By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 28, 2011
Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to home ownership as a long-term goal. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released today by the National Association of Realtors®, 72 percent of renters surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.
Seven in 10 Americans also agreed that buying a home is a good financial decision while almost two-thirds said now is a good time to purchase a home. The annual survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found that more than three quarters of renters (77 percent) said they would be less likely to buy a home if they were required to put down a 20 percent down payment on the home, and a strong majority (71 percent) believe a 20 percent down payment requirement could have a negative impact on the housing market.
Some key findings from this year’s survey include:
Seven-in-ten Americans (71 percent) say requiring a down payment of twenty percent on the cost of a home would have a negative impact on the overall American housing market.
More than three quarters of renters (77 percent) say they would be less likely to buy a new home if they were required to make a 20 percent down payment. Among current homeowners, four-in-ten (39 percent) say they would not have been able to buy their current home if they been required to make a 20 percent down payment.
Having enough money for a down payment and closing costs is the largest obstacle that makes housing too expensive and unaffordable (82 percent say it is a “huge” or “medium-size” obstacle).
Two in every three Americans (67 percent) oppose eliminating the home mortgage interest deduction as one part of a plan to reduce the federal deficit. Underscoring the intensity of this opinion, a majority of Americans (51 percent) strongly oppose eliminating it.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 26, 2011
One of the least understood aspects of Huntsville AL home loans is the different types of lenders. Many people assume they have to get a home loan from a traditional savings and loan. Not so. There are many different types of lenders.
Mortgage Bankers: Mortgage bankers are loan originators that operate with the sole objective to sell the loan they create to another source. Even though they will sell the loan they must have the ability to finance the loan in the first place and hold it until it is sold.
Mortgage Brokers: This type of lender does not originate loans for your Huntsville AL home, they prepare the paperwork to submit to multiple lending institutions and get offers they will present to you to choose from. Their offers may come from any of the other types of mortgage lenders.
Banks and Savings & Loans: These are the most common traditional sources of mortgage loans. They use the backing of their depositors to fund mortgages. In turn, they use the money paid by borrowers to repay the depositors’ interest for allowing them to use the money as an investment.
Credit Unions: Credit Unions operate in largely the same way a bank or savings and loan does by using money from a pool of depositors to finance investments in the form of mortgages and other types of loans. The difference is that most credit unions are operated out of a collective pool of closely associated people generally through a work place or professional organization.
If you’d like help determining the best type of mortgage lender for your Huntsville AL home purchase, give me a call today at 256-508-0211 Direct or 800-803-0053 Toll Free or email me at mike@movetohuntsville.com
Having lived in the Huntsville AL area for most of his life, Mike Manosky understands exactly what makes this community special. In fact, those who know him well will tell you he carries the same traditional values and focus on the future as Huntsville.
Mike brings with him a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Huntsville AL home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why his clients benefit from his unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Mike Manosky will help make the most of your Huntsville AL real estate experience.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 22, 2011
If you are looking for something to do with the kids on these hot summer days, consider checking out the dinosaurs at the US Space and Rocket Center. A T. rex Named Sue combines thrilling science, engaging educational activities, and blockbuster appeal in one of the most successful traveling exhibitions ever.
At a heart stopping 42 feet (12.8 m) long and 12 feet (3.66 m) high at the hip, Sue is remarkable because of her size, completeness, and quality of preservation. A spectacular full-sized skeleton cast is the centerpiece of this exciting bilingual exhibition. Family-friendly interactives encourage visitors to explore Sue, T. rex, and dinosaur science.
The exhibit runs from until through September 5, 2011.
Having lived in the Huntsville AL area for most of his life, Mike Manosky understands exactly what makes this community special. In fact, those who know him well will tell you he carries the same traditional values and focus on the future as Huntsville.
Mike brings with him a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Huntsville AL home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why his clients benefit from his unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Mike Manosky will help make the most of your Huntsville AL real estate experience. Give him a call today, 256-508-0211 Direct or 800-803-0053 Toll Free, and discover the difference he can make during your family’s move.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 20, 2011
When you fell in love with your new Huntsville AL home and then got a “yes” from the sellers, you were probably on cloud nine for days. Getting approved for a mortgage on your new Huntsville AL home went without too many hitches.
