“The Woodlands At Malbis” is located along the east side of Alabama State Highway 181, a few miles south of U. S. Interstate Highway 10 and also south of U. S. Highway 90.  The Malbis Regional Shopping Center is located on the northern side of U. S. Highway 10 and only minutes from this subdivision.

“The Woodlands of Malbis” has 35 lots and eight common area parcels according to online records.  This subdivision is described as “a fantastic tree-lined upscale neighborhood with lakes and estate-sized lots.”  

The Baldwin County Association of REALTORS’ online records indicate 4 active listings ranging from $494,900 to $1,900,000 with 3,258 to 5,740 square feet and 9 past sold properties selling between $550,000 and $840,000 with 4,296 to 4,939 square feet .

For further information, contact Barbara S. Reeves at 251-510-0629, 251-621-2588 or toll free direct by calling 888-489-8001.

For more information about Certified Residential Real Property Appraisers and Approved FHA Appraisers, contact Albert Marshall Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services at 251-533-2424.  Albert Cheney covers Daphne, Fairhope, Loxley, Malbis, Montrose, Point Clear, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort and many other communities and towns within Baldwin County, Alabama.  Al Cheney suggests clicking onto these web site links, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com & http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com for much more information!

Fairfield Pointe, a 2006-2007 new subdivision, is located only minutes from downtown Fairhope, Alabama on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and about 25+- minutes from historic downtown Mobile.  This new residential community offers upscale homes within a village atmosphere.  Fairfield Pointe has a reported total of 37 lots consisting of 20 townhome styles ranging from 2,682 to 2,967 square feet, 12 zero lot line homes ranging from 2,745 to 2,934 square feet and 5 single family homes having around 3,000+-  square feet each. 

These Creole style homes, designed by architect A. Hays Town, (will) feature homes with the highest quality building materials and energy efficient mechanical components.  The architectural features of these homes, as described by the architect and developers, will be rich in the Deep South and the Garden District of New Orleans heritage.  The homes have balconies, tall columns, classic windows adorned by plantation shutters and large porches to enjoy scenic community views.  

The Fairfield Pointe homes have distinctive designs with asking prices ranging from $382,900 to $419,900 according to the online REALTORS’ multiple listing service (MLS) records.  To personally view these homes, take U. S. Highway 98 South, then left of Alabama Highway 44 (Twin Beech Road), travel about a ½ mile, left on Boothe Road and then take a immediate right into the Fairfield Pointe subdivision.

For further information on Fairfield Pointe, contact Jeff Devalk with Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties, 251-990-6622 (Office), 251-583-6125 (Mobile), or Jeff@JeffDevalk.com (Email).

For an Approved FHA Appraiser and Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, contact Albert Marshall Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services, 251-533-2424 (Business/Mobile), Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com (Email), or go to the following web site links, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com and http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com for much more information.

“Charleston Ridge” subdivision is one of the newest Saraland subdivisions located along the eastern side of Celeste Road and about 3.2 miles north of U. S. Interstate Highway 65.  This subdivision is located 15+- minutes from downtown historic Mobile, Alabama.

The square foot minimum is 2,800 and a double garage is required per restrictions.

“Charleston Ridge” has 47 lots and, to date, around 28% of the lots have been sold.  The average asking price per square foot is $101.78 based on only four active listings shown within the Mobile Area Association of REALTORS’ multiple listing service (MLS).  The asking prices are between $289,000 and $310,000 with homes ranging from 2,834 to 3,027 square feet.  These homes have 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 or 3 bathrooms according to the available online records.

For more information, go to http://www.kevinloper.com/areas/index.cfm?City=SARALAND&State=AL&StateFull=ALABAMA.

For FHA Appraisers, go to http://www.mobilealabamafharealestateappraisers.com/.

This information has been provided by Al Cheney, FHA/HUD Appraiser located within the Mobile Bay Metro Area of Alabama, Baldwin and Mobile Counties.  Al Cheney has over 30 years real estate experience!  Al Cheney can be reached by clicking on the above web link or call (251) 533-2424.

Certified Online FHA Appraiser, Albert M. Cheney, reporting on Taylor Pointe Subdivision located within western Mobile County, outside the city limits, along Jeff Hamilton Road, near Cottage Hill Road.

Taylor Pointe Subdivision has 47 lots per record with a few common areas.

