Real Estate Information Archive

3933 Hickory Drive, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 507365

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,262 square feet | Dalriada

Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath move in ready home in desirable Dalriada. Nestled in the heart of this great neighborhood amongst the beautiful oak trees. Original crown molding throughout the house as well as hardwood floors. Carpet covers the left wing of the house and tile dominates the kitchen and breakfast nook areas. Living room has a burning gas fireplace and den area has a wood burning fireplace, perfect for those cold winter nights coming in January. Master bedroom has walk in closest with a bathroom that boasts double vanities, garden tub and separate shower. On the right side of the home is the laundry room which is very spacious. The breakfast nook is as cute as can be with good natural lighting and open views to the backyard for that morning coffee. The kitchen was updated less than 10 years ago and has granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances with ample room for cooking. The backyard is large and spacious and has two storage sheds and a playset. Breathtakingly beautiful almost half acre lot! HVAC system is 5-ton Trane and less than 4 years old, security system with cameras, and multiple parking spots on driveway. Within walking distance to the shops and restaurants which include SOL, Shane's Ribshack, The Wharf, Publix and more! Call me or your favorite realtor today to view!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Brennan Parker, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

1100 Woodward Avenue, Montgomery, AL  36106

MLS# 505861

2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,670 square feet | Cloverdale

Great home to make your own or for an investment opportunity! LOADS OF POTENTIAL! Located in the heart of Cloverdale within walking distance to everything this great community has to offer. Texas style bathroom in master is extremely spacious. Kitchen has been updated from original bones. Open floor plan. Great front porch to sit outside on throughout the year. NEW HVAC in 2017 and NEW ROOF IN 2021. TLC will go a long way with this home. Call me or your favorite realtor today to see!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Brennan Park, Sandra Nickel Hat Team! 

If you have a pet that gets anxious or scared when fireworks go off, then you know how stressful New Year’s Eve can be. How can you enjoy your night when you know your sweet fur baby is terrified by the loud noises?  Here are some ways to try to help alleviate your dog’s anxiety:

• If your dog is crate trained, New Year’s Eve is a good night to confine her to the crate. It provides a sense of security and safety. Provide a blanket or towel with your scent for extra security. Don’t try this if your dog has not been crate trained. Introducing something new when your dog is already anxious will just make things worse. Understanding, Preventing & Treating Dog Anxiety
   
• Make sure your dog gets lots of exercise.  Take your dog for a long walk earlier in the day so that he is good and tired by the time the fireworks start. Dogs are less likely to panic if they are tired and have less energy.
   
• Go somewhere else for the night. If you live in a neighborhood that is particularly rowdy on New Year’s Eve, you may want to take your pooch on a little respite to get away from the loud noises.
   
• Distract your dog with a special treat or chew toy. If you haven’t spent a New Year’s Eve with your dog before and you’re not sure how he will handle the fireworks, giving treats will help him associate the loud noises with something positive. A Complete Guide to Dog-Calming Treats
   
• Have the tv on or even better, play some soothing music. The constant noise will help muffle the sounds outside and be a distraction from the fireworks.
   
• Have a talk with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog’s anxiety. If your dog gets super anxious, a vet may be able to prescribe something to help keep her calm.

Our pets are beloved family members and the last thing we want to do is celebrate when we know they are suffering.  So, be prepared for the fireworks and hopefully you can ring in the new year with a calm and happy pup!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: companionpetstn.com

Whether you enjoy cooking or not, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the various tools, appliances and contraptions that collect on your kitchen counters and in your cabinets. The truth is, you probably do not need much of what you have collected over time.  Here is a list of seven kitchen essentials that every kitchen needs:

• Chef’s Knife - One knife that features a straight blade capable of cutting everything from meat to vegetables to cheese is a must have for every cook. Look for a knife that is light-weight and durable with a slip resistant handle. With the right knife, slicing and dicing will be comfortable and safe. Top 5 Chef's Knives of 2020
   
• Cutting Board - Look for a quality carving board that can be used for cutting meats and poultry. Professional chefs most often recommend plastic cutting boards because they are durable and will last a long time. In addition, they can be washed easily by hand and are dishwasher safe. However, they can be harder on knives than wood or bamboo. 13 Best Cutting Boards 2020
   
