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Displaying blog entries 351-360 of 1998

Don't Forget to "Spring Forward"

Friday, March 12, 2021
by The Hat Team


Get ready to spring forward this weekend!  Daylight Saving Time is upon us again and this Sunday, March 14 at 2 AM it will be time to move our clocks ahead one hour.  While losing an hour of sleep is never fun, it does come with a perk…the end to dark winter nights as evenings see more light.  This springtime clock change continues the long tradition started by Benjamin Franklin to conserve energy.

With today’s technology, many of our clocks change themselves (our phones, cable boxes etc.), but nonetheless, don’t forget to SPRING FORWARD this weekend!

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3132 Lexington Rd: Delightful Enclosed Front Porch & Brick Patio

Thursday, March 11, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale

3132 Lexington Rd, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 490562 | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2,084 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Delightful Enclosed Front Porch & Brick Patio

3132 Lexington Rd

Virtual Tour

Check out this Midtown Montgomery Cloverdale Idlewild spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bath home waiting on its new owner! The enclosed front porch serves as a foyer as you enter the living room. There are hardwood floors throughout, built-ins in the breakfast room, den/family room and master closets. And a lovely brick patio overlooks the back yard. Just three blocks from Cloverdale Bottom Park.

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

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Is it a Good Time to Sell Your House?

Wednesday, March 10, 2021
by The Hat Team


Under normal circumstances, spring is the busiest season for residential real estate with many people choosing to list their houses.  Spring of last year was far from “normal” and we’re not quite there this year either. We do know more people are looking to buy homes right now than there are homes available for sale; making this spring a prime time to put your house on the market.

Let’s look at what it means for you if you are thinking about selling your house.

Housing inventory declined 39.6% on a national level in 2020, making it the lowest housing inventory year on record, according to Realtor.com. In addition to the record low inventory, there has been a boom in buyer demand, thus creating a situation where home prices continue to rise.

With so few homes available for sale, buyers will be sure to notice when you put your home on the market.  And it is such a competitive market, that it is more likely you will find yourself getting multiple offers for your home. Per the Realtors Confidence Index Survey from NAR, the average home for sale is receiving 3.7 offers today, up from 2.3 offers just one year ago. That alone should make the idea of putting your home on the market very enticing!

This seller’s market gives you a HUGE advantage!

Another advantage of selling now is that when you get that great price for your house, you can use your equity toward a down payment on a new home.

But where will you go to buy a house if there are so few available?

Because there is so much demand for housing, homeowners are not sure what to do. While a house in good condition can get top dollar and sell quickly, there is a fear that once they sell, there might not be another house available in this market that they can afford.

Options for Home Buyers

There are options out there for people ready to sell and buy a new home. One thing to think about is new construction. When the supply of new homes for sale is below 6.5 months (how long it will take to sell existing inventory), builders take advantage of the opportunity and build more homes.  In December, the supply of new homes was 3.3 months. With such a low supply, builders are excited to start building to fulfill the needs of home buyers.

If you are looking to move up to a bigger or more luxurious home, you will find that there are more available at the higher end of the market, so now is a great time to find your dream “move-up” home! Or perhaps you are an empty nester near retirement and you are ready to downsize to a smaller, one level home and a 55+ community is the right move for you.  Selling now means getting top price for your house and the profit you make can get you into the right home that fulfills your needs and desires.

Another thing to think about if you’re on the fence about selling your home is forbearance. If you have benefited from not having to make full (or any) mortgage payments over the past year, it may be time to get out now!  This administration could retract forbearance at any time, thus helping supply; but higher payments or balloon payments could be on the horizon since forbearance is not forgiveness.

Whether you passed on selling your house last year due to the pandemic, or you just recently started thinking about selling, with inventory so low, it’s time to act now!

Getting your house on the market and ready to sell may seem like a big task, but  Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals are ready and waiting to assist you with every step of the house selling process. Give them a call today at 334-834-1500!

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2462 Capstone Dr: Beautiful and Lots of Room to Spread Out!

Wednesday, March 10, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate

2462 Capstone Dr, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 490419 | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2,654 Square Feet | Vaughn Meadows

2462 Capstone Dr
Virtual Tour

This Vaughn Meadows home in Midtown Montgomery has lots of room to spread out! The kitchen has been updated with quartz countertops and family-sized breakfast room has a built-in desk and window seat. The plus-sized great room has wall of built-ins for books and collectibles and a real fireplace. The first floor has a spacious master bedroom and two guest bedrooms while the second floor features a large additional master bedroom with en suite bath, walk-in closet, and loads of storage! Upstairs would also make a wonderful game room/ home theatre, or craft room. A rear patio overlooks a large swimming pool and big, deep back yard. A detached garage/workshop area is out back as well.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
 

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Living in Midtown Montgomery Alabama

Thursday, March 4, 2021
by The Hat Team


Montgomery is a spectacular city! Its warm, Southern hospitality, high quality of life, and low cost of living make it an ideal place to work and live. While it is a mid-sized city, it has a small-town feel, giving you the best of both worlds!

