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Celebrating New Year’s Eve With Little Ones

Thursday, December 26, 2019
by The Hat Team


The holiday rush is winding down and there is one more big celebration on the horizon…New Year’s Eve.  If you plan to stay home with your kids (where it will be safe and warm) this year, here are some fun activities you can do with them to make the night special:

  1. Take a hike before dark.  If it’s nice outside (and not too cold) it will be good to get outside and burn off some energy.  If your little ones want to stay up to ring in the new year (and you’re ok with that) taking a long walk early in the day may tire them out enough to take a short nap so that they can stay up for the festivities.
     
  2. Create a sparkling Mocktail for you and your kids to enjoy.  Don’t trust them with your crystal champagne glasses?  Buy some plastic ones for the occasion.  Have everyone give their own toast to the new year by telling one thing they will remember about 2019 and one thing they are looking forward to in 2020.
     
  3. If your littles are too young to stay up until midnight, let them have their own special countdown earlier in the night.  They can ring in the new year whenever you would like with family friendly countdowns on Netflix! New Year's Eve Countdown Collection
     
  4. Set up a photo booth.  Just because you aren’t going out to a fancy party doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed up, right?  Put on your favorite party outfits and set up an area with some fun New Year's Eve Photo Booth Props and take some great photos to commemorate the night!
     
  5. Have a dance party!  Make a play list of your family’s favorite songs and boogie the night away!
     
  6. Enjoy a family game night.  Lots of families are so busy throughout the year that they rarely get the opportunity to just spend time together enjoying games.  Take advantage of New Year’s Eve and spend some quality time playing games with your kids.
     
  7. Have a pajama party.  There’s nothing more cozy than a night spent in your favorite comfy pajamas!  Build a fort in the family room and let the kids sleep in sleeping bags on the floor.

Whatever you end up doing with your kids on New Year’s Eve this year, I hope you have a safe and happy one!

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: thestir.cafemom.com

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A Guide to Saving Money on Your Electric Bill

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
by The Hat Team


With the many expenses of being a homeowner, we all want to cut back where we can to lower costs. There are several ways to save on your electric bill.  Try these tips and you’ll find a lower bill in your mailbox next month!

  1. Get an Energy Audit - Check and see if your utility company offers a free home energy audit. If so, it’s well worth it to have them come out. They can point out areas where you can trim your energy use. Home Energy Audit
     
  2. Install Dimmer Switches - Dimmer switches will allow you to only use as much light as you need. How to Install a Dimmer Switch
     
  3. Keep Your Fridge & Freezer Full - The food that you store in your fridge and freezer serves as insulation, so the more you have in there, the less your appliance must run to keep itself cold.
     
  4. Install Ceiling Fans - If you keep the air circulating in your home, your AC will not have to work as hard to keep the house cool.
     
  5. Line Dry Your Laundry - Let Mother Nature dry your clothes for you on warm, sunny days.  When that is not possible, try using a drying rack indoors.
     
  6. Eliminate Phantom Loads - You may be shocked to know that about 75% of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Some examples of these “phantom” users are: televisions, CD players, computers, and various kitchen appliances. The simple solution is to plug these items into a power strip and then turn the power strip off when not using them.
     
  7. Install an Attic Fan - An attic fan will pull cool air into your home, and help to remove hot air.
     
  8. Shield Your Home from the Sun - You can cut down on air conditioning use by closing your curtains and blinds on the sunny side of the house.  You may also want to consider planting trees that will provide shade during the sunny times of the day.
     
  9. Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance - Having your HVAC inspected and cleaned each year will save you money in the long run…and it will help provide cleaner air to your home.
     
  10. Change Your Filters Regularly - Filters should be changed every 30 days to keep your HVAC running at peak efficiency.
     
  11. Switch to LEDs - LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs.  Switch out the bulbs you use the most in your home and then change the rest as they burn out.
     
  12. Lower the Temperature of Your Hot Water Heater - 13% of your home’s energy goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees. What's the Best Temperature for Your Hot Water Heater?

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: upmatters.com

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8213 Lochwood Dr: Pack Your Bags and Move Right In!

