Mobile Alabama Real Estate Blog

Once it passed the Senate and the House there was really no doubt, but I am really excited about the new version of this bill. We have had a lot of first time home buyers that have been very excited to close on a house and be eligible an $8000 tax credit. We have had a few that were getting very worried because for one reason or another it didn't look like they would find a house and be able to close by the end of November.

Now they have until the end of April to get into a contract. It's not a lot of time to waste, but it's enough time to make wise decision. Plus now if someone wants new construction that is an option, since they have until the end of June to close.

I really like the part of the new bill that allows buyers that have owned a house to get a tax credit of up to $6500 if they buy a new home. I really don't know why that couldn't have applied to all owner-occupant buyers, but at least there is one other group eligible..

The income limits have now been increase also, from $75,000 to $125,000 for a single person and $250,000 for a married couple. One of my doctors is young and has never owned any real estate. He's renting right now, but he did not qualify under the old plan. Maybe he will qualify now.

For additional information I posted the information and changes on my website.

Our company has several agents who have experience assisting sellers who were facing foreclosure. They have helped sellers stay in their homes longer and/or they have been successful in working with the seller's bank or mortgage company to sell the property before it was foreclosed on.

The following agents have also taken our Short Sale class. Seller's that are facing foreclosure may have better options. These agents can represent a seller in a short sale situation.

Email: Doug Martin

Email: Becca Fields or visit her website 

Email: Debra Williams

Email: Sarah Pugh

Email: Katie Baluyut or visit her website

Email: Libby Davis or visit her website

Email: Julie Martin or visit her website

Address: 111 Garnett Ave  - Dauphin Way Historic District

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Garage: Single Carport, Detached Garage

Size: 1,100 sq. ft.

ONLY $89,900

This is a great opportunity to purchase a really nice cottage in the Old Dauphin Way District for a great price. New kitchen cabinets, countertops and a backsplash that looks great! New dishwasher & stove. The area between the kitchen and the den has been opened up and the kitchen and den area have just been painted. There is new flooring in the den. The carpet has been removed, so now you can see the hardwood floors. This is really a fabulous home!

This home has all the features you would want in a historic home and more. High ceilings, hardwood floors, eight 48x24 framed windows plus nine additional windows for lots of natural light, a built in bar in the dining room, and wide molding throughout. Extras inside this house include a den in the back and a new second bathroom that includes a whirlpool tub.

Outside there is a 384 s.f. deck, with solar lights, overlooking a large fenced back yard that is perfect for entertaining or just relaxing. There is also a detached garage and a workshop! Good area. Many houses on the street have been renovated.

Top Producer For October 2009 - Sarah Pugh

Top Listing Agent For October 2009 - Joe Winans

Short Sale Class
We had a fabulous Short Sale Class Friday. It was very informative. Now if you know of a seller that is pre-foreclosure we have agents that can assist you in assisting them. You can now refer or co-list your seller's that have a potential short sale issue to:

Doug Martin
Libby Davis
Katie Baluyut
Lee Martin
Sarah Pugh
Becca Fields
Julie Martin

I was inspired by Lenn Harley's post on team's and team specialists, who was inspired by Mirian Bernstein, who was inspired by a NYTimes article. Lenn's post touch on so many great topics I wanted to discuss each one separately. (Besides their is no Alabama football today, so I don't know what else to do!)

Real Estate Teams: I have a great team! I started it in 2001. It's called Port City Realty. My company is small enough for me to really consider it a team. I came from the largest company in town so I have been exposed to both extremes. My current office started with just me and my sister-in-law, Lee. Actually at that time you could consider my husband and my teenage son part of the team because they were doing a lot of work behind the scenes. I now have 14 agents and I team up with different agents, at different times, for different reasons, on listings and when working with buyers. It definitely benefits my clients/customers and it also benefits me. I don't have an official "team." I'm not crazy about a team with a name, but that's just me. I have no problem with others that like them. I have different agents that just do really well in a variety of areas, and so many times I feel like it will benefit everyone involved to co-list something, or to work together with a buyer. Whenever I'm working as a team with someone the buyer or seller works with both of us from the beginning. I've never had one that was uncomfortable with the other agent, because I always explain why the other agent is working with us. Buyers and sellers appreciate having the additional help.

Specialties: I have several specialties. I think it's a mistake to put all you eggs in one basket. All my specialties come from experience. Additional education has helped in a couple of areas, but I would never compare a real estate specialty to a medical specialty.   I hear that a lot from speakers and I don't believe that even the most educated real estate specialist is as educated in their field as a doctor is required to be in their field.

