Homes
Opelika-Auburn
February 2022 FREE
and Real Estate
Brand New Content!
Year of the Seller, Realtor® Jessica Andrus Page 10
Cynithia Landry Booth 706-536-4678
Troy Booth 334-524-1660
108 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika, AL Toll Free: 877-846-6307 Fax: 334-749-3087 www.bnb-associatesllc.com Company ID# 1087652 NMLS Originator ID# 874565 www.bnb-associatesllc.com and www.bnb-builds.com
Melanie Renae Mitchell 334-333-5515
We Do It All! List, Sell Build & Mortgage
Contents CrossCountry Mortgage 2 BNB & Associates 3 Alabama AG Credit 6 Steven Gaddis, EXP Realty 6 State Farm, Kathy Powell 6 HomeLink Realty 7, 8, 14 Denson Real Estate 8 Russell Lands The Heritage 8 Opelika Chamber 9 Realtor® Jessica Andrus Featurette 10 Berkshire Hathaway Centerfold Rose Anne Erickson Realty 12-13 Fincher-Coffin Realty 15 Insurance Solutions Group 15 Crazy Crafty Chick Featurette 16-17 AuburnBank 19 Interlinc Mortgage 20 334-663-1060 NHTMagazine@gmail.com Key Media LLC 334-749-8003 223 S 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801
*NeighborhoodTour Magazine is a monthly publication which features agent listed properties for sale. This magazine will not knowingly accept or publish illegal material of any kind. Advertising which expresses preference based on legally protected personal characteristics is not acceptable. Publisher assumes no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any typographical errors inadvertently made in advertisements. All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in whole or in part, of this publication is strictly prohibited. Publisher’s Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” © COPYRIGHT, 2018.
Featured Tours Maintained, Upgraded Sotherby Floorplan
668 Sudeley Ct Auburn
Rick Coffin
Fincher Coffin Real Estate 334.744.0672
Split Floorplan, Cozy Fireplace!
511 Lee Rd 222 Smiths Station
One Level Condo at the Villas of Opelika!
1515 Fitzpatrick Ave #202 Opelika
Amy Littleton
Homelink Realty 334.524.2019
Tori Beth Thompson Homelink Realty 334.524.0422
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2022 Home Trends forFeaturette
The Crazy Crafty Chick Pages 14 - 15
Tours8 Page
Digital Editions Scan Here
STEVEN GADDIS Real Estate Agent licensed AL & GA Steven Gaddis brings vast experience in customer service. Prior to joining EXP Realty, he founded and operated a retail business and served as a special account sales representative for a major manufacturing company. He knows the importance of being proactive and detail oriented. As your Realtor, Steven will be an advocate for you. Whether you are buying, selling, or renting, he will work tirelessly to promote your best interests. If selling, he will work with you to get you the fairest price, in the least amount of time, by using state-of-the-art technology, team collaboration, and EXP Realty’s superior marketing materials. If buying, he will work hard to provide you with the best information and market data so you can be a well-equipped buyer with the strongest possible negotiating position. Buying and selling real estate can be stressful. As a full-time Realtor, Steven will strive to make your experience as pleasurable as possible through constant communication and accessibility. Being an area resident since 2013, Steven recognizes the unique characteristics and benefits of living and working in the AuburnOpelika area. When not assisting clients, Steven enjoys spending time with family, friends and volunteering at organizations that are dear to his heart.
“It would be a pleasure and an honor to work for you” 205-301-6310
stevengaddis@gaddisrealtor.com
888-923-5547
stevengaddis.exprealty.com
room ath e in rest!
Homes
and Real E state
Mobile App
In Closet. r Garage. to listing
side ika with a ment!
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August 2021
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February 2022
Page 7
Great Customer Service Superior Loans & Mortgages Clients Come First Adorable Serving Opelika, Auburn, and Lake Martin!
Morris Smith Tinker McCain Tambry Roth Assoc. Broker 334.740-5440
Realtor® 334.748.0183
Realtor® 334.208.7521
Cottage!
Rush Denson Owner/Broker 205.503.8655
Scott Fuller Realtor® 334.737.8444
508 Lankford Drive- Covered Front Porch. Living Room with Wood Floors, Ceiling Fan, and a Fireplace. Formal Dining Room with Wood Floors. Kitchen with a Gas Stove and a Pantry! Master Bathroom with a Walk In Closet and Updated Bathroom. 2 Additional Bedrooms. Laundry Room. In Ground Pool. Storage Building.
Don’t wait!
