Huntsville Real Estate Blog

Everyone loves pets, but pet odors can be a turn off to prospective home buyers.  These odors are more noticeable to strangers coming into your home than they are to you personally. Here are ways to eliminate offensive odors when selling your Huntsville home.

1. Use a black-light to locate odor-producing areas.

2. Apply the appropriate odor neutralizer or cleaner.

3. Never use ammonia. It will remove odors, but more often than not causes more accidents.

4. Choose the best product of the stain or odor. Talk with your pet supply store owner for suggestions.

5. Test all cleaners in a hidden area before moving to the middle of the room.

6. The most effective and safest disinfectant for use around pets is Chlorhexidine, which is sold under such names as Nolvasan, Chlorasan and Chlorhex.

If you have any questions about preparing your home for sale, visit my website or give me a call at 800-239-4749 #4932.

Alabama consumers are urged to double check their credit card statements and credit histories after an announcement this week by TJX stores of a security breach.

Consumers should do what we normally recommend and closely monitor their statements,” said Belinda McCormick, vice president of the BBB of North Alabama. “They may be at risk and not know it.”

McCormick also said consumers who think that their information might have been stolen can call the three credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on each of their credit card accounts.

The bureaus can be contacted at 800-525-6285 (Equifax); 888-397-3742 (Experian); and 800-680-7289 (Transunion). Consumers also can get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 888-567-8688.

T.J. Maxx has stores in Huntsville in Westbury Square Shopping Center on Airport Road, and Madison Plaza Shopping Center on Old Monrovia Road. Marshall’s has stores in the Valley Bend at Jones Farm center on Carl T. Jones Drive and at Westside Pavillion on University Drive.

Governor Bob Riley honored Digium Inc. and Prozone Water Products Inc., both of Huntsville, with the Governor’s Trade Excellence Award.

A city planning subcommittee approved layout plans Wednesday for 203 town homes and 225 detached single family homes in the Midtowne development. Future plans call for 230 condominiums, according to the developer. The full planning commission will review the project next Tuesday. Full story…

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions, visit MoveToHuntsville.com. 

On Saturday, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will snake through downtown Huntsville starting at 11:30 a.m. and will feature an Army marching band. Another Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day tradition, corned beef and cabbage and green beer, will be served at Finnegan’s Pub on South Parkway.

More St. Patrick’s Day…

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions, visit MoveToHuntsville.com.  

You have read about the bubble bursting in real estate and are wondering if buying a home is really for you. Here are a few of the many great reasons to own a buy Huntsville real estate:

It’s All Yours!
You’ll own it. You have a place to raise your children and become a part of your community. It provides security and is an asset  that can be passed down to future generations. And there is no one telling you not to paint the walls any color you like.

It’s cheaper than renting. 
You can deduct the interest on your mortgage and property taxes you pay on your home on the tax returns you file each year. These tax savings reduce he actual cost of owning your home.

Your monthly costs don’t change.
If your mortgage is a fixed-interest rate (one that stays the same for the life of the loan, say 30 years), you’ll pay the same mortgage payment each month for the entire 30 years of the loan. As opposed to rents, which usually increase each year.

Your building a nest egg!!
Owning a home is the single greatest source of financial security and independence for the majority of people.

Pride of ownership, financial security and monthly savings can be yours by calling me to help you purchase your Huntsville home. 800-239-4749 #4932

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions, visit MoveToHuntsville.com. 

Daylight Saving Time Sunday, March 11, 2007

Daylight Saving Time starts 3 weeks early this year and will extend one week longer on November 4, 2007.

This could affect machines & computer programs that are set to coordinate time/date using Daylight Savings. If your computer is set for automatic updates, you are probably good to go. If not, visit the appropriate websites to download the appropriate updates.

You will also want to ensure that any fax machines that you use are changed to the correct time, as well as your digital phone at home, mobile phone, PDA, portable music player, programmable thermostat, digital camera, DVR, etc.

This early start time for DST takes place in the U.S. and Canada, not overseas. Something to keep in mind when making international phone calls.

This is also a good time to replace smoke detector batteries.

One thing that will never change is the outstanding service I offer Huntsville home buyers and sellers . Give me a call for service you can count on! 800-239-4749 #4932.

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions, visit MoveToHuntsville.com  

FreddieMac.com has reported a lowering of interest rates for a second week in a row, according to its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18 percent, down from last week’s 6.22 percent. 

“Mortgage rates drifted lower this week largely on the basis of new economic information suggesting a slower economy and lower inflation,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

Dropping rates coming into the spring market is every home buyers dream. Spring is prime buying season with more inventory to choose from and low interest rates are icing on the cake.

Are you planning to buy a home this spring? Then, visit HuntsvilleHomeHunter.com to have new homes on the market automatically emailed to your inbox. Or, to talk with me personally, call 800-239-4749 #4749.

Expansion Management, a national magazine for executives looking to expand or relocate their businesses, lists Alabama as one of the top 10 states in its annual ‘Healthcare Cost Quotient’ rankings.

Alabama rankings included:

* 16th nationally for its health care facilities

*  37th for its health care providers

* 10th for its health insurance costs

* 7th for its health care provider costs

* 24th for its malpractice insurance costs

Alabama was awarded a 5-Star rating based on five major health care categories.

5-star rankings encourages businesses to relocate to Alabama, bring families and jobs into our communities, and in turn, increased our property values. Wondering what the value is of your property? Simply, visit HuntsvilleHouseValue.com and your home valuation will be emailed to you. For more  personalized service, give me a call at 800-239-4749 #4932.