Take Advantage of a Hot Housing Market!
It’s hard to believe that just four years ago there were more than 100,000 listings in Metro Atlanta. Now there are fewer than 40,000. What does this mean to the ever-changing housing market? Just remember your basic laws of economics of supply and demand. From our perch here in relocation, we’re seeing a definite surge in demand for homes throughout our market area. The low inventory has become a problem for transferees moving into the Atlanta market because they might find a home they like, but there’s already an offer on it. We’re also...
read moreHow to Green Your Cleaning Routine
With the extra hour this weekend – due to the ending of daylight savings time – I decided to do a little cleaning around the house. I always try to think of the environment whenever I’m doing things around my home, and cleaning is no different. There are a variety of environmentally friendly ways to clean your home. There’s an increasing array of green cleaning products, and you can feel good about lessening your own environmental impact while keeping harmful chemicals out of your home. You can even take it a step further and make your own...
read moreHomeowners with Foreclosures and Short Sales Could See a Tax Increase in 50 Days!
If the Debt Relief Act of 2007 is not extended, 2013 could be a very Unhappy New Year for homeowners who have foreclosures and short sales! New headlines are warning of a financial cliff that is approaching with the end of 2012, and the real estate industry will be hit particularly hard! It’s the expiration of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 was enacted on Dec. 20, 2007. The Act protected homeowners from paying income taxes on the deficiency difference between what they sell...
read moreHow Much Home Can You Afford?
Are you gearing up to buy a home? Now is a great time to make a move in the real estate market. Interest rates are at historic lows. Compare today’s 30-year fixed-rate average of between 3 and 4 percent to the 13 to 18 percent rates of the 1980’s and you’ll see why everyone is buzzing about the great deals to be had! Additionally, homes are now at their most affordable on record. This is because home values have dropped across much of the nation. There is also a huge supply of distressed properties on the market which sell...
read moreSell Your Home With Strategically Placed Artwork
Taste in art is incredibly subjective. If your home even slightly resembles a museum, consider that one person’s treasure can be another’s trash. When getting ready to sell your home, it’s important to keep the artwork simple so that you can get the best selling price. Before listing your property, consider having a candid chat with your Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers sales associate, or a close friend. Both can give you a better sense of pieces destined for the Guggenheim, and those better suited for the basement....
read moreYour Home-buying Strategy
Buying a home is both exciting and sometimes stressful…whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an expert at it. The key to reducing the stress and successfully finding the home that matches your wants, needs, and budget is to have a home-buying strategy. A home-buying strategy serves to keep you focused, in line with your goals, and on financial track. It can function much like a marketing strategy does for a company. It contains the important tasks, outlines your objectives in buying a home, your must-haves in a...
read moreWhat Influences Credit Scores
It’s a three-digit number that carries a lot of influence over your future. It can dictate whether or not you’ll qualify for a home, car, or business loan. It can also be the deciding factor in whether or not you qualify for a low interest rate. What exactly is a credit score and what factors contribute to its number? A credit score is a number from 200 to 800 that reflects your payment and borrowing history. Are you a big spender? Do you make payments faithfully and on time? It’s what lenders use to decide a number of...
read moreThe Facts about the 3.8% Real Estate Tax in Health Care Law
You might have heard rumors or received e-mails stating that all real estate sales would have a new tax in 2013 due to the passage of the Health Care Law. Here are the basic facts: Yes, there is a new 3.8% tax that is part of the recently passed Health Care Bill. Yes, this new tax comes into effect January 1, 2013. No, this is not a transfer tax that will be charged on all real estate sales. The tax will only impact individuals who have more than $200,000 adjusted gross income (AGI) and joint tax filers who have more than $250,000 AGI on...
read moreInsurance for “Big Boy” Toys
by Glen Curry They say the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Many households have these high priced toys in them and never think about whether or not they have the proper insurance to protect them. We buy an insurance policy to protect our assets in case we get hit with a claim that could bring about financial harm. Let’s review. If we mess up and have an accident that is our fault, we legally owe the people we harm for their lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering. We also owe them to put their property...
read moreOutdated Design Features That Have to GO!
by Tisha Gay I just read a wonderful article on the Zillow Blog titled “Wanted Dead or Alive: 10 Criminally Outdated Design Features”, and although it was funny, it was also insightful. It’s amazing that I still see a lot of these features in listing photos today! The author discussed several features that might have been big during the 80’s and 90’s, but are surefire killers today. She hit on three of my biggest pet peeves as far as home features go: Wood paneling, fluorescent lighting and gold-plating. If you’re trying to sell your home,...
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