Real Estate Information Archive

3241 Gatsby Lane, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 552544

2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,518 Square Feet | Hillwood West

Neat as a pin in Hillwood West! This adorable patio home is the perfect spot to land if you are looking for low maintenance. The open floor plan has a living room, dining room, kitchen with breakfast bar and a family room/den perfect for an office. Two bedrooms are on opposite ends with two full bathrooms in between. Ideal location close to the interstate, restaurants, and shopping.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Lauren Keen, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

 

Monster Truck Nitro Tour

Saturday, March 23RD, 2024......1:30 pm (Pit Party 12:00 pm–1:00 pm) 
Saturday, March 23RD, 2024…..7:30 pm (Pit Party 6:00 pm–7:00 pm) 

GARRETT COLISEUM
1555 Federal Dr 
Montgomery, AL 36107

MONTGOMERY, AL will be motorsport entertainment’s epicenter with the nation’s most competitive MONSTER TRUCKS as the Monster Truck Nitro Tour invades the Garrett Coliseum on March 23RD for TWO MONSTER shows! See these incredible 10,000-pound, car crushing giants compete in racing, wheelie contests, and then rock the house with amazing freestyle action during the Monster Truck Nitro Tour! Plus, you can meet the drivers and see the trucks up close at the pre-event Autograph Pit Party!

Purchase Tickets Here

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World Ballet Series: Swan Lake

Tuesday, March 26 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre,
201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery Performing Arts Centre,
Montgomery, United States

Event Information:
Experience the legendary! Swan Lake, the ballet of all ballets, will be performed one night only as a part of the World Ballet Series. See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by Odile, and immerse yourself in magical Tchaikovsky's music. The production will feature richly detailed, hand-painted sets as well as over 150 radiant costumes that bring fresh representation to this timeless classic. World Ballet Series is a unique project that attracts many international artists and is composed of renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries who are united by a passion for entertaining audiences and enriching classical ballet traditions through brilliant, critically-acclaimed new productions of timeless ballet classics. Audience: For ages 5 & over Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission)

Please Note: 
Audience: For ages 5 & over Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission) Click HERE to purchase tickets.

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Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza
 

April 1, 2023 – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Blount Cultural Park
3 Festival Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117

Join us Saturday, April 1st, at Blount Cultural Park from 11AM to 1PM for the City's Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza! This free event will feature children's activities, photos with the Easter Bunny, food vendors and more!

**Join us at MMFA on Friday, March 31st at 7pm for a special showing of the movie HOP!**

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Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival

April 6th, 202410:00 am-6:00 pm

The annual Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival will held at Cooters Pond Park on April 6!  Artists will fill the park and there will be fun for the whole family from 10 am until 6 pm.  You don’t want to miss this event! For more fun and information, visit

Wilson Pickett Festival

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Beyond the Horizon Air & Space Show at Maxwell AFB

April 6th, 2024 - April 7th, 2024Gates open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team highlights the Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala., April 6-7, 2024. The show will also include America’s air power on display, flying demonstrations, a STEM Expo and activities for the whole family. The event is free and open to the public—tickets or special passes are not needed. Gates open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Visit HERE for more information.

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Seafood & Arts Festival

April 12, 2024 – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Blount Cultural Park
3 Festival Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117

The City of Montgomery will kick-off live music season this week with the annual Seafood & Arts Festival.

River Region-based blues, funk, jazz and rock band, Sabadas, will headline the Seafood & Arts Festival. Featured food vendors include the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck, The Wharf, Potz & Panz, D’Road Café, Gumbo to Geaux Food Truck and more!

The event is free to attend, but the City will encourage donations to Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center.

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CoosaPalooza Brewfest

SAT, APR 20, 2024
3:00PM - 6:00PM

231 Hill Street
Wetumpka, AL 36902

CoosaPalooza Brewfest is BACK in 2024! 

Join us for the fourth annual Coosapalooza Brewfest in Downtown Wetumpka for good beer, great friends, & 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.

This event, which takes place along the beautiful Coosa Riverwalk at Merchants Alley, is a primary fundraiser for Main Street Wetumpka, a 501c3 organization dedicated to downtown revitalization.

General 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.

The 2024 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.  

General Admission event times are 3pm to 6pm.  Beer tastings will be cut off at 6 p.m.

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Earth Day Safari at the Montgomery Zoo

April 26, 2024 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum
2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36110

Help us learn how to save the planet and protect our environment on Earth Day, April 26, 9am - 2pm at Earth Day Safari Educational Event at the Montgomery Zoo. Spend a fun-filled day at the Montgomery Zoo learning about how simple changes in our daily habits can affect the environment and the planet on which we live. It is fun, educational, always a wild adventure, and an awesome learning experience for all ages; especially school groups.   

