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Displaying blog entries 1651-1660 of 1997

The most important piece of a person’s financial life is their credit score. Whether buying a new Montgomery home, applying for a job, refinancing your Montgomery home, paying off debt, or getting utility service, your credit score will drive the outcome. One would think that Americans are all aware of what the scores are measuring and what factors play a part. But, most Americans do not know enough about the three digit rating or what is involved. Avoid these credit score myths when preparing for the purchase of your next Montgomery home.

montgomery homeMyth: Checking a credit report can either damage or lower your score.
A credit report can be conducted by you or someone like an employer as many times as desired with out having any impact on your credit score. Reviewing your credit report will never change your credit score. Just make sure that reports are retrieved through the bureaus or a legitimate score seller.

Myth: Age, sex, and income are factors that affect your score.
None of this information plays a role in determining your score. A higher income may make it easier to pay off debts, but income and net worth have no impact of credit scores.   

Myth: A credit score can be destroyed by shopping for a loan.
When seeking to extend credit, too many inquiries can have a negative impact your credit score. However, when several inquiries are made by the same type of lender with in a 14 day period they only count as one inquiry against your credit.

Myth: Your score can be hurt by credit card offers.
When companies offer you their credit cards it does not have any affect on your score. Unless, your take advantage of all the offers and carelessly use all of the credit available. The number of credit cards a person manages does not matter. The important thing is maintain a low ratio of used to available credit.

Myth: Credit scores of married couples are shared.
A credit score can only belong to one person, just as one person can only have one score. A married could does not share a credit score, but their scores could have an affect each others. When opening a joint account, the information accumulated from that account’s activity will be reflected on both people’s credit report. If all of the couple’s accounts are joint, then their scores will be somewhat similar.

Myth: Closing unused accounts improves credit scores.
Unused accounts most likely contain available credit, which is an important part of a credit score. Closing unused accounts removes available balances from the equation. This causes your ratio of used to available credit to increase, ultimately affecting your credit score.

Myth: Paying off bills is a quick way to boost credit.
Over time, a good record of properly paying bills will improve credit. Credit reports reflect your long term history, scores do not change overnight.

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Montgomery Foreclosure Statistics

by The Hat Team

There are 1,336 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 162 new foreclosures in January 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home is $177,628 and the average foreclosure selling price is $145,404, a $32,224 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained the same in January while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes dropped to 162.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity is 0.09% lower than national statistics and 0.08% higher than Alabama statistics.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 86 in December to 123 in January. The number of Auctions decreased from 106 to 39. The 6-month trend reflects an increase in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery 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.

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - January 2010

by The Hat Team

Home sales surged in the fourth quarter of 2009 with many areas seeing double digit gains according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales (single-family and condo) jumped 13.9 percent above the third quarter and 27.2 percent above the fourth quarter of 2008. Distressed property sales accounted for 32 percent of the fourth quarter transactions, down from 37 percent from 2008.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said the first-time home buyer tax credit, combined with record low interest rates, played a dominant role in fourth quarter sales. Yun went on to say, “With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices.”

Let's look at January real estate sales to see how the housing recovery is progressing in Midtown Montgomery.

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - January 2010

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for January show pending sales have increased by 21% in 2010 compared to January 2009. The average sales price increased by 25% to $104,275 while sold listings were up by 23% from 2009.  Market times were 9 days less than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

Jan 2010

43

31

85

$104,275

Jan 2009

34

24

94

$78,109

For the latest Midtown Montggomery 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.

Selling Your Montgomery Home In Todays Economy

by The Hat Team

In today’s rapidly changing economy, many Montgomery home ownersmontgomery home wonder or worry about selling their home for the best price, and terms in the shortest period of time. 

Here are 9 helpful hints if you are considering selling your Montgomery home:

  • Be realistic, and price your home right by using market comparisons.
  • Know your true bottom line for both price and time.
  • As the market shifts, be prepared to evaluate your price.
  • Advertise your property with yard signs, local MLS and newspapers.
  • Get rid of the clutter! It makes your house appear smaller.
  • Clean your walls, floors, baseboards, stove and refrigerator. Buyers will know your house is well cared for.
  • Clean up outdoors! Remove tools, toys and be sure lawn and shrubs are neatly trimmed.
  • Have the carpets cleaned to eliminate odors, smoke, and pet smells.
  • Make minor repairs such as leaky faucets, sticky doors, etc.
  • Be sure to ask for a Market Analysis before listing your property.

