There’s nothing like the feeling of a rush of cool air from your air conditioning system, but what happens when that cool air turns lukewarm, or worse, won’t kick on at all? It may be time to get that ailing HVAC system replaced. Talking to an HVAC professional about an air conditioning replacement can be intimidating. There’s a lot to know, and it’s probably not going to be cheap. But considering that a typical air conditioning unit lasts 10 to 15 years, what you invest today will help pay for itself in the longer term. That being said, it’s still important to know what to ask and the pitfall ..read more

When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many buyers competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of selling this season. 1. There aren’t enough homes for sale right now. A normal market has a 6-month supply of houses for sale, but today’s housing inventory sits far below that benchmark. According to the National Association of Realtors  ..read more

When it comes time to sell your home, you obviously want it looking its best so that prospective buyers will fall in love with it. This may lead to you consider touching up or remodeling parts of your home to make the best possible impression. If you’re trying to figure out the best parts of the home to give special attention to, there are a few places that buyers are more likely to pay attention to than others. Chief among these are the kitchen, the bathrooms and decks. CONSIDERING THE KITCHEN A lot of work goes on in the kitchen, so it makes sense that homebuyers want to make sure that the ..read more

There’s a lot to learn when you’re starting out on your home buying journey. From concepts like earnest money to closing costs, it’s a lot to take in during a very short period. But of all the things to know, understanding the difference between being pre-qualified and pre-approved for your mortgage is one of the most important. WHY YOUR MORTGAGE APPLICATION STATUS MATTERS It’s always been a good idea to bring a strong offer to the negotiating table when it comes to real estate, but it’s even more vital when the market is short on inventory and long on buyers. If you’re in a multiple offer si ..read more

Shopping for a house can leave you exhausted and spiritually broken, especially when that dream home is proving tricky to find in your price range. Even though you’ll eventually find the right one, you may also find yourself cutting it close on cash if you didn’t properly prepare financially. So it’s time for your pre-purchase cha-ching check. WHAT IT COSTS TO CLOSE For sellers, closing is a fairly simple process, and most of the time they walk away with a check in hand. But for buyers, closing can be one of the largest expenses of their lives. You know it’s going to be pricey, but it’s a muc ..read more

How to Win in a Seller's Market 1) Know the market – It is more important than ever for buyers to know the market. By “know the market” I mean you should be aware of the general price ranges for the area, especially the upper end of the price range. If you are knowledgeable about what the competition is asking, and what homes have recently sold for, you will be better prepared to make a reasonable offer on the home you want. 2) Develop a winning strategy – Some buyers have the ability to pay for the closing cost or can pay a higher earnest money amount or can can close faster ..read more

Graham Group Gives partnered with Be a Blessing Birmingham and Birmingham BAR Association for a morning of service! Clothing and care packages were given to people in need. Great day of giving back! It was a very chilly morning in Linn Park, but our hearts were warmed by the fact that we were making a difference in the lives of our homeless neighbors. We happily distributed the supplies. Our team donated over 158 wipe packs and toiletry items to the cause. We look forward to our next service opportunity ..read more

If you’ve been curious about the home selling process, Graham Group Real Estate has your next steps easily laid out for you! STEP 1: MEET WITH ONE OF OUR EXPERT AGENTS It’s best to meet with a knowledgeable real estate agent as soon as possible to ensure you’re handling the process efficiently. Our agents at are experts in your local area and will guide you through the home selling to-do list. We will assess your home so you can set the best possible price when your home is listed.   STEP 2: CONSIDER VALUABLE UPGRADES Most homeowners don’t realize the upgrades their home needs until ..read more

If you're looking for a fresh new start, here are the top 10 reasons why you should get into the real estate industry. Oh, and don't worry about experience, you'll see it's much easier than it looks. 1. Be Your Own Boss. As a real estate agent, you will finally have a say regarding your schedule and working hours. Your professional success is all up to you, and you can reallocate your time to take care of those things that matter to you the most. In Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, you should consider partnering with the Graham Group Real Estate team since we're always partnering with awesome real ..read more

When you’re shopping for a home, it can feel like you’re hemorrhaging money. You’ve got all sorts of things to pay for, from loan application fees to home inspections, so when the issue of earnest money comes up unexpectedly, it can be a “slam on the brakes” moment. Now that the days of low to no down payments are largely past and markets everywhere seem to be running thin on inventory, earnest money may well be the most important negotiating tool you’ve never heard of. WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY? When you make an offer on a home, part of that offer can include a little show of good faith on your p ..read more