Three Rivers Recon

Montgomery Area 1st Time Homebuyers: Act Now For $8K

2009-11-06T16:21:27Z

I know that the headline sounds like typical Realtor “buy now” squawking, but the truth is, if you are a first time buyer in the Montgomery area, you had better make your decision, get under contract, and get closed before November 30.

So you have a lot of time, right? NO.

Please realize that the time between agreeing to a price and terms and then actually closing the sale can be 4 weeks at least. Most of the time with first time home buyers, it takes more like 6.

Why does it take so long to close?

Let’s say you find a home in Montgomery today and make an offer. If the sellers counter-offer, it may take a day or two of going back and forth to get a signed contract.

Once you have a signed contract, there’s lots more work until you can close and officially own the home. You have to finalize your financing and get the lender’s approval of the contract. The bank will order an appraisal. That will take a week or so. Depending on your situation, you may be getting a home inspection, survey, or any number of things like this.

Then you have to find a closing agent and book a time to close. Trust me - they will be busy from now until November 30.

In summary, the time it takes from “We’ve got a deal!” to “Here are your keys” can be weeks. Start now if you want the $8K to close before November 30, 2009.

4 Reasons to love Farmhouse Kitchen at Hampstead

2009-08-28T16:14:30Z

Farmhouse Kitchen in the Town of Hampstead in Montgomery, AL, is a gem of a restaurant. We knew it had a good chance of being cool simply because it’s part of this unique East Montgomery development, but what about the food?

We ate dinner there last night and it exceeded our expectations. Here are 4 reasons we love Farmhouse Kitchen:

1) Staff – This has to be #1 on our list because the service and hospitality were excellent. We ate as part of a large group, but the servers and staff took care of our every need with ease. I even got a hug when we left! It’s not contrived hospitality – it’s the real deal.

2) Food – We tried the shrimp and grits, and it was fabulous. Easily one of the best renditions of this dish we’ve had. The skillet cornbread that’s brought to the table before the meal was fought over, and the homemade vanilla ice cream on top of our pecan pie was far better than any we’ve made in our own ice cream churn.

Fresh tomato, cucumber and onion with vinaigrette

Shrimp and Grits in a HUGE bowl

Chocolate cake

3) Atmosphere – Open and casual, you would not mind bringing your kids for lunch or dinner. The decor is simple and comfortable, but not hokey or contrived to be “country.” It serves a purpose and does not get in the way of the experience (which is the food).

4) Location – If you haven’t been to Hampstead, head south on Taylor Road and take a tour. We had fun walking the main street and enjoying the architecture before the rest of our group arrived. It’s definitely an escape from the strip mall experience. We both commented that it would be fun to live in Hampstead and have a great place to eat within walking distance.

Forget chain restaurant, greasy, “country” cooking. Farmhouse Kitchen is more like eating at your grandmother’s. And the service is just as good!

For a menu and hours of operation, click here.

Demand is High for New Montgomery Public Schools

2009-08-17T14:35:41Z

Last week was the first week of school for Montgomery Public Schools, and if anyone doubted the demand for public schools on the east side of Montgomery, AL, all doubts have been erased.

Homeowners in these schools zones should be pleased.

However, the Montgomery Advertiser reports a lot of traffic and “overcrowding” at the 2 newest east Montgomery schools, Wilson Elementary and Carr Junior High (to read the article, “Carr Junior High already crowded”).

Consider a few things while digesting these reports: 1) the first week of school is chaotic for any school, in any zone, 2) these are two brand new schools built where demand is HIGH for public schools, and 3) there are now 3 large public schools virtually next door to one another along the 2-lane Ray Thorington Road.

Is anyone really shocked about the traffic?

Let’s give these schools a chance to work out some kinks.

As for the overcrowded classrooms, the Advertiser article reports that school administrators are double checking residency to make sure kids are really zoned for these new schools.

I wish them all luck, and look forward to checking back in a month or so to see how conditions have improved.

New Construction Sightings in East Montgomery, Alabama

2009-07-11T21:33:33Z

Driving through the Pike Road area of Montgomery County, AL, I saw evidence of new construction.

New construction in Lochshire

New construction in Cawfield

What does this mean? I’m not making any predictions about the market, but I will say I haven’t seen much new building going on in the past year.

It’s nice to see a little real estate action.

Have you noticed new construction in your area of the River Region? Comment below and let us know what’s going on in your neighborhood.

If you’d like to find a new construction home or any property in the Montgomery MLS, give us a call. We’d love to help!

Pike Road, AL Adds to Town Hall

2009-07-11T21:18:35Z

The Town of Pike Road has purchased the Pike Road Station shopping center on Vaughn Road. (see google map)

Now, while building prices are low, they are considering adding a second story to the former Fine Foods Market building, creating a large auditorium area for community events. The first floor of the building will be used for Town Council offices and a meeting hall.

Here are some pics of the building:

New Pike Road Town Hall and shopping center

New Pike Road Town Hall

To learn more, click here for an article from the Montgomery Advertiser.

Fun, Free (or almost) and Cool: Entertain Your Kids in Montgomery, AL

2009-06-24T15:19:36Z

It’s already scorching in Montgomery, AL.

It’s the second day of summer.

How does a family survive?

Here are a few ideas for free (or very cheap) ways to keep your kids entertained this summer while NOT suffering a heatstroke.

Public Libraries: Where are they and what special events are going on? Here’s a link to library summer events next week. Check back with local branches for more activities. Storytellers, singers, art – sounds fun.

