Real Estate Information Archive

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner and many people enjoy spending time outdoors to savor the warmer weather.  Unfortunately, there are some not-so-pleasant aspects of spending time outside such as bugs, rain and hot, humid days. Whether you have a deck, patio or a fancy She Shed, the following tips will help make the time you spend outside more comfortable in any situation:

1. BUGS. 

Yuck.Whether you are hosting an alfresco dinner party or simply trying to relax with a good book on your deck, nothing will send you running back inside faster than nasty, annoying bugs.If mosquitoes are a problem in your area, dealing with them is imperative if you want to be able to enjoy the outdoors.Screening in a porch is an ideal way to be able to feel like you are outside without all the awful bug bites. Check out these screened porch ideas on Pinterest. Other ways to keep insects away:

• Do not keep any standing water on your property.  Even a single forgotten flowerpot full of rainwater can become a mosquito breeding ground.
• Make water features running rather than standing, or treat them with Mosquito Dunks.
• Install ceiling fans on porches - flies and mosquitoes do not like moving air.
• Hire a service to spray your yard every six weeks.  We use Mosquito Authority, and it has transformed our ability to be outside during bug season!

2. USE OUTDOOR FABRICS IN EXPOSED AREAS.

If your porch is covered, you may be able to get away with using more delicate furniture and cushions not specifically made for outdoor use.But if your seating area is exposed to the elements, you will want to invest in fabrics and furniture made for outside use.They will likely be more expensive, but they won’t fade in the sun, will resist stains and are water resistant.The cushions are stuffed with material that sheds water easily so that they won’t stay waterlogged if they get wet. Weather Proof Patio Furniture

3. UTILIZE A STORAGE BENCH. 

While outdoor cushions are designed to stand up to repeated soakings, they will still be wet for a while directly after a rainstorm.You can avoid having to sit on damp cushions by keeping them in a covered storage bench when you know there is a chance of rain.If they won’t fit in a storage bench, lean your larger cushions against the wall of the house.Do the same with any lightweight folding chairs.

4. MASK SOUNDS WITH RUNNING WATER. 

If noise is an issue that prevents you from indulging in a peaceful outdoor experience, try using a water feature to drown out the distraction.Water is a great way to gently camouflage sounds from close neighbors.Try installing a small fountain near your seating area for a more tranquil atmosphere.

5. MUSIC.

If the water feature doesn’t appeal to you, soft music playing in the background can be just as effective at masking sounds.With wireless speakers, you don’t even need an outlet to play your music.

6. SHADE. 

Even when you are craving the warmth of the sun, sitting outside without any shade on a hot, sunny day will send you running for the AC before too long.There are a lot of options for adding shade to your yard.Try freestanding umbrellas, a cloth overhang, lattices, a shade tree, or a pergola. The Top Ten Reasons for Owning a Pergola

7. PUT TOGETHER AN OUTDOOR DINING KIT. 

Dining alfresco will be easier if you have a kit ready and waiting.Put your frequently used outdoor items in a basket or on a big tray with handles so you can just grab it and go.Here are some things to include:

• Unbreakable wineglasses and plates
• A carafe for water, wine or tea
• Big napkins
• Candles and matches or a lighter
• A wicker or mesh dome-shaped cover to keep flies off the food
• Unbreakable outdoor serving pieces
• A bottle opener

8. HAVE BLANKETS FOR CHILLY EVENINGS.

Keep some blankets nearby.Old wool camp-style blankets, light weight Kantha Quilts , or fringed throws work well.Your guests will thank you on chilly evenings in the garden!

9. HAVE ADEQUATE NIGHTTIME LIGHTING. 

Your outdoor space will really come alive at night with the right lighting.Try placing lighting under a bench seat for subtle illumination, make a ring of lanterns on the grass around your dining table or hang strings of lights overhead.Landscape lighting will add to the ambiance as well.