Learn more about selling your Montgomery home by visiting HatTeam.com

What’s your Montgomery home worth

What's So Great About Home Buyer Tax Credit Anyway?

by The Hat Team

April 30th seems like a long way off, but for prospective Montgomery home buyers who are on the fence about making a home purchase, the next few months represent a countdown of sorts as huge tax credits are about to expire. Here are important details for you to know:

montgomery homeTax Credit for First-Time Home buyers
First-time home buyers may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

Tax Credit for Current Homeowners
The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

What Are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010. Those in the military do have some special extensions on the time lines available.

What's So Great About a "Tax Credit"?
The benefit of a tax credit is that it's a dollar-for-dollar benefit, rather than a "tax deduction", or reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time home buyer who qualified for the entire benefit were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little or no income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Higher Income Caps
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased. Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible. Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a Montgomery home with a maximum sales price of $800,000.

It's also important to note another upcoming deadline as the Federal Reserve winds down a program that has been keeping home loan rates artificially low. The fact is that the lowest rates of 2009 were driven down to their attractive levels because of the Fed's Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) purchase program, which the Fed once again emphasized in its January 27, 2010 Rate and Policy Statement will end on March 31, 2010. As the Fed's program winds down and ends, rates could rise over time since MBS will have less support from the Fed.

If you have any questions regarding the tax credit, pick up the phone and call me. I'm here to help you take advantage of one of the greatest opportunities Montgomery home buyers may ever have.

The Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - February 2010

by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:



montgomery real estate, podcastThis month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and then we'll offer three top tips to make sure you get the most of today’s opportunity!

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 8 minutes

 

 Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3463 Cloverdale Road Montgomery,AL 36111

 MLS# 271403

 

If you like 1950's design with a twist...check this one out. Light filled formal living and dining rooms are actually to the rear of the house with walls of windows overlooking the tree covered back yard. The funky-fun kitchen has TWO sinks and is perfect for the two-cook family! Breakfast bar overlooks nicely proportioned den/family room with deep built in shelves for audio/video equipment or displaying your family treasures. Step off the den and into the extra large laundry/storage/utility room big enough for workbench, wrapping area, and various projects. Great curb appeal, beautiful hardwood floors in living room and dining room and updated 1/2 bath off the foyer add to the benefits of this home. All this, and priced BELOW market value and UNDER $100,000!

Learn more about 3463 Cloverdale Road and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

 

  Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 724 Ryefield Road Montgomery, AL 36117

  MLS#271396

  

Come one come all! This is the best deal in Halcyon Summit. Owner has been relocated and has priced this one well below comparable properties. Open plan has big living room with volume ceilings, gas log fireplace, and neat "niche" area. One of the few lots in with mature trees! This one actually has SHADE in the summer! Great school districts, quiet "walking" neighborhood complete with private lake and neighborhood pavilion. Halcyon is the perfect family neighborhood. Conveniently located to anywhere in Montgomery via I-85 and close to the biggest variety of dining and shopping in town. This one is vacant and ready to move into. 

Learn more about 724 Ryefield Road and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

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  Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3347 Narrow Lane Rd Montgomery,AL 36111

  MLS#271392

  

This wonderfully updated Cape Cod home is perfect for a growing family. Oversized formal living room features fireplace and great bay window overlooking courtyard style front yard. Sunroom off living room makes great playroom or private getaway for the adults. Marvelously updated eat-in kitchen features tile and granite perfect for the chef in your family. Study downstairs with built in bookshelves can also be 4th bedroom if needed. The master suite offers two original closets PLUS a super sized walk-in closet addition and master bath with his/hers vanities and big walk in shower. Upstairs are two more large bedrooms with additional "play" space. Extras include a detached garage with work space and 1/2 bath plus a large bonus area that could be a studio, workshop, play space, or just great storage. Beautifully landscaped back yard has brick patio that wraps around the side of the house and connects with an exit from the sunroom.

Learn more about 3347 Narrow Lane Road and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

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 Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:1690 Young Pointe Blvd,Montgomery,AL 36106

 MLS#271347

  

Safety and security is what you'll find in this gated community convenient to everything. This low maintenance patio home is move in ready and perfect for those who like open spaces. Split plan offers master bedroom on one end and two other bedrooms on the front of the home. Breakfast room overlooks patio and small private back yard. Two car garage means you'll never have to get wet coming and going, and there is plenty of storage in the attic. 

Learn more about 1690 Young Pointe Blvd. and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

 

Displaying blog entries 1651-1660 of 1997

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