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How to Clean Your Grill

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
by The Hat Team

Spring is here and that means that summer is right around the corner!  Summertime brings with it many things but one of the awesome things about summer is that it means many meal prep times will move from inside of the kitchen to outside on the grill!  Yum!  You will have to do your part to get your grill ready for all the outdoor cooking that is about to begin!  Below are a few ideas on how best to clean your grill for the upcoming season! 

 

  1. The first place to start when beginning to clean your grill is to clean the grates.  These can get quite dirty during the outdoor cooking season.  If you were smart when the last season ended you cleaned them and wiped them down with cooking oil, however if you didn’t, there is still hope. One good and easy way to clean your dirty grill grates is to place them into your self-cleaning oven and let it do the work for you.  Another way to get your grill grates clean is to simply put them in the dishwasher.   

  1. Clean the burner tubes by simply brushing them and wiping them clean.   Be sure not to use any metal brushes as these have been deemed unsafe if the metal pieces come off and get into your food.   

  1. Clean the grease collection tray by scrubbing it with a clean damp cloth.   

  1. If you happen to have a charcoal grill, your cleaning process will be a bit simpler than with a gas grill.  Scrub the grill with a nylon brush and then clean the grates and that is it!  If you have old charcoal simply throw it out and buy some new for the season.  
     

These are just a few ideas on how to clean your grill to get it ready for the upcoming outdoor cooking season.  The best way to clean your grill is honestly just to clean as you go. If you do your part to clean up after yourself after each and every meal you will have a much easier time when it comes time to get the grill out again for the next season.  If you don’t do your part to clean as you go, at least now you have a few ideas on how to get rid of the grit and grime easily.    

 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

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Do Schools Matter when Buying a Home?

Wednesday, March 29, 2017
by The Hat Team

When buying a home various factors come to mind immediately-location, price range, home style, home condition, wish list for the interior and exterior, number of bedrooms and bathrooms desired; just to name a few. One component which can be overlooked by some but is extremely essential to many would be the local school system in the neighborhood. I highly value my communities’ school system.

Studies have found that home buyers would give up one aspect of their home to have their children attend a ‘better’ school district; this speaks volumes to how important education is for parents’. For some parents there are alternatives such as private schools but that is not the case for many. Even if buyers don't have or plan to have school-age children in the house, the quality of nearby schools can have an impact on how much you pay, and how much a home sells for down the line.

Montgomery public schools  have succeeded in the improvement to maintain outstanding schools for all of our children. Through strategic planning and organizational development our schools continue to advance! Here are the top rated schools in Montgomery, showing that good local schools are amongst us in high numbers and will provide our children with the learning and education they should receive but with the type we wish for them to obtain as well.

For additional information on our school systems please visit Alabama State Department of Education.

If you are you thinking about buying or selling Real Estate give me a call 334-834-1500 or send me an [email protected]!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

 

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Organizing Your Home Made Simple

Wednesday, March 22, 2017
by The Hat Team

It is almost time for the seasons to change once again as we move from winter slowly into spring.  As the seasons change many people find that they like to get things around their home organized to make the transition seem smoother.  Organizing your home can be made simple with a few of the following tips. 

  1. One way to organize your home is to get rid of “junk drawers” throughout the house. Many times folks tend to throw things they don’t know what to do with into a drawer that soon becomes a drawer full of junk. While these drawers DO keep the junk out of the eye of those that come to visit, you just never know when someone may open one of them looking for utensils or other useful items and you may be embarrassed by them.  Simple fix…..throw out the junk once and for all and have no more junk drawers in your home!
  2. Another great and simple way to organize your home   is to organize and de-clutter your pantry.  Typically there are items in your pantry that you haven’t used in years and they end up just sitting there taking up space.  This is very true for old canned food items that tend to have a shelf life of forever.   Once you get this simple organizing of your pantry complete, be sure not to let it get messy again by throwing away things you don’t use periodically. 
  3. Yet another simple way to organize your home  is to use all of your closet space for things you will actually use instead of just getting things out of the way.   If you have a lot of games for example why not make a game closet just for the purpose of storing all of your family games.  This type of closet will make it more likely that your family may have a game night once a week because you will know exactly where to go to find the games. 
  4. Keeping all of the books in the house in one spot is another great organization tip.  If you have various bookshelves in your home, you can utilize them for other purposes and keep one for only books.  Organize each shelf for books from each family member if you have a lot of books.  

