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The Southern REALTOR Network The Southern Realtor Network of the Birmingham MLS meets every Thursday morning at 9:00 am at Ruby Tuesday, Highway 31 N, Vestavia. The meeting includes a light breakfast.

WAGON MASTERS Gail Hutton RE/MAX Advantage 979-9854 Bruce Ludwig RealtySouth Vestavia 979-6400 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Sandra Carr ERA Oxford 979-2335 Martha Moody Smith RELI Inc 999-0207 Gloria Jackson First Federal Mortgage

965-2167 Call to sign up for Thursday Breakfast

The REALTORS will have a chance to make announcements along with the Birmingham Association of REALTORS (BAR). You will have a chance to present any old and new listings, with which you may need assistance. You will also be able to discuss both buyers’ and sellers’ needs. Networking begins at 8:45am and gives you the chance to meet with other REALTORs and affiliates of the BAR. The charge is $3 per person,

which goes to our charity, FAMILY CONNECTION. Please visit their website at http://familyconnectioninc.org. We would like to thank Ruby Tuesday for allowing our caravan to meet at their location at no charge.

Please remember to email Kimberly Boackle of AmeriCapital Mortgage, no later than 11am Thursdays, to add your listings for the next newsletter. Please remember to include MLS #s. Thanks!!

Duties to Public Standard of Practice 12-7

Only REALTORS® who participated in the transaction as the listing broker or cooperating broker (selling broker) may claim to have “sold” the property. Prior to closing, a cooperating broker may post a “sold” sign only with the consent of the listing broker.

Standard of Practice 12-8

The obligation to present a true picture in representations to the public includes information presented, provided, or displayed on REALTORS®’ websites. REALTORS® shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that information on their websites is current. When it becomes apparent that information on a REALTOR®’s website is no longer current or accurate, REALTORS® shall promptly take corrective action.

Published by AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-5200 Email: Kimberly Boackle at [email protected]

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Offered Through: Ken Giglio - 370.1296 Century 21 Home Team 3041 Old Stone Drive on 1st Fairway of Inverness Country Club $1,450 per month 3 BR/2.5BA Beautiful, pet-friendly, 2,000 sq. ft. townhome located the most private street with huge master suite with jetted tub, screened back porch, garage and NO FEES

Realtor Events In Birmingham Feb 11th 11am

Membership Committee

Feb 11th 1pm

MLS Committee

Feb 13th 8:30am

CCIM

Feb 13th 9am

MLS Basic

Feb 13th 1:30pm

MLS Advanced

Feb 17th 1:30pm

MLS Directors

Feb 20th 9am

“Internet Marketing”

Feb 23rd 11:30am

BAR Executive Committee

Feb 25th 9am

BAR Directors

Feb 26th 11:30am

CMDSC Awards Luncheon

Offered Through: Gail Hutton - 222.4335 RE/MAX Advantage 509 Meadow Ridge Circle 35242 $1,850 per month 4BR/2.5BA Includes all kitchen

Offered Through: Charles Heaton - 369.7090 Keller Williams 2112 Lester Lane 35226 $1,000 per month

appliances; new carpet and paint (available 1 March)

Offered Through: Janet Hamm - Keller Williams - 601.5556 2846 Wisteria Drive, Hoover - $1,400 per month 4BR/3BA – Eat-in kitchen, den formal living room and dining

room, playroom, office, bonus room, fenced backyard with workshop - Lease/Purchase Option as well 267 Ivy Hills Circle, Calera - $1,000 per month 4BR/2BA - Large eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, great

