By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 29, 2011
Our North and Central Alabama neighbors have been devasted by deadly tornadoes in the last few days. Below are ways you can help and donate to the relief effort:
To make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page.
You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is responding to the deadly tornado activity throughout the South, mobilizing feeding units and providing support to the victims.
To donate to the Salvation Army’s tornado disaster response, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org, click on their donation page and designate “April 2011 Tornado Outbreak.”
You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and donors can text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be made out to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, Ga., 30384-0339.
Feeding America: Feeding America helps food banks provide food to communities affected by the recent tornadoes.
Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund: The Fund, part of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, provides additional recovery assistance to Alabama residents who have exhausted all other coverage provided by relief organizations, government programs and insurance. To donate, visit the online donation page.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 26, 2011
Considering deflated real estate values, you might wonder if buying Huntsville real estate still makes good financial sense. According to the National Association of REALTORS® eighth annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey, nearly 8 out of 10 respondents believe buying a home does make good financial sense.
Almost 7 out of 10 believe that home values have stabilized in their area; the same number expects home sales to remain about the same through the end of the year.
The rate of foreclosures is also seen as stabilizing; 51 percent say the rate is about the same as last year.
Another big advantage for you may be the tax benefits of home ownership. You will still, as always, be able to deduct the interest you pay, as well as other real estate related items on your income tax return. For most people that deduction equates to a sizeable chunk of money. It can mean the difference between owing the government more money at the end of the year, and getting a refund.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 22, 2011
Shadow inventory is the number of foreclosed properties currently owned by banks (or will be owned in the future) that are sitting empty and are not currently for sale.
Many analysts use the “tip of the iceberg” analogy to describe the ’shadow inventory’ situation, feeling that a massive number of distressed properties and underwater loans sits just below the surface. Some believe that the number of potential homes for sale greatly exceeds the number currently on the market. No significant appreciation of Alabama real estate and home prices will take place until the shadow inventory that exist works its way through the real estate market.
The map below shows the number of months it would take to clear the shadow inventory by state. The months’ supply is estimated by dividing the shadow inventory and the monthly number of distressed sales. As you can see, Alabama has 8 months of shadow inventory to contend with.
Now take a look at how the Huntsville market performed in March.
Huntsville and Madison County saw an increase of 12% in sold listings in March 2011 when compared to February 2011. The average sales price increased by 1% to $197,747. The average price per square foot increased by 5% in March 2011 when compared to February 2010. And the average list price increased by 1%, while homes were on the market an average of 9 days more than in February 2010.
Date
Sold
Listings
Average
List Price
Average
Sale Price
Percent
SP/LP
Average
DOM
Average
Price Sqft
Mar 2011
335
$204,557
$197,747
95.36%
106
$80
Feb 2010
294
$201,551
$195,062
96.25%
97
$76
For more information about Huntsville AL real estate, please visit MoveToHuntsville.com or call me at 256-508-0211.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 19, 2011
Do you have a small room in your Huntsville home that’d you’d like to make larger, but you don’t have the money in your budget to tear down a wall or add on to the room? By using a bit of creativity, you can make that tiny room look larger without breaking the bank.
Here are 8 low-cost decorating tips to make any room in your Huntsville home look bigger:
Leave open space. Place taller pieces of furniture along a wall rather than out in the open space. To prevent blocking the view into a room, use shorter pieces of furniture like an ottoman or a low table. The more open space you can see, the larger the room will look.
Brighten the room. A well-lit room looks larger, whether it’s brightened with natural or artificial light. Remove heavy, dark draperies to let the natural light into the room. Install track lighting or recessed spot lighting, which is perfect for a small space.
Lighten up the floor and ceiling. Open up the room by using a white or very light color on the ceiling. Use light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet to make the room appear bigger.
Reduce the amount of furniture. This goes back to leaving open space. Keep only those pieces of furniture that you really love or really need in the room. Get rid of everything else.
Switch to glass. Using a glass-topped dining table, end table or coffee table gives the appearance of an open space, even though there isn’t.
De-clutter. Too much stuff makes even a large room seem small. Organize anything you must keep.
