Real Estate Information

3333 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery Al 36106

MLS# 449921

3 Bedrooms | 1.5 Bathrooms | 2,700 sqft | Cloverdale Idlewild

Great location in Cloverdale Idlewild just a block from the park and just in time for the Spring Concert Series! This home has a partially finished basement, a detached garage and a workshop with a garage door. No other house in the neighborhood can claim that! The basement is perfect for an office, den, playroom or just great storage space. Other features include a large tiled sun room, a huge dining room with double doors to the living room, breakfast room and hard wood floors. The kitchen has a retro feel and has a pass through to a bar in the third bedroom that you have to check out. Shower could be added to half bath using the hall closet. 

If you are preparing to sell an older home, you might have some cringe-worthy home décor that needs to be updated to get the best price for your home, especially if you are a selling a starter home.  Buyers looking in the starter home category are looking for move-in ready homes that won’t require a lot of money to fix up.  If you have any of these home décor styles that have fallen out of favor in your home, you may want to makes some changes before putting your house on the market:

1. Shag Carpeting

If you still have shag carpeting in your house, it’s way past time to bid it adieu.Shag style rugs hit their peak during the 60s and 70s.Back then, wall to wall carpeting was still relatively new and people were excited to incorporate the deep piled rugs into their home décor. But as early as the 1980s it was already considered dated and passe’. So, if you still have it in your house buyers will likely not be impressed. Cheap Flooring Ideas: 8 of the Cheapest Flooring Options with Style

2. Wall Paneling

Another 1970s staple was wood wall paneling. With exaggerated wood grain and fake wood knots, they made dark rooms darker and gave a truly dated appearance. You don’t have to remove it though. There are many ways to update wood paneling for a lighter, more modern aesthetic. An Easy and Cheap Way to Update Wood Wall Paneling

3. Green & Gold Appliances

If you still have “avocado” and “mustard” colored appliances, congratulations!Because they have lasted a LONG time!But seriously?It’s time to let them go.They might be deal breakers for buyers who can’t afford to buy a house and immediately replace appliances.

4. Country Kitchens

The 1980s brought with it an influx of “country” décor.Think cornflower blue, ducks and geese, ribbons and bows.Wall paper border embellished with cute little farm animals frolicking in flowering fields accented by dark wood cabinets was quite popular.But now it is dated and buyers probably won’t be thrilled with the idea of having to live with it if they couldn’t afford to change it right away.

5. Pastel Bathrooms

Back in the 1950s pastels became de rigueur for bathrooms across the country. Bathed in floor to ceiling pink, powder blue, or mint green, they looked like confections fit for Barbie’s dream house.While it might be a large undertaking, you may want to consider a bathroom update to get a more interest from buyers and a bigger profit on the sale of your home in the long run. But if your home is what you'd call "contemporary" or Mid-Century modern, leave that pastel bathroom alone because your buyer will love it!  

If you are in the market to sell or buy a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: pinterest.com

3313 Boxwood Drive, Montgomery Al 36111

MLS# 445689

5 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2 Half Bathrooms | 5,218 sqft | Mcgehee Estates

Incredible Mid-Century contemporary modern...nestled in the heart of sought after Mcgehee Estates...marbled floored foyer and front hall...floating stairwell and custom chandelier greet you as you enter... living, dining on rear of home are flooded with light, have commanding view of property and feature a fireplace with gas logs....and bookcases.....updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, honed marble counter tops, marble backslash.... casual dining at rear of kitchen opens to floor to ceiling windows, view of manicured back yard...Big walk in pantry utility room with lots of built in storage.....massive separate den is on front of home which could easily be a home theater...den also features a huge storage closet and lots of built ins along with a built in counter cafe area. off the entry is an updated half bath, wet bar with ice maker and five extra storage closets... private office with built ins also on main level...massive main bedroom on 1st floor features spectacular view of backyard. en suite bath features vanity area, double sinks, jetted tub and walk in shower...upstairs can be accessed by the main or private rear staircase... there are four good sized bedrooms and two full baths both updated in 2012....bonus/ office room also on upper level...plantation shutters and wired sound system throughout the home....other features include a large landscaped lot with mature trees...an irrigation system on a well, new hot water heater 2017, a water circulatory system (providing hot water for days), detached storage building, front and rear parking pads and an electric gate.

Purchasing your first home is a huge milestone…and not one that should be taken lightly.  It’s a big commitment and you want to make sure you get it right.  It’s important that you educate yourself before you begin the home buying process so that you can find the right property and procure the financing for it. 

