all things
G3
Summer 2017 • www.gustygulasgroup.com
MEET THE TEAM
GUSTY GULAS | (205) 218-7560 • gustygulas@brikrealty.com KRISTEN MCGEE | (205) 907-3390 • kmcgee1013@gmail.com LAUREN MURPHREE | (205) 826-8962 • bham4sale@gmail.com SARAH FISK | (205) 937-1567 • sarahfisk@brikrealty.com JENNIFER GROSTICK | (205) 747-6021 • jennifergrostick@brikrealty.com CHRISTY SIMPSON | (205) 317-9466 • christysimpson@brikrealty.com BRITTANY HAMMOCK | (205) 907-8713 • bhammockrealtor@gmail.com STACY WARD | (205) 903-9743 • stacyward@brikrealty.com ANGELA STEVENS | (205) 907-8915 • angelastevens@brikrealty.com PAUL MIELKE | (205) 245-5817• paulmielke@brikrealty.com MARGUERITE HAYNES | (205) 612-0659 • margueritehaynes@brikrealty.com KATHRYN ROMANCHUK | (205) 531-6068 • kathryn@brikrealty.com BRADLEY FRANKLIN | 256-348-5847 • bradley@gustygulasgroup.com LEIGH DANIELS | (205) 230-7645 • leighdanielsmartin@brikrealty.com
SUMMER ‘17
FEATURES
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WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING
4
THE SKINNY ON GUSTY GULAS
DID YOU KNOW?
The Gusty Gulas Group sold 370 units in 2016 for a total of $80 million.
See why Gusty is the TopRated REALTOR® in the greater Birmingham area.
6
BRIK OPENS NEW HOOVER OFFICE
Brik Realty is expanding and opening a new office location.
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DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL BACKYARDS
How your small space can have a big impact.
Hear what other buyers and sellers are saying about our services.
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SUMMER MAINTENANCE TIPS
Save $$$$ with these seven easy home hacks for when the temps rise.
The Skinny on
Gusty Gulas
Gusty Gulas is Team Leader of the Gusty Gulas Group, Birmingham’s #1 Team in Homes Sold since 2012. Over the last two years, Gusty, President of Brik Realty and Treasurer for the Birmingham Association of Realtors, and his team have sold over 675 homes! Gusty is currently the Top-Rated Realtor on Zillow.com in the greater Birmingham area with the highest rating and most reviews. Boasting Birmingham’s only endorsement from Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran, Gusty and his team focus on making the Home Buying and Selling Experience easy while representing many Zillow Home Buyers and Sellers that are either relocating to town, buying their first home or looking for an excellent marketing strategy to sell their home. You can find Gusty and his team on the web at GustyGulasGroup.com
We make home buying and selling fun!
In Latest Expansion, Birmingham-Based Brik Realty Opens New Location in Hoover last June. Gulas founded the experience to the helm. agency in January 2014. He was born and raised in Brik Realty will soon open “Our Hoover office expansion Birmingham. its third office, expanding to strategically supports many “The expansion of Brik to better serve the Hoover area of our existing agents and a new office in Hoover is at 100 Concourse Parkway positions Brik for further very exciting,” said Bentley. Suite 165. The new location is growth, as many excellent “I am fortunate and proud set to open in late June and agents live a short radius will be led by Broker Brian from that location,” Gulas to be part of such a great said. “Brian Bentley has 20- company, and Gusty has Bentley. plus years of real estate done an excellent job building The move marks Brik’s experience and has been one of the best real estate second expansion in as many an excellent Broker for Brik. companies in the Birmingham years outside of its base Hoover is in great hands with area. We continue to attract location at Pepper Place Brian leading the charge.” top agents and teams in this near downtown Birmingham, after the company, led Bentley joined Brik in industry, and I look forward by President Gusty Gulas, December 2016 and brings to the continuing success of opened an office in Trussville 22 years of real estate Brik Realty.” As reported by Brent Godwin of the Birmingham Business Journal
WELCOME MARKETING COORDINATOR G3’s Favorite
KRISTI AUSTIN
Kristi Austin, new Marketing Coordinator for Brik Realty and the G3 team, grew up in Birmingham and studied Graphic Design and Photography at the University of Alabama. She has worked in advertising since 1993 and in real estate advertising since 2008. With encouragement from coworkers and friends, she became involved in the advertising club of Birmingham (AAF Birmingham), eventually becoming President of the organization and is currently a Regional Director for the Southeast. She enjoys volunteering for nonprofits such as Artwalk and was the top fundraiser for the Birmingham
Walk for Alzheimer’s in 2016. When she’s not working or volunteering, she is looking for the next place to travel, spending time with her boyfriend, his kiddos and her parents.
