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Tips for Selling Your Home in the Spring

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
by The Hat Team

Spring is a great time to sell a house. In fact, per a Zillow study, homes listed between May 1 through May 15 sold, on average, around 18.5 days faster than homes not listed during this period. Add this to the fact that the largest number of buyers are actively searching for homes in the months of April, May and June and you will see that getting your property on the market this time of year is a must. This is especially true now because there is still a shortage of homes for sale, so buyers are on the hunt!

Here are some tips that will help your house stand out among the other homes that get put on the market in spring:

  1. Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. A little bit of sparkle goes a long way in impressing potential buyers.
     
  2. Rake the yard and trim back bushes. Your yard is the first thing people will see. Dead leaves and debris do not paint a pretty picture. In addition, you want as much natural light as possible flooding through your windows, so make sure bushes aren’t blocking the rays.
  3. Mow the yard diagonally and edge along the driveway and sidewalks. Mowing diagonally makes yards look larger. And edging shows that you give attention to small details. 
     
  4. Plant yellow flowers. Yellow tulips and daffodils promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
     
  5. Clean window treatments and open windows. It will be worth your while to take down your drapes, curtains, and blinds to clean them and give them a crisp, fresh look. Weather permitting, opening windows lets the fresh air in and gives the whole house the feeling of spring.
  6. Have fresh, fragrant flowers in the house. Artful home-staging brings color and pleasant aromas indoors.
     
  7. Polish floors to a high gloss. Make those floors shine! Refinish them if necessary.
     
  8. Use light colors. Even if you must spend a little to replace items things like towels, linens, throws, and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents that will pay off.  Use soft, spring colors such as yellows, pinks, pale blues, and lavenders to light up a room.
  9. Spruce up your entryway. This is the part of your home where buyers will get their first impression. Make it a good one!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: thepropertytribune.com.au, lawnsite.com, briebrieblooms.com, littlehouseoffour.com

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Should You Buy or Should You Rent?

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
by The Hat Team

There was some good news for buyers this week as mortgage rates continued a recent downslide. So, if you are questioning whether you should buy or rent a home, now may be a great time to lock into a rate.


Buying is often considered to be financially better than renting over the long run because your mortgage payments build equity in your home, which you will eventually own, while rent only goes toward the upkeep of your home and the pocket of your landlord. That is just one reason buying is better than renting. 

Here are some others:

  • YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH YOUR PROPERTY

Making home improvements will be your choice…from colors to paint the walls to light fixtures to types of floors, you won’t need permission from a landlord to make changes.

  • TAX BENEFITS

Tax deductions are a great perk of home ownership.

  • STABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS

Rents can go up, but with a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments won’t change.

  • FORCED SAVINGS

Renting might seem less expensive, but would you actually save the money you don’t spend on rent?  Since your mortgage payments are building equity in your own home, which you can later sell for profit, it’s like a forced savings.


Using a Rent vs. Buy Calculator you can see how buying is a better financial option than renting. For example, after 4 years, the cost of homeownership (down payment, mortgage, taxes, etc.) for a $300,000 home would be $143,564. The total cost to rent the same house for that period would be $102,022. Renting would leave you with $41,543 in your pocket (including the money you didn’t spend on a down payment). So, it looks like renting would be better financially, right? 

But wait…not so fast.

Let’s look at what you gain over the same 4-year period if you buy. After 4 years, your home will have $79,736 in equity. However, if you instead rent and invest your down payment and the other money you save at a 6% return rate, it will earn around $8,351 in 4 years. So, if you look at your gross costs, equity, and investment potential, it’s better for you to buy than rent if you plan to live in your home for more than 3 years and 9 months.

The bottom line is, if you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the Montgomery area, don’t wait! Start investing your money in your own home vs that of a landlord today!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: ramseysolutions.com, theguardian.com, getarate.com, familyhandyman.com

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8529 Westhampton Ct: Luxury Awaits at this Executive Wynlakes Home!

Monday, April 10, 2023
by The Hat Team

8529 Westhampton Court, Montgomery, AL  36117

MLS# 535461

5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 1 Half Bath | 4,228 SqFt | Wynlakes

Picture yourself living in pampered luxury in this executive Wynlakes home, one of Montgomery’s premier residential communities. This custom-built, Mediterranean-inspired home features an Italian stucco exterior and the finest of interior finishes. Stunning architectural details, ornate columns, two fireplaces (both can utilize wood or gas logs) and a breezy layout make this home perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. This 5-bedroom, 4.5 bath home features formal and casual living spaces, a home office with a separate entry and theater room complete with surround sound and remote-controlled lighting. Prepare a chef-grade meal in the gourmet kitchen complete with an island, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances (new dishwasher), dual-fuel Gaggenau cooktop (gas and electric) and new, built-in oven and microwave. The luxury wine bar and butler’s pantry are conveniently located for guests to flow to the formal dining room, kitchen or great room. Above the double-car garage, sits the private-entry guest apartment - perfect for a college student or guest - complete with a morning kitchen and full bath. A new roof was added in February 2022. Make your appointment today.

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Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Joy Randolph, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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1067 Magnolia Curve: Tastefully Updated Home with Cloverdale Charm!

