John Henson, Realtor Southern Elite Realty

07/14/2026

🏡 Wingate Subdivision Mega Open House 🏡

Join us Sunday, July 19 | 2:00–4:00 PM for a Rain or Shine Multi-Home Open House in Wingate Subdivision, Toney!

Tour all 4 featured homes and enter for a chance to win a Grand Prize Giveaway $150 VISA Gift Card! Visit each home during the event to receive an entry.

✨ Featured Homes:

📍 28329 Ferguson Lane
• 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,209 Sq. Ft.
• $330,000
• Brokered by Crue Realty

📍 28212 Ferguson Lane
• 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,989 Sq. Ft.
• $310,000
• Brokered by RE/MAX Unlimited

📍 24414 Bekah Lane
• 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,375 Sq. Ft.
• $259,900
• Brokered by Flo Burkholder Realty, Inc.

📍 24495 Bekah Lane
• 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,936 Sq. Ft.
• $324,900
• Brokered by Southern Elite Realty

Whether you're searching for your next home or simply want to explore everything Wingate has to offer, this is a great opportunity to tour multiple homes in one afternoon and compare floor plans, features, and price points.

📅 Sunday, July 19
🕑 2:00–4:00 PM
☔ Rain or Shine

We look forward to seeing you there!

06/26/2026

What a beautiful and spacious 3 BR, 2 BA home! And now with a new price! Find out more at https://sites.pixeljoesphotography.com/24495-Bekah-Ln

06/22/2026

Are you planning a move to the Rocket City? Here's a good reason to consider a home with a storm shelter, like 24495 Bekah Ln, Toney, AL (see the complete listing at https://sites.pixeljoesphotography.com/view/?s=3050041&nohit=1).

Below is a response from Google AI to the question, Which is more dangerous, Traditional Tornado Alley or Dixie Tornado Alley?

Dixie Alley—which stretches across the Deep South including parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee—is widely considered the more dangerous region to live. Despite traditional Tornado Alley seeing a higher raw quantity of storms, Dixie Alley poses a greater threat to human life.The combination of geography, climate, and human factors makes the Southeast uniquely vulnerable:

Nighttime Tornadoes: Storms in the South frequently occur during the late fall and winter months, and they are significantly more likely to strike at night when visibility is zero and people are sleeping.

Higher Population Density: Traditional Tornado Alley across the Great Plains is largely rural, whereas Dixie Alley is much more densely populated with more suburbs, cities, and small towns directly in the path of potential storms.

Limited Visibility: The hilly, heavily forested terrain and high-moisture air make Dixie Alley storms prone to producing rain-wrapped tornadoes that are incredibly difficult for meteorologists and storm spotters to see.

Lack of Underground Shelter: Due to a high water table and the region's geography, many homes in the South lack reinforced basements or underground storm shelters, leaving residents with less physical protection.

Housing Vulnerability: There is a higher concentration of manufactured or mobile homes in the Southeast, which are notably susceptible to catastrophic damage during severe weather.

Call me today to schedule a tour of this beautiful, move-in-ready 3 bed, 2 bath home. 256-694-7047.

Listed at $328,800, MLS #21918131, 3 beds, 2 baths, 2-car garage, 1,936 square feet, built in 2024, 1/3 ac, Step into soaring 11-ft ceilings, an open-concept layout with a versatile flex room, and an oversized fenced backyard on a premium 1/3 ac lot (with no rear neighbors!). And with so many amenit...

05/28/2026

Toney, AL offers the perfect balance of peaceful living and everyday convenience. Located just minutes from Athens and a short drive to Madison and Huntsville, the area has become increasingly popular for buyers looking for more space, newer homes, and better value without sacrificing access to major employers, shopping, and dining.

Athens continues to see tremendous growth thanks to its proximity to some of North Alabama’s largest economic drivers. Major employers like Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Polaris, and Eli Lilly and Company are helping fuel demand throughout Limestone and Madison County, while nearby Madison remains one of the most sought-after areas in the Huntsville metro.

As home prices in Madison have climbed, many buyers are discovering the value and opportunity available in surrounding communities like Toney. Larger lots, newer construction, and more attainable pricing are making the area especially attractive for families, professionals, and anyone wanting room to breathe without being far from the action.

A great example is the home at 24495 Bekah Lane in Toney. This practically new, move-in ready home offers exceptional value with upgrades already in place, including a premium lot, storm shelter, upgraded lighting, and more. If you’ve been searching for a home that combines modern features, convenience, and affordability, this one deserves a look.