Find out about your options today!
Adorable Cottage! Jake Thompson NMLS# 1637476
c: 706-773-1415
Lisa Thrift
Jae Hee Ko
Assoc. Broker 334.444.8099
Realtor® 334.333.7372
Linda Zhang Michael Walton Realtor® 334.734.3341
Realtor® 334.610.6339
458 South 10th Street, Opelika, Alabama
(334) 759-7525
508 Lankford Drive- Covered Front Porch.
Living Room with Wood Floors, Ceiling Fan, and a Fireplace. Formal Dining Room with Wood Floors. Kitchen with a Gas Stove and a Pantry! Master Bathroom with a Walk In Closet and Updated Bathroom. 2 Additional Bedrooms. Laundry Room. In Ground
One Level Condo at the Villas of Opelika! 1515 Fitzpatrick Ave #202- Covered Front Porch.
Open Floorplan. No Carpet! Simulated Wood and Tile. Living/ Dining Combo. Kitchen with a Pantry and All Appliances Included. Spacious Master Bedroom with Walk-in Closet and Private Bath. Master Bath has a Tile Shower with a Seat and a built in vanity. Good Closet Space Throughout! Washer and Dryer! Back Patio. The HOA Dues cover, exterior maintenance, landscaping, exterior building insurance, and garbage. SHOWINGS START THURSDAY 1/20.
Tori Beth Thompson
Associate Broker, REALTOR® 334.524.0422 toribeth@topproducer.com toribethsellshomes.com
Waterfront Homesites, Lake Club and Coore & Crenshaw Golf Course Among the Features of the Newest Russell Lands Luxury Community, The Heritage Page 8
February 2022
Year of the Seller
Happy New Year! I hope 2022 has been good to everyone so far and only continues to get better. We all have been on a roller coaster the past two years. We’ve faced new challenges in everyday life. We’ve dealt with new issues. We’ve seen new trends. Local real estate has, too, and it has affected many of us both positive and negative. If the “pandemic years” have taught us anything, it’s how important our homes are to us. Our home is our safe haven. It is where we retreat when times get tough. It is the epicenter of memories, the place where our children grow and yes, even a workplace. Materialistically, it’s the most important “thing” we can own.
Lee County December 2019-2021 Market Trends
It’s why so many realtors, including myself, take pride in our work. We realize how important homes are to us and the effect it can have on our lives. Our homes can be a space for inspiration, for comfort, for safety and joy. However, we all know that for many of us, it doesn’t stay that way. Families grow. Needs change. Priorities get rearranged. It’s part of life. It’s also why the local housing market is so important to us, as well as the newest trends. In 2021, it was the year of the seller. We saw the low inventory-high demand trend from 2020 continue at a steady pace. The total number of homes sold in Auburn-Opelika in 2021 increased by 27% over pre-pandemic 2019 and 15% over 2020. The average number of days on the market for a home in 2021 decreased to only 44 days compared to 70 days in 2020 and 72 days in 2019. Homes flew off the market much faster than in recent memory. The demand far outweighed the supply. Within days of going on the market, homes had multiple above-asking price offers. It was a bidding war in some instances. As realtors, we had to adjust. We had to work overtime. We had to hustle to get our clients appointments to see homes before they were off the market. It was tough and remains tough, and not only for the realtors. Clients, specifically the sellers-turned-buyers, were satisfied with the numerous offers and quick sell of their homes, but they also were concerned about their future homes. It was a catch-22. Inventory was low, which resulted in the quick sell of their home, but now they were faced with buying a new home with limited inventory. It’s why having a realtor, a good realtor whom you trust and enjoy, is so important and so vital. The low inventory-high demand trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down. In 2022, it appears to be more of the same. I do expect some normalizing over the next several months – prices moderating, inventory increasing and fewer bidding wars – but in the end, another very strong year for the seller. So, whether you are a first-time home buyer, investor or seasoned seller, today’s market is tricky, but so doable and beneficial if you have the right team working for you. Start by choosing a realtor you trust, enjoy (because you will be spending a lot of time together) and who communicates with you in a way that works for you.
334.704.4442 • jessica.andrus.realtor@gmail.com Page 10
Your realtor will connect you with local lenders, closing attorneys and service providers to support and guide you the whole way. If you are beginning to consider making a move contact your realtor, and if you don’t have one, you can always call me. February 2022
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February 2022
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
SHEY KNIGHT (334) 203-4296
w o n K e W ance! r u s n I
SKNIGHT@INSURANCESOLUTIONSGROUP.COM
February 2022
JEFF BRYANT (334) 444-3512
JBRYANT@INSURANCESOLUTIONSGROUP.COM
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Bringing joy and creativity to your home, Tonya Wilson deWaart The Crazy Crafty Chick
More Home,
Less House Our homes have a huge influence on how we feel; so it is only natural we extend this “out with the old, in with the new” attitude to our home as well. Now that the New Year is here - it is the perfect time to declutter and organize. As we start with some simple tips and tricks there is one thing we all need to know. Decluttering is NOT cleaning. Clea and Joanna with “The Home Edit” say, “Cleaning up a room doesn’t mean you have created sustainable systems, so the mess doesn’t reappear. If you take the time to think through how you can use your space, you can create solutions that you will be able to maintain.” Now that was news to me. Life is messy ... and that gives us permission to have a messy home. It is OK. Just like in all things, there does come a time when that house needs to be loved on a bit. It is just like mowing the lawn, changing out air filters and dropping those Clorox tabs into the porcela. Let’s take a bit of time to discuss a few ideas on how to deal with all the messes in our home. Here is a list of a few do nots before you get started decluttering and purging the house. • • • • •
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Do not start when you’re feeling all the feels … try not to take this challenge on during any type of difficult emotional or physical time. This will only make you overwhelmed and leave you with the ugly feelings of non-productivity. DO NOT buy organizing bins or containers before decluttering begins. Make piles using laundry baskets or garbage bags. Don’t bring in additional items during this period. You will just have more stuff to figure out. This one is hard - Don’t keep things for the “just in case” moment. Admit it, we all have done this. Those jeans from 10 years ago that one day will fit again or come back in style, not gonna happen. Go ahead and set up that donate or trash pile and throw those suckers in the correct stack. Never bite off more than you can chew. This is a process and it will take time. Allow yourself breaks as well so you don’t get bored with the project. Please leave the perfection out. Research, watch YouTube videos or an episode of The Home Edit to get ideas and motivation. Getting some ideas from others is great - just remember what works for others may not work for you and that is OK.
Now to simplify life with decluttering. Sometimes our homes are so cluttered that it is hard to even know where to start. Heck, even if you do know where to start, it is hard because clutter brings on feelings of overwhelmness. Page 16
February 2022
You are not alone. Clutter even overwhelms organizers who know exactly what they are doing. Yep, I saw it myself with every single episode of “The Home Edit” (check the show out on Netflix, YouTube and all the forms of social media). Know this - it’s an easy fix. Here are a tips to start decluttering your home: 1. Most organizers say start with the big. Personally, my home organization started February 2021. I tried to start big with the kitchen and immediately began to make excuses to not start or quit all together. Nope, like I said above, what works for one may not work for the other. So I started small - a desk, the half bathroom cabinet and the laundry room. Here is the thing - feelings of success, even when it is small, will build motivation to get to the big rooms. Motivation doesn’t just appear. 2. Make a plan. As a house begins with a vision and then a plan drawn out - so does organizing a house. Mentally picture your space and how it would look and feel organized and simplified. Now is the time to put steps and ideas on paper, in the computer or on a large poster. You gotta write it down. I know, it sounds cliche. Research shows you are 42% more likely to achieve a goal if you write them down. 3. Make categories and binge them as you go. Whether you hit this plan going to the big room or the tiny drawer - you need to have “piles and stacks” of stuff. I call it “The KTDS Bundle. 4. Keep - wipe it off quickly and put in the new space 5. Trash - use trash bag and don’t delay in putting it outside 6. Donate - put the bags/items in the car for your next trip out. Worst thing to do is let that bag stay in the house for the next purge. 7. Sale - YES. Purging can bring in a little extra cash. Post the item(s) on the local FB marketplace Sale pages. Keep the price reasonable, take good photos and give a good honest description. If the item doesn’t sell within 5 to 7 days, drop the price and always be willing to negotiate. 8. There are some amazing ideas on various ways to declutter. So much so I can’t begin to list them all. Take a bit of your time and YouTube short videos, Pinterest or watch a Home Edit episode. And, if it is all just too much, treat yourself and hire a local organizer. Yes, there are several in our lovely community. Remember, at the end of the day your home is about the memories. It’s about not worrying that your house is messy or that you don’t have the most up-to-date furniture. It’s about spending quality time with one another and even having that quality time with yourself in the comfort of your surroundings. Organized, clean or not - enjoy your home.
As always, sharing joy and creativity from my home to yours.
February 2022
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