“Sandy Oaks” is an older subdivision, about 14+ years, located along the east side of Celeste Road, just south of Radcliff Road, several miles west of U. S. Interstate Highway 65 and about 20-25 minutes northwest of Mobile, Alabama.

The majority of homes, about 70%, were built between 1997 and 2000. Around 25% of the homes were built between 2001 and 2006.

“Sandy Oaks” primarily has homes ranging from 1,800+- square feet to 3,187+- square feet as reported in the online tax records. Most homes, about 72%, will have gross living areas between 1,800 and 2,500 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Homes with over 2,500 square feet represent around 23% within “Sandy Oaks” and considered over-built for its neighborhood.

As for Saraland’s home values, it appears that median sale prices for homes (sampling size is around 46+ sales) having 1,650 to 2,250 square feet dropped 17% over a 12-month time period.

Home listings are increasing. Twelve months ago, calculations indicate around 17 active listings compared to around 43 active listings today–two and a half times higher! Having this significant increase in active home listings has increased the housing supply time period from 4.4 months to 12.9 months. This time period represents the absorption rate or, how long it will take a homeowner to sell their home if reasonably priced to sell. It now takes three (3) times longer to sell your home based on the available online MLS (multiple listing service) information!

Sales for 1,650 to 2,250 square feet homes has dropped around 43.5% based on inventory analysis calculations. The information indicated 23 closed home sales twelve (12) months ago compared to 10 home sales in the past three (3) months.

For homeowners in the Saraland, Alabama, the bottom line is, hold tight if you can for a few years and the home market should stabilize and maybe increase some but, don’t expect it to be like it was in the past. If you have to sell, consult a Certified Residential Appraiser first so you will have better insight into the property values surrounding your home. Pricing your home correctly will save you so much time. Remember, you are now competing with many other homeowners who are very motivated as well as appealing “short sale” and “foreclosure” offerings.

Al Cheney is a “Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser” who has over 35 years real estate experience within the Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama. You can write Al Cheney at Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com or visit http://www.AlabamaRealEstateAppraisals.com/, http://www.CheneyAppraisalServices.com/ or http://www.CertifiedAppraiserNames.com/.

The midtown area of Mobile, Alabama now has over 300 active listings as of this writing. Asking prices are from $29,900 to $1,500,000 depending on amenities, location and square footage.

Appraiser Albert Cheney is ready to assist you with all of your real estate questions about the midtown area as well as other historic Mobile information.

Below is a listing of some of the neighborhoods within Midtown Mobile. Please call Al Cheney at (251) 533-2424 for additional information. Al Cheney has over 35 years appraisal, real estate and related experiences!

Are you a homeowner and looking to sell your home in one of the listed neighborhoods below? Appraiser Al Cheney will complete a full real estate appraisal report for only $225! Call today.

• Ashland Place Historic District
• Battery Heights
• Bridlewood Estates
• Brookwood
• Church Street East Historic District
• Cromwell Place
• Dauphin Acres
• Dauphin Place
• Delwood
• Demouy Place
• DeTonti Square Historic District
• DuBroca Tract
• Ellinor Place
• Flo-Claire
• Floral Gardens
• Glendale Park
• Homer Place
• Hunter
• Indian Creek
• Leinkauf Historic District
• Lower Dauphin Street Historic District
• Lynnwood
• Meadowbrook
• Mechem & Bixler
• Midtown Historic District
• Mount Island Place
• Oakleigh Garden Historic District
• Old Dauphin Historic Way
• Rosswood
• Silverwood
• Stoneridge Condominiums
• Touart Tract
• Western Annex
• West End
• Westlawn
• Windsor Warwick Condominiums

The neighborhood name Spring Hill was originally an early 19th century Spanish land grant settlement. Spring Hill is one of Mobile, Alabama’s oldest neighborhoods. Over 150 years ago, Spring Hill gained its prominence when Mobilians built summer homes to seek refuge from the semi-tropical heat of the city and the Yellow Fever epidemic carried by mosquitoes.

Spring Hill has a sense of community with good neighbors and wonderful neighborhoods with antebellum and majestic oaks covering many of the streets, such as, The Cedars, Dilston Lane, Tuthill Lane and Wimbledon Drive. Spring Hill is also an active area with many individuals and groups of friends cycling, jogging, walking and expressing their patronage for the local businesses along McGregor Avenue and Old Shell Road as well as other adjoining streets.

