Real Estate Information Archive

A couple does not have to be joined in matrimony to buy a home together, but it is important to understand that you are still making a huge commitment.  And being unmarried does present some challenges for home buyers.  So, before you begin your home search, here are some important things for you to consider:

SHARING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

If you’re going to buy a home together, then you need to be transparent with each other regarding your finances.  You do not want to meet with a lender only to be blindsided by something that your partner did not share with you.  So, it is vital that you review all of your financial history with your partner, including your Credit Score, income, and any debts that are tied to your name.  By doing this, you will not only be able to determine if you both have good credit, but you will also get an idea of how much house you can afford together.

HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SPLIT EXPENSES

You might already be living together, in which case you may have a system in place for who pays what living expenses.  But things can be more complicated with a mortgage in the picture.  You need to discuss this before you start the home buying process. The first thing you need to figure out is how you are going to split the down payment and closing costs when you buy a home together.  And if you will be living together for the first time, it would be smart to discuss how you will split the monthly bills including your mortgage, utilities, and home maintenance. What if there is need for a costly, emergency repair? You may want to consider opening a joint bank account that exists only to cover home expenses.  It is also a good idea to meet with a real estate attorney so you can get everything in writing and have a legally binding contract just in case things do not work out down the road. Unmarried Couples and Property: Basics

EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT OWNERSHIP OPTIONS

You are buying a home together and splitting the expenses, but whose name is going to be on the title?  This is something that requires serious thought because it can have a significant impact on your future. There are three options to choose from:

• Joint Tendency - Property is owned equally and if something happens to one owner, the second owner automatically inherits the other’s stake and becomes sole owner of the property.
• Tendency in Common - Each partner owns a pre-determined percentage of the property. Should something happen to one or the other, the ownership interest would go to whomever is specified in a living will, will, or trust. If none of those are in place, the interest in the property would go to the next of kin and not to the significant other. Living Will vs Living Trust
• Sole Owner - For some couples it might make more sense for one person to have full ownership of the home even though you are splitting expenses. For example, if one person has poor credit and will not qualify for a mortgage loan, then the person getting the loan would be the sole owner of the home.

Determining ownership should not be taken lightly.  It is probably the most important decision you will make when buying a home with someone you are not married to.  Keep in mind that if you are splitting the costs of the home, but you are not on the title, you probably won’t be able to enjoy the tax perks of being a home owner.

LOOK FORWARD

Whether you are married or not, everyone should think about where you see yourself in 3 to 5 years.  There is a lot to consider.  Do you have job stability?  Is it possible you will need to move soon?  Do you want to start a family?  These are just a few questions to ask yourself before taking on the commitment of home ownership.  It is crucial that you have a heart-to-heart talk with your partner about your future before you start your home search!

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: thebalance.com

When you are searching for a new home, location is one of the most important factors to consider.  You might love a house, but if it’s not in the right neighborhood, it may not be the right house regardless of how much it appeals to you.  So, before you start scrolling through home listings online, it is smart to have an idea of WHERE you want to live.  Here are some things to consider when searching for the right neighborhood:

• You may have heard this saying before: “It’s better to have the worst house in the best neighborhood than the best house in the worst neighborhood”. While nobody really wants to live in the “worst” house anywhere, there is some good logic behind this statement.  If you ever plan to sell your home, its value will be impacted by the surrounding homes in the neighborhood.  For that reason, you will have better resale value if you are surrounded by homes that are similar to yours.  So, it is a good idea to research home values in the neighborhoods that appeal to you.How to Buy the Worst House on the Best Block
   
• How important is convenience to you?  Some people prefer living in more rural areas, but others desire close proximity to things like major interstates, shopping areas, medical facilities, and schools.  Before you start your home search it is important to decide how much convenience matters to you.  In addition, you may want to think about the fact that having a home that is convenient to highways and such can have a positive impact on your resale value.
   
