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Displaying blog entries 801-810 of 1996

Many Blessings to You and Your Family!

by The Hat Team

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”
Henry Van Dyke

Did you know?:

-    The first Thanksgiving was held in the autumn of 1621 and included 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians and lasted three days. Many historians believe that only five women were present at that first Thanksgiving, as many women settlers didn't survive that difficult first year in the U.S.

-    Thanksgiving didn't become a national holiday until over 200 years later! Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who actually wrote the classic song “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” convinced President Lincoln in 1863 to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, after writing letters for 17 years campaigning for this to happen.

-    No turkey on the menu at the first Thanksgiving: Historians say that no turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving! What was on the menu? Deer or venison, ducks, geese, oysters, lobster, eel and fish. They probably ate pumpkins, but no pumpkin pies. They also didn't eat mashed potatoes or cranberry relish, but they probably ate cranberries. And no, Turduckens (a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken) were nowhere to be found during that first Thanksgiving.

-    Thanksgiving was almost a fast — not a feast! The early settlers gave thanks by praying and abstaining from food, which is what they planned on doing to celebrate their first harvest, that is, until the Wampanoag Indians joined them and (lucky for us!) turned their fast into a three-day feast!


As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, take time to remember all that you have to be grateful for.  

Wishing you and yours a day filled with joy. 

 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:

3425 Idlewild Court, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS#409541

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 1052 Square Feet | Cloverdale

Charming Cloverdale Idlewild cottage tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac. This home is move-in ready with fresh paint, pretty hard wood floors, a lovely updated kitchen with stainless appliances and super cute updated bathroom. The nice sized bedrooms have ample closet space. Relax on the awesome front porch or screened porch that overlooks the huge back yard. Conveniently located within walking distance to restaurants and entertainment. Check it out this Midtown Montgomery home today!

Marketed by Montgomery Al Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team

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. You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form or give her a call anytime 334-834-1500.

Things to Hide When Selling Your Home

by The Hat Team

 

If you are currently trying to sell your home, you need to make sure you are doing all that you can do to make the sale a priority.  There are many things that people tend to leave out during a home showing that should definitely not ever be seen by a prospective buyer.  Below is a list of a few things you should totally hide when in the process of selling your home

  1. Taxidermy is awesome to avid hunters and their wives but when someone is coming to view your home, you don’t want to leave it out.  Dead animals hanging on the walls of your home are not what folks typically have in mind when coming to look at a potential home.  You don’t have to get rid of your taxidermy obviously but perhaps take it off of your walls and gently place them in the closet until after the showing.
  2. Another thing that you should likely hide when folks come over to your home to take a tour of it in the hopes of buying it from you is your shotguns and other weapons that you may use.  This type of thing being displayed throughout the house is likely to scare any potential buyers away in a hurry.  Do your part by placing these items out of sight during a showing. 
  3. If you collect dolls or anything that can be seen as creepy in any way, put them away until after the showing.  Better yet, put them away until after your house sells.  Collections may not only be creepy to others but they tend to collect dust as well and don’t look nice during a showing. 
  4. If you have political signs in your yard, especially right now and you want to sell your house, by all means take them down!  This election was a big one and folks have very big opinions about who should be elected.  Seeing a sign in your yard for the opposite candidate that your potential buyer wants may actually lose you an offer even before the folks make in inside of your house to look around. 
  5. If you have a ton of family photos around your house, you may want to hide them during a showing as well if selling your house is your top priority.   Folks want to picture themselves in your house and having your family pictures all over the place can make that task more difficult.  

 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

Thank You, Veterans!

by The Hat Team

 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

Tips To Avoid A Reverse Mortgage Nightmare

by The Hat Team

Many times folks hear about a reverse mortgage on the television and they think it sounds like the best thing since sliced bread.  There are a few things you need to know about reverse mortgages before you decide to move forward with one and below we have listed a few tips on how to avoid a reverse mortgage nightmare.  

  1. One way to avoid even thinking about doing a  reverse mortgage  is to not wait until you simply don’t have any other option.  Do not go into something like a reverse mortgage without counseling with a HUD-certified housing counselor.  If you make huge decisions such as getting involved with a reverse mortgage during a time of financial stress, you will likely end up worse off than you started. 
  2. Another tip for avoiding a reverse mortgage nightmare is to search around for all that is offered.  You don’t have to settle for a reverse mortgage just because you think it’s the only thing you can do.  Talk to a financial counselor and find out what all of your options might be and then make an informed decision based off of the facts and not just what you think the facts might be. 
  3. If the lender you have chosen to move forward with suddenly starts telling you that your home needs a ton of repairs, be sure to find a new lender as quickly as possible.  HUD insures over 95% of reverse mortgages and they only require that the home be safe and functional.  Any small issues that your home might have shouldn’t even come into play during a reverse mortgage consultation. 
  4. If you feel pressured at all to sign on the dotted line to receive a reverse mortgage, do your part and do not sign the papers.  You don’t want to end up in a reverse mortgage nightmare just because you felt like you were being pressured into signing the papers.  Again, get up and leave the room if you feel any kind of pressure to sign on the dotted line for a reverse mortgage.
  5. Be sure to show up for the closing if you do decide to do a reverse mortgage.  If you are not present things may go astray and you might end up with a raw deal in the end. 

These are just a few tips to avoiding a reverse mortgage nightmare.  Do your part to pay close attention to detail so that you don’t end up living in the middle of a real nightmare.  

