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Displaying blog entries 111-120 of 139

Montgomery AL Condo For Sale: 1827 Ridge Ave #5

Monday, July 15, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Condo For Sale:

1827 Ridge Ave #5, Montgomery AL 36104
MLS# 302758

Great Condo In Old Cloverdale!

1824 Ridge Ave Montgomery AL
Great condo in the heart of Old Cloverdale! Whether you are a first time home buyer, wanting to downsize or looking for a "lock and leave", this lovely property is about the most affordable thing you will find in the neighborhood! The living room overlooks a beautiful private courtyard and the bedroom suite is spacious and even has a walk-in closet. This downstairs unit has everything you need, come check it out!

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Federal Help for Troubled Real Estate Owners

Saturday, July 13, 2013
by The Hat Team

Although the outlook for the housing industry has improved in recent months, far too many owners who recently received the assessments on their Montgomery AL real estate learned that their mortgages are (still) underwater. 

helpThe federal government has six programs, some older, some recently revised, and one brand new, specifically for those in jeopardy of losing their homes.  Listed below are the “barebones” of each one and some sites at which to garner further information:

  • HAMP Tier 1 and Tier 2 - The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) has been extended through 2013 and expanded to help more homeowners. HAMP Tier 2 is now an option for homeowners who want to modify a home that is not their primary residence, did not previously qualify for modification, or who defaulted on a HAMP plan in the past.
  • Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Updates – This program is designed to help homeowners not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac transition to more affordable housing. HAFA provides two options: a short sale or a Deed-in-Lieu for foreclosure.
  • Independent Foreclosure Review Alternative Settlement - In January thirteen servicers/lenders reached an agreement with federal regulators to pay more than $8.8 billion in cash payments and other assistance to help borrowers.  More than 3.9 million borrowers, whose homes were in foreclosure in 2009 and 2010, are expected to receive cash compensation in a timely manner.
  • Fannie Mae Refinancing Incentive - Fannie Mae announced in January that lenders will be allowed to offer a refinancing incentive for Montgomery AL real estate which would be used to obtain a lower payment or move to a more stable mortgage product.  Click here for details.
  • Hardest Hit Funds - In 2007 the Federal government allocated Hardest Hit Funds to 18 states and the District of Columbia to help homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed. Many of the states have recently made program changes to help more homeowners.  States have until the end of 2017 to utilize the funds allocated through this program. To find out more regarding specific Hardest Hit Fund programs in your state, contact the Housing Finance Agency,
  • The federal government recently announced a new loan-modification program (for Fannie and Freddie-backed mortgages) requiring no documentation of income or financial hardship. Launched by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the program went into effect July 1, 2013.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - June 2013

Thursday, June 20, 2013
by The Hat Team

The housing market outlook continues to be optimistic. Research by the National Association of Realtors® reveals that steady job creation and household formation have been helping release pent-up demand. Home prices are primed to rise in 2013 and 2014 due to lagging housing starts and an ongoing inventory shortage. Americans are also feeling confident in the housing recovery. According to a HouseLogic.com article, More than Half of Americans Think Home Prices Will Rise in Year Ahead, Fannie Mae’s April 2013 National Housing Survey revealed 51 percent of Americans now expect home prices to climb within the next year; up from 32 percent at the same time last year.

Take a look at sales figures in our local real estate market for May 2013.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for May 2013 show the number of homes sold decreased by 21% when compared to May 2012. The average sales price increased by 18% to $ 149,493 for the month. The median sales prices decreased by 13%, and market times remained consistent with May 2012.  The highest selling home price increased by 43%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 40% from May 2012.

Midtown Montgomery May  2013 May 2012
Homes Sold 35 44
Average Selling Price $ 149,493 $ 122,453
Median Selling Price $ 105,000 $ 121,000
Days On The Market 139 139
Highest Selling Price $ 665,000 $ 380,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 17,000 $ 10,200

For the latest Midtown Montgomery 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.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 3272 Gatsby Lane

Monday, June 3, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

3272 Gatsby Lane, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 301622

Neat, Clean and Ready for New Owner!

3272 gatsby lane


This wonderful Hillwood end-unit patio home is ready to welcome a new owner! With special thought to the floor plan, this architect paid special attention to large, open spaces and circular flow. And, a design twist...there are double doors from the 3rd bedroom into the foyer, giving it dual use as a den/study/home office. Out back, don’t miss the covered patio with new indoor/outdoor carpet, fully fenced private back yard, and wired storage building. Parking in rear, so curb appeal stays neat and clean!

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

 

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 27 Creek Dr

Saturday, May 25, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

27 Creek Dr, Montgomery AL 36117
MLS# 301449

A Tucked Away Gem!


