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Author Archive

Marketing your real estate brand has evolved over the last few years and has a bit more complicated. Years ago most business was done in the local market and with local people. Most people knew one another and it wasn’t difficult to know where to go to get something done. Today, people do business all over the world and most have to "search" to know where to get something done or where to purchase something. Most of the time in real estate agents were told to brand themselves and to make sure everyone knew there name and that name implied real estate. If you need more info on Chapel Hill homes please visit www.chapelhillrealty.com for a full service brokerage that knows the area and can help you with all your needs.

Many realtors bought domain names with the names in them and began pushing themselves as the brand. That type of branding only works in the local market with local people that know you. Most home owners go to the internet and are not searching realtors, they are searching homes. Since "search’ is all about keywords, most realtors didn’t have their keywords in their domains and as a result lost out on a lot of visits to their sites. It’s similar to car dealerships, where people want to search without the bothering of a salesman. People want to search homes without an agent. Eventually they will end up with an agent, but it’s not what they are searching for up front. With that said you still need to be visible, in the areas where people are searching. This way when they are ready to buy they have a familiar agent/brokerage that they have seen numerous times throughout their search journey. We would love to help you in your search, so if you’re at that place and you are looking in the Chapel Hill area please visit our website at Chapel Hill Realty, where you can search and find numerous homes to choose from.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Choosing a real estate agent is not always an easy choice. Most try to use friends, family, or referrals from friends and family. This may certainly keep your friendships and family relationships in tack; it may not always sell your house. For more real estate tips please visit our website at Augusta Listing Expert, where you will find buying and selling tips and a whole lot more.

In choosing a real estate agent you need to look at a couple of different things. One thing you need to know is that not all agents utilize the same marketing techniques. Since exposure for your house is the number one way that you house is going to get noticed, it is important for you to choose an agent that has a marketing plan that will gain you maximum exposure to potential buyers. You will need to ask the agent what they do to get exposure for your house. Be careful that they don’t just put your house on the MLS and hope someone calls them on it. That is not enough to sell your house. Find out if the agent uses magazines, email campaigns, internet marketing, etc.. to gain exposure to your house. Make sure they have their own website and that it ranks well in the search engines. There is no sense having your home listed on a website that is never visited or can’t be found on Google.

Also, a good idea is to ask how many houses the agent has sold recently or within the last year. If an agent is selling homes, they must be doing something right. All agents are not the same. Some sell and some don’t. You want to make sure you with an agent that sells. In the market we are in right now, with things being slow, the good agents will thrive and the bad agents will flounder, or go part time. You don’t want a part time agent trying to sell you home. Just remember not all agents are the same and you need to ask a lot of questions about their marketing plan. Once satisfied, go for it, if not look for another agent. You can find more at www.augustalistingexpert.com, and you can browse featured properties while you’re there.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Real Estate rates are low and that means good news for the potential home buyer. It’s times like these when you need to take advantage of the rates and lock in for the long haul. Who knows what these rates will be like next year, so if you’re in the market to buy, now may be a good time to take some hard looks. If you would like to know more please visit www.teamjodi.com for information about the real estate market. I know it sounds like a cliché to hear a Realtor say it is a good time to buy; but really, “It is a Good Time to Buy.” 

10-year mortgage rates are at an all time low.  See the chart below that was done for me by Jim Enright with First Financial Services in Chapel Hill.

CONFORMING:

30 Yr Fixed    4.0%                                                   

15 Yr Fixed    3.75%                                                 

7/1 Arm           3.125%                                              

5/1 Arm           2.75%

JUMBO:

30 Yr Fixed   4.875%

15 Yr Fixed   4.25%

7/1 Arm         4.0%

There is no way to tell how long these incredible rates will last.  You can learn more about Durham homes for sale and Chapel Hill real estate at our website www.teamjodi.com. Six years ago, I thought rates where low when I got a 20 year loan for 4.875. I never thought I would see rates go lower than that.

Combine the low mortgage rates with an excess of inventory and this equals a buyers market.  In fact, you have the perfect recipe for it being the right time to buy.  In Chapel Hill, for example, overall, there is a 9 month supply of inventory.  See the chart below for a break down by price range for single family homes.

Interested in knowing your homes value or getting a snapshot of the market, visit www.ChapelHillHomeValues.com or www.TriangleHomeValue.com.

Interested in looking for a home in Chapel Hill, Durham or the surrounding area, visit www.TriangleHomeSearch.net and register for an auto home search with emails sent to you every time a property comes on the market that meets your criteria or when their is a price or status change in properties of interest.

These are great tools for tracking the real estate market!

Popularity: 3% [?]

