Real Estate Information

If you are planning to put your house on the market this year, there is no time like the present to start getting organized for the process of staging, showing and moving out of your home.

Begin now by following the tips listed below and you won’t feel so overwhelmed when it’s time to put your house on the market!

• ELIMINATE PILES 

Some of us suffer from “flat surface syndrome”. If there is a flat surface, it’s covered with “stuff”. Now is the time to eliminate any of the “stuff” cluttering the horizontal surfaces in your home. Things such as mail, papers and other odds and ends that are piled on the tops of tables, desks and shelves should be removed.

• CLEAR OUT STORAGE SPACES

If your closets, bookcases, pantry, and other storage areas are overstuffed, this is a red flag for potential buyers that screams, “not enough storage!”. Keeping a minimum number of items in your house will leave the impression that there is a generous amount of storage in your home.

• ELIMINATE EXCESS

Get rid of or pack up excess items that you won’t need before you move. For example, only keep enough dishes, towels, sheets, toys etc. that you will use during the time your house is for sale. Why have ten sets of sheets in your linen closet when you will only need one or two?

• REMOVE SEASONAL ITEMS

Pack away things that are only used during other seasons. If you are selling in the spring/summer, pack away your fall/winter clothes. You can also pack away off-season holiday items.

• THROW THINGS AWAY

If it’s worn out, broken, rusty, stained, torn or incomplete, it is time to let it go. If your belongings look shabby and old, your house will look that way too. Don’t hesitate to throw such items away.

• DONATE ITEMS 

When you are cleaning and sorting items, if you come across things that you don’t use now and won’t use in a new home, donate them. There is no point in packing and moving something you will never use. But if it’s in good shape, someone else will get use out of it.

• SELL BEFORE YOU SELL

If you find that you have many items to eliminate from your home, think about selling what you don’t store, throw away or donate. You can sell at a yard sale, bring items to a consignment shop, or list items online. But, have reasonable expectations regarding how much money you can make; don’t overprice. Remember the goal is to dispose of as many things as possible.

• RENT A STORAGE UNIT

Move large items/equipment that you don’t use often to a storage unit. It can also provide space for packed boxes to give you a head start in preparing for your move.

• IMPROVE CURB APPEAL

Remove any clutter (toys, lawn ornaments, garbage bins) from your yard. The outdoor spaces provide the first and last impression for potential buyers and as such, it is important that they look neat and tidy.

Moving can be stressful, so don’t wait to start preparing.  Get a head start before putting your house on the market!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

1207 Laurel Brook Lane, Montgomery, AL 36117

MLS# 568407

4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2,443 Square Feet | Breckenridge

This beautiful custom built all brick home in Breckenridge is fabulous inside and out! The inviting floor plan welcomes you in with an elegant dining room with a new picture window, a lovely family room with a stone fireplace and built-in bookcases and a gorgeous kitchen with solid wood cabinets, work island and all new appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, gas cooktop, wall oven and built-in microwave). The private main bedroom suite is spacious and offers double vanity with make-up bench, jetted tub, tiled walk-in shower and a large walk-in closet with natural light. On the opposite side of the home are two bedrooms with a jack and jill bath and a fourth bedroom with an en-suite bath and laundry room. Outdoors, the list of amazing features continues with the most ideal space for entertaining with a newly enclosed heated and cooled patio, complete with a new stainless vent hood, fancy grill and cook station that extends the width of the house. From the patio you look out onto a huge saltwater pool and large back yard with an underground sprinkler system. Additional features include new flooring throughout (no carpet at all), fresh paint, surround sound speakers (in kitchen, main bedroom and back patio), a carport with an extra-large double door workshop/storage room. Homeowners enjoy a Private Clubhouse, 24-hour fitness center, zero entry community pool, gated playground and lighted tennis courts. Close to Montgomery's newest city schools, shopping and I-85. Come check it out today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Making your home more energy efficient is a cost-effective way to not only save money but to also improve the performance of your home. The most effective strategy for improving your home’s energy efficiency is to focus on the “shell” of the house…the walls, attic, windows and doors. Next, improve the energy efficiency of systems such as heating, cooling, lighting and appliances. Last, but not least, consider clean energy generation such as solar or geothermal.

The first step toward energy efficiency is to make sure that your walls and attic are well insulated. High quality insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in the winter or into the house during summer. That means it takes less energy to heat or cool your house. If your walls have no insulation, it will certainly pay off to add blown-in insulation and it will also improve the comfort of your home. If you have an unfinished attic, it is worthwhile upgrading its insulation. It is a good idea to use an Energy Auditor to make sure that the insulation is installed properly.

