BROUGHT TO YOU BY
March 2025 | Volume 12 | Issue 11
SERVING VESTAVIA HILLS, THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK AND TRUSSVILLE
VESTAVIA HILLS’ COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VESTAVIAVOICE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
THE REAL ESTATE REPORT
UNLOCKING THE MARKET
This story is part of The Real Estate Report. For the full report, see pages 24-31.
Former Vestavia Hills track standout Ethan Strand, now a University of North Carolina distance star, reacts at the finish line as he shatters the NCAA indoor mile record on Feb. 1 at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic. Strand clocked 3 minutes, 48.32 seconds. He was the first collegiate runner to break the 3:50 barrier. Photo by Joshua Grenade.
How Michelle Creamer became one of Vestavia Hills’ top real estate agents
Record-setter Ethan Strand now ‘future of US distance running’
By EMILY REED
F
ocusing on the small details and having a strong work ethic have helped Michelle Creamer become one of Vestavia’s leading real estate agents. “I think to be successful it is very important to know your product extremely well,” Creamer said. “I know Vestavia backward and forward. I have lived here so long. There is no secret recipe to real estate. It is all about good old-fashioned hard work, and I have a really strong work ethic. I also think going a little bit extra for your clients helps. If I know there is an important milestone in their lives, I will drop something off for them and let them know I am thinking of them. Personal touches really matter.” Creamer was honored in January by ARC Realty for her record-breaking $60 million in sales, including $49.5 million in Vestavia Hills, in 2024. “It was so wonderful being recognized for breaking a company record,” Creamer said. “I have just been very blessed over the years.”
By TIM STEPHENS Ethan Strand is the talk of the U.S. track and field scene this year — and he shows no signs of slowing down. The Vestavia Hills native and University of North Carolina standout shattered the NCAA indoor mile record at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic on Feb. 1, clocking 3 minutes, 48.32 seconds. In doing so, he became the first NCAA runner to break the 3:50 barrier indoors, surpassing the previous record of 3:50.39 set by Cooper Teare in 2021. His performance now ranks among the fastest indoor miles in world history. As if it wasn’t clear before, when Strand set an NCAA mark in the 3,000 meters, it became undeniable — a new superstar is on the rise in U.S. track.
See STRAND | page 23
See CREAMER | page 24 Michelle Creamer, a real estate leader in Vestavia Hills and the U.S. 280 corridor, poses in a model home in Vestavia Hills. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
INSIDE
Sponsors............................................... 4 City......................................................... 6
Schoolhouse......................................... 8 Business...............................................14
Sports...................................................18 Community......................................... 22 facebook.com/vestaviavoice
Summer Fun
Trophy Hunters
Explore summer camp options near you in the 2025 Summer Camp Guide.
Rebels claim trophies at state bowling and indoor track and field championships.
See pages 10
See pages 20-21
Turn that old jewelry into CASH.
Sell us your GOLD.
Cummings JEWELRY DESIGN
3166 Heights Village - Cahaba Heights 205-298-9144 • cummingsjewelrydesign.com
Record High Prices PAID!