So we are in a down economy and real estate prices have tanked into double digits in the last few years. If you are trying to sell your house what are you going to do? There are a lot of houses on the market right now and that includes a boat load of foreclosures. If the competition is so stiff for selling a home and your having trouble finding a buyer, you might want to try and do something that makes you stand out. There are a lot of different ways to make your home stand out above the rest and the most overlooked and easiest to remedy is curb appeal. You can learn more at www.augustalistingexpert.com If the buyer can’t get passed the first impression than you will lose them immediately. Tidy up the outside, mow your lawn, trim your bushes, run the edger to make clean lines, add some fresh flowering plants to make the outside look warm and friendly. If you don’t have landscaping, then I would suggest you get some. You should be able to cover the cost of the landscaping in the sale of your house. If you have leaves on the ground, rake them up or sweep them away. I have even seen a service that will paint your lawn green to give it that clean fresh look of a healthy lawn. If you need to do some touch up paint then make that happen.

These are little things that can make a world of difference in selling your home and making it stand out above the rest. You have to make sure they remember your house when there are so many to choose from. So think to yourself what you can do to make your house memorable. You will be glad you did when that contract that you have been waiting for finally arrives. If you would like to know more about preparing your house to sell please visit the Augusta Listing Expert for more information and check out our sellers resources page.

Popularity: 3% [?]

It’s no question that the recovery of our economy is taking it’s time. Every sector seems to be slow to jump back up and act like normal. Everyone is so cautious about spending and that transcends over into real estate. Real estate is a big purchase and people are afraid to purchase big ticket items when the future seems uncertain. If you would like to know more about real estate in Chapel Hill please visit www.chapelhillrealty.com. It will probably be a long time before we see the recovery that everyone is hoping for. There are some high points though in some real estate markets. Houses and condo pending sales in the greater Miami-South Dade area increased by close to 41 percent in the last year. Washington DC and much of Texas also saw an increase in pending sales, with the entire southern area showing an increase of around 3.7 percent.

So there is not all bad news to report. These numbers at least show us that there are changes taking place and for some that is all they need for them to be secure enough to go out and purchase again. If fact the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that application for new loans increased by 2 percent and FHA loan applications are up by 3 percent.

These are modest gains, but gains none the less. With the unemployment rate declining hope is being restored slowly. There is still a lot of skepticism out there about the future of our country, economy, and our lives. When people don’t feel secure there is not much freedom to spend and share. Insecurity makes people think inward and manifest in them holding on to things. The recovery is slow, but there are positive signs that are helping most to believe that we have suffered the worst. If this is true than you will see people feeling a little more free to get out of their shell and spend. Hopefully the recovery will be faster than expected. For information about Chapel Hill Real Estate and homes for sale visit Chapel Hill Realty.

Popularity: 3% [?]

With the current real estate market the way that it is, it is imperative that one gain a competitive advantage. One of the ways to gain that upper hand on the market is to have your home staged and ready to show to prospective buyers. Staging involves a number of things, but simply is the process of presenting your home in a way that welcomes the prospective buyer with a vision of what the home could look like. It is important for your home to look and show well, and it is to this end that there are professional stagers that will come in (for a fee, of course) and decorate your home to increase the homes presentation abilities. You can find more about homes for sale in Chapel Hill at www.chapelhillrealty.com

Staging involves the look and feel of the home and has it’s main goal to create a warm and welcoming feeling to the potential buyer. We all remember the stories about the apple pies or cookies baking in the oven when the potential buyer comes to view the home. The sweet smell of the apple pie creates a very welcoming homey feel that aids in the comfort level of the buyer.

Landscaping and the cosmetic show of the outside of the house is a consideration as well as the inside. The outside of the house must be appealing, after all this is the first thing the buyer will see. If they can’t get past the outside it will be difficult to win them over completely. We have all heard the term "curb appeal’, and this is where the outside of the house has a look and feel that is appealing as you drive by. You would want the outside of the house to be so appealing that it tantalizes the potential buyer to see the inside. If the outside is welcoming and the inside is warm and friendly than you have a good combination to sell the home. These are just some thoughts on the staging of your home. Find more at www.chapelhillrealty.com and happy house selling!

Popularity: 7% [?]

What is it that makes home prices go up or down? We all know about the supply and demand concept and most of the time that is the pinnacle factor in the driving of our pricing markets and models, but what if there were other factors that were just as important and had equal impact.

Incentives could play a major role in the pricing of homes. If there are a lot of incentives being offered to home owners than this creates more competition in the housing market, especially for home builders. Homes in Chapel Hill pricing can be found at www.teamjodi.com. Competition as we all know definitely drives pricing.

