All Forum Posts by: John Patton

I bought my first house in Bessemer 14 years ago. It also was the first time I had to install a iron cage around the AC until because they steal in Bessemer. I sold it 7 years ago and won’t go back  

Parts of Bessemer are ok but the schools are horrible. I was told this by 2 current students that said the bad kids run the school and not the teacher. 

I would buy in areas in west Jefferson county that have decent schools like McCadory and Hueytown.

Good luck. Jp

It is close to Bessemer city high school. It is off Powder Plant road. Take exit at academy drive go west past Chevrolet dealership deadends into powder plant road turn right  it’s on the right about 1/4 Mile. It is huge. It is supposed to be over 850,000 square feet. 1500 jobs. 

It’s the reason I keep house in Hueytown because all the decent paying jobs are in Bessemer and McCalla. Real nice rental homes are getting 1200 to 1500 a month. A lot of hard working folks are leaving Bessemer city limits. My new tenant was from Bessemer. Good luck jp

Destin Florida but don’t tell anyone. They may have the most beautiful white sand beach in the USA. But keep it quiet lol. 

Bessemer in my opinion is not a desirable area for investments property. I bought my first property in Bessemer over 14 years ago. Sold it 6 years ago.  Got out and not going back. In Bessemer some areas just steal and others steal & shoot guns and sometimes people’s dogs. 

If you really want to get to know a neighborhood drive around it during the week right after lunch and see who’s hanging out on the street. Then stop and talk to the local mail carriers about the neighborhood also talk to utility workers working the areas. These folks are on these streets every day and they know what’s going on. Good luck. Jp

If you want to flip houses get homes with good schools. I Hoover, Helena,alabaster and Chelsea. Helena household income is 5k higher than hoover al. Alabaster has brand new school that looks like a small college. Chelsea is booming. Don’t care for Pelham. Good luck. 

You won’t go wrong with good schools  

Jp

Rates have gone up about 65% in last 2 years. All Alabama are going up due to a bunch of claims due to weather like hail and tornadoes. 65 k house cost about 1000 per year with 

3.5 % deductible. Good luck. 

That area is next door to the wild Wild West. About 40 years ago I had a gun pulled on me only 1 mile away. Good luck. Keep your head on a swivel. Jp

I would check which high school this property first. If it’s shades valley I would be cautious. Good luck. Jp

I was in Hueytown this morning and stopped at a quick mart and I spoke with a postal worker about the neighborhood, He said no problems at all compared to Bessemer next door were he worked previously  and I will just leave it there on that.

When you are looking at areas to buy drive around and talk to people that are working these streets everyday such as postal workers and utility workers. They know what is going on just like the police and the fireman.

I have come to the conclusion that stay away from:

B&B neighborhoods ( Boarded up and burned out).

S&S neighborhoods ( Shooting & Stealing)

Good luck JP

JOBS are in west Jefferson county. All you have to do is ride by the new Amazon warehouse of

 8500000 sq ft.  Lots of $12-15 hour jobs there. These nice folks need good places to live. I like Hueytown. Hueytown has better schools than Bessemer. 

Good luck JP