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: theneighborsmagazine.com

Older homes appeal to many due to their charm and endurance.  But living in an older home can become cumbersome as its parts age and break.  You can update your little piece of history without changing the overall ambiance that attracted you to begin with.  Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to update your older home:

1. Paint the Front Door

Buying a new front door can be pricey. In addition, you may be hard-pressed to find a “new” door that complements the style of your older house.  But PAINTING the front door that you already have is a fabulous alternative.  It will only cost you the price of the primer, paint and supplies.  Not only can you add some color to your exterior, you will also add protection from the element meaning that your door will last longer.

2. Replace Outdoor Light Fixtures

Faded, rusted light fixtures can be easily replaced with new one for very little cost.You can even find Vintage Light Fixtures to fit in with the age and style of your home.Just be certain to check with the City Architectural Review Board coordinator, Christy Anderson 625-2041, to be sure your new selection meets their guidelines.

3. Wash Your House

If you don’t own a power washer, it will be well worth it to rent one for a day so that you can give your house a good washing.You will be amazed by the difference it will make when you remove years’ worth of dirt and dust!But don’t use too much velocity or you may find you’re blasting the paint off instead of just cleaning it.

4. Install Porcelain Tile Floors in Your Bathroom

Replacing floors in your home can seem overwhelming due to the expense. But you can start with your smaller rooms, like your bathroom, without spending too much.Look for sales on porcelain tiles and install them yourself to save even more money. How to Lay a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floor

5. Replace Light Switch Plates

Do your light switch plates look dingy?You can brighten up a room by simply replacing them with new ones!For example, brushed nickel plates are only about $5 each and when used throughout the home they provide style and consistency.

6. Replace Old Indoor Light Fixtures

Just like with the outdoor light fixtures, old, shabby ones can make your home feel old and shabby.Keep the vintage appeal of your home while updating it with new light fixtures.Check out the Vintage Light Fixtures link above to find ones that with fit in with your home.

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: OldHouses.com

Do you love treasures from days gone by?  Whether you have a collection of family heirlooms passed down through generations, or you’re simply a fan of antiquing and have acquired pieces that you want to enjoy in your home, here are some tips for decorating with these timeless treasures:

Go Retro

 The easiest way to decorate with antiques is to give your home a retro vibe. Instead of having one or two antiques in a room, give the whole space a makeover with a retro theme.If you have a piece of furniture that you want to highlight, utilize other things from that era to accent it.They don’t all have to be antiques. You can find many vintage-like things from lamps to art to fabrics that will add to the ambiance while maintain adherence to the time period your furniture is from.

Combine Old With New

If you have just a few antiques that you want to incorporate into your home décor, it’s definitely ok to insert them into your modern or transitional design.  For example, you can hang old photos on the wall or put them in unique frames on your mantle or shelves. Using modern frames allows you to combine the old with the new.  Collectibles like Victorian teacups can be placed in a modern curio cabinet to be displayed in an updated way. How to Mix Antique Modern Decor Styles

Be Careful With Placement

One of the most important aspects of decorating with antiques is placement. You can make the antique the focal point of the room and work around it. Another option is to place items in more inconspicuous areas where they can be accent pieces. Placing small heirlooms on a bookshelf is a great way to display items that bring happy memories without them intruding on the overall aesthetic of the room.

Create New Pieces With Old Ones

If arts and crafts are your thing, there are a lot of options for creating art with antiques.For example, people are taking old, rustic window frames and making photo collages with them.Another option is refinishing a door and using it either as art or as a functional addition to your home. 33 Ways to Elevate Vintage Doors into Art

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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!