Recently in our economy we have seen a huge increase in unemployment rates. This creates and insecurity and that insecurity makes people not spend. When people aren’t spending, prices usually go down to try and draw them in to making purchases. We are in a struggling period of time right now in America with our economy taking hits over the last couple of years. The housing market is fighting to stay afloat and Realtors are doing what they can to sell houses.

Different markets are fairing differently with Florida leading the pack with markets that are not doing so well, whereas California is getting reports of a recovery with homes selling for more that the listing price. Please visit www.teamjodi.com for assistance with your real estate needs. We know that time will tell on most of the theories around the housing market, but for a portion of America we need solutions now. We can only get so many tax breaks that may actually be tax burdens in the future. I think for most we are all just hoping that the economy somehow corrects itself and we can have things somewhat back to normal.

Popularity: 7% [?]

There are reports that the California housing market is leading the recovery for the entire nation concerning the housing market. Tax credits, incentives, supply and demand are all factors that may be contributing to the housing market in the Sunshine State. Reports are surfacing of 107% purchases, meaning that homes are being sold for more than the listing price by 7%.

Could this really be the end of the housing slump for California? Are the incentives really working or is this just smoke and mirrors? Since many of the major cities will be the forerunners to this, outlying cities like homes in Tracy California will get a good taste of what may come. We’ll have to watch Tracy real estate for sale for trends that may indicate similar reports. Many other states will be watching this so called recovery especially Florida who holds many of the top cold markets. Should other states follow California’s way of doing things, at least for the housing market? I think most will take a wait and see approach.

Whenever there are incentives or tax breaks, or when the government is handing out money, there is room for caution. Most things are not for free and the question needs to be asked if we are all going to pay for this someday, somehow. California is having financial issues and yet they can find ways to provide tax breaks. It’s great to be able to give away money as long as you have it to give. Time will tell whether or not the real estate market in California is really recovering or is just in a temporary spike. The Silveria Team specializes in Tracy CA and surrounding area real estate. Please visit our website for more info here www.thesilveriateam.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

With unemployment rates on the decline in most states, the hopes of the battered real estate gaining a recovery is becoming more of a reality. There have been many incentives over the last year with the government offering the first time home buyers tax credit as being the biggest. We saw home builders offering purchase incentives by teaming up with the local Sears stores or other home appliance outlets giving credits on supplying their newly purchased home. If you would like to look at properties or see real estate in Chapel Hill NC feel free to visit our website at www.chapelhillrealty.com.

People are always in the mood for a good deal and when thinking about buying a home, people are constantly looking for deals. The uncertainty of the job market has caused many to rethink the American dream and has given rise to the fact that things may not always be prosperous. America is vulnerable just like any other country and people are spending less and possibly saving more, for that just in case season. 

The market actually has seen a gain in pending home sales up around 22% since April of last year. People are hopeful and with some of the jobs coming back there may be a sense that everything is going to be OK. We are a resilient country and we can figure out how to make things work. We just need to protect ourselves from being so vulnerable to downturns and other things that with a little foresight can prevent. We sell real estate in Chapel Hill NC and if your interested in services for the Chapel Hill area you can visit our website at Chapel Hill Realty.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Pending homes sales has risen over the last few months up about 6% since April and over 22% since April of 2009. This upward swing is good news for a failing real estate market.  The last couple of years have been horrible for home owners trying to sell their homes including Augusta Georgia homes for sale, without losing money and it has been very difficult on local realtors. Some realtors who were not busy have returned to old jobs or are fighting to stay alive in this market.

There have been good signs though that some of the worst is behind us. Markets are showing an increase in pending sales and the government has added incentives to try and lure the potential home buyer to get off the fence and make the purchase. The mortgage rates have stayed low and seem to be going even lower, which will help with purchases since the government tax credit has now expired. Having mortgage rates low will go along way in helping with the real estate market recovery and help the market to sustain itself without having to rely on government help.

Augusta Georgia has been affected just like any other city, but as the nation turns around the Augusta market will too. We have been fortunate that our market wasn’t affected as much as some of the other areas, though no one really escaped the downslide. If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Augusta, please let us know at www.augustalistingexpert.com. Augusta is a great place to live with great shopping and dining. It is also located on the Savannah River which adds to the laid back and the adventurer.

Popularity: 3% [?]

A new law in California enables borrowers to have a tax break whose mortgage debt was forgiven through modification of their loan, a short sale or even due to foreclosure. The bill (SB 401) was signed off by Governor Schwarzenegger just before April 15th, which is the tax deadline.

One thing this new law does is allows the majority of tax payers to not be required to include mortgage debt income that has been canceled up to $500,000 on their principal residence, or up to $250,000 for married individuals that have chosen to file separately. This is applicable for the dates 2009 through 2012.
Since the Federal Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, is instituted through the tax year 2012, the California law comes in alignment with the federal law.

