Annie’s Blog

300+ new High Tech Jobs Coming to Auburn and Opelika Area

Just another great reason to call Lee County, AL home. Governor Robert Bentley announced today that SiO2 Medical Products will be building a new facility in Auburn to the tune of a $90 million investment. Construction has already begun in the Auburn Technology Park West.

SiO2 Medical Products is a supplier for innovative products in the biological drug industry. The company is expected to grow their roots in the area as well with future expansions.

The Retirement Systems of Alabama was integral, along with Auburn’s Economic Development Office, Speaker Mike Hubbard and Governor Bentley, in making this announcement possible.

“The RSA has worked on this project for two years, and the financing closed last week,” Dr. Bronner (of RSA) said. “We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with SiO2 Medical Products’ Chairman Bobby Abrams, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Auburn Economic Development Director Phillip Dunlap, Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, and Governor Robert Bentley to expand the plant in Auburn.”

Globally recognized in their industry, SiO2 Medical Products hold 37 patents for processes and products.

Charleston Place, a downtown delight in the heart of Auburn, AL

If you are looking for a newer home that is an easy stroll to downtown Auburn, AL, rediscover Charleston Place. These homes were built in 2007 and 2008 and offer so much for the family or executive who wants to be in close proximity to everything Auburn and Opelika. Less than 5 minutes from shopping, theater, downtown, grocery and most of the Auburn City Schools, if you are looking for an area with an excellent “walk score,” this is it.

Currently there are 4 homes for sale in Charleston Place. There are two townhouse style homes that both are 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with carports. The smaller one is 1930 heated and cooled square feet ($235,000). The larger home is 2128 square feet ($250,000), and it also includes a half bathroom on the main level. The master bedroom suite is on the main level in this floor plan as well. Because these are tenant occupied presently, we do not have additional pictures of these properties. However, the finishes are very nice and what you would expect with a higher end home. Upgraded trimwork, tall ceilings, and hardwood floors are what greet you when you walk in the front door. The living room includes a gas log fireplace and lots of windows providing natural light. Both homes also feature quartz solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances. Master bathrooms both have double vanities and step in showers.

One of the best features of these homes is the low maintenance living that comes with a brick exterior townhouse. Enjoy your life and freedom since you won’t be spending your weekends mowing grass here! Enjoy the community green space that the HOA takes care of for you!

Another favorite feature in Charleston Place is the abundance of porches and patios. Enjoy your cup of coffee or glass of wine while listening to the band practice for Friday night’s game.

Architectural shingle roofs, irrigation systems and transoms are just some extra details that make these homes unique and appealing.

If a free-standing home is more your cup of tea, there are two of those for sale as well around the corner on Queens Way.

There is one hardi-plank exterior home and one brick exterior home for sale for $250,000. Both homes feature an irrigation system and cool porches.

Notice the patio off the office upstairs!

Here is the other free-standing home on Queens Way. You almost can’t see it in the photo, but there is a patio off of the living room hiding on the left side—great for entertaining or just enjoying the Alabama spring weather.

This home is the only one in Charleston Place currently for sale that includes a garage instead of a carport.

We’d love to show these to you if you are looking for a similar property in the area! I hope you will take another look at the neighborhood and consider making it your home!

 

Couponing with Jackie, an Auburn and Opelika Living perk!

So I have been meaning to go to a “Couponing with Jackie” class hosted by Jackie Waters for quite some time and have never fit it into my schedule. The wait will be no longer! I have put into my calendar in PEN, not pencil, her class that is coming up Thursday, the 22^nd at the Dean Road Recreation Center from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Everyone who has taken her class says that it is a great, worthwhile, money saving class, and that it is not what you think about when you see the Extreme Couponing on TV.

This is Jackie’s personal description from the facebook page for her class: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/218188198279266/

Since this has been highly recommended by good friends of mine, and the testimonials on the page are great, too, I’m taking the plunge. Will report back on Friday to let you know how it goes.

-Annie

O NOT teach extreme couponing. I will show you how to shave 50-70% off your household budget (REALLY) without having to build a storage building for your groceries. I will go over all local grocery store AND Wal-mart policies. There are so many little things that you don’t know that makes it much easier than it use to be. Organization the problem? I will show you a method that will make it so easy you might just do a little dance! The cost for the class is $15.00. You will make that back many times over your first trip to the grocery store. Upon graduation you will be given access to my alumni page which will provide you will follow up support. Space is limited sign up now! 2 Win Dixie gift cards will be given away during this class.

New Homes in Auburn, AL

This Sunday, March 18^th, we will be hosting an open house at 151 Siena Place, Auburn, AL in Tuscany Hills Subdivision from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you are looking for a starter home or a downsize at a fantastic price, right now Tuscany Hills is a great open. While this neighborhood is getting started, the prices are still extremely reasonable. Steve Harper with Harper Homes is building these garden homes, and he is definitely a builder who wants his customers to be happy.