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

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Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale: 1663 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104

Friday, March 17, 2017
by The Hat Team

Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale: 1663 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104

MLS# 414660

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,025 square feet | Garden District

 

Lovely home in the heart of the Garden District, surrounded by some of Montgomery's finest historic homes. Situated on a dream lot, this house has been meticulously maintained and is definitely move-in ready! Special features include unique wood tiled floors in the living room, dining room and hall, brick walled sun room with cozy gas fireplace, and a charming kitchen with granite counter tops and travertine back splash. Either of the two larger bedrooms could be used as the master. Entertain family and friends on the awesome covered deck overlooking pretty, landscaped yard. Two car detached garage in back yard is accessed from driveway on Frederick. Don't miss out on this cool, Midtown Montgomery home...check it out today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

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Montgomery Alabama Home for Sale: 305 N Lewis St, Montgomery, AL 36107

Friday, March 17, 2017
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Alabama Home for Sale: 305 N Lewis St, Montgomery, AL 36107

MLS# 414585

3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 1,452 square feet | Capitol Heights

This CUTE Capitol Heights cottage has it all, from the big covered front porch where you will enjoy endless hours relaxing and visiting with neighbors, to the gleaming refinished hardwood floors that are a breeze to keep clean. Ample sized rooms with high ceilings all have a fresh coat of stylish paint just waiting for you to add your own personal flair with furnishings and artwork. Who wouldn't love the newly renovated kitchen featuring granite counter tops with glass tile back splash, and new stove and dishwasher? AND, if all this doesn't make you say SOLD, wait until you see the brand-new master bath with chic exposed brick and gorgeous carrera marble style tile-work in the spacious walk-in shower. Lastly, save time to check out the cool semi-finished basement area. Whoever built this place must have loved his hobbies, because there is a great concrete floored workshop space with plenty of "walking around" room and work stations. If you work near downtown or just like to play downtown, do yourself a favor and call your favorite agent to view this property before someone else beats you to it.


Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

 

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Tips for Keeping Your House Ready To Show at Any Time

Wednesday, March 15, 2017
by The Hat Team

So you have your house on the market and you are eager and ready to sell it as quickly as possible?  Here are a few tips for keeping your house ready to show at any given moment throughout the day or night. 

  1.  If you are a busy working person in society it is likely that you don’t have time to keep your house spic and span twenty four seven.  However you CAN make the house look as if it is clean all the time by simply getting rid of some of the clutter.  Two of the main rooms you should concentrate on to accomplish this are the bathrooms and the kitchen.  Make sure that all counter space is clean and free from any clutter in each of these rooms.  Also a good way to make the kitchen look less cluttered is to take any and all items you have posted on your refrigerator off while you are trying to sell your home. 
  2. Another way to keep your house ready to show at any time  is to clean eye catchers first.  Items you should clean first are such things as the ceiling fans, floors, countertops, stovetops, ovens, trash cans and bathroom fixtures.  These places can get dirty quickly and will be noticed by folks who come to tour your home so make sure they are clean at all times. 
  3. Do a few extra things like adding a touch of color to each room with pillows to make the space pop.  Also if there are any beds left unmade or any areas of the house that need a quick pick me up do your part to make that happen on a daily basis before you head out the door.
  4. Another tip for keeping your house ready to show at anytime   might be to use an essential oil diffuser in the main room of the house so that it always smells fresh and clean. 

