Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 981-990 of 1311

The Hunt For Treasures For Your Montgomery AL Home

Friday, September 14, 2012
by The Hat Team

Garage, yard, or estate sales might not be your preferred locations for finding that special jewel for your Montgomery AL home or for resale on eBay or Craig’s List, but it can happen, especially if you’re prepared, patient, and persistent. Think of such a search as a treasure hunt that well may provide fun (or extra cash) for the family, hone your negotiating skills, present you with a challenge, and even result in the discovery of a “rare” find. 

yard saleConfirmed aficionados of these sales offer the following advice for novices:

  • Be prepared:  Check newspapers, community bulletin boards, curbside signs, and local newspapers for times and locations near your Montgomery AL home.  Use on-line sources to augment this type of information. Map out the most efficient route before you start out.  It is also helpful to be aware of the “going prices” for many items, info you can find on eBay Pulse or Yard Sale Search.  Have a general idea of how much you can afford to spend.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of $1 bills!  Best times to browse: at the very beginning or at the end of the day.
     
  • Know what to buy: 1). Wood furniture that is in good shape and can be rejuvenated with a new coat of paint is nearly always a good bet, yard sales gurus say.  Do consider size in terms of fitting in the perfect spot in your Montgomery AL home and in transporting the item.  2).  With many books selling for $1 or less, yard sales are the perfect place to stock up on beach reads or volumes for resale.  3). High-end clothes can be found if you’re looking in an upscale neighborhood.  Whether you're buying clothes for yourself or for resale purposes, examine them carefully for rips and stains and avoid anything that smells of smoke!  4). “Paintables” are items that can be transformed with paint.  Lamp bases (and yes, even the shades), glass bottles and jars, baskets, and pieces of pottery are all ideal candidates.5).  Young children’s clothing and games for kids of all ages.
     
  • Remember these caveats:  Resist the urge to buy every bargain you see so you don’t overload your own Montgomery AL home.  Avoid upholstered furniture and/or mattresses which may carry bugs. Be wary of used electronic gadgets unless you know what you’re doing. Stay away from bike helmets, child car seats, or cribs which may not meet current safety regulations.

Ready?  Grab your map, your pricing guide, your wallet, and your list of desired treasures.  Set out to have a good time, and Go!

 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.

Add Comment

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:1272 Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL 36104

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

1272 Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL  36104

MLS#295784

Live with a few eccentricities and save thousands!! Situated in the heart of Montgomery's historic Garden District, this unassuming white bungalow has an inviting front porch and unexpected colorful interior. Your kitchen will be surprisingly uncluttered with refrigerator steps away in adjoining pantry/laundry. Sellers have reduced this bungalow more than 4k below current market value in order for new owners to neutralize interior pallet if desired. You will even have a little cash left over to remove some of the oversized rear parking pad should you desire to maintain more yard. Builder beige and boring it's not. Detached garage/workshop currently used as artist studio. HVAC less than 2 years old. Considering this homes pristine condition it may well be the best three bedroom two bath value in the old house market period. This home has been loved by the same owner for the last eight years and is not a quick flip with a thrown away yard. Turnkey, move in ready and only blocks away from restaurants, upscale bars and shopping. Please give us or your favorite agent a ring for a tour of the most interesting well maintained vintage home the Garden District currently has to offer.

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.

 

 

 

 

Add Comment

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:341 Winthrop Court Montgomery, AL 36104

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

341 Winthrop Court Montgomery, AL 36104

MLS#295010

 

Bring your contractor and dream big! This diamond in the rough awaits an old house lover who appreciates good architecture and is not afraid of a challenge. Neglected for many years, this gem has much potential and is on one of the most desirable streets in the neighborhood.

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.

 

 

Add Comment

Costs Of Overvaluing Your Montgomery AL Home?

Friday, September 7, 2012
by The Hat Team

Despite survey after survey showing that consumers expect home prices to continue to decline next year, most owners of Montgomery AL homes still believe their houses are worth more than what their agents recommend.

