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Displaying blog entries 1621-1630 of 1998

Montgomery Foreclosure Statistics - November 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
by The Hat Team

There are 1,207 Montgomery foreclosure homes for sale with 180 new foreclosures in November 2009. The average selling price of a Montgomery home is $179,504 and the average foreclosure selling price is $116,951, a $62,553 savings, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.

Montgomery Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Montgomery foreclosure activity is 0.05% lower than national statistics and 0.07% higher than Alabama statistics.

montgomery foreclosure

Montgomery Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of Bank-Owned properties increased from 74 in October to 79 in November. The number of Auctions decreased from 127 to 79. The 6-month trend reflects an increase in Montgomery foreclosures.

montgomery 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.

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Let's Celebrate Christmas

Monday, December 21, 2009
by The Hat Team

       "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
                                                                      ~ Burton Hillis

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally and is no longer viewed as a purely religious holy day. It is now a time enjoyed by people of many countries and faiths, and there are numerous universally recognized icons which we associate with the yuletide. In fact, these symbols have become so commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas that when we see Santa riding on a reindeer, a mantle hung with stockings, coniferous green trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments, or houses festooned with evergreen wreaths and mistletoe, we know that the magic spirit of the season is upon us.   

The tradition of the Christmas stocking dates back to approximately 250B.C. in Asia Minor. There Nicholas, rich man who became a very generous Christian priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that "miracle," neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings--or even put out shoes--to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. Find instructions for making your own Christmas fireplace stockings.

Along with the Christmas holly, laurel, rosemary, yews, boxwood bushes, and, of course the Christmas tree, mistletoe is an evergreen displayed during the Christmas season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we're kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we've forgotten all about it (the plant, that is, not the kisses).

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! 

And ’tis the season to decide what presents to give, to buy the presents, to wrap the presents, to mail and/or deliver the presents.  Whew!--time-consuming and somewhat exhausting unless you’ve discovered online shopping. Here are just a few ideas: EasyXmas.com, Gifts.com, Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Fragrance.net. There are hundreds of other sites just waiting to display their wares and ship them for you. Some even offer free holiday shipping or will do the gift wrapping for you.   

Want something a little different? Check out the top ten present picks for 2009.                                                   

             “May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!" 
                                                                              -- Unknown

Another time-saving tip: rather than hand writing cards to send holiday greetings online to friends and family and have someone else do the work for you. Great selections--warm, funny, cute, animated, talking, photo, traditional, romantic--and no waiting time!

And speaking of greetings—show support for our troops. Xerox still has a web site that lets you send a message of thanks to soldiers currently serving in Iraq. This is a FREE service and only takes a minute to do.   What a great way to spread the spirit of the season! Visit www.LetsSayThanks.com today.

Yes, you’re busy, busy, busy, but what about the children?

Need to keep the kids happy and involved? Here are creative and original holiday stories. Chat with Santa’s elves. Have fun with educational activities. Make pom-pom snowmen, a snowman garland, or a Rudolph handprint. Deck your halls and walls with candy-colored crafts. 

There is lots of online fun for the kids:

Other good sites for craft creations --ornaments, cards, trees, etc.--to make the days leading up to Christmas happy ones are Parents.com, Christmascrafts.net, SchoolFamilyFun.com, FamilyFun.com, FamilyCrafts.com, and Kaboose.com. 

Interested in how Christmas is celebrated around the world? Check out information on the traditions and customs of over forty locations. For instance, general Christmas traditions in Bethlehem are similar to the European and North American customs observed during the festival. From a few days before December 25th, the town is decorated with flags and other items of adornment. Streets are strung with Christmas lights. A Christmas market comes up and Christmas plays are performed. A cross is painted on the door of every Christian home, and Nativity scenes are displayed in every household.  

Learn how to express Christmas greetings in many languages.  Try it and surprise everyone with you linguistic ability. 

