Beautiful Custom Home!     Over 30K in recent upgrades, to include wood grain tile imported from Spain, as well as new carpet upstairs and new exterior paint. If kitchens and master suites sell houses, then don't count on this luxurious stunner to be on the market very long! The spacious Gourmet Kitchen features a big island, gas cook top, stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash and lots of cabinets. The Master Suite is downstairs in addition to an office or nursery on the main level as well. Master Bath is very open and features center jetted tub, separate shower and his/her vanities. Additional Wow Factors include: security system, 2 a/c zones, lots of crown molding and tray ceilings throughout the house, second floor landing with built-in desk is an ideal study area, plus 3 bedr... 12/15/2014

What to Look for When Buying an Older Home Anyone who has visited Downtown & Midtown Mobile, AL knows how beautiful historic architecture can be. But, are these older homes good buys? Considering that most of a home's components deteriorate with age, you may be not only buying a vintage home, but vintage problems as well. Here's a quick look at some of the more common problems with older homes. Foundation It would seem that an old house has done all the settling it's going to do, right? Wrong! The rate at which the house settles diminishes over time, but it never completely stops – especially if the house has never been "piered." Piers are long steel shafts that are driven through the soil and into the bedrock below. This process takes the weight of the home off unstable soil, and the ... 12/11/2014

What You Must Know About Insurance When Buying a Home Purchasing a home involves getting to know a lot of financial terms and processes that most first-time homebuyers have never been exposed to. One of the most confusing is insurance. If you've never owned a home before, your familiarity with insurance most likely centers around auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance and, perhaps, renter's insurance. Even then, your level of familiarity may be minimal, if you are like most Americans. In fact, a mere 14 percent of those who have health insurance understand even the most basic insurance jargon, such as deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance, according to a study published in the Journal of Health Economics. The various types of insurance required in the average real estate ... 12/10/2014

How to Bring Nature Inside What do you love most about nature and the outdoors? Is it the first sign of spring blooms, the colorful autumn foliage, or maybe the smell of fresh cut grass on a warm summer day? Do you enjoy the soothing sound of a trickling creek or a bright blue sky on a sunny day? Incorporate these organic elements into your décor and invite nature into your home. Don't Block Natural Views One of the easiest ways to invite nature into your home is to ensure a direct connection through glass doors and windows. Leave them undressed to welcome in sunlight and enjoy unobstructed views of the outdoors. When safety and privacy are concerns, dress windows in airy, natural fibers that allow daylight indoors and can be easily opened. Ensure that windows are operable so that you c... 11/25/2014

Foreclosure: 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms in West Mobile, AL Click Here to See Similar Homes 3825 Pelham Drive Mobile, AL 36619 Click Here for additional photos of 3825 Pelham Drive Mobile, AL 36619   Listing Information: Address: 3825 PELHAM DR City: MOBILE State: AL Zip: 36619 Area: West Mobile County: MOBILE Price: $198,000 Listing #: 513211 Property Type: Single Family Listing Type: Foreclosure/Bank Owned Subdivision: PLANTATION WOODS Status: Active   Property Information: Style: OTHER Bedrooms: 5 Total Baths: 3 Full Baths: 3 Year Built: 1983 Sq. Feet: 4335 Air: CENTRAL Heat: CENTRAL, ELECTRIC Construction: WOOD Stories: TWO Exterior: DECK Interior: 9'+ CEILINGS, WET BAR, W-IN CLOSET Floors: BRICK, TILE, VINYL, WW CARPET Energy: CEILING FAN Dining: BRKFAST BAR, KIT-AREA Utilities: PUBLIC;... 11/25/2014

Charming Midtown Cottage See Similar Homes 60 South Lafayette Street Mobile, AL 36604 Entertainers Cottage centrally located in Midtown with a large deck and patio in back. Updates in Kitchen with lots of cabinets and all appliances to remain including Refrigerator. The bathroom is very spacious and updated with nice tile and fixtures. Beautiful Midtown hardwoods run throughout this house with tile in the wet areas. The House has been recently insulated with Spray Cellulose for maximum energy efficiency that is hard to find in Midtown! Schedule your appointment to see the Charm this Midtown Cottage has to offer. You will not be disappointed!  Click here for additional images of 60 South Lafayette Street Property Information: Style: COTTAGE Bedrooms: 2 Total Baths: 1 Full Baths: 1 Year B... 11/17/2014

Septic Tank Use and Maintenance Guide Unseen, buried in your yard, it's constantly at work. While you're away during the day, it's at work too. As you sleep at night, it's still working. Through holidays and all types of weather, it's working yet. In fact, your septic tank never stops. That is, not as long as you care for it properly. Here's what you need to know to keep your septic tank working behind the scenes every day of the year. How a Septic Tank Works Whether you call it an individual sewage disposal system, an onsite wastewater treatment system, an on-lot system or any combination of terms – a typical septic tank isn't fancy or complicated. It's comprised of four main parts: The Waste Pipe: A solid pipe leads from the house and ends at the septic tank. It delivers all household... 11/16/2014

Measuring the Value of a View Suppose you own a castle on the flats and your brother owns one high atop a hill that features amazing, unobstructed views. Aside from location, the two castles are identical. Which one has the higher resale value? If you guessed that it's the hilltop castle, you are correct. When valuing two similar pieces of property, location is king and everything else is secondary. While it's easy to say that the home with the view is "worth more" than the home without one, there are no rules on how much value the amenity adds. Agents and Appraisers Real estate professionals are at odds over this. Some claim that there is no premium for a view while others say that a view can add up to 15 percent to the value of the home over others lacking the amenity. Researchers Ma... 11/06/2014

New Construction Homes in West Mobile, AL West Mobile, AL is growing at a fast pace and Builders are taking advantage of it. New Construction Home Sales have made up 19 percent of total Homes Sold in West Mobile, AL since 1/1/14. There have been 114 Homes Sold equalling approximately $23,500,000 in volume and an average sales price of approximately $206,000.  West Mobile, AL New Construction Neighborhoods include: The Gardens of Cottage Hill Saybrook Newman Pass Plantation North Summer Woods Briargrove Stillwater Taylor Pointe Colonial Hills Champion Hills Tower Place Winston Square Woodberry Forest   Ryan Cummings The Cummings Team (251) 463-1615 rocummings88@gmail.com   The Cummings Company 2316-C Knollwood Drive  Mobile, AL 36693   11/02/2014

Tips for Conserving Water at Home Perhaps it's a little too easy to overlook the importance of water. It's simple, after all, to turn the tap and watch it flow. Consider, though, that only 1 percent of the Earth's water is useable. The rest is either salty or frozen. Not to mention the amount of energy used in acquiring, treating and transporting fresh water to consumers. Saving water in and around your house battles high water bills while helping to save energy and conserve a precious resource. Saving Water in the Bathroom Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, shave and wash your hands. Work up the lather before turning on the water to rinse your hands. Use a glass of water to rinse your mouth. These habits can save gallons of water each day; the more people in your home, the ... 11/02/2014

3 Bedroom Custom Home For Sale in West Mobile, AL See Similar Homes 10766 Cambridge Place Drive Mobile, AL 36608 Spectacular Custom Built Home in West Mobile. This one owner home is in fabulous condition and is Move in Ready! The Kitchen is equipped with Granite Counters, Stainless Appliances, and an abundance of Cherry Cabinets for storage. The large living area features Double Trey Ceiling, Hardwoods, and an Electric Fireplace. The Master Suite has Trey Ceiling as well. The Master Bathroom is fabulous with double vanities, jetted tub, separate shower, and large walk-in closet. Home has a security system and video surveillance. There is also an Interior Sprinkler System throughout the home that will lower your insurance cost. Moving out back enjoy the large backyard and country air on ... 11/02/2014

 FIVE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY IN THE COLDER MONTHS   November is a great month-the holidays are fast approaching, we get to visit more often with family and friends, and colder weather makes us feel like getting cozy in our homes.  Since you'll want to keep warm in the coming months, we’re  including a list of tips for you this month that will help you to save money on your energy bill, while still staying warm and cozy!   Set the timer: Program your thermostat to reach lower temperatures while you're sleeping or out of the house. This simple action can save you a lot of money-and will ensure that your house stays at a comfortable temperature at all times.   Open and shut: During daytime hours, keep your blinds, draperies and other window coverings open. This will enable your home to absorb... 10/29/2014

3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Town House Have you ever noticed how the terms "town house" and "condo" are sometimes used interchangeably? This is most likely because both types of housing structures may be governed by homeowners associations. That, however, is where the similarity between the two ends. Comparing condos with town houses is akin to comparing apples and oranges. When most consumers hear the word "condo," they picture a unit in a larger structure. For the most part, this is accurate. The problem, though, is that "condominium" is actually a form of ownership, not a type of structure. There are three major types of homeownership: Condominium Fee simple Cooperative Condominium owners own the interiors of their units and share ownership of the common areas. "Town house,... 10/28/2014

