Labor Day Business

Today, Sept 1st, we are watching the coast and praying for our friends and family in Gustav's way. We are seeing refuges here in our area. In fact the local news this morning showed a couple visiting our Botanical Gardens as they waited out the news from New Orleans. What is a holiday like for a realtor/broker? Well this morning I showed a house to a prospective buyer while my clients were gone to the lake. This afternoon I am meeting with an electrical contractor to co-ordinate a repair for another of my clients. Real estate brokering done right, takes the stress off the owner and makes the process move in an orderly fashion without the snafu's some expect in this business. I am sitting here listening to one of my favorite singer's, Larry Sparks, a truly unique voice in Bluegrass Music.

Upturn in Hsv., AL. Market

The Huntsville market is seeing new signs of life. The days on the market data (MLS) is slowly stabilizing. We are currently at 100 days on the market, which had been climbing nearly every month for the last year is now actually beginning to go down. This translates into Huntsville being a "neutral" market for buyers and sellers, i.e. a healthy, normal market. This is not true in many places but it seems to be holding here. The massive government involvement in our area helps blunt the economic downturn.

Signs of Life In Huntsville, Al. Market

We keep getting more and more new development announcements. On the way right now: a BILLION $$$$ development at the western edge of the city. Bridge Street of course is already functioning and merchant sales are climbing each month, a sign that it is viable. 180+ store development just over Chapman Mountain on the E. Side of Huntsville. Residential sales are holding steady and we just might see an increase in sales this month. Overall I would say we are weathering the downturn nicely. I am working with several clients from the east and west coasts that think our area is the best place to do investing in the whole country!!

Value added services for my clients

Before/after

I do several of these a year. This particular house was totally renovated. Here are the before and after pictures. What I bring to the table for my clients: if they are considering purchasing a home that needs renovation, I have a grasp and a contact manager full of references.

This project took 45 days and about $30,000. Re-done in and out.

Buckets of cash

Investment strategy- real estate
If you think you have waited to late in life to invest in real estate, look at buying and renting houses as buckets of cash. Say you buy a house, and all you have is 5, 10 years left to retirement, buy the house at market, rent it out at $0 or postivie cash flow, then cash it out at the retirement date, whatever gain you have is your bucket of cash, 15,20 or more thousand to roll into securities, buy 2,-5 houses and you could have a potential of several hundred thousand dollars to add to your portfolio. Is it risky? Yes, but so is the stock market, mutual funds etc. I am personally doing this and haave done it over the years and now have my retirement fully funded. I did it by doing this. Just my thought for the day.