Real Estate Information Archive

There were 711 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 912 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in July 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $82,990 and the average foreclosure selling price was $75,383, a $7,607 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.55% in July while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 106 to 104.

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.03% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and 0.01% higher than Montgomery County statistics in July 2012.

While much has been written about the impact of foreclosures on the Montgomery AL real estate market and the economy, little has been said about the personal effect of home loss on families, especially displaced children who are so often the invisible victims of the foreclosure crisis. Mortgage records do not tell how many children are in owner-occupied homes, and it is even harder to estimate the number of children in rental properties. Yet foreclosure affects not just the homeowner or landlord, but also the children living in the foreclosed properties.

According to a recently-released report by the Brookings Institute, an estimated 2.3 million children in single-family homes have already lost their homes to foreclosure, and even more – 3.0 million children – are at serious risk of losing their homes in the future. Another three million or so children have been evicted, or may face eviction, from rental properties that undergo foreclosure, suggesting that more than 8 million children are directly affected by the ongoing foreclosures of both Montgomery AL and nation-wide real estate.

In general, the negative effects of foreclosure include increased family stress and tension, financial hardship, moving homes, a sense of insecurity, changing schools, and a decrease in available community resources.  While the impact of the first four areas is obvious, the changing of schools is more than simply an inconvenience.  Research has shown that children who are forced to switch schools have lower levels of math and reading achievement than their more stable peers. Each move is associated with a reduction in math and reading scores by about one-tenth of a standard deviation, which is equivalent to about one month of school. Some studies have even suggested that children who change schools under negative circumstances are more likely to drop out and/or experience problems in social relationships.

The reasons for a possible drop in available community resources are twofold: the first is that often children move to a lower economic community with limited financial backing, and the second is that localities hard hit by foreclosure have reduced funding available for schools and other social services for children. It follows, then, that medical care (both physical and mental) for children is another area which is often adversely affected by foreclosure.

So, while the foreclosure crisis has indeed had a dire impact on the real estate market and the economy, we must be aware that the children involved in this process lose more than just a home.

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Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Good news!  The recent results of two large-scale national surveys strongly indicate that consumer optimism and the desire to own Montgomery AL real estate continue to rise.

According to the quarterly Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey, Americans’ confidence in homeownership and real estate continues climbing from the first quarter and from a year earlier.   To wit:

• 69 percent of those surveyed believe that buying a home, including Montgomery AL real estate, is a good investment despite the market volatility of the past few years, up 6 percentage points from the first-quarter 2012 survey and 17 percentage points from first quarter 2011.
• 72 percent expressed confidence that the real estate market and property values will improve during the next two years, including a 6-point jump among those “very confident” or “confident” vs. the first quarter 2012, and a 14-point gain in this subset over first quarter 2011.
• Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents have a favorable perception of the U.S. housing market, up from 60 percent in first quarter 2012 and 52 percent in first quarter 2011).Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

Additionally, Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

• According to the survey, Americans expect home prices to increase 2.0 percent over the next year.
•  Among participants, 35 percent said prices would rise over the next 12 months, which is the largest percentage in the survey’s two-year history.
• Also, the number of respondents who said they would buy their next home if they were going to move rose 6.0 percent to 69 percent, which is the highest level ever recorded.
• The number of Americans who said it was a good time to buy a home increased to 73 percent.

So, folks, this may just be the time for you to buy Montgomery AL real estate and be a part of the new and improved American Dream.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

There were 861 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 892 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in June 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $102,324 and the average foreclosure selling price was $88,558, a $13,766 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.68% in June while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 125 to 106.

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.04% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics in June 2012.

The London Summer Olympic Games begin tomorrow and end Sunday, August 12, 2012, and will highlight 302 events in 26 sports ranging from archery to wrestling.  Click here for a complete listing of schedules, venues, participants, and anything you could ever want to know for your viewing enjoyment.                                        

According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC and consisted of a series of competitions held between representatives of several city-states from ancient Greece and featured mainly athletic but also combat and chariot racing events. During those games all struggles among city-states were set aside until the games were finished. The origin of the original Olympics is shrouded in mystery and legend, but we do know they were dedicated to Olympian gods and staged in the Olympia Plains in Greece.                                   

The meaning and the values of the Olympic Games are conveyed by the symbols of the rings, the motto and the flame.

• The five rings -- blue, yellow, black, green, and red -- represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colors (including the white background) combined represent those of all nations, without exception.
• The three words of the Latin motto translate to FASTER — HIGHER — STRONGER and encourage the athletes to give their best during competition.
• In memory of the modern Olympic Games’ ancient origins, the flame is lit (only by the sun’s rays) in Olympia some months before the opening of the Games.  A new torch is created for each edition of the Games. Each relay runner carries his or her own torch: it is the flame which is passed from runner to runner and which cannot be extinguished. This year American four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson described carrying the Olympic flame around Stonehenge as a “magic moment”.

