Hello everyone, and to those of you who are new to my blog, I’m Billy Ray Parson and I’m a Realtor with Lawson Real Estate in Jasper, Alabama. I assist both buyers and sellers with residential, commercial and investment property in the Northwest Alabama area.
I would like to offer a special welcome to those of you who will be first time home buyers. Regardless of the constant negativity you hear night after night in the media, this is truly an exciting time if you are in the market for your first home. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I can ever remember when conditions have been more favorable for the first time home buyer.
First of all, home prices are at a five year low and we are in the midst of what is called a Buyer’s Market. This means, in the most simple terms, that there are currently more people wanting to sell their home than there are buyers wanting to purchase a home. This lack of demand in the housing market is causing rising inventory levels nationwide and this is the primary reason that we are seeing home prices drop. I won't go into too much detail or try to teach a lesson in economics, but the end result is, those who are buying now, are doing so at great prices.
Next, we can thank Congress and the recently passed Bailout Package for enacting a bigger and better Home Buyer Tax Credit. An unbeleivable and unheard of tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a home between January 1st and December 1st of 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid.
Finally, Uncle Sam should be congratulated once again for keeping interest rates extremely low. The rate you get will be determined by your lender but they look at several factors such as your credit history, the amount of your down payment, and the length of your loan. But just to give you an example, one of my clients refinanced her home last month and secured a fixed rate of 4.8%. Now that’s a great interest rate, and even without considering the low home prices or the huge tax credit, it is enough in itself to save a new home owner hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year.
I think it's now easy to see why I am so excited for first time home buyers and I would be honored to assist anyone in the Northwest Alabama area with their search for a new home. Feel free to visit my website at http://www.billyrayparson.com for a great place to begin your search and view thousands of homes, take virtual tours, and learn all about the buying process. Just email me at billyrparson@aol.com or give me a call at 205-275-4005 with any questions or comments. Until next time, good luck in your quest for......Gaining Ground.
Haleyville, Winston County - The single story at 3556 Dime Road has been sold and if you are currently trying to sell your home, this could have been yours. Let us market your home....
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Timeless Beauty/Modern Living
• 5,000 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Colonial" - 
MLS®$330,000
Haleyville, Winston County - This home is located just off Dime Road, yet once on the circular drive one feels a million miles away. "Picture perfect" like an old plantation, this colonial style house, nestled on 2 acres of rich, level earth, transports one to another place, in another time. One may conjure up thoughts of the Old South or feel like Scarlet O'Hara while traveling under the old southern shade trees toward the home. The complete restoration of this house successfully married conveniences of the 21st century with the charm of another time. It has 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths and its original architectural design has been maintained with surprising accuracy. This is true especially with regards to the door, window and crown moldings, the tongue and groove plank ceiling in the kitchen, and the claw-foot tubs in the bathrooms. It is adorned with many customized windows, adding interest while bathing the home in natural light. In the kitchen the layout exemplifies the "perfect work triangle," and it includes ample counter & cabinet space. It has both a bar that can seat 4 and an island that doubles as a chopping block. As attractive as it is useful, the kitchen is decorated with white bead board, corian countertops, hardwood floors, and a gorgeous ceiling. There is a laundry room and the basement supplies plenty of storage. The formal dining room is huge and is painted a deep garnet, has white wain-scot, and seats 10 comfortably. Both the formal & private living areas are cozy and include fireplaces. Reading and relaxing are easily achieved in either the sunroom with it's awesome brick floors, or the library, with it's built-in bookshelves. Outside, the home has a back patio and a front porch. Trust me, Scarlet never had it this good. This property has it all and must be seen to appreciate this truely unique opportunity.
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Rock Formations & Waterfalls
• lot / land "A Moderate Slope to Bluff" - MLS®$105,000 - $70k BELOW Tax Appraisal
Smith Lake, Double Springs - This home site has a whopping 300 plus feet of water frontage, unusual inside a restricted community. It is located in Sipsey Overlook subdivision and is an absolute amazing opportunity for anyone who loves picturesque views and saving money. This property includes natural rock formations, 2 spring-fed waterfalls, and perhaps best of all, an asking price that is $70,000 below it's tax appraisal..
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Smith Lake, Double Springs - Announcing a price reduction on Lot #55 Sipsey Overlook, a lot / land "A Moderate Slope to Bluff". Now MLS®$105,000 - $70k BELOW Tax Appraisal.
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Unique with a cave on the water's edge
• lot / land "In Sipsey Overlook & has a Cave at Water's edge" - MLS®$135,000
Smith Lake, Double Springs - Enjoy a beautiful drive through National Bankhead Forest getting to this unique property. It is located in a restricted community, Sipsey Overlook, that is one of Smith Lake's finest developments. It boasts an awesome view of Yellow Creek with a moderate slope down to 109' of water frontage. With a large cave on the water's edge, this lot is a nature lovers' dream.
