Huntsville has ranked second in Moody’s Economy’s latest report on expected employment growth. Read the Huntsville Times report:
HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville was ranked second out of 387 metro areas – and Mobile was No. 4 – in Moody’s Economy’s latest report on expected employment growth.
The Huntsville economy is beginning to recover from the recession, bolstered by the federal economic stimulus, the increased demand for durable goods and the ongoing relocation of federal and military jobs resulting from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision, according to Martin Soler Garcia, an assistant economist for Moody’s Economy.com.
In his analysis, Garcia predicts employment in Huntsville will grow 2.5 percent this year and 4.3 percent, 4.8 percent and 4.4 percent for the following three years. Personal income will increase by 3.1 percent this year, and grow by 5.4 percent, 7.3 percent and 7.1 percent over the following three years, according to the report.
Garcia forecasts the Huntsville area jobless rate, which in December was 8.1 percent for the Huntsville metro area, which includes Limestone County, will be 9.1 percent this year, then 8.2 percent in 2011, 6.5 percent in 2012 and 5.7 percent in 2013. The Madison County jobless rate was 7.7 percent in December.
Other Alabama communities’ rankings in anticipated employment growth were Auburn-Opelika area, No. 23; Montgomery, 29; Birmingham-Hoover area, 53; and Tuscaloosa, 61.
It’s that time of year again, when the temperatures fall and the costs of heating your Huntsville home go up. Do you worry about the increasing cost of heating oil and the rise in energy prices? Then you may want to try these suggestions for saving on your home’s heating costs:
Check all your home’s air vents to see that they are clean and free from any blockages. Replace your furnace filters to keep the system running efficiently.
Weather seal your home. Look around all the door and window frames on your house for obvious gaps and spaces that could let cold air into your house. Fill in the gaps with a silicone caulking, sold at all hardware stores. For high traffic areas like the doorway, you may want to apply a vinyl or metal weather-stripping to help block the cold.
Set your thermostat lower. Find the lowest setting that will keep you warm and leave it there. Keeping your thermostat at a consistent temperature helps avoid unnecessary energy losses from changing temperatures.
When people think of environmental concerns, very seldom do they think of their home environment. Mold spores, carcinogens, allergens and more can fill up your Huntsville real estate and create a bad environment. Here are a few ways to make sure your indoor air quality is as good as it can be:
Check for mold. Mold has a distinctive odor; somehow, it manages to smell both wet and dry, as well as musty. It can grow around windows, in the bathroom and in your air ducts. For windows, bathrooms and small areas within your home, you can clean the mold yourself wearing protective gear and using the right mold cleanup methods.
Check the ductwork. Mold, dust, insect parts and other small to microscopic pollutants settle in ductwork and then, when the air is turned on, flow out into the various units. I recommend leaving this job to professionals with the proper equipment. Research green janitorial services in your area that specialize in environmentally safe cleaning practices and provide good indoor air quality through the practices.
”The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
~ Burton Hillis
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally and is no longer viewed as a purely religious holy day. It is now a time enjoyed by people of many countries and faiths, and there are numerous universally recognized icons which we associate with the yuletide. In fact, these symbols have become so commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas that when we see Santa riding on a reindeer, a mantle hung with stockings, coniferous green trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments, or houses festooned with evergreen wreaths and mistletoe, we know that the magic spirit of the season is upon us.
The tradition of the Christmas stocking dates back to approximately 250B.C. in Asia Minor. There Nicholas, rich man who became a very generous Christian priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that “miracle,” neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings–or even put out shoes–to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. Find instructions for making your own Christmas fireplace stockings.
Along with the Christmas holly, laurel, rosemary, yews, boxwood bushes, and, of course the Christmas tree, mistletoe is an evergreen displayed during the Christmas season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we’re kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we’ve forgotten all about it (the plant, that is, not the kisses).
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
And ’tis the season to decide what presents to give, to buy the presents, to wrap the presents, to mail and/or deliver the presents. Whew!–time-consuming and somewhat exhausting unless you’ve discovered online shopping. Here are just a few ideas: EasyXmas.com, Gifts.com, Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Fragrance.net. There are hundreds of other sites just waiting to display their wares and ship them for you. Some even offer free holiday shipping or will do the gift wrapping for you.
Invest in the future and watch your dreams come true from the covered front or rear porch of your new home in Union Grove, AL. With a short commute to the city you will have time to enjoy this GORGEOUS PROPERTY with approximately 8 acres, mature trees and views many only dream of. This three bedroom ranch boasting hardwood floors, gas fireplace and a true country kitchen is yours for the taken. Your family will enjoy watching their future unfold.
Picnics on your own grounds or enjoy the views from the dine-in area. Snuggle up in the great room next to the gas fireplace and dream up your plans! Create your own masterpieces in the detached workshop with ¾ bath. Build your dream home or enjoy the nice home already on this private piece of property.
Learn more about 1886 Rescue Road and other Huntsville real estate by visiting MoveToHuntsville.com. Search all Huntsville real estate and homes for sale.
Huntsville ranks as #9 in the list of the World’s Smartest Cities published by Forbes.com.
“Huntsville has long had a “smart” core to its economy–a legacy of its critical role in the NASA ballistic missile program. Today the area’s traditional emphasis on aerospace has been joined by bold moves into such fields as biotechnology.”
Huntsville area was named the #1 economy in the nation by Kiplinger.
Enjoy an Introduction to Huntsville:
Interested in moving to Huntsville? Learn about Huntsville real estate at MoveToHuntsville.com.
