Investments in Alabama small towns?

[Bobby Dailey]

I'm considering a few opportunities for investing in the Alabama market. Which of the following small towns would be the best bet for future appreciation: Jasper, Clanton, Eva, Oak Grove? 

[Greg Parker]

Jasper is probably your best bet with Birmingham commuters.  Clanton is halfway between Bham and MGM, so it gets commuters both ways.  

[Bobby Dailey]

Thanks for the feedback Greg.

[Dylan Thomas]

@Bobby Dailey I would also suggest small towns outside of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. 

Bay Minette, Loxley, Silverhill, Robertsdale, Summerdale, etc. for Baldwin County. It is one of the fastest growing counties in America. There are only a certain number of homes that can be built new the beaches or Eastern Shore waterfront communities. The expansion is headed out to more rural areas.

Grand Bay and Theodore are smaller rural areas outside of Mobile off the i10 Interstate. Anyone traveling West to Louisiana and Texas would pass through here. Many travelers headed East to Florida would go through there too.

[Bobby Dailey]

@Dylan Thomas that's great information. Thank you for the feedback. 

[Andrew Fair]

Jasper also is very close to Smith Lake - a beautiful lake that is a popular place to vacation. 

[Bernard Joseph S.]

Baldwin County AL is an excellent choice but everybody knows about it now. The deals are harder to find in my experience but they exist. I'm actively looking for property there to go along with my Florida investments. Can't beat the Southeast to both live and invest...

[Bobby Dailey]

@Dylan Thomas @Bernard Joseph S. Thank you both for the feedback. Baldwin County seems to be popular, would you say the town of Foley has potential?

[Bernard Joseph S.]

Quote from @Bobby Dailey:

@Dylan Thomas @Bernard Joseph S. Thank you both for the feedback. Baldwin County seems to be popular, would you say the town of Foley has potential?

 Dylan would know better than me since he lives down there but from my visits, Foley is in a good location. Closer to the gulf then to Mobile and the Eastern Shore towns. Lots of new construction but that's everywhere in Baldwin. It's all about the deal no matter where you choose right? Feel free to reach out anytime if you want to discuss Bobby. 

[Ben Scarborough]

Foley is growing at a rapid pace. Several families from the midwest seem to be coming in. Also, very close to one of the top beaches in the southeast (Gulf Shores)! Happy to discuss some with you if you are interested.

-Ben Scarborough

[Daniel Broyles]

@Bobby Dailey

Hi Bob,

We live and invest in Cullman which is also right by Smith Lake. We are also 40 minutes to Huntsville and 40 minutes to Birmingham and right off I-65. We are experiencing a lot of residential and commercial growth here as well. Happy to help you if I can.

[Dylan Thomas]

@Bobby Dailey Foley can be a good spot for sure. It sounded like you were looking for something smaller so I did not mention it. Foley is basically the first city you get to once you get away from the beaches. It has always been more of a touristy area because of that. Now that expansion is having to move away from the beach areas, Foley has started exploding. There is new construction everywhere it seems. 

So, there may still be opportunity for sure, but if you're looking for something to get into before the boom I would stick with the areas I mentioned above. But, I also think there is still opportunity so it comes down more to your strategy and interests

[Michael S.]

@Bobby Dailey - just to give a different perspective, for future appreciation of significance, I personally would not consider any of those four locations you noted (Jasper, Clanton, Eva, Oak Grove). That said, I think Cullman and Foley were much better ideas for appreciation plays.  I think Athens also has more potential for appreciation than the locations you noted if you want a small city location.

[John Jasko]

Looking into AL market as well.  Have you had any success?

[Brian Piechocki]

Curious about progress as well @Bobby Dailey. I'm based in Atmore, AL and currently looking in Bay Minette, Atmore, and Mobile. Atmore is basically out of convenience, as I don't feel like the market will appreciate like others but cash flowing rentals are attainable.