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Montgomery Home Search Tips

Friday, July 31, 2009
by The Hat Team

Home Search Tips for Montgomery home buyers:montgomery home

1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing. 

2. Be realistic. It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations. There's no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can't afford.

4. Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

5. Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this Montgomery home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

8. Get help from a REALTOR®. Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you. Buyer's reps are usually paid out of the seller's commission payment.

Search all Montgomery homes for sale and give us a call. We'd like to help you buy your dream home.  

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3360 Montemuza Road

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

3360 Montezuma Road, Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 266492 

The moment you enter this pristine home, you'll know it's been touched by the hand of a talented architect. No matter where you look, you see light and beauty! From the original pickled Ponderosa pine in the living and dining room, to the faux painting in the downstairs den, to the vaulted ceilings in the 3-room upstairs master suite...it's all glorious, and squeaky-clean, too. And from every window and full-glass door, you feast your eyes on the lushly landscaped yard with dappled shade provided by tall trees. Wonderful to behold and even more wonderful to own, so click on the video to see for yourself then make it yours today!

 

Learn more about 3360 Montezuma Road and other Montgomery real estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 748 E Edgemont Avenue

Monday, July 27, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

748 E Edgemont Ave, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 266485 

Great deal in Cloverdale/Idlewild! This home has spacious rooms and great flow. Recently painted inside and out, it is ready for you to move into! Split plan has two good-sized bedrooms and a bath on one end and a master bedroom and bath off the kitchen. Huge den/family room has fireplace and overlooks back yard. Raised brick patio is perfect for backyard parties. Plenty of parking in rear and there's even a cute little "doll house" for kids to play or makes great storage for lawn equipment.

 

Learn more about 748 E Edgemont Ave and other Montgomery real estate for sale by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

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Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - June 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009
by The Hat Team
Pending home sales show a sustained uptrend, rising for four consecutive months with very favorable housing affordability and a first-time buyer tax credit boosting activity, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in May, increased 0.1 percent to 90.7 from an upwardly revised reading of 90.6 in April, and is 6.7 percent higher than May 2008 when it was 85.0. The last time there were four consecutive monthly gains was in October 2004.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, cautions that there could be delays in the number of contracts that go to closing. “Closed existing-home sales have improved but are coming in lower than expected because some contracts are delayed or falling through from the application of new appraisal rules for many transactions,” he said. “Rises in contract activity show buyers are becoming more active even as they face much more stringent loan underwriting standards. Speedy clarification of the appraisal rules could smooth a housing market recovery and support the overall economy.”

Let’s take a look at the June sales statistics to see how the Montgomery AL real estate market looks: 

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for June show pending sales decreased by 35% in 2009 compared to June 2008. The average sales price decreased by 2% to $135,350 while sold listings were up 8% from 2008.  Market times showed a increase of 10 days or 10% from 2008.

 

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

June 2009

34

38

99

$135,350

June 2008

52

35

89

$138,532

 

Remember, the clock is ticking onn the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit. give us a call to make your dream hyome a reality!

For the latest Montgomery AL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit

HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

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

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3244 Southview Ave

Friday, July 24, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

3244 Southview Ave Montgomery AL 36106
MLS# 266445 

 

This Edgewood home offers all that you love about old houses, but without old house hassles. Entertain friends in classic style in the formal living & dining rooms featuring heavy stucco walls, arched entryways and hardwood floors. Wonderfully updated gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar opens into a cozy keeping room for informal dining or family gathering. If you enjoy being outdoors, you'll love the private shaded side deck and the beautiful professionally landscaped yard with plenty of room to play. With the option of having the master bedroom downstairs or up, a den/study, and a bonus/rec area upstairs, there is plenty of room to spread out. Unexpected amounts of closet and storage space round out the many amenities this home has to offer.
 

Learn more about 3244 Southview Avenue and other Montgomery real estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

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Montgomery Real Estate: 77 First Avenue

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate:

77 First Avenue, Wetumpka, AL 36092
MLS# 266385

You'll be whistling the theme song to "Mayberry RFD" after you've seen this great little rancher in a neighborhood like ALL neighborhoods were like 50 years ago! Safe and secure so kids (and pets) can roam free and Moms and Dads won't worry. After all, many in the area are multi-generational with grandparents, parents and grown children all in the subdivision--almost like a big extended family! Plus the house has just been freshly painted, has nearly new carpet and vinyl and offers good storage inside plus an oversized laundry-storage room off the carport. A separate workshop (with covered area for "big boy toys") out back provides the space you'll want for gardening implements, because the 1/3 acre lot is flat and open and perfect for planting...and picking! All this plus highly regarded Holtville schools and the potential for an $8,000 check from Uncle Sam, so what are you waiting for!!

