http://www.CahabaMortgageGroup.com/

Cahaba Mortgage Group, 1024 Edenton Street, Birmingham, AL (2026)

10/10/2026

🌮🌴 SATURDAY LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: El Royale Café 🍹

Looking for a Birmingham restaurant that feels like a getaway without leaving the Magic City?

This week we're spotlighting El Royale Cafe, a Tex-Mex restaurant and garden located in Birmingham's historic Lakeview District.

El Royale opened in 2025 and has quickly become one of Birmingham's most eye-catching dining spots. The restaurant blends classic Tex-Mex inspiration with a unique atmosphere featuring lush greenery, vintage-inspired details, a central bar, and a European-inspired outdoor garden courtyard.

And then there's the food. 👀

🌮 Tacos
🧀 Queso & dips
🥑 Guacamole
🍗 House specialties
🍹 Margaritas & cocktails
🌴 Outdoor garden dining

Whether you're planning date night, meeting friends for dinner, or just looking for somewhere new to try around Birmingham, El Royale is definitely one to put on the list.

📍 2910 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

We love highlighting the restaurants, businesses, and places that give Birmingham its personality.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

10/09/2026

🏡 Homebuying can feel slow... until suddenly it isn't.

You might spend weeks scrolling through listings, touring homes, and waiting for the right one to come along.

Then you walk into THE house. ❤️

Suddenly, you don't want to wait. You want to be ready to make an offer.

That's why Clay Collins recommends getting your mortgage pre-approval taken care of early in the homebuying process.

Getting pre-approved before you find the right house can help you:

🏡 Understand your potential price range
💰 Have a clearer picture of your financing
📝 Be prepared when it's time to make an offer
⏱️ Avoid scrambling to get financing information together after finding a home you love

The home search may take time, but when the right house comes along, things can start moving quickly.

Get ready before you need to be ready.

📞 Call or text Clay Collins at (205) 563-3054 to get the conversation started.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

10/06/2026

❓🏡 FAQ: Can overtime, bonuses, or commission income count when qualifying for a mortgage?

The answer is: potentially, yes!

If a significant part of your paycheck comes from overtime, commissions, or bonuses, don't automatically assume a lender will only look at your base salary.

Depending on your situation and loan program, these additional sources of income may be considered when qualifying for a mortgage.

Your lender may look at things like:

💰 How long you've been receiving the income
📄 Your paystubs and W-2s
📊 Whether the income has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing
💼 Your employment history
📅 Whether the income is expected to continue

Every situation is different, which is why it's important to let a mortgage professional review the full picture rather than trying to calculate your buying power on your own.

Your paycheck may tell more of a story than just your base salary!

Have questions about what income could potentially be used to qualify? Talk to the team at Cahaba Mortgage Group.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

10/04/2026

🌿💦 SATURDAY LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

Sometimes one of the best things about living in the Birmingham area is how quickly you can trade city streets for waterfalls, hiking trails, and a day outside. 🥾

This week we're heading to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson!

This beautiful preserve offers more than seven miles of hiking and biking trails, along with rocky creek areas, waterfalls, swimming spots, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy Alabama's natural beauty.

🥾 Hiking trails
🚵 Mountain biking
💦 Waterfalls & creek access
🐦 Birdwatching & wildlife
🧺 Picnic areas
🌳 More than 1,000 acres of protected land

Turkey Creek is also home to some incredibly important wildlife. The endangered Vermilion Darter is found naturally in Turkey Creek and nowhere else in the world!

📍 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126

If you're looking for an outdoor adventure close to Birmingham, add Turkey Creek to your list. Just be sure to check current hours and conditions before heading out.

Places like this are another reminder of why we love calling Alabama home. 💙

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡

10/02/2026

🏡💰 First-time homebuyers: your budget is about more than just the mortgage payment.

In this video, Olin Burns talks about something every first-time buyer should consider before deciding how much home they can comfortably afford.

Your monthly mortgage payment is important, but homeownership comes with other expenses too.

🏠 Property taxes
🛡️ Homeowners insurance
🌳 HOA fees, if applicable
📍 Cost of living in the area
🔧 Maintenance and repairs

And don't forget about reserves.

When you rent and something breaks, you call the landlord. When you own the home, that unexpected repair is now yours. Having some money set aside can make a broken water heater, HVAC repair, or other surprise a lot less stressful.

Buying your first home is exciting, but the goal shouldn't be to stretch your budget as far as it can possibly go. Think about what it will cost to actually live in and maintain the home after you get the keys.

Want help looking at the bigger financial picture?

