Source; Huntsville Area Association of Realtors

 

 

http://www.homes-for-sale-in-huntsville-alabama.com/

404.4 Bedroom requirements. 

Every bedroom shall comply with the requirements of Sections 404.4.1 through 404.4.5. 

404.4.1 Area for sleeping purposes. 

Every bedroom occupied by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet (6.5 m² ) of floor area, and every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet (4.6 m² )of floor area for each occupant thereof.

404.4.2 Access from bedrooms. 

Bedrooms shall not constitute the only means of access to other bedrooms or habitable spaces and shall not serve as the only means of egress from other habitable spaces.

Exception: Units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.

404.4.3 Water closet accessibility. 

Every bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to at least one water closet and lavatory located in the same story as the bedroom or an adjacent story.

404.4.4 Prohibited occupancy. 

Kitchens and nonhabitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.

404.4.5 Other requirements. 

Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable provisions of this code including, but not limited to, the light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width requirements of this chapter; the plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities requirements of Chapter 5; the heating facilities and electrical receptacle requirements of Chapter 6; and the smoke detector and emergency escape requirements of Chapter 7.

404.5 Overcrowding. 

Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements of Table 404.5.

TABLE 404.5 MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS 

SPACE	MINIMUM AREA IN SQUARE FEET
	1-2 occupants	3-5 occupants	6 or more occupants
Living room a,b	No requirements	120	150
Dining room a,b	No requirements	80	100
Bedrooms	Shall comply with Section 404.4

For SI: 1 square foot = 0.093 m² .

$130,000.00 132 Castleridge Drive New Market, AL 35761 Beds: 3 Rooms: 7 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1310 Garage: 2 Built: 2000   Quiet friendly neighborhood,. ~ 20 min to Redstone Arsenal. Exceptional Madison County schools Attractive home with cherry cabinets, new carpet and fresh paint throughout. Large bedrooms. Tile in kitchen, laundry, foyer, bathrooms, laundry. Privacy fence. Well priced This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

$1,025.00 114 BIBB DRIVE Madison, AL 35758 Beds: 3 Rooms: 9 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1304 Garage: 0 Built: 0   114 Bibb Dr. Wow!! TOTAL renovation from the framing lumber out. Better than new. New appliances, fixtures, durable engineered flooring and tile. Exceptional Madison City Schools. This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

Rates current as of 5/13/2012



30 year Conventional*

3.50% -0- Points



15 year Conventional*

2.625% -0- Points



FHA 30 year*

3.25% -0- Points – 0 origination

VA 30 year*

3.25% -0- Points + -0- Origination



5/1 ARM*

2.25% -0- Points + -0- Origination



*Rates quoted are for use by real estate professionals, for purchase transactions with a loan amount of $ 100,000 and assumes excellent credit and are subject to change at any time.

Funding Issues Halting the FHA Step Up Product  

Until further notice, AHFA will only accept reservations for FHA loans as follows:

• 30-day reservations will be accepted through May 17
• 15-day reservations will be accepted through May 31

 

All loans must close on or before May 31. No exceptions. No extensions.

 

-------------------------

 

AHFA is exhausting all options to preserve its FHA product under the Step Up down payment assistance program. In December 2012, HUD published an Interpretative Rule which clarifies that housing finance authorities can contribute funds for down payment assistance, but only if they do so directly. AHFA is statutorily prohibited from making direct loans, so the Interpretive Rule eliminates AHFA's down payment assistance program for FHA loans.

 

We continue to pursue a waiver to HUD's ruling.  AHFA has been advised a Mortgagee Letter addressing minimum cash investments and secondary financing requirements is due within the next two weeks, but AHFA is unsure the Mortgagee Letter will resolve our state's issue. 

 

Legislation to allow AHFA to make DPA loans directly to borrowers (HB 651) is pending in the Alabama Legislature. With just days left in this legislative session, we urge you to contact your state senators and representatives TODAY and encourage them to support HB 651 and help get it passed. 

 

For contact information, please visit the Alabama Legislature website.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our offices at 334.244.9200.

$1,495.00 7105 JUMP STREET Hampton Cove, AL 35763 Beds: 4 Rooms: 0 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1800 Garage: 2 Built: 2003   7105 JUMP STREET HAMPTON COVE. Rare Rental Gorgeous Mountain views in all directions from this almost new, four bedroom 2 bath brick ranch in cul-de-sac. Minutes From Medical district and downtown, Quiet Family friendly neighborhood. Large privacy fenced back yard. Wonderful floor plan with great living area! . Formal DR and Foyer with hardwoods, crown molding in GR, Foyer, DR & MBR. This won’t last long! Directions 431 , Right SUTTON ROAD, Left OLD BIG COVE RD, Left HIDDEN LAKE DRI This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

While schools aren't important to you now they will be at an eventual resale. The elementary school in Owens Cross Roads is pretty good but there have been some problems at New Hope High School that serves parts of Owens Cross Roads. I have heard that the dropout rate is a little high and that there are some drug problems. The links below are to data on the schools.

