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Archive for December, 2009

December 16th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Foreclosure Activity Falls For The 4th Straight Month

Since peaking in July 2009, national foreclosure activity has dropped through 4 consecutive months.

On a month-to-month basis, November’s foreclosure activity fell another 8 percent.

However, national foreclosure activity continues to be dominated by a minority of states.

As reported by RealtyTrac.com, more than half of November’s foreclosure-related activity sourced from just 4 states:

1. California

2. Florida

3. Illinois

4. Michigan

These are the same 4 states that topped October’s foreclosure activity despite three of them posting month-to-month declines last month.

The remaining Top 10 states in terms of total foreclosure activity include Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Nevada and New Jersey.

If you’ve been actively looking at REO lately, you’ve likely noticed that true bargains are harder to find.  This is because buyers of all types — first-timers, move-ups, and investors — are purchasing bank-owned homes aggressively and getting better at identifying the “best ones”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Foreclosure, Foreclosures, GA, Georgia, Hiawassee, Home Sales, North Georgia Mountains, Real Estate, Real estate owned

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 16th, 2009Categories: Clients reVIEWS

Chad,

We had a contract less than six weeks after we listed out cabin with you. We consider this spectacular, given the current market.

You handled all aspects, from our initial contact through the closing, gracefully, personally, and professionally. We had a lengthy negotiation, with unexpected bumps in the road. Throughout this process, you provided knowledgeable guidance without imposing your opinions on us. You dealt well with the buyer’s agent. You were patient with us and the buyer.

We appreciated the data that you gave us to help us set an asking price. The weekly updates were also quite useful.

Your website aided in the sale, I am sure. It is far above the average Realtor presence on the web.

Thank you for your work, help, and friendship.

Jim and Maria

Jim,

It was an absolute pleasure working with you during the sale of your Cherry Log Mountain Cabin in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. You were a great listing client, listening to my advice and making the requested changes and repairs that ultimately helped with the quick sale of your cabin, even in a tough Buyer’s Market.

Thank you for your loyalty, kindness and your friendship as well. I look forward to building on our relationship as you begin to look for your new Mountain Home. I am also grateful for the gift of the book Footprints Across The South, that you authored and signed for me. I appreciate you so much.

Chad

Tags: Blairsville Realty, Cabin Sale, Chad Lariscy, Listing, North Georgia Mountains

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 8th, 2009Categories: Mortgage & Finance reVIEWS

How Do I Increase My 2009 Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction?

For many American homeowners, interest paid on a mortgage is tax-deductible in the year in which it was paid.

Knowing that, eligible homeowners can increase their 2009 tax deductions just by making their January 2010 mortgage payment before the end of the year.

By paying in 2009, the mortgage interest paid can be applied against 2009’s itemized tax deductions even though the payment isn’t technically due until 2010.

It can reduce your tax burden come Thursday, April 15, 2010.

And lest you think you’re paying the mortgage “in advance”, remember that mortgage interest is paid in arrears; a payment due January 1 accounts for interest that accumulated in December 2009 anyway.

Tax planning is a complicated issue and not all homeowners qualify for mortgage interest tax deductions. Check with your tax professional before making tax planning decisions.

If you don’t have an accountant you trust, call or email me anytime; I’m happy to make a recommendation to you.

Tags: Accounting, Business, Itemized deduction, Mortgage, Tax, Tax deduction, Taxation, United States

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 7th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Saturday I woke to two children screaming that there was snow outside! I rolled out of the bed…….mind you on a Saturday morning, and sure enough, it had snowed. It was a snow white winter land…..well except for the roads.

I am often asked in Real Estate, “How often does it snow in the North Georgia Mountains?” My usual reply is simple, “Sadly….Atlanta usually gets more than we do!” That is true to some degree. Now we have our fair share of light dustings, and occasional ice storms, but we don’t usually receive the kind of snow that most would think being here in the higher elevations of the mountains. I would say that our biggest winter hurdle here in North Georgia would be the freezing rains. It is extremely rare to have blizzards here in North Georgia. Our last blizzard, was the Blizzard of 1993 .

So if you are looking for a home for sale in Blairsville Georgia,  or a cabin for sale in Blue Ridge, GA. and you are expecting 4′ snow drifts, or to go out snowmobiling across the Appalachian Mountains, you better head a little more West!

If I can help you with any of your North Georgia Mountain Real Estate needs, I would be grateful for the opportunity to go to work for you. Please call me with any questions or concerns you may have at 877-633-8186, or you can Contact Me through this website.

Tags: Appalachian Mountains, Blizzard, Climate, Georgia, Ice storm, North Georgia, Real Estate, Snow Fall

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 7th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Home Tips

Watch CBS News Videos Online

As temperatures turn cooler and home heating systems get fired, homeowners should learn to recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to safeguard against it.

Carbon monoxide poisoning presents like the flu — headache, dizziness, and nausea.  As a result, many people confuse the two.