This law gives a needed tax relief to those that have lost their homes and can’t afford to pay more taxes. Added on to this anyone in California that had to sell their home on a short sale is allowed to exclude the amount that was still owed to the loan company from their taxes. This also applies to homeowners who have had loan modifications to lower their debt. We specialize in real estate in Tracy CA and would love to help you with your next purchase in Tracy California or any of the surrounding areas.

There are a few exceptions that you may need to be aware of. For example any debt forgiveness that is on a second home mortgage or business & investment property does not qualify. Also, and refinance loans that allow cash-out equity will not apply. For more information on California real estate please visit www.thesilveriateam.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

Scotch Plains is a quaint, mostly residential suburban town in Union County with a population of around 21,000 people. It covers an area of almost 10 square miles. Scotch Plains is located in the southern tip of Union County with the town of Edison to the south and the city of Plainfield to the Eastern side. Scotch Plains was settled in 1684 by Scottish Dissenters from Perth Amboy who were soon followed by the Quakers. An agricultural community, Scotch Plains grew slowly (by refusing to let the railroad come through the town, it stayed rural longer). However, after World War II, it doubled its size and became a commuter town.

The town of Berkeley Heights is to the northern direction and Fanwood and Westfield are to the west. Owning Scotch Plains Real Estate puts you only about 25 miles west of New York City, so this can accommodate those quick city fixes that come from time to time. The town is close to Garden State Parkway exit 135. Visit www.jackiesafran.com for more information about Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

Westfield, NJ is a town about 20 miles outside of New York City as the crow flies they say. There is Mountainside to the north of the city, the Springfield Township is located to the northeast, and the cities of Cranford and Garwood are situated to the eastern side, while Clark is to the southeast and Scotch Plains to the west and southwest. It is located near several major highways, the nearest exit on the Garden State Parkway being Exit 135. If you’re interested in Westfield NJ Real Estate, please give http://www.jackiesafran.com a call.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A good friend of mine wrote a song with a line in it that goes like this, “I need my soul stirred, I need a little inspiration, do you have what it takes to ride the rhythm and catch the breaks?” This line gripped me and as a result, I found myself pondering the topic of “Inspiration.” I want to share with you what I
feel about it and what it means to me.

Inspiration is an essential ingredient that we need in order to create and innovate, to help us see things through. Everyone would like to be great at something, or at a lot of things, but something that is worth doing is for the most part, neither quick or easy. It takes purpose, focus, persistence, energy, and a lot of inspiration. Inspiration is the ingredient that causes us to get through the tough times, the mundane times, the repetition; it causes us to get up after we have been knocked down. It moves us past our stopping points and helps us to not sweat the small stuff.

For example
In the heady days of falling in love, be it with a person, a new sport or a musical instrument, nothing can stop us. The annoying ticks he or she may have are insignificant, on our next mountain bike ride we are going to get to the top of the mountain without stopping, and we are going to practice that
guitar 60 minutes every day until we are a rock star. Why? because we are inspired. This is the kind of inspiration that “happens” to us. Before long however, the honeymoon is over, he or she is starting to annoy you, your mountain bike isn’t getting that many miles anymore, and practicing arpeggios on
your guitar is boring as can be. This is when we get to that place where we need to find our true inspiration. We need inspiration “on demand” to help us achieve rock star status.

In my opinion what lies at the core of this stumbling block is a lack of purpose, or the lack of “clarity” of purpose. What is your purpose in life? For Columbus, it was his hunger to explore. For the Wright brothers, it was getting man to fly through the air. For Mother Teresa, it was easing the suffering of the
poor in this world. What are you to do? Who are you to be? How am I going to be meaningful? Where can I make a difference? Forget why and how you got here… you are here, now what? If you are ever interested in homes in Scottsdale AZ please visit my website at www.dilarno.com.

What is your purpose? When we are asked this question most of us become quiet and have no answer. This, (in my opinion) lies at the heart of feeling empty. It opens the doors to depression, addiction, disease and ultimately, death.

So what is it for you? For me, it is being physically immortal. By that I mean eradicating death from my physical being, from the cells and atoms of my flesh. Being free of death means to be free of all the things mentioned above. It means being free of anything that would stop me from functioning 100%. It
means being 100% responsible. It means being 100% accountable, so I can manifest and express the true glory of me, the glory of who I am.

Some call me crazy, some call me delusional, but it works for me so who are they to tell me anything! I learned early in life that no matter what I do, there will be those that like it and those that don’t. I discovered that I needed to figure out what made me tick, and then surround myself with those whom
approve of that. Think big, feel deep, have the guts to stand for what you feel in the midst of adversity, for only there will you find true inspiration.

