Huntsville, AL

Huntsville Home Buyer Education: Free Training and Counseling

Hello All!! I just wanted to share some information with you. Family Services Center provides free training for first time home buyers. If you or someone you know is considering buying a first home, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. You do not have to be currently looking to purchase. It can be several months or even several years from now. You can even sign up for individual counseling sessions. I was told that local realtors and mortgage professionals are also welcome to sit in on the sessions.

The training courses consist of two four hour sessions. Topics covered in the class include the following:

• How to obtain an affordable mortage loan
• The best way to shop for a home
• All about loan closings
• How to improve your credit score
• Homebuyer financial assistance programs

The classes are held monthly so if you are not available this month you can pick a time when you will be able to attend both sessions. If you are a first time homebuyer, I encourage you to attend this free training that is available. The classes are held downtown not far from the Huntsville Public Library at the Family Services Center 600 St. Clair Avenue Building 3. Its on the corner of Pelham and St. Clair.

Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information regarding the training events.

Submitted by:
Kimberly Grant, Huntsville Real Estate Agent
Cell: 256-479-9664
Email: KimberlyGrant@exitrealtyhsv.com

Associate Broker, Exit Leon Crawford Realty
Search Huntsville Homes for Sale

Given the recent financial system upheaval, I was anxious to look at September's sales, inventory, and pricing to see if the Huntsville Real Estate Market will show any stress and strain given recent developments. However since these events are so recent, any local effects likely won't become statistically measurable for a few months.

To summarize what September's statistics indicate, let's take a look at unit sales, raw inventory, and current home prices separately and then summarize any conclusions we are able to make:

Unit Home Sales - the Huntsville metro area's September 2008 unit sales were down ~12% when compared to September of a year ago. This year-over-year comparison is not as extensive as we have seen in recent months because data was being compared to a 12 month period where sales in the Huntsville market were at all time highs. Nonetheless, weakening sales numbers are a continuing trend which we have reported on since this time last year. The following unit sales chart illustrates this trend within September's context.

Raw Inventory - This metric is a simple unit measurement of the active listings on the MLS for the Huntsville metro area being discussed. Raw inventory for September 2008 is down ~7% when compared with September 2007. Looking at the following chart you will see that when sales were trending upward in 2006 and 2007 so was raw inventory, and when sales started declining in the later part of 2007, raw inventory began to moderate as well, although at more moderate pace than sales.

Home Prices - Home prices in Huntsville have remained strong when compared to some of the harder hit areas of the nation. In fact, September's 2008 prices are up ~2% compared with September 2007 and pricing continues to be the strong point of our local market as typified in the following price per square foot chart. However for the past2 months prices have been slightly below the moving average and are beginning to tip the moving average lower.

We are headed into a slower seasonal trend for Real Estate Sales in general and given recent events in the financial system, the last quarter of the year (Oct, Nov, Dec) will be of intense interest. Thus, we wish to set a baseline expectation by considering a forward looking absorption rate inventory.

Absorption rate is a metric that best indicates price pressure and is expressed in months of supply. For example; given a stable (won't grow or decline) raw inventory, a 7% sales decline trend with current year-over-year comparisons, and starting with an average monthly unit sales for this period last year yields a forward looking absorption rate inventory as follows:

2467 (current raw inventory) / (340 - (340 * 0.07) ) (projected monthly unit sales) = 7.8 months of supply

This absorption inventory estimate is clearly in buyer market territory, but doesn't represent overly aggressive price pressure in our opinion. Nevertheless, we will be watching the market closely over the next few months as recent financial system events mandate.

As always, these statistics represent the Huntsville metro area in general and different price ranges and locations around the city are experiencing different market conditions, so always involve a professional REALTOR® whenever deciding upon an offer or listing price and they will (should) perform for you a Comparative Market Analysis using your explicit location and price range of interest.

My family loves good food. We are all big meat lovers, with Steak being our top choice.  My husband and daughter are both big seafood lovers as well. 

We love to venture out as a family and try new restaurants. As for a good Steak house, we have had a hard time finding one we all love, that is affordable.  Part of the problem could be that Tim, my husband, knows how to cook a superb steak on grill. He has the magic touch!

