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Displaying blog entries 1381-1390 of 1998

Loan Modification Process Made Easier for Montgomery Real Estate Owners

Friday, September 21, 2012
by The Hat Team

When the Obama administration rolled out the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in 2009, officials estimated 3 to 4 million borrowers would seek relief from their mortgages through the program during the worst recession and housing market collapse in decades. More than two years later, however, those projections have proven to be optimistic, to say the least. According to the Treasury Department, only about 700,000 homeowners had sought aid from HAMP through the third quarter of 2011.

A major reason for the smaller number is that many distressed owners of Montgomery real estate are intimidated montgomery real estateby the confusing process involved in applying for HAMP and don’t know how to go about getting the help they need.  It doesn’t have to be that way, however.

Stephfan Nurse, a loan modification expert and founder of ConsumerEducationOnline.com, says, “The key is knowing and understanding your options. With education, you are empowered."  His online site is designed to give owners of Montgomery real estate the information they need to navigate the process. It includes a free pre-qualifier, where homeowners can input their figures and determine for which modification program they qualify.  It also offers software to assist in preparing financial statements and necessary documents, thus reducing stress on the applicant.

In order to make the loan modification process go as smoothly as possible, it is necessary that you, the owner of Montgomery real estate, understand it fully and seek available help. Visit Making Home Available for free HUD-approved counselors, helpful phone numbers, detailed explanations of terms, etc.

Be aware that HAMP is not your only option. The fact is that more than 70 percent of modifications now are internal modifications made available by the investor holding the mortgage note. The only way to get an internal modification is to ask for one. Worth noting: HAMP bases its modifications on gross income (your mortgage must exceed 31 percent of what you make in a month) while internal modifications are based on monthly net (after-tax) income.

Another important tip: Be complete and thorough in your paperwork. Lenders receive thousands of faxes every day, so make sure your account number is on every page and that all questions and categories are filled out. It's also best to follow up with the lender weekly.  Being diligent, informed, and proactive are effective ways to hold on to your Montgomery real estate.

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!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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The Hunt For Treasures For Your Montgomery AL Home

Friday, September 14, 2012
by The Hat Team

Garage, yard, or estate sales might not be your preferred locations for finding that special jewel for your Montgomery AL home or for resale on eBay or Craig’s List, but it can happen, especially if you’re prepared, patient, and persistent. Think of such a search as a treasure hunt that well may provide fun (or extra cash) for the family, hone your negotiating skills, present you with a challenge, and even result in the discovery of a “rare” find. 

yard saleConfirmed aficionados of these sales offer the following advice for novices:

  • Be prepared:  Check newspapers, community bulletin boards, curbside signs, and local newspapers for times and locations near your Montgomery AL home.  Use on-line sources to augment this type of information. Map out the most efficient route before you start out.  It is also helpful to be aware of the “going prices” for many items, info you can find on eBay Pulse or Yard Sale Search.  Have a general idea of how much you can afford to spend.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of $1 bills!  Best times to browse: at the very beginning or at the end of the day.
     
  • Know what to buy: 1). Wood furniture that is in good shape and can be rejuvenated with a new coat of paint is nearly always a good bet, yard sales gurus say.  Do consider size in terms of fitting in the perfect spot in your Montgomery AL home and in transporting the item.  2).  With many books selling for $1 or less, yard sales are the perfect place to stock up on beach reads or volumes for resale.  3). High-end clothes can be found if you’re looking in an upscale neighborhood.  Whether you're buying clothes for yourself or for resale purposes, examine them carefully for rips and stains and avoid anything that smells of smoke!  4). “Paintables” are items that can be transformed with paint.  Lamp bases (and yes, even the shades), glass bottles and jars, baskets, and pieces of pottery are all ideal candidates.5).  Young children’s clothing and games for kids of all ages.
     
