Birmingham AL Mortgage Tax Credit Dates Extended for Veterans

Active-veterans who serve on an official, extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 91 days during the period of January 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 will be granted a 1-year extension on the home buyer tax credit.  In other words, any active veterans who served overseas for over 90 days between the the aforementioned dates can qualify for the same Birmingham home buyer tax credit if they are in contract to purchase by April 30th, 2011 and complete the transaction by June 30th, 2011.

Who qualifies?

• Member of “uniformed” services
• Member of Foreign Service of the U.S.
• Employee of Intelligence Community
• Extended Duty “outside” the United States for at least 91 days during the period from 1/01/09 to 4/30/10
• Extended Duty “inside” the United States for at least 91 days and had to relocate at least 50 miles
• Spouse of any of the above

Any veteran, with the above qualifications, who’s thinking of buying a new home will be happy to know they have an extra year to find a new Birmingham home.

This was shared with me this week from a local mortgage lender.

Please verify all information with the appropriate sources if trying to get the tax credit for Veterans.

Looking to Buy Birmingham Alabama Real Estate?

If you want to buy a home in the Birmingham Alabama area- we’ve made it fast and easy for you to search all the Birmingham Alabama homes for sale . Search just like the best Birmingham AL Realtors and see all the properties being sold by all Birmingham Alabama Real Estate agents.

Enjoy our fully customizable property search of the complete Birmingham Alabama MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, and town houses. We specialize in helping you buy a Birmingham Alabama real estate bargain.(foreclosures and bank owned homes)

Specializing in Selling Birmingham AL Homes

The first thing home sellers need to know is “What’s my Birmingham AL home worth right NOW?” and what are Birmingham home prices doing by neighborhood. Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report – CMA on your home so you can see what is actually happening in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.

Experience shows that to sell a home in Birmingham AL today requires more than just putting a sign in the yard or putting the property information in the MLS.

Successful home sellers have found they need the advice of skilled Real Estate counsultants like us, who have:

• strong negotiating skills to get your home sold quickly for the most money even in this real estate market,
• a strong internet marketing plan like our Smart Home Selling Plan. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our plan we make sure they are seeing your home first and we also have a
• deep understanding of what’s really happening with home values in your real estate market ( Birmingham Real Estate Market Reports by area).

We have helped many families sell their Birmingham homes, quickly and painlessly even in this difficult housing market. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Smart Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.

Call us to schedule your FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles – guaranteed).
Whether you are buying or selling Birmingham AL homes | Hoover homes | Vestavia homes | Vestavia Homes | Pelham Homes |Helena Homes | Trussville Homes |Homewood Homes – we can help!

Call me today at – 205-383-3358.

Stephen Wolfe – Birmingham Alabama Realtor

Birmingham AL Homes for Sale – What You Get For The Money Priced About $250,000

Birmingham, Alabama – I happened to be watching TV the other night and caught a few minutes of a show, What You Get For The Money, on HGTV. It got my attention for a little while and got me thinking about what you can get for the money when it comes to Birmingham AL Homes for Sale in some of the different areas around town.

So, I am going to start this series on Birmingham AL Homes priced around $250,000 as of May, 2010. I hope to also spotlight other price ranges as well.

What I have done is go into the Birmingham MLS and do a search on homes priced from 245,000-255,000 and selected ten homes which met that criteria. I did just select Single Family homes and excluded townhomes and condos.  I made a pdf of the ten homes and am including the links below. Hopefully in time I will be able to include an active link that can be searched, but for now, this is what we will do.

Mountain Brook

There were none currently in that price range. So I just pulled homes that were the closest both above and below 250,000. Most of Mountain Brook is above 250,000. These are actually some of the lowest priced Mountain Brook Real Estate.

Click here to learn more about Mountain Brook, Alabama.

You can see all these Mountain Brook homes for sale here: Mountain Brook $250,000

Vestavia

Most of these are 3 bedroom 2 bath homes. It is in not common to find larger Vestavia Homes for Sale in this price range. I actually expected to have to expand my parameters in Vestavia to find ten homes.

Click here to learn more about Vestavia, Alabama

You can see all these Vestavia homes for sale here: Vestavia $250,000

Homewood

Like Vestavia, I did not expect to find many Homewood AL Homes in this price range of any size. Most of these are 2 and 3 bedroom homes. However, I would expect that they have had some updates. While Homewood does have some larger homes, a good bit of Homewood is characterized as older homes that have been somewhat updated.