Friday, April 7, 2023
by The Hat Team

1067 Magnolia Curve, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 535613

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,821 Square Feet | Cloverdale

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Beautifully situated on the corner of Magnolia Curve and Boultier, you will find this adorable home ready for its new owners! Excellent Midtown Montgomery location in Cloverdale for walking to nearby parks and restaurants, this beautiful house has been tastefully updated while also maintaining the Cloverdale charm. In the updated kitchen you will find granite counter tops, a smooth top electric range, stainless steel refrigerator and a large pantry for extra storage. The main level has two bedrooms and a bathroom which has been very nicely updated. Upstairs you will find the third bedroom and a brand-new bathroom! There is also ample space for storage or even a 4th bedroom upstairs. The formal living room boasts beautiful built-in bookcases, crown molding and wood burning fireplace with large eye-catching mantle. There is a bonus room off the living room that would be an excellent sitting area before stepping out onto your patio. The backyard is fully fenced and easily maintainable while also having a storage shed for all outdoor equipment. Hop on over this Easter weekend to check it out!!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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Celebrate Spring in Montgomery!

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
by The Hat Team

Spring has sprung and there’s nowhere better to celebrate the season than Montgomery!

Here are some special events going on in and around the Montgomery area this spring that you won’t want to miss:

Easter Bunny Meet & Greet
April 5-7, 2023 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

The Party Palace
1032A US 231, Wetumpka, AL

HOP on over to The Party Palace for a meet & greet with the Bunny! Tickets include a photo with the Easter Bunny and springtime crafts!

Tickets are $10 per child and $5 per adult.

First Friday with Charisse!
Friday, April 7, 2023, at 9:00 PM

BB King’s Blues Club
1801 Eddie L Tullis Rd, Montgomery, AL

Join us on the First Friday of April for an evening with Charisse Mackey, who will be tearing down the house! Guaranteed good music, food & drinks! Reserve your spot HERE.

BB King's Blues Club is Located within the Wind Creek Hotel and Casino in Montgomery, Alabama. Authentic Memphis style Barbeque dishes as well as Cajun and Creole menu items are served inside an amazing replica of the original BB King's Blues Club in Memphis, along with the entire Beale Street experience. Enjoy our world-famous BB King's Ribs while listening and dancing to the best in local and regional blues and R&B musicians and bands.

Spring Celebration & Easter Egg Hunt
April 8, 2023 – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Prattville First United Methodist Church
100 East 4th Street, Prattville, AL

Join us on Saturday, April 8, 2023, for our Spring Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt! We will gather on the Bell House Lawn from 2:00-4:00pm for a fun day of Spring Activities! The Easter Bunny will be here, and we will have games, music, snacks, inflatables, a petting zoo and of course an EASTER EGG HUNT for children up to 5th grade. 

Easter Ornament Hunt
Saturday, April 8, 2023 – 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Downtown Historic District
Prattville, AL

The 4th Annual Easter Ornament Hunt will be held in Historic Downtown Prattville on Saturday, April 8, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or until all ornament cards* are found. 

*Ornament cards are exchanged for real ornaments

Please come and enjoy the fun! It’s FREE!

For more information click HERE

Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Museum

2302 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum will be OPEN on Easter Weekend, April 7-9, 2023. Come on out to the zoo this holiday weekend to explore the great outdoors and the continents of the world!

Alabama Shakespeare Festival – Preview: Million Dollar Quartet
Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM

1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, AL
Festival Stage

On December 4, 1956, a twist of fate brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley at Sun Records in Memphis, TN. Million Dollar Quartet is a celebration of the contagious spirit, freewheeling excitement, and thrilling sounds of the once-in-a-lifetime event where four of music’s best talents came together. This is a rocking night of classic music!

Alyssa Ruffin at Jan’s Beach House Grill
Thursday, April 13, 2023
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

Jan’s Beach House Grill
850 Eastern Blvd #850, Montgomery, AL

Join us for a night of music from multi-award-winning recording artist Alyssa Ruffin! Alyssa is an award-winning, genre-bending Country Recording Artist, and Singer-Songwriter. She is the 2022 International Fair Play Country Music – Country Voice of the Year Award Winner, a 2022 Josie Music Awards Songwriter Achievement Award winner and more! Don’t miss out on this wonderful night of music at Jan’s Beach House Grill!

CoosaPalooza Brewfest 2023
Saturday, April 15, 2023
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Main Street, Wetumpka, AL

CoosaPalooza Brewfest is BACK in 2023!

Come out to the banks of the Coosa River in Downtown Wetumpka for good beer, great company, and awesome entertainment! This is a fundraising event for Main Street Wetumpka. All proceeds from this event go to Main Street Wetumpka’s mission of downtown revitalization.

VIP admission ticket holders will enjoy nearly 40 craft brews while taking in the beautiful backdrop of the Coosa River in downtown Wetumpka. General admission price also includes entertainment, souvenir tasting glass, and beer tastings.

Get VIP tickets for $85, which include 1-hour early entry, VIP Tent (Specialty Beer & Food), and a CoosaPalooza t-shirt. VIP entry starts at 2:00 PM.

The 2023 Coosapalooza Brewfest is an event for people 21 years of age or older. Chairs, blankets, and small bags are allowed. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Rain or shine event, no refunds. Free bottled water is available. 

Purchase tickets HERE.

Parks & Rec Summer Registration Kick-Off and Family Fun Day
April 22, 2023 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Oak Park
1010 Forest Ave., Montgomery, AL

Come on out to Oak Park to register your children for summer programs and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities with the family! Activities include inflatables, face painting, arts & crafts, vendors, and armory athletics. Free food and drinks will be available.

Bama Sound Band at Cloverdale Park
Sunday, April 30, 2023 – 4:00 PM

Cloverdale Bottom Park
3124 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery, AL

Sunday afternoon in the park with the Bama Sound Band featuring Cameron DuBois. Bring lawn chairs and a cooler and relax to an old school free concert in the park.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: funinmontgomery.com, facebook.com, allevents.in, milliondollarquartet.net, experiencemontgomeryal.org, bbkings.com, eventbrite.com

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