Choose light colors. Light, cool colors like pale blue and light green can make the smallest space feel open and airy.
Use a monochromatic scheme. Take those light colors one step further by using colors all in the same family. When you look around a room that has the same color scheme for the furniture, flooring and walls, you believe there’s more space than there really is. Contrasting colors break up a space. Furniture is less interrupting and blends with the space if its color matches the wall.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 17, 2011
It’s that time of year again. Time for bunnies, colored eggs, jelly beans and Easter baskets. So gather up the whole family and have fun at Huntsville Alabama Easter Egg Hunts and Breakfasts.
Fee for participants only ($2 for ages 10 & under). Chester Freeman Park–Come to the Field of Miracles at Chester Freeman Park at 7 pm(dusk) to take part in a unique egg hunting experience where children get to hunt 20,000 eggs in the dark with the Easter Bunny. For more info, call (256) 734-9157.
Toddlers through 3rd grade are invited to attend the Easter Egg Hunt. Fun starts at 10:00 am in Wesley Hall for instructions and ends at 10:30 am. Bring your camera for photos with the Easter bunny.
Harvest/Monrovia Community Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by CrossWinds Church, 8089 Wall Triana Highway, Harvest (1 mile north of Mac Davis Rd) on April 23rd from 2-4 pm. Egg Hunt, inflatables, giveaways, food Join us for an afternoon of community fun!
For Botanical Garden members only (why not join?). Over 9,000 eggs will be waiting to be found! There will be games, refreshments and the Easter Bunny for the little ones to enjoy. Steve from Metropolitan DJ will also be here to lead games and make sure everyone stays on course. Please see the egg hunt schedule and plan to arrive well in advance of the scheduled times. Attention Egg Hunters: This is such a popular event, that we are offering tickets in advance! Come by the Garden gift shop to pre-purchase your ticket. Be sure to bring your membership card for this Members Only event. If you wish to bring non-member guests, regular Garden admission applies in addition to the $5 Bunny Bonanza ticket.
Calling all children! Come enjoy our giant Easter Egg Hunt, PAWrade and hat making on Saturday, April 23, from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The morning begins with lite refreshments in the Trillium Room. The egg hunts begin promptly at 10:45, starting with the 3-and-younger age group. Join us as children are grouped by age level to hunt thousands of eggs on our green space. This will be followed by the much anticipated Easter PAWrade led by our Burritt Bunny and some of our barnyard animals. For more info, call 536-2882.
10:00-11:00 am Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt for families and children. (toddlers through 5th grade) 5003 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville. For more info, call (256) 881-4811.
Impeccably maintained home on picturesque lot with mountain views all around is ready for move-in. Grab your sweetie and fritter away the day on the covered front porch while gazing at the captivating mountain views. An elegant formal dining room with a dazzling chandelier and stately columns is all set for your dinner parties. An alluring great room flaunts hardwood floors, plantation shutters, fantastic natural light plus a cozy gas fireplace. Gorgeous cabinets, tile backsplash, plus a pantry sets the scene for the cook in your family. You will enjoy creating all your favorite dishes in style. A soothing master suite features everything one could need for a relaxing night plus full tiled bathroom. The additional bedrooms are sized generously and share a large hall bath. Backyard cookouts are sure to be memorable on the supersized patio overlooking the private backyard with mature landscaping. The current owners have lovingly cared for this home. Now it is your turn. Luxury living with mountain views is just waiting for your enjoyment. Call us today for a private tour.
Reverse mortgages are a popular option for homeowners who are 62 years of age and older and need additional income. Credit scores and income are not part of the qualification process for a reverse mortgage, so they’re fairly easy to get.
But is a reverse mortgage right for you, your parents or grandparents? Here are some pros and cons to consider before making your decision:
Use the money to supplement social security, pay for home improvements or meet unexpected medical bills.
Choose the payment method you prefer: monthly payment, line of credit or lump sum.
Make no payments on the loan (monthly or otherwise) unless you die, move or sell the home. If any of those events occur, the loan is due in full, plus interest and fees.
