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Mountain Brook Real Estate Homes Sales Are Down – But What About Where You Live? Part 4

Posted on December 4, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

Mountain Brook, Alabama -As we spoke about in our last post, Birmingham AL Home Sales Are Down in Jefferson and Shelby Counties – But What About Where You Live? We have been looking on the Birmingham MLS and were checking sales statistics, and while we knew sales were down this year, we weren’t sure exactly how much. So we decided to look at the stats. This is what prompted the first post, but researching this brought about another question,

“What About Where You Live?”

It was this question that is bringing about the rest of these posts addressing that question. So, in our first post we started by looking at the big picture with Jefferson County and Shelby County because most of the local sales are happening in these counties. Now that we have looked at these, we will break it down even further into cities and then later subdivisions.

Let’s have a look this time in Mountain Brook Alabama which is in Jefferson County.

According to this chart, sales of conventional single family Mountain Brook homes are not down since last year but not in every single price point. Mountain Brook actually has seven areas which experienced an increase and nine areas which suffered a decrease. The price points where sales have been higher this year have been in Mountain Brook AL homes priced $250,000-$399,999 which went from 51 to 67 home sales resulting in a 23.88% increase in sales. The $450,000-$549,999, $600,000-$699,999, and $900,000-$999,999 also made increases as well going from a combined 56 to 79 sales with a 29.11% increase. Most of the drops in percentage and numbers were in the $1,000,000 plus range which went from 35 to 13 sales with a 62.86% reduction in sales.

Not noted in the chart, but still relevant, during this same time frame in 2008 there were 517 Mountain Brook homes were listed for sale at an average price of $763,642 and in 2009 there were 525 homes were listed for sale (a 1.52% increase) at an average price of $743,596 (a 2.63% decrease). Also, in 2008 there were 207 Mountain Brook AL homes sold at an average price of $672,620 with an average of 84 days on market. In 2009 there were 208 homes sold (a less than 1% increase) at an average price of $559,838 (a 16.77% reduction) with an average of 96 days on market (a 12.5% increase).

Now for the comparison, how does Mountain Brook Real Estate lineup with Jefferson County as whole:

Jefferson County home sales were down 15.10%
Mountain Brook home sales remained the same
The number of homes listed in Jefferson County was down 16.51%
The number of Mountain Brook AL Homes listed was up 1.52%
The average list price in Jefferson County was up less than 1%
The average list price for Mountain Brook Alabama Real Estate was down 2.63%
The number of homes sold in Jefferson County was down 14.93%
The number of Mountain Brook AL Homes sold was up less than 1%
The average sold price in Jefferson County was down 7.82%
The average sold price in Mountain Brook was down 16.77%
The days on market for Jefferson County homes sold was up 12.75%
The days on market for Mountain Brook AL homes sold was up 12.5%

Mountain Brook faired better in 4 of the 6 areas.

Percentage of home sales
Percentage of homes listed
Average Days on Market
Number of homes sold

Jefferson County faired better in 2 of the 6 areas.

Average sold price
Average list price

Again, and I will note this in every post, before I go any further in this Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Statistics Series, that I do recognize that every market is different. The data shown here will expose that fact. I think the data here will also expose that even locally there are differences in the data. My hopes with this series are to show how even though a county can be at one level, a city can be at another level, and a subdivision can be at even another level. We feel like it is important when starting the process of selling or buying Birmingham AL Homes for Sale that you know the truth about what is really happening in the market.

(Please note that all the stats represented here are based on comparative date between January-November 2008 vs 2009)

Vestavia Homes Sales Are Down – But What About Where You Live? Part 3

Posted on December 3, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

Vestavia Hills, Alabama – As we spoke about in our last post, Birmingham AL Home Sales Are Down in Jefferson and Shelby Counties – But What About Where You Live? We have been looking on the Birmingham MLS and were checking sales statistics, and while we knew sales were down this year, we weren’t sure exactly how much. So we decided to look at the stats. This is what prompted the first post, but researching this brought about another question,

“What About Where You Live?”