• Are home values rising or falling in the neighborhood? If a neighborhood has home values that are climbing, that is a positive indication that it is a good place to buy.  However, if a neighborhood has stagnant or falling home values, it might not be the best place to look for a home.  Many things can have an impact on home values; for example, if an area is growing with new businesses, the career opportunities involved can lead to rising home values in the area. US Home Values
   
• Does the neighborhood have an HOA? (Home Owners Association)?  Some people love an HOA. They appreciate how it protects home values by establishing rules for maintaining the appearance of the homes and neighborhood. They also enjoy perks such as a neighborhood pool and clubhouse, parks, and walking trails.  However, for other people, an HOA is a deal breaker. They do not care for the rules and regulations (and payments) that come with it.  HOA regulations and costs vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, so it is important to research them before you decide to live in a community with an HOA.
   
• How are the schools rated?  Whether you have children or not, the school system is an important factor when choosing where to live. If you plan to send your children to public school, you will definitely want to live where schools are highly rated.  You may think that if you do not have kids in school, that it doesn’t matter how the school system is rated. But that thinking is a mistake. The truth is that the rating of a school system can have a huge impact on your resale value; positive or negative.
   
• How safe is the neighborhood?  Safety is important to everyone. Nobody wants to live in a neighborhood that is not safe.  You can research crime statistics for neighborhoods online.  If you are relocating to a new state and you are not familiar with the area, an experienced local Realtor is a great resource to help you determine what areas are safe for you and your family.

There are so many factors involved in the home buying process, but determining the right location is a decision that requires thought and research.  Once you have found the right place, then you can start searching for the right house!

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: moving.com

While open-concept homes have been quite popular over the past decade, some experts are predicting that their popularity will begin to decline in the coming months and years.  With all that is going on in our world, people are looking for homes that offer multiple rooms with clearly defined spaces for privacy and to accommodate multigenerational families.  There are certainly upsides to open-concept floorplans, but these cons might move you to start looking for a more traditional closed-concept home:

• Lack of privacy.  If your household includes people of various ages on a multitude of different schedules, an open floor plan can make things challenging.  For example, if your teenager wants to have friends over for a study group at the kitchen table, but you want to watch a movie.  Or perhaps you want to read quietly on the couch, but your daughter’s having a sleepover and they want to have pizza and bake cookies.  A separate, enclosed kitchen may be better for some families. 2020 Kitchen Trends: Movement Away From Open Concept
   
• Limited wall space. Placing furniture in an open space is tricky sometimes, especially if you have a lot of windows.  And if you are an art lover, you are going to want blank walls for displaying your treasures.
   
• Overwhelming mess.  Smaller, enclosed rooms are easier to keep neat and tidy.  With open floor plans, stuff tends to spread out.  And you may not want kids’ toys in your main living space, so a smaller, enclosed room might be your preference for a play area.
   
• Too noisy.  With an open plan, there are more acoustics, therefore noise travels further. A quiet conversation in the kitchen may not be possible with the television on across the way.
   
• The coziness factor.  It can be challenging to design a cozy environment in a wide open space.  Smaller rooms make it easier to create a sense of warmth and comfort. Designers Share 40 Ways to Make Your Living Room Cozy
   
• Energy efficiency.  Keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer is more difficult with fewer interior walls.

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: southernhospitalityblog.com

House hunting can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when beginning the search for your first home. Chances are you might get caught up in the process and important details might slip by you. While the number of rooms, condition of the kitchen, and size of the yard are important, there are other things to consider before you make an offer.  This list of things to look for can help get your search off to the right start.

Location

They say that the 3 most important things to look for when buying a home are location, location, location! While a home might not be perfect, loving your neighborhood and neighbors can make all the difference in living with imperfection.  And face it…you can change almost anything about your house, but you can’t change its location or the people living nearby.  When you go house hunting, make sure to consider the home’s proximity to your work, the appeal of the neighborhood, where in the neighborhood the home is situated, ease of access, noise from neighbors, traffic, pets and access to parks, shopping, schools and public transportation. The 5 Factors of a "Good" Location

Home Placement

Beyond location, look at how the home is situated.  If the home is on a hill does it have a view, a walkout basement, or lots of stairs to climb? Do neighbors' windows look directly into the home? Is the yard suitable for kids, pets, gardening, or other uses? Is their safe access to the home? These are all important questions to ask yourself when determining if it is the right property for you.

