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How to Add Light to Your Montgomery AL Home

Thursday, December 6, 2007
by The Hat Team

Now that we’ve rolled our clocks back an hour and are beginning to adjust to the earlier onset of evening, our homes can seem darker than usual even during the daytime.  But there are ways to use the natural light that is available in your home to brighten things up.  Money Magazine has published a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for adding light to any home – among the topics covered are:

 

  • Skylights (pick ones that open and choose carefully where to put them)
  • Big windows (install them to showcase your best views, but don’t forget to add small windows above or below them that open)
  • Window height (put windows high on the wall, but not tight to the ceiling)
  • Window grouping (group several windows together, but don’t separate them with fat supports)
  • Window shades (install shades in windows that face east, west, and south; avoid using UV-inhibiting coating)

Following these tips for adding light to your home will help to increase your home’s value.  To receive a complimentary comparative home value analysis, please visit MontgomeryHomeInfo.com.  For more information about Montgomery AL real estate, please visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com or call me at 800-HAT-LADY. 

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale - 1230 Woodward Ave.

Friday, November 30, 2007
by The Hat Team

Bring your contractor and bring this house back to what it once was!!! Seller has already done the Home Inspection and Structural inspection for you. Now all you have to do it to determine how far you want to go with the restoration. Has been a rental property but owner now says sell, so priced accoringly. Has central heat & air, on a great lot, in a great location, but the floors roll like the Gulf of Mexico. If you are looking for an affordable property in the heart of Old Cloverdale, and want a project, then this house is for you. Call today to see it before it's gone.

For more information on this home or other Montgomery real estate, visit our website, HatTeam.com or give us a call for more personalized service, 800-428-5239.

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The Many Myths About Homeownership

Thursday, November 29, 2007
by The Hat Team

Many would-be homebuyers are stuck in the feeling that they will never be able to qualify for a mortgage.  However, applying for a mortgage today is very different than it was 10 or 15 years ago.  With many creative financing offers available today, more and more people are able to become homeowners.  FreddieMac.com has put together a list of “myths” about becoming a homeowner, and it shows just how realistic homeownership can be for most people.  Here are just a few of the Many Myths About Homeownership:

Myth: You need great credit to become a homeowner.
Fact: You may still be able to buy a home with less-than-perfect credit. And remember, you can improve your credit over time.

Myth: You need to put 20% down to buy a home.
Fact: There are many types of mortgage products and programs that allow low and no down payments. But remember to factor in other costs such as closing costs, property taxes, moving

Myth: Lenders share your personal financial information with other companies.
Fact: By law, banks and other financial institutions are restricted in their uses and disclosures of information about you. In some situations, you may choose to restrict the disclosure of your information if you don't want it to be shared.

Myth: You can't get a mortgage if you've changed jobs several times in the last few years.
Fact: Not true. You can change jobs several times and still get a loan to buy a home. Lenders understand that people change jobs. The important thing is to show that you've had a stable income.

If you are ready to get on the path to homeownership in Montgomery AL, please call me today at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.  You may also begin searching Montgomery AL real estate here!

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Happy Thanksgiving, Montgomery!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007
by The Hat Team

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with the bounty of the season and the love of family and friends!

 

We’ll be back next week with more of the latest Montgomery AL real estate news and information!  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

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Montgomery AL Real Estate Update

Thursday, November 15, 2007
by The Hat Team

Temporary problems in the mortgage market are expected to free some pent-up demand, but disrupted existing-home sales and distorted prices on sales closed in September, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  Even so, prices continued to rise in some area.  Because of this and other factors, total existing home sales fell 8% and are 19% below the level that they were in September 2006.

 

Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said the decline is understandable.  “Mortgage problems were peaking back in August when many of the September closings were being negotiated . . . the good news is that mortgage availability has markedly improved in recent weeks . . .”

 

Let’s take a look at the midtown Montgomery October sales statistics to see if this trend held true:

Midtown Montgomery saw a decrease in pending and sold listings this October, when compared with October 2006 - they dropped 24% and 27%, respectively.  The average market times were up only by 9 days, or 11% while the average sales price continued to climb 7%, bringing it to $152,049 for the month of October.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Listings

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

October 2007

32

30

85

$152,049

October 2006

42

42

76

$141,559

This is a great time to consider buying a home in Montgomery.  For more information about Montgomery AL real estate, please visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com or call me at 800-HAT-LADY.  To begin searching for Montgomery AL homes, please use my complimentary MLS search. 

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale - 3442 Bankhead Ave.

