The West Team

Spring is about to spring !!

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:51:00 GMT

Tempuratures are beginning to moderate a little and it looks like spring is on the way.

What a winter, I don't remember so much snow, sleet, rain, cold temps, etc...makes you wonder doesn't it.

Real Estate sales have been heating up quite a bit since the first of 2011...interest rates remain at historically low levels and inventory is bursting out on all sides. Some buyers who have recently sold and now want their pound of flesh are getting frustrated when they find the Birmingham market not a "give away" situation, guess that's to be expected...I call it un-met expectations.

Pricing for sellers remains critical as always..what do they say.."it is location, location, location, now it's price, price, price "...you can be on the market or in the market..with the competition out there for buyers price is critical.

Thoughts ?

Heading down the home stretch for tax credit !!

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:41:00 GMT

I'm back...I don't know if anyone is reading these little "posts" of mine or not but sometimes I just feel the need to reach out a little...we're heading down the homestretch of the government alowed time for the $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers...unless I've been misinformed 100 times you have to be closed by November 30th to qualify...lots and lots of people have taken adavntage of this credit...I read the other day where a legislator from Georgia is proposing a $15,000 credit to anyone on any house regardless of your income...that would be HUGE !!

If you're reading this I hope you're OK...big weekend for me last weekend...my youngest daughter(who is also expecting her first child by the way)made her acting debut as Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music...she was by far the best actor on the stage...no, I am not just saying that 'cause she's mine..well, maybe I am but she was terrific...both my daughters are expecting as is my step son's wife !!!!

Maybe one day I'll get a reaction from someone and you'll write me back..until then like Amy Adams said.." I know you're out there so I'll just keep on writing".

Later...

Been a while

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:17:00 GMT

It's been a while since I took the time to write...usual excuses...busy with work, etc..the real truth is there wasn't much to share...just surviving Real Estate.

Learned somethng important this week...FHA is basically getting out of the condo financing business and doing it fast. As far as I know this hasn't received much attention even the major property management companies in Bham were/are unaware this was happeing. By the end of September it will be too late for your unit to receive a "spot" approval and after that if the property you're selling or wanting to buy hasn't been pre-approved by FHA it's too late.

Gonna be alot of folks unhappy when this gets out...FHA is where the vast majority of the condo buyers under $275,000 turn for financing.

Activity seems to have improved over the past few weeks...I'm not sure if it's a trend or we're just fortunate to have some properties people are considering...either way there definitely seems to be a better overall attitude about RE than there was in the fall of 08'.

Unitl next time...what's on your mind ?

Seymour

August 15th Saturday morning

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:24:00 GMT

What a week !

Foreclosures and Short Sales seem to be getting harder to conclude with every month that goes by...there are sooo many "layers" of people between the Investor/Bank/Asset Manager person and the consumer...that's the damn problem !

When we have a prospect who wants to make an offer on a foreclosed property we do our best to let them know they MUST have patience and plenty of time to work through the process...we begin by chasing down a Listing Realtor who for the most part doesn't want to do anything other than get paid...I have never seen the degree of poor communication as we have here in Birmingham with alot of our foreclosure agency Realtors...we're dealing with one right now that doesn't have a cell phone..!!..we have to "page" her...I want to say "hey, about joining the family of man and get a damn cell phone at least"...anyway, by the time you realize he or she is a total waste you end up going to their agency where you find people who are either over worked, stupid or both...you try to work your deal with them..getting utilitites turned on for inspections, etc....it just goes on and on..meanwhile, the buyer is beginning to understand this ain't no pretty picture !

If the folks at the agency would do what they say they'll do you could get through this w/o hating each other...most of the time it doesn't work that way...communication between humans is difficult even when things are going well.

Anyway, sorry, I just needed to vent this morning...MJ does BPO's all the time for Clear Capital but never seems to get any listings...can you say being used...and for a whopping $50 !

Later...Seymour

Monday ramblings a/b Real Estate

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:13:00 GMT

Monday morning...where in the world does the weekend go ?

When you work seven days a week you wonder sometimes...

Heard this morning that the Fed may raise interest rates by the end of 2009 or early 2010..they say they're worried about inflation coming back...I'm old enough to remember the Jimmy Carter years...18-20% interest...I kid you not...I remember moving to Gadsden, Alabama in 1981 and prime was around 18%...!!!

IMHO...best two ways to hedge your bets moving forward...whole life insurance and Real Estate...this gives you slow, solid steady growth in the life side and covers your exposure if something happens to you..then rental/investment property for that more speculative side..they can't make any more land...etc...

Thoughts ?

Have a great Monday....Seymour

What's going on with Real Estate ? (and other life issues)

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:04:00 GMT

Blogging about Real Estate is something I never in a million years thought I would ever do...how boring would that be. However, with every day that goes by I realize if I'm confused about this market then how confused must the regular consumer be ? It must at best appear to be very intimidating.

We absolutely work seven days a week...this industry is maddening but exciting at the same time. Just when we think we've got a handle on where we're headed something changes.

As a husband/wife team we face the challenges of working together as life partners AND as business partners...lots of patience here..especially on MJ's part. Most of the time I think I know all the answers only to find out I was wrong and she was right ! I just move on to the next decision.

I'm open to topics to discuss here..if anyone wants to share..otherwise I'll just write and ramble but hopefully not bore.

Seymour

Open House in Birmingham/Southside on Saturday

Mary Jo & Seymour West — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:02:50 GMT

Birmingham/Southside, Birmingham - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 302-2025 1st Avenue N on August 8 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The West Team

Spring is about to spring !!

Heading down the home stretch for tax credit !!

Been a while

August 15th Saturday morning

Monday ramblings a/b Real Estate

What's going on with Real Estate ? (and other life issues)

Open House in Birmingham/Southside on Saturday

Open House in Birmingham/Southside on Saturday

Open House in Birmingham/Southside on Sunday

2 Story For Sale in River Oaks

Commercial For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

3 Story For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

1 1/2 Story For Sale in Highland Lakes

4317 Dolly Ridge Lane in Dolly Ridge Drive is Sold!

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

2 Story For Sale in Liberty Park

124-401 S 20th Street in Bristol Southside is Sold!

Single Story For Sale in Southside

Multiplex For Sale in Bristol Southside

Apartment For Sale in Birmingham/Southside

2 Story For Sale in Liberty Park