Madison County, AL Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

Huntsville, Alabama, known as "The Rocket City," is a vibrant and rapidly growing city in northern Alabama. It earned its nickname due to its crucial role in the U.S. space program, being home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. This historical significance in aerospace and defense industries continues to drive economic growth and attract a highly educated workforce. Huntsville is recognized for its high quality of life, blending southern charm with modern amenities. The city boasts a thriving tech industry, innovative research parks, and a strong presence of Fortune 500 companies. Educational institutions, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville, contribute to a dynamic academic environment. Culturally, Huntsville offers a rich array of museums, performing arts venues, and festivals, making it a hub for arts and culture in the region. The city's scenic beauty, with nearby mountains, parks, and trails, provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, Huntsville is characterized by its innovation, economic vitality, and a strong sense of community, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

Hampton Ridge is a peaceful subdivision located off Old Big Cove Road. Its beauty is dominated by many custom built homes and surrounded by mountains tucked into a valley. Hampton Ridge has been a successful subdivision and continues its expansion with a new phase currently under construction today.

The amenities have made Hampton Ridge a sought after community by many families and outdoor enthusiast. Its proximity to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, Flint River, miles of hiking and biking trails, restaurants and shopping are all close by. It is only 19 miles to Lake Guntersville Dam with some of the best fishing to be found anywhere. If you are looking for a nice place to live in the Owens Cross Roads area you may want to check out Hampton Ridge to see for yourself.

Located between Jones Valley and the Flint River is Majestic Green Mountain. It is surrounded by hundreds of acres of land owned by the Land Trust of North Alabama. Green Mountain is a nature lovers paradise and home to people that love mountain living. It offers breathtaking bluff views of the Valley where nature and privacy are joined as one.

In 1972 then County Commission Chairman James Record, who had a love for the outdoors himself was able to facilitate a vision for a scenic park to be built. This park would be built on Green Mountain in South Huntsville where people could go and enjoy the outdoors. The county broke ground in 1974 and Records vision became reality when the construction of the park was completed in 1975.

The park is known as the Madison County Nature Trail. It is built on 72 acres and features the serene 17 acre Sky Lake. The lake is stocked with fish and for a small fee the park rangers will allow you to fish in the lake. The lake is surrounded by a 1.5 mile walking trail. Along the trail you will find an open air pavilion, a tranquil A framed chapel and a long Covered bridge built across the lake. This bridge has become so popular and has been featured in magazines and articles about the state of Alabama.

All along the trail are educational exhibits set up to teach about the outdoors and what plants and trees are typically found on Green Mountain. The Madison County Nature Trail is open to the public. On weekends you will find family gatherings, people walking their dogs, joggers, hikers and bikers and people that just love the outdoors all having a great time.

Although Green Mountain has always had residents living on the mountain, in the last few years the mountain has experienced a major increase of home building and development. It has been done with strict building requirements to keep the beauty of the mountain intact. This building has added more walking trails, and a clubhouse with swimming pool for the residents of some of these subdivisions. Green Mountain is a wonderful place to have a picnic or just relax and enjoy the outdoors.

One of Alabama's bright stars is Lake Guntersville. It is located 30 minutes from Huntsville and is Alabama's largest lake. It covers 69,000 acres and is 75 miles long. It stretches from Guntersville Dam to Nickajack Lake. The lake lies along the banks of the Tennessee River. Guntersville Lake is one of the best fishing lakes in Alabama where the water is clear and the air fresh. This beautiful lake has something to offer everyone. Over looking the lake is Lake Guntersville Park. The park has an 18 hole championship golf course and consists of over 6000 acres. There are 36 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind all through the park.

Lake Guntersville is also known for its Bald Eagle nesting population. On occasion you can look up to see the beautiful bald eagle in flight soaring gracefully through the sky.

If you enjoy camping this is definitely the place to go. There are campgrounds for RVs or campsites for pitching a tent. If you prefer something more comfortable there are cabins for rent in the woods or right on the lake. Lake Guntersville is all about enjoying the great outdoors.
It provides a wonderful place to get away from the daily grind and just enjoy Gods beautiful creations.

