Today, January 6, Fannie Mae launched WaysHome^TM, a new interactive video to educate homeowners about their options to avoid foreclosure, motivate them to make the right decisions, and encourage them to seek help. WaysHome is part of Fannie Mae’s Know Your Options^TM consumer initiative to help today’s struggling homeowners and is available on KnowYourOptions.com.

Explore WaysHome™, an interactive video simulation to help you learn about the options to avoid foreclosure.

You’ll play the part of a homeowner—in real-life, everyday situations—who is struggling to make their payments and avoid foreclosure. Make decisions about what you should do, and experience the positive outcomes or negative consequences of the choices you make. Helpful tips and advice are also included along the way.

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.

The Final and Most Important way to Protect Yourself in my own humbled opinion.

10. Choose A REALTOR®

A REALTOR® can help guide buyers through the process of buying a home. REALTORS® typically have valuable knowledge regarding the price at which other homes in a neighborhood sold, and how to negotiate various terms in a purchase and sale agreement and the features of different homes. REALTORS® can also provide buyers with and help them fill out a pre-printed purchase and sale agreement form. REALTORS® routinely work with and, upon request, can provide buyers with the names of attorneys, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, termite companies and persons providing other services relating to real estate transactions. REALTORS® agree to abide by a Code of Ethics in their professional dealings. Therefore, when buyers need help in finding the right home, they should always choose a REALTOR® First!

I do hope and trust that you have found this series of advice to Home Buyers not only in the North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Market, but typically anywhere. 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.

If you missed the First 9 Ways To Protect Yourself When Buying A Mountain Home, Please Click below to catch up on those.

#1 Reason; #2 Reason; #3 Reason; #4 Reason;  #5 Reason; #6 Reason; #7 Reason; #8 Reason and #9 Reason.

Foreclosures are a big part of the housing market, with distressed properties accounting for 35 percent of all home resales last month, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

But for as common as foreclosures can be, they remain a localized concern. Data from foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac shows that more than half of last quarter’s foreclosures came from just 19 metropolitan areas, with the Miami-Fort Lauderdale are accountable for the largest number of filings.

A “foreclosure filing” is defined as a default notice, scheduled auction, or bank repossession.

On a per-household basis last quarter, the Las Vegas area was hardest hit. 1 in every 25 households received some form of foreclosure notice.

The RealtyTrac report features other interesting figures, too:

• California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada account for the top 10, and19 of the top 20 metro areas for foreclosures
• Compared to Q3 2009, foreclosure activity dropped in 72 metro areas, including No. 2 Cape Coral/Fort Myers, FL
• Foreclosure activity dropped 1 percent from Q3 2009 in the nation’s 20 most-populated cities

And, despite a 27 percent increase in foreclosures from the second quarter, Utica/Rome, NY posted the lowest foreclosure rate in the nation — 1 for every 8,003 households.  The next closest city, Charleston, WV, posted 1 for every 2,600 households, by comparison.

Foreclosures, like everything in real estate, are local.  For instance here in the North Georgia Mountains, Foreclosures have made up 49% of the sales in Towns County, 41% in Union County, 39% in Gilmer County and 32% in Blue Ridge located in Fannin County.  And buying them is “different” from buying a typical home resale. If you’re planning to buy a foreclosed home, Call Me at 877.633.8186 for specific experience with homes in foreclosure. Professional advice is helpful.

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.

9. Consider Purchasing A Home Warranty

Georgia Law does not the seller of either a new or existing home to provide the buyer with a home warranty. However, it is common for builders to offer some type of limited warranty to buyers as part of the sale of a new home. Buyers should review the terms of any warranty that is offered to understand its benefits and limitations. If the seller is not offering a warranty, buyers can normally purchase a limited warranty on both new and existing homes as part of the purchase price of the home.

Please check back soon for the 10th and Final 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.

If you missed the First 8 Ways To Protect Yourself When Buying A Mountain Home, Please Click below to catch up on those.

#1 Reason; #2 Reason; #3 Reason; #4 Reason;  #5 Reason; #6 Reason; #7 Reason and #8 Reason.

Whaoooooo! Who would have ever thought that I, Chad Lariscy would ever write 500 Blog Posts? Not me. Actually, now that I think about it, I didn’t, or haven’t yet. However either way you look at it, I have reached my 500th Post on The Front Porch View.

I can remember when I first began blogging back in the latter part of 2007 and beginning of 2008. I thought to myself after reaching Post #2….”now what in the world am I going to blog about?” Well, there maybe a lot of hog wash in some of my posts, but I got to say that most are relevant and pertain to the North Georgia Real Estate Market.

I have somehow managed to continue posting about Community Events, Market Reports and provide meaningful advice to thousands would be North Georgia Mountain Cabin Buyer’s and Seller’s in the Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville and Hiawassee Georgia Real Estate Markets.

I would like to Thank all of my “Porch Buddies” who continue to come back and visit. Thank You, and I look forward to number 1,000!

