Why 2010 is a great time to purchase real estate in Auburn/Opelika!?

As we close the books on 2009 the future for home buyers and sellers seems a little brighter.  Below I wanted to mention three good reasons why 2010 will be the time to get involved in buying or selling real estate in Auburn and Opelika.

1. Buyers tax credit!  If you are looking to purchase a home in Auburn or Opelika and are a first-time home buyer...now is the time to start the process!  In early November 2009 the tax credit for first time buyers was extended.  Now if you have a contract signed by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010 you are eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000.  Also added in the new bill was a provision for home owners that have been in their current address for 5 years or more.  These owners are eligible for $6,500.  For more info on the tax credit visit:  TAX CREDIT INFO.

2. Interest Rates!  Mortgage interest rates are very low!  Some remember buying their first home with an 18-20% interest rate in the early 80's.  Now rates are hovering around 5%.  Depending on your credit score and situation you may can even do better.  This allows you to have more buying power has your budget can afford more 'home' by paying less interest.  Also, there are FHA mortgage plans that allow you to put as little as 3.5% for a down payment.  It is very important to work with a mortgage lender that is aware of all the changes that are going into effect on January 1, 2010.

3. Inventory!  There is a good supply of homes for sale in Auburn and Opelika.  So, if you are looking to purchase you have many choices.  Also, this allows you as a buyer to make sure you are getting the best house for you in a certain price range.  For sellers it is important to make your home show well and price it ahead of the market to make it most attractive to potential buyers. 

There are many other reasons like long term investment value of real estate, pride of home ownership, etc. that make buying or selling real estate a good thing.  Leave your comments on what you think about the article and what you think about the real estate market in our area.  For more info visit my website: AshleyDMiller.com.

Ashley Miller

BLOGGING IDEAS FOR 2010?!

I am going to hit the ground running in 2010 with blogging. I am not the greatest writer but would like to get better as well as connect people with what is going on the Auburn/Opelika area. I have put a great deal of thought into a system to what’s coming up so people will want to come back to read. Since Monday mornings are so hard to face sometimes I am going to post an original blog every Monday morning. Help me come up with a name!! I was thinking “Monday morning’s with Ashley” but not sold on the title…let me know your ideas! The layout I have come up with is below. Send some feedback on this too. If you gmail it is easy to become a follower. Just click to follow blog with that login info. If not, you can quickly set up an account to follow and get notification as new blogs are posted.



1st Monday of the month: Auburn/Opelika Neighborhood Review
This will be highlighting different neighborhoods with pictures, quotes from residents, upcoming events for the neighborhood and possible homes for sale. I will start next week blogging about my neighborhood, Camden Ridge.

2nd Monday of the month: Upcoming/Review of Local Events
There are many things that are happening in our area. Each month I would like to talk about some upcoming events and review past ones that I have heard about or attended. For example this month I will talk about Christmas in a Railroad town and discuss things to do in January and February in the area.  This will include events/updates about Ella too.  Stories and pics like yesterday blogs are enjoyable too!


3rd Monday of the month: Local Restaurant Review
Those who know me will not be surprised this is the one I am most excited about. I want to visit some local places and write about service, food, etc. I have a good many places in mind but you can tell me about your favorite places in the area.

4th Monday of the month: What’s happening in the local market?
This week will review the previous month’s housing stats dealing with sold properties in Auburn/Opelika as well as how many houses are currently on the market and some analysis of what direction things seem to be going.

If applicable: 5th Monday of the month: WILDCARD
This can include guest blogs, updates of current events, etc. Any ideas….?


Your thoughts are wanted…post here or back on Facebook and have a great New Year!  Check back tomorrow for blog about why 2010 is a going to be a good year to purchase real estate...

Ashley Miller - AshleyDMiller.com

Great article about getting out of debt...something good to base the New Year's resolutions on!
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Christmas that almost wasn't!

It is funny to reflect back now on the week of Christmas. It was not so funny at first. Some may have noticed my Facebook status last Monday about our issues with Amazon.com. Anna had decided to get Ella a pink retro kitchen for Christmas. She is very good at finding the best deals. So, back around Thanksgiving she found it on Amazon for $129. At Target it was around $160. and that was about the best price around. So we ordered it and got free shipping. Around the first week of December the box came and was clearly marked KidKraft pink retro kitchen. We put it in the back room until the Sunday night before Christmas. I opened the box only to find a Doll House. Now it was a very nice doll house but when half the family has bought food and accessories for a kitchen…a doll house just won’t do! It was basically the only toy gift we got for Ella. She did have a few puzzles and clothes but Christmas morning was suppose to be about the kitchen! Anna was obviously very upset about this….



On Sunday night we called Amazon thinking it would be no trouble getting a new kitchen here by Christmas. Well after 2 hours on the phone…we finally accepted that Amazon would not help us get the one pink retro kitchen on their site. It was from a 3rd party seller and now was priced at $240. Once you added overnight shipping for $375. the kitchen was not going to cost over $600. This was not going to happen!! Amazon offered us $100. instant credit plus the refund of the $129. once the doll house was returned. That was about the best we could get and luckily found the same pink retro kitchen on diapers.com with free 2 day shipping. Once all was said and done we were $35 to the good and the pink retro kitchen made it in time to be Ella’s Christmas present. All was well again for the Miller’s! I hope your Holiday time with family and friends was enjoyable!

Enjoy your holidays!

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Considering buying a foreclosure? 10 things to be aware of before moving forward!
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Pending home sales up for 9 straight months! Good rates+lots of inventory+tax credit= GREAT TIME TO BUY!
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Home for sale in Auburn/Opelika stats

Check out housing stats for November 2009!
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Is this your real estate agent?! You will laugh out loud! http://ping.fm/JkG3k

Don't wait until it is too late to start the 'short' sale process! In some situations this is a great option if you are behind on payments. Check out this link: http://ping.fm/Cedzh

Thinking about a refi or purchase? Rates are still great! A lender sent a rate sheet today quoting 4%-15 year, 4.625%-30 year and 4.75%-FHA!

Questions about the new tax credit? Check out this video! http://su.pr/3Eu6oR