Give the Gift of Reading Encouraging a child's love of reading is one of the greatest gifts that you could give a child.  Even when kids find reading a daunting task, developing that love for reading is a gift that pays tremendous dividends. Barnes and Noble Bookstore and California Pizza Kitchen (the Summit and Galleria locations) are aiding in the cause.  From December 10-14, 2012, simply go to Barnes and Noble Bookstore and purchase a children's or young adult book (you'll need to present this voucher).  A percentage of your book purchase will be donated to the Libraries of Jefferson County. Then head on over to California Pizza and drop off the book(s).  While you're there, enjoy a magnificent meal, present this voucher and 20% of your check will be donate to the Libraries of Jeffer... 12/08/2012

Multiple Inspections on the Same Home This post was inspired by a post by James Quarello Inspected Once, Twice, Three Times.  James was called upon to do a home inspection on a home that had already had multiple home inspections.  He found some issues that had appeared to be overlooked by previous inspectors and those oversights were the focus of his post. But here's what I've always wondered: What happens if a prospective home buyer calls upon a home inspector that has already inspected the home? Does the home inspector inspect the property again for the same fee even though he has already recently inspected it for a fee? Does the home inspector decline to inspect the home because he has already inspected it recently for another prospective home buyer Does the home inspector provide hi... 06/25/2012

What's Killing Your Dream of Becoming a Homeowner? People still dream of owning a home someday. But besides those that are already carefully planning for that big event, what's keeping you from achieving that dream?  What is it that is killing your dream of becoming a homeowner? No really. This is not a rhetorical question.  If you dream of being a homeowner, and you believe that dreams do come true, the first thing you need to do is identify the dream killer, institute a plan of action to slowly but surely put a stop to the dream killer. Here are some dream killers that I can think of off the top of my head that will get in the way of your home ownership dream, and some possible solutions that you can put into place.  I believe in miracles, so even if you believe that it's going to tak... 06/18/2012

May 2012 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  11 Average List Price:  $164,445 Average Sold Price: $156,918 Average Days on Market: 172   Compare May 2011: Units Sold:  13 Average List Price:  $177,907 Average Sold Price: $167,946 Average Days on Market: 163   There are currently 97 homes for sale in Crestwood ranging from $19,900 to $395,000 (per Birmingham MLS).         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!         * * * * * * Ask Me About 100% Financing! Ask for a FREE List of Foreclosures!     Looking for a local expert that can save you money?     G... 06/14/2012

April 2012 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  8 Average List Price:  $136,762 Average Sold Price: $131,888 Average Days on Market: 140   Compare April 2011: Units Sold:   7 Average List Price:  $166,178 Average Sold Price: $155,521 Average Days on Market: 114   There are currently 107 homes for sale in Crestwood ranging from $19,900 to $345,000 (per Birmingham MLS).         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!         * * * * * * Ask Me About 100% Financing! Ask for a FREE List of Foreclosures!     Looking for a local expert that can save you money?  ... 05/11/2012

 DRIVING AFTER DARK NIGHT GOLF IN BIRMINGHAM   ALL YOU BIRMINGHAM GOLF LOVERS DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!  This Thursday, May 10th, show up in your tackiest golf duds and get in on the fun at Highland Park Golf Course in Birmingham for a fabulous evening of glow in the dark golf benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham!  Registration for golfers begins at 4 pm, teeing off at 4:30 for the first 9 holes to be played in the daylight.  After a break for dinner and drinks play resumes after dark for 9 more holes with fluorescent lights and glow in the dark golf balls.  The tournament is full for golfers this year, but there's plenty of fun for everyone! *** Live Music *** *** Food and Drinks *** *** Raffle Prizes *** *** Tacky Golf Attire Contest ***     Click here to purchase... 05/07/2012

Attached is Your Short Sale Approval Letter    It's like the sound of Now getting to closing is the last hurdle. 04/24/2012

