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Costs Of Overvaluing Your Montgomery AL Home?

Friday, September 7, 2012
by The Hat Team

Despite survey after survey showing that consumers expect home prices to continue to decline next year, most owners of Montgomery AL homes still believe their houses are worth more than what their agents recommend.

Nearly three out of four home owners, 76 percent, believe their homes are worth more than the recommended agent listing price. By contrast, 68 percent of home buyers believe homes are overpriced, according to HomeGain’s latest survey, which involved over 400 real estate agents and brokers and more than 2,000 home owners nationwide. The gap between what sellers expect and what agents recommend has actually grown calculatorslightly over the past year even though national median prices have declined about 4-7 percent this year. A year ago 73 percent of owners thought their homes were worth more than their agent’s recommended listing price.

A new study by the Research Institute for Housing America, the think tank affiliate of the Mortgage Bankers Association, documents a profound market fissure caused by owners' fears and hesitation — what researchers call "negative selling sentiment.  "Nearly 80% of consumers in the study's survey think this is a great time to buy a house, but more than 92% of homeowners think it's not a great time to sell.

According to Syracuse University economist Gary Engelhardt, compared with earlier post-recession periods, today’s owners have been more deeply shocked by the extent and severe side effects of foreclosures, short sales, and unemployment. In the aftermath of earlier recessions, such as in the early 1990s, 40% to 60% of homeowners remained relatively positive about their prospects if they chose to sell — far higher than the very few who see it that way today.

Many owners of Montgomery AL homes "have not adjusted their price expectations downward" to keep pace with local declines in property values which occurred after the mortgage bust, Engelhardt says, thereby contributing to the sharp divergence in their real estate visions compared with those of buyers.

This is consistent with the results of a study conducted in mid-2011 by Zillow, the online real estate and mortgage information company. Zillow found that sellers nationwide were having trouble coming to grips with what market forces had done to their property values. They knew prices had declined, but they didn't necessarily think those devaluations applied to their Montgomery AL homes.

Click here for an approximate value of your Montgomery AL home.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

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Midtown Montgomery Market Trends - August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012
by The Hat Team

Good news!  The recent results of a large-scale survey strongly indicates that consumer optimism and the desire to own real estate continue to rise.

Additionally, Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

  • According to the survey, Americans expect home prices to increase 2.0 percent over the next year.
  • Among participants, 35 percent said prices would rise over the next 12 months, which is the largest percentage in the survey’s two-year history.
  • Also, the number of respondents who said they would buy their next home if they were going to move rose 6.0 percent to 69 percent, which is the highest level ever recorded.
  • The number of Americans who said it was a good time to buy a home increased to 73 percent.

Lets look at the statistics in our local real estate market for July 2012.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for July show the number of homes sold increased by 29% when compared to July 2011. The average sales price increased by 9% to $125,325 during the same period. The median sales prices increased by 2%, and market times decreased by 23% or 36 days.  The highest selling home price increased by 38%, and the lowest selling home price increased by 56%.

Midtown Montgomery July 2012 July 2011
Homes Sold 35 25
Average Selling Price $ 125,325 $ 114,292
Median Selling Price $ 102,500 $ 100,000
Days On The Market 119 155
Highest Selling Price $ 517,500 $ 320,000
Lowest Selling Price $ 9,000 $4,000


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

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

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2609 Shep Court Montgomery, AL 36117

Thursday, August 30, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

2609 Shep Court Montgomery, AL 36117

MLS#295607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you are looking for a sweet first home, or looking to downsize with ease, this 2 bedroom garden home will fit the bill! Spacious living room with corner fireplace will hold lots of furniture, and you will love the open eat-in kitchen big enough for a work island. Split plan puts the guest bedroom and bath in the front, and the well-proportioned master on the back side of the house for privacy. Rear access parking has carport with covered area for sitting. Larger side yard is nicely landscaped and has detached storage building and no-maintenance vinyl fencing. Opposite side yard makes great dog run! Plenty of storage from interior closets, attic space, attached and detached exterior storage areas.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

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

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Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - July 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012
by The Hat Team

There were 711 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 912 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in July 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $82,990 and the average foreclosure selling price was $75,383, a $7,607 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.55% in July while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 106 to 104.

montgomery al foreclosure

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

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.03% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and 0.01% higher than Montgomery County statistics in July 2012.

montgomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 35 homes in June to 66 in July. The number of Auctions dropped from 71 to 38. There is a 6-month rising trend.

montgomery al foreclosure

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

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home. Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.
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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 369 Winthrop Court, Montgomery AL 36104

