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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 12

A How-To Guide to Buying a House Quickly

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
by The Hat Team


If you are in the market to purchase a home right now, I am sure you would like to be moved in and settled by the time the holidays arrive.  Does that sound too good to be true?  Well, no promises, but there are steps you can take to buy a home fast.

Whether you are buying a house for the first time, or you have navigated the home buying process before, chances are you know that it can be lengthy and complicated.  But there are certain strategies you can use that will speed things up. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Chose the right type of house.  There are certain types of homes you will want to avoid if you’re in a hurry.  Co-ops, for example, can be problematic because it can take six to eight weeks to get a board interview scheduled, finalized and approved.  You should also avoid bank-owned homes or foreclosures, which generally take much longer to close.  The fastest way to go is to focus on condos or new developments. Closings for condos and new developments can take as few as three to four weeks to happen.
     
  • Get pre-approved for a mortgage.  This is a strategic move that will give you a head start so that when you do find a house you want to purchase; you will already be approved for a mortgage loan and can make an offer right away.  This will also help you to stay within your budget when looking at homes because you won’t want to waste time looking at properties that cost more than what you are pre-approved for. How to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval
     
  • Have your documents in order and ready to go.  Get all the paper work that you will need organized so that it is ready and waiting when you find the right home.  Generally, a home buyer will need the following: federal tax returns for the past two years, supporting information such as W-2, 1099, or other tax forms for the past two years, two months’ worth of bank statements for your checking, savings, 401K, retirement and other accounts, and pay stubs from the past month. Homebuyers: What to Bring to Your Closing
     
  • Find the right Realtor to guide you through the process.  You will want an experienced, professional Realtor like Sandra Nickel who knows the area well and can use their expertise to get you into a home quickly.
     
  • Offer to shorten contingency deadlines.  Don’t risk waiving home inspection or financing contingencies, but consider a shorter time frame to effect a faster closing.
     
  • Be prepared for your move.  Don’t wait until you have closed on your new home to start packing and preparing for your move.  Start early so that as soon as you close, you are ready to go!

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: veteransunited.com

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Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe on Halloween

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
by The Hat Team


When caught up in the fun and excitement of Halloween festivities, it’s easy to overlook safety issues. There may be ghosts, vampires and witches on every corner, but what is truly frightening is the number of preventable accidents that occur each year on this night. You will enjoy this spooky holiday more if you know your children are safe. Here are 5 safety tips for Halloween:

  1. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should not cross streets alone before they are ten years old. Maturity, danger awareness, and traffic savvy are all required for navigating street crossings and research cautions that even some ten-year-olds might not be ready for that.  In a Wall Street Journal article, author Andrea Peterson stated, “Research has found that young children walking to school often don’t look for traffic to stop at the curb before stepping into the street.”  And the AAP's Policy Statement on this topic is that parents “are likely to overestimate their children’s ability to safely cross the street.”  So, if your little princess or superhero is under ten, make sure there is a trusted adult with them to guide them across streets.  Teach them that looking left, then right, then left again is the best way to be sure no cars are coming.  Remind them to listen for traffic as well. If your children are trick or treating in a city with busy streets, always use designated cross walks for crossing.
     
  2. Avoid visual impairments, like masks.  Face paints are a great alternative for masks for trick or treaters.  Incorporate bright colors into the face paint to make your child more visible in the dark. It’s also a good idea to add some reflector tape to dark costumes so that your child can be seen in the dark.
     
  3. When trick or treating in an area that does not have sidewalks and you must walk on roads, be sure to walk FACING oncoming traffic.  This makes it easier for you to spot cars coming and for drivers to spot you.  It’s a good idea to carry a flashlight and point it forward and down. It will not only give you more visibility, it will make you more visible.
     
  4. Nothing says Halloween like a candlelit jack o’ lantern, but unfortunately, it’s also a fire hazard. Long capes and costumes with trailing material on crowded doorsteps are disaster waiting to happen when exposed to an open flame.  Be sure to purchase flame-retardant apparel for your little ones.  And to be extra safe, go over the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" procedure with them.
     
  5. Set some rules for candy consumption.  Don’t allow your child to eat while out trick or treating.  It’s too hard to inspect candy properly in the dark and you want to be sure packaging isn’t punctured or previously opened.  Don’t let them eat anything homemade unless it’s from a friend or neighbor that you know. Wait until you child is home and you can inspect their loot in a well-lit room and set guidelines for how much they may eat and when. Last thing you want is a tummy ache at the end of a spooktacular night…especially if it’s a school night! How to Check Your Kids' Candy for Potential Hazards This Halloween

Follow these tips and use common sense and Halloween night will be festive but not frightening!

