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Montgomery Halloween Happenings

Friday, October 21, 2011
by The Hat Team

halloweenThere's a goblin at my window,
A monster by my door.
The pumpkin at my table
Keeps on smiling more and more.
There's a ghost who haunts my bedroom,
A witch whose face is green.
They used to be my family,
Till they dressed for Halloween.
- by Sandra Liatsos

It’s nearly that time of year again—Halloween, a time of ghosts and ghouls, tricks and treats, and costumes and candy!  Did you know that Halloween is second only to Christmas in terms of spending?  Yep--$1.2 million on costumes and another $2.5 million on candy, decorations, and other themed paraphernalia! 

Other little-known facts include:

  • 86% of Americans decorate their houses.                                                  
  • 10% of pet owners costume their pets. (Click here for unique ideas)
  • 35 million pounds of candy corn are produce yearly. (How many are consumed in your Montgomery home?)

Halloween traditions are many and varied.  “Tis the night for donning a costume, wearing a mask, bobbing for apples, and, the children’s favorite—trick-or-treating.  Looking for something different to give to the little ones coming to your Montgomery home this year?  How about juice boxes, mini-marshmallows, popcorn balls, fruit roll-ups, 4 pack crayons, small glo-sticks, silly erasers, themed pencils, or goldfish snacks?

witchGhoulish Groaners:  

What is a mummy’s favorite music?    Wrap
Best Halloween insurance?  Mediscare
Favorite drink of ghosts and goblins?  Ghoulade    

Carving a Jack-o-Lantern: 

Be your pumpkin orange, white, green, and yes, even blue, you want the face on the porch of your Montgomery home to be individual and unique.  Get free templates to assist you in carving or for cut and paste faces here.

If you see a spider on Halloween, the spirit of a loved one is watching over you.

Costumes: 

Forget the old standbys of ghost and witch.  Get creative and think about the unusual.  A bearded lady? A cupcake?  Or perhaps popcorn or an aquarium?  Although the web is filled with sites which sell costumes, you can express yourself by making your own garb.  Check out CostumeIdeaZone.com for silly, serious, and/or super fast ideas.

scarecrowA kid came up with a bright idea to dress up as an IRS Agent. This way he could take 28% of the man's candy and leave without saying 'Thank You!' J)))

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART CAN BE FOUND AT Caboose.com, Halloween.com, ZombiePumpkins.com, and TheTeachersCorner.net.  For creative ideas such as wicked wreaths, friendly ghosts, fright lights, tasty treats, and much, much more, visit LowesCreativeIdeas.com.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  

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Montgomery Open Houses - Oct 9 2011

Thursday, October 6, 2011
by The Hat Team

Please join us for a tour of these beautiful Montgomery homes...

Sunday, October 9, 2011
1:00 - 3:00PM

3136 s perry


3136 S Perry Drive
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
$88,000
Period details you won't want to miss!

 

 

41 mountain terrace




41 Mountain Terrace Lane
2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
$285,000
Former 'Parade Of Homes' model!

 



536 jasmine

536 Jasmine Trail
4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
$315,000
Luxurious living!







Learn what makes Montgomery a special place to live!

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.

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


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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - August 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011
by The Hat Team

There were 1,008 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 80 new foreclosures in August 2011. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $152,124 and the average foreclosure selling price was $82,798, a $69,326 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 4.27% in August while the number of foreclosed homes decreased from 92 in July to 80 in August.

montgomery al foreclosure

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.10% lower than national statistics. 0.02% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics for the month of August.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased from 68 homes in July to 55 in August. The number of Auctions increased from 24 to 25. There is a 6-month falling trend.

montgomery al foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

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.

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

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Trends - August 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011
by The Hat Team

A number of research studies have shown that home ownership provides social and societal benefits. Not only is home ownership one of the best ways to build long-term wealth, providing resources for a more comfortable retirement, but it also fosters an immeasurable sense of community and stability vital to growing families.

NAR’s "Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing" report reveals that home owners are happier and healthier. They tend to vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods. Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, which encourages more neighborhood stability, and children of home owners are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.

Now take a look at how the Midtown Montgomery real estate market performed in August.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for August show the average sales price decreased by 13% to $112,293 when compared to August 2010.  The number of homes sold was consistent with August 2010.  The median sales prices decreased by 16%, and market times increased 11% or 13 days.  The highest selling home price increased by 18%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 19%.