• Peeler - If you cook with a lot of fresh veggies, a good peeler is a must! This prep tool should be sharp and easy to maneuver. Look for one that has a comfortable handle. The Top 5 Vegetable Peelers to Make Your Life Easier
   
• Measuring Cups & Spoons - When you are following a recipe, you will want precise measurements. That means you will want a nice set of measuring cups and spoons. Look for them in stainless steel with riveted handles for a better grip. The Best Measuring Cups for 2020
   
• Stand Mixer - While pricy, a quality stand mixer just might be your best friend in the kitchen! You can prepare just about anything with this powerful appliance that can tackle any job from kneading dough to whipping cream. 10 Best Stand Mixers for 2020
   
• Baking Sheet - The right baking sheet can make all the difference in how your baked goods turn out. Find a sheet that can cook everything from cookies to fries to vegetables. Remember that there is a difference between cookie sheets and baking sheets.  A quality baking sheet will cook evenly and give you great results! The Best Baking Sheet for 2020
   
• Skillets - Skillets are very versatile and can be used to prepare a plethora of recipes. Since you will likely be using a skillet frequently, it will pay off to invest in a top-of-the-line option. You will want one that provides even heat distribution and excellent heat retention. The 9 Best Skillets of 2020

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: wisecredit.com

Negotiation is important in the world of real estate because the truth of the matter is, if you do not ask…you do not get. While sellers want the highest price and buyers want a bargain, they must meet somewhere in the middle for the deal to close. Negotiating is a vital part of selling or buying a home because it is the largest asset people own and there is a lot of money at stake. Here are some guidelines for what sellers and buyers might ask for in real estate negotiations:

• Price

Negotiating the best price means different things for sellers and buyers.  The seller wants the highest price and the buyer wants to pay as little as possible.  For a successful transaction, they must compromise and come up with a price that is acceptable to both.

• Closing Costs

Prepaid closing costs are paid by buyers for their mortgage. These are funds that the mortgage lender holds in escrow for expenses like taxes and insurance.  A buyer may ask a seller to cover some or all their closing costs either with a flat dollar amount or up to a percentage of what is an allowable contribution for a lender. If a buyer asks the seller to do this, they are likely going to pay a higher asking price. Escrow:  What is it and How Does it Work?

• Closing Date

Sometimes sellers want to get out of a home quickly because they need the capital from that house they are selling to put toward a new real estate purchase. The closing date will also affect the buyer’s monthly cash-flow because when a buyer closes on a house, they skip the next month’s mortgage payment. Therefore they may want to negotiate to close at the beginning of a month.

• Financing Contingencies

When there is a financing contingency in place for a real estate transaction, it can tie up a seller’s property for a required 30 to 60 days.  For this reason, many sellers prefer buyers coming to the table with cash offers. If you are competing with cash buyers, you may want to figure out if you can drop the financial contingency, which will shorten the closing time line. You can do this by getting pre-approved for a home loan prior to making an offer.  Mortgage preapproval shows that your finances are in order and you can afford the home. 5 Things You Need to be Pre-approved for a Mortgage

• Home Warranty

As a buyer, you can request a home warranty. As a seller, you can offer one. This home protection plan covers things like appliances and systems such as the hot water heater or air conditioning, in the event they need repair or replacement.

• Leaseback

The moving process is stressful and labor intensive.  Sometimes a seller will need extra time to get into their new home. When this happens, buyers can offer a zero-cost rent-back for 30 to 90 days to persuade the seller to accept their offer over others. 

• Home Repairs

With a home that needs a lot of updating there comes ample opportunity for negotiation. Buyers need to consider the cost of bringing the home up to current standards and use the estimate of that cost to request a lower asking price. The seller, on the other hand, can specify that the house is being sold “as is” and not offer any repairs.

• Appraisal Contingency

A seller can push for a buyer to waive the appraisal contingency,  however, if for some reason the appraisal falls short of the expected amount, they need to be prepared for the amount of cash they might have to pay should the bank only be willing to lend them money based on the appraised value. Understanding the Appraisal Contingency

• Furniture

Personal property such as patio furniture, window treatments and chandeliers is all up for grabs. The buyer can ask for these things to be included in the contract. Sellers need to determine what they are willing to leave behind. And any exclusions need to be specifically listed in the contract as well.

