north georgia: MOLD! A Four Letter Word - 02/04/12 08:13 PM
I bring up the subject of mold because we just dealt with this situation. Please read our prior blog entitled "We Know What We Are Doing".
What I have learned about mold is that the very word sounds off alarm bells with most people. Realtors have placed mold with synthetic stucco and for sale by owner as terms we hate to discuss.
Here is what I will say about mold:
Take the time to check your homeowners insurance to see if you have mold coverage If you suspect mold in your home call at least three certified experts to discuss optionos. … (0 comments)
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north georgia: The Foreclosures are Taking a Direct Toll on my Personal Home! - 02/14/11 09:09 AM
I have to admit that The Wells Team has benefited from the sale of foreclosure properties in the North Atlanta area!
At the same time my level of disappointment is increasing with respect to my own neighborhood.
I purchased my home in 2001. This was well before I entered the real estate industry, before the real estate boom and the real estate bubble.
The results: My home is worth less today based on the same model that sold down the street. It was a foreclosure!
We have 342 homes in our neighborhood. At this time there is only 1 active foreclosure … (1 comments)
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north georgia: Debate on Forsyth County Zoning - 02/08/11 01:52 PM
Read an article in the Jan 30th AJC concerning Forsyth County and a debate on zoning.
Forsyth County reflects what many counties in Georgia, and nationwide, will be up against when they look at ways to bring in business to help their tax base. Many counties in North Georgia rely on residential for the majority of their property taxes. Forsyth County has quite a few businesses that add money to the tax rolls. However the county experienced a large influx of money as a result of the housing boom.
Now that new housing construction in Forsyth County, as well as, the … (0 comments)
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north georgia: The AJC Homefinder: A Thing of the Past? - 02/02/11 09:51 PM
Like many of you I am an "addicted internet browser". The internet has become my sources of knowledge and I know I am not the only one.
Last week my neighbor gave me her Sunday Atlanta Journal and Constitution. It took me a while to realize that it was a newspaper that you read. (It has been a while). I enjoyed the sounds of the paper crumbling as I turned pages, the feel of the paper in my hands, and the fact I could read it without being in a WiFi hotspot!
In the past the AJC Homefinder … (2 comments)
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north georgia: Why we were successful in 2010! - 12/28/10 10:44 PM
I am not writing this blog to appear on the arrogant side. Rather I wanted to briefly explain why The Wells Team had a great year in a tough real estate market.
There are two reasons:
HARD WORK
In our opinion we outworked our competition. How? 24/7 availability! With a team of two agents and one admin assistant, a phone call or an email was answered quickly.
Doing the extra services that differentiate us from the rest. We have stored furniture, painted doors, replaced lights, painted, located contractors, and done other things to assist our clients.
TEAMWORK
The three … (4 comments)
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north georgia: I can call you anything I want! - 10/28/10 01:20 PM
The professionalism continues to decline.
Recently I had a problem with an agent showing my listings. The agent would contact our sellers directly sometimes knocking on their door. Our showing instructions were clear that we needed to be contacted first.
I wrote an email to this agent, and her broker. I thanked them for showing the property and looked forward to working with them. All I asked, nicely, was that they called me first. I have information on my clients, and their property, that could be beneficial to all sides.
In return I received an email. It said that it was … (5 comments)
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north georgia: We are a part of Dawson County, North Georgia - 10/21/10 10:00 PM
The Wells Team had the opportunity to participate in the Dawson County Business Expo. The event was sponsored by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. (The Wells Team is a proud member of the chamber).
The event was a way for local businesses to showcase their talent.
The Wells Team, of The Norton Agency, is proud to call Dawson County Georgia home.
If we can help you look for property in Dawson County, or the North Atlanta Metro area, give us a call.
Check out our website at www.randywellsteam.com
… (1 comments)
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north georgia: What do you know About Short Sales? - 08/06/10 05:37 PM
You have seen this term on the television, internet, and in the newspaper. You read it but do you really understand what it mean? Are you familiar with the acronyms FHLMC, HAMP, SAFE, and HAFA (just to name a few)?
This year we have seen a lot of regulatory changes in terms of the Short Sale. The Short Sale is an option for the homeowner prior to going into foreclosure.
The Norton Agency prides itself on the education of its agents.
Barb and Randy, of the Wells Team, have recently completed a class on Short Sales and Foreclosure properties. The class … (0 comments)
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north georgia: Chestatee Neighborhood, Dawsonville GA, Market Update - 06/11/10 03:19 PM
We recently sent out this market update to our clients:
The summer is heating up but our market seems to have cooled slightly.
We wanted to start with some recent statistics:
Here are the May statistics for Dawson County:
426 homes for sale throughout the county
24 sold in May
29 Pending (under contract but have not closed)
Dawson County has 14.7 months of inventory.
The average home has 110 days on the market.
When the home is sold it is receiving 93% of its current list price
Positive points about the preceding numbers:
… (0 comments)
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north georgia: 2010 Market Update for North Georgia - 05/02/10 08:30 PM
Market thoughts for the first four months of 2010
Spring has hit us quickly in North Georgia with summer right around the corner.
Every real estate market is local and The Wells Team knows this market as well as anybody.
We saw a "surge" of lookers (drive-bys) in mid April. This group gave us some of the best open house results we had seen in a year. This group is pretty consistent in their home buying status. They will soon be empty nesters, retiring, or moving back to the area to be near family. Some return to work with us. Overall … (0 comments)
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north georgia: SHOULD WE CHANGE OUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS INTO A 501c NON PROFIT? - 03/20/10 10:18 PM
We have a dilemma on our hands: Do we change our real estate business into a non profit? We ask this question because we have recently been asked to cut our commission by 33% on a recent sale. This is in addition to the never ending request for real estate help requested from For Sale by Owners.
