Serving the Real Estate Needs of Cobb County and the North Atlanta Area

Archive for the 'Helpful Tips' Category

Attention Home Sellers: Use This Staging Technique To Neutralize Personal Photos

In today’s competitive housing market, making your home for sale standout is critical.  Every home has it’s own set of features and challenges.  Some of these challenges can not be overcome directly (size of rooms, lot location, school district) while others require just a little bit of creativity and perspective.

As a buyer’s and listing agent, I am constantly reading other real estate blogs and websites looking for new ways to make my client’s experience better.  I cam across a blog post by a stage who suggested a creative way to remove the distraction of family photos without necessarily having to strip the walls bare. Staging a home is so important because you need to accentuate the positive features of your home and minimize any distractions that might cause the buyer to move on. READ THE REST OF THE STORY

Home Buyer Tip #5-Buy or Sell First

Home Buyer Tips

These tips answer many common home buyer questions.  They apply to whether your buying a high rise condo in Atlanta, a townhome in Smyrna or a single family home in Marietta or anywhere in Georgia.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The classic dilemma for many homeowners is whether to buy or sell first.

There is no “right” answer. It depends on your specific circumstances and finances.

Most homeowners agree that it’s more prudent and less stressful if you sell your existing home before you buy a new one. However, if a great buying opportunity presents itself, you might consider buying first.  Then, you can be more aggressive in selling your current home knowing you have already secured a good deal on the buying side.

If you sell your current home first but haven’t found the right new home, you may need to rent for a period of time until you find the right home.  Having cash in hand is always an advantage and may allow you to negotiate better terms since you are now waiting for your other home to sell.  No one wants to move twice but sometimes it can have an advantage.

If you currently own a home, I would be happy to provide you with a current market valuation so you know what your home is worth today. I can provide you with a precise valuation by briefly visiting your home.

Please call or email me when you’re ready to discuss your options or if you would like a valuation of your current home. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions.

RELATED POSTS:

All Home Buyer Tips

Home Buyer Tip #4-Items To Consider

Home Buyer Tips

These tips answer many common home buyer questions.  They apply to whether your buying a high rise condo in Atlanta, a townhome in Smyrna or a single family home in Marietta or anywhere in Georgia.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

When we begin looking for a home, we often get wrapped up in the physical details like style, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and amenities. But we don’t always consider the quality of life issues that may impact your ability to enjoy the home. Here are some other things you should keep in mind:

* Transportation is an important consideration that’s often overlooked. Consider traffic flow and commute time.

* Recreational facilities such as playgrounds, parks, and pools are important to many people. Are they nearby? Is there a fee for these amenities?

* How far is the grocery store, day care and school?

Be realistic. There are no perfect homes. Decide what’s most important to you, and make sure you find a home that has the essential features that you require. Be prepared to compromise on some of the items on your wish list in order to get others.

As your personal real estate consultant, I will help you identify the key items and assist you in prioritizing them. When you’re ready to purchase a home, I’ll be happy to answer any questions and help you find a house that truly feels like a home to you.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions.

RELATED POSTS:

All Home Buyer Tips

Home Buyer Tip #3-Making A Move

Home Buyer Tips

These tips answer many common home buyer questions.  They apply to whether your buying a high rise condo in Atlanta, a townhome in Smyrna or a single family home in Marietta or anywhere in Georgia.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

When you’re thinking about making a move, here are a few things you should consider:

* Being clear on why you are moving.

* Deciding when you want to make your move.

* Considering how much money you would like to spend.

* Thinking about what type of home you would like .

* Deciding where you would like to live.

The next step is usually finding out how much you can qualify for and deciding the type of financing that will work best for you. I am happy to refer you lenders I work with who can answer your questions and get you pre-approved.

As you get more serious about buying, you will want to speak with a lender about getting pre-approved. The lender will determine how much you can borrow based on financial information you provide.

Once you’re ready to start the process, I’d be happy to meet with you help outline your goals and needs and discuss the what to expect during the buying process. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me for additional information about the buying process. My goal is to provide you with practical information as you consider your next move. And, when you’re ready to make your move, I’ll help you find your dream home and handle all the details of the transaction, so all you need to do is pack!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions.

RELATED POSTS:

All Home Buyer Tips

Home Buyer Tip #2-Wish List

Home Buyer Tips

These tips answer many common home buyer questions.  They apply to whether your buying a high rise condo in Atlanta, a townhome in Smyrna or a single family home in Marietta or anywhere in Georgia.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

What type of home are you looking for?


There are so many factors to consider that it is important to have an idea of what you want and need before you begin looking. As a real estate professional, part of the service I provide is to assist you in making a checklist of your needs and prioritizing this list with you.

The list below may help you clarify your thinking on what is important to you when you are ready to purchase.

* What type of neighborhood would you like to live in?

* What monthly payment are you comfortable with?

* What type of home interests you? (one-story, two-story, split-entry, townhouse, condo)

* What style appeals to you? (contemporary, traditional, ranch)

* Are schools a factor?

* How long of a commute are you comfortable with?

* How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?  How many do you want?

* What features are important to you? (basement, fenced yard, office, etc.)

* What about exterior features such as # of garages, corner lot, cul de sac?

* Which of these are MUST have and which are NICE to have?

When you are ready to start your search, I will be happy to help you find a home that meets your needs. My goal is to make this a fun and enjoyable experience and to use my experience to find you the right home.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions.

RELATED POSTS:

All Home Buyer Tips

Home Buyer Tip #1-Buying A Home

Home Buyer Tips

These tips answer many common home buyer questions.  They apply to whether your buying a high rise condo in Atlanta, a townhome in Smyrna or a single family home in Marietta or anywhere in Georgia.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
When is the right time to buy?

People buy homes for a variety of reasons. Some want to become established in a community or to provide a more permanent home for their family. Others are motivated by good schools or commute time. And, many know that real estate is a good long-term investment.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY

Archived Posts
Georgia Mortgage Rates