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Housing Market Update for Auburn, Opelika and Lee County, AL

Housing Market Update for Auburn, Opelika and Lee County, AL

Monday - May 24, 2010

Within the next two months we should be able to tell what impact the tax credits had on our market. As many of you know the tax credit was applicable to those parties that had a contract on a property by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30, 2010. So with this in mind, it seems to reason that the number of closed homes will increase over the next couple of months. Historically for our local market the months between May and August are the most active. With the tax credits no longer in place it is time to see if the housing market can sustain itself without the government’s assistance.

Craig and Paula--Happy New Auburn Home Owners.  Graduated college one week, bought the house the next and getting married in 2 more weeks...what a busy month!

As always I will post a link HERE for homes for sale stats for Auburn, Opelika and Lee County. You can check out that link to make your own assessments. I have mentioned many times on this blog that a great indicator of the stability of the market is number of months of inventory. I will not talk about that this week (as to not beat the dead horse) but will mention we have over a 17 month supply in our overall market. This usually dips through the summer months.

Congrats to Pamela another new Auburn Home Owner! 

I would like to update you on pending home numbers. This is a good indicator of closed properties coming up soon. There are currently 163 residential properties pending in Auburn. This is a great number for future closes transactions. Opelika has 70 pending homes and there are 18 pending homes in Lee County (outside of Auburn or Opelika’s city limits). Many of you know this number really does not count until they are closed but represents a good activity in the past few months.

Great home in Auburn! Visit: 1433AnnalueDrive.info for pics and info!

I want to spend the last portion of this blog to talk about short sales. I have briefly mentioned this in the past but want to spend a few more minutes talking about this ever increasing segment in the real estate market. A short sale is a ‘pre-foreclosure’ sale that is approved by the lender(s) where the sales price is less than payoff of the mortgage(s). This is becoming increasingly important where home owners refinanced their homes in the past 2-5 years and now owe more than current market value.

I have received the SFR designation from the National Association of Realtors.  This includes a 6 hour class and other webinar training on the process associated with short sales and foreclosures.

I want to inform all that there are options prior to foreclosure. The government has two programs for you to consider. One is called HAMP. This is a modification of a current mortgage to make payments and terms more affordable. The other is HAFA. This program works directly with borrowers and lenders to make short sales successful. It is important to contact an agent and seek legal advice in order to know what is best for your specific situation. In most all cases there are options besides foreclosure and most are better for the individual both psychologically and financially.

These two homes are pre-builds for 2 clients. The one on the left is in Lundy Chase and the one on the right is in Lundy Chase West. 

The last month has been a little slower with calls and interest. I believe with school being out now, buyers are sellers are going to be ready to make something happen before the fall. There is no better time to consider buying with rates still low! Let me know if I can help you or anyone you know in any way with your next real estate transaction.

Ashley D. Miller – 334-332-8328 – www.AshleyDMiller.com – ashleymiller@remax.net

Just when you thought Chickfila couldn't get any better they add a spicy chicken sandwich! Reserve your free one here! http://su.pr/3fkFXN

Excellent Rates Today! Conventional 30 Year – 4.625%, Conventional 15 Year – 4.125%, FHA 30 Year Fixed – 4.5% !!!!

RE/MAX site climbing up the hitwise chart! Great to be part of such a great company!
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Restaurant review - Momma Goldberg’s Deli – An Auburn Tradition since 1976!

Restaurant review - Momma Goldberg’s Deli – An Auburn Tradition since 1976!

Monday, May 17, 2010

After moving to Auburn in 2000 for college the term ‘momma’s love’ took on a brand new meaning. Anyone who has been to Momma Goldberg’s and has eaten the famous Momma’s Love sandwich knows what I am talking about. Although Momma Goldberg’s offers an extensive menu, I have rarely ever ordered anything but the Momma’s Love.

I remember visiting Auburn and passing this small building at the corner of Donahue and Magnolia and wonder what all the fuss was about a deli shop?! Then, my first fall at Auburn I learned quickly why Momma G’s was a favorite spot for so many. That first fall I also had a surprise birthday party at Momma G’s so it became a special place for me.

Momma's G's is a landmark on the corner of Donahue and Magnolia in Auburn!  Luckily I park on Glenn for football games and pass right by here!

As I mentioned the Momma’s Love is an absolute must for anyone that has never been to Momma G’s. The sandwich includes roast beef, ham, turkey, Muenster cheese, spicy mustard, mayo, lettuce and tomato all on a hoagie bun. You may think that sounds ok but…the secret to it being so good is the steam! Once all the meat and cheese are placed on the bun they steam the sandwich, then top off with the mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato and special momma’s sauce. Momma’s sauce is similar to Italian dressing but even better!

The 'magic' takes place in the steamer!

You may think it can’t get any better for a deli lunch than that sandwich, but it can! You must always order nachos!! At Momma’s G’s they take cheese Doritos, cover with pepper jack cheese and jalapeño peppers. Then they steam it all together. What comes out of the steamer is something that is unmatched anywhere. (Believe me, I have tried at home.) There is just something about the way the cheese melts together that makes these nachos the best around.

I recently had daddy/daughter night with Ella.  We went to the AU baseball game but on the way had to stop in for some nachos and some Momma's Love!  Ella had her first bite of the nachos and loved them! 

One of my favorite game day traditions is getting a Momma’s Love, nachos and a large sweet tea. There is no better way to head into Jordan Hare Stadium than to have just left Momma Goldberg’s. There are many new locations for Momma G’s. Each have something different to offer, check out the website by clicking here. So the next time you are in Auburn drop by and get you some real Momma’s Love and nachos and enjoy!

