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Displaying blog entries 1171-1180 of 1998

Finding the Best Montgomery AL Real Estate Agent for Your Needs

by The Hat Team

Buying or selling Montgomery AL real estate is a complex procedure, so it’s important to select a competent, honest agent who will skillfully represent your best interests throughout the entire process.  As you begin your search for property or for a new owner of your home, keep your eyes and ears open.  Notice the names on real houseestate signs in your neighborhood, ask friends and relatives for referrals, attend open houses in your target area to meet the agent on duty, and check the real estate section of your community newspaper,

Once you have compiled a list of names, you will next want to determine if the person is a Realtor, agent, or broker.  A Realtor is someone who is licensed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is bound by a Code of Ethics, and has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). 

As you prepare to interview Montgomery AL real estate agents on your list, be sure to discuss the following topics:

  • The price range of most of their transactions.  Some agents specialize in high-end properties and won't give their best effort on properties under a set value. If they usually deal in fixer-uppers, they may not have the experience to navigate "Millionaire's Row".
     
  • Their familiarity with and experience in your target area.  If you're buying, a Realtor should be able to provide you with information on the community, the schools, taxes, traffic, nearby amenities .and other facts. If you're selling, you want your agent to be able to talk to prospective buyers about these details.
     
  • The amount of time they can give you—and availability to meet at your convenience.  If you need someone on weekday evenings or can meet only in the morning, will the agent be able to accommodate you?
     
  • What services can you expect from them? In addition to helping you buy or sell Montgomery AL real estate, interviewing potential clients, previewing and showing property, discussing sales conditions, drawing up and presenting offers, holding open houses, and writing contracts—all the while meeting deadlines and hand-holding when necessary—you should also expect your agent to be current on marketing strategies, federal/state programs, and area real estate trends and comps.
     
  • References from previous clients.  Listen to what their past customers have to say. Google their names, too, and check the state for any licensing or disciplinary information.

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.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - September 2013

by The Hat Team

In September, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Montgomery, AL was 23% lower than the previous month and 29% lower than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Status Distribution

The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Montgomery, AL.

Auctions accounted for 55.3% of foreclosure activity in Sept 2013 and Bank-owned properties accounted for 44.7%.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties decreased 10.5.0% compared to the previous month and dropped 46.0% from the previous year in Sept 2013. The number of Auctions decreased 31.1% compared to the previous month and 4.5% from the previous year.

montgomery al foreclosure

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery AL foreclosure activity was 0.02% below national statistics, 0.03% higher than Alabama and the same as Montgomery County statistics in Sept 2013.

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!

Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 1545 Madison Ave

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

1545 Madison Ave, Montgomery AL 36107
MLS# 305227

You Can Make This Charming Capitol Heights Bungalow Sparkle!


1545 Madison Ave

Original Capitol Heights bungalow that's perfect for an investor. Nice big front porch, hard wood floors, high ceilings, crown moldings, built-in shelves and corner cabinets and a great backyard. Fresh paint, some new appliances in the kitchen, a little work in the bathrooms and a good deep cleaning will get this house in shape for a tenant or yourself. Come check it out.

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.

Montgomery AL Real Estate: 3526 Willow Lane Dr

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate:

3526 Willow Lane Dr, Montgomery AL 36109
MLS# 305079

Huge Value! Updated And A Great Price!


3526 willow lane montgomery al

Hurry!! Less than $50 per sq. ft. and it's been updated!! Two living areas to entertain or relax, one of which has a fireplace. Updated kitchen and baths will please most buyers in this price range. Main bedroom will accommodate a king size bed with ease. Double wide driveway makes parking a pleasure. Large backyard for family and pets. Take advantage of this great opportunity before someone else beats you to this huge value!! Call us or your agent to view one of if not the best buys Forest Hills has to offer.

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.

 

Montgomery AL Home For Sale: 1440 Wedgewood Dr

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Home For Sale:

1440 Wedgewood Dr, Montgomery AL 36111
MLS#  305190

Charming Edgewood Home - Move-In Ready!

1440 Wedgewood Dr

Charming move in ready ranch in Edgewood. Pretty hard wood floors throughout, zero carpet. Living room and cozy den with glass doors to backyard. Nice workable kitchen with separate laundry room. Detached carport and storage. Great deal for the neighborhood.

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.

Montgomery AL Real Estate: 3013 Brewton Street

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate For Sale: 3013 Brewton Street, Montgomery, AL 36109

MLS #305159

Your chance to own a meticulously maintained 1950’s split level that’s priced right!

Here's your chance to own a meticulously maintained 1950's split level contemporary home! If you watched The Brady Bunch and thought their house was cool, you will want to take a look at this one. Enter on one level with foyer and expansive woodwork, go down a few steps to the bedroom/bath level, and up a few more steps to the living/dining/kitchen level with vaulted ceilings. Original woodwork and architectural features are all in tact, and there is a great deck off the living room for outdoor enjoyment. The terraced lot also has a wired, heated and cooled, workshop and multiple patio levels. Mature trees and even an RV pad round out this unique and PRICED RIGHT property.

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.

Montgomery AL Real Estate: 36 Boardwalk Street, Pike Road, AL 36064

by The Hat Team

Montgomery AL Real Estate: 36 Boardwalk Street, Pike Road, AL 36064 

MLS # 305080

Charming house near Lake Cameron and the town center of The Waters

This charming house is in the established section of the neighborhood and is like new, but not at a new house price. Beautiful hard wood floors, lots of natural light, lovely kitchen, darling backyard, 1st and 2nd floor porches. Convenient to all of the desirable amenities: Lake Cameron, infinity pool and boat house, town center.

 

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.

Why Borrowers Pay Different Rates

by The Hat Team

interest ratesLenders, like any business, have to make a profit.  The cost of acquiring the funds, the operating costs to service and the expected profit margin are easily identified.  The variable in pricing is the type of mortgage and the credit worthiness of the borrower. 

A loan with a 3.5% down payment is riskier than a loan with 20% down payment.  If the lender has to take the property back to recover their expense, the margin is greater between what is owed and what the property is worth on an 80% mortgage. 

Credit scoring is a risk-based pricing method that allows a lender to be competitive in the market for the best loans from different borrower groups.  Individual lenders set their own levels for what they consider “A” credit which is reserved for the best rates.  If good credit is approximately 710 to 740, scores below that are considered higher risk and will have higher rates.

Risk must be assessed for both the borrower and the property that collateralizes the loan.  The borrower’s credit history and income stability are strongly evaluated by the lender but if a default should occur, the property must secure the loan to avoid a loss to the lender. 

Mortgage pricing.png

The challenge for some buyers is they are unaware of what their credit score is and how it will affect the interest rate offered by the lender.  It is to the buyer’s advantage to be pre-approved by a reputable lender prior to starting the process of looking for a home.  In some cases, the lender can actually improve the borrower’s credit score to help them qualify for a lower interest rate.

Contact me for a recommendation of a trusted mortgage professional - [email protected]

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.

Tips For Selling Your Montgomery AL Home In The Fall

by The Hat Team

Perhaps your Montgomery AL home has been on the market all summer or personal circumstances require you to list it now.  In either case, selling during the fall season requires that your property has ultimate appeal and stands out from the competition.  Although the pool of potential buyers diminishes once summer is over, those who do continue look more often than not have a goal of finding a place before the holidays.  It makes sense, then, that house salewith mindful staging strategies, continued landscape maintenance, and seasonal awareness, your home could be just what they have been looking for.

As you’ve read numerous times, a buyer’s first impression is paramount in importance.  Play up any lovely foliage in your yard by patching brown spots in the lawn, mowing whenever needed, and raking leaves frequently (both front and back).  Keep in mind that as leaves fall, the exterior of your Montgomery AL home becomes more exposed, so consider power washing dirty siding, touching up chipped paint, cleaning gutters and downspouts, repainting faded shutters, railings, and doors, and pruning overgrown trees and bushes.  Keep walkways clear of debris and outdoor lights clean and in good working order.  Make your entrance way inviting by adding autumn potted plants, a seasonal door wreath, and a pumpkin or two.

And don’t forget the garage—inside and out.  You may consider the garage just an add-on, but prospective purchasers react quite well to one that is clean, organized, and useful for storage.  You can get online help in removing unsightly grease/oil stains from the concrete floor and for tips on garage organization.

“Staging” is the process of arranging your Montgomery AL home so that it appeals to all buyers and allows them to imagine themselves living there.  Three C’s —clean, cozy, and clutter-free--work well here in making both physical and emotional impressions on buyers.  Highlight fall colors with pillows, towels, rugs, flowers, or bedding.  Enhance brightness by using higher wattage bulbs and keeping curtains open.  Display a bowl of apples or bake a pie or cookies just before an open house.   If you have a fireplace, make it the focus of a room.  Want more ideas?  Several sites, including Rismedia, and Realtor.com offer valuable do-it-yourself staging tips that will enhance the “sell-ability” of your 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.

Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - October 2013

by The Hat Team

The Fed recently announced they would continue their current pace of purchasing bonds until the economy was stronger. This bond purchasing program is the reason that mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. Rates began to increase over the last several months just on the anticipation that the Fed would announce that they would be reducing the level of bond purchases last month. When that didn’t happen, rates actually decreased.

That was great news for any buyer in the process of purchasing a home. However, this window of opportunity is expected to close in the very near future as most experts expect the Fed to taper the bond purchasers in December.

So, don't let this opportunity pass you by. Leverage your buying power NOW while rates remain low. Contact us today for help!

Take a look at sales figures in our local real estate market for September 2013.

Midtown Montgomery real estate sales statistics for September 2013 show the number of homes sold increased by 28% when compared to September 2012. The average sales price increased by 29% to $ 184,238 for the month. The median sales prices increased by 21%, and market times increased by 52 days from September 2012.  The highest selling home price increased by 33%, and the lowest selling home price decreased by 22% from September 2012.

While it’s tempting to rejoice over these huge increases, it’s important to remember that they compare just one month’s activity in each year.  And because Midtown homes are so different in size, degree of renovation, etc., sales values from year to year reflect more than just “more business” but “different business” as well.  A more important and meaningful statistic is this:  at the end of the September, 2013, selling prices market-wide are up 3.46%.  Yes!!!!!!

Midtown Montgomery September  2013 September 2012
Homes Sold 29 21
Average Selling Price $ 184,238 $ 131,321
Median Selling Price $ 155,000 $ 122,500
Days On The Market 166 114
Highest Selling Price $ 545,000 $ 367,500
Lowest Selling Price $ 20,000 $ 25,500


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.

Displaying blog entries 1171-1180 of 1998

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