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Montgomery Real Estate Blog

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Displaying blog entries 1061-1070 of 1996

Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 104 N Capitol Pkwy

Tuesday, November 18, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

104 N Capitol Pkwy, Montgomery AL 36107
MLS# 313484

Not ‘Grandma’s House Anymore!

104 n capitol pkwy

This charming Capitol Heights 1920's bungalow has undergone a facelift and total renovation. No longer "grandma's house" it is now sparkling new with a bright, open feel. Large rooms and great flow will make entertaining and living a breeze. BRAND new master bath will make you feel like you are in new construction, while the charm and character of a vintage home remain. Nothing to do here move in and start enjoying home ownership, minutes from the happening Downtown Market and entertaining Districts!

Marketed by Sandra Nickle Hat Team REALTORS, Montgomery Alabama.

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 3032 Gilmer Ave

Monday, November 17, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

3032 Gilmer Ave, Montgomery AL 36105
MLS# 313356

Feels Like a Warm Embrace!

3032 gilmer ave

This wonderful craftsman style house has tons of character from the crown molding down to the beautiful hard wood floors! From the spacious living room with fireplace, to the peaceful sunroom, to the light filled breakfast room there are plenty of places to cozy up in this amazing house. There is so much that is new in this old house - fabulous new chef's kitchen, new master bath, new roof and fresh paint throughout. This house feels like a warm embrace, it could be your first or next dream home!

Marketed by Sandra Nickel Hat Team Realtors.

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Fix It Or Sell As Is?

Thursday, November 13, 2014
by The Hat Team

I am often asked, “Should sellers fix up their home before selling?” First, let’s talk about the stuff any Realtor is going to tell you so you have context for the rest.

It is easier to sell a house that is attractive to buyers and shows as being well-maintained. That is a matter of doing house toolsa little fix-up, but mostly clean-up. Make sure pipes aren’t leaking, for instance. That is relatively easy and not expensive. If your home really needs painting consider doing that. These are not high priced issues. Below we are talking about the expensive items.

If your house has structural defects or other problems that are expensive to fix you have more challenging decisions to make. First, remember that every house has defects! That is simply the nature of a complex structure. Second, savvy buyers know to expect defects so don’t try to hide them. Don’t kid yourself that if a problem can’t be seen easily it won’t be found out.

Most buyers assume there are some problems with any house. If they make an offer that you accept they will pay for a professional home inspector who knows real estate. Good buyer inspectors are very thorough. They are being paid by the buyer and are looking out for the buyer’s interests, not yours. It is not unusual for an inspection report to be in excess of twenty pages…in small type! Being honest with yourself about defects will prepare you better when you are faced with that inspection report.

So, the question becomes “Do I fix the problems before going on the market, or do I make it clear that I am selling “as-is” and discount the price accordingly?” The obvious follow-up question is “If I spend the money before selling, will I get that money back in the final sale price?” The general answer is that it depends on the nature of the defect and magnitude of the likely cost of repair.

Potential buyers are most likely to overestimate the cost if they have to make the repair and under-estimate the cost if the seller is paying. Cost versus value then becomes a negotiation to establishing a final purchase/sale price. If the cost of repair is major, such as a septic system, it makes the most sense to repair it before selling.

The best way to go about making these decisions is to pay a professional home inspector in your real estate market to make an inspection on your behalf as the seller. Their report will give you a thorough list of issues you might be faced with. It will also give you the tool to get estimates from contractors to make the repairs. Then you have a sound basis for making decisions.

An added benefit to having your own inspection on hand is that you have a professional document that you can use when negotiating with a buyer. Be practical and be prepared with your own inspection.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Real Expert Sandra Nickel.

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Realize Tax Savings Sooner

Thursday, November 13, 2014
by The Hat Team

A homeowner’s tax saving benefit is generally realized when they file their federal income tax return after the money has been spent for the interest and property taxes.  Some people look forward to the refund as a means of forced savings but some people need to realize the savings during the year.

tax savingsIt is possible to adjust the deductions being withheld from the homeowner’s salary so they realize the benefit of the savings prior to filing their tax returns in the form of more money in their pay checks.  Employees would talk to their employers about increasing their deductions stated on their W-4 form.

