Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-5 of 5

The Importance of “Location” in Real Estate

Wednesday, August 25, 2021
by The Hat Team


I am sure you have heard the phrase before, but “location, location, location” has never meant more than when you are purchasing a home. It is important to remember that you can buy the right home in the wrong location. You can fix it up, renovate it, change its structure…but in most circumstances, you can’t move it. It is attached to the land. Identical homes can increase or decrease in value depending on their location. Choosing the best area for living and resale value is equally as important as choosing the ideal home. Here are a few things to be aware of when searching for the right location for your investment:

  • Top Rated School Districts

Homebuyers with children often seek homes in highly desirable school districts. They are willing to spend more for a home in order to enable their children to go the “best schools.” So, even if you don’t have children in school, it will serve you well to purchase a home in a great school district. Best Schools in Montgomery AL

  • Recreation & Nature


Homes on the water or near parks hold their value because people enjoy living where they can enjoy the outdoors. Being able to walk out your door and quickly be in a beautiful natural setting makes homes much more desirable. Parks, Trails & Natural Areas in Montgomery, AL

  • Entertainment & Shopping

While some buyers seek out areas surrounded by nature, others may be looking for a home that enables them to walk to restaurants, movie theaters and boutiques. Some of the best “walkable” neighborhoods in Montgomery are Old Cloverdale, Garden District and Capitol Heights.

  • Economically Stable Neighborhoods

Older neighborhoods that have survived economic recessions while maintaining evident pride of ownership appeal to buyers looking for long term stability. Montgomery's Historic Neighborhoods

  • Public Transportation, Healthcare & Jobs

Some buyers will be looking for convenience. They do not want a long commute to work and want to have easy access to transportation and healthcare facilities. Montgomery Transit

So, when purchasing a home, remember…location, location, location! While the “best” neighborhoods may require larger investments, they are also the neighborhoods that will hold the highest resale value. When buying a home, the last thing you want to think about is selling it, but it is vital that you keep resale value in mind because, after all, a home will likely be the largest financial investment you will make in life and you want it to pay off in the end!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: planhillsborough.org, funinmontgomery.com, pinterest

Add Comment

Don’t Let These Important Tasks Slip Your Mind When Moving

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
by The Hat Team


Let’s face it - moving is overwhelming no matter how well you prepare. There are what seem like a million little pieces that all must fall into place to make a move go smoothly. And even then, it is stressful. You are upending your life; putting everything you own into boxes and bags and making big changes. So, it is easy to understand how some tasks fall through the cracks and are forgotten. Here are some important things that many people forget to do (or don’t even realize need to be done) when moving:

  • Cancel recurring charges for local memberships. During the chaos of moving, the last thing you are likely to think about are membership fees for things that may not transfer to your new place of residence, like a gym membership. And if those fees are automatically charged to your credit or debit card you need to cancel those memberships at least a month before you move so that you do not continue to get charged even when you are not there to use them any longer.
     
  • Call your car insurance company. Per the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is vital to check on your car insurance when moving, as states have varying levels of required coverage. In fact, insurance rates can even vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in the same city. So, make sure you call your insurer before you move to see if you need to update or change your coverage at your new address.
     
  • Change your address early.  Changing your address is easy using the Online Form provided by the U.S. Postal Service, but don’t wait until the last minute to do it! If you want to be sure that your mail arrives at your new home in a timely manner, complete the form about two weeks before you move.
  • Take care of your finances.  During the whirlwind of moving, it is easy to forget the everyday tasks that are a normal part of your routine…like paying bills. It is also easy to lose track of paper bills among all the boxes you have packed. Take the time to set up auto pay for things at your new home like mortgage/rent, phone, utilities etc. This can help assure an on-time payment during a hectic time. Designate a spot for mail both in the home you’re packing up and in your new home so that paper bills are not lost in the shuffle. 
     
  • Change your billing address on credit cards.  Do not get caught by surprise when your billing address does not match the address on your credit card because you forgot to change it when you moved. Some transactions now require that you put in your billing zip code when using your card, so if that has changed, then you need to change it on your credit cards as well. The last thing you want is to deal with a transaction being denied and then finding out it was simply because you hadn’t changed the address on your card.

Whether you keep it on your phone or computer, or you do it the old-fashioned way and make a checklist on paper, be sure to keep track of all the small, but important tasks that need to be taken care of when moving, and your move will go much more smoothly!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: claritychi.com, blog.hireahelper.com, moving.com

Add Comment

First-Time Home Seller? Here’s What You Should Know!

Wednesday, August 11, 2021
by The Hat Team


You are a homeowner. You have gone through the process of procuring a mortgage, closing on a house, moving in, and creating a home for yourself and your family. Chances are you have developed a loving attachment to your first home, but for one reason or another, it is time to move on. Maybe you have outgrown it, or maybe you are being transferred for a job. Whatever the reason, now it is time for you to begin the process of selling your home. This is no small task. A lot of time and energy go into preparing your home to get the best possible price when you sell. So, if you are ready to list your house for sale, take a deep cleansing breath and take one step at a time:

  1. Think before you act.  Before putting that “for sale” sign in your yard, make sure you know exactly what you want. Communicate with your partner (unless you live alone) so that you are both on the same page. Ask yourself and your partner these important questions:
  • Why are you moving?
  • What is your timeline?
  • What do you expect from the home selling process?
  • What role will you play in preparing your home for sale?
  1. Do some homework so that you will have an idea what kind of real estate market you are entering. There are a lot of factors that influence the market, including fluctuating mortgage rates and inventory shifts. Educate yourself so you will know what to expect.  Montgomery, AL Real Estate Market July 2021
  2. Interview and choose a professional Realtor. There is no more important relationship in your selling process than that which you have with your Realtor. The right agent will guide you, advise you, answer questions, and market your home so that you get you the best possible price for it. Homes for Sale in Montgomery Alabama
     