Let’s begin this third post, with a look at Vestavia Alabama which is in Jefferson County.

According to this chart, sales of conventional single family Vestavia homes in are down 8.89% since last year but not in every single price point. Vestavia actually has five areas who experienced an increase and ten areas which suffered a decrease. The price points where sales have been higher this year have been in Vestavia AL homes priced $0-$249,999 which went from 87 to 112 home sales resulting in a 22.32% increase in sales, the $450,000-$499,999 which went from 22 to 24 sales with a 9.09%. Most of the drops in percentage and numbers were in the $500,000 plus range which went from 105 to 70 sales with a 33.33% reduction in sales.

Not noted in the chart, but still relevant, during this same time frame in 2008 there were 852 Vestavia AL homes were listed for sale at an average price of $474,465 and in 2009 there were 764 homes were listed for sale (a 10.33% reduction) at an average price of $480,702 (a 1.3% increase). Also, in 2008 there were 371 Vestavia AL homes sold at an average price of $415,562 with an average of 84 days on market. In 2009 there were 334 homes sold (a 9.97% reduction) at an average price of $372,033 (a 10.47% reduction) with an average of 108 days on market (a 22.22% increase).

Now for the comparison, how does Vestavia lineup with Jefferson County as whole:

Jefferson County home sales were down 15.10%
Vestavia home sales were down 8.89%
The number of homes listed in Jefferson County was down 16.51%
The number of Vestavia AL Homes listed was down 10.33%
The average list price in Jefferson County was up less than 1%
The average list price for Vestavia Alabama Real Estate was up 1.33%
The number of homes sold in Jefferson County was down 14.93%
The number of Vestavia AL Homes sold was down 9.97%
The average sold price in Jefferson County was down 7.82%
The average sold price in Vestavia was down 10.47%
The days on market for Jefferson County homes sold was up 12.75%
The days on market for Vestavia AL homes sold was up 22.22%

Vestavia faired better in 4 of the 6 areas.

Percentage of home sales
Percentage of homes listed
Average List Price
Number of homes sold

Jefferson County faired better in 2 of the 6 areas.

Days on Market
Average sold price

(Please note that all the stats represented here are based on comparative date between January-November 2008 vs 2009)

Homewood Alabama Real Estate Home Sales Are Down – But What About Where You Live? Part 2

Posted on December 2, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

Homewood, Alabama – As we spoke about in our first post, Birmingham AL Home Sales Are Down in Jefferson and Shelby Counties – But What About Where You Live? We have been looking on the Birmingham MLS and were checking sales statistics, and while we knew sales were down this year, we weren’t sure exactly how much. So we decided to look at the stats. This is what prompted the first post, but researching this brought about another question,

“What About Where You Live?”

Let’s begin first, with a look at Homewood Alabama which is in Jefferson County.

According to this chart, sales of conventional single family Homewood AL homes are down 10.13% since last year but not in every single price point. Homewood actually has six areas who experienced an increase and eight areas which suffered a decrease. The price points where sales have been higher this year have been in Homewood AL homes priced $0-$199,999 which went from 70 to 81 home sales resulting in a 13.58% increase in sales, the $250,000-$299,999 which went from 45 to 48 home sales with a 6.66% increase, the $500,000-$549,999 which went from 7 to 9 sales with a 28.57% increase and $600,000-$699,999 which went from 5 to 8 sales with a 60% increase. While there were greater percentage drops in the $700,000 plus range, the actual numbers drop were greatest in the $300,000-$499,999 ranges which went from 67 to 42 sales with a 37.31% reduction in sales.

Not noted in the chart, but still relevant, during this same time frame in 2008 there were 714 Homewood AL homes were listed for sale at an average price of $331,597 and in 2009 there were 608 homes were listed for sale (a 14.85% reduction) at an average price of $318,222 (a 4.03% decrease). Also, in 2008 there were 285 Homewood AL homes sold at an average price of $286,911 with an average of 87 days on market. In 2009 there were 257 homes sold (a 9.82% reduction) at an average price of $273,472 (a 5.03% reduction) with an average of 113 days on market (a 23.01% increase).

