Mobile Alabama Real Estate Information

June - This Month in Real Estate Video

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 16:47:00 +0000

Please click on video below to view this Month's Keller Williams This Month in Real Estate.

Please let me know if you would like local real estate information similar to what is shown in the video.

22 Things You Need to Know about Mobile Before Moving Here

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 01:50:00 +0000

The folks at Movoto Real Estate have published a recent article entitled "22 Things you Need to Know Before Moving There". Overall I felt the article did a good job of capturing what makes Mobile such a special place to live. Much of the information covered in the article can be found in the Relocation Guide that I send to Internet visitors to my websites.

Movoto is an online real estate brokerage based in San Mateo, CA. Their blog has been recognized for its unique approach to city-based research by major news organizations around the country.

This Month In Real Estate Video - May 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Tue, 06 May 2014 11:57:00 +0000

This month Jay shares statistics about costs for staging a home for sale vs. selling costs. Click below to watch this month's Real Estate video.

Saturday April 12 Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 12:45:00 +0000

The following links are provided weekly by Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE). This digital publication is called the WIRE - which stands for "Week in Real Estate". The publication has links to all stories that affect real estate in the State. I have included the links related to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

ACRE Report: Baldwin County residential March statistics

Construction of Foley Centennial Plaza clock tower,set to begin soon

DeTonti Square zoning news

SaltAire News and other business related news around Mobile Bay

$12.7 million in Baldwin County school construction on the calendar

Bayou residents settle suit accusing city of jacking up rents at Katrina subdivision

This Month in Real Estate April 2014 (US)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:46:00 +0000

In this month's in real estate (TMIRE) video, Jay reminds us that the information you find online about a listing may not be the most up to date. This is when using your real estate agent comes into play. You should check with your real estate agent and verify all information that is important to you. Please click below to watch this month's real estate video

Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News – Saturday April 5, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:55:00 +0000

This week's links to news stories concerning real estate in Mobile and Baldwin County as provided by Alabama Center for Real Estate

* DeTonti Square residents remain split over zoning
* McGowin Park Shopping Center News
* Interest in Second Homes Continues to Rebound
* Daphne Apartment Complex plans approved

Classic Victorian House Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 00:30:00 +0000

This week's plan from Dream Home Source is a classic. Really, a Victorian plan that is timeless. You could build this home in one of Mobile's or Fairhope' oldest neighborhoods and the home would fit right in.

This home not only features classic Victorian features such as curved rooms, bay windows but also large porches and huge master bathroom and walk in closet.

Here is link to view the Victorian House Plan

Please let me know if you would like a list of available lots for sale that you can build this home.

Farmhouse House Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:38:00 +0000

This week's plan from DreamHomeSource is a farmhouse that would be perfect for our area. This home's exterior features would work well on a waterfront lot or acreage in Baldwin or Mobile County.

Here is link to view details - Farmhouse Plan.

Please let me know if you need help in finding a lot or a builder to build this home.

Saturday March 22 Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 12:52:00 +0000

This week's links to news stories concerning real estate in Mobile and Baldwin County as provided by Alabama Center for Real Estate

Vote for Fairhope as Best Southern Town

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 13:28:00 +0000

In the spirit of March Madness, Garden and Gun Magazine has featured 32 Southern towns in a head to head voting Championship.

Fairhope is in the running for the Best Southern Town and your vote is needed!! I may be a little biased.

Vote by clicking on this link - http://gardenandgun.com/article/southern-towns-bracket

This Month in Real Estate Video - March 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:25:00 +0000

This month's video describes the changing market and what you can expect..

Craftsman Home Plan with loads of Potential

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Take a look at this week's home plan provided by DreamHomesSource.com - is a Craftsman Home Plan with attractive Timber Beams. The floor plan offers plenty of room. You have the option of having 4 bedrooms or turn the 4th bedroom into a living room or study. Upstairs there are 2 huge bonus rooms that can serve multiple purposes. Large covered porches can be found on front and back of the home.

If you are interested in this home, please let me know and I will be happy to recommend a builder for you. I also can help you find the perfect building lot. Please contact me via my website at www.GulfRegionProperties.com

Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013 Passes U.S. Senate

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:21:00 +0000

On March 13, 2014, the United States Senate voted 72-22 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). The Senate acted quickly to pass the bill as amended by the House to avoid the need for a conference committee to reconcile any differences. The new bill further reins in and holds the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accountable for the unforeseen Biggert-Waters implementation issues of the original bill.

