Real Estate Information Archive

Moving is one of the top five most stressful life events. Divorce ranks in the top five as well.   Put those two together and you have a meltdown in the making. If you and your spouse own a home together and you are divorcing, you are going to have to figure out what you’re going to do about the house. This can be challenging under the most amicable of situations and can be devastating when there is bitterness and fighting.

Since your home is likely the greatest asset that you share, selling it is often necessary when parting ways. Sentimental value may entice one or the other of you to want to keep the home, but financial implications may keep you from doing so. Understanding how divorce affects the sale of a home is crucial.  The emotional aspect of splitting up your family can sometimes impair your judgement but making a poor decision regarding your home can have lasting ramifications, long after the divorce is finalized. 

Whether one spouse wants to buy out the other and keep the home or both want to sell and split the equity, selling a house while getting divorced is a rocky road that needs to be navigated intelligently.  When two people are willing to deal with each other in a peaceful, respectful way, it certainly makes the whole process easier. But often this is not the case in these situations. Division of a home is not simple. 

When each spouse contributed to purchase the home - even if one paid more than the other - you are both going to want your fair share out of it. Ideally, you will be able to work with an attorney or mediator to come to an agreement out of court, but if you can’t, a judge will decide for you. This can be a very unpleasant experience for all parties involved. If both your incomes were factored in the purchase of the house, chances are when you split that in half, neither of you can afford it on your own. If that is the case, the best solution is to sell the home and divide the assets. There are also tax implications that should be considered when you are trying to decide if you should sell before you divorce or after.

Should one of you decide to stay in the home, there are a couple of different ways to make that happen.  First, if you have the financial means to do so, you can take over the mortgage by refinancing. This means you must qualify for the loan and be able to make the monthly payments on your own. Your ex-spouse will be completely out of the picture. Another way is to continue co-owning the property.  Perhaps you have children and want to keep them in their home. While this is the least disruptive option, it is precarious and requires a lot of trust. It would have to be a very civil and friendly divorce for this to work because both parties will be responsible for the mortgage and upkeep of the house. The bottom line is that if you plan to stay in the home, you better be sure you can afford it. It would be prudent to work out a budget before you make the decision.

With all the financial and emotional issues that get wrapped up in the sale of a home during divorce, it’s crucial that you know what you want prior to meeting with your Realtor. It is best for you to meet with your attorneys for them to guide you through the process of deciding how to split the equity. Once you have that done, seek out an experienced Realtor like Sandra Nickel, who will gently guide you through the process with as little stress as possible.

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: community.thriveglobal.com, albinlawgroup.com, collaborativedivorcetexas.com

Are you a Baby Boomer who has reached retirement age? If so, you may be asking yourself if it is time to sell your home. This is a time in your life to finally enjoy the fruits of your labor and the last thing you want is to have to take care of a large home or be tied down to a big mortgage. There are plenty of younger people looking for starter and trade-up properties, meaning there are a lot of buyers out there competing for homes. So, the question you need to ask yourself is, “should we sell now?”. 

Consider these questions to find your answer:

• Will you be able to afford your home once you have retired?  It is important to think long term about the monthly costs of staying in your home. Even if you have paid off your mortgage, you will still be responsible for property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and utilities. Then there are home repair costs.  If you are living on a limited monthly income, an unexpected, costly home repair can be devastating.
  
• How much equity do you have in your current home? If you have a lot of equity built up in your current home, you can use that to purchase a retirement home and have little or no mortgage, freeing up your monthly income for other things.
   
• Can you keep up with home maintenance? Maybe you are someone who enjoys yard work and other home maintenance tasks, but depending on your age and health, these chores can become more challenging with time. A condo with an HOA fee might be the way to go so that you can enjoy your golden years with the peace of mind knowing that you don’t have to do maintenance work yourself.
  
• Do you feel secure in your home?  Criminals prey on the elderly. It is a sad, but true fact.  Elderly homeowners are often targets for scams and break-ins. Home security systems are helpful, but living somewhere that has 24-hour security, such as a manned gate-house and resident only access can provide you the security you need to be able to relax and enjoy retirement.
   
