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Displaying blog entries 871-880 of 1998

What to Renovate When Selling Your Home

Wednesday, July 13, 2016
by The Hat Team

Renovate your home to sell.

It can be hard to set a budget and stick to it when it comes to renovating your home. If you are planning on selling your home soon, you should go ahead and do a few renovations that may need to be done but do the ones that don’t cost a lot of money. Of course if your home has some issues and you feel you can get a lot more money out of your home if you make those renovations now, you may want to go ahead and do so. Below are a few tips on what exactly you should consider when renovating your home to prepare it for sale.

  • One of the best ways to prepare your home to sell is by renovating your walls and floors.  You can add paint to the walls of your home for a quick “pick me up” that will help your home appear newer than it is.  Refinishing hardwood floors or pulling up carpet to reveal hardwoods is also a great way to spruce things up around your home.  Be sure if you are painting to do so with neutral colors that will be pleasing to everyone’s pallet.  Likewise if you are putting down carpet, be sure to choose a neutral color.  If you are refinishing hardwoods, be sure to stay away from any dark stains that may turn some buyers away.  Stick with the natural light wood floors that seem to be so popular these days. ​
     
  • Doors are another place you may want to consider during your home renovations.  Replacing your front door with a steel door adds a great deal of value to your home.  Adding some new garage doors may help to add value as well.   Keep in mind you don’t have to spend a ton on these types of things, just replacing old with new will likely be enough.
     
  • If you don’t have the money to redo your entire kitchen, try upgrading by replacing old worn out drawer pulls or cabinet knobs.  You may also want to put a little paint on your old cabinets to lighten and brighten things up a bit.  Keep in mind if money is not an issue that kitchen renovations  can sometimes make or break the sale of your home.  If you need to” bling it out” and you have the funds to do it, go for it. 

Any and all renovations you do to your home in an effort to get more money out if it during a potential sale is a good thing.  Don’t go crazy spending a lot of money for cosmetic fixes but ‘DO’ do your best to make your home look like a shiny new penny!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

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Reasons to Refinance Your Home Mortgage in 2016

Wednesday, July 6, 2016
by The Hat Team

Should l reinvest?

There are many benefits to refinancing  and some of those reasons you will find listed below. 

  • A lot of folks tend to rack up credit card debt toward the end of each year and have some credit card debt to pay off in the next year.  By refinancing your home you can put all of your credit card debt together and into the refinance.  It is much better to pay off your credit card at say 5% instead of the interest you may be paying such as 18%.  A good rule of thumb however if you do plan to use your refinance to get rid of your credit card debt is to cut the cards up and vow not to use them again.  Perhaps you can keep one credit card that is to be used for emergencies only.
     
  • Another great reason to refinance your home this coming year is to start saving towards retirement or even towards your child’s college education.  Both of these are good causes and if refinancing can help you get to your goal of savings for these two a bit more quickly then why not take advantage of it. 
    ​​​​
  • One of the biggest reasons folks tend to refinance their homes is to get a better interest rate.  This is a very good reason to refinance because many times you can get a much lower monthly payment by having a lower interest rate and this may help you to more easily pay other bills that may have fallen behind. 
     
  • This last reason to refinance your home may sound a little out of place but if you happen to need a reliable vehicle and you haven’t been able to afford one, you can throw your car loan into the refinance as well.  This is good if you have been trying to make your old worn out car last as long as possible but it has finally begun costing you more in repairs than the car is actually worth. 

There are plenty other reasons to refinance your home  in the coming year and even some reasons why you may not want to.  Do your homework to see what is worth it to you and what is not when it comes to refinancing your home.  