The next step is to upgrade the windows. If your windows are old or leaky, particularly if you live in an historic area, it is time to increase their efficiency by using weather stripping and storm windows. While it’s not usually cost-effective to replace windows just to save energy, if you are going to replace them anyway, the additional cost of Energy Star-rated replacement windows is very modest and is a comfort improving upgrade that is worth the cost

Another way to save some energy in your home is to plant shade trees and shrubs around your house. If you have an older home with poor insulation and windows, good landscaping can help, especially if planted on the house’s west side. Deciduous trees are the best way to go for this purpose. During the summer, the foliage will block the infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in the winter the bare branches will let the radiation through.

Replacing an older furnace with a new high-efficiency system may seem like a huge expense, but in the long run it will save energy and money. If your furnace was built before 1992 and has a standing pilot, it likely wastes 35% of the fuel it uses, and it’s probably near the end of its service life. ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) recommends you replace it with a condensing furnace with annual efficiency of at least 90%.

You can improve the efficiency of your hot water system by turning down the temperature of your water heater to the “warm” setting (120 degrees F). You can also insulate your hot water lines so that they don’t cool off quickly between uses. And using low-flow fixtures in your showers and baths will help as well.

You can use ¾ of the energy used with incandescent light bulbs by replacing them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). You may not realize that the cost of the electricity used to run a light bulb is higher than the cost of the bulb itself. A CFL may be a little more expensive than the traditional light bulb, but it lasts for 10,000 hours and uses only 27 watts to generate as much light as 100-watt incandescent bulb. Over the long haul, you will save money by investing in CFLs.

You can save money with an energy-efficient home in many ways, including the tax benefits that are available to you. Federal tax incentives are out there for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes. 

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

3603 Holland Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS# 568416

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,320 Square Feet | Forest Hills

This quaint house in Forest Hills is nestled off a quiet circle adding more privacy while still being conveniently located! With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an open floor plan, there's plenty of space for everyone! Plus, the roof was replaced in 2021! This house was previously rented and generated a monthly income of $995. Whether you're looking to settle into a quiet neighborhood or seeking property with rental income potential, this home is ready to welcome its next chapter!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Ali Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

When people think about where they might retire, the first place that comes to mind is Florida. But Florida is far from the only place that is great for retirement.  According to moneyrates.com, Alabama is one of the top ten places to retire in America in 2025. Between its rich culture and warm weather, Alabama is one of the best kept secrets of retirement opportunities. Finances are a vital aspect of retirement, and you want to live in a state where you can get the most bang for your buck without having to sacrifice comfort and enjoyment. And Alabama has a lot to offer in that respect.

You will find a lot of the same tax advantages in Alabama that you would find in Florida. Combined with the fact that Alabama is overall a less expensive place to live, it should be a top contender when deciding where to retire.

Consider these financial perks:

• While Alabama does have an income tax, it is one of the lowest in the country, and social security benefits are completely exempt.
• The cost of living in Alabama is 12% lower than the national average.
• The cost of housing in Montgomery is 25% lower than the national average.
• Healthcare costs are lower in Alabama as well, with retired couples paying an average of 4.4% less than the average retired American couple.
• Retirees who own a home in Alabama benefit from one of the lowest property tax rates in the country.

Other than it being a financially smart decision to retire to Alabama, here are several reasons that Montgomery is a wonderful place to live out your golden years:

• The weather is ideal all year ‘round! With a subtropical climate, you will enjoy hot summers and mild winters.
   
• Alabama’s capital city is filled with art and culture. The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Hank Williams Museum and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts offer opportunities to experience the charming history of this southern town along with fine art from around the world. You will also be able to enjoy professional performances at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center, the Montgomery Ballet, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
   
• You can stay active and social at Montgomery Riverfront Park. Catch a ballgame featuring Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium or take a riverboat cruise on the Harriott II.  Bring chairs or a blanket and grab a spot on the grass where you can watch a show or listen to music at the Riverwalk Amphitheater.
   
• If you love outdoor living, one of the best parts of retiring in Montgomery will be the vast amount of green space and trails that are easy to access. Blount Cultural Park offers a dog park, open green space, a pond and more! Check out Eat South, Montgomery’s own urban teaching farm, or play nine holes at the golf course. Gateway Park offers hiking trails, or you can have a picnic, play horseshoes and check out the planetarium at Oak Park.
   
• If you are a “foodie”, one of the best parts of living in Montgomery is all the incredible cuisine it offers!  From the finest southern cooking to the most exquisite fine dining, you will love the dining options in Montgomery!

