Real Estate Information Archive

According to FBI Crime Statistics, property crime rates are down. That is great news!  But that does not mean you should let down your guard when it comes to protecting your home. If an expensive, top-of-the-line security system is not in your budget, there are still plenty of ways for you to keep your home secure. Most burglars follow a pattern and look for easy targets, so it is important that you are aware of what they are looking for.

Here are tips from professional burglars for you to use to prevent break-ins and keep your home secure:

1. Most Burglaries Occur During the Day

Burglars prefer breaking into homes during daytime hours when homeowners are more likely to be out. The last thing they want is to find someone at home when they are breaking in. They also prefer weekdays to weekends because weekday schedules are more predictable. Weekdays between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM is prime time for burglars because of the likelihood that homeowners are at work and/or school. So, it is just as important to lock up when you are going to be away during the day as it is at night.

2. Social Media Gives You Away

People love to post vacation photos on social media. But if you do that WHILE you’re on vacation, you are basically telling everyone that you are not home. Criminals keep tabs on accounts like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to find potential victims. Even if you keep your account private, something as simple as a profile photo can have GPS data embedded in it, allowing a burglar to find your home. Also, if you allow a lot of “friends” (old high school friends, neighbors, acquaintances, friends of friends) to follow you, you never know who a potential criminal might be. It is in your best interest to never post what times you are not at home or how long you will be out.

3. Home Security Systems Will Keep Burglars Away

The last thing burglars want to deal with are alarm systems. It doesn’t matter what security company it is, if they see a home security system set up, they will avoid your home. Homes without a security system are MUCH more likely to be targeted for a break-in. If you choose to have an alarm system installed, be sure to choose a complex code, not your birthday or anniversary. Also, take time to clean off buttons so that a burglar cannot determine the code by finding dirt or grease on the numbers you use most often. In addition to an alarm system, use all the security measures that are at your disposal. Lock windows and deadbolts and make sure house is well-lit. An inexpensive option is to add motion sensors and timers to your lights so that you can make it look like people are home, even when that is not the case.

Even leaving a TV on or having a car parked in the driveway can be a deterrent t for burglars.

4. Burglars Target Homes Where Weapons are Present

You may be a proud gun owner, but you do not want to advertise that to burglars. You might think it will keep them away, but it has the opposite effect. Burglars are enticed by the possibility of scoring some guns. In fact, a gun is stolen approximately every two minutes in the U.S., so gun owners should always keep their guns locked up out of sight. Having an NRA bumper sticker on your car or a Smith & Wesson sign on your house tells criminals they are likely to find guns in your home and makes your house a bigger target for them.

5. Tall Bushes are Great Hiding Places

Burglars love when front porches are surrounded by lots of shrubs and tall bushes. They provide places for them to hide so that they can’t be seen from the street or by neighbors. You should keep any large landscaping features trimmed. If you want large plants by your windows, choose something thorny that will deter a burglar from hiding there, like roses or cacti.

6. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Make sure that your expensive items are out of sight. For example, do not leave your laptop computer or tablet sitting out so they can be seen from your windows. Put your jewelry away when you are not wearing it; do not leave it sitting out on your dresser where it is easy to find. If you have a key hook with labels for your keys, put it somewhere that it cannot be seen from any windows. In fact, keep it in a place that would be hard to find even if someone broke in.

Make it as hard as possible for criminals to be successful in burglarizing your home!

Your home should be your safe place. Keep it that way by using these measures to keep it secure.

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.homesforsaleinmontogomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: vivint.com, bigdotofhappiness.com, bobvila.com

The new year is here, and for many of us that means we are setting goals for ourselves…things we want to do and achieve in 2022. If you are a homeowner, you may want to add some home improvements to list. Here are some small home improvements you should consider making in 2022:

1. Update your kitchen.  We are talking a simple update; not some huge undertaking. You might be surprised at how different your kitchen will look with just a small change. Something like painting your cabinets or adding a new backsplash can really brighten up the room and give it a modern feel.
   