Now, you are lying in bed—sweating. You only have a few days until closing and you toss and turn with visions of mortgage payments dancing in your head.
Take heart, you are not alone. It is a familiar scenario that happens to just about everyone faced with signing on the bottom line for a new home and 30 years worth of payments. It’s called buyer’s remorse. It is the equivalent of a soon-to-be bride’s cold feet. Even though she knows she’s found her perfect match, the idea of a happily ever after forever—FOREVER, is a scary thought.
Once the ceremony (or in the case of a home purchase, the signing) is over, the fear diminishes or goes away entirely. One way to help ease your case of the jitters is to do your homework every step of the way.
Know what you can afford. Spend some time before you even begin to search for a new Huntsville AL home working on your budget and knowing exactly how much you can reasonably afford.
Identify your wants and needs. Sit down with everyone in the family and make a list of exactly what you desire in a home.
Don’t rush. Even when you find that perfect home, talk with your family about it and consider all the pros and cons before making the final decision.
Research the community. A house is more than just the building you live in. The community plays an active part in how comfortable you are in your new home.
Buying a new home can be exciting and fun. Don’t let fear get the best of you and detract from this exhilarating time.
Having lived in the Huntsville AL area for most of his life, Mike Manosky understands exactly what makes this community special. In fact, those who know him well will tell you he carries the same traditional values and focus on the future as Huntsville.
Mike brings with him a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Huntsville AL home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why his clients benefit from his unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Mike Manosky will help make the most of your Huntsville AL real estate experience. Give him a call today, 256-508-0211 Direct or 800-803-0053 Toll Free, and discover the difference he can make during your family’s move.
The style is very rustic, very warm, deeply cozy and extremely appealing. As you drive up to this home you will want to ponder a moment and absorb the tranquil surroundings and lush landscaping. Come on in and take a look! Meander your way through on the hardwood floors while gazing at the soaring wood and beamed ceilings. Just minutes from downtown this four acre paradise offers the special conveniences one deserves after a long day. The sociable formal dining room combined with a southern styled great room invites you to start making those family memories around the gas fireplace or kicking back and submerging yourself in the panoramic views. An inviting gathering room offers fantastic entertaining space with easy deck access and amazing views. Imagine all the delicious meals you can create in this stunning designer kitchen. Flourishing with gorgeous cabinets, extensive granite counter space, tile backsplash and upgraded appliances, cooking is sure to be a pleasure. Family and friends can join the cook in the charming breakfast room combined with unsurpassed views. The master suite boasts gorgeous beamed ceilings, a pampering bathroom plus private deck access. The beautiful exposed beamed ceilings continue in the additional spacious bedrooms. One even has a kid’s nook that is sure to please the little ones. The study is ideal for a home office or as an extra bedroom. Grab a good book and step out on one of the many decks persuading you to unwind; with captivating views one could happily linger throughout the day. An enormous recreation room over the three car garage is an ideal place to entertain, with all the amenities to accommodate guests of any age. Come over and relax on this gorgeous private four acre oasis just waiting to sweep you away. Call us today for a private tour.
Having lived in the Huntsville AL area for most of his life, Mike Manosky understands exactly what makes this community special. In fact, those who know him well will tell you he carries the same traditional values and focus on the future as Huntsville.
Mike brings with him a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Huntsville AL home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why his clients benefit from his unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Mike Manosky will help make the most of your Huntsville AL real estate experience. Give him a call today, 256-508-0211 Direct or 800-803-0053 Toll Free, and discover the difference he can make during your family’s move.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 15, 2011
The need for school and classroom supplies is greater than ever due to the storms and the struggling economy. That’s why the Huntsville Madison County Public Library has partnered with RocketCityMom.com to aid those families still feeling the effects of the April storms, by collecting basic school supplies which will then be donated to both Keep Volunteering.org and The Josh Willingham Foundation for distribution to families in some of the hardest hit areas of rural Alabama.Those wanting to help can make an individual donation of supplies, or better yet, coordinate a group donation from churches, community organizations, or businesses. Drop off boxes are currently located at three branches of HMCPL: Main (915 Monroe St., Huntsville), Madison (130 Plaza Blvd, Madison), and Bailey Cove (1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville). Look for the gray boxes and drop off some new school supplies (we ask that they are still in original packaging). Signs are posted but if you have difficulty finding the boxes, just ask any librarian and they’ll be glad to help.