Yesterday, I was driving through the city, wondering if a potential buyer was going to show up to look at some Huntsville condos I’m showing. I’d had a bad day; the car didn’t want to start, what I’d planned to wear was dirty, I’d run out of milk and so on, and so on. Needless to say, I wasn’t in the best of moods.
As I stopped at a light, grouching because the light would make me late, I happened to look over and see a woman with her daughter. The little girl had holes in her coat, a ragged hat, torn up shoes and a teddy bear missing an eye that she clutched as she smiled up at her worried mother – who had a “Please help” sign in her hands. As I drove on to show the Huntsville condos, and further throughout the day, that little girl’s smile stuck with me.
Last night, I came across a news broadcast about a family of five living in a one-room apartment after losing their house and I remembered that little girl. All of this comes down to one thing…
It’s coming up on Thanksgiving, people are searching turkey recipes, decorationsare being pulled out… and the current problems in the world make it hard to find something to be grateful for. However, they’re there if you only look.
If you have a home and you’re trying to sell it, it’s understandable that you might be upset if it’s not moving. As hard as it may be, however, remember that at least you have a home to sell.
If you’re looking for a home to buy and you can’t afford the fancy one you wanted but you can afford a slightly smaller one, remember – at least you can afford something.
If you’re upset that your job isn’t paying enough, you’re working long hours or not enough, remember the millions that no longer have a job.
Whatever your problem that may be weighing you down when Thanksgiving rolls around, remember that it truly could be worse. It is worse, for so many people.
I’ll even start the list: I’m grateful for all of my clients. I’m grateful that I have Huntsville condos and homes to show and potential buyers that want to see them. For my readers, my friends, my family and my own home… Happy Thanksgiving, and may you always have something to be grateful for!
A fireworks display at Bridge Street Town Center has been part of a Huntsville Independence Day celebration since 1965. This year’s celebration is sure to rank up there as one of the best. Entertainment throughout the day includes an Chocolate Crocodile Apple Eating Contest, Farmers Market, concert by the Brent Morgan Band, Hot Dog Eating Contest, Disco Oasis Concert and of course the main attraction…fireworks. Bring the whole family for a day of fun!
It’s that time of year again… time to have a garage sale at your Huntsville home! This year, you can have your most successful garage sale ever. Here are a few tips to help:
Advertise your sale in local newspapers and online. Many of the habitual Saturday morning garage patrons use the paper to plan their morning. They do this to make sure they hit all of the sales in certain neighborhoods. In the ad, mention your Huntsville home address, date and time of your garage sale and big or hot items you have for sale.
Open early. It’s best to open early, around seven in the morning. Sales tend to taper off in the afternoon. Don’t disappoint early shoppers who are typically your best buyers. They have a busy schedule and a lot of sales to hit. Open on time, or even a few minutes before the time you advertised.
Make plenty of signs pointing the way to your Huntsville home. If your yard is difficult to see, or is not on a main road, post signs pointing the way. If allowed, post the signs near a main road and attach a few balloons to it. This will catch the attention of the passing motorists.
Have everything clearly labeled with reasonable prices. Keep in mind that these shoppers are looking for a bargain and price accordingly. You can individually label each item, or use an easily readable color-coded chart. For instance, a blue sticker means 25 cents, red stickers mean 50 cents, yellow stickers mean $1, etc.
Offer specials at different points during the sale. You can offer a “two-for-the-price-of-one sale” hour or a “twenty percent off during the next hour” special. Make sure to list your planned specials and their times at the bottom of your signs and newspaper ads. At the end of the day, you may want to have an unadvertised special such as “fill a bag for $1″ to get rid of as much as possible.
Donate leftovers. Make your life easier and do something good for others by donating any items that don’t sell. If you plan carefully, you can schedule a pick up by your local charitable organization at the end of your garage sale.
With these tips, you’re well on your way to having your best garage saleever.
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The Huntsville/Madison County community once again led Alabama in both population growth and new and expanding jobs. This is according to data recently published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama Development Office.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the metro grew by 9,323 people or 2.4 percent, which is the state’s largest population growth.. The metro area now has 395,645 residents, which makes this metro area the 27th fastest growing area in the nation. the HUntsville area is made up of Madison and Limestone Counties.
Also, Madison County led the state in new and expanding jobs with 3,464 jobs announced, according to the Alabama Development Office, the State of Alabama’s economic development agency. The State does not include the areas of Huntsville that extend into Limestone County. The number of jobs for Madison County including those jobs is 3,811. The runners-up included Jefferson County and Mobile County with 2,088 and 1,677 new and expanding jobs, respectively.
New jobs and growth in our population aids in Huntsville real estate appreciation. Are you considering buying Huntsville real estate in 2009? If so, visit MoveToHuntsville.com or give me a call for more personal service.
HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville was ranked second out of 387 metro areas – and Mobile was No. 4 – in Moody’s Economy’s latest report on expected employment growth.
Check for mold. Mold has a distinctive odor; somehow, it manages to smell both wet and dry, as well as musty. It can grow around windows, in the bathroom and in your air ducts. For windows, bathrooms and small areas within your home, you can clean the mold yourself wearing protective gear and 
”The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that “miracle,” neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings–or even put out shoes–to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. 
And ’tis the season to decide what presents to give, to buy the presents, to wrap the presents, to mail and/or deliver the presents. Whew!–time-consuming and somewhat exhausting unless you’ve discovered online shopping. Here are just a few ideas: 
Yesterday, I was driving through the city, wondering if a potential buyer was going to show up to look at some Huntsville condos I’m showing. I’d had a bad day; the car didn’t want to start, what I’d planned to wear was dirty, I’d run out of milk and so on, and so on. Needless to say, I wasn’t in the best of moods. 
