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Displaying blog entries 41-46 of 46

The Greening Of Your Montgomery AL Home

Friday, June 10, 2011
by The Hat Team

As you may already know, the addition of live plants in your home is a frequently used decorating tool which creates a relaxed atmosphere, adds visual impact, and fills empty spaces. But did you also realize that “bringing nature inside” actually makes your Montgomery AL home a healthier place?

Indoor environments are filled with dangerous volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) given off by furniture, paint, plastics, adhesives, carpets, insulation, furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and building materials--but don’t despair! One NASA study found that common houseplants--in addition to absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and providing humidity--can improve indoor air quality by removing up to 87% of air toxins from your Montgomery AL homelight bulb in 24 hours.

Once interior pollutants are decreased in your home, you and your family will most likely experience fewer coughs, colds, headaches, sore throats, and less fatigue by as much as 30%. Studies have also shown that the presence of green houseplants generates a calming effect on the inhabitants, especially children. One study in England found that restlessness and behavioral problem among children in rooms containing plants was reduced by 70%! Also, since green plants absorb noise, they help relax the nervous system, thus lowering stress levels.

So what plants to choose? All houseplants improve the quality of indoor air, but some are particularly effective purifiers. Many of these originated in the tropics in low light, so they are efficient at processing and absorbing gasses needed for photosynthesis. Most are also insect resistant and are fairly easy to grow. Especially popular are the following:

  • Mother fern
  • Boston fern
  • Philodendrons
  • Palms
  • Ficus
  • Peace lilies
  • Ivy
  • Rubber plants
  • Spider plant

Mix it up and have a variety of types. Don’t ignore corners; not all plants need to be near a window. Take care of your plants so they can do their job; keep the soil/root area clean and avoid overwatering, which can cause mold!

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Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for Your Montgomery AL Home?

Friday, June 3, 2011
by The Hat Team

Because of today’s economic situation, rapidly rising health care costs, and falling retirement and savings account balances, many seniors are feeling financial stress. Looking for relief from their monetary woes, over 600,000 seniors have taken advantage of the FHA’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), better known as a reverse mortgage.

mortgageA reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan based on age, equity, interest rates, and the value of your Montgomery AL home, a reverse mortgage allows you to not only forego paying monthly mortgage rates but also to receive money (as long as at least one borrower lives in the home) on a continuous monthly basis, for a fixed period of time, or in unscheduled installments as needed.

To qualify for a HECM, the FHA requires that you own your home outright or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid from the loan’s proceeds, be at least 62 or older, and that you continue to reside in your Montgomery AL home. Single family homes and 1-4 unit homes with one unit occupied by the borrower are eligible. The same holds true for HUD approved condos and manufactured homes that meet FHA standards.

A reverse mortgage differs from a home equity loan in that you do not make monthly payments, and it is available to you regardless of your income. The amount of the HECM is based on your age, the current interest rate, and the appraised value of your Montgomery AL home.

When you or the last surviving homeowner moves from the house or passes away, you or your estate has approximately 12 months to repay the loan amount, with fees and interest, to the lender. Any remaining equity after a sale will belong to you or your heirs. If the proceeds of the sale are not enough to cover the loan, the lender, not you or your heirs, must take the loss.

There are four ways to receive your money:

  1. Lump sum--all the cash at closing
  2. Tenure--equal monthly payments as long as the house is the principal residence.
  3. Term--equal monthly payments for a fixed number of years.
  4. Line of credit--funds available to draw on at any time.

Note: the borrower can “mix and match” any of the above plans and can use the money for any purpose.

As with all government programs, you need to give careful consideration to all of your options. In fact, potential HECM borrowers are required to receive some type of consumer pre-counseling about the program. You can find an HECM counselor online at or by calling 1-800-569-4287. You can also contact the National Council on Aging at 1-800-510-030 or online at. BEWARE of reverse mortgage companies who charge a fee to refer you to a lender! It is best to work only with lenders who are members of the Better Business Bureau and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders, organizations which adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards.

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10 Tips For Creating Curb Appeal In Your Montgomery AL Home

Friday, April 1, 2011
by The Hat Team

If you’re trying to sell your Montgomery AL home this spring, curb appeal is a crucial element in attracting busy home buyers. In this buyers’ market, outside “staging” has become as important as interior preparation for a successful showing, as drive-by lookers often make the decision not to investigate further if they are unimpressed with the exterior of your property. It is important, therefore, that yhouseou consider the following tips:

        1. Clear away leaves, fallen branches, and summer residue to enhance appearance and ensure safety.

        2. Remove and replace brown or dead plantings in beds. Think about adding perennial creeping plants and those with colorful foliage and/or berries to add color, shape, texture, and interest to your yard.

        3. Clean out gutters and downspouts for both looks and safety purposes.

        4. Mulch plant beds. This action helps plants retain moisture, protects them from freezing, and adds appealing colors and textures to the property of your Montgomery AL home.

        5. Prune and thin trees and bushes. Three purposes in doing this: the health of the plants, human safety, and esthetic appearance.

        6. Inspect edging and replace that which is rotting or broken. Decorative brick, concrete, or metal edging can be quite attractive.

        7. Replace worn-out or dated light fixtures, door hardware, house numbers, and mailbox. Think about using those made of copper, bronze, or brushed nickel for an interesting and appealing effect.

        8. Install outdoor lighting. By doing so, you will ensure the safety of nighttime buyers as well as highlight the beauty of your Montgomery AL home. Use lights along pathways, in trees, on garage doors, in flower beds and as a means to illuminate your front door.