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You’ve just bough your first home!  Congratulations!  You got through the process with the help of your Realtor, but now you’ve signed the paperwork and received your keys and it’s time to move in. You may find yourself wondering, “what next?”.  Here are some tips to help make your transition to home owner a little less stressful:

• Educate Yourself About Your Mortgage Statement

It’s important that you learn how to read your monthly mortgage statement. When you receive the first one, you will see that there is a lot of information on it. Most importantly, it will tell you the amount due, how to pay it, and the due date.It will also include your loan servicer’s contact information, which you will need if you have any questions about your mortgage. How to Read a Mortgage Statement

• Don’t Pay Attention to Refinance Offers

You might start receiving a lot of unsolicited mail after you move in to your new home.That is because your information becomes public record and companies will start sending you refinancing offers.The thing is, it’s not usually beneficial to you to refinance early on in your mortgage repayment process.It may be a great option for you down the road, but not right away. Mortgage Refinancing: How to Know When the Time is Right

• Organize Your Documents

When you close on your house you will sign a lot of papers and you will be given copies of all of them.Be sure to keep these documents together in a safe place.You will need access to them when it comes time to pay your taxes so that you can take advantage of tax savings that come with home ownership. Tax Benefits of Home Ownership in 2020

• Do a Home Inventory

The day you sign the title to your new home, your home owner’s insurance will go into effect.But there is more work to be done to protect your home and belongings. The smart thing to do is to create a written/photographic inventory of all the valuables in your home.This will be very helpful if a worst-case scenario occurs and your personal property is damaged, stolen or destroyed.If you can present your insurance company with an organized list of what you have lost, it will help expedite your claim. 10 Shortcuts for Completing Your Home Inventory in Record Time

• Give Your New Home a Deep Cleaning

It’s always a good idea to give your new home a deep cleaning before you move in; even if it’s a newly constructed home.It’s so much easier to do this before you have moved all your belongings in and you will feel good about starting out in a freshly cleaned house!

• Change Your Locks

This is a step that many people overlook.You’ve just received the keys to your new home, but many people have had those keys before you.From previous owners, to Realtors, to contractors and more; you really have no idea who might still have access to your home.To ensure your safety, call a locksmith and schedule an appointment to have all your exterior door locks changed the morning after your closing.You will feel safer knowing you are the only ones with keys to your house!

• Educate Yourself About Your Home

Take the time to learn your home systems. Familiarize yourself with your HVAC unit, the circuit breaker, the security system, the fireplace, and the hot water heater. Find where the fire extinguishers are and make sure smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.

Becoming a home owner is exciting and sometimes overwhelming, but you can start out on the right foot by following this guide!

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: SmartAsset.com

No green thumb? Don’t worry!  The grass CAN be greener on your side of the fence. With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start working on a thick carpet of grass for your yard. Here are some tips for growing a lawn that will have your neighbors GREEN with envy:

• Start by reseeding and fertilizing. If you have bare spots in your grass, taking the time to reseed now will pay off this spring.  Make sure you fertilize for optimal growth and keep the area moist until you see new growth. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, you can hire someone to do it. Lawn Seeding Services in Montgomery Alabama
   
• Look for problems that will hinder growth.  Steep slopes and shady trees can potentially keep grass from growing.  You may want to consider hydroseeding in sloped regions.  And planting fescues in shady zones will help as well. What is Hydroseeding
   
• Patch dead areas with sod.  Re-sodding is the best bet if you have large dead areas. Sod can be installed any time of year…just make sure you water it frequently until it sets.
   
• Look into xeriscaping. No matter what climate you live in, xeriscaping is the best way to weatherproof your lawn.  This low maintenance, low cost method of landscaping will keep your lawn looking beautiful during all the seasons! Guide to Xeriscape Landscaping

Once you have your lawn looking fabulous, you can create a fun outdoor living space to enjoy with your friends and family.  And when you’re ready to sell your home, the first impression potential buyers get from your curb appeal will have them waiting in line to see your house! 

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: leekgarden.com

There are a lot of perks to home ownership, but let’s face it; it can be expensive.  You’re not only making a mortgage payment every month, but you are also responsible for maintaining your home.  But there are lots of easy ways to save money without ever leaving the house. Follow these tips and start saving today!