Owens Cross Roads Elementary School

New Hope High School

It will be best to focus on homes that have an Owens Cross Roads address (35763 zip code) that are served by the better Hampton Cove/ Huntsville High schools.

At zero down payment and a 4% interest rate we can look as high as around $170,000 to keep your loan payment at around $800. The taxes and insurance monthly payment would be around another $100 per month so we probably need to back up to around $150,000. On a VA loan there is a funding fee that is added to the loan amount that adds a little to the monthly payment. At a $150,000 loan the funding fee will be about $3,200 that will add about $15 to the payment.

There were only nine active listings that met all of these search terms. Please follow the link below to the listings. Click on the address for a map of the location of the houses.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117429976

If you would consider schools in the New Hope High School district there are a good number more available including the one you saw today.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117429982

Would you consider homes in Hampton Cove? Have you considered looking in northeast Madison County? You can get a lot more house for the money and the area qualifies for the zero down payment rural housing development loans that don't have a funding fee and are easier on home inspections.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117429983

$1,450.00 310 FREEDOM COURT Madison, AL 35757 Beds: 4 Rooms: 9 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 2105 Garage: 0 Built: 0   310 Freedom Ct. Beautifully maintained four-bedroom home on cul-de-sac corner lot. Large privacy fenced back yard (Sorry no pets) This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

There are always a lot of multifamily properties posted in the Huntsville MLS. The problem is that most of them are in areas where is is impossible to find stable tenants. On occasion we can find multifamily properties in the MLS but usually we find decent properties by word of mouth. That being said let's have a look and see what postings there are in Huntsville's MLS.

The link below is to the 32 active multifamily listings in Madison County that have 2 to 4 units.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411888

519 NE STEVENS AVENUE is in the shadow of I-565. It's been on and off the market since 09/07/12. It's probably 60+ years old and may have some condition issues.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411890

We managed 1565 NICK DAVIS ROAD and 1555 NICK DAVIS ROAD until they got to be too much to handle. There was constant tenant turnover, maintenance problems, police visits and we even found hypodermic needles in the yard. They have been on the market since 04/22/09.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411899

We don't have first hand information on 123 TAYLOR DENTON LANE click on the address for a map of the location. It's pretty far out of the city. The listing agent did not state what the rents and expenses are so it's hard to make much of a judgment on the property. The listing says there is another duplex next door. If that owner doesn't maintain his property or screen tenants well it will hurt the unit that is for sale. It's been on the market since 01/31/13.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411905

We have researched 7293 WALL TRIANA HWY for another client. It concerns me because it's on a very busy road and was converted from offices. The listing says the units rent well but I think the property would be a risk.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411906

3425 GLENN PARK DRIVE is in a dangerous area. We see it on the news fare too often. This property is not one that our firm would even consider managing.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411911

2908 HART DRIVE is in another marginal area. It's been on the market since 2/12/13.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411913

1403 ASCENT TRAIL and 4510 BONNELL DRIVE are in a marginal area with a high concentration of multifamily properties. We consistently see properties in the area sell then a few months later the new owner puts it on the market at a lower price than what he paid for it. They have been on the market since 08/06/07 and 08/23/12.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411917

As a favor we managed a unit in the 4937 COTTON ROW development and lived to regret it. We couldn't find stable tenants. There was high turnover with heavy repair costs between tenants. We have heard gunshots while at the property and wouldn't go there at night. The owner finally sold his unit at a loss.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411921

118 MICHAEL AVENUE, 119 MICHAEL AVENUE, 121 MICHAEL AVENUE, 122 MICHAEL AVENUE, 122 MICHAEL AVENUE, 110 MICHAEL AVENUE, 113 MICHAEL AVENUE, 142 ANGELA DRIVE and 137 ANGELA DRIVE are all in one of the few bad areas of Madison. Some units in the development are boarded up. Some have gang sign graffiti. even if one owner took pride in his unit the surrounding properties would make it impossible to find stable tenants. These units have been on the market since 09/23/06, 04/23/13(bank owned), 04/02/13, 03/07/07, 03/07/07, 09/23/06, 08/05/09 and 12/11/12.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411923

4213 PATTON ROAD, 4211 SW PATTON ROAD, 4207 SW PATTON ROAD, 4209 SW PATTON ROAD and 4515 TRIANA BLVD are all in marginal areas and on very busy streets. They are not in an area where you would probably want to live.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411929

