Birmingham Real Estate Pros

Silver Lakes

Located off South Shades Crest, Silver Lakes is an extremely popular subdivision. Featuring large well constructed homes on good sized parcels of land, it is not surprising to find out that these homes are still as popular today as they were when the neighborhood first opened!

Recently, there has been a strong resurgence for this particular area. I can’t put my finger as to why, but I am more than happy to be showing homes in Silver Lakes to people looking in the Bessemer / Helena / Hoover area!

As a Birmingham REALTOR, you never know what you are going to see when you walk into a home for the first time with a client. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy showing homes in Silver Lakes (and other similar neighborhoods). When I am showing a home in this neighborhood, I can be fairly confident that the home had been well built, is full of amenities, and is a pleasure to view.

Silver Lakes Homes for Sale

Although most if not all of the new construction has been purchased, there is a healthy number of resale opportunities for home buyers looking in Silver Lakes. Which is fantastic because Silver Lakes is really a great location for a home. Not only is a great location, but these homes are nice. They are spacious, well built, family homes, with just enough yard to provide room to stretch out, but not too much to mow!

Interior amenities abound in these homes as well. It is not uncommon to find granite counters, tile and wood floors, tiled showers, finished basements, etcetera throughout the neighborhood homes. One feature I have noticed on a few homes was the sense of privacy obtained, while still living in a large neighborhood community.

Silver Lakes is a Great Neighborhood

Silver Lakes offers residents many extras that really make this neighborhood attractive. Some of those extras include walking trails, private lakes, children’s playground, and picnic area. Silver Lakes is just a hop-skip-and-jump from just about everywhere. Restaurants, malls, entertainment, parks, are all just a moments drive. A fact some visitors may not realize is that there are two different entry points to Silver Lakes. (I’ve secretly been told the “back way” is a great way to avoid some of the heavier traffic on South Shades Crest in the morning!)

Silver Lakes is a neighborhood that should be on anyone’s list of neighborhoods looking the Helena/Bessemer/Hoover areas. In fact, give us a call @ 205-475-5437 and we will be glad to give you a tour!

View Homes for Sale in Silver Lakes

Birmingham Farmers Markets

Birmingham has a burgeoning and bustling farmer’s market scene! You’d be surprise to find out that there is a farmer’s market just about every day of the week in at least one section of town! Monday - Montevallo, Tuesday - Calera, Friday - Leeds, Saturday - Hoover. Regadless of what part of town you live, one thing is certain, you will find some great fresh produce, friendly people, and healthy dose of community spirit!

The one thing I have noticed is that each market shares common ground in incredible produce and community spirt, yet each market has it’s own personality! For example, the farmers market in Mt. Laurel features fresh vegetables, but also features artisans and craftsman selling their creations too. Another thing I really like about the farmers market is the ability to speak directly with the person growing the crops for sale! There is such a wealth of information there for an amateur like myself, I feel like I am back in school, in a good way, each time!

Calera Farmers Market

The Calera Farmers Market is one of our family favorites! The location is absolutely fantastic! Located next to the Calera Library, there is ample parking with easy access to the market. There is always a great selection of fresh vegetables from the local farmers. We have purchased cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, and squash from the various booths and each vegetable has been incredible. The organizers have a booth set-up as well offering free cold drinks, and sometimes tomato sandwiches. Calera’s farmers market also has live music, face painting, and other activities and entertainment. Yet, the one thing that really stands out is the giant playground. That is what really makes this location stand out! When your kids ask to go to the farmers market, it makes you really appreciate this location that much more!

Valleydale Farmers Market

Saturday mornings this summer means Valleydale Farmers Market! Each week, I rouse the wife and kids from their slumber and drag them to the Valleydale Farmers Market. Just kidding, they actually enjoy going to the market too! The Valleydale market does not have the playground for the kids, but what they do have is incredible fruits and vegetables! We have been to this market more often than the others around town. There is a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, all grown locally by Alabama farmers. One farm in particular has been a favorite of ours, The A&P Farms from Gallant Alabama. They have a great selection of produce including heirloom tomatoes, blackberries, squash, zucchini, onions, and recently the most delicious watermelon I have tasted this summer!