• Save money on your electric bill by utilizing natural ways to cool your house.  During the spring and summer, open your windows and use fans to get the air circulating through your home.  Ceiling fans will help too. Moving the air through the house will help cool it down quite a bit.
   
• Another way to save on your electric bill is to line dry your clothes.  Dryers use a lot of electricity, and there are many good reasons to choose line drying.  Not only is it an energy saver, but it may extend the life of your clothing! 5 Reasons to Line Dry Your Laundry
   
• Get rid of cable television. With all the options for streaming shows on apps like Hulu and Netflix, you could save a lot of money by ending your relationship with cable and using apps to stream your favorite programs.  You might be surprised to discover that even after upgrading your internet, you will still pay less per month than you did for cable television. Best Live TV Streaming Services For Cord-Cutters in 2020
   
• Always unplug.  Even when you are not using an appliance, if you keep it plugged in, it is still pulling electricity.  It may not seem like much, but over years you can save quite a bit by unplugging when not using things.  Chances are you are not going to want to be bothered with walking around your house to unplug everything, but to make it a little easier, consider using power strips so you can just unplug that at the end of the day.
   
• Use a shopping list.  This may sound silly, but when you go shopping without a list you often come home with way more than you need.  Make a list and stick to it. It will not only make shopping more efficient, but it will save you money in the long run.
   
• Learn how to do basic home maintenance.  You can save a ton of money over time by being able to take care of home maintenance yourself.  By doing small tasks like replacing filters and cleaning out dust, you can lengthen the lifespan of many appliances, thus saving money that way as well. 100 Home Repairs You Don't Need to Call a Pro For
   
• Bundle up and save on heating costs.  Invest in quality, warm blankets so you can turn the heat down and still be warm and cozy when you sleep at night.  Decreasing your heat by just a few degrees can save you a lot of money over time.
   
• Create a budget and try to stick to it. By creating a budget, you will be more conscientious about your spending.  It will not only help you to see where you are spending too much, it will also assist you in prioritizing your spending.

Saving money is important.  Whether you’re saving for retirement or for a special family vacation, it’s the little things you do that make a big difference in the long run!

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: bowmanheatingandair.com

When you’ve lived in a home for a while, it can start to lose the charm you first saw in it.  Day to day life can make it feel like a burden rather than a retreat.  Especially this time of year, when you’ve taken down the holiday decorations and the days are shorter and darker.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  February is the month of love and it’s a great time to remember what made you fall in love with your house to begin with.  Even if your current home is not your dream house, you can still create a place you will love.  Here is a list of ways to love the home you have:

• Declutter.  A messy, cluttered home can make you feel overwhelmed and embarrassed to have company.  Negative feelings about your home make it a place of stress instead of a place of peace and comfort. Cleaning up the clutter can seem like a huge task, but once you’ve done it, you will be glad you did! Stop Household Clutter: 50 Things to Get Rid of Right Now
   
• Show the kitchen some love.  Whether you love to cook or not, chances are you spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  So, it makes sense to have a kitchen you enjoy.  Simple things like keeping the sink, drainer and counters clear will go a long way into creating a space you will feel good about.  Place some fresh flowers on your counter or eat-in kitchen table. Find a spot for a speaker so you can listen to music while cooking.  Make the time spent in the kitchen a joy and not a chore.
   
• Make your bedroom a retreat.  Your bedroom should provide you with peace, quiet and comfort.  When decorating, you might focus on the rooms that guests will see.  But don’t neglect your bedroom.  It is your sanctuary.  Your place to escape to when you want time alone.  Choose colors that give your bedroom a relaxing vibe. Splurge on luxurious bed linens. And don’t be frugal when purchasing a mattress and pillows. Sleep is so important to your overall health and having the right mattress and pillows greatly effects the quality of your sleep. 15 Calming Bedroom Colors to Relax and Unwind
   
• Display favorite family memories. Like many people, you probably have hundreds, if not thousands of photos on your electronic devices.  Take some time to go through them and find photos of your favorite family memories to print and frame for display.  Need some ideas?  Check out Pinterest for lots of unique ways to display photos in your home. Photo Displays
   
• Design a room that works for you.  Do you have a room that doesn’t get used much (if at all)?  For example, a formal living room that nobody in the family uses?  Perhaps it’s time to make use of that room in a way that works best for you and your family.  Don’t get tied down to the fact that is a “formal living room”.  It can be anything you want it to be. Do you love to read?  Create a cozy library with a comfy chair and book shelves.  Do you need home office space?  Then create a home office that makes you look forward to “going to work” each day.

