Valuable Real Estate Insights
Ken Grodner, REALTOR®
Given the run up in real estate prices last year, a number of my clients have expressed concern over a possible market correction and asked me if it is prudent to wait to buy after a correction.
I am just back from Orlando from an annual real estate event and excited to share what we learned from some of the top thought leaders in the industry.
I will attempt to reduce 5 days of learning into 4 points:
Point 1:
Appreciation in 2021, while significant, was more of a price catch up to get closer to the 4% long term average annual increase and prices are actually projected to rise modestly again in 2022, not crash
Point 2: Mortgage Rates, even inching up to 4% in 2022, are half of the historical average making purchasing real estate incredibly affordable:
Point 3: Points 1 & 2, rising home prices combined with historically low mortgage rates, creates an affordability index. For the last decade, we continue to be well below the average of 20% of income allocated to cover the cost of a home.
Point 4: Distressed sales, which were up to 40% of all sales during the crash of 08, were less than 1% last year and projected to be less than 1% this year.
Given these 4 points, waiting for a correction results in buyers missing the opportunity to build generational wealth through real estate.
Let's go find a property in
the second most affordable place to live in the US (Birmingham, AL)!
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.
From student condos to game-day getaways, discover why Auburn’s real estate market is becoming a magnet for parents and investors looking to build wealth in one of the South’s most iconic college towns.
Financing First: Why the Right Loan Strategy Matters in a College-Town Market When it comes to buying near the University of Alabama, the property you choose is important — but how you finance it is just as critical. The right loan structure can save you thousands, while the wrong one can delay or even derail your purchase. That’s where Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams comes in. As local experts, we see firsthand how financing decisions shape every step of the buying process in Tuscaloosa.
Discover how savvy investors are cashing in on short-term and mid-term rentals in America's top college towns. If you’re exploring real estate investment opportunities, chances are you’ve considered the usual suspects—vacation destinations, high-growth cities, or trendy urban neighborhoods. But one of the most underrated and reliable markets in the country? College towns. At Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams, we’ve helped dozens of investors build profitable portfolios in some of the most iconic university towns in the South and beyond. In a recent episode of The College Real Estate Coach podcast , we spoke with investor Ryan Winzenburg , who shared exactly how college towns became the cornerstone of his real estate success—and why you might want to follow his lead.
How Royce Dickerson Discovered the Power of Real Estate Before Graduation—and Changed His Future Forever
How parents are building wealth instead of paying rent—for the same monthly cost.
How Parents, Students, and Investors Are Turning College Housing into Long-Term Financial Wins
When Real Estate Meets Real Community – Bringing Joy, Harmony, and Heart to Every Generation
