Greg Powell - Magnolia Realty

07/16/2026

07/16/2026

Thinking about buying your first rental property in Auburn or Opelika? A lot of first-time investors get stuck before they even find a house, mostly because nobody explains the financing side clearly up front.

This week's blog breaks down how to think about cash flow without overcomplicating it, what conventional investment loans and DSCR loans actually mean, and the questions you should be asking your lender before you start looking at properties. It's written for beginners, not seasoned investors, so if this is new territory, this one's for you.

Read the full guide here: gregsellsauburn.com/blog

07/15/2026

A highlight of the summer- Acre parking lot fig and peach menu.

Enjoyed a great evening to catch up and have some light bites, drinks, and dessert.

The fig on sourdough with whipped brie, molasses, and other yummies was perfect!

07/13/2026

Is the landlord life right for you? Find out!

Renting your space? Consider our helpful hints before posting that listing!

07/13/2026

June 2026 market update numbers are in for Lee County, Auburn, and Opelika, and inventory is really the story this month. Homes on the market across the county jumped to 795, up about 21% from June last year, giving buyers noticeably more to choose from than they had a year ago. Sales stayed steady too, with 231 homes sold countywide (up 8.5% year over year), and the average sales price landed at $462,536, up just under 2% from last June. Days on market crept up to 62, so homes are taking a bit longer to sell than this time last year, but nothing that points to a slowdown, just a market finding its footing.

Auburn and Opelika told a bit of a different story from each other this month. Auburn's inventory grew a lot (up 26% year over year to 420 listings), but sales slowed some, down about 12.5% from last June, and homes sat a good bit longer at 75 days on market. Prices there kept climbing though, up 10.5% year over year to an average of $553.6k, so well priced Auburn homes are still commanding strong value even with a bit more competition on the shelf. Opelika, on the other hand, saw sales pick up nicely (up 45.6% year over year to 83 homes sold) while days on market actually dropped to 43, meaning Opelika homes are moving faster and the average price ticked up modestly to $374k.

So what does this mean if you're buying or selling this summer? Buyers have more inventory to work with than they've seen in a while, especially in Auburn, which means more time to shop around and negotiate. Sellers with a well priced home, particularly in Opelika, are still seeing solid demand and quicker sales. As always, pricing and presentation matter more than ever in a market with more choices on the table. If you're weighing a move this summer, happy to walk through what these numbers mean for your specific situation. 🏡

07/09/2026

Thinking about buying a home in Auburn but not sure if the timing is right? You're not alone. That's the most common question I'm getting right now.

The market has shifted since 2021 and 2022. Inventory is up, homes are sitting longer, and sellers (including new construction builders) are offering concessions that weren't on the table a couple of years ago. Rates are still the wild card, but there's a real case to be made for buyers who are financially ready and planning to stay put.

I put together an honest breakdown of what the Auburn and Opelika market actually looks like right now, who's in a good position to buy, and when it makes more sense to wait.

gregsellsauburn.com/blog

07/07/2026

Even on post-holiday weekends in the middle of the summer, there is tons going on around Auburn and Opelika.

Kick things off Friday with the USTA Alabama Junior Team Tennis State Championships at Yarbrough Tennis Center, running through Sunday. Saturday's packed: grab a coffee for the Downtown Audiobook Walk at 8:30am, shop City Market from 8-11am, learn to bake at Sourdough 101 from 5:30-8pm, then wind down with Float-In Movies at Samford Pool or the immersive Surrealist Ball at BoxCar Opelika. And don't miss Pioneer Park's Second Saturday, opening at 9am.

Swipe for all the details, and check out aotourism.com/events for more. What's on your weekend list?

07/06/2026

There’s a lot that goes into buying a home, but one of the most important parts of the process is hiring a trusted real estate agent. Agents know the market and can help you best navigate it. If you’re ready to find your next home, reach out today and let’s get the search started.