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Steps to Take Before Buying Your First Home

Wednesday, April 29, 2020
by The Hat Team


The idea of buying your first home is exciting and it would be easy to jump the gun and start looking right away.  But before you start your home search there are some steps you should take to prepare:

  • Educate Yourself

It is crucial that you understand the steps involved in buying a house before you get started in the process.Going into it blindly will only lead to confusion and frustration down the road.When you are familiar with what happens after you find your dream home, you will feel more comfortable when it comes time for home inspections, making offers, shopping for home-owners insurance etc. Homebuying Process: 7 Steps to Buying a House

  • Hire a Top-Notch Realtor

The best tip I can give a first-time home-buyer is to hire a Top Realtor.An experiencedagent like Sandra Nickel will be your go to person for advice throughout the process of finding and purchasing a home.She will provide advice on everything from loan officers to talk to, types of inspections to choose from, how much you should offer for a home and more.Being familiar with the local area, she will know about neighborhoods and houses that will suit your needs.

  • Get Pre-Approved

Before your start searching for your home it is vital that you get pre-approved for a mortgage loan.Not only will this let sellers know that you are serious about buying, it will also give you an advantage over buyers who are only pre-qualified.A pre-approval will help you get an accurate idea of what you can afford, so it will make it easier for you to determine what your budget will be. Pre-Qualified vs Pre-Approved: What's the Difference?

  • Be Prepared

Buying your first house is a new adventure.It takes time, patience and persistence. There will be many new tasks to add to what is likely an already full schedule in your life, but they will all be worth it when you are enjoying your new dream home!

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: moneyunder30.com

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Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Update an Older Home

Wednesday, April 22, 2020
by The Hat Team


Older homes appeal to many due to their charm and endurance.  But living in an older home can become cumbersome as its parts age and break.  You can update your little piece of history without changing the overall ambiance that attracted you to begin with.  Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to update your older home:

  1. Paint the Front Door

Buying a new front door can be pricey. In addition, you may be hard-pressed to find a “new” door that complements the style of your older house.  But PAINTING the front door that you already have is a fabulous alternative.  It will only cost you the price of the primer, paint and supplies.  Not only can you add some color to your exterior, you will also add protection from the element meaning that your door will last longer.

  1. Replace Outdoor Light Fixtures

Faded, rusted light fixtures can be easily replaced with new one for very little cost.You can even find Vintage Light Fixtures to fit in with the age and style of your home.Just be certain to check with the City Architectural Review Board coordinator, Christy Anderson 625-2041, to be sure your new selection meets their guidelines.

  1. Wash Your House

If you don’t own a power washer, it will be well worth it to rent one for a day so that you can give your house a good washing.You will be amazed by the difference it will make when you remove years’ worth of dirt and dust!But don’t use too much velocity or you may find you’re blasting the paint off instead of just cleaning it.

  1. Install Porcelain Tile Floors in Your Bathroom

Replacing floors in your home can seem overwhelming due to the expense. But you can start with your smaller rooms, like your bathroom, without spending too much.Look for sales on porcelain tiles and install them yourself to save even more money. How to Lay a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floor

  1. Replace Light Switch Plates

Do your light switch plates look dingy?You can brighten up a room by simply replacing them with new ones!For example, brushed nickel plates are only about $5 each and when used throughout the home they provide style and consistency.

  1. Replace Old Indoor Light Fixtures

Just like with the outdoor light fixtures, old, shabby ones can make your home feel old and shabby.Keep the vintage appeal of your home while updating it with new light fixtures.Check out the Vintage Light Fixtures link above to find ones that with fit in with your home.

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: OldHouses.com

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Improve Your Health With These Houseplants

Wednesday, April 15, 2020
by The Hat Team


Even in the best of times, people spend a lot of time indoors.  And while it is important to get outside to get fresh air, you may want to do something to improve the quality of the air IN your home.  If you enjoy gardening, you don’t have to limit it to outdoors.  There are lots of houseplants that will aid in the removal of pollutants floating around your home.

  • English Ivy – Used as a houseplant, this elegant beauty is excellent for removing harmful chemicals that can be found in the home.  It will grow in full shade to full sun, so you will have lots of flexibility in placement.  With proper care, it can survive for many years.
     
  • Bamboo Palm – This plant prefers part sun or shade.  It removes harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde. What is Benzene?
     
  • Chinese Evergreen –  This pretty, easy-to-care-for plant thrives in low to medium light.  It can grow to one of two feet.  While it helps maintain healthy air quality, it also can be toxic to pets, so if you have fur babies at home, keep this plant out of their reach!
     
  • Gerbera Daisy – These delightful flowering plants will remove benzene from your home while adding a cheerful vibe!  But they like to be warm; doing best in temperatures of 75 degrees or higher.
     
  • Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (also known as “Snake Plant”) – Despite the interesting moniker, this hardy succulent is a great houseplant for beginners (or those who don’t have green thumbs) because it can survive in even the toughest of conditions.  Just be careful not to over water it. How to Care for Mother-In-Law's Tongue Plant
     
  • Peace Lily – Honestly,  we can never have too much PEACE! This lovely plant not only brings to mind the beauty and hope of spring, it fights against toxic gases like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.  They are easy to care for and will droop when they need watering.  They can be a bit toxic to pets and humans, so you should wash your hands after touching it. Formaldehyde
     
  • Spider Plant – Bring on the green with this houseplant that thrives in bright, indirect light and will remove harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene.  Keep its soil damp, but not soggy and it will last a long time!

Now, more than ever, we all need to be very conscious of taking care of ourselves and the environment we live in.  Use these houseplants for health and improve your air quality at home today!

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: spruce.com

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Moving in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wednesday, April 8, 2020
by The Hat Team


Life seems to be on hold right now due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but that doesn’t mean that everything just stops.  While social distancing is vital to our health and well-being, moving to a new home is something that might not be able to wait.  Whether you are relocating for a job, or it was a planned move prior to the start of social distancing, you need to know how to go about moving during a pandemic. Here is a list of tips to help you with your move. Remember that moving can already be stressful under normal circumstances, so take a deep, cleansing breath and arm yourself with information that will keep you safe and make your move as easy as possible.

  1. Contact moving companies to determine if they are open.  If you had already scheduled movers you should contact them to make sure they are still available.  Most moving companies appear to be open right now, but that could change in the weeks and months to come.  When you schedule movers, ask questions about precautions they are taking to keep themselves, and you safe. The 10 Most Popular Movers in Montgomery, Alabama
     
  2. Research storage options.  You may need to put things in storage prior to moving.  Major storage companies continue to stay open, but they may have limited hours of accessibility or rules about how many people can access their units at one time.  Make sure the storage company you use is following proper safety practices such as sanitizing access pads between customers and maintain six feet or more of space between customers/customers and employees. Montgomery, AL Storage Units
     
  3. If anyone in your family is experiencing coronavirus symptoms, let your mover know.  Transparency is vital in order to keep everyone safe.  Your movers may still be willing to work with you, but will be prepared to put protocols in place to protect their workers. Even if nobody in your family is symptomatic, if someone has been exposed to the virus, you should still let your mover know that you are isolating due to exposure.
     
  4.  Have hygiene products on hand for your movers.  Provide soap and paper towels by the sink, and hand sanitizer by the door that they are using.  If you don’t have those supplies available, let the mover know so they can be sure to bring them along for the move.
     
  5. Avoid using free or recycled moving boxes.  Because the coronavirus can live on cardboard for as long as 24 hours, picking up free/recycled boxes could possibly put you at risk.  Either use boxes you already have at home or go to the store to buy new ones (and use self-checkout if it’s available!).
     
  6. If you are part of a high-risk group for coronavirus, you may want to consider cancelling your move if possible.  If you are over 60 or you have a pre-existing respiratory or cardio-vascular condition, you should reconsider moving right now.  It’s not worth risking your life!  So, if there is any flexibility, put your move on hold until you can relocate more safely.
     
  7. If you have to travel for your move, only work with hotels and airlines that offer free cancellation.  Everything is so uncertain right now and the last thing you need is to lose money on a reservation should your move get postponed. 
     
  8. Keep your distance.  Be smart and practice all the standard rules that apply for this pandemic.  Don’t get close to the movers, use sanitizers, and WASH,WASH,WASH your hands!!  Mark your boxes to let movers know what rooms they go in so that you don’t even need to be nearby to direct them.

As stated above, moving is already stressful enough. Don’t let our current situation overwhelm you.  The best way to do this is to arm yourself with information and use common sense precautions to keep everyone involved as safe as possible!

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: moving.com

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Virtual Activities for All Ages

Wednesday, April 8, 2020
by The Hat Team

Living virtual… we compiled a list of things to do at home! From educational activities to museum tours to amusement park rides to exercise and so much more! Take a look and let us know if you have something to add! 

NEW LINKS ADDED WEEKLY 

One World: Together at Home
The global special celebrating healthcare workers will be on CBS and CBS All Access on Saturday, April 18.

Virtual Tours
Carlsbad Caverns
Anne Frank House Virtual Tour
British Museum London
Guggenheim Museum, NYC
Ellis Island Interactive Tour
Field Museum: Chicago
Musee d’Orsay, Paris
National Air & Space Museum – Smithsonian
National Gallery of Art
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
The Louvre
VanGogh Museum: Amsterdam
Buckingham Palace
Great Wall of China 360
Great Wall of China Virtual
NASA Mission Operations Room
National Park Service Virtual Tours
National Aquarium Virtual Tour: Baltimore
The Great Pyramids
National Aquarium: Washington
Disney World & Disneyland Virtual Rides
Seattle Aquarium
Mount Vernon 
Monticello
Colonial Williamsburg
National Women’s History Museum
Explore Different Countries with National Geographic
Explore Everest, Himalayas, Nepal and More!