“I’m looking forward to putting my experience to work for G3!” —KRISTI AUSTIN
RESTAURANTS BAMBOO ON 2ND 2212 2nd Ave N (205) 703-0551 Inventive Pan-Asian plates, cocktails & sake offered in a sleek space with rusticmodern decor.
FANCY’S ON 5TH 430 41st St S (205) 777-3662 A relaxed burger & oyster joint with chic tin ceilings, exposed brick walls & a marble topped bar.
CHEZ FONFON 2007 11th Ave S (205) 939-3221 Classic French bistro outfitted with antique furnishings and a court for playing a game of boule
GIANMARCOS 721 Broadway St (205) 871-9622 Fine Italian cuisine in a sophisticated dining room with white tablecloths & romantic lighting.
SKYCASTLE 2808 7th Ave S (205) 578-6080 Elevated American classics in a convivial, modern setting with a full bar, a patio & TVs for sports.
KRISTI AUSTIN MARKETING COORDINATOR
ROOTS & REVELRY 1623 2nd Ave N Suite B (205) 730-1907 A fun, energetic tribute to American cuisine, Roots & Revelry is operated by Birmingham chef Brandon Cain, of Saw’s Soul Kitchen and Post Office Pies in Avondale..
WOODLAWN CYCLE CAFÉ 5530 1st Ave S Just Ride By Laid-back, European-style café in a modern industrial setting geared towards cycling enthusiasts
4 Design Tips
Long to be a land baron, with acres of lush grounds to create the ultimate outdoor paradise? That may be a dream for another time. For now, a smaller space is your reality, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be amazing. These 7 tricks will help your small yard live large.
For A Small Backyard
DON’T FEAR TREES While a towering live oak may not be the right choice for your smaller yard, you don’t have to give up on trees altogether. Japanese maple and ornamental crabapple are just a few great options that will bring some color to your outdoor space. Our favorite: the crape myrtle, which maintains a manageable size. CONSIDER THE SCALE That patio set at Costco might be a great deal, but how are that huge glass-topped table and eight rocking chairs going to look on your mini deck? There are plenty of options for small-space patio sets, and if you’re looking to create an outdoor living room, building in the seating in this yard creates a welcoming seating area and keeps the rest of the space open. DIVIDE IT UP It may seem counterintuitive, but by dividing your yard into zones using garden beds and landscaping, you give the illusion of space. Consider creating areas that are essentially a series of rooms, such as an outdoor paved area, a lawn section and then gardens of varying heights. CREATE A CONTAINER GARDEN You can grow flowers, herbs, and even vegetables in pots. Container gardening is ideal for those with little or no garden space. You can produce a wide variety of vegetable crops in containers. Basil, chives, thyme and other herbs also are quite happy growing in pots.