Check Out the Neighborhood

While it’s important for your house to meet your expectations, it’s equally important that the neighborhood meets them too. Take a drive around the development you are interested in on weekdays and weekends, during the day and in the evening.  Are the homes in good repair? Are yards kept clean and tidy?  Is the neighborhood safe enough for people to walk, run or bike?  Are there children playing outdoors?

Consider a Home’s Curb Appeal

You want a home that is going to reflect your lifestyle. Do you live a    casual, laid-back life? Then you probably won’t want a formal Victorian or Tudor style home.  A simple, contemporary home might better suit you.  Pay close attention to exterior features.  Think about maintenance.  For example, a brick home is easier to maintain than one with siding.  Do you like working in the yard?  If not, you might not want a house with extensive landscaping.  Is the roof in good condition?  Attention to detail will help you choose the home with the best curb appeal for you. The Importance of Curb Appeal

Size and Floor Plan

You may be thinking about buying your dream home. But is your dream home practical?  Do you need 4 bedrooms and 4 baths when you live alone? A spacious home may provide the extra room you've always wanted for a home office or a theater room, but you'll pay higher heating bills and have higher taxes. Additionally, it will take more furniture to furnish and money to decorate. Think about how the new home space will be used and whether it will fit your lifestyle now and in the future.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you will need and only    look at homes that meet that criteria.  You don’t want to fall in love with what is otherwise a perfect house if it doesn’t provide the space needed for your family.  It is smart to consider counting an extra bedroom in that number so that you have extra space for a home office or guest room. If you think you might add on to the home later, make sure you consult an architect who can advise you on space planning and regulations.

The Kitchen

For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Don’t settle for a home with a kitchen that doesn’t work for you.  Yes, you can remodel later, but at great expense.  If it is an easy fix like replacing cabinets or countertops, get a price quote before committing to the house so that you will know if it is within your budget to take that on.

Closets and Storage

Older homes often have small closets and lack storage space.  As you’re looking at a home ask yourself where you will store your belongings. Tiny closets don’t have to be a deal breaker.  There are ways to maximize storage without renovations. Newer homes tend to have lots of storage and you may sacrifice living space while having more closet space than you need.

Windows and Lighting

While looking at a home keep in mind your preferences regarding light and privacy.  Do you want a lot of windows to provider bright, sunny rooms?  Pay attention to the locations of electrical outlets and fixtures to make sure they will meet your lighting needs.

Finishing Touches

Even a simple home can look spectacular with the right moldings, hardware, and a fireplace.  If elements like these are important to you, look for them while house hunting. 

You may not find everything you want in one house, but keep this list handy and you are more likely to find the home that best suits your needs and desires.  Happy House Hunting!

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: consumerreports.org

Montgomery AL Real Estate: 1217 S Lawrence St, Montgomery AL 36014

MLS# 474213

2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,472 Square Feet | Garden District

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This adorable Garden District cottage pines for a new owner that will love it as much as the current owners have for over 25 years. Many memories have been made with friends and neighbors on the covered front porch and on the rear screened-in porch overlooking the sparkling salt-water swimming pool. Great den/family room addition off the kitchen could also be used as a large third bedroom. Great neighbors and convenience to downtown and shopping/dining/entertainment in adjacent Cloverdale neighborhoods make this an ideal location in Midtown Montgomery. It’s perfectly priced and move-in ready, so call your favorite agent for a showing...you will not be disappointed!

