Professional Associate reVIEWS Category
10 Ways To Protect Yourself When Buying a Georgia Mountain Home – #4
There are few things in life as exciting as buying a North Georgia Mountain Home. However, since homes are one of the largest purchases most of us will ever make, home buyers should take reasonable steps to protect themselves in the home buying process. This series of posts will contain some general suggestions on how buyers can do this.
The information that I am providing to you is taken from Form F-13 Protect Yourself When Buying A Home from the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, Inc.
4. Have The Home Inspected For Termites And Other Wood Destroying Organisms
Termite damage to homes in North Georgia is very common. Before buying a home, buyers are therefore encouraged to have their homes inspected for evidence of termites and other wood destroying organisms. In Georgia, this inspection can only be performed by a Licensed Georgia Pest Control Operator. The results of the inspection should be contained in an official Georgia Wood Infestation Report, which among other things identifies areas in the house where there is evidence of both past and present infestation from termites and other wood destroying organisms.
Please check back soon for the 4th way to protect yourself when buying a home. Should you have any questions or concerns before then, please feel free to Contact Me, or call me at 706-994-8686 for any Real Estate advice you might be seeking.
Click Here – If you missed the #1 Way To Protect Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home
Click Here – If you missed the #2 Way To Protect Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home
Click Here – If you missed the #3 Way To Protest Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home
10 Ways To Protect Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home – # 2
There are few things in life as exciting as buying a North Georgia Mountain Home. However, since homes are one of the largest purchases most of us will ever make, home buyers should take reasonable steps to protect themselves in the home buying process. This series of posts will contain some general suggestions on how buyers can do this.
The information that I am providing to you is taken from Form F-13 Protect Yourself When Buying A Home from the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, Inc.
2. Have The Home Inspected By A Professional Home Inspector.
Home inspectors help buyers evaluate the condition of the home based upon one or more visual inspections of the property. Most homes have at least a few items that will need to be repaired and / or replaced. A professional home inspector can assist in identifying these items by performing an inspection of the property. Requests for repairs are normally received more favorably by sellers when the need for the repair has been documented in the report of a professional home inspector. Many home inspectors are members of professional associations that, among other things, require their members to perform standardized inspection of the property. Buyers are encouraged to ask inspectors about their qualifications and expertise in inspecting homes before selecting an inspector.
Please check back soon for the 3rd way to protect yourself when buying a home. Should you have any questions or concerns before then, please feel free to Contact Me, or call me at 706-994-8686 for any Real Estate advice you might be seeking.
Click Here – If you missed the #1 Way To Protect Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home
United Community Banks Tops In J.D. Power Study
United Community Banks Inc. was the highest ranked Southeastern bank in terms of customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study published Thursday.
Blairsville, Ga.-based United Community Banks (NASDAQ: UCBI) scored an 815 and “among the best” ranking in the annual study. The Southeast average score was 768.
The scores are based on an 1,000-point scale. The study analyzes customer satisfaction with the retail banking experience based on account activities, account information, facility, fees, problem resolution and product offerings.
Congratulations UCB!
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Don't Leave Tax Credits On The Table!
Taxes are due April 15 and if you’re among the millions of Americans who wait until the last week to file, here’s a video interview that could help you reduce your federal tax liability.
Originally broadcast by NBC’s The Today Show, the 4-minute piece reviews various tax credits and deductions, plus some recent tax law changes. A few of the topics covered include:
- Tax filers receiving larger “personal exemptions” in 2009 versus 2008
- Unemployment income recipients being required pay taxes beyond the first $2,400 received
- The “first time” home buyer credit being extended to non-first time home buyers for up to $6,500
The interview also talks about how taking a parent, child or other family member into your home may change your tax filing status and reduce your tax liability.
Even if you’ve filed your taxes already, watch the video above. You may find that you missed a potential deduction. If that’s the case, consider filing an amended return with the IRS to recapture the credits you left on the table. Most times, the benefits of re-filing will outweigh the costs of doing it.
Be sure to talk with your tax professional for personal tax advice.
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"Sold" or "Price Reduced" You Decide?
Today (which should have been about a week ago……sorry about that Tonia) I have the pleasure of introducing to you a North Georgia Mountain Native girl who left us (momentarily) for the Big City to pursue her career in Home Staging. I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with Tonia through my social media networking. She has graciously accepted my invitation to guest author a post here on “The Porch!” So without further a due, please meet Tonia Mosteller of Redesign + More of Charlotte, NC.
“Home Staging” is not a new term and it is not interior design, but for many homeowners and real estate agents the concept of “Professional Home Staging” is shedding new light on how to promote a home in the real estate marketplace. In past years, homeowners were left to their own discretion as far as preparing for home showings. How important is it to you for a fast sell? Is your home holding you back?
While Realtors(R) are experts in the field of selling and closing, many do not have the extra time to focus on the staging a home, this is why we offer a Realtor(R) Partnership Program to help provide an outstanding service to local Real Estate companies in the counties we service. At Redesign + More we don’t sell homes, we are experts at helping Realtors(R) sell homes, therefore providing you with a happy client and a fast sell! Your clients are important to you and important to us. Let us show them how home staging can cost considerably less than their ” first price reduction“. Offering your clients a home staging consultation as a listing incentive will set you apart and give your listings the most competitive edge in the market.
What is Home Staging?
Professional home stagers are experts in the “art” of preparing a home for resale and appeal to the largest number of buyers. Home staging transforms a home by highlighting the best features and creating warmth, eliminate clutter, edit and arrange furniture, and even create “slam on the brakes” curb appeal for your home. With the aid of a professional home stager, your house can make a notable first impression on potential home buyers. For vacant homes, home staging with just the right amount of accessories and furniture creates a living space the buyer can “see” themselves living in. Properly executed staging leads the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws and creates a fast sell.
Top 5 Benefits for a Realtor(R) to use a Professional Home Stager
1. Avoid having to communicate negative aspects of your client’s home.
2. Marketing exposure for your listing that will provide national exposure, will be featured on our website and other sites with a link to your listing page.
3. It’s a fact! Staged homes are shown more often, increasing Realtor(R) exposure.
4. Staging your listings builds a reputation for excellence in marketing.
5. Save money and precious time: Shorter marketing time means less money spent on advertising and earn more commission.
Staged Listings sell quicker and receive higher offers than non-staged homes.
First Impressions
As the real estate industry often stresses, the “first impression” is the key factor in selling your home. A potential buyer has made up their 
mind 15 seconds after they step in the front door. They were already forming an opinion of your home as they pulled into your driveway! That really doesn’t leave too much room for fault does it? Remember, “The way you live in your home, and the way you market and sell your house are two different things.”
“To achieve the greatest possible outcome,” a home should always be presented at its best the first time around. So make your home stand out from the rest, and set the stage. You shouldn’t worry about the stresses of getting your home ready for the market. Did you know in most cases home staging is LESS than your first price reduction? Which would you prefer “Sold” or “Price Reduced”? Contact Me or give me a call today at 704.651.8878 for your home staging consultation.
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