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Staging Tips For A Montgomery Open House

by The Hat Team

You are selling your Montgomery home and the first Open House only a week away. The house is filled with clutter and things you don’t want to throw away. But the clutter is not appealing to potential Montgomery home buyers. What do you? Here are staging tips for an Open House.

8 Staging Tips For A Montgomery Open House

1. Remove the clutter.

open houseHaving a garage sale is out when removing clutter because the Open House is only a week away. You don’t want to stuff the garage or closets to the gills either. One solution is to rent an off-site storage facility or stack boxes neatly in a basement or crawlspace.

2. Stage each room.

The first thing to do is clean from top to bottom. Make sure windows and light fixtures shine and are in working order. If the room is crowded, put some furniture in the storage facility. Finally, pick a focal point that will attract buyers when they see the room. For example, the focal point of a bedroom is usually the bed, and for a music room, it’s the piano.

3. Use the rule of three.

First, remove everything from counters and table tops, including coffee tables and side tables. Then re-accessorize using the rule of three…using 3 items of varying heights. For example, on an end table you can place a lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).

4. Make a child’s room more appealing.

Your goal is to appeal to the largest number of buyers and allow them to see themselves living in your home. Not all buyers will have children. Growth charts, posters, and school projects are personal items become a distraction and should be removed. Also, de-clutter shelves and closets. If you have time, tone down the colors. Bright wall colors can make a room appear smaller.

5. Remove signs of pets.

Not all potential Montgomery home buyers are pet lovers. Remove pets from the property and put away water bowls, food dishes and pet beds.

6. Make it odor free.

Cigarette smells, pet odors and distinctive cooling smells are not pleasant for buyers. Make your home odor free by airing out the house for a few days prior to the Open House or rent an air purifier.

7. Make the outside shine.

First impressions are important. If buyers are turned off by the outside of your home, they will never go inside. Clean off the driveway, mow the lawn, trim edges, pull the weeds and put down fresh mulch in the flower beds. Plant colorful annuals in beds or pots. Make sure the house is clean and paint the front door if needed.

8. Welcome buyers home.

Remember you want your home to say ‘Welcome Home’ to potential buyers. You want them to mentally move into your home and make it theirs. Bake a fresh batch of cookies and leave them on the kitchen table with a pitcher of lemonade. Then go to the park with the kids or visit friends. Somehow remove the family from the house and let your Realtor show the home off to its next owners!

Learn more about selling your Montgomery home.

What’s your Montgomery home worth?

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3257 S Hull Street

by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

3257 S Hull Street, Montgomery AL 36105
MLS# 276065

3257 s hull

The minute you enter this home, you'll know how much the owners have loved it...and you will, too!  From the expanded living area that invites large family gatherings, to the big master bath with a washer-dryer that remains, right on out the back door to a shady patio and outdoor gym...what's not to love?!  Visit today and make this one yours!

Learn more about 3257 S Hull Street and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

Montgomery Foreclosure Trends - May 2010

by The Hat Team

There were 1,430 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 152 new foreclosures in May 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home was $173,588 and the average foreclosure selling price was $113,451, a $60,137 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained was 0.0% inMay while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes dropped to 152.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity was 0.09% lower than national statistics and 0.05% higher than Alabama statistics for the month of May.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 57 homes in April to 90 in May. The number of Auctions dropped from 97 to 62. The 6-month trend reflects a rise in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2010

by The Hat Team

Pending home sales have risen for three consecutive months, reflecting the broad impact of the home buyer tax credit and favorable housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index rose 6.0 percent to 110.9 based on sales contracts signed in April. This figure is up from 104.6 in March, and is 22.4 percent higher than April 2009 when it was 90.6 and reflects increases of 7.1 percent in March and 8.3 percent in February.

Pending home sales are at the highest level since last October when the index reached 112.4 and first-time buyers were rushing to beat the initial deadline for the tax credit. The data reflects sales contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Let's look at May real estate sales to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market is faring.

Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2010

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for May show pending sales have increased by 2% in 2010 compared to May 2009. The average sales price increased by 21% to $142,430 while sold listings were up by 21% from 2009.  Market times were 2 days less than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

May 2010

43

42

85

$142,430

May 2009

42

33

87

$112,384

For the latest Montgomery AL 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.

Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - June 2010

by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:

 

This month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and then and we'll promote the value and importance of home inspections as the summer selling season approaches.

Featuring special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 7 minutes

Montgomery Foreclosure Trends - April 2010

by The Hat Team

There were 1,442 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 154 new foreclosures in April 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home is $186,834 and the average foreclosure selling price is $124,538, a $62,297 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained unchanged in April while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes dropped to 154.


Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity was 0.09% lower than national statistics and 0.04% higher than Alabama statistics for the month of April..

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties dropped  from 135 homes in March to 57 in April. The number of Auctions dropped from 120 to 97. The 6-month trend reflects a rise in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

Buying a Montgomery AL Home With Good Bones

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.

Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - April 2010

by The Hat Team

Two top housing economists forecast some encouraging but tempered predictions for the housing market over the next few years during an economic session at the National Association of Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Expo today.

Top housing economists, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, and Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of Moody’s Economy.com, forecast some encouraging but tempered predictions for the housing market over the next few years. Both agree that job creation is key to an economic and housing recovery, with an improvement in job creation as 2010 progresses. However, they differed somewhat on the impact that foreclosures will have on home price stabilization. Yun expects a slightly stronger demand for housing and a fairly even level of foreclosures. Zandi forecasts an improving demand for housing with foreclosures rising later in 2010 before easing in 2011. Both economists project mortgage interest rates will remain historically low, the availability of jumbo loans will improve and home sales will rise over the next few years.