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

Perhaps you are ready to buy a home, but you think you can’t because of a low score on your credit report.  Bad credit can present challenges when purchasing a home, but it doesn’t have to keep you from moving forward with your dream of becoming a home owner.  With interest rates still low, now is a great time to buy, so don’t let bad credit hold you back! Here are some tips for how to buy a home even when you have bad credit:

• Get your credit score.  Take a deep breath and do that search.  There are several places you can get your credit score for free. Just keep in mind that you will have three credit scores - one each from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These are the three major credit reporting agencies, so it’s a good idea to get scores form all of them. Get Your Credit Scores
   
• Make sure your credit report is accurate and up to date. Your credit report is like a history of how you have handled borrowed money.  There may be errors in it and if so, that could damage your credit score.  You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting companies annually. When you get the reports, look over them carefully to make sure all the information is correct. If you find any errors, you can dispute them with the reporting companies. How to Dispute Credit Report Information
   
• Prepare yourself to pay a higher interest rate.  Qualifying for a mortgage with a lower credit score is possible if you are willing to pay a higher interest rate.  That’s why it’s a good time to buy when rates are relatively low to begin with.  Lenders charge more to protect themselves should the buyer make late payments or fail to make payments altogether. Unfortunately, bad credit means that you likely have a history of doing just that.  While a higher interest rate does mean a higher mortgage payment, it may be worth it to become a homeowner investing in your own home rather than paying rent to a landlord.
   
• Apply for an FHA loan. Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans) have lower credit requirements.  With a credit score of at least 580, you can qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage with a down payment of just 3.5 percent of your home’s final purchase price.  However, there are some catches.  First, FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, but they are originated by traditional mortgage lenders.  Even though they can originate FHA-insured loans for borrowers with scores as low as 500, it doesn’t mean they are obligated to do so.  They can choose to require higher credit scores.  Secondly, FHA loans come with a financial penalty.  With traditional mortgage loans, you can cancel your private mortgage insurance (PMI) after building up enough equity.  With an FHA loan, you must maintain private mortgage insurance for the life of your loan. Let FHA Loans Help You
   
• Make a larger down payment. If you can come up with a larger down payment, lenders may be willing to take a chance on you. While it’s possible today to get a mortgage with as little as 3 percent down, people with bad credit may find that making a larger down payment is what will get them the mortgage loan they seek. When you put down more money up front it shows the lender that you are willing to take on the risk of a home loan. The lender also will feel you are less likely to walk away from a large financial investment.  If you can come up with a down payment of 20 percent or more, you will increase your chance of getting approval on a mortgage loan. Top 10 Ways to Save For a Down Payment
   
• Rebuild your credit. If your credit is so bad that a mortgage is not feasible right now, don’t despair. It just means that it is time for you to start rebuilding your credit so that you can become a home owner in the future.  To do this, you simply need to start paying all your bills on time every month so that you can build a better credit history.  Also, pay down as much credit card debt as possible to raise your score.

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: virginiamortgagelender.com

Whether you are a DIY expert or you plan to hire experts to “fix” your home, buying a fixer-upper is a risk.  But often it is a risk very well worth taking!  It just depends upon finding the RIGHT home to fix up.  Here are steps to take before you make the decision to invest your money, time and energy into fixing up a house:

1. Consider the Price Carefully

A fixer-upper should have a fixer-upper price.That may seem obvious, but you might be surprised by how much sellers think a home is worth.Try not to have a “this is the one!” moment with a house when the listing claims it just needs a little TLC. Do your research first. An experienced Realtor like Sandra Nickel can help you find out what similar homes in the neighborhood have sold for.  You are also going to want to be aware of what types of homes they are so that you don’t over invest in luxury improvements that price your house right out of the neighborhood for future resale. When determining your budget, base it on the market value of the homes in the neighborhood.

2. Determine What Improvements Are Needed

How much work do you want to do? How much do you want to spend?Ideally a fixer-upper will offer many opportunities for “instant equity”, meaning that you would make money on the home if you immediately sold it after fixing it up. Some fixer-uppers will just need cosmetic fixes like painting and landscaping.Other may require large renovations.You will need to carefully consider the potential cost of improvements along with the sale price of the home so that you don’t get in over your head.

