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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - December 2013

Friday, January 3, 2014
by The Hat Team

In November, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 60% higher than the previous month and 1% higher than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Status Distribution

Auctions accounted for 84.6% of foreclosure activity in November 2013 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 15.4%.

 

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased 55.8% compared to the previous month and dropped 72.5% from the previous year in November 2013. The number of Auctions increased 205.9% compared to the previous month and 96.2% from the previous year.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.04% above national statistics, 0.06% higher than Alabama figures and 0.01% above Montgomery County statistics in November 2013.

montgomery al foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

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What’s Coming For Montggomery AL Real Estate In 2014?

Friday, December 27, 2013
by The Hat Team

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as reported in RISMedia.com the national housing market will continue it’s recovery in 2014. Recently, NAR chief economist and Senior Vice President of Research, Lawrence Yun, presented his 2014 market forecast to a national gathering.

2014Mr. Yun predicted that over the coming year we will see a 6% increase in home prices, which is lower than the 11% increase we have seen in 2013. He predicts mortgage rates that will hit 5.4%, an increase of over 1% from what they have been averaging in 2013. These are what he thinks will be national averages so, obviously, Montgomery AL real estate will vary somewhat.

His optimism about continued recovery is somewhat tempered by no, to relatively low, gain in total housing unit sales. In other words, inventory of houses for sale is likely to remain the same, or slightly better, as 2013. Lower than normal inventory has been one of the biggest problems in the past year.

Mortgage underwriting standards are expected to ease somewhat, making mortgages more accessible to more buyers. However, that will be tempered by increasing interest rates. So, what does all of this mean to buyers and sellers of Montgomery AL real estate?

It’s a mixed bag overall and depends upon which side of a transaction (buyer or seller) you see yourself and what your personal circumstances are…

If you are a seller you should be encouraged by the projected increase in prices expected and by the loosening of mortgage qualifying guidelines. The combination of those two factors should mean more potential buyers will be house hunting.

You will also see no substantial increase in inventory of houses for sale which means it will remain fundamentally a sellers’ market. And if you are a seller with marginal equity the increase in prices over the year may be enough to make selling viable again.

If you are a buyer you should be encouraged by the slackening of the mortgage underwriting guidelines, but the increase in interest rates will be disappointing. However, interest rates are coming back to what is considered normal, rather than onerous like before the bubble burst.

You will also be faced with a less than ideal level of inventory of houses for sale. That will not only make it difficult to find exactly what you want in a home, it will also potentially trigger bidding wars in a sellers’ market. However, the increase in prices means values are on the upswing as long as you don’t over pay for a property.

The bottom line for most sellers and buyers is that there will be positive changes in the year ahead, but fundamentally it will all balance out to be very similar to 2013. That is not necessarily a bad thing from many individuals’ point of view.

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.

 

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - December 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013
by The Hat Team

Yes, it’s true…real estate activity slackens during the holidays but here are some things to consider about housing hunting during the holidays…

  • Lower seasonal prices are likely before the anticipated increases in 2014. Many homes on the market during the holidays are being offered because the sellers are being transferred. January is a high workplace transfer month. Transferees are trying to sell their homes during the holidays because they feel they have to.
  • Less competition among buyers is common because many are concentrating on holiday activities. If they don’t have to move for some reason they tend to wait until after the year-end holidays. That means fewer competing offers and less likelihood of bidding wars.
  • Seller anxiety begins to set in during the holidays. That means potentially better deals can be had. Sellers who need to move get more willing to bargain during the holidays because there is less demand from buyers.
  • Less competition from other buyers means you can do your house hunting being a little more relaxed about the potential of losing a house that you really are interested in.

Don't be disappointed like the couple in the video. Contact me today and let's get started!

Take a look at sales figures in our local real estate market for November 2013.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for November 2013 show the number of homes sold decreased by 8% when compared to November 2012. The average sales price decreased by 14% to $ 110,475 for the month. The median sales prices increased by 21%, and market times increased by 9 days from November 2012.  The highest selling home price decreased by 56%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 67% from November 2012.

