Real Estate Information Archive

There are a lot of perks to home ownership, but let’s face it; it can be expensive.  You are not only making a mortgage payment every month, but you are also responsible for maintaining your home. But there are lots of easy ways to save money without ever leaving the house. Follow these tips and start saving today!

1. Save money on your electric bill by utilizing natural ways to cool your house.  During the spring and summer, open your windows and use fans to get the air circulating through your home. Ceiling fans will help too. Moving the air through the house will help cool it down quite a bit.
   
2. Another way to save on your electric bill is to line dry your clothes. Dryers use a lot of electricity, and there are many good reasons to choose line drying.  Not only is it an energy saver, but it may extend the life of your clothing!
    
3. Get rid of cable television. With all the options for streaming shows on apps like Hulu and Netflix, you could save a lot of money by ending your relationship with cable and using apps to stream your favorite programs.  You might be surprised to discover that even after upgrading your internet, you will still pay less per month than you did for cable television.
    
4. Always unplug.  Even when you are not using an appliance, if you keep it plugged in, it is still pulling electricity. It may not seem like much, but over years you can save quite a bit by unplugging when not using things. Chances are you are not going to want to be bothered with walking around your house to unplug everything, but to make it a little easier, consider using power strips so you can just unplug that at the end of the day.
    
5. Use a shopping list. This may sound silly, but when you go shopping without a list you often come home with way more than you need. Make a list and stick to it. It will not only make shopping more efficient, but it will save you money in the long run.
   
6. Learn how to do basic home maintenance. You can save a ton of money over time by being able to take care of home maintenance yourself.  By doing small tasks like replacing filters and cleaning out dust, you can lengthen the lifespan of many appliances, thus saving money as well. 
    
7. Bundle up and save on heating costs. Invest in quality, warm blankets so you can turn the heat down and still be warm and cozy when you sleep at night.  Decreasing your heat by just a few degrees can save you a lot of money over time.
    
8. Create a budget and try to stick to it. By creating a budget, you will be more conscientious about your spending. It will not only help you to see where you are spending too much, it will also assist you in prioritizing your spending.

Saving money is important.  Whether you’re saving for retirement or for a special family vacation, it’s the little things you do that make a big difference in the long run!

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: thebalance.com, southernliving.com, housebeautiful.com

Does the sight of a single bee send you running for cover? Then imagine what finding an entire swarm of bees on your property would be like. But before you freak out, take a deep breath, and remember that they are not there to hurt you. First you must determine what kind of bee you are dealing with. Getting as close as you safely can, take a photo and/or film the entrance to the nest or bees. You can send it to a professional to help you identify what insect it is.

There are many stinging insects out there, but we are going to focus on honeybees. These fuzzy, amber, and brown striped insects are social and live-in colonies with a single queen, a few hundred drones, and thousands of worker bees. They are NOT out to get you, but they will sting if their nest is threatened. There are other, similar looking stinging insects that are more unpredictable like paper wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. If you encounter a swarm or ball of honeybees, stay calm and follow these procedures:

1. DON’T PROVOKE THEM

If you see bees, the best policy is to avoid them. Honeybees will leave people alone unless they are provoked. Do not prod their nests with sticks and stones or spray them with water. Think of their colony as having a huge Do Not Disturb sign on it. Do not approach them in any way.

2. FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM   

Are the bees coming from outside or inside the house? If you have a colony of bees on your property, they can detrimental to the structure of your home.Buzzing sounds inside your walls are a sign that a swarm has taken up residence inside.If this is the case, you will need to call in a professional insect control expert as soon as possible.

3. DO NOT USE SPRAYS OR INSECTICIDES    

Remember this important fact: Bees are responsible for nearly 80% of all pollination worldwide. Per Greenpeace, seventy of the top 100 human food crops, which supply approximately 90% of the world’s nutrition, are pollinated by bees. In addition, over-the-counter pesticides are not super effective, and you might only end up poisoning yourself and/or your pets. So, please do not use insecticides on them!

4. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THEM YOURSELF

Even if the swarm that you found seems small and harmless, unless you are a beekeeper, do not attempt to remove it. This is not a time to try your DIY skills. If you disturb the bees, you will likely get stung…so step away!

