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Displaying blog entries 1051-1060 of 1996

Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 3844 Dalraida Place

Monday, December 29, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

3844 Dalraida Place, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 313493

Tip Top Condition!

3844 dalraida pl

Workshop to die for!! Owner built with intention of staying forever, but new job has him moving to a new city! If Dalraida school district and move in ready are on your check list look no further! Beautiful real hardwood floors through-out! The kitchen in this home has been updated with granite counter-tops and tile backslash. Opening from kitchen to great room gives a very open feeling. Covered area for entertaining just off kitchen and great room. Fenced, level, and private rear yard for family, friends and pets. All in tip top condition by current picky owner, will leave little if anything for you to do except move in and start Living!! Please call us or your agent of choice to see this super clean well laid out home today!

Marketed by Montgomery Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

 

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 1204 Federal Drive

Friday, December 19, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

1204 Federal Drive, Montgomery AL 36107
MLS# 313873

Located In Beautiful Montgomery Heights!

1204 federal dr
This well maintained brick home sits on a large corner lot in beautiful Montgomery Heights. Traditional floor plan provides spacious living and dining rooms. Eat-in kitchen has a wonderful built-in banquette table/sitting area, and sports some really cool display shelving for collectibles. Third bedroom (between kitchen and hallway, often called a "swing" room) has original REAL knotty pine paneling, and has most recently been used as a den/TV room. Other bedrooms are well proportioned, and bathrooms are original but retro-cool! Nice patio out back overlooks huge pecan tree, and single carport is accessed off side street for convenience.

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

 

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Seriously? I Want To Sell During the Holidays!

Thursday, December 18, 2014
by The Hat Team

If your home is currently on the market, you may be tempted to take it off during the busy December holiday season that is currently upon us.  I would suggest that you leave your home on the market regardless of what time of year it is and do your best to make sure that it shows better than any of the other houses out there for sale.  Selling your home during the holidays  doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Here are a few tips for selling your home during the busiest time of the year!

  • christmas treeDecorate your home like you have never decorated it before to make it stand out above all the other homes that are for sale during the holiday season.  You may not feel like doing this because you are most likely ready to move out and get on with your life, but if you take the time to make your home look beautiful for the holidays, it is most likely going to get the attention of several buyers that might not otherwise take a second look at your home.  Be sure to have a few showings during the evenings if your Realtor will agree so that you can show off your awesome light display.
     
  • Have tea or hot cocoa waiting for your potential buyers when they walk through your door for a showing.  You may also want to have holiday music playing throughout your home as well.
     
  • Offer some sort of small gift if your potential buyer is willing to purchase your home during the holiday season.  You can make this gift as small or as elaborate as you wish and may want to gear it towards your buyer’s personality.  Your Realtor will be able to help you know what your buyer likes and what kind of incentive will get their attention. 
     
  • If anything in your home needs updating, you may want to go ahead and make these improvements,  However if you don’t have enough money in your pocket to take care of the holiday for your family and make the updates at the same time, you may want to take that into consideration when setting an asking price.  You don’t have to jump through hoops to sell your home, however you DO want to get the best price you possibly can, so weigh the pros and cons of going ahead and taking care of updating versus lowering your price and then figure out which one works best for you and your family. 

Don’t let the holidays overwhelm you and make you think that you can’t sell your home during this time of year.  There is no reason to take your home off the market in December.  All you need to do is bling out your home like a huge Christmas present and I am sure folks will take notice! 

Information courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts, The Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Being a Good Neighbor

Tuesday, December 16, 2014
by The Hat Team

A good neighbor might be characterized as someone who’ll look after your home when you’re out of town by picking up your mail and watering your plants.  You’d most likely reciprocate for anyone who’d be so generous toward you.

good neighborIn some cases, you might only be able to name one or two of your neighbors who would step up to that level of service.   Wouldn’t it be nice if more people on your street would be happy to make that offer?

The solution may just start with being a better neighbor first.  The following suggestions go a long way to improving your neighborhood and making new friends at the same time.