2. Beautify your walkway with bricks or pavers.  Plain concrete is boring…and not very pretty. But you don’t have to replace it. You can simply embellish it by adding stone, clay or concrete pavers along the sides. If that feels like too much to take on, giving your walkway and/or driveway a good power wash can make them look brand new!
   
3. Do a minor bathroom remodel.  It may sound like a big job, but something as simple as replacing the bathroom mirror and faucet can give your bathroom a whole new look. Want to take it further?  Consider replacing the toilet if yours is old and maybe switch out the shower head for a more luxurious shower experience.
   
4. Upgrade your flooring.  Do you have old, worn carpet in your home?  Now is the time to remove it and replace it with hardwood flooring. If hardwood is out of your budget, consider an alternative like laminate flooring that looks like wood. Laminate is less expensive, but very durable and fade resistant. You can also save quite a bit of money by installing it yourself.
   
5. Update a room (or two, or more) with a fresh coat of paint.  It is amazing how different a room can feel if you paint it a different color. After you paint you can rearrange the room to your liking and add accent pieces (like throws and pillows) to complement the new wall color.

Just remember, small home improvements can make a big difference in your home without breaking the bank!

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.

Photo Credits: kitchenmagic.com, familyhandyman.com, homeguide.com, pinterest.com, buildwith5th.com

If you are preparing to list your house for sale, you may be wondering if the financial reward will be worth the time, effort and money to fix up things that are in disrepair or that are dated.  The answer to that question depends on a myriad of circumstances such as the current real estate market, the condition of competing inventory and whether the renovations that need to be made generally provide a return on investment.

Some home buyers are looking to purchase a “fixer upper”. They are looking for properties priced to sell, perhaps because they don’t qualify for more expensive homes or maybe because they want to make a profit by fixing the home up themselves. Most fixer buyers want to do simple repairs such as painting walls, replacing light fixtures and putting in new carpet. Only a few want to take a house down to the studs and completely redo it. These potential buyers will want a price for the home that will allow for all the repairs, the inconvenience of doing the work, and often a bit more. For example, if a home is worth $200,000 fixed up but needs a new roof, and the roof costs approximately $10,000, a buyer most likely will not offer $190,000 for this home. The reason is that they can probably find a similar house that already has a new roof for $200,000 and save themselves the headache of replacing it themselves. A buyer in this situation might offer $175,000 or less, in which case it would make more sense for the seller to replace the roof and sell it for $200,000.

It is important to note that there are also many buyers looking for “turn-key” homes. They fear having to make major repairs because they might be costlier than anticipated or other problems might be revealed. Even if the price is right, homes listed for sale in “as is” condition might not attract as many buyers.

However, before doing major renovations, there are many things to consider. 

Smart sellers will research what their home’s market value will be once improvements are made and compare it to the cost of the renovations. If an upgrade will not provide return on the investment, it probably does not make sense to do it.  Knowing the condition of your competition is helpful. For example, if other homes for sale in your neighborhood all have modern kitchens, it might make sense to update yours. This does not mean you should tear it down and start from scratch. Often a minor kitchen remodel will suffice. Also, keep in mind that kitchen and bathroom remodels are known to bring the best return on investment.

Start by making a list of the things in your home that are dated or in disrepair and then prioritize.

Here is a list of 10 minimum improvements to make before putting your house on the market:

• Patch all holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.
• Fix all appliances and HVAC systems.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Replace worn carpeting.
• Repaint dark or marred walls in neutral colors (not white).
• Replace broken windows.
• Repair the roof.
• Change dated light fixtures/ceiling fans.
• Replace old linens/window coverings.
• Fix any code violations.

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!

Photo credits: youtube.com, hookedonhouses.net, smartasset.com

During the holiday season, when life can be hectic and exhausting, everyone needs a respite…a tranquil place to relax and unwind. Your bedroom should be that haven for you. But if it is cluttered, it won’t feel relaxing. It will just add to overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve around the corner, now is a good time to turn your bedroom into the relaxing oasis you deserve, and the first step is to declutter!

Here are some tips for doing just that:

• Utilize under-the-bed storage. If you have random items cluttering up your bedroom because you just don’t know where else to put them, under-the-bed storage is your answer. It is great because it is not visible, but it is still easy to get to. Things like gift wrap, extra linens, books and off-season clothing will fit nicely in storage containers that fit under your bed. Rolling storage containers are especially efficient and help free up space in your bedroom.
  
• Use racks to store your blankets. All your cozy blankets, quilts and throws can take up a lot of space, but if you love them like I do, you always want to have them handy. A pretty blanket rack is the perfect place to store them where you can easily get to them when you want. Not only does it provide a neat, tidy place to store them, it also adds a pretty touch to your bedroom décor.
   
• Hang photos and artwork on the walls. Putting artwork and photos on the walls instead of on your dresser, nightstand or vanity will help keep your surfaces clear and will give your room a less cluttered, more streamlined aesthetic. Small bedrooms in particular will benefit from having less clutter on surfaces.
  
• Store pillows in baskets. When you decide you want to relax in your bed, throwing decorative and/or extra pillows on the floor will make the room feel messy. A pretty basket is a great place to store pillows when you are not displaying them on your bed.
  
• Organize your room in sections. Don’t let the idea of decluttering your bedroom overwhelm you. Take it one step, one spot at a time!  Do you have a messy closet?  Organizing your closet first may just give you the storage you need to declutter the rest of the room. Next you can clear the surfaces of your dressers, nightstands and vanity.

We all need a place to escape to now and then. By decluttering and organizing your bedroom, you will create a peaceful retreat where you can rest and rejuvenate every day!

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!

Photo Credits: goodhousekeeping.com, hgtv.com, kelleynan.com, nytimes.com

Owning a home is likely the largest financial investment many will make, so whether you are buying or selling a home, it is important to think about resale value. With a little research, you will find that there are some things that will get you a great return on investment and there are others that will not.

When selling your home, you may want to make some improvements that will make it more appealing to buyers, ensuring a more profitable sale. But it is when you are searching for a home to buy that you can consider options that will give you desirable resale value in the future. Here are 5 surprising things that will raise your home’s value:

1. LOTS OF TREES – While a brand-new house in a recently established community has it’s perks, what it often lacks is a proximity to mature trees. Large, well-rooted trees found in older neighborhoods, not only make for a lovely landscape, they also provide shade. They add beauty and they save energy, while also increasing your home value.
    
2. GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM – It may not seem so unexpected that a home in a good school district would have increased value. But sometimes people who do not have children do not think about this. Even you if you never intend to have children, you should keep in mind that many buyers will be highly motivated to purchase a home based on the quality of the area’s school system. For the purpose of resale value, it would be smart to invest in a home in an area with desirable schools.
   
3. SHOPPING NEARBY – People like convenience, so if a house is in close proximity to a shopping area with a supermarket, it will likely increase its value. This is especially true if it is close to higher-end stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Per Zillow, homes near these grocery stores may appreciate in value up to 40% more quickly than other homes.
   
4. OUTDOOR RECREATION AREAS – Living close to a park, walking trails, or other recreation areas can increase your home’s value. Things like dog parks, tennis courts, golf courses, and playgrounds are appealing to people who enjoy staying active. They will be willing to spend a little more to live close to areas where they can enjoy outdoor activities.
   
5. SEPARATE LIVING SPACE – Whether you have a mother-in-law suite, an apartment, or a carriage house, having a separate living space will add to the value of your home. Unlike the other items listed here, this is something you can add to a home after moving in. But while looking for a home, you may want to keep an eye out for one that already has one.  Not only will it boost resale value, but it will give you the opportunity to earn rental income (depending upon the laws in your area) while living in the house.

When buying a home it is important to find a place that feels right for you, but unless you plan to stay there forever, it will benefit you to think about resale value as well!

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!

Photo Credits: homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com, visitingmontgomery.com, riverregiontrails.org, homelight.com

The statistics for household childhood injuries are staggering. Over 3.4 million children experience some kind of accidental injury in the home each year. While there is no way to guarantee child safety at home, there are certainly many things you can do to help prevent accidents and injuries…especially during the holidays! 

