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Thursday, March 29, 2018
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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 11
Curb Appeal on a Budget
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
When selling a home, curb appeal is one of the most important factors in attracting buyers. Your yard and the front of your home are the first thing they will see, and while nobody should judge a book by its cover, many people do. The appearance of the outside of the home can determine if a potential buyer will even be willing to look at the inside. So, attractive curb appeal is vital to getting your home sold.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get great curb appeal. There are many small, inexpensive home improvements that can be done to create a look that will impress!
- Give a fresh coat of paint to the front door, trim or shutters.
Nothing will brighten up your home’s façade like a bright, fresh coat of paint!Costing only about $30 a gallon you can get a lot of bang for your buck.Choose a bold hue that will stand out, while still complementing the overall color of your home.
28 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door
- Add some creative new house numbers.
Installing some new house numbers will not only look good, it will also make it easy to find! Be creative and utilize materials that will match the finish of your exterior light fixtures.Make sure the numbers stand out!
- Change exterior lighting.
If your light fixtures are looking shabby, it’s time to replace them. Consider the design of your home and look for fixtures that add both function and style. Save yourself some time by using fixtures that have the same mounting system as the ones you will be removing.
- Replace your mailbox.
Whether your mailbox is by the road or attached to your house, it can either add to or take away from your curb appeal depending on how it looks. You can find a new mailbox for as little as $20.This quick project will go a long way toward improving the look of your home.Just make sure you are following city/county/HOA regulations when installing it.
- Install flower boxes.
If you want to add some color to your home exterior, there is no better way to do it than with flowers!Try adding some inexpensive flower boxes to your front porch railings or under your windows.You can even DIY them in an afternoon! Choose flowers with colors that will complement your home.
15 Planter Boxes You'll Want to DIY Right Now
Are you ready to list your house for sale this spring? Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professional Realtors can answer any questions you may have about preparing your home to sell. Give them a call today at 334-834-1500!
Photo Credit: Lowes.com
4418 Wares Ferry Rd, Montgomery AL 36109 - Move-in Ready and Priced to Sell!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
4418 Wares Ferry Rd, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 429394
3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,608 square feet | College Grove
Don't miss this great updated home in the College Grove neighborhood, and zoned for desirable Dalraida elementary school. Wonderful floor-plan has den/family room open to eat-in kitchen. Living room/dining room combo across the back opens to rear patio and large fenced back yard. Home comes with oversized parking pad and two large detached storage buildings, one of which would make a great workshop. Kitchen and bathrooms were just updated, and entire house has fresh paint and new flooring!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
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What NOT to Throw Away When Downsizing
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Getting organized to move is an arduous task. It makes sense to get rid of a lot of unused belongings when you are getting ready to pack and move, especially if you are downsizing. But it’s important not to go overboard! There are some things that are worth keeping. In fact, there are some things you should never throw away, even when downsizing:
You should let go of as much paper as you can before moving, but be careful that you don’t thrown away important documents.Hang on to the following: birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, social security cards, retirement documents, medical records, insurance policies, passports, wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, property deeds, investment records, education records, diplomas, military service records and vehicle titles.
- Collections.
If you collect something, clearly it has significance to you. Maybe you just like it, or maybe it has sentimental value.Either way, you should definitely take your collection with you and make room for it in your own home.Now, if you have several collections, you might have to pick your favorites and leave some behind.But downsizing doesn’t mean having to let go of the things that mean the most to you.
- Family Heirlooms
Sometimes you inherit things that you feel you must keep just because they were passed down to you from family.But you don’t really like them. You keep them packed in a box and don’t use or display them.There is no point in moving these to your new home. But family heirlooms that you love should make the cut.Downsizing gives you the opportunity to take stock in your family heirlooms and decide what is worth keeping and what can be sold or given away.Take the items that you enjoy and that are meaningful to you…leave the rest.
- Electronics
Unless you have the time to make sure that all your electronics have been completely cleared of personal information, you should take them with you.The last thing you want is to give away, sell, or dispose of electronic devices that still carry your personal information.
- Photographs
When you are in the midst of packing for a move and you are exhausted and overwhelmed, you might start throwing away things that seem unimportant at the moment…but you may regret it later.Take all your photographs with you.If you have time, save space by getting them digitized using a company like Legacy Box. But don’t throw them away!
- Landline Phones
Many people rely solely on cell phones these days.But you never know when you might misplace your mobile phone, run out of battery or lose service.Keep at least one land line for emergencies.
