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Auburn, AL Real Estate News

By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
The letter, issued Wednesday, reiterates concerns about the terms of the deal that the Cayman Island-based hedge fund expressed Feb. 1. Run by former UBS trader Jon Wood, SRM claims that the book value for Countrywide, as of December, was around $20 a share. In January, Bank of America agreed to pay $4 billion for Countrywide, which equates to an offer of less than $8 a share. "It appears that [Countrywide]'s management engaged in a rushed process to sell itself and failed to conduct that process in a sufficiently considered and diligent manner," the letter reads. "We note with concern the significant spike in the volume and price of the company's shares over the three days preceding the company's announcement of the merger." Back in January, Bank of America's takeover bid was seen as a...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
Finding a good hairdresser is one of the top transitional moments for many women moving to a new area. The search can be downright agonizing (AND time & cost consuming) if you go it alone. Like all good services, A REFERRAL can put your mind at ease and alter your outlook. In Auburn, the VOGUE AND VANITY Salon at 221 N. College Street will take good care of your hair, and offers other, related services. Owner, Gina Waters, is a native of the Auburn area. You will find her manner and style very comforting while you entrust her with your tresses. I love the passion she has for her business and the fact that she keeps a pulse on new products and styles and promotes continued training, for herself and for her team (Anna & Wendy are superb stylists too!). If you're in Auburn, don't scare you...
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By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
Float or Lock" (edit/delete) There is no relevant economic news scheduled for release today or tomorrow. There are only four pieces of economic data scheduled to be posted the rest of the week along with an after-hours congressional testimony by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. The first report comes early Wednesday morning with the release of January's Retail Sales report. This report is very important to the financial markets because it measures consumer spending. Since consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the U.S. economy, any related data is watched quite closely. If Wednesday's report reveals weaker than expected sales, the bond market should thrive and mortgage rates will fall. However, a stronger reading than the 0.3% decline that is forecasted could lead to higher mortgage rates. ...
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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, just send your reaquest to me at mhawks7@aol.com. JANUARY HOUSING STATS JANUARY 2007 - ALL AREAS 871 Houses on the Market this Month                $188,854 Average Selling Price 143 Average days on the Market                       $177,500 Median Selling Price 64 Houses Sold $12,086,666 Total Home Sales Dollar Volume Condos 248 Condos on the Market this Month                $169,118 Average Selling Price 115 Average days on the M...
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By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
Out of the office today. Please email @ chris.mcdonald@hometownlendersllc.com or call my cell @ 770-757-6481 if you need my immediate attention.  Have a Great Day!!!
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
www. Forbes.com has named the Auburn-Opelika metro area as one of the 6th fastest growing small metro areas in the nation this week.According to the U.S. Census (http://www.census.gov/), Auburn's 2006 estimated population was 51,906, and Opelika's was 24,563. The total 2006 population estimate for all of Lee County was 125,781. This is exciting news for our area.  Much of the growth is attributed to a comprehensive development plan created in the 1980s according to Mayor Ham. Another reason sited for the growth is the I-85 corridor.Personally, I am very happy living in the Auburn - Opelika area and feel lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community.  If you have are looking for a home for sale in the Auburn - Opelika, Alabama area, please give me a call!  
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
  Traditionally, the naming of land has always been of great importance to its people, since it bears some recollection of the legacy or story behind it.  THE COTSWOLDS in Auburn, Alabama is so named as the Development aspires to recreate an authentic ambiance, inspired by countryside on the outskirts of London that is known for its serene landscapes, cottages, and simply beautiful design that has taken in many travelers and endured for centuries.  From Shug Jordan Parkway, travel west on RICHLAND ROAD to the entrance of this master planned, 500-acre community. As of August 2007, the Developer, in conjunction with the City of Auburn, has funded the reconstruction of the once narrow, 16-foot trail to its completion as a 35-FOOT WIDE ROAD, with curbs, gutters, and 8-foot sidewalks! Within...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/30/economy-cities-alabama-biz-cx_bw_0130econcities_slide_17.html?thisSpeed=25000 If the thought has even crossed your mind ONCE in recent months to move to the South, specifically the Auburn-Opelika area, NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO MOVE! The area is growing &  developing, from a small town to a "small metro," just ranked #6 in this category by Forbes!  This is a great time in a growing town for investing in real estate. You'll be making A GOOD MOVE.
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
Telling stories or listening to others' tales, we come to know the varied shapes of experience, and grow rich in our own perspective. Chilly winter evenings are wonderful times for storytelling, especially for children. And for a child who might, on occasion, not be very interested in listening to a book, engaging a child in storytelling is a perfect solution. Participating through pictures, recollection and imagination gives children the welcomed opportunity to tell stories themselves, and listen to others... THE COTSWOLDS in Auburn, AL is a developing community that is a story in itself. It grew from listening and learning from legendary tales, hiSTORIES and imagination. You can see some of the beautiful homes on my website. This link will transport you to a page of the story of THE C...
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By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
Hey mortgage industry, fear not... pricing gets better. The first FOMC meeting of the year has adjourned with news of another cut to key short-term interest rates. In addition to last week's surprise .750 reduction, the Fed dropped them another .50 of a discount point at this meeting. The move didn't surprise some but did surprise others. The move has been met with mixed reactions in the markets. The major stock indexes are posting stronger gains with the Dow now up 160 points and the Nasdaq up 29 points. However, the bond market has not reacted as well. It is currently down from this morning's levels, possibly pushing mortgage rates higher this afternoon. The post-meeting statement indicated that there was still concern about economic weakness and hinted that more rate cuts could come ...