Good News Birmingham Alabama Inventory levels are finally to a level that indicates were moving/shifting back to a "Seller's Market".  We are not there yet, but the numbers don't lie.  Today the active listing count of single family homes is 7608.  808 sold in the last 30 days.  so that puts us at about 9 months of inventory, down from 14.  Next bit of good news is that absorption rate is climbing steadily.  Which means homes are selling faster that new listings are coming on the market.  To validate this, prices are beginning to increase.  About 4% increase last month. The bad news is for those buyers who were trying to time the bottom of the market, that ship has sailed.  But it is not to late to get a GREAT DEAL.  For Seller's who have been on the fence about listing, now would be a ... 04/18/2012

March 2012 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  8 Average List Price:  $143,275 Average Sold Price: $138,292 Average Days on Market: 143   Compare March 2011: Units Sold:   7 Average List Price:  $137,342 Average Sold Price: $129,714 Average Days on Market: 248   There are currently 108 homes for sale in Crestwood ranging from $24,900 to $349,900 (per Birmingham MLS).         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!       Looking for a local expert to help with your real estate needs?   Google one here!     Courtesy of Ann Allen, CDPE, e-Pro, SRES, ASP205.9... 04/14/2012

ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL - 03/20/2012 Your FREE ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL - 03/20/2012 list has been posted. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PERSONALIZED REPORT OF ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES OR visit http://www.PropertiesInBirmingham.com/search ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL These are Single Family Homes 'Active' on the Birmingham MLS. These homes are ripe for the picking. DO NOT LET THEM PASS YOU BY...ACT NOW....BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!! ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL I hope you have an awesome day, packed with smiles while searching for your active Birmingham AL Real Estate Dream.   ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL Signs that an economic recovery rem... 03/20/2012

The Home Buyer is the Guest of Honor When selling your Birmingham Alabama home, you should apply that same tenacity as if you wereplanning a party for a guest of honor.  Think about it:  Don't you want the guest of honor to be pleased enough to make an offer on your house that is for sale?  That is your goal right?  Have you ever planned a party for someone at your house?  If so, then I'm sure that you try to think of everything that might make it a pleasant experience for the guest of honor.  Right?  If you have celebratory decorations, you probably spent some time thinking about and coordinating the colors of the party decorations.  The house is picture perfect and everything is in it's proper place.  You stand back look on with pride.  Your first thought is "I hope the guest of honor... 02/18/2012

I just recently decided to go one more step further into the Real Estate Business. My love of the state of Alabama and my friends in Alabama  have encourged me to expand and establish my own  real estate company. Homes South Realty will specialize in Homes in and around the Birmingham area. Homes South Realty will be able to assist buyers and sellers. Birmingham is a beautiful city and the surrounding neighhorhoods are outstanding places to live. 01/26/2012

I received the following email from a seller last month after having successfully completed the short sale of her house.  Boy do I wish all short sale sellers had the same tenacity and determination as Shannon.  My heartfelt thanks to Shannon for her testimony and confidence in me and the very trying process. Thank you Shannon for your testimony and your diligence.   The Best Agent Ever After moving from Birmingham to Atlanta in August of 2007, I have gone through 2 agents and a property management company to sell/rent my home.  After having no luck, I stumbled upon Birmingham WIiRE Realty and Ms. Charita Cadenhead. After speaking with her and telling her my horror story of renting, I signed a contract with her to sell my home.   .... The foreclosure date was postponed several times and... 01/04/2012

Another Happy Bham WIiRE Realty Investor Just Closed on This Home Today This was such a great buy for my investor clients.  Whether they rent it or flip it really doesn't even matter.  Either way they go with it, they can expect that the ROI will be well worth the acquistion and rehab cost. I am looking forward to their next venture, as they have made some sound decisions based on data that I have presented to them and they are definitely playing their "A" game. What I really love about them is that they select properties in areas where people still want to live AND their timing is just perfect, as there can't be a better time to be an investor in Birmingham, AL than right now. 12/09/2011

