Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale: 17314 Stillwood Lane

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

17314 Stillwood Lane, Point Clear AL 36564
MLS# 146368

Built with distinction and quaility including solid wood doors, 12′ ceilings down and 10′ ceilings up. The Viking kitchen is complete with warming drawer, 6 burner stove, butler’s pantry, wet bar, wine cooler and ice maker.

You will delight in the large Master suite with luxury bath – walk-thru shower, doubleheads – European in feel.

This house in Point Clear is a masterpiece with totally fenced courtyard and iron gates.

Learn more about 17314 Stillwood Lane and Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

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How To Choose Your Mobile Eastern Shore REALTOR

Your Mobile Eastern Shore home is most likely the largest investment you have and choosing a Realtor to assist you with the sale is a major decision. Below are questions to ask when choosing your Mobile Eastern Shore Realtor

Make sure you choose  REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.

1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate – like many other professions – is mostly learned on the job.

2. What designations do you hold? Designations such as GRI and CRS®, which require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training, are held only by about one-quarter of real estate practitioners.

3. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.

4. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market? The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.

5. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.

6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.

7. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.

8. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.

9. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your home.

10. What’s your business philosophy? While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.

11. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?

12. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®. 

When you are ready to interview Mobile Eastern Shore Realtors, give me a call. I am glad to answer the above questions and any additional questions you might have.

Mobile Eastern Shore Home For Sale: 17861 S Section Street

Mobile Eastern Shore Home For Sale:

17861 S Section Street #9, Fairhope AL 36532
MLS Number: 144800

Fabulous buy at the Cottages of Point Clear in Fairhope AL. Gated community. Magificent view of the 11th hole of the Azalea Golf Course. Membership to Lakewood will transfer. Top of the line amenities throughtout – tall ceilings, crown moldings, open floorplan, GE Monogram appliances. Media room is fully equipped!

Learn more about 17861 S Section Street and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

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Stimulus Bill May Be Shot In The Arm For Mobile Eastern Shore Home Buyers

Stimulus Bill May Be Shot In The Arm For Mobile Eastern Shore Home Buyers 

It looks as if our legislators in Washington are finally making positive steps toward fixing the house mess by including housing legislation in the Economic Stimulus Bill.

Yesterday, the Lieberman/Isakson Amendment was included in the senate version of the Economic Stimulus Bill by a unanimous voice vote. This amendment would provide a Tax Credit to all home buyers at the rate of 10% of the sales price up to a limit of $15,000. The credit would be available for a one year period to all purchasers of primary residences.

Now, the senate expects to debate Amendment 353, a proposal by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) that would provide 30 year fixed financing at a rate of about 4%, for anyone purchasing a primary residence.

If these two provisions are included in the final passage of a stimulus bill they could have a positive impact on Mobile Eastern Shore home buyers.

Dave Liniger, co-founder of RE/MAX International has this to say about the proposed legislation: 

“I feel that these provisions represent real economic stimulus. They will put money in the hands of millions of homeowners, increase sales, stabilize home values and add more revenues to local communities in the form of property taxes.

I urge each of you to contact your senators and representatives to let them know that you believe these provisions are essential components of any stimulus bill. You can go to the official Senate http://www.senate.gov and House http://www.house.gov web sites to locate the email and phone number of your legislators.”

This has passed the Senate, but the entire bill does need to go back to the House, and be signed by the President. There could be many changes before this happens, or not pass at all.

Hopefully, it is a shot in the arm for Mobile Eastern Shore home buyers and would help the housing crisis immensely as you can imagine.

Visit JudySells.com to learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

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Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale: 17040 Lakeview Drive

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

17040 Lakeview Drive, Fairhope AL 36532
MLS Number: 144428 
4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths
 

Incredible property on Fish river in Fairhope, AL – multiple lots – possible subdivision potential or family compound. Nice and private. House + guest cottage with 1437 square feet. Less than a few years old. Great pier for entertaining. Oversized workshop and storage.