• Is your current home set up property for limited mobility? As people age, getting around can get more challenging.  People are living longer, more active lives these days, but that doesn’t mean that you will always want to climb the stairs to your bedroom. And what if you must use a wheelchair at some point? Are your doorways and hallways wide enough? Will you have easy access to a bathroom and shower? Homes in retirement communities are built with these things in mind and often offer the best of both worlds…activities to keep you busy and entertained and accommodations for any physical needs you might have in the future.
  
• Is your current home in a convenient location? There are many things to consider about location.  Are you close to a hospital and drug store? Can you easily get to shopping and entertainment venues? Are your grandchildren close by? Maybe you are living in a fantastic school district, which was great when your kids were growing up, but doesn’t really serve you now. If that’s the case, take advantage of the resale value that will give you and sell so that you can find a home that is more conveniently located for 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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: massagemag.com, nhbr.com, homeaccessproducts.com, designerservicesltd.com

Chances are, if you are getting ready to sell your home, you are also preparing to purchase a new home. So, the last thing you want to do is spend more money on your current property.  However, you certainly want to get the best price possible when selling it, and per the National Association of Realtors, for every $100 invested in staging, the potential return is $400. As you can see, it will pay off in the end to stage your home to entice potential buyers.

Some people will hire a certified staging professional to get the job done. While it might seem easier than doing it yourself, it is not the only way to get that SOLD sign planted in your front yard.

Here are some simple, yet effective home-staging hacks that won’t break the bank:

Roll Out a Welcome Mat

Sounds simple, right?  It is!  First impressions mean everything when selling your home.  Also, prospective buyers tend to linger by the front door before the real estate agent opens the home for viewing, so an inviting entrance is crucial. A new welcome mat can cost as little as $15.  Purchase a modern mat that compliments the style of your home.  To further enhance the entryway, add a little green with some fresh plants. An enticing entrance will make buyers want to see more!

Mount Mirrors in Strategic Spots

Every home has spaces like a dim hallway or small space that lacks natural light. To spruce up these areas, hang a few mirrors. They add extra light to rooms that look dark and create an illusion of space. They will pack an extra punch if placed next to or directly across from a window because they will pull in more sun.  For a more decorative look, create a collage of several mini mirrors in different shapes and sizes rather than just slapping one large mirror on the wall. You can find inexpensive mirrors at craft stores and discount home stores.

Set Tables and Serving Areas for Entertaining

A home filled with friends, food and laughter is a happy one! Paint a picture of what entertaining in your home will be like for potential buyers. Keep it simple, but aesthetically pleasing. Lay out cloth napkins, wine glasses and solid plates in the dining room. Use matching mugs and bowls in the kitchen to produce the feel of family meals.

Replace Personal Photos with Artwork

Over the years, you have turned your house into a home by decorating it with family portraits and personal mementos. But potential buyers are going to want to be able to envision themselves living there and that is hard to do with your family members present in the form of pictures in every room. So, get a head start on packing up your house by putting your pictures away and replacing them with artwork that compliments the style of the home.  You can find inexpensive art at discount stores, or you can print beautiful landscape photos to put in frames.

Make the Bathroom Look Elegant with White Linens

Spruce up your bathroom with crisp, fresh, all-white linens. White towels, bathmats, and shower curtains give the room an instant update. They inspire the feeling of a luxury spa without spending a lot of money. Take it a step further by including some "spa like" displays. Simple additions like an orchid, candles and special soaps will go a long way.

Arrange Decorative Scenes

Decorative displays can give a cozy, lived-in ambience to a house. Assembling classy vignettes of colorful vases, lanterns, books, plants, baskets, and other items atop dressers, counters and bookshelves will make a house feel more like a home. Group items in odd numbers and in varying heights and shapes while keeping them in the same color family. You will be amazed at what you can find to use in your house, but if you need to buy some things, you can mix in inexpensive pieces from craft and discount stores. Done properly, these displays will have people feeling like they are looking at rooms right out of home décor magazines…and that is a sure way to impress prospective buyers.

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: thisoldhouse.com, houseandhome.ie, susiedenton.com, professionalstaging.com

Whether you are looking to purchase a home or getting ready to sell one, the process of doing so will go much more smoothly if you have an experienced Realtor to represent your interests.  You might be thinking that you can save money by trying to do it on your own, but the truth is that the time, energy and stress a Realtor will save you is priceless! 

