Welcome to our Atlanta real estate blog dedicated to providing fresh posts, articles, and how-to’s for home sellers and buyers. Also keeping you up-to-date on the latest trends in the Intown Atlanta real estate market and the surrounding Midtown Atlanta markets.
Are You Planning to Buy or Rent a Home Built Before 1978? Did you know that many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint? Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards. Read this entire brochure to learn: • How lead gets into the body • About health effects of lead •
Suggestions for the Prospective Homebuyer This brochure was prepared courtesy of the Georgia Association of REALTORS® to help buyers with the home buying process. The recommendations herein are general in nature and are not intended to be exhaustive. Some of the recommendations may not apply to specific properties. Buyers are encouraged to consult with experts
How to price to sell and still make a profit The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your Atlanta real estate agent’s knowledge of the overall market and what’s selling – or not
One of the crimes most frequently reported to the police is residential burglary. It’s also the most preventable. It doesn’t take much or cost much to out-smart most burglars. They’re usually not professionals, but rather people taking advantage of an easy target. Burglars may do more than steal things. If they’re surprised by someone coming
Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have? Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction.
Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, “Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?” For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For
Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. A home inspection is an evaluation of a home’s condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an
Yes – you must disclose. When the time comes to sell your Atlanta home, you will be asked to fill out a disclosure statement that will list “material facts” about problems you are aware of regarding the condition and history of your home. Both federal and state laws govern what must be disclosed during a
Deciding how much house you can afford Your lender decides what you can borrow but you as the home buyer decides what you can afford. Lenders are careful, but they make qualification decisions based on averages and formulas. They won’t understand the nuances of your lifestyle and spending patterns quite as well as you do.
Owning a home is one of the most important parts of the American dream, but having the deed to a piece of land does not necessarily mean the property is yours free and clear. Other people may have certain prior rights or claims that your deed will not erase. Such rights can go back all
Increasing your home’s appeal Remember the 60-second rule: That’s all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal. Exterior * Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter. * Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds. * Apply fresh
Opting for new home construction Whether to buy an existing home or have one built is yet another decision to make during the home-buying process. If you decide to go with new construction, a real estate agent can be a powerful advocate in your corner as you negotiate upgrades, a move-in date and other terms
An appraiser is a professional person who can tell you what your home is worth. The appraiser will come to your house and list the number and size of the rooms and any extras, such as a fireplace, porch, pool, or garage. The appraiser will compare your home and property to other homes that have
Practicing good seller’s etiquette Let’s face it: When your house goes on the market, you’re not only opening the door to prospective buyers, but also sometimes to unknown vendors and naive or unqualified buyers. As with any business transaction, there is an expected protocol to how home sellers, buyers and their respective real estate agents
Understanding the buyer As the home seller, you can control three factors that will affect the sale of your home: * The home’s condition * Asking price * Marketing strategy However, it’s important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a home buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when
If you own your own home, the thought has probably crossed your mind: if you were to be offered your dream job out of state, should you sell or rent your home? Naturally there are many factors to weigh before making such an important decision. You’ll want to think about your reasons for keeping ownership