Admission includes
     -- Entry to the Zoo and Mann Museum 
     -- Entry Worlds of the World
     -- Entry to Parakeet Cove
     -- Entry to our Reptile Facility 
     -- Special zookeeper talks @ 11:30am and 1:30pm

Additional fun, attractions, and rides
     -- Train ride: $3 per person 
     -- Giraffe Encounter: $3 per person
     -- Sky lift ride: $5 per person
     -- Parakeet sticks: $2 per stick
     -- Concessions: Prices vary

For more information call (334) 625-4909

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CIA SPRING CONCERT SERIES, 2024

WHEN: SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT 4:00 PM

WHERE: Cloverdale “Bottom” Park (Cloverdale Rd and Ponce de Leon)

WHO: April 7 Big Vic and the Convicts. Our first “college band”. Been playing fraternity parties and clubs in Alabama

And Mississippi and now they’re here in Cloverdale.

April 14 Long Sleeve Pants. You’ve seen them all over town, with their mix of popular and cover tunes.

April 21 Blackbird Pickers. Some of these guys have been with us since our first concert. Still delivering great rock with a folk flavor.

April 28 John Bull Trio. John and his guys are back with their own special treatment of the blues. Harmonicas and harmonies, doesn’t get any better than that.

May 5 Montgomery Dixie Trio: The trio will bring a little bit of New Orleans to the Cloverdale Bottom Park.

May 12 Curt McKinney and Chuck Loston: They’re bringing their own combination of rock and blues to our concert series.

May 19 The Marvtones. They are returning again this year.

Great music and a light-hearted patter to go with it.

May 26 Bekky and Doyle: They are bringing their popular acoustic sounds for our enjoyment and entertainment.

WHY: Mostly for the fun of it.

HOW: ADMISSION IS FREE. Bring your chairs, coolers, and snacks. Sit under the beautiful oak trees in the park and enjoy the music.

With special thanks to the Pine Bar for sponsoring the Porta-Potties.

Photo Credits: prattvilleal.gov, allevents.in, monstertrucktour.com, alabama.travel, bigtickets.com, montgomeryal.gov, experiencemontgomeryal.org

Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing a home and a mortgage is involved, a home appraisal is going to be an important aspect of the process. Therefore, it’s crucial that you understand how the appraisal process works and how an appraiser determines a home’s value.

A home appraisal is an unbiased, professional opinion of a home’s value. Conducted by a licensed home appraiser with the knowledge and experience to determine the fair current value of the home, it takes place in almost every home purchase/sale transaction and is commonly used in refinance situations as well. Within a purchase/sale transaction, it is used to establish if the home’s contract price is appropriate, based on the home’s location, condition, and features. For a refinance, the appraisal makes sure that the lender isn’t giving the borrower more money than the home is worth. Because the home serves as collateral for the loan, lenders want to make sure that the homeowner is not over-borrowing. With a purchase/sale transaction, the home appraisal is typically paid for by the buyer and the fee is included in the closing costs.

The reason the home appraisal is so important is because it lets the lender know that they are lending the appropriate amount of money for the value of the home. Sometimes the appraisal will come in for a lower amount than the agreed upon price and when that happens, the lender might deny a loan for that amount. If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction can proceed. However, chances are the seller doesn’t want the deal to fall through, so if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer may be able to use it to negotiate a lower selling price. Knowing that the bank won’t lend any buyer more than what the home is worth, the seller may be willing to lower their selling price so that they can proceed with the sale.  A low appraisal can also derail a homeowner’s attempt at refinancing their home. The home needs to appraise at or above the amount the homeowner wants to refinance. One exception is if you have an FHA mortgage.  With an FHA mortgage, you can refinance without an appraisal through the Streamline Your FHA Mortgage.

The appraiser will look at many things to determine the home’s fair current value. The property’s value will be influenced by recent sale prices of similar properties and by current market trends. The home’s amenities, floor plan, functionality, square footage, and number of bedrooms/bathrooms will also play a part in coming up with a fair price for the lender.  A thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the property will allow the appraiser to note any issues that might have an adverse effect on the property’s value.  You may confuse a home appraisal with a home inspection, but they are not the same thing, A home inspection is a much more detailed evaluation of the home and does not involve the lender.

Usually, the home appraisal will just be a box checked off on your home closing checklist. But if the appraisal comes in lower than expected, the purchase/sale transaction can be delayed or canceled.  Understanding the process and being aware of potential problems will help you be better prepared to handle whatever circumstances come your way.

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.

Spring is just around the corner, and it 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 during spring is a must!

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

• Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. A little bit of sparkle goes a long way in impressing potential buyers.
  
• 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.
   
• 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 and lets buyers know you have cared for your property.
   
• Plant yellow flowers. Yellow tulips and daffodils promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
  
• 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.
   