3608 CLOPTON STREET, 2115 SUMMER STREET, 3605 ALPINE STREET and 3008 6TH AVENUE A&B are all in or near the Lowe Mill district. During Huntsville's housing boon this area was showing signs of a renaissance. A performing arts center opened and a couple of offices moved into the area. When the market had a downturn the improvements stopped. There is a good bit of crime in the area. We managed a unit as a favor to the owner who had better property that we managed. After a year or so we dropped the property.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411932

2222 WIND TRACE CIRCLE and 2220 WIND TRACE CIRCLE are in a blighted area. The last time I drove through the area there were groups of young men standing around during the middle of the day. From their stares as I drove through it was apparent that they weren't pleased that I was in the area. They have been on the market since 10/18/07 and 10/31/12.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411936

2137 BUTLER ROAD is a mobile home that is WAY outside the city. It's been on market since 09/17/08.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411937

6206 FRIAR TUCK CIRCLE is the only listing worth a closer look. While the area has seen some decline and it's at the edge of a concentration of multifamily units it is still a decent area.

http://nalmls.com/NALMLSReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=7117411939

A friend of mine who owns a couple hundred units owns a four-plex in this development. I'm not sure what he would want to sell for it is one of his better properties. Let me know if this property catches your eye and I will give you his contact information. If a strong interest develops I can run a market value analysis for you and do the paperwork without charge.

As usual there are not really any properties in the MLS that jump out as good investments.

We have managed a property for over ten years that has I think six units. It's not on the market for sale but the owner would consider selling. The schools are decent and the neighborhood while low income is stable.

Please let me know if I need to research this property further.

While we didn't really find any strong candidates I hope this was helpful. It should at least help you get your bearings in the multifamily market in Huntsville.

There may be some other properties that could be purchased but are not on the market. If you could let me know a little more about what you are looking for in terms of price and location I may be able to turn something up.

Property management is not for the fainthearted. You have to understand local, stat and federal law as they favor the tenant strongly. Living beside a tenant is especially dangerous. It's too easy to become friends with the tenants and have them take advantage of you. It would be best to be known as Joe the super and not the owner. You can always say " I would love to give you more time to pay your late rent but man the owner is a real hard case."

What is your game plan in buying multifamily? In the distant past we have had clients try to live in one unit and let the others pay the mortgage. In theory the numbers work but in practice property management is a tough business especially when you are working with rents under $800. Most people just aren't cut out for it.

Please let me know if I'm on the right track and if there is anything else I can help with.

SOURCE;RealtorMag

Good Neighbor Awards Rules and Eligibility Criteria

1. Nominees must be members of NAR in good standing.

2. Nominees should have contributed to a program that improves the livability of a community. The program's activities aren't limited to real estate or housing issues, and may include such things as crime prevention, youth mentoring, and homelessness prevention.

3. Nominees should have made a significant contribution of personal time, but contributions of money, materials, and other resources will be considered by the judges as well.

4. Nominees will be judged on level of personal contribution, impact of personal contribution, broadness of impact, and the project's suitability as a role model for other REALTORS®.

5. The award is intended to recognize individual contributions, not association- or company-wide efforts. If an individual within your company can be singled out as instrumental to the success of a group effort, he or she is eligible. If the achievements of two people (such as a married couple or co-founders of an organization) cannot be separated, they can enter as a pair and their entry will be considered as one.

6. Some portion of the nominee's community work must have taken place during the timeframe specified on the application form, but judges will also consider ongoing efforts outside that timeframe that demonstrate a depth of commitment.

7. Nominees should be able to document the results of their individual involvement though published reports and/or testimonials from the organization they served or the people they helped.

8. Nominations must be accompanied by a completed entry form to be considered (REALTORS® may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another NAR member, a state or local association executive, or the community organization they serve). You must submit an original and four copies of the entire entry package.

Good Neighbor Awards Program Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Nominees must be members in good standing of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

REALTORS® may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another NAR member, a state or local association executive, or the community organization they serve.

To enter, complete the official entry form and submit it with attachments, along with four duplicate copies of the entire entry package. To have information and an entry form sent to you via fax or e-mail, call the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® at 800-874-6500.

Mail entries to:
GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARDS
REALTOR® Magazine
430 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611-4087

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. C.S.T. on the deadline date to be considered for as a candidate for that calendar year's awards. We must have five copies of your entry package (original and four duplicate copies). All entries shall become the property of NAR and will not be returned. Visit our nomination page to learn more. Ten finalists will be selected by a panel of REALTOR® Magazine staff.

The finalists' nomination materials will be sent to a panel of judges for scoring. Judges will award points to finalists' entries based on level of personal contribution, impact of personal contribution, and the project's suitability as a role model for other REALTORS®. The five winners will be those who've been awarded the most points. The judges' decisions are final.

