Real Estate Information Archive

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Displaying blog entries 251-260 of 1997

Spring Forward Reminder 2022!

by The Hat Team

 

Renew and revive the inside of your home by giving it a good spring cleaning.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Call THE HAT TEAM for all your Real Estate needs!
334.834.1500 or
[email protected]

3 Brantwood Dr: Great Investment Property in Montgomery Heights!

by The Hat Team

3 Brantwood Drive, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 510965

2 Units with 2 Bedrooms and 1 Full Bath Each

Play VisualTour

Great investment property! Recently renovated kitchens (granite) and baths, refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint and NEW HVAC! This duplex will allow you to live in one side and rent out the other side. Call for an appointment today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

3462 Bankhead Ave: Wonderful Family Home in Desirable Edgewood!

by The Hat Team

3462 Bankhead Avenue, Montgomery, AL  36111

MLS# 510921

3 Beds / 3 Baths / 2,378 SqFt / Edgewood

Play VisualTour

Welcome to this wonderful family home in desirable Edgewood! From the beautiful slate floor in the foyer, you are immediately drawn to the grand Empire marble mantel in the living room across from a large picture window. The formal dining room leads to a huge open kitchen, updated with granite countertops and bar height island on one side and a tiled breakfast area/keeping room on the other, making it the perfect space to entertain family and friends. Master suite has split vanities, walk-in shower, and jetted tub. The laundry room is located right off the kitchen in the middle room of the house which could be used as a den or a 4th bedroom with its own bath. Situated on a 250' lot in Midtown Montgomery, there is plenty of room for play and pets. The covered slate patio offers a nice spot to relax in the lovely back yard. Military tenant in place until the end of June.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

The Pros and Cons of a Homeowners Association

by The Hat Team


You’ve found your dream home! The neighborhood is lovely, with well-kept lawns and freshly painted exteriors. There is a resort-like pool and a playground for the kids. Awesome! Oh, and there is a Homeowners Association (HOA) that will cost you $500 a month. Didn’t see that coming, did you?  It is important to be informed about the pros and cons of living in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association.

PROS

  • The neighborhood will be aesthetically pleasing. Most HOAs establish rules for residents that ensure keeping up the appearance of the neighborhood. The guidelines might include keeping lawns manicured, whether you can have a fence (and the type and color of the fence), and what exterior paint colors you can use. You may even have to get permission to remove or add trees and shrubs.
  • Awesome amenities. You will enjoy the amenities that come with your HOA fees. Most HOAs offer luxuries such as a pool, a fitness center, play areas, parks and security gates.  That is in addition to covering the expenses of landscaping and maintenance of the common areas.
     
  • Maintenance costs are shared.  You will not have to worry about the upkeep of the pool, fitness center or common areas.
     
  • An HOA will handle disputes between neighbors. If someone has a dog barking at all hours or loud parties, you can contact the HOA and they will contact the neighbor; especially if HOA rules are being broken.

CONS

  • HOA dues.  They can be expensive, sometimes as much as $1,000 per month depending on what amenities are offered. These fees need to be taken into consideration when deciding if you can afford a house in the neighborhood. They will be included in your mortgage lender’s assessment of your monthly mortgage payment, so you will have to qualify for a loan amount that includes them.
  • Needing permission to make changes to your property. If you want to add a room to your home or modify it in some way, you will have to make a request that will go before the HOA board for approval. If they don’t approve it, you will not be able to make the changes you want.
     
  • HOA financial problems could become your problem. If your HOA is struggling financially, it could damage your ability to obtain a loan for a home and it could be detrimental to home sale prices in the community.
     
  • Keeping up with the dues. If you fall behind on your HOA dues, it can do great harm to you financially. You may even end up facing foreclosure. That is why it is crucial that you include the fees when determining if you can afford a house. You may also be subject to late fees if you do not pay on time. In addition, HOAs can fine you for not following guidelines and rules, so it is imperative that you can afford the upkeep required for living in the neighborhood.

It is vital that you consider all these pros and cons before deciding to purchase a home in a neighborhood with an HOA.