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

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Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 3318 Dartmouth Circle

Tuesday, July 5, 2016
by The Hat Team

3318 dartnouth cir

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:

3318 Dartmouth Circle, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 404995

2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,401 square feet | Narrow Lane

Under $120K! Charming 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in a wonderful area in Midtown Montgomery near Cloverdale. Hardwood floors. Cute as can be kitchen with Mexican tile. The real deal is the master bedroom and closet (HUGE). French doors opening to a very multi-level deck across the back of the house. You must see the backyard! Garage and workshop.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Frank Powell, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 3154 Wilmington Rd

Tuesday, July 5, 2016
by The Hat Team

3154 wilmington rd

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:

3154 Wilmington Rd, Montgomery AL 36105
MLS# 404726

Need a lot of space on a budget near Cloverdale!! This could be your chance to own a three bedroom,  two bath home with a two car attached garage for less than $129,000. This home is located in the popular South Hull District in Midtown Montgomery and has an active neighborhood association. There are many period details including hardwood floors and built-in cabinets. The backyard is fenced and has old brick patio and walkways… it could be a showplace. Make this one the 1st on your list to see. Seller needs a little notice as she home schools children.

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

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Building Lot For Sale In Montgomery AL: 118 Lockwood Ln

Thursday, June 30, 2016
by The Hat Team

118 lockwood ln

Building Lot For Sale In Montgomery AL:

118 Lockwood Ln, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 313806

Estate sized lot in Montgomery's ONLY gated community with round-the-clock security. After all, what good is a gate if there's no one watching? Lot has two lovely green spaces across the street and the old Standard Club headquarters at the rear. Walk to fitness center, pool, 2 tennis courts. Community features gas lights, over one mile of brick sidewalks, and hundreds of live oaks, magnolias and crepe myrtles, Equally important, architectural controls guarantee a collection of heirloom-quality homes will surround your own custom residence. Builders: owner may finance.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team.

 

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - May 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016
by The Hat Team

house-sold

When putting a home on the market, there is a lot to consider. How will you find a REALTOR®? What should you price the home? And the big one—is the home ready to sell? Most sellers know to get rid of clutter and fix any big or obvious problems. But what else can sellers do to get top dollar for their home? The National Association of REALTORS has identified some staging tips for various rooms in a home. After all, NAR research shows that 81 percent of buyers believe it is easier for them to picture themselves in a home when it’s staged. To appeal to those buyers, NAR recommends scrubbing the fireplace, focusing on symmetry in decoration, packing up dishes that don’t match your main set in your cupboards, making the extra bedroom a fun activity room to showcase other functions (like a sewing room or office), and keeping all closets as empty as possible.

Check out how many local sellers were successful selling their homes in May:

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for May 2016 show the number of homes sold decreased 11.36%. The average sales price increased by 26.35%. The median sales price increased by 50.65%. Market times decreased by 55 days.

Midtown Montgomery May 2016    May 2015
Homes Sold 39 44
Average Selling Price $152,841 $120,963
Median Selling Price $145,000 $96,250
Days On The Market 111 166
Highest Selling Price $360,000 $330,000
Lowest Selling Price $1 $9,999


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.

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Finding the Right Home Is Like Finding a Mate

Thursday, June 23, 2016
by The Hat Team

home buyer

When you are looking to find a mate to marry you may spend years and years before you find the one that is meant for you to be with, however you don’t need to look for years to find “the one” when it comes to house hunting.  There are ways to know when you have found the right house for you but you may need to make a few tweaks in your wish list to make it all possible.  Below are a few ideas to help make finding your dream home a bit easier. 

  • A good way to get started finding the house that you have always dreamed of owning is to make a list of your expectations.  You should list your must have items in order of how important they are to you.  As you begin house hunting you may want to rearrange your list a little depending on what you find on the market.  It may be helpful to put a star beside the expectations that are most important to you so that you don’t forget something.
     
  • It’s perfectly alright to look online as much as you want at houses when you are shopping for a home but it may be wise to limit your actual house viewings.  If you visit too many homes during your house search you may find that it becomes a bit overwhelming and you may also realize that you are trying to create the home of your dreams by piecing together bits and pieces of each house you look at.  Narrow down your actual house viewings to about four of your top picks.  This will help you to more easily narrow down your search and to make a final decision more quickly.  
     
  • If you find that you simply cannot find what you are looking for in the current real estate market, perhaps it may be best for you to stop looking for a month or two and wait to see what may pop up.  You may find that the home of your dreams is only a few short months away from being found. 

