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Auburn, AL Real Estate News

By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Senator Richard Shelby will be visiting Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday, February 17th at 4:30 pm.  The meeting will take place at the Auburn City Council Chambers located at 141 North Ross Street.  The meeting is open to the public.  At this time, residents may ask the Senator any questions they have for him as well as listen to his upcoming agenda.  What a great way to be a part of the community and learn what our Senator is doing for us.  For more information, contact the Office of the City Manager at 501-7260
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
The following report is calculated by the Alabama Center of Real Estate. This report, along with more detailed information, can be found on their website: http://arerec.cba.ua.edu/  Are you considering a move into or out of Lee County Alabama? If you would like to receive these monthly reports, emailed directly to you, along with other local area information, feel free to contact me with a request.           Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE. SEARCH FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA at www.marahawks.com Disclaimer:  All information provided by this author is not guarant...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Tired of the long lines and lengthly trip to the court house when renewing your vehicle's tag?  Auburn residents may have some relief soon with the new satellite office that is being built in Auburn, Alabama.  Other services to be provided by this office include buying certain licenses, paying property taxes, applying for passports and conducting certain other types of governmental transactions.  The new Satellite office is expected to be completed by Summer 2009.  The new office will be located in Auburn on Mall Blvd. across from the Colonial University Mall and just in front of the Jameson Inn.  The following is an artists rendering of the new building.   To see pictures of the current progress please visit the below website: http://www.leeco.us/index.html
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
 You could be incurring the cost of flood insurance if your property is located on the new flood maps for Lee County, Alabama.  However, if you obtain insurance now as opposed to waiting until February 2010 when the maps are to become effective your rate will be substantially less.  The new maps will double the number of residents from 800 to 1600 that are considered to be in the flood plains.  For detailed information and to see if your property will be listed on the new flood maps for Lee County please visit the city's website at www.auburnalabama.org.  
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
The weight and feel of old coins in one’s hand is, to me, similar to that of a rare, out-of-print book--- you touch history and imagine the hands and hearts that held the stories. Local electrician, Lee Waller, had my full attention the other day when he pulled a couple of old coins out of his pocket and began telling me the story of how they came to be in his possession. He has a friend whose business is buying older, sometimes historic properties, and renovating them for resale here in Lee County. So one day, on the job, his friend found a bag of several dozen old coins. The two pictured here, illustrating both sides, are the ones that had been given to Lee – a token of friendship! They seem to have some English or Russian markings on them, and are dated 1799 and 1774. If you can prov...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
You won't believe what happened yesterday---it was like a dream!    I live in a village development of apartment-style homes in Auburn, Alabama. One of the best things about my end unit is that I have a decent view of the lake, a much appreciated amenity when I’m working at my computer and able to enjoy the view.   Within a one-mile radius of where I live is a movie theatre, a shopping mall, a row of restaurants, some new subdivisions, a medical park and Lee Scott Academy.  This is anything but uncongested countryside!    Yesterday (Groundhog Day, right?), I was at my computer, working on a flyer… listening to piano sonatas in the background…when…did someone say MOOVE?! When I looked up out the window, COWS WERE LOOKING IN!  Can you imagine my surprise?    Close friends and family know ...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
        © Copyright 2009 - This posting and the contents written here, except where noted, are the property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved NOTE: Photos taken from my personal collection of THE COTSWOLDS in Auburn, Alabama. Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE. SEARCH FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA at www.marahawks.com
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
© Copyright 2009 - This posting and the contents written here, except where noted, are the property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE. SEARCH FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA at www.marahawks.com
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
I am posting the following information about residential occupancy in Auburn, Alabama because I feel as though it is very important to know.  The information was obtained from the City of Auburn's brochure addressing this issue.  Having the knowledge of this information before purchasing property is very important as it could affect the decision of which property to purchase.  What is Unrelated Occupancy? Section 203. Family:  Two (2) or more persons residing in a single dwelling unit where all members are related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship up to the second degree of consanguinity, plus one unrelated person in the Limited Development District, Neighborhood Conservation District, or the Development District housing. For the purpose of this definition "consanguinity" mea...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
For all the parents looking for fun and educational activities their children can participate in please consider the following activities at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts.  My daughter and I attend as many of these sessions as we can and we have never been disappointed.  It is so much doing activities like this with your children and seeing them enjoy and learn while they are there.   Don't miss out on these wonderful programs. "Saturday Art Club and Stories in Art are exciting programs that educate students through art. The hands-on approach to learning in the programs serves to foster students' imagination while studying literature and art. Parents are encouraged to join their children for the programs, which are free and open to the public.For more information call 334.8...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
LAND Development around our National Parks is an issue of growing concern. I was moved by RICHARD WEISSER's blog post yesterday, written on the eve of the 44th Inauguration of The President of the United States, at a time when we can collect the best of ourselves and our country with the greatest hopes for peace and progress. As a plea to our new President, Richard wrote "Please save our national parks! Our National Parks are treasures that need to be preserved and protected for all time! They are the definition of both our heritage and our culture. In times of distress, the parks are always the victims of budget cuts and loss of personnel. This has led to a degradation of some of the most beautiful and pristine ecosystems on the continent." At the Auburn Planning Committee Meeting earl...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
