HNG Blog

Humbled and Proud to be Featured in Real Producers We're honored to share that Ken and Vikki Grodner were recently featured in Real Producers magazine. The article shares more than their real estate journey. It tells the story of a lifelong commitment to service, community involvement, and the values that continue to shape Hospitality Network Group today. Thank you to our friends, families and clients who continue to trust and support us. We couldn't do this without you. Enjoy the article. – Ken & Vikki Click image to make larger

There are some closings that stick with you. Most closings are memorable for the families involved. Every home purchase represents a new chapter. But every once in a while, a story comes along that stays with you long after the paperwork is signed and the keys have changed hands.

How parents are using Self-Directed IRAs to invest in real estate near the University of Alabama You’ve done the math, and it’s a tough pill to swallow. Four years of student housing rent in Tuscaloosa can easily exceed $60,000 . By graduation day, that money is gone, and you have nothing to show for it but a stack of receipts. It’s no wonder more University of Alabama parents are asking: What if we bought a property instead? Then comes the hesitation: “I don’t want to tie up all my liquid cash.” What if the solution was already sitting in your retirement account?

Recent data shows the average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old. But here’s the question: Is that because people truly can’t buy sooner — or because they assume they can’t? In this episode of College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner sits down with Royce Dickerson and Ken Grodner of Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams to challenge one of the biggest myths in real estate today: that young professionals have to wait years before buying a home. The reality? Many are closer than they think.

2025 Real Estate Market Insights from KW Family Reunion: What Leading Experts Are Saying About 2026

If you have a student heading to the University of Alabama, one of the first major financial decisions you will face is housing. Most families automatically rent. But one family chose a different path. In a recent episode of College Real Estate Coach, Barbara and her granddaughter Virginia shared why their family decided to purchase a townhome in Tuscaloosa instead of signing a lease near campus — and how that decision reframed college housing from an expense into a long-term investment.

College-town real estate is one of the strongest, most predictable investment strategies in the U.S. Markets like Tuscaloosa (University of Alabama) and Birmingham (UAB + Samford University) rank among the top places for parents and investors looking for strong returns, steady occupancy, and long-term appreciation. In a recent episode of College Real Estate Coach , host Vikki Grodner interviewed Atlanta real estate expert Michael Hickman about the micro-markets around Georgia Tech, Emory, Georgia State, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, and Kennesaw State. His insights revealed an important truth: Not every college town behaves the same — and knowing the micro-markets is everything. The lessons from Atlanta directly reinforce why Tuscaloosa and Birmingham continue to outperform as investment markets.

Turning College Housing Costs Into Wealth: Why More Parents Are Buying Homes A recent Business Insider article highlighted a growing trend: parents are choosing to buy homes in college towns for their students rather than paying room and board or rent. And it’s not hard to see why—what was once a four-year expense is now becoming a pathway to long-term equity and wealth. At Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams , we’re passionate about helping parents and investors seize these opportunities. College town real estate isn’t just about having a place for your student to live—it’s about transforming a major cost into a smart investment.

Tuscaloosa: America’s #1 College Town for Real Estate Investing (and #2 for Short-Term Rentals!) A recent BiggerPockets analysis ranked Tuscaloosa #2 in America for college towns with the best short-term rental opportunities —putting it ahead of nearly every other football destination in the country. And it’s not just short-term rentals making headlines. Tuscaloosa was also recently ranked #1 in the nation for college town real estate investing , making it a rare m arket that delivers strong returns across multiple investment strategies. At The Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams , we help parents and investors turn these rankings into real results. We know where the highest returns are hiding, what buyers need to know before they invest, and how to structure deals that win big in Tuscaloosa’s thriving market.