The Wells Team is not in the real estate business because we needed a hobby! This is how we make our living!
For some reason many people cannot make the same conclusion. As far as they are concerned we are a service that they want to avoid using because of commissions. … (2 comments)
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north georgia: THE FSBO VS LISTING WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT IN THIS MARKET!!! - 02/24/10 11:08 AM
Despite this tough real estate market we continue to meet sellers who want to sell their home themselves!
Why???
Their responses:
Your market analysis shows me that I have to price the home lower in order to sell! I am not going to "give away" my home! I can negotiate more effectively because I do not have to pay a commission! I do not want to pay any commission to anybody! We will put up a sign and come to show the property when we receive a phone call! We will have an open house and sell it!
… (0 comments)
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north georgia: SPEND THE MONEY FOR A HOME INSPECTION! - 02/21/10 02:39 PM
There is nothing worse for The Wells Team that to receive this phone call: We are having _______ problem with that house you recently helped us purchase!
Our heart begins to race, the throat constricts, and sweat starts to form on the forehead.
Then we ask ourselves the following:
Did we encourage them to get a home inspection?
Did we give them multiple home inspectors to interview?
Did we suggest a home warranty?
Did we give our "home expertise" on home issues that we are not qualified to do so?
Why do our buyers worry about the price of a … (1 comments)
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north georgia: REAL ESTATE PHRASES FROM 2009 - 01/20/10 08:08 AM
2009 was an interesting year as you can imagine. Barb and I worked with a lot of great clients, fellow agents, mortgage brokers, and attornies.At the same time we also encountered some individuals who were inclined to use some "flowery" phrases" when working with us.There were some phrases used so many times that we just to had to share them with you. Some of our favorites:"I am looking for a deal""I know what houses are selling for in my neighborhood but my house is different""Last year my house was worth more.""Why was my house appraised so low"And our personal favorite: " … (3 comments)
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north georgia: January 2010 Real Estate Reality from The Norton Agency - 01/19/10 09:37 PM
Frank Norton Jr, the president of the Norton Agency, has published his January 2010 edition of Real Estate Reality. Below are some quotes from the publication. If you would like a copy let Barb and I know. We will gladly send you a copy. The Wells Team, of the Norton Agency, are your North Metro Atlanta real estate experts.
"VALUE IS STILL THE DRIVER"
•" BUYERS PERCEIVE THE MARKET TO BE WORSE THAN REALITY.
THEY WANT TO FEEL THAT IF THEY DO BUY ..THEY'VE GOT TO
GET A DEAL"
•" BUYERS ARE BEING VERY SELECTIVE IN MOST MARKETS, BUT
THE NATIONAL … (0 comments)
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north georgia: THE NORTON AGENCY FORECAST JANUARY 21ST AT 6PM - 01/12/10 10:26 PM
Frank Norton Jr, the President of the Norton Agency, will give his annual forecast on January 21st at 6pm.
The Norton Agency has been involved in the real estate industry since 1928. After 80 plus years in the business The Norton Agency has their hand on the pulse of North Georgia.
We encourage all of you to attend our annual forecast at the Georgia Mountain Center. If you cannot make it you can listen to our simulcast on www.accessnorthga.com
The Wells Team prides itself on being part of the North Georgia community. After 5 years of being members of the million … (1 comments)
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north georgia: LAKE LANIER HAS REACHED THE TOP! - 11/26/09 04:24 PM
A year ago we agonized over the lack of water in Lake Lanier. There were docks sitting in the red Georgia clay, empty boat dealerships and lake front restaurants, and homeowners watching their property values decline.
Now we admire the lake in awe as it sits full. The boaters have returned to enjoy a late fall boat ride, the fisherman search for the large Bass, and the restaurants enjoy a surge in business.
As a result The Wells Team has been involved with 3 Lake Lanier transactions this year totaling over $1.8 million dollars!
Barb and Randy have lived in a … (0 comments)
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north georgia: TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR DAWSON COUNTY RESIDENTS! - 11/12/09 01:21 PM
This is a common question that The Wells Team receives from prospective buyers looking in Dawson
County. Are there any "tax breaks" for me? The easiest way to answer that question is to have you go directly to the source. Please go to the Dawson County Tax Assessors Website:
http://www.dawsontaxassessors.org/ On the left side go to exemptions. This will explain all of the options
available in the county. Come on up and experience Dawson County with The Wells Team. One hour north
of downtown Atlanta, this county has the outdoor, slower pace lifestyle, that Barb, Sue, and myself (The
Wells … (0 comments)
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north georgia: GEORGIA HOMEOWNERS LOSE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN 2010 - 11/03/09 08:46 PM
Georgia homeowners are going to pay a little more this year on their property taxes.
I quoted the Dawson County Tax Commissioners Website:
"Your 2009 Property Tax bill may be higher than bills you have received in past years.The state homestead tax relief grant appropriated by the General Assembly and the Governor is not being funded this year due to declining state revenues during the current recession.The Tax Commissioner and Dawson County do not have the authority to restore this credit.According to legislation passed this year, the grant will only be made available in the future if state revenues … (0 comments)
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north georgia: WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION! - 11/01/09 02:46 PM
WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
You cannot get your home to appraise. WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
You watch more foreclosures appear in your neighborhood. WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
The offer you received on your home was "insulting". WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
The buyer seems to have the advantage. WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
Why don't they understand how much I put in this home? WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
Why do they say they love my home then disappear? WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
They do not understand my situation. WE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION!
This market continues to challenge us in ways we have not … (2 comments)
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