·:[ The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog ]:·
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Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

The Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast

October 2009:

This month’s edition covers Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then we’ll focus on opportunities for buyers and sellers who to advantage of the $8,000 tax credit before the deadline!

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

Program length: approximately 8 minutes

Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

24000 Second Street, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 156054

Like new construction with an incredible open plan with all the upgrades. Scored concrete floors- tall ceilings, Kolby windows, great kitchen with morning room, 5 burner gas cooktop, SS appliances, tankless gas water heater, ground floor master, upstairs recreation room plus office.  Must show to see incredible value!

Learn more about 24000 Second Street and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore real estate for sale.

Finding ways to deal with small spaces in your new Mobile Eastern Shore home can be tricky. Everyone likes the place they call home to be somewhere they can kick back and relax. However, it is hard to relax in areas that are cluttered and uncomfortable. Strategic interior design can make a big difference when dealing with small living spaces. Colors, lighting, organization, and décor can make spaces appear smaller or larger. Here are some solutions to make your Mobile Eastern Shore home look and feel cozier. 

Organization is the first thing to be conquered when transforming a small living space. Getting rid of clutter and maximizing the use of storage space are the keys to success. Clutter will make any space appear smaller than it really is. Eliminating excessive knick-knacks is one way to reduce clutter. Multiple pieces of small, scattered furniture can also make a room look jumbled. Using a couple pieces of slightly larger furniture leads to a less cluttered look. Every inch of storage space should be taken advantage of in small living areas. Planning out storage space will allow for more walking room, functional closets, and more productive space. Use multipurpose furniture like ottomans, which can be used for storage and seating. Try installing an organizational system in the closets. These systems usually provide a perfect spot for everything. 

Colors, lighting, and decorations also affect the appearance of your Mobile Eastern Shore home. Colors play a big role in creating illusions of size. The color scheme of small living spaces should consist of light hues. Although white can be a boring color, it will ultimately maximize the illusion of a bigger space. Other colors that tend to open up space include beige, neutrals, and pastels. It is important to avoid contrasting colors. The furniture, especially larger pieces like the couch, should be in the same color family to match the color of the walls. 

Lighting makes a big difference in small spaces. Take advantage of as much natural light as possible by avoiding heavy curtains and window treatments. Although natural lighting is always the most ideal, it isn’t always available. Track and recessed lighting work well as alternatives for lighting up the space. 

Décor should not take over small spaces. Using medium sized pieces of furniture can do a lot for small rooms versus one big piece or a bunch of cluttered small pieces. Mirrors compliment small spaces perfectly. Mirrors reflect light and color, creating the illusion of more space. Mirrors can be found in all shapes and sizes, with and with out frames. One large mirror or several small mirrors collaged on a wall can make a big difference in a small living area. There are tons of solutions to make a small area more livable.

Learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore homes by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale.

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

165 White Avenue, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 155772

Downtown area of Fairhope with easy access to the bay and shops.  Two story traditional with incredible lines, downstairs master suite with oversized master bath.  You will enjoy cooking in the open gourmet kitchen with Wolf gas stove, copper sink, stainless steel appliances, island and tremendous built-ins and storage.  Upstairs in this great family home you will find a rec room and guest suite over the garage.  Outside you will find a covered porch with a fireplace. 

Learn more about 165 White Avenue and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale.

Buyer’s often find themselves watching a property for a price reduction. Although getting the best deal possible when purchasing Mobile Eastern Shore real estate is important, it is not the only factor that determines monthly payments on a home. Rising interest rates nearly diminish the positive aspects of waiting for prices to drop. 

Most people are familiar with the basic trends in real estate that have been affected by the United States economic crisis. The listing prices of homes have been steadily declining over the past couple years. This has put people looking to purchase Mobile Eastern Shore real estate at an advantage over those trying to sell. People have best described this as a buyer’s market due to the low property prices and reasonable interest rates. However, the decline in prices is stabilizing while interest rates are beginning to inch up. It is becoming more and more popular for investors to make offers on properties, sometimes sweeping the property away from home buyers. Could buyers begin loosing their advantage? Today, properties that are correctly listed at a reasonable asking price are not being reevaluated and reduced as often. These are some of the factors that prove lower Mobile Eastern Shore real estate prices are not always worth the wait. 

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Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate For Sale:

108 Sandstone Court, Fairhope AL 36532

MLS# 154686

Brand new Creole cottage in sought after Rock Creek.  This home features 10’ ceilings, hardwood floors, Travertine floors, a large master suite and two bonus rooms.  Loads of privacy.  This cottage is a must see!

Learn more about 108 Sandstone Court and other Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

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If you are thinking of buying Mobile Eastern Shore real estate and making it a rental property, there are a number of things to consider when choosing the property: 

1. Location
If you will be renting to a year ‘round tenant, look for a property convenient to major employers, schools, shopping facilities, transportation. If the property will be a vacation property, you will want to be near major tourist attractions such Mobile Bay. 

2. Price
If you hope the rental income will be more than the cost of the monthly mortgage, insurance and taxes on the home, you should be careful to invest no more per month than the local rental market can bear. If your goal for rental income is to “break even” or even to have a negative cash flow, price becomes somewhat less important. 

3. Resale
Consider the long-term resale value of the property. If you buy in a fast growing area, the resale value will be greater further down the road. If you buy is a slow growth area, your resale value will be less, but there may be a better rental market.  

4. Neighboring homes
Are the neighboring homes well-maintained? If not, they will drive down your property values.

 5. Solid construction
Look for solid construction. Tenants tend to put more wear and tear on a home than owners. Find a low-maintenance property suitable for renters. For example, white carpeting will have a much shorter life than something more neutral. 

6. Do it yourself
If you live nearby, it can be relatively simple to stay in touch with tenants, and to keep an eye on your investment. If you lack the time, or your property is some distance away, you may wish to work with a property management firm.

Learn more about Mobile Eastern Shore real estate by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore real estate and homes for sale.

Mobile Eastern Shore Homes For Sale:

144 Augusta Court, Fairhope AL 36526

MLS# 154998

Luxurious details are obvious throughout this Floridian style executive home. The fabulous open floor plan overlooks a backyard that is like a private resort with built-in outdoor kitchen, shower, pool & hot tub. Extra features include 2 tankless hot water heaters, 2nd water meter for sprinkler system, in-house speaker system, & Centralite lighting system. So much square footage, all on one level!

Learn more about 144 Augusta Court and other Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale by visiting JudySells.com.

Search all Mobile Eastern Shore homes for sale.

Sometimes people have to sacrifice purchasing their dream home for a less perfect home in a better location. The buyer and family’s quality of life can be affected by their surroundings and features a neighborhood has to offer.  Choosing the best neighborhood is just as important as finding the perfect home.  Neighborhoods have numerous characteristics to consider when trying to make the right choice.

One of the most important things to look in to is the quality of schools in the area. Compare various public schools within a school system; some may be better than others. In order to keep all options open, also take a look at private schools in the area. Even if you do not have kids that will attend school, it is still a good idea to pick an area with good schools to help with reselling Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

Another crucial characteristic of a neighborhood to research is the crime. Contact the local police office to find out crime trends, types, and rates. Go online to find out if there are any sex offenders living near by. Do not judge a book by its cover, just because a neighborhood looks well kept and charming does not mean there are not any crime related issues.

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