The Country Club of Mobile is located in Spring Hill and provides its members with fine Southern dining, swimming pool, tennis courts, 18-hole golf course and a short 9-hole course. In nearby Langan Municipal Park, Mobilians and its visitors can enjoy the various lake views, walking paths and the wonderful lakefront Mobile Museum of Arts which maintains a fine permanent collection as well as hosting prestigious temporary exhibitions throughout each year. And, just minutes west from the museum, you can enjoy the Azalea City Golf Course ($16 to $39 depending on time of day, cart or walking), the Botanical Gardens and the Mobile Tennis Center, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Since 1930, Spring Hill College, the oldest school of higher learning in Alabama, has been serving the Mobile Bay Metro Area with a beautiful 18-hole golf course (available without membership) from $32 to $39 each, depending on mornings and afternoons, includes a cart, or Mondays and Wednesdays which also includes a lunch.

Spring Hill‘s retail area includes an active branch of the public library, dentists, doctors, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, women’s & children’s clothing stores, and other professional services. Mary B. Austin, one of Mobile’s oldest public elementary schools, is located along Provident Lane, north side of Old Shell Road. St. Paul’s Episcopal and St. Ignatius schools located nearby provide parochial private education.

Springhill Memorial Hospital, physician’s offices and a fitness center are located along the south side of Dauphin Street, near Interstate U. S. Highway 65, and across from many restaurant facilities and retail shops, such as, Alabama Outdoors, Ann Taylor Loft, Atlanta Bread Company, Ballins, Claude Moore, Coldwater Creek, J. Jill, Jimmy Johns, Jos. A. Bank, Legacy Village at Spring Hill, Metzger’s, Talbots, The Wine Loft, Tropical Smoothie Café, True Restaurant and Zoe’s Kitchen.

In a tough economic climate, the property values within Spring Hill have done better than most other areas in the city of Mobile due to its desirability. With this stated, individuals and families can find many choices for housing, from a small condominium to a spacious home on a large lot. Currently, there are approximately 231 active listings from $44,850 to $3,300,000 asking prices. Recent housing sales, about 70 sold records, for the past six months ranges from $37,500 for a one bedroom, one bath condo to $950,000 for an over 6,000 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and four bathrooms near the Country Club of Mobile. Therefore, Spring Hill has housing price offerings to fit any budget!

For more information about Spring Hill or any other neighborhood in the city of Mobile, contact Albert Marshall Cheney, Certified FHA Approved Real Estate Appraiser, by calling (251) 533-2424 or visit the web site, http://CheneyAppraisalServices.com/. Al Cheney covers all of Baldwin County and Mobile County in The Mobile Bay Metro Area of Alabama.

Over the past several years in Saraland, Celeste Road has been a popular area for home builders due to the availability of beautiful wooded land with interesting terrain (topography). Charleston Ridge is one of these newer residential subdivisions located along the northeastern side of Celeste Road, about 3.2 miles from U. S. Interstate Highway 65.

Charleston Ridge was developed with 38 residential building lots about 2 years ago. At the time of this writing, Gooden Homes, Inc. has built five Craftsman style homes. Residential lot values will generally run, in the opinion of Certified Appraiser, Albert Cheney, between $55,000 and $65,000 depending on its location within the development. There are about 60% of the lots available to purchase and build your dream home.

The most recent sale prices within Charleston Ridge range from $279,900 to $290,400 with most of the gross living areas around 2,800 square feet (minimum requirements) to 3,027 square feet. There is a two car attached garage requirement for the subdivision and an architectural review of all plans & specs. before building your home.

Call Albert Cheney, Certified FHA Approved Residential Appraiser, Cheney Appraisal Services, (251) 533-2424, for more information about real estate appraising in Baldwin County and Mobile County of Albama. Click these web-links for even more information about Albert Cheney and the Mobile Bay Metro Area: http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/ or http://www.RealtyLeaders.biz/. Albert is ready to answer your questions!

Charleston Oaks subdivision is located in West Mobile, along the east side of Sollie Road (city limits boundary) and just south of Cottage Hill Road.

The Charleston Oaks neighborhood is a popular city residential area with most home sizes ranging from 4,100+ square feet to 7,600+ square feet.

There have been around five home sales since the beginning of 2007 according to online multiple listing records. The sale prices ranged from $420,000 to $1,300,000.

Currently, as of this writing, the multiple listing service indicates five active listings: $449,900; $489,569; $546,000; $679,000; $799,999.

If you are interested in more detailed information about Charleston Oaks or any other neighborhood in the Mobile Bay Metro Area, call Al Cheney at (251) 533-2424. Click here, http://www.MobileAlabamaFHARealEstateAppraisers.com/, for other information.

