Real Estate Information Archive

Autumn is a season of change.  Leaves change color and fall from the trees, days get shorter and temperatures get cooler.  Yes, it’s really coming—we promise!  It’s also a good time to take care of home maintenance projects to prepare your home for colder weather.  Follow these autumn home maintenance tips and your house will be nice and cozy this winter:

• Clean gutters and downspouts. This should be done regularly to keep them clear of debris. You won’t have to do it as often if you install gutter guards.
• Check the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks for any holes or rotting.  Fill holes using caulk or replace wood if necessary.
• Give your roof a thorough inspection.  Look for shingles that are curling, buckling or cracking and replace them.  If there appears to be a great amount of damage or if your roof is just worn out from age, it’s time to replace the whole thing.  Hire a licensed professional if you’re not sure.  Make sure to also check for leaks around skylights, pipes and chimneys. 
• Hire a service to inspect and clean your wood burning fireplace and chimney and to make any necessary repairs to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Cooler temperatures and lower humidity make autumn a good time to paint the exterior of your home.
• Filters for your furnace and heating system should be cleaned and replaced.  Have a licensed heating contractor come out to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace.  Regular maintenance will keep it running proficiently and save you money on your heating bills.
• Check doors and windows for leaks and drafts both inside and out.  Fill in cracks with caulking or install weather stripping.
• Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and put fresh batteries in them.  These are potentially life-saving devices and it is vital to take good care of them.

Check these tasks off your list now and you will be able to enjoy a warm and comfy winter!

Don’t know reliable people to contact?  Just give us a call because we do!

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Electrical-Safety-Hazards-Tips-to-Prevent-Them

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Whether you are downsizing and need a storage unit to hold belongings you don’t have room for in your home, or you are putting your house on the market and need to store extraneous items so you can stage your rooms to sell, you want to choose one that will best suit your needs while keeping your valued possessions safe and secure.  Here are some questions to ask before choosing a storage unit:

1. What are you looking for in a storage unit?  Do you need a large or small one?  A storage unit manager can help determine what size unit you need if you provide a list of items you intend to store there.  Will you want climate control?  Units with climate control are more expensive, but if you are storing delicate items, it will be worth the extra cost to keep them safe should temperatures greatly fluctuate.
2. Where is the storage facility located?  Will it be convenient for you to get there? Storage facilities located in highly populated areas tend to be more expensive than those in more remote areas.  If you are storing things long term and won’t be visiting the unit frequently, choosing one located in a remote area may be less expensive for you. But if you are going to need access to your things on a regular basis, you will want one that is located close to where you live or work.
3. What are the business hours of the facility?  Not all storage facilities are open 24/7.  You will want to make sure that you can get into your storage unit during hours that suit your needs.  Find out if their business hours work with your schedule or if they offer on-demand access.
4. What kind of security do they have?  The fact that you are willing to pay to store your belongings means that they have value to you.  You want them protected.  A well-run storage unit facility should have at least some of the following security features:

• surveillance system that includes cameras and alarms
• a strong fence surrounding entire facility
• a gate that only provides access to people authorized to be there
• security guards
• smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinkler systems
• well-constructed units built with safety and security in mind (good ventilation to prevent mildew, raised floors in case of flooding, solid doors with strong locks)

5. What is the condition of the facility?  Observe the facility to see if it is kept clean and tidy.  Ask about pest control and look for any evidence of infestations. Make sure there are loading docks and equipment available to you and that there is sufficient parking near the units.  Check it out at night to see if it is well-lit.  Ask how many units are currently rented. If the number is low, that is a red flag indicating that something might be wrong.
6. Do they offer theft and damage insurance coverage for your possessions?  For peace of mind, it is important that they do.

The most important thing to remember is that you should never choose as storage facility without seeing it in person first.  Visit a few and take notes on the positives and negatives of each. Making an informed decision will be the best way to be sure that your treasured personal property is in good hands.

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The statistics for household childhood injuries are staggering.  Over 3.4 million children experience some kind of accidental injury in the home each year.  While there is no way to guarantee child safety at home, there are certainly many things you can do to help prevent accidents and injuries.  Here are some tips for childproofing your home:

