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Summer vacation - for most people, this phrase conjures images of sandy beaches, amusement parks, lakeside cabins, or family road trips.

For burglars, summer vacations are the perfect opportunity to take advantage of unoccupied homes and garages. In fact, property crimes spike during summer months, peaking in July and August.

To keep your home safe while on vacation - secure your home!

Before you leave, double check that all doors and windows are locked. Dont forget the upstairs windows: AC units, ladders, nearby trees, and even garbage cans can give thieves access to those windows. Trim or remove shrubs that offer easy hiding places. Dont leave spare keys outside; thieves know where to look, too.

I will include other steps in future posts to keep your home safe while on vacation.

7/4/12 111 Futurity Way, Meridianville, AL, Michael Clayton Realtor

Take a video tour of this home and others posted by Michael Clayton - Huntsville AL Re-max Realtor on YouTube!

STORM SHELTER!! + 3 BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHS, ALL BEDROOMS HAVE WALK IN CLOSETS, AND UPSTAIRS HAS BONUS ROOM/BEDROOM THAT IS UNFINISHED SO EASILY FOUR BEDROOMS. THIS BEAUTIFUL ALL BRICK HOME HAS A LARGE COVERED FRONT PORCH, FENCED BACK YARD WITH HUGE SHADE. THE KITCHEN HAS TONS OF CABINETS AND COUNTER SPACE. ONE ROOM AS OFFICE OR LIVING ROOM YOUR CHOICE. HOME IS NICE THROUGH OUT WITH CROWN MOLD, TRANSOM WINDOWS AND HARDWOOD FLOORS. HAS STORM SHELTER/SAFE ROOM IN GARAGE! COME SEE IT THIS HOME.

7/4/12 May homes sales in Huntsville and Madison County up nearly 17 percent

Unlike areas across the country Huntsville and Madison county sales continue to thrive. Check out this article courtesy of Mike Marshall of the Huntsville Times.

By Mike Marshall, The Huntsville Times The Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Home sales in Huntsville and Madison County increased 16.58 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago, according to data released today by the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors.

There were 450 homes sold in May compared to 386 homes sold last May, HAAR said. The single-family home median price - the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less - was $168,500. That\'s an increase of 6.65 percent from April, HAAR said.

"Huntsville (and) Madison County is certainly one of the bright spots in the national housing market,\'\' Oscar Gonzales, the CEO of the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors, said in a release. "We share market reports with other Realtor Associations around the country and we certainly are not the norm, especially when compared to markets that have not seen any sort of recovery.

"One variable that makes us stand out from the rest is that a large percentage of our sales is new home construction (around 30 percent on average), which is virtually unheard of in most of the country.\'\'

6/21/2012 - Huntsville, North Alabama, May Real Estate Sales Show Continued Strength

May sales improved 6% to $139,884,623 vs. April at $131,943,583 This was 8% above last years $129,728,703. The twelve month moving average line on the total dollar sales chart has a small hook up at the end. Total unit sales increased 4% to 857 in May vs. 825 in April, an increase of 32. This was 4% favorable to last year at 826. Note that our projection for May was 852, so the actual results were 0.4% favorable for the month and 1.3% favorable year to date.New sales were even with 132 this month vs.132 last month.

Used sales increased to 725 this month vs. 693 last month, increasing 32. Used inventory levels remain high this month at 12 monthswith the situation particularly challenged in the higher price ranges. Used homes over $100,000 are still over 12 months of inventory and over $500,000 have about two or more years of inventory. New home absorption is 8 months of inventory overall, (with last month at 10 months). The New Home inventory level in the $300,000-$400,000 is approximately 5 months (not bad).

There continue to be a large number of housing permits issued in Huntsville city given the market conditions. For April there were 104 (est. by census dept.), up from 83 in March. Total Active listings decreased this month to 8,598 compared to last months 9,145, which is below last year at this time at 9,597, with the reduction exaggerated due to month-end expirations. The reduction in inventory is a good thing. Active New listings decreased from 1,430 last month to 1,231 in May, down 199. Active Used listings decreased from 7,715 last month to 7,367 this month, down 348 and below last years amount at this time of 8,190.

Average Days on Market for Sold New homes was 170 vs.197 days last month, with Used at 162 in May compared with 149 in April. Sellers, including bank owners, who do not adjust to the new price reality contribute to the buildup of inventory.

Average sales price for Sold New homes was $226,837 vs. $237,638 last month.Average sales price for Sold Used homes was $151,644 vs. $145,130 last month. The average price lines for Used homes, is once again showing some stability. New homes average price seems to be showing some positive direction. Prices for individual properties remain under pressure.

Give Michael Clayton a call at 256-527-9659. I\'m here to help. You can also email me; Michael@BestOnlineHomeSearch.com