Midtown Montgomery November  2013 November 2012
Homes Sold 22 24
Average Selling Price $ 110,475 $ 129,001
Median Selling Price $ 113,750 $ 89,900
Days On The Market 144 135
Highest Selling Price $ 255,000 $ 575,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 9,110 $ 3,000

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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Winter Maintenance

Thursday, December 12, 2013
by The Hat Team

With a 2,000+ mile long winter storm affecting much of the country, there are plenty of home owners who wish they were better prepared.  Even when you live in warm climates, some of these things are important to check periodically.

tool housePreparing for the change of seasons can make your home more comfortable and protect your investment.  Regular maintenance extends the various components of a home and can generate savings in operating costs while avoiding expensive replacements.

  • Weather strips around doors and windows should be checked for possible air leaks.
  • Caulking around windows and doors should seal out moisture and air leaks.
  • HVAC should be inspected and serviced by a professional annually.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularly.
  • Ductwork and supply lines from water heaters should be insulated.
  • Fireplace chimneys should be cleaned regularly and fireplaces should be inspected for cracks in mortar and to see if the damper closes properly.
  • Gutters should be free of leaves and debris to prevent rainwater build-up.
  • Tree branches touching or hanging over your roof should be trimmed.

Please contact us if you need a service provider recommendation.

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.

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Selling During The Holidays - Good Idea Or Not?

Saturday, December 7, 2013
by The Hat Team

Contrary to popular belief there are actually some advantages to selling your home during the holidays. And many home owners really don’t have a choice because of a necessity to relocate. Most of us do tend to want to have our time free to enjoy all the activities that surround the year-end holidays. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the best of the opportunity to market your Montgomery, AL home.

houseThere are some definite advantages to consider if you either chose to sell or you find that you have no choice but to sell. Here are just a few advantages that you can find out more about here:

  • Business moves are very common in the month of January. Remember, it is a big work transfer time of the year…and that goes both ways.
  • Buyers generally have more motivation to buy if they are looking during the holidays. They probably wouldn’t be looking if they don’t really intend to buy.
  • Competition tends to be lower due to other potential sellers not wanting to market during the holidays if they have the choice. Less inventory for sale means your chances are better of getting buyers’ attention.
  • Decorating and staging your home for sale is easier if you are decorating for the holidays anyway. Staging your home for sale any other time of year can be a chore. But, decorating for the holidays can actually turn staging into fun.
  • A warm and cozy feeling of a home in the winter can contribute to a positive experience for the potential buyers touring your home.

In addition to advantages of selling during the holidays, here are just some of the 13 tips for selling in the winter offered by bankrate.com:

  • Take advantage of natural light. Encourage your Realtor to push for daylight times for showings and get your windows washed so they sparkle in the lower winter sunlight angle.
  • Give your Montgomery, AL home a nice holiday aroma. The No. 1 favorite is chocolate chip cookies. Especially if you enjoy baking, make the effort to leave cookies for the showings when you can. This is especially important for open house tours.

No matter what your motivation for selling your Montgomery, AL home, don’t shy away from marketing it during the holidays. Turn your holiday decorating into a fun staging activity for marketing your home.

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.

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Montgomery AL Homes for Sale: 373 Mitchell Avenue, Montgomery

Friday, December 6, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes for Sale: 373 Mitchell Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS #305847

Fantastic 2-bedroom townhouse in desirable Dalraida community!

Looking for something easy to maintain? Check out this fantastic townhouse in desirable Dalraida. Nice and clean with new appliances, new carpet, new blinds and new paint. And, if you have a lot of stuff there's plenty of storage space in the walk-in closets and attached carport. Really, you don't have to do a thing except bring your belongings and move right in.

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.

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Thanksgiving Is Always in Season

Wednesday, November 27, 2013
by The Hat Team

thanksgiviingMost school children would probably say that Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims at Plymouth as early as 1621. By the late 1660’s, it had become traditional to hold a harvest festival in New England.

President George Washington declared the first nation-wide thanksgiving in 1789 “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.”

One hundred fifty years ago during the Civil War, in October, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving.