• Appliances

Depending on the market, sellers don’t always leave every appliance for the buyer.  They may include the dishwasher, stove and built in microwave in the contract but not the refrigerator, washer and dryer. Sometimes they don’t want to give everything away up front so that they can use these as items for negotiation.

• Condo/Co-op Assessments

These are fees that are used to maintain common areas in a community. If there is an open assessment, it can become a negotiation between the buyer and seller as to who will pay for it.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: grenadabroadcast.com

It’s that time of year again. Back to school. Whether your children are headed back to their school, or you have set up a classroom at home, it is important to maintain a routine. And that includes preparing healthy, nutritious lunches. Curb chaotic mornings by organizing your kitchen in a way that makes lunch prep a breeze!  The following tips will help:

1.  MAKE A LIST

Do not just wing it.By creating a menu of items that you will use for your kids’ lunches, you will not only save time in the mornings (because you will not spend time trying to decide what to pack in their lunch bag), you will also have a handy, dandy shopping list for when you go grocery shopping.Here are some school lunch ideas to get you started. School Lunch Ideas

2. MAKE YOUR FRIDGE LUNCH BOX FRIENDLY

Organize the space in your refrigerator to make lunch prep quick and easy.Clear plastic bins with labels can be used to divide things up by type of food/drink or by day of the week.Experiment with these ideas and find the one that works best for you. Organizing Your Fridge

3. CREATE A STAGING CENTER

Have a designated spot in the kitchen for lunch prep.A basket or bin for lunch bags/boxes will mean that you will never be frantically searching for them in the morning.Have your kids empty them of containers/trash when they get home from school and place them in the designated area. Keep containers handy and make sure you have enough counter space to accommodate everything you will need.

4. HAVE A SUPPLY STATION

Clean out a drawer or cabinet near your staging center and keep all your lunch prep supplies in one spot.Stock up on baggies, containers, napkins, straws, plastic utensils, foil, saran wrap etc.

5. STOCK PANTRY WITH “SCHOOL LUNCH ONLY” ITEMS

Avoid the frustration of going to grab something for your child’s lunch only to discover there is none left.Create an area in your pantry that is only for school lunches.An over-the-door hanging shoe rack is a great space-saver and can be used to store school snacks.

Whether you prepare your children’s lunches, or you have them do it themselves, being organized will make the process easier and quicker.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: pinterest.com

They say that a cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind. Clutter overloads your senses, just like multi-tasking overloads your brain. And overloaded anything leads to stress and anxiety. And with everything going on in our world right now, the last thing anyone needs is more stress and anxiety! With that in mind, here are some simple, inexpensive ways to hide the clutter in your home, leading to less mess and less stress! The Cost of Clutter in Your Life

• Use toilet paper rolls to store cables and cords. This is a great way to keep your cables and cords organized.  Simply wrap them around your fingers, stuff them into the toilet paper rolls, then place them in a basket, container or drawer. You can even label what each cable/cord is for on the toilet paper roll!
   
• Put shelves in the corners. Corner shelving not only looks nice, but it is a great space saver.  Put those empty corners to use and utilize shelves to hold books, plants, toiletries or anything you may want to display.
   
• Take advantage of the space under your beds.  Invest in some under-the-bed storage and you will be amazed at how much you can “hide” under there!  It’s a great place to store out of season clothing, extra sheets and towels and anything else you want out of sight.
   
• Get shoes out of the way by purchasing a shoe cabinet. If your family removes shoes when entering the house, you can end up with footwear scattered everywhere. A shoe cabinet in the foyer or entryway will provide an attractive piece of furniture that will keep the floor free of shoes.
   
• Choose furniture that will double as storage.  For example, many ottomans open and have space to store things like blankets, pillows, magazines etc.  You can also find end tables that have drawers and shelves, or a chest-style coffee table that has storage inside.
   
• Use a vanity tool holder in your bathroom.  It’s easy to let a bathroom get cluttered; especially if you have a small vanity with little space.  You can get many items off the counter by using a vanity tool holder that hangs on the door under the sink. Hair Tool Storage
   
• Create multi-level storage by using a decorative cake stand in your bathroom.  Depending on the number of levels on the cake stand you can have up to three times the space for your personal hygiene and make up items.
   