Some of the features of the house include granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a tiled backsplash in this gorgeous kitchen.

The Master Suite features a private bathroom with double sink vanity, jetted tub and a tiled shower.

The Living Room has an electric fireplace, lots of windows with blinds already installed, hardwood floors and recessed lighting.

Harper Homes will be finishing the rest of the street with similar houses as each one sells. He is here to stay and ready to build the perfect house for your needs! You will be impressed with his quality and dedication to customer satisfaction. If you cannot make the open house this weekend, Ryan or I would be happy to show you this home anytime!

 

 

 

 

Opelika, AL’s First St. Patrick’s Day Celebration!

Join Opelika Main Street’s first ever St. Patrick Day Celebration tomorrow, Saturday, March 17^th, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Entertainment, sales, activities for children and adults, it’s sure to be an awesome time! For a full schedule of events, check out Opelika Main Street’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/OpelikaMainStreet?ref=ts&sk=wall

Opelika’s Easter on the Square—April 7, 2012

If you have young children, put this awesome event on your calendar now! A great experience designed for kids second grade and younger, this day kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday the 7th with Arts and Crafts and getting pictures made with the Easter Bunny. Cotton candy, cookies, lemonade will be served for refreshments.

Starting at 10:45, a parade will start around the Courthouse Square with the Easter Bunny, The Baby Egg, and the Easter Chicken!

Finally at 11:00, the Grand Easter Egg Hunt will begin! Over 25,000 eggs will be hidden and need to be found. This is the perfect hunt for young children to enjoy!

For more information and to see pictures from previous years’ hunts, please visit http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=498&pg=Easter+on+the+Square

Hope to see you there!

-Annie

AU Community Orchestra Concert

Recently I had a customer come into town who participates in a community orchestra in their current city in Florida. One of the most interesting parts of my job is getting to meet all kinds of people and finding out what they do where they are coming from for fun. It makes me look around here to see if those activities are available in our area. Most people might not know that there is a community orchestra here in our community! They are hosting a concert Wednesday evening, March 7th, at 7:30 at the Telfair Peet Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door up to an hour before the event, and typically run $10 for adults $5 for children and students with a valid student ID.

Looking for a fresh look for your yard?

Often this time of the year, people get the itch to have a fresh new look in their yards. With springtime around the corner and some trees starting to bud out, it is hard to not anticipate spring and get excited about it! A good friend of mine, Teri Briggs is a local landscape designer and has done tons of the designs that you see around town. Teri can create a design that you can work on with time as you go in stages, or she can help you coordinate a complete overhaul of your garden. She is easy to work with, and really has talent in taking what a customer says and putting it onto paper as a roadmap of what to do next!

Teri cell: 334-332-0746

TBriggs625@earthlink.net

Enjoying the Arts in Opelika and Auburn…

One of the best things about living in Opelika and Auburn is that there is ALWAYS something to do! Whether you are single or have a family, you can find something fun and entertaining to do most any night of the week! Coming up at the Jan Dempsey Art Center is a Caribbean version of “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Anderson. Kim Hirt is directing with the music being directed by Elizabeth Childs. Tickets will be available at the door, but reservations are recommended.

The show is running tonight (February 29^th) through March 6^th. Show times are a 6:30, with a Matinee on March 3^rd at 2:00 p.m. The tickets are $7 for children, and tickets for students and seniors will be $9. Monday, March 5^th is family night, and all tickets will be $7.

For more information you can call Kim Hirt at 801-851-0258 or email her at kimhirt@gmail.com, or you can call the Jan Depsey Art Center at 334-329-8512.

The advise that some of the characters are too intense for children under 7 years of age.

 

 

Foreclosures?

People ask us all the time about foreclosures. While Auburn and Opelika has seen a handful of foreclosures, I was interested to see that Alabama is in the bottom 5 in the nation among the states with the lowest rates of foreclosures. What does this mean to us? Well, I think that we are finally seeing the bottom of pricing in our area. Yes, there are some properties that are not priced correctly, but we still see things changing.

Houses are going under contract really quickly that are priced correctly in good condition. There is a shift in things for sure.

Is a foreclosure always the best value? Not always. Sometimes these homes need more repairs than a resale home that is not in foreclosure. The bank is not always willing to help with repairs or to renegotiate the price based on needed repairs.

I just wanted to throw this information out there, because A.) we see the marketing shifting a little bit and B.) foreclosures are not always the best value that buyers think that they are.

For more information on this or for a list of foreclosures in our MLS, feel free to call or email me and Ryan.

-Annie

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