Real Estate Information

The statistics for household childhood injuries are staggering.  Over 3.4 million children experience some kind of accidental injury in the home each year.  While there is no way to guarantee child safety at home, there are certainly many things you can do to help prevent accidents and injuries.  Here are some tips for childproofing your home:

1. Use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries.  Keep dangerous items such as medicines, household cleaners, lighters, knives etc. locked up. Even things with “child resistant” packaging should be kept in areas that children cannot access.  Child resistant does not mean child proof.
2. Safety gates can be used to prevent falls down stairs and to keep children out of areas with possible dangers.  When installing a gate at the top of stairs, make sure that it is bolted to the wall.  Make sure you purchase gates that meet safety standards.
3. To avoid burns, install anti-scald devices on your showers and faucet heads. 
4. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home.  It’s important to check them frequently to be sure they are working properly.  Change the batteries at least once a year.  Many people change the batteries twice a year when the time changes in the fall and spring.  Carbon monoxide alarms should be used in your home as well.
5. Corner and edge bumpers on tables and fireplace hearths will help prevent injuries if a child falls against them.
6. Children are very curious and it would be no surprise to find them trying to stick things into plug outlets.  Prevent electrical shock by placing outlet covers in outlets that you use. Make sure they fit snugly and are not easy for a child to remove. They should also be large enough that they won’t be a choking hazard should a child get one out.  If there is an outlet that you know you won’t be using, covert it with an outlet plate. 
7. Make sure that your window coverings are safe for your children.  Cordless window coverings are best, but you can also follow these tips for safety if you have window coverings with cords.
8. Large pieces of furniture and appliances can tip over and crush a child.  Make them secure by anchoring them to the floor and/or attaching them to the wall.
9. If you have a pool or spa, it is vital that you have it surrounded by a fence that is at least 4 feet tall and includes a self-closing, self-latching gate. Doors that lead out to the pool or spa should have alarms on them to indicate if someone has opened them.  A pool alarm adds another layer of protection. 

Again, while childproofing your home will not guarantee safety, it will go a long way toward protecting your children from injuries or worse.  The peace of mind you will have knowing you have done everything you can to protect your children will be well worth the effort and time put into making sure your home is as safe as possible.

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Electrical-Safety-Hazards-Tips-to-Prevent-Them

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Do-Schools-Matter-when-Buying-a-Home

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Organizing-Your-Home-Made-Simple

Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale:

842 Felder Ave, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 420833

4 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1 half bath | 4,059 square feet | Cloverdale

English Tudor was built in 1910 by the Elmore family and boasts large grand rooms, high ceilings and all the architectural details (including coffered ceilings) that you would expect from an elegant Cloverdale home. And, with an updated eat in kitchen and an abundance of living space in over 4,000 sf, this home easily meets the needs of a modern family. Special features are the fabulous sun room, a beautiful library and even an elevator. All upgrades have been made to ensure architectural integrity. Situated on a large corner lot, the very private back yard has a large covered porch and a huge wired workshop/studio space. This Midtown Montgomery  home has a fascinating history and in 1981 was the focus of the preservation of Old Cloverdale as an historic district. Come check out this beauty for your family!

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

The idea of purchasing your first home is exciting, but can also feel overwhelming.  Before starting your home search, you need to figure out how much you can afford.  If you’ve been hesitant to move forward because you’re afraid you won’t have enough cash for a down payment or that you won’t qualify for a loan, you shouldn’t despair.  There are programs available that can help you!  So, stop padding your landlord’s pockets and take advantage of programs that will assist you in making a sound financial investment in a home of your own.

The Alabama Housing Finance Authority has two programs designed to assist people with purchasing homes:

1.Step Up - Step Up is a homeownership program designed specifically for moderate-income home buyers who can afford a mortgage, but need help with the down payment.  With this program, the money for the down payment is secured by a 10-year second mortgage and is combined with a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage.  Since the loans are serviced by ServiSolutions, a division of AHFA, homeowners have only one check to write each month.  Program participants must complete a homebuyer education course to qualify…a small price to pay to become a homeowner!  People who earn less than $97,300 are eligible for the Step Up program, regardless of household size or location.

