East Limestone (Huntsville, Madison: foreclose, rental homes, insurance) - Huntsville-Madison-Decatur area - Alabama (AL) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

milledj · 03-30-2009, 05:55 AM

I never understood why so much of Limestone was being annexed. I thought it was without the permission of the homeowners...so I have a lot to learn. The bad part of it from a non-profit standpoint is that Habitat for Humanity has a no-compete agreement that we can only solicit funds from our county. When all of the businesses are annexed into the adjacent counties, we can no longer be viable....or it becomes MUCH harder to find funding. Personally, I wouldn't want to be annexed.

sedriskell · 03-30-2009, 11:13 PM

You DO have a choice. A city cannot annex you unless you give them permission to. That is why when you look at a map of the city limits, it looks like blobs with tentacles in some places, this is because some people in a neighborhood want annexation and others don't.

You should still be able to solicit fund from Huntsville and Madison portions of Limestone County, there shouldn't be any legal reason you can't. Just because a citizen lives in Huntsville does not mean they live in Madison County. They are simply a Huntsville resident AND a Limestone resident.

milledj · 03-31-2009, 06:42 AM

Yes, we can compete for donations, but Habitat for Humanity International has a policy of not placing different affiliates in contention for the same money. Corporate money, especially.

sedriskell · 03-31-2009, 12:19 PM

If that clause does exist, then H for H in Huntsville (Madison County) should not be able to compete for the money in Huntsville (Limestone).

milledj · 04-01-2009, 05:40 AM

That's true, but how many large businesses are there in Limestone County? Steelcase. Our Executive Director has asked International about the annexed area, and it is THEIR decision that annexed property is not Limestone County anymore.

I just hope that Madison can make use of the potential.

sedriskell · 06-07-2009, 06:13 PM

No, it never passed.

CFOTOCEO · 06-09-2009, 09:24 AM

We have lived in Southern Breeze (a Malone and Sons Development) for two years now. We thought the community was going to be nice and well kept. The developer, Malone and Sons has not completed the entry nearly three years after he started the project. There are no drainage systems, the drainage areas are ditches that are not steep or deep enough often leaving standing water and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

There are several foreclosed homes of which are not maintained and numerous stressed properties. There are no city ordinances, this is Limestone County and so people park on their lawns of which surprised us being most of these homes are in the upper 200s and several others in the 300s. You can not put lawn clippings in the trash, you have to take them to the dump. There are no plans for Madison to annex the area. Speeding is rampant in the development and there is no law enforcement other than the Limestone County Sherriff of which is friendly but are simply not equipped to set speed traps.

Builders like Don Thomas Trust have folded then re-opened under new names. Bob Hanes of REMAX is also vested in several builder projects so be carefull when dealing with him. Quality of the homes to include Malone's and Nick Johnson (whom was kicked out of the development for building poor quality homes and six are now rentals) all have quality issues. We have not heard anything bad about Southern Concepts Homes.

Southern Breeze is a mix of Professionals and Upper Blue Collar workers with the majority being Blue Collar or Support Staff type workers. The development started out to be a lower middle income home area and then expended into upper middle income homes. There is clearly a noticeable difference in how homes are maintained, there is no association. Home values have dropped by 10% in the area due to the economy but upkeep of the neighborhood itself also played a role in the devaluation. Again, people will park their vehicles on the lawn, boats will be parked in the street, several people do not pick up after themselves, many simply toss trash in the drive and let it blow into other lawns.

The school system is substandard compared to Madison and Huntsville. Private school is an option to avoid the dilapidated state of the Athens and Limestone County School System. There are no plans for new schools, roads and modern shopping developments.

