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Displaying blog entries 451-460 of 1998

Is Montgomery Alabama a Great Place to Retire?

Wednesday, February 17, 2021
by The Hat Team


When people think about where they might retire, the first place that comes to mind is Florida. But Florida is far from the only place that is great for retirement.  According to moneyrates.com, Alabama is one of the top ten places to retire in America in 2021. Between its rich culture and warm weather, Alabama is one of the best kept secrets of retirement opportunities. Finances are a vital aspect of retirement and you want to live in a state where you can get the most bang for your buck without having to sacrifice comfort and enjoyment. And Alabama has a lot to offer in that respect.

You will find a lot of the same tax advantages in Alabama that you would find in Florida. Combined with the fact that Alabama is overall a less expensive place to live, it should be a top contender when deciding where to retire. Consider these financial perks:

  • While Alabama does have an income tax, it is one of the lowest in the county, and social security benefits are completely exempt.
  • The cost of living in Montgomery, specifically is 11% lower than the national average.
  • The cost of housing in Montgomery is 30% lower than the national average.
  • Healthcare costs are lower in Alabama as well, with retired couples paying an average of 4.4% less than the average retired American couple.
  • Retirees who own a home in Alabama benefit from one of the lowest property tax rates in the country.

Other than it being a financially smart decision to retire to Alabama, here are several reasons that Montgomery is a wonderful place to live out your golden years:

  1. The weather is ideal all year ‘round! With a subtropical climate, you will enjoy hot summers and mild winters.
     
  2. Alabama’s capital city is filled with art and culture. The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Hank Williams Museum and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts offer opportunities to experience the charming history of this southern town along with fine art from around the world. You will also be able to enjoy professional performances at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center, the Montgomery Ballet, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Attractions - Arts & Culture
     
  3. You can stay active and social at Montgomery Riverfront Park. Catch a ballgame featuring the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium, or take a riverboat cruise on the Harriott II.  Bring chairs or a blanket and grab a spot on the grass where you can watch a show or listen to music at the Riverwalk Amphitheater.

  4. If you love outdoor living, one of the best parts of retiring in Montgomery will be the vast amount of green space and trails that are easy to access. Blount Cultural Park offers a dog park, open green space, a pond and more! Check out Eat South, Montgomery’s own urban teaching farm, or play nine holes at the golf course. Gateway Park offers hiking trails, or you can have a picnic, play horseshoes, and check out the planetarium at Oak Park.
     
  5. If you are a “foodie”, one of the best parts of living in Montgomery is all the incredible cuisine it offers!  From the finest southern cooking to the most exquisite fine dining, you will love the dining options in Montgomery!

So, if a lower cost of living, tax perks, mild weather, arts & culture, and green spaces all appeal to you, consider a Montgomery, Alabama neighborhood when making your list of possible places to retire.

Come visit and let Sandra Nickel show you some of the amazing, affordable https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com/ in this charming, delightful southern city! Contact her at 334-834-1500 or email her HERE today!

Photo credits: rsa-al.gov, PNGio.com, tripadvisor.com, funinmontgomery.com 

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6 High Impact Home Improvements That Don’t Break the Budget

Wednesday, February 10, 2021
by The Hat Team


Whether you are getting your home ready to sell or just want a fresh new look, the following do-it-yourself projects will make a big difference without breaking the bank.

1. Spruce up the kitchen

Replacing appliances, cabinetry and countertops is expensive but you can update your kitchen without these costly changes. Update your kitchen by changing out hardware, painting or staining cabinet doors and drawer fronts, replacing outdated light fixtures, or installing a new backsplash.

2. Update the bathrooms

The same is true for your bathrooms. Inexpensive changes can have a big impact. Instead of replacing cabinets, paint the door fronts. Instead of replacing the toilet, replace the toilet seat. Deep clean your flooring and bleach or re-grout the tile if needed. Add a fresh coat of paint and replace old worn out towels with pretty new ones.

