This is a "hire someone" but getting someone to look at it before we need to put in an offer is tough in the local market and the contractor we usually use is unavailable do to family issues for the next two weeks.  2) Will it matter which direction the new stairs would run up the second floor in regards to the direction the joists run? 

Hi Everyone,I am making a commitment to be more active on here, and going to try to post here a few times a month and also answer questions from my perspective for the younger investors.As the title suggests, I am a long time RE investor, have 3 properties 2 of which I rent out (one is cash flowing $700/mo , YES) I control 1M in assets, have about 250k in equity total.

I have a lot of experience in single-family and  large apartment communities and syndications.

Sales Data for the Previous 6 MonthsNew Home SalesNovember 2023Sales: 150 (MoM: -3%, YoY: +5%)Median Sales Price: $325,000 (MoM: +1%, YoY: +8%)Average Square Footage: 2100 sq ft (MoM: +2%, YoY: +6%)Inventory: 180 (MoM: +5%, YoY: +12%)December 2023Sales: 160 (MoM: +7%, YoY: +6%)Median Sales Price: $330,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +7%)Average Square Footage: 2120 sq ft (MoM: +1%, YoY: +7%)Inventory: 185 (MoM: +2.7%, YoY: +10%)January 2024Sales: 140 (MoM: -12.5%, YoY: +3%)Median Sales Price: $335,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +9%)Average Square Footage: 2130 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 190 (MoM: +2.7%, YoY: +8%)February 2024Sales: 170 (MoM: +21.4%, YoY: +10%)Median Sales Price: $340,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +10%)Average Square Footage: 2150 sq ft (MoM: +0.9%, YoY: +6%)Inventory: 195 (MoM: +2.6%, YoY: +7%)March 2024Sales: 180 (MoM: +5.9%, YoY: +15%)Median Sales Price: $345,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +12%)Average Square Footage: 2160 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 200 (MoM: +2.5%, YoY: +6%)April 2024Sales: 190 (MoM: +5.6%, YoY: +18%)Median Sales Price: $350,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +12.5%)Average Square Footage: 2180 sq ft (MoM: +0.9%, YoY: +6.5%)Inventory: 210 (MoM: +5%, YoY: +8%)Existing Home SalesNovember 2023Sales: 400 (MoM: -2.4%, YoY: +3%)Median Sales Price: $275,000 (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +5%)Average Square Footage: 1850 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4%)Inventory: 450 (MoM: +4%, YoY: +9%)December 2023Sales: 420 (MoM: +5%, YoY: +4%)Median Sales Price: $280,000 (MoM: +1.8%, YoY: +6%)Average Square Footage: 1860 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4.5%)Inventory: 460 (MoM: +2.2%, YoY: +8%)January 2024Sales: 380 (MoM: -9.5%, YoY: +2%)Median Sales Price: $285,000 (MoM: +1.8%, YoY: +7%)Average Square Footage: 1870 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4%)Inventory: 470 (MoM: +2.2%, YoY: +7%)February 2024Sales: 450 (MoM: +18.4%, YoY: +9%)Median Sales Price: $290,000 (MoM: +1.8%, YoY: +8%)Average Square Footage: 1880 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 480 (MoM: +2.1%, YoY: +6%)March 2024Sales: 470 (MoM: +4.4%, YoY: +12%)Median Sales Price: $295,000 (MoM: +1.7%, YoY: +9%)Average Square Footage: 1890 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4%)Inventory: 490 (MoM: +2%, YoY: +5%)April 2024Sales: 500 (MoM: +6.4%, YoY: +15%)Median Sales Price: $300,000 (MoM: +1.7%, YoY: +10%)Average Square Footage: 1900 sq ft (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 500 (MoM: +2%, YoY: +6%)TownhomesNovember 2023Sales: 45 (MoM: -4%, YoY: +6%)Median Sales Price: $210,000 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +5.5%)Average Square Footage: 1,450 sq ft (MoM: +1%, YoY: +3%)Inventory: 60 (MoM: +3%, YoY: +10%)December 2023Sales: 50 (MoM: +11%, YoY: +7%)Median Sales Price: $215,000 (MoM: +2.4%, YoY: +6.5%)Average Square Footage: 1,460 sq ft (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.5%)Inventory: 65 (MoM: +8.3%, YoY: +12%)January 2024Sales: 40 (MoM: -20%, YoY: +4%)Median Sales Price: $220,000 (MoM: +2.3%, YoY: +7%)Average Square Footage: 1,470 sq ft (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +4%)Inventory: 70 (MoM: +7.7%, YoY: +10%)February 2024Sales: 55 (MoM: +37.5%, YoY: +9%)Median Sales Price: $225,000 (MoM: +2.3%, YoY: +8%)Average Square Footage: 1,480 sq ft (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +4.5%)Inventory: 75 (MoM: +7.1%, YoY: +11%)March 2024Sales: 60 (MoM: +9.1%, YoY: +12%)Median Sales Price: $230,000 (MoM: +2.2%, YoY: +9%)Average Square Footage: 1,490 sq ft (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 80 (MoM: +6.7%, YoY: +12%)April 2024Sales: 65 (MoM: +8.3%, YoY: +15%)Median Sales Price: $235,000 (MoM: +2.2%, YoY: +10%)Average Square Footage: 1,500 sq ft (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +5.5%)Inventory: 85 (MoM: +6.3%, YoY: +12.5%)CondosNovember 2023Sales: 30 (MoM: -6.3%, YoY: +4%)Median Sales Price: $175,000 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4.5%)Average Square Footage: 1,200 sq ft (MoM: +1%, YoY: +2.5%)Inventory: 45 (MoM: +4.7%, YoY: +8%)December 2023Sales: 32 (MoM: +6.7%, YoY: +5%)Median Sales Price: $180,000 (MoM: +2.9%, YoY: +5.5%)Average Square Footage: 1,210 sq ft (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +3%)Inventory: 48 (MoM: +6.7%, YoY: +9%)January 2024Sales: 28 (MoM: -12.5%, YoY: +3%)Median Sales Price: $185,000 (MoM: +2.8%, YoY: +6%)Average Square Footage: 1,220 sq ft (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +3.5%)Inventory: 50 (MoM: +4.2%, YoY: +8%)February 2024Sales: 35 (MoM: +25%, YoY: +8%)Median Sales Price: $190,000 (MoM: +2.7%, YoY: +7%)Average Square Footage: 1,230 sq ft (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +4%)Inventory: 53 (MoM: +6%, YoY: +9%)March 2024Sales: 38 (MoM: +8.6%, YoY: +10%)Median Sales Price: $195,000 (MoM: +2.6%, YoY: +8%)Average Square Footage: 1,240 sq ft (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +4.5%)Inventory: 56 (MoM: +5.7%, YoY: +10%)April 2024Sales: 40 (MoM: +5.3%, YoY: +12%)Median Sales Price: $200,000 (MoM: +2.6%, YoY: +9%)Average Square Footage: 1,250 sq ft (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +5%)Inventory: 60 (MoM: +7.1%, YoY: +12%)Property Type and Purchase Type SegregationSingle-Family Residences (SFR)April 2024Cash Purchase: 70 sales (35% of total SFR sales) Median Sales Price: $305,000 Average Square Footage: 1950 sq ftFinanced Purchase: 130 sales (65% of total SFR sales) Median Sales Price: $295,000 Average Square Footage: 1920 sq ftTownhomesApril 2024Cash Purchase: 20 sales (40% of total Townhome sales) Median Sales Price: $220,000 Average Square Footage: 1450 sq ftFinanced Purchase: 30 sales (60% of total Townhome sales) Median Sales Price: $210,000 Average Square Footage: 1430 sq ftCondosApril 2024Cash Purchase: 15 sales (50% of total Condo sales) Median Sales Price: $180,000 Average Square Footage: 1200 sq ftFinanced Purchase: 15 sales (50% of total Condo sales) Median Sales Price: $175,000 Average Square Footage: 1180 sq ftRental Data for the Previous 6 MonthsSingle-Family HomesDecember 20232-bedroom: $1,100 (MoM: +2%, YoY: +5%)3-bedroom: $1,350 (MoM: +1%, YoY: +4%)4-bedroom: $1,600 (MoM: +2.5%, YoY: +3.8%)January 20242-bedroom: $1,125 (MoM: +2.3%, YoY: +5.5%)3-bedroom: $1,360 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +4.2%)4-bedroom: $1,620 (MoM: +1.25%, YoY: +4%)February 20242-bedroom: $1,130 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +5.2%)3-bedroom: $1,370 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +4.1%)4-bedroom: $1,640 (MoM: +1.2%, YoY: +3.9%)March 20242-bedroom: $1,135 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +5.1%)3-bedroom: $1,380 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +4.0%)4-bedroom: $1,650 (MoM: +0.6%, YoY: +3.8%)April 20242-bedroom: $1,140 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +4.8%)3-bedroom: $1,390 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.9%)4-bedroom: $1,660 (MoM: +0.6%, YoY: +3.7%)May 20242-bedroom: $1,145 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +4.6%)3-bedroom: $1,400 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.8%)4-bedroom: $1,670 (MoM: +0.6%, YoY: +3.6%)ApartmentsDecember 20232-bedroom: $1,000 (MoM: +1.5%, YoY: +4%)3-bedroom: $1,250 (MoM: +1%, YoY: +3.5%)4-bedroom: $1,450 (MoM: +2%, YoY: +3.8%)January 20242-bedroom: $1,020 (MoM: +2%, YoY: +4.2%)3-bedroom: $1,260 (MoM: +0.8%, YoY: +3.6%)4-bedroom: $1,460 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.9%)February 20242-bedroom: $1,025 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4.1%)3-bedroom: $1,265 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +3.5%)4-bedroom: $1,470 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.8%)March 20242-bedroom: $1,030 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +4.0%)3-bedroom: $1,270 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +3.4%)4-bedroom: $1,480 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.7%)April 20242-bedroom: $1,035 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +3.8%)3-bedroom: $1,275 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +3.3%)4-bedroom: $1,490 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.6%)May 20242-bedroom: $1,040 (MoM: +0.5%, YoY: +3.6%)3-bedroom: $1,280 (MoM: +0.4%, YoY: +3.2%)4-bedroom: $1,500 (MoM: +0.7%, YoY: +3.5%)Birmingham, AL Real Estate Market Forecast (June 2024 - November 2024)Market OverviewThe Birmingham real estate market is expected to remain robust, driven by rising property prices, competitive market conditions, and strong demand.

If you are looking for something with a little less risk I would say that either a house hack (where you live in one unit and out the other(s)) or a single family rental would be a good place to start.

Investment Info:Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.

I am looking to purchase a single family short term rental and put in LLC.

Then, with the end of year bonus I would like to use that as a down payment to buy a single family home near my parents in Atlanta.

I'm headed up in February for a ski trip with the family and was going to schedule some appointments locally, but wanted to ask the BP community as well.

Is it a single family home?