Friday, November 9, 2007
by The Hat Team


This grand home has everything for the growing family. Classic foyer with graceful staircase opens to spacious formal dining room and large formal living room with bay window and built-in bookshelves. The family room has a marble hearth fireplace and big picture window with excellent views of the stunning rear yard. The oversized sunroom is perfect for gathering room, "kids" room, and has space for breakfast area off kitchen. You'll love the newly updated chef's delight kitchen and the HUGE separate laundry room will cause you to love to do laundry. Main bedroom, 2 guest rooms and study occupy the south end of the second floor...and there is a separate suite with private bath, dressing area, and it's own set of stairs perfect for in-law, nanny, or teenager who needs privacy. One car attached garage, multiple parking pads, brick privacy fence, and huge tree filled fenced back yard make this home more like an "estate" than just a house.  Check out the Virtual Tour!

For more information on this home or other Montgomery real estate, visit our website, HatTeam.com or give us a call for more personalized service, 800-428-5239.

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Montgomery’s Economic Outlook Promising, Experts Say

Thursday, November 8, 2007
by The Hat Team

Below are some highlights from a recent article in the Montgomery Advertiser that speaks of good news for Alabama’s economic outlook: 

 

Compass Bank hosted its Business Leader Confidence Index luncheon last Wednesday, and two experts said the economy is sending mixed signals that largely depend on where they originate and how large of an area they cover.  While the economic outlook for the nation as a whole is not great for at least the beginning of 2008, leaders agreed that the outlook for Montgomery is quite good.

"I think it is quite decisive," Sam Addy, president of Compass Bank, said. "People have good reasons to be optimistic.'

Locally, those reasons are obvious, he said.

Home prices over the past 10 years are up less in Montgomery than either nationally or statewide.

Montgomery's per capita income is 93 percent of the national average -- the highest it has ever been, he said -- and it is higher than the state average.

Alabama and Montgomery are in danger of creating jobs faster than they can fill them, meaning people are moving to the state and area.

He said business leaders trace that growth to a working partnership between government and industry.

Are you thinking of relocating to Montgomery AL?  Please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HatTeam.com to learn more about Montgomery AL real estate.  You may also begin searching for Montgomery AL homes here.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale - 663 Hubbard St.

Thursday, November 8, 2007
by The Hat Team

This wonderful cottage is located in the heart of historic Cloverdale Idlewilde on a quiet tucked-away street. Lovely formal living and dining rooms, cozy sunroom, eat-in kitchen, and master bedroom/bath downstairs. There are two guest bedrooms each with quaint alcoves and a guest bath on the second floor. You'll love entertaining on the private rear deck or having a quiet breakfast on the patio overlooking lush landscaping. Beautiful rose gardens and iron fence separate private deck/patio from large fenced backyard perfect for kids, pets, pool, etc. Driveways on each side of the house and parking pad on the left.

For more information on this home or other Montgomery real estate, visit our website, HatTeam.com or give us a call for more personalized service, 800-428-5239.



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Montgomery AL Home for Sale - 216 N. Panama St.

Thursday, November 8, 2007
by The Hat Team

Looking for the classic charm of beautiful Capitol Heights but don't want the hassle of renovating an older home...then look no further. This brick bungalow has been totally updated and is move-in ready. Gleaming hardwood floors in most rooms. Classic archway separates the living room from the spacious dining room. Cooks delight kitchen has tile floors, tile countertops, and tile backsplash. Hall bath and master bath have been nicely updated. Spacious bonus/laundry room conveniently located off master bedroom. Enjoy cool evenings from the screened front porch. 1 car detached carport with additional storage and roof that is less than 5 years old. Call us for your personal showing of this one before it gets away!

For more information on this home or other Montgomery real estate, visit our website, HatTeam.com or give us a call for more personalized service, 800-428-5239.

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Buyers Beware When Investing in Foreclosures in Montgomery AL

Thursday, November 1, 2007
by The Hat Team

As we discussed previously, the rate of foreclosure is rising at breakneck speed all across America.  A few weeks ago I provided a link to an article full of great advice on how to avoid foreclosure.  This week I want to look at the issue from another angle – from the perspective of those looking to capitalize on the trend by investing in foreclosures and – they hope – selling them for a hefty profit.

 

While this seems like a great idea on the surface, considering the abundance of foreclosed-upon homes that are becoming available, potential investors should use caution and take the time to investigate what they may be getting themselves into when purchasing property at auction or from a bank.

 

As this article on RealEstateJournal.com details, there are caveats to investing in foreclosures.  If you are thinking of investing in a property with the hopes of flipping it for a quick re-sale, you should first consult an experienced Realtor to get a clear picture of the current real estate market in your area.  If homes are not moving off the market quickly, you could end up with a property that won’t sell and ends up costing you in the long run.  Also, some homes may come with major structural damage, hidden liens, or utility bills that need to be paid.  Since these properties generally cannot be inspected prior to purchase, it is important to decide in advance how much you are willing to invest in improvements over and above the purchase price of the property.

 

If you are interested in investing in Montgomery AL, please visit InvestInMontgomeryAlabama.com or call me at 800-HAT-LADY.  You can also begin searching for Montgomery AL homes here. I would be happy to help you invest in your future!

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