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MAY 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
IMPACT OF NAR LAWSUIT? LIST BIRMINGHAM WILL THRIVE!
Birmingham Market Statistics First Quarter of 2023 compared to 2024
Market Summary: • Overall, inventory is stabilizing and remained flat
Home Sold 2024
2024 Median Price
2023 Days on Market 2024
Area
2023
Change
2023
Change
• Home prices continue to rise — up 15% over last year
Homewood
47 35 -25.53% $445,000 $525,000 17.98% 18 55 65 18.18% $930,000 $1,099,900 18.27% 21 80 117 46.25% $545,500 $590,000 8.16% 20 188 167 -11.17% $475,000 $565,564 19.07% 20
33 31 28 22 28 28
Mt. Brook
• Days on market is up by about a week
Vestavia
Hoover High
• Days on market data is
Spain Park High 85 80 -5.88% $412,000 $454,450 10.30% 32
misleading: 60% of homes sell in a week or less; 40% of homes sell in about 80 days for an average of 28 days.
Average
2478 2488 0.40%
14.75% 22
For traditional commission companies, I doubt much will change except there will be more paperwork. The real question is, will there be a change in the marketplace? Traditional commission companies will continue to tell home sellers that they have to pay a buyer agent commission for the broadest market exposure, and they will tell buyers that sellers will pay the commission for buyer agents. For a more in-depth discussion on this topic, feel free to contact me. LIST Birmingham is still exploring how we will respond to these changes, and we would love your feedback. To the left is Bram at Greystone Golf & Country Club with fellow members and PGA tour players Sepp Straka and Nick Dunlap. Nick is 20 years old and is holding the U.S. Amateur Trophy he just won. Previous winners you might know: Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods (3x), Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. Bram is a Junior Member at Greystone. Jill and I are not members. I make the distinction because I do not want to be accused of being a member of a country club, and I agree with Groucho Marx: “I refuse to join any club whose standards would be so low as to allow me to be a member.” Haha.
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Real Estate Commission Lawsuit: I am sure you have heard that there will be major changes in real estate commissions based on the NAR’s proposed settlement of a lawsuit brought by home sellers in Missouri. Quick summary:
• Home prices will not drop because of this.
• Home sellers MAY save money on Realtor fees because they MAY NOT pay a buyer agent commission. • Homebuyers MAY have to pay some or all of the commission for their buyer agent.
–Melvin Upchurch
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Branch Boundaries The Rules on Trimming Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree
7 GOLDEN RULES
For a Streamlined Living Space
We accumulate a lot of stuff as we go through life, and it can pile up quickly. For practical and safety reasons, it’s good to reduce the clutter. If you aren’t sure what to keep, try following these seven rules for decluttering your home. 1. The House Fire Rule: If you’re organizing your belongings and unsure if you should throw something away, ask yourself, “If it burned away in a fire, would I care?” If you wouldn’t mind, you probably wouldn’t mind throwing it out. 2. The 20/20 Rule: Many people keep too much stuff “just in case” they might need it later. Consider giving away the things that cost under $20 and would take less than 20 minutes to replace. 3. The Box Rule: If you’re going through your stuff and feel overwhelmed, put it all in a box and store it in your garage or basement. After six months, scan the box and donate everything you don’t need. 4. The Investment Rule: Memories are more important than objects. A trip to the movies with a friend is always more fun than a new T-shirt. So, be proactive about decluttering by buying more experiences with loved ones instead of more things.
We’ve all been there. A branch looms over your yard, threatening your property. It can do all sorts of damage if it breaks off from drought or a storm. You’d like to trim it to ensure the safety of your home and garden, but the branch belongs to a neighbor’s tree. What do you do? Who is liable? If the tree hangs over your property, you can trim it to the boundary line. If you cut anywhere past the line, you’re liable for damages. You also must ensure you don’t harm the tree — you may incur damages if you do so. You can accidentally harm a tree in many ways, so it might pay to hire a professional. If you destroy the neighbor’s tree, you may be fined triple its worth. This can amount to thousands of dollars; if it is a heritage, ornamental, or otherwise fancy tree, you may owe tens of thousands. Be careful when trimming, and beware of the tree’s roots when gardening. You should communicate with your neighbors if you have any concerns and ensure they’re informed before you start trimming. What if the branch falls? When the worst happens and a tree falls on your property, who’s liable then? The answer is a little more complicated. The owner isn’t responsible if their tree is alive, even if its branches and roots damage the surrounding houses. You have to pay for any damage that a living tree causes. If the tree is dead, however, the owner is liable and will have to compensate you if their tree falls on your property. It’s not always clear that a tree is dead, though. If a tree shows apparent signs of decay like rot or disease, owners must adhere to a “reasonable care standard” to protect their neighbors. Tree law and liability are nuanced. There are exceptions to almost every rule, varying from state to state. Contact an attorney if you need help navigating the branches of tree law.
