Riverchase Living offers insightful stories about the Riverchase real estate market drawing on Mike and Hayden Wald's three decades of experience as two of Hoover's most trusted real estate experts. Get updates on the market, coming soon listings, pricing trends, recently sold listings, staging and listing techniques, marketing strategies, 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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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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First 60 Days: The Market's Still Strong! 

      

There are interesting comparisons for the over-the-mountain housing market during the first 60 days of 2022 and 2023. The most important finding is that it's still a seller's market despite the increase in mortgage rates.

2022

534 homes sold with median days on the market of 3

Average list-to-sales price 101.2%

Average sold price $484,819

2023

380 homes sold with median days on the market of 5

Average list-to-sales price 99.27%

Average sold price $528,102

During the first 60 days of 2022, 154 more over-the-mountain homes were sold than during the first 60 days of this year. That's a 29% drop in unit volume. However, the average sales price for homes sold this year was 8.9%…

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JUST SOLD! Multiple Offers, Well Over Asking in Riverchase

Just Sold! 1006 Lake Point Lane

Listed for $399,900 and after receiving multiple offers, it sold for $428,630!

Perfectly situated in a private cul-de-sac, this beautiful home in the Lake Point Estates Neighborhood of Riverchase offers a spacious floor plan, ample natural light, and gleaming hardwood floors. Large living area features floor to ceiling windows, recessed lighting and marble fireplace. Entertaining and gatherings with friends will be a pleasure in the large open kitchen that boasts granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, large center island with cooktop, and breakfast nook. Upstairs offers 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, including the large primary suite with tray…

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JUST SOLD! Multiple Offers, Well Over Asking in Riverchase

Listed for $399,900, Sold for $431,000 in just two days!

Tucked away in the beautiful Baneberry neighborhood of Riverchase this traditional and spacious home offers beautiful hardwood floors throughout the main level, large open kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, ample cabinet space for storage, eat-in area, large center island and an easy flow through to the living area making entertaining friends and family a breeze. Primary bedroom boasts luxury ensuite with his and her vanities, oversized jetted tub, and separate tile shower. Finished basement provides a wet bar, and versatile space great for game or movie nights. Enjoy relaxing outside on the covered back deck overlooking the…

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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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