3. Paint the walls

A $50 gallon of paint goes a long way when updating your home. Well-loved homes take a beating from kids and pets. Covering up scrapes and scratch marks on walls and woodwork will make your room feel brand new. Add an accent wall for a totally new look.

4. De-clutter

A well-organized home does wonders not only for the esthetics of your home but also your mental attitude. Consider having a yard sale for unwanted items or donating them to the charity of your choice. If you haven’t used it in a year, it’s probably time to get rid of it.

5. Let the light shine

Let the light shine in by cleaning light fixtures and windows. Glass globes and windows should sparkle inside and out letting the sun shine in.

6. Freshen the floors

Renting a carpet cleaner from your local grocery store is a cost effective way to freshen up carpeting. And applying scratch remover to wood floors will make them look new again.

Most of the above improvements can be done in a weekend and don’t require a professional to get the job done. Simply put on your DIY hat to give your home a fresh new look.

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!

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5 Hacks for Buying a House Sight Unseen

Wednesday, February 3, 2021
by The Hat Team


The thought of buying a house sight unseen may give you hives, but it is more common than you might think. A 2018 poll, conducted by Redfin, revealed 20% of home buyers made an offer on a home sight unseen.

In a 2017 survey, 45% of Millenial homebuyers said they had made an offer on a home without stepping foot in the home, followed by 30% of Gen Xers and 12% of Baby Boomers. These statistics were long before the Covid-19 pandemic turned our lives upside down. Can you image what current statistics would show?

Buying a home sight unseen can be done safely and intelligently if you are willing to do your homework and put a team of consummate professionals in place. Here are 5 hacks to help you do just that…

1. Become Friends with Real Estate Websites

You will want to spend lots of time on your computer researching not only individual homes, but neighborhoods, schools, crime statistics, transportation, and amenities nearby.

Visiting Open Houses in your current community will help you get a feel for the size home you want and zero in on features you want in a home.

2. Find a Realtor You Trust

Buying a home sight unseen is not possible without finding a Realtor you trust implicitly! Do online research on Realtors working in your new community and then interview a few of your top picks by phone. Be sure to ask for references from previous clients that you may talk to.

3. Take a Video Tour

Many homes listed for sale on the internet include a virtual tour. These tours can give you a feel for the property, but also do a walking tour with your agent. Being able to talk with your agent as he or she walks through the house allows you to ask questions about details a photo can’t discern. Is the floor wood or laminate? Are the countertops granite or quartz? This tour can also reveal problem areas the photographer may have overlooked.

4. Hire a Well Qualified Home Inspector

Having a top notch home inspection is even more important when you are buying a home sight unseen. Having all the major systems checked out and having a report itemizing any problem areas along with recommendations how to how they can be corrected in invaluable.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

No home is perfect. This is true whether you are buying a home you choose in person or one you are buying sight unseen. No matter how well qualified your team of experts is, minor discrepancies will occur. Maybe a wobbly ceiling fan will be missed but this is just part of buying a home.

There will be some surprises. Doing your homework and putting an expert team in place will help you eliminate big surprises and handle the smaller ones.

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!

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4 Reasons To Sell Your Home Now and Not Wait Until Spring

Wednesday, January 27, 2021
by The Hat Team


The general rule of thumb is spring is the best time to sell your home. Most Realtors experience a “spring rush”, but there are many reasons to consider selling your home during the winter months rather than wait until spring.

1. Less Competition

As you are driving around town, you probably don’t see many ‘For Sale’ signs. Typically in the winter, there are frewe homes for sale, which means less competition. Real estate is affected by supply and demand. The fewer homes there are for sale, the better chance you have of securing a buyer and the more negotiating power you have as a seller.

2. Historically Low Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates continue to be historically low, bringing more home buyers into the market. While rates may stay low throughout 2021, rates typically increase in the spring as a result of supply and demand. Most home sellers are going to turn around and buy another home. Selling now means you are in a position to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates.

