Owner: Your Athens Ga Realtor URL:http://yourathensgarealtor.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:26:05 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Athens GA Area Homes; Ideas for Buyers and Sellers
Thoughts regarding everything from how to avoid typical mistakes that sellers can and will make in the selling process to conversations about Home Staging, understanding when working with Realtors of w Site statistics:Click here
Is Bigger Really Better? 2008-06-24 15:36:29 Studies show that between two-thirds and three-fourths of the United States’ largest cities now have “McMansions” – new, much larger houses built on lots once meant for smaller homes. While these super mansions can change the character of a neighborhood, they can also increase area home values.The size of the average American house rose from about 1,500 square feet in 1970 to more than 2,3
In Real Estate They Trust 2008-06-23 09:48:02 Many of today’s consumers have long-term confidence in the housing market, according to recent research. Fifty-nine percent of those polled in a recent Associated Press-AOL Money & Finance survey said that now is a good time to buy a home, and nearly 54 percent of people surveyed in a recent Reuters/Zogby Index agree.The AP-AOL poll yielded some other interesting results:· 40 percent think that Read more:Estate
, Real Estate
The Escrow Process and Common Pitfalls to Avoid 2008-06-19 14:08:48 By Hank Bailey®Prudential Blanton PropertiesYou have probably heard on “Flip this House” or some other T.V. show on HGTV the term “we’re in escrow” and wondered what it meant. One of the stages of the home buying process is settlement, closing or “escrow” which is the process whereby an impartial third party, such as an attorney, is entrusted with the job of seeing that the transfe Read more:Avoid
, Common
, Process
Things not to Forget when buying Foreclosures 2008-06-19 13:58:17 Buying a foreclosed home just like buying any piece of property has no guarantee of success. You don't want to be the kind of purchaser who isn’t knowledgeable and careful and ends up losing money. I would advise finding a Real Estate professional in your area that deals with foreclosures to know what pitfalls there may be in your way.Issues to keep in Mind;1. Avoid properties with outstanding Read more:Foreclosures
Are Buyers Finally Getting Back into this Market? 2008-06-19 08:05:56 According to Kenneth R. Harney, who is a nationally-syndicated columnist on housing and real estate, "There's more evidence that buyers who'd been sitting on the sidelines are now jumping into the housing market: The Mortgage Bankers Association of America reports that in its national survey last week, applications for new, conventional loans to buy houses jumped by eleven percent -- and applicati Read more:Buyers
, Finally
, Market
Mortgage Applications Rebound During Week Ending June 6, 2008 2008-06-12 10:26:09 According to The Mortgage
Bankers Association, which released its Mortgage Applications
Survey for the week ending June 6, the Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 557.1, an increase of 10.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from 502.3 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 23 percent compared with the previous week and was down 16. Read more:Ending
, Rebound
Housing more Affordable says NAR Index 2008-06-10 14:23:31 According to the National Association of REALTORS' Housing
Affordability Index
, housing has gotten to a point of being more affordable today than it was at the end of 2005. Based on the April 2008 report the Median Priced Existing Single-Family Home has dropped in price from $219,000 at the end of 2005 to $200,700 today. Rates are virtually the same at the end of April 2008 (6.03%) as they were
National Housing Market Showing Gains 2008-06-10 13:53:37 Based on the April housing stats from the NAR's Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) the national housing market shows improvement. Pending home sales increased in April to the highest reading since October, according to the National
Association of Realtors. With this good news however comes the stark reality that home sales remain more than 13% below the number of sales a year ago. The National Associ Read more:Housing
, Market
THE GOALS OF EFFECTIVELY MARKETING A HOME 2008-06-09 15:20:41 There is always the question of "do I just sell my house myself or take it to a real estate agent?" Let me provide some insight from a REALTOR'S point of view as to what we do on a daily basis to get property sold. Please remember, these thoughts and concepts are what real estate professionals "should" be doing to market a home. To successfully promote your property to the market,a comprehensiv
