Tasteful Friends - An Acquaintance is Selling his House

Bland. Boring. Birmingham. Hard pass.

White, white, white! And so is the house. How much do we get paid to live in Alabama?

It’s nice enough. Many rooms. Looks well maintained. the house should be energetically cleansed. The sadness lingering. I don’t know the history of the area at all but especially the room with the curtains. Anyway some traumatic things happened there in the past. Either on the grounds or in the house.

[quote]How much do we get paid to live in Alabama?

There is not enough money in the world.

It's really white which, I guess, is required in Alabama. A horrible state full of crackers.

I just wish they'd included a few more pics of the LR with that gorgeous chandelier.

535K? Not in Alabama. Overpriced by 534k

It looks like the top half was blown off during the civil war and they just repaired what they could. Its nice enough,and a lot of house for the price , but Alabama.

The kitchen is perfectly functional, but there's something off about it. Is it the sink in the corner instead of below the window?

What an ugly, cheaped-down attempt at "classe." Those low ceilings. It looks airless. Horrid space. There is no way to fix it, and even if there were it would still be..... there.

The outside looks like it got some overdue tuckpointing that wasn't great. The inside seems character free---all the character has been stripped out and the endless white paint doesn't help. The lot seems undersized for the scale of the house and there are too many windows.

The house looks like it was well cared for and in a nice neighborhood. It’s pretty much a blank slate for someone who is really into decorating.

Looks like he spent very little money in the house and it shows.

Should have been furnished or staged prior to photography. Too many photos and in an illogical order. Agent is phoning it in. Needs masonry work. Feels desperate.

Did your friend inherit the house from a relative? Looks like he went in with some white paint and is hoping for the best. Seems way overpriced.

The room proportions are nice enough but no to the kitchen. You need to put your own colors, style in it so starting with white walls works, however bland. Location is problematic tho.

[quote]It's really white which, I guess, is required in Alabama. A horrible state full of crackers.

Alabama has one of the largest Black populations in the US (though this house is pretty damn white).

Put me to sleep.

15 pics would have been enough.

Ugh. UGH. The kitchen looks transplanted directly from a Home Depot store – circa 1995. I'll hazard a guess it has HVAC problems, considering there's a mini-split unit in the bonus room (near the FUCKING HIDEOUS cabinet with Formica – FORMICA!! – countertops). Bizarrely cramped ceilings for a '30s-era house in a nice neighborhood. Those "gauzy" curtains appear to have been stolen from a Holiday Inn.

Hard pass, considering Birmingham has some much nicer architecture for a similar price (as long as you don't mind living ensconced in the bosom of white privilege).

Joy Reid is planning to put in a bid to prove racism in Birmingham.

its in nice condition. I would like to see it without the special wide angle lenses. Because it looks tiny next to its neighbors. But the interior shots do not look tiny.

Interesting exterior, and I like all the windows. Certainly move-in-able as is while planning to paint, re-tile. Big thumbs up for the shower room. But Birmingham? Sorry.

Good bones, no matter all the negative posts. Am pretty sure house is FAR better than any house posters so far grew up in. Birmington has classes in architecture and in taste, needed here.

Your friend really went cheap in the kitchen

Ghastly. Low ceilings. The master bedroom closets wouldn’t hold all my shoes... that shower... they wash elephants in that? And location. I wouldn’t live in Alabama under any circumstance,.. I;d rather be homeless

[quote]Good bones, no matter all the negative posts.

If you have as much money as attitude, you rip the bitch to the studs and start over.

Are those the slave quarters in the room next to the detached garage?

The house belongs to EdnaWelthorpe(Mrs) of QWHIP fame, he's a snotty bitch.

The front facade is hideous. It looks like someone took a big saw and cut the top half of the house off.

The flat-topped dormer windows are weird.

Pass.

And you know this how R28?

Is it Vulcan-adjacent?

The thing that makes it look so weird is that it's a 2 story house, and the scrollwork above the front door is only 3 or so feet below the roof line. It's as if the 2nd floor was built for Munchkins.

Birmington R23?

You shame our alma mater

This is Forest Park, an in-town Birmingham neighborhood that's wealthy but reliably blue (lots of gays). It's Mountain Brook and the "over the mountain" suburbs (Hoover and Vestavia Hills) that are deep red.

Agree with R14--there are programs that put virtual furniture in empty rooms and realtors show both the empty room and what it would look like furnished, as that provides a sense of scale and helps people who can't envision what a house would look like furnished.

I also suspect that if they'd gone and finished the kitchen off more--a backsplash, better floors that they would have gotten their money back and then some.

And yeah, the shower looks more like a groups locker room shower than something you'd have in your house. I mean if you're into that, it's great and all....

Like it a great deal. It has a lot of character. To the poster who said, "White, White, White," have you ever heard of paint? It's easy to change colors. I'd redo the kitchen. Hate electric...needs gas. And why do people have cabinets that do not go all the way to the ceiling? Wasted space. The backyard is good for entertaining. And it's only $575,000???

Location is everything.

Looks like they put in a cheap home depot kitchen remodel before listing it...wasted money. The shower contraption is a mess also. I like the outside. But it’s in Alabama, so of course It would be a no go.

One of the more bizarre realtor write-ups I've read (sounds like she was drunk when she wrote it!)

[quote] OPEN 8/9 2 to 4pm. Facing the park is one of the most desired spots in Forest Park. This is your opportunity. Beautifully maincured grounds, abundant light, and garage parking with studio are just a few items that make this one great. Perfectly proportioned, you'll find you have everything you need. Yes, all bedrooms are upstairs but that is to be expected in Forest Park. What you do get is an amazing heated, cooled, and plumbed studio at the garage. This is the perfect place for working from home or having a space for hobbies and crafts. Rooms in the house are gracious, light, and of course have hardwood floors. No creepy basement here. This one is bright and clean. The spaces flow but are not overly intrustive. The master bedroom and bath will make most anyone happy. Don't miss the oversized shower! If you like to garden, the yard is the perfect size and is simply beautiful. You will enjoy outdoor dining on the patio in the evenings. Don't miss this jewel!

Very cute. Nice space. I like it.

Very cute. Nice space. I like it.

Here's a write up of the neighborhood which sounds like it's on the upswing

There's even a gay couple (or two straight guys who own a garden store together and have just been served a plate full of warm cookies)

Maybe one of them is the OP or his acquaintance?

R6 LMAO! But I think it’s the DR.

The kitchen is hideous with cheap cabinets and a corner sink.

The basement is quite nice. I couldn’t tell how tall the ceilings were though.

The slave er servant quarters out back were nice. Must be the HOA rules that part of Birmingham.

Has potential.

It looks like a white cunt!

This house, from the website at R39 is much more of a "Tasteful Friends" house as I suspect DLers will either love it or hate it

The entire roofline is completely off. They need to increase the pitch so it doesn't look like a squat man wearing a small hat.

And man, does it need some color inside!

R46 That place has potential as a dungeon or house of kink. The dreary Don Quixote decor though is so depressing.

I wouldn't live in Alabama if you paid me a million dollars.

The rooms seem very small too R48, like there's hardly room to walk around the furniture-- the kitchen in particular.

Is it haunted? It's been listed/sold a lot since 1994.

R11 it’s a hillside property that looks down on the city. I don’t think the doctor or lawyer that lives there is concerned about your opinion

Birmingham is actually not THAT bad. The nick was perfect for picking up Guys without being at a gay bar. I was there around 1am when Bono came through While U2 was in town.

I fucking love it R46 ! Except that kitchen. God I hated that kitchen.

Fucking hate corner sinks.

$575k for Birmingham!? Nice house - but way too much for Alabama. Would consider it in maybe Philly or even Richmond.

Appeals to a wide audience. Not too trendy or over the top. In good shape seemingly. Kitchen is not fabulous but decent. Just seems way overpriced.

[quote]No creepy basement here.

Hard pass.

For $535K, you should be able to buy the whole fucking state of Alabama! Who in their right mind would sink half a million into one house in the second poorest state in the union?

Is the asking price reasonable for Birmingham, Alabama? It isn't high for a decent city generally speaking and would be a downright STEAL in California, but I didn't guess Birmingham to be very pricey. Judging from the $1.3 million listed at R46, I suppose I am wrong. I'll take Kansas City (the other Tasteful Friends today) as a home city any day over Alabama - and it looks like money goes a lot further there as well. Who knew?