By increasing the exemptions or deductions, less is taken out of the check and the employee will receive more in each pay check.  If a person over-estimates their exemptions and therefore, underpays their income tax, they might incur interest and would have additional tax to pay when they filed their tax return.

Buyers considering this strategy should seek tax advice and discuss it with their human relations department at work.   Additional information is available on the Internal Revenue Service website about Completing Form w-4 and Worksheets.

Information provided by Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel and The Hat Team.

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9 Steps toPreventing Identity Theft After You Move

Friday, November 7, 2014
by The Hat Team

The previous blog about preventing identity theft during a move dealt primarily with precautionary steps to take from your old residence to thwart clever criminals.  So you’re now safely ensconced in your new  home. And you can breathe a sigh of relief, right?

identity theftActually, no.  Unfortunately, there are clever identity thieves waiting at that end of your relocation, also, and your efforts to outwit them must continue at your new address.  Read on for more advice:

  1. Once you have reached your new home, check to make certain that you have all the important papers and documents you carried with you—and immediately put them in a safe, secured place.
     
  2. Locate and unpack the box containing your electronic possessions—tablet, IPhone, computers, etc.  Account for each one and consider changing your passwords.
     
  3. Carefully look through your bank statements to make certain that there are no unauthorized charges.  You might also think about requesting new credit reports to be sure that your status hasn’t changed significantly.
     
  4. Make certain that you are receiving your mail at your new address.  If you are missing any statements, checks, and the like, report those losses immediately.
     
  5. Contact your old neighbor to verify that he/she is collecting any mail that arrives to the prior address.  Arrange for it to be mailed to you or go by and pick it up, if possible.
     
  6. If you have to cancel any bank accounts or credit cards because of your relocation, close the account, cut up any cards associated with the account, and shred unneeded papers.
     
  7. Replace the locks on immediately- preferably before you even move in, as the old tenants could still have keys.
     
  8. Be diligent and cautious when providing personal information, especially your social security number, to new doctors, organizations, or schools.
     
  9. After the move set up a “safe zone” where you store important papers and can work on private matters away from the eyes of visitors to your new home, repairmen, utility workers, and strangers.

Although you may not be able to protect your identity 100%, you can go a long way in ensuring peace of mind by being proactive, diligent, and aware, especially during a move.

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

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Relax...There's an Alternative

Monday, November 3, 2014
by The Hat Team

Is the stock market keeping you up at night?  Are you consuming more antacids than ever before?  Are the ups and downs causing more stress than you want or need?  There is a simple alternative in rental real estate.

for rentSingle family homes for rental purposes offer an excellent rate of return in an investment that most people understand better than other investments.  The concept is simple: stay with predominantly owner-occupied homes in a slightly below average price range.  In most areas, tenants are easy to find and they’ll usually stay two to three years or more.

For the person who doesn’t want to be bothered with calls from tenants, professional management is available and commonly won’t dramatically affect the rate of return.  Managers can achieve economies of scale that individuals can’t due to managing multiple properties and having good connections with the best workmen.

Unlike most commercial property, single family homes are much more liquid because of the higher demand for residential property.  Single family homes offer the investor the opportunity to borrow high loan-to-value mortgages at fixed interest rates, for long periods of time on appreciating assets with tax advantages while providing the investor a higher than normal level of control.

Spend an hour investigating the benefits and you might sleep better at night, eat less antacids and find yourself more mellow than you’ve been in years.