• Do you have a tiny shower?  If you have no room in your shower for your shampoo, conditioner and soap, try using a shower curtain with pockets.  This will prevent you from having to place your shower items on a surface outside the shower.

Use these easy hacks and destress by decluttering!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: wbfj.fm

With Independence Day approaching, you probably have red, white and blue on your mind! If you want to serve a July 4^th meal with the appropriate celebratory colors, use these colorful, healthy fruits and vegetables!

STRAWBERRIES

These ruby red treasures are filled with vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, potassium and manganese.  They are also low in calories and are sodium, fat and cholesterol free!  And they taste like a guilt-free sweet treat! Make them extra special on Independence Day with this fun recipe: Red, White & Blue Strawberries

Photo Credit: thespruceeats.com

RADISHES

Packed with vitamins E, A, C, B6 and K as well as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and manganese, red radishes are a wonderful option for your festive 4^th of July meal! This Crunch Garden Salsa made with crisp radishes and cucumbers will be the hit of the party…serve with blue tortilla chips for a special touch!

Photo Credit: delish.com

PEARS

Did you know that pears can actually help manage prediabetes?  Antioxidants found in pears help prevent rapid carb digestion that can cause blood-sugar spikes.  Raw pears are great for sweetening bitter salads, and poached pears are a yummy dessert.  Try this pear recipe for your Independence Day gathering: Pear Salad With Dried Cherries and Candied Walnuts

Photo Credit: minimalistbaker.com

CAULIFLOWER

Don’t let the mild taste of cauliflower fool you. It is full of vitamins and minerals! One cup of raw cauliflower contains 77% RDA vitamin C, dietary fiber, protein, vitamin K and potassium. And it’s only 25 calories!! Riced cauliflower is fantastic as a substitute for carb heavy white rice. And cauliflower crust on a pizza saves you lots of calories!  Here is a fun cauliflower appetizer recipe for July 4^th: Buffalo Cauliflower

Photo Credit: wholesomeyum.com

BLUEBERRIES

These scrumptious treats are packed with nutrients! Low in calories and high in fiber, they also have antioxidants which play a role in preventing cell damage and reducing the risk of chronic disease.  Try this delectable blueberry recipe for your July 4^th gathering: Cape Cod Blueberry Pie

Photo Credit: tasteofhome.com

BLACKBERRIES

They may be called blackberries but these sweet treats are actually dark blue and offer several health benefits.  One cup of blackberries has nearly 8 grams of fiber, 40% RDA for manganese, and 34% RDA for vitamin C.  This same serving also provides 24% RDA for Vitamin K which is necessary for blood clotting and plays an important part in bone health. For a unique Independence Day entrée try this recipe for Blackberry Glazed Chicken

Photo Credit: countryliving.com

Whatever you decide to serve on July 4^th this year, we hope you are able to spend the day celebrating with family and friends.  Happy Independence Day!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

No green thumb? Don’t worry!  The grass CAN be greener on your side of the fence. With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start working on a thick carpet of grass for your yard. Here are some tips for growing a lawn that will have your neighbors GREEN with envy:

• Start by reseeding and fertilizing. If you have bare spots in your grass, taking the time to reseed now will pay off this spring.  Make sure you fertilize for optimal growth and keep the area moist until you see new growth. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, you can hire someone to do it. Lawn Seeding Services in Montgomery Alabama
   
• Look for problems that will hinder growth.  Steep slopes and shady trees can potentially keep grass from growing.  You may want to consider hydroseeding in sloped regions.  And planting fescues in shady zones will help as well. What is Hydroseeding
   
• Patch dead areas with sod.  Re-sodding is the best bet if you have large dead areas. Sod can be installed any time of year…just make sure you water it frequently until it sets.
   
• Look into xeriscaping. No matter what climate you live in, xeriscaping is the best way to weatherproof your lawn.  This low maintenance, low cost method of landscaping will keep your lawn looking beautiful during all the seasons! Guide to Xeriscape Landscaping

Once you have your lawn looking fabulous, you can create a fun outdoor living space to enjoy with your friends and family.  And when you’re ready to sell your home, the first impression potential buyers get from your curb appeal will have them waiting in line to see your house! 

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: leekgarden.com