Good news on the refinance side or mortgage lending!   HARP 2.0 will help. HARP 1.0 and DU Refi Plus programs were widely criticized as well, but in the end many bankers/brokers were able to market this program to better serve their clients and increase production. Nothing out of Washington is perfect, or even close to it, but HARP 2.0 is a step in the right direction and will help those who are ready to embrace (i.e. market) it. Lenders and investors alike are already operating at increased capacity and scrambling to improve efficiencies and turn times in order to turn over their lines. Many bankers/brokers are already overwhelmed with business and have pipelines that will keep them more than busy for the next few months.   HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW… It will still take some time to actually ... 12/02/2011

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Short Sale Success:  SOLD 12/02/2011 This short sale happened pretty quickly.  From listing to closing day was just under 54 days. The negotiator was literally unavailable so I was told by the CSRs that the offer had been rejected.  But here's the kicker:  one CSR revealed that GMAC's latest estimate of value was actually less than the offer.  You heard me right.  The offer was for more than GMAC's estimate of value.  Call me crazy, but rejection of the offer defied logic to the nth degree.  My response: "You mean to tell me that GMAC's estimate of value is lower than the offer and yet the offer is being rejected?  In other words, I need to focus my efforts on the remote possibility of finding the one unwitting investor that would be willing to offer $5000 more than ... 12/02/2011

Did you know that TJC Mortgage now has updated their funding fees for VA loans?!  I am committed to bring you the most update lending laws and policies and you should know about this 100% purchase program for America’s veterans!  Recently in the below memorandum, the VA has updated their costs to perform a VA loan.  FUNDING FEE UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 22, 2011 1. Purpose. On November 21, 2011, the President signed H.R. 674. Section 265 of the law raises funding fees to the pre-November 18, 2011 levels. The fees specified in Section 265 are valid through September 30, 2016. 2. Proper Funding Fee Charges a. Loans closed November 18 through and including November 21, 2011: Funding fees for loans closed during this period will be the lower fees cited in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)... 11/23/2011

October 2011 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  3 Average List Price:  $162,900 Average Sold Price: $153,933 Average Days on Market: 222   Compare October 2010: Units Sold:   6 Average List Price:  $148,416 Average Sold Price: $141,333 Average Days on Market: 130   There are currently 79 homes for sale in Crestwood ranging from $4,000 (really!) to $369,500 (per Birmingham MLS).         If you would like updated information or details for this or any community in or around Birmingham, Jefferson or Shelby Counties, please feel free to call or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!       Looking for a local expert to help with your real estate needs?   Google one here!     Courtesy of Ann Allen, CDPE, e-Pro, SR... 11/18/2011

$24,000,000 Econonic Impact:  The Magic of the Magic City Classic That's right....$24,000,000 Economic Impact.  That's the result of a week's worth of Magic City Classic events that culminated in winning game for Alabama State University and Birmingham, Alabama at well. What makes this news so great and powerful is that the anticipated economic impact was an already impressive $13M to $15M. The Birmingham News reported that "The city spent a record $604,703 to produce the Classic, for things ranging from buying the trophies to sprucing up Legion Field. The amount has proved controversial since some Birmingham City Council members say some of the spending was made without their approval." That's quite an impressive ROI for the City of Birmingham.  Other contributions to the success were:... 11/14/2011

A Day at Disney on Ice Tristan and I stopped at the Waffle House this morning before going to day care for a morning field trip to Disney on Ice.  I had not been to Disney on Ice since my daughter used to "take me" when she was a little girl.  It was very fascinating and the kids loved it too! I know this isn't funny, but when it was over, one little girl from the day care began to cry hysterically because Pluto wasn't there.  She finally calmed down after about 10 minutes.  I guess she really loves Pluto. Oh and if you plan to take your kids to Disney on Ice, you may need to take out a short term loan.  You'll need if is you plan to buy ANYTHING Disney and you may as well plan it unless you plan to go without kids. Disney on Ice is at the BJCC (Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex f... 11/04/2011