3. Research Which Projects Will Give You Instant Equity

Will you have to hire a professional to complete the projects?If so, will the cost of that outweigh the money you might get back in instant equity?While many home improvements add some equity, some add a lot more value than others. But they are usually the types of projects that require the help of a professional.Here are some examples of projects that will give you excellent return on investment even if you pay a professional to complete them: new roof, hardwood floors, and insulation. Why a New Roof May Cost You Zero Dollars (In the Long Run)

4. Be Sure You and Your Family Can Cope With the Disruption

A fixer-upper takes time and patience. If you have to move into the home to complete the renovations,you may be living in chaos for a while. Also remember that not all projects go smoothly and there may be set backs and unexpected issues.Can you handle that emotionally?It’s important to consider how the disruptions will affect you and your family before deciding to take on a fixer-upper.

Buying a fixer-upper should never be a spontaneous decision. It needs to be well thought out.  So, do your homework first to determine your budget along with how much you are willing and able to take on before jumping into a fixer-upper.  With the proper preparation, you will end up with a beautiful home that is worth much more than you paid for it!

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: realtor.com

The idea of buying your first home is exciting and it would be easy to jump the gun and start looking right away.  But before you start your home search there are some steps you should take to prepare:

• Educate Yourself

It is crucial that you understand the steps involved in buying a house before you get started in the process.Going into it blindly will only lead to confusion and frustration down the road.When you are familiar with what happens after you find your dream home, you will feel more comfortable when it comes time for home inspections, making offers, shopping for home-owners insurance etc. Homebuying Process: 7 Steps to Buying a House

• Hire a Top-Notch Realtor

The best tip I can give a first-time home-buyer is to hire a Top Realtor.An experiencedagent like Sandra Nickel will be your go to person for advice throughout the process of finding and purchasing a home.She will provide advice on everything from loan officers to talk to, types of inspections to choose from, how much you should offer for a home and more.Being familiar with the local area, she will know about neighborhoods and houses that will suit your needs.

• Get Pre-Approved

Before your start searching for your home it is vital that you get pre-approved for a mortgage loan.Not only will this let sellers know that you are serious about buying, it will also give you an advantage over buyers who are only pre-qualified.A pre-approval will help you get an accurate idea of what you can afford, so it will make it easier for you to determine what your budget will be. Pre-Qualified vs Pre-Approved: What's the Difference?

• Be Prepared

Buying your first house is a new adventure.It takes time, patience and persistence. There will be many new tasks to add to what is likely an already full schedule in your life, but they will all be worth it when you are enjoying your new dream 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!

Photo Credit: moneyunder30.com

Life seems to be on hold right now due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but that doesn’t mean that everything just stops.  While social distancing is vital to our health and well-being, moving to a new home is something that might not be able to wait.  Whether you are relocating for a job, or it was a planned move prior to the start of social distancing, you need to know how to go about moving during a pandemic. Here is a list of tips to help you with your move. Remember that moving can already be stressful under normal circumstances, so take a deep, cleansing breath and arm yourself with information that will keep you safe and make your move as easy as possible.

1. Contact moving companies to determine if they are open.  If you had already scheduled movers you should contact them to make sure they are still available.  Most moving companies appear to be open right now, but that could change in the weeks and months to come.  When you schedule movers, ask questions about precautions they are taking to keep themselves, and you safe. The 10 Most Popular Movers in Montgomery, Alabama
    
2. Research storage options.  You may need to put things in storage prior to moving.  Major storage companies continue to stay open, but they may have limited hours of accessibility or rules about how many people can access their units at one time.  Make sure the storage company you use is following proper safety practices such as sanitizing access pads between customers and maintain six feet or more of space between customers/customers and employees. Montgomery, AL Storage Units
    
3. If anyone in your family is experiencing coronavirus symptoms, let your mover know.  Transparency is vital in order to keep everyone safe.  Your movers may still be willing to work with you, but will be prepared to put protocols in place to protect their workers. Even if nobody in your family is symptomatic, if someone has been exposed to the virus, you should still let your mover know that you are isolating due to exposure.
    
