About Amy Cotney

Who is Amy Cotney?

Amy Cotney is a REALTOR® and licensed real estate salesperson in Auburn, Alabama, license #108235, with Roots Real Estate - Investment Development at 235 N Gay St. She has been licensed in Alabama since October 5, 2016, and works three connected markets: in-town Auburn, Opelika, and the Lake Martin waterfront communities around Dadeville and Jacksons Gap, about an hour west of campus on US-280. She hosts the podcast From Toomers to Lake Martin, named for that drive. Homes.com records 215 closed sales for her over the most recent five-year period, split almost evenly between buyers and sellers. She holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations from Troy University and is a Certified Interior Decorator, which shows up in how she preps a listing. Her full record, with sources and dates, is on the awards and credentials page.

Is Amy Cotney a licensed real estate agent in Alabama?

Yes. The Alabama Real Estate Commission lists Amy Cotney as a salesperson, active, license #108235, first issued October 5, 2016, with Roots Real Estate - Investment Development in Auburn. Anyone can confirm that on the Commission's free public license lookup in under a minute; it shows license type, status, and the brokerage the license hangs with. She is also a current member of the National Association of REALTORS®, verified August 2026. Those are two separate claims. A license is issued by the state and lets a person practice real estate. REALTOR® membership is voluntary and means the agent has agreed to the NAR Code of Ethics. Amy holds both, and anyone who tells you REALTOR® is a license type is wrong.

What brokerage is Amy Cotney with?

Amy Cotney is a licensed salesperson with Roots Real Estate - Investment Development, 235 N Gay St, Auburn, AL 36830, Alabama company license #000129124-0. She is not an independent broker, so a qualifying broker supervises her transactions and the brokerage stands behind the files. That is the same structure most agents in Lee County work under, and it matters more than people think: when you hire an agent, you're also hiring the brokerage that stands behind the paperwork. Directory sites render the brokerage name a few different ways, with and without the hyphen and in all caps. They're all the same Auburn firm at the same address.

What areas does Amy Cotney serve?

Amy Cotney serves Auburn, Opelika, and the Lake Martin area of east Alabama. In Auburn that includes Yarbrough Farms, Moore's Mill, Cary Woods, Mimms Trail, and downtown. In Opelika it includes the historic downtown district and National Village. On Lake Martin it includes the Dadeville and Jacksons Gap shoreline, StillWaters, and the communities along the US-280 corridor from Auburn. Auburn and Opelika sit in Lee County; Lake Martin sits mostly in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties, which means different tax offices, different health departments for septic permits, and different market data. Amy works both sides of that line every week. If an address falls outside that ring, she'll say so and refer you to someone who covers it. Area guides are on the neighborhoods page.

How many homes has Amy Cotney sold?

Homes.com records 215 closed sales and $128.6 million in volume for Amy Cotney over the most recent five-year period, as of September 14, 2026, split 108 seller-side and 107 buyer-side. EffectiveAgents, which ranks agents from verified MLS data, shows 102 or more sales in the last 12 months, $54.2 million in all-time tracked volume, and a $360,000 to $4 million price range, data last updated July 2026. The two sites count different windows and pull from different feeds, so the totals differ; what they agree on is the pace and the range. The even buyer-seller split matters. Plenty of agents are strong on one side and rusty on the other, and the mix tells you which. Closed properties are listed on the sold properties page.

What does Amy Cotney specialize in?

Amy Cotney works four kinds of transactions in Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin, Alabama. In-town Auburn and Opelika resale, where she prices from street-level closed comps rather than a citywide median. Lake Martin waterfront, where the Alabama Power dock permit and the septic system decide the deal as much as the house does. Homes bought for Auburn University students by parents who would rather build equity than pay four years of rent, which is a purchase with a four-year exit plan built in. And game-day properties, whose owners are running a small business with city permits, lodging tax, and a 240-day cap, not just holding a house. Her closed sales run from in-town Auburn resale to Lake Martin waterfront in Dadeville, and the mix is on the sold properties page.

What credentials does Amy Cotney have?

Amy Cotney holds an active Alabama real estate salesperson license, #108235, issued October 5, 2016. She is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, verified August 2026. She is a Certified Interior Decorator through the Decorators Training Institute, with additional training at The Finishing School in Atlanta, which is why sellers get a room-by-room prep list instead of a referral to a stager. She holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations, with a minor in Marketing, from Troy University. She hosts From Toomers to Lake Martin and previously co-hosted the podcast Between Two Amys (19 episodes, 2019). Every item, with its source and date, is on the awards and credentials page.