Click here to learn more about Homewood, Alabama.

You can see all these Homewood AL Homes here: Homewood $250,000

Hoover

Unlike the three aforementioned areas, I did expect to find a wider variety and some larger homes in the price range of these Hoover AL Homes for Sale, and I did. More than 2o homes came up in the price range I was using so I did have the opportunity to select 10 homes.  You can expect to find some larger homes, some maybe with some finer touches here than in the previous 3 areas in this price range.

Click here to learn more about Hoover, Alabama

You can see the Hoover AL Homes for Sale here: Hoover $250,000

Trussville

Not unlike Hoover, I expected and found the same results. These Trussville Homes for Sale have between 3 and 5 bedrooms and may even have some larger lots. Like Hoover, you can expect to find some larger homes, some maybe with some finer touches here than in the previous 3 areas in this price range.

Click here to learn more about Trussville, Alabama

You can see these Trussville Homes for Sale here: Trussville $250,000

Looking to Buy Birmingham Alabama Real Estate?

If you want to buy a home in the Birmingham Alabama area- we’ve made it fast and easy for you to search all the Birmingham Alabama homes for sale . Search just like the best Birmingham AL Realtors and see all the properties being sold by all Birmingham Alabama Real Estate agents.

Enjoy our fully customizable property search of the complete Birmingham Alabama MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, and town houses. We specialize in helping you buy a Birmingham Alabama real estate bargain.(foreclosures and bank owned homes)

Specializing in Selling Birmingham AL Homes

The first thing home sellers need to know is “What’s my Birmingham AL home worth right NOW?” and what are Birmingham home prices doing by neighborhood. Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report – CMA on your home so you can see what is actually happening in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.

Experience shows that to sell a home in Birmingham AL today requires more than just putting a sign in the yard or putting the property information in the MLS.

Successful home sellers have found they need the advice of skilled Real Estate counsultants like us, who have:

• strong negotiating skills to get your home sold quickly for the most money even in this real estate market,
• a strong internet marketing plan like our Smart Home Selling Plan. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our plan we make sure they are seeing your home first and we also have a
• deep understanding of what’s really happening with home values in your real estate market ( Birmingham Real Estate Market Reports by area).

We have helped many families sell their Birmingham homes, quickly and painlessly even in this difficult housing market. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Smart Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.

Call us to schedule your FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles – guaranteed).
Whether you are buying or selling Birmingham AL homes | Hoover homes | Vestavia homes | Vestavia Homes | Pelham Homes |Helena Homes | Trussville Homes |Homewood Homes – we can help!

Call me today at – 205-383-3358.

Stephen Wolfe – Birmingham Alabama Realtor

Understanding Zillow and The “Zestimate”

Over the weekend an article was shared with me by Ginger Wilcox, a Marin Real Estate Agent in  who sells Marin County, California about Zillow and their Zestimates on homes. Occasionally, here in Birmingham, I may have someone ask about the zestimate value of a home they were looking at online. I explained to them the difference in what I could find in the current sales data and sort of how Zillow goes about doing theirs. Ginger had a nice thought about this in her article that caught my attention which was…

“If you are selling your home, it is import to know the zestimate because home buyers are looking at those numbers before they write offers on your home.  A zestimate is not a replacement for a full market analysis by a licensed agent who understands the current market conditions in that neighborhood, but it can be a helpful starting point.”

This quote by itself doesn’t tell the whole article, so, with her permission, we are sharing it in its entirety below…

Understanding the “Zestimate” for your home

Oct 9th, 2009 by Ginger Wilcox

Ever wondered how Zillow calculates their zestimates?  This is a great video by Zillow on how they actually calculate the “zestimate” for homes.  In the video, David Gibbons, Community Relations Manager for Zillow says “a zestimate is an estimate of the value of your home.  It is not what you should list your home for and it is not what we are saying you should offer for a home you are trying to buy.”  He goes on to talk about considerations impacting the accuracy of the zestimate.  The wider the range, the less confident Zillow is in the zestimate value.  Gibbons also says you should look at the Zestimtae value over time.   It is a great video to get an understanding of how zestimates are calculated.

If you are selling your home, it is import to know the zestimate because home buyers are looking at those numbers before they write offers on your home.  A zestimate is not a replacement for a full market analysis by a licensed agent who understands the current market conditions in that neighborhood, but it can be a helpful starting point.

