talk to brandelyn
Two women laughing and embracing in front of their new home
first-time buyers

your first front door

Couple walking their dog past shops and porches in Avondale
01/04

From "can we even afford this?" to keys in hand. We translate the contracts, find the down-payment programs, and keep the whole process calm — no dumb questions, ever.

how it feels:
excited
nervous (that's normal)
ready
perfect for:
renters ready to own,
couples taking the leap,
fresh starts
you get:
buyer roadmap · lender matches · first-timer checklist
selling your home

sold, minus the stress

Kids riding bikes down a friendly neighborhood street
02/04

Pricing strategy, staging, and marketing that gets Central Alabama buyers through the door — and offers on the table.

how it feels:
confident
informed
in control
perfect for:
upsizing, downsizing,
relocating out,
cashing in equity
you get:
free valuation · staging plan · pro photography
relocating to alabama

new here? welcome home

Rolling Alabama farmland with peach orchards and a farmhouse
03/04

Moving for work, family, or a fresh start? We'll match you to the right neighborhood — and introduce you around — before you ever book a flight.

how it feels:
curious
hopeful
a little brave
perfect for:
career moves,
coming home to the south,
finding your people
you get:
relocation guide · video tours · community intros
investing

grow something good

Busy main street with shops and pedestrians
04/04

Rental and renovation opportunities across Central Alabama, with honest numbers on what actually cash-flows — not wishful thinking.

how it feels:
strategic
patient
numbers-first
perfect for:
first rentals,
house hackers,
portfolio builders
you get:
deal analysis · rent comps · contractor network

we're proud realty group — we help folks across central alabama buy, sell, and settle in with honest guidance, zero pressure, and a welcome that means everyone.

respect, guaranteed

Every client, every showing, every closing table. No exceptions, no asterisks.

community-vetted

Honest insight on neighborhoods, schools, and services — from people who actually live there.

a trusted network

Affirming lenders, inspectors, and attorneys — so the whole transaction feels like the first showing did.

what's your home worth?

Get a real answer from a real local expert — not an algorithm's guess. Personalized valuation within 24 hours, no strings attached.

No spam, no pressure. Just your number.

moving somewhere else?

Tell us where you're headed. We'll match you with an agent we'd trust with our own family — almost anywhere in the country.

match me with an agent

our corner of alabama

Birmingham and the counties around it. Honest guides to where you'll feel at home — from people with opinions.

Birmingham skyline seen from a historic hillside neighborhood
jefferson county

birmingham metro

Avondale, Crestwood, Forest Park, Homewood — walkable neighborhoods with real character.

explore birmingham
Montevallo's brick main street with shops and the university clock tower
shelby county · ★ our hometown

montevallo

Brick streets, big porches, a great little university, and one of the friendliest downtowns in the state.

explore montevallo
Quiet suburban street with kids riding bikes
shelby county

alabaster · calera · helena

Room to grow, strong schools, minutes from everything.

explore shelby county
Rolling Chilton County farmland with peach orchards
chilton county

clanton & beyond

Acreage, orchards, and small-town living — peaches included.

explore chilton county

people we've brought home

Brandelyn is gathering client stories now — the real ones, with names, from people who said yes to being quoted.

Worked with us? We'd love to hear from you

the insider's guide to calling central alabama home

Neighborhood breakdowns, affirming service providers, community favorites, and the real talk about living here — written by people who do.

questions folks actually ask

Straight answers, no hedging. If yours isn't here, just ask us.

is there an lgbtq+ friendly realtor in birmingham, alabama?

yes. proud realty group is an openly lgbtq+ friendly team based in montevallo, serving the birmingham metro, shelby county, and chilton county. brandelyn nelson (alabama license #108053) works with buyers and sellers across central alabama.

we also keep a referral network of affirming lenders, inspectors, and closing attorneys — so the whole transaction feels the way the first showing did, not just the parts we're in the room for.

which towns in alabama are most welcoming to lgbtq+ residents?

montevallo is one of a small handful of alabama cities with a comprehensive lgbtq-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance. the city council passed it in april 2018, after a campaign led by the montevallo acceptance project, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city's protected classes in housing, employment, and public accommodations. birmingham adopted similar protections in 2017.

montevallo is also a university town, which gives it a walkable downtown and a mix of people unusual for a city its size. more on montevallo here.

does alabama law protect against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity?

It's complicated, and it changed recently. The federal Fair Housing Act covers race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. In 2021 HUD began reading the Act's sex protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity, following the Supreme Court's Bostock decision.

That precedent still stands. But as of 2026, HUD has stopped investigating sexual orientation and gender identity complaints — so the protection exists on paper without federal enforcement behind it. Alabama has no statewide law either, which leaves local ordinances doing most of the work: Birmingham adopted comprehensive protections in 2017, Montevallo in 2018.

Private lawsuits under the Fair Housing Act are still possible. We wrote up where things actually stand here — and this is general information, not legal advice.

what areas do you serve?

central alabama — mainly jefferson county (birmingham, avondale, crestwood, forest park, homewood), shelby county (montevallo, alabaster, calera, helena), and chilton county (clanton and out toward the orchards).

can you help me find an agent in another state?

yes, and it costs you nothing. tell us where you're headed and we'll match you with a vetted affirming agent almost anywhere in the country — someone we'd trust with our own family.

how much does it cost to work with a buyer's agent?

buyer agent compensation is negotiable and gets agreed to in writing before we tour anything. we'll walk you through exactly what the agreement says, what's being charged, and who pays it, before you sign a thing. no surprises at the closing table.

come on home

Tell us a little about what you're looking for. Brandelyn reads every one of these herself, and you'll hear back within one business day — no call center, no drip campaign.

hello@proud.realty

No spam, no pressure, no selling your info. Ever.