Huntsville Real Estate Blog

It isn’t just Huntsville residents who appreciate what a great place Huntsville is. Huntsville has recently been recognized by Kiplinger as one of their #1 Best 2009 City and is now being recognized by Relocate America as one of their Top 100 Places To Live. Huntsville ranks #7 behind Tulsa OK, Dallas Tx, Fort Worth TX, Pittsburgh PA, Durhan NC and Raleigh NC.

Here’s what Relocate America has to say about Huntsville:

Huntsville, the “Rocket City,” is in the heart of the South, 300 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, 100 miles south of Nashville, and 100 miles north of Birmingham. Our history encompasses the earliest Native Americans, Alabama’s first English-speaking settlement, the Civil War, the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, and the accomplishments of American space-age research. And we are truly an international city, home to immigrants from many lands, who bring their cultures and their dreams and their languages-more than 100 languages are spoken here-to enrich all of us. Huntsville is home to many international corporations, who are eager to employ our educated workforce and to take advantage of the easily accessible Huntsville International Airport.

The economy of Huntsville is relatively stable, and our unemployment figures are well below the national average. Huntsville/Madison County is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Redstone Arsenal is one of the U.S. Army’s most important strategic posts. Several Japanese-owned companies operate manufacturing plants here. About one-fifth of our workers are employed in manufacturing, including technology-based precision manufacturing. Other major employers include Huntsville Hospital System Health Care, the Boeing Company Aerospace and Defense, and the Huntsville City Schools.

Real estate offerings in Huntsville are varied, and homes here are holding their value well. From urban condos and lofts downtown to houses in family-friendly subdivisions and larger homes on beautiful wooded lots, Huntsville has what you’re looking for. Low taxes and a low cost of living are just two reasons why Huntsville continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. Our community enjoys a taste of all four seasons, from the brisk winter winds, the flowering trees in the spring, the warm summer sun to the foliage in the fall. The average annual temperature is 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

We offer a wealth of education opportunities, sports and cultural activities. Driving into town, you can’t miss the Saturn V Rocket looming over the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. Our pride in our history is on display at the EarlyWorks Museums complex, comprising Alabama Constitution Village, the Historic Huntsville Depot and EarlyWorks Children’s History Museum. We’re also proud of the nationally accredited Huntsville Museum of Art, North Alabama’s leading visual arts center, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, a great place to take a class or host a wedding, and the historic Weeden House and Burritt on-the Mountain. We offer several public and private golf courses, including the Hampton Cove Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones. And our state-of-the-art Von Braun Convention Center hosts major concerts, Broadway performances, ballets, symphonies and a full range of sporting events.

The beautiful Alabama Mountain Lakes region has proven to be a wonderful place to work, to live, and to set down roots. Come for a biscuits and gravy breakfast or a catfish lunch finished off with a piece of pecan pie-we think you’ll want to stay.

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If you are relocating to Huntsville, AL or Madison County, you will be interested in the area demographics. Below is information provided by the Chamber of Commerce.

For more Huntsville relocation informaiton visit MoveToHuntsville.com or give me a call at 256-508-0211.

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Forbes.com has ranked Madison County, AL 1 in the latest survey of the Top 10 Affordable Places To Weather The Downturn.  Forbes considered factors such as well-priced homes, enviable job growth and proximity to vibrant cities when deciding where the best places are to live in these recessionary times.

Madison County, AL is an easy commuting distance to Huntsville with a population of 312,734.

Last year unemployment reached a 20-year high of 6.5%, but Madison County experienced 3.4% job growth.  

Moody’s Economy.com provided an affordability index for each county. A score of 100 indicates that a family earning the median income in the surrounding metropolitan area can afford to buy a median-priced home. The higher the score, the higher the affordability. Madison County’s score was 221.02.

The median property tax is $577 and the per capita income (in 2006 inflation-adjusted dollars is $27,065.

Learn more about Madison County real estate at MoveToHuntsville.com or give us a call, 256-508-0211.

Search all Madison County homes for sale.

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Real Deal - Experience Huntsville’s best businesses at a Half-Off Price!

Channel 19, WHNT-TV if offering half off deals with local businesses. 

They’ve worked out deals with some of our area’s best restaurants and businesses to give you 1/2 off gift certificates - That’s right, 50% off food and more!

Each week they will feature a business of the week. At 8:30 AM each Friday, they’ll open up the ONLINE store for that week’s business. But you have to be fast - there are only a limited number of gift certificates per week.

Have fun and Happy shopping! And keep checking back for more half-off certificates from Real Deals!

I can’t offer you half off your next home Huntsville pruchase, but I can promise to get you the best deal possible.

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Existing-home sales increased last month as buyers responded to improved housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors^®.

Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - rose 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate¹ of 5.18 million units in September from a level of 4.91 million in August, and are 1.4 percent higher than the 5.11 million-unit pace in September 2007.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said more markets are seeing year-over-year gains. “The sales turnaround which began in California several months ago is broadening now to Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Rhode Island,” he said. “The South was hampered by much lower home sales in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.”