We bought here because we got more home and land for the money but we did not have a clear understanding of what county life is. Will we move, most likely once the market turns around. If you like County Living then this area is for you, if you want ordinances, protection, infrastructure and more, than this area is not for you. Limestone County, specifically East Limestone is growing fast but the Leadership is interested in the dollars only and have not given any thought on how to bring the County more in line with an Urban ambiance. You will find East Limestone is like an Egg that has been dropped. A $400 home will be across from gas station, Southern Charms a development by Malone is across from and industrial complex. Development licenses and zoning are granted haphazardly in Limestone County so be cautious. There are some beautiful places but buyer beware.

HB2HSV · 06-09-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFOTOCEO

We have lived in Southern Breeze (a Malone and Sons Development) for two years now. We thought the community was going to be nice and well kept. The developer, Malone and Sons has not completed the entry nearly three years after he started the project. There are no drainage systems, the drainage areas are ditches that are not steep or deep enough often leaving standing water and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

There are several foreclosed homes of which are not maintained and numerous stressed properties. There are no city ordinances, this is Limestone County and so people park on their lawns of which surprised us being most of these homes are in the upper 200s and several others in the 300s. You can not put lawn clippings in the trash, you have to take them to the dump. There are no plans for Madison to annex the area. Speeding is rampant in the development and there is no law enforcement other than the Limestone County Sherriff of which is friendly but are simply not equipped to set speed traps.

Builders like Don Thomas Trust have folded then re-opened under new names. Bob Hanes of REMAX is also vested in several builder projects so be carefull when dealing with him. Quality of the homes to include Malone's and Nick Johnson (whom was kicked out of the development for building poor quality homes and six are now rentals) all have quality issues. We have not heard anything bad about Southern Concepts Homes.

Southern Breeze is a mix of Professionals and Upper Blue Collar workers with the majority being Blue Collar or Support Staff type workers. The development started out to be a lower middle income home area and then expended into upper middle income homes. There is clearly a noticeable difference in how homes are maintained, there is no association. Home values have dropped by 10% in the area due to the economy but upkeep of the neighborhood itself also played a role in the devaluation. Again, people will park their vehicles on the lawn, boats will be parked in the street, several people do not pick up after themselves, many simply toss trash in the drive and let it blow into other lawns.

The school system is substandard compared to Madison and Huntsville. Private school is an option to avoid the dilapidated state of the Athens and Limestone County School System. There are no plans for new schools, roads and modern shopping developments.

We bought here because we got more home and land for the money but we did not have a clear understanding of what county life is. Will we move, most likely once the market turns around. If you like County Living then this area is for you, if you want ordinances, protection, infrastructure and more, than this area is not for you. Limestone County, specifically East Limestone is growing fast but the Leadership is interested in the dollars only and have not given any thought on how to bring the County more in line with an Urban ambiance. You will find East Limestone is like an Egg that has been dropped. A $400 home will be across from gas station, Southern Charms a development by Malone is across from and industrial complex. Development licenses and zoning are granted haphazardly in Limestone County so be cautious. There are some beautiful places but buyer beware.

Thank you for posting this. It will be a good warning for new home shoppoer and alert them what to look for.

CFOTOCEO · 06-09-2009, 11:06 AM

Anytime and the intent is not to be mean but to show future buyers what they need to consider when they are lookng to settle in a County vice a City. Have a great day.

Sarges Dad · 06-09-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Thank you for posting this. It will be a good warning for new home shoppoer and alert them what to look for.

Good information. Except school systems are not as bad as you mentioned. I live in the county and know I risk trailer parks or chicken houses put in. I did not and have never built or bought in a subdivision in the county. People who do that are doing so to save money. You get what you pay for. If I am going to live that close together I will move to a well regulated subdivision in the city. Did you know they can put poultry farms right next to your subdivision in the county and there is nothing you can do about it. I like the country and bought enough property to protect myself, but if a chicken house goes in, so be it....we live in the country. The builders you mentioned. Well like I said, you get what you pay for. Just a word of caution. When you buy a house in the a subdivion, you still live in a rural area. That lifestyle is not for everyone. We like our freedoms so we don't have a lot of regulations.