Real Estate Information

Montgomery Real Estate Blog

The Hat Team

Blog

Displaying blog entries 901-910 of 1998

Energy Conservation Tips For Your Home This Winter

Friday, December 11, 2015
by The Hat Team

energy conservation

The crisp air has arrived as winter is approaching quickly, which means we are all going to be looking for ways to keep warm.  There are ways to stay warm and cozy inside of your home that won’t cost you a mint this winter if you follow a few energy conserving tips such as the ones below. 

  • Insulation can do wonders for your home this winter.  You may think that your home is already properly insulated but it may be that a few areas are not insulated as well as they should be.  Check for cracks in door frames, window panes and other areas where warm air may escape and cold air may be able to come inside.  You may want to add some more insulation to pipes that are already insulated if the current insulation has become worn out or is thin. 
  • Clean your heat filters so that your system runs as efficiently as possible.  This will help to cut down on your heating bill. 
  • You may not be aware that you can hire professionals to come to your home to check it for energy efficiency.  This is what is known as an energy audit.  The professionals check your home for energy loss and areas in which your energy efficiency can be improved.  Many times this service is free of charge. 
  • Don’t wait for the middle of the winter to stock up on items such as ice, shovels, blowers and the like.  These items will go up in price during the winter months, so be sure to purchase them on the off season or as soon as they are available for purchase in your local store. 
  • If you can stand to lower your thermostat a bit you stand to save a good deal on your electric bill.  Wrap up in blankets and or snuggle with your loved ones during the coldest part of the winter. This will not only save you some money but it may also help you and your family to grow closer together and have a time of bonding. 

Stay warm this winter and save on your electric bills at the same time by putting all or a few of these energy saving tips to good use.  There is no reason why you can’t stay warm all the while saving a bit of cash.  Who knows, you may end up with so much savings that you have extra money to spend this Christmas! 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 2027 Hazel Hedge

Thursday, December 10, 2015
by The Hat Team

Midtown Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

2027 Hazel Hedge Montgomery AL 36106
MLS#322648

Beautifully Updated Townhome!

Looking for a beautifully updated Midtown townhome that is move-in ready? Want to live in the hottest area in town? Check out this Hazel Hedge stunner just minutes from downtown and all the energy in Cloverdale! Main floor boasts new 18x18 hard tile and works well for entertaining as well as easy living. Upstairs there is a SPACIOUS master bedroom with fireplace, split vanity areas, and a big walk in closet. Guest bedroom upstairs has its own private bath as well. Out back enjoy a sweet private courtyard, with hardly any maintenance needed (actually, association takes care of grass and shrubs out front!) Neighborhood has new perimeter privacy fence, and a host of great neighbors. Come see this lock-it and leave-it home before someone beats you to it!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

Add Comment

How to Raise Your Credit Score

Friday, December 4, 2015
by The Hat Team

credit score

We have all been there before, getting ready to buy a house and then suddenly something of a negative nature pops up on our credit score that poses to keep us out of our dream home forever.  There are ways to make sure you DO NOT end up in this sort of predicament however. Hopefully, the following tips for raising your credit score  will be beneficial to you so that you can find your new home!

  • Pay credit card bills before the statement date.  Many times folks wait until the due date to pay a bill but if you are willing and able to pay them before the statement date, your credit score is likely to improve.
     
  • If you can afford to make multiple payments on your credit balance throughout the month, this will also show favorably on your credit score.  Check with your credit card company to make sure you are allowed to do this before beginning because some do not allow it. 
     
  • If you only have a couple bad marks on your credit, you can ask for a "good will deletion" .  Of course if you are late over and over again you will not be able to reap this reward but if you can show that you otherwise have paid your bills on time you may be able to get those couple nasty marks off your credit and therefore raise your score!
     
  • If one of your accounts has recently gone into collections you may be able to pay it off and have it removed from your credit report as a result.  Be sure to get any type of promise to delete in writing so that you can be sure it will be taken off once you pay. 