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
                                                     ~ Hamilton Wright Mabi 

Now let’s move from goodwill to men to good food at Christmas time… eggnog, sugar cookies, Christmas punch, glazed ham, brunch biscuits and eggs--and so much more. You can even view vidoes to help with baking. Decorating cookies, making colorful Rice Krispy treats, and creating gingerbread cookies are all great family activities--and the results are delicious!


Another traditional activity for family members of all ages is caroling--indoors or outside. Rusty on the lyrics...not a problem.

Still hungering for more family time and/or seasonal spirit? It is said that the tradition of making Christmas movies is as old as making movies itself and Christmas has long been a favorite subject of moviemakers. In fact, so many movies have been made on the theme of Christmas that the list would be too long to print here, but you might want to try The Miracle on 34th Street (1947 version or the newer one), A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas.  

Christmas facts few people know:

*  In the Ukraine, if you find a spider web in the house on Christmas morning, it is a harbinger of good luck. 

*  In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe. 

*  The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. TheUrn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. 

*  In Sweden a common Christmas decoration is the Julbukk, a small figurine of a goat.  It is usually made of straw.

Alas, dear readers, having presents to buy and wrap, cookies to make, movies to watch, ecards to send, songs to sing, pages to color, eggnog to drink, stories to read, a tree to trim, stockings to fill, thanks to express to our troops, caroling and mistletoe kissing to do, this writer must stop, but not before sending warmest wishes to you for a wonderful and 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 101 N Capitol Pkwy Montgomery, AL36107

Sunday, December 20, 2009
by The Hat Team

   Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

   101 N Capitol Pkwy  Montgomery AL 36107

   MLS #270258

   

Be the proud parent of this grand understated Capitol Heights classic. Tax record indicates 1930 build, but the mantles, transoms, 12'ceilings, doors, moldings, and hardware say 1910's Arts and Crafts. Enjoy central heating and cooling, updated kitchen, spacious rooms, and walk in closets. Park-like fenced backyard with magnolia, oaks, and pines for family pet. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own one of the older and larger homes Capitol Heights has to offer. And best of all---it's not 150k, YET!

Learn more about 101 N Capitol Pkwy and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

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Montgomery AL Real Estate Sales Statistics - Nov 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009
by The Hat Team

Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2.  

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales are experiencing a pendulum swing. “Keep in mind that housing had been underperforming over most of the past year. Based on the demographics of our growing population, existing-home sales should be in the range of 5.5 million to 6.0 million annually, but we were well below the 5-million mark before the home buyer tax credit stimulus,” he said. “This means the tax credit is helping unleash a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future.  

Let's look at November Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics to see how the housing recovery is progressing locally.  

Montgomery AL real estate sales statistics for November show pending sales have decreased by 2% in 2009 compared to November 2008. The average sales price increased by 17% to $152,392 while sold listings were up by 4% from 2008.  Market times were 28 days more than 2008.

Midtown
Montgomery

Pending
Sales

Sold
Listings

Average
Market Times

Average
Sales Price 

Nov 2009

39

25

129

$152,392

Nov 2008

40

21

71

$126,000

For the latest Montgomery AL 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: 1310 S Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

Monday, December 14, 2009
by The Hat Team

   Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

   1310 S Court Street Montgomery, AL

   MLS#264187

   

Needs updating & oozes with potential. Large, well proportioned rooms. Nice floors. Kitchen has functional, modern layout and lots of space but needs new everything else. Basement apartment had been rented for $350 with owner paying utilities. Zoned O1 so could be office or mixed use.