Monday, August 20, 2012
by The Hat Team

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

369 Winthrop Court, Montgomery AL 36104

MLS# 295378

Come home to one of the best streets in the historic Garden District! It will be love at first sight when you enter this early century bungalow. Your eyes will instantly be drawn to the high coffered ceilings in the living room. Dine in grand style in the large formal dining room with built-in buffet, or relax in the den/family room with a REAL wood burning fireplace. Cooking will be a pleasure in the family style kitchen with center island and tons of counter space, and the breakfast room is large enough to accommodate a small gathering area when used in conjunction with the breakfast bar. Three well proportioned bedrooms each have private bathrooms, and are situated such that they afford privacy for their occupants. Out back is a large deck overlooking meandering paths through flower beds and blooming shrubs. Come visit this special home and enjoy all its charm and amenities.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

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

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Foreclosure Affects More Than Just the Montgomery AL Real Estate Market

Friday, August 10, 2012
by The Hat Team

montgomery al real estateWhile much has been written about the impact of foreclosures on the Montgomery AL real estate market and the economy, little has been said about the personal effect of home loss on families, especially displaced children who are so often the invisible victims of the foreclosure crisis. Mortgage records do not tell how many children are in owner-occupied homes, and it is even harder to estimate the number of children in rental properties. Yet foreclosure affects not just the homeowner or landlord, but also the children living in the foreclosed properties.

According to a recently-released report by the Brookings Institute, an estimated 2.3 million children in single-family homes have already lost their homes to foreclosure, and even more – 3.0 million children – are at serious risk of losing their homes in the future. Another three million or so children have been evicted, or may face eviction, from rental properties that undergo foreclosure, suggesting that more than 8 million children are directly affected by the ongoing foreclosures of both Montgomery AL and nation-wide real estate.

In general, the negative effects of foreclosure include increased family stress and tension, financial hardship, moving homes, a sense of insecurity, changing schools, and a decrease in available community resources.  While the impact of the first four areas is obvious, the changing of schools is more than simply an inconvenience.  Research has shown that children who are forced to switch schools have lower levels of math and reading achievement than their more stable peers. Each move is associated with a reduction in math and reading scores by about one-tenth of a standard deviation, which is equivalent to about one month of school. Some studies have even suggested that children who change schools under negative circumstances are more likely to drop out and/or experience problems in social relationships.

The reasons for a possible drop in available community resources are twofold: the first is that often children move to a lower economic community with limited financial backing, and the second is that localities hard hit by foreclosure have reduced funding available for schools and other social services for children. It follows, then, that medical care (both physical and mental) for children is another area which is often adversely affected by foreclosure.

So, while the foreclosure crisis has indeed had a dire impact on the real estate market and the economy, we must be aware that the children involved in this process lose more than just a home.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

 

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Montgomery AL Real Estate Is Still Part Of The American Dream

Wednesday, August 8, 2012
by The Hat Team

montgomery al real estateGood news!  The recent results of two large-scale national surveys strongly indicate that consumer optimism and the desire to own Montgomery AL real estate continue to rise.

According to the quarterly Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey, Americans’ confidence in homeownership and real estate continues climbing from the first quarter and from a year earlier.   To wit:

  • 69 percent of those surveyed believe that buying a home, including Montgomery AL real estate, is a good investment despite the market volatility of the past few years, up 6 percentage points from the first-quarter 2012 survey and 17 percentage points from first quarter 2011.
  • 72 percent expressed confidence that the real estate market and property values will improve during the next two years, including a 6-point jump among those “very confident” or “confident” vs. the first quarter 2012, and a 14-point gain in this subset over first quarter 2011.
  • Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents have a favorable perception of the U.S. housing market, up from 60 percent in first quarter 2012 and 52 percent in first quarter 2011).Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

Additionally, Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls 1,001 Americans each month to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, foreclosures, the economy, household finances, and overall consumer confidence. The results of June’s survey show Americans are increasingly optimistic about the housing market despite concerns about the broader economy and their personal finances.

  • According to the survey, Americans expect home prices to increase 2.0 percent over the next year.
  •  Among participants, 35 percent said prices would rise over the next 12 months, which is the largest percentage in the survey’s two-year history.
  • Also, the number of respondents who said they would buy their next home if they were going to move rose 6.0 percent to 69 percent, which is the highest level ever recorded.
  • The number of Americans who said it was a good time to buy a home increased to 73 percent.