4.  Have hygiene products on hand for your movers.  Provide soap and paper towels by the sink, and hand sanitizer by the door that they are using.  If you don’t have those supplies available, let the mover know so they can be sure to bring them along for the move.
    
5. Avoid using free or recycled moving boxes.  Because the coronavirus can live on cardboard for as long as 24 hours, picking up free/recycled boxes could possibly put you at risk.  Either use boxes you already have at home or go to the store to buy new ones (and use self-checkout if it’s available!).
    
6. If you are part of a high-risk group for coronavirus, you may want to consider cancelling your move if possible.  If you are over 60 or you have a pre-existing respiratory or cardio-vascular condition, you should reconsider moving right now.  It’s not worth risking your life!  So, if there is any flexibility, put your move on hold until you can relocate more safely.
    
7. If you have to travel for your move, only work with hotels and airlines that offer free cancellation.  Everything is so uncertain right now and the last thing you need is to lose money on a reservation should your move get postponed. 
    
8. Keep your distance.  Be smart and practice all the standard rules that apply for this pandemic.  Don’t get close to the movers, use sanitizers, and WASH,WASH,WASH your hands!!  Mark your boxes to let movers know what rooms they go in so that you don’t even need to be nearby to direct them.

As stated above, moving is already stressful enough. Don’t let our current situation overwhelm you.  The best way to do this is to arm yourself with information and use common sense precautions to keep everyone involved as safe as possible!

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: moving.com

Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing a home and a mortgage is involved, a home appraisal is going to be an important aspect of the process.  Therefore, it’s crucial that you understand how the appraisal process works and how an appraiser determines a home’s value.

A home appraisal is an unbiased, professional opinion of a home’s value.  Conducted by a licensed home appraiser with the knowledge and experience to determine the fair current value of the home, it takes place in almost every home purchase/sale transaction and is commonly used in refinance situations as well. Within a purchase/sale transaction, it is used to establish if the home’s contract price is appropriate, based on the home’s location, condition, and features.  For a refinance, the appraisal makes sure that the lender isn’t giving the borrower more money than the home is worth.  Because the home serves as collateral for the loan, lenders want to make sure that the homeowner is not over-borrowing. With a purchase/sale transaction, the home appraisal is typically paid for by the buyer and the fee is included in the closing costs.

The reason the home appraisal is so important is because it lets the lender know that they are lending the appropriate amount of money for the value of the home.  Sometimes the appraisal will come in for a lower amount than the agreed upon price and when that happens, the lender might deny a loan for that amount. If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction can proceed.  However, chances are the seller doesn’t want the deal to fall through, so if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer may be able to use it to negotiate a lower selling price.  Knowing that the bank won’t lend any buyer more than what the home is worth, the seller may be willing to lower their selling price so that they can proceed with the sale.  A low appraisal can also derail a homeowner’s attempt at refinancing their home. The home needs to appraise at or above the amount the homeowner wants to refinance.  One exception is if you have an FHA mortgage.  With an FHA mortgage, you can refinance without an appraisal through the Streamline Your FHA Mortgage

The appraiser will look at many things to determine the home’s fair current value. The property’s value will be influenced by recent sale prices of similar properties and by current market trends.  The home’s amenities, floor plan, functionality, square footage, and number of bedrooms/bathrooms will also play a part in coming up with a fair price for the lender.  A thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the property will allow the appraiser to note any issues that might have an adverse effect on the property’s value.  You may confuse a home appraisal with a home inspection, but they are not the same thing, A home inspection is a much more detailed evaluation of the home and does not involve the lender.

Usually the home appraisal will just be a box checked off on your home closing checklist. But if the appraisal comes in lower than expected, the purchase/sale transaction can be delayed or canceled.  Understanding the process and being aware of potential problems will help you be better prepared to handle whatever circumstances come your way. Your Mortgage Closing Checklist

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: totalmortgage.com