As you can see from the report above, the Union County Residential Median Income continues to slide. This report shows that Blairsville Homes For Sale have seen a 35% drop in the median sales price from this time last year. The Union County Median Sales Price is $103,500. No change in the number of transactions within Union County with 28 Homes Sold in October 2010. November points to somewhat more of a promising month, as our number of Homes Under Contract increased by 10% to a total of 34.

Union County currently has 730 Homes For Sale, that is an decrease by 112 from this time last year. The number of New Properties is also down 25% from 80 to 60. The Average Days On Market  had a slight increase of 3%. And finally, the Months Supply of Inventory came to a little of a surprise being down 23%

If you would like any additional information that is not provided in this post, please Contact Me and I will do my best to answer any and all questions that you have. Thank you for viewing this North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Market Report.

]]> http://thefrontporchview.com/2010/10/09/october-2010-union-county-residential-market-report/feed/ 0 http://thefrontporchview.com/2010/10/02/10-ways-to-protect-yourself-when-buying-a-mountain-home-5/ http://thefrontporchview.com/2010/10/02/10-ways-to-protect-yourself-when-buying-a-mountain-home-5/#comments Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:27:46 +0000 Chad Lariscy http://www.thefrontporchview.com/?p=2379 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.

5. Thoroughly Investigate Issues Of Concern.

There are many other tests and studies Buyers can do in deciding whether to purchase a property. These include, for example, a radon test to determine if the home has elevated levels of radon, mold tests to determine if the property has high levels of certain kinds of dangerous mold, tests for lead based paint (normally only a concern with properties built prior to 1978, when the use of lead based paint was outlawed.), well water tests when the property is served by well water and septic systems inspections when the property is served by septic system.

Many factors can affect the value of a property and the ability of an owner to use and enjoy it. These include, for example, the school district in which the property is located, whether the property is subject to flooding, the availability and cost of property insurance, whether the property is subject to recorded covenants and the nature of those covenants, the governmental jurisdiction in which the property is located and whether the property is on a historic registry or in a special tax or zoning district.  Before buying a home, buyers are encouraged to use reasonable diligence to investigate the properties they are buying for issues of special concern to them.

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

Click Here – If you missed the #4 Way To Protect Yourself When Buying A Georgia Mountain Home

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

Springtime brings lots of sunshine, warmer weather, May showers and plenty of opportunities for home staging. Make the most of this season and prepare you home for sale. Use these fresh updates that are sure to attract potential buyers to your home.

Create Curb Appeal

You have an open window when you’re selling in the spring; you need to get your yard in shape as quickly as possible to take advantage of the fresh and sunny spring days. Clear winter yard debris, and get frost-resistant plants that won’t be affected if a late cold spells and make sure they work in your planting zone. Harmonize with your home’s surroundings such as your landscape and other homes in your neighborhood. Coordinate your exterior paint colors with your home’s existing features-roof shingles, stone or brick. Remember your home’s appeal starts at the curb! Create an unforgettable first impression.

Bring The Outdoors In

Spring is a beautiful and colorful season but it is also a fragrant one too. Bring the amazing aroma indoors and add them to your rooms. Scents have a profound effect on mood, so infusing scent into your decor with diffusers, candles, fresh cut plants/flowers, or incense can change the overall feeling of a space and not to mention the natural beauty you have added to your space. Plus, most of the time it doesn’t cost you a thing, unless you make a trip to your nursery or local Farmer’s Market.

Bring On The Spring Season

It’s the time to store away those heavy and dark winter flannel comforter and pull out crisp linens with coverlets for color. Bring in the spring with colorful prints or solids in your bedding. Don’t forget to add accent pillows for style and comfort.

De-Clutter Those Closets

OK, stand back and look at your closets….Does your bulky winter clothes take up lots of space and do you have shoes all over the floor? De-clutter your closets and create a roomy place a buyer can envision their personal belongings fitting in. You’ll impress buyers with all that space and we all can appreciate lots of closet space.

Spruce Up The Entryway

Buy some planters with beautiful seasonal plants and anchor to each side of the door. Consider a new welcome mat if your mat didn’t make it through the winter months. Does your entryway have cob webs and does your door need a new coat of paint? Set the stage for your potential buyers, your entryway is the center of attention when buyers first step into your home. Create the right and first impression!

No Better Time For Spring Cleaning

Open those windows and let the fresh air in, spruce up your rooms this spring, so clean, clean, clean! A sparkling home will impress buyers and make your home seem even more appealing, not to mention it will make you feel great too.

When preparing your home for the Real Estate Market, think about this…

What season will my home be most desirable? If you’re selling a beach, mountain or lake home, homes will be most in-demand in the early spring and summer months but a ski chalet at a beautiful ski resort would make more buyers bite during wintertime.

Many buyers prefer to move in the spring or summer, the market starts to heat up as early as February. Families with children are eager to buy so they can move during summer vacation, before the new school year begins.

It’s a Buyers Market; Create that unforgettable First Impression for your home this Spring.

Redesign + More can transform your home this Spring by “Setting The Stage” in Northeast Georgia, North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and South Carolina.

Tonia Mosteller

704.651.8878

Photography courtesy of Nada Bunnell