So, if a lower cost of living, tax perks, mild weather, arts & culture, and green spaces all appeal to you, consider Montgomery, Alabama when making your list of possible places to retire.

Come visit and let Sandra Nickel show you some of the amazing, affordable Homes for Sale in this charming, delightful southern city!  Reach us at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

3276 Wilmington Road, Montgomery, AL 36105

MLS# 568338

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,906 Square Feet | South Hull District

This adorable 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home near Cloverdale is ready for its new owner! Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a cozy living room with beautiful hardwood floors. The dining area features a large bay window that lets in an abundance of natural light, brightening the space. The kitchen boasts elegant slate floors and offers the added convenience of an adjacent laundry room. Plus, enjoy the added comfort knowing the roof is only 6 years old and the HVAC is only 3 years old. The primary bedroom includes a spacious walk-in closet, while the primary bathroom features double sinks and a walk-in shower. One of the additional bedrooms is equipped with a fantastic built-in desk, making it an ideal space for a home office or a child’s study area. The spacious backyard is perfect for family and friend gatherings, and a shed offers extra storage space for all your needs. This home is a perfect blend of charm and functionality—ideal for your next move!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Ali Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Investing in real estate is a time-tested way to successfully build wealth. While there are many ways to invest your savings, investing in real estate is unique in that it offers cash-flow, liquidity, profitability, and tax and diversification benefits that other investments do not.  If you’ve been thinking about how to build wealth for your retirement, you would be smart to consider investing in real estate.

There are four primary ways to make money in real estate:

1. Appreciation

When a property increases in value, you have real estate appreciation. Sometimes it happens due to changes in the market and other times it may be due to upgrades made on the property.

2. Cash flow income (rent)

Cash flow income is a nice perk of real estate investment that you don’t have in other types of investments. It is generated when you purchase a home or apartment building or an office building and rent them out.

3. Real Estate Income

This is income earned by people who earn commissions through real estate transactions or buy property managers who oversee the operations of rental properties.

4. Ancillary Real Estate Income

This can be a huge source of profit. Things like application fees, vending machines and laundry facilities are money makers that go beyond the monthly rent.

While there are certainly risks involved with real estate investing there are a lot of benefits that outweigh the risks:

• Real estate is something that people who grew up lower to middle class are familiar with.  They may not have been exposed to things like stocks and bonds, but they likely know the importance of owning a home. Buying a home is an investment that is reachable for them.
• Having an investment that you can see; something that is tangible, is psychologically important.
• You have control in a real estate investment.  You don’t have to worry as much about being defrauded the way you might when entrusting your money to someone else to invest for you.
• You will reap the benefits of tax advantages.
• You can leverage your debt to buy more real estate and increase your net worth.

Whether you are thinking of purchasing a home for yourself and investing in your own future by building equity or you are considering buying property to rent out, investing in real estate is a great way to build wealth!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

Sometimes we try so hard to achieve holiday perfection that by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around we are exhausted. Then comes the added pressure of finding something fun to do for New Year’s Eve. It’s the last night of the year and we feel we must celebrate in some big, memorable way.  Because of that we might make plans to go out with friends to restaurants, bars, or hotels that host expensive, fancy parties. Or we might not be able to say no to an invitation to attend a fun house party given by friends. But guess what?  Going out on New Year’s Eve is highly overrated. And we CAN say NO to those invitations. 

Does a stress free, relaxing night at home sound good to you?

Here are some good reasons for staying home for New Year’s Eve:

• You avoid the anxiety that comes with trying to plan the “perfect” night. We tend to attach grand expectations to New Year’s Eve.  And we have a vision of what it’s supposed to be like - perfect sparkly outfit, a cool venue, lots of drinks...you know the drill. But honestly, reality rarely matches up with the picture we have created in our head.  And often we end up slightly disappointed that we went to all the trouble and expense.
  
• You will stay safe and cozy.  Chances are that it’s going to be cold on New Year’s Eve. You can be out and about shivering in your fancy clothes, driving at a time when there might be other people driving under the influence, OR you can be home in your most comfy pajamas. No worrying about drunk drivers when you are not on the roads. Also, you can enjoy an adult beverage or two without having to drive anywhere yourself.
   
• You will save money.  So much money.  The outfit. The dinner out. The pricey party package.  The babysitter.  Sure, you will be home with your kids, and maybe that’s not how you envisioned spending New Year’s Eve, but if they are little you can put them to bed early and if they are older, you can plan fun things to do together as a family. 
   