1. Use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries.  Keep dangerous items such as medicines, household cleaners, lighters, knives etc. locked up. Even things with “child resistant” packaging should be kept in areas that children cannot access.  Child resistant does not mean child proof.
2. Safety gates can be used to prevent falls down stairs and to keep children out of areas with possible dangers.  When installing a gate at the top of stairs, make sure that it is bolted to the wall.  Make sure you purchase gates that meet safety standards.
3. To avoid burns, install anti-scald devices on your showers and faucet heads. 
4. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home.  It’s important to check them frequently to be sure they are working properly.  Change the batteries at least once a year.  Many people change the batteries twice a year when the time changes in the fall and spring.  Carbon monoxide alarms should be used in your home as well.
5. Corner and edge bumpers on tables and fireplace hearths will help prevent injuries if a child falls against them.
6. Children are very curious and it would be no surprise to find them trying to stick things into plug outlets.  Prevent electrical shock by placing outlet covers in outlets that you use. Make sure they fit snugly and are not easy for a child to remove. They should also be large enough that they won’t be a choking hazard should a child get one out.  If there is an outlet that you know you won’t be using, covert it with an outlet plate. 
7. Make sure that your window coverings are safe for your children.  Cordless window coverings are best, but you can also follow these tips for safety if you have window coverings with cords.
8. Large pieces of furniture and appliances can tip over and crush a child.  Make them secure by anchoring them to the floor and/or attaching them to the wall.
9. If you have a pool or spa, it is vital that you have it surrounded by a fence that is at least 4 feet tall and includes a self-closing, self-latching gate. Doors that lead out to the pool or spa should have alarms on them to indicate if someone has opened them.  A pool alarm adds another layer of protection. 

Again, while childproofing your home will not guarantee safety, it will go a long way toward protecting your children from injuries or worse.  The peace of mind you will have knowing you have done everything you can to protect your children will be well worth the effort and time put into making sure your home is as safe as possible.

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Electrical-Safety-Hazards-Tips-to-Prevent-Them

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Do-Schools-Matter-when-Buying-a-Home

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Moving to a new town can be tough on kids.  Leaving behind friends and familiar places is hard enough; add in the anxiety of starting at a new school and it’s a lot for any child to handle. But while change is challenging, it can also be positive.  Here are some tips for helping your children blossom at their new school:

1. Prepare your children.  Make them part of the process of learning about their new school. Go to orientation together or arrange for a tour.  Older children, especially, will appreciate the opportunity to get the lay of the land and figure out where their classes are before the first day.  Show them where the bathrooms, gymnasium, auditorium and nurse’s office are. If possible, have them introduced to their teachers.  They will feel much more confident when they start if they are not feeling lost.
    
2. Meet friends before school starts.  Tweens and teens may have the opportunity to try out for and/or join sports teams or band during the summer.  This is a fantastic way for them to meet others with common interests.  For younger children, sign them up for day camps either at the school they will be attending (if offered) or at local rec centers.  If your community has a pool or play area, you will likely meet people there that will be attending the same schools.  Joining a community league sports team is also a great way to meet other kids that you’ll likely see at school as well.
    
3. Replicate or create first day of school traditions.  If there are things you have always done to celebrate the first day of school, stick with them.  That will give your kids a sense of familiarity and make the change of a new school less dramatic.  If you haven’t established any traditions for back to school, now is a good time to start.  Whether you fix a special breakfast, or take them for a treat at the end of the day, that little extra bit of TLC is sure to make them feel better.
    
4. Practice driving to school.  This might sound silly, but the last thing your children need on their first day at a new school is to be late.  If you are driving them to school, choose a weekday to take a test run at the same time you will be driving during the school year.  That way you will have a good idea of what time everyone needs to wake up and be ready to go.  Keep in mind that there will likely be more traffic when school starts, so give yourself a little extra time.  Make sure you know where to drop your children off and pick them up and what the procedures are for the car line.  If you are stressed, your children will be too.  If you know what you are doing, they will feel more confident.  If your children are riding the bus to school, be sure to know where the bus stop is and what time you need to be there.
    
5. Make sure your children get plenty of sleep.  Anxiety can make it difficult to sleep well.  Sleep deprivation in turn creates more anxiety.  While you can’t force your children to fall asleep, you can create an environment to aid them.  Limit screen time and make sure all electronics are put away before bed time. Set a bed-time routine and stick to it.  With all the changes taking place in their lives, children need the consistency of routine.
    
6. Don’t make it a big deal.  Sometimes the bigger a deal you make something, the more nerve-racking it becomes.  School is everyday business.  Talk openly with your kids about it. Acknowledge that it’s normal to be nervous, but emphasize, that you know they will be ok.  Avoid creating such high expectations that anything less than a perfect experience will feel disappointing to them.

If you are new to the Montgomery, AL area and need information about schools, check out these websites:

http://www.mps.k12.al.us

https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryPublicSchools/

https://www.privateschoolreview.com/alabama/montgomery-county

Is it really worthwhile to have an open house ? Some sellers will insist that having an open house is the best way to sell their home, while others will want nothing to do with having potential buyers traipse through their home.  Real estate professionals have different views on this topic as well.  Some feel they are critical to sales, while others never hold them and some just have them occasionally.  So, if you are trying to decide whether to hold an open house, consider these pros and cons:

Pro - You will attract people who are not sure how to start the home buying process. First time home buyers , in particular, will be curious to look at houses.  By having an open house, you will get the attention of those who simply want to start looking.  You may also find that a potential buyer driving in your neighborhood will see your sign and stop by.

