Florence, AL News & Notes

Welcome to a Home in the Shoals!

614 Florida Ave.
Florence, AL
$63,900

First time homebuyers, investors, UNA students...take a look!  This 3 bed/1 bath home is waiting for you and the price can't be beat.  Improvements include all new windows, ceramic tile flooring in kitchen, updated bath with tile tub surround and new stove.  See more pictures and listing info at 614.HomesOfTheShoals.com or click here for a virtual tour!

For more information on this home or other Florence Alabama real estate, feel free to contact me...
I would love to help you find your next home!

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, AL
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

This 3 bedroom/1.5 bath updated home in the Brooks School District is just waiting for you to become its new owners!  
Hope to see you at the Open House!



OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, Nov. 7
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


406 Mauldin Ave. 
Florence, AL





For a listing brochure, virtual tour and map, click here. 

 
For more information on this home or other Florence Alabama real estate, feel free to contact me...
I would love to help you find your next home!

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, AL
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Florence AL homebuyers:  Great information below on home inspections and what to expect.  Happy Halloween! 

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Via Chrissy Doremus ~ U.S. Inspect ~ Home Inspections

The home inspection is a very important step during the buying process, but for some reason, it is a step that can give some buyers -and even some seasoned real estate professionals- an awful fright! So, in honor of Halloween on Sunday, here are my 5 Ways to Make the Home Inspection Less Spooky!

1. The Spook: Home inspections are just plain scary.
   The Scoop: OK, they are only scary if you let inspection myths control your experience. The truth is, we aren't scary people and we are here to educate, not get you shaking in your boots. What makes home inspections scary for some people, is actually past experiences, disappointments or just plain nerves. The good news is that most of that can be helped by just choosing the right inspector. The rest can be helped by acknowledging the concerns you may have. If it's your first home, it's OK to be nervous, if you've had past inspections not go as you liked, it's also OK to say hey, this is a different house and a different inspection-everything is gonna be OK.
2. The Spook: Maybe this house is more work than I thought.
   The Scoop: You might see the house differently on inspection day, then you ever have before. The home inspection is often the first time you will look at the house more "analytically" instead of "emotionally." It can be difficult if you are not prepared for the step-by-step evaluation of the house. But if you are prepared for the slight change of perspective that the home inspection may bring, the process becomes much easier.
3. The Spook: The house is not perfect anymore.
   The Scoop: Ok, but rest assured, there is no such thing as a perfect house. Prepare for the fact that some defects may be found in the house, but keep in mind that every house-even a new house-has some. The inspection report and the inspector will help distinguish between big problems and small ones. Ask questions during the inspection. Think about your concerns and needs prior to that day and make sure you get the answers you require. 
4. The Spook: The house is great, but the report still mentions a lot about required maintenance.
   The Scoop: Buying a home is similar to buying a pre-owned car. One must always expect maintenance and some unexpected repairs. No inspection can completely eliminate all risks, and all homes require maintenance, repair, and care. It is important to be comfortable with this concept prior to the inspection experience-especially those who have never owned a home before.
5. The Spook: For what they are asking for this house, it should have been flawless!
   The Scoop: Unfortunately, home price and home condition do not go hand-in-hand. Price has much more to do with location and the market conditions than anything else. After all, even million-dollar homes have defects. So no matter what the purchase price, avoid falling into the trap of expecting a flawless house.

Posted By: Chrissy Doremus, U.S. Inspect Blog

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For more information on Florence Alabama real estate,
feel free to contact me ...I would love to help you find your way home!

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, AL
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Welcome to a Home in the Shoals!

406 Mauldin Ave.
Florence, AL
$124,900

This 3 bed/1.5 bath home has been updated in the last 2 yrs. with a new kitchen, ceramic tile,  new bath vanities, new paint, new HVAC (1 yr. old), living room built-ins and a laundry room was added.  Other pluses are the hardwood floors in all bedrooms, large fenced yard and a nice back deck for entertaining!

To see more pictures, take the virtual tour!

For more information on this home or other Florence Alabama real estate,
feel free to contact me...I would love to help you find your next home!

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, AL
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Welcome to a Home in the Shoals!

909 Olive St.
Florence, AL
$149,900

Cute, cute 2 bedroom/2 bath cottage with a study or possible 3rd bedroom.  Walk to the University of North Alabama, enjoy the cozy backyard retreat with inground pool, the remodeled kitchen and new master bath addition.   

To see more pictures, take the virtual tour!

For more information on this home or other Florence Alabama real estate,
feel free to contact me...I'll be glad to help.

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, AL
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

I like to read Dave Ramsey's columns...always useful advice and things to think about.  Last week his column really hit home, no pun intended :)  So, for all of the potential home sellers and buyers out there, here it is:

Dear Dave,
What are the advantages of using a real estate agent versus going the for-sale-by-owner route when it comes to selling a home?
Seth

Dear Seth,
I've had a real estate license for 30 years. If I were to put my personal residence on the market today, I'd use an active real estate agent who really knows his or her stuff in the marketplace. I'd gladly pay them their commission, too.  Now, why would I do that if I could just sell it myself and save the commission cost?  For starters...

To read the rest of Dave's answer, go to his June 7, 2010 column by clicking here.  Thanks Dave!

Deidre Berry, REALTOR ~ Florence, Alabama
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

If you are looking for a waterfront property or a 4 bedroom/3 bath home in the Shoals area, check these out!   For more info and pictures, see the virtual tours...

615 Lakewood Drive, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
A great weekend getaway or smaller home if you want to downsize!  Enjoy easy access to Wilson Lake.

    

   *  3 bedroom/2 bath
   *  Approx. 1400 sq ft
   *  Pier and boathouse
   *  $239,900

    VIRTUAL TOUR

107 Moorsgate Drive, Florence, Alabama
You aren't going to find many homes with this much living space!  Immediate occupancy.

  *  4 bedroom/3 bath
  *  Approx. 3365 sq ft
  *  Formal living, formal dining, den, sunroom, master study or
      sitting area
  *  $239,900

  VIRTUAL TOUR

For more information on these homes or other Florence Alabama real estate, feel free to contact me...I'll be glad to help!

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL REALTOR
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Don't miss the opportunity to view this house in Bridgewood subdivision,
close to Brooks Elementary school in Killen, Alabama.
Hope to see you there!

  Sunday, March 14th
  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  219 Bridgewood Drive
  Killen, Alabama

*  4 bedroom/3 bath
*  3200+ sq ft.
*  Large open living area
*  Split bedroom plan
*  Bonus room
*  $249,900

For more property details and virtual tour, click on the picture below.

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL REALTOR
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

Welcome to a Home in the Shoals!

219 Bridgewood Drive
Killen, AL
$249,900

This is one you'll want to see! 4 bed/3 bath home with open and bright split bedroom floor plan that centers around the great room, kitchen and breakfast/hearth area. This home has those extras you're looking for like a large master bath with tiled shower and separate his/her vanities, a "kid's nook" for putting everything in its place, good closet space in all bedrooms, built-ins around the fireplace, bonus or rec room upstairs, and plenty of yard space. All in a quiet neighborhood that's only a couple of minutes from Brooks Elementary School and convenient to Florence!

To see more photos, take the virtual tour!

For more information on this home or other Florence Alabama real estate, feel free to contact me...I'll be glad to help.

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL REALTOR
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!

I happened to catch a piece on Good Morning America today that had some great advice for sellers.  I think most agents probably have said these things in one way or another to their sellers, but it's always good to hear it again!

"Inside Secrets to Selling Your Home"
Real Estate experts share their top five tips.
Click Here to Watch

The only tip that I have to disagree with is the last one...tip #5 was that sellers should "BE AVAILABLE", meaning be present at all showings to answer questions about the property.  I think what they meant to say was that sellers should make their homes available for showings...not themselves!  Sellers should rarely, if ever, be present at showings.  It makes the buyers uncomfortable and, more often than not, buyers will rush through the house because they feel like they can't take their time to really look.  So, sellers, my advice is...if at all possible, don't be at home during showings!

Deidre Berry ~ Florence, AL REALTOR
Your search for Florence AL homes for sale starts HERE!