Even if you are not currently living in your dream house, you can make small changes that will help you fall in love with the home you’re in! 

However, if you are looking to sell your current home so you can find your dream 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!

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Making your home more energy efficient is a cost-effective way to not only save money but to also improve the performance of your home.  The most effective strategy for improving your Deep South home’s energy efficiency is to focus on the “shell” of the house…the attic, windows and doors.  Next, improve the energy efficiency of systems such as heating, cooling, lighting and appliances.  Last, but not least, consider clean energy generation such as solar or geothermal.

The first step toward energy efficiency is to make sure that your attic’s super insulated.  High quality insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in the winter or into the house in the summer.  That means it takes less energy to heat or cool your house.  If you have an unfinished attic, it is worthwhile to upgrade its insulation.  It is a good idea to use an Energy Auditor to make sure that the insulation is installed properly. Professional Home Energy Audits

The next step is to upgrade or replace windows. If your windows are old or leaky, it is time to increase their efficiency by using weather stripping and storm windows and you may not replace them if you live in a locally designated historic district. It’s not usually cost-effective to replace windows just to save energy, if you are going to replace them anyway, the additional cost of Energy Star-rated replacement windows is very modest and is a comfort improving upgrade that is worth the cost.  Energy Star Windows

Another way to save some energy in your home is to plant shade trees and shrubs around your house.  If you have an older home with poor insulation and windows, good landscaping can help, especially if planted on the house’s west side.  Deciduous trees are the best way to go for this purpose.  During the summer, the foliage will block the infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in the winter the bare branches will let the radiation through. Deciduous Trees

Replacing an older furnace with a new high-efficiency system may seem like a huge expense, but in the long run it will save energy and money.  If your furnace was built before 1992 and has a standing pilot, it likely wastes 35% of the fuel it uses, and it’s probably near the end of its service life.  ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) recommends you replace it with a condensing furnace with annual efficiency of at least 90%.

You can improve the efficiency of your hot water system by turning down the temperature of your water heater to the “warm” setting (120 degrees F).  You can also insulate your hot water lines so that they don’t cool off as quickly between uses. And using low-flow fixtures in your showers and baths will help as well.

You can use ¾ of the energy used with incandescent light bulbs by replacing them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).  You may not realize that the cost of the electricity used to run a light bulb is more than the cost of the bulb itself.  A CFL may be a little more expensive than the traditional light bulb, but it lasts for 10,000 hours and uses only 27 watts to generate as much light as 100-watt incandescent bulb. Over the long haul, you will save money by investing in CFLs.

You can save money with an energy efficient home in many ways, including the tax benefits that are available to you.  Federal tax incentives are out there for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes.  Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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!

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Owning a home is part of the “American Dream”.  Working hard, saving money, finding the right house, and going through the mortgage process all pays off when you move into your own home and begin to enjoy the perks that come with what is likely to be your largest financial investment.  Some of those perks come in the form of tax breaks. And with tax season around the corner, it’s time to educate yourself about those tax breaks. You might be surprised to discover that many of your biggest home-related expenses are often tax deductible. Here are the top four tax breaks for homeowners:

