Shortsale Opportunity In Birmingham Alabama

3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home in Birmingham Alabama

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$119,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Location 1716 Indian Summer Drive Birmingham, AL 35125 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Scott Battles Keller Williams Metro North (205) 520-3039 battlrs@gmail.com http://www.birminghamhomesearchsite.com Listed by: Keller Williams Realty Gardendale

Our recent listings 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home in Birmingham Alabama Charming 3 Bedroom Brick Home in Crestwood North Neighborhood Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home In Historic Roebuck Springs Subscribe to our listing feed

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Great Home in Birmingham's Crestwood Neighborhood. Close to UAB and Children's Hospital

Charming 3 Bedroom Brick Home in Crestwood North Neighborhood

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$187,500 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom Interior: 1548 sqft Lot: 0.21 acre(s) Location 5608 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35212 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Scott Battles (205) 520-3039 battlrs@gmail.com http://www.findhooverhomes.com Listed by: Keller Williams Realty Hoover

Our recent listings Charming 3 Bedroom Brick Home in Crestwood North Neighborhood Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home In Historic Roebuck Springs Subscribe to our listing feed

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Completely Remodeled 4 Bedroom Home with 2500sf for Only $124,900.

Completely Remodeled 4 Bedroom Home with 2500sf

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$124,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom Lot: 0.33 acre(s) Location 401 Conover Drive Birmingham, AL 35206 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Scott Battles (205) 520-3039 battlrs@gmail.com http://www.findhooverhomes.com Listed by: Keller Williams Realty Hoover

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Birmingham Living Blog: Hanceville Alabama Old Time Bluegrass with Just Pa...

Birmingham Living Blog: Hanceville Alabama Old Time Bluegrass with Just Pa...: "Hanceville Old Time Bluegrass Last Saturday afternoon from 2:00 till 8:00 the Hanceville Recreation Center hosted Bluegrass Groups from..."

Hanceville Alabama Old Time Bluegrass with Just Passin Through

Hanceville Old Time Bluegrass

Last Saturday afternoon from 2:00 till 8:00 the Hanceville Recreation Center hosted Bluegrass Groups from North Alabama.  Admission was a donation to the bands.  There happened to be a nice group on hand to cheer on their local talent.  The Center holds roughly 200 people and the concession stand is open serving food and drinks.  This get together is perfect for familys and everyone seems to be very nice and hospitable.  They usually hold this get together on the 3rd Saturday of every month and could be held at the park in Hanceville during the Spring.  The park usually brings larger crowds especially when the weather is pretty.  So bring your family and be ready to have a good time.  Here are a few videos that I got of the last two bands to play including the band "Just Passin Through" and a group of "old timers" who put a group together on the spot.  Pretty impressive.

Oak Mountain

Oak Mountain located just 20 minutes South of Birmingham is Alabama's largest State Park.  With 9,940 acres Oak Mountain has a wide variety of family activities.  Offering cabins, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, swimming and boating. No matter what you need to wind down, Oak Mountain has got it. 

There are 10-2 bedroom cabins nestled around a 28 acre lake.  Boats, paddles and life preservers are offered for the cabins guests.  The Cabins are perfect for Family Reunions and get togethers since there is a large covered pavilion close by.  Rates are $110 per night and there is a 2 night minimum for weekends.  Pets are welcome in 2 cabins (for an additional fee) but must be kept on a leash while in the park.  There are discounts for senior citizens, government workers and handicap persons. 

If you prefer to rough it, then Oak Mountain has 85 improved camping sites for RV's and 60 tent sites.  RV sites include water, electric and sewer hook ups.  There are also bath houses with hotwater throughout the camping area.  Primitive sites start at $14 and RV sites start at $18 and go up to $23 with sewer hook ups.  The backpack sites are $5 per person. 

If you enjoy golf, Oak Mountain has a newly renovated 18 hole golf coarse with a driving range.  The coarse is often rated as one of the top 75 public coarses in the United States. Tee times need to be reserved 5 days in advance and they are not accepted for same day of play.  Walk ons are welcomed however.  Oak Mountain golf coarse offers a full service pro shop with snack bar.  There is also a chipping green and putting green to get warmed up for your round.  The pro shop is also a wi-fi hotspot.  Green fees are $35 dollars Monday thru Thursday and $42 dollars Friday thru Sunday.  Clubs can also be rented for an additional $20.