  • Meet your neighbors and exchange phone numbers and email addresses.  Agree with each other that you’ll let them know if you see something strange going on at their home. 
  • Slow down when driving through the neighborhood; it will make it safer and everyone will appreciate it. 
  • Control your dog: keep it on a leash; pick up after it; don’t let it bark too much.
  • Don’t park in front of your neighbor’s home.
  • Notify your immediate neighbors when you’re having remodeling done and ask them to let you know if any of the contractors cause damage to their property.
  • Let your neighbors know when you’re having a party and that there will be more cars on the street than usual.
  • Maintain your home and yard so that it adds to the beauty of the neighborhood.
  • Put your garbage out for collection on the correct day and bring the containers back in promptly.

In reality, it is fairly obvious; you just have to think of the things that you’d want from your neighbors.  Be friendly; don’t be noisy; offer a helping hand when available and respect each other’s boundaries.  Having a sense of community and that you all share the neighborhood can be underlying principles that will guide your behavior.

A good neighbor would be aware of suspicious activity and would call their neighbors and the police if warranted.  This might be something you can discuss with your neighbors.  Click here for a template to record your immediate neighbor’s contact information and keep readily available if needed.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel.

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3 Ways to Get Your Home Ready For Winter

Thursday, December 11, 2014
by The Hat Team

If you haven’t already noticed, it is getting colder with each passing day outside.  If you want to stay cozy and warm inside your home this winter, you are going to have to do a few things to make sure it is possible.  Typically folks don’t think about winterizing their home until it is already freezing cold outside.  Hopefully you still have a few weeks winter homebefore the temperatures get down too low to get your home ready for the cold.   In this blog we are going to give you three ways to get your home ready for winter.   

  • Turn your heat on close to 80 degrees and leave it there until you hear the heat come on.  If you hear the system come on and it seems to be making the home nice and toasty then you don’t have to worry about doing anything to your heat for the coming colder months.  However, if you notice that the heat smells funny or that it is not getting the house as warm as you would like it, you may have to call in a professional to do a diagnostic test to see what the problem is and fix it for you.
     
  • Get your fireplace ready for winter by making sure it is free of debris.  Sometimes birds like to make their nests in chimneys and you don’t want to start a fire with a birds nest in the way.  It’s also a good idea to make sure that the damper opens and closes as it should. This will help to insure that any fire you make in the fireplace brings the heat into your home instead of heating the outside.  A good way to check the draft of your fireplace is to light a piece of paper and put in inside the fireplace.  If the smoke rises then you should be good to go, if not then you probably have some sort of obstruction in the way and you need to clean it out properly before you make your first fire of the season.
     
  • Check to make sure that there are no drafts around your doors and windows.  You can purchase weather stripping at your local hardware store if you find that you do have some draftiness.  You would be surprised at how much cold air can get in through even the tiniest of cracks in and around windows and doors in your home. 

Hopefully these tips will get you started in the right direction for getting your home ready for winter.

Information courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel. 

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends for October 2014

Sunday, December 7, 2014
by The Hat Team

In October, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 16% higher than the previous month and 5% 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 66.7% of foreclosure activity in October 2014 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 33.3%.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased 575.0% compared to the previous month and decreased 37.2% from the previous year in October. The number of Auctions decreased 18.2% compared to the previous month and increased 58.8% from the previous year.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.01% lower than national statistics, 0.01% higher than Alabama numbers and the same as Montgomery County statistics in October 2014.

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!

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 372 Forest Park Dr

Thursday, December 4, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

372 Forest Park Dr, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 313632

Will Win Your Heart!

372 forest park dr


Lender's loss is your gain! If you can be patient, you can get an incredible buy on this short sale home in desirable Forest Hills. A real neighborhood school is among the many reasons folks just love the area. And good sized rooms and a nice kitchen will win your heart. Finally, the painted concrete floors in the living room are virtually kid and pet proof!

