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Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 195

Buying or Selling a Home? Here’s Why You Should Hire a Realtor!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023
by The Hat Team

Whether you are looking to purchase a home or getting ready to sell one, the process of doing so will go much more smoothly if you have an experienced Realtor to represent your interests.  You might be thinking that you can save money by trying to do it on your own, but the truth is that the time, energy and stress a Realtor will save you is priceless! 

Here are the top five reasons why you should hire a Realtor when buying or selling a house:

  1. EXPERTISE


Experienced real estate professionals will know all the ins and outs of buying and selling homes. Real estate has a language of its own, and Realtors will speak it fluently. They are not only familiar with all the forms, reports and disclosures involved, they understand them and can explain them to you. They will work to get you the best deal possible and help you avoid costly mistakes.

  1. ACCESS

Realtors can search listings that the public does not have access to. They will know immediately when a house goes on the market; long before you can find it on the internet. Local Realtors will also have a lot of knowledge about different neighborhoods and areas that may appeal to you.

  1. NEGOTIATION

Realtors are trained negotiators. It is their job to get you a first-rate deal. With fierce competition for homes and the chance of a bidding war, you are going to want a shrewd and experienced negotiator on your side.

  1. CONNECTIONS

They know who’s who in every aspect of a real estate transaction. They can hook you up with a mortgage lender, home inspector, real estate attorney, home stager, etc. And, since the best deal for you benefits them as well, they are going to make sure to recommend the top people in their professions.

  1. TIME


While searching for a new house, or getting one ready to sell, chances are you’re still working full time, taking care of a family, and feeling a little stressed about everything you need to do. Slow down, take a deep breath and let your Realtor alleviate that stress a bit. Being a Realtor is a full-time job that you don’t need to add to your to do list.

The bottom line is, you probably can buy or sell a home on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should. Hiring an experienced professional like Sandra Nickel will make your home-buying/selling experience less stressful and more successful.

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

Photo Credits: fairfield-park.com, calbizjournal.com, rd.com

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440 Martha St: Modern Feel in this 1900 Cottage in Popular Cottage Hill!

Monday, June 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

440 Martha Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

MLS# 540154

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,891 Square Feet | Cottage Hill

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This circa 1900 shot gun style cottage in popular Cottage Hill has an open floor plan with a modern feel! From the large covered front porch, you can see straight through to the back deck, making entertaining a breeze. Formal living room, huge dining room, newly updated kitchen with large granite island brand new gas range with flush mounted vent hood. Brand new wood flooring in family room/den, custom tiled gas fireplace with new French doors looking out to the deck and lovely back yard. Master suite has been updated with a new tile shower, a walk-in closet, and a laundry room! Two other nice sized bedrooms and a brand-new hall bathroom with an awesome tiled tub/shower. The original heart pine floors are gorgeous lots of large windows that let in tons of natural light. Make your appointment today!

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

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Are You Ready to Sell?

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
by The Hat Team

It’s a seller’s market in Alabama right now folks. Demand for homes is high and inventory is low, which has led to prices going up and sellers getting multiple offers. So, it seems like the perfect time to list your house, right? Slow down. The market may be prime for selling, but you need to look at your personal situation. Before you put that for sale sign in your yard, it would be wise to consider all the factors that will determine if you are ready to sell.

Here are signs that you are ready to sell your house:

  • YOU HAVE POSITIVE EQUITY 

It’s vital that you are financially prepared to sell your house. If you have built up equity, that means your home is worth more than you owe on it. Ideally you want to have enough equity to pay off your current mortgage and to make a down payment on a new home. It’s even better if you have enough to cover closing costs and moving expenses. If you don’t have positive equity, it is a bad idea to sell.

  • YOU HAVE CASH IN THE BANK WITH ZERO DEBT


It’s important to have all your financial ducks in a row before selling your house. Remember, you’re not just selling a house, you are likely buying one as well. Take time to analyze your finances and budget. If you have paid off your non-mortgage debt and have funds saved, you are ready to enter the home selling/buying process again.

  • A HOME THAT BETTER SUITS YOUR NEEDS IS IN REACH

Perhaps you are downsizing, but you want a nicer home, or you are looking to move up into a larger home for your growing family. Either way, there is no point in selling your current home if you can’t afford a new one that better suits your needs. Remember that, ideally, your mortgage payment should be no more than 28% of your income.

  • YOU ARE AWARE OF THE EXTRA COSTS INVOLVED IN MOVING


It’s exciting to get approved for a mortgage. Chances are you will get approved for more than you thought you would. But there is a lot to think about before deciding to sell. Remember that you will need to probably do some work on your house to get it ready to put on the market. You will also have to pay the moving expenses. Make sure consideration of these costs go into your decision-making process.

  • YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY READY TO SELL

Hopefully you are selling for the right reasons. You have to be ready to put the work into your home that it will take to sell it. You must be committed to keeping it “show ready” for as long as it takes. You must be prepared for what might be a tough negotiation. And finally, you need to be ready to let go of the home where you have created memories with your family.

  • YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR

Real estate transactions should be handled by experts. The professionals at Hat Team Realtors understand the market and can provide you with a clear picture of what goes into selling a house. Their advice will assist you in making this very important decision.

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

Photo credits: entrepreneur.com, princeton.edu, mastermovers.com

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1731 Winona Ave: Capitol Heights Starter Home or Income-Producer!

Monday, June 12, 2023
by The Hat Team

1731 Winona Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107

MLS# 539931

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,320 Square Feet | Capitol Heights

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This little gem would make a great starter home and would be a perfect income-producing rental for your investment portfolio! The big covered front porch has a swing and is a great place to relax and unwind. The large living room opens to the dining room and updated kitchen with cool poured concrete countertops! There are two original bedrooms and an updated hall bath, PLUS a rear den/family room that opens to the back deck that could be used as a third bedroom. A big deck off the back of the house overlooks a nice-sized fenced backyard, with lots of potential for gardening. Located minutes from Downtown, shopping, dining, and entertainment!

