Real Estate Information
Montgomery Real Estate Blog
The Hat Team
Blog
Displaying blog entries 831-840 of 1998
Tips To Avoid A Reverse Mortgage Nightmare
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Montgomery AL Home for Sale
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!
Surprise someone this holiday with a Letter From Santa!
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?
Owning 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 1948 Graham St
Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:
1948 Graham St, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 409031
3 bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,472 Square Feet | Cloverdale
Adorable Cloverdale cottage on one of the most desirable streets! Step right in to find a wonderful open floor plan, perfect for entertaining family and friends. The charming kitchen is updated and has a huge breakfast bar. The bedrooms are spacious and the master bath has been beautifully renovated and there's even a walk-in closet! Other recent upgrades include newly refinished hard wood floors, freshly painted interior and exterior, brand new HVAC and a 3 year old roof. In the back yard there is a wired building that could be a workshop, studio/office, man cave or just storage. Literally steps away from fabulous restaurants and shopping district of Midtown Montgomery that has everything you would need. Check it out today!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.
Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 614 Federal Drive
Montgomery AL Home For Sale:
614 Federal Drive, Montgomery AL 36107
MLS# 407607
3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,662 Square Feet | Montgomery Heights
Wonderful starter home or investment property in Montgomery Heights. One family has owned this property for the past 73 years and it has been well cared for. Plenty of room with a spacious living room/dining room, breakfast room, den and a finished attic for an additional bedroom or bonus room. Last but not least, is a nice sun room overlooking a huge deck and lovely backyard. There is a green house and storage building in the back as well. Don't miss this opportunity for a great deal!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.
Tips for Remodeling Your Home and Where to Start
The housing market is doing well and therefore many folks are starting to think about putting their homes on the market. Folks may sometimes decide to do a little bit of remodeling before they put their house on the market so that they may get the money they want or need out of it. There are many ways to remodel your home without having to put a lot of money into it. Let's take a look at a few tips for remodeling your home and where to start.
- A good place to start when remodeling your home is your front door. The front door is one of the first things people see when they take a look at your home and therefore it is an important focal point to concentrate on. You can paint your front door a color that will stand out while still matching the exterior of the house or you may want to purchase a new front door with some decorative glass to give it an extra flair.
- Adding a fireplace to a home is a great way to remodel it and make it more appealing to potential buyers. This time of year makes a fireplace a very desirable addition to any home.
- If your home has carpet you may want to consider replacing the carpet with hardwoods. If you are lucky enough there may even be beautiful hardwoods underneath the carpet. If that is the case you won't have to do much except pull up the carpet and refinish the floors.
You can choose to remodel many rooms in your home or you may decide to just do a small amount of remodeling, either way you are likely to get more money for your home once you put it on the market so make your remodeling choices wisely. If remodeling sounds like a daunting task to you, go ahead and hire a professional to get the job done for you. Plan to have enough time to do the job well and to do it right the first time and then plan to put your house on the market once you are finished with all of the remodeling. Do not put your house on the market before you have completed all the remodeling in its entirety. The last thing you need is folks coming to look at your house with a remodel going on and all the mess that comes along with that.
Courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.
Displaying blog entries 831-840 of 1998