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Displaying blog entries 1031-1040 of 1998

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends for February 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015
by The Hat Team

In February, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 90% higher than the previous month and 27% higher than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Status Distribution

The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Montgomery, AL.

Auctions accounted for 78.9% of foreclosure activity in February 2015 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 21.1%.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased 9.1% compared to the previous month and increased 33.3% from the previous year in February. The number of Auctions increased 167.9% compared to the previous month and 25.0% from the previous year.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.02% higher than national statistics,0.02% higher than Alabama numbers and the same as Montgomery County statistics in February 2015.

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.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 1884 Hill Hedge Drive

Friday, April 3, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

1884 Hill Hedge Drive, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 316523

Convenient To Midtown!

1885 hill hedge dr

Great location and convenient to everything in Midtown. Combination living room/ dining room is spacious and hardwood floors throughout. Kitchen has had some updates and the bonus room off the kitchen could be a den/office/playroom. Great starter home or investment property. Priced to sell, check it out today!

Marketed by Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team Realtors.

Check out what's happening in Montgomery!
 

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Home Too Big Now?

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
by The Hat Team

Once the kids are grown, have careers, relationships and get a place of their own, parents find that they may not need their “big” home like they did before. Their lifestyle may have changed and the house just doesn’t “fit” anymore.

kidsBenefits of a smaller home:

  • Easier to maintain 
  • Lower utilities
  • Lower property taxes 
  • Lower insurance
  • More convenient location
  • Convenience of a single level
  • Possibly more energy efficient
  • Possibly lower maintenance

Moving from a larger home frees equity from the previous home that can be invested for retirement income, purchase a second home, travel, education or just to have a nest egg for unexpected expenses.  The profit on the home, in most cases, will be tax-free up to the exclusion limits set by IRS.

There will be expenses involved in selling a home as well as the purchase of a new home.  These will lower the amount of net proceeds available to invest in the new home.

Like any other big change in life, it is recommended that you take your time to consider the possible alternatives and outcomes.  Your real estate professional can provide information that can be valuable in the discernment process such as what your home is worth, what you will net from a sale as well as alternative properties for your next stage in life.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 1450 Midlane Ct

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

1450 Midlane Ct, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 316413

Totally Renovated!



Here is the best example of move- in ready in Cloverdale! Just recently this home had a complete and total renovation. A brand new kitchen with granite island opens to the living area. A flat screen TV over the gas fireplace sets the stage for the perfect place to entertain. Master suite is down with a brand new bath with walk-in shower and an open floor plan. There are two additional bedrooms upstairs with Jack and Jill bath. Glass doors and windows all across the back provide tons of light and look out onto deck and back yard. Great location, check it out today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team Realtors.

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Consider The 5 year Rule When Buying a Home

Friday, March 27, 2015
by The Hat Team

There are many factors that go into the decision to buy a home. One of those factors is how long you expect to stay in the home. This applies whether you are a first time homebuyer or stepping up to a larger home. The length of time you stay in a home affects the financial outcome of that ownership.

5 year ruleHere’s a summary of some thoughts from moneyning.com and the 5-year rule for buying a home. There is a tendency for younger buyers to go through 3-year upgrade cycles. Why? Newer and younger buyers typically experience significant increases in income in their younger years.

As income increases their ability to afford a larger mortgage increases and the desire for a larger house sets in. There seems to be an assumption that buying is more cost effective than renting. Click here for a perspective on ownership costs vs. rent. That thought process occurs, on average, every three years.

The 5-year rule states that generally you should plan to stay in a home you’re buying for at least five years. That is for two primary reasons…

  • The first reason is closing costs. Every time a home changes hands both the buyers and the sellers put money on the table just to make the transaction happen. These costs can easily add up to thousands of dollars. Those dollars provide no real financial benefit to the buyers or sellers except to allow the transaction to happen.
  • The second reason is the payment of interest on the mortgage. A mortgage payment has two components – payback of the principal of the loan borrowed and interest on the amount borrowed. Because typical mortgage payments remain the same during the life of the loan the proportion paid on the two components changes. In the early years the payment is almost all going to pay interest and very little to principal. As the principal is gradually paid down the portion going to interest diminishes and the portion going to the principal increases.

According to author Thursday Bram “it isn’t until you’re about five years into paying down your mortgage that you’ve made enough progress on the principal to make it a better deal than paying rent each month.”