Oak Mountain has two 85 acre lakes for fishing and boating.  Largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish can all be caught here.  Both lakes are fertilized and maintained and visitors are welcome year round.  Gasoline motors are not allowed but trolling motors are welcomed.  Private boats can be launched at either lake and jon boats can be rented.  Jon Boats are $15 per day, paddle boats and canoes can be rented for $12 per hour.  Fishing supplies, bait  and food can be picked up at the fishing center shop. State fishing licenses are required and can be bought on site.


The Park also offers swimming areas and hiking.  Swimming is at your own risk as there are no lifeguards on duty.  There is also no alcohol allowed.  If you prefer hiking, there are approximately 51 miles of trails for your enjoyment.  There are five trails each having different lengths and difficulties. The Mountain Biking trail is 17.5 miles long and is steep and rough in places.  A BMX track is located on site and there is also a trail for horseback riding.  All trails are color coded and marked in case you are lost. 

More information can be found on Oak Mountain State Park at:  http://www.alapark.com/oakmountain/.  The park gates are open 24 hours.  Admission to the park is $2 for adults on Monday thru Thurday and $3 on Friday thru Sunday.  Admission is $1 for children from 6-11 years and for seniors older than 62 years. Check out the Video Tour here.

If you or someone you know is moving in the Birmingham Area, give me a call at 205-520-3039.  I would be glad to help you find a home.  You can also check out my website at:  http://www.birmingham-realty.com/.

Sources:  Alabama State Parks Website

Vulcan, The Moon Over Homewood

Vulcan Park on Birmingham's Red Mountain is home to the worlds largest cast iron statue "Vulcan".  Vulcan was created by Giuseppe Moretti in 1904 from 50 tons of local iron.  Vulcan is 56 feet tall and stands atop a 125 foot pedestal where he commands the local skyline with spectacular views of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. This beautiful statue is now a local icon and considered to be one of the most beautiful works of civil artwork in the United States.  Vulcan Park was created on 10 acres and features an interactive museum and a beautiful park for visitors to enjoy.  The museum tells the story of Vulcan along with the history of Birmingham's rise as the iron and steel giant of the South.  Vulcan Park also has a 1 mile trail where hikers can get some exercise while taking in the scenery.  More information can be found on Vulcan Park at:  http://www.visitvulcan.com/index.html.  Over the years Vulcan has called three places home and caused controversy with his exposed backside.  Citizens of Homewood and Mountain Brook have even petitioned to have Vulcan's butt covered from view. The Vulcan's famous posterior was immortalized in song with "Moon Over Homewood" written in 1981.  Thankfully the statue was never covered and still remains in his full unbridled glory.

Vulcan was first unveiled in 1904 in St. Louis at the World's Fair. He was received with great fanfare and took the grand prize at the fair.  Vulcan was then disassembled and shipped by train to Birmingham where he was  reassembled at the Alabama State Fairgrounds.  Vulcan would call the Fairgrounds home for almost 30 years.  When he was assembled at the Fairgrounds his right and left arm were installed incorrectly and Vulcan was unable to support his hammer and spear.  His left arm was supported for a while with a wooden timber to keep Vulcan from toppling over.  Merchants have used the statue for years to advertise their products.  Over the years Vulcan has held objects such as an ice cream cone, a pickle sign and a coke bottle.  He has even worn a huge pair of Liberty overalls.  At his lowest point Vulcan was painted flesh tones with rosy cheeks for viewing at the State Fair. In 1939 Vulcan was moved to his permanent home atop Red Mountain.  The statues hollow body was filled with concrete to anchor him atop his stone pedestal.  This would prove to cause future problems for Vulcan.  In 1946 citizens got the idea for Vulcan to hold a cone shaped light.  The cone was lit red on days were there was a traffic fatality and green on days with no fatalities.  In the late 60's a marble clad observation deck was assembled over the pedestal.  This obstructed the view from the ground and also covered Vulcan's beautiful stone pedestal.  Rain water entering the statue from the top of the head along with concrete that was poured inside Vulcan started a series of cracks.  Vulcan was again removed from his pedestal in 1999 due to rusting and structural issues.  The Vulcan Park Foundation was created that year to raise money for Vulcan's repairs.  Vulcan then underwent a $14 million dollar restoration lasting 3 years.  Vulcan was raised again in 2003 where he still stands in his rightful place atop Red Mountain.   If you are planning on moving to the Birmingham area I would be happy to help.  You can find more information on homes, schools and local attractions at:  http://www.birmingham-realty.com/.   