Here are the top five reasons why you should hire a Realtor when buying or selling a house:

1. EXPERTISE

Experienced real estate professionals will know all the ins and outs of buying and selling homes. Real estate has a language of its own, and Realtors will speak it fluently. They are not only familiar with all the forms, reports and disclosures involved, they understand them and can explain them to you. They will work to get you the best deal possible and help you avoid costly mistakes.

2. ACCESS

Realtors can search listings that the public does not have access to. They will know immediately when a house goes on the market; long before you can find it on the internet. Local Realtors will also have a lot of knowledge about different neighborhoods and areas that may appeal to you.

3. NEGOTIATION

Realtors are trained negotiators. It is their job to get you a first-rate deal. With fierce competition for homes and the chance of a bidding war, you are going to want a shrewd and experienced negotiator on your side.

4. CONNECTIONS

They know who’s who in every aspect of a real estate transaction. They can hook you up with a mortgage lender, home inspector, real estate attorney, home stager, etc. And, since the best deal for you benefits them as well, they are going to make sure to recommend the top people in their professions.

5. TIME

While searching for a new house, or getting one ready to sell, chances are you’re still working full time, taking care of a family, and feeling a little stressed about everything you need to do. Slow down, take a deep breath and let your Realtor alleviate that stress a bit. Being a Realtor is a full-time job that you don’t need to add to your to do list.

The bottom line is, you probably can buy or sell a home on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should. Hiring an experienced professional like Sandra Nickel will make your home-buying/selling experience less stressful and more successful.

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: fairfield-park.com, calbizjournal.com, rd.com

It’s a seller’s market in Alabama right now folks. Demand for homes is high and inventory is low, which has led to prices going up and sellers getting multiple offers. So, it seems like the perfect time to list your house, right? Slow down. The market may be prime for selling, but you need to look at your personal situation. Before you put that for sale sign in your yard, it would be wise to consider all the factors that will determine if you are ready to sell.

Here are signs that you are ready to sell your house:

• YOU HAVE POSITIVE EQUITY 

It’s vital that you are financially prepared to sell your house. If you have built up equity, that means your home is worth more than you owe on it. Ideally you want to have enough equity to pay off your current mortgage and to make a down payment on a new home. It’s even better if you have enough to cover closing costs and moving expenses. If you don’t have positive equity, it is a bad idea to sell.

• YOU HAVE CASH IN THE BANK WITH ZERO DEBT

It’s important to have all your financial ducks in a row before selling your house. Remember, you’re not just selling a house, you are likely buying one as well. Take time to analyze your finances and budget. If you have paid off your non-mortgage debt and have funds saved, you are ready to enter the home selling/buying process again.

• A HOME THAT BETTER SUITS YOUR NEEDS IS IN REACH

Perhaps you are downsizing, but you want a nicer home, or you are looking to move up into a larger home for your growing family. Either way, there is no point in selling your current home if you can’t afford a new one that better suits your needs. Remember that, ideally, your mortgage payment should be no more than 28% of your income.

• YOU ARE AWARE OF THE EXTRA COSTS INVOLVED IN MOVING

It’s exciting to get approved for a mortgage. Chances are you will get approved for more than you thought you would. But there is a lot to think about before deciding to sell. Remember that you will need to probably do some work on your house to get it ready to put on the market. You will also have to pay the moving expenses. Make sure consideration of these costs go into your decision-making process.

• YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY READY TO SELL

Hopefully you are selling for the right reasons. You have to be ready to put the work into your home that it will take to sell it. You must be committed to keeping it “show ready” for as long as it takes. You must be prepared for what might be a tough negotiation. And finally, you need to be ready to let go of the home where you have created memories with your family.

• YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR

Real estate transactions should be handled by experts. The professionals at Hat Team Realtors understand the market and can provide you with a clear picture of what goes into selling a house. Their advice will assist you in making this very important decision.

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: entrepreneur.com, princeton.edu, mastermovers.com

​Perhaps you have imagined your dream house. You’ve pictured it in your mind, created lengthy Pinterest boards with images, but can only hope that you might find it in real life. Some buyers must look for a long time before finding the home of their dreams, but others know right away.

When reality matches the vision you have for your home, you might fall in love at first sight.

Here are some things that make buyers know they had found “the one” the moment they see it:

1. A GORGEOUS FRONT PORCH
   

Nothing says “welcome home” better than a beautifully appointed front porch. A creative front door with porch railings painted a complementary color is a great way to draw a potential buyer into a home. That first look can make or break the interest of buyers.