 

Learn more about 77 First Avenue and other Montgomery real estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

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Montgomery Real Estate: 2641 Oxford Drive

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate for Sale:

2641 Oxford Drive, Montgomery AL
MLS# 266372 

Cool down your hot summer days and nights in the beautiful oasis back yard of this Gay Meadows charmer! Sparkling pool in a mostly private setting perfect for entertaining or watching the kids splash about. Gardeners will love the extensive herb garden, butterfly garden, and flora abounding! The house itself is immaculate and boasts spacious rooms and beautiful hardwood floors. The open design of the kitchen looks across the breakfast bar and through the den/family room, so you can keep an eye on the little ones as you prepare family meals. Don't miss the "bonus" room off the laundry that could be an office, study, sewing room, craft room, mud room, wrapping room, workshop, playroom...(you get the picture!) Due to the shape of the lot, there is a "dog run" behind the rear privacy fence and a large grassy play area to the left of the fenced pool area. Please put this one first on your list because it is ready to move into and waiting for YOU!

 

Learn more about 2641 Oxford Drive and other Montgomery real estate for sale by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

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Everything You Want To Know About Montgomery Home Inspections

Friday, July 17, 2009
by The Hat Team

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective Montgomery home inspectors:

montgomery home, inspection1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group's standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.Ashi.org or www.Nahi.org. ASHI's Web site also provides a database of state regulations.

2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector association? There are many state and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Insist on members of reputable, nonprofit trade organizations; request to see a membership ID.

3. How experienced are you? Ask how long inspectors have been in the profession and how many inspections they've completed. They should provide customer referrals on request. New inspectors also may be highly qualified, but they should describe their training and let you know whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner.

4. How do you keep your expertise up to date? Inspectors' commitment to continuing education is a good measure of their professionalism and service. Advanced knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home is older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training.

5. Do you focus on residential inspection? Make sure the inspector has training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection, which is very different from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction site. If your customers are buying a unique property, such as a historic home, they may want to ask whether the inspector has experience with that type of property in particular.

6. Will you offer to do repairs or improvements? Some state laws and trade associations allow the inspector to provide repair work on problems uncovered during the inspection. However, other states and associations forbid it as a conflict of interest. Contact your local ASHI chapter to learn about the rules in your state.

7. How long will the inspection take? On average, an inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family house in two to three hours; anything significantly less may not be thorough. If your customers are purchasing an especially large property, they may want to ask whether additional inspectors will be brought in.

8. What's the cost? Costs can vary dramatically, depending on your region, the size and age of the house, and the scope of services. The national average for single-family homes is about $320, but customers with large homes can expect to pay more. Customers should be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

9. What type of inspection report do you provide? Ask to see samples to determine whether you will understand the inspector's reporting style. Also, most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the inspection.

10. Will I be able to attend the inspection? The answer should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational opportunity for the buyer. An inspector's refusal to let the buyer attend should raise a red flag. 

Are you a Montgomery home buyer with questions concerning home inspections? Give me a call. I'm happy to answer all your questions. Also, visit HatTeam.com to learn more about buying a Montgomery home. 

Information is courtesy of Realtor Magazine with permission by the National Association of Realtors.

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Montgomery Homes For Sale: 2060 Gorgas Street

Thursday, July 16, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Homes For Sale:

2060 Gorgas St, Montgomery AL 36106MLS 266155

Cloverdale Home With Lots Of Character

 montgomery homes

If you are looking for large rooms, lots of character, and Cloverdale style without Cloverdale price...this is the house for you! Conveniently located to shopping and dining, this well maintained home is ready to move into. Spacious living room with gas log fireplace and great custom built-ins, large dining room with custom drapes allow for entertaining. Cozy breakfast nook with built in china cabinets perfect for casual dining. Large central hallway perfect "gallery" for your artwork or family photos. Great screened porch invites morning coffee or bug-free evenings. Shady patio out back perfect for outdoor living, and there is a separate fenced area for your pets. First time home buyers...jump on this deal AND get the $8,000 tax credit! Hurry, the credit offer runs out end of November!!

Learn more about 2060 Gorgas Street and other Montgomery homes for sale by visiting HatTeam.com.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3511 Ramsey Road

Thursday, July 16, 2009
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

3511 Ramsey Road, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS# 266203

This Home Has The Space You Need!

 montgomery real estate

Need lots of space? This one has it...inside and out! The big corner lot has multiple areas to play, garden, and entertain. Inside you'll find the traditional living room/dining room combo and an extra-large den/family room addition. The cook in your family will love the spacious open kitchen with great views of the back yard. And, the garage has been converted into a huge heated and cooled bonus room perfect for toys, pool table, work/craft shop, etc. Fresh paint inside and out and brand new heating and AC unit make this home move-in ready. Start packing and call us today!

Learn more about 3511 Ramsey Road and other Montgomery real estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

Search all Montgomery real estate and homes for sale.

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