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Government Deadlines are Fast Approaching for Montgomery Home Buyers

Thursday, April 15, 2010
by The Hat Team

Buy or Refinance Your Montgomery Home NOW!!

The federal Home Buyer Tax Credit ends in just two weeks. Time is running out for you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to get FREE money from the government to buy a home.

1.  Home Buyer Credit Act

  • DEADLINE: April 30, 2010 (June 30th with a signed, binding contract).

  • montgomery homeELIGIBILITY: First-time buyers and repeat buyers (those who have owned and lived in one residence for 5 consecutive years of the last 8).

  • INCOME LEVELS; $125,000 individual and $225,000 for couples.

  • PURPOSE Allows Montgomery home buyers to receive a tax credit (which may be claimed on this year’s taxes) of $6500 to $8,000.

***Remember that a tax credit is a dollar-for dollar reduction in what a taxpayer owes. If the credit exceeds the amount owed, a refund will be issued.

2. Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

  • DEADLINE: June 2010
  • ELIGIBILITY: The mortgage loan on your Virginia Beach property must be owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and owner occupied.  Property may include 1 to 4 units. Current mortgage must be paid current and up to date. Loan-to loan value cannot exceed 125% (previously 105%).

  • PURPOSE: To extend underwriting guidelines so as to allow “underwater” mortgage holders (those with loan balances which exceed the value of their Montgomery home) to avoid foreclosure.

3. MILITARY SERVICE MEMEBERS Exception!

If you are a service member on official EXTENDED duty outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period Jan. 01, 2010 to April 30, 2010, you are GRANTED A 1 YEAR EXTENSION on the First-Time Homebuyer Credit.  That means you have to be under contract by April 4, 2011 and close by June 30, 2011. 

Contact us today for help getting you home buyer tax credit!

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Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - April 2010

Friday, April 9, 2010
by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:





This month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and with this being the last month for the $8,000 tax credit extension, we'll discuss how buyers and sellers are taking advantage of this opportunity!

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 8 1/2 minutes
download podcast mp3 file | subscribe to podcast feed
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Montgomery AL Real Estate Market Trends - Feb 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010
by The Hat Team

Owning a home is its own reward, but home ownership can also bring rewards at tax time. This year is especially beneficial for people who are in the market to buy a home, thanks to the $8,000 first-time buyer credit and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers.

Current homeowners can benefit, as well. Tax credits are available for owners who improve the energy efficiency of their home, including replacing exterior windows, skylights and doors and installing efficient heating and air conditioning systems. Certain home improvements may qualify for as much as 30 percent of the project cost, up to $1,500.

Homeowners also enjoy a mortgage interest deduction; allowing them to deduct all the interest paid on up to $1 million in mortgage debt. If you bought a home in the past year, be sure to provide a copy of your HUD-1 statement to your tax preparer. The interest you paid at closing is not reflected in your year-end mortgage statement. Points and other closing costs may also be tax deductible.

Many housing markets were affected by an extremely harsh weather in February. Take a look at what February looked like in our Montgomery AL real estate market:

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for February show pending sales have remained consistent in 2010 compared to February 2009. The average sales price decreased by 38% to $118,700 while sold listings were up by 32% from 2009.  Market times were 17 days less than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

Feb 2010

34

31

93

$118,700

Feb 2009

34

21

110

$190,729

To take advantage of these tax benefits and for the latest Montgomery AL 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.

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Montgomery Foreclosure Statistics - February 2010

Friday, March 19, 2010
by The Hat Team

There are 1,397 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 175 new foreclosures in February 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home is $171,767 and the average foreclosure selling price is $124,967, a $46,799 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained the steady in February while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes dropped to 175.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity is 0.07% lower than national statistics and 0.06% higher than Alabama statistics.

montgomery foreclosures

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties dropped  from 123 homes in January to 73 in February. The number of Auctions rose from 39 to 102. The 6-month trend reflects a rise in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery foreclosures

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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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3011 Boxwood Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36111

Sunday, March 7, 2010
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3011 Boxwood Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36111

MLS #272333

Updated and affordable in desirable McGehee Estates. If you are looking for the McGehee Estates lifestyle without the price tag, and you want a home that has been tastefully updated, this one should make the cut. Current owners have removed some walls turning cramped ranch style rooms into a LARGE family room. Galley style kitchen opens to informal dining area. Four spacious bedrooms perfect for growing family. The real jewel of this home in the expansive privacy fenced back yard with huge party deck and in-ground BBQ grill. Massive tree provides shade in the summer and is perfect for a rope swing! Convenient to shopping and dining.