Our last few outings have been less than exciting.   We decided to try Connors Steak and Seafood, located at Bridge Street Towne Center here in Huntsville.  Am I ever glad we did!  We were told from many, how wonderful the food and service was.  In fact, I have never heard a negative thing about Connors Steak and Seafood, come to think of it.  Now I know why!  We were not mislead.  We went early, Friday, before the work crowds arrived.  Trust me, when I say crowds. Obviously, Connors is not a well kept secret.

Connors Steak and Seafood hails from Knoxville Tennessee.  Huntsville is proud to be the home of their third location.  In doing so, it does not have that "in the box chain feel".  I can say it is a local favorite!

We were greeted by two smiling and very friendly hostess's, who quickly led us to our seats.  Connors has a wonderful ambiance.  From the stoned fireplaces, to the beamed ceilings, I found it to be very charming. 

Lori was our server.  Lori had a wonderful smile and an even better attitude!  She was more than happy to share her vast knowledge of the menu, from the wonderful wine list, to our discussion on the various cuts of meat they offer.  Lori helped make our dining experience at Connors one of the best we have had in a long time.  She steered us down the right road, from the Lobster dip as our appetizer, to our fabulous dinners!  When you visit Connors, be sure to try the Lobster dip. Oh my goodness. It was "to die for"! 

When choosing our dinner, we all decided to try three different cuts. After fighting over the last bit of Lobster dip, our salads arrived.  I chose the House Salad which had grape tomatoes, carrots, egg, bacon & almonds. It was good, but just a salad.  My daughter chose the Caesar salad. It was very good.  Hubby Tim chose the Baby Spinach and Strawberry salad that Lori recommended.  I can honestly say that was the best salad I have ever had.  I loved it, as did my husband!  I was begging for a few more bites, believe me! 

For our entrees, I chose the 9 0z. Boursin Filet (9 oz) topped with homemade seasoned Boursin cheese & tobacco onions. I also had the Homemade Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes, again with Lori guiding me.  What a mouthwatering combination!  My Filet was melting in my mouth. I am a mashed potato lover and these were the best! 

Tim chose the Connors Prime Rib (8, 12 oz) seasoned & slow-roasted, along with Asparagus.  Again, delicious!  Tim LOVES Asparagus and is typically disappointed when he orders it out.  Not this time. Cooked to perfection, as was his Prime Rib. 

Miranda, my daughter, chose the 12 oz. Ribeye.  For her side, she had the fresh steamed Broccoli.  She enjoyed her Ribeye, but kept begging for more of MY Filet, and just "one more bite" of her Dad's Prime Rib!  I think next time she is going for the Prime Rib.  Neither of her parents were very cooperative when it came to food sharing this time!  It was just too darned good!  I had a hard enough time trying to share the Lobster dip for goodness sake!

Sadly, we were all FAR too full to even consider dessert.  Their dessert list looks delicious but all of us were just stuffed, from the fabulous dinner we all experienced.

My recommendation is "You MUST try Connors Steak and Seafood".   For the best dining experience in town, be sure to ask for Lori!  You will not be disappointed.  Welcome to Huntsville, Connors Steak and Seafood!  We are glad you are here!

Be sure to visit their web site where you can view the menu: http://www.thechophouse.com/connors_index.html

RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS, AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW DO DEAL WITH GETTING AND KEEPING CLIENTS INTRESTED IN BUYING A SELL A HOME?

3703 Fox Trail
Huntsville, AL 35810
voice 256 652 5839
email trec@trec.com
Tri Level Residential Home
Brick and frame construction
Three/Four (3-4) bedrooms
Master Bedroom 12x14
Middle Bedroom 10½x10
End Bedroom 13½x9½
Bedroom #4/Den 12½x12
Living room 11x16
One and a half baths (1½)
Inside laundry area with half bath
Central Air, Gas Heat
Heated & Cooled Attached Garage 10½x22
Lower level den/bedroom with sliding glass door access to fenced back yard
Eat in kitchen area 8x10
Oven/stove-electric
Dish washer
Refrigerator
Fenced back yard with patio
Lot size 75 wide by 140 deep
Quiet neighborhood cul-de-sac street - no through traffic
Schools
K through 9 West Mastin Lake Elementary
Middle Davis Hills
High Johnson High