room

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

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Chances are the decor in that listing you just took is a lot like most people's wardrobes: There are a few items that went out of style a decade ago, but they're so comfortable that it's impossible to see them go. "We grow accustomed to our space, and we stop seeing it," says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant. "People tend to become blind to their own things." But everything needs updating eventually. Birdsong suggests home owners cast a fresh eye on their living space, pretending that they've just moved in and are assessing the previous occupant's design choices. Betsy Westman, a broker-owner with Westman Realty in Grand Rapids, Mich., says real estate professionals can have a big impact on updating a home's look by helping clients brainstorm new ideas and by being straightforward about outmoded design elements. The following tips can help get a home up-to-date without breaking the bank. 1. Move it. Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel. 2. Plant it. Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement on their own. Group plants of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. Jettison the scraggly specimens, Westman says. "It's important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition." 3. Paint it. Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, "be sure to ask, 'What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?'" Birdsong says. "And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room." 4. Organize it. "Clutter just happens," Birdsong says. "So neaten up!" She advocates a variety of organizing tools to make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. "Just a row of hooks pre-attached on a board is so easy to install," she says. "And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles." 5. Hide it. Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper (available for as little as $16/roll from Creative Wallcovering) will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. Birdsong suggests applying a solid base coat, then a glaze. "These days, it's pretty user-friendly," she says. Caution: Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value. 6. Replace it. Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Westman suggests scanning each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches. "And don't forget the toilet seat," adds Westman. "Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new." 7. Light it. Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try "layering" the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will. "Light is such a mood setter," Westman says. "You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights." Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want. 8. Clean it. Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. "Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors," Birdsong says. "It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it." Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

Network Notations: Thank you to Martha Moody Smith, Reli Title at 970.2200, for providing breakfast this morning. Please call Gloria Jackson (First Federal Mortgage), 965.2167, to sign up for a Thursday breakfast; we are a sad group without our morning victuals. Don’t forget to dine at Ruby Tuesday’s and let them know that you are a member of the caravan - They are truly generous in allowing us to use their facility every week for FREE. Your $3 weekly donation is able to go straight to our charity. We would like to welcome: First-Time Realtors: Scott Howell, Beena Shaw, and Andy Hawkins First-Time Affiliates: Steve Duffee, Property Inspector, Nelson Design Group Brokers present were Warren Kuntz, Alicia White and Genny Williams The BAR will be recognizing members for their community participation. Please nominate a fellow realtor for the “Good Neighbor Award.”

Upcoming Events:

Monday, 20 April - Annual BAR Golf Tournament at Riverchase Country Club;

$250 and $150 sponsorship levels available. Please visit the BAR website to register as a player or sponsor - or BOTH!

Please bring to our weekly meetings for Family Connections Month of February: Toilet Paper Month of March: Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Month of April: Body Soap and Dish Soap Month of May: Paper Towels Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

Open Sunday, 8 February 2-4pm Rita Strauss Maples - ERA Oxford - 910.8890

541 Edgecrest Circle, Homewood - MLS 402434 - $180,000 3BR/1.5BA - A single level home in a true neighborhood with refinished hardwoods, new paint, new appliances in the kitchen and a flat yard with mature shade trees.

Open Sunday, 8 February 2-5pm $2K Selling Agent Bonus

Judy Theriot - Red Hills Realty - 835.5839

1425 Primrose Lane, Hoover - MLS 415340 - $224,900 4BR/2BA - Quite cul-de-sac living on the lake at Willow Lakes with 10 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, master suite with jetted tub, breakfast bar in kitchen, marble fireplace and newly landscaped

Open Sunday, 8 February 1:30-3:30pm Janet Hamm - Keller Williams - 601.5556

916 Tammy Anne Drive, Huffman - MLS 409999 - $155,000 4BR/3BA - Full brick home with separate apartment /in-law suite in basement (full second kitchen), formal living room and dining room, fireplace, oversized deck and landscaped backyard

C A R A V A N L I S T I N G S

Rita Strauss Maples - ERA Oxford - 910.8890 Price Reduced by $15K 677 Shades Crest Road, Hoover - MLS 416844 - $329,900 3BR/2BA - Updated 1920’s charm with hardwood floors, breakfast bar in kitchen, formal dining room, master suite with gas fireplace, jetted tub and private sunroom, glassed wrap-around porch, outside workshop/shed, landscaped patio

Scott Howell - Keller Williams - 876.4002 Reduced $80K 2013 Watermill Lane, Highland Lakes - MLS 416209 - $599,900 4R/3.5BA - Live on the lake in a private cul-de-sac with hardwood floors, fabulous kitchen with breakfast bar and den, French doors from master to deck, formal dining room, huge upper level deck with covered lower level patio all lakeside. 461 Highway 22, Montevallo - MLS 416989 - $89,900 3BR/1BA - An updated, freshly painted home on an acre in the country, hardwood floors with new carpet in bedrooms, 25x30 metal building to be assembled for garage/shed/storage, new wiring and siding

3025 Riverwood Terrace, Hoover - MLS 417236 - $129,499 2BR/2BA - Townhouse with recessed lighting and hardwood floors, new carpet, tile in kitchens and bath, brick fireplace, screened porch, private backyard 175 Old Montgomery Hwy, Unit A - MLS 411128 - $93,900 1BR/1BA - Foxcroft condominium that has been completely updated, great room, breakfast bar in kitchen, private covered porch, crown molding and ceramic tile.