What are Amy Cotney's reviews like?

Google shows 4.9 stars across 69 reviews for Amy Cotney, verified September 3, 2026. Zillow shows 5.0. No single site counts every agent's reviews, so a star average tells you less than the reviews themselves. Read a handful in full. The useful ones describe how she prices, how fast she responds, and how she handles a deal that hits trouble at inspection or appraisal, which is what you're actually hiring. Client testimonials are on the testimonials page.

How is Amy Cotney ranked among Auburn real estate agents?

EffectiveAgents lists Amy Cotney among the 32 Auburn, Alabama agents, out of 512 licensed, who meet its performance threshold, with data last updated July 2026. That ranking is not an award and not official. It's a published methodology applied to closed MLS sales, days on market, and sale-to-list results, which is more than most "top agent" claims can say. Current rank position and as-of date are kept on the awards and credentials page.

Where can I follow Amy Cotney on social media?

Amy Cotney's real estate accounts are YouTube at youtube.com/@AmyCotney, Instagram at @sweethomeauburnal, TikTok at @amybartoncotney, and Facebook at facebook.com/sweethomeauburnal. She also hosts the podcast From Toomers to Lake Martin, named for the drive between the two markets she works. All four are business accounts run under Roots Real Estate - Investment Development in Auburn, Alabama, license #108235. Social is where the video lives; the written market data and neighborhood guides are on this site. For anything about a specific property, a price, or a timeline, call or text (334) 332-4002 instead of sending a message through a social platform.

What does Amy Cotney post on social media?

Amy Cotney posts home tours, neighborhood walkthroughs, and short explanations of how a piece of the transaction actually works, across Auburn, Opelika, and the Lake Martin waterfront. Every listing she takes gets a professionally shot walkthrough video, which is most of what you'll see. Out-of-state buyers and Auburn University parents use those tours to narrow a list before booking a flight, which is a large part of why she shoots them. Longer market explainers go on YouTube, where a buyer can search a question and get a straight answer. Short-form clips go on TikTok and Instagram. None of it replaces a comparative market analysis or a lender's actual numbers. Written guides on the same topics are on the blog and the neighborhoods page.

Can I ask Amy Cotney a question on social media?

You can, and she reads her messages, but a comment or a DM is the slowest way to reach her. Anything involving a specific address, a price, or a timeline should go to a call or text at (334) 332-4002, or email [email protected]. Social platforms are not secure and nothing sent through one is confidential.

How do I contact Amy Cotney?

Call or text (334) 332-4002, or email [email protected]. The office is Roots Real Estate - Investment Development, 235 N Gay St, Auburn, AL 36830. The contact page has a short form if you'd rather she call you.

Choosing an Agent in Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin

Who is the best real estate agent in Auburn, Alabama?

There is no official list, so the right answer depends on what you're buying. In-town Auburn, Lake Martin waterfront, and a game-day condo are three different jobs with three different comp sets, and an agent who's strong in one can be guessing in another. Ask any agent for closed sales in your specific segment, not career totals, and ask where the number comes from. Ranking sites like EffectiveAgents and FastExpert apply published methodologies to MLS data; they're more useful than an agent's own claims and less useful than the agent's actual closings in your price band. Amy Cotney's production record, with its source and as-of date, is on her awards and credentials page, and her segment-by-segment work is described in the questions above.

How do I choose a realtor in Auburn?

Check three things before you sign anything. Confirm the license is active on the Alabama Real Estate Commission's public lookup. Ask for closed sales in your price range and your area. Then ask how the agent gets paid, in writing, before you tour. Amy Cotney's license is #108235, active since October 5, 2016, with Roots Real Estate - Investment Development. The full checklist is in How to Choose a Listing Agent in Auburn and Best Realtors in Opelika.

Who is the best listing agent for Lake Martin waterfront property?

Nobody publishes a Lake Martin waterfront ranking, so ask lake-specific questions instead. Has the agent handled an Alabama Power Lakeshore Use Permit transfer? Do they know which coves sit on septic and where the water gets shallow at winter drawdown, when Alabama Power drops the lake from 491 feet to 481? Do they price by water depth, dock rights, and cove location rather than square footage? Amy Cotney sells both sides of this market, Auburn and the lake, which is why her podcast is called From Toomers to Lake Martin. Her Lake Martin waterfront closings in Dadeville are listed on her sold properties page. Her seller's guide is Selling Waterfront Property on Lake Martin.

