Real Estate Information

Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing a home and a mortgage is involved, a home appraisal is going to be an important aspect of the process. Therefore, it’s crucial that you understand how the appraisal process works and how an appraiser determines a home’s value.

A home appraisal is an unbiased, professional opinion of a home’s value. Conducted by a licensed home appraiser with the knowledge and experience to determine the fair current value of the home, it takes place in almost every home purchase/sale transaction and is commonly used in refinance situations as well. Within a purchase/sale transaction, it is used to establish if the home’s contract price is appropriate, based on the home’s location, condition, and features. For a refinance, the appraisal makes sure that the lender isn’t giving the borrower more money than the home is worth. Because the home serves as collateral for the loan, lenders want to make sure that the homeowner is not over-borrowing. With a purchase/sale transaction, the home appraisal is typically paid for by the buyer and the fee is included in the closing costs.

The reason the home appraisal is so important is because it lets the lender know that they are lending the appropriate amount of money for the value of the home. Sometimes the appraisal will come in for a lower amount than the agreed upon price and when that happens, the lender might deny a loan for that amount. If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction can proceed. However, chances are the seller doesn’t want the deal to fall through, so if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer may be able to use it to negotiate a lower selling price.  Knowing that the bank won’t lend any buyer more than what the home is worth, the seller may be willing to lower their selling price so that they can proceed with the sale. A low appraisal can also derail a homeowner’s attempt at refinancing their home. The home needs to appraise at or above the amount the homeowner wants to refinance. One exception is if you have an FHA mortgage.  With an FHA mortgage, you can refinance without an appraisal through the Streamline Your FHA Mortgage.

The appraiser will look at many things to determine the home’s fair current value. The property’s value will be influenced by recent sale prices of similar properties and by current market trends. The home’s amenities, floor plan, functionality, square footage, and number of bedrooms/bathrooms will also play a part in coming up with a fair price for the lender. A thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the property will allow the appraiser to note any issues that might have an adverse effect on the property’s value. You may confuse a home appraisal with a home inspection, but they are not the same thing, A home inspection is a much more detailed evaluation of the home and does not involve the lender.

Usually, the home appraisal will just be a box checked off on your home closing checklist. But if the appraisal comes in lower than expected, the purchase/sale transaction can be delayed or canceled.  Understanding the process and being aware of potential problems will help you be better prepared to handle whatever circumstances come your way.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Life these days can be hectic and stressful for many of us. As you get through your work week, perhaps you daydream about getting away to a peaceful haven, far from the drudgery of day-to-day life. Sadly, wishes and dreams will not take you there, but you CAN create a tranquil retreat at home.

Here are some tips for turning your living space into a calm and soothing oasis:

Use Relaxing Colors

Soft colors like watery blues and greens create a sense of serenity in a room.  But they are not the only relaxing colors. If you do not care for blues, use gentle hues like rose, taupe, peach or mocha.

Store Things Out of Sight

Loud sounds are not the only “noise” that can ruin a serene atmosphere. Visual noise consists of anything you can see that results in you feeling stressed or anxious. Get rid of the visual noise, and your space will feel calmer. Utilize closed storage for the majority of your belongings and choose only special items to keep on display.  Remember that chaos on the outside = chaos on the inside.

Use Solids and/or Subtle Patterns

If you are seeking to create a calm aesthetic in a room, stick with solid colors or subtle patterns in muted tones. There is nothing wrong with a bright, colorful, busy pattern, but you may find it distracting when you are trying relax and rejuvenate. Keeping it simple will go a long way toward designing the peaceful vibe you are going for.

Use Gentle Lighting

Nothing feels less relaxing than walking into a room filled with bright, harsh lighting. Natural light is best, so keep window treatments open during the day to let the sunshine in. When it gets dark out, instead of turning on a blazing overhead light, trying using string lights, candles, lamps and lanterns for a soft glow.

