Cleaning up after rains, winds, and storms...

After a few weeks of very busy activity in and outside the office, its time for a new post and a few pictures of last nights angry lightning storm.  This of course coming after the heels of what seems like a week and half of constant rain.

These fantastic photos were taken by WHNT's Mike Wilhelm.

After heavy rains and some winds its possible that some branches or limbs may fall.  Now it is best to make sure its cleaned up and moved towards where the city can pick up.  If left alone, multiple problems may ensue.  If the limbs are heavy and there has been a good deal of rain, you could be soon finding that the ground has become sunken in with the weight on top.  Experience shows that it only takes the smallest amount of dropped weight to make an impact on the looks of the yard for the dent in the ground to be easily seen.  Leaving the debris unattended can also provide a home for may insects including ants, termites, wasps, and spiders.  Never a good combination anytime as soon they could spread to the house.  After more rains come, moss and mold can build up on the debris itself and also harbor decaying rot.  This rot is always clearly evident by the deep musty smell.  Also check for mushrooms, their growth is an indication of decay.

Remember get rid of the problem before it starts!

Today's Tidbit: If you have wood piles of lumber make sure they're out in the open for easy drying after rains. Never keep them leaning against the house, and keep up with them so there are no insects setting up a colony in the dark places where you can't see.  Keep it tidy!

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Different Types of Roofing

Today we're getting back on track after the wonderful Memorial Day Weekend with a short comment on the roofing.  Just a short blurb if you will.  There are several different types of house tops that stand out.  3 Tab, Architectural, Tile, and Aluminum.

Let's begin and just jump right in.  Differences can vary by cost, strength, and looks among other things. The 3 Tab is the low end and is just your slap them on and hammer them down roof shingles.  They are the most vulnerable to destruction.  Architectural shingles have more depth, providing that 3-D effect and usually last around 30 years, but can have 50% more weight. A grade higher than 3 Tab.  Tile roofs can give a more glamorous appearance, but at a higher cost.  There is also a greater strength than shingles, don't rot, don't burn, and the normal life expectancy is near 50 years, however they can weigh more than shingles.  Make sure your walls can support it.  Ah and now we talk aluminum roofing.  These are among the highest costs of roofing, but also the long lasting.  But how do the advantages and disadvantages weight out?  High cost, high strength, won't rust or rot.  Although its slick for anyone needing to get rooftop, the shine will dull in time, the dents in it will be easily identifiable from the street whether it be rocks, animals, or hail.  Speaking of hail and heavy rain as well, we know that this causes the roof to sound and ring through the neighborhood.  The homeowners might not be able to hear the noise themselves due to insulation, but the neighbors sure can.  Although, a strong surface underneath might bring down the noise level considerably.

Today's Tidbit:  Roof selection is a big choice.  Make it wisely, you'll be living with it for a good while.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Out Helping in the Huntsville Community!

This is an exciting week in the Keller Williams community.  Today and pretty much the entire week, we're celebrating KW Cares/Red Day.  This is where agents and teams go out in the community to build, clean up, and donate.  If you see people in red KW Cares shirts doing any of these activities, you know they're part of the Keller Williams family giving up their time to help the community.

The Carol Jacobs Team will be out in neighborhoods as well.  We will be mainly focusing on cleaning up any storm and rain debris, help with landscaping, and working with gardens to get them back up and running after the flooding some of them took.

Other events the KW Huntsville agents are working are Burritt Museum, Women at the Well, Casa Garden, Hope Place, and Head Start Reading.

Today's Tidbit:  The Life South Blood Mobile came by yesterday and many agents around the office gave blood.  The bus was surprisingly large.  The team never has seen it up close before as it came in right before noon.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

New Homes Leading the Way in Housing Growth

With the Real Estate Housing Market slowly coming alive once again, the one leading the charge into positive territory is the New Construction.  Here in the Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Market, we have seen this first hand with the many new construction subdivisions popping up all over the Metro Area.  From West Huntsville to South Huntsville, Construction companies of Breland Homes and Hunter Communities, these new subdivisions have seen growth as clients are supporting these over resale homes.  Clients are getting a competitive price for something new against a resale home which may or may not need a little extra TLC.

With Housing Up 6%, hopefully the market will continue to heal itself and lead to more confident home ownership. The link below will take you to a video talking about possible changes to Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac.  It is certainly worth thinking about as more taxpayers are on the line for mortgages as more people get back into the housing market.

BlackRock Vice Chairman Barbara Novick

Today's Tidbit:  It has been a soggy week in the Huntsville Metro Area.  This is the 6th? day of rain...due to a stuck stationary front over the Tennessee Valley.  This should be pushed out of the way as a new cold front comes through releasing sunshine for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and leading to very cold air on Monday and Tuesday in which the highs may not break the freezing point.  Save the pets and plants, keep them indoors.  Remember for local weather you may always go to WHNT.com, WAFF.com, or WAAYTV.com.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes