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The past tornadoes of April 2011 were not only a huge hit to residents, buildings, and homes, but also to insurance companies. So far, insurance companies have paid about $2.2 billion in claims–and there are over 2,500 claims left unsettled.

Claims range from houses to cars, businesses and other personal property. Once settled, industry professionals believe that the totals will tally around $3 billion. Moving on from the unexpected Alabama catastrophe has proven easier said than done.

Your Birmingham movers know the huge impact that the tornadoes had on local businesses and families alike, and we hope that those seeking financial compensation and relief from damages will receive it soon–it’s coming up on a year since the tragedy, after all. Here at All My Sons Moving & Storage, we hope 2012 brings prosperity and safety to the Birmingham area and beyond.

As the Birmingham movers know, college enrollment at many universities is something than continues to give strength to flailing real estate markets. College students are coming to Alabama in droves, and they need places to live!

According to a study by a Birmingham real estate firm, apartment occupancy rates in Tuscaloosa are at 93.4 percent for private apartments, and 96.5 for suite-style apartments that lease by individual bedrooms. The latter is quite common among students because it is a seamless transition for dorm-style living.

According to local realtors, the amount of residential real estate transactions are up for the month of October. When compared to the real estate figures of October 2010, this year’s number surpass those sales by 43 percent–up from 563 homes to 803. That’s something we’d like to celebrate here at the Birmingham movers!

While the prices are generally lower when compared to 2010, the positive to focus on is that inventory is moving. 35% of the October sales were foreclosed properties.

If you’re looking to buy a new Birmingham home, now may be the time! Strike while the iron is hot & the prices are low to get the best deals on your new place.

Thanks to a tour of homes scheduled at the beginning of December, the Birmingham movers and residents alike will be able to see local homes outfitted in all of their true holiday glory.

On December 3 & 4, the 2011 Lakewood Estates Holiday Tour of Homes in Bessemer will be underway. Admission is $10 and the homes are absolutely breathtaking. Expect plenty of Christmas trees, holiday treats, and welcoming warmth from home to home.

To add to the holiday mood? Look (or listen) for the Magic City Choral Society, who will be caroling throughout the neighborhood.

Other home tours include the Roebuck Springs Holiday Home Tour, the Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Women Christmas Open House Tour in Montevallo, and the Legacy League Christmas Home Tour, among others. See the full agenda here.

Your Birmingham movers know that families are always looking for the best atmosphere to raise their children when it comes to moving to new areas. Of all the options you have for relocation in the Birmingham area, there are certainly areas that cater to family living more-so than others. Among the best Birmingham suburbs for family living is Cullman, Alabama. Cullman area schools are regarded as some of the best in the state. Cullman schools boast math and reading grades which score more than ten percent higher than the state’s average. Relocating to Cullman is a smart move for parents of bright children who they want to see excel in their studies. Aside from its curricular prowess, Cullman is also a beautiful Alabama town which offers quality of living which fares far above average!

This week, Birmingham is getting a slice of two popular companies offering bus services throughout the country–Greyhound Express and Megabus.com have trips booked to the Alabama city.

The best part? Fares for the buses (which are equipped with WiFi, power outlets to charge electronics, and spacious legroom) offer seats as cheap as $1! The Birmingham movers are excited to have additional transportation options weave in and out of our city.

The buses will coordinate connecting trips between cities like Atlanta, Mobile, Montgomery and Memphis.

Effective November 21st, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company will introduce lower rates to state residents. This is a notable move on behalf of State Farm, especially since the company is the largest insurer of automobiles in Alabama, as well as the rest of the nation.

The proposed cuts will save 2% off of the overall rate, with estimated annual savings in Alabama at $10.2 million. With this reduction, the rates will be almost 16% lower than they were 7 years ago.

The Birmingham movers want to see you maximize your income. Be sure to reach out to State Farm, or whoever your insurance carrier is, and ask about reducing rates and competitive offers.

Alabama officials have created a $100,000 grip truck in hopes of luring Hollywood production teams to the Yellowhammer state. At almost 50 feet in length, it’s outfitted with film making essentials and was created to announce the opening of Los Angeles production company Entertainment Partners’ local Alabama office.

Alabama is competing with nearby Southern states Georgia and Louisiana for filming opportunities. Even local school systems are integrating introductory film classes to help train residents for future career opportunities in film and production.

The Birmingham movers are excited to welcome growth and opportunity to Alabama, and hope to see film projects in Birmingham in the near future. If you’re a film buff looking for a place to live in the South, don’t overlook Alabama as a potential upcoming hard hitter in the movie industry.

Summer has come and gone, and now that fall is on deck many of us will be putting warm-weather clothing, pool toys, and more into storage until next year. If you are in need of a storage solution in Birmingham, you have found it! Your Birmingham movers are ready at a moments notice to load up your summer seasonal items and pack them safely away until it is time to have fun in the sun again! Each of our storage units is temperature-controlled, and kept in a safe, secure, and climate controlled building. To make your experience as convenient as possible, your Birmingham movers will do all the work for you, you don’t even need to leave your home, and you can have your stored items returned whenever you are ready!

Birmingham has become a front runner in Alabama for eco-friendly operations, thanks to the recent addition of six natural-gas fueled school buses now being implemented within the school district. The buses look just like the others, but obviously operate completely different. The expectations are still up in the air as to how well the buses will work, which is why the district began the transition with 6 buses. Also, they are more expensive–total, the six buses ran the district about $800,000.

As the Birmingham movers know, the initial investment for the buses will save money in the future, using less fuels and requiring less maintenance. Upon evaluating the buses, the district will then decide which is more cost-effective. Considering how much driving the buses do, there is certainly an appeal on cutting fuel expenses. The school board in Birmingham is excited to not only make less of a carbon footprint on the environment, but also to show children environmentally-friendly tactics in practice, not just in theory.