Find a Place to Hide Your Tech

You may not be able to put your tv “away”, but smaller tech items like phones, tablets and laptops simply need to go bye-bye when you are trying to relax. Find an out of the way drawer or cabinet where these items can be stored so that they will not be a tempting distraction when you are trying to unwind and de-stress.  Trust me, spending time away from screens might be the best thing you do for yourself!

Create an Backyard Retreat

Nothing is more relaxing than spending quiet time in the fresh air on a beautiful day. When the weather cooperates and presents you the gift of a gorgeous day, being able to step right outside your door to enjoy it is a wonderful thing! When designing your outdoor space, be sure to incorporate privacy, comfy textures, pleasing aromas, and lots of plants. Add a water feature to enjoy the soothing sounds of water.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Your home equity is how much of your home that you “own”. For example, if you put down 20% on your home when you purchased it, that means you already have 20% of the home’s value of equity in the home. As you pay the loan down over the years, your principal loan value decreases while your equity increases. To calculate your equity, take the current appraised value of your home and then subtract what you still owe on your home.

Every month when you make your mortgage payment, you gain equity in your home. If you make full payments on time, your equity will grow as your principal loan decreases and at the end of the term of your loan, you will own your home outright. So, if you have a 30-year mortgage, you will own your house in 30 years. Building equity is one of the major perks of being a homeowner. It makes your home a valuable asset that you can use in the future to either buy a new home or make other large purchases. Some people even use their home equity to fund their retirement. But thirty years is a long time! If you want or need access to your money sooner, you can build your equity faster and here is how:

• PAY MORE AGAINST YOUR PRINCIPAL MORTGAGE

By making extra mortgage payments, or paying more than you owe each month, you can decrease the amount of your principal balance and build equity faster. For example, if you make one extra mortgage payment a year, you could possibly pay off your loan ahead of schedule. Or, if you pay a little more than your required payment each month, you can also shorten the life of your loan. Say your required monthly payment is $2100. $2100 divided by 12 is $175. If you add $175 to each monthly mortgage payment, after 12 months you will have made one extra payment for the year, thus paying off your mortgage a little quicker! But be careful, because some loans have prepayment penalties for paying off your loan too much ahead of schedule. So, check into that before you decide to pay more on your loan.

• WHEN YOU GET EXTRA MONEY PUT IT TOWARD YOUR LOAN

Extra money? Who has that? Well, you might if you get a bonus or a gift of money. Perhaps you can’t afford to put extra money toward your loan every month, but things like holiday bonuses or even a tax refund or an inheritance may give you the extra cash you need to make and extra loan payment. Just be sure that your money is going toward your principal and not your interest.

• COMPLETE A HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

There are some home improvement projects that can add significant value to your home, thus increasing the equity you have in your home. Even a small project can give you a huge return on your investment (ROI)

• CHOOSE A 15-YEAR LOAN VERSUS A 30-YEAR LOAN

Just because a 15-year mortgage is half the time of a 30-year mortgage, that does not mean that your monthly payment will double. Have the mortgage lender run the numbers to see if you can swing the payments on a 15-year loan. If so, you will not only pay the loan off faster, but you will also pay less interest over the life of the loan, thus saving even more money!

• MAKE A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT

While it may be tempting to take advantage of a loan that offers a low or no down payment, if you’re looking to build equity quicker, it is not the best choice. A large down payment will assist you in building equity faster. The more you put down, the more equity you begin with. If you can put at least 20% down, you get the added perk of not having to pay for PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), which can be expensive.

Building equity is a huge benefit of being a homeowner. It’s like a forced savings account and can be one of the best investments you will ever make!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Fall flowers bring to mind vivid, jewel toned hues such as scarlet, deep purples and gold. It is not too late to add a burst of autumn colors to your landscaping. But, before planting, research what kind of flowers and plants will do best in your area. To help, here is a list of some that will thrive in Montgomery.

