Have you ever thought you had the answers to fix this housing market and there is no way that any congressman or senator will even hear you out much less run with the idea and save our economy or our way of life.  Besides what do we know right? We are just a bunch of dumb Realtors and conniving Mortgage brokers out to make money, close loans, and stick it to anybody we can.  That is a load of crap some of the smartest people I know are Realtor and Mortgage professionals and I think we got the short end of the stick when all this went south a few years back.   Yeah there are some bad apples but that is in every business. The Mortgage companies got all the blame for writing bad mortgages and giving subprime loans, arms loans, Stated Loans but that’s another story all to its self. My point... 05/19/2011

ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL - 05/18/2011 Your ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE Daily List has been posted. These are Single Family Homes 'Active' on the Birmingham MLS. http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7015603653 These homes are ripe for the picking. Dont Let them pass you by. ACT NOW!! ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE Are on the rise and will not last long. In other news, check this out: http://www.kw.com/kw/pressrelease.html?pressReleaseId=222 Keller Williams Realty and Old Republic Home Protection Align to Provide Unique Benefits to Associates’ Clients Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Old Republic Home Protection to offer a variety of services to the compan... 05/18/2011

ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN BIRMINGHAM AL - 05/17/2011 Your ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE Daily List has been posted. These are Single Family Homes 'Active' on the Birmingham MLS. http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7015590547 These homes are ripe for the picking. Dont Let them pass you by. ACT NOW!! ACTIVE REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES FOR SALE Are on the rise and will not last long. In other news, check this out: http://www.kw.com/kw/pressrelease.html?pressReleaseId=222 Keller Williams Realty and Old Republic Home Protection Align to Provide Unique Benefits to Associates’ Clients Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Old Republic Home Protection to offer a variety of services to the compan... 05/17/2011

Birmingham AL Real Estate Foreclosures – 05/14/2011 Your Birmingham AL Real Estate Foreclosures Daily List has been posted. These are Single Family Homes ‘Active’ on the Birmingham MLS. http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7015573107 These homes are ripe for the picking. Dont Let them pass you by. ACT NOW!! Birmingham AL Real Estate Foreclosures Are on the rise and will not last long. Home prices rebounded 2.2% in March with median home prices rising to $159,600. This is 5.9% below the year-ago level and keeps the median price close to 2002 levels. Continuing February’s trend, two out of every five homes sold during March, or 40% of sales, were distressed properties( Birmingham AL Real Estate Foreclosures), which typically sell at a 10%-20% discount. The decline ... 05/14/2011

  WHEN PIGS FLY!  KOSHER BBQ COOK-OFF & FESTIVAL "Delicious, Devine & Devoid of Swine!"     The Second Annual When Pigs Fly! Kosher BBQ Cook-Off and Festival will be this Sunday, May 15th from 11 AM til 3 PM in the parking lot of Temple Beth-El in Birmingham's southside.  Last year the event was so much fun and this year should be even better!  Come join the fun!  Everyone is invited!   There's going to be plenty of yummy food including BBQ beef and chicken, live music and fun!  Who will win the cook-off?   Check out and LIKE their Facebook page and find more information and lots of photos from last year.  Here's a little taste of what you can expect......   See you Sunday!       * * * * * *     Looking for a local expert to help with your real estate needs?   Google one here!     Court... 05/13/2011

  Fun Stuff To Do In Birmingham! CELTIC WOMAN LIVE IN CONCERT     Where:  BJCC Concert Hall When:  Sunday, May 8th at 7:00 PM Ticket Information   I am so glad these girls will be performing in the Concert Hall!  The acoustics are wonderful no matter where you are seated and it will be the perfect place to hear these lovely ladies' incredible voices!    Celtic Woman performing "O America"           * * * * * * *     Looking for a local expert to help with your real estate needs?   Google one here!     Courtesy of Ann Allen, CDPE, e-Pro, SRES, ASP205.902.4868Keller WilliamsOne Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150Hoover, AL  35244     © 2011 Ann Allen, All rights reserved                                                                       05/05/2011