  3. Determine your selling price. Your Realtor can help you decide the best asking price based on current market values.
     
  4. Prepare your home to impress potential buyers. These days, home buyers have free access to look at property listings online, so it is vital that your home makes a good first impression. That means getting your home in “show-worthy” condition. The time and effort you put into decluttering, making necessary home repairs, and cleaning until it sparkles will go a long way toward getting your house sold for the best possible price. Even better? Stage your home to sell. Staged homes sell faster and for better prices than those that aren’t staged. 
  5. Market your home. You not only need your home to be visible online, you need it to stand out! Consider having professional photos taken that showcase the best attributes of your home. The best listings also have compelling property descriptions that generate interest. Videos and virtual tours can also be used to draw interest from buyers. Be sure that your property is being promoted in the best possible way.
     
  6. Be flexible with showings. You want every interested party to be able to come see your home. So, even though it’s inconvenient sometimes, make sure that you can make your home available for potential buyers to visit.
     
  7. Consider offers and negotiate with sellers. Again, your Realtor will play an important role here. Professional Realtor Sandra Nickel is an expert negotiator who will assist you in deciding on a strategic counteroffer to the buyer’s offer. They will consider not only the money being offered, but the contingencies as well.
     
  8. The last step is closing the sale. Before you arrive to sign the final paperwork and collect your check, make sure your home is ready for the buyer’s final walk-through and take care of any last-minute issues.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let  Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: moving.com, millionacres.com, rocketmortgage.com, thebalance.com

Add Comment

3371 Lexington Rd: Warmth, Elegance & Authentic Character

Friday, August 6, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

3371 Lexington Rd, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 499085 | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,040 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Warmth, Elegance & Authentic Character

3371 Lexington Rd

Virtual Tour

Welcome home to this captivating Cloverdale/Idlewild 4 bedroom,2 bath Colonial Revival in Midtown Montgomery! This special home will be your personal retreat with its warmth, elegance and authentic character. Unwind in the gorgeous large living room or the adjoining addition that features custom built 100+ year old hand-milled wood shelving which is a perfect space for a home office, gym, playroom, dining room, art studio or den. Or escape to your own private paradise out back where there is approximately 1000 sq. ft. of multi-tiered patio, deck and covered balcony awaiting you. The lush, yet low maintenance, landscaping is full of color and loaded with tropicals. The 300 ft. of outdoor lighting and custom privacy fence wraps around the beautiful spacious backyard - ideal for entertaining, children, pets or just you. This home has been well loved and well kept. It is a classic beauty with original charm and personality. Every home in Cloverdale is unique, but this one might be its best kept secret, and its waiting on you!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

Add Comment

Creating a “Back-to-School” Drop Zone

Wednesday, August 4, 2021
by The Hat Team


August. How did it get here so fast? Seems like just yesterday we were finishing up what was probably the most challenging school year ever. But the new school year is starting and it’s time to get organized so that the transition from summer to actually GOING to school will go as smoothly as possible. Creating a drop zone for the items your kids need for school will prevent the chaos and craziness that ensues when you’re rushing out the door and bookbags, shoes, raincoats, and lunch boxes are nowhere to be found. Check out the following tips for creating a back to school drop zone:

  1. KEEP IT SIMPLE

The whole idea is to create a space that can be maintained by your children. So, keep it simple. It is ok if you want to make it cute, but too much “stuff” defeats the purpose of keeping things organized.

  1. DESIGNATE A SPOT THAT IS CONVENIENT

Your kids will be ready to drop their bags the minute they walk through the door, so the drop zone should be easily accessible. Picking the perfect spot will go a long way toward making this system work for your family. Home: Entryway & Drop Zone

  1. USE HOOKS FOR HANGING BAGS

You can experiment with different ideas to see what works best for you and your family.Keep book bags off the floor and counter tops by providing hooks for hanging. Use labels of some sort to designate spots for each child.

  1. MAKE ROOM FOR IMPORTANT PAPERS

There is nothing worse than discovering that you have no idea where the permission slip for your child’s field trip is on the day of the field trip! It is probably not the end of the world, but if you have to get to work, chances are you don’t have time to run by the school and sign another slip. Make sure that never happens by having a special place for important school related papers.

  1. DESIGNATE A SPOT FOR TRASH/RECYCLING

Kids’ book bags can easily and quickly become receptacles for “trash”. Papers, wrappers, dirty tissues etc. get stuffed in every corner and crevice of your child’s bag.If you’re going to provide a “drop zone” for book bags and lunch boxes, make sure you provide trash and recycling containers where they can clean out said bags/boxes.

  1. INCLUDE A PLACE FOR SHOES

If you don’t want your kids running through the house in their outdoor shoes, be sure to have a shoe rack of some kind where they can place them.This is also a sure way to make sure they can find their shoes in the morning rush out the door to get to school on time!

  1. BE CREATIVE

There are so many good ideas for drop zones available on the internet.  Whether you are utilizing a small space or you have a whole mud room to work with, be creative and make it a space that fits in with the décor of your home.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: designinsidethebox.com, justagirlandherblog.com, designinsidethebox.com, pinterest.com, hgtv.com

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 1-5 of 5

Syndication

Categories

Archives

   cdpe    crsHat Lady on Zillow