- Sentimental Items
This may seem like a given.Of course you won’t leave any sentimental items behind.But sometimes it’s difficult to decide what holds deep sentimental value to you, especially when you are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff you have to move and fit into your new, smaller home.Don’t let downsizing make you feel like you must get rid of the things that mean most to you.Choose the ones that mean the most and bring them along!
Are you looking to downsize? Sandra Nickel and her team of professional Realtors can help you get your current home on the market and assist you in finding the perfect home to suit all your needs and desires. Give them a call today at 334-834-1500!
3373 Southview Ave, Montgomery AL 36111 - Beautiful Tudor Style Home in Sought After Edgewood!
Sunday, March 18, 2018
3373 Southview Ave, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 429435
4 bedrooms | 3 baths | 1 half-bath | 3,873 square feet | Edgewood
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This remarkable tudor-esque home sits majestically on a corner lot in the sought-after Edgewood neighborhood. With refined architectural details in-tact, upgrades (like new energy efficient windows) and renovations (kitchen and baths) create perfect living spaces for modern families. Spacious formal living and dining rooms allow for entertaining, and the oversized sunken great room has fireplace and high ceilings for a grand feel. Large sunroom off great room makes a perfect playroom for kids, or a sunny "morning" room to fill with plants and casual furnishings. One highlight of the main floor is the beautifully updated kitchen with custom cabinets and work island, Alabama marble counters, and 6 burner Wolf range. Master bedroom and updated bath on main floor, along with powder room, and three more big bedrooms upstairs, one with en-suite bath, and one with bonus room attached. The private back yard makes a perfect play area, and is fully fenced. Garage provides covered parking and lots of storage and is attached to home via breezeway that enters a laundry/mudroom. All this in a quiet, well-maintained Midtown Montgomery neighborhood just minutes from fine dining, shopping, and bustling Downtown! Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
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2059 Bullard St, Montgomery AL 36106 - Cloverdale Charm Without the Cloverdale Price Tag!
Sunday, March 18, 2018
2059 Bullard St, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 429457
3 bedrooms | 1 bath | 1,416 square feet | Forest Park
Here is your opportunity to live in Midtown Montgomery, close to everything happening in this fun, hip, energetic part of town. This home has all the character you would expect in one of our Historic districts such as hardwood floors, high ceilings, with nice updates to the kitchen and bathroom. Enjoy outdoor living on the back deck and pergola covered terrace area, overlooking large fenced back yard. Budget friendly and ready to move into!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval Will Make You Stand Out to Sellers!
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Across the country right now, the number of buyers seeking homes far outnumbers the number of homes available. Because of this, the housing market is super competitive and buyers often need to do something to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.
Even in a less competitive market, knowing your budget will give you security of knowing if a home is within your reach.
One of the many advantages of working with a local Realtor is that many have relationships with lenders who will be able to help you with this process. Once you have chosen a lender, you will need to fill out their loan application and provide them with vital information regarding your credit, debt, work history, down payment and residential history.
There are 5 Cs that aid in determining the amount you will be qualified to borrow:
- Capacity: Your current and future ability to make payments.
- Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash.
- Collateral: The home or type of home that you want to purchase.
- Character: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time.
- Conditions: Current interest rates and amount of principal influence lender’s likelihood of financing the borrower.
Getting pre-approved not only shows sellers you are serious, but also speeds up the process of completing the purchase once your offer has been accepted.
Many people overestimate the down payment and Credit Score needed to qualify for a mortgage. If you are ready to buy, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at what you can afford! Contact Sandra Nickel and her team of professionals at 334-834-1500 and let them help you achieve your dream of home ownership today!
Spring Fever! Three Home Maintenance Projects to Transition from Winter to Spring
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
March is here and chances are the winter doldrums are getting to you. Now is a good time to start tackling some home maintenance tasks that will remind you that spring is right around the corner!
Clean Your Gutters
Once the last frost of winter has passed, it is important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and, if necessary, repaired. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause wood trim in the eaves to rot and that can leave and opening for all kinds of critters to invade your house. If you’re not sure what to look for, you can have a Home Inspector come and look for you.
Another benefit to cleaning out your gutters and downspouts early in the season is that it can help to prevent damage from spring rains. If they are installed and cleaned properly, they will divert water away from the house and keep it from collecting around your foundation.
Prep Your Yard
Your lawn may be looking sad as the winter months have taken their toll, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Giving your lawn a little attention toward the end of winter will make for a lush, green lawn this spring and summer.