Very nice home situated on a desirable private cul-de-sac lot. A spacious kitchen features cabinet and counter space galore. Family and friends can join the cook at the breakfast bar or in the lovely informal dining area. Illuminated by natural light and adorned with a soaring beamed ceiling the great room is ready for making family memories. Stunning master suite boasts soaring ceilings, soothing ceiling fan, two closets and a pampering tiled master bathroom. The secondary bedrooms are generously sized and share a tiled hall bathroom. The conveniently located laundry room with shelving makes this chore a snap. Kick back and relax under the supersized covered patio in your private backyard. With endless views on the horizon this is certainly a place one could linger all day. Bring all your toys as the one car garage plus an outbuilding offers plenty of storage. Freshly painted exterior and recent flooring throughout this special home is ready for new owners. Pack your bags and come on over. We are sure you will want to stay.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On April 9, 2011
One of the most important maintenance procedures for the exterior of your home is cleaning the rain gutters. Cleaning the gutters can be a tedious task, especially in Huntsville homes that have trees hanging over the roof.
Cleaning the Gutters
Gather yourgutter cleaning tools. You’ll need a good pair of gloves to remove the gunk from the gutters, as well as a steady ladder tall enough to put you at a comfortable working height to the gutter. If you have the type of gutters that won’t snag and tear your gloves, you may prefer rubber gloves to keep water from seeping through. If you don’t like using gloves, consider using a trowel or other tool to scoop the gunk out.
Remove all debris from the gutter. Anything removed from the gutter can be placed in a garbage bag, bucket or other receptacle for disposal or mulching. Leave as little gunk as possible in the trough as any little bit may provide an anchor for leaves and other debris.
Remove any obstructions from downspouts. This may require “snaking” clogged spouts with wire or a plumber’s snake tool. Pull any overgrown plants near the mouth of the spout that may grow roots into it, as these can prevent debris from washing out.
Repeat at least twice a year. The best time of year varies according to climate, but it’s typically in the fall. It’s best done before heavy rainfall and after leaves have fallen from the trees. Many owners of Huntsville homes with trees above the roof choose to clean the gutters several times a year.
When the entire gutter and all of the downspouts have been freed of large debris, take a garden hose and run water through the entire system. This washes out any remaining dirt and smaller debris. Keep an eye open for any leaks in the system and watch to make sure water flows properly away from the house. Improper gutter maintenance causes unbelievable damage to Huntsville homes that could easily be prevented.
Display your style and live in luxury at this stunning brick home in desirable Hampton Cove. You’ll enjoy all the bright open entertaining space. Special features including soaring ceilings, gleaming wood floors, granite counters and detailed crown moldings make this home a real gem. Sociable formal dining with picturesque views, wood floors and crown molding is sure to please your guests! A pleasing formal living room is designed perfectly for private entertaining. An inviting family room boasts a warm fireplace, soothing ceiling fan plus French door access to the covered raised patio, making this a thriving place to entertain. Imagine all the delicious meals you can create in this gourmet designer kitchen. Flourishing with gorgeous cabinets, lustrous granite counters, stainless appliances, smooth-top range, tile backsplash, wood floors and bay window views, cooking is sure to be a pleasure. Family and friends can perch at the enormous breakfast bar and be the first to sample your goodies. A luxurious master retreat provides a soothing oasis of special conveniences and comforts at day’s end including two walk-in closets, double trey ceiling and a private balcony with spectacular views. Take time for yourself in the master suite’s glamour bath with vaulted ceilings, separate shower, dual vanities, tiled floors and a relaxing whirlpool tub. The additional two bedrooms are sized generously and share a Jack and Jill bathroom. There are two ½ baths one on each level. A bonus room plus a study allows for great flex space. The large laundry room located on the second level features cabinets, shelves and a utility sink. Grab a good book and step out on the raised covered porch persuading you to unwind. With captivating views, it’s a place one could happily linger throughout the day. Gardens and lawn are nourished by an in-ground sprinkler system so you have more time to play. A side-entry two car garage makes parking a snap. Fresh interior paint, refinished hardwood floors, recent carpet plus all windows have been replaced; this immaculate home is ready for move-in. Call us today for your private tour!
Gather your