Natural beauty and lots of space! This gem is so tucked away on a quiet street, you may never be bothered by noise or unwanted guests. Inside your family will enjoy the formal living and dining areas as well as the HUGE family room with fireplace, built-ins, and vaulted ceiling. The kitchen has just been remodeled and will knock your socks off! Find plenty of room to spread out in the bedroom wing of the house, with 4 LARGE bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath, and tons of storage closets. If laundry is your thing (did I just say that?) then you will flip over the spacious laundry/utility room with large sink and hang/dry area. Another lagniappe is the "bonus" room off the kitchen that would make a great home gym, home office, craft room, or play space for the kids. Out back relax in the natural area of the yard under the shade trees, or take a cool dip in the in ground swimming pool. Two car carport rounds out the wonderful amenities this home has to offer.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - May 2013

Thursday, May 23, 2013
by The Hat Team

We've heard much about investors playing a role in the housing recovery, but they aren't the only major players. According to results from the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey for March, first-time homebuyers and current homeowners are also building a strong presence as they dominate the non-distressed market. Investors accounted for 13.3 percent of the market share for non-distressed properties, while current homeowners represented 50 percent of the market. First-time homebuyers also made up a significant portion at 36.8 percent. Read the entire article here.

Increased home sales result in higher prices. Are you an investor or a current home owner thinking about buying this spring? Now couldn't be a better time to buy...before prices increase and interest rates remain low. Contact me and together we can get the ball rolling.

Take a look at sales figures in our local real estate market for April 2013.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for April 2013 show the number of homes sold increased by 3% when compared to April 2012. The average sales price decreased by 31% to $101,239 for the month. The median sales prices decreased by 11%, and market times increased by 15 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 63%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 37% from April 2012.

As is often the case in an area like Midtown where prices vary widely, a single $600,000 sale skewed the April 2012 average selling price to an unrealistic high.  Last month's average is far more representative of reality.

Midtown Montgomery April  2013 April 2012
Homes Sold 32 31
Average Selling Price $ 101,239 $ 147,652
Median Selling Price $ 89,000 $ 100,000
Days On The Market 145 130
Highest Selling Price $ 222,000 $ 600,000
Lowest Selling Price $9,500 $6,000

 

For the latest Midtown Montgomery 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.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 822 Felder Ave

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

822 Felder Ave, Montgomery Ave 36106
MLS# 300881

In the Heart Of Old Cloverdale!


Don't miss this opportunity to live in the heart of OLD CLOVERDALE, fronting one of its many quaint parks! This impressive home has big living space for you and your family to spread out. LARGE formal living and dining rooms, HUGE kitchen and eating space with lots of light, a master suite and a cozy den are all located downstairs. Up the grand staircase you will find 3 more well-proportioned bedrooms and a newly renovated bath, plus a great landing perfect for upstairs den or kids play area. A big back yard has tons of potential, and you are just steps away from Cloverdale Park!

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

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Does Your Neighbor Effect Your Home's Value

Thursday, May 2, 2013
by The Hat Team

Generally speaking, real estate articles dealing with the buying, selling, or appraisal of a Montgomery AL home render advice dealing with the condition and appeal of the property.  Would-be sellers are reminded to pay particular houseattention to curb appeal, cosmetic repairs, de-cluttering, and maintenance matters, while potential buyers are urged to focus on location, amenities, and structural stability. There are other, less publicized factors that impact a Montgomery AL home’s value, however, and they, too, should be included in a buyer’s or seller’s check list.

The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers cautions homeowners and potential home buyers that bad neighbors can significantly reduce nearby property values.

Bad neighbors can include homeowners with annoying pets, unkempt yards, unpleasant odors, loud music, dangerous trees and limbs, or poorly maintained exteriors. A homeowner or prospective home buyer should visit a street on several days at various times to learn more about what is happening in the neighborhood. A home’s proximity to a bad neighbor also can impact the rate of potential decline in value.  “I’ve seen many situations where external factors, such as living near a bad neighbor, can lower home values by more than 5 to 10 percent,” said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA.

If your Montgomery AL home’s value is jeopardized by such a situation, you should consider the following actions:

  • Join with other neighbors and approach the bad neighbor together.
  •  Check subdivision restrictions with the municipality and/or HOA for any violations.  If some are found, report the bad neighbor and request an investigation. A call to the local health department also may be warranted.
  • Hire an attorney. If all else fails, the cost of an attorney will likely be less than the home’s potential loss in value.