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: slate.com

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How to Simplify for a More Peaceful Life

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
by The Hat Team


With summer in the rear-view mirror and the holidays approaching, life has likely gotten a lot more hectic. Chances are you have multiple schedules to juggle and little free time.  Now is a good time to simplify your life and eliminate as much stress as possible. Get started with the following steps:

  • Let go of extraneous possessions.  Having too many "things" can be detrimental to a peaceful life.  They cause clutter, drain your bank account and use energy and attention that could be elsewhere.  Take the time to remove unnecessary possessions from your life and you will not regret it!
     
  • Learn to say no.  Too many commitments will not only take up time, but will leave you feeling like you can’t really give 100% to anyone or anything.  Prioritize what is most important to you, whether it’s a book club or a hobby or volunteering.  After working and taking care of your family, you want to make the most out of the free time you have. Filling it with activities you don’t really care about out of some sense of obligation will leave you feeling tired and unfulfilled.
     
  • Get organized.  There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find something when you need it.  Imagine the time and energy that will be saved if you don’t have to search for your keys or the phone charger or your child’s permission slip that you signed last week.  Having a place for everything and knowing where it is when you need it will make your life much less stressful and free up more time for fun and relaxation. How Clutter Affects Your Health
     
  • Reduce screen time.  How many times have you run late for something because you just had to read one more article on the internet.  It’s easy to get sucked in when so much information is available so easily.  But too much screen time means too little REAL time.  Don’t let the screen dominate your life.  Make a conscious effort to unplug and free up more time for other activities.
     
  • Stop multi-tasking.  It may seem unavoidable when life is so busy, but research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity.  Focus on one task at a time, give it 100% of your attention, and when you are done move on to the next task. How Multitasking Affects Productivity and Brain Health
     
  • Ask for help.  Sometimes life is hard.  Trying to do everything yourself can leave you feeling defeated and deflated.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

These are just a few ideas for ways to simplify your life.  If you are buying or selling a home, you can count on Sandra Nickel and Her Hat Team of professionals to make the process as simple as possible for you! Give them a call today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: frugalfamily.co.uk

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2002 Chancellor Ridge Road: Pack Your Bags and Move to Highland Ridge!

Monday, October 14, 2019
by The Hat Team

2002 Chancellor Ridge Road, Prattville, Alabama 36066

MLS# 462704 

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,221 sqft | Highland Ridge

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Welcome to Highland Ridge! Looking for room to spread out? This <span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW52421605 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" data:image="" gif;base64,r0lgodlhbqaeapedaabvzdnvzdnv="" waaach5bauaaamalaaaaaafaaqaaaiinc2qchykqgeaow="=&quot;);" border-bottom:="" 1px="" solid="" transparent;="" background-color:="" inherit;"="">4 bedroom home is the very popular Hamlet Floor Plan offers a formal dining room, living room, kitchen with work island and breakfast area that is open to the family room/den. The spacious master has a huge walk-in closet, garden tub and separate shower. The awesome deck overlooking the fenced in back yard is a great place to relax after a long day. Lovely arch ways, tall ceilings, laminate flooring, large laundry room and storage building are really nice features. Centrally located to everything Prattville has to offer, check it out today! 

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42 Brittany Drive: Build Your Dream Home Here!

Thursday, October 10, 2019
by The Hat Team

42 Brittany Drive, Elmore, Alabama 36025

MLS# 452751 

Land for Sale | 0.1 Acres | Brittany Place

Last vacant lot available in desirable Brittany Place! Across from community gazebo. Buy and build your dream Garden Home! 

 
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616 Clayton Street: Historic Cottage Hill Beauty!

Thursday, October 10, 2019
by The Hat Team

616 Clayton Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104

MLS# 454962 

2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,057 sqft | Cottage Hill

This marvelous Queen Anne-style historic Cottage Hill home features wide wrap-around front porch perfect for relaxing with family and friends. Stunning architecture inside includes heavy moldings, 12 ft ceilings, decorative mantles, and large wood pocket doors. Spacious rooms and great restorations add to the charm of this vintage home. Just minutes away from booming downtown and all it has to offer. 

