Property Taxes Are 6.9% Of Alabama’s Tax Revenue, Lowest in U.S.

Despite many economic experts’ worst fears early in the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local government budgets have proven resilient over the last two years. With much of the economy shut down or hobbled as a result of the pandemic, forecasters initially worried that states and localities would collect substantially lower amounts of sales and income […]

13.5% of Huntsville Purchase Loans are for investment properties, 11th most in U.S.

In the heated residential real estate market of the last two years, one factor contributing to fierce competition and rising prices has been real estate investors. While many prospective homebuyers were drawn into the market with historically low interest rates and strong savings and investment returns, they have frequently found themselves outbid by corporate landlords […]

Rent or Buy? A look into Huntsville’s housing market

Is it still cheaper to buy a house than it is to rent in Huntsville? A recent study from California based ATTOM Data Solutions found that while Madison County is included in the 58% of counties where it’s more affordable to buy a home, the gap between owning and renting is smaller than ever and […]

Front Row, Huntsville’s newest $325 million mixed-use project announced

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Rocket Development Partners, a joint venture of Essex Capital and Ascend Property Group, announces today the name and first official rendering of its  groundbreaking, new mixed-use district – Front Row.   Front Row, an 11-acre project, is set to deliver an incomparable mix of residential, retail, and  office spaces, entertainment, and community to […]

First Stop on mission to help homeless get off the streets

Joe Jackson sits on a short retaining wall strumming his guitar and singing softly as passersby go in and out of a local store, a derby-like hat bottom-side up a few yards in front of him gathering donations. He says he’d retired from the military and an engineering job, once toured the U.S. and Europe […]

Dip in housing sales suggest relief for buyers, renters

Back in May, for the first time in five years, residential sales in Huntsville dipped. According to the University of Alabama’s Culver College of Business, sales of residential units slowed by 4.4% compared to the first quarter of 2021.  While housing sales – and prices – have been soaring nationwide, Huntsville has been in a […]

Money going to advocates as city tackles homeless issue

When Scott Erwin and Jennifer Geist approached the Huntsville City Council at a recent meeting to get approval for funds to expand a local homeless advocate center, the sell wasn’t a hard one. Asked about one recent horrific incident at a local camp, where many of the residents live in tents or simply in the […]

Local housing demand flourishes despite rising interest rates

The buyers market enjoyed by house hunters at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when mortgage interest rates fell to record lows, is no longer. The numbers now favor sellers and will continue to do so in the near future with interest rates rising at a rapid pace. Rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage, which […]

What’s Going On With the Housing Market? National, Local Experts Provide Input

As house hunters and their real estate agents are well aware, the real estate market has been rather volatile over the past year with rapidly rising home prices and an alarming shortage of listings. First-time buyers are finding themselves priced out of the market, with houses selling quickly and well over asking price. In addition, […]

Hughes Properties Update Part 2: A Step Forward

After 28 years of dedicated service, Betty Hughes is retiring from Hughes Properties. This was first announced in November 2021. Betty plans to consult and spend time with  her family and volunteer with non profit organizations.   Betty has had a distinguished career including recently being inducted into the National Association of Realtors RPAC Hall of […]