Again, you may need to make a few adjustments to your wish list once you start looking for a home but that doesn’t mean you cannot find the perfect home for you and your family.     If the house you choose doesn’t have everything you hoped it would, you can always add things once you move in. 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Hat Team!

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What Realtors Do - You'll Be Surprised!

Wednesday, June 15, 2016
by The Hat Team

what realtors do

Think you know what a real estate agent does on a daily basis?  You might have to think again in order to correctly identify all the responsibilities on the shoulders of your REALTOR (a real estate agent who is a member of the National Board of Realtors).   You most likely would be surprised—and impressed—to discover the wide range and long list of activities undertaken by your REALTOR in your pursuit of buying/selling a home.

A basic job description would include renting, and buying, and selling (oh, my!) real estate for clients, interviewing potential clients, previewing and showing  property, discussing sales conditions, drawing up and presenting offers, holding open houses, and writing contracts—all the while meeting deadlines and hand-holding when necessary.  Oh, but there is so much more for your REALTOR to do, including, but certainly not limited to, the following duties:

  • Staying current with market trends in your area
  • Analyzing comparables
  • Exploring and evaluating mortgage options
  • Finding buyers or properties for clients
  • Scheduling appraisals
  • Keeping up with changing federal/state laws and program
  • Negotiating between parties
  • Preparing MLS listings
  • Promoting properties via ads, web sites, videos, and virtual tours
  • Completing required courses, attending seminars, and the like
  • Coordinating inspections, walk-throughs, and closings
  • Arranging for title searches

But did you know that the National Association of Realtors awards grants to groups of state and local real estate associates who attempt to go above and beyond in promoting and expanding housing opportunities in their communities?  These REALTORS work together to design and implement affordable housing programs and are thus eligible for the NAR grants twice a year.  In addition, the NAR offers programs, training, and resources for these groups.  Click here for details of the Housing Opportunity Program.

Remember, real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Contact us!  We’re qualified, experienced, and looking forward to assisting you.

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Tips To Eliminate Pet Odor So Your Home Will Sell

Tuesday, June 7, 2016
by The Hat Team

pet odor

If you have pets you know all too well just what a mess they can make, what you may not be aware of however is that they have a smell all their own that others who walk into your house may be able to smell more than you can.  If you have your house on the market you may need to do your best to eliminate the pet odor before you home starts showing so that you will be better able to sell your home.  Below are a few ideas and tips to help you get a head start on eliminating pet odor.

  • If your pet has an accident inside of your home douse it with baking soda as quickly as you possibly can after you soak up the urine with a towel.  Allow the baking soda to dry and then pat the area with a dry towel.  Once you have done all of this, be sure to vacuum the area.  The smell that once would have lingered behind after cleaning the soiled area will no longer exist.   
  • Another great way to rid your home of pet smell so that your home may have a better chance of selling is to make a fabric spray out of white vinegar and baking soda.  1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar will do the trick.  Put these ingredients together in a spray bottle and you will have a great way to get pet smell out of your furniture and other fabrics.  Spraying this concoction over your furniture before a showing is a great way to know that your potential buyers will not be able to smell that you have pets living inside of the house with you. 
  • A  HEPA  air filtration system is also a good thing to have if you have pets and you are planning to try to sell your home.  These types of systems cost as little as $100 and can make all the difference when it comes to the sale of your home.  One hundred dollars may sound like a lot of money but when you think that it may make or break the sale of your home it is nothing.  Be sure to always clean you’re air conditioning filtration system as well so that you will have clean air flowing throughout the house at all times just in case you have someone who wants to take a tour of your home at the last minute. 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Broker Sandra Nickel, Hat Team.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 501 S Panama St

Monday, June 6, 2016
by The Hat Team

501 s panama st

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

501 S Panama St, Montgomery AL 36107
MLS# 403462

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,076 square feet | Highland Park

Great investment property or sweet starter home! This precious brick cottage has hardwood floors and lots of character. Large fenced back yard great for pets or children to play. Corner lot adds to privacy. Detached garage in rear makes great storage.

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

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Displaying blog entries 871-880 of 1998

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