  • Remember these caveats:  Resist the urge to buy every bargain you see so you don’t overload your own Montgomery AL home.  Avoid upholstered furniture and/or mattresses which may carry bugs. Be wary of used electronic gadgets unless you know what you’re doing. Stay away from bike helmets, child car seats, or cribs which may not meet current safety regulations.

Ready?  Grab your map, your pricing guide, your wallet, and your list of desired treasures.  Set out to have a good time, and Go!

 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!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:1272 Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL 36104

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

1272 Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL  36104

MLS#295784

Live with a few eccentricities and save thousands!! Situated in the heart of Montgomery's historic Garden District, this unassuming white bungalow has an inviting front porch and unexpected colorful interior. Your kitchen will be surprisingly uncluttered with refrigerator steps away in adjoining pantry/laundry. Sellers have reduced this bungalow more than 4k below current market value in order for new owners to neutralize interior pallet if desired. You will even have a little cash left over to remove some of the oversized rear parking pad should you desire to maintain more yard. Builder beige and boring it's not. Detached garage/workshop currently used as artist studio. HVAC less than 2 years old. Considering this homes pristine condition it may well be the best three bedroom two bath value in the old house market period. This home has been loved by the same owner for the last eight years and is not a quick flip with a thrown away yard. Turnkey, move in ready and only blocks away from restaurants, upscale bars and shopping. Please give us or your favorite agent a ring for a tour of the most interesting well maintained vintage home the Garden District currently has to offer.

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.

 You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

 

 

 

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:341 Winthrop Court Montgomery, AL 36104

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

341 Winthrop Court Montgomery, AL 36104

MLS#295010

 

Bring your contractor and dream big! This diamond in the rough awaits an old house lover who appreciates good architecture and is not afraid of a challenge. Neglected for many years, this gem has much potential and is on one of the most desirable streets in the neighborhood.

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.

 You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

 

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Costs Of Overvaluing Your Montgomery AL Home?

Friday, September 7, 2012
by The Hat Team

Despite survey after survey showing that consumers expect home prices to continue to decline next year, most owners of Montgomery AL homes still believe their houses are worth more than what their agents recommend.

Nearly three out of four home owners, 76 percent, believe their homes are worth more than the recommended agent listing price. By contrast, 68 percent of home buyers believe homes are overpriced, according to HomeGain’s latest survey, which involved over 400 real estate agents and brokers and more than 2,000 home owners nationwide. The gap between what sellers expect and what agents recommend has actually grown calculatorslightly over the past year even though national median prices have declined about 4-7 percent this year. A year ago 73 percent of owners thought their homes were worth more than their agent’s recommended listing price.

A new study by the Research Institute for Housing America, the think tank affiliate of the Mortgage Bankers Association, documents a profound market fissure caused by owners' fears and hesitation — what researchers call "negative selling sentiment.  "Nearly 80% of consumers in the study's survey think this is a great time to buy a house, but more than 92% of homeowners think it's not a great time to sell.

According to Syracuse University economist Gary Engelhardt, compared with earlier post-recession periods, today’s owners have been more deeply shocked by the extent and severe side effects of foreclosures, short sales, and unemployment. In the aftermath of earlier recessions, such as in the early 1990s, 40% to 60% of homeowners remained relatively positive about their prospects if they chose to sell — far higher than the very few who see it that way today.

Many owners of Montgomery AL homes "have not adjusted their price expectations downward" to keep pace with local declines in property values which occurred after the mortgage bust, Engelhardt says, thereby contributing to the sharp divergence in their real estate visions compared with those of buyers.

This is consistent with the results of a study conducted in mid-2011 by Zillow, the online real estate and mortgage information company. Zillow found that sellers nationwide were having trouble coming to grips with what market forces had done to their property values. They knew prices had declined, but they didn't necessarily think those devaluations applied to their Montgomery AL homes.

Click here for an approximate value of your Montgomery AL home.