How are we to become inspired on demand? Once you have found your purpose, you have to line up your whole life with that purpose. This means; Get rid of everything that distracts you from manifesting who you are, change your thoughts and habits, say goodbye to unsupportive people, get rid of your
addictions, and not just the obvious ones such as tobacco or alcohol but your addiction to let’s say… drama or depression. It takes a continuous movement to be lined up with your purpose, even when you are totally free of duality; there is always the threat of invaders that want to rob your joy and
inspiration.

Once everything in your life is lined up with the new you, you have to start practicing. We have to learn how to nourish our souls, how to fuel the fire. This is done first by having people around you that remind you of who you are and what your purpose is, not only by “telling” you, but also by “showing”
you who they are.

We need to consciously engage in stimulating interactions, and stimulating activities. Every morning we need to line ourselves up with our purpose instead of going on autopilot. We need to “practice” feeling inspired.

Life takes on a different meaning when we do what we do out of inspiration and not out of a drive, or out of obligation. I hope I have inspired you to take charge of your inspiration :)

Good luck!
Dimitri Larno
Associate Broker – Realtor®
To learn more visit http://www.DiLarno.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

Team Jodi specializes in real estate services for Durham, North Carolina and Chapel Hill North Carolina. Durham is named the City of Medicine and also goes by the name Bull City. Once you have spent some time in Durham it will be easy to see why so many residents and businesses make Durham, NC their home. If you’re interested in Durham homes for sale then check out www.teamjodi.com for valuable information that will help with all of your buying and selling desires. There Durham market this year is showing 19.2 % increase in listings and closed sales are up right at the 13% range. As in many cities it’s a great time to buy a home.

Another great place to buy a home is Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This city was named for the Church of England New Hope Chapel and is also seeing an increase in closed sales sporting upward to 29%. We are also seeing listings for Chapel Hill homes for sale rise to almost 22% this year. There are many neighborhoods in Chapel Hill and Durham that would be perfect to live in. Check out our site and give us a call if you’re interested in looking at some of the neighborhoods or would just like more information.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tracy Real Estate as other California cities have gone through a tough market downturn in recent years. 2010 seems to be the year that all this will change and things will start to look up. The state of California has recently passed a home buyer tax credit that will allow home buyers and new home buyers the ability to purchase homes with tax credit benefits. The California state tax credit program started on May 1, 2010 just as the federal governments home buyer tax credit was ending. Some smart shoppers actually were able to time their transactions to be included in both programs. Tracy California is just outside of Stockton and a short drive to Oakland and San Francisco. For those wanting to get out of the metropolitan areas and find a more peaceful lifestyle, Tracy Real Estate might just be the spot for you.

Tracy California has experience a fantastic growth without compromising it’s small town feel and charm. Offering shopping, dining, parks and recreation, and many schools to choose from, Tracy is a great place to grow up and raise your family. If you are looking for Tracy Homes or Real Estate in the San Joaquin Valley then give The Silveria Team a call. They specialize in real estate services for for buying or selling, plus have numerous tips for all your home owner needs. As California offers incentives for purchasing a home I am sure that much of the market downturn will see better days on the west coast. At least something is being done to help the market and change things around. Maybe other states will follow suit and the whole market will be able to take a breather from trying to stay afloat.  

Popularity: 6% [?]

There are some great deals to be had in the real estate market right now, with the incentives from the federal government, home builders, and home owners trying to sell their homes. Some may wonder is there ever a really good time to buy real estate? The short answer to this is yes. Just like the stock market there are times when stocks are low and this is the time to buy. For us right now in the real estate market, we would consider this time a low time, therefore a great time to buy, but maybe not such a great time to sell. Augusta Real Estate is no different than any other part of the country. Sure there may be better deals in California, Arizona, and Florida, but for the most part the entire market is down and now is a good time to buy anywhere.

Home builders are offering incentives to purchase their homes, home owners are lowering their asking prices just to get the sale, and in recent months the government has offered tax incentives for first time home buyers. All of this with the low prices the market is offering makes buying Augusta Real Estate or any real estate for that matter very attractive. It’s important to keep in mind that when purchasing a home make sure you use a great real estate agent who can help you negotiate a fair deal and help you with the paperwork that is involved. Using a real estate agent can save you time and a lot of headaches if you don’t know what you are doing. If you need an agent for the Augusta Georgia market please visit www.augustalistingexpert.com for all you buying and selling needs.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Porterfield Consulting Solutions is a government contract consulting firm offering superior expertise, a track record of success, and the lowest prices you are likely to find. We offer 8a Certification, business planning, GSA Proposals, and business seminars. Once you talk with us you will not want to go anywhere else. We specialize in helping small and medium sized businesses negotiate and participate successfully in the Government market. We also help entrepreneurs make their business idea into a reality through start-up business planning and financing assistance. Additionally, we offer a variety of management consulting services directly to Government clients.