SAWYER TRAIL
THE HAMPTONS
CRESTWOOD
ROSS BRIDGE
our Favorite ROOMS
Working with The Gusty Gulas Group was the best decision we made once we decided to sell our home. I was amazed at how organized and easy they made the selling process. We have 3 small children and the thought of selling a home was overwhelming, however all of my doubts were eased as The Gusty Gulas Group made it so EASY! - J. LEVAN
Gusty and his team did a fantastic job with the sale of our home. We knew Gusty personally and knew he would get our house sold. We had a 30-day window to get a contract on our home. We had a contract the day after it hit MLS! Laura did a great job of coordinating the whole process. From the time I first spoke with Gusty to closing date, it was less than 40 days, truly fantastic! -T. KIME
Jennifer helped me both buying and selling a house. I had bought before, but it was my first time to sell at the same time. She walked me through the process and helped me understand the market. I had no idea how crazy selling a house can be, but she was a cheerleader the whole way through. I definitely couldn’t have done it without her! I would definitely recommend Jennifer to anyone buying or selling a house. -C. DOWDY
Christy Simpson did a fantastic job helping us sell our home in Alabaster. We had held onto it for many years as a rental and it was time to let it go. Christy got us a great price and we were under contract within 2 months. Thanks again! We will be repeat customers! -TRISH
We came to hear about Kristen McGee through our friends and colleagues. Kristen is a wonderful person, very professional and friendly and above all very patient as she made sure we got the first house we were looking for. Very quick with follow up regarding any questions about the property. At the same time, she was very understanding
and accommodating with any changes in our meeting schedules. Right from the beginning of house search until closing date, she made our first house purchase a very smooth and joyful experience, I wouldn’t hesitate a second in recommending her to my friends or colleagues! -ANNA V.
Angela was awesome! She worked very hard and listened to our needs. She kept us informed of the houses on the market in the area we were seeking. She was and is responsive to all our calls and email. She was easy to get in touch with and she always put us first. I would recommend her to all and we will use her the next time we are looking to purchase a home. Angela is our agent. -J. GRAHAM Brittany is an exceptional professional with an equally amazing heart who made our home selling and buying process a smooth and organized transaction. Her strategies to stage and market our home were spot on, and she worked tirelessly to make sure our new home had everything we wanted. Selling, building and buying a new house can be incredibly stressful, and Brittany was there every step of the way offering reassurance that the timeline would work out perfectly—and it did! She is a true gem, both as a first-class REALTOR® and an amazing person who truly cares about her clients. I’m so grateful for Brittany Hammock! -K. HART We had an amazing experience working with Stacy Ward from Brik Realty. She came to our first meeting enthusiastic and well prepared, and every interaction I had with her after that was the same. She created an aggressive sale process. Our home had been rented out for two years and the renters did not leave the home ready to sell. Stacy went above and beyond in helping us prepare our home to sell: arranging contractors, a cleaning crew, yard maintenance, etc. She gave me good and thoughtfully critical advice on preparing the home and the sales process. If we are ever in the market to buy or sell a home again she will absolutely be the first person we call! -K. CHAPLEAU
HEY BIRMINGHAM! We need listings in all markets, so please contact the Gusty Gulas Group for any home sale needs!
7 essential Summer Home Maintenance Tips Another summer is here, and if you have some deferred maintenance to take care of, it’s time to get started. Rain, wind and other weather “fun” may have wreaked havoc with your roof, your fence or your yard, but the “obvious” fixes are only the beginning. Use this guide to help you address some common issues that can help you fix up your home this summer!
DO A DEEP FRIDGE CLEANOUT
your fridge. To clean refrigerator coils, turn off the power to the fridge, then vacuum the coils using a vacuum cleaner brush attachment.
CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS
Have some unidentified leftovers in a Tupperware way in the back or a longago expired jar of pickles in the door? The first step is to chuck it all, but make sure to schedule your cleanout to coincide with the trash pickup for the week. The last thing you want is a jar of mayo siting out in the bin for five consecutive 100-degree days.
There’s no telling what kind of crud has collected in there since the last time you cleaned them out. Bob Vila has some creative techniques for DIY gutter cleaning, including reversing the suction of a Shop Vac!