Sources:  Vulcan Park and Museum Website, photos from Google.

Lake Fishing At Its Finest

Lake Fishing Around Birmingham Alabama

Alabama has become a Mecca for fresh water fishing.  The State is home to 14 lakes that have produced some of the biggest fish in the country.  No matter if you like bass fishing or if you just enjoy getting out with the Grandchildren to bream fish, it can be done on Alabama's lakes.  These lakes have produced 55 pound striped bass, 16 pound large mouth bass, 4 pound bluegill and crappie and 9 pound rainbow trout.  Although they are not as good to eat, Alabama has also produced 151 pound Alligator Gar, 111 pound blue catfish, 80 pound flathead catfish and 40 pound channel cats.  Those are some absolutely amazing fish.  Located smack dab in the middle of this fishing wonderland is Birmingham, Alabama.  Within one hour of Birmingham you can find some of Alabama's finest lakes.  They include:  Lake Logan Martin to the east, Smith Lake and Neely Henry to the North and the Bankhead Reservoir to the West.  More information on Alabama Fresh Water Fishing can be found at:  https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/

Lake Logan Martin
Map of Logan Martin



Lying 30 miles East of Birmingham is Lake Logan Martin.  Logan Martin is fed by the Coosa River and has approximately 275 miles of shoreline.  The Coosa River was created in 1965 by Alabama Power and is contained by the Neely Henry dam to the north and the Logan Martin dam to the south.  The lakes depth runs between 35 and 110 feet with about 5 feet of variance between low and high levels.  Largemouth bass, Spotted Bass and Crappie are the fish of choice but spotted bass and striped bass can also be found in the spring and summer months.  Logan Martin was ranked first in Alabama's lakes for percent of success and 3rd in pounds per angler per day.  Largemouth bass are prevalent in the 12" to 18" range with spotted bass being found in the 14" to 21" range.  Black Crappie are usually in the 9" to 12" range with 9" being the keeper size. 

Smith Lake
Map of Smith Lake



With just a one hour drive north of Birmingham you can reach the southern end of Smith Lake.  This lake is a beauty with crystal clear waters and high rocky cliffs surrounding the lake.  Smith lake lies about 15 miles west of Cullman Alabama and is easily accessible from I-65.  Smith lake is the deepest lake in Alabama with depths reaching 200 feet.  With approximately 21000 acres and 500 miles of shoreline there is no shortage of room to fish.  Smith Lake boasts monster 40 pound striped bass along with nice sized largemouth bass.  Spotted and black bass can also be found, as a matter of fact, Alabama's record spotted bass at 8lbs 15oz was caught in these waters.  These monster fish are the reason that many people make the trip up from all around the state to fish Smith Lake. 

Lake Neely Henry-
Map of Lake Neely Henry



Close to Gadsden in the Northeast corner of Alabama you can find Lake Neely Henry.  This lake is fed from the Coosa River and is located about 45 minutes from Birmingham.  Encompassing 11,200 acres and running 78 miles from the Neely Henry Dam to the Weiss Dam the lake is mostly a river run system.  Largemouth and Spotted Bass are the most widely fished variety since they top the state in plumpness.  Most largemouth bass are in the 12" to 15" range with some getting up to the 18" size.  Large Spotted Bass top the states fishing for this species.  Neely Henry ranks third in the state with percent of successful anglers per trip.  The White Crappie fishing is good with the best times of year being in the Spring and Fall.  Most white crappie are in the 9" to 11" size range with 9" being a keeper.  Striped Bass fishing is best in the headwaters just below Weiss Dam in the Spring and early Summer months.  A good number of 7' striped bass are caught every year.  More information on Lake Neely Henry can be found at:  http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/neelyhenry/