The following report is calculated by the Alabama Center of Real Estate. This report, along with more detailed information, can be found on their website: http://arerec.cba.ua.edu/  Are you considering a move into or out of Lee County Alabama? If you would like to receive these monthly reports, emailed directly to you, along with other local area information, feel free to contact me with a request.                HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT - Right now, the$7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit must be repaid over 15 years. According to the National Association of Realtors, 264,000 households meet the purchase requirements for this program. What if homebuyrs could become eligible without the repayment program? This could have a tremendous impact on the housing inventory and contribute greatl...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
LEE COUNTY HOUSING STATS DECEMBER 2007 & DECEMBER 2008 RESIDENTIAL - DECEMBER 2007 RESIDENTIAL - DECEMBER 2008 ALL AREAS: ALL AREAS: 823 Houses on the Market this month 901 Houses on the Market this month 77 Properties sold 56 Properties sold 173 Average days on the market 167 Average days on the market 91 New listings 115 New listings $187,400 Median Sold Price $204,275 Median Sold Price $223,565 Average Sold Price $227,821 Average Sold Price $17,214,539 Total Property Sales Sold Dollar Volume $12,757,999 Total Property Sales Sold Dollar Volume AUBURN: AUBURN: 418 Houses on the Market this month 452 Houses on the Market this month 33 Properties sold 31 Properties sold 201 Average days on the market 201Average days on the market 46 New listings 49 New listings $229,900 Median Sold Pric...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
As I grow older---or younger as I'm sometimes accused of---I understand better the usefulness of contrast in our lives...the value of LIGHT after having been in the dark, the value of shelter after having lost a home, the value of a best friend after losing one, the value of RAIN after a drought and the renewed value of a dollar for the same reason in every season.  Through the lens of contrast, I can, at one point, view LIFE as a complete loss---I will pretty much leave with most of what I arrived with---NOTHING...so, where is the value?  Where is the equity, the unconditional love, the shelter, the return on investments, both financially and emotionally? WHERE IS LIFE kept anyway? Where does it RESIDE?? Where does it truly come to LIFE? Sometimes we hear the phrase that something ‘tak...
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By Jay Knorr, Auburn Al Properties
(Prudential Preferred Real Estate)
Not sure if folks saw this or not. I'll be honest with you, I didn't. To tell you the truth, I hardly ever watch the Today Show. Not because I'm not up and out of bed early enough like most realtors in my area, but because I'm too busy getting myself and my family ready for the day while the show is on. It's rather exciting to have our little corner of the universe featured on the Today Show though. Here ya go: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/28193890#28193890 I really like Barbara Corcoran. She's an out-of-the-box thinker in an in-the-box world. You can check out more about her and her company here.
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
You don't want to miss the Christmas Tour of homes in Auburn, Alabama.  This year the Auburn University President's home and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts will be on this year's annual Loveliest Village Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the Auburn Preservation League. The tour is Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m. Tickets for the tour are $20 and are available at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Behind the Glass and Auburn Hardware. The cafe at the museum will be open Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are encouraged by calling 844-7016. The museum is closed on Sundays and will be only on the tour Saturday. Visit this link for details of the other homes included in this year's tour or call the Auburn Chamber of Commerce for m...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
The following report is calculated by the Alabama Center of Real Estate. This report, along with more detailed information, can be found on their website: http://arerec.cba.ua.edu/  Are you considering a move into or out of Lee County Alabama? If you would like to receive these monthly reports, emailed directly to you, along with other local area information, feel free to contact me with a request. NAR UPDATES: The marketplace is as vulnerable as ever, especially this time of year, to fraud. The Treasury has spelled out an alert and warns against "private offset bonds." Read, too, on how the Stimulus Plan will bring some changes to the market.: A notice directed to REALTORS® warns about scammers' attempts to use fraudulent bonds to buy houses. If a buyer tries to use a "personal promiss...
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By Taylor Britton, Prudential Preferred
(Prudential Preferred Real Estate)
Buy low, sell high.  That is the basic investment principle of any market.  Real Estate, Stocks, anything you invest in, that is the rule.  The question is how do you know you are at the low point and when will the downturn reverse itself?  Of course there is no way to know for sure, but  when it comes to the Real Estate market there are some basic indicators you can watch that will give you the opportunity to make an educated decision. •·        Is it a buyer's market or a seller's market?  No question here, the sellers are anxious, and there are fantastic deals to be had. •·        Is financing available?  The lenders  are not giving money away "no questions asked"  like they have in the past, but if you have a reasonable credit score, and your income versus your debts are not out of ...
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By Taylor Britton, Prudential Preferred
(Prudential Preferred Real Estate)
Here is a comparison of this year to date compared to last year for residential real estate in Auburn:  Market Comparison Report Dates:  01/01/2008 to 11/20/2008    01/01/2007 to 11/20/2007 Property Types:  Residential Areas:  Auburn     Jan 1 - Nov 20, 2007 Jan 1 - Nov 20, 2008 Difference Percentage Property Type Units     Dollars Units Dollars Units Dollars Units Dollars Residential 910 205,778,821.00 702 153,678,101.00 -208 -52,100,720.00 -22.86 -25.32 Totals: 910 205,778,821.00 702 153,678,101.00 -208 -52,100,720.00 -22.86 -25.32  
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
VETERAN'S DAY... a day to pause and reflect...to pull in our aligned forces of gratitude, for those who serve our highest ideals in the fight for freedom... to take a priceless moment to acknowledge and remember the men and women I've learned of, known of and some I've met here in Auburn, Alabama through my work as a REALTOR.  What a privilege I have in America---to have such an opportunity to work and encounter so many incredible people along the way.  Each one is a brilliant reflection of humanity's collective struggle to be free and to have a place to stand and understand... to know of HOME on earth.  Today I especially salute the men and women who have participated in the action, to those who gave (and are still giving) of their own blood, sweat and tears to foster FREEDOM. Today I ...
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