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By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
  Fed rate to 1.5% follow link to Jim Cramer... Good Stuff.http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155328549/bclid1111461880/bctid1387565711
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Just had to share the snowman with all my friends.  It seems very rare we actully enjoy snow in Auburn, AL so it is so exciting once we do have a little come our way.  It was such a nice time for all the children to build snowmen and just enjoy all the fun snow brings.  Actually, I had some friends showing homes for sale in Auburn, AL and actually had a contract written on one of the homes I had listed.  Talk about dedication from your Realtor.  Showing homes in the rain and snow is truly dedication to your clients. 
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
I never thought it would happen here... here in the hot town of Auburn Alabama, but TODAY it fell like manna from the heavens... TODAY IT WAS SNOWING!!! I was showing property in a very woodsy area, and got my camera out of the car to take some photos. When we went outdoors, we could hear children's voices in the neighborhood, shouting with delight. Over the next couple of hours, I got to see some of the smiles and images that only a first snow of the season can bring to a town... I watched people bundled up and walking against the wind so they could feel the flakes on their face and slosh their feet in some of the sleet...I saw a dad scraping the scant bit of snow off of his car windshield, making tiny snowballs for his toddlers on the ground... and there was a whole family that had pu...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Homes for Sale in Auburn, AL and Homes for Sale in Opelika as well as the surrounding areas in Lee County, AL. The following are the housing statistics for the Lee County, AL area.  For more detailed reports please visit   http://arerec.cba.ua.edu/  DECEMBER 2007 - ALL AREAS Residential 823 Houses on the Market this Month $223,508 Average Selling Price 169 Average days on the Market $186,250 Median Selling Price 76 Houses sold $16,986,639 Total Home Sales Dollar Volume Condo 349 Condos on the Market this Month $146,442 Average Selling Price 250 Average days on the Market $142,000 Median Selling Price 12 Condos sold $1,757,300 Total Condo Sales Dollar Volume DECEMBER 2007 - AUBURN Residential 418 Houses on the Market this Month $286,250 Average Selling Price 193 Days on the Market $238,2...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Just wanted to pass on the exciting news that Kia Motors has started its hiring process in West Point, GA.  This will offer a number of jobs in Georgia as well as the surrounding areas such as Auburn, AL and Opelika, AL.  Those interested in employment may visit http://www.kiajobsingeorgia.com/ for more information.  Currently, applications are being accepted from January 8th through February 7, 2008.  The pay scale will range from $14.90 to $23.50 an hour for production workers and $20.80 to $27 an hour for tool and die employees.This should provide a lot of work to many people.  For those planning to work at this new facility and would like more information about homes for sale in Auburn, AL or Opelika, AL please contact me (334) 332-7263.For more detailed information on this story, p...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Kiesel Park is another favorite of mine in the Auburn, Alabama area.  It is located at 520 Chadwick Ln. in Auburn, AL.   Kiesel Park is Auburn's largest park, with a pavilion, a garden, a pond, and a 2 1/4 mile walking trail. The Nunn-Winston house is also located at this park.   For more information please visit the following website http://www.auburnalabama.org/parks/kiesel.asp.   
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
The Louise Krecher Forest Ecology Preserve is a community outreach program of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.  It provides wonderful programs for children and other family members.  For more information please visit  their website at https://fp.auburn.edu/preserve/.  In my opinion, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.  My daughter attended camp at this location last summer and learned so much and had a blast.  Whether you are a local of Auburn, AL or just visiting please do not miss out on visiting the Preserve. 
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
Well this is it! The official day of midwinter, the WINTER SOLSTICE... the shortest day (and longest night) of the year in the northern hemisphere. A perfect evening for starting up the yule log, because this is a time of firelight and dreaming. While it's a busy, bustling time, it's really a time for relaxation and repose-itioning... to prepare ourselves for brighter light now, and a new beginning...if you are still... really, really, still for a moment, you might be able to feel the brink of a new beginning, sort of like that moment just before you open a present! Maybe a new beginning for you will include buying a first home or moving to a new one (and you can CALL ME for any assistance, no matter where in the country your real estate needs are :-) I'm so grateful for new beginnings,...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
Hope this link will be working now. Getting ready for 2008! LEE COUNTY in Alabama is an exciting place to be right now. There is a lot of growth and expansion going on and a ton of good folks here. There are also, like everywhere else, a lot of wonderful animals... people with horses and guinea fowl, goats and sheep, and of course all the domestic animals like dogs, cats & birds. My dog, BHODI has been lost since Thanksgiving. If you've ever lost a pet, you know how I feel. I'm hoping she will find her way HOME soon, and am doing everything possible to find her. LATTE, my black & white cat, is getting a ton more attention these days, and really seems to miss our dear family member. I do have 4 little birds, though, that can keep his attention for hours! If you and your animals are needi...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Hope these links are helpful to anyone moving to the Auburn, AL area. The Auburn Opelika Area was named the #1 city for golf in the US by Golf DigestClick here for the story Forbes Magazine named Auburn the #1 Place for Business and Careers in Alabama and #55 NationallyClick here to see the list Auburn High School is ranked #2 in Alabama and #77 Nationally by NewsweekClick here to see the article Entrepreneur Magazine ranks Auburn the #1 Small City for EntrepreneursClick here to see the article The Auburn Opelika Area is the #4 Most Affordable Place to Live and Work according to MSNClick here for the story Local Links Civic Related:City of Auburn, Alabama Auburn Chamber of Commerce The State of AlabamaOpelika Chamber of Commerce  Tourist Information:Auburn-Opelika Visitor's Bureau Alaba...
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