Step Up+ is a new, temporary program that was just announced by the AHFA in June, 2017.  This mortgage enhancement will pay the upfront split private mortgage insurance premium (up to $1,500) for homebuyers who earn less than 80% of the area median income.  This way, homebuyers will pay a lower monthly premium as part of their mortgage payment. Information and qualifications:

• HFA Preferred conventional loans only
• 3% down payment assistance available through Step Up
• For new or existing homes in Alabama
• Homebuyers must have a credit score of 620 or higher
• Must complete homeownership education course
• Must apply for loan through a participating lender
• Private mortgage insurance will be underwritten by Genworth or ARCH (no delegated options)

All Step Up+ loans must close by September 30, 2017.

The Step Up program’s standard $97,300 household income limits will NOT apply for Step Up+.

For more information, contact a participating lender.

2.Mortgage Credit Certificates - The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program gives homebuyers another savings option.  MCCs are available with conventional fixed-rate, FHA, VA, Rural Development and privately insured mortgages.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by a statewide network of participating lenders.  Participants must meet federally established income and sales price limits.

MCCs provide a tax credit to reduce the amount of federal taxes owed by a percentage               of the annual mortgage interest paid each year.  The remaining annual interest may be claimed as a mortgage interest deduction on the homebuyer’s federal tax return.

Qualified homebuyers pay lower federal income taxes or benefit from immediate savings by updating the withholdings on their W-4 form.  MCCs may be paired with AHFA’s Step Up program or any other 30-year, fixed rate, amortizing mortgage offered by a participating lender.

Mortgage credit rates are based on the loan amount:

• 20% MCC for loans of $150,001 or greater; no cap
• 30% MCC for loans of $100,001 to $150,000; $2,000 per year cap
• 50% MCC for loans of $100,000 or less; $2,000 per year cap

The real estate professionals at Homes for Sale in Montgomery Alabama can explain these programs to you and answer any questions that you have.  Contact them and start your home search today!

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/First-Time-Home-Buyers-and-Unexpected-Expenses

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Apartment-Hunting-for-College-Graduates

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Home-Buying-Made-Easy

The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey is far reaching and rebuilding after a disaster of this magnitude is a daunting task.  People have lost their homes, belongings, vehicles and businesses.  There are many ways to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, but it is important that you make sure that if you make donations, they are going to legitimate programs.  Charity Navigator can help you find reputable organizations that are accepting donations for relief.  If you would like to donate specifically to groups located in the areas affected, please consider the following:

Houston Food Bank

Food Bank of Corpus Christi

Houston Humane Society

San Antonio Humane Society

You can also donate directly to Hurricane Harvey Relief through the following organizations:

Salvation Army Hurricane Harvey Relief

Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Relief

A 2014 article in the online Realtor magazine, realtormag.realtor.org, addresses what real estate business owners have gone through after natural disasters.  While After the Storm tells stories of loss and grief, it also offers hopeful stories of rebuilding and success.

In light of the recent event in Texas, you may be asking yourself if you are prepared for a natural disaster.  Victims often feel helpless, hopeless and overwhelmed in the days following a catastrophic event like Hurricane Harvey. While you can’t control nature, there are some things you can do to prepare that might make things a little easier for you if disaster strikes.

1. Educate yourself about what might be coming.  Check out this natural disaster risk map to find out what types of severe weather events that might happen in your area.  Prioritize your preparations by what has the highest odds of happening and go from there. You will also want to familiarize yourself with your insurance policies so that you will know what is and isn’t covered.
2. Make home improvements that specifically reduce the risk of damage to your home during a natural disaster. For example, if hurricanes are possible where you live, install storm shutters and invest in hurricane straps to help keep your roof in place during fierce winds.
3. Create an emergency kit that includes the following:

• Water - one gallon per person per day, for at least three days.
• Food - a three-day supply of non-perishables (don’t forget a can opener).
• Battery-powered (or hand-cranked) radio with extra batteries.
• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Whistle - to signal for help.
• Cellphone with chargers (or a solar charger).
• Cash
  If flooding may be an issue, consider adding the following:
• Life jackets, rain boots, rain gear.
  
  Supplement as needed with items for any special needs, such as children, pets or any medical conditions. Also, have a "go bag" ready that you can quickly grab should you have to evacuate.

