Real Estate Information Archive

Spring is just around the corner, and it is a great time to sell a house! In fact, per a Zillow study, homes listed between May 1 through May 15 sold, on average, around 18.5 days faster than homes not listed during this period. Add this to the fact that the largest number of buyers are actively searching for homes in the months of April, May and June and you will see that getting your property on the market during spring is a must!

Here are some tips that will help your house stand out among the plethora of homes that get put on the market in spring:

• Wash windows inside and out and polish all mirrors. A little bit of sparkle goes a long way in impressing potential buyers.
  
• Rake the yard and trim back bushes. Your yard is the first thing people will see. Dead leaves and debris do not paint a pretty picture. In addition, you want as much natural light as possible flooding through your windows, so make sure bushes aren’t blocking the rays.
   
• Mow the yard diagonally and edge along the driveway and sidewalks.  Mowing diagonally makes yards look larger. And edging shows that you give attention to small details and lets buyers know you have cared for your property.
   
• Plant yellow flowers. Yellow tulips and daffodils promote feelings of happiness and contentment.
  
• Clean window treatments and open windows. It will be worth your while to take down your drapes, curtains, and blinds to clean them and give them a crisp, fresh look. Weather permitting, opening windows lets the fresh air in and gives the whole house the feeling of spring.
   
• Have fresh, fragrant flowers in the house.  Artful home-staging brings color and pleasant aromas indoors.
   
• Polish floors to a high gloss. Make those floors shine! Refinish them if necessary.
   
• Use light colors. Even if you must spend a little to replace items; towels, linens, throws, and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents that will pay off. Use soft, spring colors such as yellows, pinks, pale blues, and lavenders to light up a room.
   
• Spruce up your entryway. This is the part of your home where buyers will get their first impression. Make it a good one!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my  Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

3174 Lexington Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 552107

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,533 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

Love the charm of Cloverdale but looking for stylish updates too? Then this is the one for you! Entering this house, it's impossible to not fall in love with the unique arched front door! Then you're immediately greeted with beautiful hardwood floors and ample amounts of natural light! The living room, dining area and kitchen are all open creating plenty of space for the family or entertaining friends! The kitchen has updated counter tops, subway tile and cabinetry making cooking a pleasure. Wait until you see the master suite! The recessed ceiling and lighting add a touch of elegance to this room! Along with that, the updated bathroom includes a double vanity, gorgeous counter tops and a tiled walk-in shower surrounded by glass. The guest bedrooms are spacious, and the guest bathroom has a claw foot tub! The large backyard is spacious enough for cookouts, garden beds or anything else your heart desires! Don't miss your chance to see this beautiful house that's only minutes away from everything Cloverdale has to offer!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

 

As the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement, Montgomery, AL is considered one of the best historic cities in America. From historical sites, to museums, to memorials, there are a plethora of things to see and learn in this wonderful southern city.

The modern Civil Rights Movement began when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. Throughout the following year, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., a 26-year-old local Black pastor, led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. You can visit the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University where you will see an active memorial to the life of this civil rights icon. You will learn about how the lessons of the Montgomery Bus Boycott brought racial integration to transportation and international attention to civil rights. Located in Downtown Montgomery at the site where Mrs. Parks was arrested, it is the only museum in the United States dedicated to Rosa Parks. The mission of the Rosa Parks Museum is to honor her legacy and the boycott that started the Civil Rights Movement. Visit the Rosa Parks Museum 

The Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). It serves as the interpretive center for the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors those who participated in the movement and provides inspiration to those who visit to continue working for racial equality and social justice. CRMC

Right around the corner from the CRMC, you will find the historic church where Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church was an important fixture during the 1955-1956 boycott, which served as a protest against racial discrimination and provided a model for other peaceful protests and demonstrations. While there take a look around the Parsonage Museum where Mr. King once lived. Then stop by The Alabama State Capitol, recognized as an official destination on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, to see where the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights culminated on the capitol steps. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made one of his most memorable speeches to an estimated 25,000 people.

Visit The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration to see displays representing the history of slavery and racism in America. Learn about the horrors of racial discrimination such as lynchings, segregation, and racial bias. Then stop by the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which is also known as the National Lynching Memorial. This memorial honors the black victims of lynching in the United States. It consists of a memorial square with 805 hanging steel rectangles, each representing a U.S. County where a documented lynching took place. You will also see sculptures that depict themes related to racial violence.

Discover how groups of volunteers made history in 1961 by protesting segregated travel throughout the south at the Freedom Riders Museum. Calling themselves the Freedom Riders, they crossed racial barriers in depots and on buses. Young Freedom Riders stepped off the bus at the Montgomery Greyhound Station on May 20, 1961. Despite threats of violence, they persevered and helped to end racial segregation in public transportation.

Whether you are lucky enough to live in Montgomery, Alabama or you are just visiting, take time to explore the rich history it offers and learn all about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement!