Porterfield Consulting Solutions, LLC, was founded by Richard L. Porterfield, CPCM, PDCM.
Mr. Porterfield is a government contracting expert with over twenty years of experience. He is the author of a book, The Insider’s Guide to Winning Government Contracts, and 18 magazine articles on business and management topics. He has helped large and small businesses write proposals that have won nearly $1 billion in Government work. He has helped literally hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses succeed in both Government and commercial markets.

Please check out our website at www.porterfieldcs.com and read the real life testimonials we have posted. Then call us.

Popularity: 6% [?]

If you’re in the market for North Augusta Homes then you should visit www.augustagatownhomes.com for the latest townhome deals in the North Augusta area. Townhomes are a great purchase since they are easy to maintain and the upkeep is kept to a minimum. These types of homes are great for those wanting to leave the grass and yard work alone and just relax in a secure and labor free environment. They usually have small yards with energy efficient appliances. These homes are great for those just starting out in the home purchasing market since townhomes are considerably less cost than the traditional home with a regular yard to maintain. You can always sell your townhome if you decide to upgrade, since most of the time the cost is low in comparison. Augusta Ga Townhomes.com has a great deal on townhomes with dramatically reduced costs and prices way below market value.

These homes are equipped with 3 bedrooms and have these additional items: Property Type: Residential Subdivision: The Villas @ Five Notch Style: 2 Story Year Built: 2007 Square Feet: 1540 Exterior: Vinyl, Stone Roofing: Comp Shingle Driveway: Concrete Heat Type: Forced Air, Heat Pump Heat Source: Electric Air Conditioning: Heat Pump, Single System Water: Public Sewer: Public FEATURES & AMENITIES: Exterior Features: Fenced Yard, Landscaped-partial, Insul Windows/Doors ROOM INFORMATION: Bedrooms: 3 Total Full Baths: 3 Rooms: Bonus Room, Computer/Office ROOM SIZES: Room Level Approx. Size Master Bedroom: 1 13 X 13 Bedroom 2: 1 11 X 10 Bedroom 3: 2 12 X 12 Kitchen: 1 10 X 10 Living Room: 1 15 X 13 SCHOOL INFORMATION: Elementary School: Mossey Creek Middle School: North Augusta High School: North Augusta

The Villas at Five Notch Road are located in North Augusta! These North Augusta Townhomes are complete with bath and kitchen tile floors and Stainless Steel Appliances. The exterior includes a privacy fence/vinyl exterior with comp shingle roofing and a concrete drive. The builder will pay $2500 towards closing costs.

Popularity: 5% [?]

clip_image002The time has come. You’re ready to sell your house and the big question is: what price tag should you give it? Let me explain the crucial point you need to grasp before taking your next step. Experience has shown that the foundation of any successful home sale is based on applying the Price versus Value principle. Everything else being equal, price in relation to value is what sells a house. Dimitri specializes in Luxury Scottsdale Homes and can help you with your buying or selling needs. Visit www.dilarno.com for more information about Scottsdale Real Estate.

One challenge I always face with sellers is the belief they have in how special their home is. And how, because of this specialness they should be able to get a higher price than all the other similarly styled houses on the market. In most cases, there is nothing special about your house. I know this is hard to accept but let me explain. Your 3 bedroom, 3 bath, granite counter-topped home with 180 degree views of the mountains is up for sale along with, (at any given time), tens, if not hundreds of houses just like it in your local market.

The only way you are going to differentiate yourself is to stand out with your Price versus Value, and declare, “Look, all these features for this competitive price!” Naturally, if your house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or you are situated in a small town, the principle I’m talking about won’t be relevant; but in general, most of us are facing general market conditions.

Price versus Value will also determine whether or not your house will sell in a timely manner. To illustrate, let’s assume that the value of your house is $300,000 (how you got to that figure is a whole other issue that we will not get into at this time). Nothing stops you from attaching a 1 million dollar price tag to your home, but will it ever sell? At the other extreme, if you would price the property at $25,000, you would probably get multiple offers within hours. Also, it never hurts to test the market. If you don’t get an acceptable offer in the near future you can adjust your expectations or sell at a later date.

As a seller you have to be realistic about the numbers, as well as understand that at any given time there are only a finite number of buyers in the market for a home exactly like the one you are selling. In order to consummate a sale it is your job to come up with a price that works for you, as well as meet buyer expectations.

What is your personal scenario? Gather the information you need and weigh the pros and cons. Once you have come up with a price that makes sense to you, organize your best marketing materials and if you prefer, hire a real estate professional to help you with the process. Never forget; everything else being equal, price versus value is what sells.

