Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 151-160 of 170

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales - June 2011

by The Hat Team

Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to home ownership as a long-term goal. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released today by the National Association of Realtors®, 72 percent of renters surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010. 

Seven in 10 Americans also agreed that buying a home is a good financial decision while almost two-thirds said now is a good time to purchase a home. The annual survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found that more than three quarters of renters (77 percent) said they would be less likely to buy a home if they were required to put down a 20 percent down payment on the home, and a strong majority (71 percent) believe a 20 percent down payment requirement could have a negative impact on the housing market. 

Some key findings from this year’s survey include:

  • Seven-in-ten Americans (71 percent) say requiring a down payment of twenty percent on the cost of a home would have a negative impact on the overall American housing market.
  • More than three quarters of renters (77 percent) say they would be less likely to buy a new home if they were required to make a 20 percent down payment. Among current homeowners, four-in-ten (39 percent) say they would not have been able to buy their current home if they been required to make a 20 percent down payment.
  • Having enough money for a down payment and closing costs is the largest obstacle that makes housing too expensive and unaffordable (82 percent say it is a “huge” or “medium-size” obstacle).
  • Two in every three Americans (67 percent) oppose eliminating the home mortgage interest deduction as one part of a plan to reduce the federal deficit. Underscoring the intensity of this opinion, a majority of Americans (51 percent) strongly oppose eliminating it.
  • Even more Americans (73 percent) believe that eliminating the home mortgage deduction would have a negative impact on the American housing market, while 65 percent say it would have a negative impact on the overall economy.
  • While fewer Americans than in the past agree, the overwhelming majority (72 percent) still say that buying a home is a good financial decision. Almost two–thirds (64 percent) say that now is a good time to buy a home.
  • The stalled economy continues to adversely affect the housing market. Confidence in job security is a top obstacle (80 percent say “huge” or “medium-size”) to home ownership, while job layoffs and unemployment are ranked as the top problem facing Americans (61 percent say it is a “very big” or “fairly big” problem in their area).

Now take a look at how the Midtown Montgomery real estate market performed in June.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for June show the average sales price increased by 2% to $151,399 when compared to June 2010.  The number of homes sold decreased by 16% in June.  The median sales prices increased by 13%, and market times increased 5% or 6 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 23%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 7%.

Midtown Montgomery May 2011 May 2010
Homes Sold 22 45
Average Selling Price $ 150,975 $ 166,925
Median Selling Price $ 111,450 $ 118,900
Days On The Market 121 103
Highest Selling Price $ 480,000 $ 750,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 12,500 $ 5,100

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

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.

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

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Good News On the Economic Front

by The Hat Team

There is good news on the economic front which will eventually translate into good new for the Montgomery real estate market.

  • The number of first-time filers for unemployment benefits fell by 24,000 last week to the lowest level in nearly four months, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.
  • real estateKeivan Deravi, the AUM pundit, says the demand for diesel fuel and cardboard are both up.  That means more things are being manufactured, packaged and shipped by truck.
  • Rick Sharga of Realty Trac reports Montgomery’s foreclosure rate is trending downward and is 3 times better than the national average.
  • Jimmy Lowder explains September new home sales were up slightly over August and days on market is down 4% Sept 10 vs Sept 09.

Other great observations:

  1. You cannot create prosperity with austerity.  Therefore, Mayor Strange’s various initiatives (buying One Court Square and the buildings along Dexter; floating a bond issue to renovate Cramton Bowl and add the sports complex just as two examples) are the right approach.
  2. Recovery in the residential real estate market will come as a result of investors’ buying up the distressed properties currently bloating our homes-for-sale inventory.  So consider the acquisition and renovation of the “greasy little houses” as a wealth-building strategy for the future.

Montgomery Foreclosure Trends - September 2010

by The Hat Team

There were 1,198 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 77 new foreclosures in September 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home was $160,116 and the average foreclosure selling price was $77,987, a $82,129 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained was 0.0% in Sept while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes increased to 77.

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 0.20% lower than national statistics and the same as Alabama statistics for the month of Sept.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 72 homes in August to 62 in Sept. The number of Auctions decreased from 37 to 15. The 6-month trend reflects a fall 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 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.

Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - March 2010

by The Hat Team

Pending home sales rose sharply in February, potentially signaling a second surge of home sales in response to the home buyer tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Contracts signed in February, rose 8.2 percent above February 2009. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which usually occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the improvement is another hopeful sign. “The rise in pending sales may signal the early stages of a second surge of home sales this spring. The healthy gain hints home prices are continuing to flatten. We need a second surge to reduce inventory and stabilize home values.”

