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Displaying blog entries 121-130 of 1241

Updating Your Older Home on a Budget

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
by The Hat Team

Older homes appeal to many due to their charm and endurance. But living in an older home can become cumbersome as its parts age and break. You can update your little piece of history without changing the overall ambiance that attracted you to begin with. 

Here are some simple and budget-friendly ways to update your older home:

  • Paint the Front Door

Buying a new front door can be pricey. In addition, you may be hard-pressed to find a “new” door that complements the style of your older house. But PAINTING the front door that you already have is a fabulous alternative. It will only cost you the price of the primer, paint, and supplies. Not only can you add some color to your exterior, but you will also add protection from the elements, meaning that your door will last longer.

  • Replace Outdoor Light Fixtures

Faded, rusted light fixtures can be easily replaced with new ones for very little cost. You can even find Vintage Light Fixtures to fit in with the age and style of your home.

  • Wash Your House

If you don’t own a power washer, it will be well worth it to rent one for a day so that you can give your house a good washing. You will be amazed by the difference it will make when you remove years’ worth of dirt and dust!

  • Install Porcelain Tile Floors in Your Bathroom

Replacing floors in your home can seem overwhelming due to the expense. But you can start with your smaller rooms, like your bathroom, without spending too much. Look for sales on porcelain tiles and install them yourself to save even more money.

  • Replace Light Switch Plates

Do your light switch plates look dingy? You can brighten up a room by simply replacing them with new ones! For example, brushed nickel plates are only about $5 each and when used throughout the home they provide style and consistency.

  • Replace Old Indoor Light Fixtures

Just like with the outdoor light fixtures, old, shabby ones can make your home feel old and shabby. Keep the vintage appeal of your home while updating it with new light fixtures. Check out the Vintage Light Fixtures link above to find ones that will fit in with your home.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: oldhouseguy.com, lowes.com, sg.news.yahoo.com

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101 S Capitol Parkway: Vintage Historic Capitol Parkway Home!

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
by The Hat Team

101 S Capitol Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36107

MLS# 537695

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 2,188 Square Feet | Capitol Heights

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Do you love the charm and character of classic historic homes but don't want to deal with old house issues? Well, here is the perfect house for you! This vintage historic Capitol Parkway home is the best of both worlds! Meticulously renovated inside and out to include a new roof, new electrical and plumbing, new HVAC, new kitchen and baths, and addition of guest powder room! Gleaming hardwood floors greet you upon entering the spacious living room, which opens to the traditional dining room with bay window. Off the living room is a well-proportioned den/family room/study with French doors back out to the big covered front porch. Two guest bedrooms share a wonderfully modern updated bath, and the private primary suite has a contemporary bath with a large walk-in shower and heated towel bar. Stunning kitchen is sleek and open, with plenty of cabinets and loads of counter space...and the gorgeous countertops are built from the reclaimed floor out of the old downtown YMCA! Rear laundry/mudroom offers access to the big backyard with lots of potential for outdoor living. Located minutes from downtown, shopping, dining, and schools.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

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Downsizing? Make Your Small Space Feel Like Home

Wednesday, May 3, 2023
by The Hat Team

Big houses mean “big work”. The care and maintenance of a larger home can be overwhelming. You might be looking to downsize and simplify. There are a plethora of benefits of living in a smaller house. First, it costs less money…which frees up funds for other things you enjoy like travel and hobbies.  And the peace of mind that comes with living within your means is priceless. Also, with less space, there is less to clean. And less cleaning means more time for fun and relaxation. But sometimes it can be challenging to fit everything you need (and want) into a home with limited square footage. Don’t despair! Not only can you make it all fit, but you can also do it with style and create a comfortable, cozy home that suits all your needs. 

Here are some clever ideas for making the most of small spaces:

  • Make everything seem bigger by painting walls in light colors. 
     
  • Use small-scale furniture rather than large, overstuffed pieces that will overwhelm the room.
     
  • Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space.  One mirror will make an impression, but two facing each other will make a bigger impact by amplifying the semblance of added area and light.
  • If you’re thinking of doing any renovations, consider adding a bay window. Not only will it maximize square footage, but it will provide the added bonus of flooding the house with natural light.
     
  • Keep things simple.  Clean lines make things feel streamlined and give the impression of openness.
     
  • Take advantage of high ceilings by going vertical with cabinetry.  Not only will it draw the eyes up and away from the limited counter space, but it will also provide maximum storage.
  • Continue thinking up and not out by utilizing tall bookshelves.
     
  • Use furniture pieces that serve more than one purpose.
     
  • Got stairs?  Don’t let the area underneath them go to waste.  There are great options for creating extra storage that will be functional and look great too.
     