Alabama Port 36523, Axis 36505, Bayou La Batre 36509, Belle Fountaine 36582, Bucks 36505, Calvert 36513, Celeste 36522, Chickasaw 36611, Chunchula 36521, Citronelle 36522, Coden 36523, Creola 36525, Dauphin Island 36528, Dawes 36619, Earlville 36522, Eight Mile 36613, Fairview 36587, Georgetown 36521, Grand Bay 36541, Gulfcrest 36521, Hollingers Island 36605, 36582, Indian Hills 36613, Irvington 36544, Kushla 36613, LeMoyne 36505, Lott 36575, Magazine 36610, Mauvilla 36613, Millertown 36613, Mobile 36608 (and all other zip codes), Moffett 36587, Mon Louis 36523, Mount Vernon 36560, Oak Grove 36613, Prichard 36610, Saint Elmo 36544, Salco 36505, Saraland 36571, Satsuma 36572, Semmes 36575, Theodore 36582, Tillman’s Corner 36619, Toulminville 36617, Turnerville 36521, Whistler 36612

Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services, (251) 533-2424, can handle all of your Mobile County, Alabama real estate property appraiser needs. Cheney Appraisal Services supplies only the highest quality Mobile County, Alabama real estate appraisals. The Mobile County appraisal district is an area where we can satisfy all of your home appraisal needs. Our real estate property appraiser is “certified residential” and “fully licensed” in Alabama. Al Cheney is a real estate appraiser fully qualified to handle your home appraisal, appraisal when settling an estate, tax appraisal and any other appraisal need, such as, vacant land and legal reasons. Al Cheney is also a ”FHA Approved” Appraiser.

Certified & FHA Home Appraisals start at $295 per report!

Albert Marshall Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, P. O. Box 8888, Mobile, Alabama 36689-0888, accepts residential real estate appraisal assignments within The Mobile Bay Metro Area and the Mobile County communities and towns listed above. Click on the available hyper-links for more information on these Mobile County, Alabama communities and towns. Also, here are most of the appraisal report services with fees provided by Al Cheney with Cheney Appraisal Services:

• Condominium Appraisal Report, $295 & $325
• Single Family Residential Appraisal Report, detailed information, $295 & $325
• Limited 2055 “Interior” Appraisal Report, $275 & $300
• Limited 2055 “Exterior” Appraisal Report, $225 & $250
• Complex Or Waterfront Residential Appraisal Report, $400-$500+
• “Certified” FHA Single Family (Home) Residential Appraisals for Baldwin County, Alabama and Mobile County, Alabama, $295 & $325
• Desk Review Report, $100
• Relocation (RELO) Appraisal Report, $450
• Acreage Or Lot (Land) Appraisal Report, $200 & $250
• Recertification of “Value Opinion”, $75
• Field Review “Exterior” Appraisal Reports, $200 & $250
• Construction Draw Or Final Inspections, $75 & $100
• Duplex, Triplex Or Other Assignments More Distant, Quote

The above list covers many appraisal report services provided by Cheney Appraisal Services within Mobile County and The Mobile Bay Metro Area of southwest Alabama.

If you do not see your appraisal report requirement listed above, contact Albert Cheney, (251) 533-2424 or email, Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com, with your home or residential appraisal orders and or questions. The business facsimile is (251) 252-7737.

The Kings Mill subdivision is located along the western side of Knollwood Road, south of Cottage Hill Road, the western part of Mobile, Alabama.

The Kings Mill development has 39 homes, built between 1998 and 2004, with most having 1,850+- square feet to 2,700+- square feet of living area. The majority of homes have 3 bedrooms and 2 or 2 1/2 bathrooms. There are about nine homes having 4 bedrooms. The home values will mostly range between $275,000 and $300,000.

Albert Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, covers the Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama. Albert Cheney is an active Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser and FHA Approved Appraiser with 35+ years experience in the real estate industry. Call Albert Cheney at (251) 533-2424 or Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com if you require more information about Alabama real estate and ordering a “Certified” real estate appraisal report.

“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 Certified and FHA Approved Appraisers, go to http://www.mobilealabamafharealestateappraisers.com/ or http://www.CertifiedAppraiserNames.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.

The third quarter, 1st July 2009 to 30th September 2009, indicates at least 984 sales within Mobile County, Alabama according to online REALTOR information records. The 984 sales include condominiums & townhouses, manufactured homes, new construction homes and single family older homes.

The approximate 27 condominiums & townhouses had an average sale price of $162,727. The approximate 18 manufactured homes had an average sale price of $40,503. The approximate 131 new construction homes had an average sale price of $182,797. The approximate 808 single family older homes had an average sale price of $137,420.

The average days on market (dom) for the third quarter was around 81 days and the average sale price per square foot was $77.33+.

The third quarter indicates more new construction in west Mobile, south of the Mobile Regional Airport, and in Semmes, Alabama when compared to other areas of Mobile County. Most of the single family residential or home sales occurred in the areas north and south of Cottage Hill Road, west Mobile, Semmes and in the Midtown area near downtown historic Mobile, Alabama.