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

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends for Sept 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014
by The Hat Team

In September, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 9% lower than the previous month and 8% lower 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 94.3% of foreclosure activity in September 2014 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 5.728.6%.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased 81.8% compared to the previous month and 88.2% from the previous year in September. The number of Auctions increased 20.0% compared to the previous month and 57.1% from the previous year.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.01% lower than national statistics, 0.02% higher than Alabama numbers and the same as Montgomery County statistics in September 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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Enjoy Your Improvements and Profit by Them

Thursday, October 30, 2014
by The Hat Team

Homeowners can raise the basis or cost in their home by money spent on capital improvements. The benefit is that it will lower their gain and may save them taxes when they sell their home.

capital improvementsImprovements must add value to your home, prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses. Repairs are routine in nature to maintain the value and keep the property in an ordinary, operating condition.

Additions of decks, pools, fences and landscaping add value to a home as well as new floor covering, counter-tops and other updates. Replacing a roof, appliances or heating and cooling systems would be considered to extend the useful life of the home. Completing an unfinished basement or converting a garage to living space are common examples of adapting a portion of the home to a new use.

Other items that can raise the basis in your home are special assessments for local improvements like sidewalks or curbs and money spent to restore damage from casualty losses not covered by insurance.

Here’s a simple idea that could save you money years from now.

Every time you spend money on your home other than the house payment and the utilities, put the receipt or canceled check in an envelope labeled “Home Improvements.” Regardless of whether you know if the money would be classified as maintenance or improvements, the receipt or cancelled check goes in the envelope.

Years from now, when you’ve sold your home and you need to report the gain on the property, you or your accountant can go through the envelope and determine which of the expenditures will be adjustments to your basis.

Some people disregard this idea because of the generous exclusion allowed on principal residences. At the unknown point in the future when you sell your home, circumstances may have changed and the proof of these expenditures will be valuable. The tax laws could lower the exclusion amount or eliminate it altogether. Your marital status may change because of death or divorce. The market value of your home may skyrocket.

Since the future is unknown, it is better to keep track of the improvements as they are made and how much is spent on them. Download an Improvement Register and examples or read more in Publication 523 on Increases to Basis.

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

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 8843 Stoneridge Place

Friday, October 24, 2014
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

8843 Stoneridge Place, Montgomery AL 36064
MLS# 312986

Carefree Living!

8843 stoneridge pl
This one owner home has been immaculately maintained and has lots of extras! While many neighboring properties are brick in the front and siding on sides and rear, this one is ALL BRICK. Plus there is a comfy LARGE screened porch which acts as another living space most of the year. Originally a three bedroom floor plan, this owner opted to have the third bedroom converted to a den/TV room (no closet.) Deer Creek affords a lifestyle that includes friendly neighbors, walking trails, tennis, swimming, biking, and is pet friendly! Owners have sense of safety here, and an attached garage affords additional security and convenience. If you are looking for a carefree home to start out in, or looking for a wonderful space to downsize, yet not give up precious amenities, you might want to view this home. BTW, GREAT school zones and roof is only 5 years old!

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

 

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Report for September 2014

Friday, October 24, 2014
by The Hat Team

Forget a sea view mansion. CnnMoney.com reports in Hong Kong, parking spaces are some of the hottest properties on the market.

Hong Kong is a densely populated city and eager have pushed prices for parking spaces to record highs in recent months with prime spaces now selling for far more than the luxury cars that park in them.

In May, a single space in a residential neighborhood on Hong Kong Island went for 4.24 million Hong Kong dollars ($547,000), making it the most expensive parking space ever sold in the territory.

Knowing what mere parking spaces are selling for in Hong Kong certainly puts our own real estate market into perspective.

Take a look at September’s real estate sales statistics.

September 2014 Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for September 2014, show the number of homes sold increased by 19% when compared to September 2013. The average sales price decreased by 30% to $125,516 for the month. The median sales prices decreased by 35% to $100,350, and market times decreased by 54 days.  The highest selling price decreased by 26%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 68% compared to September 2013.

Midtown Montgomery  September 2014  September 2013
Homes Sold 25 31
Average Selling Price $125,516 $180,690
Median Selling Price $100,350 $153,500
Days On The Market 124 178
Highest Selling Price $400,000 $545,000
Lowest Selling Price $6,500 $20,000

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. Courtesy of Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Displaying blog entries 1061-1070 of 1996

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