Nominees' entry information will not be given to anyone outside of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and the judges; judges will receive only the information necessary to evaluate the candidate.

A $10,000 grant will be awarded to the community organization named on the entry form by each of the five winners. Grants can be divided among more than one organization only if the winner has documented those organizations on the entry form.

The staff of REALTOR® Magazine and the program sponsors will not take phone calls or release any information regarding the judges' identities, judging process, or status of the entries.

Finalists must sign an affidavit of eligibility and be willing to be interviewed, photographed, filmed, and featured in REALTOR® Magazine and at REALTOR® Magazine Online.

Good Neighbor judges and their families and staff of the NAR, program sponsors, and their families are ineligible to participate.

REALTOR® Magazine, REALTOR® Magazine Online, program sponsors and the judges aren't responsible for late, stolen, or misdirected entries. Winners will be notified by telephone and mail.

$1,395.00 25 VALLEY WAY CIRCLE Huntsville, AL 35802 Beds: 3 Rooms: 0 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1050 Garage: 0 Built: 0   25 VALLEY WAY CIRCLE Easy living in upscale condo. Lawn care, pool, fitness, clubhouse incl. 5 min. to Redstone Arsenal Walk to shopping, entertainment, restaurants. Heart of gorgeous Jones Valley. Lots of natural light. Office with built in desk. Washer and Dryer included. 2 car garage. Security system This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

Source; Shannon Fortner

Pending Home Sales were UP 4.5% over December and UP 9.5% versus a year ago. They're at their highest level since April 2010, when home buyer tax credits were juicing up demand. Today's demand is drawing down inventory in most areas, which is why the National Association of Realtors chief economist observed,"... we're experiencing the strongest price growth in more than seven years."

That view was doubly supported. The FHFA index of prices for homes financed with conforming mortgages was UP 0.6% in December and UP 5.8% the past year. The Case-Shiller index of home prices in 20 major metros, UP 0.9% in December, is UP 6.8% for the year, the biggest gain since 2006! Yet prices are still very affordable and mortgage rates remain low, so smart buyers are moving forward. New Home Sales shot up 15.6% in January, their fastest pace in five years. And they're UP 28.9% from a year ago, to their highest level since July 2008.

BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK... The key to content marketing is compelling content. Instead of posting blog posts and videos about you and your company, focus on answering your customers' most pressing questions – even if they're the difficult ones.
>> Review of Last Week
NO WORRIES ON WALL STREET... While Washington politicians and the media got all hot and bothered over looming spending cuts mandated by the sequester, Wall Street remained sanguine. Sure, mindlessly trimming budgets across the board isn't very smart. But reducing $3.8 trillion in government spending by $85 billion in sequester cuts neither dampens economic activity nor shrinks a $901 billion deficit by very much. So investors went their merry way and pushed stocks up to near-record levels. This was not mindless, as economic data came in mostly better than expected.

In addition to the housing good news, Consumer Confidence, Chicago PMI manufacturing, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment all bested estimates. Continuing Unemployment Claims dropped to 3.07 million, marking a new low in the recovery. All was not perfect, as the Q4 GDP Second Estimate inched up to a positive 0.1% growth, but 0.5% had been forecast. And Personal Income fell in January by 3.6%, the most in 20 years. To end on an up note, Core PCE Prices, the Fed's favorite measure of inflation, were up just 0.1% in January and up just 1.3% over a year ago.

The week ended with the Dow up 0.6%, to 14090; the S&P 500 up 0.2%, to 1518; and the Nasdaq up 0.3%, to 3170.

Monday saw a flight to safety to bonds after the Italian election missed picking a winner. In the end, bonds did well in spite of the strong stock market. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up .16, at $105.25. Mortgage rates quietly edged lower on Friday, putting to a close their best week since mid-January. National average fixed mortgage rates remain near historical lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association index of purchase loan applications dipped slightly for the week but is 14% higher than a year ago.

DID YOU KNOW?... The debt ceiling (amount of debt that can be carried by the government) was created in 1917 to limit spending and hold the President accountable for financial decisions. But since then, it's been raised many times.
>> This Week’s Forecast
ALL ABOUT JOBS... Economic observers will be single-mindedly focused on Friday's Jobs Report. Our painfully slow recovery in this area is predicted to continue, with around 165,000 new nonfarm payrolls added in February, not enough to budge the Unemployment Rate from a way-too-high 7.9%.

Other reports are employment-related, as ISM Services gauges the health of the sector that provides well over 80% of our jobs. Here, the index is forecast to remain above 50, indicating modest expansion. Even the Trade Balance has job implications, since growing exports can mean growing employment.

>> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar

Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.

Economic Calendar for the Week of Mar 4 – Mar 8

Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact
Tu
Mar 5 10:00 ISM Services Feb 55.4 55.2 Moderate
W
Mar 6 10:30 Crude Inventories 3/2 NA 1.130M Moderate
W
Mar 6 14:00 Fed's Beige Book Mar NA NA Moderate
Th
Mar 7 08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 3/2 350K 344K Moderate
Th
Mar 7 08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 2/23 3.100M 3.074M Moderate
Th
Mar 7 08:30 Trade Balance Jan –$43.0B
–$38.5B Moderate
Th
Mar 7 08:30 Productivity–Rev. Q4 –1.6%
–2.0% Moderate
F
Mar 8 08:30 Average Workweek Feb 34.4 34.4 HIGH
F
Mar 8 08:30 Hourly Earnings Feb 0.2% 0.2% HIGH
F
Mar 8 08:30 Nonfarm Payrolls Feb 165K 157K HIGH
F
Mar 8 08:30 Unemployment Rate Feb 7.9% 7.9% HIGH


>> Federal Reserve Watch
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months... In his Congressional testimony last week, Fed Chairman Bernanke was quite firm in his resolve to keep the Funds Rate super low well into the future. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same.

Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25%

After FOMC meeting on: Consensus
Mar 20 0%–0.25%
May 1 0%–0.25%
Jun 19 0%–0.25%

Probability of change from current policy:

After FOMC meeting on: Consensus
Mar 20 <1%
May 1 <1%
Jun 19 <1%

Senate Opposition Continues Against Ban on Per-Unit Business License Tax.

AAR GRASSROOTS FLEXED ITS MUSCLE THIS WEEK AND MADE CALLS AND SENT BOARD RESOLUTIONS TO MEMBERS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND YOUR WORK PAID BIG DIVIDENDS IN THE HOUSE. BUT???...

Work is still needed in the Senate. We will be stepping up efforts as much as possible in the coming days as time is running out. Several times SB217 has been placed on the calendar for consideration and a host of legislators objected to the bill. While AAR has identified some of the more vocal members, we need multiple calls to all of the Senators to pass the bill. If the Senate bill can pass, after the strong vote in the House on the companion bill, we are sure to get to the Governors desk.

-VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND VISIT A SENATOR IN PERSON
-VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND COME TO MONTGOMERY
-ASK A FELLOW AAR MEMBER TO MAKE CALLS AND/OR VISIT A SENATOR

ADVANCED LIST-IT AT HAAR -MAY 7TH

Time: 10am-12pm

You may register online: http://ims.huntsvillerealtors.com Or email: rhonda@hbrmls.com

Course Overview:

I. SETTING UP A NEW PROSPECT

Saving a search for your prospect
How to Add a new Prospect
The prospecting main screen - adding contact information for the prospect
Adding the Saved Search to your new prospect
Adding private Notes about your prospect that only you can see.
Adding a Consumer URL which allows your prospect to view property matches online.

II. REVERSE PROSPECTING

III. MAPPING

$1,250.00 225 Jarrett Lane Madison, AL 35758 Beds: 3 Rooms: 0 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1740 Garage: 2 Built: 1998   Great full brick ranch in Madison. Great Neighborhood, Great Schools, Great Neighbors, On Cul De Sac Street , Low Traffic. Available 8/5/2012 ! ! ! 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, dining room w/crown molding, great room w/vaulted ceiling, gas log fireplace & ceiling fan. Master bedroom has a trey ceiling, large walk-in closet, crown molding, glamour bath with whirlpool tub & separate shower. Large eat-in kitchen with pantry & laundry room. 2-car garage. Fenced back Yard. Pets on a case by caes basis DIRECTIONS From Hwy. 72, S on Wall Triana, R on Gillespie, L on McDermotts, L on Jarrett. Aerial Photo at http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=8&Z=16&X=10448&Y=76846&W=1&qs=225+JARRETT+LANE%7cMadison+%7cAL%7c&Addr=225+Jarrett+Ln%2c+Madison%2c+AL+35758&ALon=-86.7560315&ALat=34.7245690 This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

We were quickly able to find your property in the Madison County tax assessor's office. Please see the record at the link below.

