Mortgage Loans in Birmingham, Alabama The housing market in Birmingham, Alabama is picking up. This is good news for the economy and good news for everyone involved. We have seen the bubble burst and we are still alive and kicking. The high tide of real estate inventory, which was recently at an all time high, has started to recede as people are entering the market again. Falling property values were the concern of many would-be homebuyers and those buyers became fence sitters as we all looked for the bottom.     Birmingham, Alabama was one of the least affected regions of the nation as our housing market was not as inflated as other regions. Although we saw significant gains in property values over the last few years, those values were more in line with typical appreciation. We did hav... 12/14/2009

70+ Foreclosures available in Birmingham Alabama for 12/07/09. Good Monday Birmingham. How about that big Alabama win over Florida on Saturday. Amazing game!! Today's foreclosures are available in the following areas/cities: Birmingham, Roebuck, Pinson, Grayson Valley, Center Point, Eastlake, Woodlawn, Inglenook, Tarrant, Crestwood, Southside, Irondale, Hoover, Riverchase, Oak Mountain, Sterrett, Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, Calera, Montevallo, Bessemer, Hueytown, Ensley, and Belview Heights. Let me know which homes you would like more information on or to schedule a showing. 30 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11501951 44 New Price Changes: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11501952 Gusty Gulas is a Realtor with Rea... 12/07/2009

  ZooLight Safari returns to the Birmingham Zoo for the 2009 Christmas Season!   December 4-6, 11-13, 18-23, and 26-30   5 pm – 9 pm   Members are FREE! Only $7 for non-members     Enjoy Holiday Fun, Lights, Music and SNOW!   See the Zoo illuminated with more than a Half-a-Million Lights!   Holiday Train Ride*   Festival Carousel*   Story Time   Animal Demos   Visit the Barn in the Children's Zoo for photo opportunities, animals and crafts!   Synchronized Light Show to Holiday Music   *Additional Cost for All Rides Get the best deal and ride everything with the All-You-Can-Ride Wristband for $10   Presented by Chick-Fil-A       Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244   © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights rese... 12/06/2009

100+ updates on Foreclosures in Birmingham Alabama for 12/04/09 part 2. There are foreclosures available in the following cities/areas: Mount Olive, Fultondale, Center Point, Roebuck, Grayson Valley, Trussville, Carrington Lakes, Moody, Woodawn, Eastlake, Highland Park, Irondale, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Bessemer, Sterrett, Helena, Pelham, Alabaster, Montevallo, Calera, Bessemer, Sylvan Springs, Pleasant Grove, Hueytown, West End, Ensley, Fairfield, and Midfield. 45 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11485689 61 New Price Changes: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11485699 Gusty Gulas is a Realtor with RealtySouth in Birmingham Alabama. For all of your greater Birmingham Alabama real estate needs please cont... 12/04/2009

90+ updates on Foreclosures in Birmingham Alabama for 12/04/09 part 1. Good Friday Morning Birmingham. We have lots of foreclosures to talk about because I have not updated the blog since the holiday. We have two parts today so here we go. There are foreclosures available in the following cities/areas: Birmingham, Gardendale, Fultondale, Mount Olive, Roebuck, Center Point, Eastlake, Grayson Valley, Trussville, Leedss, Woodlawn, Crestwod, Forest Park, Redmont, Highland Park, Southside, Homewood, Bluff Park, Hoover, Trace Crossings, Ross Bridge, Inverness, Heatherwood, Oak Mountain, Helena, Alabaster, Calera, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Bessemer, West End, Ensley, Fairfield, and Midfield. 45 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11485662 48 New Price C... 12/04/2009

90+ foreclosed homes available for 11/25/09 in Birmingham Alabama. Happy Holidays!! I hope everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving holiday and I am looking forward to stuffing my face with food!! Today's list of foreclosures in the greater Birmingham Alabama area are located in the following cities/areas: Gardendale, Birmingham, Center Point, Grayson Valley, Trussville, Carrington Lakes, Leeds, Eastlake, Roebuck, Irondale, Homewood, Hoover, Lake Cyrus, Russet Woods, Helena, Riverchase, Altadena, Eagle Point, Indian Springs, Sterrett, Forest Lakes, Pelham, Alabaster, Bessemer, Hueytown, Concord, Pleasant Grove, Ensley, West End, Fairfield, Forestdale, and Adamsville. Call or email today for more info or to look at any of these properties. 47 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReport... 11/24/2009