Con - Slim chance of a sale.  Unfortunately, a very small percentage of homes sell because of open houses.  Your Realtor will benefit the most because open houses provide potential clients.  A private showing of your home is much more likely to result in a sale.

Pro - Additional exposure.  It’s your Realtor’s job to make sure your home is getting plenty of exposure.  Because open houses are advertised  through street signs, newspaper ads and internet ads, your home will get a lot of extra exposure.

Con - Unqualified buyers.  People who come to an open house have often not taken the steps to get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.  Chances are, they don’t even know if they can afford your house.  It’s a waste of time for you and your Realtor to have unqualified buyers looking at your home.

Pro - Eliminates pressure.  Because an open house is a laid-back atmosphere, people will feel less intimidated looking around without a seller or Realtor hovering over them. It also provides potential buyers time to analyze the specific details of the home that will help them decided if it is right for them.

Con - Security issues.  Vandalism and break-ins are a sad reality.  The chances of these happening are increased when you are selling a home, especially if it’s vacant. Open houses give criminals the opportunity to look around your home with little supervision, giving them time to plan their crime.

Take time to carefully consider the pros and cons of holding an open house before making a decision about it. Consult with a real estate professional to determine if it is the right thing for your home sale!

If you want our personal viewpoint, Sandra Nickel Hat Team, REALTORS, believes an open house tour of homes is a great marketing technique.  We find that we may not sell the home we’re holding open AND we meet many buyer prospects to whom we will ultimately sell a home.  The buyer for your home may be someone we meet at another open house.

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Electricity is a beautiful thing.  It provides warmth in the winter and cools you off during hot summer months. It gives you light in the dark and makes chores like washing/drying clothes and doing dishes so much easier.  You take it for granted because you’ve always had it and you certainly can’t even imagine what life would be like without it.  Because it is such a normal part of your life, you probably don’t stop to think about how dangerous it can be.  It is important to be educated about possible electrical problems in your home so that you will know how to deal with them before they happen.

1. Do you know how old your home is?  Often older homes don’t have the capacity for electricity that current technology uses.  If you have never had an electrical safety inspection by a professional, now is the time to do so.  If your home’s electrical wiring has not been updated to safely handle all the current that your family uses, it is crucial to have it done .
2. Is your electrical panel hot to the touch?  It shouldn’t be.  Check the brand of your panel. Several brands are outdated or faulty and should be replaced.  A faulty electrical panel can lead to a fire.  That is not something anyone should risk.
3. Outlets should not be hot either.  If you feel an electrical outlet and it is warm or hot, it means there could be a problem.  There are dangerous issues indicated by a warm/hot outlet. Whether it’s too much demand on the outlet, faulty or melting wiring, or other precarious situations, you don’t want to ignore it.
4. Keep plugged in appliances away from water.  This seems obvious, right?  But sometimes limited space forces us to use electrical appliances near sinks or bathtubs.  Whether you are blow-drying your hair at your bathroom vanity or your kitchen only has one plug for your toaster and it’s right by the sink, be extra careful.  If a plugged-in appliance gets wet, don’t unplug it. Go to your electrical panel and unplug the power source for the outlet you’re using.  Then you can unplug it.
5. Make sure you are using the correct wattage light bulbs.  Using a higher wattage than can safely be accommodated by a lamp or light fixture may overload its wiring, which is a fire hazard.  It’s ok to use a light bulb with wattage equal to or less than that called for on the lamp’s socket.  If you want brighter light, look for a lamp that uses a higher wattage bulb.
6. Use an experienced, licensed electrician to handle your home’s electrical repairs and/or replacements.  Professional electricians are well-trained and have years of on-the-job experience before being granted a license.  They will know current codes and regulations and can safely navigate any problems they might come across.

It’s easy to prevent electrical hazards if you are informed and educated about what to be aware of.  So, don’t take electricity or your family’s safety for granted!

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1. 1. If you already have landscape lighting, why not purchase a few fun colored lightbulbs to use in them for different holidays.  This will definitely make your outdoor space a lot more fun.  

2.  

2. 2. If you are getting tired of mowing your grass then, you may want to replace your grass with a garden.  You might want to add a garden of flowers or a garden of vegetables or even put in a koi pond.  Any of these ideas will help to keep you from spending your summer evenings mowing the grass all the time. This will make your outdoor space more fun. 

3.  

3. 3. If your patio furniture is old and outdated, now is the time to go out to purchase some that allows you to show your style more effectively.  Outdoor furniture always makes outdoor spaces more inviting and fun. 

