StayTips April 20, 2025

Big News for Alabama Real Estate Agents

Big News for Alabama Real Estate Agents – HB230 is Here!
King Team, get ready! As we approach April 18th, a significant shift in Alabama real estate license law is about to take effect, and it’s one that we should all be aware of. Alabama has become the first in the country to push back against some of the recent changes stemming from the NAR lawsuits, and I couldn’t be prouder of our state for taking this proactive stance.
HB230: Giving Buyers More Freedom
For months, many of us have felt the pressure of requiring buyers to sign contracts, specifically the buyer agency disclosure form or the one-time showing agreement, before even stepping foot into a property. Well, the landscape is changing, and it’s a change that empowers both our agents and our clients. The core of this new law centers around not forcing consumers to sign a contract prior to viewing a home. This will give consumers more freedom in the home buying process and they can now explore properties without the immediate obligation of a signed agreement.
What This Means for You, Our Agents:
Let’s break down how this directly impacts your day-to-day activities:
  • RECAD Remains Essential: The Alabama Real Estate Consumer Agency Disclosure (RECAD) form has always been a crucial part of our initial interactions with clients, and that remains unchanged. You must still present the RECAD to all clients as early as reasonably possible. This document clearly outlines the different types of agency recognized in Alabama.
  • Introducing the New Two-Page RECAD: Here’s the key update. Due to HB230, we now have a requirement to disclose our internal agency disclosure office policy directly to consumers. As you all know from our annual RECAD trainings, ERA King has a firm policy against offering sub-agency. This policy must now be explicitly stated in writing to the consumer
  • Presentation of New RECAD Form is Required (Initially): While consumers are not required to sign either page of the RECAD, we strongly recommend obtaining their signatures before showing a home. This demonstrates that you have provided them with the necessary information and promotes transparency from the outset.
  • What if a Consumer Refuses to Sign? If a consumer declines to sign either the standard RECAD page or our office policy disclosure, simply note their refusal on the form and proceed with showing the home. This is a crucial point as you will not be prevented from showing a property if a buyer chooses not to sign the initial RECAD documentation.
  • Buyer Agency Agreement Still Necessary for Offers: It’s important to understand that while the upfront signing requirement is removed, a formal Buyer Agency Agreement must still be discussed with your client and signed by them before you present an offer on a property. This ensures that your representation and compensation are clearly defined when it comes time to make a move.
Why This is a Win-Win
This change is a significant win for both our agents and our clients:
  • For Clients: They gain the freedom to explore the market without feeling pressured to commit to an agency relationship before they are ready. This allows for a more comfortable and informed initial viewing process.
  • For Agents: While we still prioritize clear communication through the RECAD, we are no longer in the potentially awkward position of requiring a signed buyer agency agreement or one-time showing form before a client even sees a home. This can streamline the initial stages of the buyer relationship and build trust.

StayTips April 4, 2025

Things That Make Buyers Run for The Hills

Selling your home? Don’t scare buyers away! Here are 10 things that might make them run for the hills:

  1. Funky Smells – If your house smells like wet dog, last night’s fish dinner, or a science experiment gone wrong, buyers will be out the door before you can say “air freshener.”
  2. Clutter Chaos – If your home looks like an episode of Hoarders, buyers won’t see “cozy”—they’ll see “run.”

  3. Retro… But Not in a Cool Way – That ‘70s shag carpet? The floral wallpaper? Buyers aren’t looking for a time machine.

  4. Cave-Like Vibes – If your home is darker than a vampire’s lair, buyers won’t be sticking around for long. Open the blinds! Let there be light!

  5. Too Much You – Walls covered in family photos and a living room painted neon green might make buyers feel like they’re trespassing in your life instead of imagining their own.

  6. Signs of “Oops, I Forgot to Maintain This” – Peeling paint, leaky faucets, or a doorbell that sounds like it’s possessed are not charming quirks—they’re red flags.