The builder/developer is J. Craig Homes and if wanting more information, go to http://www.jcraighomes.com/homes.html and ask your questions.

The majority of the homes will range from 2,200 square feet (subdivision minimum) to 3,000 square feet with primarily four bedrooms and three to four bathrooms. There are only a couple of homes having three bedrooms and one home having five bedrooms according to the online records.

Within the past year, the Average List Price is around $325,231 and the Average Sale Price is $486,967 at this time. Average Price Per Square Foot is $117.95.

The Average Number of Days On Market (DOM) is 322 days at this time; although, the current varying economic and lending conditions could affect the length of days on market (DOM).

The Listing Price To Sales Price Ratio is unknown at this time. The appraiser could not find any closed sales due to a very new residential development.

The REALTOR online records indicates the Lowest Price Listing is $249,900 and the Highest Price Listing is $397,900.

The above information was obtained from the Mobile Area Association of REALTORS, Al Cheney, FHA Online Appraiser, (251) 533-2424, is a member of this REALTORS’ organization.

FHA Appraiser, Albert M. Cheney, reporting on The Woodlands At The Preserve Subdivision located along the north side of Girby Road between Government Boulevard and Hillcrest Road within the city of Mobile, Alabama.

The Woodlands At The Preserve Subdivision has 82 lots and, since 2006, around half of the lots have homes.

The majority of the homes will range from 2,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet with three bedrooms and two to three bathrooms.

The Average List Price is $368,857 and the Average Sale Price is $332,361 at this time.

The Average Sold Price Per Square Foot is $154.59.

The Average Number of Days On Market (DOM) is 127 days at this time;  although, the current economic and lending conditions could lengthen the days on market (DOM).

The Listing Price To Sales Price Ratio is approximately 99.6%.

The REALTOR online records indicate a Low Sale Price of $275,000 and a High Sale Price of $470,000.

The above information was obtained from the Mobile Area Association of REALTORS.  Albert M. Cheney, FHA Appraiser, is a member of the local REALTORS organization.

Certified Online FHA Appraiser, Albert M. Cheney, reporting on Cambron Subdivision located north of U. S. Interstate Highway 10, along the west side of U. S. Highway 31, east northeast of the town center of historical Spanish Fort, Alabama.  Cambron is located only around 15-20 minutes to downtown Mobile, and around 35-40 minutes to the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, and the Gulf of Mexico’s blue-green waters! 

Cambron Subdivision, just over two years old, has Phase 1 and 2 undergoing development, and a planned future Phase 3, on around 252 acres.  This Phase 1 has 72 lots and Phase 2 has 104 lots per record with a few common areas.  Cambron is “A Nichols Family Development.”

The subdivision square foot restrictions cite the heated & cooled single story or the first floor of a two story shall be no less than 2,400 square feet, and the second story shall be no less than 1,800 square feet.

The majority of current new houses and under construction houses have four to five bedrooms with three to four bathrooms.  There are only a few houses having three bedrooms and full bathrooms less than three according to the online records.

Within the past year, the Average List Price is around $303,507 and the Average Sale Price is $302,681 at this time.

The Average Number of Days On Market (DOM) will currently fluctuate around 176 days at this time; although, the current varying economic and lending conditions could affect the length of days on market (DOM).

The Listing Price To Sales Price Ratio is approximately 97.50%.

Currently, the REALTOR online records indicates the Lowest Price Listing is $249,900 and the Highest Price Listing is $329,900.

The above information was obtained from the Baldwin County Association of REALTORS, Al Cheney, FHA Online Appraiser, (251) 533-2424, is an associate member of this REALTORS’ organization.

I don’t want to be handed my independence, I want to take it back.  The politicians and the banks are putting us under management for PROFIT.  

I have been an honest appraiser since the beginning, and my family and I are getting punished for the bad appraisers.  How can management companies charge the home owners $500.00-$600.00 per appraisal and pay us half or less?  They reduce our fees and make us sign contracts, or there is no work.  Many an ”old time appraiser” has said, “they hate management companies and they would never work for one”.  I understand this, but for the new to newer appraisers trying to get ahead and experience, sometimes there is no other way.  I have tried to branch out but these areas are filled by the “old timers”.  

How do we come together?  How do we take back our business?  We need to come together at this time.  We can’t let the politicians and the banks tell us what we are to get paid, so they can pocket the rest.  There are still a few big banks (rhymes with Smells Hargo) who pressure you in the direction they see fit.  We all sit in our homes complaining, lets strike, lets not accept the work for a day, LET US STAND UP.