• You can eat and drink whatever you want, for a lot less money than you would spend going out. Don’t feel like cooking and doing dishes?  You don’t have to! New Year’s Eve is a perfect night to indulge in easy party foods. Even if you indulge in having food delivered, it won’t be as expensive as a night out.
  
• You can choose whatever activities you want…or none at all. Whatever suits you and your mood. Have you ever made big plans and then the day comes, and you just don’t feel it anymore?  You don’t have to worry about that happening if you spend New Year’s Eve at home. It can be a family game night, or you can cuddle up with your partner (or your kids, or your dog) and watch a movie. Heck…you can take a long, luxurious bath if you want.  It’s totally up to you!

Some people really enjoy going out on New Year’s Eve and that’s great.  But if you want a relaxing, stress-free night, try celebrating at home this year. Either way, have a safe and happy new year!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

Whether you are looking to purchase a home or getting ready to sell one, the process of doing so will go much more smoothly if you have an experienced Realtor to represent your interests. You might be thinking that you can save money by trying to do it on your own, but the truth is that the time, energy and stress a Realtor will save you is priceless!

Here are the top five reasons why you should hire a Realtor when buying or selling a house:

1. EXPERTISE

Experienced real estate professionals will know all the ins and outs of buying and selling homes. Real estate has a language of its own, and Realtors will speak it fluently. They are not only familiar with all the forms, reports and disclosures involved, they understand them and can explain them to you. They will work to get you the best deal possible and help you avoid costly mistakes.

2. ACCESS

Realtors can search listings that the public does not have access to. They will know immediately when a house goes on the market; long before you can find it on the internet. Local Realtors will also have expansive knowledge about different neighborhoods and areas that may appeal to you.

3. NEGOTIATION

Realtors are trained negotiators. It is their job to get you a first-rate deal. With fierce competition for homes and the chance of a bidding war, you are going to want a shrewd and experienced negotiator on your side.

4. CONNECTIONS

They know who’s who in every aspect of a real estate transaction. They can hook you up with a mortgage lender, home inspector, real estate attorney, home stager, etc. And since the best deal for you benefits them as well, they are going to make sure to recommend the top people in their professions.

5. TIME

While searching for a new house, or getting one ready to sell, chances are you’re still working full time, taking care of a family and feeling a little stressed about everything you need to do. Slow down, take a deep breath and let your Realtor alleviate that stress a bit. Being a Realtor is a full-time job that you don’t need to add to your to-do list. 

The bottom line is, you probably can buy or sell a home on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should. Hiring an experienced professional like Sandra Nickel will make your home-buying/selling experience less stressful and more successful. 

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And if you have your house on the market, you might be packing up everything you own very soon. The last thing you want to do is unpack all your Christmas decorations only to have to pack them back up again. In addition, if you are showing your home to potential buyers, you are going to want to keep your holiday décor as simple as possible.

You don’t have to be a “Scrooge” though!

You can decorate beautifully without spending a lot of money and without having to unpack all your personal treasures.

Here are five inexpensive ways to decorate for Christmas:

Make Homemade Garland

A lot of craft stores have great sales and coupons this time of year. Grab some greenery and then head over to a dollar store and pick up some pretty ornaments. You can find DIY instructions for making a festive garland on YouTube. 

Use a Real Tree

If you have been using an artificial tree and don’t want to unpack it, this is a good time to buy a real tree. Some can be very expensive, but you can find a pretty tree for as little as $49 in some places. Consider using a smaller tree and placing it on a tabletop instead of on the floor. Decorate with old-fashioned strings of popcorn and cranberries. And you might be surprised at the sparkly ornaments you can find at very little cost.

Display Wrapped Gifts

Beautifully wrapped gifts can be used to create any aesthetic you desire. For a more formal look, wrap gifts in shiny silvers and golds. Want to go whimsical? Try wrapping paper in fun shades of red, green, pink and white. And if you’re going for a winter wonderland look, use blues and silvers. The point is that you can use the gifts themselves to create gorgeous holiday décor.

Create “DIY” Christmas Wreaths

All you need is a hot glue gun, some inexpensive ornaments, ribbon, and a coat hanger and you can make pretty wreaths. There are lots of other ways to make them too. Check some out here: 36 Christmas Wreaths You Can DIY

Showcase Poinsettias

You can find pretty poinsettias just about anywhere this time of year. Care for them properly, and they will last the whole holiday season. Display them in reds, pinks and whites to create a classy ambiance in your holiday home.

So, don’t let your house being on the market keep you from enjoying this festive season! Enjoy some new Christmas décor that won’t break the bank and might just get a “SOLD” sign in your front yard before the new year!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!