Honorable Mention!

There are other markets that we have visited this summer and would like to mention those as well.

Helena Farmers Market

The Helena Farmers Market is located in Old Town Helena by the amphitheater. It is a great location next to Buck Creek. This market is open on Saturdays throughout the summer.

Leeds Farmers Market

The Leeds Farmers Market is also a nice market with some great produce. This market is open on Fridays and is located downtown on 6th Street.

Montevallo Farmers Market

Monday is the Montevallo Farmers Market. Located behind McDonalds off Main Street, this market features many of the same farmers that make-up the Calera Farmers Market on Tuesday. Although this location is not my favorite, the market has great produce and a friendly atmosphere.

I highly recommend visiting one of Birmingham’s Farmers Markets. Not only will you get some great fresh locally grown produce, you’ll find yourself having a great time too!

Helena Alabama

Helena is conisitently ranked as one of the top cities in which to live in Alabama, and the United States! Tucked into the Southwest corner of the Birmingham area, Helena is a fantastic small town loaded with charm, character, and some fantastic homes too! Probably the thing I like best about Helena are the community activities and numerous playgrounds and parks.

Helena

Officially incorporated in 1917, Helena has a wonderful History. Although known by a few different names, the final name was derived from Helena Station, named by a train engineer in honor of his sweetheart Helen Lee, during the reconstruction following the civil war. Interesting enough, the original mayor of Helena in 1917 was the grandfather of current mayor Sonny Penhale.

Helena could be sliced into two distinct areas. The first being the Old Town area. This section includes the post office, city hall, Buck creek, amphitheater, and the old downtown area. The second is the area that includes Publix, Winn Dixie, and neighborhoods such as Old Cahaba, Riverwoods, and Hillsboro.

Helena Homes

The old town side of Helena features some really neat older homes, and a sprinking of newer homes designed in to “fit” right into the area. Each time my family drives through this part of town, we always keep our eye on one house in-particular, waiting for that “FOR SALE” sign to appear. Unfortunately, I’m not saying which one… One section in Old Town features some really neat “row” houses, similar in design to the brownstones of the north. This little area is very inviting. Situated next to Buck Creek, these homes have front row seats to all the festivals, city activities, and events that occur at the Helena amphitheater .

Old Cahaba, Riverwoods, Hillsboro

The west side of Helena features the new developments in the area. Along with new shopping at the Crow’s Nest Shopping Center (Publix, Little Ceasar’s, Ace Hardware, Walgreens) are the new residential areas. The subdivisions include, St Charles Place, Old Cahaba, Riverwoods, and Hillsboro. Probably the largest and most ambitious development is Old Cahaba. I am always amazed about how large this development has become over the years. Now, there are new entrances and a new elementary school as well. Another nice spot in this area is the Cahaba Lilly Park. This little playground area is a great spot for kids to play, and with covered pavilions, the Cahaba Lilly park is also a great place to have a party or enjoy a snack!

Old Cahaba

As previously noted, Old Cahaba is a very large neighborhood. However, even though it is a big place, that shouldn’t discourage home shoppers from taking a look. Many of the homes are designed with the small family in mind. Most have plenty of bedrooms, storage, and decent sized yards for all those toys that seem to just grow everywhere. There are a few small lakes sprinkled throughout the development and if you keep your eyes open, you may find one of the waterfront homes in the neighborhood for sale!

Riverwoods

I have always been a fan of Riverwoods. In fact, my wife and I met with one of the builders a few times to discuss building a home in Riverwoods. However, the timing never seemed right for us. Riverwoods has some really neat homes. The styles of homes change with each section, yet the one consistency I have found in the homes is the quality of craftsmanship. Riverwoods has also expanded over the years and now offers homes bordering on the Cahaba River. If you are looking, these lots and homes are located towards the end of the main throughway.

