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4 Common Real Estate Myths Debunked

Wednesday, October 12, 2016
by The Hat Team

real estate myths

If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, you may have already come across some of these common real estate myths.  Real estate myths are abundant and are quite prevalent in the real estate world.  Below you will find a few real estate myths to be wary of whether you are buying or selling a home. 

  1. Some folks believe that if you don’t use a real estate agent you are likely to get a better deal.  This is totally false because no matter which one of you have the agent…one of them is going to get the commission be it the buyer’s agent or the sellers agent.  The only way to get around dealing with paying a commission to a realtor is if you sell or a buy a home that is for sale by owner.  If you do decide to purchase or sell by owner, be very careful because there are a lot of things that can and perhaps will go wrong when you try to go it alone.  Real estate agents deserve all the commission they get because they do a lot of work that you don’t have to worry about doing yourself. 
  2. Another common real estate myth  is that you should set your asking price higher than what you expect to make.  If you price your home too much above the market value you are likely going to be doing yourself an injustice.  Folks are going to pass your home by because they know that it is not in their price range.  Setting your home at a reasonable price is a good way to get buyers to show some interest and not be scared off by sticker shock. 
  3. Yet another common real estate myth is that all of the houses listed in the multiple listing systems are all available to look at online.  Most of the houses on MLS are listed online but if you don’t tell your realtor that you want your home listed online he or she may not do so. 
  4. Another real estate myth  is that having an open house will basically guarantee that you home will sell.  While open houses are good to get folks out looking at your house, they don’t always bring the buyer to your door.  Typically those that look at your house during an open house are just browsing and likely won’t give you an offer. 

Do your part not to let these real estate myths fool you by knowing them ahead of time before you buy or sell a home. 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel, Hat Team.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 1810 Grove Hill Lane

Friday, October 7, 2016
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

1810 Grove Hill Lane, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS #407327

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,753 Square Feet | Midtown Montgomery

Great investment property with 3 bedrooms in Grove Hill neighborhood!

Make yourself some money on this great investment property in Midtown Montgomery! Home needs lots of work!! Formal living /dining, kitchen open to den with fireplace. Hardwood floors. Three bedrooms and two full tiled baths. Separate laundry, two car detached garage, and a covered rear patio! Beautiful lot near Publix and shopping on Zelda Road!

Marketing by Montgomery AL Realtor Frank Powell, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 912 E Fairview Ave

Monday, October 3, 2016
by The Hat Team

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:

912 E Fairview Ave, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 407223

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2,740 Square Feet | Cloverdale-Idlewild

Wow! Step into this well thought out renovation in Historic Cloverdale-Idlewild! You will think Chip and Joanna Gaines have worked their magic on this inviting home. This fabulous house boasts three bedrooms with three full baths. It showcases a formal living room with a beautiful dining room. The bright open kitchen with all new solid surface counter tops and appliances is the perfect place to host your next party! The kitchen opens into a comfortable den with a custom built fireplace and large windows that overlook the deck. Not one but two glassed in sun-porches to enjoy your morning coffee on. They are located off the kitchen and the main suite. Main bedroom has his and her custom walk-in closets. The main bath has a luxurious deep claw foot tub to soak the day away. There is also a walk-in shower and two separate sinks areas. Roll open the custom barn doors to the front bedroom. The gleaming refinished hardwoods are stunning. This home also features fresh new designer paint colors, new period hardware, new posh lighting and the list goes on and on. Step out back to your spectacular entertaining spaces. You have an attractive deck along with your very own gathering cottage that has a pool table, plenty of room to play poker and host football parties. And there's more! You have a large room at basement level for arts/crafts or would make an incredible workshop! Old fashion portico to park out of the weather. And last but not least, a truly southern front porch. Walk to the Cloverdale Playhouse, Capri Theater and numerous restaurants or bars of Midtown Montgomery. Give your agent or us a call to see this modernized beauty today! Historic covenants apply. Rear structure cannot be used as living space per city of Montgomery code!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Frank Powell, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 3839 Pelzer Ave

Monday, October 3, 2016
by The Hat Team

3839 pelzer ave

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

3839 Pelzer Ave, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 407516

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,700 Square Feet | Dalraida

Located literally one block from desirable Dalraida elementary, you could walk your kids to school! This well maintained home is ready to move into and start living your dream of home ownership. Entertain friends in the living room and dining room featuring hardwood floors, and cook family style in the kitchen designed for more than one person at a time! Spacious L shaped family room is in full view from kitchen through large pass through and doorway, so Mom can watch kids while preparing meals. Relax and unwind on the screened back porch overlooking the large shady back yard. For the handyman, there is an attached workshop with plenty of lighting for crafts and home projects (and there is an additional detached storage building out back for yard tools or kids toys.) Located conveniently to Downtown, I-85, and PLENTY of shopping and dining.

Marketed by Montgomery Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends August 2016

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
by The Hat Team

Midtown Montgomery Market Trends

Midtown Montgomery Market Update

homeowner

Being a homeowner means that your home is yours – even the things that need fixing. Is a faucet leaking? Are floor boards squeaky? Is a light-switch not working? Those issues are all yours to tackle. But what projects can you do yourself and what ones require the help of a trained professional? Taking on projects yourself can save you time and money. But taking on the wrong projects can lead to unending amounts of stress or end up costing you more money than if you had hired someone in the first place. NAR’s consumer website, HouseLogic.com, lets you know which projects need a seasoned hand and a beginner can undertake.  

Take a look at how many families decided to become homeowners in our local market in August…

MIDTOWN MONTGOMERY REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE
 

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for August 2016 show the number of homes sold increased 5.26%. The average sales price increased by 4.06%. The median sales price decreased by 5.23%. Market times dropped by 47 days.

Midtown Montgomery August 2016    August 2015
Homes Sold 40 38
Average Selling Price $161,464 $155,167
Median Selling Price $126,000 $132,950
Days On The Market 92 139
Highest Selling Price $750,000 $790,000
Lowest Selling Price $6,000 $7,130


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

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

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

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Tips to Assure Your Pre-Approval is Valid

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
by The Hat Team


Assure your pre-approval is valid

If you are in the market for a new home then the very first step you need to take even before you begin your search for the perfect place is to receive a pre-approval on a loan.  Most Realtors won’t take you serious about looking for a home until you have your pre-approval.  There are a few things that need to take place to assure your pre-approval is valid.  If your lender tells you that you are pre-approved within just a few minutes you may want to do some investigation to find out if it’s legitimate pre-approval.   Below are a few suggestions about what you need to do in order to receive a pre-approval.

  • Submit an application with the lender of your choice
  • Provide all documentation that the lender requires of you
  • Given the go ahead and approval for the lender to pull your credit
  • Your lender must have found that you meet all the credit guidelines. They will look at things such as your debt-to- income ratio as well as your assets. 
  • The lender will have talked with you about what money you need to have together for closing costs as well as what your mortgage payment will be monthly.  Your lender will also go over any or all programs that you may qualify for. 
  • An automated underwriting must be made by your lender before you can move forward with your loan.

If you have a good lender, he or she will talk with you about the different requirements to get a pre- approval and they may even determine that you need to work on a few things first and give it a bit of time before you apply for a pre-approval.  Good lenders will spend the time needed with you to figure out where your finances are so that you don’t end up getting in over your head with a home you cannot afford.  Take your time looking for a lender so that you have a good match and one that you can trust.  After all, buying a home is a big deal and you need to be able to trust those who are leading you into your future and home ownership.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

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Buying Big Without Breaking the Bank

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
by The Hat Team

Buy big without breaking the bank.

We have all seen the tiny houses that are flooding the internet lately, but let’s be honest; do you really want to live in a space so small that you barely have room to move around in your own home?  In all likelihood we can all agree that we really want more space for less money.  Let’s take a look at a few ways to buy big without breaking the bank. 

  1. One way that you can buy big without breaking the bank is by going in together with a family member to purchase a home.   You may not like the idea of having someone living with you but if you can afford to buy a large enough house together you might not even be bothered by them as much as you think you will.
     
  2. Another way to buy big without breaking the bank is by buying an older home.  Older homes are typically built well and have quite a lot of character.  If you don’t have to have everything new then consider buying an older home so that you can get more bang for your buck.  New is not always better. 
     
  3. A great way to buy big without breaking the bank is to bid on a home that is not completely built yet.  You may have  a bit of negotiating room when it comes to the floor plan and if larger is what you want larger might just be what you can get without dishing out a ton of money. 
     
  4. If the home you have your eye set on is the one you really want but it just doesn’t seem big enough for your taste, why not aim for renovating and opening up some of the rooms?  This is a great way to make a smaller home feel larger than it is without having to spend a lot of money in the process.  If you don’t have enough cash to do it all right now, you can always open it up a little bit at a time. 
     
  5. Finding homes that have been on the market for a while is a great way to get more for your money.  Homes are flying off the market these days, so you showing an interest in a home that isn’t having as much luck as the others is a great way to get more.

These are just a few ideas of how you can get more for your money when it comes to buying a home.   Now that you are aware of how you can get a bigger home without breaking the bank you are well on your way to finding the home for you and yours.  

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

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Look For These 6 Attributes In A Neighborhood Before Buying

Wednesday, August 24, 2016
by The Hat Team


Welome to the neighborhood!

Here are just a few things you may want to look for in a neighborhood before you buy a home there.  Keep an open mind when searching for a neighborhood and do your best to pay attention to these things and you will most likely enjoy your new home for years to come.

  1.  Walkability – A good thing to look for in a neighborhood before you buy is the walkability of it.  If you don’t know, a good place to start is to walk the neighborhood yourself.  If you don’t want to get out and walk around in the neighborhood before you purchase a home there, you can always check the walkability score on sites such as Walk Score. 
  2. Neighbors – A great way to check out the neighbors in a hood that you are considering buying a house in is to drive through the neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon.  Most of the time you will at least get to take a look at a few of the neighbors out in their yards.
  3. School Rankings – If your children’s education is important to you, you may want to check out the schools in the area in which you are planning to buy a home.  Talk to neighbors, go to the school and talk to teachers, check for school ratings in that area online to get an idea of what you should expect.
  4. Crime Rates – It is very important that you check into crime rates in a neighborhood before you make a purchase so that you are not surprised once you move in.  Most of the websites such as Zillow and Trulia have a crime rate locator that will show you just how much crime goes on in different areas.
  5. Places Of Interest – A good thing to look for in a neighborhood before you buy a house there is for places of interest nearby.  You may or may not get a chance to do all of the fun things nearby your new home once you move in but knowing there is a lot to do within a close distance may be important to your children.
  6. Demographics -   If it is important to be in a neighborhood of people who look like you and who are around the same age you may want to check out the demographics before you buy a house there.

These are just a few things you may want to look for in a neighborhood before you purchase a home there.  Keep an open mind when searching for a neighborhood and do your best to pay attention to these things and you will most likely enjoy your new home for years to come.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Expert Sandra Nickel.

 

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Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale: 501 Ponce de Leon Ave

Friday, August 19, 2016
by The Hat Team

501 ponce de leon ave

Midtown Montgomery Home For Sale:

501 Ponce de Leon Ave, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 405956

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,546 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Cloverdale/ Idlewild for under 80k! Walk to Parks, restaurants, and the entertainment district in Midtown Montgomery!! If you can live with one bath and two good size bedrooms, this almost maintenance free Tudor cottage could be your next home! Gorgeous refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint and new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen are but a few of the wonderful things this home has to offer. A sun-room / office off the dining room can serve many functions. Neat alcove in kitchen for informal meals. Large living room with fireplace and separate dining will accommodate most furnishings for gracious living. Separate laundry area off kitchen will accommodate a stack washer and dryer. Two separate parking areas for lots of parking. Call us or your agent to see this great home today!

Marketed by Frank Powell, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

 

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update for July 2016

Tuesday, August 16, 2016
by The Hat Team

houses

Fifty-two percent of home owners say now is a good time to sell in their neighborhood. This is up from 34 percent who said so last year, according to a survey conducted by the real estate brokerage Redfin.

What’s more, 58 percent of home owners believe sellers have more power than buyers in the market right now. Redfin researchers note this is nearly the highest level of seller confidence they’ve recorded.

Take a look at how many sellers successfully sold their homes in July…

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for July 2016 show the number of homes sold increased 10.81%. The average sales price decreased by 12.62%. The median sales price decreased by 30.31%. Market times dropped by 19 days.
 
Midtown Montgomery July 2016    July 2015
Homes Sold 41 37
Average Selling Price $122,888 $140,631
Median Selling Price $89,900 $129,000
Days On The Market 118 137
Highest Selling Price $490,000 $620,000
Lowest Selling Price $7,001 $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.

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

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Displaying blog entries 161-170 of 173

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