  • If you’re going to hang curtains, hand them as high as you can to make the ceilings seem higher and extend the rods about 4 inches on either side to make windows seem wider and to allow more light in when they are open.

Downsizing and simplifying will make you realize that less really is more, but it doesn’t mean you must sacrifice style and comfort!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: moving.com, sonomamag.com, thespruce.com, designmorsels.com

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Tips for Selling Your Home in the Spring

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

Spring is a great time to sell a house. In fact, per a Zillow study, homes listed between May 1 through May 15 sold, on average, around 18.5 days faster than homes not listed during this period. Add this to the fact that the largest number of buyers are actively searching for homes in the months of April, May and June and you will see that getting your property on the market this time of year is a must. This is especially true now because there is still a shortage of homes for sale, so buyers are on the hunt!

Here are some tips that will help your house stand out among the other homes that get put on the market in spring:

  1. Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. A little bit of sparkle goes a long way in impressing potential buyers.
     
  2. Rake the yard and trim back bushes. Your yard is the first thing people will see. Dead leaves and debris do not paint a pretty picture. In addition, you want as much natural light as possible flooding through your windows, so make sure bushes aren’t blocking the rays.
  3. Mow the yard diagonally and edge along the driveway and sidewalks. Mowing diagonally makes yards look larger. And edging shows that you give attention to small details. 
     
  4. Plant yellow flowers. Yellow tulips and daffodils promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
     
  5. Clean window treatments and open windows. It will be worth your while to take down your drapes, curtains, and blinds to clean them and give them a crisp, fresh look. Weather permitting, opening windows lets the fresh air in and gives the whole house the feeling of spring.
  6. Have fresh, fragrant flowers in the house. Artful home-staging brings color and pleasant aromas indoors.
     
  7. Polish floors to a high gloss. Make those floors shine! Refinish them if necessary.
     
  8. Use light colors. Even if you must spend a little to replace items things like towels, linens, throws, and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents that will pay off.  Use soft, spring colors such as yellows, pinks, pale blues, and lavenders to light up a room.
  9. Spruce up your entryway. This is the part of your home where buyers will get their first impression. Make it a good one!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: thepropertytribune.com.au, lawnsite.com, briebrieblooms.com, littlehouseoffour.com

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Should You Buy or Should You Rent?

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
by The Hat Team

There was some good news for buyers this week as mortgage rates continued a recent downslide. So, if you are questioning whether you should buy or rent a home, now may be a great time to lock into a rate.


Buying is often considered to be financially better than renting over the long run because your mortgage payments build equity in your home, which you will eventually own, while rent only goes toward the upkeep of your home and the pocket of your landlord. That is just one reason buying is better than renting. 

Here are some others:

  • YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH YOUR PROPERTY

Making home improvements will be your choice…from colors to paint the walls to light fixtures to types of floors, you won’t need permission from a landlord to make changes.

  • TAX BENEFITS

Tax deductions are a great perk of home ownership.

  • STABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS

Rents can go up, but with a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments won’t change.

  • FORCED SAVINGS

Renting might seem less expensive, but would you actually save the money you don’t spend on rent?  Since your mortgage payments are building equity in your own home, which you can later sell for profit, it’s like a forced savings.


Using a Rent vs. Buy Calculator you can see how buying is a better financial option than renting. For example, after 4 years, the cost of homeownership (down payment, mortgage, taxes, etc.) for a $300,000 home would be $143,564. The total cost to rent the same house for that period would be $102,022. Renting would leave you with $41,543 in your pocket (including the money you didn’t spend on a down payment). So, it looks like renting would be better financially, right? 

But wait…not so fast.

Let’s look at what you gain over the same 4-year period if you buy. After 4 years, your home will have $79,736 in equity. However, if you instead rent and invest your down payment and the other money you save at a 6% return rate, it will earn around $8,351 in 4 years. So, if you look at your gross costs, equity, and investment potential, it’s better for you to buy than rent if you plan to live in your home for more than 3 years and 9 months.

The bottom line is, if you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the Montgomery area, don’t wait! Start investing your money in your own home vs that of a landlord today!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: ramseysolutions.com, theguardian.com, getarate.com, familyhandyman.com

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8529 Westhampton Ct: Luxury Awaits at this Executive Wynlakes Home!