📞 Call or text Olin Burns at (205) 600-0353.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

09/29/2026

⭐🏡 Another great experience with Mark Achuff!

We love hearing from clients who felt informed, supported, and valued throughout the mortgage process.

Lila Shepherd shared this about her experience with Mark:

“Working with Mark was a game changer. He took the time to explain every detail and tailored the mortgage to fit my needs. The personal attention I received made me feel like more than just another client. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again in the future!”

That personal attention is exactly what we strive for at Cahaba Mortgage Group. A mortgage is a major financial decision, and you deserve someone who will take the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and understand your individual situation.

Thank you, Lila, for trusting Mark and Cahaba Mortgage Group! 💙

📞 Call or text Mark Achuff at (205) 874-2135.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡

09/27/2026

🎶🎸 SATURDAY LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Art's Music Shop 🎺🥁

This Saturday, we're turning up the volume on a Birmingham-area business that's been helping Alabama make music for generations!

Art's Music Shop, Inc (Birmingham, Al) has roots going all the way back to 1905 and today has a Birmingham location right on Highway 280.

Whether you're a seasoned musician, picking up an instrument for the first time, or have a child joining the school band, Art's Music Shop offers plenty to explore:

🎺 Band & orchestra instruments
🎸 Guitars, basses & amps
🥁 Drums & percussion
🎹 Keyboards
🎼 Sheet music & accessories
🛠️ Instrument repairs
🎶 Rentals & music lessons

We especially love seeing local businesses that support students, educators, musicians, and the arts in our community.

📍 4647-O Highway 280 S, Birmingham, AL 35242

So if music is part of your family's life, stop by and see what they have to offer!

At Cahaba Mortgage Group, we're proud to spotlight the businesses that help make the Birmingham area such a great place to call home. 🏡💙

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors.

09/25/2026

💳🏡 What actually makes up your FICO® credit score?

In this video, Clay Collins breaks down the five major categories used to calculate a FICO® Score and why understanding them can be helpful when you're preparing to buy a home.

Here's the general breakdown:

✅ 35% Payment History
Have you consistently made payments on time? This is the largest component of your FICO® Score.

💰 30% Amounts Owed
This includes factors such as how much of your available revolving credit you're using.

📅 15% Length of Credit History
Generally, a longer established credit history gives the scoring model more information to evaluate.

🆕 10% New Credit
Recently opened accounts and credit inquiries can factor into your score.

💳 10% Credit Mix
FICO® also considers the different types of credit accounts in your credit history.

Your credit score can play an important role when applying for a mortgage, but it isn't the only factor lenders consider. And if your score isn't where you'd like it to be today, understanding what goes into it can help you have a more informed conversation about your next steps.

Thinking about buying a home? Talk with Clay before assuming your credit will keep you from qualifying.

📞 Call or text Clay Collins at (205) 563-3054.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

09/22/2026

🏡 MORTGAGE MYTH: Renting is always cheaper than owning.

It sounds simple: compare your monthly rent to a potential mortgage payment and choose whichever number is lower.

But that's not the whole picture.

The true cost of renting vs. owning depends on your individual situation. When you're comparing the two, consider things like:

💰 Your current rent and potential rent increases
🏡 The total monthly housing payment as a homeowner
🛡️ Property taxes and homeowners insurance
🔧 Maintenance and repairs
🌳 HOA fees, if applicable
📅 How long you plan to live in the home
📊 Your savings and overall financial goals

Homeownership also allows you to build equity as you pay down your loan, while renting can offer flexibility and fewer responsibilities for maintenance and repairs.

Neither option is automatically better for everyone.

The better question isn't simply, "Is renting cheaper?"

It's "Which option makes the most sense for my finances, lifestyle, and future plans?"

At Cahaba Mortgage Group, we're here to help you understand the mortgage side of that equation.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 🏡💙

09/20/2026

🎬🏡 Birmingham is ready for its close-up!

If you’ve seen The Rivals of Amziah King, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell, some of the scenery might look a little familiar.

That’s because the movie was filmed right here in Alabama, with much of the production taking place throughout the Birmingham metro area! 🎥

And seeing Birmingham on the big screen got us thinking...

If Birmingham is good enough for Hollywood, maybe it’s time to make it your home too. 😉

Before you start your own house-hunting adventure, getting pre-approved can help you understand your buying power, explore your financing options, and be prepared when the right home makes its big debut. 🏡🎬

Ready to start casting for your next home?

Talk to the team at Cahaba Mortgage Group and let’s see what your homebuying story could look like.

Because we're not just lenders. We're your neighbors. 💙

Cahaba Mortgage Group

10/10/2026

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