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

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for March show pending sales have decreased by 11% in 2010 compared to March 2009. The average sales price increased by 14% to $149;265 while sold listings were up by 19% from 2009.  Market times were 68 days more than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

Mar 2010

51

37

163

$149,265

Mar 2009

57

30

95

$129,037

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 - April 2010

by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:





This month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and with this being the last month for the $8,000 tax credit extension, we'll discuss how buyers and sellers are taking advantage of this opportunity!

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 8 1/2 minutes

Should I Be Movin' On Up To A Larger Montgomery Home?

by The Hat Team
Should I Be Movin' On Up To A Larger Montgomery Home? 
 
Should I move up to a larger home is a question many Montgomery homeowners are asking. The questions below will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location.
 
1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home?
 
If you have owned your Montgomery home for a number of years you might have built up some equity. Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to determine your loan balance. Then give me a call to determine your home’s market value. The difference between your loan amount and market value is your equity. You can also get your market value for your Montgomery home by clicking here.
 
2. Has your income or financial situation improved?
 
If your income has increased, you may be able to afford a higher mortgage payment. 
 
3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood?
 
Often, the neighborhood or location you buy your first home in may no longer suit your needs. You may want to be closer to work, be in a better school district or have a home on a lake rather than close to it.
 
4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?
 
Sometimes adding on to your current home is the answer. If you will end over-improving for the neighborhood, moving may be a better option.
 
5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?
 
In the current Montgomery real estate market, your home may not sell quickly for what it would have a few years ago, but the home you buy also less expensive expensive.
 
6. Are interest rates attractive?
A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer and interest rates are currently at record lows.
 
If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move. If so, please visit HatTeam.com to learn more about buying a Montgomery home or give me a call. I’m glad to help!
 

Community Involvement: Guerilla Marketing for the RIGHT Reason!

by The Hat Team
In his Guerilla Marketing Weekly Intelligence email today, Jay Conrad Levinson writes:
 
 “If you volunteer to work on a committee but are never available for meetings, or if you sponsor a little league team and don't show up for games, you're proving yourself to be crass and superficial, probably sucking up the community to get business instead of working for it for altruistic reasons. Consumers are more sophisticated than ever these days. People know the difference between serving the community and serving yourself. If you're not willing to devote honest time and energy to your community, you're better off skipping this weapon and leaving it to the real guerrillas in your community. I just hope for your sake that none are your direct competitors."
His post struck a real chord with me.  As a dedicated community volunteer, I sit on  many boards and committees.  And I am frequently frustrated—even angered—to read the membership lists of various volunteer groups  and note the names of many folks who never show up and/or do the work of the body.  I also get irritated when I am the only REALTOR involved in issues that have a direct bearing on the quality of life in our beloved Montgomery, Alabama.
 
Those of us who make a living selling real estate in this community have, in my not-so-humble opinion, an immense obligation to give back.  We are in positions of influence and can, if we choose, make a real difference.  And if more of us were involved, what a difference that would be!

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - July 2008

by The Hat Team

Existing-home sales rose from the first quarter in 13 states, largely from buyers responding to discounted home prices, according to the latest quarterly survey by the National Association of Realtors®. Nearly one-quarter of metropolitan areas showed rising home prices in the second quarter from a year ago, with greatly mixed conditions continuing around the country.

In the second quarter, 35 out of 150 metropolitan statistical areas1 showed gains in median existing single-family home prices from the second quarter of last year, while 115 had price declines. NAR’s track of metro area home prices dates back to 1979.
NAR President Richard Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said foreclosures are distorting the price data. “In many areas with large concentrations of foreclosure sales, homes are being purchased below replacement cost values,” Gaylord said. “Many buyers with long-term expectations are getting exceptional value in the current market. Once the inventory is drawn down, price pressure will return because the costs of construction are rising – today’s buyers are very well positioned to build wealth over time.” National Association of Realtors®.

Let’s take a look at the sales statistics for July 2008 to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market looks:

In Midtown Montgomery, pending sales decreased 18% in June 2008, compared against June 2007.  Likewise, the number of sold listings dropped 21%.  The average sales price decreased 9% to $131,446, and homes remained on the market for an average of 7 fewer days this June.

Midtown
Montgomery
Pending
Sales
Sold
Listings
Average
Market Times
Average
Sales Price
July 2008
38
37
104
$142,820
July 2007
72
56
133
$149,412

Again, as Gaylord said and as these statistics show, real estate prices are declining in some areas, even within the same city For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.
 
I
nformation is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. 

Displaying blog entries 151-160 of 170

Syndication

Categories

Archives

   cdpe    crsHat Lady on Zillow