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Displaying blog entries 201-210 of 254

1164 S McDonough St: Unique Converted Firehouse in Desirable Garden District!

Monday, July 23, 2018
by The Hat Team

1164 S McDonough St, Montgomery AL 36104 

MLS# 438223

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 3,064 sqft | Garden District

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A Live-Work Opportunity That Has Stood the Test of Tiime! Firehouse 9 is an exceptional and unique property, not only for Montgomery, but nationally, having been featured in magazines, books and television shows. Its notable renovation and rejuvenation has maintained the 1917 historic character, retained the original floor plan, and incorporated modern and up-to-date conveniences. Firehouse 9 is constructed of solid materials that surpass the standard of most buildings: 16” exterior masonry walls, old-growth timber interior framing, thick plaster finishes and bead-board ceilings. If you are looking to simplify your home and work routine, enhance your sense of identity, and want something different from the normal package of room names wrapped up in gypsum board and brick veneer, Firehouse 9 may be right for you. And, yes, it still has the fire pole!

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Calling All Investors: 301 Bowling Green Drive

Friday, July 20, 2018
by The Hat Team

301 Bowling Green Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109 

MLS# 437096

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,650 sqft | College Grove

Calling all investors/flippers! Here is your opportunity to make $$$ on this spacious <span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW90153456" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" data:image="" gif;base64,r0lgodlhbqaeapedaabvzdnvzdnv="" waaach5bauaaamalaaaaaafaaqaaaiinc2qchykqgeaow="=&quot;);" border-bottom:="" 1px="" solid="" transparent;="" background-color:="" inherit;"="">4 bedroom home in College Grove. Great bones, just needs cosmetic updating (kitchen, baths, finishes, flooring.) Separate living spaces, four bedrooms, plus enclosed porch and inground swimming pool. Large storage building. Roof is less than a year old, so that won't be an expense to the next owner! 

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1319 Pampas Drive: Pristine custom built one owner home in Woodmere!

Sunday, July 15, 2018
by The Hat Team

1319 Pampas Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117 

MLS# 436914

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,985 sqft | Woodmere

Pristine custom built one owner home in Woodmere. This spacious ranch is in immaculate condition! Wonderful living areas with the eat-in kitchen open to the large family room, huge sun room overlooking the shaded deck and nice sized bedrooms. Attached two-car carport and situated on a private pie shaped lot. You can move your family right in!  

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767 Hillman Road:Cherished Mid Century Ranch with Original Details

Wednesday, July 11, 2018
by The Hat Team

767 Hillman Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36109 

MLS# 436521 ​

2 Bedrooms | 1.5 Bathrooms | 1,600 sqft | Dalraida Park Estates 


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Sensational original mid century modern ranch in beautiful Dalraida.... large corner lot ... this home should be on the pages of Atomic ranch magazine.... Many original 1950's details intact.... wonderful lot..... call us or your favorite agent today!!!!!!!! 

 

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The Top Five Reasons to Hire a Realtor

Thursday, July 5, 2018
by The Hat Team

Whether you are looking to purchase a home or getting ready to sell one, the process of doing so will go much more smoothly if you have an experienced Realtor to represent your interests.  You might be thinking that you can save money by trying to do it on your own, but the truth is that the time, energy and stress a Realtor will save you is priceless!  Here are the top five reasons why you should hire a Realtor when buying or selling a house:

  1. EXPERTISE - Experienced real estate professionals will know all the ins and outs of buying and selling homes. Real estate has a language of its own, and Realtors will speak it fluently.  They are not only familiar with all the forms, reports and disclosures involved, they understand them and can explain them to you.  They will work to get you the best deal possible and help you avoid costly mistakes. Glossary of Real Estate Terms
  2. ACCESS - Realtors can search listings that the public does not have access to.  They will know immediately when a house goes on the market; long before you can find it on the internet.  Local Realtors will also have a lot of knowledge about different neighborhoods and areas that may appeal to you.
  3. NEGOTIATION - Realtors are trained negotiators.  It is their job to get you a first-rate deal.  With fierce competition for homes and the chance of a bidding war, you are going to want a shrewd and experienced negotiator on your side.
  4. CONNECTIONS - They know who’s who in every aspect of a real estate transaction. They can hook you up with a mortgage lender, home inspector, real estate attorney, home stager, etc.  And since the best deal for you benefits them as well, they are going to make sure to recommend the top people in their professions.
  5. TIME - While searching for a new house, or getting one ready to sell, chances are you’re still working full time, taking care of a family and feeling a little stressed about everything you need to do.  Slow down, take a deep breath and let your Realtor alleviate that stress a bit.  Being a Realtor is a full-time job that you don’t need to add to your to do list. 

