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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - March 2012

Thursday, April 26, 2012
by The Hat Team

The increases in FHA mortgage guarantee costs that took effect on April 1 have many home buyers asking, "What do these increases mean to me when I get an FHA loan?"  Megan Booth and Rob Freedman with Realtor.tv break down the facts in this informative video.

Lets look at the statistics in our local real estate market? 

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for March show the average sales price decreased by 26% to $95,339 when compared to March 2011.  The number of homes sold increased by 33% in March 2012.  The median sales prices decreased by 51%, and market times increased by 8% or 11 days.  The highest selling home price increased by 7%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 67%.

Midtown Montgomery March 2012 March 2011
Homes Sold 33 22
Average Selling Price $ 95,339 $ 128,461
Median Selling Price $ 55,000 $ 112,000
Days On The Market 133 122
Highest Selling Price $ 375,000 $ 350,000 
Lowest Selling Price $ 13,500 $4,500

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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

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Home Affordable Refinance Program

Sunday, April 22, 2012
by The Hat Team

If your loan was “sold” to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to June 1, 2009, you may qualify to refinance your mortgage without an appraisal—and you don’t have to worry about the value of your home either!

Determining if your home qualifies

  • Call me with your property address and I will check Fannie/Freddie’s website
  • Your current home, rental property, second home qualifies
  • If you have a 2nd mortgage, the 2nd mortgage holder must agree to “subordinate.”

What you will need to apply

  • Estimate of the current value of your home based on comps from a real estate agent
  • 30-days’ worth of paycheck stubs
  • Bank statements
  • Decent credit scores
  • Copy of driver’s license
  • Private Mortgage Insurance (did you have to include on your original loan?)
  • Copy of title policy
  • Copy of homeowner’s insurance policy

What is “unknown”

  • Fannie/Freddie may require additional documents once the file is submitted to underwriting
  • You may have to bring money to closing
  • How long it will take to process your loan
  • Fannie/Freddie may determine whether or not you will need an appraisal.

What are the benefits?

  • Lower interest rate
  • Decrease in the number of years left to pay off your mortgage
  • No appraisal required (if determined by Fannie/Freddie)
  • PMI insurance may decrease or be eliminated.

There is a huge window of opportunity for you to take advantage of a lower interest rate and reduce the number of years on your mortgage, with lower closing costs.  Call me to see if you qualify! 

 

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. 

 

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - March 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012
by The Hat Team

There were 848 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 867 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in March 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $95,359 and the average foreclosure selling price was $27,444, a $67,915 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.95% in March while the number of foreclosed homes rose from 80 to 109.

montgomery al foreclosure

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.04% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics for the month of March 2012.

monrtomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased from 44 homes in February to 28 in March. The number of Auctions climbed from 36 to 81. There is a 6-month rising trend.

montgomery al real estate

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 121 Bradley Drive Montgomery, Al 36109

Saturday, April 14, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

121 Bradley Drive Montgomery, Al 36109

MLS#290124

Become a landlord the easy way. Buy this sweet little cottage with a good tenant already in place! No worries about making payments on a vacant house or finding a reliable property manager. Short sale subject to lender approval so you'll have to be patient. And your patience will be rewarded with a great deal!

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2832 Spann Place Montgomery, Al 36107

Saturday, April 14, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

2832 Spann Place Montgomery, Al 36107

MLS#290128

Become a landlord the easy way. Buy this sweet little cottage with a good tenant already in place! No worries about making payments on a vacant house or finding a reliable property manager. Short sale subject to lender approval so you'll have to be patient. And your patience will be rewarded with a great deal!

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2836 Spann Place Montgomery, Al 36107

Saturday, April 14, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

2836 Spann Place Montgomery, Al 36107

MLS#290129

Attention Investors--Lender's Loss is Your Gain! Own this sweet little cottage for about 1/3 of what current owner paid a few short years ago. Great cash flow with good tenant already in place! No worries about making payments on a vacant house or finding a reliable property manager. Short sale subject to lender approval so you'll have to be patient and your patience will be rewarded with a great deal!

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Strategies To Remedy A Low Appraisal Of Your Montgomery AL Real Estate

Thursday, April 12, 2012
by The Hat Team

Talk about a setback!  You’ve spent recent months preparing your house for sale or looking for the perfect house to buy, negotiating a fair price, and anxiously awaiting the settlement date.  And now the appraisal on that piece of Montgomery AL real estate has come in below the asking price.  What to do?  First, whether you are the buyer or the seller, remain calm.  This is not an unusual occurrence in today’s market.  Understanding the possible reasons for the disappointing appraisal and exploring strategies to save the transaction are your next steps.