Again, I want to give special thanks to Ginger Wilcox, Marin Real Estate for sharing this with us.

Birmingham Home Buyer Tax Credit – Time Is Running Out – IRS Video

Birmingham Alabama Home Buyer Class – June 30, 2009

Birmingham, Hoover, Homewood, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Helena, Pelham, AL, or anywhere in Between! – Buying a home is a complex process. Title Insurance – inspections – negotiations – mortgages. To help ensure that your home purchase is profitable and problem free, three area companies have teamed up to sponsor a home buyer’s class to teach you the secrets of successful home buying.

There’s a BirminghamBuyer Class taking place this Tuesday, June 30, 2009, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm here in Birmingham at the Vestavia Hills Library.

You’ll learn everything you need to know about home buying from three expert panelists.

Do you think you could make it?

Just visit the class website to register:

www.BirminghamBuyerClass.com

or call our 24-Hour FREE RECORDED MESSAGE at

1-888-263-9914

extension 99

24 hours a day, toll free to register!

Birmingham Alabama Homes – Hoover Real Estate Market Statistics First Quarter 2009

Birmingham, Alabama – We are well in to 2009, and it is time to look at the year of market statistics for Birmingham AL Real Estate. As we have always stated that as a homeowner, potential resident, potential seller, or as a real estate consultant, we think it is always important to know the stats about what is happening with Birmingham Alabama homes. For this report we are going to be focusing on Hoover Alabama Real Estate

Birmingham – Hoover Homes for Sale Listed First Quarter 2009

For the first quarter of 2009 there were 537 Newly Listed Hoover Homes for Sale. The Average Price was $367,609. The Median Price was $299,900.

Birmingham – Hoover Homes Sold First Quarter 2009

For the first quarter of 2009 there were 176 Hoover AL homes Sold. The Average Price was $317,737. The Median Price was $290,832, with 108 Average Days on Market at 96% of list price.

Birmingham – Hoover Homes for Sale – Currently active as of 6/09

Currently there are 1019 Active Hoover Homes For Sale with an Average Price of $410,928. The Median Price is $326,000 with 131 Average Days on Market.

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Hoover area just let us know. To view our area Real Estate and Community Tour go to the Hoover Real Estate Channel. For more information about the Hoover Community you can also go to the Hoover Chamber of Commerce (Click here for their website.)

Search…

Hoover Homes for Sale

*Note these Birmingham AL Real Estate stats are accurate as of 6/09 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as Birmingham Realtors submit listed and sold properties into the Birmingham Alabama MLS.

Birmingham Alabama Homes – Homewood Alabama Real Estate Market Statistics for 2008

Birmingham, Alabama – 2008 has finally come to an end, and it is time to look at the year of market statistics for Birmingham AL Real Estate. As we have always stated that as a homeowner, potential resident, potential seller, or as a real estate consultant, we think it is always important to know the stats about what is happening with Birmingham Alabama homes. For this report we are going to be focusing on Homewood Alabama Real Estate

Birmingham – Homewood Alabama Homes for Sale Listed 2008

In 2008, there were 758 Newly Listed Homewood Homes for Sale. The Average Price was $333,251. The Median Price was $272,500.

In contrast, in 2007 there were 871 Newly Listed Homewood Homes for Sale. The Average Price was $355,157. The Median Price was $287,900.

Birmingham – Homewood Alabama Homes Sold 2008

In 2008, there were 301 Sold Homewood homes sold in Birmingham Alabama. The Average Price was $286,448. The Median Price was $245,000, with 86 Average Days on Market at 95% of list price.

Compared to 2007 there were 374 Sold homes in Homewood AL Real Estate. The Average Price was $309,796. The Median Price was $258,450, with 99 Average Days on Market.

Birmingham – Homewood Alabama Homes for Sale – Currently active as of 1/09

Currently there are 239 Active Homewood Homes For Sale with an Average Price of $339,566. The Median Price is $286,500, with 138 Average Days on Market.

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Homewood area just let us know. To view our area Homewood Alabama Real Estate and Community Tour go to Homewood Real Estate Channel. For more information about the Homewood Community you can also go to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce. (Click here for their website.)

Search…

Homewood Homes for Sale $100000 to $200000

Homewood Homes for Sale $200000 to $300000

Homewood Homes for Sale $300000 to $400000

Homewood Homes for Sale $400000 to $500000

Homewood Homes for Sale $500000 to $750000

*Note these Birmingham AL Real Estate stats are accurate as of 1/09 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as Birmingham Realtors submit listed and sold properties into the Birmingham Alabama MLS.