The bottom line is, you probably can buy or sell a home on you own, but that doesn’t mean you should.  Hiring an experienced professional like Sandra Nickel will make your home-buying/selling experience less stressful and more successful.  Call her today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: wondersunn.com

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Selling Your House vs. Becoming a Landlord - Should You Sell or Should You Rent?

Wednesday, June 13, 2018
by The Hat Team

Whether moving for a job or just relocating for personal reasons, you still must decide what to do with your current home.  Should you rent it out?  Or sell it?  There are many circumstances to consider before making that decision.  How long do you have before you move?  What is the housing market doing in your area?  And do you have someone you can trust to manage your property?

Of course, the biggest motivator in your decision is which option will be most financially profitable.   If you have a lot of equity in your house and can sell it, you’ll walk away with some cash to put toward your new home.  If the house is paid off, you’ll walk away with A LOT of cash.  However, if your equity is built up and you have low mortgage payments (or no mortgage payment), you could bring in a substantial monthly income by renting the house for more than your monthly payments.  You do have to consider the costs involved with renting the house out.  If you’re relocating to another town, you will likely have to hire a Property Manager to collect rent and take care of issues that come up.  You might also have to pay to advertise the home.

There are going to be risks involved either way.  If you put the house up for sale, you run the risk of not selling it quickly and possibly ending up with two mortgage payments or a house payment and rent payment on a new place. But, renting out your house could be a bigger risk. There’s a chance you will rent it to people who you think will be good tenants, but wind up paying the rent late or not at all.  There is also the risk that renters will not take care of the house and lower its value.

Another issue to consider is that housing markets can greatly fluctuate from year to year. You must question whether your neighborhood is in the kind of shape to support a quick sale.  If other homes haven’t been selling, for example, you might not get as much for your house as you might if you could wait a year or two and rent it out in the meantime.  On the other hand, if the housing market is hot in your neighborhood, it might just be the best time to take advantage of it and sell to get the best price possible.

Finally, you have to think about whether you can afford a new mortgage while you still own the first house.  Per Kiplinger, lenders count about 75 percent of the income you receive from renters when figuring out if they’ll give you a new loan, but that’s only if you have a signed lease and your salary is sufficient to cover the rest of the mortgage requirement.  Selling your house will make it much easier for you to qualify for a new loan.

The bottom line is that, after doing your research, you can decide whether selling or renting is the best and most financially sound choice for you.

If you’re thinking about selling your home let experienced Realtor Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals assist you in getting your home listed and sold for the best possible price!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: hawaiilife.com

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Open Floor Plans - Are They Right for You?

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
by The Hat Team

Watch any of the home renovation or buying/selling shows on HGTV and you will hear people asking for Open Floor Plans.  Even in small houses, people want the feel of spaciousness that an open floor plan provides.  A “great room” with no wall between the kitchen and living space seems to be the most popular choice when it comes to floor plan considerations.  But is it the best choice for everyone?  Let’s look at the pros and cons of the open floor plan and see if it’s the right decision for you and your family.

Pros:

  • You won’t feel isolated.  If you are cooking or doing dishes in a kitchen that flows into a family room, you will be able to chat with family and friends or continue watching television instead of being stuck in a closed off room by yourself.
  • You will be able to keep an eye on the kids.  A great room with no walls allows you to watch your kids at play while you are cooking or cleaning.
  • More natural light.  Without interior walls, sunlight will flow through the house from the exterior wall windows.  You will also have an unobstructed view of the great outdoors.
  • Ideal for entertaining.  When you have guests over, they can congregate throughout the great room, so you won’t miss anything if you are in the kitchen cooking and serving food.

