[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Threestep

How do I find a realtor who knows what he is doing?

Hahaha!!! You bring up an excellent point. There are some top-notch realtors out there but the problem is finding them. They say that the cream rises to the top, but with so many realtors making so much noise, sometimes the cream gets lost in the mix.

In my experience, the large majority of realtors are like used-car salesmen.

[marmac]

What surprised me about Alabama is despite houses being --much lower-- in Alabama compared to Minnesota, the same doesn't hold true for farmland.---(even pastureland)

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by ArizonaRanch

We are looking for a rural farming community. The kind where "everyone knows everyone" feel to it. Within 45-60mins from the stores, doctors, etc.

We want quite a few acres (75+) for horses, cattle, etc.

Moderate climate year round, we do not want the cold snowy winter months.

Heat doesn't bother us as long as it's not over 100deg.

There are several areas of this state that might meet your needs, but your range for climate (no cold but not over 100) would be hard to achieve in Alabama. Jan/Feb can be cold, sometimes with daytime highs as low as the 30s and nights into the teens or colder, even in Lower Alabama. There is not any place in Alabama that doesn't get over 100 in the summer, and even when it's not 100 it feels like it due to the humidity.

How much are you willing to spend per acre? You can find good pastureland for $3k an acre in much of the state except the northeast. You can even find it cheaper in the northwest.

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by marmac

What surprised me about Alabama is despite houses being --much lower-- in Alabama compared to Minnesota, the same doesn't hold true for farmland.---(even pastureland)

Just curious, what does farmland go for in MN?

[gustygulas]

Originally Posted by Threestep

I do not want to sound negative but it has to come out.
You throw listings out particularly in the Birmingham area you have your geographic comfort zone. Within one year at least six of your colleagues wandered through my house promised to find it a size bigger within a week. Either it was something absolutely off or they disappeared. How do I find a realtor who knows what he is doing?

That is an excellent question! Like any business profession, people will be classified as great, good, average, bad, and terrible. Our business is based on referral so I make sure I do a great job for my clients. Things you should look for when "shopping" for a Realtor is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Second: interview a few different agents. Third: Ask them what their niche is? That is if they know what niche means

I could come up with a bunch of questions to ask a Realtor if anyone would like.

As to one of your statements, I don't understand what you mean by the agent promised to find it a size bigger within a week.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by gustygulas

That is an excellent question! Like any business profession, people will be classified as great, good, average, bad, and terrible. Our business is based on referral so I make sure I do a great job for my clients. Things you should look for when "shopping" for a Realtor is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Second: interview a few different agents. Third: Ask them what their niche is? That is if they know what niche means

I could come up with a bunch of questions to ask a Realtor if anyone would like.

As to one of your statements, I don't understand what you mean by the agent promised to find it a size bigger within a week.

Very simple - I am looking for a house similar to mine just bigger. Nothing fancy - open floor plan, 3/4 bedroom, no stairs, not Jefferson County.

Been there done that. Used to recruit MLOs.

Replacing furniture to fit the small house looks like a good alternative to moving.

[gustygulas]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Very simple - I am looking for a house similar to mine just bigger. Nothing fancy - open floor plan, 3/4 bedroom, no stairs, not Jefferson County.

Been there done that. Used to recruit MLOs.

Replacing furniture to fit the small house looks like a good alternative to moving.

Well you would think that would be easy but my guess is your Realtors have not previewed the property before taking you or not seen your property. I am sorry that you have had a difficult time finding a place similar to yours.

Yea I pretty much hate moving so replacing furniture would be a good idea.

[Threestep]

jjsherman9901 - You were right:>)

[Mgoodgadsdenchamber]

Dear Arizona Ranch,

I am the Retiree Development Manager for The Chamber of Commerce in Gadsden AL in Etowah County, AL.... I live 35 minutes from town and there is 74 acres to of land that is selling near me. My aunt just sold 75 acres of land for $3,000 an acre. Here is some information -City Population is 38,979 and County Population is 103,459,Property Taxes are among the lowest in the country -For a $150,000 home property taxes range from $540-$735 a year, depending on which municipality you live inside Etowah County,Sales Tax is between 8%-9%, depending on which municipality you live in,Gadsden has one of the lowest cost of living in the nation,Retirement Incomes are tax exempt
•No Inheritance Tax and Estate Tax,Top Rated Hospitals according to HCIA, Inc. & 60 minutes to a top 5 Nationally Ranked Hospital, UAB in Birmingham, AL,For 99.9% of diagnosed illnesses treatment is available by a qualified certified physician,Low Crime Rate - 20% Lower than National Average, Gadsden Municipal Airport and 45 minutes from Birmingham International Airport, Interstates within 90 miles of Gadsden, AL
•4 Sunny Seasons with a long growing season of 261 days
•Average High Temperature is 89.0F[font=Arial]° and Average Low Temperature is 49.4F - We usually only have 2 months cold weather. This week a cold front came in but next week we will have highs of 60-70's. Tornadoes mostly miss us and the mountain shields us it seems. Between Dekalb, Cherokee, Calhoun, and Etowah County you can find your rural beautiful farming community............. I would love to send you a retiree relocation package if you contact me via email marilyn@gadsdenchamber.com or 1-800-2-ETOWAH and ask to speak with Marilyn.. We hope you discover your Fountain of Youth here with us in Gadsden, AL... We are letting America see our little secret that we are finally sharing with retirees. I have lived in NY, Orlando, Nash, spent a lot of time in AZ and CA, but my heart rest here in Gadsden, AL on Lookout Mountain -Gateway to the Appalachian Mountains.

[gustygulas]

Originally Posted by jsherman9901

In my experience, the large majority of realtors are like used-car salesmen.

FYI- I have never been a used-car salesman. One of the top listing agents in the Birmingham area did use to be a top car salesman. Funny that you said that