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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 2737 Chevy Chase Dr

Thursday, January 29, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery, AL Home For Sale:  

2737 Chevy Chase Dr – Montgomery, AL 36107
MLS# 314895

Great Starter Home!


Great starter home or PERFECT addition to your investment portfolio! recent updates include paint, updates in kitchen, and creation of laundry room, accessible from the interior. Quiet cul-de-sac is so conveniently located to shopping, dining, and the interstate/downtown area. Hardwood floors throughout (except kitchen) are a plus! Carport means your vehicle is protected from elements, and you don't have to deal with getting wet in the he rain!

Marketed by Montgomery Alabama Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 8206 Lochwood Dr

Thursday, January 29, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery, AL Home For Sale:  

8206 Lochwood Dr  Montgomery, AL 36117
MLS# 314870

Great Location & Features!

Come take a look at this wonderful home in Halcyon Meadows. Convenient to Eastchase and the interstate, and literally walking distance to Halcyon Elementary (and zoned for the new Park Crossing high school!) This split floor plan design is great for families, and the living room even has a built-in armoire! Custom plantation shutters in most rooms. Back patio is covered for shady outdoor living, and there is a large detached storage building out back. Best price in Halcyon Meadows, so don't let this one get away!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team REALTORS!

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2 Questions Buyers and Sellers Ask About Real Estate

Thursday, January 29, 2015
by The Hat Team

There are two typical questions buyers and sellers ask all the time about real estate…

leysSellers: “Shouldn’t I first start with trying to save some money by selling on my own as a “For Sale By Owner?”

Buyers: “Shouldn’t I just look around on my own and work with the listing agents when I find something I like?”

Both of those scenarios have hidden problems. The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. Real estate professionals “know the ropes” so you don’t need to. Here are some thoughts for you to consider!

  • Sellers need true expert guidance navigating the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a buyer ready, willing and able to pay fair market value at a time when lending standards are so stringent is not an easy task.
     
  • Buyers are finding reasonable financing is not easy to come by. It can be very tricky when interest rates are volatile like they have been over the last several months. And underwriting standards are tight, meaning that you need special guidance getting pre-approved and assuring that your credit is clear.
     
  • Both buyers and sellers need to be hiring a talented negotiator who could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that offer after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
     
  • Sellers should also realize that when an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary; the salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head; the salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family?
     
  • Buyers should consider working with a buyer’s agent from the start. That should be someone who really tunes into your needs and wants. That’s so they can really pinpoint the search for the right property for you. They can save you hours of spinning your wheels and they are ultimately compensated by the seller at the closing table.

Both buyers and sellers should take to heart that old saying “You get what you pay for.” Just like a good accountant or a good attorney, real estate professionals will save you money when all is said and done.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team.

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Wetumpka AL Home for Sale: 75 Willow Bend Road

Thursday, January 22, 2015
by The Hat Team

Wetumpka AL Home for Sale:

75 Willow Bend Road, Wetumpka AL 36093
MLS# 314726

Country Living Without Being In the Country!

Looking for country living without being in the country? Come see this lovely home located in the quiet wooded neighborhood of Willowood. From first sight, this house has a homey feel with the huge front porch. Step inside to find a large family room with built-in bookcases and gas fireplace, a bright eat-in kitchen and spacious bedrooms (all upstairs). Don't miss the huge basement area with tons of storage and a garage. This home is waiting for its next family.

Marketed by Montgomery Realtor Sandra Nickel.

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Get Ready to Garage Sale

Thursday, January 22, 2015
by The Hat Team

A well-planned garage or yard sale can make room in your home, get rid of unused items and make some money but it needs some planning to be successful.

  • garage saleStart early to research and plan
  • Promotion is key
  • Display items attractively
  • Price items right
  • Organize checkout

Saturdays are generally the best day but there may be some exceptions.  Experienced garage-salers believe that a well-planned one-day event will do as well as a multi-day event.  Serious purchasers will look for the “new” sale and most people don’t come back multiple days.

Advertise in local newspapers and free online classified sites like craigslist.  If several families are going together for the sale, mention that in the ad; it will be a big draw.  Mention your bigger-ticket items like furniture, equipment and baby items.

Garage sale signs can be purchased or made at Staples, Fedex Office or Kwik Signs.  Signs need large lettering so they’re easy to read while people are driving. Most important info: Garage or Yard Sale, address, date and time.  Directional signs are also important.  Balloons and streamers to attract attention to the signs are very helpful.

Consider using the service Square so that you can take credit cards.  The cost is 2.75% per swipe and can be done on your smartphone or iPad.  You’ll need to sign up at least two weeks in advance to receive your reader.

Unless you’re having an estate sale, keep your home locked.  You don’t want people wandering through your home while you’re outside.  If you start to accumulate a lot of money, take some of it inside.  Don’t discuss how much money you’ve made during the sale or how successful it has been.

People will want to bargain; it’s the nature of the game.  Consider this strategy: less negotiations early in the sale and possibly, more toward the end of the sale.

Information courtesy of Sandra Nickel Hat Team REALTORS.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends for Dec 2014

Thursday, January 22, 2015
by The Hat Team

2015 is off to a great start for home buyers according to an executive order announced last week authorizing FHA to cut .5 percent from the annual mortgage insurance premium for the FHA backed loans with terms greater than 15 years.  For most FHA loans this will reduce the annual premium from 1.35 percent of the loan balance to .85 percent. Loans with balances above the loan limits in effect in most areas and with current MIP of 1.50 to 1.55 percent will see new premiums of 1.00 or 1.05 percent respectively. The upfront premium for all loans will remain unchanged at 1.75 percent.

