Check out our October newsletter!
OCTOBER 2025
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Local Prices Are Up Nearly 50% Since 2020 🏡 Is Your Equity Growing Faster Than You Think?
Across all markets in the report, the average median home price increased from $394,939, in June 2020 to $605,407 in June 2025 — a gain of over 49% , or an annual growth rate of 8.31% . By comparison, the national median rose 48.53% over the same five-year period, with an annual growth rate of 8.23% . What’s Driving Prices? Several factors are contributing: • Mortgage rates more than doubled since 2020 (3.15% 6.77%), yet strong demand has continued to support price growth. • Inflation and higher Treasury yields have pushed borrowing costs up, but limited housing supply remains the bigger driver of appreciation. 📈 Projected 2030: Local median could top $953,000 , well above the national forecast of $651,000. 💡 Bottom line: Despite higher mortgage rates, limited inventory and strong demand are keeping our market red-hot. 👉 Curious what your home is worth in today’s market? Let’s talk — your equity may surprise you.
Your equity may be growing much faster than you think. See how your neighborhood compares.
Note: The city designation of Birmingham includes unincorporated Jefferson County. Looking ahead, the projections illustrate what values might reach in 2030 if today’s growth pace continues. Local Home Prices Surge Ahead of National Average The last five years have brought strong appreciation in local real estate values, with median home prices across our area outpacing national trends.
–Melvin Upchurch
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SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS
The Secret to a Cozier Home ADD COMFORT WITHOUT SPENDING MUCH
A Living Room Refresh Made Simple
Sometimes, your home needs more than a quick-fix cleaning. It needs a reset, and the living room is a good place to start because people gather, settle in, and spend time there with each other. But over the years, even a cozy, relaxing space can lose shape. Maybe you’ve had one too many attempts at rearranging your furniture or a mix of styles that never quite clicked. That doesn’t mean you need to tear the whole thing apart. With a solid plan and one weekend, you can bring new life to your space — no contractor required. Start with what’s working. It could be a sofa worn just right or a wooden table with a storied past. Use those to ground the space. Then, clear the decks: Pull down the shelf clutter, trim back the pillow pile, and give your eyes space to rest. Once the room can breathe again, bring in new touches. Paint if you feel up to it. Even just one wall in a deeper tone can shift the whole feel. If that’s too much, bring in more texture. Think curtains that catch the light, a low-pile rug, or a few new cotton, linen, or velvet pillows. Light also does more than people think. Swapping a fixture or adding a lamp near the reading chair can shift the room’s ambiance. Pulling the furniture closer to the windows can also do the same. Rearranging things to make the most of natural light can brighten the entire space and make it feel more open. And don’t forget about the other sensory elements. Simple things like a new scent or potted plants are an easy way to breathe fresh life into your living room. Once you get started, you’ll see it doesn’t take a complete overhaul to make a space feel better. A throw with some heft, a chair turned toward the light, and a clear table surface can bring back a sense of calm. You know it’s working when the room invites you in without trying too hard.
This time of year, we’re all looking for ways to make our homes cozier. Colder weather and fewer hours of sunlight have many of us inside more and craving indoor comforts. Coziness isn’t about square footage or designer furniture. It’s about creating a space that’s easy to live in and somewhere you want to be. And while Pinterest boards are full of staged rooms and expensive upgrades, you can make your home feel warmer without spending that much. Start by thinking in layers. No matter how nice the furniture is, a bare room will feel cold. But drape a blanket or two over the couch, toss a couple of textured pillows on the chair, and add a shaggy rug underfoot, and suddenly everything feels softer and more inviting. Texture is a shortcut to comfort, and bringing more of it into your space doesn’t cost much. Lighting matters, too. Overhead lights often feel harsh, especially in the evening. Try switching to a floor lamp with a soft bulb or stringing fairy lights above a reading chair. When you’re trying to make things more cozy, it’s more about glow than brightness. Indirect lighting, candles, and a shaded lamp or two can change the entire mood of a room. Scent is another layer people often overlook. Remember, coziness is as much — if not more — about what you feel as it is about what you see. A familiar scent can settle the body and mind, whether a stovetop simmer pot, an oil diffuser, or a favorite candle. It also helps to make space for the things you enjoy. If you love to read, set out a book you’ve been meaning to finish and keep a blanket nearby. If you journal or sketch, leave your notebook where it’s easy to grab. And don’t forget the other little touches, like your favorite slippers or a comfy sweater. Ultimately, coziness goes beyond a style trend. It’s a way of being more comfortable at home and doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply start with what you have and build from there.
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Where, When, and How to Hook Fish This Fall AUTUMN ANGLING
As cooler temperatures, golden leaves, and holidays roll in, fall is one of the best-kept secrets in fishing. While many pack up their rods after summer, savvy anglers know autumn is when the real magic happens. Fish feed aggressively as they prepare for winter, and the crowds of people enjoying the water have thinned out. A few seasonal tweaks can level up your fishing game this season, whether you’re chasing bass, crappie, or trout. Target Shallow Waters As temperatures drop, baitfish like shad move into the backs of creeks and embayments. Predatory fish such as bass and crappie follow, making these areas hotspots. Focus your
efforts on these shallow zones to increase your catch rate. Experiment With Depths Fall turnover can scatter fish throughout various depths. Don’t hesitate to try different depths until you locate active fish. Using a fish finder can help you identify these productive zones. Fish Throughout the Day Unlike summer, when fish are most active during dawn and dusk, fall fish feed more consistently throughout the day. This allows for flexible fishing schedules without the need for early starts. Focus on Structure Fish gravitate toward structures like submerged wood and rocky banks
during fall. These areas provide shelter and warmth, and targeting them can lead to successful catches. Match the Catch In fall, baitfish grow larger. Adjust your lure size and color to mimic the prevalent forage in your fishing area. This increases the likelihood of enticing bites. Explore Stocked Waters Many lakes and streams are stocked with trout and catfish in the fall. These fish are often eager to bite, providing excellent opportunities for anglers. Utilize Live Bait Live bait can be particularly effective in cooler temperatures. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and shad can more effectively entice sluggish fish than artificial lures. Monitor Water Conditions Fall often brings changes in water levels due to drawdowns. Stay informed about these conditions, as they influence fish locations and behavior.
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
Ingredients
• Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-
bought (1 packet) or homemade
• Cooking spray
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
Candy Gourd Haunting Leaves
Libra Marigold Moon Opal
Pumpkin Soup Teachers Touchdown
• 3 MelvinUpchurchSells.com
205-223-6192 MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
Is Your Equity Growing Faster Than You Think? Find Out!
2
Weekend Living Room Refresh Tips
Make Your House a Home Without Breaking the Bank
3
Reel in More Fish This Autumn
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
4
Create a Gallery Wall Without the Guesswork
FROM BLANK SPACE TO SHOWPIECE Easy Tips for Creating a Gallery Wall
You don’t need an interior design degree to create an eye-catching gallery wall; you just need to know what you like and have a plan to pull it all together. Photos, sketches, fabric scraps, and even a
postcard or two can all work if you have intention behind the mix.
Start by laying everything on the floor and rearranging the layout until it feels right. You’re aiming for balance, not symmetry. Try to keep the space between each piece consistent. That alone can tie the piece together. Still unsure? Cut paper to match each frame, tape them to the wall, and step back and adjust as needed. It’s a simple trick that keeps you from filling your wall with holes. Once it’s up, your wall should feel well-balanced and purposeful, but not perfect. What matters is that it draws the eye and makes the space feel more alive and personal.
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