Foot Traffic Up as Home Buying Becomes More Affordable
April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Thanks to record low mortgage rates and declining home prices, 55 million families — or half of all U.S. households — can afford today's $200,000 median-priced new home, according to figures released by NAHB
Planning for Aging-in-Place Remodeling on the Rise
April 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — More remodeling clients are planning ahead and opting to alter their homes for aging-in-place, according to recent data gathered by the National Association of Home Builders' Remodelers. Seventy percent of remodelers surveyed reported making universal design home modifications, a significant bump from 60 percent in 2006.
The Web Can Make Your New Home Search Much Easier
April 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — If you're thinking about buying a new home but are unsure where to start, the solution could be as close as your personal computer. If you have Internet access, a wealth of information to help you in the home buying process is right at your fingertips.
Alabama Home Buyers’ Initiative Bill Passes House, Goes to Governor
April 01, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Home Buyers Initiative Act (SB 367) on Tuesday. On a vote of 101 to 0, the measure has cleared its last legislative hurdle and now heads to Governor Riley for signature.
Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards Presented
March 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Remodelers from around the state have been honored with the 2009 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards (AREA). The awards were presented at the 2009 AREA banquet on Saturday, March 21 at the Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville.
Tax Credit Key to Selling Homes, Marketing Experts Say
March 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Home builders may be underestimating the mileage they can derive from the recently enacted $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and should be doing whatever they can to actively promote it with their prospective buyers, according to residential marketing experts participating in an NAHB teleconference on March 16.
Scholarships Available for Studying the Building Trades
March 03, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — March 15 is the deadline for submitting a scholarship application to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation. The AHB Foundation, an arm of the Home Builders Association of Alabama, awards scholarships to students who desire to study the building trades at any two-year, four-year or technical school in Alabama.
Alabama Cities Among Top in U.S. for Home Price Appreciation
March 02, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Alabama ranked 14th in the U.S. for home price appreciation from year end 2007 to year end 2008, according to a report released this week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
Online Registration Now Open for Golf Classic
February 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Online registration is now available for the 15th Annual Alabama Home Builders Foundation/US Gypsum Golf Classic. The tournament takes place on Thursday, May 14 at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill Course in Prattville.
New Home Buyer Tax Credit is Bigger and Better
February 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — On Feb. 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law. As part of $787 billion in economic stimulus measures, the legislation created a home buyer tax credit that is bigger and better than the previous credit that was implemented in July 2008
Montgomery Home Gets “Extreme Makeover”
February 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Aronov Homes, a member of the Greater Montgomery Home Builders Association, is partnering with the Emmy award-winning television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and a host of subcontractors and volunteers to build a new home in just one week for a deserving Montgomery area family.
Scholarship Deadline Less than a Month Away
February 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Students wishing to study the building trades are invited to apply for a scholarship from the Alabama Home Builders Foundation. The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is March 15, 2009
Barron and Waggoner Announce Home Buyer Initiative Plan
February 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — State Sen. Lowell Barron, of Fyffe, and Senator Jabo Waggoner, of Vestavia Hills, announced a new home buyer initiative on Thursday, a plan that will help more than 7,000 new home buyers in the next year and increase investments in home mortgages
Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards Entry Deadline Extended
January 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The deadline for submitting entries for the 2009 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards (AREA) has been extended to Friday, January 23, 2009. The awards competition, which salutes the best of Alabama's remodeling industry, is open to all remodelers, contractors, kitchen and bath designers, architects, and other remodeling industry professionals
Builders Converge On Capitol Hill To Urge Housing Stimulus
January 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Less than 24 hours after members of the 111th Congress were sworn into office, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched an all-out effort to make housing a centerpiece of the massive economic stimulus package that lawmakers are expected to complete by mid-February.
Finding Design Ideas for Your Remodeling Project
January 09, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — You want to change the look and feel of your house, but you also want your remodeling job to look fresh for a number of years while complementing the existing features of your home. How do you choose the right project and design for you and your family?
Home Technology Within Reach of Average Buyers
October 20, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Home automation technology is much more widespread throughout the new home industry today than one might think — and well within the reach of the average buyer.
Housing at Its Most Affordable Level in Four Years
AL - September 5, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Housing affordability improved from April to June of this year for the third consecutive quarter, according to the most recent survey results of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index HOI), which were released on Aug. 19.
Home Builders Applaud New IRS Regulations on Utility Allowances for LIHTC Properties
Montgomery, AL - July 30, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Calling it a victory for affordable housing, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauded new regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that give Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property owners more flexibility in the way they calculate utility allowances for their low-income residents.
Local Home Sales Pace Picks Up
Homes sales around Montgomery remained well below 2007 levels in March, but the pace picked up compared to February, pointing to a seasonal shift in sales.According to the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama, Realtors sold 416 homes in the Montgomery area last month, more than 100 fewer than last year, but more than the 340 sold in February