• Goldenrod:

This low maintenance beauty has been erroneously blamed for causing hay-fever. The real culprit is rag weed. The pollen in goldenrod is too heavy to fly in the air. Instead, it sticks to the legs of the butterflies and insects that feed on its nectar. It blooms late in the season and is deer and drought resistant.

• Chrysanthemums: 

Commonly called “mums”, these richly hued plants are a true sign of fall. When buying mums, look for ones labeled “hardy mums” or “garden mums” for the best chance of having them thrive throughout the season. Plant them as soon as you buy them. Given the opportunity to develop a strong root system, they will last longer.

• Helenium:

Part of the daisy family, this cheery flower blooms in yellow, orange, and red bringing a vibrant ambiance to your garden. These tough, easy-to-grow perennials bloom late in the season and last a long time.

• Asters:

Available in a variety of hues in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white, these perennials bloom from mid to late fall. Loved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, they provide a late feeding opportunity for them. Plant them as soon as they are available in early fall so that they can establish a strong root system.

• Pansies:

One of the most popular cool weather annuals, pansies are favorites for fall flowerbeds. They are very hardy and can continue to bloom through winter and into spring, thereby adding lively color to your garden almost year ‘round! The ideal time to plant pansies in hardiness zone 8 is late October.

With temperatures cooling a bit, now is a great time to get outside and bring a bold, beautiful autumn aesthetic to your flower beds!

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: hgtv.com, marthastewart.com, etsy.com, gardenista.com, allaboutgardening.com

2188 Woodley Road, Montgomery, AL 36111

MLS# 546481

4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 1 Half Baths | 4,483 Square Feet | Allendale

Welcome to your own private estate inside the confines of Old Montgomery! Classic architecture combines with more modern additions to make this 4,000 + square foot home quite livable and gracious for entertaining. Family and guests will enjoy the natural flow from formal spaces to updated open concept living. Features like wet bar with built-in ice maker, kitchen with lots of high-end appliances and custom cabinetry, and spacious island/breakfast bar are a cook's dream! First floor guest suite with attached cozy parlor that can be easily closed off from the rest of the house might just make guests over-stay (and makes a wonderful space for aging parents or those with accessibility challenges!) Spacious sunroom adds additional living space to the already ample first floor square footage. Up the elegant staircase there is a well-proportioned primary bedroom with updated bath and walk-in closet plus, two more guests’ bedrooms with large, shared bath. Rear of house has oversized screened porch that serves as a perfect indoor/outdoor living space, and overlooks a lush backyard perfectly sized for a swimming pool or tennis courts. Above the two-car detached garage is a guest apartment with full kitchen and bath, and plenty of living space. This Midtown Montgomery home has been meticulously maintained and improved over the last 30 years by the same owner to include new windows, a new roof, architect designed additions, and custom fixture upgrades.

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

3205 Southmont Drive, Montgomery, AL 36105

MLS# 546335

2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,570 Square Feet | South Hull District

No need to settle for less than the best despite your limited budget.  This precious 2-bedroom, 2-bath cottage has been touched by the hand of a professional designer and renovated 5 years ago “from stem to stern.”  High-end finishes and a great floor plan to delight you.  And even an attached 2-car carport for those rainy days.  Bargain-priced so arrange to see it today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Fall Festival

Saturday, September 23, 2023
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 24, 2023
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

One Museum Drive 
Montgomery, AL 36117 

Fall Festival is a free event that celebrates Montgomery, Alabama’s vibrant creative culture, featuring both local and regional artists from all backgrounds. This free public event features an art market with more than 30 vendors, live music, art demos, food trucks, and tastings with local brewers. The Artist Market is an integral part of Fall Festival; booths feature fine arts and crafts for sale made locally in the River Region.

This year, Fall Festival’s theme will be Alabama art, in connection to the Alabama: A to Z exhibition of work by talented artists from all around the state. All artists will live in and make in Alabama. In addition to event festivities, artists with work on view in the Alabama: A to Z will be on site from 11 AM to 1 PM, sharing stories about their work in the galleries. 