Hillsboro

Hillsboro is one of the most recent Helena neighborhoods. Hillsboro offers some really well designed and beautiful homes. Hillsboro is reminiscent of traditional neighborhoods from years past. The homes have character and charm. It’s not uncommon to see flags and flowers in the front yards, kids playing, and neighbors chatting on the sidewalk. Don’t be surprised if someone gives a polite wave while you pass by either.

Helena Neighborhoods:

• Old Cahaba
• St Charles Place
• Riverwoods
• Hillsboro

Helena is a great place to consider if you are moving to the Birmingham area. If you like a small town atmosphere but want to be close to just about everything, Helena is definitely a place you want to visit. You’ll soon discover why Helena was voted one of the best cities in which to call home in the United States. If you would like to view a home for sale in Helena, simply contact us at 205-475-5437 or 205-612-8152!

Alabaster Homes for Sale

This Alabaster Home Tour is going to be fun! Alabaster is one of fastest growing real estate markets in the Birmingham area, and this tour is going to show you why!

Over the past few years, Alabaster has grown tremendously. New shopping centers, new restaurants, new city parks, have all increased the popularity of this Birmingham suburb.

Alabaster

Officially incorporated in 1953, Alabaster is part of an area of Shelby county with a storied and interesting history. The name is derived from the Alabaster Lime Company for it’s white calcium carbonate mineral. In fact, the owner of the Alabaster Lime Company could very well be the first neighborhood developer in the area! During the 1950’s he built homes to accommodate the workers at the lime quarry. Now-a-days, Alabaster in known for it’s new shopping centers, neighborhoods, and increasingly popular, City Fest! Although Alabaster’s history is quite interesting, we are here to focus on the current Alabaster and the available homes for sale in the area.

So, on with the tour!

Alabaster Homes

Alabaster is home to some truly fantatastic neighborhoods. Developments such as Grande View Estates and Forest Lakes are large planned communities. Where as Wisteria, The Grove, and Mountain View Lakes, are smaller niche neighborhoods with style-a-plenty! Neighborhoods like Scottsdale and Buck Creek have stood the test of time and offer the best of established neighborhoods. Saddle Lake Farms, while a little on the rural side, is an absolute must see for people looking in Alabaster!

Lake Forest

Lake Forest is located off Alabama HWY 17 on the west side of Alabaster. This neighborhood is fantastic. I remember touring this neighborhood a few years back one summer evening and have never forgotten the impression left upon me. I was taken by the community I observed which is so lacking in my, and many other, neighborhood(s). Neighbors were talking in their yards, children were riding bikes, others playing in front yards, and all paused to offer a friendly wave as we passed.

While the majority of Forest Lakes are resale opportunities, there are a few new construction homes and lots still available! Lake Forest is just one of those neighborhoods that offers residents plenty of reasons to stay and plant roots!

Grande View Estates

Grande View Estates is another neighborhood in Alabaster that is very popular. With spacious homes, walking trails, playgrounds, sporting areas, Grande View Estates has just about everything. Oh, and yes, there is quite the view from some of the homes on the ridge. I think one of the first things you will notice is the size of the homes. Without a doubt, the homes in Grande View Estates are some of the largest in the area! Comparable homes to these in other areas of Birmingham in regards to size usually carry a larger price tag! There is more “bang” for you buck in Alabaster than most other areas offering similar amenities.

Saddle Lake Farms

Ok, so you drive through an active quarry to get to Saddle Lake Farms. Yes, there is a good bit of country between Saddle Lake Farms and the Interstate. However, this neighborhood is a must see for anyone looking for a home with a little bit of room to expand. The homes in Saddle Lake Farms are big. The yards are big too. This is a community that is fond of equestrian activities and they have the stables out front to prove it. Yet, for someone that is looking for that country atmosphere close to the city, Saddle Lake Farms is hard to beat! Sure, you could go out and find a nice home in a rural area, but what makes Saddle Lake Farms unique is that rural feeling, maintained in a neighborhood setting.