        9. Replenish any fading or peeling paint (on doors, trim, and steps), rusty railings, or rotting wood.

        10. Keep seasonal decorations simple. Choose holiday décor that will enhance your home rather than detract from it.

These ten tips for creating curb appeal can easily transform your home into one that attracts would-be buyers and invites them to come inside.

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To Sell Or Not to Sell Your Montgomery AL Home?

Sunday, March 6, 2011
by The Hat Team

Shall I sell now or wait to see what happens in the real estate market? That is a decision facing numerous homeowners in this period of economic upheaval and uncertainty. For those who are forced to leave their Montgomery AL home because of a job transfer, a need for a smaller home, and/or a desire for a smaller mortgage payment, the question becomes one of whether to rent or sell their current property. Oh, for a crystal ball…       

There are, however, some valid reasons to sell at the present time. Many in the real estate or financial fields believe that the timing for home sales may not be as opportune for a long period in the future as it is now, and they base their “sell now” advice on the following reasons:

  • question markWould-be buyers in the fourth quarter of the year are historically serious buyers who are very apt to buy during this season. Thus, the seller may have fewer ‘lookers’ but more motivated purchasers.
  • Interest rates right now are invitingly low and provide a real incentive for the serious buyer of a Montgomery AL home. These fallen rates can also be an advantage to the seller who wants to buy another home.
  • If you do want to purchase another home, especially if you want to “trade up”, this is an optimum time to do so. The prices of more expensive houses have also dropped, sometimes considerably, and bargains are to be had in that market. Remember, too, that because there is a smaller pool of buyers for “high end” properties, those sellers may be more than willing to negotiate and lower their asking price.
  • Renting out your Montgomery AL home rather than selling it is not a financially secure consideration. As the economy worsens, renters will be looking to pay lower rents, so your rental income may very well be less than your monthly mortgage payments and expenses, a situation you certainly want to avoid.
  • The on-going foreclosure fiasco and the ensuing moratoriums positively support the idea of selling now. Many homes currently in the process of foreclosure are being removed from the market, and serious buyers are rightfully cautious about purchasing any short sale or foreclosed property. Therefore, your home, the one with a clear title and no irregularities, will be part of a new, “safe” inventory, one that will definitely attract buyers.
  • Once the moratoriums are removed, many “experts” expect that there will be a glut of distressed properties on the market, a situation that will most likely drive prices down even lower and greatly swell the inventory with which you will have to compete. Add to that the fact that the end of the first quarter traditionally brings a large increase of listings, and your Montgomery AL home could be easily overlooked.

It would appear, then, that there is no time like the present to sell your home. Opportunity is knocking--don’t let it pass you by!

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Buying a Montgomery AL Home With Good Bones

Thursday, May 27, 2010
by The Hat Team

It doesn’t matter if you are buying your first Montgomery AL home or are a veteran home buyer, you will have list of ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ for your new home. The ‘wants’ are things that would be nice to have such as a gas fireplace or montgomery al homegranite counters. The ‘needs’ are things like, well a ‘bathroom’ or the number of bedrooms to suit your family. It is rare that you will get all your ‘wants’ and needs’ in the home you buy.

The key to maximizing your Montgomery AL home investment today is distinguishing between the types of ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ you're better off buying as part of the property, and those you could add later without too much trouble and expense. Here's some information to help you prioritize the amenities on your list.

Location:

Location is the one thing you can't change about a property. Location is about being in a desirable neighborhood and close to (but not necessarily next to) valued amenities or planned ones -- employment opportunities, good schools, shopping, public transportation, major highways, parks and recreation, cultural activities, etc. A good location is also about not being on a high-traffic street, near noise, next to run-down properties, in a flood plain, etc.

Structural integrity:

Make sure the Montgomery AL home you buy doesn't come with a cracked foundation, pest infestation, drainage issues, mold or other problems that may be difficult and expensive to correct. A home inspection will help you determine if these items are an issue.

Size:

The size of a home is important, especially if you're just starting to raise a family. You don’t want to buy a home that is perfect for the two of you, knowing you want children in the next couple of years and making the home you buy too small.

It's easier and less expensive to reconfigure existing space (turning a basement into a family room or a garage into a bedroom, for example) than to build an addition. And, you can only add that addition if yard size and zoning restrictions allow.

Bathrooms:

It is significantly more cost effective to remodel a bathroom than to add one, so look for a home that has the number of bathrooms you really want.

Bedrooms:

Find a home with at least the minimum number of bedrooms you require, but with space (perhaps an attic or enclosed porch) that could eventually be converted to a bedroom should you need another one in the future.

Cosmetics:

Although a neon pink bathroom might make you cringe, that's exactly the type of problem you can easily and inexpensively correct. You could repaint it yourself for around $50, or hire someone else to do it for a few hundred more.

Other items:

You can change -- or add -- over time without too much effort or cost: carpeting, landscaping, appliances, hardware and fixtures, lighting, countertops, cabinets, upgraded doors, vanities, closet space, siding, windows and lots more.

Buy a Montgomery AL home with "good bones" in a good location. A home you're likely to enjoy living in for many years to come -- improving as you go. When you get ready to sell, you'll have exactly what other buyers are looking for!

Search all Montgomery AL homes for sale.

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How Does Montgomery AL Real Estate valuation compare?

Thursday, May 8, 2008
by The Hat Team

Check out this website to see how Montgomery AL real estate valuation compares to other areas across the country.  This data shows that, despite national headlines about plunging markets – much of the national real estate market is fairly valued, making it a great time to buy.

 

To learn more about Montgomery AL real estate, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.  You may also visit MontgomeryHomeInfo.com to request a complimentary market analysis of your Montgomery AL home!

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Displaying blog entries 41-46 of 46

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