This event is rain or shine; in the case of inclement weather, activities will be moved indoors.

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Ballet and the Beasts by the Montgomery Ballet at the Montgomery Zoo

September 29, 2023 – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum
2301 Coliseum Parkway
Montgomery, AL 36110

Montgomery Ballet joined by Troy and ASU dance troupes, Montgomery Symphony quartet, dancing under the stars during Ballet and the Beasts at the Montgomery Zoo, evening of September 29

Join us for a night of dancing under the stars and music during a performance of Ballet and the Beasts at the Montgomery Zoo, Friday night, September 29. Gates open at 6pm, and the performances start at 6:30pm. This is a FREE performance presented by the Montgomery Ballet, in cooperation with Troy University, Alabama State University, and the Montgomery Symphony. 

This year’s presentation of Ballet and the Beasts will be a five-part performance with the Montgomery Ballet opening the evening with Carnival of the Animals and Animals of Classic Ballet followed by two performances featuring the Troy University and Alabama State University dance troupes, and performance presented by a quartet from the Montgomery Symphony.

Ballet and the Beasts is fun for all ages, boys and girls. Admission is FREE, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcome.  There will be a bleacher section available for additional seating.  Select concessions will be available for purchase. Prior to the performance, the Montgomery Zoo’s Education Department will display a live animal presentation featuring various animal education ambassadors.    

In an effort to help those in need, we will be accepting non-perishable and canned food donations for Montgomery Area Food Bank. 

A VIP section is section will be made available this year for purchase.  For more information or to purchase your VIP TICKETS, please contact the Montgomery Ballet at montgomeryballet.org or by phone @ Studio (334) 409-0522 or Google Voice (334) 721-3687.

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Oktoberfest 2023

Sat Oct 07, 2023, at 11:00 am to 05:00 pm

Messiah Lutheran Church
6670 Vaughn Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36116

German and American Food & Beer Garden, Bouncy House & Kids Hands-on Activities, Community Marketplace with vendors and non-profit organizations, Live Entertainment, Used Book Sale, Treasure Room, and More! Free Admission; Free Parking; Open to the Public

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35^th Annual Holiday Market

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Saturday, October 21, 2023

Multiplex at Cramton Bowl
1037 Pelham Street
Montgomery, AL

The Junior League of Montgomery presents their 35^th Annual Holiday Market! You will find beautiful clothing, incredible jewelry, gifts, children’s items, art, gourmet food, bath products, gifts for men, home & holiday décor, handmade items, and one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find at a mall! Bring family, friends, and a camera for pictures by the Christmas tree!

Purchase tickets HERE

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Creatures of the Night / Family Fun Night Mann Museum Flashlight Tour

10/27/2023 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM  

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum
2301 Coliseum Parkway
Montgomery, Alabama 36110

Creatures of the Night/Mann Museum Flashlight Tour, Education Program and Family Fun, Friday evening, October 27, 5:30pm - 8:30pm. A night featuring a live animal presentation of creepy creatures and a flashlight tour of the Mann Museum, games, live animal presentations, and a whole lot more fun!

Do you enjoy the dark?  Are you ready to go on an adventure, with nothing but your good senses and a flashlight?  If so, then you just might be the junior explorers we are looking for to attend our Creatures of the Night and Mann Museum Flashlight Tour Education Program and Family Fun Night.  Peer through the darkness and discover walls lined with animal pelts of the past, see several deer species nose to nose, and if you can bear it, just around that corner may be 10-foot Polar bear just waiting to meet you.  Creatures of the Night / Mann Museum Flashlight Tour is an educational program and family fun night with hands-on experience, all sorts of adventure, and lots of fun.  It is geared for boys and girls aged 5-12 years old, and their parents.  Yes, parents, you are invited to join the fun too.    

