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Displaying blog entries 11-16 of 16

Montgomery AL Condo For Sale: 1827 Ridge Ave #5

Monday, July 15, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Condo For Sale:

1827 Ridge Ave #5, Montgomery AL 36104
MLS# 302758

Great Condo In Old Cloverdale!

1824 Ridge Ave Montgomery AL
Great condo in the heart of Old Cloverdale! Whether you are a first time home buyer, wanting to downsize or looking for a "lock and leave", this lovely property is about the most affordable thing you will find in the neighborhood! The living room overlooks a beautiful private courtyard and the bedroom suite is spacious and even has a walk-in closet. This downstairs unit has everything you need, come check it out!

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Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Federal Help for Troubled Real Estate Owners

Saturday, July 13, 2013
by The Hat Team

Although the outlook for the housing industry has improved in recent months, far too many owners who recently received the assessments on their Montgomery AL real estate learned that their mortgages are (still) underwater. 

helpThe federal government has six programs, some older, some recently revised, and one brand new, specifically for those in jeopardy of losing their homes.  Listed below are the “barebones” of each one and some sites at which to garner further information:

  • HAMP Tier 1 and Tier 2 - The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) has been extended through 2013 and expanded to help more homeowners. HAMP Tier 2 is now an option for homeowners who want to modify a home that is not their primary residence, did not previously qualify for modification, or who defaulted on a HAMP plan in the past.
  • Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Updates – This program is designed to help homeowners not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac transition to more affordable housing. HAFA provides two options: a short sale or a Deed-in-Lieu for foreclosure.
  • Independent Foreclosure Review Alternative Settlement - In January thirteen servicers/lenders reached an agreement with federal regulators to pay more than $8.8 billion in cash payments and other assistance to help borrowers.  More than 3.9 million borrowers, whose homes were in foreclosure in 2009 and 2010, are expected to receive cash compensation in a timely manner.
  • Fannie Mae Refinancing Incentive - Fannie Mae announced in January that lenders will be allowed to offer a refinancing incentive for Montgomery AL real estate which would be used to obtain a lower payment or move to a more stable mortgage product.  Click here for details.
  • Hardest Hit Funds - In 2007 the Federal government allocated Hardest Hit Funds to 18 states and the District of Columbia to help homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed. Many of the states have recently made program changes to help more homeowners.  States have until the end of 2017 to utilize the funds allocated through this program. To find out more regarding specific Hardest Hit Fund programs in your state, contact the Housing Finance Agency,
  • The federal government recently announced a new loan-modification program (for Fannie and Freddie-backed mortgages) requiring no documentation of income or financial hardship. Launched by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the program went into effect July 1, 2013.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Tips For a Green Home Office

Saturday, July 6, 2013
by The Hat Team

When we consider becoming more “green” at home, we often think about kitchens and bathrooms, spaces which use a lot of energy and water and can pollute the environment of your Montgomery AL home.  While these are certainly high-impact areas that could easily be made more efficient, there’s also much potential for going green in your home office. Check out these simple suggestions:

  • greenPaper:  Look for paper made with the highest amount of recycled post-consumer content. When you can, print on both sides of the paper. If you need to shred documents, keep that shredded paper to use when sending packages or even for storing items such as fragile holiday decorations or china. To recycle paper on a regular basis, have a small recycling box under the desk in your Montgomery AL home office.
  • Printer cartridges:  Every year hundreds of millions of cartridges are used in this country--and 70 percent of those end up in landfills. However, cartridges are actually easily refilled/recycled, and you can also get paid to turn in used ones. There are a number of online sources that will supply a pre-paid shipping label to mail accepted cartridges in exchange for cash. Or you can turn in your used cartridges for recycling at some office supply stores and earn a credit for them.
  • Power strips:  Get a single power terminal that connects to all the ancillary gadgets that run with the computer in your Montgomery AL home office. This way the moment you are not using the computer, they can be turned off, too. Keeping the computer and its accessories on through the night consumes more than 30% of the total power consumption when in use.
  • Computer hardware:  In addition to being convenient, laptops are said to consume less than 1/8th the power of a regular desktop. With laptops now more affordable, it is advisable to switch to a laptop in your next purchase.  Likewise, LCD and LED monitors use about half the energy compared to a traditional CRT monitor.
  • Used manuals and electronics:   Recycle unneeded computer manuals and “how-to” guides by donating them to local workforce development groups and charity organizations.  This also applies to old laptops, printers, and other office equipment. And don’t forget used batteries, cartridges, PDAs, and obsolete cell phones. What you may consider trash, another person may consider a life-changing gift!

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Montgomery AL Real Estate: 1534 S Court St

Saturday, July 6, 2013
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate:

1534 S Court St, Montgomery AL 36104
MLS# 302382

Quintessential Detailing!

1534 S court St Montgomery al
Incredible Arts and Crafts bungalow with all the quintessential detailing. This 1910's home with high ceilings and some original fixtures and hardware is just waiting for the right buyer to liberate the front porch and bring it back to its formal glory. Walk up attic could be more living space. Central heat and air already in place as well as washer and dryer connections. Make this old girl into the showplace it once was. Fully fenced rear yard ready for your pets. Opportunities like this only come along in a blue moon for less than 40k. Call us or your favorite agent to see today! Sold as is.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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Happy Independence Day!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013
by The Hat Team
 
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must,
like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
Thomas Paine

 
Sandra Nickel
Sandra Nickel Realtors
1044 E Fairview
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 834-1500
[email protected]
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FHA & VA Assumptions

Tuesday, July 2, 2013
by The Hat Team

Not many buyers have assumed a mortgage in the past 25 years. Most people think it was because FHA and VA in the late 80’s began to require that buyers qualify for the assumptions. Not having to qualify for a mortgage would certainly benefit certain buyers. fha

If a homeowner must qualify for an assumption like a new loan, they'll generally choose the mortgage with the lower interest rate.  Over the past 25 years, rates have been trending down but it appears that rates have bottomed out and will gradually increase.   As they continue to rise, the lower rates on the FHA and VA loans created in the last few years will appeal to buyers even if they do have to qualify for the assumption.

There are significant advantages to assuming one of these government insured mortgages if the current interest rate on a new loan is higher:

1. Mortgage is further into amortization schedule
2. Lower interest rate loans amortize faster than higher interest rate loans
3. Lower closing costs than a new mortgage
4. Easier to qualify than on a new mortgage
5. No appraisal required

FHA assumptions are only allowed as owner-occupied residents. The borrower must meet current FHA guidelines for borrowers. The total debt ratio including house payment to be assumed cannot exceed 41% of borrowers’ monthly gross income.
VA loans are also assumable with buyer qualification. However, in order for the veteran Seller to have their eligibility reinstated, the buyer must also be a veteran with eligibility.

A 1% difference in the current rates and a lower assumable mortgage rate begins to make it very attractive to assume a mortgage. When the differential becomes even greater, assumptions will become more prevalent than they’ve been in over twenty years.

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Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 11-16 of 16

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