Buying and Selling a Home in Birmingham Alabama: A Question of Affordability

Buying and Selling a Home in Birmingham Alabama: A Question of Affordability

Two of the most often asked questions by consumers are:

1.Is now a good time to buy a home and
2.Is now a good time to sell a home
Both are excellent questions and both hinge on the same answer which is a question in itself:

Can you afford it? Can you afford to sell? Can you afford to buy?

The answer to the buyer question may be a bit more obvious. Of course you’ll need to be able to afford the monthly mortgage. But what about the cost leading up to obtaining the mortgage? Do you have a down-payment (at least the 3.5% required if financing FHA).

Do you have money for the home inspection? I don’t want to even think about you buying a home and not having it inspected.

Your lender will need to know is the home worth the money you are attempting to borrow. Do you have money for the appraisal? If you don’t, unless you’re paying cash, there will be no home purchase.

So let’s say all of that is a go and yes you have all of that “pre-purchase money” and have managed to go to closing and the deed has been transferred.

You’ve got the mortgage covered, but do you have money to furnish it? Do you money to update the home just the way you’ve dreamed about? We haven’t even talked about routine maintenance yet: interior and exterior upkeep, regular maintenance such as HVAC service contracts, interior and exterior painting. What if you need a new roof in a few years? Are you already planning for it?

Buying a home is about more than just being able to pay the mortgage. It’s a responsibiity to maintain the value of your home through regular maintenance, upkeep and updating. If the day ever comes when you need or want to sell your home, there will be buyers just like you once were, who are looking for a home that has been well maintained. Every detailed will be scrutinized by that familiar buyer’s eye.

Buying A Home in Birmingham’s Forest Park is All About Lifestyle

Buying A Home in Birmingham’s Forest Park is All About Lifestyle Birmingham’s Forest Park is all about lifestyle, love of archectural detail and an appreciation of Forest Park’s designation as a Historic Neighborhood.

When buying a home in Birmingham’s Forest Park, it’s not all just about the house. It’s about unique architecural features that are found in these historic treasures. Forest Park is an official Historic District.

Such features as:

Built-in cabinetry (wall units, bookcases, armoires, etc)

Window seating (where one can sit for hours on end and gaze out the window or enjoy a good book, watch the sun rise and set from the best view in the house).

Living in Forest Park means living among neighborhoods who enjoy walking to local shops and restaurants (Zoe’s, V Richards, not just for the sake of shopping, but for the sheer benefit of slow stroll that allows one to take and enjoy the fine craftsmanship that line both sides of the street on any given block. Forest Park: There’s so much more to living there. Looking to buy a home in Forest Park? Contact me at 205-321-1200. I think I’ve got just the place for you.

Open House Today, Sunday July 17, 2011: 2 – 4 pm: 301 Martin Drive (Centerpoint)

Open House Today, Sunday July 17, 2011:   2 – 4 pm:  301 Martin Drive (Centerpoint) 

We’ll be sitting on the porch awaiting your arrival to view this beautiful home with it’s new hardwood floor in the living room, modern kitchen, 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full baths.  From the moment you drive into the Sleepy Hollow community, you’ll be greeted with pride of ownership and as you approach 310 Martin Drive, the first thing you’ll notice is the lush, green grass that almost looks like carpet.  It’s been a couple of years since the exterior was painted, but it still looks very fresh.

But wait.  I’ll bet you’re thinking that the exterior is wood siding.  It’s actually a concrete based product which in turn means, added durability.

It’s been a hot one in Birmingham and lucky for the buyers of this home, the current owner has made certain to have the HVAC system serviced twice a year for the optimum in cooling comfort.

I’ll let you finish painting this picture during your visit to the Open House.  So we’ll see you on Sunday.  But here’s a sneak preview.

Birmingham Alabama Short Sale SOLD: 2520 Avenue Y

Birmingham Alabama Short Sale:  SOLD JULY 2011

Another one bites the dust!

2520 Avenue Y, Birmingham, AL 35208

Lot for Sale in Maylene, Alabama’s Lake Ridge Subdivision: 185 Sweetbay

Bank Owned Lot For Sale : 185 Sweetbay Drive, Maylene, AL 35114 – $25,000
Bank Owned Lot For Sale :  185 Sweetbay Drive, Maylene, AL 35114

This is a sweeheart of a deal.  Don’t wait any longer!  A dream home fits right here.  Surrounded by nature and beautiful neighboring homes in the Lake Ridge Subdivision. This lot is ideal for an investor, builder or someone awaiting the perfect spot to build.  At this price, you can buy now and build later or start building right away. 

Lot size 0.52 acres / 22,521 sf per tax records.

We’re Having an Open House at 301 Martin Drive 35215, Sunday July 17, 2011

We’re Having an Open House at 301 Martin Drive 35215, Sunday July 17, 2011

That’s right. On Sunday, July 17, 2011 we’ll be holding an Open House at 301 Martin Drive, Birmingham, AL 35215 from 2:00 til 4:00. We’ll be sitting on the porch awaiting your arrival to view this beautiful home with it’s new hardwood floor in the living room, modern kitchen, 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full baths. From the moment you drive into the Sleepy Hollow community, you’ll be greeted with pride of ownership and as you approach 310 Martin Drive, the first thing you’ll notice is the lush, green grass that almost looks like carpet. It’s been a couple of years since the exterior was painted, but it still looks very fresh. But wait. I’ll bet you’re thinking that the exterior is wood siding. It’s actually a concrete based product which in turn means, added durability. It’s been a hot one in Birmingham and lucky for the buyers of this home, the current owner has made certain to have the HVAC system serviced twice a year for the optimum in cooling comfort. I’ll let you finish painting this picture during your visit to the Open House. So we’ll see you on Sunday. But here’s a sneak preview.

 

Bham WIiRE Realty’s First EVER First Time Home Buyer Seminar a SUCCESS

Bham WIiRE Realty’s First EVER First Time Home Buyer Seminar a SUCCESS

We were very pleased with the turnout for our first EVER, First Time Home Buyer’s Seminar.  It was an intimate crowd which meant that everyone received the personalized attention that they deserved.

I started the seminar by giving an overview of what we hoped to accomplished including handling first things first when it comes to the home buying process.  That lead into the intro of our first speaker, Martha Hernandez of the Southern Mortgage Group.  Martha gave a wonderful overview of the mortgage qualifying and loan process.  Attendees were very receptive of the advice given and gained a definite advantage over the average home buyer who has not attended such a seminar.

After Martha’s talk, she answered questions and then I followed up with a brief discussion of what we do while the loan officer is pre-qualifying the applicant and what to expect during the search. 

Demetrius then said a few words and introduced Home Inspector Brian Nix of Integrity Home Inspections.  It is very unlikely that anyone in this group would even consider bypassing the home inspection after hearing Brian.  In addition to being a home inspection, Brian is an engineer, contractor and has a background in HVAC among other things and continues to seek other degrees and certifications to better aid those he serves.

After Brian’s talk Demetrius, Faye Morrow and myself (The Bham WIiRE Team) continued to discuss the importance of the Realtor®/buyer relationship, the committment to one another as well as the entire home buying team.  We outlined expectations and how to keep a positive attitude and a realistic grasp on the realities of the market.

This was our first FTHB Seminar, but definitely not our last.  Thanks to everyone in attendance.