Birmingham Alabama Home Buyer Class – January 13, 2009

Birmingham, Hoover, Homewood, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Helena, Pelham, AL, or anywhere in Between! – Buying a home is a complex process. Title Insurance – inspections – negotiations – mortgages. To help ensure that your home purchase is profitable and problem free, three area companies have teamed up to sponsor a home buyer’s class to teach you the secrets of successful home buying.

There’s a BirminghamBuyer Class taking place this Tuesday, January 13, 2009, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm here in Birmingham at the Vestavia Hills Library.

You’ll learn everything you need to know about home buying from three expert panelists.

Do you think you could make it?

Just visit the class website to register:

www.BirminghamBuyerClass.com

or call our 24-Hour FREE RECORDED MESSAGE at

1-888-263-9914

extension 99

24 hours a day, toll free to register!

Birmingham Alabama Homes – Real Estate Hoover Alabama Market Statistics October 2008

Birmingham Alabama – We are well underway with 2008, and time to continue our look at the year of market statistics for Birmingham Alabama Real Estate. As we have always stated that as a homeowner, potential resident, potential seller, or as a real estate consultant, we think it is always important to know the stats about what is happening with Birmingham homes. For this report we are going to be focusing on Real Estate Hoover Alabama

Birmingham – Homes for Sale Hoover AL Listed October 2008

For the month of October there were 150 Newly Listed Homes for Sale Hoover AL. The Average Price was $372,049. The Median Price was $299,000.

Compared to the month of September there were 152 Newly Listed Hoover Homes for Sale. The Average Price was $371,141. The Median Price was $289,000.

Birmingham – Hoover Alabama Homes Sold October 2008

For the month of October there were 54 Hoover AL homes Sold. The Average Price was $423,568. The Median Price was $280,000, with 92 Average Days on Market at 93% of list price.

For the month of September there were 113 Sold homes in Hoover AL Real Estate. The Average Price was $338,232. The Median Price was $290,000, with 78 Average Days on Market at 98% of list price.

Birmingham – Hoover AL Homes for Sale – Currently active as of 12/08

Currently there are 857 Active Hoover Homes For Sale with an Average Price of $423,073. The Median Price is $335,281 with 123 Average Days on Market.

At the end of September there were 941 Active Homes For Sale Hoover AL with an Average Price of $419,240. The Median Price is $329,900 with 112 Average Days on Market.

If you would like to be contacted as soon as homes become available in the Hoover area just let us know. To view our area Real Estate and Community Tour go to the Hoover Real Estate Channel For more information about the Hoover Community you can also go to the Hoover Chamber of Commerce (Click here for their website.)

Search…

Hoover Homes for Sale $100000 to $200000

Hoover Homes for Sale $200000 to $300000

Hoover Homes for Sale $300000 to $400000

Hoover Homes for Sale $400000 to $500000

Hoover Homes for Sale $500000 to $750000

Hoover Homes for Sale From $750000

*Note these Birmingham AL Real Estate stats are accurate as of 12/08 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as Birmingham Realtors submit listed and sold properties into the Birmingham Alabama MLS.

Birmingham Million Dollar Home Market – A Bigger Picture

Some time ago we used to do a regular snapshot of the luxury Birmingham Real Estate market. Recently, we were reminded of that and were asked how the million dollar home market is doing, and by million dollar home market, we are referring to the Birmingham luxury home market of all properties listed at $1,000,000+

Currently there are 188 Active Birmingham Million Dollar Homes for Sale with an Average Price of $1,684,383. The Median Price is $1,385,000 with 192 Average Days on Market.

So, in light of the current market how have things been going? Peole continue to compare this year to last year and talk about the enormous drops in sales numbers, so we decided to give a bigger picture and compare the same time frame, January – September, for the past 4 years.

We saw an interesting trend. See for yourself in the chart below. Sales have dropped since last year, and there is no denying that, but numbers are in line with 2005 and 2006. (You can click on the picture and see an enlarged view of the chart.)

*Note these Birmingham AL Real Estate stats are accurate as of 12/08 according to the Birmingham MLS. They are subject to change as Birmingham Alabama Real Estate agents submit listed and sold properties into the Birmingham MLS.