My wife and I currently live in Denver but my parents are aging and we will soon move back to my home town just outside of the city.

Birmingham has proven to be a big destination for young professionals with degrees - a group that  starts more businesses at a younger age than previous generations.

Age of roof/AC/electric/plumbing/? 

Ask about the age of the roof and systems (water heaters and furnaces).

I've seen a couple of properties in Springfield especially with a sign from the county, something along the lines of "this property is an environmental hazard due to lead, unsafe for human occupancy, especially for children under the age of 6 and pregnant women..."

I agee with @Dennis M.SN: I have a friend with a 1970 SX Conv.....and another friend that just picked up a 70 or 71 SX conv the other day.....

In other words, given home price is contributed by sf, age etc. 

Ya get rid of that realtor , bc assesment is okay for certain facts like age of home etc.

The actual age of a building may be shorter or longer than its effective age.eminent domainThe right of a government to take private property for public use upon payment of its fair market value.

If you have flexibility on a location there is almost always a home for sale for a similar price with a better assigned school (particularly now with the population aging/retiring and both parents of a child more likely to work).