You will find everything you want from a big city in Midtown Montgomery; from world-class arts and theater, to excellent health care facilities, to a bustling restaurant and retail area, and while every city has its own unique history, Montgomery is home to some of the most memorable events in American history. There are many family-friendly museums, monuments, and historical sites that celebrate African American history. One particular street is said by locals to be one of the most historic in America!  At one end of Dexter Ave., you will find a large fountain, at another the Alabama State Capitol, and in between, is the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as pastor in the late 1950s.  This street is also where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. Montgomery is the city where the modern civil rights movement took off, and its rich history makes it an interesting and inspiring place to live.


Midtown Montgomery is home to approximately 193,000 residents. It includes established neighborhoods with charming, historic homes, the city’s two largest business parks, Baptist Hospital, two of the largest private schools in Montgomery: Montgomery Academy (enrollment 858) and Trinity Presbyterian School (enrollment 980), Huntingdon College (enrollment 1,000) and Alabama State University (enrollment 5,600). Midtown Montgomery is convenient to Interstate 85 and Vaughn Road, two highly traveled Montgomery thoroughfares between east Montgomery and downtown. 


If you are a foodie, Montgomery will not disappoint! The people here love their food so much, the Minor League Baseball team is named, wait for it…the Montgomery Biscuits! And living in Midtown provides convenient access to some of the best restaurants in town. There are no shortage of delectable dining experiences in and around Midtown. Cahawba House, a cozy breakfast/lunch spot known for its biscuits, Derk's Filet and Vine, a restaurant and market all in one, and Bibb Street Pizza Company are just a few of the many casual dining options. For fine dining, head to the downtown entertainment district to try Central, a locally owned, and regionally sourced fine dining establishment.


One of the best things about Midtown Montgomery are the neighborhoods. Beautiful, historic homes from Bungalow and Cottage style architecture, to Craftsman style, Tudor and Neoclassical Revivals, sit among mature trees and exquisite gardens; some of them walk-in ready and others a fixer-uppers dream.


Find more information about Midtown Montgomery neighborhoods HERE.

Learn more about life in Midtown HERE.

If you are interested in purchasing a historic home in Montgomery, Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team are the Real Estate Professionals for you!  Sandra and her team are experts when it comes to finding the perfect quaint cottage, bungalow, or mansion in historic Montgomery neighborhoods for their clients. Give them a call today at 334-834-1500 or send them an email HERE and before you know it, you will be living the dream in Midtown Montgomery!

Photo credits: ulc.org, newsweek.com, wtvy.com, watchtheyard.com, central129coosa.com, homesforsalemontgomeryalabama.com

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6729 Greenbrook Dr: Spacious and Beautifully Updated

Thursday, March 4, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate

6729 Greenbrook Dr, Montgomery AL 36117

MLS# 490248 | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,864 Square Feet | Bellwood Estates

Spacious and Beautifully Updated

6729 Greenbrook Dr

Virtual Tour

This recently updated townhouse is spacious and waiting for its new owner! Fresh paint and new carpet make this home move-in ready, and homeowners will love the fact that there is a living room, dining room, and den/family room with built-ins and a fireplace! Convenient half bath on main floor for your guests, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and two full baths. Don't miss the walk-in closet in the master with "California Closets" style built-ins. Rear has covered patio area plus extended uncovered patio, grassy area for pets and kids, and parking in the front as well as a pad for at least 3 cars in the rear. This lovely home would also make a great investment, and at this price should cash-flow quite nicely!

Marketed by Montgomery AL realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

 

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3372 Montezuma Rd: Cloverdale/Idlewild Cottage - Wonderful Investment!

Thursday, February 25, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate

3372 Montezuma Rd, Montgomery AL 36106

Cloverdale/Idlewild Cottage - Wonderful Investment!

MLS# 488414 | 3 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,439 Square Feet | 1937 | Cloverdale/Idlewild

3371 Montezuma Rd​

Virtual Tour

This Cloverdale/Idlewild cottage is just blocks from the Cloverdale Bottom Park in Midtown Montgomery. Amenities include hardwood floors, plantation shutters, a great screened in porch, attached carport and new gate to privacy fenced back yard. This is a great investment opportunity. The refrigerator, washer and dryer are included.