Let’s take a look at the sales statistics for September 2008 to see how the Huntsville AL real estate market looks: 
  
Huntsville/Madison County Real Estate Sales Statistics 

Huntsville and Madison County real estate saw a 2% decrease in average sales price over September 2007.  There was a 10% decline in home sales this September, when compared against September 2007. The average list price has seen an decrease of 2% over last year.  Likewise, the sales price to list price ratio remained constant.  The average price per square foot saw a 1% decrease.  Homes remained on the market an average of 2 days longer than last year.  

There are lots of good things happening in Huntsville and Madison County real estate. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. 

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 256-508-0211 or visit MoveToHuntsville.com.

Search all Huntsville real estate and homes for sale.

Statistics are based on information for the North Alabama Association of Realtors and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  

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I going  to diverge from Huntsville real estate for a minute and encourage everyone to register to vote. With our economy in such dire straights, this election is extremely important!

The deadline to register is 10 days before the election, which is Tuesday November 4.

You can get Alabama Voter Registration information here.

Won’t be around on November 4? Here is Absentee Ballot information.

And here is Absentee Ballot Information for Military and Overseas citizens.

Don’t forget…you can’t just register to vote…you actually have to go to the polls and vote to make a difference!!!

Interested in learning about Huntsville real estate? Visit MoveToHuntsville.com.

Search all Huntsville real estate and homes for sale.

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Huntsville Real Estate Market Report

The level of home sales is expected to show little movement in the months ahead, according to the latest projections by the National Association of Realtors^®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,¹ a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, fell 3.2 percent to 86.5 from an upwardly revised reading of 89.4 in June, which had risen 5.8 percent from May. The July index remains 6.8 percent below July 2007 when it stood at 92.8.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales continue to edge up and down. “Pending home sales are oscillating month-to-month, with the long-term trend essentially flat,” he said. “Overly stringent lending criteria imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the past month no doubt held back contract signings.” 

Let’s take a look at the Huntsville sales statistics for August 2008 to see how the Huntsville AL real estate market looks: 

Huntsville/Madison County Market Statistics 

Huntsville and Madison County real estate saw a 3% increase in average sales price over August 2007.  There was a  32% decline in home sales this August, when compared against August 2007.  The average list price has seen an increase of 5% over last year.  Likewise, the sales price to list price ratio remained constatant.  The average price per square foot saw a 1% decrease.  Homes remained on the market an average of 7 days longer than last year. 

There are lots of good things happening in Huntsville and Madison County. I encourage you to take advantage the opportunities.  

For the latest Huntsville AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 256-508-0211 or visit MoveToHuntsville.com.

Statistics are based on information for the North Alabama Association of Realtors and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

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Existing-home sales rose from the first quarter in 13 states, largely from buyers responding to discounted home prices, according to the latest quarterly survey by the National Association of Realtors®. Nearly one-quarter of metropolitan areas showed rising home prices in the second quarter from a year ago, with greatly mixed conditions continuing around the country.  

NAR President Richard Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said foreclosures are distorting the price data. “In many areas with large concentrations of foreclosure sales, homes are being purchased below replacement cost values,” Gaylord said. “Many buyers with long-term expectations are getting exceptional value in the current market. Once the inventory is drawn down, price pressure will return because the costs of construction are rising - today’s buyers are very well positioned to build wealth over time.” National Association of Realtors®. 

Let’s take a look at the sales statistics for July 2008 to see how the Huntsville AL real estate market looks: 
  
Huntsville/Madison County Real Estate Sales Statistics 

Huntsville and Madison County saw a 20% decline in home sales this July, when compared against July 2007.  The average list and sale price has seen an increase of 6% over last year.  Likewise, the sales price to list price ratio remained almost the same.  The average price per square foot increased saw a 4% increase.  Homes remained on the market an average of 17 days longer than last year.

Even though the statistics show a drop in the total number of sales, it is important to remember we are comparing to record year in 2007. The current market is good, just not as good as in years past. I fully expect the Huntsville market to rebound early next year. It is an excellent time to buy now as we are seeing larger amounts of negotiating room on the existing inventory. Interest rates are very low making it an excellent time to buy.  

There are lots of good things happening in Huntsville and Madison County. I encourage you to take advantage the opportunities. Please call or email anytime with any questions, 256-508-0211.

Search all Huntsville real estate and homes for sale.

Get the current market value of your Huntsville home.

Statistics are based on information for the North Alabama Association of Realtors and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  

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Mark your calendars!! The Alabama Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend, August 1, 2 & 3, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax.  Local sales and use tax may apply – see list of participating cities and counties.  

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of making purchases without having to pay sales tax.  It’s a great time for back-to-school shopping!

Only specific items qualify as tax exempt and guidelines must be followed, so click on the details for the information directly from the state. 

And for a great deal when buying Alabama real estate, visit my website, www.MoveToHuntsville.com.

Search all Huntsville Alabama real estate for sale.

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Check out National City’s Home Valuation website to see how Huntsville AL real estate valuation compares to other cities across the country. This site is not only informative, but it shows that - despite the national media’s attention to the real estate slowdown - much of the national real estate market is still valued fairly, making it a great time to buy.

To learn more about Huntsville AL real estate, please call me at 256-508-0211 or visit MoveToHuntsville.com. You may also visit click here to request a complimentary market value analysis of your Huntsville AL home!

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