Here are some things you should know as a first-time homebuyer:

1. PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

Entering the home buying process for the first time might feel a little overwhelming. You will have a lot of questions, but don’t worry, there will be people who will guide you through.The first thing to do is to find an . Your Realtor will assist you in finding your starter home, making an offer, and negotiating with sellers. Another person you should meet with prior to starting your home search is a mortgage lender. Your mortgage banker will help you complete your loan application along with determining the amount you qualify for. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is an important step that will set you on the right course for buying your first home. 3 Essential Reasons to Get a Mortgage Preapproval

2. STARTING YOUR HOME SEARCH

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying in relation to real estate. It exists for a reason. Because location is one of the most important aspects in choosing a home.The first thing you must do when searching for your starter home is determine the area you want to live in.You should take many things into consideration when making this decision. Do you want city, suburban, or country living?What is the reputation of the school system?Are there shopping, dining and entertainment activities nearby?The answers to these questions aren’t just important for you when you’re living there, but may also have an impact on resale value. Remember, this is your starter home; not necessarily your forever home. So, you should take resale value into consideration when choosing the location. Once you’ve determined WHERE you want to look, you can create a list of what you’re looking for in a home.You may have to compromise on some things, but going into your search knowing what you want will make things less confusing. Home Buying Wish List

3. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

When buying your starter home, there may be some expenses that you didn’t anticipate.  Don’t risk being blindsided by unexpected expenses.  Do your research and make sure you know what you are getting into.  Here are some costs you may not have thought of:

• Closing costs
• Home inspection
• Moving expenses
• Setting up your new house

Remember that your Realtor and Mortgage Banker are there to answer questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of their expertise!

If you are considering the purchase of your starter home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 3234-834-1500!

711 Ponce de Leon, Montgomery, Al 36106

MLS# 448224

3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,495 sqft | Cloverdale/Idlewild

One of Cloverdale's most charming homes is ready for it's next family! Behind the red door you will find a lovely living room, a formal dining room (currently used as an office), a bright sun room and a huge family room with vaulted ceilings and lots of windows. The kitchen has a butcher block island, wet bar, tons of cabinets and a large laundry room with lots of storage room. Each bedroom has it's own bath. Relax on the covered side porch or patio overlooking a pretty back yard. One block from the concerts in the park and walking distance to restaurants and shops. Check it out today! 

Today’s homebuyers are much more environmentally conscious and they are looking for homes that are eco-friendly.  Luxury homebuyers especially want design elements that support sustainability.  The National Association of Realtors' 2018 Report on Sustainability stated that 71% of members noted that promoting energy efficiency in listings was valuable to them.  In addition, millennials are big proponents of “green” living and with millions of them reaching the age where they will be buying homes in the next couple of years, there will be a large desire for eco-friendly homes that will play a part in protecting the planet.

So, how do you make your home more eco-friendly?  It’s surprisingly easy to upgrade your home with green features, while keeping it aesthetically pleasing. Here are some ways to get started:

• USE ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTBULBS

While they have been around for many years, lots of homeowners are just now beginning to use energy-efficient lightbulbs. They have many benefits, including reducing electricity use and extending the life of the bulb. Per , if each American household exchanged one lightbulb for an energy efficient one, the country would save enough energy to light up to 2.5 million homes each year, and save $600 million in energy costs!One of the most common types of energy efficient lighting are LED bulbs.They come in all kinds of colors and styles and fit into current fixtures, making switching to energy efficient bulb one of the easiest ways to go green.

• MAKE YOUR HOME A “SMART” ONE

Many people may think having a “smart home” is out of reach; that it’s something only luxury homeowners can afford. But truthfully, it’s one of the best ways to make your home eco-friendly and in the long run, it will save money.Home automation allows appliances to run with the lowest amount of energy required, thus creating lower bills for the homeowner.Automated controls save money, time, energy and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win for everyone to add smart home technology! How Smart Home Systems Reduce Your Footprint

• INSTALL A GREEN ROOF

The desire to eat healthy has many people participating in home gardening. With that in mind, urban home owners have started installing green roofs, if you don’t live in a designated local historic district.There are many benefits to green roofs; they don’t require a backyard, they provide natural cooling, and they are aesthetically pleasing.But most importantly, they are energy efficient. During the summer a green roof protects the building from direct solar heat. When winter arrives, it minimizes heat loss thanks to the extra insulation on the roof. And finally, thanks to the energy conservation it provides, there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