Another type of a “bad” neighbor can be a business or government enterprise whose very existence drives down the value of your property.  Potential buyers of a Montgomery AL home would be well-advised to

be on the lookout for landfills, power plants, cell towers, commercial warehouses, funeral homes, a closed school or other public facility, and a number of foreclosed homes in a neighborhood, as these also can negatively affect a home’s value.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Celebrating Halloween In Montgomery AL 2012

Thursday, October 18, 2012
by The Hat Team

hapy halloweenTonight is the night
When pumpkins stare
Through sheaves and leaves
Everywhere,
When ghouls and ghost
And goblin host
Dance round their queen.
It's Halloween.
- Harry Behn

It’s nearly that time of year again—Halloween, a time of ghosts and ghouls, tricks and treats, and costumes and candy!  Did you know that Halloween is second only to Christmas in terms of spending?  Yep--$1.2 million on costumes and another $2.5 million on candy, decorations, and other themed paraphernalia! 

Other little-known facts include:

  • 86% of Americans decorate their houses.                                                  
  • 10% of pet owners costume their pets.
  • 35 million pounds of candy corn are produce yearly. (How many are consumed in your home?)

Halloween traditions are many and varied.  ‘Tis the night for donning a costume, wearing a mask, bobbing for apples, and, the children’s favorite—trick-or-treating.  Looking for something different to give to the little ones coming to your Montgomery AL home this year?  How about juice boxes, mini-marshmallows, popcorn balls, fruit roll-ups, 4 pack crayons, small glo-sticks, silly erasers, temporary tattoos, unusual pencils ,themed bandaids or goldfish snacks?  Visit Green Halloween for more clever suggestions.                                                                  

Carving a Jack-o-Lantern: 

Be your pumpkin orange, white, green, and yes, even blue, you want the face on the porch of your home to be individual and unique.  Get free templates to assist you in carving or for cut and paste faces here.

The Count Dracula Society was founded by Dr. Donald A. Reed in 1962.

Costumes:  witch

Forget the old standbys of ghost and witch.  Get creative and think about the unusual.  A cupcake?  Or perhaps popcorn or an aquarium?  Although the web is filled with sites which sell costumes, you can express yourself by making your own garb.  Check out CostumeIdeaZone.com for silly, serious, and/or super fast ideas.

Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the fall harvest and black is associated with darkness.

Activities for the young and young at heart:

Check out Caboose.com, Halloween.com, ZombiePumpkins.com, and TheTeachersCorner.net.  For creative ideas such as wicked wreaths, friendly ghosts, fright lights, tasty treats, and much, much more, visit LowesCreativeIdeas.com.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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Deconstruction - A Green Alternative For Montgomery AL Real Estate

Friday, June 15, 2012
by The Hat Team

Deconstruction, the careful removal of building materials for reuse, has for the past ten years been gaining popularity as an alternative to demolition.  Spurred by environmental, aesthetic, and economic concerns, it is an idea whose time has come within the home building and remodeling business.

The preservationist's answer to bulldozing a building and dumping the splintered remains into a landfill, deconstruction involves going room by room, handpicking features to be salvaged: millwork, crown moldings, leaded windows, still-sound kitchen cabinets, crystal chandeliers, and hardwood floors.  Items typically salvaged also include bricks, camontgomery al real estatebinets, windows, lighting fixtures, and countertops.

The eco-friendly construction and renovation business is growing in popularity not only among do-it-yourself consumers but also in the building and construction sector with contractors and architects. When it first emerged, green building was popular almost exclusively among environmentalists. But now those who want to save substantial dollars on building materials have joined those wanting to reverse the “throw away” trend.

The obvious advantages to such a program are the recycling of valuable resources and the decreasing impact on already over-burdened landfills.  Other positive impacts are the economic savings to the re-modelers of Montgomery AL real estate, the ease in procuring municipal permits, governmental training for deconstruction workers, and the cooperative efforts of contractors, suppliers, and homeowners.

Deconstruction stores are rapidly gaining popularity, with over 750 nationwide to date.  The inventory of these retail outlets consists of a large variety of items donated by those who are in the process of remodeling their Montgomery AL real estate and surplus materials from distributors and/or manufacturers.

 Purchasers of used items generally save one third of the cost, and buyers of new merchandise can save up to one half of the retail price.  Other economic incentives for those who donate materials include not having to pay disposal costs (pick up of the items if free) and frequently a tax deduction if the store is charity-based.

Popular stores involved in the deconstruction movement are Habitat for Humanity's Re-store, Build It Green, Green Demolitions, ReNew Salvage, and EcoBuilding Bargains.  Check with your contractors to find others near to your Montgomery AL real estate.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home. Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Add Comment

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