Sometimes, the consequences are fatal. Each year, carbon monoxide sends 40,000 Americans to the emergency room and, as we learn from CBS News, those that survive are far more likely to develop and die from heart disease later in life.

Stay safe in your home.

1. Don’t heat your home using your gas oven

2. Don’t leave a running car in your garage

3. Service your gas-burning appliances annually

And, most important, install carbon monoxide detectors near every bedroom in your home.

Related articles by Zemanta

• How To Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector (howcast.com)
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – What You Should Know (newswire.ca)

Tags: Carbon monoxide, Carbon monoxide poisoning, Heart disease, Nausea

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 5th, 2009Categories: Mortgage & Finance reVIEWS

Should I Consider A 15-Year Fixed Mortgage?

For today’s home buyers and homeowners that can manage the higher monthly payments, 15-year fixed rate mortgage rates look attractive as compared to comparable 30-year products.

The 15-year/30-year interest rate spread is near its 5-year high.

Despite lower rates, however, homeowners opting for a 15-year fixed mortgage should be prepared for its higher monthly payments.  This is because the principal balance of a 15-year fixed is repaid in half the years as with a standard, 30-year amortizing product.

As compared to 30-year terms, 15-year products repay 3 times as much principal each month.

Versus a 30-year, 15-year fixed mortgages have a few downsides worth noting.  The first is that, because 15-year mortgages are heavy on principal and light on interest, homeowners who itemize tax returns may have to claim a smaller mortgage interest tax deduction at tax time.

Another negative is that the sheer size of the payment.  If you run into fiscal trouble down the road, the only way to reduce the monthly obligation is to refinance into a 30-year product and that costs money to do.

In other words, be sure you can manage the payments over the long-term before you opt for a 15-year term.   If you can manage it, though, the rewards are tangible.

At today’s rates, a 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed costs $230 extra per $100,000 borrowed.

Tags: Business, Financial Services, Fixed rate mortgage, Interest rate, Mortgage, Refinancing, Tax, United States

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 4th, 2009Categories: Mortgage & Finance reVIEWS

As Unemployment Rates Fall, Mortgage Rates Rise

This morning’s jobs report is causing mortgage rates to rise, capping a week during which rates have already jumped 3/8 percent off all-time lows.

The government’s November Non-Farm Payrolls report reinforced the notion that the recession is nearly over, if not over already.

Just 11,000 jobs were lost last month — much fewer than analysts had expected — as the Unemployment Rate fell to 10.0%.

If it seems strange to be talking economic recovery while Americans are still losing jobs – 7.2 million since 2008 –  remember that data always needs context.

See, analysts view employment figures as a lagging indicator for the economy.  This is because business owners tend to make hiring decisions based on how business has been – not on how it will be at some point in the future.

The jobs report rarely reflects the “right now”.  As an example, job loss peaked in January 2009 – 4 months after the height of the financial crisis.

We saw the same pattern during the Recession of 2001.

According to government data, during the last recession, job loss peaked in October 2001 but the recession ended the very next month.  It wasn’t until October 2002 that employment went net positive on a monthly basis.

And this is why investors are cheering November’s jobs report. Better-than-expected numbers and a falling Unemployment Rate show that the economy is improving.

Unfortunately for rate shoppers, better-than-expected data is pushing mortgage rates higher.  Rates are expected to open 0.250% higher versus yesterday’s close.

Tags: Business, Economy, Employment, Financial crisis, Government, Recession, Unemployment, United States

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 4th, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Real Estate VIEWS

Pending Home Sales Data Forecasts Higher Home Values Ahead

When a home seller accepts a contract on an MLS-listed property, the property’s status changes from “Active” to “Pending”.

This means the home is scheduled to sell, but not yet sold.

Each month, the National Association of Realtors® tallies the number of pending homes and publishes the data as the Pending Homes Sales Index report.

In October, for the 9th straight month, the index gained. It’s the longest such streak in Pending Home Sales history.

Because a “pending” home sale is just a contract between buyer and seller, it’s not as important to the economy as actual home sales.  However, the Pending Home Sales Index can be a fine predictor of future activity.

Historically, 80 percent of homes under contract “close” within 60 days, and most others close within 120 days. Recent Existing Home Sales data corroborates this.  Home sales activity is at its highest pace in nearly 3 years.

The Pending Home Sales Index does have some shortcomings, though:

1. It doesn’t account for newly constructed homes, a small but important part of the real estate market

2. It doesn’t track For Sale By Owner properties and other non-MLS listed homes

3. Its sample set is small, measuring just 20 percent of all MLS-listed sales

Despite this, however, Pending Home Sales is a terrific measure of real estate market strength.  Homes are going under contract at a dizzying pace. It’s thinning out home inventory supplies and pressuring prices to rise.