4.  

4. 4. Adding a new doorbell to the outside of your home may seem like a small thing.  However, if you find a nice one that lights up the front door, it can do wonders towards making your home seem more inviting at night.   

5.  

5. 5. If you don’t already have a swimming pool, summertime is a great time to add one.  Not much can make your outdoor space more fun than a swimming pool for all to enjoy.   

6.  

6. 6. If you do add a swimming pool, why not go out and make it really fun and cool by adding an outdoor shower to the mix.  This type of thing is pretty rare unless your home is at the beach, so your outdoor shower may quickly become the talk of the neighborhood.   

7.  

1. 1. If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them.  And you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive.   
    

2. 2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life.  Once that has passed, it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you use it once or twice, there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.   
    

3. 3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen may be things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.  
    

4. 4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.   
    

5. 5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information, but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.   
    

6. 6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.   

7.  

Many of us select plants for the garden at our Montgomery, AL home based on their visual effect—color, height, size of blooms, etc. And so we should, as the sight of our plantings should be pleasing to our sense of sight. As we plan our garden, however, we should also be aware of the other four senses—and include plants which appeal to each of them.

SMELL: Aromatherapy is a powerful practice. With nothing more than a simple scent, the brain can be triggered to remember long forgotten memories, emotions, and feelings. With that being said, it is important to carefully select the flowers you want in the garden of your Montgomery, AL home. With a few simple choices, you can create your own "memory lane' or relaxing oasis. In terms of fragrance, it’s hard to beat roses or lavender. Wisteria and jasmine are scented climbers which can really enhance the sensory pleasure of a garden, and amaryllis belladonna and spirea both add pleasant scents.

SOUND: Few of us associate the sense of sound with our garden, but the rustling of long grasses and the chirping of birds add a much-appreciated dimension. To attract songbirds, use fruit-bearing understory trees like dogwoods and service berries and shrubs such as viburnums and hollies and introduce low growing perennials and dwarf shrubs like creeping juniper and cotoneaster. You can also plant vines, ground covers, and sunflowers to increase chirping and tweeting.

TOUCH: Texture in garden design refers to the surface quality of the plant. Plant textures range from delicate and fine to coarse and bold. The feel of the foliage in your Montgomery, AL home’s garden is not the only element of texture, however, as the texture can change with the play of light and shadow and even with viewing distance. Plants with thread-like leaves call out to be touched, so consider adding cosmos, baby's breath, asters, and grasses. In addition, iris and lamb’s ear will each provide softer tactile experiences.

TASTE: The world of herbs is nearly without limits. Think about basil, chives, rosemary, chamomile, cilantro, mint, and parsley, to name just a few tasty garden additions. Consider, too low bush blueberries or ligonberries. Lesser known, but equally valuable as salad additions are the flowers of the hibiscus shrub, columbine, and daylilies.

Some of the plants you have selected for your garden will serve more than one purpose and will appeal to more than one sense, so be sure to sniff, feel, taste, listen to, and view each of them!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

It is that time of the year again, spring has sprung. As you begin thinking about spring cleaning, don’t forget to include the homes exterior in your plans. Whether you are selling your property or plan on calling it home for awhile, every house could use a boost in curb appeal. Curb appeal creates the first impression of your home. If selling your home, curb appeal reflects how well the property is cared for and intrigues buyers to take a look inside. Curb appeal is also a way to showcase your personality and create welcoming scenery for your guests. Spring is the perfect time to spruce up your home’s exterior. The following tips will help you attain enchanting curb appeal.

Start With A Checklist

The first step to enhancing curb appeal is to determine what needs improvement. Take a walk around the outside of your home pretending that you are a potential buyer and take note of things that could possibly impair your first impression. Be sure to consider all factors from possible missing shingles on the roof to rotten wood around windows or doors.

Landscaping

If your home does not receive routine yard maintenance, a through clean up can make all the difference. Start by removing debris, giving the grass a fresh cut, eliminating weeds, and trimming over grown bushes or trees. Keep in mind that bushes should never exceed the height of window sills or extrude growth beyond the threshold of sidewalks. Use a pressure washer to clean the exterior of the house, making sure to leave all windows sparkling. Replace any rotten wood and touch up chipped paint.

The Front Door

Establishing a welcoming entry can really improve the first impression of a visitor or potential buyer. Make sure the pathway and porch leading to the front door is well lit. Use decorative porch fixtures that compliment the color of the house and other hardware. Lining walkways with solar powered garden lights gives the yard a vivid glow after dark. Make the front door a focal point by repainting it a warm, inviting shade that contrasts from the siding and shutters. Use a classic shade of red or go bold and try yellow. 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.