Learn more about 17040 Lakeview Drive and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

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Buying Mobile Eastern Shore Vacation Home

Everyday life can get crazy at times, many people fantasize about running off to their own personal retreat right here at the Mobile Eastern Shore. But how do you know which vacation home is best for you?

Choosing a location

Do you want to be in the middle of all the activity, or enjoy the peace and quiet of a secluded location?  Is a condo at the mountain your cup of tea or a farmhouse tucked away in the woods? Whichever environment you prefer, here are some things you should consider:

  • Popularity.  A house in a hot vacation market will usually cost more than a place off the beaten path.  At the same time, continued popularity may help you profit from appreciation.
  • Proximity to your home.  If you plan to visit regularly, look for a place that’s easy to get to. 
  • Rental possibilities.  If you’re hoping to offset some costs by renting the home for part of the year, find out about seasonal demand for rentals in the area.

Maintaining your getaway

Regular upkeep is more difficult with a vacation home than with your primary residence, but no less important.  The value of the home, both as an investment and as a place you enjoy visiting, depends on good maintenance. 

If your primary residence is not far from Mobile Eastern Shore, you may want to make weekly visits to mow the lawn, water the garden, clean the gutters or shovel snow.  If doing it yourself is impractical, consider hiring a vacation property management company to provide maintenance services during the times when you’re not using the home. 

Visit JudySells.com to learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore and buying a vacation home or give me a call for more personal service.

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Loan Options For Mobile Eastern Shore First-Time Home Buyers

Loan Options For Mobile Eastern Shore First-Time Home Buyers

There is so much negative press about the lending industry these days, many Mobile Eastern Shore first time home buyers are scared to death to even consider buying a home. They hear stories that someone’s mortgage payment went from $1,000 to $1,800 almost overnight. They are afraid of the fine print and don’t know who they can trust. 

A study conducted by the University of North Carolina School of Social Work determined that loans with low monthly payments result in borrowers who stay current. They also participate in their communities and vote.

The problem is subprime loans, says Roberto G. Ouercia, director of the Center for Community Self-Help, a nonprofit that partners with Fannie Mae and the Ford Foundation to lend mortgage money to low-income borrowers. The study found that borrowers with subprime loans are four times more likely to fall behind. 

Subprime loans are loans to borrowers with questionable credit, usually 680 credit score or lower, and at higher interest rates. 

Mobile Eastern Shore first time home buyers have other, less scary, mortgage options:

The Alabama First Step Mortgage Program

This tax exempt Mortgage Revenue Bond program offers lower than market mortgage interest rates and low fees for fixed interest rate 30 year VA, FHA or Rural Development mortgages. This program is designed for first time home buyers and low income home buyers. AHFA will provide a percentage of the home purchase price in down payment and closing cost assistance depending on the needs of the home buyer. This is financed over a 20 year term. To be eligible for this money you must use Rural Development or an FHA mortgage loan program.

The Alabama Step Up Program

The Step Up program is available throughout the state of Alabama. It is available year round and is available on a first come first serve basis. AHFA will provide no money down financing to qualified buyers that are using FHA or Rural Development loans. In conjunction with the down payment money, AHFA is offering a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate that is slightly higher than the market rate on mortgage loans. 

If you are a Mobile Eastern Shore first time home buyer and need more information on sound, reliable financing options, visit JudySells.com. You can also give me a call for more personal assistance. 

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Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale: Third Street

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:
23996 Third Street, Daphne AL 36526
MLS Number: 144425

Bedrooms:  4
Baths:  3.5

Great opportunity in the much sought after community of Montrose in Daphne AL. Historic oak trees on large lot. House features open floor plan with formal dining room, office, large master suite and a bonus room. Quiet street.

Learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore real estate, please contact us at 251-990-0569 or visit JudySells.com

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Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast – January 2009

Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

This month’s edition covers Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then we’ll discuss recent market trends and strategies for getting the best loan possible.