2. STANDING OUT AMONG THE CROWD

That neighborhood full of “cookie cutter” houses may be the right area for you, but you don’t want your house to look like everyone else’s. A home that stands out is the one for you. For example, maybe that one white brick house in a sea of red brick houses is just different enough to make it the right one for you.

3. LAYOUT

Open concept has been popular for a long time, but maybe your dream house affords more privacy. When you walk into a home that has defined rooms that serve specific purposes, you have found what you have envisioned as the perfect home for you.

4. THE GREAT OUTDOORS
   

Perhaps the inside doesn’t matter quite as much as the outside to you. Despite the imperfections in the house itself, that huge, beautiful yard is all you ever wanted. Or maybe any house in a neighborhood that provides access to walking trails and open spaces will do the job.

5. GOOD BONES

If your dream house is one that you design yourself, then you might just fall in love with a fixer upper that has good bones. Just make sure to educate yourself about what it will take to make the vision you have for your home a reality.

6. LOCATION

Do you have a work commute that sucks the joy out of life? Finding a home that is in just the right location can certainly be the fulfillment of a dream home!

7. KITCHEN
   

A chef’s kitchen with high end appliances and tons of counter and storage space may be all it takes for the cook in the family to say “this is the one!”

No matter what you are looking for in a “dream home”, Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals can help you find it. And if you are selling your home, they can assist you in highlighting those aspects that will make buyers fall in love at first sight!

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: alcova.com, abeautifulmess.com, graceinmyspace.com, thescoutguide.com

While summer is considered by many to be the hottest time for selling a house (both literally and figuratively), sometimes circumstances require you to sell during a different time of the year. If there is a season for everything, autumn just might be exactly the right season to sell this year. Homes are still in demand and there is a good chance you will find a buyer before the end of the year. 
 

Here are some perks to selling in autumn:

1. HOMES SHOW WELL IN AUTUMN

The autumn season lends a beauty to homes that can’t be found in any other season. Colorful leaves, fall décor, and seasonal flowers provide a gorgeous, cozy aesthetic that draws a lot of positive attention to the appearance of a home. For sellers, this means prime curb appeal will draw buyers’ interest.

2. SERIOUS BUYERS

Buyers who are looking at homes in Autumn likely want to buy before the end of the year, so they are serious buyers. They likely want to get settled into a new house before the holiday season begins. The pressure is on for them to find their new home quickly and this puts you (the seller) in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiations.

3. LESS COMPETITION

There is less competition in autumn. Many sellers need to close and move before school starts, so fewer houses are for sale. With less to choose from, buyers can’t afford to be quite as picky.

4. DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUYERS

You will be dealing with different types of buyers in Autumn. Families often move in the summer to accommodate school schedules. Empty nesters and Millennial home buyers are more likely to be looking in the fall. In addition, employers who need to relocate their workers often wait for fall to avoid the hot market during spring and summer. A speedy closing is the goal of most of these buyers, which means you are more likely to get the best price possible for your house.

5. LOWER MOVING COSTS

Since autumn is not peak moving season, movers will be less in demand than they were during the summer. This means prices for moving may drop as demand drops. So, for those moving in autumn, you may possibly be able to save quite a bit on moving costs. You can maximize your savings choosing to move mid-month and/or mid-week when rates are often even lower.

6. BETTER (SWEATER) WEATHER

It can still be pretty warm during autumn in the south, so while it might not actually be “sweater weather”, it definitely will be “better weather” for moving than it is in the heat of summer.

Autumn is pretty. The weather is cooler; the leaves are changing colors and fall décor can make homes look and feel warm and cozy. This is a great time of year to dress up your house to entice buyers!

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: realtor.com, titlefirst.com, mymove.com

The general rule of thumb is spring is the best time to sell your home. Most Realtors experience a “spring rush”, but there are many reasons to consider selling your home during the winter months rather than wait until spring.

1. Less Competition

As you are driving around town, you probably don’t see many ‘For Sale’ signs. Typically in the winter, there are frewe homes for sale, which means less competition. Real estate is affected by supply and demand. The fewer homes there are for sale, the better chance you have of securing a buyer and the more negotiating power you have as a seller.