While you’re attacking the refrigerator, don’t forget to address the coils. The condenser coils on a refrigerator remove heat from inside the unit, and if CHANGE OUT YOUR they get dirty, it can cost up FILTERS to $100 more a year to run This is one of those areas
CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN SMOKE DETECTORS Per Consumer Reports, smoke alarm batteries should be changed out every six months. To make it easier to remember when it’s time, put yourself on a twice-a-yearschedule in summer and winter (June 1 and December 1, for instance), and mark the dates in your phone so you don’t forget.
where homebuyers don’t tend to heed product manufacturers’ guidelines. The general recommendation is every 30–60 days. Service Experts recommends:
home maintenance tips, because it takes almost zero effort (You can’t beat lazy cleaning tasks!).
Been a little longer than that for you? That means dust, dirt and allergens could be invading your home.
This is a critically important maintenance issue and should be done regularly— about once a year depending on the size of the household and dryer usage. Not only will a clean vent make your dryer run more efficiently and dry your clothes faster, but it will also help keep your home and family safe. Dryer vents accumulate highly flammable lint, and failure to clean out lint is the leading cause of dryer fires.
Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, and attach the bag • “Average” suburban to the showerhead with a home without pets: every rubber band. Wait one hour, 90 days then remove the bag and • Add a dog or cat: every turn on the water to flush. 60 days Polish with a soft cloth. • Add more than one pet or anyone has allergies: 20- EXAMINE YOUR CLOTHES DRYER VENT 45 days
SERVICE YOUR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT If you’re the type that only makes a call about your air conditioning when it’s not working, consider this: Units that are serviced tend to last longer and have a lower incidence of breaking down, which always seems to happen on the day when the heat index breaks a record. As your HVAC system runs, it accumulates dust and dirt in key areas that affect its efficiency, like the condensing coils and air filters. Left unchecked, your A/C system can lose 5 percent of its operating efficiency each year because of this buildup! SHOWERHEADS If you haven’t cleaned your showerhead in a year—or, ever—it’s well past time. This involves one of our favorite
WE MOVE BIRMINGHAM! Here are a few shots from some of our recent closings! Welcome to the #G3 fam! FULGHAM FAMILY
DUNCAN FAMILY
BRIAN & PAM
MELODY & FOSTER
AMY & BRYAN
BILL
KERRY
MARIA
JORDAN
GARRETT & JENNA
MOODY FAMILY
OWINGS FAMILY
TYLER & MARIAH
VEHUIZEN FAMIY
CALEB & LOGAN
CECIL & DIANE
DENIS
GODDARD FAMILY
BIRMINGHAM
SUMMER EVENTS JAZZ IN THE PARK Sundays, 6:00-9:00 PM Jazz in the Park returns for its eighth year, presenting free concerts in Birmingham and nearby cities. Nearly 30 shows are on the agenda for 2017, most of them on Sundays from 6-9 p.m. magiccitysmoothjazz.com
RUSSIAN CULTURE NIGHT Fri, July 21, 9:00 PM @ Saturn Members of Birmingham’s Russian Community invite you to Saturn on Friday, July 21st to enjoy Russian cartoons from the Soviet Era, Russian music, basic Russian language lessons, vodka and more! bit.ly/RussianCultureNight
MAGIC CITY MAC + CHEESE FESTIVAL Sun, Aug 6, 1:00-4:00 PM @ Avondale Brewing Company Come out to the first ever Magic City Mac N’ Cheese Festival! Come taste various Mac N’ Cheese dishes from your favorite restaurants, food trucks and caterers in Birmingham! Tickets are $15 for early bird, $20 day of and $5 for kids 12 and under. bit.ly/maccheesebham
FLICKS AMONG THE FLOWERS Wed, Sept 27, 8:00 PM @ Birmingham Botanical Gardens Watch “Father of the Bride” in Birmingham’s beatufiul Botanical Gardens. Gates open at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket and find a spot on the lawn to enjoy the film. Free event with suggested donation of $5. bbgardens.org/flicks-among-the-flowers.php
THE MARKET AT PEPPER PLACE Every Saturday from 7:00am-Noon
A weekly Farmers Market featuring Alabama-grown fruits and vegetables, local artisans, musical performances and live cooking demonstrations. pepperplacemarket.com