As passed, the bill repeals FEMA’s authority to increase premium rates at time of sale or new flood map, and refunds the excessive premium to those who bought a property before FEMA warned them of the rate increase. The bill limits premium increases to 18% annually on newer properties and 25% for some older ones. Additionally, the bill adds a small assessment on policies until everyone is paying full cost for flood insurance. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law when it arrives at the White House. National Association of Realtors had urged a swift vote in the Senate

Saturday March 15 Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:14:00 +0000

Keller Williams Home Search App

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 13:53:00 +0000

Download Keller Williams Real Estate Search App

The new Keller Williams Real Estate Search app is now available for both Apple and Android devices. The app has the following features:

Easily connect with your agent and send property inquiries instantly.
Based on your current location, the app shows you all homes for sale in that area
Draw a circle on the map or drop a pinpoint to search that area.
See property details and full-screen photos, get driving directions, mark your favorites, create notes about what you liked, or share it with family and friends.
Estimate your home loans with a free mortgage calculator.
View Open Houses in your area. View Rental Properties in your area.

Click here for instructions on how to get your own app. Give it a try, I guarantee that you will be impressed with its features.

Saturday Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate Headlines

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 12:54:00 +0000

The following links provide access to news stories from past week having to do with Gulf Coast Alabama Real Estate and are provided by ACRE - Alabama Center for Real Estate

Mobile Area residential sales up 12% in September; YTD sales up 15%
Baldwin County residential sales up 21% in September; YTD sales up 15%
PNC Economic Outlook: 'persistent and moderate growth' on tap for Mobile, Alabama
Alabama Coastal Real Estate Continues Strong Recovery
Airbus hiring on track for A320 final assembly line
Fairhope land wrangle that spans more than 40 years ends

Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:25:00 +0000

Here are a few links to news stories regarding Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate related news..

- Alabama Gulf Coast condo sales up 14% from prior month

- Orange Beach Marina owner wants to build homes

- Baldwin County officials set to challenge Weeks Bay Reserve regulations

- Jury finds grant manager Janey Galbraith guilty in Bayou corruption case

- Developers pay $4 million for 10 acres Gulf Front property in Orange Beach

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Steve Shaw
Gulf Region Properties Team
Keller Williams Realty
251-289-9477

The Logic Behind New Home Transactions

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:26:00 +0000

It’s no secret that the time has never been better to buy a new home. And you may have even heard that buying is now more affordable than renting, right? But what you may not realize is that when you consider buying that newly constructed home, the best way to save yourself a bit of money is to hire a Realtor. It sounds crazy, but hear me out.

When you decide to buy a home, you have the option of working directly with the seller or, in this case of a new home, the builder and his/her agent. This means you could potentially walk up to the lot, talk business, take care of the finances, and sign on the dotted line without any help from your own Realtor during the new home transaction. And many people choose to do so. They justify buying a home without their own Realtor under the (misguided) belief that they are saving themselves some money. This is an easy mistake to make, but one that is easily reconciled. In real estate, each party does not pay for their own Realtor. The seller pays the commissions of bothhis agent and your agent. He takes this into consideration and incorporates the commission rate into the home’s price tag. Therefore, the services of your Realtor are already paid for.

You may think, “Surely if I enter the transaction unrepresented, I will be given some sort of deal on the home.” This too is another misled thought for two reasons. First, the builder is trying to make the greatest profit possible on this home. Saving that 3% commission that he no longer has to pay your agent is a fantastic situation for him and he won’t consider giving you the money he just saved. His sale price is often non-negotiable. Second, his agent is legally bound to represent and get the best deal possible for him, the builder. The agent will not and oftentimes legally cannotgive you a better deal simply because you lack representation. Both members of the selling team may be friendly people, but at the end of the day, they need to bring home the bacon just like everyone else.

That being said, there is a tremendous upside to the situation. This means that your Realtor is already paid for, courtesy of the builder! You can enjoy the benefits of a Realtor’s expertise and tools to help you find the perfect home. A realtor will also be priceless during the signing of papers and negotiations. From start to finish, having a Realtor on your team will make your home buying process much smoother. And because your Realtor is already paid for, why not hire the best Realtor available? So whether you are buying new construction or resale be sure to contact Steve Shaw with the Gulf Region Properties Team of Keller Williams for all of your real estate needs.

Guest Columnist
Andrew Hill

New Home Source

Home Sales Prices are increasing

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:27:00 +0000

There have been stories in the media about rising home prices. As you can tell from the spreadsheet below, home prices in Mobile Alabama have risen. In fact April 2012's data shows that not only have prices increased from earlier numbers from this year but so has the number of homes sold increased.

Please let me know if you would like MLS data like this for your neighborhood or area of town.
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Steve Shaw
Gulf Region Properties Team
Keller Williams Realty
251-289-9477

Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate News

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:20:00 +0000

This weeks links to Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate related news stories:

· Gulf Coast condo sales up 14% from previous month

· Witnesses questioned in Bayou trial

· Apartments sell for $1 million; homebuilder buys marina

· Flood fixes to help prevent flooding in Gulf Shores homes

· Former employee, auditor testify about altered documents in Bayou case

· Land auction nets Checkers co-founder more than $3 million

American Recovery Act: A Look Back

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:03:00 +0000

When it was initially passed, the cost of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was estimated to be at about $787 billion. Perhaps surprisingly, the amount of money that was allocated to the housing crisis only reached about $25 to $26 billion.

The lion’s share of the money that was individually allocated to the housing crisis went towards offering first-time homebuyers a refundable credit. In total, $6.6 billion was to be given to American homebuyers who purchased homes for the first time between January 1st, 2009, and December 1st, 2009. Through many add-ons and amendments, the homebuyer credit was extended to families and individuals who purchased new homes from 2008 through 2010. These homebuyers received an $8,000 credit from the IRS once tax refund checks started getting mailed out. Assuming all of the money was allocated to first-time homebuyers, this credit assisted in the purchase of roughly 825,000 new homes.

The next largest amount of money that was individually allocated to homeowners was $4.3 billion for making homes more energy efficient. Specifically, households and individuals could claim up to $1,500 of credit for making their home a bit more “green.” While most of these credits were given to households and individuals who upgraded their air conditioners and furnaces to be a bit more energy efficient, credits were also given to households and individuals who installed energy saving windows and doors. Some homeowners took this credit as an opportunity to outfit their home with ENERGY STAR-qualified geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines and solar energy systems. Ultimately, if all of the money was paid out to homeowners, over 2.867 million households were able to claim tax credits for making their homes more energy efficient.
In total, just a little over $10 billion was allocated to the improvement of public and low-income housing through several separate programs. $4.1 billion was given to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to repair public housing. This money was also used to improve the energy efficiency of public housing, remove lead paint from public housing and to make public housing more modern. Low-income housing received a significant boost from the act, as $2.5 billion was given to companies in order to finance the construction of low-income residences and make existing low-income housing more energy efficient. An additional two billion dollars was given to the Section 8 low-income housing rental voucher program, and another $1.5 billion was given to families and individuals facing foreclosure so that they could rent homes and avoid being homeless.
Because so many homes were left abandoned and partially destroyed due to negligence and anger over the foreclosure crisis, $2 billion was allocated to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to purchase, repair, redevelop and even destroy vacant housing and properties. One billion dollars was given to state and local governments in the form of grant money so that community development projects could be undertaken.

Most people associate the foreclosure crisis with urban and suburban American communities, but rural America suffered too. $330 million was given to rural Americans to help them buy homes and build community facilities.

While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act did have a few positive effects on the American housing market, as of right now, most of the benefits seem to have been temporary. Foreclosure rates are still high in several states, and there are still many homes that have been foreclosed upon which are still vacant and deteriorating. One of the largest problems, the fact that many households owe more on their home than it is worth, is still present and hard to overturn even with extensive social programs and tax credits.

However, the benefits on the housing market because of the stimulus cannot be denied, especially as “green technology” is concerned. Although the financial crisis and housing woes are still a drag on new constructions, making energy efficient renovations in existing homes is a booming business. According to an article in the Huffington Post earlier this year, “builders and remodelers who have adopted a transparent green message have been quite successful.”

It’s hard to determine which benefit caused by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was best for the country. On one hand, it’s hard to discount the fact that nearly one million people became new home owners. While it can be argued that people owning homes, in this circumstance, will not necessarily improve the economy, the fact that these home purchases allowed neighborhoods to remain stable and gave consumers an impression of security is a tremendous psychological benefit. On the other hand, several million households were able to recoup a bit of their investment by making their homes more energy efficient. This, in turn, might be able to save those households several hundreds or thousands of dollars over the next few years, and that money could end up going right back into the economy. Additionally, a lower rate of energy consumption is better for the environment and might be beneficial for the U.S. economy in the long run.