Good luck!

Dimitri Larno
Licensed Agent
Real Estate Professional
c. 602-524-1487 e. azbigdeal@gmail.com

As an investor himself, as well as a licensed Realtor®, Dimitri has over a decade of real estate experience. Dimitri’s specialties include primary residences, second homes, investment properties, commercial properties and land. Visit http://www.dilarno.com for more details and listing information. He has been recognized for being a Multi-million Dollar Producer, and is an accomplished Realtor® committed to superior results for his clients.

"Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value" Albert Einstein

Popularity: 8% [?]

There are a number of things that are critical to having a smooth real estate transaction. For example, you want to avoid making any other major purchases, opening any new lines of credit or make an employment change. Today, lenders may verify your employment status several times prior to your loan closing. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the buyer to assume a portion of the closing costs, so we will make sure that you are informed about money that you may need at the closing table. If you’re looking at Augusta GA Homes then give us a call, we can help with all your buying needs.

Not just the first time buyers that we’ve previously worked with, but all of my previous clients will tell you that we believe a home inspection and a termite inspection is an extremely important part of the home buying process and we always highly recommend both before purchasing your next home.

After you have been approved for a mortgage, found your dream home, negotiated a purchase contract with the seller, had your inspections and then negotiated any repairs, if necessary, it’s time to go to the closing table with an attorney.

This is just a sample of what we are here to assist you with from the very first step. We have developed working relationships with lenders, inspectors and attorneys that are professional and courteous and are waiting to assist you. Simply call or send us an email, or visit our website at www.viewaugustahomes.com to begin your home buying journey. 

Popularity: 5% [?]

Every year many families find themselves relocating to the Augusta Ga area. Whether you move to the Augusta area after retirement or employment brings you here, Augusta / Columbia County has much to offer and many affordable homes. Columbia County is a suburb of Augusta and has been recently named by CNN / Money magazine the 2nd best place to live in the southeast and the 32ndbest place to live in the United States. Evans Ga, which is located in Columbia County, was honored by Money Magazine as #9 in it’s 2008 Top 25 best places for affordable housing for those who want to retire near the water. In 2007, BizJournal.com rated Augusta #1 in their list of the 10 most affordable markets to own a home. As you can see, there are a number of award winning reasons for relocating to Augusta.

Many families relocate here for the world class employers that are found in the Augusta area. Fort Gordon, the Savannah River Plant, the Medical College of Georgia, Proctor and Gamble, Club Car, and any one of the five local hospitals creates a large number of employment opportunities that draws families from all over the world.

No matter what the reason, when you decide Augusta Ga / Columbia County Ga is where you intend to relocate to and you want to find homes for sale in Augusta Ga, Shea Bunch should be your Realtor® and www.ViewAugustaHomes.com is where your search should begin. From touring neighborhoods and homes in Augusta to referring quality lenders, home inspectors and closing attorneys we are with you every step of the way and we’re not satisfied until you are.

Popularity: 11% [?]

The troubled commercial real estate market continued to ravage the community banking sector last month as federal banking regulators closed 23 banks, the highest monthly toll in nearly a year according to Darryl R. Isherwood of Fox Business. Check out New Bern NC Homes at www.ncpropertiesonline.com for housing information in the New Bern North Carolina area. In total, the April bank closings cost the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation nearly $9 billion as banks loaded with commercial real estate and construction loans continued to falter at a record pace.

Palatka, a small town of less than 11,000 residents in Northeast Florida, has already seen its share of commercial real estate woes. Last month, another Palatka bank, First Federal Bank of North Florida, was shuttered by regulators when its capital slipped into negative territory from the pummeling it received at the hands of the commercial real estate market.

“Judging by what we’ve seen so far we think the size of the problem is going to increase,” said Matt Anderson, managing director of real estate analysis firm Foresight Analytics. Foresight’s bank watch list, which at the end of 2009 totaled 590 banks, is now at 645, Anderson said. For an up to date market report of real estate in New Bern see our website at http://www.ncpropertiesonline.com/Properties . In February, commercial real estate prices slipped again after four months of increases, bringing the peak to current drop in prices to a whopping 41%. With so much value flushed away, it is unlikely that loans written during the peak years of 2006 and 2007 will ever recover, Anderson said.

The April carnage brings the total in 2010 to 64 failed banks totaling $61 billion in assets. That is more than double the pace set through the first four months of 2009, a year in which 140 banks were shuttered.

Popularity: 12% [?]

