Carey Dodson, Realtor - Real Broker, LLC

07/15/2026

WATCH A CUSTOM HOME COME TO LIFE!

**156 Brynleigh Drive | Chelsea, AL**

**Sunday, July 19 • 2:00–4:00 PM**

Welcome to one of Chelsea's newest custom homes in the desirable Brynleigh Estates—a thoughtfully designed residence that blends modern luxury, energy-efficient construction, and peaceful natural surroundings.

Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac just over a mile from Chelsea High School and less than a mile from Cat-n-Bird Winery, this home offers the perfect balance of privacy and convenience.

From the moment you step inside, you'll appreciate the spacious feel created by **9-foot ceilings**, abundant natural light, and luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the main living areas. The open-concept design flows seamlessly into an impressive living room anchored by a beautiful **gas fireplace**, creating an inviting space for everyday living and entertaining.

The chef-inspired kitchen is equally impressive, featuring custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, designer tile backsplash, Frigidaire stainless steel appliances, a gas range, built-in microwave, dishwasher, convenient pot filler, and a generous **walk-in pantry** that provides exceptional storage.

The spacious main-level primary suite serves as a private retreat with a spa-inspired bathroom showcasing a Roman soaking tub with freestanding faucet, double vanity, and an oversized walk-in closet.

Outside, professionally designed landscape lighting highlights the home's architecture after sunset while mature trees provide a peaceful, wooded backdrop. A **7-zone Rain Bird irrigation system** keeps the landscaping lush with minimal maintenance, and the **oversized garage** offers plenty of room for vehicles, storage, hobbies, or outdoor equipment.

Perhaps the home's greatest value is what comes next.

**The list price includes approximately 940 square feet of finished basement space**, scheduled for completion during the week of **July 27**, adding incredible flexibility with:

✔ Private bedroom
✔ Full bathroom
✔ Dedicated home office
✔ Spacious bonus/family room

Whether you need guest accommodations, multigenerational living, a media room, or the perfect work-from-home setup, this thoughtfully designed lower level provides the flexibility today's buyers want while offering outstanding **basement expansion potential** for the future.

✨ Custom craftsmanship
🔥 Gas fireplace
🍽️ Gourmet kitchen with walk-in pantry
📐 9-foot ceilings throughout
🚗 Oversized garage
🌿 Energy-efficient construction
🌳 Mature wooded setting

This is more than just a new home—it's a place designed to grow with you for years to come.

**Open House**
**Sunday, July 19 | 2:00–4:00 PM**

Listing Courtesy of The McGill Group | Real Broker, LLC
MLS #21454628

**Sunday, July 19 • 2:00–4:00 PM****156 Brynleigh Drive | Chelsea...

06/16/2026

🏗️ THINKING ABOUT BUYING NEW CONSTRUCTION? Here's something I learned firsthand...

I recently had the opportunity to represent buyers on a new construction home purchase, and while the process has been smooth overall, it definitely comes with some differences compared to purchasing an existing home.

A few things that stood out:

📋 The paperwork can be extensive. With large national builders, buyers may encounter well over 100 pages of contracts, disclosures, and builder-specific documents.

🔍 Inspections still matter. Even with a brand-new home, inspections can uncover issues that need to be addressed before closing.

⏳ Closing dates aren't always set in stone. In our case, a home inspector identified an issue with a retaining wall, resulting in a closing delay while the builder works to make the necessary repairs.

The good news? These checks and balances are designed to protect buyers and help ensure the home is delivered as expected.

🎥 Watch the video below as I share some of my firsthand experiences navigating a new construction purchase with buyers.

👉 https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cO1o09nuBT7

A special thanks to Aubrea McNamara with Canopy Mortgage for the great discussion on the new construction buying process!

Carey Dodson discusses his experience working with buyers looking at new construction homes and the differences in the process compared to pre-constructed homes. He talks about the surprising amount of paperwork involved and a delay in closing due to an issue with the retaining wall.

06/15/2026

🏡 NEW CONSTRUCTION BUYERS: Did you know there are often TWO appraisal inspections before closing?

While touring two upcoming new construction homes in Chelsea, I had the opportunity to chat with Aubrea McNamara of Canopy Mortgage about a detail that surprises many buyers—and even some newer real estate agents.

🔍 Here's the quick version:

✅ The first appraisal is completed while the home is still under construction. The appraiser estimates value based on factors such as square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, and comparable sales.

✅ Before closing, the appraiser returns for a final inspection to verify that the home was completed as expected and is ready for occupancy.

✅ That final inspection helps confirm the Certificate of Occupancy (CO), which is one of the key items lenders need before issuing final approval and moving to closing.

Understanding this process ahead of time can help buyers avoid surprises and better understand what happens behind the scenes when purchasing a new construction home.

🎥 Watch the short video below as Aubrea explains why this step is so important:

👉 https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cO1oqunuASY

Special thanks to Aubrea McNamara with Canopy Mortgage for sharing her expertise!

This video discusses the importance of understanding the different inspections required for new construction homes, especially in the context of real estate transactions. It provides insight into the appraisal inspection process and the necessity of prepping buyers for this information.

06/03/2026

🏡 Final Phase of Construction Underway! 🏡

I'm excited to see the finishing touches being added to my newest listing in the highly desirable Brynleigh Estates community in Chelsea!

📍 155 Brynleigh Drive
Chelsea, AL 35043

✨ 4 Bedrooms
✨ 3 Bathrooms
✨ 2,238 Sq. Ft.

Welcome to this stunning custom home nearing completion and tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in one of Chelsea's most sought-after locations. Conveniently located just over a mile from Chelsea High School and less than a mile from Cat-n-Bird Winery, this home offers the perfect balance of accessibility, privacy, and natural beauty.

🔹 Luxury Vinyl Flooring Throughout Main Living Areas
🔹 Custom Kitchen Cabinetry & Tile Backsplash
🔹 Quartz Countertops
🔹 Frigidaire Stainless Steel Appliance Package
🔹 Gas Range with Pot Filler
🔹 Main-Level Primary Suite
🔹 Roman Soaking Tub & Double Vanity
🔹 Spacious Walk-In Closet
🔹 Thoughtful Exterior Accent Lighting
🔹 Mature Trees & Private Setting

This home combines modern finishes, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a peaceful setting to create a truly exceptional living experience.

🎬 Take a look at the construction journey and watch this home come to life:
https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cO1eqvnu6BK

🚧 Anticipated Completion: Late June 2026

📋 MLS #21441980

Listed by The McGill Group | Real Broker, LLC

05/24/2026

10 months of construction...in 98 seconds.

02/17/2026

Moving to Birmingham? Families relocating to Vestavia Hills often ask the same questions:

How are the schools?
What’s the neighborhood like?
What does our budget buy?

We created a short relocation guide that answers all of it — plus a featured home tour.

Download the guide and explore what life here looks like.