• CREATE A LIVING WALL

If you enjoy gardening and desire to be environmentally friendly, consider creating a living wall in your home.Not only is a living wall a beautiful, organic addition to your living room, entryway, or terrace, it is also very eco-friendly.It provides natural insulation, reduces energy consumption, and aids in humidity level maintenance.They are especially popular in hot climates because they require less energy to cool your home. 30 Breathtaking Living Wall Designs for Creating Your Own Vertical Garden

If you are in the market to sell or buy a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

3154 Lebron Rd, Montgomery, Al 36117 

MLS# 448067

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,860 sqft | Cloverdale

Quintessential Cloverdale/ Idlewild cottage with a new lease on life!!!!! Short walk to the Park, restaurants, theater, movies and all Cloverdale has to offer.... FRESH RENOVATION.... New kitchen and baths....refinished hardwoods...large laundry room, cozy front porch for friends and family....great location...new rear deck..fenced yard..be the 1st to see...call us or your favorite agent to see before its gone.....

1253 Augusta Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36111  

MLS# 447702

3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 3,198 sqft | Edgewood

If you want room to spread out and a deep professionally landscaped lot with mature trees, some take a look at this place! Large formal living room with antique fireplace has majestic views of the front lawn via a large picture window. Take a few steps up into the elevated formal dining room with impressive vaulted ceiling and be the envy of the neighborhood with your grand dinner parties! A generous and light filled breakfast room leads to an updated kitchen featuring granite, stainless steel appliances, and a large pantry. Sharing the first floor is a den/family room with fireplace that overlooks the rear patio. Master suite has a spa-like bath featuring Thasos marble, upscale jetted tub with teak accents, and a heated floor! Plus, owners have recently created a huge walk-in master closet/dressing room. Extra large bedroom upstairs with en-suite bath and walk in closet makes perfect guest hideaway or teen's retreat (well away from master!) Several additional walk-in closets on main floor (one cedar lined) and an unfinished basement with plenty of space to finish out a bonus room, craft room, home office, or man-cave. Perfect location in one of Montgomery's most prestigious neighborhoods!

When you are purchasing a home, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the things you need to think about.  Something like title insurance is probably not even on your radar. It’s a fee that will appear on your closing document and chances are you don’t even know what it’s for.  If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered.  Here are five things you need to know about title insurance:

1. Like other insurance policies, title insurance is something that protects you financially should there be a loss.  In this case it protects you with regard to property ownership. It not only ensures that the property you are purchasing will be legally transferred to you from the previous owner, it also protects you from possible future Title Defects.  There isn’t a monthly premium with title insurance; it is a one-time fee paid at closing.  This one-time payment will protect the insured from title defects for the life of the loan.
2. Title insurance is important because while a title research company will look into the history of ownership of the home to be sure there are no title defects, there is always a possibility that an issue could arise later due to several reasons such as improperly recorded documents, mistakes in ownership history or other legal matters that occurred prior to your purchase of the home.
3. There are two types of title insurance; one that protects the home owner and one that protects the mortgage lender.  Your lender will require that you purchase the lender’s policy to protect them from any loss should a problem arise.  The owner policy protects you and will cover legal fees or other losses that occur due to a title defect. You are not required to get an owner policy, but it’s well worth it to have it in place just in case something goes wrong in the future.
4. It can be frustrating to pay for insurance that you might never use, but it is risky to not have it in place. Think of it as paying for peace of mind.  With title insurance, you will be protected from catastrophic circumstances should a title defect be found.  You could not only lose a lot of money; you may even lose your home.
5. Title insurance is purchased when closing on your home. You have the option of buying it from whatever company you choose, but if your lender has a preferred company, you may find it less expensive to add your owner’s policy onto your lender’s policy. Average Cost of Title Insurance 2019

If you are in the market to sell or buy a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: wsj.com

2059 Bullard Street, Montgomery Al 36106

MLS # 447968

3 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 1,416 sqft | Cloverdale

Cloverdale charm without the Cloverdale price tag! Here is your opportunity to live in desirable Midtown, close to everything happening in this fun, hip, and energetic part of town. This home has all the character you would expect in one of our historic districts like hardwood floors, high ceilings and with nice updates to the kitchen and bathroom. Rear deck and pergola covered patio area are great for entertaining or relaxing. Priced right to sell, and would make a rental for investment!