  7. Weird Temperatures – If buyers are sweating like they’re in a sauna or shivering like they’re in Antarctica, they might assume your HVAC system is on its last legs.

  8. Curb (Un)Appeal – If your front yard looks like a jungle or your porch screams “haunted house,” buyers won’t even make it to the front door.

  9. Oddball Layouts – If they have to go through a bathroom to get to the kitchen, expect confused faces and quick exits.

  10. Seller Lurking – Hovering sellers make buyers nervous. They want to picture living in the home—not get a live tour from the current occupant.

Fix these, and your house will be flying off the market instead of sitting like leftovers in the fridge!

EatPlayStay March 28, 2025

ERA King Charity Golf Tournament Ahead

Have you and your team signed up for the 2025 King Team Charity Golf Tournament yet?

It’s happening on Friday, May 2nd at the Anniston Country Club and is a great time to support two great causes. Go to kingteamfoundation.org/golf to sign up as a player or sponsor!

EatPlayStay February 25, 2025

Spring Street Station in Oxford, AL #TootToot

“Restoring is not just about rebuilding, it’s about reconnecting the past with the present, preserving history for future generations.”

I had the pleasure of eating lunch at Charlotte Hubbard’s newest restaurant addition, Spring Street Station in Oxford, AL.  The food, dining and wait staff experience was excellent.  I highly recommend you stop in and grab a bite or drink at a new local Oxford favorite.  Check Out My Visit Here

The Rich History

The historic depot, originally built in 1884 by the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railway, once served as a crucial transportation hub for cotton, iron, and passengers, helping to drive Oxford’s economic development through the years.

Charlotte Hubbard, owner of the renowned Hubbard’s Off Main restaurant, led a significant renovation project to breathe new life into the depot. Working in close partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission, Hubbard ensured that the restoration followed strict preservation guidelines, allowing Spring Street Station to become the first Oxford business to take advantage of the Alabama Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.

The project was also supported by Historic Main Street Oxford, Jay Jenkins Architecture, McWhorter Construction and Company, Opportunity Alabama, Southern Development Council, and Southern States Bank.

“The depot’s location in downtown, surrounded by charming shops and the Oxford Performing Arts Center, will create a one-of-a-kind experience for our community,” Hubbard remarked.

Spring Street Station’s menu combines “upscale fast food” with unique offerings like gourmet burgers, wings, and hot dogs with specialty toppings, all priced competitively. The venue also features a stage for live music, providing a platform for local young artists to perform and adding a dynamic cultural aspect to Oxford’s downtown.

Hunter Gentry, director of Historic Main Street Oxford, highlighted the positive impact on the community: “We’re excited to see Spring Street Station join the growing list of businesses that are restoring and revitalizing our downtown’s historic properties while infusing them with fresh, modern energy.”

With this new chapter, Spring Street Station is poised to become a cornerstone of Oxford’s revitalized downtown, blending the area’s rich history with the vibrancy of modern-day life.

 

Uncategorized January 27, 2025

Spring Plant Fundraiser for ECACUP

The Adult Participants at East Central Alabama United Cerebral are hosting a Spring Plant Fundraiser from Feb. 1st – March 5th!  All proceeds go directly to the ECAUCP Adult Dayhab Programs.

Please join me and help #giveback to this wonderful program right here in our back yard.

EatPlayStay January 21, 2025

Anniston, AL Makes the Milken Institutes Best Performing Cities Report

Good news for our community! The Anniston, Alabama, metro area has achieved its highest ranking in three years in the Milken Institute’s 2025 Best-Performing Cities Report! Our area proudly placed in the Top 200 Small Cities for economic growth.

Particularly, we saw standout rankings in these key areas:

📈 49th for Wage Growth
📈 38th for Housing Affordability
📈 42nd for Short-Term Job Growth

These rankings reflect our area’s resilience and progress, and we’re excited about what the future holds.

🔗 Explore the full report here: https://tinyurl.com/4ced285v.

Let’s keep Anniston moving forward!

