Clothes dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to operate and one of the easiest to properly maintain    Birmingham, AL--Home owners who think its normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry clothes are in danger of starting a fire due to clogged dryer vents.  Lint accumulation in dryer vents causes a dryer to work harder, costing up to an additional $25 per month to operate.   Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes is the largest chain of dryer vent specialists in the U.S.  Besides specializing in dryer vent maintenance, they also provide valuable tips and information for consumers.    With rising energy costs, their role is to educate consumers as they provide dryer vent solutions.  Dryer Vent Wizard shares tips on dryer vent maintenance and tips to keep dry... 06/23/2009

VULCAN The Iron Man is standing tall and proud as he overlooks Birmingham in it's strong come back in the real estate market! Money Magazine placed Birmingham #3 in their TOP 10  local real estate markets to recover: This publication predicts good news for our market. The April issue of Money Magazine says Birmingham will be one of the Nation’s first markets to rally, showing increases in median sales prices this year. The report says the Birmingham area will experience a 2% rise in values by the end of 2009. This compares favorably with other markets such as Atlanta, St. Louis, San Antonio, Charlotte and Knoxville which won’t see increases until the first half of 2010. Much of the rest of the nation, according to Money Magazine, won’t see improvements until the end of 2010 or later. P... 04/21/2009

Area # of Sales Total Sales Avg Sales 110 Fultondale/Gardendale/MtOlive 81 $11,631,391 $143,597 112A SmokeRise/Warrior (Blount) 10 $1,422,500 $142,250 112B Corner/Kimberly/Morris/Warrior (Jeff Co) 33 $5,775,467 $175,014 114 BlountSprings/Blountsville/Hayden 27 $3,376,975 $125,073 116 Cullman County 3 $371,900 $123,966 120A Palmerdale/Pinson/Remlap (Blount) 7 $906,675 $129,525 120B Clay/Palmerdale/Pinson/Remlap(Jeff) 72 $8,526,992 $118,430 122 Cleveland/LocustFork/Oneonta 29 $2,859,900 $98,617 124A Altoona/SusanMoore(Blount) 1 $35,000 $35,000 124B EtowahCounty 2 $209,000 $104,500 130 CenterPt/GraysonValley/Huffman/Roebuck 208 $11,974,558 $57,569 140A Trussville (Jeff County) 48 $10,081,795 $210,037 140B Trussville (St Clair County) 13 $3,214,200 $247,246 142A Leeds/Moody (Jeff County) 2... 04/03/2009

Twenty unsold condos in downtown Birmingham's City Federal building will go on the auction block. Gadsden-based National Auction Group Inc. plans to sell the condos to the highest bidder at an auction May 12. The tower's Atlanta-based owner and the auction company may agree to sell all 48 of the available condos if there is enough demand. Even the penthouse, once listed for $1.85 million, could be sold at auction. It is a move the developer and owner, Atlanta's Synergy Realty Services LLC, hopes will speed up sales in the high-profile condo project. Synergy has sold 36 of the 84 condos since tackling a $20 million renovation of the 27-story former bank and office building, starting in 2005. The two- and three-bedroom units have been listed for sale from $239,000 to $935,000, depending ... 03/28/2009

I guess Id have to say the coming soon sign is like the new listing sign. Just how long is acceptable to stay up on a listing? As well, I have some fantastic stuff in Forest Park that needs to sell; great prices. Anyone got a buyer? 03/19/2009

    Snow is in the forecast for Birmingham late tonight and Sunday!  We might even see a little accumulation.   We are certainly past due for snow and I would enjoy seeing some.......but I don't want to be stranded in the house because of icy roads or be without power.   I think I am prepared with the essentials:   ~ Milk  ~ Bread  ~ Toilet Paper   At least I hope so.....they probably don't have any of this stuff left at the grocery store!                     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   02/28/2009

  The 2009  Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil is coming May 1st and 2nd and the artist lineup has just been announced!     Friday Saving Abel  ~  4:45 - 5:25 Shinedown  ~  5:50 - 6:40 LL Cool J  ~  7:05 - 8:05 Jason Mraz  ~  8:35 - 9:35 311  ~  10:05 - 11:20 Saturday Shiny Toy Guns  ~  3:05 - 3:45 Filter  ~  4:15 - 5:15 Everclear  ~  5:45 - 6:45 Katy Perry  ~  7:15 - 8:15 All American Rejects  ~  8:45 - 9:45 Snoop Dogg ~  10:15 - 11:20   I'll be posting more details about the 2009 Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil soon!       Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   02/28/2009

  There's a great lineup of 80's movies scheduled for Thursday nights in March!   March 5th   St. Elmo's Fire   March 12th Dirty Dancing     Come experience these fun flicks at the historic Alabama Theatre in Birmingham AL!         Tickets for the shows are $7 each and will be available at the door one hour before showtime. ~ Showtime is 8:00 p.m. ~     Come early and meet your friends in The 80's Music Lounge in the Hill Arts Center (next door to the theatre) ~ Open from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. ~     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   02/26/2009

The "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," passed the House on February 13, 2009. The Senate also passed the bill later that day. The President is expected to sign the bill soon. The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.Although the $15,000 tax credit for anyone purchasing a home was not included in the final bill this ta... 02/16/2009

  This Market Report for Brook Highland in Shelby County, just south of Birmingham AL, looks at Market Absorption Trends for 12 months, 6 months and 3 months ending January 2009.             Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for this or other photography provided by Ann Allen.  Permission usually granted if credit is given with a link back.  Thank you for your understanding. 02/13/2009

  Spend Valentines Day (Evening) with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra   Saturday, February 14th at 8:00 p.m. at Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex       Tickets $65 ~ $45 ~ $35 ~25   Michael Andrew  will be singing the love songs of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin Christopher Confessore, Conductor Valentine's Day....Dinner and a classy evening of romantic music....it doesn't get any better!     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved 02/12/2009

With the market the way it is todayI find it hard getting people out to open houses. The marketing strategies i have used are not working in todays market. The question, or statement, that I am asking is how to drive potential clients to open houses???? 02/12/2009

  This Market Report for Highland Lakes in Shelby County, just south of Birmingham AL, looks at Market Absorption Trends for 12 months, 6 months and 3 months ending January 2009.                 Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL.  Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for this or other photography provided by Ann Allen.  Permission usually granted if credit is given with a link back.  Thank you for your understanding.   02/12/2009

  There's a great lineup of 80's movies scheduled for Thursday nights in February!   February 12th   The Breakfast Club   February 19th Ferris Bueller's Day Off   February 26th Sixteen Candles     Come experience these fun flicks at the historic Alabama Theatre in Birmingham AL!         Tickets for the shows are $7 each and will be available at the door one hour before showtime. ~ Showtime is 8:00 p.m. ~     Come early and meet your friends in The 80's Music Lounge in the Hill Arts Center (next door to the theatre) ~ Open from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. ~     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved 02/07/2009

  BRIAN MCKNIGHT In Concert February 13, 2009 8:00 P.M. at The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. Birmingham AL  35203     Tickets - $38 and $50 Available from Ticketmaster or call 205.715.6000 or 800.277.1700                             Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com                           © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved 02/06/2009

  O'Reilly Auto Parts presents   The 38th Annual Birmingham AL WORLD OF WHEELS Custom Auto Show   Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Friday, February 6 ~ 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, February 7 ~ 10 a.m - 10 p.m. Sunday, February 8 ~ Noon - 7 p.m.     Adults - $15 Children ages 6-11 - $5  Five & under are FREE (Tickets will be available at the door or purchased in advance at all O'Reilly Auto Parts locations with a $1 savings on adult ticket price)   Featuring custom cars, trucks and motorcycles as well as antiques and restored vehicles!   See "K.I.T.T" from "Knight Rider" and the "Jumping General Lee" from "Dukes of Hazard"   What else will be going on?   MEET SOME SPECIAL GUESTS! (see here for times) Melina of the WWE "Rico" from "Hannah Montana" "Martha" from "High School Musical"... 02/03/2009

  This year for Valentines Day, take a date and go see Casablanca at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham AL!       This classic romance starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid was filmed in 1942 and set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II,  It focuses on a man torn between love and virtue, and won three Oscars including Best Picture.   This historic and beautiful theatre provides a wonderful big screen movie experience and it is sure to be a special evening.     February 14th at 8:00 P.M.   Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door at 7:00 P.M.       Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2009 ... 02/02/2009

  Don't miss the annual Groundhog Day Celebration at The Birmingham Zoo!   The Birmingham Zoo has it's very own groundhog meteorologist and his name is Birmingham Bill!   Bill will predict the answer to the burning question.... Will we have an early Spring or are we in for six more weeks of Winter?     Come and see if Bill will see his shadow! When:  February 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. Where:  Birmingham Zoo, at the Wildlife Stage   2630 Cahaba Road Birmingham AL 35233 205-879-0409     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com           © 2009 Ann Allen, All rights reserved   01/30/2009

  UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE ALYS STEPHENS CENTER         Complexions Contemporary Ballet Featuring the music of U2 Performed in the Sirote Theatre January 16-18 Friday, 7:30 PM Saturday, 7:30 PM Sunday, 2:30 PM Tickets are $55, $45, $35 (Students $20)     Reflect & Rejoice: A Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Featuring Alabama A&M University Concert Choir and other artists Performed in the Jemison Concert Hall January 18 Sunday, 3:00 PM Tickets are $15 (Students $7)     Drew Mays on Piano Featuring music by Mozart, Ravel and Schubert Performed in the Jemison Concert Hall January 23 Friday, 8:00 PM Prelude discussion at 7:00 PM and post-show reception Tickets are $45, $35, $25 (Students $20)     Punch Brothers Featuring Chris Thile Performed in the Jemison Concert Hall January ... 01/16/2009

  Come to The Vintage Wine Shoppe and spend a special evening with Frank Stitt! The chef will be signing copies of his second cookbook, Bottega Favorita.....but that is just part of the fun!    It will be an experience to remember!    Frank will be conducting a tasting of some of the wines featured in the book, as well as preparing one of his favorite recipes.   **RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED**   Date:  January 29th Time:  7:00 p.m. Cost:  $50 per person       (cost includes signed book, wine and food tasting)   For more info or to reserve your spot, call Gerald Ware at 205-980-9995, or click here.     Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE 205.902.4868 Keller Williams One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150 Hoover, AL  35244 Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com             © 2... 01/14/2009