William Seward, Lincoln’s secretary of state, drafted the proclamation: “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God…they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

Even though the country was in the middle of the costly Civil War, the people of America started an enduring tradition to give thanks. In 1941, Congress determined that Thanksgiving will be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

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.

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Montgomery AL Real Estate: 516 E. Fairview Avenue

Friday, November 22, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes for Sale: 
516 E Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106
MLS #305627

Grand old house with magnificent spaces, architectural detailing and across from LeGrande Park!

​

What a grand old house! From the moment you and your guests walk through the front door, everyone will find that this is no ordinary home. Magnificent spaces and architectural detailing provide the perfect backdrop for your treasured possessions. More than ample parking also helps enable entertaining on any scale, whether it be intimate family gatherings or parties for a huge crowd. It needs only your vision to create the kitchen that will make those occasions a pleasurable part of the process. Situated on an incredible lot right across from LeGrande Park, means it's close to some of the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment Midtown has to offer.

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.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - November 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013
by The Hat Team

Chase has released its November Market Report reflecting the following trends:

1. Average home prices decreased for each property type in September.

2. Investors increased their share of purchases of damaged REO properties.

3. The housing market continued its seasonal slowdown.

Take a look at sales figures in our local real estate market for October 2013.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for October 2013 show the number of homes sold increased by 53% when compared to October 2012. The average sales price increased by 20% to $ 119,488 for the month. The median sales prices increased by 16%, and market times increased by 25 days from October 2012.  The highest selling home price increased by 32%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 74% from October 2012.

Midtown Montgomery October  2013 October 2012
Homes Sold 38 18
Average Selling Price $ 119,488 $ 95,103
Median Selling Price $ 108,300 $ 90,500
Days On The Market 148 123
Highest Selling Price $ 365,000 $ 250,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 5,300 $ 20,700

 

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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Appealing To Today's Buyer When Selling Your Montgomery AL Home

Friday, November 15, 2013
by The Hat Team

Are you looking for ways to make your older Montgomery AL home edge out the competition?  Want to wow the modern buyer with clever, but practical, innovations which will set your property apart from all the rest?

At the recent International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, exciting new products and technology for the home were featured, some of which would certainly appeal to a wide variety of buyers and most likely hasten the sale of your Montgomery AL home.

  • ideaWant hot water for your morning tea in only 10 seconds?  Check out GE”s new Café French-door refrigerator. Price? About $3200. 
     
  • The Solar Powered "Fresh Air" Skylight features a solar panel that captures any available daylight and uses it to recharge a highly efficient, fully concealed, battery powered operator and control system that opens and closes the skylight, especially when it senses rain.  Eligible for a 30% federal tax credit.
     
  • Need a double oven in the kitchen of your Montgomery AL home?  Frigidaire’s Gallery Double Oven Range gives you two in the size of one and even includes a convention-bake setting.  Sells for about $1700.
     
  • The use of glass for stairs and flooring has become fashionable in today’s contemporary architecture and is ideal for both commercial and residential construction.  Dependable Glass Works produces and installs custom-made glass stairs and flooring.
     
  • For a high-tech twist on singing in the shower, Kohler Co.’s Moxie shower head and wireless speaker system plays up to seven hours and has wireless range of 32 feet. Magnets secure the speaker to the shower head, making it easy to pop out when it’s time to recharge the lithium ion battery.   Plus, you can take your music with you anywhere. The Moxie speaker plays wirelessly in or out of the shower, so you can charge it up to use in the kitchen or take to the beach.
     
  • Kohler also offers kitchen sinks in fabulous new colors that are guaranteed to appeal to buyers. Visit Kohler.com to catch a glimpse of  Piccadilly Yellow, Greenwich Green, Palermo Blue, and Annapolis Navy.
     
  • Ever wished for a little more light on the subject? Under-cabinet task lighting can be moved around with Halo’s track system and magnetic LED pucks from Cooper Lighting.
     
  • Responding to consumer demand for better-organized homes and storage, ClosetMaid moved out of the bedroom closet. On display were systems for specialized craft rooms, the laundry room, and the garage.

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.

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