Marketed by Montgomery Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 125 Brantwood

Thursday, December 4, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

125 Brantwood, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 313666

Check out this GREAT BUY!

125 brantwood
You won't believe the space in this well maintained and updated Morningview charmer! Large living and dining rooms with gorgeous hardwood floors will hold the bulkiest of furniture, and provide lots of space for entertaining. Kitchen will accommodate two cooks, and the sun room off the kitchen is a bright cheery place that can be a breakfast area, keeping room, and another den/activity room. Great 3rd bedroom off kitchen currently used as an office/study, and features classic real paneled walls for that true "lodge" feel. And, the other two bedrooms are spacious and have ample closet space. Master bathroom is an addition with updates, and the hall/guest bath is original and pristine! Large fenced back yard is great for pets, and the one car garage is connected to the house via a real breezeway (no more getting wet bringing in the groceries!) Check out this GREAT BUY...you will be glad you did!

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

 

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Verify With Your Lender

Wednesday, November 26, 2014
by The Hat Team

If you have a mortgage with an escrow account to pay your property taxes and insurance, you expect the company servicing your loan to pay this year’s taxes this year so that you can deduct them on your 2014 income tax return.  property taxAfter all, your monthly payment includes 1/12 the annual amount so there will be money available for them to be paid on time.

IRS requires that expenses must actually be paid in the year that a deduction is to be taken.

The predicament occurs when you’ve made your payments but the mortgage company didn’t pay the taxing authority in the tax year they were due.  If they paid your 2014 taxes in January of 2015, they wouldn’t be deductible for you until you file your 2015 income tax return.

Verify with your lender after you make the December payment that they did indeed pay your property taxes.  The question for your lender’s customer service is: "Have you or will you pay the 2014 property taxes this year so I’m eligible to deduct them on my 2014 income tax return?”

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

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6 Creative Home Buying Strategies

Saturday, November 22, 2014
by The Hat Team

The number of available properties for sale nationwide has dropped dramatically over the past 12 months according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). If you’re a homebuyer searching for real estate chances are you have found a low inventory of properties.

homve buyerA low inventory of properties also tends to cause bidding wars to come back. That means homebuyers have to get more creative. Paul Bishop, VP of NAR suggests going beyond the usual market tactics to help you be the first to find homes. Simply getting pre-qualified for a mortgage is not enough anymore.

Here are some tips for creative strategies…

  1. Head off the competition by finding “pocket listings.” These are listings that have been contracted for, but haven’t reached the market or been posted on the MLS. There are various reasons for this to happen, many times at the seller’s request. However, the listing broker knows the property is for sale. Tell your agent you want to know immediately of any new properties for sale.
     
  2. Get real-time information. Most potential homebuyers depend on the normal flow of information from MLS sites or other sources like Realtor.com. Ask your agent about real-time MLS alerts – emails that go out immediately when a listing goes live. This avoids waiting hours or days before you know about new home for sale.
     
  3. Tell your Realtor you want to be notified immediately when the inventory of properties changes – and make sure he or she knows exactly what you are looking for! That does three things for you: it forces you to be very specific about what you want; it tells your Realtor valuable information about your wants; and, it signals just how serious you are about moving on a purchase quickly.
     
  4. Don’t be too quick to reject what you think are bad listings! Look past the need for paint, or bad lighting, or unflattering photos. Make sure not to superficially reject any listing that could be a treasure that is just packaged poorly.
     
  5. Set your search criteria a bit higher than your actual target price. You are then looking for real estate that is over-priced so you can keep an eye on them to come down.
     
  6. Look out for would-be sellers. Tell your Realtor to check property listings that expired weeks or months ago. Get him to contact the sellers to see if they are considering coming back on the market. They may jump at someone like you who is ready to buy!

Develop a strong relationship with your Realtor, get pre-qualified for a mortgage, make sure your credit is clean, and then let your agent know that you are ready to move quickly when the right property comes along. Read here for more general buying tips.

Information provided by Montgomery Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team Realtors.

 

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Displaying blog entries 1051-1060 of 1996

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