Homes For Sale in Mobile 36695 with 4 Beds & 3 Baths                             Click here to see Homes For Sale in Mobile 36695 with 4 Beds & 3 Baths West Mobile is growing fast and Home Sales and Prices are continuing to increase. With plenty of entertainment, restaurants, and shopping West Mobile is a desired place to live. The West Mobile School Districts are ranked among the best in the area also contributing towards the desirability of the area. There is a lot of New Construction homes in West Mobile due to its rapid growth. If you are from Mobile or from out of town you should check out West Mobile. A few neighborhoods in Mobile 36695 are: Wynnfield Raleigh Sugar Creek Stone Hedge Gatewood    Ryan Cummings  The Cummings Team (251) 463-1615 rocummings88@gmail.com   The Cummings C... 10/19/2014

Design Tips for Your Children's Playroom                                     When designing a playroom for your children, there are some key factors to consider. This is a room where your children will learn, grow and flourish both physically and socially. It's important to craft an inspirational, fun and safe environment. Combine these elements to create a playful, carefree environment in your home. Color & Theme Consider your child's personality and preferences – and embrace them! Use vivid and bold colors such as red, blue, green, pink or yellow. Use them as your primary wall color, or go with a more neutral shade and accent with these hues. Consider decorative wallpapers as another option, displaying numbers, letters or other child-friendly patterns. Themed playrooms are another pop... 10/19/2014

Selling Your Home: 3 Must-Knows Before Your List               Sometimes the hardest part of selling a home is making the decision to sell it. Our homes give us roots, provide sanctuary, house memories and, hopefully, give us some financial security. It's a huge decision to sell a home. Once made, however, additional decisions will come fast and furious, so take some time now, before the frenzy, to understand three salient points about the successful sale of a home in today's real estate marketplace. What is Market Value? One of the most challenging aspects of selling a home is determining the list price. Many homeowners will go online to find homes nearby that are for sale and base their price assumption on those that are most similar. The list price of a home, however, is a fantasy. I... 10/13/2014

Cute Southern Cottage in Mobile, AL See Similar Homes                             1003 Wesley Avenue Mobile, AL 36609 Welcome Home! This one is a must see. Starting at the front you will find a wonderful landscaped front yard. Moving in the front door you have a separate dining room with Trey Ceilings. Open kitchen where you have a gas stove, Separate Pantry and all the kitchen appliances remain including the Fridge. The living room has a Trey ceiling and a gas fireplace. Master bedroom also has a trey ceiling and every bedroom, living room, and dining room has a ceiling fan. The master Bathroom has his and her closets, soaker tub, two vanities and separate shower. The backyard is a paradise. Covered porch, stepping stones and beautifully landscaped. Storage building remains as well. Th... 10/13/2014

Move-in Ready 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom in DIP See Similar Homes                                 2955 Riverside Drive Mobile, AL 36605 This house is truly move in ready! All new kitchen with new cabinets and 3cm Granite Countertops with pull out pantry. Some wood flooring but seller says there are wood floors under the carpet. Very large living and den area for family gatherings. Very large laundry room with built in shelves and a pull down ironing board. The A/C unit has been replaced according to the seller recently. Nice storage building in the back yard. Schedule your tour today! This home would be great for a first-time homebuyer or Investor; would make a great Rental.  Click here to see additional images of 2955 Riverside Drive   Ryan Cummings  The Cummings Team (251) 463-1615   The Cu... 10/12/2014

Foreclosure Market in Mobile, AL   Currently Foreclosures make up 5.5% of Homes currently For Sale in Mobile, AL. This is a very consistent number of Foreclosures available in Mobile.    Total # of Foreclosures 97 Lowest Price Foreclosure $5,100 Highest Price Foreclosure $351,900 Average Price $93,583 Avg. Price/SqFt $45.77 Avg. Days on Market 83   See Foreclosures For Sale in Mobile, AL    So far this year Foreclosure Sales have totaled 20% of all Home Sales in Mobile, AL.  Total # of Foreclosures 390 Lowest Price Foreclosure $3,000 Highest Price Foreclosure $429,000 Average Price $73,916 Avg. Price/SqFt $41.49 Avg. Days on Market 61   10/12/2014

3 Tips for Moving With KidsMoving is complex. Moving with children is even more challenging. Some of their anxieties and fears over relocating may seem petty to adults, but they are nevertheless real. You could probably tell your children they are moving to Disneyland and, after the initial ecstasy wore off, they'd still feel torn.Let's take a look at some tips for making a smooth transition when moving with kids.1. Talk to Your ChildThe circumstances that brought you to packing up your home and relocating have a lot to do with how your children feel about the situation. Divorce, death and other traumatic events leave them with more questions than they would have if the move is to take a job or for other, happier reasons.Regardless of the circumstances, the best way to prepare your chil... 10/12/2014