#EconomicDevelopment #Anniston #AnnistonAL #Business #Milken #AnnistonMetro

Stay January 20, 2025

Winter Weather Home Tips

Here are some tips to help keep your home warm and safe during freezing winter weather:

  1. Insulate Your Home:
    • Check insulation in your attic, walls, and floors.
    • Use weatherstripping around doors and windows to prevent drafts.
  2. Seal Leaks:
    • Look for gaps around pipes, vents, and electrical outlets, and seal them with caulk or foam.
  3. Maintain Your Heating System:
    • Have your furnace serviced annually.
    • Change air filters regularly to ensure efficient airflow.
  4. Use Space Heaters Wisely:
    • If using space heaters, keep them at least three feet away from flammable materials, and never leave them unattended.
  5. Keep Doors Closed:
    • Close doors to unused rooms to conserve heat in living areas.
  6. Open Curtains and Blinds:
    • During the day, let sunlight in to naturally warm your home, and close them at night to retain heat.
  7. Use Area Rugs:
    • Place rugs on cold floors to add warmth and insulation.
  8. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
    • Ensure they are working properly, especially if using additional heating sources.
  9. Prepare for Power Outages:
    • Keep blankets, flashlights, and batteries handy. Consider investing in a generator if you live in an area prone to outages.
  10. Stock Up on Essentials:
    • Have non-perishable food, bottled water, and necessary medications in case you’re snowed in.
  11. Disconnect Hoses and Winterize Outdoor Faucets:
    • Drain hoses and store them, and insulate outdoor faucets to prevent freezing.
  12. Create a Warm Room:
    • Designate one room as a warm space with blankets, a heater, and extra supplies in case of severe cold.

Being proactive about winterizing your home can help ensure a comfortable and safe environment during freezing weather!

StayTips January 20, 2025

Calhoun County Alabama Free Disposal Days 2025

EatPlayStay January 2, 2025

McClellan Community

Welcome  to  McCLELLAN

McClellan is a 10,000 acre master-planned community in scenic Anniston, Alabama that was once a part of Fort McClellan Army Base until its closure in 1999.

Today, the McClellan Development Authority oversees the economic growth of this charming, historic community, offering property development opportunities for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Education, and Research and Technology ventures.

On March 3, 2010, the McClellan Development Authority was officially certified as a non-profit public corporation charged with the future economic development of the former US Army Fort.

The MDA Board of Directors consists of five members appointed by the Calhoun County Commission, five members appointed by the Anniston City Council and one member appointed by the Governor of Alabama.

Board meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of January, April, July, and September at 9:00 AM in the MDA board room.

Source:  https://www.exploremcclellan.com/

StayTips December 2, 2024

GETUP Anniston Business Classes

Main Street Anniston, in partnership with leading local organizations, is thrilled to present the GETUP Anniston program—a comprehensive series of FREE business classes designed to guide you through every step of starting and growing your own business.

The 6 Week Course Covers:

  • Business Concept and Planning: Learn how to transform your idea into a solid business plan.
  • Market Understanding: Discover how to analyze your market and identify opportunities.
  • Business Tools, Organizational Structure, and Insurance: Get equipped with the tools and knowledge to structure your business effectively and protect it with the right insurance.
  • Accounting Basics, Taxes, and Financial Statements: Master the fundamentals of accounting and financial management.
  • Cash Flow Management and Business Financing: Understand how to manage your cash flow and explore financing options to fuel your growth.
  • Selecting Business Locations and Understanding Leasing: Find the perfect location for your business and navigate the complexities of leasing.
  • Navigating Licenses, Permits, and Zoning: Ensure you meet all legal requirements to operate smoothly.
  • Utilizing Historic Tax Credits and Grants: Leverage available incentives to support your business financially.
  • Marketing and Leveraging Social Media: Develop effective marketing strategies and harness the power of social media to reach your audience.
  • Local Resources and Civic Engagement Opportunities: Connect with local resources and engage with the community to build a strong network.