Midtown Montgomery August 2011 August 2010
Homes Sold 29 29
Average Selling Price $ 112,293 $ 129,283
Median Selling Price $ 94,000 $ 112,500
Days On The Market 122 109
Highest Selling Price $ 465,000 $ 380,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 12,000 $ 14,900

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

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.

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

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - July 2011

Friday, September 2, 2011
by The Hat Team

There were 1,069 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 92 new foreclosures in July 2011. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $146,582 and the average foreclosure selling price was $76,628 a $69,953 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 4.55% in July while the number of foreclosed homes decreased from 100 in June to 92 in July.

montgomery al foreclosure

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.07% lower than national statistics. 0.01% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics for the month of July.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 64 homes in June to 68 in July. The number of Auctions decreased from 36 to 24. There is a 6-month falling trend.

montgomery al foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Trends - July 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011
by The Hat Team

At least one fear was not realized amid last week’s stock market meltdown according to CNNMoney.com: the concern that mortgage rates would immediately shoot higher in response to Standard & Poor's downgrade of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored entities that are the 800-pound gorillas of the mortgage market. In fact, the initial response to Fannie and Freddie getting cut to AA+ from AAA was precisely the opposite. Mortgage rates were poised to continue declining.

Mortgage rates are set off of the interest rates on U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. Even though Standard & Poor's pulled its AAA rating of the United States, investors still rushed into U.S. Treasury securities as a safe haven, believing more in the "full faith and credit of the United States" than in the opinion of Standard & Poor's credit analysts. As investors snapped up Treasury notes and bonds they pushed down interest rates on those securities, which move inversely to prices.

Analysts warn the drop in interest rates may not last. If investment flows were to move back into stocks and out of bonds, interest rates on Treasury securities, and consequently mortgages, would rise. "Over the long-term, if the U.S. has to pay more in interest rates, consumer rates will likely go up," said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com.

For now, lower mortgage rates may offer only limited benefits to American consumers. Banks' lending standards have been tough recently, and consumers need the wherewithal to qualify for loans. That appears increasingly difficult as the economy continues to sputter.

Now take a look at how the Midtown Montgomery real estate market performed in July.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for July show the average sales price decreased by 18% to $114,292 when compared to July 2010.  The number of homes sold increased by 36% in July.  The median sales prices decreased by 10%, and market times increased 10% or 15 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 36%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 43%.

Midtown Montgomery July 2011 July 2010
Homes Sold 25 16
Average Selling Price $ 114,292 $ 138,794
Median Selling Price $ 100,000 $ 110,950
Days On The Market 155 140
Highest Selling Price $ 320,000 $ 500,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 4,000 $ 7,000

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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.

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

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Survival Guide For Montgomery AL Homeowners: Coping With Summer Heat

Friday, August 12, 2011
by The Hat Team

The temperatures have been extremely high this summer, often resulting in physical discomfort, limited activity, and even medical distress.  Although most of us think we know how to cope with high heat in order to remain cool and safe, it sometimes helps to see reminders in black and white.  Read on…

thermometerTIME AND PLACE:

  • Schedule physical activities for cooler times of day, early morning or the evening.  Even when you are just walking around outside your Montgomery AL home, the heat and humidity will make all parts of your body sweat and can result in heat stress.
  • Take breaks in a cool, shady spot regularly and often.  Better still, get into some air conditioning.  No AC?  Visit libraries, shopping malls, movie theatres, museums, and the like.
  • Use your shower or bathtub frequently and let the cool water lower your body temperature.

ATTIRE:

  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, “breathable,” loose clothing.
  • Wear a hat—and perhaps a headband to keep perspiration out of your eyes.
  • Use sunglasses.
  • Wear socks (not 100% cotton) to keep your feet dry and prevent blisters.

PROTECTION DO’S:

  • Apply sunscreen (SPF 15+) all over—even on lips and ears.
  • Stay inside your Montgomery AL home as much as possible.
  • Check with your doctor to see if your medication or medical condition requires special precautions to avoid sun-related side effects.
  • Stay hydrated! Drink cool, plain water regularly—up to 4 quarts a day if you are exercising.  Did you know that very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps?  It’s also best to avoid alcohol or drinks containing caffeine, lots o sugar, or too much salt.
  • Monitor your physical state often.
  • For temporary but quick relief from heat, set a bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan and let the air blow directly on you.

