dothanhomesearch.com

By: Michelle Beasley
REALTOR Associate

http://www.dothanhomesearch.com

Carver Magnet School here in Dothan was recently featured on the front page of the Alabama School Journal, highlighting the school’s participation in the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. AMSTI for short, this program focuses on turning up the excitement level for the subjects of math, science, and technology by creating “hands-on” learning opportunities. Teachers receive everything they need to bring these subjects to life in a kit that they use for a semester. Everything from slides to toothpicks, projectors to calculators. One example of the hands on learning is the students being able to watch microscopic creatures LIVE on a television screen! This type of learning makes huge difference in comprehension levels, and the goal is to have AMSTI in all Alabama schools by 2010.

Carver Magnet School is currently the only magnet school for grades 6-8 here in Dothan. That will change next school year when Dothan City Schools will add another magnet middle school and magnet elementary school. These additions are part of a plan to create neighborhood schools. More on that concept to come in my next post.

Share or Bookmark to:

Posted by Michelle Beasley | Currently No Comments »

By: Michelle Beasley
REALTOR Associate

http://www.dothanhomesearch.com

Mildred?s Restaurant and Tea Room is one of those quaint out of the way places to eat that make Dothan a mecca for dining out. Located on North Alice Street, Mildred?s occupies the historic Dowling House, which was an attorney?s office in a previous life.

Mildred greets you herself when you enter her establishment, and she quickly seats you in one of three dining rooms named after her mother, Lena, daughter, Julie, and son, Gene. Lena?s room sparkles with two walls of floor to ceiling shelves covered with Mildred?s personal collection of teapots and tea cups. Julie?s Room is decorated with a little whimsy with the antique fireplace as its focal point. Gene?s Room, as my husband calls it, is the ?man room?. Mahogany paneling encompasses this room and old law books are still on the shelves from its previous life as a law library. She also has seating upstairs for overflow and private parties.

On weekdays, Mildred?s offers a splendid buffet, and also has menu items such as soups, sandwiches, salads, and crepes (my favorite). Menu items start around $6.00. Everything is seasoned to perfection. The buffet includes salad, meat, vegetables, rolls, dessert, drink, and tip for $10. Her menu is different everyday, so you will always have a treat (I just love fried chicken day)! Mildred also loves to do tea parties with all the works.

Mildred?s Restaurant and Tea Room is opened Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11-2 and every Sunday from 11-2. Next time you just don?t want to cook lunch, need a party catered, or need a place for your office party or meeting, give Mildred a call and let her take care of everything. Mildred?s charm and wonderful food will keep you coming back for more.

Share or Bookmark to:

Posted by Michelle Beasley | Currently No Comments »

By: Michelle Beasley
REALTOR Associate

http://www.dothanhomesearch.com

Let’s set the record straight on whether or not this is a good time to buy real estate. The National Assocation of REALTORS has been taking some flack in the press recently for its “Now is a great time to buy” campaign. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. The truth is, it might be a good time to buy a home, depending on your circumstances.

Here are the primary factors you should consider when making your decision. Our recommendations are based on the current Dothan area real estate market. Please talk with a real estate professional in your locale to help you determine the appropriate course of action for you.

• If you plan on staying in your new home for five or more years, chances are good that you will weather the current real estate storm and see price appreciation again before you want to sell. If there is even a remote chance that you may have to sell within the next five years, then proceed with caution.
• If you are renting, how much home could you buy for the same money you are paying in rent each month? With interest rates near historic lows, payments on a median priced home ($133,000) in Dothan would be in the $800 - $900 range. So if you are paying $600 to $700 per month in rent, you could buy a house in the $90,000 range for the same amount per month. Pay your own mortgage and build your own equity (starting in a couple of years probably) and stop paying your landlords mortgage payment.
• If your credit is in good shape, then you can get financing. Much has been made about how banks and mortgage companies are tightening their grip on money, but they are writing mortgages everyday to credit worthy folks that want to buy a home.
• You have found a house that fits your needs and that you love, and all of the above are applicable.

This isn’t a “one size fits all” buyers market. If you are thinking about buying, we would be happy to sit down with you (NO OBLIGATION) and discuss the pros and cons of buying in the current market. You can contact me at Michelle(at)c21keyrealty.com, or fill out our handy dandy contact form.

We will list some factors to consider if you are thinking of selling in a later post, so stay tuned.

Share or Bookmark to:

Posted by Michelle Beasley | Currently No Comments »

By: Michelle Beasley
REALTOR Associate

http://www.dothanhomesearch.com

I still remember my horror when I first saw the online picture of what would turn out to be my future home. You couldn?t really make out what the house looked like because of the overgrown shrubbery, huge trees, and the bad paint job. My first thought was there was no way I wanted to waste my time looking at a house that looked that bad. If it looks that horrible on the outside, it must certainly be just plain awful on the inside. Still, since this was the first house my husband had chosen for us to view, I reluctantly agreed to go. He called the listing agent to make an appointment.

My impression did not improve at all upon standing in front of the house. In addition to the problems we noticed in the picture, the entire front yard was filled with about 30 unkept azaleas in a natural area which took up 95% of the front yard. Horrid doesn?t begin to describe the curb appeal of this house.

Something changed however when we stepped inside. From the moment I entered through the red front door, I could see the huge potential for the inside of this home. I started changing colors and arranging furniture in my mind. My husband could see the potential as well, thinking about how a little elbow grease and lots of time could transform this train wreck into the home of our dreams. An offer was made, a deal finalized, and the Beasley family now lives in a fantastic home with lots of curb appeal.

The lesson here is that sometimes you have to look past the clutter to see the beauty. As real estate agents, we often have to hound sellers about the importance of curb appeal, because most buyers will not react the way we did. It is too easy for them to go on to the next house, because they have so many to choose from in the current market. However, don’t let your dream home escape your sights because it was disguised as a overrun and unkept shack.

Ask yourself these questions as you go through the search for your next home:

• Does the house have the rooms and room sizes that we need?
• Is this house in a location that we want?
• What exactly does this house need? Is it cosmetic items that cost little but require an investment of time?
• If there are repairs or improvements that will cost money, what is a realistic dollar amount?
• With a little TLC, will the market value of this house be more than what it is listed for?
• Do we have the time to devote to this project?

Asking yourself these questions might just help you realize that this diamond-in-the-rough would suit you just fine.

Share or Bookmark to:

Posted by Michelle Beasley | Currently 1 Comment »