Kids’ movies at The Capri: Every Thursday and Friday at 10 am and 1 pm, you can take your kids for just $1 a ticket. Click here for their summer schedule, and get there a little early because it fills up quickly.

Kids’ movies at the Rave: Similar to the Capri, but FREE! Click here for the summer roster. They’re showing free kids’ movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am for eight weeks this summer. Like The Capri, no reservations are taken, so show up early to get a seat.

Artworks Gallery at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts: Air conditioned, fun, room to wiggle – all good things in 100 degree weather. There is a box for donations at the front door of the museum, but there is no entrance fee. It’s a large, interactive space for kids to explore art with their families. You can spend hours . . . click here for more info.

Riverwalk Splashpad: Located in the Riverwalk amphitheater park in downtown Montgomery, the splashpad is (for lack of better terminology) a large play area with water shooting out of the ground. Like a big fountain. Although this is not an air conditioned venue, it’s wet and FREE, and anyone can use it (although sometimes it’s closed for private parties. Open until 7 pm everyday. Click here for address and phone number.

I’m sure there are some I have overlooked, so feel free to add to the list by commenting below. Good luck staying cool and saving money this summer!

Wilson Elementary and Carr Jr. High Registration Begins Today

2009-06-23T19:30:39Z

Carr Junior High School, Montgomery, AL

It’s finally time to head on over and make it official. If you live in the new Jim Wilson Elementary and Carr Middle School school zones, you can register your kids starting today.

Don’t expect to tour the new facilities yet, though – you’ll actually register in Blount Elementary’s lunchroom. From today until Thursday, you can come from 9 am until 1 pm. From June 22-25, come between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

Wilson Elementary School, Montgomery, AL

If you miss this two week registration period, you can still register your child – but it will happen closer to the beginning of the school year at the new school itself.

Not sure if you’re affected by these new school zones? Click here for MPS zoning maps.

For more info on what to bring with you, see the Montgomery Advertiser’s article “Registration Starts Today for New Schools.”

Neighborhood Spotlight: Providence in Pike Road, AL

2009-06-17T03:12:01Z

Providence is for those who 1) want to build a new house, 2) want to live in Pike Road, AL, but 3) still want to live very close in to Montgomery in a planned development.

Horse farm it is not.

If you fit the bill, then take the (really) short drive to the intersection of Vaughn and Pike Roads. You’re there. (Turn south onto Pike and it’s on your left).

I drove through today, and they’ve cut in the streets and sidewalks. There’s a pretty entrance and streetlights – I’m guessing this is Phase I. The developers are selling lots that are either 60′ by 145′ (”The Traditions”) or 100′ by 200′ (”The Estates”). Traditions homes have to be a minimum of 2,400 square feet and Estate homes a minimum of 2,800 square feet.

The website says you can bring your own builder, and that gives buyers some flexibility.

What will the homes look like? Providence’s brochure says they’ll have “elements of French Country and European architecture woven into modern home designs.” Click here to see sample house plans on the Providence website.

Is your interest piqued? Give us a call at the number at the top of the page or contact us through the Contacts tab and we’d be glad to help you learn more about this new development.

Considering a Home in Pike Road, AL?

2009-06-09T02:16:13Z

Put 425 Merry Way in the Merry Station neighborhood at the top of your house-hunting list.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you watch the video, you’ll see this 4 bed/ 3 bath home is tastefully updated and the yard is worthy of it’s own video tour. You may not need to read further before calling us for a private showing. . .

But there is more to love:

1) The home is zoned for the Town of Pike Road, and therefore will be zoned for the Pike Road public school that is currently being planned. (Click here to read more)

2) Merry Station is an old school neighborhood of 2 cul-de-sac streets. Odds are if you drive through at almost any time of day, there will be kids running from yard to yard to play. Their dogs will be following close on their heels, so please drive slowly.

3) Even though Merry Way is in Pike Road, it’s literally minutes to everything you need in East Montgomery and I-85. Click here for a map.

4) Merry Station is a completely developed neighborhood (no empty lots), and hundreds of trees fill the yards – which are all around an acre. Here are some pics of the neighborhood so you can see for yourself . . .

Entrance to Merry Station neighborhood

Merry Way

Driving into Merry Station

Looking down Merry Court (one of the two streets in Merry Station)

425 Merry Way

If you’d like to look at this home, or any home in the Montgomery area, please give us a call at (334) 221-5862 or contact us using the “contact” tab at the top of this page. We’d love to help you with your house search!

Lemonade Stand In East Montgomery’s Sturbridge Tastes Like Summer

2009-06-02T04:03:56Z

I have a great home for sale in Sturbridge. I took my real estate assistant over there to put out some more flyers today and encountered my first lemonade stand of the summer:

I wasn’t surprised to see one here. Sturbridge is a great neighborhood in east Montgomery, one with an apple pie, American feel. Kids ride their bikes around there. Moms power walk. Teens play ultimate frisbee in the “green space.”

What I was surprised about was how good the lemonade was. It was actually like a limonada – sort of a blended, Icee consistency, with just the right amount of sweet and sour. Worth every bit of the 75 cents and 25 cent tip. What’s up? Do the kids in Sturbridge have some sort of secret recipe? I will return to that one.

Even though I am one of the cheapest humans alive, I will always stop at a kids’ lemonade stand. It is free enterprise in action. It fires me up that capitalism is alive and well, no bailouts in the lemonade stand industry, no sir.

While I’m on the subject, let me point out one more great reason to stop a lemonade stands: Make A Stand – Montgomery’s own Pat & Elizabeth Adams are involved with this effort to bring awareness and raise money to fight pediatric brain cancer.