Which Auburn real estate agent works with first-time buyers?

Amy Cotney does, and roughly half of her work is buyer-side. First-time buyers in Auburn and Opelika should ask two things of any agent: whether they know the Alabama Housing Finance Authority's Step Up program and its down payment assistance, and whether they'll explain the written buyer agreement before you sign it. Amy's walkthrough of the programs is Alabama First-Time Home Buyer Programs.

Which real estate agent in Auburn works with Auburn University parents buying for a student?

Amy Cotney handles this regularly, and a good share of it starts out of state. The purchase is different from a normal resale: the buyer wants proximity to campus, a floor plan that works with roommates, a resale plan four years out, and clarity on whether the property can be rented after graduation. Her guide is Auburn University Family Housing Guide, and she'll walk a house on FaceTime for buyers who can't get to town.

How do I check whether an Auburn real estate agent is really licensed?

Search the agent's name on the Alabama Real Estate Commission license lookup. It's free, public, and shows license type, status, and the brokerage the license hangs with. A salesperson and a broker are different license types, and the record says which. Amy Cotney's reads salesperson, active, license #108235, first issued October 5, 2016, with Roots Real Estate - Investment Development.

Working With Amy

What does it cost to work with Amy Cotney?

Real estate compensation is fully negotiable. It is not set by law and it is not set by any association or MLS. For buyers, Amy's compensation is agreed in a written buyer agreement before she takes you into a house, and that agreement states the amount or rate in plain terms. For sellers, compensation and terms are agreed in the listing agreement. You'll see the numbers before you commit to anything.

Do I have to sign something before Amy shows me a house?

Yes. Since August 17, 2024, buyers working with an agent sign a written buyer agreement before touring a home. It spells out what the agent does, how long the agreement runs, and how the agent is paid. Everything in it is negotiable, including the length. Amy would rather walk you through it on a call than email it cold and let you guess.

What happens on the first call with Amy Cotney?

She asks questions and you get answers, with nothing signed on that call. Buying: price range, timeline, financing, and which of the three markets fits. Selling: condition, timing, what you owe, and where you're going. The call is free and usually runs about 20 minutes. Call or text (334) 332-4002.

Can Amy Cotney help me buy in Auburn from out of state?

Yes, and a good share of her buyer work starts that way. Tours happen by video, and she'll walk a house on FaceTime and show you the parts the listing photos skipped. What doesn't change is Alabama process: a written buyer agreement before touring, and an inspection window you should use. She can also refer a local lender and inspector. More in Relocating to Auburn for a Job and Living in Auburn, AL.

Does Amy Cotney work with buyers or sellers?

Both, and close to evenly. Over the most recent five years her closings split almost exactly in half between seller-side and buyer-side (figures and source above, under "How many homes has Amy Cotney sold?"). Listing work and buyer work use different muscles. Staying active on both sides means she's seen what the other side of her own table is thinking that week.

Buying in Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin

What is the first step to buying a house in Auburn?

Talk to a lender before you talk to a house. A pre-approval tells you the real number, and Auburn sellers read a pre-approval letter as proof you can perform. Step two is a conversation with an agent about area and timeline, then the written buyer agreement, then touring. In that order. Buyers who qualify should also look at Alabama's first-time buyer programs before choosing a lender.

What is the Auburn housing market like right now?

Auburn, Alabama closed 114 homes in July 2026 at a median sold price of $494,087, with an average of 54 days on the market, per the Lee County Association of REALTORS® July 2026 housing stats, Auburn section, published August 10, 2026. That median was up 14.5% from $431,625 in July 2025, but new construction was 34% of those sales, so part of the move is what sold, not pure appreciation. Opelika figures are reported separately in the same pack. The running analysis is in the Auburn-Opelika Housing Market Update.

What are closing costs in Alabama and who pays them?

Buyers typically cover lender fees, the appraisal, the credit report, title search and title insurance, recording fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance into escrow. Alabama also charges a deed recordation tax of $0.50 per $500 of value and a mortgage recordation tax of $0.15 per $100 of debt, per the Alabama Department of Revenue under Ala. Code 40-22-1 and 40-22-2. Who pays what is negotiable and gets written into the contract. Seller-side costs are broken out in What It Really Costs to Sell a House in Alabama.

How long does it take to buy a house in Auburn?

Plan on two clocks. The search clock varies: Auburn homes that sold in July 2026 had averaged 54 days on the market, per the Lee County Association of REALTORS®. The contract clock is set by your lender, the appraisal, and the dates written into the contract. Ask your lender for their current closing timeline before you write an offer, because that date goes in the contract. Neither clock is a promise, and price and condition move both.

