By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 27, 2010
Nothing will turn off a potential buyer quicker than an offensive odor in your Huntsville home for sale. It may make them think you don’t take care of your home. At the very least, the odor will interfere with their ability to picture themselves in your home. Take the time to remove odors from your home.
Here are 5 tips to make your home smell fresh and clean:
Clean your carpets. Your carpets are fibers that absorb odor. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional to remove odors stuck in the carpet and pad. Another option is to rent a carpet cleaner and clean them yourself.
Paint. Sometimes odors like smoke can be trapped in your walls. A fresh coat of paint will not only brighten your room, it can seal the walls and mask the offending odors. Just choose a neutral shade and paint at least two coats.
Open your windows. Open the windows to let in fresh air. This will also help eliminate odors from your home.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 24, 2010
Two top housing economists forecast some encouraging but tempered predictions for the housing market over the next few years during an economic session at the National Association of Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Expo today.
Top housing economists, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, and Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of Moody’s Economy.com, forecast some encouraging but tempered predictions for the housing market over the next few years. Both agree that job creation is key to an economic and housing recovery, with an improvement in job creation as 2010 progresses. However, they differed somewhat on the impact that foreclosures will have on home price stabilization. Yun expects a slightly stronger demand for housing and a fairly even level of foreclosures. Zandi forecasts an improving demand for housing with foreclosures rising later in 2010 before easing in 2011. Both economists project mortgage interest rates will remain historically low, the availability of jumbo loans will improve and home sales will rise over the next few years.
Take a look at how Huntsville real estate sales statistics in April compared to March.
Madison County/Huntsville Real Estate Sales Statistics
Beautiful low maintenance ranch is sure to please. Get ready to create all your favorite dishes in the well appointed kitchen. Enjoy the view and good food in the sunny breakfast area. Invite everyone over to enjoy the spacious family room with triple window and cozy wood burning fireplace. Mom and Dad will love their private suite. The additional bedrooms are sized perfectly for your growing family. BBQ fun is just outside on the patio in the supersized fenced backyard with mature trees. You will benefit from the new carpet, new vinyl and fresh paint. All this home needs is your family. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
Learn more about 13926 Wyandotte Drive and other Huntsville real estate by visiting MoveToHuntsville.com.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 17, 2010
Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.
Here are some of the national and Huntsville homes trends to expect in 2010.
Green is growing.
A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.
Homes are getting smaller.
For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.
Single-story homes are in.
Because of the rise in home buyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story Huntsville homes are being purchased. According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.
Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 13, 2010
Job growth and a diverse economy helped launch Huntsville Alabama, nicknamed the “Rocket City,” to the top of RelocateAmerica.com‘s annual list of best places to live. Read what Market Watch has to say about our beloved city:
Huntsville is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the town boasts unemployment well below the national average, according to the RelocateAmerica.com Web site, which released its list Tuesday.
Huntsville is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the town boasts unemployment well below the national average, according to the RelocateAmerica.com Web site, which released its list Tuesday.
The city also ranked No. 1 on the site’s list of “Top 10 Recovery Cities,” those poised for a swift economic rebound or already experiencing growth. View all the RelocateAmerica.com lists.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 12, 2010
Huntsville Real Estate For Sale: 2609 Treyburne Lane Owens Cross Roads, Alabama 35763
MLS#326680
Fantastic opportunity to own a stunning custom built home nestled on a beautifully landscaped cul-de-sac lot. Meander your way up the lighted pathway to the grand foyer with soaring ceilings and wood floors. A sociable formal dining room with wood floors, gorgeous crown molding and a triple window with transom is sure to make your dinner delightful. The formal living room is a nice place to entertain with an abundance of windows for natural light. The spectacular great room is an entertainer’s delight featuring built-in cabinets, wood floors, wall of windows with awesome views, cozy gas fireplace and remarkable two story ceiling. A cooks dream come true kitchen boasts gorgeous granite counters, beautiful cabinets, smooth-top range, lovely views and best of all is open to family room to keep you in the loop. Family and friends can join the cook in the charming breakfast area with more views of nature. A knock your socks off main level master suite with seating area and stunning trey ceiling makes a great retreat for mom and dad. The luxurious master bath with tile, his and hers vanities, separate shower and an inviting whirlpool tub is sure to top off your day. A second main level private suite is the ideal place for visitors to unwind. A loft area is sized perfectly for a study area. An additional two bedrooms oozing with character and a shared bath with dual vanities are sure to please the teens in your family and an incredible bonus room just waiting to be filled with excitement! Grab a good book and step outside on the enchanting deck persuading you to unwind; it’s a place one could happily linger throughout the day. Laundry will be a snap in the tiled laundry room with built-in cabinets and a sink. Let the sprinkler system do the work while you enjoy the neighborhood Clubhouse and Olympic sized pool. Bring the whole family to see this home. We are sure they will want to stay!