The Lake Guntersville Lodge is a large A frame stone facility featuring a great sit down restaurant offering many excellent dishes. For those that want to sit outside and eat there is a huge concrete patio over looking the lake. The lodge is located on the top of the mountain and offers some of the most spectacular views of the lake found anywhere in the park. The lake is so popular with boaters and skiers that during the summer months you hear the boats buzzing about and find many people enjoying their slice of paradise.

If fishing is your sport there are some great fishing spots. Some are hidden, known only to locals, where they bite as soon as you get a line in the water. People from all over come to fish in this serene and peaceful lake.

Lake Guntersville is also home to large tournaments including the "Bassmaster Elite" bringing in hundreds of top notch professional fisherman from all over the country. When you go to Lake Guntersville plan to spend the entire day. It offers so much and is so close by.... you'll never want to leave.

If you are looking for one of the most beautiful picturesque developments in North Alabama look no further than McMullen Cove. McMullen Cove is a Master Planned Resort Style Community that offers not only a gorgeous place to live but a lifestyle that takes advantage of the great outdoors. Surrounded by mountain views it is a place that one goes to bike or hike or just enjoy breathing in the fresh mountain air. The amenities are hard to beat. The outdoor pool is huge with plenty of room for everyone. The tennis courts and playground are a dream come true for families. The Lodge is such a wonderful place to have private parties. There are 13 different neighborhoods within the community each featuring their own unique style homes. The home prices range from the $300's to million dollar plus homes.

The Tony Wilmer trail offers over 30 miles of interconnected hiking and biking trails. You can even take a four wheeler all through the mountain to your hidden destination. Its almost like owning your own mountain. On top of the mountain is Sublett Point. This is the perfect location to view the surrounding valley or enjoy a picnic. Sublett Point is a magical place. It offers a serene spot to meditate or for enjoying early morning Yoga.

McMullen Cove offers so much to do you never have to leave the subdivision. During the summer months come and enjoy the outdoor concerts by the pool. There is always something fun happening at McMullen Cove to see or take part in.

McMullen Cove is a gated community with 24/7 security. The new addition of Watson Grande Preserve offers mountain top building lots that are several acres each for total privacy. McMullen Cove is also only 30 minutes to Lake Guntersville for some of the best fishing in the entire country. McMullen Cove is close to shopping and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Come experience all that McMullen Cove has to offer. We think you will love what you see.

If you enjoy resort style living then look no further than the Lake Forest Community. Lake Forest has much to offer its residents. Built on over 700 acres, the centerpiece of the Lake Forest Community is the 31 acre lake. You can fish in the stocked lake or enjoy a peaceful walk around the lake on the paved walking path. There is a covered dock that looks over the lake for those that love a great view of the water. The 7100 square foot clubhouse with fitness center and banquet rooms reminds you of something found in the mountains of Colorado. It is beautiful and can be rented by the residents for parties. The community amenities also feature a zero entry 80x125 ft. lagoon shaped swimming pool and tennis courts for fun in the sun. The resort backs up to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and offers privacy for homeowners that's hard to come by these days.

Lake Forest is located close to major shopping and only seven miles from Bridge Street.
Redstone Arsenal is close by and only one mile to Gate 7. There is a new Publix grocery store being constructed just down the road. The community offers several areas featuring different style and sized homes for your unique lifestyle. Entry pricing starts around the $200's and reaches over one million plus for some of its properties. The community also includes its own full time security.

Lake Forest has a home to fit every ones needs. Next time you are in the area drop by and take a drive through the community. There are still building sites available.

If you're looking for a Meat and Three to satisfy that Comfort Food desire..... you might want to check out the Blue Plate Café. They offer Southern dishes time tested with family recipes. Fresh Vegetables, Golden Fried Chicken, Grandmothers Mash Potatoes and Gravy... oh it is so good! Save room for those Desserts. They are made for those sweet tooth cravings and will make you want to return again and again. When you dine at the Blue Plate Café leave the diet at home. You are here to enjoy the wonderful experience, Southern Style.