How far is Lake Martin from Auburn?

Lake Martin's Dadeville shoreline is about an hour west of Auburn University on US-280, close enough that Auburn residents treat it as a weekend place and Lake Martin owners come to Auburn for game days. That's the corridor Amy Cotney's podcast, From Toomers to Lake Martin, is named for. The two markets are in different counties (Lee for Auburn and Opelika; Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa for the lake), report through different sources, and price on different factors. Amy works both, which matters when a buyer is deciding between a second home on the water and an investment property near campus.

Can I buy a Lake Martin house as a second home from Auburn?

Yes, and it's a common purchase for Auburn and Opelika owners. Three things change when the lake house is not your primary residence. Alabama assesses owner-occupied homes at 10% of appraised value and other residential property at 20%, per the Alabama Department of Revenue, so the annual tax bill on a second home runs roughly double what the same value would cost as a primary residence, before any homestead exemption. Lenders price second-home and investment loans differently, so get a quote for the actual use. And if rental income is part of the plan, the county, the HOA or covenants, and Alabama Power's shoreline rules can each say no. Amy Cotney can run both sets of numbers before you decide. This is not tax or lending advice.

What should I check before buying a waterfront home on Lake Martin?

Two things kill lake deals late. First, the dock. Structures in the lakebed or in Alabama Power's flood easement need a Lakeshore Use Permit, and what's standing today may not be permitted or may not transfer cleanly, so ask for the paperwork before your inspection period ends. Second, septic. Many Lake Martin homes are on an onsite system permitted through the county health department, so have it inspected and pumped. Lake Martin sits mostly in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties, not Lee County, so Auburn market figures don't apply. Start with The Best Lake Martin Communities and Areas.

Is a Lake Martin house a good investment?

It depends on how you'll use it, and nobody can promise a return. Three things drive Lake Martin value more than square footage: water depth at winter drawdown (full pool is 491 feet, drawdown 481), dock rights under the Alabama Power Lakeshore Use Permit, and cove location. A house with deep water and a permitted dock in a protected cove holds value differently from a shallow-slough property with the same square footage. Carrying costs are higher than an in-town house: second-home tax assessment, waterfront insurance, dock and seawall upkeep, and septic maintenance. If rental income is part of the plan, confirm short-term rental rules with the county, the HOA or covenants, and Alabama Power before you buy on projected income. The most recent waterfront sales data is in the Lake Martin Waterfront Market Report. This is not investment or tax advice.

Can I rent out an Auburn house on football weekends?

Sometimes, and only with the right approvals. The City of Auburn treats an owner-occupied rental as a homestay, which needs a home occupation permit, and a whole-house rental under 30 days as a short-term non-primary rental, which needs a zoning certificate. Either one also needs a short-term rental business license from the city Revenue Office, and not every address is zoned for it. Confirm the specific parcel with Auburn Planning Services at (334) 501-3040 before you buy. The full checklist is in Auburn Short-Term Rental Rules and the numbers are in The Auburn Game Day Condo Guide. This is not legal advice.

Selling in Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin

Can I find out what my house is worth without listing it?

Yes. Amy Cotney will run a comparative market analysis on your address, free, with no listing agreement attached. Online home value estimates are a starting point only and are not a formal comparative market analysis or an appraisal. Auburn's monthly closings span every price band in the city, so a citywide median is a midpoint, not your number. Request one on the home valuation page or read What Is My Home Worth in Auburn?.

What does it cost to sell a house in Alabama?

Compensation is fully negotiable and is not set by law or by any association, and it's agreed in the listing agreement before anything goes live. Beyond that, plan for title and closing fees, the Alabama deed recordation tax of $0.50 per $500 of value, prorated property taxes, your loan payoff, and whatever repairs come out of the inspection. Amy builds a line-item net sheet on your address before you list, so there are no surprises at the table. Line by line: What It Really Costs to Sell a House in Alabama.

Do I have to disclose problems when I sell a house in Alabama?

Alabama is a caveat emptor state for most used residential sales, which means the burden sits largely with the buyer to inspect. That is not a license to hide things. If you answer a buyer's question, you have to answer it truthfully, and courts recognize exceptions, including defects affecting health or safety. Amy's advice is to disclose in writing and price accordingly. This is not legal advice. Ask a real estate attorney about your situation.

How does Amy Cotney price a home in Auburn?