Gary Morgan - RealtySouth - 913.2167 Seller to Pay $3K Toward Closing Costs 939 Catherine Street, Huffman - MLS 410796 - $87,900 3R/2BA - Hardwood floors, fireplace in living room, eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, very large level backyard, detached garage, laundry room in master suite

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

Charles Heaton - 369.7090 - Keller Williams 3528 Fox Hollow Lane, Hoover - MLS 400151 - $254,500 3BR/3BA - Modern kitchen, updated bathrooms, hardwoods in living room, dining room and hallways, 2 decks, finished basement with walk-out to patio, sprinkler system, security system, central 129 Paradise Lake Road, Hoover - MLS 400897 - $249,000 3BR/2BA - Cathedral ceilings, sunroom, fenced backyard, sprinkler system, security system, 2-car garage, community setting with clubhouse, pool, lake, gym and tennis courts

Seller willing to rent for $900! 2038 Montreat Parkway, Vestavia - MLS 409022 - $109,900 2BR/3BA - Community boasts 2 pools, 2 clubhouses and 2 tennis courts

C A R A V A N

Jan & John Williams - 910.6919 - RE/MAX Advantage 7153 Lazy Brooke Drive, Pinson - MLS 416921 - $239,000 3BR/2.5BA - Cul-de-sac home with open foyer into formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with a breakfast bar, gas fireplace in great room, Wooded view from screened porch and deck, full basement 5013 Stonearbor Drive, Pinson - MLS 417890 - $129,900 3BR/2BA - Eat-in kitchen, fireplace and vaulted ceiling in great room, bonus room, full basement, large landscaped yard

Judy Theriot - Red Hills Realty - 835.5839 Reduced $10K - Seller to Pay $3K Closing 601 NE 23rd Avenue, Center Point - MLS 414858 - $79,900 3BR/1BA - COMPLETELY remodeled on a beautiful wooded lot, stone fireplace in living room, side deck and large stone porch

Seller to Pay $3K Toward Closing Costs 1937 Shades Cliff Terrace, B, Homewood - MLS 412642 - $105,000 2BR/1BA - Hermitage Condominium on first floor with private patio, new carpet, tile and appliances

L I S T I N G S

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

C A R A V A N L I S T I N G S

Stephanie Reese - House of Style Realty - 283.7801 REDUCED $100K 5207 Mountain Ridge Parkway - MLS 415914 - $799,000 4BR/3.5BA - Beautiful mountain views with copper gutters and a 2story foyer, Brazilian cherry floors, keeping room with fireplace, eatin kitchen with Dacor stainless appliances, butler’s pantry, laundry room, formal dining room with marble floor and coffered ceiling, bonus room, screened porch, stone terrace, 2 and 4 car garages Lease/Purchase Available 2201 First Avenue North, 3A, Loft District - MLS 399642 - $195,000 1BR/1BA - Spacious loft with home theatre, custom kitchen, window treatments, parking, clubhouse, garden, laundry facilities. Furnishings available for purchase Just Reduced 3006 Ashley Circle, Helena - MLS 410464 - $119,900 2BR/2BA - Townhouse on corner in cul-de-sac with breakfast bar in large kitchen, fireplace in living room, high ceilings, covered patio and privacy fenced backyard City Federal Condominiums 2026 Second Avenue North 2 and 3 BR units - Luxurious downtown condos with 9’ ceilings, large windows, hardwood and tile floors, stainless appliances, separate laundry room with washer and dryer, on-site concierge, covered parking 2600 Highland Condominiums 1, 2 and 3 BR units - European style condos across from Caldwell Park and Virginia Samford Theatre. Amenities include health and fitness facility, pool and garden area, 2 parking spaces per residence Ken Giglio - Century 21 Home Team - 370.1296 2090 Forest Lakes Lane, Chelsea - MLS 414801 - $189,900 3BR/2.5BA - A brand new finished bonus room over the garage completes this beautiful brick home with 2-story living room with fireplace, eat-in kitchen, formal dining room and fenced back yard Gail Hutton - RE/MAX Advantage - 222.4335 206 Shades Crest Road, Hoover - MLS 412859 - $349,900 5BR/3.5BA - Spectacular views from the deck off of the eat-in kitchen or through the large windows in the living room with gas fireplace, formal dining room, trey ceiling and jetted tub in master, second deck off of lower level