• Have fresh, fragrant flowers in the house.  Artful home-staging brings color and pleasant aromas indoors.
   
• Polish floors to a high gloss. Make those floors shine! Refinish them if necessary.
   
• Use light colors. Even if you must spend a little to replace items; 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.
   
• 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.

3012 Norman Bridge Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36105

MLS# 553669

8 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 4-Plex | Southmont

Great investment opportunity and prime location in Midtown/Cloverdale area! This brick 4-plex has spacious 2 bedroom /1 bath apartments with hardwood floors and large rooms. 3 of the units have screened porches, and 1 upstairs unit has an enclosed porch/sunroom! Some of the units come with a washer/dryer and dishwasher. Incoming electrical system and meters/breaker boxes updated within the last few years. Exterior has just had fresh paint, rotten wood replacement, and porches refreshed. Ample parking in the rear off Norman Bridge. Across from historic Brewbaker mansion and other fine homes, as well as LeGrand Park! Minutes to downtown, Huntingdon, ASU, I-65 and I-85, Jackson, and Baptist South hospitals.

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

Purchasing your first home is a huge milestone…and not one that should be taken lightly.  It’s a big commitment and you want to be sure you get it right. It is important that you educate yourself before you begin the home buying process so that you can find the right property and procure the financing for it. 

Here are some things you should know as a first-time homebuyer:

• PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

Entering the home buying process for the first time might feel a little overwhelming. You will have a lot of questions, but don’t worry, there will be people who will guide you through. The first thing to do is to find an experienced, professional Realtor. Your Realtor will assist you in finding your starter home, making an offer, and negotiating with sellers. Another person you should meet with prior to starting your home search is a mortgage lender. Your mortgage banker will help you complete your loan application along with determining the amount you qualify for.

Getting preapproved for a mortgage is an important step that will set you on the right course for buying your first home.

• STARTING YOUR HOME SEARCH

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “location, location, location” in relation to real estate. It exists for a reason. Because location is one of the most important aspects in choosing a home. The first thing you must do when searching for your starter home is determine the area you want to live in. You should take many things into consideration when making this decision. Do you want city, suburban, or country living? What is the reputation of the school system? Are there shopping, dining, and entertainment activities nearby? The answers to these questions aren’t just important for you when you’re living there but may also have an impact on resale value. Remember, this is your starter home, not necessarily your forever home. So, you should take resale value into consideration when choosing the location. Once you’ve determined WHERE you want to look, you can create a list of what you’re looking for in a home. You may have to compromise on some things, but going into your search knowing what you want will make things less confusing.

• FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

When buying your first home, there may be some expenses that you didn’t anticipate. Don’t risk being blindsided by unexpected expenses. Do your research and make sure you know what you are getting into. Here are some costs you may not have thought of:

• Closing costs
• Home inspection
• Moving expenses
• Setting up your new house

Remember that your Realtor and Mortgage Banker are there to answer questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of their expertise!

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.

While there are many perks to home ownership (and tax breaks are a big one!), people who are beginning the journey of purchasing a home may be easily misled by common homeowner tax myths.

First, it is important to note that owning your own home does come with tax benefits. For example, a conventional loan’s PMI (private mortgage insurance), the VA loan funding fee, the USDA loan guaranteed fee, and FHA loan upfront mortgage insurance premiums are each tax deductible per the IRS. But as a first-time homeowner, it’s important that you educate yourself on extended tax benefits so that you will know what you can and cannot deduct. Because, unfortunately, some things you might have heard about homeowner tax perks may not be true.

MYTH: DEDUCTIONS ALWAYS CUT YOUR TAX BILL IN HALF

TRUTH: While it is possible for your home ownership deductions to reduce your tax bill, it is not a guarantee. In order to claim deductions, they must add up to more than the combination of the standard deduction and non-home related write-offs, such as sales taxes or charitable donations. You also will have to itemize your deductions.  Timing, in this case, is everything. For example, if you close on your home in April, you will make several mortgage payments throughout the tax year and chances are that you will exceed the standard deduction and write-offs, in which case your tax bill will be reduced. But if you close in November, you might only make one mortgage payment in the taxable year and you likely won’t exceed the standard deduction, meaning this is one homeowner tax perk that you won’t be able to enjoy until the following tax year.

MYTH: EVERY PAYMENT MADE AT CLOSING IS DEDUCTIBLE

TRUTH: Some closing costs are deductible. Not every fee you pay at your home closing can be written off.  The following closing costs ARE deductible: real estate taxes, mortgage interest, and PMI (private mortgage insurance). You will not receive a tax break for your homeowner’s or flood insurance premiums. The same applies to appraisal fees, escrow accounts for property insurance and taxes, and title insurance.

