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March 2009
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March 30, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale: 13 San Souci Lane

Filed under: Mobile Bay Area, Real Estate — Morgan @ 3:50 pm

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

13 Sans Souci Lane, Fairhope AL 36532 
MLS# 144440 
 

Gated community in Fairhope with easy access to Mobile. Deeded bay access with wonderful pier and creek walk. Great privacy in woodsy setting. Charleston style home with double wide porches. 4th bedroom perfect for guest suite/mother-in-law quarters. Bonus room/private office on 3rd floor. Walk-in storage. 

Learn more about 13 San Souci Lane and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes by visiting JudySells.com.

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March 27, 2009

8 Low Cost Fixes To Get Your Mobile Eastern Shore Home Sold

Filed under: Real Estate, Sellers — Morgan @ 11:56 am

If you have a home that only you can love, you will benefit for these 8 low cost fixes to getting your Mobile Eastern Shore home sold quickly. We don’t live in a house the way we sell a house. Buyers aren’t interested in seeing dirty socks lying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Below are a list inexpensive things, from Realtor Magazine, that you can do to make buyers fall in love with your Mobile Eastern Shore home.

1. Move it.

Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.

 2. Plant it.

Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room’s look, while larger ones make a statement on their own. 

Group plants together of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. It’s important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition.

 3. Paint it.

Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, “be sure to ask, ‘What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?’” And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room. 

 4. Organize it. 

Clutter just happens. So neaten up!  A variety of organizing tools can make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. Just a row of hooks pre-attached on a board is so easy to install. And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles. 

5. Hide it.

Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. A apply a solid base coat, then a glaze. 

Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value. 

6. Replace it.

Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Scan each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches. 

And don’t forget the toilet seat. Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new. 

7. Light it.

Lighting can have a major impact on a home’s look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try “layering” the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will. 

Light is such a mood setter. You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights. Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

 8. Clean it.

Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it’s up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors. It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it. Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

Interested in selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home? Give me a call, I’m glad to help!

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March 24, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes for Sale: 17861 S Section Street

Filed under: Mobile Bay Area, Real Estate — Morgan @ 2:32 am

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes for Sale:

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

Fabulous buy at the Cottages of Point Clear in Fairhope. Gated Community. Magnificent views of #11 of Azalea Golf Course. Membership to Lakewood will transfer. Top of the line throughout! Tall ceilings, crown molding, open floor-plan. GE Monogram appliances. Media room – fully equipped.

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

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March 19, 2009

2008 Tax Deductions For Mobile Eastern Shore Home Owners

Filed under: Real Estate — Morgan @ 12:44 pm

Mobile Eastern Shore home owners can get various income tax deductions on their principal residence or second home, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and in some cases, for Private Mortgage Insurance. Read the 2008 guidelines from Turbo Tax:

You can deduct:

  • Your property taxes. And if you bought the home in 2008, you may be able to deduct more than you think. Don’t forget to include real estate taxes you reimbursed the seller for – taxes the seller had already paid for the time you actually owned the place after your purchase. That amount will be shown on the settlement sheet.
  • Property taxes for taxpayers who don’t itemize. New for tax year 2008, if you do not itemize deductions for 2008, you can increase your standard deduction by up to $500 of real estate taxes paid in 2008 if you file as a single person, or by up to $1,000 of property taxes paid if you file jointly.
  • The mortgage interest on your primary residence, as well as any secondary residence you own. (There are limits, but relatively few taxpayers are affected.)
  • The interest on up to $100,000 borrowed on a home-equity loan or home-equity line of credit, regardless of the reason for the loan.
  • Points that you paid when you purchased the house (or those that you convinced the seller to pay for you).
  • The premiums paid for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in 2008, but only for policies issued after 2006. (The right to this deduction disappears as Adjusted Gross Income rises from $100,000 to $110,000 on a joint return, and from $50,000 to $55,000 on a single return.)
  • Home improvements required for medical care.

How much can I save? 

The actual amount of money you save on your annual income tax bill depends on a variety of factors

  • Your filing status (single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately)
  • Your standard deduction amount
  • Your other itemized deductions
  • Your taxable income

Your home-related deductions, plus your other itemized deductions must add up to more than the standard deduction (increased by the amount of property taxes noted earlier that are allowed to non-itemizers), or they won’t save you any money. 

What can’t I deduct? 

  • You can’t deduct the following payments for your primary residence
  • Dues to a homeowners association
  • Insurance on your home
  • Appraisal fees for your home
  • The cost of improvements to your home. (But keep those receipts. They may help you reduce your taxes when you sell your home.)

Learn more about Mobile eastern Shore home ownership by visiting JudySells.com.