Alabaster Neighborhoods:

• Lake Forest
• Grande View Estates
• Buck Creek
• Saddle Lake Farms

Alabaster is a great place to consider if you are moving to the Birmingham area. With the growth being experienced in this part of town, we can only expect great things! If you would like to view a home for sale in Alabaster, simply contact us at 205-475-5437 or 205-612-8152!

Homewood Alabama Homes

The area of Homewood for this particular home tour is the Edgewood and surrounding region. This area is loaded with an incredible diversity of homes, most of which are absolutely fantastic! Simply turn left of right off Oxmoor Road once in Homewood and you will be greeted by some beautiful homes!

I have always been especially fond of the older homes found in neighborhoods such as Edgewood. To me, these homes have a certain charm and personality that can’t be duplicated in new construction. Don’t get me wrong, new construction homes have incredible “up” sides too. However new neighborhoods take a few years to develop their charm whereas an older neighborhood’s (such as Edgewood) charm has evolved over some 25 years or more. Time is what gives Edgewood it’s flair and is truly what makes the difference between this area and new construction.

On with the tour!

Homewood Homes

There are many ways to get to this section of Homewood, however, since my trip included a stop at Sweet Pea’s Garden Shop, I came in form the North, via Linden Ave. (Edgewood is just moments away from the downtown shopping of Homewood). Immediately upon entering the neighborhood, I am finding myself saying things like: “Look at that one!”; “That’s a cute home.”; “I like that one!”‘…etc… Seriously, I usually can’t go two blocks without seeing a home that catches my fancy!

Edgewood

Techincally the entire area I visited isn’t “Edgewood”, however, since there is no real easy way to distinguish between the sections, I call it all Edgewood. And quite frankly, the whole area is full of great looking homes. You’ll find all types of homes too. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find two homes that are exactly the same. They may share a similar footprint, but each will have it’s own charm. So-much-so in fact, that some homes in this area of Homewood are on the Birmingham registry for historic homes!

Along with other areas of older homes, industrious persons have renovated or in extreme cases, completely rebuilt homes in this area. Even though these homes have been built new or are obviously “younger” than their neighbors they blend right into the style and character of the existing neighborhood.

See It to Believe It

Usually, after the first few comments regarding how appealing are the homes comes the comment regarding their less-than-mansion-size stature. Now, I know that for similar prices, you can find a five bedroom, four bath, finished basement, and more in certain areas of Birmingham. However, none of which will have the character of these homes, the great location, the sense of community, nor the charisma. Another thing I like to tell my buyers is that looking from the outside can be deceiving. However small the home may appear on the outside, inside there always seems to be just enough room to be comfortable for small family. If the home has been renovated, this becomes even more true as the remodeling may have removed walls or opened up closed spaces.

Family Oriented Area

This area of Homewood is very family friendly. There are a few well placed community parks open to area residents with all sorts of outdoor play equipment. On weekends during the summer months, Homewood offers movie nights in the park, free to all who want to sit on the grass and enjoy a movie. If that wasn’t enough, farmer’s markets, art festivals, and more take place throughout the year in Homewood and Edgewood is in the right spot to enjoy it all!

Hop, Skip, and a Jump

Living in Homewood, in particular Edgewood, can be very convienient. Persons in Edgewood have a simple the commute over the mountain to downtown Birmingham compared to those living in areas such as Hoover and Inverness. Shopping at the Galleria or the Summit is just a short drive down HWY 31 or HWY 280. Interstate access is just moments away and those needing to get to the airport can make the drive in less than twenty minutes. Yet, no matter how close everything is, Edgewood actually seems like a world away. That may sound weird, but you have to just see for yourself. Then you will understand!

Homewood Homes for Sale

Below is a link to homes for sale in the Edgewood subdivision of Homewood, Alabama.

• Edgewood Homes for Sale

If you would like to view a home for sale in Homewood, simply contact us at 205-475-5437 or 205-612-8152!

Bluff Park - Hoover Alabama

The region of Hoover known as Bluff Park is located in the Northwest section of Hoover, between HWY 31 & Shades Crest Road. This area of Hoover is a real eclectic mix of homes.

For the most part, the homes are those representative of the neighborhoods of my youth (ranch style homes with established landscaping and stoops ideal for enjoying a slice of watermelon on a summer’s day). What these older homes lack in size they make up in style! While you can find a true Americana home in Bluff Park, you can also find some newer homes sprinkled through the area. There are even a few small new construction neighborhoods in the area too. A few years back, people who loved the area but needed more space starting renovating the older homes in Bluff Park by modernizing and expanding the existing homes. If that was not feasible, then they simply replaced the older home with a newer home built upon the previous home’s footprint.

Bluff Park is located in a fantastic location.

Sandwiched between Hoover’s shopping district and Homewood makes Bluff Park an ideal location for persons needing to commute Over-the-Mountain yet still be in the heart of all that Hoover has to offer!

Bluff Park Homes

We started our Bluff Park Home tour and immediately found homes that caught our attention! The first of the homes was in a new-er subdivision, Polo Trace. These homes are beautiful, large, brick homes. Not quite the homes I had in mind when heading through the area, but they are impressive and definitely earned a top-5 spot on my list of homes in their price range. (View Homes for Sale in Polo Trace)

Leaving Polo Trace, we meandered our way through the area taking note of some very attractive and down right comfortable looking homes. Apparently the owners must feel the same way, I didn’t notice too many for sale on these streets! Therefore, we hit the main road again and found ourselves turning around after we passed Chapel Creek. (The first home pictured is from Chapel Creek).

Chapel Creek is recent / new construction. The homes in Chapel Creek are very appealing. Sort of a European farm-house look, but not-so-much. I know that is rather confusing, let me explain. When I look at these homes, with their large main home and attached garage, I recall visions of English country homes, rose gardens, and climbing vines of ivy. Which to me, makes these homes very interesting. Now Chapel Creek is not the only area with this style of home, yet they are the only ones like this in Bluff Park that I found! There are established homes and new construction available. I would feel very confident showing these homes to potential buyers. They are that nice! However, this is a tour of the area, so onward we pressed.

Bluff Park

I am referring to this section of Bluff Park as “Bluff Park - Proper”. Mainly due to the fact that when I think of Bluff Park homes, these are the homes that come to mind. The homes in this section of Bluff Park are loaded with character! Each home is different. Each home has charisma. Each home offers something unique. There are few areas in the Birmingham area that have this atmosphere (Homewood’s Edgewood area, Hollywood in Mountain Brook come to mind). Now, some of the homes need some major TLC, some just a touch, while others have been completely remodeled. Which to me means that Bluff Park has a home for just about anybody!

There is a nice sense of community in Bluff Park. Along South Shades Crest Rd, you’ll find a few local hot spots, including the Tip Top Grill. This little restaurant has great food to go along with the great views overlooking the Oxmoor Valley. Quaint specialty provide Bluff Park residents with goods and services in a “get-to-know-you-manner”.

The Bluff Park region of Hoover is a fantastic area. Anyone considering a move to Hoover owes it to themselves to check out this part of town. Believe me, I don’t think you will leave disappointed!

Bluff Park Neighborhoods

The neighborhoods visited this trip

• Polo Trace
• Chapel Creek
• Bluff Park

If you would like to view a home for sale in Bluff Park, simply contact us at 205-475-5437 or 205-612-8152!

Today in the Birmingham MLS there are 14 new foreclosures! For me, there are only a few of the foreclosures that I would want to investigate further.

They are:
1. 3454 Hampton Court #62, Trussville, Alabama
2. 1932 Valewood Circle, Hoover, Alabama
3. 727 Forest Lakes Drive, Sterrett, Alabama
4. 1166 Alford Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama

If you have any questions regarding these homes, please feel free to contact The Birmingham Real Estate Pros team directly at 205-475-5437!