Learn more about 1310 S. Court Street and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

 

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Mistakes You Don't Want to Make When Selling Your Montgomery Home

Friday, December 11, 2009
by The Hat Team

Selling your Montgomery home should be a smooth profitable transaction. But it could end up being an unsuccessful, draining experience, especially if the appropriate precautions and preparations are not observed. montgomery homeA majority of the time, the chance for success lies within the hands of the hired real estate expert. In order to guarantee optimal results, the sellers must be willing to cooperate and consider the professional advice of their real estate agent. Agonizing over a listing price, making the property presentable, rushing for last minute showings, answering inconvenient calls, and frazzling thoughts of not being able to sell are all stressful components of selling your home. If you and your home are not properly prepared there is a great risk of losing thousands of dollars in an unsuccessful transaction. Included in the following section are five of the most common, costly mistakes homeowners can easily avoid when selling their Montgomery home. 

  1. Do not believe all real estate professionals are the same, choose wisely
    The process of selling your home involves many tedious details and critical decisions. Real estate professionals are experts in handling these situations and offering knowledgeable guidance to sellers. It is crucial to research several professionals in order to find a suitable match with experience selling homes similar to yours. Real estate agents use different methods to sell their listings. Innovative professionals who promote listings with newer techniques to attract buyers are always more successful than professionals relying on traditional strategies. 24-7 advertising, excessive exposure and lead generation are important services agents offer to aid in selling your home. Hiring and utilizing the right real estate professional can significantly maximize the chances for a smooth, profitable transaction. 
  2. Effects of ignoring cosmetic upkeep
    The potential buyer’s first impression of your Montgomery home is crucial. Dirty dishes piled in the sink, unkempt lawns, cluttered rooms, stained carpets, scattered soiled laundry, and disgusting odors may seem like little things, but they are big turn-offs to prospective buyers. Ignoring cosmetic upkeep leads to loosing home sales. It also never hurts to hire a staging company to assist in making the home more appealing to buyers.
  3. Refusing to make repairs
    Another major cause in loosing home sales is the seller’s refusal to make necessary repairs. In the long run, it is not beneficial to sell “as is”. Instead, making needed repairs or improvements will increase the home’s value. A real estate agent can decide what repairs will boost the home’s value.
  4. Picking a price that is not too high or too low
    When properties get priced too high they tend to sit on the market and eventually develop a label of a problem property. When priced too low a home could fly off the market, allowing the buyer to get a great deal and the seller with lost potential profits. Listing the home at the appropriate price could make or break a successful sale. Real estate professionals use their market knowledge and special tactics to appropriately price the property and ensure a timely and profitable sale.
  5. Making things convenient for prospective buyers
    Providing easy access to the property for showings is the key to finding the right buyer. Appointment-only showings take away from the buyer’s convenience because a specific time has to be set to fit the schedules of multiple people. Using a lock box is the best way to provide easy access for showings. You are less likely to miss out on a sale when buyers are never denied a chance to view the property. 

Learn more about how to successfully sell your Montgomery home by visiting HatTeam.com. 

What’s your Montgomery home worth?

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2411 Woodlawn Drive Montgomery, AL 36106

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
by The Hat Team

   Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

   2411 Woodlawn Dr. Montgomery, Al 36106

   MLS#268557

  

 

Nature lover's delight! Enjoy morning coffee (or an adult beverage after work) on the screened porch watching the squirrels and listening to the birds cavort in the towering trees out back. Like to entertain? The back yard is mighty private and the perfect spot. Or if it's chilly, snuggle up in the front of the fireplace and enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors and old-house charm. Conveniently located near I85 and the Mulberry District.

 

Learn more about 2411 Woodlawn Drive and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com.

 

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

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Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 26 N Pennsylvania Street

Sunday, December 6, 2009
by The Hat Team

   Montgomery Real Estate For Sale:

   26 N Pennsylvania Street, Montgomery AL 36107

   MLS# 269987

Ever notice how rare it is to find covered parking, much less ATTACHED covered parking in any of Montgomery's older neighborhoods? Well, this brick home in historic Capitol Heights comes with an ATTACHED 2-car GARAGE. No more getting rained on coming to and from your home, no more scraping ice in the winter and scorching hot seats in the summer! Walk through the breezeway connecting the garage to the house and you'll find a roomy 3 bedroom two bath home with living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen and sunroom! Out back there is a two tiered deck great for entertaining or just relaxing with the family. The large fenced yard is pet friendly and great for kicking the ball around with the kids or grand kids. Conveniently located to schools, shopping, dining, and all the Downtown Montgomery has to offer.