Now for the comparison, how does Homewood lineup with Jefferson County as whole:

Jefferson County home sales were down 15.10%
Homewood home sales were down 10.13%
The number of homes listed in Jefferson County was down 16.51%
The number of Homewood AL Homes listed was down 14.85%
The average list price in Jefferson County was up less than 1%
The average list price for Homewood Alabama Real Estate was down 4.03%
The number of homes sold in Jefferson County was down 14.93%
The number of Homewood AL Homes sold was down 9.82%
The average sold price in Jefferson County was down 7.82%
The average sold price in Homewood was down 5.03%
The days on market for Jefferson County homes sold was up 12.75%
The days on market for Homewood AL homes sold was up 23.01%

Homewood faired better in 4 of the 6 areas.

Percentage of home sales
Percentage of homes listed
Number of homes sold
Average sold price

Jefferson County faired better in 2 of the 6 areas.

Days on Market
Average list price

(Please note that all the stats represented here are based on comparative date between January-November 2008 vs 2009)

Birmingham AL Home Sales Are Down in Jefferson and Shelby Counties – But What About Where You Live?

Posted on December 1, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

Birmingham, Alabama – I was looking on the Birmingham MLS this week and was checking sales statistics. While I knew sales were down this year, I wasn’t sure exactly how much. So I decided to look at the stats. (Please note that all the stats represented here are based on comparative date between January-November 2008 vs 2009)

First, I thought I would start by looking at the big picture so I started with Jefferson County and Shelby County. Most of the local sales are happening in these counties, so I thought I might focus on them. After we look at these, I will break it down even further into cities and then subdivisions.

Let’s begin this with a look at Jefferson County.

According to this chart, sales of conventional single family homes in Jefferson County are down 15.10% since last year in every single price point, but one. The only price point where sales have been higher this year have been in Birmingham homes priced $900,000-$999,999 which went from 15 to 22 home sale resulting in a 46.66% increase in sales. My guess is some of those homes that were priced in the million dollar plus range had a drop in price thus making some deals for those who could afford them. I base that guess seeing that the homes priced in the three price ranges one million plus had the greatest percentage drop in sales from 58 to 21 home sales actually totaling a 63.79% drop. The three price ranges that seemed the least affected, other than the one which made an increase, were Birmingham AL homes that sold for $400,000-$449,999 from 100 to 92 home sales with an 8% drop, $0 – $99,999 from 2,852 to 2,576 home sales with a 9.67% drop, and $800,000-$899,999 from 17 to 15 home sales with an 11.76% drop.

Not noted in the chart, but still relevant, during this same time frame in 2008 there were 16,122 Birmingham AL homes were listed for sale at an average price of $200,023 and in 2009 there were 13,460 homes were listed for sale (a 16.51% reduction) at an average price of $200,789 (less than a 1% increase). Also, in 2008 there were 7,274 Birmingham AL homes sold at an average price of $174,648 with an average of 89 days on market. In 2009 there were 6,188 homes sold (a 14.93% reduction) at an average price of $160,987 (a 7.82% reduction) with an average of 102 days on market (a 12.75% increase).

Next, let’s look at Shelby County.

According to this chart, sales of conventional single family homes in Shelby County are down 14.44% since last year in every single price point, but two. The two price points where sales have been higher this year have been in Shelby County homes priced $0-$99,999 from 92 to 144 home sales with a 56.52% increase and $100,000-$149,999 from 592 to 642 home sales with an increase of 8.44%. Similarly to Jefferson County, the homes priced in the three price ranges one million plus as well as $900,000-$999,999 (unlike Jefferson) had the four biggest drops in sales from 30 to 5 home sales which, based on percentages, actually totals an 83.33% drop. The three price ranges that seemed the least affected, other than the two which made an increase, were Shelby County AL homes that sold for $150,000-$199,999 from 688 to 582 home sales with an 15.4% drop, $700,000 – $799,999 from 11 to 9 home sales with a 18.18% drop, and $250,000-$299,999 from 273 to 212 home sales with an 22.34% drop.