   EASTER BREAKFAST First United Methodist Church Birmingham AL     Everyone is invited to come enjoy Easter Breakfast at First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham!  The 2011 Panama Mission Team will be serving pancakes with yummy toppings and a fresh fruit salad.   All proceeds from the breakfast will go to the Mission Team (a $5 donation per person is requested).   The fun and fellowship starts at 8:30 AM this Sunday, April 24th in the dining room of the Christian Learning Center.  Parking is available in the lot at the corner of 6th Avenue North and 18th Street.    Please join us!   View Larger Map        Looking for a local expert to help with your real estate needs?   Google one here!     Courtesy of Ann Allen, CDPE, e-Pro, SRES, ASP205.902.4868Keller WilliamsOne Chase C... 04/21/2011

  March 2011 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Highland Lakes, Shelby County AL (Single Family Residences) Units Sold:  8 Average List Price:  $441,942 Average Sold Price: $422,281 Average Days on Market: 213   Compare March 2010: Units Sold:  4 Average List Price:   $519,475 Average Sold Price:  $458,250 Average Days on Market:  334   There are currently 59 homes for sale in Highland Lakes ranging from $264,900 to $1,700,000 (per Birmingham MLS)     Don't forget to join the Shelby County Community Page!   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?   Goo... 04/20/2011

04/17/2011

  March 2011 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  7 Average List Price:  $137,342 Average Sold Price: $129,714 Average Days on Market: 248   Compare March 2010: Units Sold:   9 Average List Price:  $177,122 Average Sold Price: $168,038 Average Days on Market: 217   There are currently 133 homes for sale in Crestwood (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, ASP205.902.4868Keller WilliamsOne Chase ... 04/12/2011

Local Materials for the new Southern Home - Part 3   For those who missed the rest of this series, this is a look at Local Materials that can be used when building a new Southern Home.   These are materials that are manufactured, harvested, extracted or recovered within 100 miles of Birmingham. This time we'll look at cabinets and interior finishes. •·         There are at least 3 lines of modular cabinets that are manufactured in Alabama. Diamond Cabinets has a manufacturing facility in Auburn, Legacy Cabinets has a plant in Eastaboga, and Wellborn is located in Alexander City. •·         In addition to the modular lines, there are too many local custom cabinet makers to count! I have worked with several custom cabinet makers in several areas of Alabama - if you're interested in custom... 03/23/2011

  ACTON PARK TOWNHOMES Birmingham, AL       ACTON PARK is an upscale, over-the-mountain townhome community located less than 10 miles south of downtown Birmingham at the intersection of Acton Road and Camp Horner Road, with easy access to I-459, I-65 and Highway 280.  Built exclusively by Signature Homes, Acton Park is close to some of the finest entertainment and dining in the Birmingham area.  These townhomes are just minutes from The Summit, The Colonnade, Colonial Brookwood Village, Riverchase Galleria and Patton Creek shopping, offices and hotels.     Featuring Old World architecture, this elegant community has 1 and 2-level townhomes, some with garages and backyards, a clubhouse, pool, sidewalks and streetlights, as well a pet-friendly park area. Students living in Acton Park Town... 03/21/2011

  February 2011 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Highland Lakes, Shelby County AL (Single Family Residences) Units Sold:  8 Average List Price:  $451,087 Average Sold Price: $432,468 Average Days on Market: 205   Compare February 2010: Units Sold:  4 Average List Price:   $452,325 Average Sold Price:  $416,625 Average Days on Market:  260   There are currently 54 homes for sale in Highland Lakes ranging from $264,900 to $1,700,000 (per Birmingham MLS)     Don't forget to join the Shelby County Community Page!   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?... 03/20/2011

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham! SWINE-N-WINE TWILIGHT SUPPER   The 3rd Annual Swine-N-Wine Twilight Supper will be this Sunday, March 20th from 4:30 PM til 7:30 PM at Old Car Heaven.   Ticket Information: Adults $50 at the door, $45 advance 13-20 $25 at the door, $20 advance 12 and under get in free Call 439-7213 for advance tickets or get them online. PIG ROAST!!!  WINE FEAST!!! Featuring prestigious chefs from the Birmingham area and beyond, this is going to be a blast for all ages! Lou Wamp and Swing Shift from Chattanooga TN will perform live bluegrass music. Grassroots Wines will be hosting wines featuring Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards. Good People Brewing Company and Birmingham Budweiser are bringing the beer! Proceeds from the event will benefit Jones Valley Urban Farm, a non... 03/19/2011