5. CALL A BEE REMOVAL PROFESSIONAL

Yes…this is a thing.There are professional beekeepers that are experts in removing a colony and relocating them safely. Calling a local beekeeper is the best way to determine what needs to be done to remove the colony and keep it from coming back the next year. Southern Sweet Bee LLC

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credit: honeybeesuite.com, backyardbeekeeping101.com, leicestermercury.co.uk, norcalbees.com

Montgomery AL Real Estate

3203 Gatsby Ln, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS: 492286 | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,801 Square Feet | Hillwood West

Wonderful Custom Built Patio Home

Virtual Tour

This wonderful custom built one-owner patio home in Midtown Montgomery has been loved and cared for and is now looking for a new owner. The large formal living room and dining room are perfect for entertaining, and the cozy den provides casual space for everyday living. A large eat-in kitchen features lots of cabinets, a center island, and a pantry. A spacious guest bedroom and bath are on the front side and a large master with split bathroom, separate shower, and large walk-in closet are on the back side of house for privacy. A side courtyard provides outdoor space, and there is an additional grassy fenced yard space on the back side of the property. There is a one car detached garage with extra storage space.

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

The possibility of losing your home to foreclosure is frightening. You likely feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Not only do you have to worry about where you are going to live, but your future credit rating can be ruined as well. However, if you act quickly after getting a foreclosure notice, you can possibly avoid losing your home.

Here are some tips to help you deal with this crucial situation quickly and efficiently:

• If you can, pay the total amount past due on your loan. The lender would much rather have your money than your house, so this should prevent foreclosure if there are no mitigating circumstances. Of course, chances are that if you have received a foreclosure notice it is due to the fact that you don’t have the funds available to get current on your loan. But don’t despair…there are other options.
   
• If making your monthly mortgage payment is beyond your ability, you can attempt to modify the terms of your loan. Depending upon the circumstances, this could mean reducing your monthly payments or interest rate.  You can seek guidance from your lender, or you may be eligible for the government assistance through the Homeowner Affordability and Sustainability Plan (HASP), which will allow you to restructure your mortgage.  The purpose of HASP is to help people who owe more than their home is worth or have more debt on their home than income. Homeowner Affordability and Sustainability Plan
   
• While the goal is to keep your home, foreclosure may be unavoidable. You may want to consider attempting a short sale on your home. This requires permission from your lender. The purpose of the short sale is to sell the home for the amount of money needed to pay what you owe to your lender. If you can’t sell the home for the needed amount, you may be responsible for paying back the remaining balance of the loan.  Short Sale
  
• As a last resort, you may want to consider declaring bankruptcy. It is a huge decision that should not be made lightly because it can have some harsh consequences.  In addition, it may not allow to keep your home, so it is definitely risky. Filing bankruptcy means that all lenders and creditors you have are given a stay on your loans, meaning they cannot collect until your bankruptcy case is settled. However, this stay is temporary. If the foreclosure process has already been started by your lender, they will not be able to repossess your home until all issues have been worked out. You may be able to restructure your debts and create a payment plan that will allow you to keep your home, depending on the type of bankruptcy you file for. But there is also a chance that you might have to sell your home as part of the liquidation of your assets. It is vital that you speak to a financial advisor before going this route.

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: facebook, fool.com, moveinphilly.com

Let’s face it, selling and buying a house at the same time can be very overwhelming and usually involves some element of risk. However, it is pretty common for people to have to buy and sell at the same time. Per the National Association of Realtors, 71% of repeat home buyers still owned their previous residences, which means it’s highly likely that most of them were both buyers and sellers.

If you are lucky enough to time it right, you may hit that perfect “sweet spot” where you sell your house, make a profit that can be used for a down payment, and then find your next dream home, in that order. But chances are, things might not go as planned and hoped for.

Let’s look at some common challenges you might face, different avenues that might work better for you, and tips for getting through the process with your mental health intact.

• Financial Issues – Chances are you might not have the amount of cash on hand that it takes to make a down payment on a house unless you sell your current home first. If you have found your new dream home and don’t want to risk losing it while waiting to sell, you have some options. You could do a cash out refinance on your current home, take out a home equity line of credit, or maybe sell some investments. But keep in mind that these options have costs and might not work for everyone.
   
• Logistics – With all the details and decisions that have to be made when both buying and selling a home, the logistics of doing both at the same time can be complicated. You have to think about the timing of the purchase and sale and negotiating with both the sellers of your new home and the buyers of your current home; all while trying to organize and pack for your move. An experienced Realtor is vital to help you navigate this process.
   
