costly decisions of your life!  I would highly advise you to take some time to make the best, educated decision possible.

Here’s 5 Steps on how to choose your Huntsville, AL Realtor:

1. Ask family and friends for their suggestions. Obtain names of several Realtors who are known and trusted, by those you know and trust.

2. Get the local paper and Huntsville Alabama Real Estate magazines and check local listings to learn which Realtors represent properties like the one you want to buy. Some Realtors specialize in condos. Some specialize in high end properties.  

3. Make sure you are being represented by a Realtor who truly has your interests at heart. A Realtor cannot fairly or equally represent both parties.  So determine whether or not you are dealing with a buyer’s Realtor. Some realtors will say they represent both the seller and the buyer but this simply is not true. 

4. Take the time to call a few of the Realtors suggested to you and conduct a short interview with them over the phone. Let them know your Huntsville home goals in terms of budget and timeframe. Explain what kind of dream house you are hoping to find.  Ask for some suggestions on properties currently available. These calls will help you to learn more about the personality of each Realtor as well as how comfortable you are with their suggestions. Do they listen carefully and respond appropriately to your stated price range or do they attempt to sell you something bigger or more expensive?

5. There is no fee for using a Realtor to purchase a home!  So never pay a Realtor for their services. The Huntsville Real Estate fees are not to come out of your pocket, but out of the commission of the sale of the home.

HUNTSVILLE, AL BREAKING NEWS! 

Mortgage Loan Pre-Qualification is not only FREE of charge but there is also NO obligation!

Buying real estate in Huntsville, AL is an exciting time and getting the best loan is one of the most important decisions you will make.  If you would like to be pre-qualified or pre-approved for the mortgage loan that's right for you then you’ve come to the right place at the right time.

There are many important reasons for obtaining loan pre-qualification or pre-approval before hitting the road and house shopping. Being pre-qualified prior to buying Huntsville, Alabama real estate  will allow you to know  how much you are qualified to pay for a home, you'll learn how much your monthly mortgage payment will be for a particularly priced home, and you’ll find out what type of loan is best for you. Plus, the home seller is much more likely to accept your offer if he or she knows that you have been pre-qualified for at least the amount of your offer.

No matter where you choose to obtain your mortgage loan pre-qualification or pre-approval, I will be happy to assist you with your real estate needs.  It is always wise to compare and shop for the best mortgage you can obtain and would encourage you do to so, just as you would for any high dollar purchase you make.

I work very closely with Patrick Ekeh, at Hometown Lenders which is a local, accredited mortgage company here in Huntsville, AL.  Hometown Lenders has recently incorporated a highly convenient and effective way to get pre-qualified / pre-approved for your mortgage online, which is both secure and confidential.  I have incorporated this directly on my website – please click this link to be forwarded to this online application now.

This is a free service provided as a convenience to you.  After being pre-qualified with Hometown Lenders or any other lender of your choosing you are ready to start shopping for a home!   But remember, pre-qualifications are only valid for a certain amount of time (normally 60 days, but this can vary), so hold off until you are within 2 months of your purchase date. 

You can also contact Patrick Ekeh directly at 1-256-880-4900.