4. Keep an inventory of your belongings.  Taking a home inventory may seem like a daunting task, but during a time of loss and grief, you will be hard pressed to remember all the contents of your home if they are lost to you.  Having an accurate inventory will not only help ensure that you receive fair reimbursement from insurance, it will also make the recovery process easier.
5. Make sure your family has an emergency plan and that you have gone over it together. Address things like how you will communicate, where you will go if you have to evacuate, where you will meet if you’re not together etc.

Don’t wait until you start hearing warnings about a severe weather event to start his process.  Get prepared while you are in a calm state of mind and have time to focus on what you are doing without feeling rushed or fighting crowds of people grabbing the last of the water and batteries. You may never have to make use of any of your disaster preparations, but it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Learn more about Hurricane Harvey Relief!

Moving to a new town can be tough on kids.  Leaving behind friends and familiar places is hard enough; add in the anxiety of starting at a new school and it’s a lot for any child to handle. But while change is challenging, it can also be positive.  Here are some tips for helping your children blossom at their new school:

1. Prepare your children.  Make them part of the process of learning about their new school. Go to orientation together or arrange for a tour.  Older children, especially, will appreciate the opportunity to get the lay of the land and figure out where their classes are before the first day.  Show them where the bathrooms, gymnasium, auditorium and nurse’s office are. If possible, have them introduced to their teachers.  They will feel much more confident when they start if they are not feeling lost.
    
2. Meet friends before school starts.  Tweens and teens may have the opportunity to try out for and/or join sports teams or band during the summer.  This is a fantastic way for them to meet others with common interests.  For younger children, sign them up for day camps either at the school they will be attending (if offered) or at local rec centers.  If your community has a pool or play area, you will likely meet people there that will be attending the same schools.  Joining a community league sports team is also a great way to meet other kids that you’ll likely see at school as well.
    
3. Replicate or create first day of school traditions.  If there are things you have always done to celebrate the first day of school, stick with them.  That will give your kids a sense of familiarity and make the change of a new school less dramatic.  If you haven’t established any traditions for back to school, now is a good time to start.  Whether you fix a special breakfast, or take them for a treat at the end of the day, that little extra bit of TLC is sure to make them feel better.
    
4. Practice driving to school.  This might sound silly, but the last thing your children need on their first day at a new school is to be late.  If you are driving them to school, choose a weekday to take a test run at the same time you will be driving during the school year.  That way you will have a good idea of what time everyone needs to wake up and be ready to go.  Keep in mind that there will likely be more traffic when school starts, so give yourself a little extra time.  Make sure you know where to drop your children off and pick them up and what the procedures are for the car line.  If you are stressed, your children will be too.  If you know what you are doing, they will feel more confident.  If your children are riding the bus to school, be sure to know where the bus stop is and what time you need to be there.
    
5. Make sure your children get plenty of sleep.  Anxiety can make it difficult to sleep well.  Sleep deprivation in turn creates more anxiety.  While you can’t force your children to fall asleep, you can create an environment to aid them.  Limit screen time and make sure all electronics are put away before bed time. Set a bed-time routine and stick to it.  With all the changes taking place in their lives, children need the consistency of routine.
    
6. Don’t make it a big deal.  Sometimes the bigger a deal you make something, the more nerve-racking it becomes.  School is everyday business.  Talk openly with your kids about it. Acknowledge that it’s normal to be nervous, but emphasize, that you know they will be ok.  Avoid creating such high expectations that anything less than a perfect experience will feel disappointing to them.

If you are new to the Montgomery, AL area and need information about schools, check out these websites:

http://www.mps.k12.al.us

https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryPublicSchools/

https://www.privateschoolreview.com/alabama/montgomery-county

Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale:

3154 Wilmington Rd, Montgomery AL 36105

MLS# 419766

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,245 square feet | Southmont

Midtown Montgomery Home for Sale:

3627 Southview Ave, Montgomery AL 36111

MLS# 420223

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,825 square feet | Edgewood

Is it really worthwhile to have an open house ? Some sellers will insist that having an open house is the best way to sell their home, while others will want nothing to do with having potential buyers traipse through their home.  Real estate professionals have different views on this topic as well.  Some feel they are critical to sales, while others never hold them and some just have them occasionally.  So, if you are trying to decide whether to hold an open house, consider these pros and cons:

Pro - You will attract people who are not sure how to start the home buying process. First time home buyers , in particular, will be curious to look at houses.  By having an open house, you will get the attention of those who simply want to start looking.  You may also find that a potential buyer driving in your neighborhood will see your sign and stop by.

Con - Slim chance of a sale.  Unfortunately, a very small percentage of homes sell because of open houses.  Your Realtor will benefit the most because open houses provide potential clients.  A private showing of your home is much more likely to result in a sale.

Pro - Additional exposure.  It’s your Realtor’s job to make sure your home is getting plenty of exposure.  Because open houses are advertised  through street signs, newspaper ads and internet ads, your home will get a lot of extra exposure.

Con - Unqualified buyers.  People who come to an open house have often not taken the steps to get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.  Chances are, they don’t even know if they can afford your house.  It’s a waste of time for you and your Realtor to have unqualified buyers looking at your home.

Pro - Eliminates pressure.  Because an open house is a laid-back atmosphere, people will feel less intimidated looking around without a seller or Realtor hovering over them. It also provides potential buyers time to analyze the specific details of the home that will help them decided if it is right for them.

Con - Security issues.  Vandalism and break-ins are a sad reality.  The chances of these happening are increased when you are selling a home, especially if it’s vacant. Open houses give criminals the opportunity to look around your home with little supervision, giving them time to plan their crime.

Take time to carefully consider the pros and cons of holding an open house before making a decision about it. Consult with a real estate professional to determine if it is the right thing for your home sale!

If you want our personal viewpoint, Sandra Nickel Hat Team, REALTORS, believes an open house tour of homes is a great marketing technique.  We find that we may not sell the home we’re holding open AND we meet many buyer prospects to whom we will ultimately sell a home.  The buyer for your home may be someone we meet at another open house.

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Items-to-Throw-Out-Before-You-Move

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Tips-for-Keeping-Your-House-Ready-To-Show-at-Any-Time

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/How-To-Not-Let-Your-Pets-Ruin-Your-Home-Sale

Buying your first home is exciting.  After getting approved for a mortgage loan, working with a professional REALTOR and finding your dream home, it’s time to settle in and start enjoying your new digs.  Then BAM!  The shock of an unexpected expense slaps you in the face.  Don’t let that happen to you.  Being informed about the possible expenses of being a homeowner will not make spending the money any more fun, but at least you will be prepared.  Here are some ancillary costs of homeownership that you should be aware of:

• CLOSING COSTS - When closing on your mortgage you will be presented with a long list of costs: mortgage taxes, lender application fees, attorney’s fees, title insurance, recording fees and any potential real estate tax reimbursements if the seller has paid them up front.  Altogether, closing costs are an average of 2 to 5 percent of the total cost of the home.  They will vary state to state.  Closing cost information for Alabama can be found here.
• HOME MAINTENANCE - Now that you are a homeowner, you are solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your property.  Everything from yard work to cleaning; pressure washing to clearing the gutters…it’s all in your hands and on your dime.  Oh…and fixing things.  Yeah.  When the AC isn’t working or there is a leaky faucet, you will be footing the bill for repairs.  This all sounds a bit scary, but the key is to be prepared.  Go into your home purchase knowing that you will likely be spending about 1% of the purchase price of your home on maintenance annually.
• PROPERTY TAXES - Property taxes vary by state and can also vary based on city, ordinance, and even specific house.  You can utilize a Property Tax Calculator to get an idea of what your taxes will be when planning for your expenses.
• UTILITIES - If you’re coming from a rental where your utilities were included with the rent, you may not have considered how much you will need to set aside to pay for electricity, gas, water and sewage costs.  Added to internet, cable and phone bills, it can be quite a chunk of change.  Planning for utility costs is crucial to making sure you can afford to live in a home of your own.
• HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE - When you get a mortgage, you must get homeowner's insurance as well.  Be sure to do your homework and shop around for the best possible price.  You can get discounts for things like security systems, working from home or bundling coverage for your home with your auto insurance policy.  Educate yourself on what your insurance policy covers so that you’re not left disappointed when you have to pay for something you thought would be taken care of.

Don’t let these expenses scare you off from purchasing a home.  Again, the key is to be aware of them going in so that you won’t be caught unawares when they come up.

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/3-Mistakes-First-Time-Buyers-Make-and-How-to-Avoid-Them

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/Home-Buying-Made-Easy

http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/Blog/4-Common-Real-Estate-Myths-Debunked