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March 17, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale: 24089 Third Street

Filed under: Buyers, Mobile Bay Area, Real Estate — Morgan @ 11:02 am

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

24089 Third Street, Montrose AL 36559
MLS Number: 144449

A custom cottage in historical Montrose. This home features an open floor plan and formal dining room. The chef’s kitchen with GE Monogram appliances, farm sink, and soap stone countertops is sure to please. There is an additional office or fifth bedroom. Cypress tongue and groove ceilings. Foam insulation. Generator. All gracing a one acre lot with majestic live oaks.

Learn more about 24089 Third Street and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes by visiting JudySells.com.

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March 12, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Homeowners Ask ‘Is Bigger Better?’

Filed under: Buyers, Real Estate, Sellers — Morgan @ 12:14 pm

Is bigger better? Should I move up to a larger home is a question many Mobile Eastern Shore homeowners are asking.  The questions below will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location.

 

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home?

 

If you have owned your Mobile Eastern Shore home for a number of years you might have built up some equity. Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to determine your loan balance. Then give me a call to determine your home’s market value. The difference between your loan amount and market value is your equity. 
 

2. Has your income or financial situation improved?

 

If your income has increased, you may be able to afford a higher mortgage payment. 

 

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood?

 

Often, the neighborhood or location you buy your first home in may no longer suit your needs. You may want to be closer to work, be in a better school district or have a home on a lake rather than close to it.

 

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?

 

Sometimes adding on to your current home is the answer. If you will end over-improving for the neighborhood, moving may be a better option.

 

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?

 

In the current Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market, your home may not sell quickly for what it would have a few years ago, but the home you buy also less expensive expensive.

 

6. Are interest rates attractive?

A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer and interest rates are currently at record lows.

 

If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that as a Mobile Eastern Shore homeowner, you may be ready to move. If so, please visit JudySells.com to learn more about the Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market or give me a call. I’m glad to help!

 

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March 9, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale: 134 Old Mill Road

Filed under: Mobile Bay Area, Real Estate — Morgan @ 3:08 pm

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

134 Old Mill Road, Fairhope, AL 36532
MLS Number: 144581

Magnificent home on golf course with incredible views in Fairhope AL! Custom built by Jerry Smith Home Builders, Inc. Very open. Formal areas. Enormous Kitchen with Viking appliances and Subzero refrigerator. Morning room with fireplace. Great Master with sitting area and luxury steam shower.

Learn more about 134 Old Mill Road and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes by visiting JudySells.com.

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March 7, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Home Buyers Are Buying Green

Filed under: Buyers, Mobile Bay Area — Morgan @ 9:01 am

More and more Mobile Eastern Shore home buyers looking for green features in the home they buy. The green trend is a means of lowering costs, becoming more environmentally friendly, and adopting a healthier lifestyle. 

The average green buyer will shell out $12,400–on average–for green features, according to the National Association of REALTORS. National Association of Home Builders green-building standards program manager Kevin Morrow expects the market share of green-certified homes to rise to 20 percent in 2010 from about 10 percent in 2009 and 2 percent in 2006. 

Green features Moble Eastern Shore home buyers are looking for include energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource efficiency, and indoor air quality and include such elements as Energy Star appliances, low-flow shower heads, carpets and paint with low volatile organic compounds, and building materials procured from local suppliers.

Today’s Mobile Eastern Shore home buyers benefit from tax credits and other financial incentives. 

Learn more about buying green by visiting JudySells.com or give us a call anytime. 

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5 Things To Do Before Selling Your Mobile Eastern Shore Home

Filed under: Real Estate, Sellers — Morgan @ 8:10 am

Spring is coming! If you are thinking of selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home this spring, now is the time to start getting ready to sell. Below are 5 things to do before putting the ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard: 

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine. 

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.  

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. 

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? 

Learn more about selling your Mobile Eastern Shore home at JudySells.com

What is my Mobile Eastern Shore home worth?

 

www.REALTOR.org/realtormag Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® . Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

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March 3, 2009

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale: 7059 Windmere Place

Filed under: Mobile Bay Area, Real Estate — Morgan @ 9:12 am

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

7049 Windmere Place, Fairhope AL 36532
MLS Number: 144891
4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
 

Incredible bay breezes and views from this custom built brick home in Fairhope’s Windmere Place. Totally private. Massive views from a high bluff. Great floor plan. Master and guest suites on main level. Richly panelled library with fireplace. Oversized dining room. 9×38 screened porch. Great Value!

Learn more about 7049 Windmere Place and other Mobile Eastern shore homes by visiting JudySells.com.

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