2. Historically Low Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates continue to be historically low, bringing more home buyers into the market. While rates may stay low throughout 2021, rates typically increase in the spring as a result of supply and demand. Most home sellers are going to turn around and buy another home. Selling now means you are in a position to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates.

3. Motivated Buyers

The spring selling season tends to bring out a lot of ‘looky loos’… people that aren’t really serious buyers and are merely interested in seeing what the market is like. Home buyers looking in the winter months are generally more serious and motivated to buy now. Serious home buyers look no matter what season of the year it is.

4. Quicker Transaction

There are fewer real estate transactions happening now than there will be in the spring selling rush. This means mortgage companies have fewer loans to process, attorneys and title companies have fewer closings, and home inspectors home fewer inspections to perform. The result of fewer transactions is better communication, better service, and less hassle. A closing with less stress will make your home selling and buying experience much more pleasurable.

After considering these factors, if you are in the market to sell your home now, let the Sandra Nickel Hat Team assist you with your sale. Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Experts predict we will be in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic for at least another 6 to 9 months if not longer. You may think the real estate market has tanked due to the pandemic but this is not the case. Interest rates remain low and are enticing buyers to take advantage of lower mortgage payments. The pandemic is changing the way real estate is being sold and making showing your home a bit more challenging. But with creativity and preparation, showing your home can be done safely. The following guidelines will help keeping you, your family, your Realtor, and your prospective buyers safe and healthy.

Preparation

The first thing you want to do is prepare your home for sale. Deep, clean and declutter. You want your home to sparkle inside and out the fresh paint and clean windows. Clear off your counter-tops and remove all personal items. Put toys away and remove excess furniture. Clean out closets so they appear larger and don’t forget to clean out the garage. Add some color with decorative pillows, bowls of fruit or fresh flowers.

Virtual Tour

Your Realtor will want to create an online virtual tour for buyers to take a look at before physically entering your home. There are many options for creating tours with photos, as well as video walking tours moving from room to room. While online tours aren’t quite the same as seeing a home in person, they tell a buyer a lot about the property.

Virtual Open House

Today’s technology is ideal for virtual open houses. Who ever heard of Zoom pre-pandemic? But Zoom and similar programs are perfect for conducting a virtual open house.

In-Person Showings

While buying a home sight unseen is on the rise, most buyers will want to see a home in person before deciding to buy. With extra precautions, this can be done with safety in mind…

1. Limit the number of persons entering you home to Realtors and the prospective buyers. This is not the time for children and extra family members.

2. Have everyone entering your home sign a Covid-19 form certifying they do not have the virus or have not been exposed to someone who does. Also, require everyone wear masks, gloves and use hand sanitizer before entering.

3. Leave doors open and lights on to minimize touching surfaces.

4. Clean and disinfect before and after the showing.

Bottom line is buyers are buying and sellers are selling during this pandemic. They are just doing in more creatively and cautiously.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500!

You have placed your house on the market and now it’s time for potential buyers to come and look at it. Keeping it clean, tidy and ready to show can be challenging in the best of circumstances, but even more so when you have young children.  Here are a few staging tips for keeping your house ready for last minute showings while making it attractive to buyers at the same time:

• Remove excess toys and clutter. Cumbersome toys like play kitchens and picnic tables take up a lot of space and can made a room look crowded and smaller than it is - so it is a good idea to put these in storage while you are trying to sell.
   
• Allow your children to pick out a few favorite toys that can be easily stored in attractive containers when showing the house. Choose an option that makes tidying up quick and easy.  Store all other toys out of sight. Toy Storage Ideas
   
• Potential buyers like to be able to see the house as they would have it. So, remove kids’ art work from the refrigerator and convert the playroom into a multi-purpose room. For example, you can stage the playroom as an office by adding a desk and chair, or as a den by adding a small sofa. That will make the room more appealing to buyers without children.
   
• Consider a fresh coat of paint, especially if you have colorful rooms that were painted to appeal to your little ones. Not only will the new paint cover finger-prints and marks on the walls, but choosing neutral colors for all the rooms will help sell your home more quickly and easily. 26 of the Best Paint Colors for Selling Your House
   
• Don’t forget that the outside of your house is the first thing potential buyers see. Keep outdoor toys to a minimum and make sure they are stored neatly. You never know when buyers might be driving by and you don’t want a bunch of toys to create and eye-sore that makes them hesitate to look at your home.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: realtor.com