The kitchen is horrible compared to what they put into the rest of the house. As much as I love a walk-in pantry, tear it out and get more space. Take the wall out to the dining room as well. As the for white, my guess is the realtor suggested it if the owners had bad colors on the walls.

Very nice. I love the floor outlets!!

The exterior is very unattractive. He should have done some landscaping.

I was surprised that there was something nice in Alabama. And even more surprised that there are houses that expensive in Alabama. Whomever buys it should negotiate the price based on having to COMPLETELY redo that HIDEOUS kitchen.

[quote] I wouldn't live in Alabama if you paid me a million dollars.

Yes hell you would. And so would most of the people here running off at the mouth about living in Alabama. Don't make a fool of yourself.

I was wondering if it was that douche doctor from Qwhip. What kind of doctor has time for musical theater and extolling praise on Birmingham?

That kitchen needs to be removed from existence.

If I HAD to live in Birmingham, I suppose I could live there, but why choose Birmingham when homelessness is also an option?

I looked through that link that R42 provided and the gay couple that owns "Shoppe" is featured - what a great store and what great taste they have. Perhaps Birmingham is being loverlooked because it is in Alabama but it certainly has some appeal. I may need to visit.

When you buy an almost 100 year old house in an established neighborhood, you expect large trees out front, preferably several. If this house had a few it would make its listing price, as it is I think they’ll be taking best offers.

[quote] I was surprised that there was something nice in Alabama.

Your ignorance is astounding. Have you been living in a cave on a deserted island your entire life? And then you have no qualms about displaying how little you know about the world outside of your little bubble.

But then, anyone with a brain can see you're just pretending to be elite.

R63.. no, I would never live in Alabama.. when god forbid, I ever took I20.., I’d fill up in GA or Mississippi and drive thru Alabama without stoping..... George Wallace bitch... fuck Alabama...

200K. Looks like a grandma house. Additional 100 to put a proper height roof on it, maybe some solar panels. Could be interesting if it were made more passive energy savings design.

I shouldn't have read all the comments. I'm definitely in the minority, Tasteful Friends.

I love LOVE the house. Needs a new kitchen. Other random small changes and improvements (like closet doors.) And it's in Birmingham.

But in another location, and if I was looking, I'd grab it.

And get rid of those stupid looking decorations going up the outside wall. Those are the dumbest looking things I've ever seen. What does one even call applications like that?

[quote] What does one even call applications like that?

Drain pipes.

It screams Home Depot flip.

- and the apparently fresh-painted basement floor is a big red flag.

Oh yes, now I see. Those things go all the way up to the gutters. They're still ugly as hell.

In this political environment I can’t imagine living in Birmingham, even if that particular neighborhood is blue. Imagine being around town and seeing all those red hats? People storming into shops without masks to show their defiance and worship for god-emperor Trump? Truly ghastly.

$575,000 for that kitchen? Hard pass.

I had a good friend that lived in Birmingham in the 90s . I stayed with him a few times,and quite honestly it wasnt terrible. The bars were a lot of fun and though I flamed from outer space I never caught any attitude about it. There was this one "antique" store I went to several times,and that 300 lb southern belle loved me . Gave me deep discounts on a few items cause she felt I would appreciate them. She was old and very "christian" but any time I wandered into her shop I was good for 2 hours of conversation.I hadnt thought about her in 20 years! I also found it to be a very pretty place,lots of trees and old buildings. It was the heat and humidity I objected to the most. Youd walk 2 blocks and be dripping.

I bet those drain pipes on the front were originally copper and some fool painted them over. I'd strip the paint off.

The house posted at r46 grew on me. It was built in 1920 and has been tastefully updated. The exterior is a bit much but it has an historical tie-in. It’s not something I would choose for myself, ie the kitchen, but the renovations didn’t strip out the character. I like all the different levels so it’s like an open floor plan. The enclosed courtyards are fantastic. The home office in the walk-in safe would make me *extremely* nervous. One strange thing: the positioning of the flat screen TVs on the walls in a couple rooms, you really couldn’t view much from the furniture placement.

R51 yes there’s definitely negative energy lingering