A newly enacted California law provides a tax break to borrowers whose mortgage debt was forgiven through a foreclosure, short sale, or loan modification according to Carrie Bay of DSNews.com.  The bill (SB 401) landed on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk and he inked his approval just days before the April 15th tax deadline.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, the law provides much-needed tax relief to homeowners who have already lost their homes and cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars in taxes simply because the mortgage company forgave the remainder of the loan. If you would like information on Homes in Tracy CA or other surrounding areas please visit  The Silveria Team at www.thesilveriateam.com.

In addition, Californians who have sold their homes as short sales are allowed to exclude from taxable income the amount that was still owed to the mortgage company. The legislation also applies to homeowners who have received debt-reducing loan modifications.

“The mortgage-debt tax relief provision in this bill will provide financial shelter for tens of thousands of Californians who have lost their hopes and dreams in the housing market crash, and it’s about time we gave these folks a helping hand,” said state Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello).

The new law allows most taxpayers to exclude canceled mortgage debt income of up to $500,000 on their principal residence, or up to $250,000 for married individuals filing separately. It applies to debt forgiveness in 2009 through 2012. The law brings California state tax policy largely in line with the federal Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which is in effect through the tax year 2012. Real estate information about Tracy, Mountain House and Stockton can be found at www.thesilveriateam.com. There are some exceptions though. Debt forgiveness on a second home mortgage, business property, or investment property does not qualify for exclusion under the new state law. Refinance loans that allow cash-out equity are also excluded.

The state’s Franchise Tax Board says the new mortgage debt provision will cost California about $34 million in tax revenue over the next three years. The board also estimates that approximately 100,000 people will benefit from the tax break between now and the 2012 tax year.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner David Stevens today announced a set of policy changes to strengthen the FHA’s capital reserves, while
enabling the agency to continue to fulfill its mission to provide access to homeownership for underserved communities. Stay up to date on the real estate in Augusta Georgia market at www.augustalistingexpert.com. The changes announced today are the latest in a series of changes Stevens has enacted in order to better position the FHA to manage its risk while continuing to support the nation’s housing market recovery. The FHA will propose to take the following steps: increase the mortgage insurance premium (MIP); update the combination of FICO scores and down payments for new borrowers; reduce seller concessions to three percent, from six percent; and implement a series of significant measures aimed at increasing lender enforcement. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan previewed the changes in December of last year, noting that the FHA would announce additional details before the end of January.

“Striking the right balance between managing the FHA’s risk, continuing to provide access to underserved communities, and supporting the nation’s economic recovery is critically important,” said Commissioner Stevens. “When combined with the risk management measures announced in September of last year, these changes are among the most significant steps to address risk in the agency’s history. Find more information about the Augusta housing market at Augusta Listing Expert. Additionally, by continuing to provide affordable, responsible mortgage products, FHA will support the housing market’s recovery. Importantly, FHA will remain the largest source of home purchase financing for underserved communities.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

It’s no surprise with today’s low interest rates and stabilized home prices that great investment opportunities have been created!  Investing in real estate has unique advantages over other types of investments. Below are some of the advantages of real estate investing. If you would like to learn more, you could contact Mason Barrett of The Barrett Team.

Many investors are taking advantage of these great market conditions. Feel free to visit our website www.masonbarrett.com for more. So if you have a home that you are trying to sell it may be time to get it prepared for showing. The best way to prepare a home for selling is to stage it. Staging involves a number a ways to make your home show better. There is a difference in the way people live in their homes and the way homes are supposed to be shown to the public. If you don’t know how to stage your home for the best possible sale then you can contact a realtor. Many of the realtors today have Staging Credentials and can professionally stage your home, giving you the maximum benefit of a realtor and staging consultant rolled into one. Have questions? Give us a call. We are happy to help!

Popularity: 13% [?]

A buyer making a 10 percent down payment would need to earn $70,000 a year to afford the Baltimore area’s median home price of $235,000, according to a report released Tuesday by the Center for Housing Policy. Police and elementary school teachers make about $52,000, the nonprofit research group said. Nurses earn about $41,000.

Among the 208 metro areas the center studied, Baltimore home prices were tied for 29th most expensive – more than in Philadelphia, ranked 36th at $227,000, and far more than in Detroit, one of the least expensive at $86,000. The report looked at sale prices during the last three months of 2009. For more on this report see www.ngrealtygroup.com with Nick Gioia.

"Home price drops have made homeownership more affordable for some workers, but a lot of workers in a lot of jobs are still priced out," said Maya Brennan, a senior research associate at the center.

A dearth of affordable housing was part of the corrosive brew that threw the nation into financial meltdown in 2008, see NG Realty Group for housing in Baltimore Maryland. As prices skyrocketed earlier in the decade, buyers stretched their budgets to get in the door. Defaults and foreclosures followed.

Popularity: 16% [?]

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