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:3225 Audubon Road Montgomery AL 36106

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale

MLS#43320
$449,000
 

Welcome to Petite Provence, a 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath hidden oasis in the heart of historic Cloverdale-Idlewild. Built in 1965 by noted Montgomery architect John Shaffer for his family, this exquisite home incorporates reclaimed elements from some of Montgomery's grandest historic homes including rustic wide-plank heart pine floors, patinated copper shingle roof and antique beams. Now offered by the second owners who completed a thoughtful renovation designed by McAlpine architect Lida Cunningham Sease and using the highest quality materials, this home is one of the most unique properties in Montgomery. Situated on a private keyhole lot with nearly an acre of beautifully landscaped land full of lush mature foliage and flocks of beautiful song birds, one feels as if they are deep in the quiet country but with the convenience of Cloverdale's trendy shops, restaurants, playhouse and movie theatre just a short walk away. The ground floor of the 1.5 story main home features a large en-suite master bedroom with walk-in closet; a powder room with antique garden wall sink; formal living room with fireplace; formal dining room with murals depicting the grounds hand painted by local artists; a cozy bookcase lined library with fireplace; large, bright eat-in kitchen and charming screened porch. The second story includes two large bedrooms, a luxurious chromotherapy and sound soaking tub room and an additional full bath. The attached sunlit guest house boasts a bedroom, full bath, kitchen and large living area complete with fireplace and beautiful mural by local McAlpine architect and artist David Braly. Do schedule your appointment to experience this retreat-like home today, you will be enchanted!

Don’t Forget to Fall Back!

by The Hat Team

 

 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.   

 

 

Surprise someone this holiday with a Letter From Santa!

by The Hat Team

Simply click here and provide the needed information

As people around the world prepare for the joys that the holidays bring, one person has been preparing since last December! Santa Claus has been busy assembling toys and making changes to that famous list. After Thanksgiving, things really get busy up at the North Pole. Santa and his crew of elves have to get all the toys and gifts ready for the big day, or shall I say night, Christmas Eve. Yes, there is no doubt no one works harder than Santa. However, even though Santa is very busy, there is one thing he especially looks forward to—writing letters to all the good little boys and girls...regardless of their age. Santa sits down at his desk every evening after dinner, takes out his special pen and starts writing¬-- Dear Michael, Dear Sarah... This season, you can give your loved ones the joy of receiving a personalized letter from Santa Claus! It will even be postmarked from the North Pole. OH! This isn’t just for children – remember, everyone is a child at heart at Christmas so please feel free to fill out the form for children and adults alike. Simply click here and provide the needed information, no later than Thursday, November 17, please. This is free to our friends and clients, and we’re happy to add a little more joy to everyone’s holidays. So please respond today to ensure that your letters are sent! Happy Holidays!!

Thinking About Adding A Fence To Your Property?

by The Hat Team

adding a fenceOwning a home is a wonderful thing, but you should always be really careful to make the best choices if you make changes to the outside of your home and this includes putting up a fence of any kind.  There are a few tips for adding a fence to your property that you might want to take into consideration before doing so and some of those are listed below. 

  1. Before putting up a fence on your property be sure to talk with your neighbors about it.  You need to keep in mind that you are not only putting up a fence in your backyard but you are also adding a fence to your neighbors land as well.  Talk with the neighbors that your fence will directly affect and discuss such things as property lines and types of fencing etc. 
  2. Another thing to consider when adding a fence on your property  is the color of the fence and also the style.  Will the color and style of your fence match your home?  If you need ideas of what style fence will look good with your house consider looking online at some ideas.
  3. You may want to consider planting trees to use as a fence if you decide you can’t find a style of fencing that will look good with your homes style.  Cypress and pines are great for this type of privacy fencing and they never go out of style. 
  4. If you decide to add a wooden fence, be sure that you know you will have to take care of it and paint or stain it every so often.  If you want something that has less maintenance than that you may want to purchase a vinyl fence.  
  5. You may want to consider cost as well when deciding what type of material you want your new fence made out of.  Keeping within your budget is always a good idea when adding to your home.
  6. Longevity of the fence material is another thing to keep in mind when choosing fencing for your property.  You don’t want to purchase a material that will need to be replaced sooner than you wish for it to. 

These are just a few tips for adding a fence of any kind to your property.  Once you have gone over these tips you should be able to choose more wisely than you would have without them. 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel 

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - Sept 2016

by The Hat Team

mortgage rates

Freddy Mac reports that mortgage rates staying low. Here are the national averages for mortgage rates during the week ending Oct. 6:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.42 percent, with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, 30-year rates averaged 3.76 percent.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 2.72 percent, with an average 0.5 point, also unchanged from last week’s average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 2.99 percent.
  • 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.80 percent, with an average 0.4 point, dropping slightly from last week’s 2.81 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.88 percent.

With rates like this, is it time for you to buy a home? If so, just hit reply to get started!

Take a look at how many folks bought homes in our market last month…

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for September 2016 show the number of homes sold increased 36.6%. The average sales price increased by 14.5%. The median sales price increased by 14.4%. Market times dropped by 87 days.

Midtown Montgomery Sept 2016    Sept 2015
Homes Sold 41 30
Average Selling Price $130,667 $114,082
Median Selling Price $109,000 $99,000
Days On The Market 87 174
Highest Selling Price $469,000 $417,000
Lowest Selling Price $12,000 $15,600


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.

Displaying blog entries 801-810 of 1996

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