Monday, December 16, 2019
by The Hat Team

8213 Lochwood Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117 

MLS# 466911

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,820 Square Feet | Halcyon Meadows 

Move in ready in Halcyon Meadows! Brand new counter tops, stainless appliances, laminate flooring and carpet. Freshly painted interior and exterior. Conveniently located near East Chase, AUM and I-85. Check it out today! 

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240 Dalraida Road: Large Contemporary Home

Sunday, December 15, 2019
by The Hat Team

240 Dalraida Road, Montgomery AL 36109

MLS# 465146

3 | 2 | 0 | 2,297 | Dalraida

Distinctive in Dalraida! This 50's contemporary home on a large corner lot in Dalriada has spacious rooms and lots of character. Kitchen and bathrooms have had updates, and you will love the hardwood floors throughout most of the home. Beautiful front courtyard welcomes you, and there is a side covered deck AND a big screened porch off the back. With plenty of parking, you have a 1 car garage and 1 car carport attached, plus a large detached two car carport, perfect for boats or motor homes. Springtime is lovely with lots of lush landscaping and heirloom shrubs. Conveniently located to Interstate, downtown, shopping and dining, and zoned for and literally within walking distance to the desirable Dalraida Elementary school! Home also has very nice ramp from driveway to side deck for handicap access.  Marketed by Montgomery AL Bily Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!  Go to homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com. Click on “About”.

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1803 Madison Avenue: Brick Bungalow in Great Location!

Thursday, December 12, 2019
by The Hat Team

1803 Madison Avenue, Montgomery AL 36107

MLS# 466804

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,866 sq ft | Capitol Heights

Meet Me at the Lions! That'll be your invitation to friends and relatives when you make this handsome brick bungalow your new home. Located on one of Capital Heights best-known corners, Madison "at the lions." And renovated by one of Montgomery's "young lion developers" to include a kitchen full of cabinets and two full baths with the best of old house detailing plus new fixtures as well. Even an unfinished basement you can make a workshop or maybe a man cave! And the door is wide enough that you could also convert it to a garage for your boy-toys, too! Speaking of cars, etc., you'll love the convenience of entering your rear parking, not from Madison Ave. but from the quiet side street.

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Tips for Selling Your House During the Winter Season

Wednesday, December 11, 2019
by The Hat Team


Selling a home during the winter months presents challenges that you don’t have other times of the year. But they are easy to overcome.  Here are some tips to help you sell your house this winter:

  • Light it Up You want your home to feel light and bright when potential buyers are checking it out.  Pull up the blinds, open the shutters and pull back the curtains at every window.  Turn on all the lights in the house, including the ones in bathrooms and closets.  If you have dark areas in rooms, consider placing spotlights behind furniture to brighten them up.
     
  • Warm it Up Before a showing, pump up the thermostat a couple of degrees higher than you normally would and then turn it down right before the buyers arrive.  That way the heat won’t kick on while they are there. Some HVACS can be loud and that is a distraction you want to avoid. When the temperature is comfortable, the buyer will stay longer, especially on a cold day.  If you have a fireplace, a roaring fire on a cold day lends a lot of charm that will entice buyers.
     
  • Create an Irresistible Ambiance Showcase your home with some lovely touches that will give potential buyers that warm and fuzzy feeling.  Toss some soft throws across the arms of your sofa, have fresh flowers in vases throughout the house, and have pretty place settings on your dining room table. You can even give your bathroom a spa-like atmosphere with some simple touches. 7 Simple Tricks to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa
     
  • Turn on Some Music Soft music in the background creates a pleasant atmosphere in your home.  Instrumental jazz and classical music is soothing.  But don’t put on a radio station where music is interrupted by commercials.  Set up a play-list that will continuously play without ads.
     
  • Be Careful with Scents It’s only natural that you want your house to smell nice at all times, but especially when potential buyers will be visiting.  But be careful not to overdo it.  Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers, so avoid plug-in or spray air fresheners.  Same thing with burning candles.  A great way to give your house an enticing smell is to bake before a showing.  Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh-baked sweets?  But if you do that, make sure you have some sweets to share with visitors so they aren’t disappointed when the smell is not followed up with the goodies!
     
  • Serve Winter Drinks Provide some yummy winter drinks for your visitors.  Hot chocolate or warm apple cider will not only warm them up, it will add to the warm, cozy feeling in the home. 9 Hot Drinks for Winter
     
  • Display Photos of Yard in Spring Outdoor areas aren’t at their best in the dead of winter, so display some photographs of your patio and yard during the spring and summer months so buyers will be able to imagine what it will be like to entertain and play outdoors during the warmer months.