• Risk of Losing New Home to Non-Contingent Buyer – Buying and selling at the same time comes with risks, one of which is moving forward with a purchase before you have sold your current home. To minimize this risk, many homeowners choose to make their offer on a house contingent upon the sale of their current home. But this brings about another risk, because there is a possibility that your offer may get turned down in favor of a buyer who has made a non-contingent offer.  At that point you may have to decide whether or not you can remove the contingency, which may not be financially possible.

Now let’s look at some tips to help you navigate the buying-while-selling process:

• Determine Financial Feasibility – It’s time to take a good hard look at your monthly disposable income and to ask yourself these questions:

• Can you afford paying both mortgages?
• How long will you be able to afford doing so?
• Do you have enough available cash for a down payment?
• Will you have enough available for down payment after paying both mortgages for a “worst-case scenario” period of time?

If you are living paycheck to paycheck, buying and selling at the same time is not a good option for you, but if you have a steady, dependable income and low monthly debts, you may be able to get through the process relatively unscathed. Talking to a trusted lender is a good idea at this stage because they can help you determine what you can afford to do.

• Consider a Bridge Loan – If you do not have enough for a down payment, you may want to consider a bridge loan. A bridge loan is a short-term loan that uses the equity from your current home to get the necessary down payment to complete your purchase. But you must keep in mind that this is only an option if you are ok with taking on two mortgage payments for up to six months to a year; the typical term for a bridge loan.
   
• Make Satisfying Offers to Both Seller and Buyer – If the thought of two mortgage payments is too much, as mentioned before, you can make an offer contingent upon selling your current home. With that contingency, your contract states that you won’t lose your earnest money if your house doesn’t sell. This eliminates your financial risk, but weakens your offer. If another buyer makes a cash offer with no contingencies, sellers will go after the cash offer every time. Today’s market of low inventory and high demand means that a contingent offer is not as likely to be accepted. One way you can have a better shot at getting your new house is to offer significant non-refundable earnest money, in hopes that the seller will be willing to wait longer for your current house to sell.
   
• Look For a Cash Buyer – If you’ve already decided to buy your next home and sell your current home later, you definitely will want it to sell as quickly as possible. So, as a seller, a cash sale with no contingencies is the way to go if you can. You may want to seek out an instant homebuyer or a local real estate investment company to initiate a cash sale;  typically a much faster process than a traditional listing process. The downside is that the offers you may receive might be significantly less than what you might get on the open market. If your Realtor can help you find a cash buyer on the open market, all the better!

While the idea of buying and selling at the same time is definitely a little scary, the experienced, professional Realtors on Sandra Nickel's team can help you through the process.

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: fincancebuddha.com, thehill.com, yourfundingtree.com

“When you know, you know”. That’s what they say. But not everyone has a “say yes to the dress” moment (or in this case a “say yes to the house” moment) when they are shopping. Some people are more analytical and are not willing to make a big purchase with just a gut feeling. And let’s face it, buying a house is probably the biggest purchase you’re going to make, so it’s important that you know you have the right one. So, how do you know? Well, here are some signs that you have found the right home for you:

• When you enter the home, does it feel like you’ve been embraced in a great big hug? An immediate sense of comfort and safety is a good sign that this might be the right house for you. You may not know for sure until you have completely explored the house to make sure it checks most of the boxes on your “wants and needs” list, but feeling a good vibe when you first walk in is definitely a positive sign!
   
• When you’re walking through the home, do you feel insulted if the Realtor points out flaws in it? This is also a good sign that this might be the home for you. It shows that you already feel possessive about the home…as if it’s already yours. You are willing to overlook the flaws to see the bigger picture. Feeling connected to a home when you haven’t even bought it yet is another sign that it is the right one! Homebuyers: It's Ok to Overlook These 8 Flaws
  
• Does the home fulfill your basic needs? You likely have decided what it is you want in a house and what it is you need. If needs aren’t met, that is usually a deal breaker. So, if a house meets your needs; has the right amount of bedrooms and bathrooms, the layout you want, the neighborhood you want etc., and it also “feels” right, then it probably is right. Even if it’s missing some of your “wants”, they can be added later.
   
• If the first thing you want to do after looking at a house is to text photos of it to your friends and family, chances are you’ve found the one. When you are excited about something, you want to share it! Whether you’ve been looking for months, or it’s the first house you see…that urge to share is a sign that it’s a true gem.
   
• When you decide to stop looking at houses, that a sure sign that you’ve found your home. If you think you’ve found the house you want, but you still want to keep looking - “just in case”, then chances are you are settling and haven’t truly found the right home.  But when you can confidently say, “this is it and I don’t want to look at any more houses”, you have found your home sweet home!
  