More room inside than you would think.  It is slam full on game day's in Auburn!

Ashley D. Miller – 334-332-8328 – www.AshleyDMiller.com – ashleymiller@remax.net

Great options of things to do in Auburn tonight! We hope to check out the AU Tigers for baseball or go to the the carnival at the tennis center!
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Hope your plans for Saturday don't include going to Hickory Dickory Park...will be closed!
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RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly on the new HAFA Short Sale Plan. I received my SFR recently and learning about the short sale process!
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Watch out if you are heading towards Glenn Dean...sink hole there!

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What’s Happening with the Miller’s and Upcoming Area Events! Monday, May 10, 2010

What’s Happening with the Miller’s and Upcoming Area Events!

May 10, 2010

With spring time in full swing, things are starting to get busy. There are many events and celebrations that fall this time of year. At the end of this blog I will list some of great events happening around Auburn and Opelika. There are too many to list but this will give you a ‘flavor’ of what is going on in the area.

Anna, Ella and me enjoying Mother's Day! Hope all the mothers had a great day!

To start with I want to update you on what’s going on with my family. We found out at the end of April that we are expecting our second little girl! Ella is very excited about having a baby sister. I am not sure she fully understands what is about to happen. Ella wants to name her baby sister “Ella” or “Thomas”. I am pretty sure neither of these names will pan out...we are still undecided on a name so we will just call her Baby Miller 2.

Above Baby 2 is looking at you and below is waving at you!

If you follow Auburn sports at all, you know Auburn baseball has been doing really well lately. Ella and I had the chance to go see Auburn play Mississippi State last Friday. As you can see from the pictures Ella enjoyed herself. This coming weekend is the last scheduled series at home versus Tennessee. On Friday night you can enjoy fireworks after the game and on Sunday kids are able to run the bases after the game. So there is fun for everyone at the ball park.  Click here for ticket info.

Ella is eating her favorite pre-game meal, fries.  There is 'big' hint here as to what next week's review will be about!

Ella cheering on the Auburn Tigers!  She says over and over again, "Auburn Tigers Everyday"! She doesn't have a chance! :)

Ella and her buddy Brooks at the game.  "osh" as Ella calls Josh is hold them!  The fireworks scared Ella but were much more enjoyable after an Auburn victory!

As I mentioned in my last update blog we were going to celebrate Anna’s birthday at A-Day. We had a good time and you can see a few of the pictures below of how Ella enjoyed Anna’s birthday just as much as Anna did!

Above Ella is helping Anna blow out her candles.  She loves singing 'Happy Birthday.'  Below she is swinging in Anna's new porch swing we got her for her birthday!

I also mentioned in my last blog about the sundown concert series at Kiesel Park. This year it has been moved to Town Creek Park off Gay Street in Auburn. Every Thursday night in May from 6-7:30 there will be a performance of live music. Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the park and music. I have been once in the past, and it is a fun event. Check it out if you get the chance or click here for more info.


For the music lovers there are two events starting in Opelika too for you to enjoy. The first is NoonTunes on Wednesday’s. Starting last week and going through the month of May there will be a concert at noon at the Courthouse Square. The other event, Summer Swing, begins tomorrow. Summer Swing is every Tuesday evening from May 11-August 10. The event begins at 7pm in Opelika’s Municipal Park. The Rocky Brook Rocket, a vintage train will offer complimentary rides. For a schedule of acts performing check out the Opelika Park and Recreation site here.

Picture courtesy of Opelika.org

 The last event I want to tell you about is a new one to me. This weekend on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 &16, Lee County Master Gardeners is hosting a tour. There will be 7 private home gardens on tour as well as two public gardens. You can get tickets in advance for $15 at Blooming Colors, Auburn or Opelika Chamber of Commerce and Southern Crossing.

Ashley D. Miller - 334.332.8328 - www.AshleyDMiller.com - ashleymiller@remax.net

Good news for the housing market! Check out the link: http://su.pr/9vNfuz

Neighborhood Highlight - May 2, 2010 - Lundy Chase West

If you were able to read my blog last week you saw the up to date numbers of our market. Now the tax credit is behind us and the housing market must stand on its own! I mentioned that the market is still moving well in certain areas and price points. In my March neighborhood highlight I told you about Lundy Chase. This week I want to tell you a little about Lundy Chase's 'sister' neighborhood Lundy Chase West. Down about a half mile from the entrance to Lundy Chase, on Richland Road, is Lundy Chase West. This neighborhood was originally developed and called Ellington Place. The land was acquired by the Lundy Chase builders earlier this year. Since then many new homes have been started and now are closing in the neighborhood.


Like Lundy Chase, Lundy Chase West offers a well built home at an affordable price. The floor plans range from around 1200 square feet up to a little over 1500 square feet. Prices are between $130K's-$160K range. These homes appeal to so many because they are being built Energy Star approved. With so much emphasis being placed on having energy efficient homes this is an important factor to many new home owners. In these homes this includes Energy Star rated appliances and systems, foam insulation and green friendly products.

New home in Lundy Chase West being built for a client! Will be completed by July 2010!

There are still lots to pick from! It is a great way to customize your needs from the ground up in around 90 days. So if you are looking for a new home in an affordable price range, Lundy Chase West is a great option for you in Auburn!

Ashley D. Miller - 334-332-8328 - http://www.ashleydmiller.com/ - ashleymiller@remax.net