$1,395.00 11119 ARGENT DRIVE SE Huntsville, AL 35803 Beds: 4 Rooms: 8 Full Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 2090 Garage: 0 Built: 0   11119 ARGENT DRIVE SE Gorgeous home in park like setting that backs up to woodland. Very quiet neighborhood, near end of street. Chipmunks, squirrels, songbirds and the occasional deer. Close to exceptional schools, Redstone Arsenal and shopping. Covered patio and deck. Super efficient wood burning fireplace. Refrigerator and double ovens. Living, dining, family rooms. Low step, oversized shower suitable for limited mobility resident. This is a new listing that I thought you might be interested in. Visit this listing online to see more photos of the property, Google? Earth satellite images, and much more.   If you have any questions about this property or require more information, please feel free to call. Philip Winburn Philip Winburn / Rosenblum Realty Inc. 2597974570 www.Huntsville-Homes.com     Visit this listing here

Source; Durham Design Build


We Repair Cracks In Brick Veneer and Guarantee A Nearly Perfect Match With Mortar Color



Hi. My name is Buck Durham and I'm a professional structural engineer and owner of Durham Design Build. I've spent the last 25 years evaluating cracks in brick veneer throughout the North Alabama and Southern Tennessee area. Many of you may know me (JADE Engineering and Home Inspection) and know about my attitude regarding brick veneer cracks: the majority do not represent a major structural problem requiring expensive foundation repair. Based on my personal experience, many of the cracks I see are unrelated to severe foundation settlement. Most are related to brick expansion, steel lintel expansion, reflective cracking and/or very minor foundation settlement - none of which require expensive foundation underpinning repairs. Yet, you hear contractor estimates that include foundation repair and run as high as $ 30,000.00 or more!



Please don't call a foundation repair contractor whenever you list or sell a home that has cracks in brick veneer. Please call me first. Let me determine if the cracks represent a major structural problem requiring foundation repair. If they don't, then I can cosmetically repair the cracks for a fraction of the cost of foundation underpinning. And I promise you that we can repair the cracks to where the repairs are nearly impossible to see. And if you are listing or selling a home that has unsightly repaired cracks, where the mortar color used to patch the cracks contrasts sharply with the original mortar color, we can repair that too. We can remove the unsightly mortar and repoint with the correct mortar color to where the repair looks much better.



The following article explains the most common causes of cracking in brick veneer and explains why you don't always need to underpin the foundation.





Brick Expansion Cracks




Brick (clay brick) is typically mined from the ground in the SE part of the United States, formed into the shape of bricks, then baked in a kiln (large oven) to several thousand degrees F. When the brick leave the kiln, they have absolutely zero moisture content. The brick are then shipped to brick yards and then eventually delivered to construction sites where they are laid up against buildings. From the time the brick leave the kiln until the building is torn down scores of years later, the brick experience expansion due to moisture absorption. In commercial construction, where architects are hired to design buildings, the architects always employ the use of "expansion joints" in the brick veneer around windows and doors to accommodate this moisture-related brick expansion. If expansion joints are not provided, then the brick will create its own expansion joints. This is what happens at nearly all homes with exterior brick veneer. It is very common in residential construction because homebuilders never use expansion joints.



If you can imagine viewing a two story home where there are vertical cracks extending from the top of a lower window/door up to an upper window, you can divide the tall brick wall into three separate horizontal panels or zones: 1) The panel from the ground to the top of the lower window/door; 2) The panel of brick between the lower door/window and upper window; and 3) The panel of brick from the bottom of the upper window to the top of the wall. The middle panel is always much longer than the upper and lower panels because it is uninterrupted. There are no openings in it. Hence, this "wider" panel expands more than the lower and upper panels. This differential expansion can cause cracks in brick veneer over the long term that look exactly like settlement cracks. If expansion joints had been provided, then no cracking would have ever occurred. But as stated, homebuilders never use expansion joints so the brick veneer will make its own expansion joints and these become cracks in the brick veneer. The same thing occurs in single story homes.



Steel Lintel Expansion Cracks



Steel lintels are structural angles (L-shaped steel beams) that are placed above windows and doors to support the overlying brick veneer. Steel expands and contracts with changes in temperature (winter to summer). When the steel expands, it pushes laterally on the adjacent brick beside the window. If expansion joints are not provided at the ends of steel lintels, then the lintel will exert lateral pressure on the adjacent brick and create cracks above the windows. I am unaware of any brick masons in our geographic area that provide expansion joints at the ends of steel lintels. As such, steel lintel expansion cracks abound in our geographic area.



Reflective Cracking



Whenever a homebuilder constructs a home with an elevated front porch or adjacent concrete patio, before the brick veneer is laid up, the brick veneer ends up resting on the porch or patio slab. In time, shrinkage cracks will often form in the porch/patio slab. When these concrete slab cracks open up, they create corresponding cracks in the exterior brick veneer.



Minor Differential Foundation Settlement



Brick veneer is a very brittle material. It does not stretch-not one iota. If one part of the foundation settles a slight amount (1/4 inch for example), then chances are the brick veneer will develop cracks. However, the wood frame building structure (behind the brick) does not care about 1/4 inch settlement. Wood frame structures are very flexible. They can stretch very easily without consequence. Brick veneer is not a structural component of the home. It supports nothing other than its own weight. You can tear the brick veneer off any home and throw it into the Tennessee River and the wood frame building structure could care less. Minor settlement cracks are nothing to worry about, especially when there are no drywall cracks inside the home, opposite the brick veneer cracks.