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

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Why Home Prices Are Not Falling

Wednesday, February 24, 2021
by The Hat Team


The global pandemic set the world into a tailspin, and one result was that the US economy suffered its largest blow since the Great Depression in the second quarter.  It has been about a year since the housing market was on hold for a few months due to the pandemic last spring, and back then it appeared that the real estate market would go into a steep decline because of widespread stay-home orders. But that has not been the case. Instead, the US housing market has been kept afloat by homebuyers. It turns out that residential real estate has been very resilient. In fact, 2020 was a record-breaking year for the US housing market. And as we enter 2021, housing prices are not falling.

“The typical U.S. home was worth $266,104 in December, up 8.4% (or $20,587) from a year ago. A total of 5.64 million homes were sold in 2020, up 5.6% from 2019 and the most since before the Great Recession, according to Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. Sales also rose 0.7% from November and 22.2% year over year. Existing home sales reached the highest level in 13 years.”

Just over a month into 2021, the housing market is still super-competitive for homebuyers. The number of active homebuyers is far greater than the number of homes available for sale, and as a result it seems unlikely that the current pace of home price growth will not change anytime soon. Per Realtor.com market data for the week ending February 6, 2021, the median listing prices grew at 12.9% over last year, making it the 26th consecutive week of double-digit price appreciation.

HOUSING PRICE FORECAST 2021: STEADY APPRECIATION

Right now, across the nation, homes are selling quickly and the number of homes available for sale continue to fall lower and lower. With homebuyers competing for homes, prices will continue to rise. In fact, per economists and market watchers, home values are growing faster than they have in a generation; and there is no sign of them slowing down.

WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE BUYING HOMES DURING A PANDEMIC?

With stay-at-home orders, there was a huge rise in remote work which, in turn, created a suburban boom, with an outbound migration from cities. A lack of developed land means that home builders may not be able to meet rising demand, leading home prices to continue to rise in 2021. While some urban cities still lack the supply of homes demanded by buyers in those areas, the pandemic has generated a desire for houses with more space; both indoors and out. Combined with historically low interest rates, you see prices rising greatly from urban-to-suburban markets.

Right now, it does not look like price growth is going to slow.  Per Economic Research, predictions are that annual home value growth will rise as high as 13.5% by mid-2021, and the year will finish with approximately 6.9 million sales, the most since 2005.

Another reason there are so many homebuyers in the market now is due to the March to July period from 2020, when a huge portion of the country was on total lockdown. That is normally busy time for residential real estate, and many people who had planned to buy last year are now looking to buy this year. So, it is supply and demand. Low supply + huge demand = rising prices!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

If you have been thinking about selling your home, now is a great time to do it! 

Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals will help you get your house on the market and sold for the best possible price!  Call them at 334-834-1500 or contact them via email HERE. There has never been a better time to sell your home!

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3225 Le Bron Rd: Great Addition to Your Portfolio!

Tuesday, February 23, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate

3225 Le Bron Rd, Montgomery AL 36106

Great Addition to Your Portfolio!

MLS# 488866 | 4 Units | 2 Bedrooms & 1 Bath each unit | 1,110 Sq Ft | Cloverdale

3225 Le Bron Rd

This pristine 4-unit apartment building is in the heart of Cloverdale and boasts large spacious units...approximately 1100 sq. ft. per unit! Desirable updates include the kitchens and baths and gorgeous hardwood floors are paired with some newer laminate. Covered parking is available in rear. This absolutely pristine property provides a nice cash flow. Each tenant pays ALL utilities, so there are minimal landlord costs other than taxes, insurance, and lawn care. This Midtown Montgomery property is a great addition to any investment portfolio.

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

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Is Montgomery Alabama a Great Place to Retire?

Wednesday, February 17, 2021
by The 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 2021. 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 county, and social security benefits are completely exempt.
  • The cost of living in Montgomery, specifically is 11% lower than the national average.
  • The cost of housing in Montgomery is 30% 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:

  1. The weather is ideal all year ‘round! With a subtropical climate, you will enjoy hot summers and mild winters.
     
  2. 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. Attractions - Arts & Culture
     
  3. You can stay active and social at Montgomery Riverfront Park. Catch a ballgame featuring the 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.

  4. 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.
     
  5. 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 a Montgomery, Alabama neighborhood when making your list of possible places to retire.

Come visit and let Sandra Nickel show you some of the amazing, affordable https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/ in this charming, delightful southern city! Contact her at 334-834-1500 or email her HERE today!

Photo credits: rsa-al.gov, PNGio.com, tripadvisor.com, funinmontgomery.com 

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Displaying blog entries 351-360 of 1998

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