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: warrensculpture.com, nps.gov, wikipedia.com, ahc.alabama.gov, wikipedia.com

3264 Le Bron Road, Montgomery, AL  36106

MLS# 551684

3 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1 Half Bath | 1,815 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

This Cloverdale charmer offers the best of both worlds! Classic historic features you would expect in a vintage home, with improved amenities like a new roof, updated electrical, tankless water heater and more. Half bath added for guests, hall/main bath updated with glass/tile walk-in shower and separate tub, and beautiful spacious kitchen with new appliances, new cabinets, and gorgeous countertops. Bonus room has closet and could be 4th bedroom, den, home office, or playroom. Cozy covered deck overlooks lush, fenced backyard with small shed and covered RV parking! Located just a couple of blocks from Cloverdale Bottom Park which hosts spring concerts, festivals, a playground for the kiddos, and neighborhood holiday celebrations. Walk to restaurants, bars, theatres, and shopping.

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Ali Bertschy, Sandra Nickel 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 U.S News Real Estate, Montgomery, Alabama, with its affordable home prices, inexpensive taxes, and low cost of living is a great place to stretch your retirement funds. Family homes here cost lower than the national average and Alabama has some of the lowest property taxes in the country. Add to that its rich culture and warm weather and 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 country, 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:

• The weather is ideal all year ‘round! With a subtropical climate, you will enjoy hot summers and mild winters.
   
• 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.
   
• The city of Montgomery is so rich with civil rights history it is known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement. Check out the Civil Rights memorial Center (CRMC), one of Alabama’s premiere civil rights sites. Experience an unforgettable journey through American history at the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. More great sites to visit include Rosa Parks museum; the Freedom Riders museum; the Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial; the Alabama State Capitol building; Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church and its Parsonage Museum, where King once lived.
   
• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• 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 Montgomery, Alabama when making your list of possible places to retire.

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

1809 Winona Avenue, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 550038

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,665 Square Feet | Capitol Heights

Welcome to Capitol Heights! This move in ready home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths has just been updated for its new owner. Walk in to find beautifully refinished hard wood floors, fresh paint, new door hardware and tons of natural light. The huge kitchen has a new tile floor, new granite countertops and new stove and dishwasher. Both bathrooms have been spruced up with a new shower and new vanities. Check it out today!

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

 

Self-Portrait Workshop with Kira Nam Greene

January 6, 2024 – 10:30 am to 2:00 pm

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
1 Museum Drive
Montgomery, AL

Designed for adults

Take a closer look at yourself with Kira Nam Green, featured Present Tense artist, in this conceptual self-portrait class that encourages participants to explore their own identity and experiences through artmaking.

This mixed media workshop is FREE and limited to 15 students and advance registration is required.

Register Here

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The Collective - Grand Opening Event!

January 6, 2024 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

1704 Carter Hill Road
Montgomery, AL

DRINKS! REFESHMENTS! MUSIC! AND MORE!

Montgomery Alabama…THE ULTIMATE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IS HEADED YOUR WAY!

The Collective GRAND OPENING is happening on January 6, 2024.

The Collective is a 3-n-1 Boutique that covers you from head to toe brought to you by 3 women who push and motivate each other daily! Join the #collectiveexperience where WOMEN collaborate!

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Bluegrass Jam and Sit & Sew

Saturday, January 6, 2024 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Alabama River Region Arts Center
300 W. Tallassee Street
Wetumpka, AL

The Alabama River Region Arts Center hosts a bluegrass jam open to all players of acoustical instruments and singers. Sit and Sew encourages all quilters, knitters and crocheters to bring projects to work on. Join the fun every first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for both events. 

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MGM Runs

Saturday, January 13, 2024 – 6:00 am to 8:00 am

Hilltop Public House
3 N Goldthwaite Street
Montgomery, AL

Get a move on with this weekly social run! Routes are 3, 6 and 10 miles, and count toward perks. Slide by the bar for a spot of coffee, some brunch, or a Bloody Mary. Catch a pinch of soccer during the season. Start your Saturdays off right!

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Brr Its Cold Outside Chili Bar

Saturday, January 13, 2024 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Harley-Davidson of Montgomery, AL
655 N Eastern Blvd.
Montgomery, AL

Get ready for a sizzling good time at our upcoming Chili Bar! We're turning up the heat with a unique and flavorful experience that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul. 

Purchase Tickets Here

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The Black Jacket Symphony

January 19, 2024 – 8:00 pm to 12:00 am

Montgomery Performing Arts Center
201 Tallapoosa Street
Montgomery, AL

The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience through recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album, with no sonic detail being overlooked--the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. The performance is separated into two sets--the first set features the album being recreated as a true symphonic piece. The second set, which features a selection of the album artist's "greatest hits", opens in full contrast to the first set with an incredible light display and the symphony being much more laid back. The tone is set very quickly that this is going to be the musicianship of the first act paired with all the bells and whistles of a major rock and roll show.