So, folks, this may just be the time for you to buy Montgomery AL real estate and be a part of the new and improved American Dream.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

Add Comment

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - June 2012

Friday, August 3, 2012
by The Hat Team

There were 861 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 892 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in June 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $102,324 and the average foreclosure selling price was $88,558, a $13,766 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate

Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.68% in June while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 125 to 106.

montgomery al foreclosure

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

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.04% lower than national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics in June 2012.

montgomery al foreclosure 

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased from 42 homes in May to 35 in June. The number of Auctions dropped from 83 to 71. There is a 6-month rising trend.

montgomery al foreclosure

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

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home. Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

 

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Midtown Montgomery Market Trends - July 2012

Friday, July 20, 2012
by The Hat Team

As Americans, we celebrated Independence Day this month flocking to places like Mount Vernon, Monticello and Peacefield to learn and understand more about our country's history and the men and women who shaped its future. The homes of founding fathers like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were more than shelter; they were places of respite, reflection and inspiration.

flags"Homeownership is an investment in our future, but it's also a gateway to our past," said National Association of Realtors President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami. "The homes of our country's founders offer insights into their characters and values, and reflect the spirits of their owners, just as our homes do for us today."

In some ways, historic homeowners bear little resemblance to the homeowners of today. George Washington inherited Mount Vernon when he was 20; only 4 percent of recent home buyers were between the ages of 18-24, according to the 2011 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. John Adams was born in the house that would remain in the Adams family for four generations. Today, fewer than 3 percent of families in this country have received their primary residence as an inheritance, according to a recent Survey of Consumer Finances published by the Federal Reserve Board.

Women's rights to own property in America's early days were often based on their relationships with men, so it's not surprising that many women today view homeownership as its own form of independence, with single women representing more than one-fifth of all home buyers in the current market.

Homeowners across U.S. history do share some common ground, of course. Most of the founding families lived out their lives close to where they were born, and the same is true today. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly 60 percent of Americans currently live in the state in which they were born, and NAR research shows that the typical buyer moves only 12 miles from his or her previous residence.

"I am as happy nowhere else and in no other society, and all my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello," said Thomas Jefferson of his home. Although today's economic environment has postponed homeownership for some, numerous surveys show that most Americans still aspire to homeownership. In the NAR Profile, a full 60 percent of recent first-time home buyers cited the desire to own a home of their own as the primary reason for purchasing a home.

Lets look at the June statistics in our local real estate market? 

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for June show the number of homes sold remained consistent when compared to May 2011. The average sales price decreased by 25% to $113,872 during the same period. The median sales prices decreased by 39%, and market times decreased by 15% or 19 days.  The highest selling home price decreased by 1%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 38%.

Midtown Montgomery June 2012 June 2011
Homes Sold 32 32
Average Selling Price $ 113,872 $ 151,399
Median Selling Price $ 80,250 $ 132,000
Days On The Market 111 130
Highest Selling Price $ 415,000 $ 417,500 
Lowest Selling Price $ 10,000 $16,000

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

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

 

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Stay Cool and Save Money With Energy Saving Tips

Thursday, July 12, 2012
by The Hat Team

Summer is here, accompanied by heat, humidity, and high electric bills. Depending on your location, the size of your home, and utility costs in your area, summer often brings the highest monthly bills of the year. The good news, however, is that there are some easy tips to help keep you cool in your Montgomery AL home and save a little money at the same time.

thermometerReduce the heat inside your Montgomery AL home:

  • Use a microwave oven, slow cooker, or barbecue grill rather than your oven.
  • Put lids on pans to hold the heat in while cooking.
  • Do "wet" chores (washing clothes or dishes, mopping floors, watering indoor plants, etc.) in the early morning or at night when it's cooler. This will help to keep humidity down.
  • Lower your shades and close your curtains to keep the sun out.
  • Seal windows and doors efficiently to keep the cold air inside and the hot air outside.
  •  Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.

Lower energy usage:

  • Most hot water heaters have thermostats that may be set to 140 degrees for hot water. This usually isn't necessary--turn the thermostat down to 120 or 115.
  • Take a short shower, say about 5 minutes, and you'll only be using one third of the amount of hot water than you would with a bath.
  • Don't use the drying function in your dishwasher. Let the dishes air-dry.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Dry your clothes on hangars or outside your Montgomery AL home.
  • Turn off computers, printers, copiers, and home electronics when they are not in use. Surge protectors that allow you to plug several items into one strip with an on/off switch make this even easier.
  • Turn thermostats to78 degrees when at home; 85 degrees when away.
  • Use fans to circulate cool air.
  • Close any central air registers in empty and/or unused rooms.
  • Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F)
  • Keep lots of food in your refrigerator to keep it from warming up too fast when the door is open.

Now you have no excuse for not implementing at least a few tips for staying cool and saving money on your utility bills this summer.  For more helpful hints, visit MyTwoDollars, Energysavers.gov, and the Department of Energy.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

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

Add Comment

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