When you eat at the Blue Plate it will make you think of Mom and Apple pie. They offer many different recipes that will leave you both full and happy. They have two locations. Their newest location is on South Parkway in the old Victoria's building. I'm getting hungry just writing this.
I think I will head over to the Blue Plate Café myself....I can smell that Golden Fried Chicken and its about ready.....See you there....

Monte Sano Mountain is a wonderful place to unwind, especially on Sundays. People are everywhere enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. The mountain is full of walking and biking trails and has outstanding views of the valley. You can also drive over the mountain to enjoy nature one on one without even having to get out of the car. The mountain has an interesting history.

Monte Sano Mountain was well known in the 1800's. Back in those days diseases like yellow fever, cholera and diphtheria were taking a toll on the population both mentally and physically. In 1886 a huge wooden hotel was built on top of the mountain. It was one of the largest hotels anywhere and featured 223 rooms. In Spanish Monte Sano Mountain means "Mountain of Health". It had the finest spring water, fresh mountain air and offered its guests the chance to get healthy once again. Once the word got out, people from all over the world came to experience healthy living at the Monte Sano Hotel. Some of the worlds most affluent with names like Vanderbilt and Astor came to stay at the hotel. The hotel had a lot of firsts in its day. It even had a Bowling Alley. The Monte Sano Preserve consists of over 2140 acres and 23 miles of public trails. The hotel is no longer there but its fireplace still stands.

There are many neighborhoods that are located on the mountain in all price ranges. Some consist of just a few homes and others are larger. It's a great place to live. It's also a fun place to take the kids or dogs to play. With parks and campgrounds in several areas locals call it paradise. It is also a peaceful place just to kick back and take it easy. At night you can see a beautiful large cross on Monte Sano that overlooks Huntsville and is a beacon to all its citizens.
Being on Monte Sano gives one that sense of health and happiness. All you have to do is look at the people on Monte Sano, you can see it in their eyes. They are smiling and enjoying life. They are loving Monte Sano and you will too. This is one place on your bucket list you must see.

Now that the leaves have begun to turn, it's time to head to Ditto Landing for some fall fun! Located on the south end of Huntsville on the Tennessee river, Ditto Landing boasts nearly 600 acres of outdoor recreation and is a great place to boat, picnic, camp, hike, or bike. With a large campground featuring 30 camping spaces available for rent, you'll find that water and electric services are available at each site with wi-fi to come, along with a well-maintained bathhouse, picnic tables, and campfire rings.

Paved trails with designated bike lanes can also be found at Ditto Landing, as well as areas for outdoor sports like, volleyball, badminton, and kickball. It plays host to many special events throughout the year with an expanded event calendar to come. There are plans to expand campgrounds, improve infrastructure, even a restaurant, zip lines, and wi-fi.

Prices for campground/RV and marina rates vary, so check out the website for details. Also check out the Ditto Landing's master plan to see all the fun things to come.

Still Serving Veterans (SSV) is located at 626 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 200, Huntsville, AL 35801. The facility is equipped with a handicap lift. It is a 501(c) (3) Non-profit Veteran Service Organization, and is nationally recognized as a center of excellence and as a grass-roots level reintegration orchestrator for Veterans and their families. SSV helps with resume preparation, job placement, psychological counseling, and claims assistance regarding VA benefits. All services are provided free of charge. If you are looking for a tax deductible charity that distributes monies locally and for a good cause, look no further. Additionally, unlike most organizations 86% of each dollar donated is directly used to support the programs and services.

This article is not about that great 60's group the Zombies with their hit "Time of the Season", but it is about spring time and it's quickly approaching the time of the "selling" season to begin.

During the winter months we all let things go, especially around the yard. Heck what's the point? Everything's dormant anyway. But in March a few magical things just begin to happen. A few flowers start to bloom and you are beginning to see some buds on the trees saying it won't be long now. And you say to yourself....well it looks like I better get things spruced up before putting my home on the market because it will be here before you know it.

