Check out our August newsletter!
AUGUST 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
UPDATE ON THE NAR SETTLEMENT Impacts and Implications
Birmingham Market Statistics First 6 Months of 2023 compared to 2024
The local housing market trends for the first six months of the year are consistent with the trends post- pandemic. The number of homes sold is down 2.52%, and the median prices for homes have risen nearly 12%. There is still an expectation that mortgage rates will decline in the coming year, which will likely motivate more homeowners to put their homes on the market. New housing starts are also on the rise, resulting in more inventory, which should help prices stabilize. NAR (National Association of Realtors) Settlement The NAR, along with some of the largest real estate brokerages in the country, settled a class action lawsuit that, in its simplest forms, stated real estate commissions were inflated because the real estate industry required sellers to pay a buyer’s agent commission. It is a little more complicated, but that description will suffice for this newsletter. What impact will the settlement have on the real estate industry, and more importantly, what impact will it have on consumers? There were two primary rule changes: 1. Buyer agent commissions
2024 Median Price
2023 Days on Market 2024
Home Sold 2024
Area
2023
Change
Change
2023
Homewood
146 100 -31.51% $487,000 $602,500 23.72% 19 146 150 2.74% $929,500 $1,015,000 9.20% 16 247 273 10.53% $555,000 $640,000 15.32% 18 471 461 -2.12% $489,000 $520,000 6.34% 15
22 26 23 19 25 23
Mt. Brook
Vestavia
Hoover High
Spain Park High 218 213 -2.29% $433,000 $450,000 3.93% 25
Average
1,228 1,197 -2.52%
11.70% 19
reflected in the MLS. The seller can still pay this commission, but it will not be reflected in the MLS. 2. Buyer agents must have a written agreement with buyers before they show a buyer a home. This agreement must specify how the buyer agent will be compensated.
Questions consumers are asking: 1. Will sellers still have to pay a buyer agent commission?
2. If sellers no longer have to pay this commission, will real estate commissions drop?
3. Will buyers have to pay their buyer agent a commission?
Short Answers: 1. Sellers do not have to pay a buyer agent commission — but they may decide to do that.
2. Listing Commissions will drop if sellers decide not to offer a buyer agent commission.
3. Most buyer agents will likely just write their fee into the offer. In other words, the buyer agent will put something like this in the offer: Seller agrees to pay buyer’s agent 2.50% of the contract price. The changes are effective Aug. 17. I suspect there will be a rough transition period to sort this out. But, as always, LIST Birmingham has been completely transparent with our fees for the past 10 years, saving our clients thousands of dollars. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
paid by the sellers cannot be
–Melvin Upchurch
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
A Fluffy Guardian Angel
How a Dog Saved Its Foster Family From Disaster
When a Virginia family of five decided to temporarily foster a dog in 2023, they weren’t expecting it to be a life-changing event. But they might not be here today if it weren’t for the Great Pyrenees named Moose that they took home for the weekend. Christopher Cushna and his partner, Sheila Janes, were looking for something fun and unique to do with their three children when they learned about the Paws Around Portsmouth program. This program allows people to foster dogs from the local Humane Society for a short time. They fell in love with big, fluffy Moose and decided to take him on a field trip around town. The family visited their own music shop, where Moose met potential adopters at an event sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The friendly dog later accompanied them
Unleash the Power of Baking Soda SAY GOODBYE TO GRIME
We’ve all been there before, scrubbing away at the bathroom and kitchen to no avail! It’s time to say goodbye to grime and hello to shine because the ultimate cleaning superstar is probably already sitting in your cabinet. Baking soda has the ideal texture and chemical properties for many household cleaning tasks. This inexpensive product is an environmentally friendly and effective alternative to traditional cleaning methods, from deodorizing smells to removing tricky stain agents. Get ready to shine with these surprising baking soda cleaning hacks! Unclog stubborn sink drains. When your sink gets clogged, don’t reach for the Drano. Instead, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and cover the drain. Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes, and the two products will mix and create bubbles. Those bubbles can help break down mineral deposits and gunk to reduce blockages. Finish by running hot water down the drain to flush out debris. Deodorize stinky trash cans. Baking soda can absorb foul odors thanks to a chemical reaction that changes the pH of a smelly compound, eliminating the smell. So, if your trash can needs a refresher, just sprinkle a little baking soda inside it. Alternatively, you can mix baking soda and water into a spray bottle to deodorize the outside of your garbage can or other items like coolers. Clean build-up on shower doors. Shower doors are prone to limescale and mineral deposit buildup, which can be challenging to clean. Once again, the powerful combination of baking soda and vinegar is here to save the day. Start by dipping paper towels in hot white vinegar and attaching them to the shower door and track. Let the vinegar sit for 30–60 minutes, allowing the acid to loosen mineral deposits. Next, sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag, gently wipe down the doors, and rinse. Next time you’re wrestling with household messes, remember the solution is simpler than you think. With baking soda in your washing arsenal, you can easily tackle the toughest grime.
to a farmers market, a community band concert, and a flea market, where they met a woman who wanted to adopt him.