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

Kim Lucas - Realty South - 447.3554 3504 Wyngate Terrace - MLS 412456 - $659,000 5BR/4.5BA - Executive estate with an acre of landscaping on corner lot; gleaming hardwoods throughout and two beautiful, sparkling crystal chandeliers, eat-in kitchen has granite, subway tile and GE Monogram stainless; custom cabinets & bookcases, music room; finished basement with wet bar; many updates 117 Merimeadows Drive, Calera - MLS 417623 - $134,900 3BR/2BA - Single level living with eat-in kitchen with breakfast bar, which is open to den with fireplace, separate laundry room, large fenced backyard with patio 1614 43rd Street, Ensley - MLS 408505 - $84,500 3BR/1BA - Eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, large living room with fireplace and built-in bookshelves on either side, hardwood floors hiding under the carpet, sunroom, detached garage, fenced backyard, deck with wheelchair access. 929 N 41st Street, Fairfield - MLS 412429 - $66,900 3BR/1BA - Original fireplace, beautiful hardwoods, new roof, electrical, lighting fixtures, paint, screened porch and AC

Pat Lynch - ERA Oxford Realty - 616.4100 $5,000 Selling Agent Bonus 9 Shepherd Gap Road, Leeds - MLS 413833 - $585,000 5BR/3.5BA - The Shires gated community close to Shoal Creek with over 2 acres of privacy, large eat-in kitchen with granite counters and keeping room, fireplace in great room with French doors to deck, formal dining room and living room, trey ceiling in dining room and master, master bath has jetted tub and terrazzo flooring, media room w/ wet bar, rec room w/ access to large attic storage, unfinished basement Reduced to $10K 1504 Valley Avenue, Homewood - MLS 414394 - $159,000 3BR/2BA - Hardwoods throughout with wood burning fireplace, two closets in master, den or playroom, fully fenced backyard and patio

Bruce Ludwig - RealtySouth - 979-6400 1300 Beacon Parkway, #302, Birmingham - MLS 384281 Regency Summit Condominiums - $165,000 2BR/2BA - Watch the sun rise and set in this spacious condo with a valley view, crown molding and fireplace in the living room with ambience, hardwood parquet, tile and carpeting, balcony floor with brick pavers, pool, exercise room and sauna

C A R A V A N L I S T I N G S

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174

WIN UP TO $100,000 IN MAY 2009

Sell Just 1 of 8 properties in Oakmere at Lake Crest For Details Call Ron and Shelia Alexander - RE/MAX Advantage - 296-1515 648 Whitestone Way - The only townhome left 613, 617, 621, 633, 661, 665, 681 Trumpet Circle - with elevators! Visit oakmerelakecrest.com

Agent Open Tuesday, 17 February 1:30am-2pm Janet Hamm - Keller Williams - 601.5556 Food and Give-Aways

1025 42nd Street South - MLS 415950 - $395,000 4BR/2.5BA - HISTORIC home (Mills House) that has been completely updated with the hardwood floors and moldings you would expect in the heart of Forest Park, built-ins in study, granite and stainless in kitchen, workshop in basement

ABOUT OUR CHARITY: FAMILY CONNECTION familyconnection-inc.org We are in desperate need of old cell phones, empty ink cartridges, old computers and clothing. Please bring them to each week’s caravan, or if you have a lot to donate, call Martha Moody Smith at 999-0207, and she will arrange for a pick-up.

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:

AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174