Again, not noted in the chart, but still relevant, during this same time frame in 2008 there were 5,690 Shelby County homes were listed for sale at an average price of $279,350 and in 2009 there were 4,897 homes were listed for sale (a 13.94% reduction) at an average price of $279,499 (less than a 1% increase). Also, in 2008 there were 2,654 Shelby County homes sold at an average price of $244,823 with an average of 83 days on market. In 2009 there were 2,281 homes sold (a 14.05% reduction) at an average price of $212,686 (a 13.13% reduction) with an average of 111 days on market (a 25.23% increase).

Let me note before I go any further in this Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Statistics Series, that I do recognize that every market is different. The data shown here will expose that fact. I think the data here will also expose that even locally there are differences in the data. My hopes with this series are to show how even though a county can be at one level, a city can be at another level, and a subdivision can be at even another level. We feel like it is important when starting the process of selling or buying Birmingham AL Homes for Sale that you know the truth about what is really happening in the market.

The Cotswolds

Posted on November 18, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

The Cotswolds is a subdivision located behind Vestavia’s Liberty Park Subdivision. While it benefits from such a convenient location, it is, however, currently zoned either Birmingham City or Jefferson County depending on which side you choose. For 2009, thus far, 26 homes have sold there at an average price of $282,364. Thirty-nine homes have been listed there this year at an average price of $292,039. Some of those sold were listed in 2008. Nine listings have been taken off the market. Currently, there are 24 active listings there at an average price of $281,151. If cuurent conditions and averages hold true, it should take between 9-11 months to see that many listings there.

This morning I had the opportunity to show homes in The Cotswolds. Below you can see a couple of pictures I took there with my iPhone.

Filed under: Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Buyer and Seller Tips and News, Birmingham Alabama Real Estate Homes for Sale | Tagged: birmingham al homes for sale, birmingham alabama real estate, cotswolds homes for sale | Leave a Comment »

Halloween Safety

Posted on October 30, 2009 by livingingreaterbirmingham

We published this article a couple of years ago, but thought it was worth revisiting.

Halloween can be a fun time for all of us with families, but like all else. We need to make sure we are doing the things to make sure it is safe and fun.

I found this website, Halloween Safety Guide, while doing some searches on Halloween Safety and thought it would be a benefit to us all.

On the site t hey outlined safety tips for kids, parents, pets, parties, costumes, and yard haunts. Some of the tips they gave were:

“Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.”
“The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them, see if another parent or a teen aged sibling can go along.”
“To keep things moving for either an adult party or child’s party, make sure that you have some games, like a scavenger hunt or a murder mystery planned in advance.”
“Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.”
“When building your haunt, make sure that the walk ways are far enough away from things so that people can’t trip over them or hurt themselves. This also is good for you, this means that your visitors won’t be able to ruin your props and sets. Some people just have to vandalize at this time of year and ruin it for others.”
“If you are going to dress your pet in a costume, keep in mind that unless the dog or cat is extremely receptive to this kind of thing, you could be causing it discomfort and stress. Some animals don’t mind at all but others do not want to be bothered with this kind of thing. They’ll be under enough stress with the festivities going on outside and people at the door constantly so don’t cause them any more nervousness then you have to. You may love to dress in costume but then, you aren’t a dog or a cat.”

These were just some of the tips they listed. It would be a good idea for anyone participating to check out all the lists themselves! It is Halloween Safety Guide.

Let’s make sure our memories are a treat and not a haunting and frightening remembrance!

See the others in the series!

Getting Ready for Halloween – Outdoor Halloween Decorations

Getting Ready for Halloween – Making A Spooky Halloween Wreath

Getting Ready for Halloween – Kid Friendly Party Invitations

Getting Ready for Halloween – Carve That Pumpkin

Getting Ready for Halloween – Preparing for Your Haunted House

Getting Ready for Halloween – Party Games

Getting Ready for Halloween – Creative Halloween Decorations

Getting Ready for Halloween – Halloween Safety

Filed under: Just For Fun | Tagged: halloween, halloween safety | 1 Comment »