Let's look at April real estate sales to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market is faring.

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for April show pending sales have increased by 8% in 2010 compared to April 2009. The average sales price increased by 9% to $136,662 while sold listings were up by 8% from 2009.  Market times were 27 days more than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

Apr 2010

64

37

116

$136,662

Apr 2009

59

34

89

$125,026

For the latest Montgomery AL 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.

6 Reasons To Buy Rather Than Rent a Montgomery Home

by The Hat Team

Many Montgomery renters are finding that they get more ‘bang for their’ buck if they buy a home rather than rent one. With affordable prices, low interest rates and tax incentives, Montgomery home ownership makes more sense than ever.

6 Reasons to Buy Rather Than Rent Montgomery Home

montgomery home1. Buying doesn’t always cost more.
The Associated Press reports the gap between buying and renting has decreased $550 in the last three years.

2. Affordability is at an all-time high.
Nationwide, prices have declined by nearly 20-40%.

3. Tax benefits for home ownership saves money.
The biggest tax break is the mortgage interest deduction. Most of your mortgage payment goes to interest which is tax deductible. Property taxes and mortgage insurance are also tax deductible.

4. Many loans require no down payment.
Veterans Administration (VA) loans and many first-time home owner loans don’t require a down payment.

5. Mortgage rates are at all-time lows.
Mortgage interest rates are the lowest we have seen in 30 years.

6. You own it.

There is nothing like pride of ownership…and you can do anything you want to do. You can paint it any color you want, make improvements, and landscape to your own taste..

Search all Montgomery homes for sale.

 

Interested in conserving the environment? Intrigued with the idea of providing a haven for neighborhood wildlife AND reducing the amount of work, water, and chemicals needed to keep your landscaping alive, well, and attractive? Read on…

Winter is the perfect time to plan a backyard wildlife habitat for your Montgomery home and design a garden that provides essential kinds of wildlife, montgomery homesuch as birds, butterflies, amphibians, and small mammals. Because natural environments are quickly disappearing due to rapid development, greener gardening techniques which are mindful of the ecosystems and needs of native creatures have become essential.

There are many online sites which provide detailed instructions for turning your property into a mini-sanctuary for wildlife, but the initial steps are relatively simple and include providing food, water, cover, and space.

Provide Food for Wildlife

Everyone needs to eat! Planting native herbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees is the easiest way to provide the foliage, nectar, pollen, berries, seeds and nuts that many species of wildlife require to survive and thrive. You can also incorporate supplemental feeders and food sources.

Supply Water for Wildlife

Wildlife need clean water sources for many purposes, including drinking, bathing and reproduction. Water sources may include natural features such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands; or human-made features such as bird baths (change water 2 to 3 times per week), puddling areas for butterflies, installed ponds, or rain gardens.

Create Cover for Wildlife

Wildlife require places to hide in order to feel safe from people, predators, and inclement weather. Use things like native flowers, leaves, shrubs, thickets, brush piles or even dead trees. Remember to utilize both the horizontal and vertical spaces in your yard.

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Their Young

Wildlife need a sheltered place to raise their offspring. Many places for cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise young, from wildflower meadows and bushes where many butterflies and moths lay their eggs to caves where bats roost and form colonies.

Green gardening for your Virginia Beach home targets a reduction in water and chemical use, a decrease in the size of the area covered with turf grass, and generous use of mulch. How you maintain your garden or landscape (either formal or casual) can have important positive or negative effects on the health of the soil, air, water and vegetation that we all use! Here are some sustainable gardening techniques that you will help you conserve and protect our natural resources.

Mulching

Mulch helps keep water in the soil and available to the plant, rather than evaporating into the air. This can help reduce water consumption. As mulch breaks down, it provides nutrients to the soil, which can help reduce or eliminate the need for additional fertilizers. Be sure to use mulches that are from sustainable forestry practices (not Cypress tree mulch) and are free from pests and diseases. Your cooperative extension office can help you find sources of mulch in your local community.

Reducing Lawn Areas

Grass lawns often require chemicals and frequent maintenance. Gas-powered lawnmowers produce high amounts of greenhouse gases, which contribute to the air pollution that causes global warming. Since lawns are often made of only a few types of plants that most animals do not consume, they do not provide a lot of value for wildlife. Replacing grass lawns with native wildflowers, bushes, and trees provides the food, shelter, and cover that help to maintain healthy, natural ecosystems and reduces your time and labor working on the lawn!

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is an approach to landscaping that minimizes outdoor water use while maintaining soil integrity through the use of native, drought-tolerant plants. This is a common practice in drier areas, where water supplies and water quality are in very short supply.

Removing Invasives and Restoring Native Plant Communities

Native plants are better for the environment than exotic plants, generally requiring less fertilizer and other additives, less water, and less effort in pest control. They are especially important to native wildlife, such as pollinators, that may have coevolved with a particular species. Pollinators often rely on a certain type of flower as a source of food, while the flower depends on the pollinator to transport its pollen to other flowers for reproduction. When non-native or exotic plants are used, they often upset the delicate balance of a local ecosystem and sometimes even out-compete native species (hence the term invasive) to the point of extinction. Wildlife benefit more when native plant communities remain intact or are restored to their natural habitats, thus providing the best source of food for wildlife.

How to get started? Inventory what is presently in the backyard of your Montgomery home and consider what can stay, what should go, and what is needed. Locate a list of plants and trees that are native to your area. Contact your local nurseries or agriculture extension office or search for assistance on line. Two informative sites are National Wildlife Federation and Wildlife Habitat. Also, give yourself a pat on the back for helping to restore natural habitats--and look forward to spring!

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