The average sold terms for the third quarter was CASH (24.9%), CONVENTIONAL (24.83%), FHA (41.07%), VA (6.17%) and OTHER-ASSUMPTION, AUCTION, VENDOR LIENS (3.03%).

The above information has been provided by Albert Marshall Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, located in the Mobile Bay Metro Area. Albert Cheney is an active Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser and Approved FHA Appraiser with over 30 years experience in the real estate industry. Contact Albert Cheney at (251) 533-2424 or Albert@CheneyAppraisalServices.com if you require more information about Alabama real estate or ordering a real estate appraisal report.

When interviewing a home inspector within The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama, ask the home inspector what type of report format he or she will provide for you. There are many styles of home inspection reports used by property inspectors, including the checklist, the use of computer generated inspection programs and the narrative style.

Some home inspection reports are delivered on site but most may take as long as 4 to 6 delivery days. All of the home inspection report systems have pros and cons.

The most important issue with a home inspection report is the descriptions given for each item or component. A home inspection report which indicates a condition as “Good,” “Fair” or “Poor” without a detailed explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted by a reader. An example of a vague condition would be:

Kitchen Sink: Condition – Good, Fair or Poor.

None of these descriptions will give the homeowner enough of a reason for the problem. Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A good home inspection report should supply you with enough descriptive information about the home’s condition and its site. An example of a descriptive condition is:

Kitchen Sink: Condition – Minor wear, heavy wear, damaged, rust stains, or chips in enamel finish. The recommendation is sealing the sink around the counter top.

As you can see, this narrative description includes a recommendation for repair. Narrative home inspection reports without recommendations for repairing deficient items may be difficult to comprehend if you have limited knowledge of construction.

You should take the time to carefully read your home inspection report and become very familiar with its comments and recommendations. Your home inspection report should have a legend, key, symbols or icons which will assist in understanding your report. It is much easier to understand the overall condition of a home if a home inspector provides sufficient information. Therefore, interview and carefully choose your home inspector wisely.

At the end of the inspection, your home inspector may provide a summary with a question and answer period. Use this opportunity to ask questions regarding terms or conditions you may lack familiarity. An experienced home inspector should be able to explain confidently with answers to your questions. If for some reason a question cannot be answered at the time of the inspection, the home inspector should research the question and obtain an acceptable answer for you. For instance, if the home inspector’s report states that the concrete foundation has common cracks. Then, consider asking, “Why are they common cracks?” An appropriate answer might be: “Common cracks are usually due to normal concrete curing and or shrinkage.”

Cheney Appraisal Services recommends that you accompany your home inspector through the entire inspection if at all possible. By doing this, it should help you better understand the condition of the home and the details of the inspection report.

Again, read the home inspection report completely and understand the condition of the home you are about to purchase. After all, it is more than likely, one of your largest investments you will ever make!

Below are most of the home inspection companies to assist you within The Mobile Bay Metro Area, Baldwin County and Mobile County of Alabama (Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Belle Fountaine, Bon Secour, Calvert, Chickasaw, Chunchula, Citronelle, Daphne, Dauphin Island, Eight Mile, Elberta, Elsanor, Fairhope, Foley, Fort Morgan, Grand Bay, Gulf Shores, Hollingers Island, Irvington, Josephine, Kushla, Lillian, Loxley, Malbis, Magnolia Springs, Marlow, Mauvilla, Miflin, Mobile, Montrose, Mount Vernon, Ono Island, Orange Beach, Oyster Bay, Perdido Beach ,Perdido, Point Clear, Robertsdale, Saraland, Satsuma, Semmes, Silverhill, Spanish Cove, Spanish Fort, Stapleton, Stockton, Summerdale, Theodore, Whistler, Wilmer, Wolf Bay).

Please also check resources, such as, online telephone directories for other home inspection companies. A client, homeowner and or visitor should always interview a home inspector before contracting their services.

http://www.amerispec.com/
http://cartierinspections.com/
http://www.hometeaminspection.com/
http://www.homesouthinspections.com/
http://www.affordable-home-inspections.com/
http://www.nahi.org/al-alabama-home-inspector.asp

Are you looking for Alabama Appraisers, Alabama Certified Appraisers, Alabama FHA Appraisers, Alabama Appraisers Baldwin County, and Alabama Appraisers Mobile County? Then always remember, Al Cheney, Cheney Appraisal Services, “Certified FHA” Appraiser, when ordering home appraisals within Baldwin County and Mobile County, Alabama. Call (251) 533-2424 with your order and questions.

Are you looking for other appraisers in the southeastern part of the United States? Well, Cheney Appraisal Services is continually updating its web site with listings and web links to “Certified FHA” Appraisers in other major cities and towns of Alabama as well as in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.