Zero Down Home Mortgage Loans in Birmingham, Alabama - USDA   Anyone considering purchasing a home in Birmingham, Alabama might want to consider the USDA. The United States Department of Agriculture provides opportunities for home ownership to families that live in rural areas. Don't let the term "rural" fool you. Many areas surrounding Birmingham, Alabama fit the guidelines for the designation "rural".     The program is called the Housing and Community Facilities Program (HCFP) and it provides financing to families that meet income and location requirements. Income requirements take into consideration the number of people in the household, those under the age 18, child care expenses, etc. Visit the USDA website to determine if you meet the income requirements and if the property you a... 11/24/2009

It seems that everyone in the market to purchase wants to buy a foreclosure in Birmingham.  Even first time homebuyers seem to think they have to buy a foreclosure in order to get a great deal.  While there are certainly some great deals out there and foreclosures continue to represent a large segment of the market, one must understand the landscape of this sector before buying.   Before you buy a foreclosure in Birmingham, doing a little research can ease the pain and help manage expectations.  First, there is the 12 month right of redemption which I will only briefly touch on here.  People that have lost a home in Alabama have the right for 12 months to "redeem" it if they pay all balances due plus interest, penalties and "normal" maintenance.  While the percentage of people that actu... 11/20/2009

90+ Foreclosures available in Birmingham Alabama for 11/20/09. TGIF and I hope everyone has a great weekend. Today's list of foreclosures has properties in the following cities/areas: Gardendale, Birmingham, Center Point, Grayson Valley, Pell City, Leeds, Moody, East Lake, Woodlawn, Tarrant, Crestwood, Southside, Mountain Brook, Irondale, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Greystone, Vhelsea, Helena, Pelham, Alabaster, Montevallo, Calera, Bessemer, Hueytown, Pleasabt Grove, Oak Grove, Ensley, Midfield, and Fairfield. 42 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11400774 53 New Price Changes: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11400775 Gusty Gulas is a Realtor in Birmingham Alabama for RealtySouth. Are you lookin... 11/20/2009

As realtors, we typically look at assessed tax values when representing a buyer or seller as another piece of information to serve our clients' best interest.  We know that doing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a potential seller has little to do with an assessed tax value, but we still look at it to corroborate our conclusion on what the list price should be or what a buyer wants to offer.  I've often wondered how close the assessed tax values track sales over time so I decided to look for myself.   I decided that a reasonable approach would be to look at sales over the past six months (May 1, 2009 - October 31, 2009) and compare individual property sales prices to the assessed tax values for 2009.  Here is what I found for two counties in Birmingham.           Jefferson County... 11/17/2009

50+ foreclosures available in the Greater Birmingham Alabama area for 11/16/09. Good Monday Morning Birmingham! I hope everyone had a great weekend! We have a good size list of foreclosures today. Let me know what you are looking for!! Today's list of homes are located in the following cities/areas: Fultondale, Gardendale, Birmingham, Center Point, Grayson Valley, Huffman, Trussville, Leeds, Moody, Woodlawn, Eastlake, Crestline Park, Bessemer, Oak Mountain, Helena, Alabaster, Bessemer, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, McCalla, Ensley, Fairfield, and Adamsville. 21 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11369275 33 New Price Changes: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11369277 Gusty Gulas is a Realtor in Birmingham Alabama with R... 11/15/2009

100+ Foreclosures for sale in Birmingham Alabama this week. It has been a big week of foreclosures in Birmingham Alabama with over 100 new listings and price changes making its way online. If you have any questions about any of these homes or would like to take a look at any, please let me know. There are foreclosures available in the following areas/cities: Gardendale, Birmingham, Center Point, Grayson Valley, Trussville, Leeds, Moody, Woodlawn, Eastlake, Tarrant, Avondale, Crestwood, Forest Park, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Trace Crossings, Lake Crest, Riverchase, Highland Lakes, Indian Springs Village, Harpersville, Helena, Alabaster, Maylene, Calera, Bessemer, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Ensley, and Adamsville. 63 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=... 11/12/2009

October Market Statistics- Birmingham, AL including Homewood, Mtn. Brook, Hoover, Vestavia    Posted are the October 2009 market statistics for the Birmingham market and over the Mountain areas. Included are number of homes sold, total sales volume, average days on the market, and number of homes currently on the market. If you have any questions about these statistics or want more information about the Birmingham Real Estate market please contact me.   Click HERE to see the market statistics according to the Birmingham MLS. 11/12/2009