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, 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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/ for more info!

Photo Credits: parenting-blog.net, financialavenue.org, smartasset.com

Deciding whether or not to buy a home is a big deal, especially for military families who may only live someplace for a short period of time. If you are in the military and are thinking about buying a home, here are some important things to take into consideration:

RESEARCH

It is important to start researching the area where you will be moving long before your moving date.  Check out websites, newspapers, and magazines with real estate listings. Have a list of wants and needs prepared to help narrow down the types of homes you are interested in viewing.  Pay particular attention to houses in the neighborhoods you are interested in to see how long they are staying on the market and if there are changes in their asking prices.

RESALE VALUE

Since military families often do not live in one place for very long, when buying a home, you need to really think about resale value. It is important to find a good neighborhood that does not have too much turnover, since having too many homes on the market could be bad for selling. It makes sense to buy in neighborhoods that are in desirable school districts, but that are well-established and will not be competing with new construction happening nearby. It is also a good idea to buy homes that have standard floor plans that appeal to more people rather than custom homes that may be unique, but only appeal to a few.

COMMUNITY

Moving often can make it challenging for military families to find a sense of community. Buying a home in an area that offers a lot of amenities makes it easier for residents to meet people and form connections. Look for neighborhoods that offer things like pools, fitness centers, dog parks, playgrounds, and community gardens. Families with children moving in the summer before school starts can utilize these amenities to meet people and establish relationships that will help you integrate more easily into the school year.

MILITARY INCENTIVES

You will find that many developers and builders will offer special incentives for military buyers. Some communities even offer free landscaping services for members of the military who are deployed. Military buyers also can qualify for interior design extras and help with closing costs. It is prudent to always ask about any available extras for active military and veterans.  In addition, military buyers can also benefit from special financing options. Using a VA Home Loan is a great advantage for military buyers. And if the military buyer has greater than 30% disability, there are tax benefits which will lower his or her tax rate. With low interest rates and your housing allowance, you will be able to pay your mortgage and build equity even if you only live there a short time.

Military buyers want the same things in a new home that all buyers want…a good floorplan, great schools, lots of storage, nice appliances, and a safe neighborhood. But you do bring a unique perspective to the home-shopping experience. Connecting with a military-friendly professional Realtor like Sandra Nickel is vital to navigating the homebuying process, especially right now with the market being so fast-paced. Sandra is a Certified Residential Specialist who will provide information about schools, safety, traffic, and neighborhood activities to help military families make the best choice for their new home!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, 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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/ for more info! 

Photo credits: rismedia.com, colemanhighlands.org, debt.org

Montgomery AL Home For Sale

840 Terrace Ave, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 488789 | 3 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,524 Square Feet | Cloverdale Terrace

Charming and Move-In Ready!

Virtual Tour

A charming move-in ready home located two blocks from Old Cloverdale and one block from ASU! The cozy screened front porch is the perfect spot for morning coffee or cocktail in the evening. Features include a beautiful living room with ornate wood mantle, dining room, lovely kitchen with updated counter tops and back splash that has prepared countless family meals. All three bedrooms have hard wood floors and the family room/den addition has a laundry room closet. You’ll enjoy the lovely back yard for cooking out. This Midtown Montgomery home has been loved and meticulously maintained by the same family for decades. Check it out today!

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

Montgomery AL Home For Sale

736 E Fairview Ave, Montgomery AL 36106

MLS# 491365 | 4  Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 3,465 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Graced By a Majestic Live Oak

Virtual Tour

This elegant late-1920's Cloverdale home in Midtown Montgomery is tucked away behind a majestic old live oak! Grand formal living and dining rooms spill into the open kitchen and family room with volume ceilings. There is a cheery sunroom off the living room. The downstairs master suite includes a study with built-ins, and an updated bath. A guest bedroom with en suite bath rounds out the first floor of this wonderful spacious home. Upstairs there is a wet bar, built-in bench, another master bedroom with study and private bath, and a 4th bedroom also with private bath. There’s plenty of attic storage. Off the kitchen/breakfast room you will find a laundry and large pantry area. Enjoy relaxing out back in the private courtyard patio area. Plenty of parking between the front motor court, rear double driveway and detached two-car garage with workshop space. A front circular driveway provides additional parking, and all parking is accessed off Montezuma, so Fairview traffic is never an issue! Enjoy the ideal location walking distance to parks, dining, and entertaining and just minutes from downtown!

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