Here’s how to beat that average…don’t buy the biggest house you can just because a lender tells you what you can afford. Instead, consider buying smaller and then adding extra money to your monthly payments. That extra money will go entirely to paying down the principal loan – that means you will pay less interest over the life of the loan and you will create more equity because you are diminishing the principal balance faster.

However, if you’re not going to stay in your home five years you should probably consider renting.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team Realtors.

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Montgomery AL Real Estate For Sale: 2233 McKinley Ave

Thursday, March 26, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes For Sale:

2233 McKinley Ave Montgomery, AL 36107
MLS# 316275

Great Investment in Historic Capitol Heights!

Great investment property! Needs work! Lots of square footage along with three bedrooms and two baths for the asking price! Interesting barrel ceiling in living and dining room. Separate laundry room. Fenced yard. Detached garage. Sold as-is!

Marketed by Montgomery Alabama Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Montgomery Homes For Sale: 428 Derby Ln

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes For Sale:

428 Derby Ln - Montgomery, AL 36109
MLS # 316165

Wonderful well-maintained County Downs home!

Traditional layout with large living and dining rooms, kitchen with family style breakfast room, and spacious den/family room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Originally 4 bedrooms, current owners removed wall between back 2 bedrooms and made one LARGE bedroom for grandchildren (could easily be converted back to 2 separate bedrooms, making 4 total!) Big master with split master bath and 2 walk-in closets. Out back enjoy a covered patio, large open patio, and beautiful sparkling pool with plenty of decking. Attached 2 car carport and additional pad provides plenty of parking. Recent updates make this home ready to move into (and one of the best deals in County Downs!)

Marketed by Montgomery Alabama Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

 

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Selecting a Lender

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
by The Hat Team

Finding a mortgage lender is not a problem. Selecting someone who will help you find the best loan product for your situation even if it means sending you to another lender is paramount.

lenderThere is a huge advantage to be able to sit across the table from someone you’re doing business with and look them straight in the eye. It’s difficult to make an informed decision based on a website and a phone call.

Doing business with a full-time professional who specializes in residential loans like you’re trying to get is important. You want the loan officer to be familiar with local conditions, values and practices.

It’s to your benefit to have a loan officer who has the experience to put the unusual transaction together even if yours is not. 

Here are a few questions that will be helpful in selecting the right loan officer.

  1. What percentage of your business are FHA & VA compared to conventional mortgages and how long have you been doing them?
  2. What percentage of your loans close on time according to the sales contracts?
  3. Will my credit score affect my interest rate?
  4. Will you help me select the best loan product for me regardless of your commission?
  5. Are there prepayment penalties on any of the loans we’re considering?
  6. Are there any restrictions on refinancing any of the loans we’re considering?
  7. When is my loan rate locked-in? Is there a charge for that?
  8. Is your loan underwriting in-house?

A real estate professional can be your best source of information and can recommend a trusted lender. If you have any questions as to what kind of answers you should expect, please give me a call.

Information provided by Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team Realtors.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends for February 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015
by The Hat Team

February 2015 Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for February 2015, show the number of homes dropped 3.70% by 1 home . The average sales price decreased by 21.91%% to $100,996 for the month. The median sales prices decreased by 52.97% to $55,500, and market times increased by 1 day.  The highest selling price decreased by 12.63%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 10% compared to $10,000 from February 2014.

Midtown Montgomery  February 2015   February 2014
Homes Sold 26 27
Average Selling Price $100,996 $129,334
Median Selling Price $55,500 $118,000
Days On The Market 141 140
Highest Selling Price $425,000 $487,000
Lowest Selling Price $9,000 $10,000

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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Montgomery Homes For Sale: 2426 Wentworth Dr

Thursday, March 19, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes For Sale:

2426 Wentworth Dr Montgomery, AL 36106
MLS #316082

Great layout for a family!

What family would not love the space in this home...THREE separate living areas, split bedroom plan, and wonderful lanai and in ground swimming pool! Calming courtyard with Koi pond greets you as you approach the entry. Nicely updated, you can certainly spread out in this uniquely designed home. And, if you like to entertain, WOW does this place fit the bill! Great flow, wet bar, and space galore inside and out. Conveniently located in Vaughn Meadows, minutes from I-85, shopping, dining, and great schools.

Marketed by Montgomery Alabama Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

 

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Displaying blog entries 1031-1040 of 1998

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