The village has spoken.

Anyone care to share their thoughts about the Birmingham, AL market (specifically the "Village at Magnolia" subdivision or zip code 35405 area) for single family residences (3bd/2ba)?  

PreApproved for 250K, but i would like to stay under 200K, probably more in the 150k-180K range.I need to merge my desire for the home to be an "investment first" (i will live in this home a few years and then rent it) with my girl friends demand for a fully finished highly livable home.The homes in the up and coming areas like Remington and hampden are not to her liking at that price point (not updated).Canton has some homes we both like, but they are on the smaller side at my price point, and i suspect i am buying at the top of the market here (remember i want this to be an investment) Charles village and Baltimore street side of Patterson offer inexpensive homes, but area has crime and home values are tredning poorly.

People move to our village for the schools and "Norman Rockwell" life.

i just called the village in my town & told the lady I'm bidding on a property & asked for the address. emailed to me in a couple minutes. i've gotten 4 reports that way - WITHOUT filing out any forms.A lot of these govt workers are doing repeated, menial jobs & are bored out of their minds. if you can carry a 5:00 conversation with them, they'll be glad to break up their long day.

I’ve talked to my tax accessor, code enforcer, and village to make sure we comply with zoning, taxes, and village rules.

Looking to update my current network of contractors as I embark on an update of a Merion Village home.

@Marco Paglialunga I have several investors who have purchased 10 year old vinyl villages in the outskirts of Indianapolis for less than $20k out of pocket ($85k-95k purchase price) and rent them for $1,100-$1,200/mo.

I have quite a few houses in my neighborhood ( I live in an incorporated village) that seem to look very run down, grass is overgrown, house is basically falling apart, although some of the houses have a car in the driveway, some of them have notices on the front doors or in the yard.

Ideally I would like to be in Clintonville or Italian Village but realize this may not be realistic with my price.