PROTECTION DON’TS:

  • Don’t use salt tablets unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
  • Don’t ignore signs of heat stress such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. 

SPECIAL NEEDS:

  • Understand that babies, young children, and older adults are at a much greater risk for heat-related illnesses since their body temperature can rise 3-5 times faster than that of others.
  • If you have a senior friend, especially one without air conditioning, check on them regularly and often.
  • Provide pets with plenty of fresh water in a non-tip bowl, easily accessible shelter, and shade.  Remember that dogs can get sunburned and burn the bottom of their paws.

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.

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

Add Comment

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - June 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011
by The Hat Team

There were 1,098 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 100 new foreclosures in June 2011. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $129,246 and the average foreclosure selling price was $71,141 a $58,105 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 4.64% in June while the number of foreclosed homes decreased from 111 in May to 100 in June.

montgomery al foreclosure

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.07% lower than national statistics. 0.03% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics for the month of June.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 52 homes in May to 64 in June. The number of Auctions decreased from 59 to 36. There is a 6-month falling trend.

montgomery al foreclosure

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a Montgomery foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and your home. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) with specialized training in helping families avoid foreclosure. Give me a call for a private consultation.

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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales - June 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011
by The Hat Team

Most Americans still believe that owning a home is a solid financial decision, and a majority of renters aspire to home ownership as a long-term goal. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey released today by the National Association of Realtors®, 72 percent of renters surveyed said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010. 

Seven in 10 Americans also agreed that buying a home is a good financial decision while almost two-thirds said now is a good time to purchase a home. The annual survey, which measures how affordable housing issues affect consumers, also found that more than three quarters of renters (77 percent) said they would be less likely to buy a home if they were required to put down a 20 percent down payment on the home, and a strong majority (71 percent) believe a 20 percent down payment requirement could have a negative impact on the housing market. 

Some key findings from this year’s survey include:

  • Seven-in-ten Americans (71 percent) say requiring a down payment of twenty percent on the cost of a home would have a negative impact on the overall American housing market.
  • More than three quarters of renters (77 percent) say they would be less likely to buy a new home if they were required to make a 20 percent down payment. Among current homeowners, four-in-ten (39 percent) say they would not have been able to buy their current home if they been required to make a 20 percent down payment.
  • Having enough money for a down payment and closing costs is the largest obstacle that makes housing too expensive and unaffordable (82 percent say it is a “huge” or “medium-size” obstacle).
  • Two in every three Americans (67 percent) oppose eliminating the home mortgage interest deduction as one part of a plan to reduce the federal deficit. Underscoring the intensity of this opinion, a majority of Americans (51 percent) strongly oppose eliminating it.
  • Even more Americans (73 percent) believe that eliminating the home mortgage deduction would have a negative impact on the American housing market, while 65 percent say it would have a negative impact on the overall economy.
  • While fewer Americans than in the past agree, the overwhelming majority (72 percent) still say that buying a home is a good financial decision. Almost two–thirds (64 percent) say that now is a good time to buy a home.
  • The stalled economy continues to adversely affect the housing market. Confidence in job security is a top obstacle (80 percent say “huge” or “medium-size”) to home ownership, while job layoffs and unemployment are ranked as the top problem facing Americans (61 percent say it is a “very big” or “fairly big” problem in their area).

Now take a look at how the Midtown Montgomery real estate market performed in June.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for June show the average sales price increased by 2% to $151,399 when compared to June 2010.  The number of homes sold decreased by 16% in June.  The median sales prices increased by 13%, and market times increased 5% or 6 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 23%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 7%.

Midtown Montgomery May 2011 May 2010
Homes Sold 22 45
Average Selling Price $ 150,975 $ 166,925
Median Selling Price $ 111,450 $ 118,900
Days On The Market 121 103
Highest Selling Price $ 480,000 $ 750,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 12,500 $ 5,100

For the latest Midtown Montgomery real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 800-HAT-LADY or visit HomesForSaleInMontgomeryAlabama.com.

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.

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

Information is provided by the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

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Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - July 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011
by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:



podcast
This month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and then we'll discuss improvement projects that generate ROI.

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 6 1/2 minutes
download podcast mp3 file | subscribe to podcast feed
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