I am a waterfront specialist. I know more about waterfront properties than 99% of the Realtors in my area, through years of working the waterfront market, not from any classes. (My son knew more about waterfront properties than 90% of the local agents when he was still a teenager from running around with me, asking questions and running around in his boat, but that's beside the point.)

I'm also a Condo Specialist. I have the best condo site in town, and am very knowledgeable about the local condo market. Again, no special school.

I also specialize in Investment Properties. I have had a lot of REO listings over the past few years and I am a HUD broker. From this I have gained a lot of experience working with banks and assets companies and also working with buyers who purchase investment properties. There have been a few classes required for this, but most of it is experience. I recently earned my CPPS designation. (Certified Short Sale Professional). I have worked on several short sales, but would not consider myself a short sale specialist...yet. But is it a part of the investment market, so it is something I am learning.

I am a Marketing Specialist. I have some of the best websites in town. I earned my e-PRO designation back in 2002, and I am going through the course again now. I take every class I can on marketing, the internet and social networking. I go to NAR every year and then usually attend 2-4 other educational conferences. I apply what I learn every chance I get. My properties are advertised everywhere. My sellers and buyers are kept informed. I also have my CRB designation (Council of Real Estate Brokers) and so I am able to get great educational information from them through their webinars.

I rarely work as a Buyer's Agent. This is a hot topic in some circles. I don't represent buyers. In my state I can work as a transaction broker for buyers, which I choose to do. I do an excellent job with buyers. I have a problem with asking a buyer to sign a contract agreeing to work only with me. I think buyers are consumers therefore should be able to shop around. I don't have a problem with other Realtors who work as Buyer's Agents, I just choose not to. I am a fabulous transaction broker. I work mainly from referrals. Sometimes I get contracts from agents that are working as buyer's agents who (I'm trying to think of a polite way to say this) do not write contracts how I would think a "buyer's agent" should (how was that?). The buyer's agents may or may not have had additional training. I'm really big on additional training for everyone, so I won't say anymore about that here.

After re-reading this I think maybe I need a good way to make sure all of this is in my personal advertising. I will admit I'm more of a marketing specialist when it comes to marketing properties than I am when it comes to marketing me. This blog didn't start out to be a personal resume, but it ended up being a little of that. But it was to make a point. Where's my point? Having a team and being a specialist (in several areas) is a very good thing. And yes, I think the consumer benefits if you and your team members, in any given transaction, really do specialize in what they are doing. A good team should always be changing and learning. Every transaction adds to the experience and should make you a better Realtor for the next transaction.

Congratulations to Doug Martin for obtaining his CSSP Designation.

New Listings
202146 - 10425 TWO MILE CT, IRVINGTON, AL - $90,000 - Lee Martin
201950 - ALBERT CARL RD, THEODORE, AL - $8,600 - Brandi Cook
201951 - ALBERT CARL RD, THEODORE, AL - $7,700 - Brandi Cook
201952 - ALBERT CARL RD, THEODORE, AL - $10,000 - Brandi Cook
202036 - LANCASTER RD, #2, THEODORE, AL - $55,000 - Julie Martin

http://mobmls.net/MobileReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=INJ3792780

More New Listings - Katie Baluyut
201670 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #1, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201682 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #4, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201686 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #8, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201685 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #7, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201684 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #6, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201680 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #2, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201681 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #3, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201683 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #5, THEODORE, AL - $119,000
201688 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #10, THEODORE, AL - $160,000
201689 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #11, THEODORE, AL - $216,000
201687 - BEN HAMILTON RD, #9, THEODORE, AL - $317,000
194602 - BEN HAMILTON RD, THEODORE, AL - $1,413,400


http://mobmls.net/MobileReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=INJ3792791

Accepted Offers
7300 Broadview Drive E. - Becca Fields -Julie Martin
3145 Wellborne Drive - Julie Martin - Becca Fields
Bryant - Joe Winans
6421 Live Oak Circle - Brandi Cook

Closed
24888 Wolf Bay - $90,000 - Lee Martin
770 Copperfield Drive E - $117,500 - Sarah Pugh

We will have a Short Sale Training class this Friday, October 30 from 8:30-12:00. The cost is $55. In order for you to list any short sale properties in the future you will need to take this class. It is a very informative class and should help you be very successful when listing short sale properties.