Moose returned to the family’s houseboat for the evening since the adopter could not bring him home that day. As everyone slept, Moose
suddenly woke Christopher and one of their daughters, Anya. Though everyone figured the energetic dog wanted to go outside, he was persistent, and they quickly noticed a neighboring houseboat
engulfed in flames. As the fire began to spread, the family evacuated safely just minutes before the fire reached their boat.
“If Moose hadn’t gotten Anya and Chris up, we would not be here, as we were all sound asleep, and the fire spread very quickly,” Sheila said.
The family lost their houseboat and everything inside, but thanks to Moose’s heroic act, they are alive and grateful today.
“What I like to think about is that we saved Moose from the situation Moose was in, and Moose saved us on the boat,” Christopher said. Moose’s life-saving actions made big news, and a local woman adopted him. Now, the hero dog is living his best life on a 5-acre farm, complete with a swimming pool. For this family, who had no idea just how transformative a doggy day out could be, Moose will always be their knight in fluffy armor.
2 •205-223-6192
EXTEND YOUR GROWING SEASON
EXPERT STRATEGIES FOR FALL GARDENERS
nutrients from the soil, so you should plant nutrient-rich options like beans or peas to preserve the soil quality.
Fall is one of the best times of the year for gardening, and now that summer is almost behind us, it’s time to prepare your fall gardens. Clean up leftovers from your spring and summer gardens, plant new seeds, and nurture your fruits, veggies, and flowers until they’re ready for harvest. If you’ve
Use Covers Pests are a constant problem for any gardener, especially when the plants you’re growing need to be pollinated. Thankfully, most fall vegetables don’t require pollination, so you can use garden mesh netting to keep those pesky pests at bay. These
ever tried to grow fall produce, you know it’s not as easy as planting and waiting. Gardens can be a lot of work! Thankfully, you have many strategies for keeping your garden in top shape. Here are three ideas you can implement this year to ensure a bountiful harvest.
covers are relatively inexpensive and available at any home improvement store or nursery. It’s Never Too Late You might think you missed your opportunity to garden once September ends, but that’s not always the case. Some plants like cilantro,
Timing Counts As fall progresses, temperatures will drop, making growing certain fruits and vegetables more difficult. Inspect your seed packets to see how long each item takes to develop and ensure you give your produce enough time to reach maturity. Additionally, some things will take more from the soil than others. Potatoes and onions pull many
kale, and radishes have a short growing season, so they’ll be ready to eat before you know it! You can also use plant covers designed for frost protection to extend your growing season by a few weeks.
TAKE A BREAK
Not Your Average Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup butter, softened • 2 cups granulated sugar • 3 large eggs • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended; then add vanilla extract. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix until blended. 6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. 7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Cool in pans, then invert onto a plate. If desired, frost and stack the cakes for a double layer!
Vacation Mustard Moon Sandcastle
School Backpack Zucchini Melon
Olympics Bees
Peach Twins
• 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
Learn About the NAR Settlement
2
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks You Need to Try
Meet Moose, the Great Pyrenees With a Hero’s Heart
3
Insider Secrets for Thriving Fall Gardens
Not Your Average Chocolate Cake
4
Level Up Your Lavatory
Transform Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Tacular Oasis Relaxation Station
and transforming your bathroom into a luxurious retreat is as easy as incorporating aesthetic and neutral elements in the space. Create an inviting and relaxing vibe by displaying some of your favorite spa tools , like a dry brush or glass jar of sea salt, and diffusing calming fragrances like lavender and eucalyptus. This style focuses on a clean, organized vibe, with earthy accents that make you feel massage-ready when you step inside. Another option is an aesthetic vibe. Bring in vine plants, plush towels , and natural materials like woven baskets or stone containers to breathe life into your bathroom. Then, add warmth with calming colors , plush slippers, and a robe for the total self-care setting you deserve.
Are you ready for spa-tacular pampering right in your own home? You don’t need a million-dollar makeover budget to upgrade your bathroom into a paradise,
4 •205-223-6192
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator