LIST Birmingham - May 2022

LIST Birmingham - May 2022

M E L V I N ’ S M O N T H L Y M O M E N T S

MAY 2022

205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM

SHRINKING INVENTORY!!

Most people have heard the buzz phrases: lack of inventory, seller’s market, etc. The chart to the right clearly indicates the harsh reality of the current local market. If you are looking in the Edgewood section of Homewood, the inventory drop is 58% comparing this year to last year. Ross Bridge inventory is down almost 50%. On average, the inventory in our market is down about 19%. This is great news for sellers but frustrating news for buyers. Expert advice is needed now more than ever to navigate our tricky market. If you or anyone you know is considering buying or selling a home, please let me know.

Birmingham Area Real Estate Sales Statistics 1st Quarter 2021 vs. 1st Quarter 2022

Jan - March 2021

Jan - March 2022

Area

$ Per Sq. Ft

Avg Sq. Ft

Inventory Change

$ Per Sq. Ft

Avg Sq. Ft

# Sold

DOM

# Sold

DOM

Edgewood

43 23 $255.19 2,305 18 9 $269.80 2,145 -58.14%

Shades Cahaba

22 14 $236.53 2,116 18 19 $248.27 2,433 20 20 $204.49 1,525 24 35 $228.87 1,776 85 20 $241.54 2,072 60 22 $247.85 2,084 92 22 $250.52 3,757 66 12 $274.15 3,738 31 34 $189.07 3,000 29 26 $204.11 2,647 48 36 $138.91 3,024 36 15 $192.27 2,488 43 49 $166.20 3,417 32 17 $175.02 3,287 41 23 $177.50 2,272 39 23 $205.13 2,268 25 14 $159.88 4,270 16 9 $185.83 5,255 188 33 $163.82 3,119 152 19 $191.75 2,919 33 32 $150.58 3,170 17 7 $178.23 2,612 25 17 $149.50 2,070 34 9 $171.74 2,186 36 42 $131.75 4,879 29 32 $169.53 3,482 26 30 $157.62 3,302 29 29 $165.01 3,805 51 26 $177.00 1,706 50 11 $200.38 1,762 18 10 $233.53 1,439 5 6 $268.61 1,373

-18.18% 20.00% -29.41% -28.26% -6.45% -25.00% -25.58% -4.88% -36.00% -19.15% -48.48% 36.00% -19.44% 11.54% -1.96% -72.22%

Hall Kent

Homewood Mt. Brook East Elem. West Elem. Dolly Ridge

Cahaba Heights

Liberty Park

Vestavia

Ross Bridge Bluff Park Greystone

–Melvin Upchurch

Highland Lakes

Crestwood

Crestline Park

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SWITCH TO AN ELECTRIC STOVE A Better Way to Cook

Make a Wreath for Any Occasion With These 3 Materials

Over the last 20 years, we have seen rapid advances in technology. While the most recognizable innovations came in the form of cellphones and the internet, many of our household appliances have also evolved in the last couple of decades. One of the biggest changes involves a discussion about the ubiquitous kitchen stove: Which type is better — electric or gas? We’d like to suggest an answer. Much like our cellphones, stoves and ranges have seen huge advancements, and electric stoves are better than ever before. They are easier to clean, cost less than gas stoves, and heat food more efficiently. Additionally, there are some impressive environmental and health benefits that come from transitioning to using an electric range stove. Improved Indoor Air Quality When you cook on a gas stove, you’re producing nitrogen dioxide and sometimes even carbon monoxide. Brief exposures to nitrogen dioxide can lead to coughing and wheezing for people who have respiratory issues. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, homes with gas stoves can contain approximately 50%–400% higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide than those with electric stoves. Making the switch will lead to cleaner air in the home and healthier respiratory systems. Lower Air Conditioning Costs Interestingly enough, using an electric stove can actually lead to lower electricity bills because you may use your air conditioning less. Gas stoves pump out considerable amounts of heat and can quickly raise the temperature in the home. That means you won’t have to run to the air conditioner as often when you’re using an electric stove. Safer Cooking Method With an electric range, there’s no flame or burner to cook your food on. This means there’s a much lower chance of getting a burn injury while using an electric stove. Additionally, the National Fire Prevention Association estimates that an average of 4,200 home fires start annually with the ignition of natural gas — cooking equipment was involved in 54% of those fires. With an electric stove, you needn’t worry about gas explosions, and you will considerably reduce the risk of having a fire in your home.