You can view the full listing and features here: https://www.mysouthernelite.com/idx/listing/AL-NARIS/21918131/24495-Bekah-Lane-Toney-AL-35773

You can learn more about the Athens area here: https://livability.com/al/athens/where-to-live-now/long-to-live-in-a-southern-small-town-this-alabama-gem-awaits/

05/16/2026

08/09/2024

This is the fourth post in a series about buying and selling land, which began on August 3rd.

Hopefully, the lot or land you need to sell has access to a main road. If it doesn't, you'll likely want to address that issue before putting it on the market.

There can be a silver lining to this problem. If you must gain access to the road through someone else's property, it may mean your land is private and secluded. This can be highly desirable to buyers who want to live surrounded by nature.

In Alabama, property owners between you and the road are required by law to provide access via an easement. It's best to try to gain access without going to court. Even if it costs some money to make a deal with the other owner, this is usually preferable to legal action.

If you are looking to purchase a piece of land and have your eye on a secluded area like this, you will want that access documented in the public domain. Unwritten understandings that adjoining landowners may have often don't survive changes in ownership. And this will devalue the land and make it hard for you to sell in the future.

As a buyer it can be easy to overlook the lack of road access, especially if you're buying property sight unseen. It may even have an access road that is not recorded in the public domain, which can leave you to believe access is unrestricted when it's not.

I can help you navigate the complexities of buying and selling land. Call me at 256-694-7047 or visit my website at huntsville-realestate.com.

08/07/2024

This is the third post in a series about buying and selling land, with the first one posted on Aug 3. If you're selling, your property may have characteristics that make it more valuable. I'm here to help!

If your country land has frontage on a road with utilities, you're in luck! This feature makes your land more desirable and sellable, as some rural properties are only accessible by private roads or long driveways via easements. This reduces the cost a buyer would incur to build or utilize the land.

It's even better if utilities are already on the property. This is often the case if a mobile home or RV has been on the land. Additionally, having an existing septic system adds even more value.

These factors are important to consider when buying land as well.

I can help you navigate the complexities of buying and selling land. Call me at 256-694-7047. Visit my website at huntsville-realestate.com.

08/06/2024

Does my home have defects?

Yes, in my years of helping others buy and sell real estate, I have never seen a home (including brand new ones) without any. And if you're selling a home there is a lot to know about defects.

Cosmetic defects only detract from the amount of money you may be able to get for your home. I can help you determine which ones are worth the cost of fixing.

You can really help yourself to minimize costs by how you treat other defects. Any that a home inspector is likely to find can be fixed ahead of time. This will work to your advantage.

First of all, you will have time to shop for contractors and/or do some basic repairs yourself. If you wait until a buyer's home inspector finds them, the buyer may request all repairs to be done by a licensed contractor. You could have fixed that peeling paint on the soffit yourself, but now you may have to hire a contractor and get whoever can get it done before closing.

If your home has certain major defects such as structural, non-functioning systems, or health or safety issues, you will either need to fix these before putting your home on the market or be ready to disclose them and sell your home "as is," meaning that you are not going to fix defects. Having the words "as is" in your listing will devalue your home somewhat.

That doesn't mean that it's not sellable. I can help you weigh the ups and downs of all the options.

This is not all black and white so let me help you navigate the complexities of selling your home. Call me at 256-694-7047. Visit my website at huntsville-realestate.net.

08/05/2024

This post continues my advice on buying and selling land, following the first post on August 3, which covered restrictions.

Today, I want to focus on floodplains, also known as flood zones. Floodplains are a significant factor in the value of your property or the land you are looking to purchase. Even if nearby residents have never experienced a flood, that doesn't mean the land is immune. The key factor in determining value is what appears on FEMA maps.

There are various types of floodplains, and some don't require flood insurance, although that is the exception rather than the rule. In most cases, mortgage companies won't lend money on a home in a flood zone without flood insurance.

I can help you navigate the complexities of land transactions.

Stay tuned for more advice on buying and selling land.

08/03/2024

Are you looking to sell land, or are you in the market to buy? Estimating land value involves many considerations, and your property may have appealing characteristics you haven't realized.

One key factor is restrictions. These typically exist within city limits and can also be found outside city limits. Restrictions often regulate mobile homes, RVs, and farm animals and are usually imposed by deed or covenant rather than local government. While county restrictions are less common, they can also apply.

Whether you're buying or selling, I can help you determine the value of your land by considering all relevant factors.

Stay tuned for more advice on buying and selling land.