Post-Snowstorm & Time to think about Landscaping

Its now post-snowstorm and all the heavy snow has quickly melted off the trees and most areas that had sun.  However, shaded areas are still strewn with snow patches and ice clumps.  But there is a warm-up coming so whatever is left won't be around for that long.  Hopefully everyone had fun while it lasted.

Its mid February, which means its the perfect time to start thinking of Landscaping.  Maybe not physically doing it, but thinking about how you want everything laid out.  What colors, materials, and plants to put in.  Everyone's starting to think of Spring, and March is quickly approaching.  At that point all the best plants will be going quick as some people are buying up all the ingredients for their yards for they did their planning ahead of time.  Ideas for landscaping can come from everywhere and anywhere.  And if you want to ask your local nursery what looks good with plants and materials go ahead and ask them, they don't mind helping you out.  Major nurseries include Bennett on North Parkway, Earthtouch on Whitesburg, and Reseda on 72 West. Be sure to check them out and if you know of any other ones just add your comment so that others can see it.  And remember don't procrastinate or your favorite plants or pavers may be gone.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

New Year and keeping the eyes on a few of the new schools

Well the New Year of 2014 is now in full swing.  Short post before the heavy work begins.  For the most part, the team is very positive on how this year will go in the local real estate market.

We will expect home prices to climb slowly higher.  New Construction will continue to open new subdivisions and continue to grow.  We hope a property's days on market will decrease.

Although its winter its an excellent time to put a house on the market.  People who are serious have first dibs on the home, and then the build up into the usual springtime rush begins and everyone then begins looking.

We will also be keeping sharp eyes over the course of the year on the rebuilding of Whitesburg Elementary & Middle into the Whitesburg P-8 over Fern Bell Park and the rebuilding of Grissom High School to the West of  Sams in South Huntsville.  They've released the Whitesburg P-8 drawing as seen above, but we're still waiting on the release of the new Grissom drawing.  We'll keep you up to date on that one.  However, if everyone remembers they have designated the old space when Grissom moves.

So we'll alert you to any changes we see or hear about.  Have a great New Year!

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Winterization or Don't Let the Dollars Float Away

With the Temperatures deciding to drop quickly this week into possibly below freezing territory, we decided to put out a quick and informal checklist just for you to get started on.  Add your own ideas to this list as this is only a jumping off point.  Being here in the South, I'm sure we're going to be missing several big things that would be an automatic to put on the list in a more deeply colder area such as Minnesota or New Hampshire.

Check your HVAC and make sure its working correctly.  There is no use in waiting for it to conk out in December or January if it can be prevented.

If you have a chimney and use it, make sure its checked out for the safety of everyone living in the house.

Clean your Gutters.  We've said this before under fall cleaning but as we know it takes forever for some leaves to fall off the trees and they'll do it when they're good and ready.  Sometimes we have a problem with sleet and the leaves in the gutters are just in the right spot to be exposed to the elements to refreeze the water that's left behind.  And  if you have lots of leaves in the gutter and they're all frozen its possible that the gutter won't be able to hold the weight and it could come crashing down.  But its better to be safe than sorry and avoid other damages.  And remember if it seems to risky for you to do it, get others who can do it or use a professional.

Winterize your hoses and exterior faucets.  Make sure you get all the water out of your hoses (hang them up & put away) and sometimes just a simple cover of Styrofoam can work to protect the faucet by covering it and attaching it to the house exterior.

Check the weatherstripping and caulk on windows, doors, and any other place where there are holes, gaps, and bad seals.  The heat loss can cost you extra money that you won't even realize!

Now an easy one which many people won't realize.  Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detectors.  Make sure they are working and change their batteries.  Fall/Winter are the months in which all the windows are closed and sealed and there's no movement of air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  Remember it is odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that can kill while people are sleeping.

Remember this is just a starting off point.  Get involved yourself and see what you can find to get your house ready for the colder months.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Climate for People Moving to Huntsville Alabama

That's right this time, we decided to take a different approach and talk about Climate/Weather.  Now we, not being meteorologists, may not have the best expertise on the subject.  However, we do have a great deal of experience like many people who live in the Tennessee Valley and Huntsville Alabama in particular.

Just in recent events, we saw the snowstorms of Winter 2010/2011 which dropped 17 inches in Huntsville that season.  We saw tornadoes that raked through the Tennessee Valley in April of 2011, as well as the strength in the core of the community to come together to clean up and rebuild on the grassroots neighborhood scale. We have seen the most rare occurrence of downtown Huntsville being flooded in June of 2003, when almost the rest of the city was for the most part untouched (with the exception of several creek areas).  But there also have been everyday events which still stand out: We have seen gorgeous Summers for the downtown series called Concert in the Park year after year.  Driving over the ridge of Cecil Ashburn Drive heading into Hampton Cove on a late spring morning watching the sun pierce through the clouds and drape onto the lush green grasses and forested trees of Hampton Cove.  Not only serene but breathtaking that something that beautiful can happen in our very own backyard.