3. Motivated Buyers

The spring selling season tends to bring out a lot of ‘looky loos’… people that aren’t really serious buyers and are merely interested in seeing what the market is like. Home buyers looking in the winter months are generally more serious and motivated to buy now. Serious home buyers look no matter what season of the year it is.

4. Quicker Transaction

There are fewer real estate transactions happening now than there will be in the spring selling rush. This means mortgage companies have fewer loans to process, attorneys and title companies have fewer closings, and home inspectors home fewer inspections to perform. The result of fewer transactions is better communication, better service, and less hassle. A closing with less stress will make your home selling and buying experience much more pleasurable.

After considering these factors, if you are in the market to sell your home now, let the Sandra Nickel Hat Team assist you with your sale. Call them today at 334-834-1500!

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3014 Hill Hedge Dr: All the Style You Could Ask For!

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate:

3014 Hill Hedge Dr, Montgomery AL 36111

All the Style You Could Ask For!

MLS# 486575 | 3 Bedrooms | 1.5 Baths | 2,539 Square Feet | McGehee Estates

3014 Hill Hedge Dr

Fabulously updated McGehee Estates home with all of the style and living spaces you could ask for! From the brand new welcoming front doors all the way to the covered back patio, this house is move-in ready and shows like a dream! The original formal living room/dining room has been converted to a large dining room and office space. The bright eat-in kitchen opens to the family room/den and a hallway leads back to the study/home schooling area/playroom for 3 separate living areas to suit your family's needs. Recent updates and special features include granite counter tops, stainless appliances, beautifully refinished hard wood floors, wonderful cabinetry and bookcases throughout. Lovely covered patio and fully fenced back yard. Check it out today!

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

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Showing Your Home During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
by The Hat Team


Experts predict we will be in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic for at least another 6 to 9 months if not longer. You may think the real estate market has tanked due to the pandemic but this is not the case. Interest rates remain low and are enticing buyers to take advantage of lower mortgage payments. The pandemic is changing the way real estate is being sold and making showing your home a bit more challenging. But with creativity and preparation, showing your home can be done safely. The following guidelines will help keeping you, your family, your Realtor, and your prospective buyers safe and healthy.

Preparation

The first thing you want to do is prepare your home for sale. Deep, clean and declutter. You want your home to sparkle inside and out the fresh paint and clean windows. Clear off your counter-tops and remove all personal items. Put toys away and remove excess furniture. Clean out closets so they appear larger and don’t forget to clean out the garage. Add some color with decorative pillows, bowls of fruit or fresh flowers.

Virtual Tour

Your Realtor will want to create an online virtual tour for buyers to take a look at before physically entering your home. There are many options for creating tours with photos, as well as video walking tours moving from room to room. While online tours aren’t quite the same as seeing a home in person, they tell a buyer a lot about the property.

Virtual Open House

Today’s technology is ideal for virtual open houses. Who ever heard of Zoom pre-pandemic? But Zoom and similar programs are perfect for conducting a virtual open house.

In-Person Showings

While buying a home sight unseen is on the rise, most buyers will want to see a home in person before deciding to buy. With extra precautions, this can be done with safety in mind…

1. Limit the number of persons entering you home to Realtors and the prospective buyers. This is not the time for children and extra family members.

2. Have everyone entering your home sign a Covid-19 form certifying they do not have the virus or have not been exposed to someone who does. Also, require everyone wear masks, gloves and use hand sanitizer before entering.

3. Leave doors open and lights on to minimize touching surfaces.

4. Clean and disinfect before and after the showing.

Bottom line is buyers are buying and sellers are selling during this pandemic. They are just doing in more creatively and cautiously.

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!