Guest Author
Stephanie Ross
Part-time Writer
HomeEquityLoan.net
ross.stephanie@aol.com

Eliminating Clutter When You Move to a Smaller Home

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:23:00 +0000

As people increasingly move away from the suburbs and into the city, many find themselves in smaller homes. If you’ve recently moved into a smaller space, you may be struggling to keep all of your belongings organized and to keep your house, loft, condo, or apartment de-cluttered. Living in a smaller space is an adjustment for most people, and few people realize that they should get rid of some of their things before they move into a home with limited space. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed in your new home by all of your stuff, here are some tips to help make your life easier:

· Set time aside to purge – Go through all the rooms in your new home and try to fill up five or six boxes of stuff you’d be willing to give away. After you’ve done this, you should get in the habit of filling up a box of throwaway items every few months. This will help you de-clutter now and continue to keep things de-cluttered over time.

· Don’t rule out self storage – There may be some large items like pianos and antique furniture that you don’t want to get rid of and that don’t quite fit in your new home. Consider storing these in a self-storage facility, especially if you have plans of moving to a bigger space in the future.

· Make frequent organization a priority – When you live in a large space, you don’t have to organize your home as often. There’s plenty of space for everything, and things just kind of naturally stay organized, unless you don’t put them back in their proper place after using them. Those who live in small spaces have to take some time out of every week to make sure everything stays organized and clutter isn’t popping up in any parts of the home.

· Take advantage of shelving options – You can install shelves throughout your new home to maximize places you can store things. Closets’ extra, unused wall space near the ceiling and the ground is an ideal place to install shelves, for instance. You may also want to put up some hooks and racks throughout your house to effectively store what you own in the most organized manner possible.

Keeping your smaller living space organized will require continuous, on-going work on your part. As much as you can, you should minimize what you own and maximize how you keep it organized.

Lisa is a blogger at SelfStorageDeals.com who writes mostly about real estate, home organization, and storage units for excess antique furniture, including storage units in Virginia Beach and storage units in Tallahassee."

Lisa
Self Storage Deals

Four ways to be more green at home

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Recycling is just one of many eco-friendly
home tips that can save you money.

(ARA) - It doesn't take much effort to run your household in a more eco-friendly way. You might even be surprised by how much money you can save.

"A small change can make a big difference," says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president of insurer QBE. His company recently implemented a series of small environmental changes and the savings are adding up. "These are changes anyone could make in their own home. We just did it on a larger scale."

Here are four simple green changes inspired by QBE that could benefit any homeowner:

1. Recycle - and not just the obvious stuff.
Chances are, you're already recycling glass bottles and aluminum cans. But why stop there? Consider recycling before you throw anything away. You might also consider collecting aluminum cans and bringing them to your local recycling facility where you may get some cash for your efforts.

QBE's Sun Prairie, Wis. office recycles electrical wire, cabinets, shelving, scrap metals and light fixtures. In two years, not only did the company collect $4,000 for non-traditional recyclables, it also avoided fees for disposing of them.

2. Switch to high-efficiency lighting.
For years we've heard that high-efficiency lighting is the way to go. But did you know the magnitude of difference this one change could make? EnergyStar reports that each compact florescent light bulb can save up to $40 in energy costs over its lifetime.

In March 2010 QBE's Bellevue, Wash., site converted from halogen to fluorescent light fixtures in its parking garage. This one change is saving 378,554 kilowatt hours per year in electrical usage, totaling $26,575 in annual utility expense.

3. When it's not in use, turn it off.Moms all over the world can be heard reminding their brood, "Turn the lights off!" While there's no doubt it makes sense to turn off lights, some may question when and if a computer should be turned off since it takes a bit more energy to power up than to leave it running.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that for energy savings and convenience, consider turning off your monitor if you aren't going to use your computer for more than 20 minutes. Turn off your computer if you're not going to use it in the next two hours.

Like a lot of people, QBE employees don't always shut down their computers at the end of the day. Last year, the company began automatic shutdowns at 9 p.m. local time - saving about $55,000 in energy costs each year. The system gives a prompt 60 minutes prior to the automatic shutdown, allowing employees who are actively working to bypass the shut-off.

4. Paper - who needs it?Valinotti suggests that taking baby steps toward a paperless existence can be natural and painless. For example, many homeowners already do their banking online - so why not also switch to paperless bank statements? Many utilities, credit card companies and municipalities also offer online billing.

By just moving a portion of its monthly reports online, QBE saves 2.5 reams of paper and $11 per day, totaling $2,000 in savings last year.

As you can see, just a few small changes can help you go green - and help you build financial strength as well.