She starts with closed sales, not list prices, and works outward from your street rather than down from a citywide number. The citywide median covers every price band in Auburn, so it's a midpoint, not a valuation. Then condition, timing, and what's actively competing with you. You get the comps, not just the conclusion. Timing questions are covered in The Best Time of Year to Sell in Auburn.

Do I need to stage my house to sell in Auburn?

Usually not a full professional stage. Most of what moves a price here is decluttering, paint, light, and photography. Amy Cotney is a Certified Interior Decorator through the Decorators Training Institute, so she'll walk your house room by room and give you a punch list you can do yourself in a weekend. If a vacant house needs furniture to photograph well, she'll say that too.

How long does it take to sell a house in Auburn?

The current Auburn average days on market is in the market answer above (54 days for homes that closed in July 2026, per the Lee County Association of REALTORS®). Add your contract-to-close window on top of that. Price and condition move this number more than anything else. Market conditions change, and past figures are not a prediction.

Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell my Auburn home?

Often no, if it was your primary residence. Under IRS Section 121, a seller who owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years before the sale can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly, per IRS Tax Topic 701. Second homes and lake rentals are treated differently, and the exclusion can only be used once every two years. This is not tax advice. Talk to a CPA before you sign.

Neighborhood Questions

What are the main neighborhoods in Auburn, Alabama?

Auburn breaks into rough zones: downtown and the older streets near campus, including Cary Woods; the north side, including Yarbrough Farms and the Auburn University Club area; the Moore's Mill corridor to the east; and the newer subdivisions to the south and west. Price, lot size, HOA rules, and drive time to campus differ inside a single zone. The zone-by-zone comparison, with 20 named subdivisions, is Comparing Auburn Neighborhoods.

Where is Yarbrough Farms and what should I know before buying there?

Yarbrough Farms is on the north side of Auburn off North Donahue Drive, bordering the Auburn University Club golf course, with homes built from 2007 onward. Two cautions. Portal pages built on the subdivision name often serve an Auburn-wide feed, so a "homes for sale in Yarbrough Farms" count may include addresses nowhere near it. And the Lee County Association of REALTORS® monthly stats break out only all areas, Auburn, and Opelika, so any Yarbrough Farms "median" quoted from an association report isn't in it. Amy pulls street-level closed comps on request. Full guide: Yarbrough Farms, Auburn.

How do I find out which Auburn school an address is zoned for?

Check the address directly against the Auburn City Schools zoning map. Zone lines move, and a neighborhood can straddle more than one. Don't take a listing remark or a portal page as fact on this. The district's own map is the only source that governs, and it takes about a minute to confirm. How the system works: How Auburn City Schools Really Work.

What is historic downtown Opelika like for buyers?

It's the area around downtown Opelika's Railroad Avenue Historic District, listed on the National Register in 1984, with older housing stock in and near several locally designated historic districts. Character comes with rules: exterior changes inside a designated district can require a certificate of appropriateness, so ask what applies to the specific parcel before planning a renovation. Full profile: Historic Downtown Opelika.

Should I know about the Opelika building moratorium?

Yes, if you're watching new construction. Opelika's city council voted 4-1 on February 17, 2026 to adopt a one-year moratorium running May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, covering upzoning, new preliminary subdivision plats, and new conditional use approvals for multi-family or mixed-use projects. It does not stop already-approved developments, and the city reported more than 6,500 approved residential lots in the pipeline. Confirm current status with the City of Opelika. More context in Best Neighborhoods in Opelika. This is not legal advice.

Which Lake Martin communities does Amy Cotney sell in?

Amy Cotney sells on all three ends of Lake Martin, Alabama. The north end near Alexander City, including Willow Point, The Ridge, and Trillium. The east side near Dadeville, including StillWaters, Blue Creek, and Sandy Creek, which is the closest shoreline to Auburn. The south end toward Jacksons Gap and Eclectic, including Kowaliga and Real Island. They're not interchangeable: dues, dock rules, water depth, gated access, and drive time to Auburn all vary by community, and those differences move price more than square footage does. Tell her how you'll actually use the place, weekends, full-time, or rental, and she'll narrow the list. The comparison is The Best Lake Martin Communities and Areas.

Can I short-term rent a Lake Martin house?

Sometimes, and it depends on the specific property. Rules come from three places that can each say no: the county, the HOA or community covenants, and in some cases Alabama Power's shoreline rules for the structure itself. Get all three in writing before you buy on projected rental income. Local rules change, so confirm current requirements with the county. This is not legal advice.