We get calls, emails and questions everyday asking "How is business?"  We have been very busy and we have had closings.  It is a great time to buy because it is a BUYER'S MARKET.  Montgomery, AL  is not in the position like Southern California, Las Vegas or even Florida.  YES, It has been slower and that is why I stress to all those selling that they must not only be the "Shiniest penny in the neighborhood" but the  "Shiniest penny in the area." Buyers are shopping for "deals" and there are a lot to be had now.  We do have concerns over appraisal values.  Mortgage underwriters are asking appraisers to justify, explain and provide additional comparables for their reports. Sellers are not making money after living in a house just a year or two as in previous years.  In fact, many are coming to closings with money in order to close so they can move on with their life. (Not necessarily that they had to sell but chose to sell.)  These are a few issues we are dealing with in today's market.  The real estate market has definitely changed.  Don't misunderstand me now,  I am an optimist but I am also a realist.  I am not looking at the market through rose colored glasses.  Working hard and smart, sharing information and providing communication to all those buying and selling is a must for today's Realtor. The home buyer and seller today must have valuable information in order to make wise decisions for their particular situation.  We will do our best to be that REALTOR for you and others that you may recommend us to-  It is not just advised but imperative to have your house priced competitively, easy to show and in the best shape possible.  It is truly a TEAM effort selling homes. There are 61 RE/MAX offices in Alabama with over 1,000 RE/MAX agents The Helping You Move Team (Betty Cannon and Cheryl Ashurst) has been in the top 20 of agents statewide every month in 2008.  We have a proven team that constantly strives to do our best for you.  We get over 90% of our business from past clients and personal referrals.  

 Please let me know if you would like me to pass on additional information to you via email.  Feel free to email or call me with any questions or concerns you may have.  If I do not have the answer I can find out for you!!   The sky is not falling....resist a spirit of FEAR and  embrace WISDOM.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Ashurst

cashurst@remax.net

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Thanks for all the support and comments for my first Blog.  I know I said I was going to write about the Foreclosure Market here in Montgomery, AL (which is very low compared to other parts of the country).  I decided to write about something more upbeat… FOOTBALL……

Down in the South we have been talking about College Football since it ended last fall!! Now I just want to get the record straight.  I am an Alumni and huge fan of The Crimson Tide…. THE University of Alabama.  Montgomery, AL is about 45 minutes away from our rival Auburn University and my daughter is a sophomore and attends Auburn. Yes- that’s right.  We told her that we had already gone to college, attended class and graduated….. now it is her time. We are completely fine with this.  We have some people look at my husband and I when we say this and respond WHAT?  You are fine with this?  I have to chuckle because we take our football seriously down here!!  Keep it all in perspective folks!!  

The REAL football game is happening tonight, (August 29,2008), at The Montgomery Academy.  My son, Jeffrey Ashurst  #44, Junior, is playing in the season’s opener   MA vs. Catholic!!  He is playing linebacker and full back.  You can go on our local TV station’s website to watch … technology is awesome isn’t it?  My parents don’t live in Montgomery and will not be able to attend this game so I am directing them to the LIVE web cast of the game.

By the Way...... ROLL TIDE!! and  GO MA EAGLES!!

Thanks,

Cheryl

Cheryl Ashurst, Broker Associate, Certified Residential Specialist

RE/MAX of Montogmery, AL (www.REMAX.com)

Helping You Move Team  (www.HelpingYouMove.com

cashurst@remax.net 

Well.... This is my FIRST BLOG and I am going to enjoy it!! 

  It has been a very busy week and I find myself with a long list of things that I need to do but this was on my list and here I go!!  The Real Estate market in Montgomery is tough right now but The Helping You Move Team has been very busy.  We have a lot of listings that are good buys. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!  I know many years ago my parents had an opportunity to buy beachfront lots in Gulf Shores, AL for $5,000 a lot!!  Now I know you are thinking.. yeah right Cheryl... No, I am not kidding!  I am not that old but I remember those days when Gulf Shores only had The "Holiday Inn" and The "Rolling Tide" hotels.  It was then called "The Redneck Riviera".  Not much to do but play tennis, enjoy the beach and play games at the "Hangout".  My parents passed on that opportunity and have said many times in the past 35 years... "We should have bought those lots."

Don't let that happen to you. CARPE DIEM ("Seize the day!) Interest rates are excellent with mortgage companies providing additional incentives. The inventory of homes is very abundant now more than ever.  It is a Buyer's Market and sellers are preparing their homes to sell by staging, having preinspections and pricing correctly because the market is so competitive. Don't look back next year or several years from now kicking yourself saying... "We had an opportunity to buy in a Buyer's Market but waited-  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

Oh, By the Way, my parents did take advantage in later years of the market conditions and purchased a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo (5th floor) on the water at an auction.(1980's) They made an excellent decision and are still enjoying it!

Take Care- Make the most of each day and as my friend, Andy Andrews states in his best-selling book "The Traveler's Gift" Be a person of Action!

My next blog will have some info. regarding Foreclosures in Montgomery, AL

Thanks,

Cheryl

Cheryl Ashurst, Broker Associate, Certified Residential Specialist

RE/MAX of Montogmery, AL (www.REMAX.com)

Helping You Move Team  (www.HelpingYouMove.com

334-224-8222

cashurst@remax.net