We missed a sales meeting (due to my jury duty) so I have a lot to go over this week. I am starting with Part 2 so I don't forget this stuff. BTW Jury duty is as good for business as leaving town!

15 websites, besides the MLS where you can advertise your open house effectively and for FREE!

1.  Trulia.com

2.  Zillow.com

3.  Zipvo.com

4.  Realbird.com

5.  Iwantanoffer.com

6.  Craigslist.com

7.  Kijiji.com

8.  Backpage.com

9.  Findmyroof.com

10.  Seealllistings.com

11.  Facebook (on your business page)

12. PortCityRealty.com

13.  Listingvue.com

14.  Houselist.com

15.  Onlyopenhouses.com

I added this to our website:

Quote from the Wall Street Journal:
"There's a good reason homeownership has been such a central part of the American dream. It delivers security, pride of ownership, a sense of community and decent investment returns as a bonus...

For every hardship story, and no doubt there are many, others are realizing their dreams of home ownership and getting what may well turn out to be the deals of their lives."

From Steve Harney:
Many sellers want to know how long they would need to wait to again see the prices of 2005-2006. According to Moody's & Fiserv Alabama is on the listed to return to 2005-2006 prices before 2014. That of course, doesn't mean if a seller waits until next year they will get 2005-2006 prices. It may be a few years, but it will probably be sooner in Alabama than most states.

For more information go to  Steve Harney' KCM Quick Report

Though the temperatures might argue otherwise, the holiday season is quickly approaching, and it's time to begin planning for decorations and activities to draw folks downtown. In recent years Downtown Mobile has been woefully unadorned for the holidays, but an energetic group of Royal Street businesses have decided to make downtown THE place to visit to see fun and fancy decorations. See the story below for details on how you can participate.

In the meantime, enjoy the fabulous fall temperatures... take a walk at lunch to see the new plantings...come down for the countless events... contribute to the great street scene the defines downtown!

For obvious reasons we love announcing new businesses that have located or moved downtown, but we especially love it when the business is an entirely new enterprise. That's the case with Boom Buggy, a pedicab operation that will carry passengers through the streets of Downtown Mobile during the day and night. The buggies will begin operation in about two weeks and will not charge a fee...instead, the passenger  will tip the driver (or pedaller as the case may be). June Reddix-Stennis bought two of the cabs from a manufacturer in England and plans to begin operation the first week of November.

In other development news:

• If you grew up along the Alabama Gulf Coast you probably visited the Gulf Gate Lodge at the beach a time or two. You'll soon have a chance to relive those moments in an entirely different setting...Downtown Mobile! The son of the original proprietors will be bring the Gulf Coast seafood classics to 161 Dauphin Street as soon as renovations are complete.
• BP has moved its offices from mid-town Mobile in the Bel Air Mall area to the  RSA tower. The 20 employees are occupying offices on the 20th floor of the tower. 
• The Birmingham law office of Maynard Cooper & Gayle has opened an office in downtown. Headed up by local attorney Jay Watkins, the Port City office is located at 3 South Royal Street, above Serda's Coffee

• Fine Dining and Catering just opened its doors at the corner of Jackson and St. Francis streets last week. The establishment is currently open for lunch Monday - Friday and dinner on Friday & Saturday evenings. The menu, which changes daily, features a soul food centered menu.
   
  
  
  In other news:

  • Haven't decided on a Halloween costume yet? If you have a yellow hard hat, a red checkered shirt, overalls and a tool belt, you could be Bob the Builder...and you could get into the Gulf Coast Exploreum for all the permanent exhibits as well as the Bob the Builder exhibit free on October 31st. The costume promotion is open to all ages.
  • The Mediterranean Sandwich Co. at 274 Dauphin Street is now open and offers a great $5 lunch during the week and late night on the weekends.

  
  Some Upcoming Live Entertainment:

  • Alabama Music Box:
    • Tornado River - Thursday, October 22
    • Entropy, SubjectMatters, Super Nice Bros. - Friday, October 23
    • TKO Indie Dance Party: Necrovita, Zombie Photography show by: Brett Moroun - Saturday, October 24
    • Or The Whale, Muskrat Hannah, Heath & Melody of El Cantador - Monday, October 26
    • Rise Up Howling Warewold, Heat Lightning Record Release Show - Thursday, October 30
    • Halloween Party music by DJ Charles III - Saturday, October 31
    • DooDoo Fest Night 1: An Albatross, Dark Meat, Cockfight - Tuesday, November 3
    • DooDoo Fest Night 2: Thomas Function, Yussuf Jerusalem, CCUSA & the HHR, Wizzard Sleeve - Wednesday, November 4
    • DooDoo Fest Night 3: Pinehill Haints, The Coathangers, The Underground Railroad to Candyland - Thursday, November 5
    • SoAl Film Fest After Party with Mob Towne Revival, Blueyes Soul - Friday, November 6
    • Today the Moon Tomorrow the Sun, Shotgun Lover - Saturday, November 7
    • Lucero "Ramblin' Roadsho and Memphis Revue" all ages - Tuesday, November 10
    • Tea Lights - Wednesday, November 11
    • Pygmy Shrews - Thursday, November 12
    • Bamboo Shoots, Too Far From Amsterdam, Kadesh & the Perfect Strangers - Friday, November 13
    • Captured! By Robots, Kid Midi - Saturday, November 14
    • Awesome New Republic, Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears, Rosewood Thieves - Monday, November 16

   

  • The Battle House Hotel:
    • John Anthony (in the Tavern)- Every Monday through Saturday
    • Loose Cannons (Joe Cain Cafe) - Every Wednesday
    • Bay City Brass (Joe Cain Cafe) - Every Sunday

   

  • The Blind Mule:
    • Muskrat Hannah, Sugarcane Jane - Friday, October 23
    • The Curtis Jaywalkers - Saturday, October 24
    • You & What Army? Improv Comedy - Friday, October 30
    • The Sunshine Factory, TBA - Saturday, October 31
    • Free Show: A Bridge To Burn, Delirium Trigger - Friday, November 6
    • Phil Lee - Saturday, November 7
    • Come Up For Air - Friday, November 13
    • Muskrat Hannah, Whiskey Comatose, Renee Arozqueta, Spide, Octopus - Saturday, November 14

   

  • Grand Central:
    •  
    • Last Episode - Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
    • Top of the Orange - Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31
    • Silver Tongue Devil - Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7
    • The Ugli Stick - Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14

   

  • Serda's:
    • Seeking Sui - Friday, October 23
    • Jon Cowart Music - Saturday, October 24
    • Lil Greenwood - Friday, October 30
    • Bruce Innes - Saturday, October 31
    • Elements of a Difference - Friday, November 6
    • Gentry Dodd - Saturday, November 7
    • The Curtis Jaywalkers - Friday, November 13
    • Scott Chism & the Better Half - Saturday, November 14

   

  • Soul Kitchen:
    • Once: Pearl Jam & Nirvana Tribute Bands - Friday, October 23
    • The Uglistick - Saturday, October 24
    • Galactic with Molotov Circus Side Show - Saturday, October 31
    • Jessie James and Push Play - Wednesday, November 4
    • Tim Reynolds and TR3 - Thursday, November 5
    • BoomBox - Friday, November 6
    • The Velcro Pygmies - Saturday, November 7
    • Perpetual Groove - Friday, November 13

   

  • Veets:
    • Jodyoke - Every Tuesday
  Doug Previto & the Family Jewels - Every Wednesday through Sunday

New Listings:

201334 - 3145 W WELLBORNE DR, MOBILE, AL - $129,500 - Julie Martin
201263 - 9743 DEERFIELD DR, IRVINGTON, AL - $199,900 - Becca Fields
201380 - 236 MYRTLEWOOD DR, BUTLER, AL - $50,000 - Joe Winans
201197 - 5624 ELDER FERRY RD, MOSS POINT, MS - $3,493,500 - Joe Winans/John Morgan

http://mobmls.net/MobileReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=INJ3760724

Accepted Offers:
8622 McBride Ct - Brandi Cook 
6809 Hillvale Ct - Brandi Cook

Mobile Alabama Foreclosures Statistics

Mobile Alabama HUD Statistics

The below chart shows recent sold properties in the City of Mobile, for the past six months of HUD properties that sold during the first two weeks, with the percentages of List/Sold and List/Net. 

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This Blog by: Julie Martin, CRB, e-PRO, Broker/Realtor, Port City Realty, Mobile, AL;

877-880-8110 toll free; 251-665-4665 my cell; julie@portcityrealty.com.

Search all the listings in Mobile County & Baldwin County any time for free with no sign in requirement from PortCityRealty.com.

Current Foreclosure List and Information
Current Waterfront List and Information
Current Mobile Condo List and Information