Here are a few pointers you can do to increase the curb appeal of your property without breaking the bank. Remember, first impressions mean everything. If you see something that is a turn off to you, believe me, the buyer will see it, too. So fix it now...do not procrastinate. Buyers are eagle-eyed and they are already looking for things they're not going to like. If your home has great curb appeal that's a big plus. It means the prospects will want to go inside. If not it makes it an easy decision not to even stop.

Although the grass is still dormant go ahead and give it a fresh cut. Having that crisp cut and a quick crisp edge will also help. Next mulch time. Fresh mulch is cheap and will help to dress up those flower beds. Pick up some type of flower with good color for the beds. The beds need some kind of pop at this time of year because they still look sick from winter.

Put a fresh coat of paint or stain on that front door. That will make a huge difference. This is the one thing that sellers often neglect. Nothing turns a buyer off more than seeing a house with peeling paint or faded stain from the summer heat beating on the front door. Wash those windows that now look normal to you but dirty to other people.

If weather permits, open some windows and get some fresh air in the house. Inside, clean with 409 or some good cleaner every light switch in the house, especially if you have kids. They can get pretty nasty. Clean all appliances, especially the microwave ovens. Nobody wants to see those gross foods stains on the inside. De-clutter and clean out underneath the kitchen sink. Most sellers don't know this, but if buyers are truly interested in a property they will often take everything out from underneath the kitchen sink to check for water leaks and mold, so keep it clean.

Be sure to change your A/C return filter. This is an indicator of how most people live. Most don't change the filters when they should which contributes to mold spores flying through the air. Also, don't forget all those AC grates in each room; either clean them because most stay dirty (another turnoff for buyers) or replace them. They are only a few dollars and will look new plus help keep the air clean that is circulating in the house.

These few items will greatly help with your showings and remember, it's the details that count. The more detail oriented you are, the faster your house will sell, and for top dollar. One last thing for you pet owners...get your carpets cleaned. As much as we all love Fido, he has an odor and people pick up on that, especially the many with allergies. Good luck and good selling!

It was 1808 and this area of northern Alabama was the home to many Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians. The Governor of the Mississippi Territory had just made Madison County in Northern Alabama a county. All over the county many Indian relics have been found over the years and some are still being found now. All of the hiking trails and many of the bike trails being used today are great locations to possibly find some arrowheads. There are many caves in North Alabama where people have found many Indian relics. You can still see evidence of the Indian tribes all over Madison County.

The property of the Dairy at Oak Grove was an actual dairy farm during the late 19th century. That is an interesting fact, but there are other reasons also to make the Dairy at Oak Grove unique. The scenery enhanced by Green Mountain, Bell Mountain and Brindlee Mountain is awesome. The Dairy at Oak Grove is convenient for the fisherman because of its close proximity to the Tennessee River at Ditto Landing. When you visit, check out the clubhouse. It is the renovated old farmhouse complete with an added pool.

It may be Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park (the second largest research and development park in North America), Toyota Manufacturing, or soon-to-be Remington Manufacturing where people from all over the globe relocate for good paying employment. It is all in the Huntsville-Madison area. As a guide for out of town people considering a relocation, I pulled information from internet on the driving distances to Redstone Arsenal from other areas of North Alabama: Florence 75 miles; Boaz 61 miles; Albertville 55 miles; Scottsboro 50 miles; Guntersville 45 miles. Huntsville and Madison at the doorstep.

The Madison County area is internationally known for technology development. It is easy to allow it to over shadow the natural beauty of our landscape. Our past and current leadership, whether Madison County, the City of Huntsville, or the City of Madison, has gone to great lengths of planning to preserve our nature trails and enhance greenways. Hiking, mountain biking or family greenway rides, we have it and we have it in abundance. It doesn't matter if an excursion is planned for a gentle day of outside enjoyment for a young family; or maybe an individual who has a desire to grow into the physical demands; or the seasoned hiker/biker, it is here for the taking. A good place to start the exploring is Monte Sano Mountain. There are rustic cabins, playgrounds, picnic tables, breathtaking overlooks and an attractive lodge. Simply put, we have been blessed with a great place to live.