These are just a few tips for keeping your house ready to show at any time of the day or night.  You never know when you might get a call to show your house at the last minute and by doing these simple things you will always be ready.  This doesn’t mean you will be guaranteed an offer by any means but it does mean that your chances may be greater!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

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Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale: 3331 Audubon Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106

Tuesday, March 14, 2017
by The Hat Team

Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale: 3331 Audubon Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 413526

2 bedrooms | 1 bath | 1,333 square feet | Cloverdale

Perfect starter home in Midtown Montgomery for young professional or newlyweds! This precious Cloverdale/Idlewild cottage sits on a quiet dead-end street near a cul-de-sac. It is conveniently located not more than a block from one of Cloverdale's largest parks and walking distance from the dining and entertainment district on Fairview. Large living room is great for game day parties, and cooks will love the updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The HUGE picture window overlooking the rear deck and back yard is a bonus! Choose to eat at the granite breakfast bar or at a table in the big dining room. Two well-proportioned bedrooms with nice closets (not typical for this era home.) One bedroom has a wall of bookshelves for display or storage. Off the dining room (which also swings as a multi-purpose room) you will find a light filled sunken sun room with brick floors. And, just through the sun room's French doors is a large cedar deck surrounded by mature trees. For even more entertaining or relaxing, beyond the deck is a semi-private brick patio and another big grassy section of the yard that dips behind the neighbor's property...great for yard games like croquet or badminton. Move-in ready, so call us or your favorite agent today for your private tour!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

    
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Montgomery Home for Sale: 7430 Divot Drive Montgomery, AL 36116

Tuesday, March 14, 2017
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Home for Sale:

7430 Divot Drive Montgomery, AL 36116

MLS# 413452

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,785 square feet | Rolling Hills Estates

Looking for a wonderful family home in Pike Road school district? You have found it! Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, this is not your typical ranch. Step inside to find a fabulous great room has soaring vaulted ceilings, stone (from North AL) fireplace with gas lighter, and double French doors with internal mini blinds opening into the sunroom/screened in porch. The awesome updated kitchen has marble counter tops, travertine tile floors and stainless appliances. Entertain family and friends in the cool media room featuring a new stone fireplace with gas starter, wet bar with marble counter top and a mounted 75" Samsung 4K Ultra HD 3D Smart LED TV. The master bedroom has plantation shutters, a nice big bathroom with split marble sink and vanity, garden tub, Travertine tiled shower, and a door that opens to the patio and the large private back yard (there's even a hot tub). As one of the larger homes in the neighborhood, this Rolling Hills beauty is move in ready and waiting on its next family. With so many upgrades such as a one year old roof, double pane windows, ceiling fans throughout, plenty of storage and Dog Watch Yard Security with collar, this home is a must-see!  Last, but not least, The Cottonwood Golf Club with 18 holes, designed by Pro Golfer and Course Designer, Byron Nelson is close by. Don’t miss out on this fabulous deal…check it out today!


Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

 

 

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"Spring Forward" Reminder

Friday, March 10, 2017
by The Hat Team

“With rushing winds and gloomy skies

The dark and stubborn Winter dies;

Far off, unseen, Spring faintly cries,

Bidding her earliest child rise;

MARCH!”

~Bayard Taylor

Get ready to spring forward this weekend!  Daylight Saving Time is upon us again and this Sunday, March 12 at 2 AM it will be time to move our clocks ahead one hour.  While losing an hour of sleep is never fun, it does come with a perk…the end to dark winter nights as evenings see more light.  This springtime clock change continues the long tradition started by Benjamin Franklin to conserve energy.

Have you ever wondered why we change the clocks at 2 AM?  Most people aren’t awake at that time, but there are good reasons why we do it then. One reason is that it is late enough that most people will be at home, with few bars and restaurants being affected.  Also, it prevents the date from switching to yesterday; imagine the confusion if we changed the clocks at midnight back to 11 p.m.!  Finally, it’s early enough to decrease the impact on early shift workers and early churchgoers.

With today’s technology, many of our clocks change themselves (our phones, cable boxes etc.), but nonetheless, don’t forget to SPRING FORWARD this weekend!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   
334-834-1500 or ​[email protected]
 

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Montgomery Alabama Home For Sale: 2106 Winona Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107

Thursday, March 9, 2017
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 2106 Winona Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107

2 bedrooms | 1 bath | 1,243 | Capitol Heights

Doll house in historic Capitol Heights. Galley style kitchen was recently remodeled including new cabinets. Wood floors throughout. Gas logs fireplace in the family room. Professionally landscaped yard with gazebo in back with beautiful garden scene. Study could be used as third bedroom. Attic partially floored and walled. Large separate garage great for workshop. Call us or your favorite agent to see this home today!

Marketed by Montgomery Al Realtor Frank Powell, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

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