House Hunting 2008-06-09 14:47:57 Thought this was a good article from FreddieMac. Note link below. you know how much money you can borrow and have an estimate of your closing costs, you'll know the price range you can afford. You might already have your "dream home" in mind. Perhaps you want to settle down in a particular neighborhood, or maybe you just need more space for your growing family.Even if you know exactly what you're Read more:House
, House Hunting
Preparing for Homeownership or for that Step-Up Home Purchase? 2008-06-09 12:03:04 "Buying a home is the largest purchase you will ever make." Have you heard this before? Owning a home has great benefits for a family but, there are also responsibilities that one need not forget.Preparing for homeownership or for that next "Step-Up" Home Purchase
? Take a hard look at your current situation and determine;Do you have a steady income and a steady employment history for at least tw
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers 2008-06-08 19:47:22 By Hank BaileyPrudential Blanton PropertiesHome-price adjustments in markets around the country have opened doors of opportunity for many renters. If you are transitioning from renter to homeowner, the prospect of making such a large investment may be exciting, while at the same time overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are six common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not understanding the homebuyi Read more:First
, Homebuyers
In-House Mortgage Lender or Finding your Own Financing? 2008-06-07 23:55:01 Finding a mortgage now-a-days is the most important task you face and I would contend it is even harder to find the loan program than finding your dream home. If you're buying a new home, your builder may offer you an incentive to use their preferred lenders. Being the cynical "Gen X'r" I have to always ask myself why would the builder not just come off the price if there are more incentives to be Read more:Financing
, House
, Lender
, Mortgage
Is Home Pricing Finally Becoming Affordable Again? 2008-06-06 15:03:55 According to economist Dr. Irwin Kellner, "The protracted decline in home prices has made many houses more affordable than they've been in years. You know what this means? Housing could shift from a buyer's market to a seller's market before you know it." He goes on to point out the obvious that this does not mean we will see a massive turn around from the present over inflated inventory levels a Read more:Again
, Becoming
, Finally
, Pricing
AVOIDING FORECLOSURE: YOU HAVE OPTIONS 2008-06-06 12:03:34 For Immediate Release June 05, 2008 Contact: corprel@freddiemac.com or (703) 903-3933Freddie Mac Offers Tips, Resources to BorrowersMcLean, VA – In light of the national mortgage crisis, Freddie Mac cautions homeowners that awareness is one of the keys to avoiding foreclosure. “By recognizing the warning signs of foreclosure and taking steps early, you can get help and hopefully save your home
LONG-TERM RATES NEARLY UNCHANGED IN FREDDIE MAC WEEKLY SURVEY 2008-06-06 12:01:45 For Immediate Release June 05, 2008 CONTACT: corprel@freddiemac.com or (703) 903-3933 McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.09 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending June 5, 2008, up very slightly from last week when it averaged 6.08 percent. Last yea Read more:SURVEY
Athens Area Neighborhood Search by RealtyTrac® 2008-06-03 16:30:23 Moving to Athens or the surrounding area anytime soon? The questions always come up as to where do we look for a home? Where do we want to spend the next years of our lives? Do you look at Appreciation Rates? It would be nice, especially if your next move is a short-term move to know the area that appreciates the most before you buy a home or invest. How about a small town feel versus urban w Read more:Neighborhood
, Search
Home Staging; A Possible Way to Move a House in a Slow Market 2008-06-02 08:35:38 According to Barbara Schwartz, Creator of Home Staging
(TM), "Home Staging is the very best proven way to get top dollar for your home as you prepare it for sale. Homes that are Staged with an ASP Professional Home Stager sell faster and for more money! This is because Staging sets the scene throughout the house to create immediate buyer interest in your property. This will then lead to your home Read more:House
, Market
, Possible