Having lived in the Huntsville AL area for most of his life, Mike Manosky understands exactly what makes this community special. In fact, those who know him well will tell you he carries the same traditional values and focus on the future as Huntsville.
Mike brings with him a keen eye for the details of buying or selling a Huntsville AL home and seemingly boundless determination and energy, which is why his clients benefit from his unique brand of real estate service. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future – Mike Manosky will help make the most of your Huntsville AL real estate experience. Give him a call today, 256-508-0211 Direct or 800-803-0053 Toll Free, and discover the difference he can make during your family’s move.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 12, 2011
You know it’s a buyer’s market. But you really need to sell your home now. Here are 6 tips to get Huntsville AL homes sold even in today’s real estate market:
Price your home competitively from the start. Ask your agent to find out what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the last 6 months. Don’t bother looking at pricing prior to that. And don’t base your decision on listing prices. A lot of homeowners price their Huntsville AL homes high to start with but end up drastically reducing the price in order to get them sold.
Offer incentives. There are a lot of similar properties on the market, so in addition to competitively pricing your home, you should consider including incentives. You could offer a home warranty, to pay part of the closing costs or to leave the big screen television that fits perfectly over your fireplace.
Pick the right agent. Look for local agents who are listing, marketing, and selling in your neighborhood even though the market is slow. Interview several of them and ask what price they recommend and how they’ll market your property.
Get your home in tip-top shape. You cannot afford to let anything slip through the cracks… literally. If you have cracks in your driveway, walls or foundation, get them fixed before you put your home up for sale. Make your home shine.
Be flexible on the deposit. In a slow market, you may need to settle for a smaller deposit than you’d typically require. If the buyer is pre-approved for a loan and no other offers are on the table, reducing the deposit may convince the buyer to make an offer.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 9, 2011
There were 675 Huntsville AL foreclosure homes for sale in May 2011 and one in every 1,187 housing units received a foreclosure filing. The average sales price of a Huntsville home was $164,009 and the average foreclosure sales price was $130,313, a $164,009 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.
Huntsville AL Foreclosure Activity and30 Year Interest Rate
Huntsville interest rates averaged 4.64% in April while the number of foreclosed homes decreased from 109 to 80.
Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
Huntsville AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison
Huntsville AL foreclosure activity in May was 0.09% below national statistics, 0.01% above state figures and the same as Madison County statistics.
By: Huntsville Real Estate Expert Mike Manosky On July 6, 2011
Here’s a test for you. Walk outside of your home and take several deep breaths, blowing the air out of your nose. After about five minutes, blow out all the air, hold your breath and walk into your house. In one of the rooms closest to the center of the house, inhale deeply through your nose. What do you smell?
Even the most diligent clean freaks may smell something in their Huntsville AL homes other than “clean.” For instance, if you’ve run your air conditioner for several months, you may have problems with mold, insect particles, dust, microscopic carpet particles and other air pollutants.
Once you’re done shuddering, follow these few tips to improve the scent of your inside air:
Replace your Huntsville AL home’s air filters on schedule. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines on the filters you use for your heating and cooling unit and replace them when instructed.
Look for heavy deposits of dust or mold in your air ducts at least twice a year. If you aren’t sure whether your ducts need to be cleaned, ask your heating/cooling provider for advice. Also, the EPA website has a comprehensive informational resource on whether or not you should clean your air ducts. At the very least, vacuum the gratings when dust and dirt collect on them.
Clean your window treatments regularly. They can collect dust, dirt, spores and other pollutants. Cleaning them three or four times a year will keep down the amount that collects.
Keep toothbrushes and other hygiene products in your medicine cabinet. Although this has nothing to do with air quality, it has everything to do with health. As well, make sure you close the lid before flushing the toilet after use.
Regularly check for mold throughout your house, signified by a wet, musty smell. If you find mold and it’s a small amount, you can clean up the mold yourself. If you can’t find it but can still smell it, you may want to have a professional inspect your home and then clean up anything they find.
