Liberty Park Lifestyle offers insights about the Liberty Park real estate market drawing on Mike and Hayden Wald's three decades of experience as Vestavia's most trusted real estate experts. Get updates on the market, coming soon listings, pricing trends, recently sold listings, staging and listing techniques, marketing strategy, home buying strategies, and much more.

Is the Stock Market Rally Affecting Over-the-Mountain Home Prices?

Tuesday Note: Lessons from helping more than 1,800 families

One question Hayden and I keep coming back to lately: is the stock market rally quietly reshaping the over-the-mountain housing market? We think the answer is yes — and we're seeing it most clearly in Mountain Brook, Vestavia, and parts of North Shelby, especially when a truly special property comes along.

Most homes in our market are still selling within a few percent of asking. That's normal in a competitive market with limited inventory. But almost every week, we see something very different. A trophy property hits the market, and the final number is dramatically higher than expected.

Not 5% over list. Sometimes…

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Are Pools Really a Bad Investment?
Tuesday Note:

Lessons from helping more than 1,800 families
 

For years, homeowners have been told that swimming pools are a poor investment. They're expensive. They're hard to maintain. They'll make your house harder to sell.

But after 40+ combined years of helping families buy and sell over the mountain, Hayden and I think the real lesson is much bigger than pools.

A few years ago, I was showing one of our listings with a beautiful backyard pool. The buyers liked the house, but they told me they planned to factor the cost of filling in the pool into their offer. I told them I'd be happy to write it up — but I suspected someone who was excited about that pool would probably outbid them.

That's exactly what…

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Five Reasons Why Now Is the Perfect Time for Empty Nesters to Downsize


Strong Seller's Market: The real estate markets in Hoover, Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia still favor sellers. With limited housing inventory and soaring demand, you can expect competitive offers for your home. Bidding wars for homes in good condition and priced appropriately are still the norm, driving up sale prices. Steady Property Values: Home values in these areas have been on a consistent upward trajectory over the years. If you've owned your home for a while, it has likely gained substantial value. Selling now allows you to capitalize on this equity, especially as experts predict a potential slowdown in price increases. Optimal Downsizing…

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Imagine coming home to this breathtaking view every evening!

Tucked into the gated community of Old Overton on 1.4 acres, this stunning estate offers the perfect blend of open plan living with modern elegance. Floor to ceiling windows drown the space in natural light and allow you to take in the breathtaking views. Top of the line chefs kitchen offers an oversized island, gas cooktop and so much space for gatherings with friends or family. Primary suite boasts a beautiful ensuite and private dressing room. Handsome office with wood paneling and built-ins. Fully finished basement features, full bath, wet bar and additional living spaces great for movie or game nights, entertaining or even a home gym. Sip your coffee while overlooking the Cahaba and…

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Found the Perfect House? How to Write a Winning Offer and Not Regret it!

 

You've found the perfect house! There's only one problem- you're not alone! Great homes, priced right, attract crowds of buyers in this crazy market. So, what's the secret to writing a successful offer? Experience helping hundreds of buyers successfully write winning contracts has shown us that there are four critical steps to writing an offer with the best chance of winning. Deciding How Much to Offer is the decision that generally carries the most weight with sellers. The strategy we will share here is designed to help you write the appropriate offer that gives you your best chance of winning while minimizing the risk you'll suffer from buyer's remorse after the sellers…

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First 90 Days Update: Over the Mountain Volume is Down, Prices Up

The Over the Mountain real estate market is sending mixed signals, but by historical standards it's still a Seller's market. Sales volume is down 27%. Prices are up 7.8% and Days on Market increased from 3 days during the first 3 months of last year to 4 days, this year.

First 90 Days of 2022

950 homes sold with median days on the market of 3

Average list-to-sales price 101.8%

Average sold price $492,553

First 90 days of 2023

690 homes sold with median days on the market of 5

Average list-to-sales price 99.96%

Average sold price $531,084

During the first 90 days of 2022, 260 more over-the-mountain homes were sold than during the first 90 days of this year.…

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If you're considering downsizing to a new home, one that better suits your lifestyle, this could be the best year yet to make it happen! Here are 6 compelling reasons the timing may never be better.

Reason #1:  Your current home is probably worth much more than you think! Over-the-mountain homes are selling at historic highs. You might be surprised how much your home is worth in today's market. While most economists don't believe we're in a housing bubble that will lead to a crash in prices, most economists predict that the rate of increase in home prices is going to slow. So, selling your home this year will likely generate some pretty impressive gains. With that in mind, this could be the perfect time to sell.

Reason #2: Unlock the profits…

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If your search for the perfect house depends on being in a certain school zone, we've got you covered! The following is a step by step guide on how to search for listings that are zoned for a particular school.

Step 1. Here's a screenshot of our home page at www.FindThePerfectHouse.com. To start your search, click the navigation link at the top of the home page that says "SEARCH HOMES."

Step 2. You'll see a box open and you'll want to click on the link that says, "FIND THE PERFECT HOUSE." 

Step 3. Next you'll want to click the green button that says, "Filters."

Step 4. You can search by Elementary School or by High School. Just type in the name of the school you prefer. In this example, we're searching for homes zoned for Dolly…

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Clients that are concerned about the increasing price of residential real estate, often ask us if we are in the midst of a market bubble. Although the increase in home prices is exceeding the historical average, there is no indication that we are in an artificially inflated market that is on the verge of collapsing. If you want to sound really smart around your friends, or you're an economics nerd like us, we think you will really enjoy the attached article. This article will walk you through six different real estate metrics that show the 2021 real estate market is nothing like the early 2000's bubble market leading up to the crash. Remember the blockbuster movie The Big Short? Financial experts predicted and took advantage of the housing bubble,…

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Liberty Park has been a popular Vestavia neighborhood for about 25 years. The Bray, its newest section, could be the final piece of the puzzle that makes it a truly special place to live, work, study, and play...all in one community. 

Stunning estate in the desirable and gated Club Ridge Community of Liberty Park. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms this grand home offers a formal living and dining room, large eat-in kitchen with center island and ample cabinet space. The sizable laundry room offers plenty of storage space and mop sink. Primary suite boasts a sitting area and a hotel worthy ensuite with double vanities, jetted tub, and separate shower. Outdoor living is easy whether you're looking to entertain or relax, you have options with…

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