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246 N Court St: 246 N Court St #B, Montgomery AL 36104

Saturday, January 16, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate For Sale:

246 N Court St #B, Montgomery AL 36104

MLS# 484187 | 1 Bedroom | 1.5 Baths | 1,010 Square Feet | Downtown Montgomery

246 N Court St

Convenient urban downtown living with a flair! 246 Lofts are an impressive renovation & re-purpose of a historic building located in downtown Montgomery. This unique 1 bedroom condo has antique heart pine floors, old exposed brick walls and original beams, and soaring ceiling heights. Updated kitchen and bath and open concept great for casual living or entertaining.

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

 

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410 Thorn Pl: Living and Entertaining is a Breeze

Saturday, January 16, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate For Sale

410 Thorn Pl, Montgomery AL 36106

Living and Entertaining is a Breeze

MLS# 478811 | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,183 Square Feet | Old Cloverdale

Living and entertaining is a breeze in this lovely updated Old Cloverdale home in Midtown Montgomery. The main level has great circulating flow from the large living room to the big family room off the kitchen! A family style kitchen, complete with breakfast bar, is adjacent to the formal dining room. The great screened side porch off living room is the perfect place for morning coffee or evening cocktails. The second floor has two spacious bedrooms with lots of closet space. Located within walking distance to restaurants, shops, bars, and entertainment, and convenient to Downtown!

410 thorn pl

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

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2206 Boultier St: Brick Duplex in Old Cloverdale!

Friday, January 15, 2021
by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate

2206 Boultier St, Montgomery AL 36106

Brick Duplex in Old Cloverdale!

MLS# 486367 | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | Old Cloverdale

2206 Boultier St

Virtual Tour

This brick duplex is located in Historic Old Cloverdale in Midtown Montgomery, just blocks from ASU and Huntingdon College. Each unit is 2 BR/1BA, bedrooms and bath upstairs. Ample parking for 4+ vehicles. Great investment, and nice location!

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

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Making Your Home More Desirable in 2021

Wednesday, January 13, 2021
by The Hat Team


With new trends endlessly popping up, it can be challenging to decide what home improvement projects are worth your time and money.  It will serve you well to research what trends are timeless and what trends have gone by the wayside before investing in updating your home, especially if you are getting ready to put it on the market.  To simplify that process for you, here is a list of the hottest home improvement projects for 2021!

  1. Swimming Pools.  In the past, swimming pools have not been the most desirable features for potential buyers. However, 2020 changed things. They have become a hot ticket item now that more people are staying home and are looking for ways to stay busy without having to go anywhere. Pool companies can hardly keep up with the demand, and even inflatable kiddie pools have sold out everywhere. Investing in something that can provide a “staycation” in your own back yard is a good idea in 2021!
     
  2. Smart homes. With the ever-increasing intelligence of technology, there has been a recent surge in smart home popularity. People enjoy the efficiency of controlling lights, air conditioning systems and home security with the touch of a button on their mobile device.  Best Smart Home Devices for 2021
     
  3. Quartz.  It looks like quartz is a trend that is here to stay, and for good reasons. Quartz countertops stand the test of time, look fabulous and are easy to maintain. Quartz countertops show well and can impress potential buyers. 
     
  4. Outdoor Entertaining Spaces. The past year has brought with it a huge demand for upgrading outdoor spaces for homeowners. Consider adding a patio, deck, pergola or enclosed porch to create an inviting space to spend time outdoors while at home. Ten Outdoor Living Trends for 2021
     
  5. Dedicated Home Office. With more people working and taking classes from home, it’s no longer convenient to just set up office at the kitchen table.  A designated work space is not only needed, but is a desirable feature for potential homebuyers.
     
  6. Closed Floor Plans. Open floor plans have been all the rage for many years, but again, 2020 changed things. With so many people both working and doing school at home, private spaces are needed. So, if you are planning a renovation this year, you may want to consider adding doors and walls to create separate spaces.

These are just a few home improvement trends that can make your home more desirable to homebuyers this year!

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!

Photo Credit: hgtv.com

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