The action is definitely starting to pick up here in Birmingham. For example, today we showed homes near Chelsea, Sylacauga, Downtown Birmingham, Pelham, and Alabaster. Overall, it was just a real busy day for home shoppers! Very surprising too, since this is Talladega race weekend.
Hopefully, this is a taste of things to come, and people looking to sell or buy real estate will be able to get together on some deals to get the market rolling again!

This may be a short post today, but seeing how we have been running around today like crazy showing homes and writing contracts, I think it is ok… just this once.

Nice to be back and running again in the real estate business!

Xeriscaping is a landscaping term that is used to describe creating a landscape design that has low impact on the environment.  Often used in areas that do not have available fresh water, xeriscaping is becoming more popular in places such as Birmingham Alabama as ways to conserve resources.

Xeriscaping Benefits Include:

• Lower water bills
• Less mowing
• Lower maintenance
• Plants tend to survive local environmental fluctuations better than non-native species
• Native habitat for native species of bees, birds, animals, and insects
• Great looking yard (increased curb appeal for those selling a home..)
• Jealous neighbors

Water restrictions have not been needed thus far this summer, but recall 2006 and 2007.
 Both those summers were excessively dry and water restrictions were enforced throughout the Birmingham area.  In fact, in 2006 after watching most of my garden succumb to the drought conditions, I vowed to create a garden that would require as little water (and maintenance for that matter) as possible.  Enter xeriscaping.

After researching xeriscaping, I discovered that one principle of xeriscaping is to incorporate native plants into your landscaping.  One reason is that local, native plants are used to the conditions, such as soil and weather, and often times require less water than non-native species.  Also by planting native plants along with non-native species from similar climates, that share similar watering needs in zones, referred to as hydrozones, I could reduce water usage by grouping plants that need more water together and vice-versa. 

Taking my new found knowledge with me to my local nursery, I inundated the owner with question after question regarding local flowers, shrubs, and trees.  Once satisfied that I had the basics down, I created a plan for my new xeriscaped garden and returned a few weeks later to the nursery to get the ball rolling.  I selected native plants and trees and planted them in their respective hydrozones.

In 2007, when water restrictions returned, I was ready.  Since the plantings were still relatively new, some of them struggled through the hottest days of July and August.  But by creating the hydrozones, I was able to completely water my gardens and not use more water than allowed.  Also, by using Tree Bags filled with captured rain water around the base of the trees, my newly planted trees continued to thrive while having zero impact on my water bill.

What Did I do?

• Planted native species of plants, shrubs, and trees
• Created Hydrozones of plants with similar watering needs
• Piled on the mulch
• Captured rain water to fill tree bags for watering my newly planted trees

Really, it is pretty simple stuff.

Now in 2008, I must admit that I am enjoying the benefits of my xeriscaped yard more than ever.  In fact, this summer, I have not had to drag my sprinkler around the yard yet!  In fact, my water bill is down over 20% from 2007 and 35% from 2006.  What am I doing with my new found riches?  I am saving up for roof-top solar panels, but that is another story.
 

Birmingham Alabama Home Sales on the Rise

The Alabama Center for Real Estate has released the numbers for May 2008. The ACRE calculates the number of home sales reported then compares those numbers to those of the previous month and year.

Let’s start with the good news:
For May 2008 Birmingham Homes sold rose 10.66% over homes sold in April 2008.

Overall though, when compared to May 2007, home sales dropped an astounding 30.45%! So for those thinking that the housing slump had bypassed Birmingham, the numbers indicate something different. The year to date numbers are down from 2007 by 26.25%. Now, until we see the numbers for June, we won’t be able to make any predictions on whether or not the housing market has turned up or not. Home sales in Birmingham do tend to pick up in the early part of the summer, so I do expect better numbers in June and July, but I am not sure how they will compare to 2007. My first inclination is that they will be down in the 20% range.

What does this mean to a person shopping for Birmingham Alabama real estate?

If you are selling your home, make sure it is ready to show. If you are buying a home, make a list of things that you want in a home. With the amount of homes for sale in the Birmingham real estate market, it will help you sort through all the homes for sale to locate exactly what you are looking to purchase.