Borrowers with FHA-insured loans can refinance and obtain the lower annual MIP, as long as the original endorsement was after May 31, 2009 (Older loans have a lower annual MIP. The annual MIP was increased from 0.55% to 0.90% in October 2010, to 1.15% in April 2011, to 1.25% in April 2012, and to 1.35% in April 2013 for borrowers with less than 5% down.)  

Take a look at December’s real estate sales statistics.

December 2014 Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Update

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for December 2014, show the number of homes sold decreased by 17.24% when compared to December 2013. The average sales price increased by 58% to $136,785 for the month. The median sales prices decreased by 4.55% to $105,000, and market times decreased by 17 days.  The highest selling price decreased by 10.96%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 16.88% compared to $9,000 from December 2013.

Midtown Montgomery  December 2014  December 2013
Homes Sold 24 29
Average Selling Price $136,785 $135,399
Median Selling Price $105,000 $110,000
Days On The Market 135 152
Highest Selling Price $455,000 $511,000
Lowest Selling Price $9,000 $7,700

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 Foreclosure Trends for December 2014

Friday, January 16, 2015
by The Hat Team

In December, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 39% lower than the previous month and 56% lower than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Status Distribution

The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Montgomery, AL.

Auctions accounted for 67.3% of foreclosure activity in December 2014 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 32.7%.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased 88.9% compared to the previous month and decreased 66.0% from the previous year in December. The number of Auctions decreased 53.9% compared to the previous month and 49.3% from the previous year.

montgomery fl foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.04% lower than national statistics, the same as Alabama numbers and the same as Montgomery County statistics in December 2014.

montgomery al 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.

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!

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Reducing Interest Expense

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
by The Hat Team

0% financing has induced car buyers into taking the plunge because it doesn’t cost anything to use someone else’s money.  While mortgage rates are not at zero, they’re close enough that many buyers are applying similar logic.

value of debt-free homeQualified mortgage interest is deductible on taxpayers' returns subject to the maximum acquisition debt of one million dollars.  For the fortunate homeowners who have paid off their mortgage, their acquisition debt was reduced to zero and only the interest on a maximum home equity debt of $100,000 is deductible.

If you have to pay interest, deductible interest is preferable because it reduces your actual cost.

Consider the following example of a taxpayer with a $500,000 debt-free home.  If they did an 80% cash-out refinance of $400,000, $100,000 would be considered home equity debt and the interest on that would be deductible on their income tax.  The other $300,000 of debt is considered personal debt and the interest is not deductible.

However, because the rates are currently so low, the loss of deductibility of the interest doesn’t have as much impact as if the rates were higher.  The key is to have a good purpose for the money that would offset the actual cost of the interest.

Paying off a higher rate debt such as credit cards, student loans, possibly, business debt could all have significantly higher interest rates.  Refinancing a home and eliminating debts like these could be a big savings.

All lenders are not the same.  Call for a recommendation of a trusted mortgage professional.

Information courtesy of Montgomery Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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Montgomery AL Home for Sale: 1557 College Ct

Tuesday, January 13, 2015
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home for Sale:

1557 College Ct, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 314390

Rare Opportunity For A Classic Old Cloverdale Cottage!

1557 college ct

Rare opportunity to own a classic Cloverdale cottage on one of the best kept streets Old Cloverdale has to offer!! Walk to Montgomery’s only independent theater, restaurants and hot nightspots. Brick exterior will keep maintenance and upkeep low. Real varnished plank board ceilings will make you feel you are in a spread out of Architectural Digest. The last two homes that sold on this one block cul-de sac were only on the market days!! Painted kitchen floor, vintage light fixtures in bath and iron windows lend to its charm. Private back deck. Fenced yard perfect for children and pets is a blank canvas waiting on your landscape ideas. Be the first to see this wonderful home! Call us or your favorite agent today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Sandra Nickel, Sandra Nickel Hat Team REALTORS!

 

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Real Estate Predictions For 2015

Friday, January 9, 2015
by The Hat Team

A new year has begun and it seems to me that time goes faster and faster each day. The economy is predicted to grow around 3% in 2015 and as you can guess that is good news for the real estate business!  The real estate market holds a few more predictions for 2015…

  • 2015Interest rates are still low compared to what they have been in years passed but Freddie Mac is predicting that interest rates will rise above the low 4% they had dipped to in 2014 to up to 5% by the end of 2015.  Still these interest rates are extremely low so if you are in the market for a new house you should go ahead and plan on making a purchase sometime in the year of 2015. 
  • Prices for houses by the end of 2015 are predicted to be a little higher than in years passed but not so high that they won’t still be affordable.  Home appreciation will likely move to 4.5 percent instead of 9.3 percent as in 2014.  It may be that home appreciation will drop to 3 percent by the end of 2015.
  • If building a home is in your plans then you are apparently on target with a lot of other folks. The building of new homes is expected to rise 20 percent from 2014.  If you don’t find the house that fits your every need this coming year on the market, it will be a great year to build it to your own specifications. 
  • Not as many folks will be refinancing in 2015.  As a matter of fact refinances will drop to make up only about 23 percent of single family orientations this coming year.  In 2014 refinances made up roughly more than half of single family orientations. 
  • It will be a bit easier to get a loan for your new home purchase in 2015 as some of the restrictions that were once placed on new home buyers will be eased.  Funding sources will grow for new home buyers in 2015 as well. 

As you can see there is a lot of good news for the real estate market in 2015.  If you are considering buying a home, don’t wait another day longer…get on the phone and call a qualified Real Estate agent today to get you started in the right direction. 

Information courtesy of Montgomery Realtors Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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