Serving the Community That Raised Me: Why Oak Grove and Hueytown Will Always Be Home

By Austin Freeman, Associate Broker – Art House Team, RealtySouth

I grew up where front porches still matter, where Friday nights mean football under the lights, and where everybody knows exactly whose kid you are—whether you like it or not. Oak Grove and Hueytown aren’t just places on a map for me. They’re the schools that shaped me, the roads I drove long before I ever knew what a property line was, and the communities that taught me what real “service first” mentality looks like.

It’s where I learned to show up for people.
And now, it’s where I get to serve people every single day.

Growing Up in Oak Grove & Hueytown

If you know Oak Grove, you know it’s a close-knit pocket of Jefferson County where neighbors still wave and families tend to stick around for generations. It’s got that peaceful, rural feel—big yards, quiet mornings, and room to breathe. It’s the kind of place where you learn to work hard, treat people right, and take care of what’s yours.

Hueytown—just down the road—brings its own energy: hometown pride, a rich racing history, and a community that rallies around its people. Whether it’s Hueytown High football, grabbing a bite at a local favorite, or hitting the Ole Winn Dixie, it’s a place that feels lived-in and loved.

I went to school here.
I learned responsibility here.
I learned how to talk to people here.
And I learned the difference between selling something and actually serving someone—which set the tone for everything that came next.

From Sales to Real Estate—Still Serving First

Before real estate, I spent nearly a decade in the automotive industry. It’s not glamorous, but it’s where I built my foundation: listen first, understand what people really need, then go find the solution. That approach worked—really well. It also pushed me into what I was always meant to do: help people make big life moves with confidence.

As an Associate Broker with the Art House team, I’ve now closed over $20 million in sales volume, ranking in the Top 15 agents in the Oak Grove/Hueytown area. This isn’t because I’m the loudest or the flashiest. It’s because I never abandoned that service-first mentality.

And because I know this area like the back of my hand.
Every street.
Every neighborhood.
Every rumor about who’s repainting their siding this week.

A Media-First Approach (Because Your Home Deserves More Than “Just Listed”)

One thing I’ve learned? Real estate today isn’t just about yard signs and an MLS upload. Sellers deserve a media experience that actually moves the needle—cinematic video tours, drone footage, social-forward marketing, targeted ads, and strategic storytelling that highlights lifestyle just as much as layout.

That’s why partnering with the Art House team has been such a natural fit. We don’t just list your home—we produce it. Every property gets the kind of marketing attention previously reserved for luxury listings downtown. Because whether you’re selling in Oak Grove, Hueytown, or anywhere in the Birmingham area, your home deserves to shine.

Why I Still Love Serving This Area

Oak Grove and Hueytown aren’t the “up-and-coming” areas agents like to dramatize. They’re established. They’re real. They’re honest. They’re filled with people who work hard, want good homes, and appreciate someone who communicates clearly and doesn’t overthink things.

Buyers love the affordability, the lot sizes, and the sense of space you can’t always find closer to the city.
Sellers love that they’re working with someone who actually understands their home’s story—because I grew up surrounded by homes just like theirs.

When I’m Not Selling Homes…

If I’m not negotiating, marketing, or prepping your house to hit the market, I might be:

✈️ Flying for fun (yes, the kind with an actual plane).
? Finding the nearest live music—because life’s too short for bad playlists.
? Making new connections so I can better serve clients in a market that changes every 10 minutes.

Everything I do comes back to that same mission:
Serve first. Listen well. And help people make great decisions in the community I love.

If You Need an Agent Who Knows Oak Grove & Hueytown Inside and Out…

I’m your guy. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or just trying to make sense of the market, I’d be honored to help you navigate your next step—with honesty, strategy, and a whole lot of local insight.

Let’s talk whenever you’re ready.

— Austin Freeman
Associate Broker | Art House Team, RealtySouth
Top 15 Agent in Oak Grove/Hueytown
Media-First Marketing | Service-First Approach