These important events create lasting memories that we carry with us in our lives.

(Photo Taken by The Carol Jacobs Team)

Spring and Summer are usually mild with average high temperatures of 60-80 degrees in Spring and 80+ in Summer.  Usually August tends to be the most troublesome month with high temps sometimes hitting 90+ with high humidity leading to a heat index that really climbs.  Sprinkled in are pop up thundershowers and every now and again a squall line of thunderstorms.  Other than that these seasons are filled with mostly blue skies and a feeling of comfort.  Spring is when the area puts on the Spring Tour of Homes which this year will be April 27th - 28th & May 4th - 5th.  These newly constructed homes will be available for viewing these two weekends.  If you would like more information when it becomes available please email carol@caroljacobs.com or call 256-651-7444.

(Photo taken by The Carol Jacobs Team)

(Photo taken by The Carol Jacobs Team)

Autumn and Winter are two months of which you could say have different stances.  Temps during this time sees average lows gradually sinking from 50s in Autumn to lower 30s in the heart of Winter. Autumn has the last gasp of possible severe weather before a mostly quiet period of Winter in which precipitation reaches a low point.  Autumn is best known for being the season in which football season is in full swing, and the night temperatures are still pleasant to go to in t-shirt and shorts.  Winter is the quiet month, but at rare times gulf coast precipitation becomes locked in and is sitting idle over the Tennessee Valley when a strong cold front comes down from the Northwest causing the moisture to condense and fall on the beautiful lands that is the Huntsville Alabama Metro Area.  As we stated before though, we're not meteorologists, we can only tell you what we experience and what we can remember.

(Photo taken by The Carol Jacobs Team)

Today's Tidbit:  We have some of the best meteorologists in the country to help us with our weather, as well as weather planning.  They are the ones we rely on to plan our schedules, and when severe weather happens they are who we rely on to protect our clients when we happen to have them with us at the time.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

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The Carol Jacobs Real Estate Team takes a Night Out in Huntsville

On Friday and Saturday nights the The Carol Jacobs Team went out to support local university The University of Alabama in Huntsville as it took on Team USA Under-18 Team in ice hockey at the Von Braun Center Arena.  Team USA is comprised of the most talented ice hockey athletes headed to the top universities.  UAH lost on Friday 6-2 and tied Saturday 1-1.  Next week UAH takes on Finlandia University.

After Saturday's game, the team took a walk through the Tinsel Trail over across the way at Big Spring Park.  Decorated trees filled with lights and pictures, as well as other ornaments sponsored by businesses, corporations and families.  If you get the opportunity take the small walk.  Its behind the Art Museum and small ice skating rink.  Included sponsors of trees included our very own Keller Williams, UAH Alumni Association, UA Alumni Association Chapter Madison County, Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Downtown 47, and more.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Cole/al.com

Today's Tidbit:
Take the opportunity to go out and interact with others.  Not only does this provide a good feeling of meeting others and networking, but it also allows you to see events and places you wouldn't normally go.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Moving Day in the Wintertime, Huntsville Real Estate style

Today with the weather being still in the warmish zone comparably speaking its best to talk about something before it happens.  Moving in the Winter weather.  With Real Estate in the Huntsville Metro Area, winter can be highly erratic as warm fronts and cold fronts battle it out from 60 degree shorts weather to temperatures in the 20s with a strong northern wind bringing windchills even lower.

Its the lower temperatures we're worried about.  The build up of ice & sleet is more of a hindrance in our area than snow.

• Make sure the walkway is free of any slick spots or debris.
• Use cardboard or plastic matting to protect major walkways from bringing mud, ice, and water into the house.
• Make sure you have warm refreshments on hand for yourself and movers if you have them.  In this less than ideal environment its nice to be considerate.
• Plastic sheets, garbage bags, or coverings to protect electronics, furniture and other valuables that may have problems with the cold, rain, etc.
• Make sure you have utilities turned on in your new home.
• Make a back up plan for you and your movers.
• Travel slower than usual on the roads, icy spots will ruin your moving experience as well as any other items of importance.

Events of below freezing moving day are rare here in the world of Real Estate in Huntsville, however we have been known to be thrown a curve ball once or twice by mother nature.  Just keep an eye to the sky and ground once every 10 years and you'll see something big.

Today's Tidbit:

The Coldest days in Huntsville was at -11 degrees F on Jan 21st 1985 and Jan 30th 1966.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes