Real Estate Information Archive

Purchasing your first home is a huge milestone…and not one that should be taken lightly. It is a big commitment, and you want to make sure you get it right. Educating yourself before you begin the home buying process will help you find the right property and procure the financing for it. 

Here are some things you should know as a first-time homebuyer:

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

Entering the home buying process for the first time might feel a little overwhelming. You will have a lot of questions, but don’t worry, there will be people who will guide you through. The first thing to do is to find an experienced, professional Realtor. Your Realtor will assist you in finding your starter home, making an offer, and negotiating with sellers. Another person you should meet with prior to starting your home search is a mortgage lender. Your mortgage banker will help you complete your loan application along with determining the amount you qualify for.

Getting preapproved for a mortgage is an important step that will set you on the right course for buying your first home.

STARTING YOUR HOME SEARCH

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “location, location, location” in relation to real estate. It exists for a reason. Because location is one of the most important aspects in choosing a home. The first thing you must do when searching for your starter home is determine the area you want to live in. You should take many things into consideration when making this decision. Do you want city, suburban, or country living? What is the reputation of the school system?  Are there shopping, dining, and entertainment activities nearby?  The answers to these questions aren’t just important for you when you are living there but may also have an impact on resale value. Remember, this is your starter home; not necessarily your forever home. So, you should take resale value into consideration when choosing the location. Once you have determined WHERE you want to look, you can create a list of what you are looking for in a home. You may have to compromise on some things, but going into your search knowing what you want will make things less confusing. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

When buying your starter home, there may be some expenses that you didn’t anticipate. Don’t risk being blindsided by unexpected expenses. Do your research and make sure you know what you are getting into. Here are some costs you may not have thought of:

• Closing costs
• Home inspection
• Moving expenses
• Setting up your new house

Remember that your Realtor and Mortgage Banker are there to answer questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of their expertise!

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: pwcva.gov, findmywayhome.com, financebuzz.com

1240 Magnolia Curve, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 534930

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1 Half Baths | 3,055 Square Feet | Cloverdale

This wonderful Old Cloverdale home is spacious and pristine! Large formal dining and living rooms are perfect for entertaining. Kitchen large enough for multiple cooks and features tons of cabinets, center work island, and breakfast bar. The breakfast room looks into a spacious den/family room with built-ins, wet bar, and wall of windows overlooking beautiful backyard. Upstairs there is a HUGE main bedroom (runs the width of the house) with three closets. Two guest bedrooms share a bath, and a hall walk-in closet for even more storage. Corner lot has mature trees, two car detached carport, large brick patio, and your own private half basketball court! And, you have a view of Huntingdon's football field at the end of the side street, Carlton. Location can't be beat, in the heart of historic Cloverdale, in Midtown Montgomery!!

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

Does growing a lush and vibrant lawn seem out of reach for you? Don’t worry! The grass CAN be greener on your side of the fence. With spring imminent, now is the perfect time to start working on a thick carpet of grass for your yard.

Here are some tips for growing and maintaining a lawn that will have your neighbors GREEN with envy:

1. Start by reseeding and fertilizing. If you have bare spots in your grass, taking the time to reseed now will pay off this spring. Make sure you fertilize for optimal growth and keep the area moist until you see new growth. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, think about hiring someone to do it. You will be glad you did!
   
2. Look for problems that will hinder growth. Steep slopes and shady trees can potentially keep grass from growing. You may want to consider hydroseeding in sloped regions. And planting fescues in shady zones will help as well.
    
3. Patch dead areas with sod. Re-sodding is the best bet if you have large dead areas. Sod can be installed any time of year…just make sure you water it frequently until it sets.
   
4. Properly mow your grass. If you’ve just seeded, your lawn will need to be mowed early and frequently leaving 1.5 to 2.0 inches of grass. After your lawn is fully established, reset your mower blade to its highest setting, leaving 2 to 3.5 inches of grass.
    
5. Leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. This will assist in the process of breaking down and returning nitrogen to the soil which will satisfy your lawn’s nitrogen needs.
   
6. Look into xeriscaping. No matter what climate you live in, xeriscaping is the best way to weatherproof your lawn. This low maintenance, low-cost method of landscaping will keep your lawn looking beautiful during all the seasons!

What is xeriscaping? Per pbs.org, xeriscaping is a landscaping method in which the goal is to use a minimal amount of water while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and echo-friendly landscape.

Once you have your lawn looking fabulous, you can create a fun outdoor living space to enjoy with your friends and family. And when you’re ready to sell your home, the first impression potential buyers get from your curb appeal will have them waiting in line to see your house! 

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: gardenerspath.com, bengertgreenhouses.com, theturfgrassgroup.com, marthastewart.com

March is here and chances are the winter doldrums are getting to you. Now is a good time to start tackling some home maintenance tasks that will remind you that spring is right around the corner!

Clean Your Gutters

Once the last frost of winter has passed, it is important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and, if necessary, repaired. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause wood trim in the eaves to rot and that can leave an opening for all kinds of critters to invade your house. If you’re not sure what to look for, you can have a home inspector come and look for you.

Another benefit to cleaning out your gutters and downspouts early in the season is that it can help to prevent damage from spring rains. If they are installed and cleaned properly, they will divert water away from the house and keep it from collecting around your foundation.

Prep Your Yard

Your lawn may be looking sad as the winter months have taken their toll, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Giving your lawn a little attention toward the end of winter will make for a lush, green lawn this spring and summer.

The first step is to aerate your soil. When soil is compacted, it is too hard for water, air and roots to penetrate. That makes it hard on grass. You can rent a core aerator from a local equipment rental store. A half day’s rental generally costs about $40. This machine, which resembles a large rotary tiller, uses steel tubes to take plugs of soil from the lawn and deposit them on the ground. You can reduce compaction by aerating once a year and this will increase the vitality of your lawn.

The second step is to mow the old grass low. If you have cool-season grass such as bluegrass, fescue, or perennial ryegrass, you can skip this part. But if you have warm-season grass such as Bermuda, buffalo grass centipede, St. Augustine or Zoysia you will want to mow that old, brown grass low at the end of winter to remove the accumulation of thatch, an accumulation of dead stems and leaves. If you leave the thatch, it will prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots and will encourage disease. Cut Bermuda lawns to ½ inch and leave the clippings in place to decompose. Mow the other types to 1 inch. If you use a regular mower, bag the clippings; then compost or discard them. Mowing low allows more sun to reach and warm the soil which helps the grass to green up.

The final step is to stop weeds. As the temperatures rise and reach 70 degrees, the seeds of lawn weeds begin to sprout. Late winter is a good time to stop them by applying a pre-emergence lawn weed preventer. When used properly, it creates a barrier atop the soil to keep weeds from sprouting. Be sure not to aerate after using the weed preventer or you will break the barrier. Do not use this type of product if you are planting new grass though, because it will keep grass seeds from coming up as well.

Once you have your lawn ready, then you can start thinking about selecting plants and flowers for your home garden!

Caulk Windows and Doors

Winter can be hard on your home. Now is the time to inspect the caulking around your windows and doors and to repair any damage left behind by old man winter. Check around your windows, doors, and corner trim to prevent water infiltration and avoid costly repairs.

Using high-quality siliconized acrylic latex caulk that is rated for exterior use will cut down on the amount of caulking you will have to do. It has good adhesion and flexibility, cleans up easily with water, and is paintable as well. Make sure you know what you are doing and avoid common mistakes in caulking.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, spring home maintenance is a step toward making your house more alluring to potential buyers. 

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: facebook.com, hrpressurewashing.com, peterdoranlawn.com, mrhandyman.com

1400 Midlane Court, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 534490

2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,099 Square Feet | Cloverdale

Do you love the Cloverdale area, but are just not an "old house" person? This home might just be for you! Built in 1991 in the cul-de-sac of a quiet street just across from the Montgomery Country Club, this little gem has just within the last few years had a new roof, new HVAC, all new windows, new water heater, and upgraded electrical. Perfect for entertaining, the large great room has fireplace and built-ins, and the adjacent den/study also has built-in bookshelves as well as a nice sized closet, and could easily be converted to 3rd/guest bedroom. Big open kitchen has gas range, double ovens, built-in desk, and pantry. Breakfast room overlooks private patio. Cozy screened-in back porch allows outdoor living and has access from greatroom and master bedroom. Convenient staircase leads to attic with great storage and easy access to systems. 2 car garage keeps vehicles out of the weather! Great Midtown Montgomery location convenient to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

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

Spring is approaching and with it, prime time for real estate transactions. Many people will be looking to purchase homes meaning home buying will become a “competitive sport”. This means that you will need to stand out to sellers if you want to “win” the house of your dreams. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search. In fact, regardless of how competitive the market is, getting a mortgage pre-approval will give you the security of knowing what your true budget is, allowing you to know if a desired home is within your reach.

One of the many advantages of working with a local Realtor is that many have relationships with lenders who will be able to help you with this process. Once you have chosen a lender, you will need to fill out their loan application and provide them with vital information regarding your credit, debt, work history, down payment, and residential history.

There are “5 Cs” that aid in determining the amount you will be qualified to borrow:

1. Capacity: Your current and future ability to make payments.
2. Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash.
3. Collateral: The home or type of home that you want to purchase.
4. Character: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time.
5. Conditions: Current interest rates and amount of principal influence the lender’s likelihood of financing the borrower.

Getting pre-approved not only shows sellers you are serious, but also speeds up the process of completing the purchase once your offer has been accepted.

Even before you contact a mortgage lender, it’s a good idea to look at your credit score to see where you stand.

Here are some steps you can take to improve your credit score:

• Check your report for errors. If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureaus. Having errors removed can improve your score.
• If possible, pay down balances on credit cards.
• Resolve collection accounts. If you have any accounts past due, it will have a negative effect on your credit report.
• Open a secured credit card. If your score is low, this can be an effective way to raise it.

Purchasing a new home is exciting but can also be stressful. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help alleviate some of that stress. So, if you are in the market to buy a house this spring, contact mortgage lenders now and get the process started!

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: fortunebuilders.com, divorcelendingassociation.com, realtor.com

1254 Westmoreland Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 533298

4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2,843 Square Feet | Cloverdale

This Old Cloverdale cottage might look unassuming from the street, but once inside you will be in awe! Casual living spaces blend with sunny nooks for reading, awesome live/workspace, a cool modern kitchen, and spacious family room with fireplace! Across the back double sliding doors and lots of windows give the feeling that you are living outdoors. Main floor has two bedrooms and two baths (one en suite and could be a first floor main.) Upstairs is the wonderful large main bedroom with walk-in closet, stunning cool bath, and 4th bedroom or bonus/main bedroom extension. Rear deck overlooks private fenced back yard, with plenty of room for pets or kids. Words simply can't do this marvelous, totally renovated Midtown Montgomery home justice, so call you favorite agent for a private tour! You will not be disappointed.

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

3253 Montezuma Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 533244

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | 1,440 Square Feet | Cloverdale/Idlewild

This 2 bedroom, 1 bath Cloverdale cottage is sure to charm you from the moment you see it! Two large bedrooms, 1 full bath plus a bonus room that could be used as an office or nursery. The inside of this Midtown Montgomery home has been updated with a fresh coat of paint, including the kitchen cabinets. So many features throughout this home including beautiful crown molding, hardwood floors, walk-in pantry, formal dining area plus a breakfast room! The back has an expansive deck area overlooking the scenic backyard surrounded by a full privacy fence. The storage shed in the back has been freshly painted and is practically brand new! Schedule your appointment today!

Marketed by Montgomery AL Realtor, Joy Randolph, Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

​Perhaps you have imagined your dream house. You’ve pictured it in your mind, created lengthy Pinterest boards with images, but can only hope that you might find it in real life. Some buyers must look for a long time before finding the home of their dreams, but others know right away.

When reality matches the vision you have for your home, you might fall in love at first sight.

Here are some things that make buyers know they had found “the one” the moment they see it:

1. A GORGEOUS FRONT PORCH
   

Nothing says “welcome home” better than a beautifully appointed front porch. A creative front door with porch railings painted a complementary color is a great way to draw a potential buyer into a home. That first look can make or break the interest of buyers.

2. STANDING OUT AMONG THE CROWD

That neighborhood full of “cookie cutter” houses may be the right area for you, but you don’t want your house to look like everyone else’s. A home that stands out is the one for you. For example, maybe that one white brick house in a sea of red brick houses is just different enough to make it the right one for you.

3. LAYOUT

Open concept has been popular for a long time, but maybe your dream house affords more privacy. When you walk into a home that has defined rooms that serve specific purposes, you have found what you have envisioned as the perfect home for you.

4. THE GREAT OUTDOORS
   

Perhaps the inside doesn’t matter quite as much as the outside to you. Despite the imperfections in the house itself, that huge, beautiful yard is all you ever wanted. Or maybe any house in a neighborhood that provides access to walking trails and open spaces will do the job.

5. GOOD BONES

If your dream house is one that you design yourself, then you might just fall in love with a fixer upper that has good bones. Just make sure to educate yourself about what it will take to make the vision you have for your home a reality.

6. LOCATION

Do you have a work commute that sucks the joy out of life? Finding a home that is in just the right location can certainly be the fulfillment of a dream home!

7. KITCHEN
   

A chef’s kitchen with high end appliances and tons of counter and storage space may be all it takes for the cook in the family to say “this is the one!”

No matter what you are looking for in a “dream home”, Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of professionals can help you find it. And if you are selling your home, they can assist you in highlighting those aspects that will make buyers fall in love at first sight!

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: alcova.com, abeautifulmess.com, graceinmyspace.com, thescoutguide.com

3425 Wiley Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

MLS# 532479

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2,516 Square Feet | Ridgefield

This 4-bedroom traditional ranch-style home has plenty of room to spread out. Well-proportioned living and dining rooms flank the central foyer. The galley-style kitchen features double ovens and a good-sized breakfast room for informal dining. Convenient wet bar sits between the breakfast room and den/family room. Large den/family room has fireplace for cozy evenings. The rear screened porch is great for relaxing and entertaining friends, and the big, fenced backyard is a great place for kids and pets to play. Convenient Midtown Montgomery location near shopping, dining, and schools.

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