Bankhead Reservoir
Map of Bankhead Reservoir



The Bankhead Reservoir lies just 15 miles west of Birmingham on the Warrior River.  The lake encompasses 9200 acres and is located close to Hueytown.  Largemouth and Spotted Bass are the most widely caught fish on the lake with 16" bass being abundant.  Trophy potential bass are located in backwater (low current) areas off the main channels.  Spotted bass are normally caught on the lower sections of the Reservoir.  Crappie fishing is being promoted and fish numbers are increasing.  Most crappie caught are usually large in size.  Huge fish have been caught here with the most notable being the former world record Hybrid Striped Bass weighing in at 25lbs and 15oz.  Rainbow Trout are in good number since the Reservoir is stocked seven times per year with over 3,000 fish per stocking.  More information can be found at:  http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/bankhead/

Sources:  Alabama Outdoor, Emighworld.com-photo, lake lubbers.com-photo

Current Market Data For Hoover Alabama

Hoover,  AL Market Data   (1/2009 thru 12/2010)
	1/2009 - 12/2009	1/2010 - 12/2010	Change
New Listings	1949	2012	3.20%
Closed Sales	929	994	7.00%
Median Sales Price	$261,960	$265,000	1.20%
Percent of Original List Price Received At Sale	93.80%	94.30%	0.60%
Average Days On Market Until Sale	114	99	-12.80%

The Local Housing Market in Hoover Alabama seems to have gotten a little better last year.  Yearly data for 2010 compared against data from 2009 shows that home prices have gone up as well as the number of homes sold.  The Average Days on the  market has dropped despite more listings on the market.  If you have any questions about this data or would like to buy or sell a home, please feel free to give me a call at:  205-520-3039. You can also do your own Home Search on my website at:  http://www.birmingham-realty.com/.

5 Reasons You Should Buy A Home In 2011

Here Are the Top 5 Reasons You Should Buy a Home In 2011

1.  Interest Rates are at Near Record Lows.   With 30 year fixed loans at 4.91% and 15 year fixed loans at 4.34%, now is the perfect time to buy.  Interest rates cannot stay this low forever.  In fact they are expected to reach 6% by years end.  If you snooze you may lose! A fraction of a percent increase on your interest rate equates to thousands of dollars lost on a 30 mortgage. Although loans are not as easy to get as they were in the past, banks are starting to loosen their grip on mortgages.

2.  Huge Inventory- There were around 16,700 homes listed in Jefferson County Alabama alone last year.  This is 4.1% increase over last year.  The law of supply and demand states that when supply out-weighs demand, prices will fall.  This is exactly what is happening.  With so many houses on the market sellers have to drop prices in order to sell their homes.   This leads us to the next reason to buy a home in 2011.

3.  Affordability-Home prices are currently down 27% from their highs in 2006.  In America the median home now sells for 177,000, a bit more that it would fetch in 2003.  Median home prices in Birmingham, Alabama fell 4.3% from one year ago.  Most experts agree that we are at or near the bottom.  You can now buy a home cheaper that you can rent.  With the flood of foreclosures on the market, one time homeowners are now renting.  Again the law of supply and demand states that rental rates will rise due to increased demand. 

4.  Foreclosures- Foreclosures have become increasingly common in recent years.  This has created a modern day gold rush for qualified home buyers.   Foreclosures now account for 1/3 of all home sales.  Qualified home buyers can now afford homes in ritzy neighborhoods that they could only dream about 5 years ago. 

5.  Tax Breaks-Although the Obama New Home Buyer Tax Credits expired last year, there are still many great tax benefits from owning your own home.  Any mortgage interest paid on your home is tax deductible.  This can add up to thousands of dollars of savings per year.  Property taxes are also fully deductible as are moving expenses.  If you work out of your home you can also write off your home office.  When you decide to sell, married taxpayers who file jointly now get to keep, tax free, up to $500,000 in profit on the sale of a home used as a principal residence for two of the prior five years. Single folks and married taxpayers who file separately get to keep up to $250,000 each tax free. 

With so many reasons to buy a home this year, what are you waiting for?  If you are looking for an Agent, I would be more than happy to help you.   You can search for Current MLS Listings on my website at:  www.birmingham-realty.com.