This chain reaction is what makes Pending Home Sales Index worth tracking. As the number of homes under contract increase, home prices can’t be far behind.

I am hopeful that these national statistics and predictions will hold true for the Value of Homes in the North Georgia Mountains. If I can assist you with any of  your Real Estate needs in the North Georgia Mountains, please Contact Me or just pick up the phone and give me a shout! My number is 706.994.8686. I would be grateful for the opportunity to assist you with those needs. Should you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please bother me!

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: mountains, Multiple Listing Service, National Association of Realtors, North Georgia, Pending Home Sales Index, Real Estate, Real estate pricing, Sales

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 3rd, 2009Categories: Blairsville Georgia Real Estate reVIEWS, Family reVIEWS

Well the old saying that a picture speaks a thousand words holds true in this case. Santa came to visit Kaden and all of her friends at school yesterday, and I will let you be the judge on how things went.

Kaden is participating in a new program that started this year at the Union County High School. Rhonda Colwell heads up the Early Childhood Learning Center (ELCC) and is doing a fantastic job. She also has great help!  We appreciate so much Mrs. Dyer and Mrs. Collins along with all the Student Teachers.  They have assembled together as a great team for this wonderful new program for the Union County School System that has kicked off so successfully.

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students for occupations in early childhood care, education or any other field that may require working with young children. This program allows students the opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for furthering their education. The education courses in the classroom foster   laboratory components combine hands-on projects with a rigorous curriculum to prepare students for the most challenging programs including articulated credit through a partnerships with some USG institutions, work-based learning opportunities through the Youth Apprenticeship Program and other career- related activities, and, currently membership in the Family, Career & Community Leaders of America.  For more information about the Education Program, please contact Rhonda Colwell at 706-745-2216, EXT. 1122.

Please be sure to let these Teachers and Student Teachers know what an AWESOME JOB they are doing!

Tags: Curriculum, Early Childhood, Early Childhood Education, Education, Georgia, High school, Student, Union County

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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December 2nd, 2009Categories: Georgia Mountain Home Tips

I recently read an article in the November 11th edition of The North Georgia News on how to save our hemlocks that Donna Shearer wrote entitled “How Can Georgia Homeowners Save Their Hemlocks.” I know what some of you are thinking….”he is just now reading an article written back in November?” Actually, I read it several weeks ago, but slow to write about it myself here on “The Porch.”

Donna states that there are 3 things you can do if your hemlocks become infested with the woolly adelgid.

1. You could do nothing and your trees will die.

2. Treat them yourself.

3. Hire a professional to treat them.

Obviously treating them yourself is the most cost affective. This option involves a combination of simple cultural and chemical controls. Cultural controls are things you should be doing routinely to maintain the health of your trees. Things like spreading mulch around your trees, keeping them watered during times of drought. One good point that Donna made was NOT to hang bird feeders in or near Hemlocks as birds can be vehicles for hitchhiking adelgids. Also she points out to remove trees where there is overcrowding and to cut any infested trees that you do not plan to treat chemically.

Chemical controls fall into two categories, non-systemic and systemic. Non-systemic products are topical treatments such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils that are sprayed onto the foliage and kill insects usually by smothering them. Systemic products are applied to the soil, the foliage, or in some cases the bark; are absorbed and distributed throughout the tree; and then kill any insects that feed on the tree, providing residual protection for one to five years.

If your trees are highly infested and you really want to try and save them, you need to go ahead and hire a professional. Badly infested trees need to be treated with a stronger product called Safari. You will have to contract with a professional to have your trees treated with this product. You can visit this website and click on the Contacts page for a list of professionals in your area. In most cases, they will come out and give you a “Free” estimate to treat your infested trees.

Food for thought! Not treating your infested trees could cost you a whole lot more in the long run, not to mention all the aggravation.  For instance, having a large tree cut down, and completely hauled away could cost from $300 to as much or more than $1,500. Large trees such as Hemlocks can contribute 7% – 10% of your properties value. So on a $200,000 property, losing all the Hemlocks could cost as much as $14,000 – $20,000 or even more. Cha-ching!

So if you have hemlocks on your North Georgia Mountain Property, take the time to inspect them. If you detect that they are possibly infested, please look into treating them yourself or hiring a professional to do so. This will help keep our North Georgia Mountains beautiful…not to mention help hold the value of your property!

Thanks for stopping by “The Porch.” Please come on back by as often as you like, you are always welcome. If you have any Real Estate needs in the North Georgia Mountains, I would be grateful for the opportunity to assist you. Should you have any questions or concerns about anything in this article or generally related, I would be happy to answer those for you. You can Contact Me, or simply pick up the phone and call me at 877.633.8186.

Make it a GREAT day!

Tags: Hemlock Tree, Insect, Mulch, North Georgia Mountains, Real Estate, Soil, Tree, Woolly Adelgid

Written by Chad Lariscy//Discussion: Please leave a comment.

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