Cons:

  • Lack of privacy.  If your household includes people of various ages on a multitude of different schedules, an open floor plan can make things challenging.  For example, if your teenager wants to have friends over for a study group at the kitchen table, but you want to watch a movie.  Or perhaps you want to read quietly on the couch, but your daughter’s having a sleepover and they want to have pizza and bake cookies.  A separate, enclosed kitchen may be better for some families.
  • Limited wall space.  Placing Furniture in an Open Space is tricky sometimes, especially if you have a lot of windows.  And if you are an art lover, you are going to want blank walls for displaying your treasures.
  • Overwhelming mess.  Smaller, enclosed rooms are easier to keep neat and tidy.  With open floor plans, stuff tends to spread out.  And you may not want kids’ toys in your main living space, so a smaller, enclosed room might be your preference for a play area.
  • Too noisy.  With an open plan, there are more acoustics, therefore noise travels further. A quiet conversation in the kitchen may not be possible with the television on across the way.

Remember, just because something is popular, doesn’t mean it’s right for you.  Think about what is going to suit your family’s needs before starting your home search.

Whether you are looking for a home with an open floor plan, or you prefer a different style, Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professional Realtors can help you find the home of your dreams. Give them a call at 334-834-1500 and start your home search today!

Photo Credit: southernliving.com

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Creating a Moving Day Survival Kit

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
by The Hat Team

You’ve closed on your new home and it’s time to move in!  This is an exciting time, but can also be a bit stressful.  Where do you even begin?  A good place to start is to create a moving day survival kit for yourself. It should include anything and everything that is important or of great value to you and should stay with you and not go with movers. Here is a list of “must have” items to make your move as organized and stress-free as possible:

 - Toilet Paper.  At least a few rolls. Trust me on this one.

- Pain reliever and all your medications.  You don’t want to be searching for these necessities, so make sure they are easily accessible.

 -Toilet Plunger.  Yes, really. Especially if your new place only has one bathroom. Better safe than sorry!

 - Cash for tipping your movers.

 - A Multi-Tool.  While having a whole tool box handy would be great, there is only so much you can (and should) fit into your survival kit.  Something like a Leatherman will provide you with a way to open boxes and other small tasks…and it will fit in your pocket!

 - Trash Bags.  And clear recycling bags.  Look up where you can recycle locally and have the address in your phone so you can take packing boxes/materials there after you unpack. Montgomery Recycling

 - Power Strip and Mobile Phone Charger.  There is nothing worse than discovering your phone is dying and you have no idea where your charger is!  The power strip will come in handy because you will probably clear one small area and can plug in your electronics, a lamp, a coffee pot, etc.…

 - Personal Hygiene Items.  Pack an overnight bag with your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo etc.  That way, when you are ready to call it a day you can jump right in the shower without having to search through boxes for them.

 - All Purpose Cleaner and a Roll of Paper Towels (or two). Hopefully move-in day won’t be cleaning day, but you never know.  Be prepared.  Even if the house looks clean, you are going to want to wipe down the toilets, sinks and counters.

 - Bottled Water and Granola Bars.   You are going to be hungry. And tired.  Have water and snacks on hand to get you through the day.  Look up some Take Out Restaurants and have their numbers in your phone so you can have food delivered.

 - First Aid Kit.  Well, at least a box of Band-Aids in case you cut yourself opening boxes.

 - Note Pad and Pen.  Because you WILL come up with a list of things you need and need to do as you are unpacking and you will want to write them down so you don’t forget.

 - Scented Candles or Air Fresheners.  Even the cleanest house will smell a little musty if it has been closed-up for a while.

 - Flashlight.  Some rooms won’t have overhead lights and if you haven’t unpacked the lamps yet, a flashlight will come in handy.

Enjoy your new home!  And if you haven’t found your dream home yet visit Homes for Sale in Montgomery AL  or call Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professional Realtors at 334-834-1500 and start your search today!