Animal Web Cams
Atlanta Zoo Panda Cam
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Duke Farms Eagle Cam: New Jersey
Liberty Science Center: New Jersey
Georgia Aquarium
Houston Zoo
Monterey Bay Aquarium
National Aquarium Live Cams: Baltimore
Reid Park Zoo: Tucson, AZ
San Diego Zoo
Smithsonian National Zoo: Washington
Wolf Conservation Center
Shark Videos
Explore the Wildlife of Yellowstone National Park

Educational
Peanuts Homeschool Ideas
Amazing Education Resources (extensive list of programs)
Lunch Doodles with Mo Williams
Discovery K12 (online homeschool K-12)
Ivy League college courses available online
Imagineering in a Box on Khan Academy
Khan Academy
Virtual Field Trip Lesson Plan
Math Websites
NASA
US Space and Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL 
Scholastic Learn at Home
PBS Kids
Educational Netflix Shows
Virtual Dissections and Labs
Schoolhouse Rock
Making Bread with Kids
Social Studies Websites
Reading and Writing
Time for Kids
Virtual Marine Biology Camp
Online Kids Cooking Classes with Flour Power
Weather Science with National Weather Service
Historic Children’s Books Online
Crash Course
The White House
Behold the Holy Lands
Walk the Battlefields of Gettysburg
Take a Trip to the North Pole
Mars

Workout
HIIT Workouts
Couch to CrossFit
14 Free Workouts
Kids Workout
Kids Movement and Action Songs 
Peloton

Virtual Story Times
Children’s Authors Read-Alouds
Storyline Online
Harper Kids
Brightly Storytime
Story Time From Space
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Arts
Paper Dolls
Berlin Philharmonic: Digital Concert Hall
Metropolitan Opera
Fender Guitar Lessons
Center for Puppetry Arts @ Home
Crayola
San Francisco Symphony
New York Philharmonic
Classical Music for Kids
The Metropolitan Museum of Art for Kids
Virtual Drumming
BBC Music Planet
National Gallery of Art

 

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A Guide to Growing Edibles in Containers

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
by The Hat Team


Do you love the idea of growing your own food, but don’t have room for a garden? Don’t worry! You can still grow vegetables and herbs even if you don’t have a sunny patch of soil to plant them in. You just need some containers!  You might be surprised to discover how many of your favorite edibles will grow just fine in a container.

To get started, you must make sure that the container you choose is large enough to hold a full-grown plant.  Veggies like lettuce and spinach don’t require a lot of space, nor do many herbs.  But beefy tomatoes and peppers will need some growing room. 6 Great Containers for Growing Vegetables

Once you’ve got the right containers, it’s time to purchase the proper potting mix designed for container growth.  You will also need to water more often because roots in containers can’t work their way out to reach water.  Make sure that the area where you plan to have your containers can withstand their weight. For example, if you plan to put them on your second-floor balcony, you’re going to want to check the building code to make sure it can handle heavy pots.

Here are some examples of edibles that do well in containers:

  • Herbs

Herbs do well in containers of all shapes and sizes.You can place them on a patio, in a windowsill or line them along your sidewalk.The trick is to make sure the pot you choose is matched to the adult size of the plant.Smaller herbs like chervil, chives, cilantro, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage, savory, tarragon and thyme do well in containers that are 6-12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.Larger plants like basil, lavender, and lemongrass need a minimum of 16-18 inch containers, while rosemary and dill need even larger pots.

  • Salad Greens

​​Salad greens like lettuces, lettuce blends, mesclun and microgreens have very shallow roots and only require pots to be about 6 inches deep.  Others like chicory, radicchio and spinach need 8 inches.

  • Strawberries

Strawberries make beautiful container plants.Imagine having one close to wear you sit outdoors and simply reaching over to pluck a ripe, scrumptious berry right off the plant.They also do well in hanging baskets. The berries will be a eye level while keeping pests from getting into them.Strawberries will grow in just about any container as long as it’s at least 8 inches deep. If you do choose to use a hanging container, go a little bigger; at least 12 inches wide and deep.

  • Peppers

The advantage of growing peppers in a container is that you can start them earlier than normal, meaning you will also get to harvest them earlier for your dining pleasure. The disadvantage is that they may not be as big as garden-grown versions.But they will be as tasty!And they provide a colorful addition to a balcony or patio garden.You will want a container that is at least 8 inches deep and at least 16 to 18 inches wide.

  • Tomatoes

Tomatoes grown in containers are just as yummy as the ones grown in garden soil, but they have the added perk of avoiding soil-borne diseases.If you plant in containers you start with new soil every year.It’s important to match the tomato size to the container size for optimal growth.Always err on the side of more space.Even the tiniest of tomatoes, like cherry tomatoes, will need planters that are at least a foot deep and even wider.

  • Eggplants

This gorgeous plant often gets overlooked when considering a container garden, but it shouldn’t! It will brighten up any container garden with its lovely violet spring flowers and shiny purple fruits.While they are not huge plants, they will need some space to thrive.Containers for eggplants should be a minimum of 12 inches deep and 16-18 inches wide.

These are just a sampling of edible plants that can be grown in containers.  If you thought you could never have an herb or vegetable garden, think again!  Get started on your own edible container garden and you will be enjoying fresh herbs, fruits, and veggies before you know it! The 35 Easiest Container and Pot Friendly Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs

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: pinterest.com

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