Credit issues can be hard to deal with especially if you are looking to purchase a new home in the near future, but take it from someone who knows….it CAN be done and you CAN have the house of your dreams maybe sooner than you had imagined!  Keep working at it and you will succeed and come out the other side ready to move forward into your future!

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

How To Make Your Move a Success

Wednesday, November 25, 2015
by The Hat Team

moving

The big day is almost here!  You and your family are moving out of your old house into the new home you have finally closed on!  It’s an exciting time, however moving can be a huge headache if you go into it unprepared.  Below are a few tips and ideas on how to make your move a success.

  • If you plan to hire a moving company to take care of your move for you, don’t be afraid to do your homework on the different moving companies.  There are some moving companies out there that will help to make your move a lot easier while there are others that can simply make the entire process a nightmare.  You owe it to yourself to do a bit of research and to find the best moving company you possibly can.
     
  • Another bit of advice for moving from one house to another is to prep for the move ahead of time.  Make sure that your movers know if they will be moving heavy things such as kitchen appliances and have them unplugged and cleaned out before the movers arrive so that they can easily and quickly get the heavy objects taken out of the way. 
     
  • Get your packing done before the big moving day arrives.  Moving companies do not want to be tripping over you while you are frantically packing last minute items into boxes that have yet to be taped and ready to move.  If you have your job done before the movers arrive, they will be able to get their job done in a quick and successful manner.  It’s also a good idea to stack your boxes against the walls of the rooms so that the movers can easily move about as they are working.  Again, if your job is done, their job will be easier and all will be happy.
     
  • Label your boxes so that movers will understand what room it goes in.  If you label the boxes with your kid’s names, it’s likely the movers will have no idea which room the box belongs in once they arrive at your new home.  Keep it simple and label the boxes accordingly. 

If you do your part to make sure you have done all you can do to make the move an easy process,  the moving company will be free to do their job and do it right.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Land For Sale in Montgomery Alabama: 2662 Woodley Rd

Monday, November 23, 2015
by The Hat Team

Land For Sale in Montgomery Alabama:

2662 Woodley Road, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 305052

Build Your Dream Home!

2662 woodley road
Build your dream home here! Seller financing on this nicely treed lot keeps your credit unencumbered so getting a construction loan is possible. Surrounded by lovely executive residences and conveniently located to Baptist South complex, Alfa, downtown and businesses along Zelda Rd.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Midtown Montgomery Market Trends - October 2015

Friday, November 20, 2015
by The Hat Team

dog in box

Moving into a new home during the holidays can be difficult and stressful. There are so many things to plan and prepare when it comes to either event, but to combine the two is extremely difficult. How are you going to celebrate the holidays while you are packing up your home?

If you stay on top of the process you can enjoy the holidays despite your move. Here are some ways you can do both!

  • New Traditions - You might be used to big, homemade meals around the dining room table, but maybe you change it up a bit.  Look for businesses that are open on that day and eat out or order in.  You can have the same sort of meal or you can go completely out of the box. This allows you to pack up your kitchen beforehand so you can enjoy the day more.
  • Create a Move Zone - Keep your jovial, holiday spirit separate from the pile of moving boxes and clutter by creating a moving zone. Put all of your boxes and items that are ready for the move in that room so you keep it out of the way.  
  • Go on Vacation- Pack and prepare your home for the move before the holidays arrive. Get everything ready to go then get out of town. Even if it is just the next town over, it may help your family relax and will allow you to enjoy the holidays without staring at blank walls, empty rooms, and moving boxes.

Take a look at the number of families who were able move and get settled prior to putting the turkey in the oven…

October 2015 Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for October 2015, show the number of homes sold increased 11.43% The average sales price increased by 30.8% to $154,589 for the month. The median sales price decreased by 2.91% from October 2014. Market times increased by 9 days.