So I am at my desk, about to wrap up for the day. The song "Got You Where I Want You" starts to play. It is the designated ring tone I have assigned for my wife, Angie. It is a cool tune by The Flies from ten or so years ago. It doesn't really have super special meaning to us other than we both liked it a lot when it came out. I edited a clip for her ringtone because the lyrics fit my feelings toward her - "I've got you where I want you".                                     I quickly grab my Iphone, not necessarily to answer it, but to see the picture of her that comes up when she calls. It is probably my favorite picture of her through the twelve years we have been married. It is a shot of us from a couple of years ago, taken in Panama City, where she is from. We were headed out to din... 11/11/2009

The best way to evaluate the expected impact of the homebuyer tax credit for this area is to look at the past two years in terms of composition of closed business. The past impact of the homebuyer tax credit for the Birmingham area can be seen in the sold terms categories of FHA, VA and Rural Development (RD).  While the overal market decreased about 27% year over year, FHA business actually increased 23%!  You also see significant increases in VA and RD.  Clearly, the impact of the homebuyer tax credit for other segments of the market were zero and reflected the overall downturn in real estate generally.   The following two charts further illustrate the mix of business as detailed in the table above by year:     As shown at left, in 2007-2008, conventional business was nearly 2/3 of al... 11/10/2009

40+ foreclosures in Birmingham Alabama for sale 11/9/09. Good Monday Morning Birmingham! Sorry I have been gone for the past week but now I am doing some catch up. How about the tax credit getting extended until April 30th and upgraded that other homebuyers can get a tax credit. Call me for details. Today's list of foreclosures are in the following areas/cities: Gardendale, Eastlake, Roebuck, Grayson Valley, Huffman, Birmingham, Center Point, Trussville, Leeds, Branchville, Inglenook, Norwood, Woodlawn, Crestwood, Avondale, Southside, Indian Springs Village, Calera, Brighton, Bessemer, Hueytown, West End, Ensley, and Fairfield. 23 New Listings: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=US11318129 20 New Price Changes: http://bhammls.net/BAARReports/ListitLib/show_repo... 11/08/2009

Let's get this out of the way. I am am Mortgage guy who is looking to develop relationships with Real Estate Agents. I want to do business. OK...now...as the aforementioned Mortgage guy, I know that Realtor referrals is the life blood for anyone in my field. However, I refuse to be the guy that shows up once a week at your office with a box of dough-nut and a rate sheet begging for a deal. I am aware that an Agent can smell a Mtg. guy a mile away and your first thought is, this guy just wants my business so wipe off that fake, long lost best friend toothy smile, give it your best shot and be on your way. Maybe it's not that dramatic but you get the picture. I will not be this guy! So...here I am, with a desire to be successful, make a good living and do it with integrity and honesty. I ... 11/06/2009

To keep my readers informed, I provide a real estate market report periodically which is a snapshot of sales and inventory in the Greater Birmingham area.  Knowing what the trends show on a macro basis can give buyers and sellers some perspective on what the trends are and how their situation and expectations stack up against what is going on around them.   This real estate market report is pretty simple in that it simply looks at inventory and sales which are the primary measures for how things are going generally.  The table below shows, by month, sales and inventory history for conventional single family homes in greater Birmingham AL over the past three years (some months excluded due to space):   For each month, the available inventory of homes is divided by sales for that month t... 11/06/2009

This is my first blog post and I hope I don't break any rules or tightrope any guidelines. It seems to me that technology has become more user friendly over the years and is ushering in a whole new wave of alternative avenues for marketing yourself, your product or service. As I am in my forties (the shallow end), I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the ever increasing venues emerging out of the information age. My goal is to take advantage of new technology to market myself. I would say market my services, however, if a client isn't sold on me, my services are useless. This site is my newest find and although I have no idea how to maximize its benefits, I am determined to figure it out. From what I have learned, Social Network Marketing is the latest buzz and I want to open up for discus... 11/05/2009

I recently experienced a painful situation with a family member.  After listing their property, I gave an agents open house and received the feedback that I knew:  over priced and under conditioned.  Of course this seller had no money to do updates yet refused to get the price to reality.  "Three things sell a house. Price. Condition. Location.  We cannot change the location and youve told me there is no money for updates, so we must accomodate with price"   This house had four showings in 35 days.  This meet deaf ears.  Needless to say I gave the listing back after being told I did not know the market!  Mind you, I was just named sales associate of the year for Birmingham.  I guess it becomes even more frustrating when it's family.  Today Ive been "dialing for dollars" on my sphere lis... 11/05/2009