Avoid These Seller Mistakes 2008-05-28 22:53:56 By Hank Bailey®Prudential Blanton PropertiesYou want to get the best price for your home, plus sell it in the least amount of time. In a buyers’ market such as the one emerging now, homes will take longer to sell. Therefore, it’s important that you make the right moves at the very beginning of your homeselling process to remain competitive. Here are some common traps that many homeowners fall Read more:Avoid
, Seller
Ideas for Selling your Home in a Slow Market 2008-05-28 10:39:57 Consumer Reports, the trusted rater of goods and services, also offers information for homeowners through tried and true ways to quickly sell homes.Seek representation from a REALTOR who knows the area. Seek local agents know the area. Have several of them give you a presentation to justify your home's value and explain their marketing technique. Know your Market
. A good agent can help you unde
Many Issues to consider when Buying Foreclosures 2008-05-27 21:17:04 Properties in foreclosure are possibly damaged goods. When people go into default on their homes, some may tend not to care for the property. They may not maintain the property and could damage the property deliberately.Remember the term "As is." In a normal transaction, there are seller's disclosures. Sellers are liable for fraud if they lie, but that due diligence doesn't exist in foreclosures Read more:Buying
, Foreclosures
, Issues
Now Is A Great Time To Buy A Home 2008-05-26 19:12:59 By Hank Bailey, REALTORPrudential Blanton PropertiesIf you’re ready to buy a home and can afford it, now is a great time to buy. Mortgage interest rates remain very low. In many areas, buyers have a lot of inventory from which to choose and long-term homeownership continues to be one of the best ways for the typical American to build wealth. Don’t let all of the negative media attention about Read more:Great
, Great Time
Fannie Mae Announces Single National Down Payment Policy 2008-05-21 13:05:00 May 16, 2008 PRESS RELEASE Fannie Mae Announces Single National
Down PaymentPolicy
; Replaces Policy Regarding Markets Where Home Prices are Declining WASHINGTON, DC -- Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) today announced a new, national policy on down payment requirements for conventional, conforming mortgages the company will purchase or guarantee. Starting June 1, 2008, Fannie Mae will accept up to 97 perc
New Loan for that New Construction Completion Project or Fixer Upper 2008-07-08 09:42:24 If you have been looking at the foreclosure market thinking, "I have got to invest in a foreclosure," there is a new loan for that ConstructionCompletionProject
or FixerUpper
. For primary residential or qualified second home purchases, there is a loan in our marketplace that is targeted toward unfinished new construction properties in foreclosed status, but could be also used for a fixer upper
The Lending Climate has Tightened but There Are Options 2008-07-08 09:26:51 Some would-be buyers in today’s market might think that mortgages just aren’t available to them in today’s tighter lending climate, but buyers who are reasonable credit risks have more financing options than they might think. For starters, Federal Housing Administration loans are back. According to NAR data, FHA loan originations saw nearly a 60 percent increase in 2007, and in 2008, the pro Read more:Climate
, Lending
, Options
Spring and Summer Spaces Light Up Buyer Faces 2008-07-03 20:34:15 Today’s home buyers place apremium on outdoor spaces.According to the 2007 NARProfile of Buyer
s’ Home FeaturePreferences, half of all buyersthink a backyard or play area isvery important, one-third want apatio or porch, and more thanone in five are looking for adeck.But not all backyards are createdequal. Factors like style –whether the deck or patio iscompatible with the home’sarchitectur Read more:Spring
, Summer
Preparing Your Home for a Successful Open House 2008-07-03 11:19:13 By Hank Bailey®Prudential Blanton PropertiesBuyers are drawn to homes that appeal to their senses. This is important to remember when preparing your home for an Open House
. Through sight, sound and smell, buyers should leave your home with a lasting impression. Here are some tips to showcase your home in the best-possible light.Exterior Start outside by inspecting the front of your home from acro
Single and Looking 2008-07-01 11:08:52 Studies show that women are more financially and socially independent than ever before, and that more thanhalf of all adult women live without a partner. And for more and more of these single women, it’s housebefore spouse.According to NAR’s 2007 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, released last November at the annual REALTORS® Conference & Expo, one-fourth of all recent first-time home buyer
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