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

Program length: approximately 8 minutes

Learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore real estate, please contact us at 251-990-0569 or visit JudySells.com

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How To Save Your Down Payment When Buying Mobile Bay Home

How To Save Your Down Payment When Buying Mobile Bay Home

This is a great time to think about buying a Mobile Bay home. Mobile Bay home prices have dropped and interest rates are at all time lows. The biggest hurdle for many Mobile Bay home buyers is saving money for a down payment. Here are 25 things to do on a regular basis to save money:

  1. Make it automatic. Before you see your paycheck, have a percentage of it automatically deposited into your 401(k) and savings.
  2. Keep minimum funds in checking account. Transfer extra funds into your savings account where it will earn more interest than in our checking account.
  3. Don’t pay banking fees! Use your bank’s free bill pay, automatic deposits, free checks, and free reimbursements for all ATM fees.
  4. Use rewards credit cards. Use a credit card offering cash back on every purchase and pay the card off each month to eliminate interest fees.
  5. Actively search out deals. It never hurts to try and find a better deal, or request a better deal from your service providers.
  6. Use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats save you an estimated 10-20% on your heating and cooling bills.
  7. Use ceiling fans, floor fans, and space heaters. Turn your thermostat down, close the doors to unused rooms and use a space heater for heat. Use ceiling fans and floor fans to assist with heating and cooling – depending on the season of course!
  8. Install CFLs to save energy. Compact fluorescent lights use about a quarter of the electricity of normal incandescent bulbs. They also need replaced much less often.
  9. Drive smoothly. Accelerate smoothly and at a reasonable rate, and coast to a stop as often as possible. Also use cruise control on the highway. My car is rated to get 26 mpg around town and I regularly get 29. You can also use these tips to save money on gas, and use gas rewards credit cards to save money on fuel costs.
  10. Plan and research major purchases. Take the time to research the best deals when planning a vacation.
  11. Buy quality products. Quality items may cost more up front, but they last longer and generally provide better results than cheaper, inferior products. Examples of items you should buy higher quality – furniture, clothes and shoes, vehicles, and other items that will see a lot of use.
  12. Buy generic where applicable. You can save a lot of money on generic items for which the brand name product is essentially the same as the store brand. Food and medicines come to mind as items where generic products are good deals.
  13. Use coupons and rebates. Use coupons for oil changes, groceries, books, on-line purchases, and just about anything else we can find.
  14. Use store rewards cards. Many grocery stores have their own ‘reward cards’ saving you money each time your shop. If you are a senior, shop on designated senior citizen discount days.
  15. Cook at home.  Limit restaurant dining to once a month.
  16. Eat leftovers. You can save a minimum of $20 a week by bringing your lunch to work. It is also healthier. On the rare occasion you go out to lunch with coworkers, you’ll enjoy it more.
  17. Use the library. Borrow books and movies from the library. New movie releases aren’t always available, but there are usually plenty of classics from the 40s and 50s.
  18. Use parks. They are great for hiking and outdoor recreation.
  19.  Take care of things. Treat the tings you own with respect and take good care of them. This includes doing things such as cleaning the house, washing your cars, and polishing shoes. Things last much longer when you take good care of them.
  20. Buy insurance. Health insurance, home owner’s insurance, auto insurance, and other types of insurance are designed to save you money! Sure, you may end up paying premiums for years and never file a claim, but in the event you need to file a claim, your premium will likely be small compared to what you would have had to pay. You’ll be very happy if you ever need it!
  21. Bundle cable and internet. You can save a lot of money by bundling these together rather than purchasing the separately. You can save more if you bundle your phone as well.
  22. Use cell phones – skip the landline. Depending on your plan, it can be a real cost saving.
  23. Cancel subscriptions. Almost everything you want can be found on-line for free.
  24. Home improvement. Try making your own repairs before calling a professional.
  25. Avoid debt. If you don’t have the money for it, don’t buy it.

Saving money and watching your savings account grow is a rewarding experience…especially if it can help you purchase a Mobile Bay home of your own.

Learn more about buying a Mobile Bay home at JudySells.com or give me a call for more personal service.

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