Creatures of the Night / Family Fun Night Mann Museum Flashlight Tour is a combination of fun-filled and insightful educational program (and family fun night) packed with:

• live animal presentation of creepy creatures
• flashlight tour of the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum,
• scavenger hunts
• live animal presentations
• discovery stations
• craft time

Everyone leaves with a take-home, keepsake goody bag!

Participants are encouraged to wear fun, family-friendly Halloween costumes. 

Purchase tickets HERE
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Halloween Ghost Hunt/Paranormal Investigation at The Fitz!

By Southern Ghost Girl Tours

Saturday, October 21, 2022
9:30 PM to 12:30 AM

The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
919 Felder Avenue
Montgomery AL

EXCLUSIVE AND BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Halloween Ghost Hunt and Interactive Paranormal Investigation at Montgomery’s historic Fitzgerald Museum!

TV personalities The Southern Ghost Girls, led by psychic medium and paranormal investigator Lesley Ann Hyde will be hosting a fun-filled Halloween Ghost Hunt and Real Live Interactive Paranormal Investigation using state-of-the-art paranormal investigation equipment at The Fitz.

Click HERE for more information about this spooky, fun event and to purchase tickets!

Enjoy these fun events and more this Fall in Magnificent Montgomery Alabama!

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: experiencemontgomeryal.org, allevents.in, festivals.com, eventbrite.com, facebook.com

4047 Hickory Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS# 546245

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,507 Square Feet | Dalraida 

Adorable Dalraida cottage on quiet street! This cream-puff home is nicely updated and ready for a new owner to love it. Cozy living room with nice built-ins has fireplace and beautiful wood floors. Cheery sunroom is perfect spot for morning coffee or a quaint reading nook (and pets LOVE this room!) Formal dining room adjacent to spiffy kitchen with heart pine trim, salvaged wood backsplash, and marble countertops. Custom plantation shutters grace most of the windows, and you will find original oak flooring throughout most of the home. 3rd bedroom has French doors leading to large rear deck and could swing as a den/study. At the rear of the house is a big laundry/mudroom/utility room. Large, fenced yard boasts formal and informal flower beds, brick patio, lots of heirloom shrubs, and a separate workshop/storage building. Walk-down block basement provides great storage and a perfect hobby/workshop space (and makes a great storm shelter!) Close proximity to shopping, dining, interstate, and historic Downtown.

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

501 Saddlewood Lane, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 546380

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 954 Square Feet | Stegall

Have you been searching for quaint and cozy?? If so, this is the one for you! This adorable 2 bedroom, 1 bath townhouse has been wonderfully maintained and ready for its new owner(s). Upon entering you will notice nicely painted walls, spacious bedrooms, a lovely dining area and cute kitchen! The backyard is perfect for relaxing under the awning and watching your children and/or pets play in the spacious backyard. The yard is fully fenced, and part of the fence has recently been replaced. The outdoor storage unit and the outdoor table with chairs will stay. The location is ideal being the townhouse on the end, off Wares Ferry Rd and directly across the street from Alabama Christian Academy. Schedule a time to see this cutie today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

1909 Graham Street, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 546242

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 1,572 Square Feet | Cloverdale

This adorable Old Cloverdale cottage will steal your heart! While small on square footage, there's no shortage of bedrooms and baths, with a large primary bedroom, guest bedroom and bath, and study/nursery/potential small 4th bedroom all on the first floor, and another guest suite upstairs. Primary bath features double vanity, tub/shower combo, and two walk-in closets. Living room has fireplace and opens to dining room with built-in corner cabinets for displaying your china and other trinkets. Main bedroom opens to private rear deck and pergola, and there is a detached workshop/storage building out back. Small manageable back yard perfect for kids and pets. Located on a quiet Cloverdale street in Midtown Montgomery just blocks from both of Cloverdale's dining and entertainment districts, and minutes from downtown!

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