So as you can see, there are many other causes of brick veneer cracking rather than severe foundation settlement. Yet, whenever you call a foundation repair contractor to evaluate brick veneer cracks, they will nearly always tell you that the brick veneer cracks are caused by foundation settlement or "foundation failure" and nearly always recommend expensive foundation repair. This is completely untrue. As I stated before, from my personal experience, many of the cracks I've seen are related to other causes, like the ones described above.



Please give me a call and let me evaluate your brick veneer cracks. For a nominal fee, I will determine if the cracks are related to brick expansion, steel lintel expansion, reflective cracking or differential foundation settlement. If the cracks are related to severe settlement, I can develop a repair plan that you can give to several foundation repair contractors in order to obtain "apples to apples" repair cost comparisons. If the cracks are not related to severe settlement, then I can make a professional, cosmetic repair that is nearly impossible to see. I can back up my evaluations with stamped engineering reports, so you can feel safe that the cracks have been professionally evaluated by an engineer.




Sincerely,
James A. "Buck" Durham, P.E.




James A. "Buck" Durham, P.E. a licensed professional engineer with over 30 years experience in structural engineering. Buck has a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He spent his early career with TVA, obtained his P.E. license in 1985 and then entered into private practice in 1987. Since then, he's been evaluating foundation and structural problems with residential and commercial buildings for a variety of clients including major insurance companies, home owners, Realtors, Mortgage Companies and building contractors. Buck started his construction company, Durham Design Build, in August, 2012.

HAAR Membership Meeting Thursday, May 2nd

11:30am-1:00pm

Cost: $13 Members

($20 Non-Members)

Speaker: Dr. Casey Wardynski

"Huntsville City Schools Update"

Colonel Casey Wardynski was appointed as Superintendent for Huntsville City Schools in June 2011. Previous to this, he served as the chief financial officer for Aurora, Colorado Public Schools where he was responsible for guiding all financial, food server and risk management activities for the District with 51 schools and revenues of over $320 million serving over 35,000 students.
Wardynski previously served as director of the Office of Economic & Manpower Analysis at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was also an associate professor of economics.



Since joining the Huntsville City School District, Dr. Wardynski has received the following honors:

·Alabama PTA Superintendent of the Year Award recipient (2011-2012)

· North Al. African American Chamber of Commerce "Game Changer" Award recipient (Sept. 2012)

·Tech Leader of the Year

(Fall 2012) by Tech & Learning Magazine

·Tech Savvy Superintendent of the Year (2012/2013) by e-School news

abDr. Wardynski is a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois. He and his wife Susan have 3 children. Huntsville AL homes for sale.

SOURCE; Sarah Taggart 

Is Section 8 mandatory now?


This question is actually quite interesting. Landlords, while required to abide by Fair Housing laws, are not required to participate in the Section 8 program. That being said, there have been legislative moves over the years to make Section 8 mandatory. These efforts have met with staunch opposition by political groups representing the interests of residential landlords, who point to the numerous (and sometimes burdensome) obligations that are placed on landlords who opt to participate in the Section 8 program.


Some states and municipalities, however, have added "lawful source of income" to their Fair Housing protected classes. This has the effect making Section 8 mandatory. Further, some legal scholars theorize that refusing to accept Section 8 tenants constitutes a race-based disparate impact claim.


Alabama law does not add "lawful source of income" to the federally-protected classes under Fair Housing. That being said, be mindful of how you communicate your property's participation (or lack of participation) to the prospective tenant.


Some properties opt to compile a list of nearby properties that DO accept Section 8. Additionally, you may want to explain that the Section 8 program is just not something your company is set up to deal with, as most people on Section 8 do not understand what the landlord must do when dealing with the program, and may not understand why you would not participate in the Section 8 program.

Whether you are looking for new leads, or new ways to stay in touch with your current customers, this category has it all. Some program partners also offer closing gifts, including a FREE marketing system that sends your clients highly customized direct mail pieces containing valuable coupons and offers.

Entertainment? Book

NAR members and association staff may now purchase Entertainment? books at a savings of 55% off the retail price. http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/RO-Content/ro/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/entertainment_book

FedEx

FedEx, a proud participant in NAR's REALTOR Benefits? Program, is pleased to offer REALTORS? a variety of special discounts on FedEx? shipping solutions and FedEx Office? products and services. Plus, REALTORS? now earn 25% more My FedEx Rewards points than nonmembers on qualifying FedEx Office purchases. http://valleymls.com/(fnjouyvtj3rovfenxfongfia)/Default.aspx Enroll Today at https://advantagemember.visionary.com/2131/

Ifbyphone

Ifbyphone enables REALTORS? to track which ads actually generate phone leads and respond to them at the right time. This results in more conversations with interested prospects, more efficient marketing, and more business. Ifbyphone is the exclusive voice-based marketing platform under the REALTOR Benefits? Program. http://www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/ifbyphone

Lowe's

Lowe's will send valuable coupons and rebate offers to your customers and clients, on your behalf, via highly customized direct mail featuring your photo and company logo. Best of all, it's absolutely FREE to REALTORS?.
http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/RO-Content/ro/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/lowe_s


REALTOR.com?