5. The Home Rule: Everything you own should have a home. It could be a drawer, a room, or a designated spot on the counter. If it doesn’t have a place in your house and is just being stored, get rid of it. 6. The Other People Rule: When buying something, consider why you’re making the purchase. Is it for you or someone else?
For example, a new phone might have better specs, but is it worth the money? And if you’re buying for someone else, consider if it’s something they really need. 7. The 90% Rule: Love everything you own; only own your favorite things. Whether buying new things or decluttering, only save things that bring you joy at least 90% of the time. Remember, you own your things — they don’t own you. Don’t be afraid to give or throw away what you don’t need. If you follow these rules and declutter your home, you can free yourself from the burden of junk.
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YOUR 4-WEEK SPRING-CLEANING CALENDAR
Spring-cleaning can be overwhelming. From the kitchen counter to the ceiling fan, there’s a lot of ground to cover. But there’s a trick to make it easier: Break down the work into quick, doable tasks spread over four weeks.
down the countertops and the cabinets. Clean out the microwave and wipe down any other countertop appliances. Congratulations, week two is over!
Week 3: The Bathroom You’ll want to begin by removing the grime from the showerhead and sanitizing the curtain. The curtain can be scrubbed and air- dried in the sun. Then clean and sanitize the shower and sink. Shine the fixtures, too. For the toilets, get under the rim with a toilet brush and give the much-ignored back some love, too. Now that the toilet’s shining, it is the perfect opportunity to get the floor. Take a little extra time to get the baseboards.
Week 1: The Living Room The start of every journey begins with a single step, and that step is acquiring and prepping supplies. Wash out buckets, empty vacuum bags, throw microfiber cloths in the wash, clean mops, and shake out brooms.
Next, it’s time to clean the light fixtures. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dust and debris. Then dunk the cloth in soapy water, wring it out, and scrub the light fixture covering the bulb until it shines — just make sure you turn the lights off first. Once you’ve finished the lights, head to the bookshelves. Dust the tops and wipe down the sides. Make sure to wipe down any pictures or framed art on the wall. Lastly, move the furniture and vacuum underneath. Week 2: The Kitchen Clean the dishwasher filter first. Devote the next two days to getting the stove to sparkle, including ridding the vent of grease. Wipe
Week 4: The Bedroom Clean the bedrooms from top to bottom. Wash your pillows and air-dry them. Bedroom ceiling fans can build up a lot of gunk over the winter. Clean them by pulling a pillowcase around the blades and pulling them back. Next, polish any wood furniture. Thoroughly clean the windows with glass cleaner or a homemade mixture of vinegar and water, and remember to clean the window tracks. Lastly, test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
HEARTY LENTIL SOUP
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 carrots, diced • 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cups dry lentils • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 1 tsp dried thyme • 1 bay leaf • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
• 3 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
How Will the NAR Lawsuit Change the Market?
2
A Symphony of Colors, Patterns, and Bold Statements 4 Reasons to Spring-Clean Your HVAC System
3
Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Outdoor Flower Arrangements
Citrus BBQ Chicken
4
Affordable & Sustainable Home Design
ART OF THRIFT THE SECRET TO STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN
Revamping your living space shouldn’t have to break the bank. Thrifting home decor has become a popular and sustainable trend, with people navigating through thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales in their neighborhoods to breathe new life into their homes. Thrifting allows you to explore diverse styles from many eras made from many materials. For example, vintage furniture at low prices, unique picture frames , throw pillows , lamps and light fixtures , and old mirrors are just a few offerings in a treasure trove of possibilities. Moreover, thrifting is sustainable and gives pre-loved items a second chance. Some may need laundering or a fresh coat of paint, but the money you save is well worth the effort.
Whether you’re a seasoned thrift enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of secondhand treasures, try out the art of thrifting to turn your home into your own comfortable, carefully curated decor collection.
4 •205-223-6192
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