Learn more about 26 N Pennsylvania Street and other Montgomery Real Estate by visiting HatTeam.com

Search all Montgomery Real Estate and homes for sale.

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Auctions and Foreclosed Montgomery Homes

Friday, December 4, 2009
by The Hat Team

The number of people experiencing their Montgomery homemontgomery home entering foreclosure is steadily increasing. Also increasing, is the number of bargains just waiting for home buyers to make a move. In RealtyTrac's April 2009 U.S. Foreclosure Market ReportTM they found that default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions were reported on 342,038 properties during the month of April alone. The increasing numbers have contributed to the thirty two percent increase since last year's April 2008 report. The report also showed one in every three hundred and seventy four homes received a foreclosure filing in April. These statistics prove foreclosure to be a growing threat to home owners. On the other hand, the foreclosure situation is benefiting people looking to purchase real estate in this buyer's market.

The amount of foreclosure properties on the market opens the door to opportunity for buyers. One way for buyers to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a foreclosed Montgomery home is through an auction. It is important for people, especially first timers, to become educated on how to buy a home at a foreclosure auction. The first place to start would be to look up general information about the process on the internet. Then, it might be a good idea to contact a real estate agent or real estate attorney for professional help and advising. Auctions can be organized in public places or held at local courthouses. It is best to avoid auctions held at courthouses because professional investors are common competitors and there is not much, if any, time to research the physical condition and financial background of the property being auctioned. Instead, find foreclosure auction notices in the local newspaper, online, or by contacting a city official for upcoming auction dates. It is important for buyers to research the property before deciding if they will bid on it. Prior to determining your bid gather some important information about to property such as, the estimated market value, outstanding loan balances, property liens, ownership history, title information, and calculate possible monthly expenses as the future homeowner. Once a little research is done on the property, enough knowledge will be available to determine the appropriate bid.  Thoroughly looking farther in to the property can maximize your chances of getting a good bargain. 

There are also other options for foreclosure buyers to consider. Today, most foreclosure properties have large or multiple mortgages. This takes away from the likelihood of getting a bargain at an auction because banks will ask for bids that are more than the actual value of the property. The first alternative is to buy the property before it goes to auction, which is called a pre-foreclosure. To do this check the city records to find foreclosure properties. Then, contact the owners by writing a letter of interest. Follow up with a phone call and hope they are willing to accept an offer. Another route is to wait to see if the property sells at the auction. If the property does not see it will be put on the market by the bank it is owned by. In this case you will be able to buy the house just like it was regular real estate. Another benefit to this option is the ability to conduct a home inspection and get a mortgage. Remember, when considering the purchase of a Montgomery home through an auction make sure plenty of research is done to maximize the potential of getting a good deal. Also keep in mind that if the odds are not looking good for the auction there are always other paths to take. 

Learn more about buying a foreclosed home by visiting HatTeam.com.

Are you or someone you know behind on your mortgage payment? You may be able to avoid foreclosure with a short sale. Give me a call for a private consultation.

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Another Happy Montgomery Home Seller - 2804 Windsor Ave SOLD

Thursday, December 3, 2009
by The Hat Team

montgomery home2804 Windsor Avenue in Montgomery AL is SOLD!

It is a remarkable home with vintage detailing, but it is too late! The Hat Team, Sandra Nickel Realtors, sold this stunning home in only 31 days for the full asking price. The average market time in Montgomery is 84 days.

Get results like these when selling your Montgomery home by calling the Hat Team at 800-428-5239 or contact us by email.

What's your Montgomery home worth?

 

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Displaying blog entries 1621-1630 of 1998

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