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Smith Lake, Jasper - Announcing a price reduction on 494 Gulf Ridge Rd, a 2,530 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Finished, Full Basement with new Ceramic Tile". Now MLS®$449,000 - REDUCED $50,000!!!.
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Private and Secluded, yet Convenient...
• 3,677 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Traditional Brick 2 Story..." - MLS®$384,900 - Great Home, Great Price..
Haleyville, Winston County - This is an immaculate brick home in one of the best locations in Haleyville. This house features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, living room/study, den, laundry room, and a large walk-in pantry. Other amenities include hardwood and ceramic tile floors, 2 fireplaces, large crown molding, a very unique and open foyer, big closets, and a massive back deck that runs the width of the home. The home sits on a magnificent 4.8 acre lot, in a cul-de-sac in private, secluded, Sherwood Place subdivision. This tract is professionaly landscaped with a trendy stamped concrete driveway which leads to both 2 car attached and detached garages. The beautifuly wooded lot is near the back of this restricted subdivision and features an in-ground storm shelter, an 8' x 12' matching playhouse, and a very useful, seperate workshop. If you are looking for a home in NW Alabama, don't miss this one. Call for a private showing.
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Haleyville, Winston County - Announcing a price reduction on 456 Sherwood Place, a 3,677 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Traditional Brick 2 Story...". Now MLS®$384,900 - Great Home, Great Price...
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10 yr Old Pine Plantation
• lot / land " Excellent Investment Opportunity!" - MLS®$74,000 - Only $1850 Per Acre
Highway 13, Lynn - Excellent Timberland Investment and Awesome Deer & Turkey Hunting Land. This 40 acre pine plantation is loaded with 10 year old pines, 5 acres has 5 year old pines, and at only $1850 per acre, this tract is priced to sell quick. Only 5 acres have been striped and the remaining property has 2 deep seams of coal. This tract also includes excellent accessability with a "Y" shaped gravel road cutting through the middle of the property. This hunting land is made even more effective with the help of several water sources such as nearby and bordering Lincoln Creek, a small meandering stream, and a drought saving 1/2 acre pond. This property will not last long.
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10 yr Old Pine Plantation
• lot / land " Excellent Investment Opportunity!" - MLS®$74,000 - Only $1850 Per Acre
Highway 13, Lynn - Excellent Timberland Investment and Awesome Deer & Turkey Hunting Land. This 40 acre pine plantation is loaded with 10 year old pines, 5 acres has 5 year old pines, and at only $1850 per acre, this tract is priced to sell quick. Only 5 acres have been striped and the remaining property has 2 deep seams of coal. This tract also includes excellent accessability with a "Y" shaped gravel road cutting through the middle of the property. This hunting land is made even more effective with the help of several water sources such as nearby and bordering Lincoln Creek, a small meandering stream, and a drought saving 1/2 acre pond. This property will not last long.
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10 yr Old Pine Plantation
• lot / land " Excellent Investment Opportunity!" - MLS®$74,000 - Only $1850 Per Acre
Highway 13, Lynn - Excellent Timberland Investment and Awesome Deer & Turkey Hunting Land. This 40 acre pine plantation is loaded with 10 year old pines, 5 acres has 5 year old pines, and at only $1850 per acre, this tract is priced to sell quick. Only 5 acres have been striped and the remaining property has 2 deep seams of coal. This tract also includes excellent accessability with a "Y" shaped gravel road cutting through the middle of the property. This hunting land is made even more effective with the help of several water sources such as nearby and bordering Lincoln Creek, a small meandering stream, and a drought saving 1/2 acre pond. This property will not last long.
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Smith Lake, Jasper - Announcing a price reduction on Vacant Lot, Blue Water Pointe, a lot / land "107' Water Frontage". Now MLS®$159,900 - Reduced $20,000 !!!.
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• 2,530 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Finished, Full Basement" - MLS®$499,000 - 150' of Year-Round Water!
Smith Lake, Jasper - This "Hidden Gem" will make someone a fabulous home on Smith Lake. With 3 large bedrooms and 3 full baths, there is plenty of room for full time living or real weekend entertaining in style. Lots of decks, full length windows and a full length screen porch allows you to take advantage of one of the lake's most breath-taking views. The property also posseses a large, well designed boat house. It is located within the150' of deep, year round water. It includes 2 boat slips with a 500 pound lift, a 12' x 32' swim platform, an enclosed storage closet and the top is a sun deck with a diving board.
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Smith Lake, Jasper - Announcing a price reduction on 494 Gulf Ridge Rd, a 2,530 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Finished, Full Basement". Now MLS®$499,000 - 150' of Year-Round Water!.
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