Its Going to be a Wonderful Weekend 9/12/15-9/13/15

Its going to be a wonderful weekend with moderate temperatures. We haven't seen temperatures this comfortable in a while. Most everyone as of Friday morning's weathercast from WHNT, WAFF, and WAAYTV, has us around the middle 70s. Will this be the beginning of the break in the Summer heat and usher in the start of Autumn? We don't know, but I am sure our local weather people will tell us soon enough.

This weekend 9/12/15-9/13/15, is the Slide the City event that has been talked about for the past few months. AL.com has put together a good article. Feel free to take a read.

Our Valley Events, has also put together a wonderful primer on Newcomers to Huntsville. Great information and some tongue in cheek jokes local residents know. So anyone out of town that's visiting or moving in, its definitely worth a read.

Its been a very busy week and there's always more to do. We will catch you next time.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Great New Listing at 208 Case

Every looks like they got hammered in different places across the state.  From treacherous roads to teachers and students stuck at schools.  We know because we received a few calls from friends and family, letting us know they were at the schools taking care of the kids and had meals from the lunch rooms.  So we're thankful that everyone is being taken care of.  Let's try and shake off this cold, snow, and ice looming around us and get back to positives.  After all this frigid weather is only temporary.

Great New Listing at 208 Case off of Winchester.

"SPECTACULAR A MUST SEE!!" This house has it all. Hurry!! Family Room & Dining Room is a WOW Factor. Updated Kit, granite, sink, pergo flooring, smooth surface range, microwave & more! Bedroom 3 wood floors. Split Master/huge closet/glam bath/jetted tub. Other improvements: architectural roof on garage & detached garage, heating & cooling, windows, vinyl siding soffits, downspouts & covered gutters. 3rd car gar could be workshop w/elec. Wonderful screened porch w/Pella doors. Also storage bldg in spacious backyard.

Click for Virtual Tour...

Click to see more pictures...

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

What's New in Huntsville?

Several good news stories out so lets get right to it.

UAH opened their brand new student center Charger Union to great ceremony yesterday including cutting the blue ribbon.  The 90,000 sqft, $25 million dollar building is just another one of the items on the master plan for UAH construction moving forward.  As UAH continues with construction, it eyes a more traditional campus feel.

A new indoor trampoline park will open Apr 1 on University Drive called Shakalaka.  Included will be open trampoline field, trampoline dodgeball stadium, and a first for Alabama: a Ninja Warrior Aerial Obstacle Course (yes just like the ones you see on tv). With trampoline parks all over the country, the developer hopes this will serve the greater Huntsville community.

And lastly, it looks like the cold, frigid weather has retreated for the near future.  This weekend is forecasting rain and temperatures back to the upper 50's, so let's enjoy that while its here.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Its Raining, Take the Time...

As we know its going to be raining for a while so we thought to send out a note on taking the time to look for water damage inside the house.

When its raining is the perfect opportunity to check for wet spots, or previous ceiling damage from water leakage through the roof.  Normally when ceiling damage happens such as the pictures below, there are two major causes.  (Roof experts can probably get more in depth and explain additional causes). One cause can be of moved, damaged, or torn/blown off roof shingling allowing for easy access for the rainwater to make its way inside.  Another cause can be of damaged, torn off, or rotted fascia on the side just underneath the roofing area. Moisture can flow in or rainwater can be blown in by winds into this area.  Any rain damage you have has a possibility of turning into mold, so it is recommended that you keep an eye on the damaged area and fix the problem if able to do so.  Minor water damage is less painful than mold infestation.

Another aspect of rain damage is the damage it can do to wood flooring.  Now everyone would love to have wonderful wood flooring such as the picture below shows.

However, once the rain settles in or a large amount of moisture (humidity) comes in and is captured, the wood will begin to swell and warp.  While not easily noticeable at first, the damage very quickly becomes evident.  Buckling and warping are the effects of the wood flooring swelling with moisture; In some cases depending on if a house has been vacant and uncared for, the wood flooring can go through a cycle of drying out and releasing the water into a very dry atmosphere and when the surrounding area is humid again the wood recaptures the moisture.  If any of this happens and you manage to capture it early, seek the assistance of a professional to see if you can minor repairs to the affected area.

Today's Tidbit: Take the time to look around.  You'll never know what you'll see when its raining.  Sometimes you might see that hidden damage, and it could save your pocketbook in the long run especially if you plan on putting your house up for sale.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Everyone have a safe and Happy Halloween

For an event that has been celebrated in one form or another for at least over 400 years,  Halloween and its variants have brought untold amount of fun, mischief, mystery, awe, solemness, and fright.  It is a unique mix of religious, secular, remembrance, costume, and food.

This time, Halloween looks to fall on a Thursday and possibly have showers and thunderstorms so many will go early for trick-or-treating to try and beat the weather.

So whatever you plan on doing or how you're spending your time have fun and be safe.  Happy Halloween everyone!

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Huntsville ranked in another Top Ten!

This time Huntsville is ranked at #10 in the Top Metros for Keeping Cool during the Heat.  The study was done by Apartment Guide.  The study was done by looking at air conditioning units, swimming pools, and ceiling fans.



Find the perfect apartment with Apartment Guide!

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

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

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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