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3228 Lexington Road: Cloverdale Tudor Style Cottage

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
by The Hat Team

3228 Lexington Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36106

MLS# 461283

3  Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,072 sqft | Cloverdale Idlewild 


This unassuming Tudor-style cottage has striking architectural detailing. Living room with classic barrel-vault ceiling and lots of natural light gives a feeling of openness. The "Moorish" style fireplace between the living and dining rooms seems to float and has a unique niche built in for displaying treasured objects. Wide central hall is a great place to display artwork and is big enough for furniture. If you are a fan of art deco, you will flip over the main bath with its original yellow and black "Chrysler Building" tilework. Two rear bedrooms share a middle bath. Off the living room is a private side courtyard that leads to an open back yard with plenty of space for kids and pets to play. unfinished basement area has potential for storm shelter, workroom, or just plain additional storage. Detached two car garage provides additional storage. Classic Cloverdale on a budget is what you will find, and within walking distance to the park, dining and shopping! 
 

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701 Eliza Place: Put This Custom Built Home at the Top of your List!

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
by The Hat Team

701 Eliza Place, Montgomery, Alabama 36109

MLS# 461191

2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,633 sqft | Custom Built | Bellehurst Estates

Custom built garden home on large corner lot in desirable Bellehurst Estates. Meticulous owner ensures that this property has been very well maintained and cared for, but just might need a little cosmetic face lift. Great floor plan includes living room with vaulted ceiling, dining room, large kitchen with work island, lots of cabinets and breakfast nook. The small room off the kitchen would make a good office, den or playroom. Enclosed patio provides, also off the kitchen, provides another area to hang out. Attached and detached storage and two side yards, one quaint for gardening and the other perfect for kids to play or dogs to roam. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or looking to downsize, definitely put this one on your list! 

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Tying Up Loose Ends When You Move

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
by The Hat Team

Let’s face it - moving is overwhelming no matter how well you prepare.  There are what seem like a million little pieces that all must fall into place to make a move go smoothly. And even then, it is stressful.  You are upending your life; putting everything you own into boxes and bags, and making big changes.  So, it’s easy to understand how some tasks fall through the cracks and are forgotten.  Here are some important things that many people forget to do (or don’t even realize need to be done) when moving:

  • Cancel recurring charges for local memberships. During the chaos of moving, the last thing you are likely to think about are membership fees for things that may not transfer to your new place of residence, like a gym membership.  And if those fees are automatically charged to your credit or debit card you need to cancel those memberships at least a month before you move so that you don’t continue to get charged even when you’re not there to use them any longer.
     
  • Call your car insurance company. Per the Department of Motor Vehicles,  it is vital to check on your car insurance when moving, as states have varying levels of required coverage.  In fact, insurance rates can even vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in the same city.  So, make sure you call your insurer before you move to see if you need to update or change your coverage at your new address.
     
  • Change your address early.  Changing your address is easy using the Online Form provided by the U.S. Postal Service, but don’t wait until the last minute to do it! If you want to be sure that your mail arrives at your new home in a timely manner, complete the form about two weeks before you move. 
     
  • Take care of your finances.  During the whirlwind of moving, it’s easy to forget the everyday tasks that are a normal part of your routine…like paying bills.  It’s also easy to lose track of paper bills among all the boxes you’ve packed.  Take the time to set up auto pay for things at your new home like mortgage/rent, phone, utilities etc.  This can help assure an on-time payment during a hectic time.  Designate a spot for mail both in the home you’re packing up and in your new home so that paper bills aren’t lost in the shuffle.
     
  • Change your billing address on credit cards.  Don’t get caught by surprise when your billing address doesn’t match the address on your credit card because you forgot to change it when you moved.  Some transactions now require that you put in your billing zip code when using your card, so if that has changed, then you need to change it on your credit cards as well.  The last thing you want is to deal with a transaction being denied and then finding out it was simply because you hadn’t changed the address on your card.

Yes, moving is stressful. But taking care of these often overlooked tasks will make it a little bit easier!

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: braybray.co.uk

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507 Cloverdale Rd: Easy Living Cloverdale Condo!

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
by The Hat Team

​507 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 458537 

2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,718 sqft | Condo | Cloverdale

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This fabulous two bedroom, two bath condo is located in the heart of Cloverdale in the A & P Lofts. Tucked away in the back right corner of the complex, this unit offers privacy and seclusion. The open concept kitchen, living and dining has a soaring ceiling and is filled with light from the wall of windows. It's definitely a blank canvas for how you could enjoy this space. Both bedrooms, one on the main floor and the other upstairs, are spacious and have an en-suite bath so either could serve as the Master. Two balconies allow you to room to relax outside, one on either side of the building. Check it out today!

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