Purchase Tickets HERE

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Kids’ DIY-U Workshop: My First DIY Toolbox

Saturday, January 20, 2024 – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Lowe’s Home Improvement

4501 US Highway 231
Wetumpka, AL 36092

Time to get to work! This Kids Toolbox Workshop will have your little helper eager to tag along on your next home improvement project.

Purchase Tickets Here

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Goldfish Swim School Montgomery – Grand Opening Celebration

Sunday, January 21, 2024 – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Goldfish Swim School
2460 Berryhill Road
Montgomery, AL 36117

Join Goldfish Swim School Montgomery for our FREE Grand Opening Event on Sunday, January 21st from 3-6 p.m. All are welcome!

Event highlights include family swim, arts & crafts, a photo booth, a balloon twister, refreshments and much more! This event is FREE and open to the public! Please note that parents/caregivers should plan to be in the water with their children for family swim. Little swimmers who are not yet potty trained are required to wear a reusable swim diaper (available for purchase in the facility).

We ask that families sign up for ONE Family Swim Time Slot (either 3-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m. or 5-6 p.m.).

P lease reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions! We can't wait to see you in the pool!

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Magical Montgomery Scavenger Hunt

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Goldthwaite Street
Montgomery, AL

Your creative, nontraditional scavenger hunt begins at a scenic spot that's a local favorite. You'll get your digital quest from your live and interactive remote host. Then you’ll take off on your own to experience a wide variety of carefully curated locations in town. You'll walk or drive to the various checkpoints as you interpret creative tasks, accept wacky challenges, and get outside your comfort zone!

Magical Montgomery Scavenger Hunt is happening on Wednesday, January 24,2024 at 02:00PM

To access further details about this event, Click HERE.

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Prattville Band Mattress Fundraiser

January 28, 2024 – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Prattville High School
1315 Upper Kingston Road
Prattville, AL

Come get a better night’s sleep AND support the 11th Annual Prattville Band Mattress Fundraiser! We carry quality name brands like Simmons, Beautyrest, and Therapedic mattresses for up to 40% below retail. This is ONE DAY only, so we need your help to SPREAD THE WORD by inviting all of your family and friends! Profits go directly to Prattville Band!

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://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: allevents.in, unation.com, eventbrite.com, h-dmontgomery.com, mmfa.org, albamabluegrassmusic.org

2444 Winchester Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 549594

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,511 Square Feet | Vaughn Meadows

Welcome to 2444 Winchester Road in Vaughn Meadows, conveniently located in Midtown Montgomery! You will love the spacious layout this well maintained one owner home offers! Upon entering you will notice there are plenty of areas for your family and friends to spread out. The kitchen offers beautiful granite counter tops, a nicely tiled backsplash, unique brick flooring and all the needed space for cooking! You will fall in love with the high ceilings and natural light flooding into the freshly painted great room. Down the hall are four nicely sized bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of storage closets. In the backyard you will immediately notice this house backs up to a wooded area, adding privacy to the yard. There are two patio areas, one of which is covered, for relaxing on those nice breezy evenings. Don't miss your opportunity to see everything this wonderful house has to offer!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Alison Bertschy, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

116 Brantwood Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS# 549535

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,618 Square Feet | Morningview

This one-owner Morningview home is ready to move into! Classic 1950's design boasts large living room, dining room, and updated kitchen with sunny breakfast room. Knotty pine 3rd bedroom off kitchen has fireplace with Alabama sandstone and could swing as a wonderful cozy den/family room. The central hallway leads to the guest bath, 2nd bedroom, and main bedroom. The former back porch is enclosed to make laundry room (hence small window unit in that room.) Large, fenced back yard has patio and big storage/workshop building (former 1 car garage.) Convenient to schools, shopping, dining, downtown, and interstate! A solid brick home that has been loved by the same family for over 70 years, and now it can be yours!

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

476 Caldwell Place, Montgomery, AL  36109

MLS# 549446

2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,648 Square Feet | Wing Wood

This immaculate, custom-built, one-owner home in desirable Caldwell Place has so much to offer! Perched on a bluff in a quiet cul-de-sac, this patio home feels private and secluded. Beautiful landscaping (fed by an in-ground sprinkler system) welcomes you not only from the front approach, but also via the rear alley driveway, where you will find plenty of off-street private parking. Inside, the Living room is spacious and boasts volume ceiling. The dining room for formal meals pairs nicely with large sunny breakfast room off kitchen for everyday meals. Although this is a two-bedroom home, there is a study/office/bonus room (no closet) that could be used as a third bedroom. Main bedroom also has volume ceilings and lots of light. Main bath has big walk-in closet, double vanity, garden tub and separate walk-in shower. A covered rear porch is the perfect place for relaxing and enjoying the private backyard with all its wonderful flower beds and shrubs. This home is centrally located in Montgomery and close to shopping, dining, and schools.

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