Learn more about 3011 Boxwood Drive and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

 Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

 

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Montgomery Foreclosure Statistics

Thursday, February 25, 2010
by The Hat Team

There are 1,336 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 162 new foreclosures in January 2010. The average selling price of a Montgomery home is $177,628 and the average foreclosure selling price is $145,404, a $32,224 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Home price appreciation remained the same in January while the number of new Montgomery foreclosure homes dropped to 162.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity is 0.09% lower than national statistics and 0.08% higher than Alabama statistics.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 86 in December to 123 in January. The number of Auctions decreased from 106 to 39. The 6-month trend reflects an increase in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery 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 Statistics - January 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010
by The Hat Team

Home sales surged in the fourth quarter of 2009 with many areas seeing double digit gains according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales (single-family and condo) jumped 13.9 percent above the third quarter and 27.2 percent above the fourth quarter of 2008. Distressed property sales accounted for 32 percent of the fourth quarter transactions, down from 37 percent from 2008.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said the first-time home buyer tax credit, combined with record low interest rates, played a dominant role in fourth quarter sales. Yun went on to say, “With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices.”

Let's look at January real estate sales to see how the housing recovery is progressing in Midtown Montgomery.

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Sales Statistics - January 2010

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for January show pending sales have increased by 21% in 2010 compared to January 2009. The average sales price increased by 25% to $104,275 while sold listings were up by 23% from 2009.  Market times were 9 days less than 2009.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price

Jan 2010

43

31

85

$104,275

Jan 2009

34

24

94

$78,109

For the latest Midtown Montggomery 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.

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What's So Great About Home Buyer Tax Credit Anyway?

Monday, February 8, 2010
by The Hat Team

April 30th seems like a long way off, but for prospective Montgomery home buyers who are on the fence about making a home purchase, the next few months represent a countdown of sorts as huge tax credits are about to expire. Here are important details for you to know:

montgomery homeTax Credit for First-Time Home buyers
First-time home buyers may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

Tax Credit for Current Homeowners
The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

What Are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010. Those in the military do have some special extensions on the time lines available.

What's So Great About a "Tax Credit"?
The benefit of a tax credit is that it's a dollar-for-dollar benefit, rather than a "tax deduction", or reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time home buyer who qualified for the entire benefit were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little or no income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Higher Income Caps
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased. Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible. Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a Montgomery home with a maximum sales price of $800,000.

It's also important to note another upcoming deadline as the Federal Reserve winds down a program that has been keeping home loan rates artificially low. The fact is that the lowest rates of 2009 were driven down to their attractive levels because of the Fed's Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) purchase program, which the Fed once again emphasized in its January 27, 2010 Rate and Policy Statement will end on March 31, 2010. As the Fed's program winds down and ends, rates could rise over time since MBS will have less support from the Fed.

If you have any questions regarding the tax credit, pick up the phone and call me. I'm here to help you take advantage of one of the greatest opportunities Montgomery home buyers may ever have.

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The Montgomery Real Estate Podcast - February 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010
by The Hat Team

Sandra Nickel of The Hat Team presents:



montgomery real estate, podcastThis month's edition covers Montgomery real estate market activity and then we'll offer three top tips to make sure you get the most of today’s opportunity!

Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.


Program length: approximately 8 minutes

 

download podcast mp3 file | subscribe to podcast feed
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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3347 Narrow Lane Road, Montgomery AL 36111

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
by The Hat Team

  Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 3347 Narrow Lane Rd Montgomery,AL 36111

  MLS#271392

  

This wonderfully updated Cape Cod home is perfect for a growing family. Oversized formal living room features fireplace and great bay window overlooking courtyard style front yard. Sunroom off living room makes great playroom or private getaway for the adults. Marvelously updated eat-in kitchen features tile and granite perfect for the chef in your family. Study downstairs with built in bookshelves can also be 4th bedroom if needed. The master suite offers two original closets PLUS a super sized walk-in closet addition and master bath with his/hers vanities and big walk in shower. Upstairs are two more large bedrooms with additional "play" space. Extras include a detached garage with work space and 1/2 bath plus a large bonus area that could be a studio, workshop, play space, or just great storage. Beautifully landscaped back yard has brick patio that wraps around the side of the house and connects with an exit from the sunroom.

Learn more about 3347 Narrow Lane Road and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

 

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