MYTH: HAVING A HOME OFFICE IS A GUARANTEED DEDUCTION

TRUTH: Having a home office can indeed provide a deductible…for those who qualify.  You must keep in mind that the IRS’s definition of a “home office” is very specific. The following will qualify you for a home office deduction: you are self-employed, own a small business, work from home and have turned one of your home’s rooms into your office space. If you just work from your couch with your laptop, it doesn’t qualify as a “home office” in the eyes of the IRS.

If you fill out a W-2, your home office is NOT deductible.

Purchasing your first home can be an overwhelming and sometimes intimidating process. Educating yourself about homeowner tax breaks is one step you can take toward becoming a knowledgeable, prepared home owner.

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.

3174 Lexington Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 552107

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,533 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Love the charm of Cloverdale but looking for stylish updates too? Then this is the one for you! Entering this house, it's impossible to not fall in love with the unique arched front door! Then you're immediately greeted with beautiful hardwood floors and ample amounts of natural light! The living room, dining area and kitchen are all open creating plenty of space for the family or entertaining friends! The kitchen has updated counter tops, subway tile and cabinetry making cooking a pleasure. Wait until you see the master suite! The recessed ceiling and lighting add a touch of elegance to this room! Along with that, the updated bathroom includes a double vanity, gorgeous counter tops and a tiled walk-in shower surrounded by glass. The guest bedrooms are spacious, and the guest bathroom has a claw foot tub! The large backyard is spacious enough for cookouts, garden beds or anything else your heart desires! Don't miss your chance to see this beautiful house that's only minutes away from everything Cloverdale has to offer!

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

 

As the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement, Montgomery, AL is considered one of the best historic cities in America. From historical sites, to museums, to memorials, there are a plethora of things to see and learn in this wonderful southern city.

The modern Civil Rights Movement began when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. Throughout the following year, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., a 26-year-old local Black pastor, led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. You can visit the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University where you will see an active memorial to the life of this civil rights icon. You will learn about how the lessons of the Montgomery Bus Boycott brought racial integration to transportation and international attention to civil rights. Located in Downtown Montgomery at the site where Mrs. Parks was arrested, it is the only museum in the United States dedicated to Rosa Parks. The mission of the Rosa Parks Museum is to honor her legacy and the boycott that started the Civil Rights Movement. Visit the Rosa Parks Museum 

The Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). It serves as the interpretive center for the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors those who participated in the movement and provides inspiration to those who visit to continue working for racial equality and social justice. CRMC

Right around the corner from the CRMC, you will find the historic church where Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church was an important fixture during the 1955-1956 boycott, which served as a protest against racial discrimination and provided a model for other peaceful protests and demonstrations. While there take a look around the Parsonage Museum where Mr. King once lived. Then stop by The Alabama State Capitol, recognized as an official destination on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, to see where the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights culminated on the capitol steps. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made one of his most memorable speeches to an estimated 25,000 people.

Visit The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration to see displays representing the history of slavery and racism in America. Learn about the horrors of racial discrimination such as lynchings, segregation, and racial bias. Then stop by the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which is also known as the National Lynching Memorial. This memorial honors the black victims of lynching in the United States. It consists of a memorial square with 805 hanging steel rectangles, each representing a U.S. County where a documented lynching took place. You will also see sculptures that depict themes related to racial violence.

Discover how groups of volunteers made history in 1961 by protesting segregated travel throughout the south at the Freedom Riders Museum. Calling themselves the Freedom Riders, they crossed racial barriers in depots and on buses. Young Freedom Riders stepped off the bus at the Montgomery Greyhound Station on May 20, 1961. Despite threats of violence, they persevered and helped to end racial segregation in public transportation.

Whether you are lucky enough to live in Montgomery, Alabama or you are just visiting, take time to explore the rich history it offers and learn all about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement!

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

Photo credits: warrensculpture.com, nps.gov, wikipedia.com, ahc.alabama.gov, wikipedia.com

3264 Le Bron Road, Montgomery, AL  36106

MLS# 551684

3 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1 Half Bath | 1,815 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

This Cloverdale charmer offers the best of both worlds! Classic historic features you would expect in a vintage home, with improved amenities like a new roof, updated electrical, tankless water heater and more. Half bath added for guests, hall/main bath updated with glass/tile walk-in shower and separate tub, and beautiful spacious kitchen with new appliances, new cabinets, and gorgeous countertops. Bonus room has closet and could be 4th bedroom, den, home office, or playroom. Cozy covered deck overlooks lush, fenced backyard with small shed and covered RV parking! Located just a couple of blocks from Cloverdale Bottom Park which hosts spring concerts, festivals, a playground for the kiddos, and neighborhood holiday celebrations. Walk to restaurants, bars, theatres, and shopping.

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