Here are some tips for keeping kids safe at home during the holiday season:

• Be aware of poisoning risks.  You might not realize this, but many plants commonly used as decorations during the holidays are considered poisonous and should be kept out of reach of children.  These include: mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, and Jerusalem cherry plants.  Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you ever think your child has ingested part of a plant, immediately call your pediatrician or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
   
• Choking and swallowing of small items is something you must be extra careful to prevent during the holidays. Young children are attracted to all things bright and shiny…and this time of year there is a lot of bright and shiny! Things like tree ornaments, ornament hooks, light bulbs, tinsel and small toys are all potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. If something is small enough to fit in a young child’s mouth, chances are it will find its way in! So keep small items out of reach and watch little ones carefully!
  
• Make sure your Christmas tree is very secure in its stand and can’t be pulled over easily. The last thing you want to find is your little one trapped under a fallen tree. And trust me, they will pull at it if given the opportunity.
  
• Kitchen accidents increase during the holiday season. Many people spend a lot of extra time in the kitchen preparing special meals and baking sweets to share.  Young children want to help…and they should. It can be a fun experience for the whole family!  But be aware of potential hazards that can happen when you’re busy in the kitchen.

Again, while childproofing your home will not guarantee safety, it will go a long way toward protecting your children from injuries or worse. The peace of mind you will have knowing you have done everything you can to protect your children will be well worth the effort and time put into making sure your home is as safe as possible, especially during the holidays!

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! 

Photo Credits: flo.health, istockphoto.com, sweetnektar.wordpress.com, kiddoscook.com

You have just purchased your first home! Congratulations! You got through the process with the help of your Realtor, but now you have signed the paperwork and received your keys, and it is time to move in. You may find yourself wondering, “what next?”.  Here are some tips to help make your transition to homeowner a little less stressful:

1. Educate Yourself About Your Mortgage Statement

It is important that you learn how to read your monthly mortgage statement. When you receive the first one, you will see that there is a lot of information on it. Most importantly, it will tell you the amount due, how to pay it, and the due date. It will also include your loan servicer’s contact information, which you will need if you have any questions about your mortgage. Buyers Guide to Home Ownership

2. Don’t Pay Attention to Refinance Offers

You might start receiving a lot of unsolicited mail after you move into your new home. That is because your information becomes public record and companies will start sending you refinancing offers. The thing is it is not usually beneficial to you to refinance early on in your mortgage repayment process. It may be a great option for you down the road, but not right away. Knowing Your Options Guide

3. Organize Your Documents
   

When you close on your house you will sign a lot of papers and you will be given copies of all of them. Be sure to keep these documents together in a safe place. You will need access to them when it comes time to pay your taxes so that you can take advantage of tax savings that come with home ownership.

4. Do a Home Inventory

The day you sign the title to your new home, your homeowner’s insurance will go into effect. But there is more work to be done to protect your home and belongings. The smart thing to do is to create a written/photographic inventory of all the valuables in your home. This will be very helpful if a worst-case scenario occurs and your personal property is damaged, stolen or destroyed. If you can present your insurance company with an organized list of what you have lost, it will help expedite your claim. And there’s no better, more convenient time to do this than when you are unpacking in your new home. You Really Need a Home Inventory

5. Give Your New Home a Deep Cleaning

It is always a good idea to give your new home a deep cleaning before you move in, even if it is a newly constructed home. It is so much easier to do this before you have moved all your belongings in, and you will feel good about starting out in a freshly cleaned house!

6. Change Your Locks
   

This is a step that many people overlook. You’ve just received the keys to your new home, but many people have had those keys before you. From previous owners, to Realtors, to contractors and more; you really have no idea who might still have access to your home. To ensure your safety, call a locksmith and schedule an appointment to have all your exterior door locks changed the morning after your closing. You will feel safer knowing you are the only ones with keys to your house!

7. Educate Yourself About Your Home

Take the time to learn your home systems. Familiarize yourself with your HVAC unit, the circuit breaker, the security system, the fireplace, and the hot water heater. Find where the fire extinguishers are and make sure smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Keep all warranties, instruction manuals and such together in one place where you can easily find them when needed.

Becoming a homeowner is exciting and sometimes overwhelming, but you can start out on the right foot by following these tips! 

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information! 