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham! THIRD FRIDAYS IN FOREST PARK AND SOUTH AVONDALE   What happens on Third Fridays?  Come find out!  Great weather is expected this evening and it's the perfect time to experience Birmingham's trendy and historic Forest Park and South Avondale neighborhoods after hours!  Shops and galleries stay open until 8 PM and you will find specials at these as well as some of the popular neighborhood bars and restaurants.    * * * * * *   Here's a quick list of participating businesses and a link to more detail about Third Friday - March 18th - 5 to 8 PM   FOREST PARK Naked Art Gallery Silvertron Cafe V Richards Zoe Boutique Little Savannah   SOUTH AVONDALE Spring Street Fire House Parkside Bottletree         View Larger Map        * * * * * * Looking for a local... 03/18/2011

Local Materials for the New Southern Home - Part 2 For those who missed Part 1 of this Local Materials series, this is a follow-up to a February post "Can Southern Homes be Green?"which discusses the availability of construction materials that are manufactured, harvested, extracted or recovered within 100 miles of Birmingham. Let's look at steel, wood and roofing. •·         I don't think anyone will be surprised to hear that steel is produced in Alabama, especially in and near Birmingham. In fact, almost anything you want made from steel can be produced by the 239 fabricators in Birmingham. Among the local producers, US Steel produces sheet steel and pipe, ACIPCO, McWane and many others produce steel pipe, O'Neal Steel produces structural steel, ThyssenKrupp produces stainless steel, a... 03/17/2011

Local Materials for the New Southern Home - Part 1 In February I posted "Can Southern Homes be Green?", and it got me thinking about the availability of local materials today. So I did a little research... To recap my earlier post, LEED gives points in Materials and Resources if 20% of the materials used are manufactured - and if 50% are - within 500 miles. I stated that very little of the old Southern Home came from over 50 miles away! I decided to open my circle a bit from 50 miles, but stay well below LEED's 500 mile allowance. So I looked for construction materials that are manufactured, harvested, extracted or recovered within 100 miles of Birmingham (where 45% of my work has been built). This circle includes most of mid-Alabama. I will also include some interesting local materials... 03/15/2011

  February 2011 Market Statistics for Homes Sold in Crestwood, Birmingham AL (Single Family Residences)   Units Sold:  5 Average List Price:  $157,259 Average Sold Price: $149,200 Average Days on Market: 132   Compare February 2010: Units Sold:   5 Average List Price:  $141,120 Average Sold Price: $133,900 Average Days on Market: 174   There are currently 119 homes for sale in Crestwood (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, e-Pro, SRES, ASP205.902.4868Keller WilliamsOne Chas... 03/13/2011

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham! BIRMINGHAM HOME & GARDEN SHOW     Where:  Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex When:  March 10th - 13th, 2011 Tickets:  Adults $10 ($7 online), ages 6-12 $3   If you are looking for the latest in products and services for your home you will not want to miss Birmingham's 37th Annual Home & Garden Show this weekend.  This is the area's largest event of this kind featuring over 500 exhibits......from kitchens to swimming pools and everything in between.   A special guest this year will be Chris Wade of HGTV's "Curb Appeal: The Block".  The times you can hear Chris speak are 2 PM and 7 PM on Saturday, then on Sunday at 1 PM and 4 PM.  He will be discussing ways to spruce up your home's exterior, and may even be able to address some of your own project... 03/10/2011

  Things To Do In & Around Birmingham This Weekend - March 4-6     PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS    * * * * * * *   The First Stage Players are performing NUNSENSE this weekend at First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham.  Friday was opening night and it was a scream!  Tickets are still available for Saturday night at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinee at 2:30 PM.   * * * * * * *   The Birmingham Music Club presents BRAVO BIRMINGHAM Saturday evening at 7:30 PM at Samford University's Wright Center.  This will be a showcase of some of Birmingham's best known talent....Three On A String, Yakov Kasman, Birmingham Sunlights and Junior League Choral Group.   * * * * * * *   FREE CONCERT at Cathedral Church of the Advent!   New Trinity Baroque and the Georgia Tech Chamber Choir will perform J.S.... 03/05/2011