Monday, April 10, 2023
by The Hat Team

8529 Westhampton Court, Montgomery, AL  36117

MLS# 535461

5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 1 Half Bath | 4,228 SqFt | Wynlakes

Picture yourself living in pampered luxury in this executive Wynlakes home, one of Montgomery’s premier residential communities. This custom-built, Mediterranean-inspired home features an Italian stucco exterior and the finest of interior finishes. Stunning architectural details, ornate columns, two fireplaces (both can utilize wood or gas logs) and a breezy layout make this home perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. This 5-bedroom, 4.5 bath home features formal and casual living spaces, a home office with a separate entry and theater room complete with surround sound and remote-controlled lighting. Prepare a chef-grade meal in the gourmet kitchen complete with an island, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances (new dishwasher), dual-fuel Gaggenau cooktop (gas and electric) and new, built-in oven and microwave. The luxury wine bar and butler’s pantry are conveniently located for guests to flow to the formal dining room, kitchen or great room. Above the double-car garage, sits the private-entry guest apartment - perfect for a college student or guest - complete with a morning kitchen and full bath. A new roof was added in February 2022. Make your appointment today.

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Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Joy Randolph, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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1067 Magnolia Curve: Tastefully Updated Home with Cloverdale Charm!

Friday, April 7, 2023
by The Hat Team

1067 Magnolia Curve, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 535613

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,821 Square Feet | Cloverdale

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Beautifully situated on the corner of Magnolia Curve and Boultier, you will find this adorable home ready for its new owners! Excellent Midtown Montgomery location in Cloverdale for walking to nearby parks and restaurants, this beautiful house has been tastefully updated while also maintaining the Cloverdale charm. In the updated kitchen you will find granite counter tops, a smooth top electric range, stainless steel refrigerator and a large pantry for extra storage. The main level has two bedrooms and a bathroom which has been very nicely updated. Upstairs you will find the third bedroom and a brand-new bathroom! There is also ample space for storage or even a 4th bedroom upstairs. The formal living room boasts beautiful built-in bookcases, crown molding and wood burning fireplace with large eye-catching mantle. There is a bonus room off the living room that would be an excellent sitting area before stepping out onto your patio. The backyard is fully fenced and easily maintainable while also having a storage shed for all outdoor equipment. Hop on over this Easter weekend to check it out!!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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610 Ponce De Leon Ave: Beautiful Cloverdale Cottage!

Friday, March 31, 2023
by The Hat Team

610 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 535236

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,521 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild 

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Have you always dreamed of living in a Cloverdale cottage? Well, here is your opportunity!! Spend your evenings walking to nearby parks and restaurants or relax on your front porch swing. Conveniently located near Cloverdale Bottom Park where you can enjoy the Spring Concert series and the Cloverdale entertainment district. As you enter this lovely, freshly painted home you are greeted with a bright living room, fireplace, window seating and built-in bookshelves. The French doors separate the living room and dining room while looking great both open and closed. The breakfast room has a built-in china cabinet with glass doors for additional storage space. The updated kitchen boasts granite counter tops, a stainless-steel refrigerator, smooth top range, dishwasher and microwave; all of which will remain with the home. The spacious deck holds built-in seating while the fully fenced yard supplies all the space needed for entertaining. The beautiful hardwood floors are in pristine condition while the crystal doorknobs and transom windows add so much Cloverdale charm. Don't miss the opportunity to call 610 Ponce De Leon, in Midtown Montgomery, home!!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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1906 Mabry St: Two Bedroom Income-Producing Property!

Monday, March 27, 2023
by The Hat Team

1906 Mabry Street, Selma, AL 36701

MLS# 534871

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 896 Square Feet | South of Jeff Davis to Alabama River

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CALLING ALL INVESTORS! Here is your chance to add an income-producing property to your portfolio located in the "Queen City" of Alabama's Black Belt - Selma! Tenant in place until Feb. 2024 at $600/month and to remain. Property has great rental history. Package this with 1904 Mabry and 1906 Mabry and you've got triple the possibilities! 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood floors throughout, fresh paint with newly tiled kitchen and bathrooms. The carport off the side of the home allows for entrance into the kitchen. Showings granted with accepted offer. Please do NOT attempt to approach the property or tenants beforehand!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Joy Randolph, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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1904 Mabry St: Investment Opportunity in Selma AL!

Monday, March 27, 2023
by The Hat Team

1904 Mabry Street, Selma, AL 36701

MLS# 534870

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 927 Square Feet | South of Jeff Davis to Alabama River

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CALLING ALL INVESTORS! Here is your chance to add an income-producing property to your portfolio located in the "Queen City" of Alabama's Black Belt - Selma! Tenant in place until Feb. 2024 at $600/month and to remain. Property has great rental history. Package this with 1902 Mabry and 1906 Mabry and you've got triple the possibilities! 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood floors throughout, fresh paint with newly tiled kitchen and bathrooms. Showings granted with accepted offer. Please do NOT attempt to approach the property or tenants beforehand!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Joy Randolph, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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