Midtown Montgomery  October 2015   October 2014
Homes Sold 39 35
Average Selling Price $154,589 $118,183
Median Selling Price $100,000 $103,000
Days On The Market 147 138
Highest Selling Price $900,000 $285,000
Lowest Selling Price $5,120 $16,100


For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Add Comment

7 Questions You Must Answer Before Refinancing

Friday, November 13, 2015
by The Hat Team

refinancing

Homeowners have a variety of reasons for refinancing their homes. Before you make a decision about refinancing your home, you might consider the following questions. Below is a summary of an article in RISMedia by Michele Lerner, a writer for Bankrate.com.

1. What are my financial goals? Are trying to lower your monthly payment? Check out an online mortgage calculator to estimate your new payment. Other homeowners are choosing to refinance for a shorter term to pay of their mortgage faster and save interest.

Before you make the decision to refinance, the professionals advise making sure you contribute to retirement savings and college savings, pay off high-interest debt, and save 6-12 months of expenses, because reducing your mortgage payment period will increase your monthly payment.

2. Do I have equity in my home?

You need at least 20% equity in your home to qualify for a new conventional loan without payment private mortgage insurance. The alternative might be applying for an FHA loan that requires much less equity.

3. Do I have good enough credit?

4. Credit scores are critical under the new federal lending guidelines. Below a score of 620, you will have trouble qualifying for a new loan at all. It takes a score of 720 or better to obtain the best interest rates.

5. How long do I plan to stay in this home?

Mortgage professionals general tell borrowers to expect to pay 3% to 6% of the loan amount for a refinance. If you divide that loan cost by the annual savings you expect by a reduced mortgage payment, you can find how many years it will take to break-even. Do you expect to stay in your home long enough to break even?

6. What are the terms of my current loans?

Make sure you know the terms of your current loan. Especially, make sure your existing mortgage does not have a prepayment penalty.

7. Do I have a second mortgage or a line credit?

If you do, there is added complexity to refinancing. You will have to either pay off the second loan or combine the two into one mortgage when you refinance.

Lenders have tightened up the approval process. Be sure to get professional advice from a lender about what levels of income, credit score, and equity you will need to refinance in your specific situation.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Let’s Hear It for Realtors!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015
by The Hat Team

realtor

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 Association 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-thrus, 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.

Add Comment

Midtown Montgomery Market Trends - September 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015
by The Hat Team

A biennial opinion survey on housing issued conducted by the National Association of Realtors shows that fears of selling have abated dramatically since the housing recovery went into high gear two years ago. Over the past two years, homeowners’ confidence in recouping the price they paid for their homes has risen 29 percent. 

Seller confidence extends to their outlook for next year.  Four in ten adults in the survey (41%) expect prices to rise in their market. Some 47 percent said prices will stay the same and only 6 percent expect them to decrease.

Take a look at how many successful sellers there were in our market last month…

September 2015 Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for September 2015, show the number of homes sold increased 3.85% The average sales price decreased by 9.34% to $108,109 for the month. The median sales price increased 2.98% to $92,500, and market times decreased by 60 days.  The highest selling price increased by 4.25% from September 2014.

Midtown Montgomery  September 2015   September 2014
Homes Sold 27 26
Average Selling Price $108,109 $119,242
Median Selling Price $92,500 $89,820
Days On The Market 178 118
Highest Selling Price $417,000 $400,000
Lowest Selling Price $9,100 $17,000


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.

Add Comment

Why Selling Now May Be in Your Best Interest

Friday, October 23, 2015
by The Hat Team

seller guide

If you are debating whether to sell your house for sale this fall or even early next year, there are many reasons not to wait! We have a FREE Fall Sellers Guide, Things to Consider When Selling Your Home, that gives you 5 reasons to sell this fall.  Things like the importance of pricing right from the beginning, how an increase in interest rates will impact home sales, and so much more!  No obligation, of course! Download your FREE Sellers Guide then contact us get started with your home sale.

Get an instant market valuation of your Montgomery home!

Information courtesy of Montgomery AL Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 901-910 of 1998

Syndication

Categories

Archives

   cdpe    crsHat Lady on Zillow