VA Home Loans in Mobile Alabama

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:59:00 +0000

The VA home loan program is a program that was first established to further honor those who served in World War II. Since then, the program has provided low interest, zero-down home loans to nearly 20 million qualified veterans and service members across our great nation.

When many people think of the United States Armed Forces, they often think of the main four branches and tend to leave out one important branch, the United States Coast Guard. Mobile is home to the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, which houses rescue aircraft such as the HC-25, HC-144A, HH-65, HH-60 and the HC 130 Hercules. Another little known fact about the US Coast Guard is that they too are eligible for the VA home loan program.

Even though the VA loan is the premier lending option for military members, it still boasts some of the most lenient eligibility requirements of any lending program. Eligibility is first determined by service, and a service member must meet only one of the following service requirements:

· Served on active duty for a minimum of 90 days consecutively during wartime or 181 days consecutively during peacetime
· Be a Reservist or National Guard member with at least six years of service
· Be the not remarried, surviving spouse of a service member who died due to a service related injury

If a service member falls into one of the preceding categories, then they should take the next step by contacting a VA approved lender and acquiring their Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

VA approved lenders expect a minimum credit score of at least 620 and allow a high debt-to-income ratio of nearly 41 percent.

With a program this easily attainable, you’d think there wouldn’t be amazing benefits; however, that is not the case. The VA home loan program provides some of the best benefits in the industry, including:

· Zero money down option for qualified members
· No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
· Competitive interest rates
· Default and foreclosure assistance for active duty members

While a VA loan isn’t for everyone, service members do have the opportunity to take advantage of one of the best lending options on the market, boasting the lowest foreclosure rate of any government backed lending program.

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Guest author Kevin Pearia is a mortgage commentator for Veterans UnitedHome Loans, the nation’s leading dedicated provider of VA Home Loans.

Why winter is the right time to plan outdoor updates

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Shaw) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:46:00 +0000

Does the bitter cold weather have you dreaming of warm days spending time with friends and family in your backyard? The cold may keep us indoors, but professionals in the landscape and remodeling industry are still thinking about the outdoors and use the winter months to plan spring projects, and so should you.

Winter months provide the perfect opportunity to prepare your outdoor space for the warmer months. Planning and prepping now will ensure that you get full use of your outdoor space for the entire season once warm weather arrives. Get a head start by planning some of these spring projects now:

Grass
Before you know it, you'll be peeling off your wool socks and walking around your yard feeling the soft grass between your toes. To ensure a lush lawn, spend time this winter researching grass seed options so you can repair any sparse areas in your yard. Planting grass seed early gives the seed plenty of time to germinate which will give you a healthy, green lawn in the spring. In addition to research, you can also chat with someone at your local nursery for help choosing the appropriate type of grass to plant in the early months of spring. Here in Mobile, most of us are not spreading grass seed. Instead we are applying fertilizer and weed killers to prepare our lawns for the spring.

Bulbs
Some bulbs grow best when planted in the early spring when the ground is still cool. Do some research to figure out the best bulbs for your region so you can determine the ideal planting time. There's nothing better than having a yard full of colorful flowers providing great curb appeal early in the season.

Deck
Sitting on your deck enjoying warm, sunny days or cooler evenings is something everyone looks forward to. Adding a new deck to your home or replacing an existing one adds value to your real estate investment. Homeowners have been consistently choosing composite decking over wooden decks over the past several years because composite decking is high performance and low maintenance, unlike wood decking which can splinter and crack, and often requires staining and sealing. Composite decking is long-lasting, durable, made of recycled materials, and resists mildew, warping and insects. According to Remodeling magazine 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report, adding a composite deck to your home has a 70 percent return on investment.

You can find free online tools to help you plan your new decking project during winter months. Visit www.timbertech.com to learn which decking materials are best for you by taking a quick quiz. Create free deck designs with the Online Deck Designer. Mix and match decking and railing colors with the Color Visualizer and be inspired by other deck designs in the Photo Gallery. Before you know it, you'll have the perfect plan for your dream deck so when warm weather hits, you're ready.

Trees and shrubs
As you're deciding on the deck, consider a plan to plant trees and/or shrubbery to provide a more natural outdoor atmosphere. The right type of landscaping will not only be visually appealing, but will also provide privacy and shade. Planting your selections early can have many benefits including time for each tree or shrub to establish a strong root system so that it flourishes for many years to come.

Stop dreaming of warm weather and put that energy into planning your outdoor space. From decking to landscape updates, your efforts during the winter months will bloom into big results once the spring thaw hits.