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: homelight.com, blog.realmanage.com, excelam.com

3018 Pelzer Avenue, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 510968

3 Beds / 1 Bath / 1,216 SqFt / Rosemont Heights 

Play VisualTour

Move right in this adorable Rosemont Heights beauty! Perfect for a first-time home buyer, this home should be first on your list. Recently updated kitchen with open cabinets, new counter tops and new appliances. Fresh paint inside and out, beautiful hardwood floors, nice sized bedrooms, darling bath and laundry room! Check this one out today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

538 Morningview Drive, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 510958

2 Beds / 1 Bath / 1,022 SqFt / Morningview 

Play VisualTour

This adorable Morningview two bedroom home is waiting for you! Quaint with separate dining and living rooms with beautiful wood floors, and a spacious kitchen. Just out the sliding glass doors in the dining room or off the kitchen is a deck overlooking the fenced back yard. The detached garage has power and can be used for storage or a workshop. Low maintenance brick and aluminum siding make for easy upkeep. Perfect for a first-time homebuyer or to start your own investment portfolio.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

7 Calhoun Dr: Great Brick Duplex!

by The Hat Team

7 Calhoun Drive, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 510966

2 Units with 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bath Each

Play VisualTour

Let your tenant help you make the mortgage payment while you live on one side of this great brick duplex or rent both sides! Each unit has 2 beds/1bath, a living room, dining room, and kitchen. Both units have updated kitchens with white quartz countertops, all white tile in the baths, refrigerators, and beautiful hard wood floors. Plenty of off-street parking with a two car garage and RV sized carport. Two separate laundry rooms, each with their own washer/dryer are in the garage. Come check out this Midtown Montgomery property today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

3 Types of Home Values and What They Mean

by The Hat Team


Whether you are selling a home or buying one, you are going to want to know the value of the home so that you can determine selling price or if the sale price is appropriate. But what you may not be aware of is that there are 3 different types of home values. It may be confusing to you when trying to determine what the true value of the home is. Let us break it down for you so that you will understand the 3 types of home values and what they mean.

  1. ASSESSED VALUE

The assessed value is the assigned dollar value of your home used by local tax assessors to determine property taxes. Tax assessors calculate assessed value based on various factors, which may include the appraised value and the fair market value, as well as any home improvements, whether you generate income from the property, and any tax exemptions. The assessor will give you a figure that is commonly a percentage of what they perceive the value to be. Because property taxes are based upon assessed value, ideally, this figure will be lower. It should be close to your actual market value, but frequently it is not.

  1. APPRAISED VALUE


When you are refinancing or purchasing a house, an appraiser will be hired to determine the value of the house in question.
They will use the same process that real estate professionals use to determine the fair market value. A licensed appraiser will consider the location, size, and condition of the home along with any renovations that have been completed. They will walk through the home and compare it to others with similar amenities and improvements in the area that have sold. Most appraisals will include a construction or replacement cost that is used for insurance purposes.

  1. FAIR MARKET VALUE


Fair market value is what a home is worth based on the current market climate
. It encompasses how a home looks to prospective buyers compared to other homes in the area. It takes into consideration the sale prices of homes that are similar (same number of bedrooms, square footage etc.) A real estate agent will start by looking at “comps” to figure out what buyers have been willing to pay for properties comparable to yours. Other things that help determine fair market value are whether it is a seller’s or buyer’s market and how much inventory is available.

Because these different types of values can be subjective, it is vital to make sure you are looking at a comprehensive overview when trying to determine the value of the home you are selling or buying. An experienced Realtor like Sandra Nickel can assist you with this process by providing a comparative market analysis.

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: mashvisor.com, corporatefinanceinstitute.com, mashvisor.com, realestatelawblog.com

No Green Thumb? These Plants Are For You!

by The Hat Team


Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t despair! You can still create a lovely garden with plants that are hearty and resilient.

With the end of February fast approaching, you may already be experiencing some spring fever. It’s never too early to start preparing for spring planting in your garden. Whether you are planting for the first time, or you have been gardening for years, the desired result is a healthy, bountiful, gorgeous bed of flowers and plants.