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!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime

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Midtown Montgomery Market Trends - August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012
by The Hat Team

Good news!  The recent results of a large-scale survey strongly indicates that consumer optimism and the desire to own real estate continue to rise.

Additionally, Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

  • According to the survey, Americans expect home prices to increase 2.0 percent over the next year.
  • Among participants, 35 percent said prices would rise over the next 12 months, which is the largest percentage in the survey’s two-year history.
  • Also, the number of respondents who said they would buy their next home if they were going to move rose 6.0 percent to 69 percent, which is the highest level ever recorded.
  • The number of Americans who said it was a good time to buy a home increased to 73 percent.

Lets look at the statistics in our local real estate market for July 2012.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for July show the number of homes sold increased by 29% when compared to July 2011. The average sales price increased by 9% to $125,325 during the same period. The median sales prices increased by 2%, and market times decreased by 23% or 36 days.  The highest selling home price increased by 38%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 56%.

Midtown Montgomery July 2012 July 2011
Homes Sold 35 25
Average Selling Price $ 125,325 $ 114,292
Median Selling Price $ 102,500 $ 100,000
Days On The Market 119 155
Highest Selling Price $ 517,500 $ 320,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 9,000 $4,000


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 Real Estate For Sale: 2609 Shep Court Montgomery, AL 36117

Thursday, August 30, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

2609 Shep Court Montgomery, AL 36117

MLS#295607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you are looking for a sweet first home, or looking to downsize with ease, this 2 bedroom garden home will fit the bill! Spacious living room with corner fireplace will hold lots of furniture, and you will love the open eat-in kitchen big enough for a work island. Split plan puts the guest bedroom and bath in the front, and the well-proportioned master on the back side of the house for privacy. Rear access parking has carport with covered area for sitting. Larger side yard is nicely landscaped and has detached storage building and no-maintenance vinyl fencing. Opposite side yard makes great dog run! Plenty of storage from interior closets, attic space, attached and detached exterior storage areas.

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.

 You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - July 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012
by The Hat Team

There were 711 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 912 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in July 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $82,990 and the average foreclosure selling price was $75,383, a $7,607 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.55% in July while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 106 to 104.

montgomery al foreclosure

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.03% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and 0.01% higher than Montgomery County statistics in July 2012.

montgomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 35 homes in June to 66 in July. The number of Auctions dropped from 71 to 38. There is a 6-month rising trend.

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!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.
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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 369 Winthrop Court, Montgomery AL 36104

Monday, August 20, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

369 Winthrop Court, Montgomery AL 36104

MLS# 295378

Come home to one of the best streets in the historic Garden District! It will be love at first sight when you enter this early century bungalow. Your eyes will instantly be drawn to the high coffered ceilings in the living room. Dine in grand style in the large formal dining room with built-in buffet, or relax in the den/family room with a REAL wood burning fireplace. Cooking will be a pleasure in the family style kitchen with center island and tons of counter space, and the breakfast room is large enough to accommodate a small gathering area when used in conjunction with the breakfast bar. Three well proportioned bedrooms each have private bathrooms, and are situated such that they afford privacy for their occupants. Out back is a large deck overlooking meandering paths through flower beds and blooming shrubs. Come visit this special home and enjoy all its charm and amenities.

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.

 You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Add Comment

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2110 Winona Avenue Montgomery, Al 36107

Friday, August 10, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

2110 Winona Avenue Montgomery, Al 36107

MLS #295139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This adorable Craftsman bungalow should be on a billboard advertisement for Capitol Heights! It's the complete package of old house charm: front porch with swing (and even lions), beautiful hardwood floors, wonderful built-ins surrounding the fireplace, high ceilings and transoms. The large eat-in kitchen has been nicely updated and the bathroom has been completely renovated. The huge backyard has a nice patio and plenty of room to garden or landscape. Definitely one of the cutest in the neighborhood!

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.

 You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

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Displaying blog entries 1381-1390 of 1998

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