Since the 16th century, wreaths have been a staple holiday decor item that people once made from the fallen branches of a Christmas tree. In more recent history, folks travel to the local hardware/home decor store to pick up a wreath for their door during the holiday season. However, it seems as though wreaths are gaining popularity beyond just the winter holidays. Whether it’s to celebrate your favorite sports organization or the changing of the seasons, you can make a wreath to recognize the occasion. From Facebook Marketplace to specialty boutique shops, there are plenty of places to purchase a customizable wreath, but what if you want to make your own? With a certain level of flair and creativity, anyone can create their own wreath. You just need to figure out which material works best as your base. Wire If you’re looking to make a wreath that’s long-lasting and durable enough to handle any type of weather, look no further than a wire-base wreath. Wire bases are available in various sizes and levels of thickness, so you can make almost any design. If you want your wreath to look dainty, you should use a single-wire frame, but if you want your wreath to look full and bountiful, use a double-wire instead. Grapevine Grapevine bases are the best if you want your wreath to look traditional or natural. They’re usually made of entwined bundles of grapevines or twigs to look like they came straight from the earth. Grapevine bases are cost-efficient and are the perfect option for anyone looking to create a classic-looking wreath. Styrofoam A Styrofoam wreath may not have the elegance of a wire one or the traditional style of the grapevine wreath, but it is the perfect option for bold designs. You can get a Styrofoam base at any home decor store and spray-paint it in the color scheme of your final creation. You can then place yarn and other decorations to bring your wreath to life. Since Styrofoam is lightweight, the items you place on the wreath will also need to be lightweight or the wreath will fall apart.

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PETS NEED SPACE, TOO Create a Pet-Friendly Area in Your Home

In your home, you probably have bedrooms for each family member as well as a family or living room for the entire clan to congregate on a daily basis. But where do your pets normally hang out? Do they go where the family is, or do they have their own space? Just like us, our pets need a place where they feel safe, protected, and relaxed. If you’re looking to add a furry family member to your abode or simply change up the flow of your house, try adding a space for your pet. Before you even enter the design phase, though, keep in mind how social your pet is before making a decision. If your pet loves being around people, consider making their space part of the family room instead of in a separate room.

know they’ll like and feel safe and secure with. Add extra blankets for comfort. If you’re picking a bed for a cat, choose something comfortable that offers a level of protection. Make sure the bed does not clash with the other design elements of the room. Once you’ve found the perfect bed, invest in a few other items to take the space to the next level. Any additional beds, rugs, and blankets you buy should be easily washable so you can keep the area clean and hygienic. Animals have accidents so try not to invest in an expensive rug for the area. Also, make sure to include toys, and if you’re designing for a cat, don’t forget a climbing tower. Pets play a huge role in our lives and are incredibly important to our families. Giving them a clean and comfortable space in the house will enhance their well-being. If you create the space based on your pet’s needs and wants, they will truly be your bestest friend.

Once you’ve decided on where you want your pet-friendly space to be, make sure you have the right items. Possibly the most important thing is a bed for them to rest on. If you’re designing a room for a dog, try to pick a bed you

TAKE A BREAK

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH RAINBOW FRITTATA Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced • 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced • 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped • 8 eggs

• Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste • 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced • Cherry tomatoes, halved • Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

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205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

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INSIDE

1

Shrinking Inventory!

2

Celebrate Any Event With a Homemade Wreath

Why You Should Transition to an Electric Stove

3

How to Create a Space for Your Pet

Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

4

3 Great Home Bar Ideas

SKIP THE BAR HOP

With Your Own Home Bar

People have had liquor cabinets for decades, but now, they’re a thing of the past! Pandemic lockdowns prompted many folks stuck at home to start their own DIY projects, and one of the most popular projects is a full-scale bar. But you don’t need to renovate an entire room just for beverages. With the right decorations and aesthetics, you can turn any area of your house into a home bar.

Wet Bar If you have a sink with cabinets around it and plenty of counter space, you have the perfect area for a wet bar. Fill the cabinets with your preferred drinks and glasses, and your bar will be up and running before you know it. Stand-alone Bar If you don’t have the available space for a wet

bar, you can create a stand-alone bar in your home much easier. All you need is a cart, some shelves, and your drink and glass options. Coffee Bar You don’t have to drink alcohol to add a bar to your abode! Keep the counter space or cart open and simply swap the liquor for coffee beans and shot glasses for mugs.

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