Archive for the ‘in the community’ Category

In relation to the $25 billion settlement over foreclosure abuses, it has been reported that Alabama will get $106.7 million of that. But what does the sum mean to people who are upside down on their mortgage? How far is the settlement going to stretch? The Birmingham movers want to help you figure it out!

Alabama borrowers (who qualify) will get an average of about $15,000. But it won’t necessarily be cut as a check–some of the payout will be in other forms, such as unemployment forbearance.

The effects could be great or damaging: as the payouts remove homes from bank databases, there will be more leeway for increasing home prices that are up for current mortgages. The Birmingham movers will be here to help navigate this as new developments come to light.

According to a new study at University of Alabama, uncollected sales and tax revenue will add up to over $1 billion over the next five years. The study highlights untaxed online purchases which inversely cost the state of Alabama about $200 million per year in taxes.

In addition to taxes, the lessening of retail sales and increase in online buying will account for up to 4,000 jobs getting cut annually. It’s safe to say that online shopping has contributed to a stunt in the employment levels in Alabama.

The confusion with taxes and online sales is certainly one to be explored. The Birmingham movers are concerned at the hit local stores take when shoppers aren’t physically going to the retail shops.

Recently, Habitat for Humanity donated its fifth home for Tuscaloosa tornado victims. The home was given to Nicole Cammon and Eddie Crispin, and their two children.

The family’s home was destroyed during the April 27 tornado, where the roof was ripped off of their home and windows were blown off. Post storm, the family slept in their car and in hotels. The family is extremely grateful to be brought relief from the Habitat for Humanity organization and to have a safe and stable home for the children to grow up in.

The Birmingham movers are glad to live a helpful community where about 3,500 volunteers have helped with Habitat for Humanity efforts since the tornado.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Though home sales in Birmingham are currently trailing 2010 numbers, hope is still in place by the Birmingham Association of Realtors that the market could certainly pick up and sell enough units to pass the number of homes sold last year.

Considering the home sales of 2010 were largely impacted by the first-time home buyer’s tax credit, there is certainly potential for the market to lapse last year’s numbers which aren’t that much higher than where we are now. In fact, the Birmingham movers are impressed to say that so far, the home sales for 2011 in Birmingham are trailing 2010 by only 7 percent.

If you’re considering a move to Birmingham, contact your local movers for the best rates and Southern hospitality.

In Alabama, the real estate market seems to be looking up. Last month, Birmingham went against the trends and sold almost 40% more homes than July of last year. While the 36% boost certainly isn’t a bad thing, celebrations were less than over the top when the realty industry noted that last year’s low point was largely due to the first-time home buyer’s tax credit that expired last June.

And even though the increase this year from June-July is small, the rates of sales are going up, and that’s absolutely something to be excited about. After all, houses are selling–things could be worse. And month after month, Birmingham is selling more homes than the month prior. What else is going up? Prices! Last year, the average price for a home sold was up by 5% this July. And foreclosures are still lurking; last month’s sales were about 28% foreclosure related.

The Birmingham movers would like you to know that the low interest rates are intended to stay where they are for the next two years, according to the Federal Reserve. If you intend to buy or sell a home in the Birmingham area, be sure to contact your #1 preferred family movers to get your job done quickly & with care!

The South is not a new area to film production, in fact, Louisiana’s Baton Rouge is a popular location for several films each year. And while Alabama based movies of the past such as Sweet Home Alabama, Forrest Gump, and Crazy in Alabama were set in the state, none of them were actually filmed there. Now, it seems as though Alabama residents are trying to get a piece of the Hollywood pie as well. The Alabama Film Office is seeking to promote Alabama as a great place to film on location.

Since tax breaks are a huge draw to Baton Rouge for production teams, Alabama passed legislation at the end of June stating that companies who who film a television series in Alabama can receive financial incentives of up to 35 percent. This is intended to lure entertainment honchos looking to save money while also bolstering the local economy.The Birmingham movers think this legislation will have a positive impact on the local economy and hopefully ignite Alabama as a financially smart place to make a film.

You can read more about the new filming laws & incentives on the Alabama website here.