Photo Credits: bobvila.com, thespruce.com, thisoldhouse.com

Are your kitchen cabinets looking a little shabby (not shabby chic, worn out shabby)? Whether you are getting ready to sell your home or you simply want to improve it for your own enjoyment, refacing old, ugly kitchen cabinets is a good place to start.

Refacing cabinets is the process of covering the exposed frames with a thin veneer of plastic laminate or real wood. Then you can add new doors/drawer fronts to match or complement the new veneer. Complete the process by adding new hinges, handles, and molding.

There are some pros and cons to refacing:

Pros:

• Costs significantly less than replacing cabinets
• Requires less time than replacing
• You do not have the added hassle of having to tear out old cabinets
• Kitchen is still useable while refacing
• It is a “green” option because you will not be adding old cabinets to a landfill

Cons:

• You cannot fix a bad kitchen design with refacing
• There are a lot of expensive options for veneers and hardware to tempt you and you may end up spending almost as much as you would replacing cabinets

As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons!

So, what are your options for refacing? The choices are nearly limitless! You can find veneers in a wide variety of colors, patterns, grains, textures, etc.  You can mix and match them to come up with a unique look to match your vision. Thermofoil doors are durable and an affordable alternative to wood or laminate doors. Plastic laminates are also very durable and offer tons of options for colors and patterns. They are reasonably priced as well. Real wood is going to be more expensive and will need to be carefully sealed to protect against moisture but offer quality and beauty with woods such as oak, cherry, and maple and a wonderful array of stain colors.

It is important to know that refacing is feasible only if your existing cabinet boxes are in good shape structurally. If your cabinets have water damage, warping, or broken frames, they are not a good candidate for refacing. Understanding Cabinet Refacing

Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire someone to reface your cabinets, it is a relatively affordable way to give your kitchen a whole new look!

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://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information!

Photo Credits: painterati.com, hometips.com, my.lwv.org, kitchenmagic.com

Your home equity is how much of your home that you “own”. For example, if you put down 20% on your home when you purchased it, that means you already have 20% of the home’s value of equity in the home.  As you pay the loan down over the years, your principal loan value decreases while your equity increases. To calculate your equity, take the current appraised value of your home and then subtract what you still owe on your home. Home Equity Calculator

Every month when you make your mortgage payment, you gain equity in your home.  If you make full payments on time, your equity will grow as your principal loan decreases and at the end of the term of your loan, you will own your home outright. So, if you have a 30-year mortgage, you will own your house in 30 years. Building equity is one of the major perks of being a homeowner.  It makes your home a valuable asset that you can use in the future to either buy a new home or make other large purchases.  Some people even use their home equity to fund their retirement. But thirty years is a long time! If you want or need access to your money sooner, you can build your equity faster and here is how:

• PAY MORE AGAINST YOUR PRINCIPAL MORTGAGE

By making extra mortgage payments, or paying more than you owe each month, you can decrease the amount of your principal balance and build equity faster. For example, if you make one extra mortgage payment a year, you could possibly pay off your loan ahead of schedule. Or, if you pay a little more than your required payment each month, you can also shorten the life of your loan. Say your required monthly payment is $2100. $2100 divided by 12 is $175. If you add $175 to each monthly mortgage payment, after 12 months you will have made one extra payment for the year, thus paying off your mortgage a little quicker! But be careful, because some loans have prepayment penalties for paying off your loan too much ahead of schedule. So, check into that before you decide to pay more on your loan. Prepayment Penalty

• WHEN YOU GET EXTRA MONEY PUT IT TOWARD YOUR LOAN

Extra money? Who has that? Well, you might if you get a bonus or a gift of money. Perhaps you can’t afford to put extra money toward your loan every month, but things like holiday bonuses or even a tax refund or an inheritance may give you the extra cash you need to make and extra loan payment. Just be sure that your money is going toward your principal and not your interest. How Do I Make Extra Payments on My Loans

• COMPLETE A HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

There are some home improvement projects that can add significant value to your home, thus increasing the equity you have in your home. Even a small project can give you a huge return on your investment (ROI)

• CHOOSE A 15-YEAR LOAN VERSUS A 30-YEAR LOAN

Just because a 15-year mortgage is half the time of a 30-year mortgage, that does not mean that your monthly payment will double. Have the mortgage lender run the numbers to see if you can swing the payments on a 15-year loan. If so, you will not only pay the loan off faster, but you will also pay less interest over the life of the loan, thus saving even more money!