1. MORTGAGE INTEREST

The most significant tax break you’ll get is a mortgage interest deduction, which is nice since a huge part of your monthly mortgage payment goes towards paying off interest for a while after your purchase.All the interest you pay during the tax year will be deductible. However, if you own properties with mortgage balances over a million dollars, the IRS will limit your deductible interest.If you own a second home, your interest for that home is also deductible as long as you are residing there part of the year.If you stay there less than 14 days out of the year or less than 10% of the number of days you rent it out, the IRS may consider it a residential rental property, and in that case, you will not be able to take an interest deduction. Mortgage Interest Deduction

2. REAL ESTATE TAXES

Another large deduction you get to make as a homeowner is on your property taxes. As a homeowner, you will always have to pay some form of real estate tax.  If you have an escrow account, which most mortgages do, it means you have been paying a portion of your property tax bill for the year as part of your monthly mortgage payment.  At the end of the tax year, your lender will send you a statement, which will tell you what you have paid in taxes and interest and how much went into your escrow account to be used toward taxes.  You will be able to deduct the amount your lender paid from your escrow toward taxes. Escrow

3. POINTS

When you purchase a home, you have the option to pay mortgage points to your lender to lower your interest rate.A point is typically 1% of the loan price, so if you bought or built a new home that cost $300,000 and you paid your lender for one origination point, this should enable you to deduct the $3,000 in closing costs paid from your taxes for the year of the home purchase.

4. ENERGY TAX CREDITS

Making improvements to the energy efficiency of your home will not only save you money on energy costs, it may also help you qualify for a tax credit. Tax credits can be better than tax deductions as they are a dollar-for-dollar savings no matter what tax bracket you are in.Things like upgrading windows, roofing, appliances and more with energy efficient equipment will often count toward a tax credit. But since the IRS does change things from year to year, be sure to check with them beforehand so you will know what tax credits you qualify for.

Become a homeowner this year and take advantage of these tax credits! If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: tmcfinancing.com

One of the perks of being a homeowner is that you can make changes to your home to suit your own needs and desires.  Some home improvements are simple DIY projects you can accomplish in a weekend, but others are a little more complicated and should be handled by professionals.  In fact, some home improvement projects can be downright dangerous and it is in your best interest to hire someone who knows what they are doing! While DIY projects might save you some money, hiring a professional to complete the following might save your physical and mental health:

• Adding Skylights - This project not only requires that you stand on a slanted roof, it also means lifting a very heavy window and placing it properly.  In addition, if a skylight is not installed by a professional, chances are great that you will end up with leaks.
   
• Tree Trimming - We’re not talking about removing small limbs from a tree.  We are talking using a chain saw to do some major cutting.  If you have never used a chain saw, you may not be prepared for how it can kick back, causing injury.  Also, you will be taking a risk in climbing to reach the parts of the tree you are attempting to remove.  And anyone on the ground could be hurt with branches falling. Professional tree companies have trained employees who can trim and/or remove trees safely. Top Tree Services in Montgomery
   
• Replacing a Water Line - Unless you’re a plumber, you should probably not attempt to replace a water line on your own.  There is too much at stake. It is crucial to have properly sweated joints, and unless you’re handy with a blowtorch, you will need a professional plumber to be sure it’s done properly. Otherwise you might end up with leaks, which in turn can cause black mold and in worst case collapsing walls and/or floors.
   
• Updating Your Circuit Breaker Panel - This is a complicated task that requires the knowledge that only a trained electrician will have. Only a trained electrician with years of experience will understand electrical systems and the needs of your home. Should I Update My Electrical Panel?
   
• Removing Walls - It looks like so much fun on the home improvement shows, doesn’t it?  People with sledgehammers and goggles knocking down walls - how hard can it be?  But is the wall you’re removing a load bearing wall? If it is, you need to have a way to support the structure or you will risk the danger of collapse.  If you are not 100% sure about what you are doing, it’s best to hire a professional who does!
   
• Installing Windows - This is another project that requires specific knowledge to get it right. Windows need to be properly seated and sealed or they will not sufficiently work and you will be no better off than you were with old windows.  It is not easy to install windows and this is a job better left to professionals.

If you are in the market to buy or sell 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: 123rf.com