Photo Credit: pinterest.com

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Renovating Before Selling - Worth it or Not?

Thursday, April 5, 2018
by The Hat Team

If you are preparing to list your house for sale, you may be wondering if the financial reward will be worth the time, effort and money to fix up things that are in disrepair or that are dated.  The answer to that question depends on a myriad of circumstances such as the current real estate market, the condition of competing inventory and whether the renovations that need to be made generally provide a return on investment.

Some home buyers are looking to purchase a "Fixer Upper". They are looking for properties priced to sell, perhaps because they don’t qualify for more expensive homes or maybe because they want to make a profit by fixing the home up themselves.  Most fixer buyers want to do simple repairs such as painting walls, replacing light fixtures and putting in new carpet. Only a few want to take a house down to the studs and completely redo it.  These potential buyers will want a price for the home that will allow for all the repairs, the inconvenience of doing the work, and often a bit more.  For example, if a home is worth $200,000 fixed up but needs a new roof, and the roof costs approximately $10,000, a buyer most likely will not offer $190,000 for this home.  The reason is that they can probably find a similar house that already has a new roof for $200,000 and save themselves the headache of replacing it themselves.  A buyer in this situation might offer $175,000 or less, in which case it would make more sense for the seller to replace the roof and sell it for $200,000.

It’s important to note that many buyers are looking for "Turn Key" homes.  They fear having to make major repairs because they might be costlier than anticipated or other problems might be revealed.  Even if the price is right, homes listed for sale in “as is” condition might not attract as many buyers.

However, before doing major renovations, there are many things to consider.  Smart sellers will research what their home’s market value will be once improvements are made and compare it to the cost of the renovations. If an upgrade won’t provide return on the investment, it probably doesn’t make sense to do it.  Knowing the condition of your competition is helpful.  For example, if other homes for sale in your neighborhood all have modern kitchens, it might make sense to update yours.  This doesn’t mean you should tear it down and start from scratch.  Often a minor kitchen remodel will suffice.  Also, keep in mind that kitchen and bathroom remodels are known to bring the best return on investment.

Start by making a list of the things in your home that are dated or in disrepair and then prioritize.  Here is a list of 10 minimum improvements to make before putting your house on the market:

  • Patch all holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.
  • Fix all appliances and HVAC systems.
  • Repair leaky faucets.
  • Replace worn carpeting.
  • Repaint dark or marred walls in neutral colors (not white).
  • Replace broken windows.
  • Repair the roof.
  • Change dated light fixtures/ceiling fans.
  • Replace old linens/window coverings.
  • Fix any code violations.

If your real estate market is a sellers’ market and homes are moving quickly, you can get by with fewer fix ups, however a home that needs repairs will still deliver a lower price.  If it’s a buyers’ market, people might not even be willing to look at homes that need repairs.  Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professional Realtors can help you understand the current market in Montgomery, AL so that you can make informed decisions about whether to sell your house “as is” or not. Give them a call today at 334-834-1500!

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1438 Crenshaw Place- Low Maintenance in Midtown!

Monday, April 2, 2018
by The Hat Team

1438 Crenshaw Place, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 431032

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 2,960 square feet | Midtown

Looking to downsize yet stay in Midtown? Looking for literally LOADS of storage in a low Maintenance home, Crenshaw Place might just meet your needs! Soaring vaulted ceiling makes a grand statement in the oversized great room, which has open views into the dining room. Fully updated kitchen has upgraded appliances and a large storage pantry off the ample laundry room. First floor master bedroom means you don't have to climb the stairs every night, and your guests/family will have their own space on the second floor. Enjoy morning coffee or evening drinks on your screened back porch and private rear deck. And, if you have lots of stuff (books, collectibles, decorations) you will not believe the bonus space off both upstairs bedrooms. It feels like it just goes on and on, and you wonder how much heated and cooled space can you get from a patio home! Quiet cul-de-sac right in the heart of the Cloverdale area, and located just across from Montgomery Country Club. Location, convenience, space, and updated living!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor , Billy Young, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

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