I know this has nothing to do with Appraisals or even the Real Estate industry for that matter.  But it does have to do with your Business. 

I’m sure there are a lot of you who have small 1 or 2 man shops that you run your appraisal company with.  I’m sure one of your biggest fears would be…  losing all of your data.

Well I have a solution that I think is one of Microsoft’s best kept secret for the Small or Home-Based Businesses.  It’s called “Windows Home Server.” IMHO it has got to be the best product they have ever made for anyone that is concerned about their data or even someone who just wants to be able to backup those precious family photos and not have to worry about a tape drive or an external hard-drive.

Here are their “Features at a Glance” from Microsoft’s Website.

The Server comes with 2 additional pieces of software.  One is the “Connector”, that is used to install on whatever machine you want to have connected to the Home Server.  The other is a “Restore CD”, this is used in the event you need to restore a computer.

I recently had to use the Restore CD on one of my machines after I had tried to install a version of Linux that went terribly wrong.  Being the first time I ever used this I wasn’t sure how it was going to work.  I stuck the Restore CD in and rebooted the machine.  As a precaution I deleted all partition that were on the system (I don’t recommend this,  But I know what I’m doing, really I do   ).  I proceeded to follow the onscreen instruction to restore my machine.  Within about 5 hrs I had my machine right back where i left it.  All of my documents, pictures, programs… Everything.  It was like I never messed it up to begin with.  It was great.

I now use the home server to backup ALL of my computers (4 in all).  I’m not sure why Microsoft does not advertise this more, but I can tell you it’s well worth the money spent.

Check it out over at Microsoft, “Windows Home Server“

No Decreases From Current Level 
 
Washington, DC – The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) has transmitted to the Federal Register a final Examination Guidance—Conforming Loan Limit Calculations. The final Guidance addresses the handling of decreases in the house price data used to set the conforming loan limit as well as procedural matters relating to calculation of the limit that determines the size of mortgages eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Based on comments received in two public comment periods, OFHEO is issuing a final Guidance that provides that the conforming loan limit would not decrease from its current level of $417,000 in 2009 and subsequent years. However, the conforming loan limit will not increase until cumulative increases in house prices exceed cumulative decreases since the $417,000 limit was first reached.

“This revised Guidance responds to the comments that we received and OFHEO’s belief that stability in the mortgage market is very important,” said OFHEO Director James B. Lockhart. “Not decreasing the limit will eliminate potential operational and implementation issues. This announcement has no impact on the temporary increase in the conforming loan limit for high-cost areas recently established in The Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008, which expires on December 31, 2008,” Lockhart said.

The conforming loan limit is adjusted annually through a calculation of year-over-year October changes to the level of home prices based on data from the Federal Housing Finance Board’s (FHFB) Monthly Interest Rate Survey (MIRS). As many commenters suggested, the small and voluntary MIRS price survey is volatile, which is another reason for this guidance to emphasize stability. Pending GSE reform legislation would allow the selection of a broader and more comprehensive price index.

For the purpose of simplification, the new Examination Guidance also provides that increases in the conforming loan limit will be rounded down to the nearest $100, instead of the present $50.

Link to Guidance

Source: OFHEO

I know there are supposed to be changes coming. I don’t know what exactly those changes are going to mean for the appraisers as of yet but what I do know is that although every “appears” to be running scared, no one really is. There are cries for help from the lenders losing money and cries for help from the homeowners losing their homes, and cries for help from the PMI companies, and appraisers who are honest and want some protection, and the list just goes on and on, but the AMC’s are still calling and asking who can do the jobs the cheapest and the fastest, and the rouge appraisers are still sending their trainees out to do these jobs as poorly as possible, and no one wants to pay a little more to make sure the job is done right the first time and the end result is not what everyone is crying about…

How can they keep on crying when they keep on doing what they were doing before this all happened and nothing changes? The same appraisers who came in high on all the appraisals that are inflated and in foreclosure are doing the really bad REO appraisals and are destroying the foreclosure market and short sale market for the lenders, leaving houses on the market for over a year because of inflated, poorly done appraisals and BPO’s (which is a whole different ball of wax)…

Does anyone have any input here?

Julie

Sedona, AZ