Want to know more about the Games?  The web is rife with sites dedicated to your thirst for Olympic knowledge and activities.  For a wide variety of quizzes and games, visit Fun Trivia, and Kaboose offers almost as many crafts and activities for kids (and parents) as there are events in the 2012 Games. Coloring pages can be found at Primary Games and Activity Village.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

There were 807 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 756 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in May 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $88,579 and the average foreclosure selling price was $68,562, a $20,018 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.8% in May while the number of foreclosed homes rose from 101 to2501.

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.02% lower than national statistics, 0.06% higher than Alabama and 0.01% higher than Montgomery County statistics for May 2012.

Simply stated, low home prices and low interest rates make this a great time to become an investor in Montgomery AL real estate.  "We haven't seen home prices this low in so many years, coupled with the rates being so low," says Jill Sjolin, an agent in Washington who specializes in investment properties. "When the money is cheap to borrow and the houses are cheap to buy, it's absolutely the best time to invest."

It goes without saying, of course, that the first step in acquiring investment property is to analyze your finances to make sure you can afford it without compromising the security of your other assets.  Look closely at your income, savings, and spending habits. Check each of your three credit reports well before you start looking at Montgomery AL real estate or shopping for lenders. Consider tax implications, property taxes, and renovation costs. Online calculators can provide you with a guide to possible financial outcomes of the purchase and rental of an investment property.

The next step is to determine the goal for your purchase. Investment property can yield income two ways--through regular rents and/or capital gains. Most experts advise novices to invest for the long term rather than try for quick flips and to begin with residential Montgomery AL real estate rather than commercial properties.  Click here for more tips, including financing options, for first-time investors.

Once you have determined the how? and the why? of your investment transaction, you move on to the where?  Locating the right property is easier if you work with a real-estate agent experienced in investment property deals who can help you locate promising properties.  A second option is to collaborate with a more experienced real-estate investor and close a deal together. In this economy, an experienced real-estate investor may be willing to work with you in exchange for the capital you can provide, giving you the opportunity to glean investment knowledge and experience firsthand.

With foreclosures flooding the real estate market, many investors are hitting the auction circuit looking to capitalize on the next great deal. For those who are new to this venue, there are a few ‘rules of thumb’ you’ll want to keep in mind before placing your bid. PropertyAuctions.com provides detailed information, explanations, and some essential tips for those looking to get in on the auction action. 

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home. Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Housing and the economic recovery will play a large part in deciding the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, according to public policy experts at this month's Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling provided their unique insights into issues affecting the long-term direction of the country.

"As the leading advocate for homeownership, the National Association of Realtors® is working closely with policymakers to ensure that mortgages are more readily available for qualified buyers and real estate investors," said NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami. "We believe efforts that help creditworthy homebuyers obtain mortgage financing and allow more people to stay in their homes or avoid foreclosure through streamlined short sales are important for a housing and economic recovery."

Lets look at the statistics in our local real estate market? 

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for April show the number of homes sold decreased by 14% compared to April 2011. The average sales price increased by 19% to $159,152 during the same period. The median sales prices increased by 26%, and market times increased by 28% or 41 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 6%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 29%.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home. Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

When the Obama administration rolled out the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in 2009, officials estimated 3 to 4 million borrowers would seek relief from their mortgages through the program during the worst recession and housing market collapse in decades. More than two years later, however, those projections have proven to be optimistic, to say the least. According to the Treasury Department, only about 700,000 homeowners had sought aid from HAMP through the third quarter of 2011.

A major reason for the smaller number is that many distressed owners of Montgomery AL real estate are intimidated by the confusing process involved in applying for HAMP and don’t know how to go about getting the help they need.  It doesn’t have to be that way, however.

Stephfan Nurse, a loan modification expert and founder of ConsumerEducationOnline.com, says, “The key is knowing and understanding your options. With education, you are empowered."  His online site is designed to give owners of Montgomery AL real estate the information they need to navigate the process. It includes a free pre-qualifier, where homeowners can input their figures and determine for which modification program they qualify.  It also offers software to assist in preparing financial statements and necessary documents, thus reducing stress on the applicant.

In order to make the loan modification process go as smoothly as possible, it is necessary that you, the owner of Montgomery AL real estate, understand it fully and seek available help. Visit Making Home Affordable for free HUD-approved counselors, helpful phone numbers, detailed explanations of terms, etc.

Be aware that HAMP is not your only option. The fact is that more than 70 percent of modifications now are internal modifications made available by the investor holding the mortgage note. The only way to get an internal modification is to ask for one. Worth noting: HAMP bases its modifications on gross income (your mortgage must exceed 31 percent of what you make in a month) while internal modifications are based on monthly net (after-tax) income.

Another important tip: Be complete and thorough in your paperwork. Lenders receive thousands of faxes every day, so make sure your account number is on every page and that all questions and categories are filled out. It's also best to follow up with the lender weekly.  Being diligent, informed, and proactive are effective ways to hold on to your Montgomery AL real estate.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.