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Auburn, AL Real Estate News

By Jay Knorr, Auburn Al Properties
(Prudential Preferred Real Estate)
My son has been enrolled at the Auburn Academy of Martial Arts for a few months now. Wow! What an improvement. You can see the confidence in his face, his walk, his talk, and his general persona. It is a Tae Kwon Do school which is a Korean form of karate. I love this logo!Tae kwon do is more on the mind, body, exercise and defense as opposed to more offensive forms or karate. We go twice per week to the school which is located at 323 Airport Road, in Auburn. I wish we had the time to attend more! My son speaks to every adult now with a clear and concise, "yes sir" or "yes ma'am." And though I tried and failed before, he has learned to respect adults as well as his peers from Patrick Baeder, the owner/instructor (that's him in the picture) for the Auburn Academy of Martial Arts. We've b...
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By Chris McDonald
(WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP.)
Monday's bond market has opened in negative territory following early stock gains and stronger than expected housing news. The Dow is currently up 94 points while the Nasdaq has gained 15 points. The bond market is currently down 18/32, which will likely push this morning's mortgage rates higher by approximately .250 of a discount point.The only economic data released this morning was January's Existing Home Sales report. The National Association of Realtors releases this data that tracks home resales in the U.S. It showed a slight drop in sales, but not nearly as much of a drop that analysts had expected. With this being today's only news, it has had a moderate impact on today's bond trading and mortgage rates.The first big report of the week will be released early tomorrow morning wh...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
The JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM opened in Auburn in 2003. The modern architectural style proclaims a 40,000 square foot building. I get motivated to visit because I also like their gift shop and delicious menu and urban ambiance at the cafe, seating you alongside a wall of windows, bordering the terrace that overlooks the 3-acre lake & fountain. The menu is prepared by URSULA, a local, favorite caterer. ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDINGLY DELICIOUS! There is a lower level that you need permission for. It has a study room for research and writing, a vault system, a carpentry shop and the staff and security offices. The building is surrounded by approximately 15 acres of botanical gardens. It's lovely and refreshing!The MUSEUM is currently hosting an exhibit of Alabama Folk Pottery. I've always loved ...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Great news for those traveling from the Auburn - Opelika area by plane.  Plans have started to make dramatic improvements to the Auburn - Opelika Robert G. Pitts airport. The terminal was built in 1950, and is  currently experiencing peeling paint and chronic leaks. "We've got great use out of it, but it's too small and doesn't have the amenities we need to take care of pilots and passengers," Hutto said. Along with a new terminal, new taxiways and a new airplane parking area, called a ramp, are planned. The ramp will allow planes to maneuver under their own power instead of being pulled to taxiways. Four additional hangers will also be built at the new site. Fuel sales have increased by 50 percent since 2002, and the airport has 29-seat jets landing on its runway, Hutto said. The new l...
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There are only three economic reports worth watching this week that are likely to affect mortgage rates. Two of them are scheduled for release the same day, meaning we may see a relatively calm week for mortgage rates. The financial markets are closed tomorrow in observance of the President's Day Holiday and will reopen Tuesday morning. You may find some lenders to be open for business tomorrow, but I would not expect to see new rates issued until Tuesday.Wednesday morning brings us the release of two of this week's relevant news and data. The Labor Department will release January's Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 8:30 AM ET, which measures inflationary pressures at the very important consumer level of the economy. With exception to maybe the Employment report, the CPI is the most importa...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Just wanted to share the following information with parents of school aged children.  The Jule Collins Smith Museum offers tours for school groups.  For those interested, please email the museum at JCSMtours@auburn.edu or call the tour scheduler at (334) 844-3486.  I have taken my daughter to as many events with the museum as I could aattend and they are always fun and educational.  They really do a great job with the programs they offer and it is definately worth participating in.  Other fun events are the annual birthday party and the May Day program.  For more information on the museum please visit them at http://jcsm.auburn.edu/.   The above chandelier is one of my favorite pieces of artwork featured at the museum.  It was created by the internationally - known glass artist Dale Chi...
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By Mara Hawks, Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL
(First Realty Auburn )
Call me for more info or to set up a free consultation for a beautiful, customized home in Auburn. The is something new and very exciting in Auburn. Let me tell you about the development and the master plan. This is where I want to be living! (c) Copyright of photos and content, 2008. Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved  
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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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