If you plan to sell your home this winter, contact Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals and let him help you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: primetitle.net

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3158 Cloverdale Road: 1920’s Farmhouse in Cloverdale

Monday, December 9, 2019
by The Hat Team

3158 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 465169 

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 1,367 sqft | Cloverdale

This 1920's farmhouse was moved to its current location in 1996. Enjoy great views of Cloverdale Bottom park across the street from your spacious screened in front porch. You will find well proportioned rooms throughout the house. House needs a little TLC (paint, floors, new HVAC) and is priced accordingly. Wonderful deep lot and lots of mature trees in the perfect location in Cloverdale! 

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Embrace Minimalism This Holiday Season

Wednesday, December 4, 2019
by The Hat Team


Ahh…Christmas.  A time for happiness and good cheer.  And shopping. And cooking. And wrapping. And decorating. And baking.  Are you tired yet? I am…just from typing this list of things we all do during the holiday season.  Don’t despair!  It doesn’t have to be this way.  You can experience the magic of the holidays without exhausting yourself to the point that you can’t even enjoy it.  Embrace minimalism this holiday season and you will breathe a sigh of relief as you savor the joy of the season. Here are some tips to help:

  • The Three Gift Rule - If maxing out your credit cards and spending hours wrapping gifts doesn’t sound like fun, you may want to consider the “Three Gift Rule”. With the Three Gift Rule each person gets one thing they need, one thing they want, and one surprise.  Turn the focus from quantity to quality while saving yourself time, energy and a little money. The Three Gift Christmas Rule - How and Why to Do It
     
  • Keep Your Tree Simple - Unless every single ornament you own is super meaningful to you, you don’t have to use them all.  If you are overwhelmed thinking about how much time it takes to decorate your Christmas tree, then consider toning it down this year.  If you have three bins of ornaments, just use one this year.  Next year you can use another one.  When it comes to your Christmas tree, there is beauty in simplicity. If you decorate it so much that you can’t even see any of the actual tree…you are probably doing too much!
     
  • Don’t be “Extra” - You may have heard kids using this term lately.  It refers to someone trying too hard or being over the top.  We can all get caught up in trying to outdo our friends, neighbors, social media acquaintances, and/or family members during the holidays. But do you need all the additional stuff at Christmas?  Stick to the basics…a lovely Christmas tree, a few special gifts and a wreath on the door…and you can still have a magical holiday!
     
  • Give Homemade Edible Gifts - We all have SO. MUCH. STUFF.  When thinking about what gifts to give to neighbors, friends and family, consider making and/or baking edible gifts.  Not only will your time and thoughtfulness be appreciated, but the food will be enjoyed and won’t add to the collection of stuff taking up space in our homes.
     
  • Go Easy on the Stockings - If you fill a stocking so full that you can’t leave it hanging because it’s too heavy, you have put too much in it!  Use Christmas stockings to hold small items like candy, lip balm and socks.
     
  • Secret Santa - If you are part of a large extended family or a large friend group, it can be stressful and expensive trying to find the perfect gift for every person in the group.  Avoid that stress (and expense) by suggesting that you all do a “Secret Santa Gift Exchange”. This way, each of you will only have to buy for one other person. You will not only save money; you will be able to focus on finding a special gift that your chosen person will love! 38 Creative Secret Santa Gifts Under $25 That Beat Your Go-To Gift Card
     
  • Give the Gift of Experiences - When the holidays are over, many people find themselves with a bunch of things they will never use again.  But if you give the gift of a future experience…think tickets to a show or movie, gift card to a restaurant or spa experience…not only will there be less “stuff” to put away, but there will be things to look forward to as the holiday season draws to a close.
     
  • Only Decorate the Room You Spend the Most Time In - You don’t have to decorate your whole house. Skip the Christmas shower curtain in the bathroom and focus on decorating where you and your family spend the most time.  Some people enjoy decorating their entire home, but if you don’t, it’s ok.  Do what brings you joy and skip the rest!

The bottom line is that the holiday season should be a time of peace and happiness.  Do what works for you and your loved ones so that you can truly experience the joy of the season!

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: lakesideohio.com

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