For maximum results with minimal effort, here are some plants and flowers that will hold up to almost any conditions:

  1. MINT

This rugged herb is great for beginning gardeners. It spreads easily, so if you want to keep it from sprawling across your beds, consider planting it in a container. For culinary purposes, think about what you will be using it for before choosing the type of mint you grow. For example, peppermint would be great for hot tea, but spearmint is a better choice for a summer cocktail. Of course, there is no rule saying you can’t have both!

  1. SCAEVOLA

Native to Australia, this pretty, low maintenance plant will stand up to heat without withering. Enjoy the lovely purple flowers, also known as “fan flowers”, cascading from baskets or window boxes.

  1. HOSTAS

One of the easiest plants to grow, these are a great choice for any garden; just be sure there aren’t any deer or slugs lurking about because they enjoy eating them! There are many varieties to choose from with a large range of colors to suit your taste.

  1. GERANIUMS

There are good reasons that Geraniums are the number one selling annual; you can get them in an abundant rainbow of colors, and they can withstand a lot of heat with limited water. While they are annuals in many areas, they are perennials in Montgomery (Zone 8A) meaning they will come back each year.

  1. VERBENA

Found in a variety of colors including white, pink, and purple, these beautiful blooms are the perfect accent plant. There is a specific variety called “Imagination” that is particularly hearty and will survive in hot conditions.

  1. SWEET POTATO VINE

Truly hard to kill, this trailing vine can be found in shades of purple and lime green. It flourishes in the heat of summer and grows in both sunny and shady spots. An awesome ground cover, it will spread from 4 to 6 feet.

These are just a sampling of plants and flowers that will thrive under most conditions. So, if your lack of a green thumb has you thinking you can’t have a beautiful, healthy garden, think again! These plants will have your flower beds looking spectacular this spring!

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: istockphoto.com, growforagecookferment.com, shopmodernhomestead.com, laidbackgardener.blog, dailypress.com, mydesiredhome.com, gardendesign.com 

Decorating Your Home for Happiness

by The Hat Team


Your home should be your happy place. When you walk through the door you should not only feel like you have entered your safe haven, but you should also experience joy. It is easy to get caught up in the latest decorating trends, but if your home does not bring you joy, maybe it is time to make some changes and decorate for happiness

Here are some decorating tips for making your home your happy place:

  • Create a welcoming entry way.  It is the first thing you see when you walk through the door, so you should make it a place that brings a smile to your face. Incorporate your favorite colors in your entry way décor. Add some personal flair while keeping it simple and organized.  The last thing you want to walk into is a mess.
  • Bring the outdoors in!  Nothing brightens up a home like fresh flowers.  Treat yourself to a bouquet every now and then or better yet, grow colorful flowers in your own garden that you can cut and display in containers around your home.
     
  • Choose flattering colors.  This may seem obvious, but how many of us have thought about what colors are flattering to us when decorating our home?  Choose colors that bring out your best features. Do certain colors wash you out when you wear them?  Then why would you paint a room that color? The ideal colors will make you feel good and give a little boost to your self-esteem!
     
  • Display sentimental items.  Your home décor should be personal. It should not only represent your taste, but it should represent WHO you are as well. If family photos make you smile, do not just leave them on your computer or hide them in albums. Display them! The same goes for ornamental items.  Place mementos that bring back fond memories in various places throughout your home. Don’t worry if they may seem kitschy to others…if they bring YOU joy, they belong where you can see them!
  • Have fun with wall art.  Decorating your walls with art does not have to be expensive.  There are so many places where you can purchase great posters, framed art and canvases.  Or you can even create your own art and display it.  If it brings a smile to your face, hang it up on a wall so you can see it whenever you want!

Just because a home décor style may have fallen out of popularity does not mean you should not indulge in it if it makes you happy!  You love country décor? Bring on the chickens and ducks! Do signs with quotes inspire you? Then display them! When you decorate for happiness, it will truly feel like HOME to you!

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: officialferncotton.com, shiplapandshells.com, pinterest.com

Displaying blog entries 251-260 of 1997

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