REASONS F0R A LOW APPRAISAL:montgomery al home appraisal

  • Overpricing by seller
  • Declining market values
  • An abundance of foreclosures or short sales in the neighborhood
  • Inflated price resulting from multiple offers
  • Incorrect evaluation by the appraiser
  • Cash back to buyer from the seller
  • Error(s) on the part of the appraiser

WHAT A SELLER CAN DO:

  • Lower the price of the Montgomery AL real estate.  After researching and analyzing the latest comps with your Realtor, realistically reconsider your asking price and decide whether you are willing to begin the selling process all over again.
  • Offer to carry a second mortgage for the buyer if the above option is not possible.

WHAT A BUYER CAN DO:

  • Ask the seller to make up the difference in cash.
  • Ask the lender for a new appraisal after presenting your justification for this request.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO BOTH SELLER AND BUYER:

  • Check the appraiser’s report for errors (in facts or omission) in information about the Montgomery AL real estate.  Verify the accuracy of the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.  Have any recent improvements you’ve made to the property been included?  If not, appeal the appraisal.
  • Supply to the underwriter a list of recent comparable sales that justify the selling/purchase price and ask for a review of the appraisal.
  • Order a new appraisal.  Although you will have to pay for it, it could be money well spent if it results in a higher appraisal. Your lender will give you a list of appraisers if the loan is an FHA one.  If it’s conventional, it is subject to the rules of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC).
  • As a last resort, cancel the transaction.  Most purchase contracts contain a loan contingency which deals with low appraisals.

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 1919 Madison Avenue Montgomery, AL 36107

Thursday, April 12, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale

1919 Madison Avenue Montgomery, AL 36107

MLS#291773

Historic Madison Avenue brick bungalow! Beautiful architectural style roof and tudor details add to the character of this classic home. Standard high ceiling, transoms and hardwood floors you expect in a house of this era lend a quality feel. Updated eat in kitchen will impress the fussiest cooks. Separate laundry room with sink will make this chore a pleasure. Three nice size bedrooms and one with it's own private bath make this layout flow. Separate room at rear of home will make a great office, study or whatever you desire. Last but not least you will own a wonderful large covered front porch perfect for entertaining. Please give us or your favorite agent a call to view today!

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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How Mortgage Insurance Really Works

Thursday, April 5, 2012
by The Hat Team

When you buy Montgomery AL real estate without a down payment of at least 20%, the lender, be it FHA or a private mortgagor, requires that you purchase mortgage insurance to protect it against financial loss.  Mortgage insurance, not to be confused with mortgage life insurance or homeowner’s insurance, assures the lender of no financial loss or a very reduced one) if you default on the loan.

The cost of this insurance—from .25 to 6% of the loan—is almost always the responsibility of the buyer of Montgomery AL  real estate.  (There is such a thing as lender-paid insurance, but this type carries a higher interest rate and is non-refundable.)  Usually the borrower has a choice of payment plans, which included the following:

  • Annuals. The borrower pays the first-year premium at closing; an annual renewal premium is collected monthly as part of the total monthly house payment.
     
  • Monthly Premiums. The cost is slightly more than traditional mortgage insurance plans but monthly premiums dramatically reduce mortgage insurance closing costs. Borrowers pay for mortgage insurance monthly as part of their total monthly house payment but need to pay only one month's mortgage insurance premium at closing, rather than one year's. 
     
  • Singles. The borrower pays a one-time single premium (instead of an initial premium and renewal premiums). Since single premiums are typically financed as part of the mortgage loan amount, no out-of-pocket cash is used for mortgage insurance with a nonrefundable premium at closing.

These plans offer the choice of refundable or nonrefundable premiums. A refundable premium allows the borrower the opportunity to receive money back on any unused portion, in the event that mortgage insurance coverage is discontinued before the loan is paid in full. The cost for a nonrefundable premium is slightly less than that of a refundable premium, thereby giving the borrower a small savings. If coverage is discontinued on a loan with a nonrefundable premium, the borrower has no opportunity for a refund.   If you are unsure which plan is best for you, visit your state mortgage insurance office.

insuranceUnfortunately, rumors and myths abound about the difficulty or even impossibility of cancelling refundable mortgage insurance.  Fortunately, however, the Homeowner’s Protection Act of 1998 requires lenders of insurance loans for Montgomery AL real estate to notify consumers of their rights in this regard on a yearly basis and to automatically cancel the insurance when the mortgage has amortized to 78% of the original property value.  In addition, you may apply for cancellation of your mortgage insurance when that percentage reaches 80%.  For specific details of the HPA requirement in terms of timing and content of these notices, click here. 

While paying for mortgage insurance does entail an extra expense for the home purchaser, it also has its benefits.  It allows new buyers to become a homeowner sooner than if they needed to have a 20% down payment and greatly increases their buying power.  Repeat buyers can gain a significant tax advantage by having more deductible interest to claim.  They can also use the money saved by not putting down 20% to cover moving costs or to put into other investments.

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.

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

 

 

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