Nearly three out of four home owners, 76 percent, believe their homes are worth more than the recommended agent listing price. By contrast, 68 percent of home buyers believe homes are overpriced, according to HomeGain’s latest survey, which involved over 400 real estate agents and brokers and more than 2,000 home owners nationwide. The gap between what sellers expect and what agents recommend has actually grown calculatorslightly over the past year even though national median prices have declined about 4-7 percent this year. A year ago 73 percent of owners thought their homes were worth more than their agent’s recommended listing price.

A new study by the Research Institute for Housing America, the think tank affiliate of the Mortgage Bankers Association, documents a profound market fissure caused by owners' fears and hesitation — what researchers call "negative selling sentiment.  "Nearly 80% of consumers in the study's survey think this is a great time to buy a house, but more than 92% of homeowners think it's not a great time to sell.

According to Syracuse University economist Gary Engelhardt, compared with earlier post-recession periods, today’s owners have been more deeply shocked by the extent and severe side effects of foreclosures, short sales, and unemployment. In the aftermath of earlier recessions, such as in the early 1990s, 40% to 60% of homeowners remained relatively positive about their prospects if they chose to sell — far higher than the very few who see it that way today.

Many owners of Montgomery AL homes "have not adjusted their price expectations downward" to keep pace with local declines in property values which occurred after the mortgage bust, Engelhardt says, thereby contributing to the sharp divergence in their real estate visions compared with those of buyers.

This is consistent with the results of a study conducted in mid-2011 by Zillow, the online real estate and mortgage information company. Zillow found that sellers nationwide were having trouble coming to grips with what market forces had done to their property values. They knew prices had declined, but they didn't necessarily think those devaluations applied to their Montgomery AL homes.

Click here for an approximate value of your Montgomery AL 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

Add Comment

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - July 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012
by The Hat Team

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.

montgomery al foreclosure

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.

montgomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 35 homes in June to 66 in July. The number of Auctions dropped from 71 to 38. There is a 6-month rising trend.

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.

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.
Add Comment

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2110 Winona Avenue Montgomery, Al 36107

Friday, August 10, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

2110 Winona Avenue Montgomery, Al 36107

MLS #295139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This adorable Craftsman bungalow should be on a billboard advertisement for Capitol Heights! It's the complete package of old house charm: front porch with swing (and even lions), beautiful hardwood floors, wonderful built-ins surrounding the fireplace, high ceilings and transoms. The large eat-in kitchen has been nicely updated and the bathroom has been completely renovated. The huge backyard has a nice patio and plenty of room to garden or landscape. Definitely one of the cutest in the neighborhood!

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.

 

Add Comment

Foreclosure Affects More Than Just the Montgomery AL Real Estate Market

Friday, August 10, 2012
by The Hat Team

montgomery al real estateWhile 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.

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.

 

Add Comment

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2765 Pelzer Avenue Montgomery, AL 36109

Thursday, August 9, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

2765 Pelzer Avenue Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS#295108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This traditional style home has lots of room to roam! Well-proportioned living and dining rooms provide perfect space for entertaining, while large den on rear of the house provides more casual living space. With three nicely-sized bedrooms downstairs and a big 4th bedroom/bonus room upstairs, the family will have plenty of places to "spread out". And with an elementary, junior high, and high school within CLOSE walking distance, carpooling and kids on yellow buses will be a thing of the past! Quiet neighborhood in well-established area cap off this perfectly priced property!

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.

 

 

 

 

Add Comment

Montgomery AL Real Estate Is Still Part Of The American Dream

Wednesday, August 8, 2012
by The Hat Team

montgomery al real estateGood 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.

Add Comment

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - June 2012

Friday, August 3, 2012
by The Hat Team

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.

montgomery al foreclosure

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.

montgomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased from 42 homes in May to 35 in June. The number of Auctions dropped from 83 to 71. There is a 6-month rising trend.

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.

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.

 

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 981-990 of 1311

Syndication

Categories

Archives

   cdpe    crsHat Lady on Zillow