REALTOR.com empowers REALTORS? by helping them secure more listings, sell homes for more and promote themselves to the largest online audience of homebuyers and sellers, including those on AOL and MSN. http://www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/realtor_com/realtor_com

REALTOR Team Store?

REALTOR Team Store? is NAR's official supplier of REALTOR? premium incentive products, offering a wide array of promotional items, including lapel pins, bags, hats, shirts, decals, folders, jackets and more. http://www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/realtor_team_store

Has anyone else seen where ads have been placed on agent gateway pages. These pages are paid for in our monthly fees and detract from OUR pages. To my knowledge there was no no prior warning or member discussion. If NALMLS want to place paid ads on their pages evamples. Bottom of page on

http://www.valleymls.com/(S(w50m2x1czhmluoljos3wgjfx))/propertySearch.aspx?sitecode=WP3471


header and footer;

http://www.valleymls.com/(S(w50m2x1czhmluoljos3wgjfx))/version15results.aspx?category=1&agent=WP3471

abheader and footer

http://www.valleymls.com/(S(w50m2x1czhmluoljos3wgjfx))/version15results.aspx?category=4&agent=WP3471

header and footer

http://www.valleymls.com/(S(w50m2x1czhmluoljos3wgjfx))/version15results.aspx?category=5&agent=WP3471

HAAR is currently out of Lockboxes
NOTICE- HAAR is currently out of iBoxes (Lockboxes).

A shipment is expected on Wednesday, April 24th, however, please call the Association office before coming to pick up a lockbox!

Look What's new with MLS CARAVAN

SPONSORS,(Potential) BUILDERS TOUR, LIMESTONE CO.

1. Limestone County: is now included in the Madison and Monrovia tour. The boundaries are Lindsey Lane, Browns Ferry, and Nick Davis. Houses in the area from 72 South to Browns Ferry go with Madison, houses 72 north to Nick Davis go with Monrovia.
2. Home Builders Tour: The home builders association has been contacted to start a builder tour on Friday afternoons for builders homes.
3. Sponsors: All affiliates are invited to sponsor any MLS tour. Prizes would be offered to all who come if you have a house on the tour or not.
4. West Tour meeting place: Real Estate offices in Madison that would like to host the MLS tour are welcome to sign up to do so. No recruiting.
5. To reduce costs breakfast is no longer being provided, but please feel free to bring your own. (If you would like to sponsor a breakfast please contact Page Brooks at page@hbrmls.com)

Please verify your listings USPS address

It has come to our attention some closings are being delayed due to address discrepancies. The uniform mortgage data program, UMDP, of Fannie Mae and adopted by other lenders requires the USPS standardized address for their applications and reports. Please check your listings' USPS address.

HUD Education Class

Selling HUD homes doesn¿t have to be complicated or difficult. The key is to understand the process and keep up with the changes. Join us as we teach you the process and discuss the upcoming changes. HUD homes will be the easiest transaction that you ever had. YOU DON¿T WANT TO MISS THIS!

Held at:

Morgan County Association of REALTORS
1501 4th Avenue SE, Decatur, AL. 35601

Date/time:
Wednesday April 24 from 9:30am-12:00pm

Please RSVP to Ashley Long a Ashley.Long@Century21.com or 256-351-2121

SOURCE; Sarah Taggart

There are several upcoming classes in South Alabama this week. These are the only scheduled classes in the southern portion of the State for 2013.


Sarah Taggart, P.C.


Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 1:00pm

Montgomery Area Board of Realtors - Fair Housing (Sales/Rental). Please contact Lynn @ the Board to register. This course is new and designed to help you navigate those difficult fair housing questions.

Thursday, April 18, 2013 @ 1:00pm

Baldwin County Board of Realtors - Landlord/Tenant Act. This is the attorney's favorite class and is rarely offered. Please contact Martha @ the Baldwin County Board to register.

Friday, April 19, 2013 @ 9:00am and 1:00pm

Baldwin County Board of Realtors - Property Management A & Property Management B. Please contact Martha @ the Baldwin County Board to register.




I hope that we will get a chance to see all of you at one of these classes. As always, the attorney will arrive a bit early to answer questions and, schedule permitting, should be able to stay after class as well.


Sincerely,


Sarah Taggart
Sarah Taggart, P.C.