The first step is to aerate your soil. When soil is compacted, it is too hard for water, air and roots to penetrate. That makes it hard on grass. You can rent a core aerator from a local equipment rental store. A half day’s rental generally costs about $40. This machine, which resembles a large rotary tiller, uses steel tubes to take plugs of soil from the lawn and deposit them on the ground. You can reduce compaction by aerating once a year and this will increase the vitality of your lawn.
The second step is to mow the old grass low. If you have cool-season grass such as bluegrass, fescue, or perennial ryegrass, you can skip this part. But if you have warm-season grass such as Bermuda, buffalo grass centipede, St. Augustine or Zoysia, you will want to mow that old, brown grass low at the end of winter to remove the accumulation of thatch, an accumulation of dead stems and leaves. If you leave the thatch, it will prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots and will encourage disease. Cut Bermuda lawns to ½ inch and leave the clippings in place to decompose. Mow other types to 1 inch. If you use a regular mower, bag the clippings; then compost or discard them. Mowing low allows more sun to reach and warm the soil which helps the grass to green up.
The final step is to stop weeds. As the temperatures rise and reach 70 degrees, the seeds of lawn weeds begin to sprout. Late winter is a good time to stop them by applying a pre-emergence lawn weed preventer. When used properly, it creates a barrier atop the soil to keep weeds from sprouting. Make sure not to aerate after using the weed preventer or you will break the barrier. Do not use this type of product if you are planting new grass though, because it will keep grass seeds from coming up as well.
Once you have your lawn ready, then you can start thinking about selecting plants and flowers for your home garden!
Caulk Windows and Doors
Winter can be hard on your home. Now is the time to inspect the caulking around your windows and doors and to repair any damage left behind by old man winter. Check around your windows, doors, and corner trim to prevent water infiltration and avoid costly repairs.
Using high-quality siliconized acrylic latex caulk that is rated for exterior use will cut down on the amount of caulking you will have to do. It has good adhesion and flexibility, cleans up easily with water, and is paintable as well. Make sure you know what you are doing and avoid common mistakes in caulking.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, spring home maintenance is a step toward making your house more alluring to potential buyers. The professionals on Sandra Nickel's Hat Team can help you get your house on the market and sold today! Contact them at 334-834-1500.
Photo Credit: fullhartinsurance.com
6716 Old Selma Rd, Montgomery AL 36108 - Historic Estate Only 7 Miles from Downtown Montgomery!
Thursday, March 1, 2018
6716 Old Selma Rd, Montgomery AL 36108
MLS# 428978
4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 3,027 square feet | 1830
This exquisitely proportioned home represents the transition from the Federal style to that of Greek Revival and is nestled on a small estate in the bucolic outskirts of Montgomery, just 7 miles from bustling downtown and 10 minutes from Montgomery Regional Airport. Modern bathrooms and updated kitchen blend beautifully with the original historic and architectural stylings of the original structure listed on the Alabama Historic Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The 3,000+ square foot house boasts large central hallway, original high ceilings, heart pine floors, many original windows, four fireplaces, and is of massive hand-hewn construction. The magnificent formal gardens, including a pond, Italian cypress allee, topiary hedges, fruit tree orchard, rose garden, shade garden, perennial garden, boxwood sculpture garden, and maze garden were created by noted landscape designer Martin Mayer who used elements of Italian, English landscape, Victorian, and early 20th century designs. A detached structure contains a workshop, storage, 2 car garage and 2 car car-port. This is truly a magnificent estate for anyone who appreciates history, historical architecture, and lush landscaping. Oh, and did I mention that Tallulah Bankhead visited her great grandmother and slept here many times!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
3135 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery AL 36106 - Dream House in Prime Location!
Thursday, March 1, 2018
3135 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 428910
3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,549 square feet | 1927
Ideal location in Cloverdale Idlewild; right across from the park and just in time for the Spring Concert Series! Get ready for lots of entertaining because all your family and friends are going to want to hang out at your house! This wonderful home has been meticulously maintained and beautifully updated with fresh paint, new flooring, new lighting, and new appliances. The kitchen has brand new cabinets for plenty of storage, granite counter tops and a cool tiled back splash. Don't miss the renovated laundry room with tons of storage as well as a sink. All the bedrooms are spacious and have hard wood floors. Tons of living space inside with the formal living room, dining room, family room and upstairs bonus room/loft. But the best might be the fabulous outdoor living with private screened in porch, enormous deck, large back yard with privacy fence and fire pit in the front. This house has it all, including a prime location in Midtown Montgomery! Check it out before someone else does!
Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor Lauren Layfield, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!
Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 11