Learn more about 2609 Treyburne Lane and other Huntsville real estate by visiting MoveToHuntsville.com.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 10, 2010
I can hear you now, “Oh, no! Not another article on curb appeal to sell my Huntsville home!” To which I reply, “Oh, yes.” One more time around the block, but this time, we’re doing it in style.
The 21st Century Curb
Curb appeal is that thing you do to pretty up the outside of your Huntsville home. It’s the landscaping, the painting and the checking of the little details. However, many home sellers (and real estate agents, for that matter), don’t take into account that the curb nowadays isn’t just the view from the front of your house. In the 21st century, the “curb” starts right here on the Net.
Your online home listing has only three seconds – three short moments of time – to catch a potential buyer’s eye and turn them into an interested party. Unfortunately, it’s hard not to be biased or become used to the problems and eyesores your home may have. Because first impressions are so crucial and the housing market is glutted with competition, you have to bring it up a notch to get your home sold.
The Right Perspective
Most real estate agents park across the street, when they’re showing a home. So, to get the same perspective of your home as potential buyers will have, walk to the other side of the street and stand where potential buyers might stand. Go ahead; walk over there.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 6, 2010
If you’re getting a mortgage on a home, your lender will require an appraisal. This is performed by a licensed appraiser who evaluates your home and determines its value. Here is a guide to your Huntsville home’s appraisal terms.
Age: The actual age of your home is how long since your home has been built. The effective age is the adjusted age of your home based on improvements and repairs.
Adjustments: Comparison Huntsville homes are usually not exact replicas of your home. The appraiser will make adjustments for things like premium views or swimming pools to bring the home values closer together.
Appraisal: This is the estimated value of your home based on the appraiser’s documentation.
Comparison approach: A type of appraisal in which your home is compared with others in your area. Most appraisers use this approach because the market determines what your home will sell for.
Cost approach: A type of appraisal in which your home is valued based on how much it would cost to replace it if it was destroyed. This is typically used on newer constructions.
Depreciation: Depreciation is a loss in value due to age or condition.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On May 3, 2010
If you’re buying Huntsville real estate and talking to lenders, you’ll hear about the Good Faith Estimate. Because the Good Faith Estimate is required by law and lists all the costs associated with a mortgage, including closing fees with estimated pricing, it’s a good place to start when searching for a lender.
Best practice for buying Huntsville real estate is to shop for lenders first. While you’re looking, ask for a Good Faith Estimate and then compare them. This will be your first indication about which lender is best for you.
Not All Estimates are Created Equal
Many closing fees for buying Huntsville real estate are considered typical and have an average price range, such as:
Title search and title insurance: $450 – $600
Appraisal: $150 – $400
Because real estate closing practices vary depending on where you live, your location helps to determine what those closing costs will be. However, you might also find some extra padding on your closing fees, which some in the mortgage and real estate industries call “junk fees.”
Most Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) have a break down of individual charges, but some may just be a lump sum amount such as: “Total of lender’s fees $1,395.” As long as the fees add up correctly to the estimated amount, there’s no problem. However, watch out for and question general wording like “miscellaneous fees,” “packaging fees” or “marketing fees.”
Here are 5 tips to make your home smell fresh and clean:
A 
Job growth and a diverse economy helped launch 
Curb appeal is that thing you do to pretty up the outside of your Huntsville home. It’s the 
Age: The actual age of your home is how long since your home has been built. The effective age is the adjusted age of your home based on improvements and repairs.
Not All Estimates are Created Equal