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

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3431 Country Church Rd: Spacious 5-Bedroom Carriage Hills Home!

Friday, June 2, 2023
by The Hat Team

3431 Country Church Road, Montgomery, AL 36116

MLS# 539528

5 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1 Half Baths | 2,580 Square Feet | Carriage Hills

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Need more space for your growing family? Welcome to this 5-bedroom home in Carriage Hills! With the formal living room, dining room, family room/den and breakfast nook you will have plenty of living space. The bright white kitchen has plenty of cabinets for storage and the sink in the island has a great view of the private backyard with mature tree line. Three of the bedrooms have walk-in closets. New laminate flooring and fresh paint throughout. Check it out today!

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

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6716 Cherrywood Trail: Move-in Ready in Bell Meadows!

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
by The Hat Team

6716 Cherrywood Trail, Montgomery, AL 36117

MLS# 539465

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,202 Square Feet | Bell Meadows 

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This move-in ready home is like new and ready for its next owner! Spacious layout has separate living and dining rooms, plus a large den/family room with cozy fireplace. Galley style kitchen has smooth surface stovetop and double ovens. New carpet throughout, and three guest bedrooms plus oversized primary bedroom with double closets and private bath. A large, fenced backyard allows plenty of room for children and pets to roam. Quiet neighborhood that is convenient to shopping, dining, and entertainment!

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

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713 Maryethel Dr: Adorable 3 Bedroom Gunter Grove Home!

Friday, May 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

713 Maryethel Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS# 537515

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,489 Square Feet | Gunter Grove

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Welcome to Gunter Grove! This adorable home has fresh interior paint, brand new laminate floors and a new garage door. The family room/den has a vaulted ceiling and brick fireplace. The eat-in kitchen has a huge bay window with lots of natural light. Master ensuite bath has a walk-in closet. Nice flat back yard with new deck area. Convenient location. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MAY 21st 1:00-2:00. Seller is participating in a 1031 Exchange at no cost to the buyer.

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

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4401 Ray Dr: Lovely 3 Bedroom Johnstown Home!

Friday, May 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

4401 Ray Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS# 537509

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,750 Square Feet | Johnstown

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Welcome to Johnstown! Situated on a large corner lot, this home has fresh interior paint and laminate flooring throughout. The eat-in kitchen has a flagstone floor and a door to a large laundry room. Living room/dining area can be configured to suit your family. Extra-large garage for plenty of storage room. Convenient location, check it out today! OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MAY 21st 1:00-2:00. Seller is participating in a 1031 Exchange at no cost to the buyer.

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

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1124 Westmoreland Ave: Conveniently Located Cloverdale Cutie!

Friday, May 12, 2023
by The Hat Team

1124 Westmoreland Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 537785

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,097 Square Feet | Cloverdale

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Come check out this Cloverdale cutie! From the beautifully shaded front yard to the 'perfect for entertaining' back yard, you will fall in love with this Midtown Montgomery home! Upon entering this home, you will immediately feel relaxed with the perfectly picked colors on the freshly painted walls. The quaint kitchen boasts new LG appliances and adorable shelving for all your cooking needs. Each bedroom is nicely sized and custom shades were recently hung in the master which is large enough for a king-sized bed. Enjoy entertaining? The large deck is perfect for friends and family at all the get-togethers you will be having! The back yard comes with an extra half lot and is perfect for summer activities including bonfires in the unique firepit. There is a detached garage that is ideal for a small car and/or storage. The crawlspace was recently incapsulated with a new dehumidifier and sump pump. Don't miss your chance to be within walking distance of all the entertainment Cloverdale has to offer!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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Tips for Selling Your Home in the Spring

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

Spring is a great time to sell a house. In fact, per a Zillow study, homes listed between May 1 through May 15 sold, on average, around 18.5 days faster than homes not listed during this period. Add this to the fact that the largest number of buyers are actively searching for homes in the months of April, May and June and you will see that getting your property on the market this time of year is a must. This is especially true now because there is still a shortage of homes for sale, so buyers are on the hunt!

Here are some tips that will help your house stand out among the other homes that get put on the market in spring:

  1. Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. A little bit of sparkle goes a long way in impressing potential buyers.
     
  2. Rake the yard and trim back bushes. Your yard is the first thing people will see. Dead leaves and debris do not paint a pretty picture. In addition, you want as much natural light as possible flooding through your windows, so make sure bushes aren’t blocking the rays.
  3. Mow the yard diagonally and edge along the driveway and sidewalks. Mowing diagonally makes yards look larger. And edging shows that you give attention to small details. 
     
  4. Plant yellow flowers. Yellow tulips and daffodils promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
     
  5. Clean window treatments and open windows. It will be worth your while to take down your drapes, curtains, and blinds to clean them and give them a crisp, fresh look. Weather permitting, opening windows lets the fresh air in and gives the whole house the feeling of spring.
  6. Have fresh, fragrant flowers in the house. Artful home-staging brings color and pleasant aromas indoors.
     
  7. Polish floors to a high gloss. Make those floors shine! Refinish them if necessary.
     
  8. Use light colors. Even if you must spend a little to replace items things like towels, linens, throws, and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents that will pay off.  Use soft, spring colors such as yellows, pinks, pale blues, and lavenders to light up a room.
  9. Spruce up your entryway. This is the part of your home where buyers will get their first impression. Make it a good one!

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

Photo Credits: thepropertytribune.com.au, lawnsite.com, briebrieblooms.com, littlehouseoffour.com

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Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 195

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