• MAKE A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT

While it may be tempting to take advantage of a loan that offers a low or no down payment, if you’re looking to build equity quicker, it is not the best choice. A large down payment will assist you in building equity faster. The more you put down, the more equity you begin with. If you can put at least 20% down, you get the added perk of not having to pay for PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), which can be expensive.

Building equity is a huge benefit of being a homeowner. It’s like a forced savings account and can be one of the best investments you will ever make!

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: moving.com, lunchboxarchitect.com, urockloans.com

If going green is important to you, you have probably considered installing a solar panel system to your home. While solar is certainly a smart long-term investment that can reduce your environmental footprint, it is important to understand the pros and cons of solar power so you can make the right decision for your home. Making your home more energy efficient is always a good thing, but there are a lot of solar power myths that are communicated via the media. Take time to do your research and educate yourself before purchasing a solar panel system!

PROS OF SOLAR ENERGY

• Lowers electric bills. This is the top benefit of using solar panels.  With solar power, you are generating your own electricity, thus becoming less reliant on your electric utility company. This, in turn, reduces your electric bill.  Because solar panel systems generally last 25-30 years, you can save money on your electric bill for decades!
   
• You can actually earn money using solar! Due to many Solar Incentives in the United States, solar panels not only generate bill savings, but also pay off in other ways.  Utilizing these incentives will allow you to be compensated for the electricity that your solar panels generate.
  
• It will give you some control over rising energy costs. The cost of electricity has risen by about 5% over the past decade and that trend of rising electric costs is expected to continue. However, the cost of solar has decreased more than 70% over the same ten years. By installing solar panels now, you will avoid rising energy costs!
   
• Improves the value of your home. Studies have shown that property values often increase after solar is installed.  So, even if you do not plan on staying in your current home long term, you can still reap the financial benefits of your solar panel investment when you sell.
   
• It reduces your carbon footprint and moves our country toward energy independence. This is what it is all about, right?  Saving money is a wonderful thing but saving our planet…that is priceless! Using solar power benefits our environment and at the same time, moves our country toward transitioning away from fossil fuels and being heavily reliant on fossil fuel producers abroad.

CONS OF SOLAR ENERGY

• Solar panels do not work on every type of roof. Because of the way solar panels are installed, not every type of roof will support them. If you have an older or historic home that has a roof made from slate or cedar tiles, it can be challenging for solar to be installed. Skylights and rooftop decks can also make solar installation difficult and costly. There are other options, such as ground mounted solar panels or buying a share in a Community Solar Garden.  So, even if you cannot have panels installed on your roof, you can still take advantage of solar energy.
  
• You may not get a return on your investment if you are about to move. While solar is a great financial investment, it does take a while to break even on it.  If you are planning to move within a few years, you may feel like they are an unworthy investment. However, as stated in the pros above, solar does increase the value of your home. So, if you buy your system with cash or a loan, you can still earn your money back when you sell your home.
   
• If you already have low electric costs, your solar savings will be low as well. Some people live in areas with low electric costs to begin with and in those cases a solar panel system will not be nearly as attractive as it is to someone who pays a high electric rate.
   
• Upfront costs can be intimidating. The total out-of-pocket price for a solar panel system depends on many things, including tax credits, rebates, and the financing you use.  But the upfront cost can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t qualify for a Zero-Down Solar Loan.  Many people will not even consider solar panels because they feel they just cannot afford the cost.  That is why it is important to do research and find out about solar financing options. Solar Companies in Montgomery Alabama  

While rooftop solar panels are not the right choice for everyone, they clearly do provide many benefits to homeowners. Going green and decreasing your carbon footprint can be done in many ways.  With our country moving toward clean energy, solar is one of the most consumer- friendly options.

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: cnn.com, greenmatch.co.uk, paksolarservices.com